POLITICIAN GEORGE

Henry George

The Cortland Democrat, Friday, August 26, 1887.

Politician George.

(From the Albany Argus.)

   When questioned as to his occupation, at the Syracuse United Labor convention, Henry George replied: "I have no occupation!"

   Twelve hours after the convention, Politician George was met by a reporter in New York and referred to as the "candidate for Secretary of State." Politician George quickly replied; "I am not the candidate. I am the Secretary of State!" He followed his astounding statement of election as Secretary of State by declaring that "he was elected mayor of New York over Abram S. Hewitt and Roosevelt, but was counted out."

   This is the first intimation the people of this State has ever received that George was counted out of the mayoralty, and at this late day he will have but few believers even in his own new party, if it can be called a party. If Politician George really believed so himself, or had any facts to work upon to prove his statement, does it look reasonable that a professional agitator like him would have quietly folded his arms and allowed his supposed election as mayor to go by default? He would have raised a cry of "outraged justice" for the sole purpose of bringing himself continually before the people through the newspapers, for to the latter he is a loquacious talker, notwithstanding his repeated assertions that the newspapers are a menace and an enemy of labor.

   Politician George, some years before the Greeley nomination by the National Democratic convention, entered the arena of politics in San Francisco as a Democrat, having been a Republican up to the close of Grant's first term. He was nominated for Member of Assembly in that state in 1871, upon the Democratic ticket, but was beaten. He was also Secretary of the California Democratic State convention in 1871. He says the only office he ever filled was that of inspector of gas metres in San Francisco, but, as he says, "that did not amount to much."

   He was a delegate from California to the National Democratic convention at Baltimore that nominated Greeley, and he stumped his own and other States for Greeley and Tilden as a Democrat, and commenced stumping for Hancock when his tariff views could not be entertained by the Democrats, and his services suddenly ended. In 1879 he was also defeated in California as a member of the Constitutional convention.

   It is not to be supposed for a moment that Politician George was not paid a liberal compensation for his stump oratory for Greeley and Tilden. He is not that kind of a man who works for nothing in politics. He vividly represents a large class of men who are in politics for "what there is in it." He is in politics now, as he was in California, for "what there is in it," and before the fall campaign is over, his followers will realize that he is but a speculative politician, dealing constantly in futures, in the hope that a rising market will reap a rich pecuniary reward for him.

   For twenty years George has been an active politician. Finding California not a successful field, he drifted east and established a new dogma in politics in this State. In the southern states he would be called a carpetbagger and frowned upon. He asserts that the old dominant Republican party had to be overthrown before he could successfully launch his views with any successful recognition, and when Cleveland's election came, he considered the time had come for him to strike out and build a new party.

   He is now before the workingmen of this state in somewhat of the same role as agitator. Denis Kearney, the sand lot orator of California, came east several years ago, and while not exactly advocating the views of Politician George, his views were almost the same in purpose, and intended to upset every well defined principle of good government, paralyze industry and create as unsettled feeling of security among the rich and poor. Happily, Kearney and his views abruptly and ignominiously ended here, and he went back to California, as Politician George will have to do some day, fully convinced that the eastern workingmen have no use for professional labor politicians seeking to aggrandize themselves at the expense of the workingmen and good government.

The Labor Ticket.

   The United Labor party held their State Convention at Syracuse, Wednesday and Thursday, and adopted a platform on the rights of labor and individuals, taxation and the general functions of government.

   The State ticket is as follows: Secretary of State, Henry George; State Treasurer, P. H. Cummings, of Montgomery; Attorney-General, Dennis K. Feeley, of Rochester; State Engineer and Surveyor, Sylvester H. Sweet.

Prohibition Convention.

   The Prohibition Convention called to nominate candidates for county officers to be supported at the ensuing election, convened in the Cortland Opera House last Monday afternoon and organized by selecting Wm. B. Stoppard of this village for chairman, and H. T. Coon, of Homer, and D. June, of Blodgett Mills for secretaries. The towns of Harford, Lapeer, Marathon and Freetown were not represented. On motion the convention took an informal ballot for Member of Assembly with the following result:

   Whole number of votes cast 39 of which Jerome Angel received 28, C. B. Hitchcock 3, Geo. Tanner 2, J. J. Woodruff 5, Blank 1.

   On motion the ballot was declared formal and the nomination of Dr. Angel was made unanimous.

   Geo. Allport moved that K. J. Snyder, of Cortland, be nominated by acclamation for School Commissioner in Dist. No. 1. Carried.

   Dr. S. Hinman, moved that Hamill T. Coon of Homer be nominated by acclamation for School Commissioner in Dist. No. 2. Carried.

   The convention then proceeded to take an informal ballot for a candidate for County Treasurer with the following result:

   Whole number of votes cast 37, of which Alfred J. Stillman received 19, D. June 18. The nomination of Mr. Stillman, of Scott, was made unanimous.

   On motion of Lewis S. Hayes, Jas. H. Jacobs, of Freetown, was nominated to Justice of Sessions by acclamation.

   On motion of Geo. Allport, Dr. F. D. Reese, of Cortland, was nominated for Coroner.

   The following delegates were chosen to attend the State Convention now being held in Syracuse: C. B. Hitchcock, L. S. Hayes, W. A. Morse, C. F. Cobb, W. F. Brown, the Rev. M. J. Owen, Hugh McDairmid, W. C. Chrisman, C. E. Bliss, J. J. Woodruff and E. R. Briggs.

   Rev. J. Barton French, of Trumansburg, formerly of Homer, delivered an interesting address before the Convention. After selecting a new County Committee the convention adjourned.

Examination of Teachers.

   The first Saturday of each month has been designated by the Sup't of Public Instruction, as the day for the examination of teachers throughout the State. The examination in the first commissioners’ district will be held at the Court House, Cortland, on the days above specified upon uniform questions furnished by Sup't Draper. It is required that the examinations open at 9 A. M., and that after Sept. 1st, 1887, no certificates be issued except upon the examinations as above provided. The first examination will occur on Sept. 10th, 1887, after [sic] the institute.

   FRANK J. SQUIRES,

   School Commissioner First District Cortland Co.

   Cortland, N. Y., Aug. 20, 1887.

Teachers’ Institute.

   The annual teachers' institute for Cortland county will open in Keator Opera House, Homer, N. Y., on Monday, Sept. 5th, 1887. Dr. J. H. French, has been appointed conductor. Teachers will not be registered later than Tuesday, except by special arrangement. Those who expect to teach during the coming year, should to present early and come prepared to attend every session during the entire week. Those desiring board may apply to the commissioners.

   FRANK J. SQUIRES,

   G. A. CROFOOT,

   School Commissioners.

HERE AND THERE.

   The next legal holiday will he "labor day," September 5th.

   The fall term of Homer Academy commenced last Tuesday.

   The next term of the Normal school commences Wednesday, Sept. 7th.

   A counterfeit V nickel is in circulation. It is distinguishable by the absence of "rty" on the word "liberty.”

   After this week the First National Bank will occupy the north side of S. E. Welch's store until their new block is finished.

   A couple of students wishing to rent a room together, within a few minutes' walk of the Normal and the business places, will do well to call at No. 5, North Greenbush street.

   D. G. Corwin has the contract for the carpenter work on the new First National Bank building. Parties from Syracuse will put in the front. The new building will be a very handsome one.

   The Cayuga, Cortland and Tompkins County Co-operative Fire Insurance Company has completed its organization, and is ready for business. Office [located] with H. A. Dickinson, over Second National Bank, Cortland.

   The E. C. & N. will run a special train from this place to Freeville and return, next Sunday. Train leaves Cortland at 8 A. M.; returning, leaves Freeville at 8 P. M., giving passengers a full day to attend the temperance meeting.

   We have been informed by Mr. L. S. Hayes, President of the projected railroad from this place to Cincinnatus, that arrangements have been made for the completion of the road at an early day. This will be good news to hosts of interested parties.

   The "Brantford Carriage Co.," has been organized in Canada. The directors are Hon. I. J. Fitzsgerald, Hon. O. U. Kellogg, Hugh Duffy, F. Cy Straat, Lord T. Whitehead. This company it is understood is to be a branch of the Cortland Wagon Company.

   Wm. E. Martin, a substitute letter carrier, has been appointed letter carrier. The appointment took effect August 24th. This makes four carriers on duty, and there will be four routes hereafter, which will undoubtedly result in making the delivery of the mails more promptly.

   Man makes great sacrifices for the mighty dollar. He will sacrifice honor, position, character and friends— will rob, lie, kill, cheat and steal for it, and even go without a county newspaper for himself and family, to save enough of the "root of all evil' with which to buy tobacco, cigars, and other "incidentals."—Ichabod.

   Last Thursday a young man called at the Hayes Chair Company's works and tried to sell a watch. He stated that he had just arrived from Elmira and that he wanted to sell the watch in order to raise the money to pay his board. The sheriff was notified, and he was arrested. On his person the sheriff found two watches, three chains, $110.62 in money, and twelve finger rings. He was about twenty-five years old, and said his name was Charles R. Allen.

   It was left for the McGrawville Sentinal to find out that only half of Barnum's show came to Cortland last week. That paper says that "The show was split some days before, and will not unite until arriving at Utica. It there again divides, reuniting at Syracuse." What becomes of the other half after the show is split? Might be a question that would bother our neighbor to answer. The same show, no more and no less, was in Syracuse last Monday that appeared in Cortland the Monday previous.

Recommended:

Henry George: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_George