Wednesday, April 1, 2015

CORTLAND COUNTY DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION OF 1889


S. S. Knox

The Cortland Democrat, Friday, October 4, 1889.

Democratic County Convention.
   The Democratic Convention called to nominate county officers and to elect delegates to the State and Senatorial conventions convened at Firemens' Hall in this village on Saturday afternoon last, and was called to order by Hon. O. U. Kellogg, chairman of the County Committee, on whose motion M. A. Mynard, Esq., of Freetown, was called to the chair. Jas. Dougherty of Cortland, and W. B. Bennett of Cincinnatus, were chosen secretaries and tellers. The roll of towns was called and the following delegates answered to their names:
   Cincinnatus—F. M. Benjamin, Will. E. Bennett, W. C. Rogers, W. W. Wood, M. Lottridge, D. F. Kingman.
   Cortlandville—J. Courtney, Jr., D. E. Call, J. R. Schermerhorn, D. W. VanHoesen, Henry Corcoran, John J . Haughton.
   Cuyler—Chas. Vincent, A. Campbell, Wm. Petrie, L. Holmes, A. Ryan, Jeff. Vincent.
   Freetown—Horace Martin, D. K. Allen, Chas. Monroe, M. A. Mynard.
   Homer—R. C. Shattuck, J. Burdick, W. S. Stephenson, Geo. Crane, W. A. Coon, D. Donogue.
   Harford—R. F. Chappuis, Jas. H. Wayle, Lewis Rood, Wm. Stacy, Rosma
Blodgett, O. F. Sexton.
   Lapeer—Jas. Robinson, P. W. Blodgett.
   Marathon—G. H. Chaplin, R. P. Fish, H. E. Wilson, Jno. McCow, A. D. Reed, M. D., L. G. Smart, M. D.
   Preble—A. H. VanHoesen, W. A. Morgan, C. C. VanHoesen, M. F. Spore, Seth Hobart, A. Francisco.
   Scott—F. M. Hazard, Jno. Gillett, Jno. H. Stoker, Chas. M. Dunbar, N. C. Slack, S. R. McConnell.
   Solon—Uri Pritchard, Robert Ayres, Samuel McGuire, William Hayes, E. B. Maybury, Lucien Maybury.
   Taylor— L. D. Finn, J. D. Perry, T. O. Brown, F. C. Jordan, N. Perry, Merritt Smith.
   Truxton—Thos. L. Goddard, Jno. O'Connor, John Daley, L. L. Perry, H. D. Lazell, Patrick Comfort.
   Virgil—J. Terpenning, Zach Low, S. H. Bouton, W. H. Stewart, J. B. Shevalier, W. A. Holton.
   Willett—John D. Coe, R. W. Bourne, J. W. Grant, E. McBirney, C. G. Eaton, Morrell Morey.
   On motion of John Courtney, Jr., the convention proceeded to the election of three delegates to represent this county in the State Convention and the following gentlemen were chosen: Henry E. Wilson of Marathon, Thos. F. Grady of Cortland and Collier C. VanHoesen of Preble.
   On motion the following delegates were chosen to attend the Senatorial Convention: Seth Hobart and W. A. Morgan of Preble; John D. Coe of Willett; Leroy D. Finn of Taylor, and W. A. Coon of Homer.
   On motion of F. M. Benjamin, the convention proceeded to the nomination of candidates for county offices.
   M. VanHoesen, Esq., presented the name of William W. Wright, of Preble, and moved his unanimous nomination for the office of Member of Assembly. Carried.
   William A. Coon, of Homer, in a neat and forcible speech, presented the name of Stratton S. Knox, of Cortland, for the office of County Judge. The nomination was heartily seconded by delegates from every town in the county and was made by acclamation. On motion the chair appointed Messrs. William A. Coon, H. E. Wilson and John Courtney, Jr., to wait upon Judge Knox, inform him of his nomination and request his presence before the convention.
   The committee left the hall and soon appeared escorting the nominee who addressed the convention as follows:
Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen of the Contention:
   For the high honor which you have conferred in nominating me for County Judge, I am sincerely thankful.
   For the third time this honor has been thus conferred in convention assembled.
   The fact that this nomination is tendered to the present incumbent is gratifying indeed, for it suggests the thought that his administration of affairs has, to a certain extent at least, met with the approval of those who would continue his official term beyond the present.
   Coming as it does entirely unsolicited, makes it more highly prized, for it is a cardinal truth, although not always followed in practice, that the office should seek the man, and not man the office.
   I am not unmindful of the duties, responsibilities and burdens that will be imposed in the six years to come, upon him who shall be successful in the contest upon which we are just entering.
   It has been wisely said, that "public office is a public trust," and he who is called to occupy any judicial position should ever remember that he is the people's servant, the guardian of most sacred trusts, and is accountable to the people for their faithful execution.
   He should with integrity and fidelity execute the laws as he finds them without fear or favor.
   His province is not to make laws, but to enforce those already enacted.
   In the discharge of his duties he should always have the courage and manhood to stand firmly by his convictions, and adjudicate and administer upon the matters submitted to his care upon the broad principle of equal and exact justice to all.
   His duties are not of a political nature or character.
   He should be deaf to the voice of public clamor, know no party or personal friend or foe, nor should he be the representative of any combination, political or otherwise, but hold the balances, like the figure with blinded eyes, and be fearless, upright and just.
   Whether or not your nominee possesses any or none of these qualifications, is not for me to decide, but the seeker after light can determine these questions for himself with greater accuracy than when I stood before you six years ago, for my official record during that period, is now open to the examination of all.
   In accepting this nomination so kindly tendered. I am fully conscious of the fact that if the choice of this convention shall be ratified by the people on election day, it would be complimentary to your nominee, but there is a deeper and more far reaching principle involved in this canvass than personal compliment to any individual.
   The problem of the hour, so far as it relates to the Surrogate's functions and powers, is this:
   Whom would you select to administer upon and settle your estate?
   In whose hands would you place the adjustment of the widow's rights, or the guardianship of the minor's heritage?
   And now a word as to the canvass.
   My time to a very great extent must be occupied in the discharge of my official duties, and I can give but little personal attention to the canvass, for the work to which I was called six years ago, can not and must not be neglected.
   May I not then ask of each delegate here assembled, that he, in conjunction with those in the neighborhood where he resides, will see to it, that the issues of this canvass are fully presented, so that the people's wish whatever it may be, shall be fairly recorded on the 5th day of November next.
   The speaker was greeted with applause upon the conclusion of his speech.
   Mr. R. F. Chappuis, moved the unanimous nomination of Rosma Blodgett of Lapeer, for Justice of Sessions. Carried.
   On motion, L. Gibbons Smart of Marathon was nominated for Coroner.
   On motion of H. E. Wilson, the delegates from the several towns selected members of the County Committee. The following gentlemen constitute the committee:
   Cincinnatus—F. M. Benjamin.
   Cuyler—William Petrie.
   Cortland—Hugh Duffy, B. F. Taylor, J. Hub. Wallace, A. J. McSweeney, D. W. VanHoesen.
   Freetown—Chas. Manroe.
   Homer—W. A. Coon, R. C. Shattuck.
   Harford—R. F. Chappuis, Wm. Stacy.
   Lapeer—Jas Robinson.
   Marathon—Geo. A. Hulbert, H. E. Wilson.
   Preble—W. A. Morgan.
   Scott— F. M. Hazard, E. D. Perkins.
   Solon—Henry Kelly.
   Taylor—L. D. Finn.
   Truxton—J. C. Nelson, J. O'Connor.
   Virgil—W. A. Holton.
   Willett—Cory G. Eaton.
   At a meeting of the new committee held after the convention adjourned, Hugh Duffy was elected chairman, B. F. Taylor, treasurer, and D. W. VanHoesen, treasurer.

Excursion to Washington.
   The Triennial Conclave of Knights Templar will be held at Washington, D. C., October 8 to 11, 1880. Tickets will be on sale from October 5 to 8 inclusive, and will be good to return on or before October 31, 1889, with stop over privileges at Baltimore Md., Philadelphia, Pa., and Trenton, N. J. Fare for round trip $10.
   This offers to the public a splendid opportunity to visit the national capital, and its places of interest at a very small cost, and to witness the grand parade of the Knights. For further information apply to Robt. Bushby, City Passenger Agent, No. 9 Court street, or at the D. L. & W. Cortland, N. Y.

Sir Knights Excursion.
   The following is a list of the Sir Knights who have engaged passage for the trip to Washington: Geo. L. Warren, A. Sager, H. T. Dana, C. W. Wiles, Dorr C. Smith, H. R. Rouse, all of whom will be accompanied by their wives. Sir Knights D. F. Dunsmoor, Robert Bushby, H. T. Hollister, W. A. Wallace, C. L. Kinney, of Cortland, and H. S. Bliss and C. H. Webster of Truxton, will also go as single gentlemen. Mr. and Mrs. C. F. Wickwire, Mr. and Mrs. L. D. Garrison, Mrs. Furman Maybury and Mr. and Mrs. A. B. Corwin, will accompany the party. Mr. and Mrs. E. Dodge, of this place, will go with Central City Commandery of Syracuse, and Mr. and Mrs. Albert Allen will go with St. Omar's Commandery of Elmira, both gentlemen being members of the Commanderys [sic] named. Mrs. Garry Rockwell and Mrs. Ed. Rockwell of Taylor, will be members of the party.
   The train leaves at 10:10 Sunday night Oct. 6th, and the party will breakfast at West Philadelphia at 7:30 the following morning, and will arrive in Washington in time for dinner. The party expect to spend the balance of the week in that city and will visit Mt. Vernon, Fortress Monroe and other places of interest. Sir Knights who were old soldiers will visit the battle fields of Virginia. The fare for the round trip is $10.00 and tickets are good to Oct. 31st. For a small sum in addition parties can visit New York.

The Music Carnival.
   Judging from all indications, the Carnival given to-night and to-morrow night, will be the musical event of the season. Mr. Hollenbeck informs us that the advance sale is the largest of any in the history of the Cortland Opera House. The crowds of people gazing at the 4000 roses in Brigg's & Peck's window, attest the popular interest in the carnival. Merchants say that trade is dull this week, the people being so much engaged with the carnival that they have no time to buy goods.
   An immense amount of time and labor are being put upon this event, and no pains are spared to make it a success. Mr. and Mrs. Gross have never conducted a carnival before any but a crowded house, and this promises to be no exception. All of Cortland's best talent is engaged in this entertainment, which alone guarantees its excellence. No one need feel that in buying tickets he is making a donation to the Young Men's Christian Association, for he will surely get the full worth of his money.
   Tickets at Hollenbeck's: 35 and 50 cents.

LITTLE YORK.
   Alvin Gay is placing the wing from Willowdale on the rear of the hotel. Morris Spoor is bossing the job.
   The Raymond House is deserted, Lawyer Wilson and family having returned to their home in Syracuse last Friday.
   A. B. Raymond has procured and loaded on the cars the necessary logs for a duplicate to his log cabin to be put up for Mr. Barnes in Syracuse. It will be a novelty for the children.
   A council of physicians have twice assembled at the resilience of Mrs. M. L. Salisbury to consider her case, which is a very unusual disturbance of the stomach. Her nephew, Dr. Baldwin, of Groton is in constant attendance.
   We met an old time Republican whose proclivities in the County Judge question we had knowledge of for years and remarked: "You cannot rest your faith upon Abram and the promises this fall." He replied, placing his thumb to his nose, "Not for Joe! Not for Joe [Joseph Eggleston, Republican candidate—CC editor] by a long sight! I shall make affidavits, Cortland County, ss. (Knox)." He is not the only Republican in these parts who will not let his left hand know what his right hand doeth at the polls.
   Ed. Morse has commenced the erection of a house on Brooklyn street, on the lot east of J. A. Wagoner's and from which a house was removed some years ago by Tom Wiley.
   B. J. Salisbury & Co. have cleaned up their last year's crop of flax straw and are getting ready for this year's crop. If they run the price too low they may expect opposition. There will be no cider to be made this year and Blashfield has all the power and buildings ready for this business—Scott men, experience and funds.
   The milk depot men are extending their reach after milk. By laying in a store of ice, farmers can cool it over night and only deliver once a day.
   ULI SLICK. [pen name]
 

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