CITIZENS' MEETING IN CORTLAND

The Cortland Democrat, Friday, January 16, 1891.

CITIZENS' MEETING.

Only Two Trustees Present—Citizens in Earnest—Committee Appointed—Next Meeting January 26th.

   Many citizens who were favorable to the movement became tired of waiting, and departed before the meeting called to discuss the question of building a City Hall was organized on Tuesday evening. Trustees Hodgson and Price were present, but the balance of the board were absent. Mr. Charles H. Price, trustee of the second ward, called the meeting to order and an organization was effected at 8:36 by the unanimous election of Major Aaron Sager to the chair, and Prof. S. J. Sornberger to the office of secretary. The Major briefly outlined the object of the meeting as he had gleaned the subject matter from an article in the DEMOCRAT, and closed with the remark that in negotiating corporation property the same rule should apply as in purchasing or selling individual property. If available property were in the market, and we had the cash to pay for or credit to buy, close up the deal while an opportunity was presented.

   Trustee Price next called attention to the fact, that the police department had been added to the village since the erection of the present corporation building, and although the charter specifically empowers the Board to provide police headquarters, owing to want of other quarters, it was deemed best to allow the police to occupy the Firemens' hall, pending the procuring of more suitable quarters. He also called attention to the necessity for more room than the present building or lot could afford—the shape of the latter was not such as to be accessible for the storage of scattered village property which should be under one roof. He also spoke of the efficient fire department, and was of the opinion that their needs would be better served were a larger lot secured. Further, he was favorable to the sale of the present site and procuring of a new one. He called attention to the Dowd lot on Court street, owned by Messrs. Wickwire Brothers, which was thought to be a good location by many.

   Mr. Jayne: Would ask Mr. Wickwire the cost of the lot, what it could be bought for.

   Mr. T. H. Wickwire: The lot is 125 feet front by 110 deep. Am not informed whether it is proposed to take all or a portion of the lot, which would make a difference as to price. For the purpose of computation would say $125 per foot front.

   Mr. Price presented a sketch of the ground floor of the proposed new building as he and others understood the matter, showing a room for fire apparatus on the west side, a hall running through the building from north to south, a room for police court east of the hall, in front; a jury room immediately back of the court room; then a room for police headquarters and to the rear of this a lock-up. A broad stairway leading to the public and firemens' hall on second floor, offices for Board of Trustees and clerk in front, with fire company headquarters on third floor.

   Mr. J. A. Jayne said he arose to oppose the movement. Stating that the subject of a paid fire department was likely to spring into existence in the near future, and if larger quarters were then needed there was a 26x30 foot plot, lately purchased by the corporation, in the rear of the present building, which could be used for storing property and use of the department. He made the assertion that a $15,000 building would not be suitable for the reception of a post office; that the government would not rent quarters in a cheap structure especially adjoining a veritable fire trap—Cobb & Perkins bakery; that under Democratic administration unsuccessful efforts had been made to effect a change of the location of the post office and with the change of administration to republican principles, it was found that our Congressman and Member of Assembly did not hitch, but there was a friendly feeling existing between the Congressman and some of the owners of the [Standard] building used by the government.

   Mr. B. F. Taylor here corrected an assertion made by the speaker that land on Railroad street had lately been purchased at $80 per foot front as he had bought the plot referred to.

   Prof. Sornberger took the floor and during the course of his remarks, clearly showed that the present building, with its 26x30 foot annex, was entirely unsuited to the requirements of a paid service. That the price of the Court street property was not exorbitant considering the location and the confidence which every one had in the future growth of our village. He considered it very moderate and that the matter of tax would be no burden except in the mind's eye.

   Ex-chief J. H. Phelps was called upon to state the sentiment of the department. He said that he had never heard any objection as to the police using the hall, but that the room was too small for meetings that the firemen did object to the proposed division of the hall with partitions for police headquarters, and that the recent great cry about [property tax] exemption of firemen doubtless arose from an amendment now being prepared by the board of engineers.

   Ex-trustee David C. Beers explained the object of a past board in securing the 26x30 plot thus giving the corporation title in case such an opportunity as the present to sell and get out arose. He looked upon the present as a good financial scheme for the people. The contract price for building the present building was $6,500.

   The chair suggested that citizens should avail themselves of the present opportunity and discuss the subject freely.

   F. W. Kingsbury recalled the opportunity of the corporation to purchase the Pomeroy property—now the residence of Mr. C. B. Hitchcock [23 Court Street], for $7,000, but it was passed on the old cry of expense. Viewed from the continued increase of valuation of property, he favored the present contemplated purchase, and called attention to the amount of annual rental expense which was lost sight of in the cry of increased taxation, while there was an avenue for increased revenue to the village under the present scheme. Ex-trustee J. L. Watrous seconded Mr. Kingsbury's remarks.

   On motion of Mr. John H. Phelps a committee of three—Calvin P. Walrad, Edward Keator and Charles H. Price, were appointed to confer with Messrs. Wickwire as to price of the Doud lot, terms of exchange, draft plans of new building and collect all information on the subject, and report at the adjourned meeting to be held on Monday evening January 26, 1891, at Firemens' hall.

Note: Bracket enclosed entries by CC editor.

City Hall.

   MR. EDITOR:—At a public meeting held on the 13th inst., to take some action on the question of a new City Hall, the question of a Post Office in the proposed building, was not given sufficient serious consideration.

   If we are to have such a building, let it be so planned that it will pay for itself, as it would, with room suitable for a Post Office, and a Public Hall. The income from the rents from these two sources, would pay the principal on the bonds, and interest. Without this revenue, it will be quite a burden to the tax payers.

   Some one said at the meeting, that if there was a suitable room provided for a Post Office, that it would never be occupied, as the owners of the present Post Office building [The Post Office was located in the Standard building, owned by William H. Clark—CC editor] could prevent the Government from leasing it, such was their influence. One cannot believe this; these men are interested in the welfare of our village in every way, and no doubt would aid in this matter, but if they should not, their influence would not prevail against the desire, and influence of the united tax payers of the corporation.

   Let it be looked to, that this matter of a City Hall is not made a burden to the tax payers.

   ENQUIRER.

Finding Fault All Along the Line.

   In the Syracuse Weekly Express, bearing date Jan. 1st, 1891, is an article from our Cortland correspondent stating that the trustees should serve notice upon the Street Car Co. to remove the snow from their tracks on Main street by carting it away. If the trustees refuse to do this the people should do so and so. I suggest should the trustees deem it their duty to require this of the company, will they at the same time remind our enterprising merchants that it would be to their credit to do likewise with their hitching posts for the benefit of their customers as well as the general appearance of the street, there being, at this writing, only some three to five suitable hitching posts opposite business places on Main street. Nor is the fault finding confined within the limits of the corporation, but all along the company's line.

   In justice to the company referred to I feel it my duty to say that a more painstaking, conscientious company I never knew to be organized, and that the road between the villages of Homer and Cortland where there is being so much fault found is kept like a trotting course, and still they kick. Had I the authority I would say, let them kick.

   TOM.

Discovery of a War Relic.

   Many readers of the DEMOCRAT will recall the bloody affray which opened around Gettysburg, Pa., on the first day of July, 1863, and the result of that engagement. During the conflict Major Grover's successor as commander of the veteran 76th New York Volunteers. Captain John E. Cook, lost his sword and the matter became a thing of the past. In the summer of 1890 a commercial traveler named F. W. Richardson of Newark Valley, N. Y., was in the vicinity of Gettysburg and learned that a farmer residing near the scene of the battle nearly twenty-eight years ago, had in his possession an officer's sword which he had picked up on the ground after the contending armies had departed. Mr. Richardson, knowing our townsman Mr. B. F. Taylor was a former member of the old 76th, and also an intimate acquaintance and friend of Captain Cook, at once communicated the finding of a sword in possession of farmer John Rosensteel upon which was marked in script, "Capt. John E. Cook, 76th Reg't, N. Y. V."

   Mr. Taylor opened a correspondence with the Pennsylvania farmer for the transfer of the relic. His efforts in this direction were rewarded by the arrival at Cortland last week of the identical sword. It was viewed by many people at the office of the Water Works Company last Friday. Mr. Taylor, with his customary promptness will speedily place the sword in the hands of the late Captain Cook's grandchildren now residing in New York and Brooklyn, who, it is needless to say, will highly prize such a relic as well as the efforts of Mr. Taylor to procure the same.

   Considering the lapse of time and the natural high finish of this class of implements of war, the sword has been carefully preserved by its finder. The sheath and hilt are clean and bright while the blade shows less of the attack of rust than one would suppose.