CONCERNING PREVARICATION

Thomas C. Platt.

The Cortland Democrat, Friday, February 6, 1891.

Concerning Prevarication.

   The Cortland Standard of last week, charges that when the DEMOCRAT asserted during the campaign last fall, that it would be an utter impossibility for the Democrats to elect eleven more members of the Assembly than they elected the year previous, the number required to insure the election of a Democratic U. S. Senator, the editor of the DEMOCRAT knowingly lied. The  DEMOCRAT, even at the risk of losing its reputation as a political prophet, if it ever had any, desires to say now, that it never published a statement that it sincerely believed to be more correct than the one referred to. With the districts gerrymandered entirely in the interests of the Republican party it did not seem possible that the Democrats could gain eleven new members. The DEMOCRAT knew full well that many Republicans were dissatisfied with the party, and that others would not care to see Tom Platt elected to the U. S. Senate, but it believed that they would all fall into line when the party lash was cracked over their backs. The Democrats might carry the State by 50,000 majority and yet not have a majority in the Assembly. It rarely happens that the Assembly is Democratic and never except when a political cyclone strikes the Republicans.

   The DEMOCRAT ventures to predict that the result of last fall’s election was a complete a surprise to our neighbor as it was to us, and that when he warned his readers, as he frequently did—that there was danger of electing a majority of Democratic Assemblymen, he did not believe what he said.

   After charging the DEMOCRAT with lying the Standard lectures its party members on the wickedness of giving complimentary votes to Democratic candidates through personal friendship, or any other motive, and exhorts them to vote for the republican candidates, no matter who or what they are.

   It is always well for an instructor to practice what he preaches, and unless he does so, his teachings will be of little avail. Readers of the Standard will remember that in 1882, that paper took occasion to berate and belittle the candidates on the Republican County ticket, in every issue during the campaign, and that the Democratic candidates were elected by majorities ranging from 800 to 2600. True, The Standard has since that time, supported to the best of its ability, some of the same candidates that it so bitterly opposed in 1882, but the average citizen has not discovered that the characters of the candidates have improved since that date.  Again, as late as in the campaign of 1887, we find the Standard supporting the Democratic candidate for an important State office, to the best of its ability. [The Standard supported Lawrence J. Fitzgerald for State Treasurer—CC editor.]

   There are other instances of the same kind that we might mention, but these will suffice for the present. "Practice what you preach," is an old saying that ought to be observed in politics as well as in the ordinary concerns of life.

PAGE FOUR/EDITORIALS.

   We hope the Democrats of the several towns will attend the caucuses and nominate the best men in their ranks for the offices to be filled. By so doing they will be able to poll an increased vote for their ticket in every town. After the nominations are made let every Democrat lend a hand and try to elect the ticket.

   Town meetings occur in this county on Tuesday, Feb'y 17. Last February, the Democrats of the several towns placed good candidates in nomination and by so doing elected a majority of the members of the Board of Supervisors. The Board met in November and transacted the entire business in twenty one days, to the entire satisfaction of every taxpayer. A majority of the members had never seen service on the board before, and the fact that they were able to get through the business in so short a time without neglecting any part of their duties, is very creditable to them.

   The experience of the past year would greatly assist them in discharging their duties at the next session and they would undoubtedly be able to still reduce the time of the session. Every days extra session beyond what is absolutely necessary, added at least $100 to the taxes of the county. It is true, some of the small fry officials who had large bills against the county, were not pleased with the action of the board, because they cut down some of their charges and disallowed others that were deemed illegal and improper, but their action was in the interest of the taxpayers and will undoubtedly be appreciated by them. The board acted for the best interests of the taxpayers and the members thereof deserve the commendation of their constituents for the fearless and honest manner in which their duties were discharged.

   The taxpayers of the several towns should return them at the next election and we predict in such an event, that still further economies will result. They were all capable men and looked after the interests of their constituents to the best of their ability. The previous board took twenty-seven days to perform the duties performed by a Democratic board in twenty one days, and the members of the board for the previous year, had, with one exception, served on the board before, while of the fifteen members of the last board, eight were new men. The taxpayers of the county will serve their own interests by returning the members of the last board.

DEAD IN A STONE QUARRY.

Patrick Ryan, a Lafayette Farmer,

Drives over a Precipice.

(From the Syracuse Standard Feb. 4.)

   Patrick Ryan, a Lafayette farmer, drove to his death over a precipice near Rock Cut on Monday night. On Monday Ryan came to this city to dispose of a load of produce, and before returning home he indulged quite freely in intoxicants. The result was that by the time he reached the Glen House near Rock Cut he was quite drunk. At that place he was refused more liquor, and he contented himself with [berating] the others who were there.

   About 10 o'clock Ryan started for home. The night was dark. Instead of keeping on the main road, he turned to the right and went up a steep hill directly in the rear of the Glen House. He drove a good span of horses attached to a heavy lumber wagon. The road led to a quarry owned by D. E. Pickard, and in the darkness Ryan drove over a precipice about 15 feet deep.

   About 8 o'clock yesterday morning Mr. Pickard and some other men went to the quarry and found Ryan and the horses lying in a heap below the cliff.

   The horses were alive and kicking furiously to disentangle themselves from the wreck. Doubled up between the horses heels and the wreck of the wagon lay Ryan's dead body, the head almost battered shapeless from the hoofs of the horses that were still kicking it.

   Coroner Smith was notified and viewed the body in the quarry, where it had been left by the men who found it. Dr. Smith did not deem an inquest necessary, in view of the facts. The remains were brought to this city, by Undertaker McCarthy, and afterwards taken to the home of the unfortunate man.

   He leaves a wife and six children.

HERE AND THERE.

   Desirable rooms for students can found at No. 76 Groton avenue.

   Miss Ormsby's school will reopen Wednesday, February 11th.

   The D. L. & W. [railroad] company will this year declare a dividend of ten per cent on its common stock.

   The Republican town convention will be held in Firemen's Hall, in this place, February 10th, at 1 P. M.

   Bobby Taylor, supported by an excellent company, will present "The Irish

Arab" in the Open House, on Feb. 11th.

   High water backed up into Fred Steele's hog pen, over in South Cuyler, and drowned one of his hogs.—DeRuyter Gleaner.

   Three candidates were initiated in the entered apprentice degree at a regular communication of Cortlandville Lodge, No. 470, F. and A. M., on Tuesday evening.

   Tuesday evening a progressive euchre party was given in the parlors of the Cortland wheel club, at which fourteen tables were occupied and a merry, social evening passed.

   Thompson, the grocer, offers 7140 oranges for 7140 cents, or, if you don't want so many, you can buy 25 for a quarter of a dollar. See advertisement in another column.

   A meeting of the hospital committee will be held at the residence of Mrs. J. H. Hoose, 76 Railroad street, Monday, February 9th, at 3 P. M. It is hoped that every member of the committee will be present.

   Levi Beete, of Lee, who won fame as a weather prophet by predicting the blizzard of March, 1888, four months prior to that date, says the worst storm of the season will visit this country between the 1st and 15th of February.

   Superintendent Draper says that the vote for a State flower taken last year, being so close between the rose and the golden rod, the vote will be taken again next Arbor Day and limited to the golden rod and the rose. The rose will likely come out ahead, then.

   Last Wednesday Frank Stone, a fifteen-year-old lad who lives with his parents in the Calvert block, was arrested on the charge of throwing snow balls at Samuel Boland, colored, from the roof of the building. Justice Bull sent him to the House of Refuge at Rochester.

   Cards were received in Cortland, last Monday, announcing the coming marriage of Mr. George Harry Ames, of the city of Mexico, to Miss Rose May Johnson, at St. John's church, Speedsville. N. Y., on the 10th of February. Both of the contracting parties were former residents of Cortland, where they have many friends who extend best wishes.

   Mr. Samuel Parsons is in town making preliminary canvass for his Directory of Cortland, Homer, Marathon and McGrawville, as published by him in 1889. The canvass of names is to be made the second week in April, after moving time, thus making a directory true down to May 1st. Mr. Parsons' directories of this locality are a warrant for the kind of work he will do in the future. Give him your patronage and do not let irresponsible parties deceive you.

   C. E. Isbell and S. M. Gillett of Little York, have been granted a patent on an ice elevator.

   The funeral of Mr. Bernard Riley will be held from St. Mary's church at 3 o'clock this afternoon.

   Prof. Bardwell gave an interesting and instructive illustrated lecture on geology at the Y. M. C. A. rooms, Tuesday evening. Subject, "Plants, coal and fishes." This was the fourth entertainment on the "members' course," and was fairly well attended, and all seemed well pleased with the lecture.

   Assemblyman Peck has introduced a bill in the Assembly making an appropriation of $55,000 for making additions to the State Normal school in this place and $16,000 for remodeling the present building. The present building was erected twenty-two years ago at an expense of $100,000 to the tax-papers of this village, and its present capacity is entirely insufficient. The State has paid for the entire plant of Normal schools in other towns and the appropriation asked for should be made.