Sunday, April 24, 2016

STANDARD CONSOLIDATED AND JUDGE A. P. SMITH HONORED



The Cortland Standard and Weekly Journal, Friday, July 15, 1892.

CONSOLIDATED.
The Cortland Daily Journal and Cortland Evening Standard Unite.
   July 12.—In reprinting the subjoined article from the Cortland Daily Journal of to-day we can add but little to what it says. Its statement of the newspaper situation in Cortland is correct. The consolidation of the Journal and the Standard has been reached after careful consideration and in perfect good feeling on the part of the editors of both papers. As the only daily newspaper of Cortland the evening Standard will henceforth endeavor to make itself even more of a necessity to its now greatly enlarged circle of readers than it has been to the rapidly increasing number of those who have so cordially supported it hitherto.
[From the Cortland Daily Journal of July 12.]
   This is the last day upon which the Cortland Journal will be printed. The announcement is doubtless a surprise to Journal readers, but after about two years’ experience in this field we have concluded that a live progressive paper, such as we have endeavored to make the Journal, cannot be successfully published at prevailing rates, either for subscription or advertising. We have spent considerable money and given the experiment a fair trial. We regret that such should be the outcome, and the more especially on account of those who have given it their encouragement and patronage, and to them we desire to return our sincere thanks. We have made it possible for a financially successful daily to be printed in Cortland, and may be entitled to some little credit therefor. Our newspaper name, subscription lists and advertising contracts have been disposed of to Messrs. Clark & Blodgett of The Cortland Evening Standard, who will supply subscribers and continue all advertising contracts now in force. All accounts, except subscriptions, due to the Journal to this date belong to and will be settled by the subscriber who requests that all bills incurred by him be rendered forthwith, so that they may be speedily adjusted. Subscription accounts must be paid to The Standard.
   The consolidation of the Daily and Weekly Journal with the Daily and Semi-Weekly Standard has been made by the proprietors of the two papers on purely business principles. We came to Cortland from Flushing, where we had been publishing a daily paper of four pages, seven columns to the page, at $5 a year, and bought the Daily Message, which was a four-page six-column paper, sold at $3 a year, 40 cents a month, 10 cents a week and 2 cents a single copy, and with advertising rates ruinously low. We expected by making a good paper to increase our subscription price to $5, and the advertising to figures paid to similar daily newspapers in this state. We have doubled the size of the paper, increased the subscription list almost four-fold and at least trebled the advertising rates. Even with this increase in rates, however, the Journal has given its advertising patrons a circulation of 2,000 copies at only about half the rates charged advertisers in other places of the size of Cortland. The price of the paper has not been increased, although we announced that it would be, but, on the contrary, has been reduced on weekly and monthly subscriptions, and single copies.
   At Flushing we paid substantially nothing for general news, printing purely a local paper. In Cortland we have paid between $40 and $50 a week for general news alone. The Standard has been doing about the same. Both daily papers have been running at a loss, and both are tired of it.
   In taking leave of the newspaper field in Cortland we desire to express our warm appreciation of any kindnesses that have been extended to us, and may the community continue to thrive and prosper. We desire also to emphasize the fact that a newspaper to be a credit to the village and be of service to it, must be liberally supported. The progressive newspaper of to-day cannot live on cheap rates.
   C. W. SMITH.

A FAREWELL BANQUET.
THE COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION HONORS A BROTHER.
Judge A. P. Smith is Wished a Bon Voyage by His Friends—A Notable
Gathering at Hotel Brunswick—Witty Speeches—A Lively Time.
   July 14—A few days ago it entered the minds of a number of members of the Cortland County Bar association that it would be a fitting tribute to the oldest member of the association to tender him a banquet just prior to his departure for a vacation trip to Europe. A self-appointed committee, consisting of Messrs. John Courtney, Jr., B. A. Benedict, E. E. Mellon and Riley Champlin, took the matter in hand and the result was a gathering at Hotel Brunswick last night at which there were present Judge A. P. Smith, Judge J. E. Eggleston, District Attorney Jerome Squires, Hon. O. T. Kellogg, John Courtney, Jr., B. A. Benedict, Dr. David Eugene Smith, H. A. Dickinson, Lewis Bouton, Irving H. Palmer, Riley Champlin, Enos E. Mellon, James Dougherty, H . L. Bronson, L. B. Kern, H. C. Miner, D. W. Van Hoesen, William Corcoran, S. K. Jones, N. L. Miller and a representative of the STANDARD AND JOURNAL.
   It was a little after 9 o’clock when Mr. A. D. Wallace led the way to the dining-rooms, where a very elaborate and delicious banquet was spread. Wallace Brothers had taken great pains with the preparations, and the result was highly satisfactory to those who partook of the good things and a credit to the hosts. The tables were arranged in the form of a "T." Judge Smith, sat at the center of the short table with Judge Eggleston upon his right and Mr. Bouton upon his left, while the genial Irving H. Palmer, who later officiated so acceptably as toastmaster, occupied a place at the remote end of the long table, facing the others.
   It required nearly an hour to get through the lengthy menu and reach coffee, fruit and nuts. It was a jolly crowd. Jokes, stories and jests flew around the room in a way to confirm all the reports ever given of the doings of the hard-fighting lawyers when assembled outside of the court house.
   At length when the smoke of fragrant Havanas began curling upward in graceful wreaths, Toastmaster Palmer arose and remarked in his characteristic way that he was a toastmaster without toasts and nothing to make them of. This part of the program was entirely impromptu. He would suggest various subjects for those gathered to speak upon and they could follow that theme or not. (It may be remarked here that almost without exception the speakers availed themselves of this permission and the responses were usually far away from the thought suggested to them.) Mr. Palmer said they were gathered to wish Judge Smith a pleasant trip to Europe. He was glad to find one lawyer who had been able to save enough from a lifework to take a short trip to Europe. He would call upon Judge Smith to tell about this trip.
   Judge Smith said that he had been out and in before his brothers in the profession for so many years that there would be little that he could say that would be new to them. He had been in public life for thirty-six years, and during that time perhaps he had received more than his share of the joys and successes of life. He was elected district attorney of this county in 1856 and then he felt larger than life in ten volumes all bound in calf. He had been elected county judge in 1867 and again in 1871, and again in 1877, and on the last night of his last term he was banqueted at the Central House. He felt that that might be an occasion for a banquet, but this was just the leaving of his native shores for a two months’ trip, and because it was so small an affair he was the more deeply touched by the regard of his fellow lawyers which prompted such an affair.
   He was comparing the county bar now with the bar then. He was the oldest lawyer in the county except George B. Jones. At that time he could think of Judge Shankland, Judge Stephens, Judge Duell, Judge Crandall, Harmon S. Conger, Robert O. Reynolds and others, all in the height of their practice. He had followed all to the grave, and it made him sad. He thought of the changes in practice then and now. Then nearly every suit of importance in Cortland was tried by an out of town lawyer, now Cortland men did nearly all the work. He wanted to thank all most heartily for their reception.
   Judge Eggleston was called upon to speak upon the relation between the bar and the bench. The judge said the question came to his mind as to why all were gathered there. It was to say good things for Judge Smith. He wished all people might say good words of each other. It is so common for people to say, "See those lawyers fight." All quarrels ought to be in the court room and not outside of it. This would strengthen and solidify the profession. Life is too short to make enemies.
   Mr. Palmer then called upon "Judge" Bouton. Mr. Bouton said he was glad to be introduced in that way. Nothing made a justice of peace straighten up more than to have some one call him "Judge." Mr. Bouton made some pleasant references to Judge Smith’s ability as a lawyer and a speaker.
   Hon. O. U. Kellogg was asked to speak upon "Thoroughbred and Herd Book Animals." Mr. Kellogg said a thoroughbred was an animal that is always admired in every department of life. Man is a thoroughbred when true to his nature he earns and merits the admiration of men and the confidence of women (a cry of "Leave that for Kern"). As members of an ancient and honorable profession our members should meet and strengthen the ties that bind us together. Among the members of the legal profession confidence ought to be cherished, they ought to respect themselves. Judge Smith ranks high in his profession, in his friendship for his fellow men. He always has a kindly greeting for those who knew him best.
   Mr. Bronson, speaking of "Friendship," said the lawyers were not friendly enough. They did not have enough of such meetings as the one then in progress. The bar association meets to pass resolutions on deceased members when it is too late for the resolutions to do them any good. Judge Smith had always been his friend and he wanted to wish him bon voyage.
   Mr. Champlin was given an option of talking upon "Why conflicts at the bar result in no grudges," but he didn’t embrace the opportunity. He said that one reason why the bar should stand together was because they were regarded as Pinkerton men by the laity. If they didn’t stand together, no one would stand by them. Speaking of Judge Smith he said he wished all the breezes of ocean would bring him health and strength of mind and body.
   Mr. L. B. Kern of DeRuyter, speaking of the "Proper qualifications of a candidate for the bench," said that a good lawyer would make a good judge. Whenever a black sheep is found at the bar he ought to be frowned down. No person will frown down a shyster more than a member of the bar.
   Mr. Benedict, in response to the toast of an ideal lawyer, said Judge Smith was his ideal.
   Mr. Dougherty was assigned the subject of "Fair Women," and made a funny speech, closing with a tribute to Judge Smith and his kindness to him when a young lawyer.
   Mr. Palmer said that a few years ago a prominent business man of town got up a carefully prepared document called a "list" and he was anxious to know something about it and called on Mr. John Courtney, Jr., to tell what he knew of the matter. Mr. Courtney said that in looking around the table he was at once reminded that the names of nearly every gentleman present was appended to the document, as he understood it, and, while a very sharp rivalry took place at the time as to whose name should head the list, he was compelled to acknowledge it went to Madison county, since the distinction was very appropriately bestowed upon our worthy and distinguished friend with us to-night, Brother Kern. Mr. Courtney added that nothing in the profession could be more appropriate than this gathering to wish Judge Smith good-by and a pleasant voyage.
   Dr. D. E. Smith [Judge Smith's son—CC editor] was assigned the subject of a "Liberal Education," but preferred to tell the company in a neat little speech about the trip the party was about to take.
   Mr. E. E. Mellon could not imagine why he should be given the subject of "Politics," and concluded that he had better evade the topic and speak of his earliest recollections of Judge Smith.
   Mr. Dorr C. Smith was said to be about to speak upon the subject of the "Art of Speaking to the Point." He told a good story of a lawyer who was present and who lately had a case before him. When he had heard that lawyer’s side of the matter he was obliged to tell him that he didn’t learn anything about the case from him. Mr. Smith then spoke of his close relations with Judge Smith and closed by saying that he was, in his opinion, in the words of a well known Cortland personage, "the brightest star in the affirmative."
   Capt. H. A. Dickinson, the law partner of Judge Smith, when called upon to respond to the toast of "The Military as part of the government," lamented the great number of female clients that Judge Smith would leave on his hands during the hot summer months.
   D. W. Van Hoesen was called upon to speak on any subject he liked. He told a good story and wished Judge Smith a pleasant trip.
   William Corcoran excused himself when asked to speak upon “How to Evade the Vices of Europe” by saying that he never had anything to do with any vices and so didn’t know how to avoid them.
   The venerable Harris C. Miner was given the privilege of speaking upon "All that hasn’t been Said." He gave a number of reminiscences of the early bar of this county that were listened to with much interest, particularly by the younger ones who were there.
   Mr. N. L. Miller was much embarrassed at being called upon to explain about the law student who found himself in a law suit in justice court with the attorney on the other side the lawyer in whose office he was studying, and who then proceeded to beat his instructor in the case. Mr. Miller spoke of the evident kindness of heart of the man who was able to be gratified at the success of the young student, though himself beaten.
   County Clerk S. K. Jones referred to the times he had been assisted by Judge Smith and with a hearty wish for a good voyage, a pleasant trip and a safe return, the company arose from the tables at 12:15 this morning and after wishing each other good night separated.
   Credit is due to the committee having the matter in charge for the pleasant way in which everything worked off.
 

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