Thursday, April 13, 2017

LIVED LIKE PRINCES



New York State Lunatic Asylum at Utica.
Cortland Evening Standard, Thursday, February 8, 1894.

LIVED LIKE PRINCES.
ASYLUM MANAGER A BETTER JOB THAN GOVERNOR.
Finance Committee of the Albany Senate Gives a Hearing on the O'Connor Bill. Vouchers of the State Board of Managers Created a Sensation—Superintendent Blumer of Utica Will Answer the Charges.
   ALBANY, N. Y., Feb. 8.—The important hearing so far of the week was the hearing before the senate finance committee on Senator O'Connor's bill to abrogate the powers of the state lunacy commission so far as the auditing of all accounts. Senator O'Connor said that he had introduced the bill to seek uniform measures to get rid of the friction between managers of asylums and the commission. He had hoped to please the asylum authorities, but he had found that this bill did not please them and they wanted the commission abolished. He was against such abolition entirely and would oppose it. The commission was necessary, and so he could not favor the Glen bill. The people did not want the commission abolished, but he did not believe that the commissioners should have the power to in everything substitute their judgment, and especially in the matter of the necessary articles.
   He could recite things that showed that some of the forced economy of the commission was causing a return to the county care system and ill treating the patients by compelling them to do heavy manual labor. The commission had refused to allow the inmates to use tobacco. No harm was done and it was inhuman to stop this little pleasure. He believed in the state care act, but did not believe in its being too arbitrary. The commissioners should work on a broader plane of charity.
   Commissioner McDonald of the lunacy board then made a statement of their position in the matter and presented a number of vouchers showing extravagant and some of them were exceedingly entertaining.
   He said: "It does not seem to be generally understood that the superintendents of hospitals and all employes [sic] are provided with rooms and board free. Each superintendent receives a salary varying from $4,000 to $5,000 a year and is provided with fine living apartments. In at least three hospitals expensive houses have been provided for the superintendent aside from the institution. Each superintendent is allowed horses, carriages and a coachman, from two to three private servants, his laundry work and all of his food supplies—in fact there have been practically no expenses except that for clothing, which he has been obliged to assume personally. All these allowances bring up the compensation of superintendents to between $12,000 and $15,000 a year, a salary greater than the governor of the state or judges of the court of appeals.
   Under the new system of state audit the greater part of these perquisites are still allowed to the superintendents and their assistants, but the commission in lunacy has not conceived it to be the duty of the state to provide these superintendents all kinds of luxuries for their tables and their houses.
   The commission, under the present system, could not consent to allowing items for supplies of a costly nature, such as cigars, champagnes, clarets, madeiras, sherries, cordials, game, etc., which some of the hospital superintendents have heretofore enjoyed at the expense of the state.
   To show what had been the custom up to the present time, with regard to such purchases, the commissioner exhibited a number of vouchers obtained from the comptroller's office, which showed that all kinds of expensive and luxurious articles had been purchased apparently for the sole use of the superintendent and other officers of the institutions. Cases of wine, gallons of brandy, fine cigars by the hundred, fancy prices for birds and game, carriages and harness, bonbons and Roman punch figure in the vouchers which the state comptroller has handed out for the past two years as part of the expenditures of the superintendents of three of the state insane asylums.
   "When a state board of audit," continued Commissioner McDonald, "draws the line at such luxuries and insists that if bought they should be paid for by the persons using them and not by the taxpayers of the state, it naturally encounters the determined opposition of the superintendents of hospitals and their friends."
   Dr. Blumer, the superintendent of the Utica state hospital desired to answer the charges, but wanted some time to do it in. He asked for postponement, because he believed the charges were slanderous in the extreme.
   The committee decided to have a further hearing on Thursday of next week.

Battle of the Alabama and Kearsarge, 1864 painting by Edouard Manet.
KEARSARGE WRECKED.
The Reef Accomplished What the Alabama Could Not Do.
   WASHINGTON, Feb. 8.—The old corvette Kearsarge was wrecked on Roncador reef, Feb. 2, while enroute from Port Au Prince. Hayti, to Bluefields, Nicaragua. The officers and crew were saved. This news reached the navy department this morning in a cable message dated Colon and signed by Lieut. Brainard of the Kearsarge, who reached Colon this morning. The Kearsarge was ordered on January 27 to proceed from San Domingo to Bluefields, Nicaragua, to protect American interests that were alleged to be endangered by the troubles between Honduras and Nicaragua. Roncador Reef, on which the Kearsarge is supposed to have struck, is some two hundred miles to the northeast of Bluefields. Everybody on board was saved. The Kearsarge was one of the historical vessels of the American navy. She, it was, which on Sunday, June 19, 1864, fought and sunk the rebel privateer Alabama off Cherbourg, France.


New Trial Asked For Prendergast.
   CHICAGO, Feb. 8.—Affidavits in support of the motion to grant a new trial to Prendergast, the assassin of Mayor Harrison, have been filed. Arguments are to be heard Feb. 14. The affidavits show that the principal grounds on which a new trial will be asked, are that juror A. C. Murray was well acquainted with Mayor Harrison, whereas he stated on examination that he knew him only slightly, and because the jury was allowed to separate on election day.

PAGE TWO—EDITORIALS.
The Latest Outrage.
   "Whom the Gods would destroy they first make mad"—and the maddest act of the Democratic majority in either house of Congress thus far is the announcement made by the Democratic members of the Senate Finance committee that they will not give hearings on the tariff bill. This determination of the majority is contrary to the understanding that has existed. Mr. Jones of Arkansas admits this, but since the bill passed the house, he says: "Mr. Voorhees and others of the committee have concluded that extensive hearings are wholly unnecessary. The committee, at least its majority, do not care to listen the essays on political economy.''
   The hearings before the house committee have been mere pretences, but the business interests of the country have been assured that when the bill came to the senate every one feeling aggrieved would have a chance to be heard, that the bill would be treated deliberately and carefully. But all this is now to be changed. Under orders doubtless from the White House the cuckoos in the senate are to make the attempt to force the Wilson bill through that body at the earliest possible moment.
   We were promised that when the silver purchasing clause of the Sherman law was repealed all trouble would be over. Now the cry is that once get the Wilson bill passed and uncertainty ended and all will be well. We shall see. It may be that the countless protected industries whose throats it is proposed to cut by this bill will spring to their feet and be livelier than ever when the cutting is done, but such a result would be contrary to all human experience. The people of the United States, if the Wilson bill becomes a law, will simply have to wait till 1897 for full relief from the damage done t hem by Democratic rule.

HORSELESS CARRIAGES.
A Paris Journal Offers Cash Prizes For a Novel Competition.
   The plucky little Petit Journal of Paris—little in size only, for its circulation is great—which sent bicycles into fashion through its prize matches, now offers a large temptation to ingenious skill. In the year 1894, on June 1, there will be a competition for the best carriages to wheel without a horse—for the economical accommodation of paterfamilias and his family. Steam, electricity, gas, petroleum, anything, in fact, giving power and speed with safety, will be tolerated—and all nations will be welcomed. The jury will be composed of the staff of The Journal, with a suitable number of engineers thrown in.
   Each carriage must hold four persons. It is intended as an offset to the egotism of the cycle. The carriage must be of easy management and not costly on the road. The trial trips will be made on good roads from Paris to Mantes, Paris to Dreux, to Bauvais and so on. Fifty kilometers in three hours is the speed required. Anything more will be admired, but not paid for. No luxury of fitting up will influence the decision. Rapidity, security, economy and safety are the watchwords.
   Ten francs is the cost of admittance, and this fund goes in any case to the Caisse du Secours of The Petit Journal. This is merely done to prevent useless presentation. The prizes are 5,000 francs, 2,000 francs, 1,500 francs, 1,000 francs and 500 francs. The list of competitors will be closed on the 30th of April next.
  
HOMER DEPARTMENT.
Gleanings of News From our Twin Village.
   Probably the prettiest afternoon wedding which ever occurred in Homer was that of Miss Emma Dresser of this town and William Dixon of Brooklyn, at the Congregational church yesterday afternoon. Rev. E. C. Olney performed the ceremony and Mrs. Margaret Foster, a niece of the bride, played the organ. The church had been beautifully decorated under the direction of Mrs. Winifred Rice and Mr. Al Smith. At each side of the choir arose a column of evergreens extending nearly to the ceiling of the church. The choir rail was trimmed with a network of evergreens, over a background of white, surmounted by potted hyacinths. The posts on either side of the pulpit platform were decorated with evergreens and calla lilies.
   The desk had been removed and the front of the platform was artistically arranged with enormous potted ferns. The front of the platform was banked with evergreens and potted plants, the color effect of which was very pleasing. The platform and the broad stairs leading to it were covered with white fur rugs.
   The organist played some fine selections and promptly at half past 3 o'clock the bridal party entered to the strains of the Tannhauser wedding march. The ushers Messrs. J. Deloss Heberd, Al Smith, Frederick C. Atwater and Chas. S. Pomeroy preceded the bride who leaned upon the arm of E. L. Stone, Esq. The groom entered from the north side door, accompanied by the clergyman. The ceremony took place upon the pulpit platform. The bride wore a traveling dress of brown cloth.
   During the ceremony the organist played Annie Laurie which was succeeded by the merry strains of the Mendelssohn wedding march, as the happy pair left the church. Among those present from out of town were Dr. Thos. Dixon, brother of the groom from Brooklyn; Mr. and Mrs. W. L. Earle, and Mr. and Mrs. A. Van Bergen of Tully; Misses Helen Shay and Maude Fitzgerald, Mrs. H. L. Smith, Mrs. J. S. Barber, Mr. and Mrs. Randolph Hibbard of Cortland; Miss Emma Crofoot of Preble and Mrs. F. A. Van Iderstine of Brooklyn. The bride and groom left for their wedding journey on the 4:28 train on the D., L. & W. R. R. amid a shower of rice. They will make their future home in Brooklyn.
   Dr. Thomas Dixon of Brooklyn entertained the best man and ushers of the Dixon-Dresser wedding at a dinner at the Mansion House last evening. Those present were Dr. Thos. Dixon, Messrs. E. L. Stone, J. D. Heberd, Al Smith, F. C. Atwater, Chas. S. Pomeroy, Lester P. Bennett, and Wm. H. Foster.
   In Health Officer Dr. J. W. Whitney's annual report to the board of health he states that there have been during the year ten cases of diphtheria, two cases of scarlet fever in mild form, one case of measles and twenty-five cases of typhoid fever, mild in most cases. He has made a thorough examination of the sanitary condition of the corporation and recommends but few changes. The report shows that Dr. Whitney has been a faithful and fearless officer and he deserves great credit.

Cortland Hospital.
The Hospital Election.
   At the meeting of the board of managers of the Hospital association held at the residence of Mrs. M. E. Doud yesterday afternoon, the following officers were elected for the ensuing year:
   President—Mrs. F. O. Hyatt.
   Vice-President—Mrs. W. H. Clark.
   Secretary—Mrs. F. J. Cheney.
   Treasurer—Mrs. Jerome Squires.
   The nurses' registry will be opened at once at the hospital, 33 Clayton-ave. All nurses wishing to enter their names are invited to do so as soon as convenient. An annual registration fee of $1 will be charged. Any one wishing the service of a nurse, by consulting this register, can learn what ones are at liberty and where they may be found. This will be of mutual convenience to nurses and those wishing to employ them.
   The physicians of the town have agreed to give their services free to any and all patients who are not able to pay over $5 per week for their care at the hospital.

Marathon Department.
   The phonograph entertainment given by Prof. Lyman H. Howe of Wilkes-Barre, Pa., on Monday evening was very fine and nearly all new pieces. The sermon of the Prodigal Son given by Rev. T. C. Edwards of Kingston, Pa., was very plain indeed. Another sermon was given by Artemas Ward. The pieces were all well received. At the close Miss Meta Myers repeated a recitation and Master Willie Stevens gave a mouth organ solo and both were well reproduced. The professor tested the speed of the phonograph which is a great improvement over the one he had here last spring. This no doubt is his last visit to this village as he is to visit mostly larger towns hereafter.
   Mrs. Wm. Smith, who has been visiting her son, Dr. R. L. Smith, went to Cortland on Saturday to visit at Mr. Colwell's.
   The donation which is to be given Rev. O. L. Warren occurs this (Wednesday) evening at the Baptist church and it is hoped will be well attended.
   Mr. Grove Brown, who has been here on a vacation, has gone to Dunkirk, N. Y., and will work for the Marathon Climax Road Machine Co.
   Mrs. Sherman L. Woods has received the insurance from the Masonic Life Insurance Co. on the life of her husband.
   Hon. O. U. Kellogg of Cortland was in town Tuesday
   Marathon Odd Fellows visited Center Lisle lodge on Monday evening.
   Struther's superb stereopticon entertainment will be given at the M. E. church on Tuesday evening, Feb. 13. Over one hundred splendid paintings will be exhibited upon an immense canvas 26 feet square by means of a pair of the latest improved and powerful stereopticons. There will be over 30 views of the principal events in the life of Christ from the manger to the throne, also battle scenes, tower of London on fire, landscapes, home scenes, and a great variety which will please all classes of people. The program will be enriched with appropriate song service. The entertainment is pronounced by the clergy and press to be one of the most beautiful, refined and elevating ever given on canvas. All scenes are in colors and presented with fine dissolving effect.

A Broken Tire.
   A broken tire on one of the drive wheels of the engine caused an accident to the 9 o'clock passenger train on the Lehigh Valley R. R. Thursday morning about a mile south of this place, which might have had very serious consequences. The train was running at full speed, but on account of the down grade there was not much steam on at the time, and although the engineer and fireman jumped for their lives when they found their engine and cab apparently going to pieces, the accident itself caused the setting of the air brakes and brought the train to a standstill. One side of the engine and cab were pretty badly wrecked, but the engineer and fireman, who landed in a snowbank, were not much hurt and after making temporary repairs brought the train to this station to wait for another engine.—Dryden Herald.
Train wheel:


Normal Notes.
   There have been 121 candidates for admission to the Normal this term, which is an unusually large number for a spring term. Of these, nineteen presented credentials which entitled them to admission without examination. One student comes by transfer from the Albany Normal, one by transfer from the Oswego Normal, six have high school diplomas, five have second grade teachers' certificates and six have third grade teachers' certificates. The other 102 took examinations, and 48 of these succeeded in passing them and are entitled to admission. Of the unsuccessful candidates, some have failed to pass any of the subjects required, and others have failed in a single subject and can try a new examination in the same subject at the proper time and may yet succeed in getting in. Of these 67 who are entitled to admission, 42 have already entered and signed the contract book. This contrasts favorably with the first two days of the term one year ago when 21 new students were entered.
   The old students are rapidly returning for work. The total enrollment of the school for last year was 392. As compared with that, about 390 have already been enrolled in the present term and not all of the old students are back yet and not all of the new ones are entered, while the total enrollment for this year so far is 450.
   Classes were organized this afternoon and lessons were assigned, and regular recitations will begin to-morrow morning.

BREVITIES.
   —The Y. M. C. A. bathrooms again in running order.
   —Mr. Alex Mahan yesterday placed an upright piano in the Cortland Wheel club rooms.
   —The bicycle team of the Cortland Athletic association began training yesterday afternoon.
   —The Protective Police have changed their place of meeting from the John L. Lewis lodge room to G. A. R. hall.
   —The regular assembly of the Union Veteran legion occurs this evening at 7:30 o'clock. There will be business of importance.
   —It is requested that the graduates of the Loyal Temperance legion meet at the W. C. T. U. rooms Friday, Feb. 9, at 3:30 P. M.
   —Arthur White was taken to the State Industrial school at Rochester yesterday for stealing $5 from his father, Mr. George White.
   —The three chairs which were ordered by the court for the clerk, crier and deputy-sheriff, were placed in the court house this afternoon.
   —Mr. J. E. Joiner, for the past year a teacher of bookkeeping and penmanship in Dakins' Business college of Syracuse, is about to open a school here.
   —The regular meeting of the Loyal circle of King's Daughters will be held at 32 Groton-ave., Friday, Feb. 9, at 2:30 P. M.
   —For the first time the four organizations, the G. A. R., Woman's Relief corps, Sons of Veterans and Grange, which occupy G. A. R. hall, are all draped in mourning.
   —The night choir of the Methodist church, which is composed principally of young gentlemen Normal students, will spend the evening with Dr. L. H. Pearce at the parsonage Saturday evening,
   —The Alpha Chautauqua circle will meet next Monday evening, Feb. 12, with Mrs. Seamans, 82 Port Watson-st. As it is time for election of officers, it is hoped that all members will try and be there.
   —The Marathon Independent very truly says: A newspaper suppresses a good many things for the sake of innocent parties and the good name of the town, but generally receives very little credit or thanks.
   —The classes of Miss Minnie Perrine and Miss Lena Jepson in the Baptist Sunday-school were very pleasantly entertained by Mr. and Mrs. Frank Haskins, at their home beyond South Cortland last Tuesday afternoon.
   —Easter Sunday this year will be the 25th of March, as it was in 1883, and only three Easter Sundays in the nineteenth century have been at an earlier date: March 22, in 1818, and March 23 in 1845 and 1856. The latest date of any Easter Sunday in this century was April 25, 1886.
    —A delegation of twelve members, together with the colonel of the Union Veteran legion, of which E. M. Seacord is adjutant, attended the funeral of Mrs. Seacord yesterday. A committee consisting of Capts. L. Wightman, Geo. E. Ashby and Lucius Davis was appointed to report resolutions at the meeting of the encampment this evening.
   —Fifty members and friends of the Cortland Wheel club assembled in their rooms last evening and enjoyed another of the popular club smokers. It was President S. H. Strowbridge's treat and the appetizing clam chowder, which was placed before each guest was disposed of in short order. Messrs. Dell Kingsley and George and Herbert Murphy furnished some excellent banjo, guitar and piano music. Henry Clay pipes were also in order.

 

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