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| Clarence Lexow. |
Cortland Evening Standard, Wednesday,
March 27, 1895.
LETTER TO
SENATORS.
Another
Protest From New York Reformers.
COMMITTEE
OF TEN MEASURE.
President
Smith of the Chamber of Commerce Complains of the Short Shrift Which That Measure
Received—Proceedings in the Legislature.
NEW YORK, March 27.—Charles Stewart Smith,
president of the chamber of commerce, has sent a letter to Albany addressed to
Senators Lexow, Bradley, Cantor, O'Connor, Pound and Robertson and to
Lieutenant Governor Saxton.
He says among other things: "Doubtless
we shall all agree upon the general statement that at the last election the
people of New York city decreed: That police reformation should be positive and
thorough; that blackmail or alliance with crime or criminals either on the part
of the department or of the police justices must cease; in short, that Tammany
misrule must be destroyed, and finally, that municipal government should be
regulated upon nonpartisan and business principles.
"These ideas are embodied in the
platform upon which Mayor Strong was elected, and that it was the verdict of
the whole people, Tammany only excepted, is demonstrated by the vote in the
tenement house quarters and in the district south of Fourteenth street.
"If these ends are assured, the people of
this city will care little, so far as legislation is concerned, as to the
methods employed to accomplish them, or whether the commission is single or
triple headed.
"I assume that you will agree with me that
the police magistrates' bill will certainly become a law. The long delay in its
passage is unaccountable, but one does not risk much in prophesying that to
assist in keeping Tammany police justices in power, after the late exposures,
would be fatal to the ambition of any statesman.
"The vital question is, which set of
bills now before the senate best embodies the sentiment of the people of this
state—those known as the Lexow bills, or those offered by the Committee of Ten,
which latter have had the indorsement [sic] of the Committee of Seventy and of
the reform organizations of this city?
"The crucial difference between the parties
supporting the bills above alluded to is the bipartisan principle. In the Lexow
bills that principle is introduced into the proposed police commission of four.
The Committee of Ten have incorporated in their bills provisions divorcing
absolutely the police department from politics and have provided for the
bipartisan principle in a separate bureau of elections.
"Admitting, for the sake of argument, that
there is much difference of opinion among good people regarding the respective
merits of the bills above referred to, I have to complain that the senate has
arbitrarily disposed of the bills offered by the Committee of Ten without reasonable
debate, discussion or consideration of their merits.
"These bills were carefully prepared by
a committee of gentlemen among whom were some of the most distinguished lawyers
in New York.
"They were supported almost unanimously
by the press of this city and by public opinion. Then again, a distinguished body
of lawyers have published a carefully prepared opinion, which states that
certain provisions of the Lexow bills are unconstitutional. Notwithstanding that
opinion, the intention is asserted on the part of certain senators to pass the Lexow
bills without amendment.
"Now, while I hold that you are
entitled to your own opinion and to act upon it, I put it to your honor, is it
fair, will it stand the coming judgment of the people, which in the end stands
for the right, that you should decline to consider with due deliberation bills
which have the support of a large majority of the press and the public of New
York? This is a question which confronts you at this moment, and upon the
answer to which the people wait with considerable anxiety."
Police
Corruption in New York.
The report of the grand jury on the police
corruption in New York city is one of the most remarkable documents ever
presented. The jury detail that they have been from the beginning
systematically hampered in all possible ways by the police department itself,
by the very authorities whose interest it was most of all to have the police
organization purged and cleansed from the ground up, the guilty ones dismissed
and punished, the innocent ones known and commended. This attitude of itself
was damning proof of the guilt of the superior officers of the police force. It
has been shown to the grand jury satisfactorily that the very head of the
department himself, Chief Byrnes, heaped up a fortune by taking presents which
the plain English of it would call bribes and nothing else.
The jury, however, believe, and this much at
least is to be said, that the majority of the common policemen are honest and
efficient. It is in the high places that the corruption exists. Where the
underlings have taken unlawful money they have done so largely on the orders of
their superiors and to enrich their superiors. Black enough is this plain
statement.
In the history of municipal government in
America nothing more disreputable or disgraceful has ever come to the surface
than the cold, hard facts shown up in the conclusion of the New York grand
jury's report:
The evidence has left no doubt in our minds that
for years it has been the practice of many police captains in their respective
precincts to receive money as bribes for protecting violators of law, and to
extort money from law abiding citizens as the price of exemption from police
interference and annoyance. We believe that this practice has been carried to
an extent unprecedented in the history of the city. Clear cases have been
presented in which, by reason alone of lapse of time, the law has precluded us
from finding indictments.
The enjoyment by the executive head of the force
of a considerable fortune accumulated as a result of favors granted in
recognition of the performance of official duty may well have caused
demoralization in the force under his command. The distinction between the
receipt of such favors and the vice is not one that his subordinates are likely
to appreciate. The existence of the evils to which we have referred evidences
the absolute necessity of a radical reorganization of the force by new men and
new methods.
The one serious looking international
complication on the American continent is presented by Venezuela. That
republic, though weak and poverty stricken, is not conciliatory. She seems to
want to fight, but has nothing to fight with. She has succeeded in directing
toward herself the displeasure of four great European powers—France, Belgium,
Germany and Great Britain.
Venezuela has expelled the French and
Belgian ministers from her borders, which has naturally antagonized those
countries. Some years ago German contractors built the Venezuelan railway under
guarantee of the payment of a certain sum of money by the republic's
government. The money has never been paid. Venezuela declares herself at
present too poor to raise it. Thereupon Germany half threatens to send warships
and seize Venezuelan territory and hold it till the money is forthcoming. But
the German government did not construct the railway, and it is hard to see what
excuse it can have for thus enforcing a private claim.
Great Britain wants the boundary of British
Guiana extended to take in large and valuable lands plainly belonging to
Venezuela under the old Spanish territorial rights. Nothing is clearer than
that Great Britain ought to arbitrate this question, but she refuses to do so,
so far as the best part of the territory she claims is concerned. [United
States] Secretary Gresham and Mr. Bayard are looking into the case for both
nations.
However events turn out it is plain that the
United States cannot permit any of these European nations to get a larger
foothold in America, North or South. The Monroe doctrine covers the whole
continent.
Journalism
in Spain.
Recent events show that Spain is as much a
military despotism as Russia. The difference is that in Russia the emperor and
his ministry govern, while in Spain the army, the small officers at that,
govern not only the country, but the queen regent and the ministry as well.
That Madrid newspaper expressed only the popular sentiment just or unjust, when
it hinted that the swarms of small army officers clustered about Madrid were by
no means anxious to go out to Cuba and fight for Spain by putting down the
rebellion. A hundred times during our civil war the same charge was made by
American newspapers against the "feather bed" officers who staid
[sic] at Washington. That journalistic expression was merely liberty of the
press.
But the small Spanish officers gathered in a
mob and wrecked the office of the first newspaper that had dared to criticise
[sic] them. After one office had been wrecked another journal denounced the
military mob and demanded that the officers be punished. This was sufficient to
stir up the lawless, riotous officers against the whole newspaper press of
Madrid. The only authority left in Spain seems to be General Campos, and he is afraid
of the petty officers. He issued a mild bluff to them. On the other hand, he
issued a manifesto to the newspapers that if any more editors ventured to
criticise the army they should be shot.
"ONE
HUNDRED YEARS AGO."
Realistically
Produced in G. A. R. Hall Last Evening.
One of the beet amateur performances given
in Cortland for some time was presented in G. A. R. hall last evening under the
auspices of the Sons of Veterans. The following clipping from their program
explains "What ye show is about," the time being July 4, 1776, and
the place near Philadelphia:
Ye First Act: Takes place at morning in ye
kitchen of Obed Sterling, and relates how ye young mistress Prudence doth fall
in love with Son Ephraim who loveth not strife and warfare which is according
to ye creed of ye Quakers; notwithstanding which, ye girl so worketh on his
feelings, that he girdeth on his armor and goeth forth to battle. Ye young
patriot Elmer doth also become enamored of sweet daughter Ruth, but alas, ye
cruel creed of ye Quakers forbiddeth marrying between their sect and ye world's
people. During this part of ye performance ye comical characters, Pretzel and
Ginger, will provoke much merriment, and other events occur to please and edify
the spectators as ye show progresses.
Ye Second Act: Is in ye evening and doth show
how a perturbed spirit hath settled upon ye sober household and now a wolf doth
enter into ye Quaker fold and seek to carry off ye daughter Ruth, but is
prevented by ye brave patriot Elmer. After much excitement, ye evil minded man
doth meet a just punishment, and virtue and uprightness is rewarded
thereby. Ye joy of ye household is greatly increased by ye news of ye signing
of ye Declaration of Independence and ye villagers do assemble in ye streets to
make joyful with bonfires and illuminations and ringing of bells, forming ye
first Fourth of July celebration of America, and ye beautiful tableau the birth
of the Republic.
The piece was very ably presented by the
following cast:
Elmer Granger—a young patriot, Mr. F.
Seacord.
Obed Sterling, a Quaker, Mr. C. N. Fenner.
Ephraim, his son, Mr. M. R. Chapin.
Uriel Bosworth, a pretended Quaker, Mr. R.
H. Davis.
Ginger, Mr. Clayton Main.
Pretzel, Mr. W. L. Loope.
Burke and Blucher, Ye Tories, Mr. W. F.
Seacord and Mr. M. R. Chapin.
Rachel Sterling, Obed's wife, Miss Ella Van
Hoesen.
Ruth, their daughter, Miss Ruth Carpenter.
Prudence, a Yankee girl, Miss Grace Stoker.
Liberty and Tyranny, in ye tableau, Miss
Carrie Kellogg and Miss Iva Rogers.
Ye townspeople, soldiers, etc.
The cast was unusually well balanced and
each character was impersonated in a manner showing careful study, untiring rehearsals
and a clear conception of the parts, all of which were difficult.
The special scenery, which was painted for
the occasion by Mr. J. J. Murphy, added materially to the performance, and the
little furniture used in the play, all of which was over a hundred years old,
made the piece exceedingly realistic.
The Sons of Veterans must have realized a
snug sum from their venture and last night's entertainment was so much enjoyed
that another one by the same organization would be likely to be even more
liberally patronized.
BREVITIES.
—Hospital reception and supper afternoon and
evening,
—Come up this evening and see the new
hospital. The electric car will take you to the door.
—Supper will be served at the hospital
building from 5 o'clock through the evening for twenty-five cents.
—Mr. and Mrs. H. L. Smith this evening entertain
the whist club of which they are members at their home on Prospect-st.
—The Ladies' Literary club met with Mrs. G.
W. Bradford at 70 Tompkins-st. this afternoon. The subject of study was Richard
H. Dana.
—There will be preaching at the Free Methodist
church this evening at 7:30. Rev. B.
Winget, a former pastor, is expected. Come and hear him.
—St. Mary's Catholic church of Binghamton
cleared nearly $800 from the organ recital last week upon the occasion of the
opening of their splendid new organ.
—Kate Greenaway hats and other novelties and
warm maple sugar at W. C. T. U.
rooms, this evening, 7 o'clock. Co. D, L. T. L., wish to welcome all their
friends for a good time. Tickets ten cents.
—Every day people are renting houses, buying
or selling property, obtaining situations or getting help through the medium of
The STANDARD'S "want'' column. Everybody reads it. Try it yourself.
—Association Sunday will be observed in
Cortland on April 7. Association speakers will be in the various churches in
the morning and the services will be along the line of association work. In the
afternoon at 8 o'clock a men's mass meeting will be held in the First M. E. church,
a woman's meeting in the Congregational church, and boys' meeting at the
Homer-ave. church. In the evening platform meetings will be held at the Baptist
and Presbyterian churches. Fuller details will be given later.
—We are under obligation to Mr. Hugh Duffey
for a copy of the Report of the Board of General Managers of the Exhibit of the
State of New York at the World's Columbian Exposition. Mr. Duffey, it will be
remembered, was a member of the Sixth Judicial District commission. The volume
is beautifully illustrated, and a very handsome one, and is besides a most
comprehensive, thorough and attractive presentation of the part taken by the
Empire state in the great exposition. It includes a complete report of all
awards made to New Yorkers, which gives it a special value.
A BROKEN
CRANK SHAFT.
Hindered
the Cortland Forging Co. for Less Than One Day.
Just before noon yesterday the main crank shaft
of the big two hundred horse power engine of the Cortland Forging Co. broke off
short. The engine was manufactured by Mcintosh, Seymour & Co. of Auburn. A
telephone message was sent to the factory and fortunately a shaft like the
broken one was on hand. It was immediately prepared for shipment and was started
for Cortland. The 11:20 train on the D., L. & W. was held at Syracuse a
half hour last night for transfer from the Auburn road. The shaft weighed 1,500
pounds and it required eight men to handle it. An expert came with the shaft
and work was continued all night at the engineroom. At 11:40 this morning
the repairs were completed and the engine started up. The new shaft cost
$200 and
the services of the expert in coming to put it in position cost $50.
This was pretty lively work, but the company
was at great loss for every minute of idleness at present, as it is driven hard
with orders.
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