CABBIES RESUME THE REINS

Cab driver in New York City.

Cortland Evening Standard, Saturday, November 16, 1895.

CABBIES RESUME THE REINS.

The New York Strike Comes to an Ignominious End.

   NEW YORK, Nov. 16.—The strike of cab drivers and stablemen, which promised to paralyze travel by hired vehicles in the city for an indefinite time, has fallen through and most of the men who had been ordered out by the Liberty Dawn association to support the demands of the employes of Seaich's stables, returned to work.

   Seaich's men are still on strike, but the company sent out 40 cabs driven by nonunion whips, each of whom was guarded by a policeman in civilian dress on the seat beside him.

   Reports differ regarding the reasons which led to the sudden collapse of the sympathetic strike, but it resulted from a secret meeting.

   Some of the strikers claim that at a conference between their committee and a number of employer liverymen nine of the employers agreed to take back the men who had left them, on the understanding that the drivers were to have 10 hours off, an hour for dinner and a half hour for lunch, and the further agreement that the employers were to give no moral or pecuniary support to any liveryman who failed to subscribe to the same terms.

   Several of those employes deny that they have made such an agreement, however, and one story is that many cabmen threatened to leave the organization unless its leaders reversed their demand for a sympathetic strike.

   Whichever story is correct, the tie up was of brief duration.

GRAIN BLOCKADE AT BUFFALO.

Said to Be the Latest Move of the Railroads Against the Canals.

   BUFFALO, Nov. l6.—During the past week there has been a more or less serious blockade of grain at this port, inbound vessels being delayed from three to four days before being able to unload at their elevators. The cause is said to be the determination of the railroads to shut the canal route out. Elevators having rail connections are filled to their utmost capacity, as are also the canal elevators, though the latter are used only for storage purposes.

   The situation has now become aggravated by the arrival of a large number of grain-laden vessels, which will not be able to reach their elevators before Monday or Tuesday. There is also a big grain fleet on its way down and present prospects are that with its arrival there will be the greatest blockade of grain-laden vessels this port has ever seen.

   After today the various insurance companies will not insure any grain shipped by canal, which will have the effect of giving the entire carrying business for the remainder of the season to the railroads. This is evidently what the railroads have had in view in causing the present blockade.

  

Couldn't Vote Against the Bible.

   The credit of actually winning an election is claimed for a party emblem in the little town of Benton, Ky., where a local option election was held a few days ago. The campaigners for license adopted a jug as their emblem, the Prohibitionists a picture of an open Bible, with the words "Holy Bible," in big letters across the top of the open pages as the emblem of the anti-license forces.

   The people of Benton may be thirsty, but they are pious, and it is related that when the open Bible and the jug of whisky were pictorially placed before them they couldn't vote against the Bible, even though they favored license. The choice between the two touched them in a vulnerable spot, and the election went very dry.—New York Sun.

INSPECTOR GENERAL'S REPORT.

Interesting Recommendations Made Concerning the National Guard.

   ALBANY, Nov. 16.—Brigadier General Frederick C. McLewee, inspector general of the National Guard, has just forwarded his report of the inspection of the state troops for the current year to Adjutant General McAlpin. The report is an interesting one and deals minutely with every organization in the National Guard and Naval Militia, which comprise upwards of 13,000 officers and men.

   The National Guard as a body is shown to be in magnificent condition. Some changes are recommended for the present state uniform, among which is the alteration of the double breasted coat to a single breasted one, as well as a change in the present headdress, which is declared to be unsightly and uncomfortable.

   Grain leather belts and McKeever cartridge boxes are recommended for issue, as well as the new army blouse for officers and a canvas working suit for enlisted men.

   Sham battles are condemned by the inspector general. The report says:

   "They serve no good purpose, and the absurdity of a prearranged plan of action by which one side is supposed to win when all the subsequent conditions would render that conclusion impossible, is apparent."

   General McLewee, in referring to the several march-outs undertaken by several of the troops, is of the opinion that the innovation is partly, if not absolutely, a failure.

USS Dolphin PG-24.

PAGE TWO—EDITORIALS.

"Structural Weakness."

   The country has not forgotten how William C. Whitney, when secretary of the navy, succeeded in ruining John Roach by condemning the Dolphin as "structurally weak." Secretary Whitney could not show that the Dolphin or the Otter vessels built by Roach were weak, but Roach was nevertheless ruined by the aid of an opinion from Attorney General Garland, who advised that the contract with the builder be declared void. This opinion compelled Roach to assign for self-protection. The ships were finished, and have proved to be among the best in the navy.

   John Roach was an American shipbuilder, a Republican and a protectionist. On this account his politics were "structurally weak'" in the opinion of a Democratic administration; and, as everything built in the United States under protection is inferior in free trade eyes to British manufactures, John Roach's ships were condemned off hand.

   The battleship Texas is now in dry dock at the Brooklyn navy yard with bottom badly dented by the pressure of keel blocks on weak steel frames. She was built at the Norfolk navy yard after patterns purchased from a British firm by Secretary Whitney himself. Before work on the ship was fairly begun naval experts expressed the opinion that she would not float as calculated by her designers, and a commission was finally appointed to consider her plans and report. It is now stated that her frames were so lightened, in order to bring the displacement to the calculated limit, that the vessel is "structurally weak." The actual condition of the ship and her urgent need of repairs have forced that revelation. Here is a ship for which Secretary Whitney was himself responsible, so weak that her sides and bottom partially collapse in dry dock, although blocked up by an experienced naval constructor, Francis T. Bowles.

   Justice requires that these facts be stated. Secretary Whitney cannot now be called to account in any other way, for he is out of office; and the government must bear as best it may the results of the bad bargain. Perhaps he meant to act honestly when he started out to ruin John Roach and destroy confidence in American shipbuilding. Perhaps he believed that this government must depend on England for ships. But if he did, both the Dolphin and the Texas have proved that he was a terribly mistaken man. If he had not been blinded by free trade prejudice, he might have acted more wisely. The same prejudices have made greater men than William C. Whitney play the fool. The nation wants no more officials whose intellects are so badly handicapped in charge of its navy—or in charge of anything else that belongs to the government.

Daughter of Revolutionary Soldier.

   A few days ago The STANDARD published the fact of the membership of Miss Sarah Gridley in the National Society of the Daughters of the Revolution. Miss Gridley told a STANDARD reporter that she was one of forty-two members of the society in the United States whose own fathers served in the Revolutionary war and she was thought to be the only lady living in New York state whose father served in this war.

   We learn from Mrs. L. B. Earle, corner Pendleton and Elm-sts., who had noticed the item, that though she is not a member of this society, her father served in the Revolutionary war. His name was Reuben Bennett. Mrs. Earle will be eighty-eight years old upon Dec. 3, and is in excellent health. Her son is Mr. S. Earle, and he thinks of taking steps at once to secure the admission of his mother into the membership of this society.

VERDICT OF GUILTY.

BATES SENTENCED TO 60 DAYS IN THE PENITENTIARY.

Good Government Wins Another Excise Case—Vain Effort to Impeach The People's Witnesses.

   Good Government has secured another victory. Frank Bates, proprietor of the Bates hotel on Church-st., was tried yesterday before Justice Bull and a jury on the charge of violation of the excise laws. This was the defendant's second offence. On August 29, 1893, he was convicted of a violation of the excise law and was sentenced to a fine of $50 which he paid.

   Several hours were spent in securing a jury for this case which was finally [empanelled] as follows: E. A. McGraw, E. Robbins, F. M. Quick, M. H. Foley, Nathan L. Pierce and Ernest Medes. I. H. Palmer and Nathan L. Miller appeared for The People and W. C. Crombie for the defendant.

   The case was opened for The People by Attorney Palmer

   Oscar C. Trim was the first witness called. His testimony was as follows: On Oct. 10, 1895, I was in the place of business of Frank Bates, the defendant, in company with Melvin Munson. I went in alone at first about 7 o'clock P. M. Mr. Bates and I shook dice for the cigars. I was beaten and paid for the cigars. Munson soon came in. We shook dice with Bates, I was beaten, called for whiskey. Mr. Bates set up the whiskey, I drank it and paid ten cents per glass or two glasses of the same. I know what whiskey is and swear that it was whiskey.

   Witness then described the barroom as to furnishings and arrangements.

   Cross examination—I am employed to gain evidence against persons selling liquor and was so employed Oct. 10, 1895. I have followed this business only evenings. I had been in other saloons prior to that date, but can't [recall] exactly the places or dates. On Oct. 10 I first met Munson at Bates' place; the arrangement to meet there had been made the night before. I have no other independent way of determining the date than the memorandum I made of the time.

   Defendant's attorney here moved to strike out this part of the evidence of the witness on the ground that it is secondary.  The motion was denied.

   Witness further stated, I am employed by Munson. Since that time I have referred to my memorandum and refreshed my recollection and am positive that I am correct about the date.

   Melvin Munson was next called. He testified: On Oct. 10, 1895, I met Trim at Bates' hotel on Church-st. in Cortland, N. Y. We shook dice. Trim was beaten. We both called for whiskey, Bates set it up on the bar, we both drank and Trim paid for it.

   Witness then described the location of the place and its interior.

   Cross examination—I entered the place at a quarter past 7 o'clock and left there at about twenty-five minutes of 8 o'clock.

   The People then rested and Attorney Crombie opened the case for the defendant.

   Walter Havens was the first witness called. He testified: I live in North Lansing, was formerly a resident of Cortland. I boarded from Monday night to Friday afternoon during the week of Oct. 10, 1895, with Mr. Bates. On the evening of the tenth I proposed to Mr. Bates that we shake dice for the drinks; he refused and I took the dice box and placed it is my pocket and never returned it.

   Cross examination—This was the first time I had ever stopped at the Bates Hotel. I remember that the next day I told Mr. Palmer that I was so drunk the night before that I could not tell all the places that I had visited that evening.

   Ward Grady testified: I saw a dice box at Bates' the afternoon of Oct. 9, but did not see it afterward while I was there and I left on Sunday.

   This closed the evidence and Attorney Crombie addressed the jury in behalf of the defendant. The case was summed up by Attorney Miller for The People. At 5:09 P. M. the case was given to the jury who returned in two minutes and through their foreman, F. M. Quick, rendered a verdict of guilty.

   The court then sentenced defendant to a term of sixty days in the Onondaga county penitentiary.

   Bates was taken to Syracuse by Chief Linderman on the 4:20 train this afternoon to serve his time. The defendant this morning tried to induce Justice Bull to suspend sentence during good behavior and he promised to close the bar and remove it from the hotel. The matter was left to the executive committee of the Good Government club which held a meeting this afternoon, but which decided not to interfere in the case at all. There was a rumor afloat this morning that Bates had appealed to county court, but inquiry of Judge Eggleston showed that no appeal papers had been offered. In consequence the defendant will tonight begin his sentence in Onondaga penitentiary.

BREVITIES.

   —The Y. M. C. A, Bible class meets to-night at 8 o'clock.

   —At present prices one dozen of eggs will purchase a bushel of potatoes.

   —The cases of W. T. Nix and James Meehan, who were arrested yesterday, charged with violation of the excise law, have each been adjourned to Nov. 25.

   —Mr. J. L. Gillett this morning exhibited to us some remarkably fine specimens of corn raised this year upon his farm. The ears were of unusual size and length.

   —The Central school football team left the Cortland House corner at 1 o'clock this afternoon in a large wagon bound for Groton where they play the Grotons this afternoon.

   —Messrs. Newton Cone and E. V. Bowker have opened an office in the Wells building for the manufacturing of the "Star" drawers and hose supporter which was recently patented by Mr. Bowker.

   —The Normal foothill team left at 10 o'clock this morning for Binghamton, where they were to play the Binghamton high school eleven this afternoon. The Binghamtons were defeated here last Saturday and the Normals were confident of another victory to-day.

   —Miss K. Louise Tanner pleasantly entertained twelve invited guests at her home, 17 Lincoln-ave. last evening, the occasion being the celebration of her twenty-first birthday. A pleasant social time was passed and delicate refreshments were served.

   —The STANDARD is indebted to Mr. S. Earle for a choice collection of fruit including Salem grapes, Sheldon pears, Baldwin, Graftenburg and Fall Orange apples and late fall peaches, nearly all of which was raised upon his own premises.

   —Prof.  J. E. Banta last night gave a most interesting and instructive address before the Corlonor society at the Normal upon the authorship of Shakespeare's plays. It effect will be to inspire the hearers anew with a desire for investigation and reading upon the subject.

   —The Normal hose cart was transferred yesterday from the electric light building to its new home in the basement of the school building. It is pronounced one of the best in the fire department, and hereafter the boys will respond to the given alarms.—Oneonta Star.

   —Mr. Haines of Minneapolis, Minn., is in town to-day exhibiting the Cooper hose jacket and coupler to the firemen of the town and to the village trustees. The jacket is used to place upon a hose where a leak occurs and also to couple together two different sizes of hose. It is a neat, simple, convenient and valuable piece of apparatus.

   —The week of prayer for young men in the Young Men's Christian association closes with the meeting of to-day. Three meetings have been held daily and, while the attendance has not been as large as expected, a deep spirited interest has characterized each meeting and those who have been permitted to attend have been greatly strengthened in their spiritual life and feel stronger to go out into the world to battle with the forces of evil.

STANDARD RAISED

For Entrance to All the Normal Schools of the State.

   At the recent meeting at Buffalo of the superintendent of public instruction and the principals of the Normal schools of the state it was decided to raise the standard of admission for all the schools, upon and after September, 1896. The entrance in February, 1896, will be upon the same basis as at present. Now the minimum credential for admission is a third grade commissioner's certificate which was obtained under the uniform examination system and is still in force, or a candidate may be admitted upon the statement of the school commissioner that he has passed 75 per cent in arithmetic, geography and grammar, or lacking this, he can take an examination in the school in each of these three studies and is admitted if he obtains an average of 70 per cent in all three and does not fall below 69 per cent in any one of the three.

   Under the new regulation which will go into effect September, 1896, a candidate can be admitted by presenting as a credential a first or second (not a third) grade teachers' certificate or its equivalent. To secure a second grade certificate the candidate must pass an examination in the subjects of United States history, civics, physiology and hygiene, methods and school economy, drawing, arithmetic, geography, current topics, and grammar, and must secure an average of 75 per cent upon these and must have had one year's experience in teaching.

   The candidate for examination at the school must take an examination in all those subjects except current topics, drawing, methods and school economy and must secure an average of 75 per cent in them. The year's teaching is also not required.

   The raising of the standard of admission will probably make some difference in the size of the entering classes, although it is the experience of the Cortland Normal school that the number admitted on higher credentials has increased year by year.