MR. HEARST'S ACTION, TREATIES, TREATY VIOLATION, CLOSE SHAVE, SETH HOBART FUNERAL, AND KIEHL INSURANCE PAID

 

William Randolph Hearst.

Cortland Evening Standard, Tuesday, January 27, 1903.

MR. HEARST'S ACTION.

Arguments on Application For Suite Against Coal Company.

   Albany, Jan. 27.—Attorney General Cunneen gave a hearing on the application of William R. Hearst that action be commenced before the supreme court under the anti-trust law against 12 coal carrying railroads and the Temple Iron company.

   The complaint alleges that by an agreement with the independent operators the railroad companies have secured control of the entire output of the anthracite coal mines and that in March, 1901, they increased the price of coal 50 cents a ton, thereby adding to their revenues $30,000,000. The railroad companies were represented by attorneys.

   By granting the application Mr. Shearn, for the applicant, urged that the attorney general would prevent the railroad companies from fulfilling their guarantee of the stocks and bonds of the Temple Iron company and thus destroy the combination.

   Lewis E. Carr, representing the Delaware and Hudson, asked whether the Temple Iron company's contracts were not made in Pennsylvania. Mr. Shearn replied that the courts of this state could act, nevertheless.

   Mr. Carr said uniformity in the price of coal was not surprising for cost of production was practically the same to all and that if the charter of the Temple Iron company were annulled its 11 collieries would revert to the ownership of the independent operators and the price of the coal they produce be increased.

   He questioned the motive which prompted the application, alleging it was for newspaper purposes. Mr. Shearn objected and Attorney General Cunneen stated that the motive would have no bearing upon his decision; that he would decide the application upon the facts.

   A. H. Moot of the Erie railroad maintained that the Reading company produced the majority of the coal mined and practically regulated the price. The coal jobbers of New York city and not the railroad companies, he held, were the men who were violating the anti-trust law. He asked why they were not brought before the attorney general. An injunction under the Donnelly anti-trust law could do no more than drive the sales offices of the railroad companies from New York city to New Jersey or Pennsylvania. Other counsel argued on the same lines. The hearing was closed, the attorney general reserving his decision and allowing counsel a week to file briefs.

 

President Theodore Roosevelt.

Treaties Sent to Senate.

   Washington, Jan. 27.—The president sent to the senate an agreement with Cuba extending the time for the ratification of the Cuban reciprocity treaty. Under the terms ratification was required by Jan. 31 and it had become apparent that the time limit was too short. He also transmitted the Canadian boundary treaty to the senate.

 

ICE GORGE IN THE HUSDON.

Cakes Banked Forty Feet High for a Distance of a Mile.

   Saratoga, Jan. 27.—The ice and log jam at the Glen station, on the Adirondack division of the Delaware & Hudson railroad, gorges the upper Hudson river from bank to bank, is a mile long, and is piled up over forty feet high. The pent-up waters have formed a lake back of the gorge. The recent cold wave has had the effect of temporarily postponing the braking away of the jam, which is likely to occur at any time when the weather becomes milder.

   As a section of the Adirondack road and one of its bridges are adjacent to the river, it is expected they will suffer when the jam moves down the river.

 

PAGE FOUR—EDITORIAL.

The Dardanelles Treaty Violation.

   Not a little irritation in the relations of Great Britain and Russia has been caused by the recent passage of Russian torpedo boats through the Dardanelle strait.

   The treaties of Paris and Berlin relating to the Dardanelles provide that no war vessel other than Turkish shall pass through the strait without the consent of the Turkish government. In this case the Turkish government consented to the passage of the unarmed Russian torpedo boat from the Mediterranean to the Black sea. As the vessels were not armed, the sublime porte claims that the terms of the treaties were strictly complied with, while Great Britain claims that it was a violation of treaty stipulations, and British papers stoutly insist that such defiance of Europe will result disastrously to the Ottoman empire.

   The Dardanelles provision of the treaty of Berlin was adopted nominally as a defensive measure for Turkey, but really as a restrictive measure against Russia. The purpose was to prevent Russia's arming on the Black sea. But in spite of all restrictions, Russia has built up a powerful war fleet on the Black sea and is as strong there proportionately as Great Britain or Germany is on the Mediterranean.

   In other words, Russia is as strong on one flank of Constantinople as Great Britain is on the other and with a strong fleet only forty miles away, is more likely to become an ally of Turkey in an emergency than any other European power. It is probably not so much the mere passage of a few Russian torpedo boats through the strait or even the apparent violation of the treaties that disturbs Great Britain as the possibility of a Russo-Turkish entente, which the Dardanelles incident would seem to foreshadow. At all events, the affair heightens interest in the situation in the Levant, over which always hang clouds more or less inimical to the peace of Europe.

 

H. Dell Hollister in fireman's uniform.

A CLOSE SHAVE.

Nearly Run Down by a Loose Team in the Dark.

   It appears that Mr. H. P. Hollister with his brother's wife, Mrs. Dell Hollister and her baby, had a narrow escape from being run down by the runaway team of Loren Grant on Sunday evening, the account of whose unaccompanied dash was given in these columns last night. Mrs. Hollister was taken to her home [and to] Mr. Dell Hollister who had been spending the day with his family.

   He [H. P.] was driving a spirited horse south on Church-st., Cortland.  Just south of the First M. E. church he discovered that the runaway team was right behind his sleigh coming at full speed. He started up his own horse like a flash and tried to pull out of the track to the right. As he glanced back he saw the off horse of the pair almost upon his sister who sat at his left. Instinctively he struck out behind with his left arm and hit the horse a hard blow full on the nose. The animal dodged, shied a\ little into his mate and that afforded just the instant required for his own horse to get the cutter out of the way, though the bob sled of the runaway just grazed as it passed. The occupants of the cutter were pretty thoroughly frightened, for they did not hear the horses coming on the snow path till they were almost to them. Mr. Hollister had no idea to whom the team belonged till he read of the runaway in The Standard last night.

 

FUNERAL OF MR. HOBART

To be Conducted by Masonic Fraternity of Which He was a Member.

   Cortland Commandery, No. 50, K. T., is making preparation to go tomorrow in a body to Preble to attend the funeral of Sir Knight Seth Hobart, who died last Sunday. The Knights Templar are requested to meet at headquarters in full uniform at 9 o'clock tomorrow morning. They will then march to the Lackawanna station and take the 9:45 train for Preble, returning to Cortland at 6:40 o'clock in the evening.

   The funeral will be held at the residence at 2 o'clock and will be conducted by Homer lodge, No. 352, F. & A. M., the commandery to act as an escort.

   Mr. Hobart was one of the charter members of Cortland Commandery, affiliating here Oct. 24, 1870. He was also one of the most respected members of the commandery and one of the most prominent Masons of the county. He affiliated with Cortland commandery from Central City commandery, No. 25, of Syracuse.

   Aside from holding a membership in the commandery Mr. Hobart was a member of Homer lodge, No. 352, F. & A. M., and of Washington chapter, No. 20, R. A. M., of Homer.

 

A FEW OF THE MANY

Good Things that are to be Found at H. B. Hubbard's.

   Brewer's grape fruit, sweet Jamaica oranges, Florida tangerines, fine Lyon brand navel oranges, Malaga grapes, fine celery, lettuce, cranberries, new Bermuda onions, Jersey sweet potatoes. A lot of fine maple sugar. All at H. B. Hubbard's. [Paid ad.]

 

KIEHL INSURANCE PAID.

A Policy on the Life of Each Brother Settled in Full.

   E. MacClain, district manager of the Mutual Benefit Life Insurance company of Newark, N. J., yesterday received from his company a check of $1,000.57 to satisfy the insurance policy of Adam Kiehl. The check is made out to J. K. Henderson, the administrator of his estate. Notwithstanding the circumstances that were brought out at the Kiehl inquests, the insurance company in its statement assigns the cause of death of the young Preble farmer as pneumonia and pays the full amount of the policy.

   William Kiehl, the brother of Adam Kiehl, and the husband of Maude Kiehl, was also insured in the company for $1,000 and Mrs. Kiehl received a check from the company two days after his death.

   The policy on Adam Kiehl's life was issued Jan. 15, 1902, and was a life twenty-payment policy. Adam was 21 years of age at that time. The check included $1,000 as the face value of the policy and $1.57 in dividends.

   William Kiehl's policy was issued on the same day as was that of his brother, and it was the same kind of policy. William was 25 years of age at the time it was issued. The amount paid his widow was $1,000, the face value of the policy, and 21 cents, dividends.

 

BREVITIES.

   —The Wide Awake Literary club will meet with Mrs. Lillian Melvin, 118 North Main-st., Tuesday evening.

   —A special meeting of the L. O. T. M. will be held at 7:30 o'clock Wednesday evening in the K. O. T. M. rooms.

   —Cortland chapter, No. 194, R. A. M., will confer the "mark" degree at its regular convocation Wednesday evening at 8 o'clock.

   —New display advertisements today are—A. S. Burgess, Boys' clothing, page 8; Warren. Tanner & Co., Inventory and Loom end sale, page 7; New York store, Bargains, page 7; Hollister Hardware and Plumbing Co., Hardware, stoves, etc., page 7; A. Mahan, Pianos and organs, page 5; McGraw & Elliott, Singing canary birds, page 4; M. A. Case, New goods for spring, page 6; C. F. Thompson, Fresh fish, page 5; Rev. E. E. Davidson, "The Successful Life," page 5.

 

ALASKAN BOUNDARY, DEPENDS ON GERMANY, HOME TELEPHONE CO., CORPORAL PUNISHMENT, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS

 

John Hay.

Cortland Evening Standard, Monday, January 26, 1903.

ALASKAN BOUNDARY.

Treaty Signed Providing For a Settlement.

MIXED TRIBUNAL OF JURISTS.

Determination to Be Placed on Treaty of 1825 Between Great Britain and Russia—Commission Will Consist of Three Members on Each Side Without an Umpire.

   Washington, Jan. 26.—Secretary Hay and Sir Michael Herbert, the British ambassador, Saturday signed a treaty providing for the settlement of the Alaskan boundary question.

   Efforts in this direction have been put forth for a long time, the pressure coming from both sides, the Canadian miners being anxious to get through the Klondike to the sea without passing through American territory and the Americans insisting upon their right to the coast line and the control of the ports.

   The treaty signed provides for the reference of all these boundary questions to a mixed tribunal of jurists three on each side, to determine the interpretation to be placed on the treaty of 1825 between Great Britain and Russia which defined the boundaries between British America and Alaska.

   This proposition is virtually the same as that brought forward by the American members of the joint high commission which met in Washington three years ago, but which then was rejected by the British and Canadian representatives.

   It has taken three years to obtain the consent of the British and the Canadian governments to adjust the boundary dispute on this basis. It is understood that the treaty has been drawn up after thorough consultation with the leading members of the senate of both political parties, the administration desiring to do everything possible in advance to secure its ratification.

   The commission proposed is curious in composition, consisting of an equal number of members upon each side without an umpire or odd man to cast the deciding vote.

   No other terms of arbitration would have been acceptable to the people of the Northwest who see in this arrangement a practical extinction of any chance of a decision hostile to their plans.

   On the other hand to get a verdict favorable to the American claim the case of the United States must be so strongly presented as to win the support of at least one of the Canadian contingent.

   The treaty will be submitted to the United States senate very soon, and the effort will be made to ratify it before the expiration of the present session.

 

Stromboli in Eruption.

   Rome, Jan. 26.—After a brief spell of inactivity the Volcano Stromboli is again in eruption. Great quantities of lava and stones are being thrown up and to an immense distance from the crater. The cone of the volcano is capped with a thick cloud of smoke. The eruption affords a magnificent spectacle at night, the flames rising from crater illuminating the sky.

 

POWERS ARE CONSIDERING.

Blockade to be Raised if Guarantees are Satisfactory.

   Berlin, Jan. 26.—Your correspondent learns officially that the powers are jointly considering the guarantees offered by Minister Bowen on behalf of Venezuela for the payment of the various claims. If these guarantees are satisfactory, the blockade will be raised immediately.

 

DEPENDS ON GERMANY.

Great Britain and Italy now Ready to Raise the Blockade.

   Washington, D. C., Jan. 26.—Great Britain has given her assent to the proposition to raise the Venezuelan blockade and has promised to use her influence with the other allies. This information was conveyed to Minister Bowen this morning by Ambassador Herbert. Italy is ready to co-operate with England and as soon as Germany gives her consent the blockade ceases.

 

Three jug telephone, late 1890's.

AN AVERAGE DAY

At the Office of the Home Telephone Co.—Lively Work.

   Any one who imagines that the operators at the office of the Home Telephone Co. have a snap with little to do except to listen to conversations going on over the [party] wires would soon be disabused of that opinion if he would see the lively work that the operators have to do almost every minute of the day and night. Every few weeks Manager Bennett arranges for a "pegging in" day in which every call made is noted in a pegboard and kept track of with the idea of learning how many calls are made upon that day.

   Last Saturday was "pegging-in" day and the result was 9,805 calls at the Cortland central office during the twenty-four hours ending at 7 o'clock Sunday morning. At the Homer central office there were 1,563 calls during the same period, making a total of 11,368 at the two offices. It is fair to connect the two central offices in making the aggregate, for many of the calls of course were from Cortland to Homer and the reverse. The Cortland calls arranged by hours were as follows:

   7 a. m. to 8 a. m., 312.

   8 a. m. to 9 a. m., 693.

   9 a. m. to 10 a. m., 752.

   10 a. m. to 11 a. m., 582.

   11 a. m. to 12 m., 510.

   12 m. to 1 p. m., 570.

   1 p. m. to 2 p. m., 672.

   2 p. m. to 3 p. m., 552.

   3 p. m. to 4 p. m., 628.

   4 p. m. to 5 p. m., 696.

   5 p. m. to 6 p. m., 810.

   6 p. m. to 7 p. m., 400.

   7 p. m. to 7 a. m., 2,428.

   In the Cortland exchange there are 780 subscribers and in Homer 170 subscribers. In tte Cortland office there are eight operators at a time answering calls from 7 a. m. till 12 m. and from 1 p. m. till 6 p. m. Between 12 m. and 1 p. m. there are six operators. From 6 p. m. till 9 p. m. there are five operators and from 9 p. m. till [7] a. m. there are but two operators. In Homer there is but one operator at a time to handle the two boards. An examination of these figures shows that between 5 and 6 p. m. the eight operators averaged over a hundred calls each during the sixty minutes, and there was not any loafing during any portion of the day. Perhaps the thought of these rapid calls may make subscribers a little more patient if a call is not answered inside of five seconds, for it must be remembered that these calls do not all come in regular order at a specified speed, but sometimes a half dozen will come at the same second and each must be attended to in its turn.

   There are about sixty orders for telephones now on the waiting list and these are being supplied just as fast as the apparatus can be received and the linemen can do the wiring. There appears to be no limit to the number of telephones that may be called for in Cortland. Homer, McGraw, and out on the farm lines, and of course each additional instrument makes the possession and service of all the others more valuable for there are more people that can be reached by the means.

 

Fortnightly Club.

   The Fortnightly club held its meeting Saturday afternoon at the home of Mrs. George P. Hollenbeck, 10 Church-st. The theme was "Romanesque Architecture, Northern," sometimes called "Round-arch Gothic," and the program was as follows:

   What We Owe to Medieval Monasteries, Miss Ella Van Hoesen.

   Worms, Spires, Mayence, [Mainz] (Germany), Mrs. J. G. Jarvis.

   Castles on the Rhine, Mrs. T. P. Bristol.

   Piano Solo, Miss Martha McGraw.

 

Farewell to an Associate.

   The gentlemen employees of The Standard job rooms assembled Saturday evening at the home of Mr. H. Gray Joy on Prospect-st. to have a farewell evening of sociability with Mr. E. C. Tripp, who left this morning for New York to accept a place in that city. Mr. Tripp was presented with a handsome dress suit case. A very pleasant evening was spent during which Mr. Joy's new phonograph with its large assortment of selections contributed much to the general enjoyment. Light refreshments were served.

 

Auction.

   John L. Ryan, who lives 3/4 mile east of East Homer on the Truxton, N. Y., road, will sell at auction on Thursday, Jan. 20, at 12 o'clock, 17 choice Holstein cows, part fresh and the balance springers, 4 heifers, 1 yearling bull, all thoroughbred Holsteins, 1 mare 7 years old, two colts, wagons, farming tools, potatoes, etc. [Paid ad]

 

Charles Rufus Skinner.

CORPORAL PUNISHMENT

Is Allowable in the Public Schools, says State Supt. Skinner.

   State Superintendent of Public Instruction Skinner has rendered a decision that permits teachers in the public schools to return to the old system of inflicting corporal punishment on unruly students. He says the penal code permits such punishment and that there is no reason why the teacher should not resort to it on extreme occasions. He further says that there is a prevalent opinion among the students that the only punishment that a teacher is justified in administering is dismissal, and that opinion has tended to destroy the deportment of certain students as they think nothing of getting "fired."

 

MINEAH-CLARK.

A Mid-Winter Wedding in the Town of Groton.

   Mr. and Mrs. E. P. Clark of Groton City received nearly fifty of their relatives and friends on Wednesday, Jan. 21, at 2 o'clock, the occasion being the marriage of their daughter, Myrtis Estelle, to Hobart Mineah of McLean. The ceremony was performed by Rev. Levi Jennison, uncle of the bride, of Union Center. Miss Lena Clark, cousin of the bride of Lafayette, was bridesmaid and Mr. Forrest M. Ladd, a nephew of the bridegroom, acted as best man. The wedding march was rendered by a niece of the bridegroom, Miss Bessie Ladd.

   The bride's dress was blue French crepe with trimmings of white silk and appliqué. The bridesmaid wore cream cassimere with white lace, and both carried white roses. The bridegroom wore conventional black as did also the groomsman and both wore white rosebuds in the lapels of their coats. After hearty congratulations a very tempting lunch was served by four intimate lady friends of the bride, superintended by Mrs. Jennison and Mrs. Frank Youmans. An hour or more was spent in visiting and admiring the beautiful presents received, among which were chairs, table linen, fancy articles, Havilland china, solid silver, glassware, parlor lamp, etc.

   About 5 o'clock Mr. and Mrs. Mineah left for Cortland to take the 7 o'clock train for Syracuse and vicinity, amid such a shower of rice and old shoes as they will not soon forget.

   After April 1 they will be at home in the town of Dryden.

 

Griffin-Bell.

   Mr. Harry A. Griffin of Marathon and Miss Bertha E. Bell of Homer were married on Saturday in Cortland at the home of the officiating clergyman, Rev. G. H. Brigham, 8 Charles-st.

 

DEATH OF SETH HOBART.

A Well Known and Life Long Resident of Preble, N. Y.

   Seth Hobart, an almost lifelong resident of Preble, died yesterday at his home in that town. Mr. Hobart was born in the town of Clarence, Erie Co., N. Y., March, 18, 1830, and moved with his parents to Virgil when 8 years old. Twelve years later he moved to Preble which has since been his home. In 1852 he was married to Miss Cordelia M. Van Patten of Preble who together with five brothers and one sister survives him.

   Mr. Hobart has held the offices in his town of assessor, justice of the peace, town clerk and supervisor. He had been for fifty years a member of the Masonic fraternity and Odd Fellows. He was a member of the Patrons of Husbandry and for thirty years a member of the Methodist Episcopal church of Preble. For thirty-five years he had been a trustee of Elmwood Cemetery association of Preble, and was part of the time its vice-president and superintendent.

   The surviving brothers and sister are Amasa of Spafford, Dix of East Homer, John and Lee of Fabius, Nelson of Cortland and Mrs. Lewis Northrup of Fabius.

   The funeral will be held Wednesday at 2 p. m. at the Preble M. E. church and will be conducted by the Masonic fraternity.

 

NICHOLAS J. SYNDER

Another Brave Soldier of the One Hundred Fifty-Seventh Gone.

   Nicholas J. Snyder of Company G., [pdf] One Hundred Fifty-seventh regiment, New York Vols., died in Oneida on Jan. 20. He was one of the men who participated in every battle in which the regiment was engaged. He was always in the front rank ever ready for duty and was considered by his comrades an ideal soldier.

 

BREVITIES.

   —The Lodge of Perfection meets tonight at 8 o'clock.

   —The King's Daughters will meet tomorrow afternoon at 2:30 o'clock. Please notice change of time.

   —The members of the Carpenters' union will hold an adjourned meeting tonight at 7:30 o'clock.

   —Central legion, No. 173, will hold its semi-monthly business meeting in G. A. R. hall on Tuesday evening, Jan. 27, at 7:30 o'clock.

   —The A. O. U. W. will hold a regular meeting in Vesta lodge room Tuesday evening at 7:30 o'clock. Several candidates are to be initiated and a full attendance is desired.

   —The February number of The World's Work contains a remarkably fine half-tone portrait of Hon. Alton H. Parker, chief justice of the court of appeals of this state, a former Cortland boy.

   —The meeting of the Ladies' Literary club arranged for Wednesday has been postponed till Saturday at 3:30 o'clock at the home of Mrs. C. P. Walrad, 13 Lincoln-ave. The postponement is on account of the Davidson evangelistic meetings.

   —New display advertisements today are—Warren, Tanner & Co., Loom end and inventory sale, page 5; Perkins & Quick, Pocketbook sale, page 5: Opera House Agnes Ardeck in ''Madamoiselle Louise," page 5; W. W, Walters, Shoes, page 5.

 

 

CONVENTION COMPLETED, THE HIEHL CASE AGAIN, INCREASED SALARIES FAVORED, AMBROSE WHEELER, AND CIVIL WAR REMEMBERED

 

William B. Wilson.

UNITED MINE WORKERS

Convention Completed, Consideration of Wage Scale.

RAISE 12 1/2 CENTS A TON ASKED.

Demand Will Also Be Made For Proportionate Advance to Laborers. Will Affect the Districts of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Pittsburg—Anthracite Miners Not Affected.

   Indianapolis, Jan. 24.—The convention of the United Mine Workers of America, in executive session, completed the consideration of the wage scale, and Secretary Wilson announced that there will be no more executive sessions.

   The mine workers decided to demand an increase in wages of 12 1/2 cents per ton on a run of mine basis, all coal to be paid for on that basis. A differential of 7 cents between pick and machine coal will be asked for.

   The entire competitive district composed of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and the Pittsburg district of Pennsylvania is governed by this scale. The present run of mine rate in Indiana is 49 cents, and the increase, if granted by the operators, would make the rate of wages 61 1/2 cents per ton. In the Pittsburg district it would be 65 cents; in Ohio 70 cents, and in Illinois 61 1/2 cents.

   A demand will also be made for proportionate advance to the inside and outside common laborers. The minimum rate of wages in Indiana for inside laborers is $2.25 per day.

   It was said that the desire of the convention is to ask for a reasonable increase and stand by it. There will be no receding from this demand, it is said. It was the opinion of the majority that it will be better to make the demand which they expect to enforce, rather than to make a demand for a large increase and probably come down.

 

THE KIEHL CASE AGAIN.

Adam Kiehl Asks Onondaga Authorities to Take Up Case.

   The Syracuse Post-Standard of this morning says: Adam Kiehl, father of Adam and William Kiehl, whose mysterious deaths have excited so much attention and which led Cortland county authorities to attempt to fasten culpability on Mrs. Maude Kiehl and her mother, Mrs. Adelaide Fenner of South Onondaga, began yesterday the circulation of a petition urging the authorities of this county to take up the case.

   Mr. Kiehl believes his sons were murdered in view of the evidence obtained at the inquiries had by Coroner Santee of Cortland. The release of Mrs. Fenner and Mrs. Kiehl from custody has led him to take this new step in the case.

   Yesterday morning he visited a number of people in the town of Otisco and obtained between forty and fifty signatures to his petition. Today he expects to visit South Onondaga, where both of the women live.

   Mr. Kiehl's petition presents the facts of the case already established and calls on the Onondaga criminal authorities to institute inquiries as to the crime of murder and to prosecute whomever the evidence may point to as the probable culprit.

 

SALARIES FAVORED.

Common Council recommends Legislative Amendments.

MAYOR AND ALDERMEN FAVORED.

Mayor and Two Aldermen oppose—Four Aldermen vote for the Change— Changes regarding Paving and Assessment rolls—Some other matters.

   An adjourned meeting of the common council was held last evening at the office of the city attorney to consider the matter of an amendment to the charter, whereby the offices of mayor and aldermen should be salaried. All the members were present. After discussion Alderman Skeele introduced a resolution asking for an amendment that would allow the mayor an annual salary of $400 and each of the six aldermen $200. Alderman Richards seconded this motion, and Alderman Wright called for the ayes and nays. Aldermen Yager, Richards, Pettigrew and Skeele voted in favor of the amendment, and Aldermen Wright and Ingalls against it.

   In relation to the proposed amendment Alderman Skeele said that he had heard no one of the Sixth ward complain about the officers being salaried. The people with whom he had talked in reference to the matter supposed the mayor and the aldermen were getting a salary. Mr. Yager also stated that he had not heard any complaints from his constituents.

   Mr. Richards thought that if the offices were worth a salary under the village government they must certainly be worth a salary under the city charter. Mr. Wright said that the people of his ward that he had talked the matter over with were opposed to the measure.

   Mayor Brown renewed his objections to the idea of giving salaries, and said that in the first place there was a question whether the council could vote itself a salary. He said that he could not favor any such measure as it would be taking advantage of the people that elected him to office. It would be different, he thought, if the matter had been presented before election and the people had known what was intended to be done by the officers that were elected.

   Mr. Pettigrew thought that if the officers were ever salaried some board would have to take the initiative in the matter.

   Before the resolution of Mr. Skeele was made, Alderman Wright moved that the matter be tabled. This was seconded by Alderman Skeele, who voted against the measure. The ayes and nays were called for and the four who afterwards voted to ask for the amendment voted against Mr. Wright's motion.

   The amendment as asked by the aldermen in relation to salaries strikes out of Section 14 of the charter the words "mayor'' and "aldermen" from the list of city officers who receive no compensation for their services and adds the clauses, "The annual salary of the mayor of said city shall be $400." "The annual salary of each alderman of said city shall be $200."

Other Amendments.

   The other amendments that Assemblyman H. A. Dickinson will be asked to secure are given in substance as follows:

   The paving act is to be amended so that the board of public works will have the power to force water and gas mains in streets that are to be paved. Macadamizing without a petition will also be incorporated, provided the unanimous vote of the board of public works is recorded in favor of such improvement. Not more than two-fifths of 40 per cent of the entire cost of the improvement can be assessed upon the abutting property owners.

   The section in regard to the organization and procedure of the common council is to be changed so that the ayes and nays shall be taken upon a resolution only when these are called for.

   The time for the several boards and officers of the city to report estimates to the common council is changed from between the 1st and 15th of October to the same time in November. The entire amount necessary to be raised to defray the expenses of the city is to be fixed by the common council not later than the 31st of December, instead of the 15th of the same month.

   The common council is also to be given authority to provide a building line along any street, alley or highway, and no building may be erected inside of this line.

   The time for the completing of the assessment roll is set down for August 1st, instead of July 1st.

   In regard to the salary of the acting city judge the amendment will provide that the city shall in no case be liable for any services he renders.

   The section in regard to limitation of actions against the city is changed slightly in defining what actions may be brought.

 

Pleaded Not Guilty.

   Ella Wood was arraigned this morning and pleaded not guilty to the charge of vagrancy. The case was adjourned until Monday morning, and the prisoner was taken to the jail in default of $100 bail.

 

Captain William Saxton.

                                       WAR REMINISCENCES

                 By Captain Saxton of the 157th Regiment, N. Y. Vols.

THE BEGINNING OF HOSTILITIES.

Presidential Vote of 1860 Analyzed—South Carolina Eager for War—President Buchanan's Easy Course—Several States Secede—Efforts to Treat With Seceders—Star of the West Fired Upon-Confederates Begin to Arm—President Lincoln Inaugurated—Bombardment of Fort Sumter.

(CHAPTER NO. 2.)

   To the Editor of The Standard:

   Sir—Let us analyze the presidential vote of 1860 a little. Mr. Douglas received 3 electoral votes from New Jersey and 9 from Missouri, only 12 in all, although his popular vote was 1,291,574. Mr. Breckinridge, with a popular vote of only 850,082 received 72 electoral votes. Mr. Lincoln was elected by a united North against a divided South. The slave states gave Lincoln 26,430 votes, Douglas 163,525, Breckinridge 570,871 and Bell 519,973. Please note those figures. The "fire eaters'' of the South were as bitterly opposed to the "squatter sovereignty" of Douglas as they were to the black Republicanism of Lincoln. The Bell-Everett party, the late American party, had declared its platform to be "the constitution of our country, the union of our states and the enforcement of the laws," and on that platform note its vote in the slave states. South Carolina at that time chose her electors by the legislature, so that in the above figures of the slave state vote for Breckinridge, her vote is not counted, but probably would have increased it to about 621,000. The total presidential vote in the United States was a little less than 4,700,000. Of those 621,000 votes for Breckinridge in the slave states not nearly all of them were for secession.

South Carolina Rebellious.

   There had been a meeting of the prominent politicians of South Carolina as early as Oct. 25 before the election, and they had decided that in case Lincoln was elected, and they expected he would be, that South Carolina would withdraw from the Union.

   Hon. William Boyce, a leading representative in congress from South Carolina, said in a speech at Columbia, Nov. 5, the day before election, "I think the only policy for us is to arm as soon as we receive authoritative intelligence of the election of Lincoln."

   James Chestnut, Jr., a United States senator from South Carolina, said in a speech at the same time and place, "before the setting of tomorrow's sun, in all human probability, the destiny of this republic will be decided.

   Secession was brought about by a very small number of the citizens of the slave states. The fire eaters of the South really hoped that Lincoln would be elected as that would give them the excuse they wanted.

Charleston Rejoices.

   There was great rejoicing in Charleston, S. C., on the morning of the 7th of November, 1860, when it was known that Lincoln was elected. Men rushed to shake hands and congratulate each other on the news, and according to program South Carolina publicly seceded Dec. 20, 1860, and was quickly followed by Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana and Texas. I was teaching a country school that winter and boarding around in the school district as was the custom then. The political situation was thoroughly discussed around the firesides of the homes in the evenings.

   Congress had convened Dec. 3 and President Buchanan had said in his last message, "how easy it would be for the American people to forever settle the slavery question. All that the slave states ever wanted was to be let alone." Now what the South really wanted was partnership and cooperation.

Buchanan is Easy.

   When secession came, Buchanan said "he believed congress had no power to coerce a state into submission." This argument was taken up at the fireside discussions, a few would argue glibly that we had no right to "coerce" a state, and coercion became a great word that winter.

   Then came the futile efforts of congress to conciliate the South. On the night of Dec. 26, Major Anderson, on his own responsibility, transferred the few United States troops and stores he had from Fort Moultrie to Fort Sumter in Charleston harbor. He did this because volunteers were flocking into Charleston, and he was afraid he would be attacked, and Fort Moultrie on Sullivan Island was not near so strong as Fort Sumter, situated in the harbor.

To Treat With Seceders.

   Buchanan had sent a private representative to Charleston to negotiate with the seceders. On the governments part the army, to remain as it was unless due notice was given, on the seceders part no hostile act to be done while Buchanan was in office, he failed in his mission, but it was tacitly understood that this was an agreement and the secretary of war, Mr. Floyd, promised South Carolina that no change should be made in the disposition of the forces in Charleston harbor. So when the seceders found Major Anderson had indeed transferred his eighty men to Fort Sumter, they shouted it was an act of intended "coercion," but the Charleston Courier claimed it to be the opening of civil war. When the news reached us we feared we were actually drifting that way. One man in particular wanted to get my honest opinion, did I really think those slave-holders would fight, and I told him I thought it was a great bluff put up by them to scare the North into doing what the South wanted it to do, and this was the general belief in the North, so far as I knew.

The First Shot Fired.

   On Jan. 9, 1861, the steamer Star of the West, loaded with re-enforcements and supplies for Fort Sumter was fired on from Fort Moultrie and Morris island by the secessionists, and she returned to New York without accomplishing her mission.

   A constitution for the provisional government of the Confederate states of America was adopted Feb. 9 at Montgomery, Ala.

   Jefferson Davis was inaugurated president Feb. 18, a confederate army was organized and principally officered by men who were formerly officers in the United States army.

   On March 3, Gen. Beauregard, a former major in the United States army, was sent to Charleston and took command of the confederate forces. About the same time commissioners were sent to England, France, Russia, and Belgium, asking recognition of the confederate states and a like commission was sent to Washington but was not received.

   We still hoped the whole trouble would be settled when Mr. Lincoln was inaugurated president. In the meantime the secessionists seized most of the government forts, arms and property within their borders.

Lincoln Inaugurated.

   The 4th of March 1861 came. Mr. Lincoln took the oath of office and how it did thrill our hearts to read the noble words contained in his inaugural address when he said, "he considered the Union unbroken, and he should execute the laws in every state to the extent of his ability." And again, "the power confided in me will be used to hold, occupy and possess the property and places belonging to the government. In doing this, there need be no bloodshed or violence, and there should be none unless it was forced upon the national authority."

   On April 8 the government at Washington notified Gen. Beauregard of its intention to reinforce Fort Sumter, and he, Beauregard, was instructed by the confederate state authorities to attempt its reduction. Accordingly fire was opened on Fort Sumter April 12 and after a bombardment of thirty-four hours Major Anderson surrendered with all the honors of war.

W. S.

 

BREVITIES.

   —A ladies' auxiliary to the Royal Arcanum has just been organized in Binghamton.

   — Rev. E. E. Davidson will speak at the Sundayschool [sic] of the Presbyterian church tomorrow, and all members of the congregation are invited to remain and hear him.

   —Mr. A. H. Greenlund of Jamestown arrived in Cortland this noon to be the guest over Sunday of Mr. and Mrs. A. F. Stilson. Mrs. Greenlund has been here for a week past.

   —The Standard is indebted to Mr. E. C. Alger, clerk of the board of supervisors, for a copy of the Journal for 1902 which has just been issued from the presses of the Homer Republican and is a very creditable piece of work.

   —New display advertisements today are—Rev. E. E. Davidson, Meeting for men only, Presbyterian church, Sunday evening, Jan. 21, page 5; McKinney & Doubleday, Artistic wall paper, page 6; Opera House, "A Breezy Time," page 5.

   —The evening service at the Homer-ave. M. E. church will be omitted tomorrow night on account of the union evangelistic services. All men are urged by the pastor to attend the union service for men at the Presbyterian church, and all women to attend the union service at the First Baptist church.