PENSIONERS, ANDREW WHITE, THIRD RAIL, AND DRYDEN TROLLEY

 

Eugene Fitch Ware.

Cortland Evening Standard, Friday, September 11, 1903.

996,545 PENSIONERS.

Suggestions of Commissioner Ware In His Annual Report.

FIVE ON REVOLUTIONARY ROLL.

Unpensioned Survivors of the Civil War Number 200,000, But 14,000 of Them Are Annually Applying For Pensions—Burden of System Greatest In 1893, Shrinking Since.

   Washington, Sept. 11.—The annual report of Commissioner of Pensions Ware places the total number of pensioners now on the rolls at 996,545, of which 729,356 are soldiers and 267,189 are widows and dependents.

   Five of the pensioners are on the roll on account of the war of the revolution, 1,116 on account of the war of 1812, 4,734 on account of the Indian wars and 13,874 account of the Mexican war.

   The average annual value of each pension is now $133. The annual value of the Spanish war pension roll has reached $1,765,310.

   Commissioner Ware makes the following recommendations:

   Laws forfeiting the pension or right to pension of any man convicted in court of an infamous crime; prohibiting the giving of pensions to those who marry soldiers after the soldiers become old pensioners; and a different method of examining applicants for pensions, stamping the present system as uncertain, expensive, unsatisfactory and generative of an enormous amount of political friction.

   Mr. Ware suggests boards constituted of experts under civil service rules which should go from place to place on fixed days, giving examinations and receiving testimony regarding the condition of applicants and making reports thereon.. He also recommends a law providing for superannuated clerks, vigorously urging some law of retirement and provision.

   Mr. Ware says that the bureau has gained upon the current work 100,000 cases during the last two years.

   An interesting historical analysis of pension figures shows that the actual total of disbursements in pensions on account of the revolutionary war, war of 1812, Indian wars, Mexican war, civil war and the war with Spain was $3,038,623,590.

   It is estimated that $16,000,000 was paid in pensions for disabilities and deaths due to military and naval service in the wars of 1812 and with Mexico and during the time of peace prior to the war of the rebellion, making the payments of pensions to soldiers and sailors of the war of the rebellion and of the regular military and naval establishment since the close of said war of the rebellion, and their widows, children and dependent relatives, amount to $2,862,240,500.

   The cost of the pension system per capita of population for 1903 is given as $1.75. The system, according to Commissioner Ware, was the greatest as a burden to the people of the United States in 1893, since which time it has shrunk from $2.24 to $1.32 per $1,000 of taxable wealth, and in 10 years he says the burden will cease to be noticed.

   Mr. Ware estimates that the unpensioned survivors of the civil war, exclusive of deserters, is in round numbers 200,000, and says that this unknown army is meeting with disease and misfortune to such an extent that it is applying for pensions at the rate of over 14,000 per annum. In 10 years, Mr. Ware predicts the unknown army will have ceased to be a factor.

 

Andrew D. White.

Andrew D. White Will Go to Germany.

   Ithaca, N. Y., Sept. 11.—-Former Ambassador Andrew D. White, instead of lecturing in Cornell and Yale during the coming year, will sail for Germany about the middle of October. He will spend the winter with his family in Italy.  The executive committee of the board of trustees of Cornell university has announced the following appointments: John A. Wheeler, instructor in experimental engineering; Walter Rautenhanch, instructor in designing; Dr. R. C. Wilson, assistant in materia medica [healing materials] and pharmacology; James A. Trueman, assistant in animal husbandry and dairy industry; S. Pearson, professor of dairy industry.

 

PAGE FOUR—EDITORIAL.

Is it Third Rail?

   When Attorney George M. Diven of the Lehigh Valley R. R. asked for an adjournment of the hearing on the Ithaca-Cortland electric railroad project at Dryden on Wednesday, he requested that the adjournment be for at least thirty days, as the Lehigh Valley railroad contemplated some changes in operation and service on its local branches, and arrangements for these might be made public by that time, and these changes would perhaps have a bearing on the attitude of the railroad commissioners toward the proposition for the electric road. A leading point made in Attorney Given's cross questioning of witnesses was as to whether there would be any need for a new trolley road if there was more frequent train service on the Lehigh Valley R. R. between the three places concerned. Many who heard remembered the statements published a few weeks ago that the Lehigh Valley R. R. was planning for a third rail electric service on the Cayuga lake division between Ithaca and Auburn and wondered if this is the project of that railroad for bettering the service between Ithaca, Dryden and Cortland. There is not a doubt but what that would be a very acceptable change if it were to come, but whether it would answer the purpose of a trolley road in the minds of residents of Dryden and of the people along the line of the proposed trolley road is another question altogether.

 

THE DRYDEN TROLLEY.

Much Interest Manifested in the Project by Residents.

THE APPLICANT'S TESTIMONY.

Claims of Insufficient Train Service Between Dryden and Cortland or Ithaca—The Proposed Line of Electric Road—Twenty Minutes Service— Opponents to Present their Case on Sept. 28.

   The whole village of Dryden is greatly interested in the project for the building of an electric road through that place from Ithaca to Cortland, and when the hearing occurred there Wednesday before the railroad commissioners, as briefly detailed last night, the Dryden opera house was nearly filled with men eager to watch the proceedings. Many of the people came from the country districts east and west of that village along the line of the proposed railroad and speculation was rife as to what the commissioners would decided. But if they have any doubts as to the outcome, it would appear that one man at least has little of that feeling, for George M. Chandler, the vice-president of the new company, testified when last on the stand that already his company had bought many thousands of ties and a large quantity of rails for the new road.

   "You must have considerable confidence in the outcome of this hearing if you have gone so far as that," remarked Colonel Dunn, the chairman of the board of commissioners when he heard this statement. "We have," was the reply.

   The hearing Wednesday was quite in the nature of a judicial inquiry, in which the three commissioners participated in the capacity of both judge and jury. They sat side by side behind a large table at the front of the hall, Chairman George W. Dunn of Binghamton at the right, Frank M. Baker of Owego in the center and Joseph M. Dickey of Newburg at the left. At times they would get their heads together for quiet consultation and then Chairman Dunn, or perhaps one of the others, would ask a pointed question that clearly indicated that their minds trained in many such inquiries had grasped on the instant the full bearing of certain testimony or the leadings of some question. Close to Chairman Dunn's right elbow sat the official stenographer of the commission, John J. Farley of Albany, who made a full and accurate minute of every word said by any one.

   Assemblyman George W. Monroe of Dryden, who represented the petitioners acted as master of ceremonies, summoned the witnesses, questioned them and finally turned them over to the opposition, which appeared to be representatives of the Lehigh Valley R. R. for cross examination. Mr. Monroe was assisted by E. H. Chandler of Jersey City and George E. Goodrich who represented the village of Dryden. Congressman John W. Dwight was present at the entire session and appeared to take a lively interest in the whole matter and occasionally offered a whispered suggestion or word of advice to counsel.

   General George M. Diven of Elmira, one of the directors of the Lehigh Valley R. R. and its attorney for this division, was officially noticed as appearing in opposition to the petition and as representing the Elmira, Cortland and & Northern R. R., the Lehigh Valley R. R., and the Lehigh and New York R. R. He was assisted by J. F, Schaperkotter, the general attorney for the Lehigh Valley system, while Superintendent H. D. Titus of the Auburn division and Chief Engineer Knapp were interested spectators.

   There were also present for the electric railroad company E. H. Chandler of Atlantic City, H. L. Chandler of Philadelphia, George F. Archer of Camden, N. J., C. D. Harrington of New York, and Prof. Henry N. Ogden of Cornell university, who had made the surveys and maps of the proposed railroad.

   There was a fair sized delegation from Cortland, some of whom were actively interested for or against the road and others were there merely to watch proceedings. Among those present were State Comptroller Nathan L. Miller, Mayor C. F. Brown, L. J. Fitzgerald, T. H. Wickwire, O. U. Kellogg, E. H. Brewer, Edwin Duffey, B. F. Taylor, Ward Wickwire, H. B. Darling of the local Lehigh Valley office, A. L. Bouton and a Standard representative.

   Ithaca was represented by former Mayor William R. Gunderman, W. D. Burdick, C. D. Bouton, D. C. Lee, Fred McWhorter, Edwin Gillette, L. H. Van Kirk, George E. Priest, R. G. H. Speed, O. E. Wood, J. T. Newman, O. L. Dean, Jacob Rothschild, George B. Davis and David Roe, Jr.

The Line of the Road.

   It was shortly after 10 o'clock when Colonel Dunn called the hearing to order and inquired of Mr. Monroe what he had to present. The attorney presented the proofs of publication of legal notices concerning the hearing and then called as the first witness Prof. Henry N. Ogden of Cornell university, the engineer who had made the surveys. Prof. Ogden submitted maps of the proposed railroad which were introduced in evidence and were examined with interest by the commissioners.

   The route proposes to start from the north end of the campus of Cornell university at Ithaca and proceed about a mile to Forest Home, thence  through Varna and Etna to Freeville. At that village it proposes to cross the tracks of both the Elmira and Cortland division and the Southern Central division, using an under crossing in both instances. It will then pass in a southerly direction near to the George Junior Republic to the vicinity of the Willow Glen crossing of the Lehigh Valley R. R. Two routes are possible from that point to get to Dryden. One contemplates crossing the railroad twice by overhead crossings to reach Dryden by way of Willow Glen. The other would swerve to the east and not cross the railroad at all. From Dryden the road would follow the highway the greater part of the way to McLean, taking in Malloryville by the way. The Lehigh Valley R. R. would be crossed again one mile west of McLean, but the crossing would not be at grade. Then the highway will be followed till a point is reached near the Lehigh Valley railroad crossing just east of the Gillett grove, and about two miles west of Cortland. There the track will swerve to the north through a private right of way and continue parallel to and north of the Lehigh Valley track, till that railroad crosses Tompkins-st. This will avoid twice crossing the Lehigh Valley tracks. The tracks will then continue through Tompkins-st,, to the end of the paving, which will be the terminus unless some arrangements can be made to proceed through cross streets to reach the tracks of the Cortland County Traction Co, near the Lehigh Valley station.

Witnesses Testify.

   The next witness was Jesse B. Wilson, president of Dryden village, and for five years supervisor of the town of Dryden. Mr. Wilson testified to the lack of facilities for reaching either Ithaca or Cortland by train without making an all day trip of it. The distance is 12 miles to Ithaca and 10 miles to Cortland, but to reach either place one must leave Dryden at 8:47 a. m. and cannot get back till 6:20 p. m. Prior to four months [ago] one must have been absent from Dryden twelve hours to make the trip, but a change of time had bettered the service a little. The round trip fare to get down into the city of Ithaca is 90 cents and to Cortland 80 cents. Many Dryden people go to both Ithaca and Cortland each day for shopping and other business. Many Dryden students would attend Cornell university and the Cortland Normal school and would live at home if they could get to and from with convenience and speed.

   Webb Corbin, the present supervisor of Dryden, gave much the same testimony.

   Mayor Charles F. Brown of Cortland testified that Cortland doesn't get the trade with Dryden, Freeville, McLean and the farming districts in that vicinity which it would have if the railroad facilities were better.

   O. U. Kellogg of Cortland thought the railroad facilities inadequate for the population affected, The county is largely engaged in dairy and agricultural pursuits and an electric road would prove a convenience in aiding in the shipping of milk and farm products. In reply to a question of General Diven, Mr. Kellogg said that if there were more trains on the Lehigh the service would be improved, but he added that from his own office teams were frequently hired to drive to or from Ithaca where one could go one way by train and had business requiring but a short time to transact, and then wished to get back at once without staying all day. As it is there are but two trains each way each day, from Cortland to Ithaca at 8:40 a. m. and 5:30 p. m. and returning arriving at 9:40 ą. m and 6:20 p. m.

   T. H. Wickwire of Cortland referred to the fact that labor was in great demand in Cortland and rents are high. His own mill employs men living out as far as McGraw, Homer and McLean. In the first two places mentioned trolley cars furnish transportation. In the last the men drive to and fro. If there was a trolley service families could live out where there could be a small farm or at least a large garden to work which would help furnish supplies for the family table and where rents were cheaper, and the men could get to and from the mill on the cars while the children took care of the garden.

   L. J. Fitzgerald of Cortland testified much along the same line, declaring the present service inadequate to a place the size of Cortland.

   Major D. W. Burdick, Jared T. Newman, and Edwin Gillett of Ithaca testified in much the same line for their own city.

   Dr. H. B. Genung of Freeville told of the large number of visitors to the George Junior Republic which now has a resident population of 125. He said that even if visitors came by train they were a mile from the Republic, while the trolley would take them to the doors.

   County Clerk L. H. Van Kirk of Tompkins county told of the large amount of business transacted at the county seat by residents of Dryden and of the inadequacy of transportation facilities.

   George W. Monroe introduced in evidence a Lehigh Valley time table.

   George M, Chandler, vice-president of the railroad, was the next witness. He started to tell of the plans to build a $125,000 hotel in Dryden and of the desire for this road to furnish a better means of reaching it, but this was objected to by General Diven on the grounds that it did not concern the franchise for the road itself and it might not be built and it is hardly fair to ask for a franchise on the basis of something that was thoroughly an uncertainty. The question was then withdrawn. He said that estimating the population in a strip one mile each aide of the proposed line the road would serve a population of 37,800. The witness is not engaged in building trolley roads as a business but was a bond holder of this road. He was one of the incorporators of this road. The incorporators had paid to the treasurer in cash as required by law the 10 per cent of the capital stock, and the money had been used for no other purpose than the construction of the road and the necessary disbursements therefor. The witness said if the road were to be built he should favor a twenty minute service of cars between Dryden and Cortland and Ithaca, certainly cars at least as often as every half hour. He promised to furnish the commissioners a verified statement showing the company's ability to construct the road if the franchise was granted.

   George F. Archer of Camden, the treasurer of the road, testified to the same thing and that each stockholder had paid his own percentage, and that the money had been regularly deposited to the credit of the road. He promised to furnish the commissioners within a day or two as soon as he could make the record from his books with a detailed statement of the finances of the road, the same to be duly verified.

   Prof. Duncan C. Lee of Cornell university said that the Lehigh Valley R. R. had done much to improve the efficiency of the branches leading into Ithaca since taking possession of them, but train service was still inadequate. Ithaca is practically isolated. Cornell university has over 3,000 students and might have many more under different conditions. It is now getting to be a problem to house the students. Many would live a little distance out of Ithaca as rates would be cheaper than in the city if they could get to and from their work. Resident students in the surrounding country would live at home. The proposed railroad would go into the midst of villages east of Ithaca, not on the hills above them.

   Bradford Snyder of Etna said Ithaca had tried to secure milk from his town and Cornell university had done the same, but they couldn't get it there. If sent by the Lehigh Valley it would land high upon the hills above Ithaca and transportation would eat up the cost of it.

   H. J. Bool, a manufacturer of Forest Home, told of the difficulty of getting help there and of transportation between his home and Ithaca. Trolley cars would treble the population of Forest Home in two years.

   Attorney Monroe stated to the commissioners that he could add to the evidence indefinitely, but it would be largely cumulative and perhaps he had presented enough. He accordingly rested his case.

   "I don't see but what it is up to you now, General Diven," remarked Colonel Dunn, but the attorney for the opponents asked for an adjournment. He said that the evidence introduced by the applicants had been a little different from what had been expected and a little time would be required to bring together the witnesses for the opposition. The applicants had promised to furnish them maps of the road and they should like to examine them in detail and make investigations concerning statements made as to the population to be served by the proposed road. They would like the delay to be as long as possible, thirty days at least, as the Lehigh Valley railroad is contemplating some change in the service on the local branches and perhaps by that time it might be possible to have arrangements for these changes made and these might have a bearing upon the situation in the minds of the commissioners.

   The commissioners said it would not be needful for them to return to Dryden as they had learned the sentiment of that place and perhaps the parties had better come to them next time at some place where they were sitting upon other business. The attorneys for the two sides then agreed upon Monday, Sept. 28, at 10 a. m. at the Rathbun House in Elmira, where the commissioners had a date, and Chairman Dunn so adjourned the hearing.

 

THE BEIRUT AFFAIR, MARINES READY TO LAND, WOMAN DOCTORS IN RUSSIA, NORMAL KINDERGARTEN, DEAD IN A BARN, AND NOT FUN

 

Cortland Evening Standard, Thursday, September 10, 1903.

THE BEIRUT AFFAIR.

Missionary Tells of a Previous Assault on Vice Consul Magelssen.

   New York, September 10.—Miss Alice Barber of Joliet, Ill., who was a missionary for eighteen years at Beirut, in Turkey, and is well acquainted with Vice Consul Magelssen, attributes the present difficulty in Beirut to the lower classes, the outlaws and footpads who infest the city and make it exceedingly dangerous for foreigners at all times, says the New York Post.

   "About two years ago," said Miss Barber, "an attack was made upon Mr. Magelssen while he was on his way from the cape, where the American college is located, to the main part of the city. Three men sprang from a thicket, knocked him down and took his watch and chain. He is a young man of powerful build and was formerly a football player. As soon as he recovered from his surprise he attacked his assailants, recovered his watch and gave all three of the robbers a severe beating.

   "Quite a commotion was raised at the time, and the college instructors appealed to the local authorities for better protection. As a result a police station was established near there, and a detail of soldiers was stationed in that locality. In spite of this it became more dangerous for the instructors, and none of them ventured out at night unless they were armed with stout walking sticks."

 

Marines Ready to Land.

   Beirut, Syria, Monday, Sept. 7, via Port Said.—The Moslem section of the city from Friday up to last night was in a state of anarchy and 30 persons were killed, among whom, however, were no foreigners.

   The government is seemingly unable or unwilling to assure the safety of the residents.

   The arrival of the American cruisers Brooklyn and San Francisco was most opportune. Admiral Cotton is on the alert and signalmen and a guard slept at the United States consulate last night. The men on board the warships are under arms ready to disembark on a signal from the consulate.

   The American mission authorities have demanded guards from the governor for the protection of the mission printing office and the mission property.

 

Bulgarians Lost Heavily.

   Salonika, European Turkey [Macedonia], Sept. 10.—The famous revolutionary leader Captain Zoyan was killed in the fight at Lake Aniatovo, in the vilayet of Constantinople. Three other Bulgarians were killed and many were wounded. A quantity of war ammunition and number of rebel proclamations were captured by the Turks on that occasion. One Turk was killed.

   The large insurgent band which was reported September 7 to have been surrounded near Ostrovo, 30 miles from Monastir, by twelve battalions of Turkish troops, escaped to the Kaimakchalan mountains, where they are now again surrounded by the 12 battalions and six guns.

   Reports of the recent fighting at Demir Kapu, (62 miles from Salonika) agree in saying that the Bulgarians lost heavily.

 

PAGE FOUR—EDITORIAL.

Women Doctors in Russia.

   While this is concededly "woman's age," and while the sisters in some parts of the world, notably in the United States, are entering in rapidly increasing numbers all the fields of activity, no little surprise is felt by those who for the first time learn that in "darkest Russia" the woman doctor is more in evidence than in any other country on the globe. Among the wild and scattered population of the czar's immense domain there is an almost inexhaustible field for women as doctors and teachers, and it is the knowledge of this fact that has removed the opposition to their obtaining the education furnished by the highest universities.

   In 1897 there were in Russia 997 licensed women doctors. Since that time the number has doubled and is constantly increasing. It is also a fact that in this profession many Russian women have won distinguished names. There are those among them who have enormous practices in the cities and large towns, and in many cases they are employed as official physicians by the municipalities.

 

NORMAL KINDERGARTEN.

Ten Names Drawn Today to Make the Number Full.

   The additional names were drawn this noon which were required to complete the twenty-five which may be admitted to the [Cortland] Normal kindergarten. There were ten vacancies and a waiting list of thirty-six applicants. When the names were examined it was found that seven of the applicants were now too old to be admitted, their names having been put in some time ago. The twenty-nine cards bearing the names of the eligibles were laid on a table face downward, boys in one place and girls in another. Dr. Cheney and Miss Wright of the faculty were then called into the room and alternating with each other the former drew boys and the latter girls till the ten names had been selected. Absolute fairness was thus secured. The names of the successful ten are as follows: Elizabeth Roche, Martha Drexler, Margaret McEvoy, Katherine Howe, Blanche V. Ogden, Ronald Eddy, John Lombard, Cecie Hamonton, Roland McCarthy, Carl Sherman.

 

FOUND DEAD IN BARN.

Ward Grady Fell Down Stairs After Feeding the Horse.

   The body of a man, which proved to be that of Ward Grady, was found by Jane Reilly at the foot of a pair of stairs in the barn on her premises 1 1/2 miles west of Cortland this morning at about 10 o'clock. The body was lying on its back at the foot of the stairs with the head between the spokes of a buggy wheel. The face was covered with blood and the appearances seemed to indicate that he had fallen down stairs. Miss Reilly when interviewed said that the man came there yesterday asking for work and that as she had work that needed to be done, she engaged him. The last she saw of him alive was at about 8 o'clock this morning when he went to the barn to feed the horse and complete the chores.

   She went to the barn on an errand soon after 10 o'clock and was surprised to find the body of a man lying at the foot of the stairs and to her astonishment it was that of the man she had engaged the day before.

   She immediately went to the home of a neighbor and telephoned for Undertaker R. H. Beard and also endeavored to find a coroner. Being unable to do so she notified District Attorney Dowd, who in turn notified Chief Barnes and Deputy Sheriff John Miller who immediately went out there finding the body in the position described. The body was removed to Beard's undertaking rooms and Coroner Parsons of Marathon notified.

   Grady was about 38 years old.

 

Not all Fun After All.

   L. N. Hopkins has experienced some difficulty in beginning a voyage in his gasoline launch [boat] this year. While unloading the launch from the car in Ithaca Mr. Hopkins was quite severely injured, being confined to the house for some time. As soon as he was able he returned to Ithaca, intending to start at once for the State fair by way of Cayuga lake and the Erie canal. When ready to start the transmitter refused to work and after trying unsuccessfully for a few days he returned to Cortland for the old machinery and left for Ithaca this morning to install it.

 

BREVITIES.

   —The meeting of the Tri-county Pharmaceutical society is being held at Little York today.

   —Cortland Commandery, No. 60, Knights Templar, will hold a regular conclave Friday evening at 8 o'clock.

   —The annual meeting of the Cazenovia district of the Woman's Foreign Missionary society of the M. E. church is being held in Moravia today.

   —The new display advertisements today are—Geo. H. Wiltsie, Umbrellas, page 6; F. Daehler, New woolens, page 6; Perkins & Quick, Medicines by mail, page 6,

   —The election of directors and officers in the Tioughnioga club was postponed last night until the first regular meeting in October. There was not a quorum present.

   —Grover Post, No. 98, G. A. R., was well represented at the State fair today, this being Grand Army day. A large delegation from the local post went upon the special train this morning.

 

APPALLING OUTRAGES, COERCION OF BULGARIA, A HOLY LAND PARK, OPENING OF SCHOOLS, WCTU CONVENTION, AND PRICE FAMILY REUNION

 

Sultan Abdul Hamid II.

Boris Sarafov.

Cortland Evening Standard, Wednesday, September 9, 1903.

APPALLING OUTRAGES.

Turkish Atrocities in Vilayet of Monastir.

60,000 HAVE BEEN MASSACRED.

At Burning of a Village Turks Said to Have Thrown Some of the Inhabitants into the Fire—Thousands of Exiles Hiding in the Mountains and Forests.

   Sofia, Sept. 9.—Private letters received here from European residents at Monastir give details of the situation in that vilayet. Destitute Bulgarian refugees arriving daily at Monastir relate tales of Turkish cruelty. Sixty families recently arrived there from Smilevo, which was totally destroyed.

   The refugees saw a husband and wife sitting in the ruins of their home, when a Turkish soldier slashed off the man's head and threw it in the woman's lap. The soldiers found a servant girl and several children hiding in a ditch. They outraged the girl and slaughtered all the children.

   Numerous Bulgarian prisoners have been brought to Monastir. They were mostly unarmed peasants who had not been connected with the insurrection. Twenty Bulgarians who had been exiled were marched off in heavy chains.

   The Macedonian interior organization estimated that 150,000 women, children and old men are hiding in the mountains and forests of Macedonia. The Turks are burning the forests in the districts of Leren and Kostur and killing fugitives who attempt to escape to the plains.

   The Vlach village of Gopesh, three hours distant from Monastir, has been burned by the Turks, who are reported to have thrown several of the inhabitants into the fire. The Bashi-Bazouks have destroyed the village of  Stoilovo near Malkoternovo.

   Thirteen thousand Turkish soldiers are assembled on the frontier at [Kriva] Palanka, Kratovo and Gotschani [in Macedonia] and are plundering the surrounding villages. The population has not complained, fearing that it may be murdered.

   The general staff of the insurgents has issued a circular ordering the bands not to molest the peaceful Turkish and Albanian villages. The order concludes: "There will always be plenty of time to take such measures!"

   Famine prevails in the district of Krushevo and the population is going into the adjacent districts.

  All reports from the vilayet of Monastir agree in describing the situation as appalling. Between 30,000 and 50,000 Bulgarian inhabitants are believed to have been massacred by the Turks and every Bulgarian village in the vilayet has been destroyed. The refugees in the mountains and forests are dying of starvation by thousands.

   At present it is impossible to obtain precise figures. The revolutionary headquarters estimate that 30,000 Bulgarian men, women and children have been killed, while at least the same number of refugees are slowly perishing of hunger. In official circles these figures are regarded as an underestimate and officials incline to the belief that the number of the massacred exceeds 50,000.

   The Turks are apparently determined to exterminate the entire Bulgarian population of the vilayet. The actual details of the happenings outside the town are not available. The foreign representatives at Monastir are dependent on information furnished to them from Turkish official sources.

   From government circles here the situation is viewed with increasing alarm. It is reliably reported that the Turkish forces in Macedonia number 300,000. It is considered impossible that such a force has been assembled merely to crush the rebellion. It is feared that the sultan is meditating an attack on Bulgaria.

   According to a telegram from Constantinople the porte has issued an unconditional order that all European correspondents must leave Macedonia because they are circulating false news. The ambassadors have been notified of this decision.

   The latest reports regarding Boris Sarafoff, the Macedonian leader, say he was wounded in the leg near Dairne.

 

COERCION OF BULGARIA.

Austria and Russia Ask the Powers to Unite With That Purpose.

   London, Sept. 9.—Everything seems to point to new and terrible developments in Macedonia. On top of the appalling accounts of the results of the Turkish methods of "restoring order" in the vilayet of Monastir comes the threat by the insurgents to resort to reprisals on the same scale. The porte's anxiety to suppress news by expelling newspaper correspondents from the area of the operations is held to have but one meaning.

   This morning's papers comment upon the significance of the news that Russia and Austria are seeking to persuade the powers to coerce Bulgaria as showing a belief that war is inevitable.

   No further news regarding the outbreak at Beirut has been received here. A dispatch to the Standard from Constantinople dated Sunday says:

   "The Turks are much disturbed by the presence of the American warships at Beirut and are making every effort to have them recalled. In spite of all assertions that the United States only intends them to be there for the simple protection of the rights of her citizens, it is quite possible that the dispatch of the warships may initiate action leading much further.

   The same correspondent, telegraphing under Monday's date on receipt of the news of the Beirut outbreak says:

   "With the slightest encouragement disorders might result in the whole of the Lebanon rising in revolt. Today had been foretold as the date of a rising against the foreigners and many residents of Constantinople are keeping to their houses. Personally I doubt whether there will be anything more than dynamite outrages which are pretty sure to be attempted before long."

 

PAGE FOUR—EDITORIAL.

A Holy Land Park.

   A retired naval officer has a plan for the disposition of the Holy Land, now in the hands of the Turk. "It seems to me, he says, "that both Christian and Hebrew would like to purchase Palestine on purely sentimental grounds and turn it into an international park, with a republican form of government, under the protection of The Hague tribunal. This land more than any other was the birthplace of our modern moral and spiritual ideal.

   "What grander monument could be founded to him who taught love and brotherhood than to have an ideal brotherhood of men in his own land? The land of the Bible at present has no harbor worthy of the name, the roads are poor, the streams are little used for irrigation, and the manufactories are very few. All this can be changed. Haifa, on the bay of Acre, can be made a good harbor. This should be the termination of the Bagdad and Indian railroad. The upper waters of the Jordan should be used for manufacturing purposes and all streams used for irrigating the land.

   "With good roads and railroads the land would soon be thickly populated, and with good hotels pilgrims would visit it from every part of the world. The mountains would form summer resorts, while the seacoast would prove a pleasant place to pass the winter."

   Such a disposition of Palestine would doubtless be acceptable to the European powers, and the Turk, if he could get his price, might easily be won over to favor the plan. All the preliminaries having thus been satisfactorily adjusted, it is now time for us to hear from our old friend Andy Carnegie.

 

Russia and Turkey [Page Two].

   There is something admirable in the thoroughness with which the Russians exacted reparation for the murder of their consul at Monastir, says the London Globe. Not only was the actual murderer prosecuted, but the sentry who was present and did not give help; the sentry who was not present, but who ought to have been; the chief of the gendarmerie for having placed wild Albanians on duty; the captain of the company to which the murderer belonged, and finally two Turkish officers who were heard to speak disrespectfully of the dead consul. That is the way to protect other Russian representatives from insult, and we (English) only wish our own government in similar cases would act with as much energy and thoroughness.

 

OPENING OF CORTLAND SCHOOLS.

Registration at Both City Schools and at the Normal Above the Average.

   The number of pupils registered in both the Normal and city schools this year is greatly above the average. The number registered in the city schools yesterday was 1,245 which is the largest registration for the opening day in the history of the schools, being about fifty more than were registered the corresponding day last year. Over one hundred little children were in school yesterday for their first day.

   The registration in the city schools was as follows:

   Central, 675.

   Owego-st. school, 110.

   Schermerhorn-st. school, 240.

   Pomeroy-st. school, 160.

   There were 140 registered in the Academic department at the Central school.

Registration at the Normal.

   In the Normal the registration is also above the average. The entering class will be one of the largest in the history of the Normal. One hundred and twenty new students had registered at 2 o'clock this afternoon and if they continue to come in as in former years there will be at least 150 new students.

   Cortland Normal was the largest Normal in the state last year, in the number registered, and the entering class did not number more than 125 during the term.

   One hundred and seventeen were graduated last June and the entering class is enough larger than the class graduated to give grounds for the opinion that the Normal will continue to be the holder of the record attendance another year.

 

THE CORTLAND SPECIALTY CO.

Annual Meeting, Election of Directors and Officers for Ensuing Year.

   The regular annual meeting of the Cortland Specialty Co. was held at the office of the company, 176 Railroad-st., yesterday afternoon. The following were elected directors for the ensuing year: W. W. Hout, Dr. F. S. Jennings, C. J. Hout, C. M. Jennings, and J. H. Wallace.

   At a meeting of the directors held at the close of the annual business meeting the following officers were elected.

   President—W. W. Hout.

   Vice President—Dr. F. S. Jennings.

   Secretary—Clarence J. Hout.

   Treasurer—C. M. Jennings.

 

Pharmaceutical Society.

   The annual meeting of the Tri-county Pharmaceutical society will be held at Little York tomorrow. The association is made up of the druggists of Cortland, Tompkins and Cayuga counties. The members of the association will meet at the York hotel, leaving there at 10 o'clock for Little York. They will partake of a chicken dinner at the Raymond House and the regular work of the association will be taken up at 1 o'clock.

 

Abbey Jane Wood.

   Abby Jane Wood died at 9 o'clock this morning at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Edwin Robbins, 8 Duane-st., aged 69 years, 11 months and 12 days. Besides her daughter, Mrs. Robbins, she leaves two sons, Messrs. Charles and Herbert Wood both of Cortland.

   The funeral, which will be private, will be held Thursday at 2 p. m. at the home of Mrs. Robbins.

 

W. C. T. U. CONVENTION

Of Cortland County—Fine Address by Mrs. Bullock.

   The seventeenth annual convention of the Woman's Christian Temperance union of Cortland county was held in the parlor of the First Methodist church on Wednesday and Thursday, Sept. 2 and 3. The weather was all that could be desired and the rooms where the convention held its sessions were made very attractive with flowers and a large flag draped at the back of the platform.

   The convention was opened at 10 o'clock Wednesday morning, the president, Mrs. A. M. Briggs of Homer, presiding. Devotional exercises were led by Mrs. C. W. Collins, after which the business of the morning was taken up in the usual order.

   The address of welcome was given in a very cordial and original manner by Mrs. Byron Phelps of Cortland, and a fitting response was made by Mrs. Sarah Phelps of Homer.

   Several reports of superintendents of departments were given during the forenoon; all these showed that faithful work had been done.

   The morning session closed with prayer by Rev. D. B. Grant of Solon.

Election of Officers.

   The exercises of Wednesday afternoon were begun with a prayer service led by Mrs. E. H. Caswell. Then followed the address of the president Mrs. Briggs, which was listened to with close attention and must have been an incentive to every one present to stand true to the principles of our organization and to her obligations as a Christian woman. The annual reports of county secretary and treasurer followed and then after being favored with a fine selection by the Ladies' trio the annual election of officers took place. The following are the newly elected officers:

   President—Mrs. A. M. Briggs, Homer.

   Vice-President—Miss Libbie Robertson, Cortland.

   Corresponding Secretary—Mrs. Sarah Merrick, Homer.

   Recording Secretary—Mrs. Nixon, Homer.

   Treasurer—Mrs. Mary Watson, Cortland.

   Reports of superintendents and music filled the remainder of the afternoon.

   Wednesday evening's session opened with devotional exercises led by Mrs. L. S. Hinmam. Dr. Keppel, pastor of the church in which the convention was held, then gave a very cordial greeting in behalf of the church. He said, "The work of the Woman's Christian Temperance union and of the Christian church is one work, "We are not divided, all one body we," and he added, "I believe that if every branch of the church work were as well taken care of as you are taking care of the temperance work there would be a decided improvement."

Mrs. Bullock's Address.

   Mrs. Briggs then introduced the speaker of the evening, Mrs. Helen L. Bullock of Elmira, state and national superintendent of the department of purity, whose subject was "The Old World and the New." Mrs. Bullock is not only a speaker of unusual interest, but possesses a sympathetic voice and manner that immediately wins attention and holds it to the end. She said she wished it might have been the privilege of every white ribboner to be at the recent world's convention of the W. C. T. U. held in Geneva, Switzerland, for in no other way could one get the broad outlook that gives a true conception of the magnitude of our work. To meet the delegates from England, Germany, Norway and other countries as well as from the islands of the sea was indeed an inspiration. She spoke of visiting many European countries and enjoying the beauty of the scenery, yet the sight of so many drunken wives and mothers, particularly in England, was a sad one. It was because of this state of things that Lady Henry Somerset was led to establish a colony at Duxhurst, England, for inebriate women. As a result of the care and Christian influence thrown about these unfortunate victims of the drink habit, sixty per cent of them go out to lead good and useful lives; a very large per cent for any institution of reform. Mrs. Bullock spent a day visiting this colony and studying the methods employed, being particularly interested because of her association with the Elmira Anchorage. She spoke of the beautiful character and unselfish devotion of Lady Henry Somerset, who has been for a number of years, president of the world's W. C. T. U. Though having almost unlimited opportunities for all that many women would count most desirable in life, social position, wealth, pleasure, she uses none of these selfishly, but devotes time, talent, wealth, all to the good of those whom she can in any way help. Her own words are well worth memorizing when, in defining her idea of duty, she says, "I am only one, but l am one; I cannot do everything, but I can do something; what I can do I ought to do; what I ought to do by God's help I will do." Mrs. Bullock said the question is often asked, "Why is not the W. C. T. U. doing reform work?" The instance given above and many others that might be named show that it is doing reform work but there is something still more important, and that is prevention work. As a help in this direction she said she was glad that the empress of Germany had shown such interest in scientific temperance instruction, having sent for Mrs. Mary Hunt, our national superintendent, when she was in Berlin, to come to the palace at Potsdam in order that "she might hear from the American lady herself the story of temperance education in the United States." In her conversation with Mrs. Hunt the empress remarked, "As the mother of six boys I cannot help being interested in this, as well as for the children of Germany. I shall send for our minister of education and talk with him about the plan for temperance instruction and the need of text books.'' She asked to see the books used in the American schools, and a series of school physiologies was presented to her.

   Mrs. Bullock spoke of the idea many people have in regard to the danger of drinking water when they visit the countries of the Old World, and said that so thoroughly has this been impressed upon the minds of travelers that many who call themselves temperance people at home believe that when they go abroad they must drink wine and beer in order to keep in health. This is a mistaken notion, as proved by the delegates to the World's convention. In every country visited they drank the water freely, though constantly meeting with the protest," You will certainly be ill if you do so." Not one, however, experienced the least trouble from keeping to the cold water method. In fact they were convinced that there is no purer water in the world than that which is supplied to some of those countries by the mountain springs and streams.

   Speaking of the value of prohibiting laws in contrast to license laws, Mrs. Bullock said, "We often hear the remark, 'Oh, you can't make people righteous by law!' but if this be true why is it that God has given us the moral law? Carefully collected statistics show that good laws have much to do with making good citizens, Contrast the state of things in Maine under prohibition with Rhode Island under license and the facts show a vast difference in moral conditions, a far lower percentage of crime in Maine than in Rhode Island, which goes to show that prohibition at its worst is better than license [taxed consumption of alcoholic drinks--CC ed.] at its best."

   In closing, the speaker said, "Many people call themselves temperance men and women, but the great question is, are you ready to do anything for temperance?"

   The Ladies' trio then sang "Beautiful Flag of Liberty," and responded to an encore by singing, "Rock of Ages."

   Mrs. Bullock made an earnest plea for new members and spoke of the tribute paid the W. C. T. U. by Rev. F. B. Meyer, the great English divine. "As John the Baptist called himself a voice, so I believe," said he, "the Woman's Christian Temperance union is a voice, calling to a better life."

   The evening session closed with a fine solo by Philo Mead.

A Symposium.

   The session of Thursday morning was opened with a prayer and consecration service led by Miss Libbie Robertson. The principal feature of the morning was a talk on purity by Mrs. Bullock, this being the department to which she has given special thought and attention and upon which she is so fitted to speak as perhaps few others are.

   The opening devotionals of Thursday afternoon were led by Mrs. Nixon of Homer. Then followed a feature of special interest, a symposium, having for the topic to be discussed the question, "What Can Be Done Next to Rid the World of the Drink and Tobacco Habits?" This was taken up from the different standpoints: The Sunday schools, Mr. Starr of Homer; The Ministry, Rev. D. D. King; The Business Man, Mr. B. E Widger; The Public Schools, Dr. F. J. Cheney; The Medical Profession, Dr. F. D. Reese.

   The question was considered from each of these points of view in a manner that left no doubt in the minds of the hearers that this was a subject to which the speakers had given most careful thought, regarding it as of vital importance. The convention was highly favored in having these addresses.

   A memorial service was then conducted by Miss Libbie Robertson. The service was opened with singing, "Hold Thou My Hand, O Lord," by the Ladies' trio. The members of our organization who have passed away during the year were lovingly remembered at this time. The names are as follows: Mrs. L. J. Fitzgerald, Mrs. Ada Hibbard, Mrs. Lucy Collins, Mrs. Sarah Fargo, Mrs. Sophia D. Price.
   After transacting some matters of business the convention closed with a rising vote of thanks to the people of the Methodist church for their kind hospitality; to Miss Stout, Mrs. Norton, Mrs. Bentley and Mr. Mead for the delightful music furnished; to Miss Mott, Miss Halleck, and Miss Parmiter for playing the accompaniments, to Mr. Starr, Mr. Widger, Rev. D. D. King, Dr. F. D. Reese, and Dr. F. J, Cheney for making the symposium so interesting; and to all others who had contributed in any way to the success of the convention.

   Supt. Press Work, Sept. 8, 1903.

 

THE PRICE FAMILY

Held Its Annual Reunion at the Park on Sept. 1.

   The annual gathering of the Price family was held at the Cortland park, Tuesday, Sept. 1, and was attended by a number of relatives and friends of the family. The day was an enjoyable occasion for all present. Relatives were there from Marathon, Ithaca, Harford, Virgil, Peruville and Cortland. The officers for the ensuing year are:

   President—Mrs. George Peer of Harford.

   Historian—Mrs. A. R. Overton of Cortland.

   Executive Committee—W. J. Perkins of Cortland, Mrs. Frank Price of Ithaca, Mrs. J. S. Johnson of Marathon, Mrs. Rodolph Price of Virgil, Elmer Homer of Lapeer, Nan Pinckney of Peruville and Mrs. Ella Price of Cortland.

   The next time and place of meeting is to be decided by the president. It is sincerely desired that all relatives will make an effort to be present to help make the meeting of 1904 as pleasant as the previous ones.

 

BREVITIES.

   —A regular meeting of the L. O. T. M. will be held tomorrow evening at 7:30.

   —The drawing of the names for the kindergarten class at the Normal which was to have taken place today, has been postponed until tomorrow,

   — Mrs. D. J. Apgar and Miss Mary E. Hubbard very pleasantly entertained a number of lady friends at a thimble bee at their home, 21 Tompkins-st., yesterday afternoon,

   —The new display advertisements today are—New York Store, Bargains for the rest of the week, page 6; Warren, Tanner & Co., Drygoods, page 5; First National Bank, Bank accounts, page 4; A. Mahan, Pianos, page 5; O. H. Wiltsie, Drygoods, page 6; Martin McMahon, Blacksmithing, page 6.