INDIANOLA POST OFFICE, ILL WITH TYPHOID, EDITORIAL, NEW SWITCH, QUICK JOB, WATER FOR ITHACA, AND ALLEN-WOODARD WEDDING

 

Minnie M. Cox.

Cortland Evening Standard, Tuesday, March 3, 1903.

INDIANOLA POSTOFFICE.

All Papers in the Case Sent to the House.

MAYOR'S BROTHER A CANDIDATE.

Wrote the Department Several Letters Requesting That He Be Appointed. Senator McLaurin Wants to Reimburse Citizens For Providing Their Own Mail Facilities.

   Washington, March 3.—Postmaster General Payne has forwarded to the house all papers in the case of the Indianola, Miss., postoffice, which was discontinued by the administration because of the forced abandonment of the office by its negro postmistress Mrs. Minnie M. Cox.

   The correspondence shows that A. B. Weeks, a brother-in-law of Mayor Davis of Indianola, began his candidacy for the postoffice against the negro incumbent as far back as April 7, 1902. The papers included an extract from a letter of a postoffice official narrating a conversation which it states took place at Biloxi, Miss.

   In this letter Mayor Davis of Indianola is quoted as saying that if Mrs. Cox should again take charge of the Indianola postoffice "she would get her neck broken inside of two hours."

   Mayor Davis of Indianola wrote the fourth assistant postmaster general on Jan. 3 last requesting copies of all letters written the department regarding the postoffice and stated that the postmaster was requested by all the citizens to resign, that no threats were made, that she was "perfectly willing" to give up the office.

   Fourth Assistant Postmaster General Bristow declined to furnish the copies of the letters. The correspondence shows that A. B. Weeks wrote the department several letters requesting that he be appointed at once.

   On Oct. 9 of last year Weeks wrote the president that he had the assurance of Mrs. Cox, the postmaster, "that she will forward her resignation in the next few days," and pressing his own application on the ground that he was the only white Republican at Indianola.

   On Dec. 13 he wrote the president that he would be glad to come to Washington so that it would be seen how competent he is. Six days later he wrote that he was the only good friend the administration has among the white people of Indianola and later he forwarded a petition of colored citizens of Indianola and vicinity in behalf of his appointment. On January 1 he wrote the president that the postmaster had abandoned the office; pressed his claim for the appointment and said he would be glad to have the president wire him to qualify.

   The papers also show that several other candidates, notably John Sharkey Montgomery, Mrs. B. D. Watts, Miss Mary Hicks Hogin and Mrs. Lillian Green, applied for the office on Oct. 3, understanding that Mrs. Cox had tendered or was about to tender her resignation.

   Senator McLaurin of Mississippi introduced a bill to reimburse the people of Indianola, Miss., for money expended in providing their own mail facilities.

 

ILL WITH TYPHOID.

Miss Hollenbeck Took it at Ithaca—Now at Home.

   Miss Ella May Hollenbeck, 21 years old, a daughter of Albert Hollenbeck, is ill with typhoid fever at her home on Frederick-st. in this city [Cortland]. She had been employed in the bottling works at Ithaca, but became alarmed at the situation there and knowing that she had been drinking city water she came home ten days ago. She has not been feeling well since, and her father reports that a clear case of typhoid fever developed last night.

 

IT IS THE ITHACA FEVER

Brought from there—Ill in Cortland—Now Recovering.

   About four weeks ago H. E. Kinne, Jr., a junior at Cornell university whose home is at Hartwick [Seminary] cemetery, was making milk tests at H. L. Bronson's stock farm near Little York [and] he was taken ill with typhoid fever, contracted in Ithaca. He was brought to the Cortland hospital and is now nearly recovered. His mother has been with him from the first. Today she is in Ithaca getting her son's belongings and on Thursday she will take him to their home.

 

Guest editorial.

Emile Loubet.

PAGE FOUR—EDITORIAL.

Would Be a Welcome Visitor.

   If there is truth in the rumor coming from New Orleans that President Loubet of France is to visit this country next summer, it is highly gratifying information. It is said that he will arrive in the Crescent City in June, on his way to the Louisiana Purchase exposition, thence proceeding up the Mississippi, following the line of travel of the first French explorers and visiting the early French settlements in Wisconsin and elsewhere and finally sailing for home from the port of New York. It is intimated that he will arrive on a French war vessel and return on a ship of the United States navy. Naturally it may be inferred that he will visit the national capital and be the recipient of such distinguished consideration as befits his station.

   There could come to us no guest from abroad whom the country would more delight to honor than the president of the French republic, with which country the United States is on now particularly friendly terms, notably in view of the attitude of France in the Venezuela imbroglio, which has been in marked contrast with that of Germany and Great Britain. This has emphasized the traditional friendship between the two nations, in which there has been scarcely a break since the Frenchmen sent Lafayette and Rochambeau to help us fight our battle for independence.

   The Maximilian incident in Mexico forty years ago was due to the personal ambition of Napoleon III, and in\ no sense was an expression of national sentiment. That incident taught France for all time that the Monroe doctrine is a lively reality, a lesson which was not lost upon her, as her present position abundantly demonstrates.

   When it is recalled that the immense Louisiana purchase was once French territory and in part settled by French pioneers before any one dreamed of an American or a French republic, the appropriateness of such a visit from the French president will be apparent. President Loubet has been a great traveler during his term of office, has several times made sea voyages to Russia and is bound by no such unwritten law as that which forbids an American president to leave American soil during his incumbency of that office. If President Loubet can see his way clear to make the journey proposed, he may rest assured of the most cordial welcome from the American people.

 

Retired Judge S. S. Knox.

THAT NEW SWITCH

Granted by Board of Public Works to Hewitt Brothers

FROM TROLLEY LINE ON ELM-ST.

First Time in Twelve Years Board of Public Works Has Cast a Divided Vote—Spirited Discussion of Question—Both Sides State their Cases—Coal and Wagon Combinations Referred to—President Knox Breaks the Tie With His Vote.

   After a long and spirited discussion last night, the board of public works granted Hewitt Bros. permission to run a switch from the line of the Cortland County Traction Co. on Elm-st., into their yards on that street. The permission was granted under conditions hereinafter to be approved by the board.

   All the members of the board were present at the meeting. When the matter came to a vote Messrs. Hugh Duffey and C. W. Collins voted yes, and C. F. Wickwire and F. H. Cobb voted no. President Knox broke the ice by voting yes.

   At the very outset the members stated their grounds for the positions they took in reference to the matter of granting the switch to the new lumber and produce dealers. Those who favored the granting of a switch stated that they believed that it was in accord with the action of the board of trade in securing new and profitable industries for Cortland. Here was a concern that had come here of its own free will to build up a business and it should not be held up for lack of railroad facilities. They stated that they favored giving a switch not because of any advantage that it might be to Hewitt Bros., but because of the benefit that it would be to the public in having such dealers in Cortland.

   The grounds taken by Messrs. Wickwire and Cobb were that as public officers of the city they had not the right to use public property for private use, and that if this switch were granted there would be many other business firms who would ask for the same privilege with equally as good reasons for so doing as in this case. Moreover, the street is narrow and it would constantly be filled with moving cars, which would block up the street. Accidents also are liable to occur in passing over these tracks, on account of the curve at which they have to be placed.

   Mr. L. H. Hewitt, who was present at the meeting, said that he would like to have the switch enter the yards near where the west side of their office now stands. The lot would be filled to the sidewalk grade, and there would be no dip to the tracks, at least until they were well in the yards. He said that the Lackawanna railroad is charging him $2 and $7 for switching cars from the Lehigh tracks to the yards—the lesser amount if cars are from noncompetitive points and the greater amount if they started from a competitive point. They had either to pay this charge or haul their lumber from the Elm-st. crossing of the Lehigh Valley tracks. Mr. Hewitt said that his facilities on the Lackawanna line were not good. He had not been given a switch, and his lumber had to be unloaded on nearby switches. The railroad will place a switch for him along their line west of his property if he would pay the company $600 for the same. This, he said, he thought he ought not to have to pay as the switch would be built almost entirely on the railroad company's land and would be a source of revenue to the company.

   Mr. Wickwire asked Mr. Hewitt if, with his present agreement with the Lackawanna railroad in regard to the [Ireland] switch, he could bring in coal over that switch. Mr. Hewitt responded by saying that he did not see how the company could hinder him from bringing in coal at that place if he desired so to do.

   In regard to handling coal Mr. Duffey said that there seemed to be a combination in Cortland to keep up the price of coal and he did not think any such action should be upheld.

   "Why," said Mr. Wickwire in response to this, "You have an association, Mr. Duffey, for the purpose of keeping up the prices of your wagons, don't you?"

   "Yes," replied Mr. Duffey with a smile, "but we don't always accomplish our purpose."

   It was remarked at the meeting after the vote was taken that it was the first divided vote that the board had ever had, and the board has been made up of the same members as now, constitute it for about twelve years. Up to last night the hoard had always been unanimous in its action.

   City Attorney Hatch will draw up an agreement between the city and Hewitt Bros. in reference to the placing of the switch, which agreement will have to be approved by the board before it becomes effective.

 

A QUICK JOB.

An Experimental Furnace Replaced by a Perfected One.

   Last Friday Mr. L. S. Watkins contracted with Mr. W. W. Bennett to replace the old furnace in his house on Groton-ave., into which house Mr. E. F. Knight has just moved, with a new Kelsey heater. Saturday the heater was ordered and shipped and was taken from the car yesterday morning, set up and connected and a good fire was going at 5 o'clock in the afternoon. It would be difficult to figure out how a job of this kind could be done in shorter time or, as Mr. Watkins could testify, in a more thorough and satisfactory manner—both promptness and workmanship being characteristic of Mr. Bennett.

   The furnace which was taken out has something of historic interest attached to it. It is the second Kelsey furnace that was put in operation and has been in use thirteen years. It was built at Cooper Brothers, foundry in this city and set up under Mr. Kelsey's personal direction, and was for some time the furnace which he showed to all prospective purchasers. The industry of building these furnaces could then easily have been kept in Cortland but was allowed to go elsewhere. They are now manufactured at Manlius, with salesrooms and offices in Syracuse, and thousands are placed on the market every year. Every one connected with their manufacture has made money out of them, and Mr. Kelsey himself bas retired from active business and is enjoying a handsome income from royalties on his invention.

 

PURE WATER FOR ITHACA.

Municipal Ownership was Voted Almost Unanimously.

   The special election in the city of Ithaca to decide the question of municipal ownership of the water works plant of the city occurred yesterday and resulted in 1335 votes in the affirmative and 30 in the negative. About a year ago there was a similar election in Ithaca, but private control triumphed by quite a large majority. The feeling has grown, however, since the beginning of the typhoid fever epidemic that the water company has been negligent or remiss in the matter of taking proper precautions for keeping water pure and the people have become wrought up into a sort of frenzy by the continued illness and the numerous deaths and they were bound to have a change of some kind and as soon as possible.

   Now that municipal ownership is secured the next thing will be some authority to enable the city to raise money to purchase the present plant or to build a new one or to introduce an entirely new system, which ever course may be decided best. A committee of 100 citizens has been considering this matter for some days anticipating the result of the election, but no decisions have yet been reached, though piping from a distance outside the city seems to be forced. The legislature beings in session a bill [which] can without doubt be rushed through with all speed in such an emergency case conferring the authority when once it is decided what course is best.

   Five additional deaths were reported yesterday making a total of 39, of whom 20 were Cornell university students and 19 residents of the city. This number includes the students who have contracted the disease in Ithaca and have gone home and died there. There are still many hundreds ill in Ithaca and the epidemic shows no signs of abating.

   The Ithaca Journal of last night published a lengthy statement from the health officer of the city of Albany showing the small death rate in that city and the steady decrease since its filtration plant was installed in 1899. The writer strongly recommends filtration

   A citizen of Ithaca urges the use of the present plant, but the purchasing by the city of a strip of land from 20 to 30 rods wide surrounding the basin of the water supply and special care to prevent impure drainage getting into the water.

   Dr. S. S. Nivison writes again urging the advisability of securing the water from the pure and healthful springs of Dryden.

   The artesian well scheme is of course still under consideration. But the thought of all is some method that shall be not only effective but speedy.

 

ALLEN-WOODARD.

A Mid-Winter Wedding Among the Hills of Virgil.

   A pretty home wedding occurred at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Darius Allen in the town of Virgil on Wednesday evening, Feb. 25, at 8 o'clock, when their eldest daughter Miss Nora Leah Allen was united in marriage with Mr. Floyd Woodward. The ceremony took place in the parlor under a handsomely decorated arch and before a bank of green, partly covered with white, and was performed by Rev. G. W. Moxcey, pastor of the M. E. church of Virgil. About fifty invited guests were present. The bride was becomingly gowned in a pearl colored silk, trimmed with white. The bridesmaid wore a white dress. The groom and groomsman, Mr. Edwin Allen, wore the customary black. After the congratulations an elegant wedding supper was served at small tables. The following ladies assisted in the serving: Mrs. Fannie Downs, Mrs. Myrtie Oaks, Mrs. Matie Lang, Mrs. Lois Oday and Mrs. Hattie Freeman. Many handsome and expensive presents were received which give evidence of the esteem in which the parties are held by their friends.

   The following is the list of the guests present: Jebial Darling and wife, Bert Woodard and wife, Ogden Allen and Mrs. Mattie Freeman and son of Harford, Ed Oaks and wife, Emmett Lang and wife, Frank Lang, wife and daughter, Scott Hyde and wife, Wm. Bloomer and wife, John Patten and wife, Mrs. Wm. Woodard and daughter Jennie, Mr. and Mrs. George Bloomer, Mr. and Mrs. Lafayette Darling, Mr. and Mrs. John Downs, Mr. and Mrs. Ardine Downs of Blodgett Mills, Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Gardner of Messengerville, Miss Maud Reas and Mr. Earl Yager of Cortland, Mrs. G. W. Moxcey and daughter Helen, Mr. and Mr. James Allen. Owing to sickness many others were not present.

   Mr. and Mrs. Woodward left for Syracuse and Bridgeport, N. Y., for a short wedding trip. Our best wishes are theirs for the day of life, and may their union be one of unmarred happiness so that as they pass down the annals of time they never will regret this memorable day. Last, but not least and greatest of all, may they ever strive to anchor their lives in the haven of rest.

   A Friend.

 

BREVITIES.

   —The stores of McKinney & Doubleday and Smith & Beaudry will be open evenings hereafter for the spring trade.

   —The funeral of Mrs. Susan Benham Lyon of Atwater, N. Y., who died yesterday at the home of her father, Mr. A. B. Benham, 88 North Main-st., will be held Monday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the home of Mr. Benham. Burial in Cortland.

   —New display advertisements today are—A. S. Burgess, Trousers sale, page 4; The First National Bank, The Basis, etc., page 6; W. W. Bennett, Hardware, page 7; Warren, Tanner & Co., Draperies, page 6; Hollister Hardware Co., Hardware, etc., page 7; A. Mahan, Pianos, page 7.

   —The Fortnightly Club will meet tomorrow evening at 8 o'clock at the Central school. Mr. Edwin Duffey will give a stereopticon talk upon the famous abbeys of England and Scotland. Each member of the club is permitted to invite one guest. The members of the Ladies' Literary club will be the especial guests of the evening.

 

THE COLOR QUESTION, STRONGHOLDS IN THE ANTILLES, ICE JAM, BIG WIND, NOT SAFE FOR STUDENTS, AND AVOIDING TYPHOID FEVER

 

Theodore Roosevelt.

Cortland Evening Standard, Monday, March 2, 1903.

THE COLOR QUESTION.

President's Letter to Editor of Atlanta Constitution.

AS TO SOUTHERN APPOINTMENTS

President Says He Has Considered the Feelings of the People of Each Section—Cannot Treat Color as a Bar to Office Nor Yet as a Qualification. Two Colored Nominees.

   Atlanta, Ga., March 2.—Following are extracts from a letter from President Roosevelt to Clark Howell, editor of the Constitution, in reply to a request for an exposition concerning a recent letter from Harry Stillwell Edwards of Macon, with reference to the matter of federal appointments in the south:

   "In making appointments I have sought to consider the feelings of the people of each territory, so far as I could consistently do so without sacrificing principle. The prime tests I have applied have been those of character, fitness and ability and when I have been dissatisfied with what has been offered me in my own party lines I have without hesitation gone to the opposite party—and you are of course aware that I have repeatedly done this in your own state of Georgia.

   "I certainly cannot treat mere color as a bar to holding office any more than I could so treat creed or birthplace—always providing that in other aspects the applicant or incumbent is a worthy and well behaved American citizen.

   ".lust as little will I treat it as conferring a right to hold office. I ask you to judge not by what I say, but by what during the last 17 months I have actually done.

   "In South Carolina I have appointed a white postmaster to succeed a colored postmaster. Again in South Carolina I have nominated a colored man to fill a vacancy in the position of collector of the port of Charleston, just as in Georgia I have reappointed the colored man who is now serving as collector of the port of Savannah. Both are fit men."

   "Why the appointment of one should cause any more excitement than the appointment of the other I am wholly at a loss to imagine.

   "As I am writing to a man of keen and trained intelligence I need hardly say that to connect either of these appointments or any or all of my actions in upholding the law at Indianola with such questions as 'social equality' and 'negro domination' is as absurd as to connect them with the nebular hypothesis or the theory of atoms.

   "This is true of your own state; and by applying to Mr. Thomas Nelson Page of Virginia, to General Basil Duke of Kentucky, to Mr. George Crawford of Tennessee, you will find that what I have done in Georgia stands not as the exception but as the rule for what I have done throughout the South. I may add that the proportion of colored men among the new appointees is only about one in a hundred.

   "In view of all these facts I have been surprised and somewhat pained at what seems to me the incomprehensible  outcry in the South about by actions—an outcry apparently started in New York for reasons wholly unconnected with the question nominally at issue. I am concerned at the attitude thus taken by so many of the Southern people; but I am not in the least angry; and still less will this attitude have the effect of making me swerve one hair's breadth to one side or the other from the course I have marked out—the course I have consistently followed in the past and shall consistently follow in the future."

 

MUNICIPAL OWNERSHIP.

Indications That Ithaca's Vote Will Be in Favor of Buying Water Works.

   Ithaca, N. Y., March 2.—One death occurred from typhoid fever Sunday, that of Harry Norton, a resident of Ithaca. The general conditions of the epidemic continue to improve.

   Chairman Clarke of the local board of health announced in justification of the board that it is carrying out all the directions of State Health Commissioner Lewis made by that officer when he was in Ithaca last week with the exception that no action has been taken in the case of property along the water sheds from which filth might come.

   A municipal election is to be held today and the indications are that the vote will be overwhelmingly in favor of municipal ownership.

   There is a division of opinion among the citizens as to whether pure water shall be secured by filtration of the present supply or by the establishment of a new system.

 

HIGH WATER AT ALBANY.

No Trains on D. & H. and West Shore Roads—Wharves Submerged.

   Albany, March 2—As a result of an ice gorge at North Coeymans, 12 miles south of Albany, the entire southern section of this city lying along the river front is under water and residents are being conveyed to and from their homes in rowboats. No trains on the Delaware & Hudson or West Shore railroads have been able to run into this city since yesterday, the tracks being covered with four feet of water and passengers are landed just outside of the city and conveyed to its center by the [street] cars of the United Traction company.

 

Guest editorials.

PAGE FOUR—EDITORIAL.

Our Strongholds in the Antilles.

   With the naval stations which we expect to secure through the pending treaty arrangement with the Cuban government, the United States will be reasonably strong in the West Indies, even without the Danish islands which, however, will ultimately come to us, possibly within a year and perhaps not within twenty years. These stations will literally form a circle of the Antilles, beginning at Key West, which is already a first class naval station of the utmost strategic importance, and proceeding to Bahia Honda (deep bay), forty-five miles west of Havana. Thence it swings around through the Yucatan channel and the Caribbean sea to Colon, which by the terms of the Panama canal treaty will be at least available for American occupancy in an emergency, enveloping Guantanamo, on the southeast coast of Cuba, one of the best spots for a naval station in the world. From Colon it goes to Culebra, east of Porto Rico, which was the base of the late naval maneuvers, and thence back via San Juan to the starting point.

   Though marred and invaded by the British possessions in the Bahamas and Jamaica, this chain of naval stations when adequately fortified will provide the United States with so strong a defensive hold upon the West Indies that no foreign power, unless it were Great Britain, could ever think of menacing it.

   The circle will include six points at least of great strategic importance, outside of the domain which was ours in 1898, which we shall have the right to fortify—namely. Bahia Honda, consolidating the command of the Yucatan passage, looking toward Havana and enabling us to maintain the foothold necessary to carry out our promise to protect Cuba against foreign foes and domestic disturbers; Guantanamo, already a stronghold, which directly commands the western part of the Caribbean sea and indirectly the Windward passage and overlooks the eastern end of Cuba; Colon, which defends the Panama canal and will form our outpost toward South America; Culebra, which in default of St. Thomas is the door that may close the Virgin passage to the Caribbean and the isthmus, and San Juan in the north and Ponce in the south of Porto Rico, commanding the Mona passage and the eastern half of the Caribbean.

   It is needless to say that this chain of future fortresses will give the United States a position in the western hemisphere of which enthusiasts only could have dreamed prior to the events of 1898. These possessions have not been acquired for purposes of aggression, but are a gauge of the peace and security of the western world.

 

ICE JAM AT MESSENGERVILLE, N. Y.

Dynamite Sought to Blow it Up—Other Means Used.

   There was an ice jam at Messengerville last Saturday morning and the water rose so rapidly that it promised very speedily to overflow the Lackawanna railroad tracks. The agent at that station thought that dynamite could be used with good effect to blow it up and so notified the Syracuse office. The railroad officials, however, did not care to take the chances of taking 50 pounds of dynamite to Messengerville on its vestibule passenger train going through here at 1:03 p. m. and tried to get it in Cortland and then have the train run slowly and carefully from here to Messengerville. A man experienced in the use of dynamite was found here, but no dynamite could be secured. Some other means were then used to start off part of the ice jam, and the change in the weather soon lowered the water.

 

SATURDAY'S BIG WIND

Blew a Gale for a Short Time—Trees Down, Traffic Hindered.

   Just before 3 o'clock Saturday afternoon the wind which had been pretty stiff since noon increased to the violence of a gale and for a half hour it made things jingle in a very lively manner.

   The Traction company had to stop operations for a little till it could clear its tracks. A big tree near the corner of North Main-st. and Maple-ave. was blown down and some of the branches fell upon the trolley wire so that the cars could not get by. A big limb off a tree on Church-st. near the corner of Clinton-ave. fell upon the track, and a tree on the McGrawville road near the Conable farm fell across the track. The company got out its ax-men and sent them out to clear the road, so that traffic was soon resumed.

   One of the cars coming from Homer was brought to a full stop in the shelter of the gas house and remained there for five minutes during the fiercest part of the wind. The conductor and motorman fully thought the car would be blown from the track and upset.

   Among the passengers was Mr. Michael Murphey of Cortland. It appeared to him that he would be safer outside the car than in it, but no sooner had he set foot upon the ground than the wind caught his hat and sent it skimming over the fields at break-neck speed till it finally landed in the river. Mr. Murphey got back into the car and came on to Cortland. At Maple-ave. the car was stopped by the tree across the track and there Mr. Murphey gave some money to a man and hired him to come down to a clothing store and buy a hat for him and deliver it at the car. The passengers on that trip to Cortland will long remember it.

   A man in a sleigh coming over the hill on Locust-ave. from Homer to Cortland had his horse blown out of the road down toward the fence and his sleigh was nearly upset by the force of the wind.

   Half of the roof on the brick house now owned by E. C. Rindge on the Schuyler Rose farm on the road leading from the county house south behind the park was blown off and a large share of the roof of a barn that adjoined the house on this same farm.

 

Not Safe for Students.

   The faculty of the medical college of Cornell university say very frankly I that they do not yet consider it safe or wise for students to return to Cornell university. There is constant danger that boarding house keepers will be careless or negligent in failing to boil water.

 

Funeral of Mrs. Williams.

   The funeral of Mrs. Jennie S. Williams, widow of the late J. W. Williams, a former treasurer of Cornell university, was held at her home, 923 East State-st., Ithaca, Saturday morning at 10 o'clock. The Rev. R. T. Jones, D. D., officiated. The large number of bouquets of cut flowers were very effectively arranged about the casket. The remains were taken to Binghamton and laid to rest at the side of her husband. Professors L. A. Wait, W. W. Rowlee, James Law and I. P. Roberts acted as pall bearers.

   The deceased was the mother of Mrs. F. E. Thompson of Cortland.

 

Death of Mrs. Lyon.

   Mrs.. Susan Benham Lyon, wife of Edgar J. Lyon of Atwater, N. Y., died this morning at the home of her father, A. B. Benham, 88 North Main-st. She was 57 years of age.

   Mrs. Lyon came to Cortland from her home in Atwater about four weeks ago to visit her father and while here she was taken very ill. She was the oldest daughter of Mr. Benham. Aside from her husband and father she is survived by a daughter, Mrs. Paul Faba of Ithaca, and one brother, Dr. George A. Benham of Washington.

   The funeral arrangements have not yet been made.

 

TO AVOID TYPHOID FEVER.

Rules Posted in Ithaca and Fully Applicable Everywhere.

   The following rules concerning typhoid fever have been issued by the Ithaca board of health. They are applicable everywhere and though Cortland has not an epidemic of typhoid fever as has its sister city, still one may be prevented by observing the rules in full. They are as follows:

   Typhoid fever is the filth disease.

   It is caused by the water or milk you drink, or the food you eat, getting poisoned with the discharges from the person of a previous case of the disease—and in no other way.

   Water and milk are the two articles most frequently poisoned by typhoid. Heat kills the typhoid poison. Therefore boil all drinking water for twenty-five or thirty minutes. Pasteurize all milk and cream, especially for the young. If you don't know how to pasteurize ask your druggist, to the nearest dispensary, or your family doctor, or go to the health department. Five minutes' instruction will teach you and its costs nothing to speak of.

   Dirty hands may also carry the typhoid poison. Therefore wash your hands carefully before handling any article of food or drink.

   Damp and unclean basements and yards and unclean premises and surroundings weaken the health so that typhoid is more readily contracted and is more severe. Therefore clean up. Get rid of all refuse and filth. Open up drains and make sewer connections tight. Fresh burned lime will dry damp basements and yards. It should be freely used in such places.

   Cleanliness is not only next to godliness, but it is the only safeguard against typhoid fever. Cleanliness of the person; cleanliness in every detail of housekeeping: cleanliness of everything to be eaten and drunk; cleanliness in the care of those sick with the disease. Typhoid fever is the result of lack of cleanliness. It is, above all others, the filth disease.

   The point is made that if proper precautions were taken at sickrooms there could be no more cases of this disease, and all are urged to make free use of blue vitrol where typhoid exists.

 

BREVITIES.

   —The W. R. C. will hold a meeting tomorrow at 2:30 p. m.

   —The Canastota Glass Co. is to increase its capital stock from $10,000 to $15,000.

   —A regular convocation of Victor Hayloft, No. 357 1/2 of Haymakers, will be held this evening at 8 o'clock.

   —Bishop F. D. Huntington will visit the Episcopal church of Cortland and Homer on Wednesday, April 15.

   —Cortlandville lodge, No 470, F. & A. M., will confer the first degree in full form at its regular communication Tuesday evening at 7:30 o'clock.

   —Twelve new electric lights are to be placed on the outside of the passenger station at Canastota which is occupied both by the New York Central and the Lehigh Valley railroads.

   —The Binghamton and Southern Railroad Co. has been incorporated with a capital stock of $180,000, to build and operate a steam route from Binghamton to Vestal on the Pennsylvania state line, a distance of 18 miles.

   —New display advertisements today are—Opera House, "Cinderella up-to-Date," page 5; Opera House, "The Liberty Bells," page 5; Angel & Thomas, Shoe sale, page 8; M. A. Case, Muslin underwear sale, page 6; G. H. Wiltsie, Dress goods, Rugs, etc., page 6; C. F. Brown, Paints, page 6.

 

PRESIDENT URGES SENATE TO ACT, WAR REMINISCENCES, EX-QUEEN LILI, KIEHL CASE, AND CORTLAND BOARD OF HEALTH,

 

Theodore Roosevelt.

Cortland Evening Standard, Saturday, February 28, 1903.

URGES SENATE TO ACT.

Message From the President on Philippine Situation.

NECESSITY FOR LOWER TARIFF.

Submits Report From Governor Taft—Failure of House Bill Will Be Destruction of Filipino Sugar and Tobacco Interests—Series of Calamities to People of Philippines.

   Washington, Feb. 28.—The president late in the afternoon sent the following message to the senate:

   "I have just received a cable from Governor Taft which runs as follows:

   "'Necessity for passage of house tariff bill most urgent. The conditions of productive industry and business considerably worse than in November, the date of last report, and growing worse each month. Some revival in sugar and tobacco prices due to expectation of tariff law. The interests of Filipinos in sugar and tobacco extensive and failure of bill will be a blow in face of those interests. Number of tobacco factories will have to close, and many sugar haciendas will be put up for sale at a sacrifice if the bill will not pass. Customs receipts have fallen off this month one-third, showing decrease of purchasing power of islands. General business stagnant. All political parties, including labor unions, most strenuous in petition for tariff bill. Effect of its failure very discouraging.'

   "Vice Governor Luke Wright endorses in the strongest manner all that Governor Taft has said, and states that he has the gravest apprehension as to the damage that may come to the islands if there is not a substantial reduction in the tariff levied against Philippine goods coming into the United States. I very earnestly ask that this matter receive the immediate attention of congress and that relief prayed for be granted.

   "As congress knows, a series of calamities have befallen the Philippine people. Just as they were emerging from nearly six years of devastating warfare, with the accompanying destruction of property and the breaking up of the bonds of social order and the habits of peaceful industry, there occurred an epidemic of rinderpest which, destroyed 90 per cent of the carabaos, the Filipino cattle, leaving the people without draft animals to till the lands or to aid in the ordinary work of farm and village life. The extent of the disaster can be seen from the fact that the surviving carabaos have increased over ten fold in value. At the same time a peculiar oriental horse disease became epidemic, further crippling transportation. The rice crop, already reduced by various causes to but a fourth of its ordinary size, has been damaged by locusts, so that the price of rice has already nearly doubled.

   "Under these circumstances there is imminent danger of famine in the islands. Congress is in course of generously appropriating $3,000,000 to meet the immediate needs; but the indispensible and pre-eminent need is to be insurrection of productive industry from the prostration into which it has been thrown by the causes above enumerated. I ask action in the tariff matter not merely from the standpoint of wise governmental policy, but as a measure of humanity in response to an appeal to which this great people should not close its ears. We have assumed responsibilities towards the Philippine islands which we are in honor bound to fulfill. We have the specific duty of taking every measure in our power to see to their prosperity.

   "The first and most important step in this direction has been accomplished by the joint action of the military and civil authorities in securing peace and civil government. The wisdom of congress at the present session has provided for them a stable currency and its spirit of humane liberality and justice toward them will be shown in the appropriation now substantially agreed upon of $3,000,000 to meet the pressing immediate necessities, but there remains a vital need that one thing further shall be done.

   "The calamities which have befallen them as above enumerated could have been averted by no human wisdom. They cannot be completely repaired, but the suffering can be greatly alleviated and a permanent basis of future prosperity assured if the economic relations of the islands with the United States are put upon a satisfactory basis.

   "Theodore Roosevelt,

   "White House, Feb 27, 1903."

   In conversation with some of his congressional callers the president dwelt with serious emphasis upon the necessity of the enactment of the pending Philippine tariff legislation.

 

Capt. William Saxton.

WAR REMINISCENCES.

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

THE INACTIVITY OF MCCLELLAN.

Fortifying and Calling for More Troops—Exaggerated Ideas of Enemy's Strength—Stragetical Movements of the Watchful Enemy—Several Battles and Skirmishes—Something Doing in the West.

CHAPTER 7.

   To the Editor of The Standard:

   Sir—Eight months had flitted away, from August to April, and McClellan had done comparatively nothing but organize, call for more troops, and complain of the president. Now, every one expected he would make a decisive campaign.

   Instead of that he halted before Yorktown, and for thirty days dug up the ground, threw up embankments, erected forts, mounted heavy siege guns, and telegraphed the war department he expected to fight the whole available force of the confederate army at some point near; that they had 100,000 men in his immediate front, and his army would not exceed 85,000, and he wanted more troops. He pleaded for even Franklin's division from the army around Washington, and President Lincoln sent it to him, but for three weeks after it reached him, it was not unloaded from the transports. It has since been learned that there were not over 12,000 or 15,000 men opposed to McClellan at Yorktown. The confederates were playing a game of delay, that they might concentrate their army and strengthen the fortifications around Richmond.

Activity in the West.

   Affairs were a little more cheerful in other departments. General Grant, in the West, had captured Forts Henry and Donnellson, and on the 6th and 7th of April had fought and won the great battle of Shiloh.

   General Pope had captured Island No. 10 in the Mississippi on the 8th. Fort Pulaski, at the mouth of the Savannah river, Georgia, was retaken April 11, and New Orleans was captured April 25.

   McClellan fired his big guns, dug up the country, and imagined he was holding in check the whole rebel army; when finally on the night of May 3 the rebels quietly evacuated Yorktown and fell back to Williamsburg.

   Our army pursued as rapidly as they could through the rain and mud, and the afternoon of the 4th, Hooker's division of Heintzolman's corps struck the enemy in their entrenchments. They lay on their arms during the night and attacked at 7:30 the morning of the 5th, and until 4:30 p.m. "Fighting Joe Hooker's" division was pitted against the enemy, almost alone, while 30,000 of our men were within hearing.

McClellan Urged Forward.

   McClellan was back in Yorktown superintending the sending of Franklin's division to West Point up the York river.

   Governor Sprague of Rhode Island rode back and urged McClellan to come to the front and take charge; and after some delay he did, arriving on the field at 5 p. m. At 10 p. m. he telegraphed Washington "My entire force is a good deal less than the enemy, but I will do the best I can with the force I have at my disposal, and at that very hour the enemy was evacuating Williamsburg. Hooker's division alone, in the battle of Williamsburg, lost 338 killed, 902 wounded, 336 missing, total 1,575, out of 2,228, the total loss of the whole army.

   Norfolk was retaken May 10. The Merrimac was blown up the 11th, and that opened up the James river to our gun boats. May 8, McClellan advanced his army beyond Williamsburg. May 15 it arrived at the White House, the crossing of the Richmond R. R. over the Pamunkey river. This railroad was in good condition. Cars that had been brought on transports were placed on the track, and this place became the base of supplies, where vast stores were accumulated.

   May 17, Gen. McDowell commanding the army around Washington, was ordered to advance south from the Potomac and join McClellan; but Stonewall Jackson made a raid up the Shenandoah valley to Winchester and Harper's Ferry, threatening Washington, and McDowell was recalled.

Johnston Seizes an Opportunity.

   The Chickahominy river rises a few miles northwest of Richmond and flows southeast into the James, It is generally a slow, sluggish stream, with woody, swampy banks. McClellan had his headquarters with Franklin's division at New Bridge, across the Chickahominy, on the north side of the river about ten miles above Bottom bridge. He pushed parts of the Third and Fourth corps across the river, and they took up their position facing Richmond; their left resting on White Oak swamp; the center at Seven Pines, and the right on the Chickahominy at Bottom bridge. The right wing of the army extended from Bottom bridge to New bridge on the north side of the river; the army thus forming the shape of the letter V, with the Chickahominy flowing through it, Bottom bridge being at the point of the V, and New bridge at the top of the right side. To communicate from one flank to the other, going by the way of Bottom bridge, one would have to go twelve or fifteen miles. Several bridges had been commenced, but only one completed, and this was about half way up the right side of the V, in front of Gen. Sumner. It had rained very hard, the banks of the Chickahominy were overflowed, and the river became impassable, except at these three bridges. Gen. Johnston, the commander of the confederate army, saw his opportunity and marched out on the 31st, and at 1 p. m. struck our left wing with terrible force, driving it back some distance. He also attempted to throw a column between the right of this left wing and Bottom bridge; but Gen. Sumner was ordered to cross this bridge and attack the enemy's left.

   He succeeded in getting part of his corps over and drove the confederates back, and the battle was over for that day. During the night Sumner's artillery was gotten over, and in the morning McClellan arrived in person and waited for the attack to commence. This was not long delayed, for the enemy attacked early, and the troops on both sides fought valiantly, but by noon the rebels were whipped and retreated to the fortifications around Richmond.

It Might Have Been.

   McClellan did not pursue. Now was the time to have taken the city. What if the 35,000 fresh troops on the north bank of the Chickahominy had been pushed forward by way of New Bridge and struck the retreating confederates on the flank? The confederate army would have been crushed and Richmond taken.

   On the morning of the 2nd of June, Hooker did advance his division, without orders, within four miles of Richmond, meeting no opposition except pickets, but when McClellan learned of this advance movement, Hooker was ordered back.

   Our loss in the battle of Fair Oaks or Seven Pines was 5,739. In this battle Gen. O. O. Howard lost his arm, and my friend and schoolmate, Hial Ford, of whom I have before spoken, lost his life. Gen. Joe Johnston, the commander of the confederate forces, was severely wounded, and Gen. Robert E. Lee subsequently succeeded to the command. A few days later confederate Gen. Stuart and Col. Fitz Hugh Lee with their cavalry rode entirely around our army, but inflicted no material damage. W. S.

 

Queen Liliokulani.

PAGE FOUR—BRIEF EDITORIAL.

   Ex-Queen Liliokulani of Hawaii is to get $200,000 in settlement of her royal rights in case the sundry civil appropriation bill passes congress in its present shape. That is a very handsome plaster for wounded vanity, and the dusky ex-sovereign who couldn't hold a throne which her rebellious subjects were determined to take from her will be "on Easy Street" when she gets it.

 

THE KIEHL CASE

To be Presented to the Onondaga County Grand Jury.

   Assistant District Attorney Standen of Syracuse was in Cortland last evening consulting with District Attorney Thomas H. Dowd and Coroner E. M. Santee in relation to the Kiehl murder investigation that is now being carried on in Onondaga county. The case will be presented to the grand jury of that county which sits next Monday.

 

In a New Location.

   R. H. Beard is today moving his undertaking stock to his quarters at 26 Church-st,, just north of the court house. The rooms will be placed in as good condition as is possible for the business until he builds his new block which will be put up as soon as the weather will permit. Mr. Beard's office telephone will be No. 24.

Cutting ice on Little York Lake, Cortland County, N. Y.

 

Ice Harvest Completed.

   The Little York Ice company finished its harvest of ice for the season last Thursday. In all 25,000 tons of ice were cut and either stored or shipped. The last car that was loaded was filled in just thirteen minutes by four picked workmen.

 

CORTLAND BOARD OF HEALTH

Receives Report on the Milk Inspection of this City.

A CLASSIFICATION OF MILKMEN.

General Situation Improved Over Last Year--Only One Dealer Put in "Very Bad" Class--Ensilage Not Very Good Food--One Typhoid Fever Case--Card System for Sanitary Records--Close Inspection to be Made.

   The board of health held its regular monthly meeting last evening and the report of the committee on milk inspections was received and adopted. The report follows:

   To the Honorable Mayor and Board of Health:

   Gentlemen—Your committee on milk and dairy inspection beg leave to submit the following report: During the past week thirty-six places have been inspected which include all of the producers of milk for supplying our city except one.

   There are sixteen milk wagons from which milk is daily sold on our streets: five of these are dealers only and eleven are owned by producers. There are twenty-five producers who sell to dealers. There are now 335 cows being milked to furnish the city supply and there is sold each day about 3,104 quarts of milk. Fourteen producers use ensilage, all of which is of good quality except one. That one claims that he does not feed the ensilage from the corners, which is spoiled. Three feed cabbage; one of whom feeds ten bushels of cabbage and twenty-two bushels of ensilage to all cows each day, and his son said that he intended to increase the cabbage to 15 bushels per day, soon now. One feeds carrots. All of the rest feed only grain and hay. All feed good quality of grain and each claims to feed plenty of it. Five are feeding beet pulp. all seeming to be of good quality. There is generally a short supply of ensilage and while it is, with the exception mentioned, sweet and pure, it is not rich in corn and not very good feed. Nearly all have adopted the cotton flannel strainer which is the only satisfactory one. All met your committee courteously and seemed to welcome an inspection.

   Your committee feels that the milk producers have had ample notice of the fact that this board intended to have better conditions surrounding the production of the city's milk supply and that those who have complied with previous suggestions or of their own volition have improved conditions at their farms, should have the credit for their efforts; we have therefore graded conditions found upon this inspection and desire to report them as follows: 1. Very satisfactory. 2. Satisfactory. 5. Good. 4. Fair. 5. Bad. 6. Very bad.

   Under the first division only two dealers are placed. There are nine under the second, twelve under the third, six under the fourth, two under the fifth and one under the sixth.

   Your committee feels much gratified by the improvement now found in nearly all places over the conditions found when you ordered the first inspection.

   At least one persistent violator seems to demand the attention of this board and we recommend that the clerk of this board be instructed to notify him that unless conditions are much improved before the next inspection, which will be made very soon, his milk will not be allowed sold in the city of Cortland.

   Your committee feels that illy ventilated stables and cows covered with stable filth are the two unpardonable sins and they are very glad to report that but two cases of the former were found upon this inspection.

   Careful inquiries were made at each place, for cases of disease among the cows or contagious diseases in the homes of the producers and but one case of typhoid was found during the past year. It was a mild case and the attending physician assures us that every sanitary precaution was taken.

   All of which is respectfully submitted.

   Ellis M. Santee, Fred Ryan, R. J. Latimer.

   After the adoption of the report it was voted to grant certificates to the producers whose stables and milk rooms were found in a satisfactory condition.

One Case of Typhoid Fever.

   A case of typhoid fever was reported by the board as having originated at 49 Railway-ave. Harry Hoag, who was boarding at that place, went to Seneca Falls last Monday. At that time he was feeling unwell. Word has been received from Seneca Falls that he has typhoid fever, Health Officer E. A. Didama, who met for the first time with the board, was instructed to make a thorough investigation of the case and learn if possible the cause of the disease.

For Sanitary Records.

   Commissioner Stockwell was made a committee of one to perfect a card system for keeping the sanitary record of each house and business place in the city. Upon this card are to be blanks for writing in the street and numbers, owner, occupant, if sewer on street, if sewer connection, inside or outside closets [toilets], condition of drains, cesspools and garbage, if city or well water is used, if a well, the distance from a cesspool, general comments, date of inspection and inspectors' name.

   The cards will be indexed by streets and will contain a comprehensive statement of every house and premises in the city.

   It was also voted that each commissioner be authorized to hire an inspector for his ward to make inspections as soon as the weather will permit of such work. The inspectors are to receive $2 a day.

   The meeting adjourned for two weeks.

 

BREVITIES.

   —The Mormon missionaries have opened a second mission station in Syracuse.

   —The employees of all railroads in New York state are pushing a bill in the legislature to require a semi-monthly instead of a monthly pay day.

   —The regular monthly meeting of the board of managers of the Cortland hospital will he held next Monday afternoon at 3 o'clock at the hospital.

   —At the morning service in the First M. E. church tomorrow an opportunity will be given for any one who desires to do so to unite with the church on probation.

   —As is customary on Communion Sunday at the Presbyterian church there will be a children's service at 4 o'clock tomorrow afternoon instead of the usual preaching service in the evening.

   —Sleighing is a back number in Cortland today The rain of last night finished it. Every one is on wheels today, but it might be better to keep sleighs within reach for a few weeks longer.

   —Mrs. C. F. Walrad yesterday afternoon entertained at her home, 13 Lincoln-ave., seventeen ladies of the Bible class in the Presbyterian Sunday school of which she is the teacher. A very pleasant afternoon was spent,

   —Dispatches announced the safe arrival yesterday at Constantinople of the Steamer Kaiserin Maria Theresia upon which Miss M. F. Hendrick, Rev. W. J. Howell and Mr. D. F. Wallace of Cortland were passengers.

   —The new display advertisement today are—G. H. Wiltsie, Spring Ginghams, page 6; Opera House, "The Dagger and the Cross, page 6; Perkins & Quick, Paints, page 2; Maxson & Starin, Fertilizers, page 2.