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| 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.
