WEST VIRGINIA MINERS RIOT, FROM ENGLAND, GROWTH OF COLORED RACE, DISSERTATION ON PETTICOATS, J. D. BEATTIE, SEVERAL DEATHS, AND BAKEWELL'S TRUE FAIRY STORIES

 

Cortland Evening Standard, Thursday, February 26, 1903.

FIERCE BATTLE RAGED.

Bloody Fight With Miners In West Virginia.

WILL RESULT IN FIVE DEATHS.

Number of Others on Both Sides Seriously Hurt—U. S. Marshal and Sheriff Attempted to Make Arrests and Were Met With Shots—Seventy Three Rioters Arrested.

   Charleston, Kanawha County, W. Va., Feb. 26.—At Stanaford, Raleigh county, a terrible battle took place at dawn yesterday between the joint posses of Deputy United States Marshal Cunningham and Sheriff Cook on one side and rioting miners on the other as a result of which three miners were killed, two others mortally wounded and a number of others on both sides more or less seriously hurt.

   The dead: Dick Taylor, Bill Dobson and an unknown miner.

   Mortally wounded—John Heiser, Irwin Lawson.

   The trouble grew out of the attempt to arrest 34 miners for violation of the blanket injunction issued by Federal Judge Keller last August. Deputy Marshall D. W. Cunningham went  last Saturday to Atkinsville, a mining town in Raleigh county, to arrest men charged with violating the injunction.

   He was surrounded by a large party of miners armed with Winchester rifles, who ordered him to leave the place, an order which he quickly obeyed.

   Sheriff Cook at this time attempted to make some arrests under process issued by the state court and was treated in a like manner.

Serve Writs at All Hazards.

   Cunningham returned to this city and reported to the marshal and district attorney that he could do nothing without a large force, and then only at imminent risk of precipitating a bloody conflict. He was instructed to return with men sufficient to serve the process given him and to do it at all hazards.

   Before Cunningham returned to Atkinsville however, Marshall John K. Thompson and S. C. Burdette, attorney for the United Mine Workers, went to the scene, spending most of Sunday and Monday there. They found everything quiet, the rioters having withdrawn from the immediate neighborhood and crossed New River, going into camp 300 strong near the "Big Q'' mine. Thompson and Burdette came home Tuesday and Cunningham and a strong posse went from here to make the arrests.

   When Atkinsville was reached the federal forces were joined by Sheriff Cook and his posse, the coal companies nearby furnishing some guards, and the deputy and sheriff found themselves in command of about 100 well armed and determined men.

   The rioters had recrossed the river on Tuesday and were parading up and down before the various coal works. They numbered 150 to 200 and were armed with Winchester rifles. They intimidated miners at work and drove away the guards of the mines. Emboldened by success, they attempted to burn down a bridge of the Chesapeake & Ohio railroad and threatened the destruction of other property. Tuesday night they went into camp near Stanaford City.

   About daybreak the officers and their combined posses surprised the rioters in their camp and called on them to surrender. The reply was a shot. This was answered by a shot and immediately a furious battle was raging. When it ceased three of the rioters lay dead and many others were found to be wounded, two of them fatally.

Seventy-Three Arrests Made.

   Seventy-three arrests were made, 10 falling to the share of Deputy Cunningham and 63 to that of Sheriff Cook. All of the prisoners were taken to Beckley, the county seat of Raleigh, where the United States' prisoners were given a preliminary hearing by Commissioner Dunn and held for appearance here. They were brought here on an early morning train.

   The federal authorities will try to get the state to give up the 63 so that they may be tried in the federal court, but it is doubtful if it will be done, as the state court will meet on Monday and it is thought they probably can be tried more expeditiously there. Mr. Burdette went to Beckley to attend to the ease of the miners.

   The injunction which the miners were charged with violating was the blanket writ of Judge Keller in the suit of the Chesapeake & Ohio Coal Agency company. The defendants in the case were all the coal companies operating in the New River field, 150  members of the Mine Workers of America by name including President Mitchell and Wilson, and all other persons whatsoever who aided and abetted them.

   The injunction covered almost every foot of ground in the coal mining region of New River. While all the mines in the Kanawha and New River sections have been worked for some months the strike has not been officially declared off.

   Advices from the scene of the conflict are all is quiet now but fears are entertained that trouble will break out afresh at any moment.

 

WAS FROM ENGLAND

Where Street Cars Stop on Near Side of Street.

COULDNT UNDERSTAND WAYS HERE.

Signaled Four Broadway Cars from Wrong Side and Held Up Fifth With a Revolver—The Car Stopped—"A Pretty Country Where They Give a Man a Permit to Carry a Revolver and Arrest Him if He Uses lt."

   New York, Feb. 20.—Patrick Birmingham is from England, where street cars stop on the near side of the street, and when four Broadway cars failed to notice his strenuous signals to stop yesterday he marched out into the middle of the track and waited. Along came the fifth car and Patrick whipped out a big revolver and leveled it at the motorman's head. The car stopped so quick that the passengers hanging on the straps rammed the front door in a mess. Patrick lowered his weapon and stepped on the rear platform. Several passengers seized him and he was arrested. Patrick was indignant over the "outrage" that he vowed he'd appeal to the British consulate.

   "What's the use of having a permit to carry a revolver if ye can't use the weapon in time of need?" was all he would say.

   Birmingham was the most indignant man ever in a police court when he was arraigned this morning.

   "I never saw such a country," he complained bitterly, "they give you a permit to carry a pistol and use it when you have to and then when you do use it you get arrested by a 'bloomin' Bobby.'

   "Just wait till the British consul hears of this."

   Then Birmingham delivered himself of his strongest threat:

   "I'll write a letter to the London Times as well."

   No one fell over with surprise at this and Birmingham was surprised.

 

Booker T. Washington.

PAGE FOUR—EDITORIAL.

Growth of the Colored Race.

   Booker T. Washington was recently the orator of a memorial meeting in honor of Washington's birthday held in the Brooklyn Academy of Arts and Sciences. His theme was the race problem, and be put in a few magnificent sentences some well known facts which should be carefully considered by the American people.

   Mr. Washington showed that, unlike the Indian, the original Mexican or the Hawaiian, the negro race in this country, instead of dying out with the advance of civilization under the direction of the white race, is rapidly increasing. At the time of the civil war when Mr. Lincoln's proclamation of emancipation was issued, the colored population of the South numbered about 4,000,000. Today the colored population of the country numbers about 10,000,000, or about one-eighth of the entire population. In other words, since the war the negro population of the country has increased by natural production and without immigration at a larger ratio than the white race has.

   Mr. Washington further said that the black man has made a steady gain in acquiring property, skill, habits of industry, education and Christian character. Mr. Washington in that statement does not speak loosely or idly. He has the facts and figures to sustain it.

   Here, then, are some of the elements of the problem the American people are called to face: The negro race growing in numbers more rapidly than the white race, and annually acquiring more property, and skill, habits of industry, education and a higher grade of character.

   What, he inquired, should be the attitude of the stronger race towards this people? Should it be one of antagonism, oppression and proscription with a view to keeping them ignorant, degraded and sullen, or should it be a policy of enlightenment, development and culture? What would common sense and wisdom have to say upon that problem? This question leaves the Golden Rule out of account and considers simply the selfish interests of the white race from its own point of view.

   The colored race is in this country to stay. Thirty-five years from now there will probably be 30,000,000 of black people in the United States. Is it desirable that they be what the 10,000,000 now in the South largely are, ignorant, degraded and politically as well as socially proscribed, or educated, industrious, self-respecting and equal before the laws with their white fellow citizens? Whoever takes the former view is an enemy both to his country and to mankind. By all the means and agencies the American people can bring to bear upon the problem, they should strive to lift up, to enlighten and to train these millions for the duties, privileges and responsibilities of a decent and useful citizenship.

 

DISSERTATION ON PETTICOATS.

An Interesting Treatise Issued by the Gillette Skirt Co.

   The Gillette Skirt Co. has just issued a little booklet that will be likely to interest all the ladies. Its title and theme is "Petticoats," and it gives a little general talk on the subject and follows with a price list and a series of illustrations of some of the numerous styles that are this year turned out from this large, well equipped and up-to-date factory. The booklet is attractively printed and tastefully bound. A number of thousands of them have been published for the trade in general throughout the whole country. No attempt has been made to distribute them to the ladies of Cortland and vicinity, but the company will be very glad to mail a copy to any lady who is interested and would like to see it and who sends a request for one.

 

Visiting in the East.

   Mr. J. D. Beattie of Wahpeton, N. D., is spending a few weeks in the East and is visiting his brother Mr. William Beattie of Truxton. The two brothers have been in Cortland today. Mr. Beattie went West twenty-four years ago as the representative of the Dwight Land Co., of which the father of the present congressman from this district was the head. His farm now adjoins that of Congressman John W. Dwight. He has not been East before in twelve years and he finds some very material changes wrought in Cortland in that time.

   Mr. Beattie is a veteran of the 157^th Regt., N. Y. Vols., and was a member of Captain G. S. Van Hoesen's company. Besides visiting relatives he is calling on his old comrades and swapping stories.

 

Local Item.

   Dr. S. J. Sornberger was called to Ithaca last night in counsel to see Fred D. Calkins, formerly of Cortland. He found the patient already dying from typhoid fever from which he had been suffering for two weeks and which had been followed a few days ago by pneumonia. Mr. Calkins was beyond help and died during the night.

 

Death of Fred Calkins.

   News comes of the death at Ithaca this morning from typhoid fever with pneumonia coupled with it of Fred D. Calkins, formerly of Cortland. He had been ill about two weeks. He was about 38 years old. He is survived by his wife, one sister Mrs. George Moore of South Cortland and three brothers, Jay T. and Allen of Ithaca and R. A. Calkins of Hooper, Neb. The funeral arrangements are not yet known here.

 

Death of Mrs. Bickford.

   Word comes to Cortland of the death at Munising, Mich., on Feb. 17, of Mrs. Hattie P. Bickford, formerly of this city. Mrs. Bickford had been in ill health during her latter years and had been at times a great sufferer, so that her death is in reality [is] a release. The greater part of her married life was spent in Cortland and she had many friends here.

 

OREN MOSHER

Died from Effect of Injuries Received from Being Run Over.

   Oren Mosher, a veteran of the civil war, died at his home, 13 Fitz-ave., at 6 o'clock last evening from injuries received Jan. 31, when he was run into by a horse and cutter, driven by two men, who it is said did not pause to see how badly he was hurt. He was 59 years of age.

   He leaves a wife and three daughters, Mrs. Dwight Rightman of Cortland, Mrs. Maude Davenport of Homer and Miss Edna Mosher of Cortland and one son, Mr. Romney Mosher, also of this city.

   The funeral will be held from the house Saturday at 2 o'clock p. m.

   Dr. F. D. Reese, Dr. F. W. Higgins and Dr. W. J. Moore made a post-mortem examination of the body this morning, but will make no statement in regard to what they found. It is understood that the examination was made with the purpose of starting an action to recover for damages.

 

Dryden and Virgil Telephone Co.

   The directors of the Dryden and Virgil Rural Telephone company held a meeting Tuesday night and elected the following officers:

   President—R. F. Saltsman.

   Secretary and Treasurer—E. W. Lewis.

   Buyers—C. D. Griswold, W. B. McClintock and F. L. Stillman.

   Enough stock has been pledged to build the line between the two points, which will be about 7 1/2 miles in length.

 

Bakewell's True Fairy Stories

   By Mary E. Bakewell. Cloth, 12mo., 152 pages. Price, 35 cents. American Book Company, New York, Cincinnati, and Chicago.

   The stories in this book for supplementary reading are called true fairy stories, because each illustrates an important truth. While interesting in subject matter and in style, they teach lessons of patience, of obedience, of courage, and of fidelity to every duty. Before publication, they were used for some time in the classroom, and in their present form embody the results of this practical test. They are largely cast in the form of dialogue, which appeals so strongly to the dramatic instinct of the child. The illustrations are numerous and attractive. The book is the latest addition to the well-known series of Eclectic School Readings.

 

BREVITIES.

   —New display advertisement today is—R. W. Mitchell, Meats, page 5.

   —Four deaths are announced from Ithaca yesterday and two more this morning.

   —Regular conclave of Cortland Commandery, No. 50, Knights Templar, Friday evening at 8 o'clock.

   —A praise service of the Woman's Home Mission society will be held at the Homer-ave. M. E. church tonight.

   —The service preparatory to communion occurs at the Presbyterian chapel this evening at 7:30 o'clock.

   —James A. Wood is today moving his residence to his recently purchased home, the Selover place on Prospect-st.

   —Invitations have been issued by Mr. and Mrs. Sanford W. Baldwin, 20 Prospect-st,, for the wedding of their elder daughter Miss Jessie Baldwin, to Mr. Frank Scudder of Cortland, which will take place at the home of the bride's parents, March 5, at 4 o'clock p. m.

 

CHARGES OF CRUELTY, CONGRESS, KILLING TWO BIRDS WITH ONE STONE, CHILD SAVED FROM RIVER, AND DEATH OF FRED CARPENTER

 

Cortland Evening Standard, Wednesday, February 25, 1903.

CHARGES OF CRUELTY.

Susquehanna Valley Orphans' Home Investigated.

BOYS SAID TO BE NEGLECTED.

Witness Said That Caretaker Watson Thrashed 20 Boys in a Day and That a Six-Year-Old Was Beaten Until Blood Ran Down His Legs—Counter Evidence.

   Binghamton, N. Y., Feb. 25.—A second hearing in the matter of charges of alleged gross cruelty and neglect against the management of the Susquehanna Valley Orphans' home was held here by the managers and assistant managers.

   Further evidence of alleged ill-treatment was added to the evidence of the previous hearing, when several inmates testified that they had been beaten with horsewhips and knocked down by Caretaker Watson and that no care was given the wounds thus received.

   Witnesses were heard in an attempt to prove that the boys who told these stories of brutality are utterly untrustworthy, and four women attendants asserted that they knew of no abuses existing at the home. The trend of some of the evidence shows that an effort will be made to prove that the reports of cruelty were started by Wesley Buckley, a caretaker who was recently discharged, and that other officers at the home are influenced by jealousy against Superintendent C. E. Fuller and Caretaker Watson.

   At the hearing Clinton Crandall, a recent inmate, testified that Carl Danfirg, aged 6, was beaten by Watson until the blood ran down his legs, and that on some days Watson thrashed 15 or 20 boys. Boys who made slight mistakes in the military drill, he said, were lined-up in rows and thrashed one after the other.

   Instructor G. W. Boyce said that the boys were neglected and little attention is given by the superintendent to training them for future citizenship. The boys are lined-up with folded hands, he said, and the one who unfolds his hands is "tanned."

   George Hacker, Fred Uttley, Harry Russell, Andrew Wright and Lynn Potter identified a big horsewhip, loaded at the butt, as one that had been used on them.

   Miss Sarah McConnell, an attendant, said she had been called to dress a deep cut two inches long on a boy's leg, said to have been caused by a whipping. The wound bled profusely. Misses May Baldwin, Bernice Hayes, Minnie Osborne, Jeanette Appley and Nina Tennant, employees and attendants, denied knowledge of cruelties.

 

Benjamin Tillman.

IN CONGRESS.

Mr. Tillman Continued His Speech on the Indianola Postoffice.

   Washington, Feb. 23.—The Indianola, Miss., postoffice case occupied the major part of the time of the senate.

   Mr. Tillman, addressing the Republican side, called on them to meet him "upon the same plane of patriotism, of race pride and of civilization and not to fall into the pitiful cesspool of partisan politics."

   Referring to the president's utterance that he was unwilling to shut the door of hope and opportunity in the face of a worthy and competent colored man, Mr. Tillman said at first blush there is not a man alive who would not agree with that sentiment, but he inquired if it ever occurred to anyone that in opening that door of hope it might be shut in the face of the white man.

   The purpose of those who endorse the president's door of hope policy, he declared, is that in time South Carolina should become a state of mulattos.

   "I beg you for God's sake," he said, facing the Republicans, "not to produce an acute stage of hatred which will bring the two races together with the resolve of the whites to die to retain their supremacy."

   Mr. Tillman was followed by Mr. Carmack, who said the action of the president in the Indianola case was not in accordance with reason, justice or the constitution. It was agreed that hereafter the senate will meet at 11 o'clock. The senate at 6 o'clock adjourned.

 

In the House.

   Washington, Feb. 25.—The house passed the Philippine currency bill, accepting the senate bill so far as it relates to the islands. The committee amendment striking out the international monetary conference was agreed to.

   Mr. Fowler then moved that the house go into committee of the whole to resume further consideration of the currency bill and the motion was carried, 136 to 57. Mr. Prince of Illinois resumed his speech begun on Saturday last.

 

Two Negroes Lynched.

   Griffin, Ga., Feb. 25.—William Fambro, a negro, has been shot to death on the outskirts of this city by a mob who fired over 1,000 shots into his house. Fambro, who had been charged with insulting a white woman, had been released on the payment of his fine by his employer.

   Shreveport, La., Feb. 25.—Frank Brown, a negro, was lynched near here. He had shot, but not fatally wounded, a white man.

 

SHOW'S QUARTERS AFIRE.

Barnum & Bailey's Herd of Excited Elephants Had to be Removed.

   Bridgeport, Feb. 25.—A lamp exploded in one of the sleeping cars at the winter quarters of the Barnum & Bailey show yesterday afternoon, resulting in the destruction of six sleepers, two large flatcars, and 125 feet of car barn, and causing a loss of $100,000, that is partly covered by insurance. The flames spread to the south section of the brick barn before the firemen arrived. A locomotive ran into the yard and pulled the cars from the north section.

   The fire and noise caused commotion in the herd of fifteen elephants, and it was necessary to take them out of their barn to another section of the ground.

 

Guest editorials.

PAGE FOUR—EDITORIAL.

Killing Two Birds With One Stone.

   The demand of fashion for birds' plumage has led to the creation of a new industry, which apparently does no violence to public sentiment or statute law against the destruction of the feathery tribes.

   Farmer Billings of Brookdale, Pa., has taken a contract to furnish a Chicago milliner with crow heads at 25 cents apiece. It costs something to get a dead crow, because it is an elusive bird, and ammunition cannot be had for nothing. Billings, however, is an enterprising speculator. He has devised a scheme by which a maximum number of crows' heads can be obtained at small expense. He has set up a chicken incubator, in which are placed as fast as laid the eggs of about 100 hen crows that have been trapped with perhaps a dozen cock crows. Within fifteen days the little creatures are hatched, and a fortnight later they are ready to be beheaded. It is understood that the head of a crow chick is worth just as much as that of the oldest of the same species. At the uniform rate of four for $1 dead they will pay the producer.

   Farmer Billings has up to date, we believe, the only crow hatchery in the country, but with a profitable market for defunct crows others are likely to follow his lead, as there is no patent on the process of producing crows either by incubator or otherwise. The problem which has given farmers much concern is how to get rid of them.

   If now my lady can be satisfied with crows' plumage for her headgear and at the same time the farmer be relieved of the most troublesome pest of his cornfields, two birds will be killed with one stone, and the most devout Audubonist can have no reason for complaint.

 

SAVED FROM RIVER.

Four-year-old Earl Miller Tumbled Into the Water.

TWO BRAVE WOMEN RESCUED HIM.

He was Looking for his Grandmother and Stopped to Play on Bridge—Children saw Him Tumble in—Mrs. Weber and Mrs. Ostrander Waded in and Hooked Into His Clothing with a Clothes Pole--Rolled Him on a Barrel Till Physician Came.

   Earl Miller, the young son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles H. Miller, 39 North Main-st., had a very narrow escape from being drowned in the Tioughnioga river, near Kingman's bathing house at about 4 o'clock yesterday afternoon. After floating down the river several rods and becoming chilled and filled with water, he was rescued by two women who brought him to the bank of the river by the aid of a pole that had a nail driven through the end with which they hooked into his clothing.

   When brought out of the water the boy was unconscious, and it was only after repeated efforts that the water was driven from his lungs and breathing was restored. Today he is doing well and aside from much soreness of the lungs caused by the presence of water in them he is none the worse for his experience.

Looking for His Grandmother.

   Earl. who was 4 years old last fall, started out from the house, as he afterward said, to find his grandmother, Mrs. Julia H. Spaulding, M. D., who had gone away from the house a little while before, and had gone down North Main-st. She had then turned up on Arthur-ave., and as Earl could see nothing of her along North Main-st. he wandered onto Grant-st., not stopping until the bridge at Kingman's bathing house was reached.

Seen to Tumble In.

   Here some children on the other side of the river saw him playing by himself, but a little later they heard a splash in the water and saw that he had fallen off into the river. They ran at full speed over the bridge and informed Mrs. John B. Weber and Mrs. William Ostrander, who live on Rickard-st. near the river. With a pole that was used to hold up the center of a line of clothes these two women started for the rescue.

Women to the Rescue.

   They could see the lad floating down toward them, part of the time with the head above the surface and part of the time underneath it. Plans were hastily made for catching the clothes with the nail in the end of the pole and thus bringing the little fellow to the shore. But a new obstacle presented itself. The pole was found to be too short to reach from the bank to the passing child. Without waiting for a discussion of what should be done the two women both waded into the cold water, and while one of them clung to a tree that hung over the water the other waded out still further and so that the one who was anchored to the tree could just hold on to her by her skirt. With this relay the woman farthest out could catch hold of the lad's clothing with the pole and in this way he was brought to land.

Rolled Upon a Barrel.

   He was carried into Mrs. Weber's home and the efforts to resuscitate him were begun immediately by them. He was rolled on a barrel, and the wet clothing was taken from off the chilled body and he was wrapped in warm woolen blankets. Dr. E. M. Santee was called and found that the life of the boy had without doubt been saved the second time by the women by the prompt restoratives they applied.

   The boy had floated for t en rods in water that was over his head and was thoroughly chilled. He was in the river altogether for about five minutes.

Screaming Helped Him.

   Dr. Santee said today that the fact that the boy screamed each time he came to the surface was accountable for his not being drowned. The large amount of clothing also aided in keeping the body at the surface.

   As soon as it was found who the lad was, the parents and Dr. Spaulding were notified and in a short time he could be moved to his home.

   The courageous and prompt action of the two women in rescuing the boy from the river and their successful efforts in restoring him are most commendable, and they have not only gained the heartfelt gratitude of the parents of the child, but also the admiration and esteem of the public in general.

 

Death of Fred Carpenter.

   Fred M. Carpenter died at the home of his brother E. W. Carpenter, 64 Hubbard-st., at 1 o'clock this morning, after an illness there of two years from tumor and dropsy. His age was 38 years. The funeral will be held from the house at 3 o'clock tomorrow afternoon and will be private.

 

BREVITIES.

   —Eli Blake has been appointed postmaster at Whitney's Point, N. Y.

   —A regular meeting of the L. C. B. A. will be held this evening at 8 o'clock.

   —Robert Mantell in "The Dagger and the Cross" is booked for the Opera House on Monday, March 16.

   —The village of Solvay, Onondaga county, has accepted the offer of a $10,000 library from Andrew Carnegie.

   —St. Patrick's church in Syracuse cleared about $4,000 from a fair which closed last night after a run of six nights.

   —The city of Corning is to build a new hospital at a cost of $20,000. A resident has offered to donate $4,000 as soon as the other $16,000 is raised.

   —New display advertisements today are—A. S. Burgess, Clothing, page 8; Opera House, "A Millionaire Tramp," page 5; Perkins & Quick, Hyomel soap, page 4; Cortland Fish & Oyster Co., Fresh fish, page 6.

   —It is estimated in Ithaca that the absence of the large number of Cornell university students who have gone home because of the typhoid fever epidemic is causing a loss to the city of $5,000 a week, that being about what the absentees would have spent in the city had they been present.

 

TYPHOID EPIDEMIC, DEPT. OF COMMERCE, ERIE CANAL APPROPRIATION, FIRST NATIONAL BANK, AND GRAND CENTRAL RESTAURANT

 

Jacob Gould Schurman.

Cortland Evening Standard, Tuesday, February 24, 1903.

CAUSE OF EPIDEMIC.

Authoritative Statement From  President Schurman.

NUMBER OF CASES AND DEATHS

Laid to Contamination of Six Mile Creek by a Gang of Laborers Last Fall—Disease Confined to Portions of City Using That Water—Propose Remedies.

   Ithaca, N. Y., Feb. 24.—In reply to a request for an authoritative statement concerning the origin of the typhoid fever epidemic, as it has affected Cornell university, its cause, the number of cases and deaths, and the steps that have been taken to remedy existing conditions at the university, President Jacob G. Schurman gave out a statement in which he says:

   "The cause of the epidemic of typhoid is generally believed to be contamination of the water of Six Mile creek which, along with Buttermilk creek, furnishes the water supply of the city of Ithaca, by a band of laborers who were engaged in the fall and early winter in the construction of a dam in that creek for the Ithaca Water company.

   "This belief is confirmed by an investigation which on behalf of Cornell university has been made by Dr. V. A. Moore, our bacteriologist, and Dr. B. M. Chamot, our toxicologist, and which they have just completed.

   "They say a study of the various ways by which typhoid bacilli are disseminated will show that in our present epidemic we should look to but two of the channels of dissemination namely, milk and water, for source of infection.

   "A careful inquiry into distribution of routes does not show, or give reason to suspect that milk has been a source of infection. This leaves us with but one possible source for such a wide spread infection, namely drinking water.

Distribution of Cases.

   "The distribution of the cases of typhoid fever shows that the disease has not existed in (first) families using water from Fall creek exclusively which is the source of the water supply of Cornell university; (second) in families using for drinking purposes spring or other water brought to the city; (third) among those who have used well water exclusively for drinking purposes; and (fourth) among those who have used for several months past boiled city water only for drinking purposes.

   "Thus Cornell Heights, the campus portions of the flats not having city water, and West Hill are exempt. Fever cases have been restricted, with possibly rare exceptions, to those using city water for drinking purposes without first properly filtering or boiling.

   "We are informed by the Water Works company that there are three distinct zones in the city, one receiving water from Six Mile creek exclusively, one from Buttermilk creek exclusively, and one mixed water of the two streams. We find a large number of cases on East Hill where the water supply is from Six Mile creek. There are, however, some cases of disease in the area alleged to be supplied by Buttermilk creek water. Many of these cases are people who spent more or less of their time in other parts of the city and could easily have become infected with water there.

   "Drs. Moore and Chamot, however, assert that this hypothesis of water contamination by laborers at the dam is not conclusive until it can be demonstrated that at least one of the laborers had suffered from typhoid fever and as all of the laborers have returned to their homes in and about New York city, this link in the chain of inference cannot be supplied.

No Cases at Sage College.

   "The water supply of the university comes from Fall creek, which is a different source from the water supply of the city. No case of typhoid fever is known to have occurred among those who used exclusively the water supply of the university campus. No person at Sage college, in which more than 200 women students board and lodge and which is supplied by this water, has had typhoid fever and no case of typhoid has occurred in the families of professors living on the campus. Typhoid fever has developed among those students only who live in other portions of the city which are supplied by the Ithaca Water company with water from the Six Mile creek and from Buttermilk creek.

   "Cornel university differs from most of the other large institutions of learning in having no dormitory system or dining hall for its men and they live in private houses situated over all parts of the city. There are this year about 2,700 students of Cornell university resident in Ithaca. Of these at least one-third have gone to their respective homes since the outbreak of the fever epidemic, the university authorities having advised all students who had the least illness or were apprehensive of illness to leave the university, and many having been imperatively summoned by their parents.

   "Of those that remain in the university 78 are on the sick list at Ithaca. Of this number 57 are confined in the university infirmary and its annexes and 21 are ill either at their own rooms or in private hospitals in the city.

   "The majority of these patients in the university infirmary and its annexes have typhoid fever, mostly mild, though some are serious and a few critical. Of the 21 outside the infirmary seven are recognized as typhoid patients, of which number one or two are serious.

   "The 57 sick students in the university infirmary and its annexes are attended by 50 trained or skilled nurses while the student patients outside the infirmary are cared for by their friends. The condition of all student patients, whether in the infirmary or not, is reported by the president of the university in daily letters to their parents.

   "Thus far there have been 11 deaths among students in Ithaca due to the present epidemic, as follows:

   O. G. Schumard, grad., Bethany, Mo.

   Miss C. E. Spencer, soph., Jasper, N. Y.

   G. A. Wessman, junior, New York city.

   H. C. Francis, freshman, Philadelphia, Pa.

   E. Prime, freshman, Huntington, N. Y.

   H. A. Schoenborn, freshman, Hackensack, N. J.

   C. J. Schlenker, freshman, Batavia, N. Y.

   O. W. Kohls, freshman, Rochester, N. Y.

   C. J. Vinton, junior, Canal Dover, O.

   W. E. Maher, freshman, Brewster, N. Y.

   F. E. Schwartz, senior, Marlboro, N. Y.

   President Schurman's statement then repeats what the trustees have done in the way of providing duly inspected pure water for the students remaining in Ithaca and the pledge signed by 204 boarding house keepers to furnish only pure water, and closes with these words:

   "To insure pure water for the city and university not later than Sept. 1 this year, the board of trustees have authorized the expenditure of $150,000 for the installation of a complete and adequate filtration plant."

 

George F. Hoar.

SENATOR HOAR ON NEGROES.

Would Welcome them as Readily as Did the President.

    Chicago, Feb. 24.—At a Washington birthday banquet in the Union league club last night Senator Hoar said:

   "My friend, Secretary Root, is wrong, most emphatically wrong, when he says the negro has not advanced. The negro has advanced and negroes like Booker T. Washington are as welcome to my table as at the White House."

   Bishop Thomas W. Gailer of Tennessee, replied to Senator Hoar, saying: "The negroes who have advanced are only half negroes. The full blooded black in the South today stands where he stood when given his freedom."

 

Guest editorials.

PAGE FOUR—EDITORIAL.

The Department of Commerce.

   The recent enormous expansion of American production and trade has compelled the creation of new department of commerce as an addition to the cabinet bureaus, and under wise management, it cannot fail to contribute immensely to the further development of the business interests of the country. The attitude of the department towards business, if properly determined, will not be critical, inquisitorial and censorious, but friendly and encouraging, promoting by every proper and possible means the welfare of the American people engaged in trade or interested in transportation.

   Our internal commerce for 1902 according to the Chicago Inter-Ocean amounted to $20,000,000,000, a sum too vast for human comprehension. This tremendous traffic will come more or less directly into touch with the new department.

   From what is known of Secretary Cortelyou it is believed that he has both the disposition and the ability to administer well his affairs of this department. He has demonstrated his capacity for organization and shown a comprehensive and accurate knowledge of details. He is courteous, patient and considerate to a marked degree. His judgment is rapid in action and firm in quality, and there is every reason to believe that the great official trust committed to his care will be successfully as well as conscientiously handled.

 

THE CANAL APPROPRIATION.

What are the Merits and Demerits of the Proposed Canal Enlargement.

   To the Editor of The Standard:

   Sir—The most objectionable public expenditure which now invites the organized opposition of the people of this state is that for the proposed enlargement of the canals at the expense of the taxpayers. To enable those whose money it is proposed to take by taxation for the purposes of this scheme, to understand it in all its bearings, it is desirable to ascertain who are advocating it and why they do so; what are its merits and defects as an engineering proposition; what are its economical, business and financial advantages and disadvantages; what are its ethical merits and demerits; and, lastly, when we have reached a logical conclusion on these points, what ought to be done about it?

   First, then, who are its advocates, and what are their motives? It will be readily perceived that contractors as a class favor it, because it will afford fat jobs and big profits. The same is true of civil engineers as a class and of laborers who follow public works as a business or vocation. Most Professional politicians must be included among its supporters, because from this source they expect to derive large campaign funds and much valuable patronage. To this fact may be attributed the utterances of the platforms of both the Republican and Democratic parties in this state last fall. They expect to succeed because there is no organized opposition to the scheme and no source from which they anticipate any intelligent discussion of its demerits such as would rouse the people, who are, for the most part, absorbed in their own private affairs and usually give little attention to those of the public. In this respect they ought to be and must be disappointed and ultimately defeated.

As an Engineering Proposition.

   Let us consider this canal proposition as an engineering proposition, because if it is physically impracticable for any reason, that should end the discussion. It is a known and generally admitted fact that practically all the sources of the supply of water for operating the present canals have been used and exhausted, and the state has resorted to measures to reforestize the Adirondack mountain region to conserve the water supply for the use of the canals of the state. Notwithstanding the decrease in canal traffic, the supply of water for the canals at their present dimensions and respective capacities frequently proves inadequate to float boats adapted to use thereon. If the canals should be enlarged to the dimensions proposed, the quantity of water required to operate them would be increased in the ratio of the squares of their respective prisms. To illustrate roughly, the present canal boat draws not more than 7 feet of water, the square of which is 49. When the canal is enlarged so as to float a boat drawing 12 feet, the square of which is 144, nearly three times as much water will be required for the operation of the enlarged canal as at present. No one has informed us where this increased supply of water is obtainable, and we are convinced no one ever will. To enlarge the canals without water to fill them is to render them less serviceable than they are at present, except for the purpose of fattening a canal ring, which is the one infamous purpose this scheme for their enlargement is sure to serve, and about the only one which, in the nature of things, can be realized.

The Canal Obsolete.

   As a means of transportation from an economic and financial point of view, the canals of this state are obsolete, and would remain so after they were enlarged, even if they could be supplied with water sufficient for their operation on the plan proposed. The passing of the Chenango, Chemung and Genesee Valley canals and others of lesser note in this state, and the falling off of traffic on the canals which have remained in use, though freed from tolls and perpetuated as a fruitful source of political corruption and exploitation for spoils by political heelers and contractors, proves that canals of varying levels, requiring numerous locks for their operation are obsolete in this state.

   They are closed by ice for fully five months in the year. The expense of maintenance, of operation and conducting transportation is proportionately greater than upon well equipped and well managed railroads, with which they cannot successfully compete.

   There has been a revolution in business methods since the canals were constructed, which has tended strongly to render them obsolete. Formerly the merchant went to New York or some other market twice each year and bought a stock of goods designed to supply his trade for six months. The interest account, insurance, taxes and other expenses incident to his purchase, with his profit, had to be added to the selling price of these goods. Now the merchant carries a small stock, replenished every week, has a line of samples, orders from the manufacturer or jobber by wire for immediate delivery by express or fast freight, and within a week thereafter his customer has the goods, the merchant his profit and the manufacturer his pay for them. It is manifest that a merchant doing business in the antiquated method cannot compete with one pursuing the modern method, by which the capital invested, the interest account and charges for insurance, taxes and other incidentals are nearly eliminated, but it is equally manifest that the canals cannot be depended upon for the expeditious transportation necessary to the modern method, which more than any other one thing makes the canals irretrievably obsolete and renders the expenditure of money for their enlargement foolish and criminal.

As a Business Proposition.

   As a business proposition, why should taxpayers of the state of New York maintain a free canal to float the products of their competitors in business in other states to market, when the necessary result must be to diminish the prices they receive for their own competing products? The [pretence] that it is necessary to continue and enlarge the canals in order to check by competition the tendency of railroads to charge excessively for transportation is mainly, if not entirely, humbug. Instead of the canals setting the pace on freight rates, the railroads have done it, and have practically driven the canals out of business in the race—which shows the impotency of the canals as a regulator of freight rates. The wages of the boatmen upon the canals with no tolls to pay is starvation compared with the earnings of those engaged in operating railroads, so impossible is it for the canals to compete with railroads as carriers.

   There is no one thing that has so continually and uniformly diminished as rates of transportation in the United States. In this respect we are the surprise and despair of all Europe. But this result is not attributable to the competition of canals, for the same results have followed where canals did not enter into competition with railroads. It has resulted from better road beds, stronger structures, improved and more efficient equipment of the railroads. The same train crew now moves more than four times as much freight as formerly and with greater speed and safety.

Absolutely Unjust.

   It is absolutely unjust to compel the taxpayers of New York state to construct a free canal to float the products of their competitors from other states to market. These competitors have the advantage of cheaper transportation, though situate at a greater distance from market, and are thereby enabled to undersell residents of this state and reduce their incomes and profits. Our candle is thus being burned at both ends by making us build a canal and bear the losses consequent upon the competition which that canal has made possible.

Will Not Defeat Itself.

   This nefarious scheme will not defeat itself. There are organized gangs of plunderers engaged in advocating it—some politicians, some contractors and some others. There should be formed at once in every town organizations for opposing this scheme of plunder and they should partake of a political character, because both the Republican and the Democratic parties are committed to favoring the scheme; and therefore another organization must be formed outside the lines of both these parties. The stake to be played for is over a hundred millions and the time necessary to organize to defeat the enormous graft is all too short to waste a moment which ought to be employed in preparing for the contest.

   Yours truly, Irving H. Palmer.

   Feb, 24, 1903.

[Mr. Palmer was a registered Democrat, legal counsel for the Erie & Central New York Railroad, and former mayor of Cortland, N. Y.—CC ed.]

 

First National Bank at 36 Main Street, Cortland, N. Y. 

THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK.

Celebrates its Fortieth Birthday—Founded Feb. 24, 1863.

   The First National bank of Cortland is forty years old today and celebrates that event by handing to its friends an attractive little booklet of twenty pages in which appear several illustrations of the bank, exterior and interior, the portraits of president and cashier, and also a little history of the bank.

   From the booklet it appears that the First National bank of Cortland enjoys the distinction of being the first bank organized in the county of Cortland under the National banking law, and was one of the first in the United States, it being 226 on the list, while the whole number now is nearly 5,000. This law was enacted in the dark days of the civil war and was counted upon to strengthen the government finances and raise money to prosecute the war. It was in those days something of an experiment to found a bank under the new plan, and so it may be counted as a measure of patriotism that led these men to establish this bank.

The Founders.

   The founders were Thomas Keator, Rufus Edwards, Arthur Holmes, James S. Squires of Cortland, Leander Fitts and Garry Chambers of McLean: Alanson Carley of Marathon; Dann C. Squires of Lapeer, and Nathan Bouton of Virgil. The charter was granted Feb. 24, 1863, and the founders became the first board of directors. Thomas Keator was elected president: Rufus Edwards vice-president and E. P. Slafter cashier. It is a noteworthy fact that three of the present directors, Hon. A. A. Carley, Samuel Keator and Edward Keator are sons of men who were among the first board of directors.

Officers During Forty Years.

   Thomas Keator continued as president till his death on June 25, 1879. He was succeeded by Samuel Keator who continued as president till January, 1889, when Edward Keator, the present incumbent was chosen.

   Edwin P. Slafter was the first cashier, and so remained till Jan. 1, 1869, when he was succeeded by William H. Crane. Io January, 1873, he was followed by Fitz Boynton, who held place till Oct. 30, 1882, when Edward Keator was chosen, retaining the position until he was advanced to the presidency in 1889, when he was succeeded as cashier by Edward Alley, the present incumbent.

The Bank's Homes.

   At the beginning of its career the First National occupied quarters in the old Eagle store, on the corner of Main and Tompkins-sts. Afterward it removed to the old postoffice building on Court-st., and in 1866 it acquired its present site at 36 Main-st. But it outgrew the small building which then stood there, and in 1887 the present handsome and convenient home was erected upon plans that carefully considered the growing needs of the banking business together with the comfort of its working force and the better accommodation of all classes of its patrons and customers.

   Its double walled steel vaults and its time locks are thoroughly up-to-date.

Some Statistics.

   In the forty years of its existence the First National bank has paid out for expenses $186,277.24; for interest on deposits $273,521.98; for government, state, county and local taxes $170,384.33; for dividends $481,250; making a total of $1,117,433.55.

   The policy of the bank throughout its long and successful career has been, while preserving all that is best in the traditional conservatism of the banking business, to unite with its progressive ideas.

   Its capital stock is now $125,000, and its total resources amount to $852,276.42, all well secured.

Present Directors and Officers.

   The present directors of the bank are A. A. Charley, O. U. Kellogg, T. H. Wickwire, C. F. Wickwire, Samuel Keator, R. B. Smith, Thomas Smith, C. L. Kinney, W. F. Chadbourne, H. Cowan, E. Alley, E. Keator and C. F. Brown.

   The present officers are:

   President—Edward Keator.

   Vice-President—R. Bruce Smith.

   Cashier—Edward Alley.

   The bank now starts upon its forty-first year and begins business under its third national charter with the brightest of prospects for continued success and added prosperity.

 

CHANGE IN RESTAURANT.

F. P. Barney & Co. Sell Out to A. H. Milk & Co.

   Late yesterday afternoon F. P. Barney & Co., proprietors of the Grand Central restaurant at 17 Railroad-st., sold the restaurant to A. H. Milk & Co. who at once took possession and supper was their first meal.

   The restaurant will be newly fitted up und placed in first-class condition. Mrs. Milk, who enjoys the reputation of being a most excellent cook, will give her personal attention to the culinary department. Meals can be obtained there at all hours and upon short notice, and regular boarders will be accommodated as formerly.

   Mr. Milk last night referring to the firm name, A. H. Milk & Co., said that his own initials were A. H. and those of his wife the same and he laughingly made the comment that "A. H. Milk" would be whichever one chanced to be present and the other one would be the "company."

 

BREVITIES.

   —Tomorrow will he Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent.

   —The A. O. U. W. will meet tonight at 7:30 o'clock in Vesta lodge rooms.

   —Five Cornell university students who went home from Ithaca are now ill with typhoid fever in Auburn.

   —A recruiting office for the United States navy has been opened in the government building at Binghamton.

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

   — The time of holding the funeral of Patty Irene Cole, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harry D. Cole, 138 Clinton-ave., has been changed from 2 o'clock tomorrow to 2:30 o'clock of the same day.

   —A visitor from out of town was heard to remark: "My son, I think if Ithaca water is boiled, fried, stewed a little and then served in thin, cold slices, you will be safe in using it."—Ithaca News.

   —New display advertisements today are—Haight & Freese Co.,  Stocks, bonds, etc., page 8; Forrest Seed Co., Crimson Rambler Roses, page 4; Hollister Hardware Co., Sap buckets, etc., page 7; Warren, Tanner & Co., Suits and dress skirts, page 4; C. F. Brown, paints, page 6; The "Millionaire Tramp," voting contest, page 5; A. Mahan. Pianos, page 7.