Sunday Filler: The Biltmore Estate

 

POST OFFICE AFFAIRS, PETER SMITH DEAD, GET A GUN, PREVALENCE OF CORRUPTION, FRATERNITY RECEPTION, MAIL CLERK DARBY, AND TALKING MACHINE

 

Edmund Hope Driggs.

Cortland Evening Standard, Thursday, June 25, 1903.

POSTOFFICE AFFAIRS.

Four Indictments Against Ex-Congressman Driggs.

HE RESERVED RIGHT TO PLEAD.

Had Previously Admitted He Received a Salary From the Brandt Dent Company For Helping to Introduce Their Automatic Cashier Machines in the Department.

   New York, June 25.—Former Congressman Driggs was indicted by the federal grand jury in Brooklyn. He appeared before Judge Thomas and gave bail. The indictment grew out of the investigation into postoffice affairs made by the grand jury.

   Four indictments were found, all practically alike. Each charges that Driggs between July 20 and 24, 1900, unlawfully agreed to receive and did receive a $500 check from the Brandt Dent company for procuring a contract from the United States government for making and delivering 250 automatic cashiers for the postoffice department.

   To the first two indictments Mr. Driggs pleaded not guilty, reserving the right to plead later to the others, which contain 16 counts each, after his lawyer had read them. Mr. Driggs refused absolutely to comment on his indictment. He has previously admitted, however, receiving a salary of $12,500 from the Brandt Dent company for introducing its machines, but claimed that the work he did for the company was done before he was sworn in as congressman, but after his election, and declaring that he had done nothing to which the government could object.

   The indictments were found under sections 171 and 172 of the revised statutes of the United States, which provide for the punishment of any person "receiving emolument while in the employ of the government."

   Mr. Driggs was before the grand jury before the indictment was found.

 

George White.

PETER SMITH DEAD.

Boy Who Was Shot During the Wilmington Lynching Died Yesterday.

   Wilmington, Del., June 25.—Arthur Corwell was released on $5,000 bail last night. He will be given a further hearing today. Bail was promptly furnished.

   Coroner McCormick had two sessions in the inquest on the remains of White.

   When the inquest began the remains of White could not be found and after a long search they were found wrapped in paper on an ice chest. White weighed about 200 lbs., but only five pounds of flesh and bone was left of him after the lynchers had concluded their work.

   The first session adjourned for lack of witnesses. Later the coroner again summoned the jury, which after some testimony brought in the following verdict:

   "Resolved, That George White came to his death by being burned in a field by a party or parties unknown to this jury."

   What the next step of the authorities will be is not known. The belief is growing that no one will ever be punished for the work of the mob.

   Peter Smith, the boy who was shot while the mob was in the workhouse on Monday night, died Wednesday afternoon. The boy was an Italian. Who shot him, no one seems to know. The jail officials think he was shot by some one in the crowd.

 

GO AND GET A GUN.

Negro Preacher's Advice to His Race on the Subject of Lynchings.

   Chicago, June 25.—Tbe Rev. C. H. Thomas, pastor of a negro church in Belleville, Ill., evoked tumults of applause last night at a meeting held in Quinn chapel to denounce the recent burning of David B. Wyatt by a Belleville mob. The preacher said:

   "My Master said 'If there is no sword here sell your coat and get one.' If lynching and burning do not cease I say to every black man, sell your coat and get a gun." He then denounced Gov. Yates for failing to interfere.

 

PAGE FOUR—EDITORIAL.

The Prevalence of Corruption.

   It is gratifying to note that retribution has overtaken or is likely to overtake many of the corruptionists and criminals in public service, particularly to the municipal governments of some of the larger cities of the country, though it is feared that the lessen has not yet been so stern and complete as to wholly deter other evilly disposed and gain seeking men from attempting to intercept money belonging to municipalities and filch financial spoils from general revenues. The temptation will exist as long as the people are confiding and unconcerned, and the criminal practices are not likely to cease until the temptation is removed.

   In the past great fortunes have been founded on flagrant infraction of the law. Some highly respected families in the United States have derived their standing from wealth procured in iniquity by unrespected forbears. Some large and potent corporations owe their existence and their influence to the sins of unscrupulous promoters and faithless public servants. What share of the vast fortunes, immense capital stocks, large profits and squandered money rightfully belongs to the public could not even be estimated, but it is certain that if public officials had invariably regarded public interests the bonded indebtedness of many a city would be less than it is and the tax rate would be lower.

   The bribe giver, seeking a valuable franchise, is probably spurred by inordinate love of riches and by the easy prospect of amassing wealth at little effort. The bribe taker is usually poor, and the opportunity to get a few thousand dollars is often a temptation that he cannot resist, as a small fortune insures him independence. So the bribe giving and the bribe taking go on until thoughtful men are beginning almost to believe that "every man has his price."

   It is perhaps too much to hope that all public servants will be brought to the point of absolute honesty and honor this side the millennium, but recent revelations emphasize the necessity of a higher public standard of civic righteousness and more rigid and drastic enforcement of the punitive laws against corruption and dishonesty in public office.

 

THE FRATERNITY RECEPTION.

Many Alumni and Friends of the Normal School Were Present.

   One of the most enjoyable events of the Normal commencement took place at the Normal last evening when the six fraternities gave their thirteenth annual reception to their alumni a unite in making the occasion one of the most pleasant experiences of Normal life and no pains or expense is spared in the execution of plans.

   The principal's office, the reception room, corridors, and the six fraternity rooms were thrown open and all were handsomely decorated. A general committee is appointed from the clubs to decorate the office, reception room and corridors. Each club decorates its own rooms and each vies with the other in having the rooms present a pleasing appearance. It is safe to say that they never appeared to better advantage than they did last evening. The decorations were of a more simple character than is often the case, it being the aim to avoid over decoration.

   The Philomathean room was made very attractive by the use of daisy chains.

   In the Alpha Delta room ferns predominated.

   The Agonians and Clionians made little or no attempt at decorating, their newly appointed rooms speaking for themselves. The new fire place in the Agonian room showed to advantage, giving the room a cheerful, homelike appearance.

   The decorations in the boys' club rooms were simple and well adapted to the surroundings.

   The work of the general committee was shown on the lower floor. The decorations here consisted of palms, ferns, banners, screens, etc, which were arranged with artistic effect.

   The guests on their arrival were welcomed by a reception committee consisting of Prof. Booth, Miss Bishop, Miss Goodhue, and the presidents of the girls' clubs. An informal reception committee met the guests in each of the clubrooms. Light refreshments were served in each of the fraternity rooms.

   The Normal orchestra and the Normal Mandolin and Guitar club furnished music throughout the evening. The attendance was large, between three and four hundred being present, and the reception was one of the most enjoyable ever held. The committee in charge was untiring in its efforts to make the reception a success and that it was a great success is to a great extent due to their efforts.

 

MAIL CLERK DARBY

Struck by a Swinging Door on a Passing Train.

   C. C. Darby met with a painful accident Tuesday evening which is confining him to the house for the present. Mr. Darby was the mail clerk on the North bound Lackawanna train which leaves Cortland at 4:32. The train makes but few stops between Binghamton and Syracuse, the mail pouches being caught at way stations by the crane provided for that purpose. The train usually passes a freight train on another track just before reaching Chenango Forks. Tuesday, Mr. Darby opened the door so as to be ready to throw off the pouch for Chenango Forks just as the train was passing the freight. As he looked out to see how far they were from the station, he noticed that the door of a refrigerator car stood open. The door of a refrigerator car is so thick that it will not slide like doors on ordinary freight cars, but opens outward. He jerked his head back, but not in time to avoid being struck by the swinging door. A hood with a thick glass front is worn at these times by the clerks to keep cinders out of their eyes. Mr. Darby had one on and the glass front was broken and a piece of the glass struck him on the nose, cutting him severely. The angular artery was severed, and the wound bled profusely. Mr. Darby stuck to his post and threw off and caught the pouches at every station except one.

   When Homer, N. Y., was reached, Mr. Blaney, a mail clerk residing there, took Mr. Darby's place in response to a telegram, and sorted mail, which Mr. Darby was unable to do, as his glasses were broken. Mr. Blaney worked very rapidly and had the mail all sorted before Syracuse was reached. Mr. Darby remained on the train, threw off, caught and opened pouches, etc. On arriving at Oswego he went to a physician and had the wound dressed. The physician found it impossible to probe for glass, as the cut bled so profusely. Mr. Darby states that the wound is doing well and that he does not anticipate much trouble from it, but thinks it strange that he should be the only one out of the four clerks on this division of the Lackawanna to meet with accidents.

 

Admitted to the Bar.

   Clarence E. Pitts, formerly of Cheningo, Cortland county, for the past three years a student with D. P. Morehouse, Oswego's leading attorney, has just passed with honor the examination for admission to the bar, and will be sworn in as an attorney and counselor of the supreme court at Rochester, July 7. Mr. Pitts is well known at Cuyler, Truxton, etc., as he resided at Cuyler and Cheningo six years and taught school in Taylor and Cheningo. He has a large practice already at Oswego, and is fitting up a suite of offices at 8 Grant block, Oswego, which he will at once take possession of.

 

Death of Charles A. Edgcomb.

   Charles A. Edgcomb died at 3:15 yesterday afternoon at his home, 17 Hubbard-st., after an illness of but a few days. For a number of years he had been a great sufferer from rheumatism, but last Saturday he was attacked with what seemed to be nervous prostration, and from that time forward the decline was rapid.

   Deceased was the oldest son of Isaac A. and Clarissa W. Edgcomb, and was born in Groton, N. Y., May 9, 1829. Fifteen years later he moved with his parents to the newly purchased farm west of Homer village and there lived till about 1860, when they moved into the village itself.

   Twenty years ago he bought a farm in Spafford which continued to be his home till last fall when he came to Cortland to reside. In his younger days he was for a number of years a teacher in the public schools. For many years he was a member of the M. E. church of Homer, but had recently sent for his letter to unite with the Congregational church in this city. The letter, however, had for lack of opportunity, not yet been acted upon.

   Mr. Edgcomb is survived by his wife and son Ray and three brothers, Isaac, Martin, and George W. Edgcomb of this city. The funeral will be held at the house tomorrow afternoon at 3 o'clock, and will be conducted by Rev. James Rain, pastor of the Congregational church.

 

Has a Talking Machine.

   Judge Edward B. Thomas of the United States circuit court, Eastern district of New York, who is the president of the Cortland County society of New York City, heard the story told by Judge Eggleston at the annual reunion of the society last April, and seems to have laid claim to it and adapted it, for according to the Brooklyn Eagle he claims to have a friend who is the worst henpecked man he ever knew. On a recent occasion an agent for a phonograph company dropped into the friend's office and inquired if he had a talking machine at home. "Yep," was the reply. "And may I ask of what company you bought it?" persisted the agent. "Didn't buy it; married it."

 

BREVITIES.

   —McDermott's orchestra goes to Tully tonight to furnish music for a dancing party, and tomorrow night has an engagement at Truxton.

   —There were four weddings at St. Patrick's church in Binghamton yesterday arranged on a schedule of fifteen minutes apart, the retiring wedding party meeting the next candidates as they were entering the church.

   —The new display advertisements today are—A. S. Burgess, Boys' clothing, page 8; G. H. Wiltsie, Clearance sale, page 5; Opera House, "Dilger-Cornell Co.," page 5; M. A. Case, Sale of corsets, page 6; First National Bank, bank accounts, page 5.

 

AFTER THE LYNCHING, BOOKER WASHINGTON, C. H. S. COMMENCEMENT, GODDARD BLOCK, AND SIG. SAUTELLE CIRCUS

 

Geroge White.

Cortland Evening Standard, Wednesday, June 24, 1903.

AFTER THE LYNCHING.

Public Opinion Deplores Resort to Mob Violence.

ONLY ONE ARREST YET MADE.

Twelve Year Old Boy Shot in the Excitement Not Expected to Live. Mrs. Bishop, Mother of the Murdered Girl, in a State of Extreme Nervousness.

   Wilmington, Del., June 24.—The excitement attending the gruesome tragedy enacted Monday night outside the city limits when George P. White, the negro murderer of 17-year-old Helen S. Bishop, was burned at the stake, has subsided. The swift and dire punishment meted out to the perpetrator of the crime is the sole topic of conversation but the details are calmly rehearsed.

   Public sentiment appears to deplore the resort to mob violence, but the consensus of opinion is that summary vengeance alone could atone for the outrage upon the life and honor of the young girl. It is generally believed that had the courts brought the murderer to speedy trial the tragedy would have been averted. The judges who had postponed action upon the case of the confessed assailant of Miss Bishop explain their action by stating that popular prejudice and indignation would have precluded the possibility of a fair trial for the culprit.

   It is not known as yet what action the state authorities will take. Governor Hunn says he will confer with Attorney General Ward. The latter made a brief statement in which he said that the state will await the result of the coroner's inquest and that every effort would be exerted to ascertain the names of the leaders.

   One arrest was made last night but the prisoner's name was not divulged by the police. It is said that state and city detectives were in the crowd and recognized some of those who participated in the burning. Other arrests, it is believed, will follow.

   During the show of resistance made by the police and the, jail officials when the mob attacked the New Castle county workhouse, Peter Smith, a 12 year old boy, was shot in the back. The bullet which struck him evidently came from a pistol in the crowd, as it is claimed by the prison warden that his guards fired over the heads of the lynchers. Smith is not expected to live.

   Another young man, whose name is unknown, was slightly injured. The only other persons known to have been hurt was a man who was kicked by White when the negro attempted to escape from his torturers, and another man who had his arm burned.

   Mrs. Bishop, mother of the murdered girl, is in a state of extreme nervousness. White was put to death within a few hundred yards of the Bishop house and the glare of the fire and howls of the mob could plainly be seen and heard at the house.

 

Booker T. Washington, American Educator.

BOOKER WASHINGTON CAN'T GO.

Declines Lord Grey's Invitation to Report on South Africa's Negroes.

   Boston, June 24.—Booker T. Washington says that his place is at Tuskegee and that he has no intention of accepting the offer of Lord Grey to go to British South Africa to undertake a similar work. At his Weymouth summer home he said:

   "One very practical reason why I cannot accept the offer is that Tuskegee needs about $100,000 a year which I have to raise. Lord Grey wanted me to examine the condition of the black people, and make a report as to what methods would increase their industrial and moral value. I considered the offer carefully, but found the task fraught with such responsibility that I have decided to reject it at this time. Some day, perhaps, I shall go, but it will be when my labors here are not so great as they are now. The blacks there represent every grade of intelligence and education, from savagery to the college graduate, but the majority of the work of advancement is being done along industrial lines."

 

Ferdinand E. Smith.

COMMENCEMENT.

The First Class to Graduate from the High School.

NINETEEN MEMBERS IN CLASS.

Fine Program of Exercises at the Opera House—Timely and Appropriate Themes for Orations—Presentation of Diplomas by Superintendent Smith—The Graduates.

   The commencement exercises of the Central high school of Cortland were held in the Opera House last evening, in the presence of a large audience, many of whom were friends of members of the graduating class.

   Seated upon the stage were the members of the board of education, the teachers of the ward schools of the city, Superintendent F. E. Smith and Rev. James Rain.

   The Opera House was decorated with palms, flags and the class colors, lavender and white, which made a pretty effect.

   Music for the evening was furnished by Darby's orchestra.

   After the invocation by Rev. Mr. Rain, pastor of the Congregational church, the first number upon the program, "The Race Question," was given by Daniel Robert Reilly. He said the negro is here to stay and because of that fact, the two races must be on friendly terms, but they must also be separate. We of the North must show frankness, charity and good will; while the South must show charity and forbearance. And the negro himself should try to be the highest type of man—that which is exemplified in one of their number, Booker T. Washington.

   Anna R. Hull spoke of "Public Libraries." The advantages of public libraries were clearly pointed out, and the need of them that it might be possible for every one to read the best literature of the day. Andrew Carnegie, who has endowed so many libraries, is a self-made man and he knows the value of them.

   "Are Strikes Justifiable?" was the subject of George D. Lucy's oration. This question naturally arises in the minds of every one. Many object to unions. But there are laws to protect organized capital. And if capital has a right to organize, why then should not labor organize? If those employed are being imposed upon, it is their duty and privilege to resist.

   Harry A. Mott spoke of the "Russian Influence in Asia." He said Russia has skillfully laid her plans to demand, in only a question of time, the entire empire of China. It, therefore, becomes the duty of the other nations to insist upon the open doors into China.

   "Cortland County and Her Great Men," by Katharine E. Townsend. She spoke of the early pioneers of Cortland county, and among her great men were such men as Samuel S. Nelson, Judge Shankland, Horatio Ballard, R. Holland Duell, Judge Alton B. Parker, Dr. James H. Hoose, Daniel S. Lamont, Nathan L. Miller of Cortland and Lewis Swift of Marathon.

   Charles J. McAleer's subject was "The Municipal Problem." He said the character and ability of a man should determine his appointment to office. On the contrary, his political power has all to do with it. It, therefore, becomes necessary to educate the people in regard to their duty in this matter.

   "Dialect in Literature," was the subject by Miss Olive N. Cogswell. She said while English is the language of the United States, yet all people do not speak good English. The dialect differs in different sections of the country. In literature every phase of existence has been pictured to us, and dialect has done much to beautify what we have read.

   The subject of Clarence E. Geer's oration was "Socialism." He brought out many good points and clearly showed that socialism with all its high ideals, is unable to equally distribute among the citizens of any country all the honors it has to bestow.

   Iva M. Barnes spoke of "The Practical in Education." The schools of today are much more practical than those of earlier times. The practical in education illustrated in every phase of school life today. The American people are a practical people, and to this may be attributed the fact that they are more open minded and better qualified to govern than other nations.

   Superintendent Smith, then in a few well chosen words, presented the graduates their diplomas. He congratulated the class upon their being the first class to graduate after the school had become a high school. He urged them to let the same spirit rule their lives which had ruled the lives of all the great men of our country, and to maintain the same high standard at the close of life, which they had won in the Central high school of Cortland.

   Benediction was pronounced by Rev. James Rain.

Graduates.

   The following is a list of the graduates from the class of 1903: Iva M. Barnes, Lillian H. Carty, Olive N. Cogswell, Minnie L. Conrad, Gertrude I. Daily, Anna R. Hull, Gentry L. Oakley, Grace F. Odell, Katharine O'Connor, Addie D. Palmer, Angie W. Pike, Katharine E. Townsend, Clarence E. Geer, Geo. D. Lucy, Henry A. Mott, Charles J. MacAleer, William F. Quinn, Daniel R. Reilly, and Ford White.

 

THE SCHOOL EXHIBIT

As Displayed at the Central School—Some Fine Work.

   There is on exhibition at the Central school at the present time, samples of the work that is being done in various departments of the city schools. The exhibit is an exceptionally fine one. The drawing charts illustrate the work that is being done in all grades from the first up to the regents' class, and it will compare very favorably with that done in any of the schools in the state. Several of the charts will be sent to the state exhibit. There are some good specimens of Japanese brush work, some fine sketches and etchings, some work done in water colors, accurate mechanical drawings, etc.

   A number of art books are exceptionally good. One of these, "Raphael and his Work,'' will be entered at the state exhibit. This is no doubt the best piece of work on exhibition. The printing is clean, clear, and easily deciphered, the work was all done by one of the pupils, Roger K. Williams, and it is a work of art.

   Many of the note books, compositions, maps, etc., are worthy of special mention. An hour can be no more profitably spent than in examining this collection.

 

THE GODDARD BŁOCK.

Contract Let to Hopkins & Hall—Work to Begin Monday.

   A. J. Goddard this afternoon let the contract for his new block on Railroad-st. to Hopkins & Hall who will begin work next Monday.

   The building will have a frontage of 86 feet and will be 90 feet deep. Some of the details of the building have already appeared in The Standard and the plans, etc., will be published later.

   Hopkins & Hall is a new firm, though neither member of it is new or strange to Cortland. The senior member is L. R. Hopkins who for years has been a prominent contractor and builder here and elsewhere. Among the buildings in this vicinity which he has erected are the Hopkins block on Main-st., the Presbyterian church and the Baptist church in Homer. Outside of Cortland he has done more work and taken larger contracts than anything that has appeared in this city. Horace W. Hall has for years been Mr. Hopkins' superintendent of mason work, and has had much experience. The two have recently formed the partnership. The fact that Hopkins & Hall are to erect the Goddard block is a guaranty that it will be well done.

 

MARRIED IN TRUXTON.

Given a Fitting Send Off by Friends in this City.

   About forty Cortland people attended the wedding of Wm. Reagan and Miss Margaret Comerford, who were married in Truxton last evening by Rev. Father Conway. Mr. and Mrs. Reagan arrived in Cortland on the morning train on the Lehigh and left on the 9:20 train on the Lackawanna for St. Louis. Quite a number of their friends were at the depot and gave them a good send off.

 

THE SAUTELLE CIRCUS

Now Touring in Maine and Drawing Big Crowds.

   The Sautelle circus is now exhibiting in the state of Maine and is drawing large crowds and, judging from the newspaper notices, is pleasing the people. At Biddeford an audience of 7,500 people was crowded into the tent seating 6,800. At Portsmouth, N. H., over 12,000 people were present at the two exhibitions. The Biddeford Journal says:

   The Signor is a great hustler and gives his personal attention to all the workings of the show. It is not uncommon to see him in any part of the grounds, supervising the work or giving orders for improvements. His men say he is a stickler for having things always neat and orderly.

   At Webster, Mass., a few days ago, the circus struck a furious wind and rain storm which wrecked the menagerie tent and prevented a performance. A new tent had to be procured.

 

BREVITIES.

   —The class graduated from the Binghamton high school yesterday numbered 79.

   —Normal class day exercises will be held in Normal hall tomorrow afternoon at 2 o'clock,

   —A regular review of the L. O. T. M. will he held tomorrow night at 7:30 o'clock. A large attendance is desired.

   —The Dilger-Cornell repertoire comedy company will open a week's engagement at the Opera House next Monday night.

   —The annual business meeting of the Normal Alumni association will be held in Room 215, Normal building, tomorrow afternoon at 3:30 o'clock.

   —A little German band has been about the city for a couple of days serenading different private houses as well at public places, and passing the hat.

   —The twelfth annual reception of the different fraternities of the Normal school to the alumni and friends occurs in the Normal parlors this evening.

   —The new display advertisements today are—G. H. Wiltsie, Special mid-summer clearance sale, page 8; J. A. Keenan, Painting, paper hanging, etc., page 5.

 

NEGRO LYNCHED, POST OFFICE FRAUDS, GERMANY BARS OUR APPLES, SEA LION ESCAPING, COLLEGE GRADS, AND A BOLD HOLDUP

 

George White.

Cortland Evening Standard, Tuesday, June 23, 1903.

NEGRO WHITE LYNCHED.

Man Accused of Killing Helen Bishop Burned at Stake.

FOUR OF MOB SHOT BY GUARDS.

Two Thousand Men Attacked the County Workhouse and Were Resisted by the Guards, First With Guns and Then With a Stream of Water But Without Avail.

   Wilmington, Del., June 23.—A mob of a couple of thousand men last night broke into the county workhouse bent on lynching George White, the negro who was held on a charge of assaulting and killing Helen Bishop.

   The guards defended the place and a boy and a man, members of the mob, were shot and slightly injured.

   The guards played a strong stream of water from a hose into the crowd, which stubbornly held its ground and declared they would get the negro.

   The negro was taken from the workhouse by the mob who started with him for Price's Corner, the scene of the assault and murder. The mob cut all wires leading to Wilmington, which is five miles from the workhouse, so that no information could be sent out.

   The mob excitedly announced when they had possession of the negro that they would burn him to death at Price's Corners.

   There was quite a fusillade for a time between the mob and guards. Four members of the mob are said to have been shot, but in the confusion it was impossible to obtain names except that it is known that Peter Smith, aged 17, was shot in the back.

   So far as is known no one of the guards was injured.

   The negro was taken to the scene of the crime. He there confessed to having assaulted the girl. He was then burned to the stake and his 'body riddled with bullets.

   The coroner's inquest was held yesterday but the authorities fearing that harm would befall the negro he was not taken from the workhouse, and the inquest was proceeded with without his presence. The verdict of the jury was that Miss Bishop came to her death "from the effects of an assault committed upon her by one George White, a negro."

 

Eugene F. Loud.

POSTOFFICE FRAUDS.

Sensational Charges Made by the Washington Post.

PURCHASE OF LETTER DEVICES.

Second Order For 10,000 Placed Although First Order of 7,000 Were Not Used—Post Says Ex-Congressman Loud Was Active In Pressing the Device on the Department.

   Washington, June 23.—The Post says that among the' matters which Fourth Assistant Postmaster General Bristow is investigating is the purchase from a California company, the Postal Device and Improvement company, of some 17,000 letter devices for indicating the hours of collection of mail. The invention is that of the postmaster at San Francisco, it is said.

   It is also said that 7,000 of these devices originally were ordered at a cost of $4 or more each, or a profit of 100 per cent on cost, and the allegation is made that a further order for 10,000 more was placed notwithstanding the original 7,000 devices were not used but were reposing in a storehouse.

   The company controlling the device was largely made up of California postal employees and the Post says that it is informed ex-Representative Loud of California, former chairman of the house postoffice committee, took an active part in their behalf and wrote several letters urging the device in the department, and in one of them said it would be an accommodation to him if the matter was attended to.

   After the company had difficulty in securing its money for the device, Mr. Loud, the Post says, appeared at the department in its behalf, but specifically disclaimed any interest in the company other than that it was composed of his constituents.

   During his recent visit to this city, Mr. Loud, on certain of his visits to the department, took up some of these unpaid bills, making it plain, however, that he appeared only in behalf of constituents and not as one financially interested in the company.

   The allegation was made, the Post says, that $45,000 of the deficiency of $105,000 in the free delivery service with which Mr. Machen is charged, was due to purchase of the device in question, but at the postoffice department this was denied and the statement made that while the matter was under investigation the complaint might have been reactionary and intended against the investigation.

 

PAGE FOUR—EDITORIALS.

Germany Bars Our Apples.

   The new tariff law of Germany, which will go into effect as soon as certain treaties have been made which must be negotiated in order to avoid complications that would arise under the new law, provides that between Sept. 1 and Feb 7 no apples shall be shipped into Germany in packages, boxes or barrels, or in any form except in bulk. This bars the crops of the United States and Australia. This country had begun to ship apples abroad profitably, and there was every expectation that the trade would develop this year and next to large proportions. If the new German tariff law should suddenly be put in force this summer American apples would have to go elsewhere.

   Germany is a good market, as her own supply is always scant, and England is being supplied in great part from her colonies. The Germans expect by the new law to let in apples from France, Holland, Denmark, and other nearby countries from which they can be shipped in bulk. The hard winter varieties can be shoveled into schooners, canal boats and barges, and even into the hold of a steamship and taken into Germany in a condition fit to go on the market with some care in sorting.

   Mr. Taylor of the division of pomology of the agricultural department, who has for several years had charge of the problems connected with sending fresh fruits abroad and has the facts and conditions of the world's fruit supply and market at his fingers' ends, has had the question of meeting the German law under consideration for several months. He believes American apple men should not abandon the idea of shipping to the German market just yet. It is barely possible that apples can be dumped into cold storage compartments on a trans-Atłantic steamer and shoveled onto the other side as handily as the Dutch and the French can perform the same operations in canal barges or sailing vessels. At any rate, the experiment will be tried. The idea of shipping in packages to be put in bulk form on the other side and sent into Germany has been considered. The difficulty of arranging invoices so as to fit this process seems likely to prevent its use. Actual shipment in bulk seems to be the only course that will work.

 

Hot and Long Summer Expected.

   Few persons, truly remarks the Albany Journal, save such as derive  pleasure from an opportunity to exclaim, "I told you so," will be pleased with the continuous performance that has been given by Jupiter Pluvius for about two weeks. When the drought that had afflicted the northeastern section of the United States was broken at last, the prediction was freely made that in a very short time there would be so copious a rainfall that the hope for relief from saturation would become as strong as was the hope for rainfall while the drought prevailed. Even the farmers and gardeners can see no good in continued rainfall. The ground is thoroughly saturated, even where it was driest, and what is needed more than anything else to make things grow is warm sunshine.

   Mr. Dunn, the weather observer stationed at New York, believes that higher temperature will come soon, and will remain with us for a long time. He expects to see the mercury in the 90's before this week is out, and he looks for a very hot and a very long summer. He bases his expectations on the well established fact that nature always within periods of moderate length establishes a normal average of temperature and precipitation. The excessive rainfall of the present month has gone far toward making up the previously existing deficiency, and it is reasonable to expect that temperatures above the average will come in July and August to make up the deficiency in temperature that now exists.

 

Prof. William M. Booth, Science Dept., Cortland Normal School.

CLOCK FOR PROF. BOOTH

Of the Old Dutch Style Presented by the Cortland Normal Students.

   Immediately after chapel exercises at the Normal this morning the student body presented Prof. Wm. M. Booth, who finishes his work as head of the science department this year, with a fine old Dutch clock. The presentation was made by George Hewett in behalf of the students, in a few well chosen words, in which he mentioned the regret with which the students learned that Prof. Booth was to leave and their wishes for his continued success.

   Prof. Booth responded briefly, thanking the students for their remembrance, which he said was entirely unexpected. He said the students have been a help and support to him. If he had any one thing to say in leaving it would be to urge them to couple with their energy, intelligence and perseverance.

   The clock which stands 6 1/2 feet high is a very handsome one. The frame is of solid oak, weathered finish, the face of selected quartered oak, and the dial numbers and pendulum weight of solid polished brass. The clock is 18 inches in width and 14 inches deep. It strikes the hours and half hours on a fine cathedral gong. The pendulum is 42 inches long. It is a fine present and one that will be useful and will be appreciated by Prof. and Mrs. Booth for many years.

 

Toughnioga River near Marathon, N. Y.

 

California sea lion.

SEA LION ESCAPING.

Has Already Passed Binghamton in the Susquehanna.

MANY ARE WATCHING FOR HIM.

Efforts to Capture Him at Messengerville—Binghamtonians Thought They Could Not See Straight—Net Across the River—Word Sent on in Advance to Watch Out For the Animal.

   The two sea lions which came from California a few weeks ago to add to the attractions of the Floral Trout park of Cortland now owned and conducted by Jack Boone do not seem to be very stable property. Within two or three days from the time they were deposited in the Trout ponds they had made their escape and were overtaken near the Tioughnioga river upwards of a mile away where they seemed to be looking for larger waters. They were restored to the ponds and have since escaped again and again till the word of their escape became a chestnut. Each time, however, they have been recovered till a week ago or so when only one was secured and the other started down the Tioughnioga.

   Near Messengerville he was seen and efforts were made to capture him. But the lion was crafty. Each time he would advance toward the bait till he had nearly reached it and then with a sniff would turn tail and dart away. Then he was lost sight of. Yesterday he was discovered in the Chenango river at Binghamton, and was traced into the Susquehanna [river] at that city where he again disappeared. The Binghamton Republican of this morning tells the story as follows:

Fermented Moisture.

   People who were crossing the Court and Ferry-st. bridges, a few minutes after 7 o'clock yesterday morning wondered whether they really saw something, or whether they had been dabbling with a new brand of fermented moisture.

   What they thought they saw was a sea lion, disporting himself in the river, as he rapidly floated down the Chenango. Inasmuch as sea lions are not in the habit of sporting in that stream, several of the witnesses of the strange creature were for a time thrown back on the whiskey theory.

   But when they had compared notes, and found that they all saw the strange thing in the same manner, hope revived; and they began to be certain that they really had seen something, instead of seeing things, and "having 'em again."

   But the strange animal had floated down the Chenango and into the Susquehanna before the spectators ''came to" sufficiently to be sure of themselves. Then they began to think about trying to capture the animal; but it was too late.

   After the surprise of the occurrence had worn off, people remembered that they had read in the papers about a week ago about the escape of two sea lions from a private park at Cortland, where they were held in captivity. One of the animals was captured just before it got into the Tioughnioga river, to which it had nearly made its way. The other one succeeded in reaching the river, and escaped.

   It was thought, however, that it would be possible to easily capture the animal; but this was found to be no easy task.

Net Across the River.

   When it was found that the lion was making his way down the river, an alarm was sent down stream, and a wire netting was stretched across the stream near Chenango Forks. It was thought when be reached this obstruction the animal would either be turned back, or else it would be possible to catch him.

   The rains of the past few days have brought the Susquehanna and Chenango rivers up several feet. It is thought that the high water permitted the sea lion to swim over the net some time during Sunday night. After passing that point, he evidently decided that he would lose no time in his journey toward the Chesapeake.

   An alarm was sent from this city to the Casino, Union and other places west of here. At 9 o'clock two employees at the Casino saw a strange animal swimming down the river near the south shore. It was not until after the animal had passed, that they learned about the lion.

Headed for the Chesapeake.

   It was reported during the day that attempts were made to capture the lion at different places below this city. But according to the latest reports, he was still making good time toward the Chesapeake, which he ought to reach in less than a week at the rate that he swam through Broome county.

   Last evening The Republican received the following telegram from the Cortland man who owned the lion:

   "Is sea lion captured? My property. Liberal reward for capture. Answer. Jack Boone."

   It was necessary to inform Mr. Boone that his lion was still at large on the raging Susquehanna.

   It might be well for people between this city and the Chesapeake, who have a good eye for the sea lion and rewards, to keep them open, and try and relieve Mr. Boone's anxiety in regard to his fractious pet.

 

GRADUATED FROM COLLEGE.

A Number of Cortland Young Men Complete Full Courses.

   An unusually large number of Cortland county young men are now in college in different institutions of learning, and a considerable number of them are just completing their courses. Mention has already been made of the Cortland graduates from Cornell.

   Tomorrow T. H. Wickwire, Jr., will be graduated from Yale university. Arthur Robinson of Marathon is one of the graduates from Princeton. Clyde T. Griswold and John M, Hinds of Cortland and Earl S. Wooster of Homer are among the graduates from Amherst. Ancil D. Brown of Freetown and Archibald Lindsey of Cortland are graduated from Syracuse university. Samuel B. Howe, Jr., of Schenectady, a graduate of the Normal is one of the graduates from Union college.

 

A BOLD HOLD UP

Perpetrated on the Hill West of Cincinnatus, N. Y.

A YOUNG BOY WAS THE VICTIM.

An Unknown With a Revolver Stopped Him—No Money at Hand so Boy Fled—Posse Organized to Search for Highwayman but Bird Had Flown, Though Traces Remained.

   West Hill, Cincinnatus, June 22.—A bold hołd up was attempted and carried out on this road Friday evening, just at dusk, by an unknown individual. Thomas Shippey was returning from Cincinnatus, where he had been to do some trading. He was accosted by a hard looking chap in front of the unoccupied house known as the Jimmy Harvey farm. This is an isolated spot well adapted to unlawful deeds. The fellow drew a revolver at the young lad and demanded "hands up, money or life." The boy who is only 15 years old was very badly scared, but he succeeded in convincing the highwayman that he had spent his last cent for a pair of new boots. As the man wanted money or nothing he returned to the house, where he had evidently located for the night. The boy was too well scared to stop running until completely tired out.

   He told his story to C. L. Doran, a nearby farmer, who at once procured a gun and with the boy organized a posse of well armed and determined men in the neighborhood with Deputy Sheriff Floyd Smith of Cincinnatus as leader. They surrounded the house. Deputies Wight and Doran were backed by a half dozen volunteers with orders to stop anyone trying to run the lines at any cost. The house was then rushed by Sheriff Smith backed by Officers Edwards and Stephen. But the bird had flown and, though a thorough search was made, only a few signs of the departed highwayman could be found. Deputy Sheriff Smith is making as thorough a search as can well be made with the meager description given by a very scared boy.

 

BREVITIES.

   —There will be a regular meeting of the L. C. B. A. tomorrow evening.

   —There will be a meeting of the A. O. U. W. tonight in Vesta lodge rooms at 8 p. m.

   —Cortland chapter, No. 194, R. A. M., will hołd a regular convocation Wednesday evening at 7 o'clock for transaction of business.

   —All pupils of the public schools may obtain their county fair tickets at Assembly hall in the Central school tomorrow afternoon at 1 o'clock.

   —The twelfth annual reception of the several fraternities of the Normal school to the alumni and friends will be held in the Normal parlors tomorrow evening.

   —The new display advertisements today are—M. A. Case, Suit sale, page 6; A. Mahan, Pianos sale, page 6; Bingham & Miller, Surprising prices on summer suits, straw hats, etc., page 8.