Smash the Coal Monopoly

The Cortland News, Friday, August 1, 1884.

CORTLAND AND VICINITY.

   The trustees of the village have lately ordered 16 oil lamps for streets on which there is no gas, and 12 lanterns and 2 torches for firemen's use.

   The digging of the water-works trenches, the laying of pipes and establishing of hydrants is progressing very rapidly. The foul condition of the water in the earth, as discovered by the company, shows that this village cannot adopt and put in execution a system of sewerage any too soon for the health of the inhabitants.

   Many of our citizens went to Ithaca last Saturday and attended Barnum's show. It was even better than they expected to see, and therefore all felt more than repaid. The tent was well filled, and the day passed without a storm visiting the city, but near 3 o'clock the mutterings of thunder were heard and people from this vicinity thought seriously of the Cortland cyclone.

   Those of our citizens (and we presume this includes all), who desire to pay no higher prices for coal than people do who live forty miles farther from the mines, can help to bring about that desirable result by going into one of the village stores and putting down their names and the number of tons they require, A dollar or more per ton can be saved by so doing. Don't wait but go at once. It is for your benefit.

   For years past the people of this vicinity have had to pay over a dollar per ton for coal more than the people of Syracuse — 36 miles farther from the mines. An effort is now being made to break up this monopoly, and a committee of citizens are circulating papers for signatures to an agreement to take a certain number of tons within six months from August 10 next, with the understanding that if [12,000?] tons are ordered the Elmira, Cortland & Northern R. R. Co. will supply coal at Syracuse prices. Every citizen is interested, and we trust that all will sign the agreement and thus "smash the monopoly." The committee consist of H. L. Bronson, C. W.  Collins, C. P. Walrad, E. H. Brewer, Theo. Stevenson, L. D. Garrison.

   Col. Place says he will have a martial band for the Blaine and Logan Club that will wake the echoes of the campaign, thrill the patriotic blood of our sleeping citizens, stir into activity the straggling steps of all lovers of their country, set English Independent bulldogs to barking at protection yet more loudly, make Irish-Americans feel yet more strongly that the Republican party has ever been the only American friend to Ireland, and finally—to come to legitimate business—that will call out the faithful on the nights of meeting. Oh, the Colonel can make the Democrats howl !  And we, as chairman of the committee on campaign funds, hope that he will so rouse the enthusiasm of our wealthy men that they will respond liberally to the call of said committee for that which is the fundamental principle of all campaigns—money.

   Work has been commenced on a roller skating rink located on Wm. R. Randall's land, a few rods south of the Messenger House [South Main Street--CC ed.]. It will be 206x76 feet outside, the floor for skating to be 188x56. Seats will be placed on both sides of the rink floor, with a passage way in the rear. The joists for the floor will be sunk to their depth in the ground, so that the floor will rest on the ground, thus preventing all noise. Rooms for the convenience of skaters will be placed at the ends of the building. When done it will in all respects be a model rink. Messrs. Burnett Miller, John Wilson and Abram Schermerhorn are the gentlemen interested therein.

   Three drinking fountains are to be located on Main street—one at the junction of Clinton avenue, one at Court street and one at the post-office corner. They should be ornamental to a certain extent, but to have them so will cost a little something more than the Water-Works Company are willing to pay. We feel quite sure that our public-spirited, beauty-loving citizens will respond liberally if some one will take the initiative step in the matter.

 

THE INJURED by the WHIRLWIND.

   We believe that all lovers of honor, generosity and manliness will agree with us that the conduct of Barnum, Bailey & Hutchinson, in the matter of those injured at the time of their exhibition here, is deserving warm commendation. Through their agents, Messrs A. P. Smith and John Courtney, Esqs., they have fully carried out their intention to take care of the wounded in all respects. Of those residing out of town and too seriously wounded to be at once removed they have paid their board bills; they pay physicians' fees, loss of wages, besides various amounts for inconvenience arising from the injuries.

   Thus far they have settled with the following persons: Vincent Hicks, Adelbert Tarbell, Matthew Marley, J. Davis, Mr. Smith, Jas. Sheridan, Lyman Olmstead, M. B. Hulbert, Asa Gates, Chas. Schultz, Mrs. Sarah Scott, Mrs. Ransford Palmer, Mrs. J. D. Gilmore, Mrs. M. Wadsworth, Mrs. H. Keele, Mrs. Owen, Mrs. George Sherman, and Miss Adams.

   No claims for damages have been entertained. The moment that was done no further attention was given to the claimant. One person slightly injured was offered twenty dollars. He had a larger sum in his mind, and after consultation with an attorney he returned and said that he must have two hundred dollars. Mr. Hutchinson told him to get that attorney to collect it for him; that he should pay him nothing—and he didn't. At last accounts he had not collected the claim.

   Claims have been made by various persons for damage to wearing apparel, loss of gloves, handkerchiefs, etc., but it is needless to say that they excited only ridicule.

   The injured are rapidly recovering, and all are beyond danger.

 

COMMUNICATION.

CORTLAND, N. Y., July 29, 1884.

Friend Kinney*:

   In behalf of the "Fresh Air Children" I wish to return sincere thanks to all our citizens who entertained them or in any way contributed to their happiness while amongst us. We opened our hearts and our homes and welcomed them. Two weeks have passed quickly away and in that time we have received 172 children, made them cheerful and happy and sent them on their way rejoicing.

   No accident or sickness prevented their return. Every one was on hand on time, each with smiling face, each bearing some token of love on their homeward journey. In blessing them we have ourselves been blessed, and many of us were sad at parting with these little friends we had learned to love so well. Their two weeks' visit with us will be remembered by them as one of the bright spots in their lives, while many of us have realized in the two weeks passed the truth of that saying, "It is more blessed to give than to receive."

Yours truly,

H. M. KELLOGG.

* F. C. Kinney was editor and proprietor of The Cortland News.