This Speaks for Itself

The Cortland News, Friday, March 7, 1884.

This Speaks for Itself.

 

CORTLAND, N. Y., Feb. 23, 1884.

   To the Chief and the Officers and the Members of the Fire Department of Homer,

N. Y.:

   GENTLEMEN: In advance of the meeting of our trustees, which will not be until next week, I, in the name of the officers and members of the Fire Department of Cortland, thank you, first, for your prompt and timely aid at the last two fires; secondly, for your gentlemanly demeanor and heroic efforts; thirdly, for the cheerful manner and good grace that characterized your every effort to stay the progress of the greatest conflagration in the history of our beautiful village; fourthly, I will take the liberty of thanking you in the name of the citizens of Cortland who are making the very air fragrant with the praises of the firemen of Homer. I believe that I need not assure you that the Cortland department is not the least jealous of our citizens' praises of you, for we know that a people who are sensitive to your friendly touch will not forget their own; and we assure you that, at a very early day, we will share with you the honors, not in battling the fiery elements, but in a brotherly act, where the clasped hand and social smile will take the place of the stern and sad visage that all wore at our last meeting. I am, gentlemen, very respectfully,

Your obedient servant,

M. F. CLEARY,

Chief Engineer C. F. D.

 

 

$1,460 for Two Policemen.

   THE NEWS is opposed to fooling away $1,460 for two policemen, and this is why: Two policemen will be of no practical utility. We don’t need them, except to watch for fire-bugs; and what could two men do in that line? Where shall two men be stationed to protect our exposed buildings? Then two men don't permit a relay. To be effective they must guard us nights. We can take care of ourselves day-times. Our fires happen nights. What can two men do in a village of this size watching, though they were argus-eyed? If we are going to have a police force, let it be a force worthy of the name. Have enough at least to wake each other up when they fall asleep on the leeward side of a warm boiler, and are in danger of being roasted alive by a fire set right under their noses.

   No, $1,000 invested in the capture and conviction of one “firebug" would give us much more protection than $1,460 in two policemen. If anything, let us have night watchmen, and at least four of them.

 

“Public Clock.”

   The cheekiest joke that has been attempted upon the people of this village is the proposition to tax them sixty dollars for lighting that imitation of an opaque moon, styled a clock, which ornaments the Squires block [old clocktower—CC ed.], in the Virgil portion [South Main Street—CC ed.] of this village. What sort of excuse would any voter north of Court street make for voting affirmatively? It is of no utility north of that point. Then why should anybody south or east or west of the said block care even for its existence? They don't know it is there only by hearsay, unless they have proven it by coming up to get a glimpse of its single dial. The thing don't even strike. Better take the sixty dollars and buy lubricating oil to turn once a week over the old town clock, for we can hear that if we don't see it. The blessed old thing tells us when to get up, when to go to dinner, and when to go to bed, while Squires' "public clock" don't tell anybody anything, unless you get squarely in front of it and not over ten rods off. We doubt it the people have any shekels aching to be sacrificed for that ornamental "public" clock.

 

CORTLAND AND VICINITY.

   It will be seen that the usual appropriation for winding the town clock in the Presbyterian church is not among the items of the budget of village expenses. This is because that duty belongs to engineer Heher to perform and costs nothing extra.

   Homer's charter election will be held next Tuesday, the 11th. The amount called for by appropriation is $10,792.25, $6,000 of which (in conjunction with

$4,000 to be furnished by the town) is for an engine house, town hall, etc.

   Seventeen policemen of Homer have organized as protective police, and have been accepted as such by the trustees. The officers are: Homer D. Call, captain; Oscar A. Babcock, lieutenant; Geo. W. Fisher, secretary and treasurer.

   At a trial of the new fire well in Homer last week a cistern holding 10,000 gallons was filled in twenty-one minutes by the steamer with water from the well, which is 135 feet in depth. A resolution calling for $500 for more wells is to be voted upon at the charter election.

   Old papers for sale at this office. No carpet should be put down without the floor being covered with paper.

   The prohibition amendment was lost in the Assembly by a vote of 63 to 61. Assemblyman Kneeland voted aye.

   The Cortland correspondent of the Marathon Independent will get his head punched if he does not cease calling L. D. Garrison "Levi." That is, he would, were we L. D. G.

   Mr. A. E. Seymour objects to THE NEWS prefixing "Rev." to his name, and says he is not that kind of a man. We have much respect for Mr. Seymour, who is a young man of superior talents and an orator of fine ability, and as he possesses an irreproachable character, we promise not to do so any more.

 

Cortland Water-Works.

   The citizens of this village will, on the 18th, among other propositions, have an opportunity to vote whether the Cortland Water-Works Company shall be permitted to put up forty hydrants for fire purposes. We desire to call the attention of voters to the advantages accruing from the system to be put in operation.

   The mains will be run on Court, Port Watson, Tompkins, Reynolds avenue, Prospect, Union, North and South Main, Lincoln avenue, Church, Railroad, Elm,

Greenbush, Grant, Groton avenue and other streets, and the hydrants and three drinking fountains placed as the trustees may direct. The cost of the hydrants will be $2,000, which includes the use of the water for one year. The village is bound for no longer time. Future use depends on action at future elections. But of course it is expected that the great benefits derived from the abundant supply of water will Induce the corporation to continue its use.

   The Company propose to lay five and one-half miles of pipe at first, and to extend as demand will warrant. The mains laid at once will cover about nineteen-twentieths of the value of corporation property, and supply three-fourths of the inhabitants should they choose to use the water. The rates will be as low at least as in any village of its size, and perhaps lower.

   The economic influence of waterworks on insurance is large. The schedule of standard rates of insurance and deficiency charges adopted by the national board of underwriters is as follows: For standard cities having gravity waterworks, gas for lights, coal for fuel, etc., the insurance basis rate is 25 cents. For deficiency charges, add as follows: If no water supply, 15 cents—equal to 60 per cent.

   As a means of preserving health, the system is simply invaluable. As a matter of convenience, its benefits are endless. We feel confident that our people will be wise and order by an unmistakable majority the hydrants and fountains.