FARMERS' CLUB DISCUSSES ROAD BUILDING AND TAX

The Cortland Democrat, Friday, January 28, 1887.

Cortland County Farmers’ Club.

   The attendance was good and considerable interest was shown in the subject for discussion, "Road making."

   President Blodgett produced the following letter which he had received:

   HOMER, N Y., Jan. 17, 1887.

   Mr. A. D. BLODGETT, President of Farmers Club:

   I have been an interested reader for a number of years of the reports of your club. Every farmer ought to be eager to learn something new every day. We ought to get some hints from the discussions at your meetings that will be of practical benefit to us farmers.

   I notice the subject of road making is to be continued at your next meeting. This is certainly a very interesting topic. It is a matter that concerns everybody.  I favor the plan of paying the tax into the hands of some competent person in each district, have him go over the road as often as once in two weeks, remove all loose stones, fill up the holes and keep the middle of the road a little the highest. There is a real pleasure in riding over a smooth road, and I think a good road costs us far less than a poor one.

   Between my farm and Homer village there is a rock in the road. I have said to myself when I have been riding along, that stone has damaged light buggies and cutters to the amount of fifty dollars, still, nobody is interested enough to dig it out. I hope, Mr. President, the members of the club all feel interested in the road question. I, for one, am anxious for a reform in this matter. I would like to see some legislative action taken in the matter if necessary.

   Most truly yours,

   CHARLES H. FAIRBANKS

   Mr. Barnes: If the whole town is taxed to build the country roads, it would seem an injustice to a village like Cortland.

   Mr. Crandall: The roads as worked under the supervision of a pathmaster are very unsatisfactory. The tax could easily be adjusted. I have seen roads worked by town tax, and as a rule they are superior to our present ones.

   Mr. Calvert: I think it might be difficult to keep the roads open in winter under such a system.

   Mr. Harmon: I think the road scraper has been very beneficial to our district.

   Mr. Beach: In Pennsylvania the roads are worked by tax and the corporations are excepted.

   Mr. Greene: Some of the townships in Pennsylvania still follow the old system.

   Mr. Dart: I think it would be better to have a competent man to supervise the working of roads. Am in favor of wider road beds and grading with stone and gravel, rather than the muds from the roadside.

   Mr. Calvert: I am not in favor of the wheel road scraper; it tends to bring in the dirt which makes mud.

   Mr. Ballard: In Massachusetts the tax system is successful.

   Mr. Beach: I can see no way but our village roads should be overseen by our regular town commissioners.

   Mr. Crandall: Corporations are liable for their own expenses and they can vote to repair their road as much as they choose.

   Pres. Blodgett: There is a certain part of our population paying no tax that vote with as much power as them who pay the taxes.

   Mr. Greene: The question arises: "For whom are the roads built?" Every one, rich or poor, has a right to the roads and to certain extent should be able to express their wishes as to the condition they are to be kept in. The liberty all have to vote may not be wholly unjust.

   Pres. Blodgett: I get some good hints from eastern agricultural papers.

   Club adjourned to meet again in two weeks, Saturday, Feb. 5, in Union Hall. The subject of "road making" will be continued and 'taxpayer" and those who signed the petition are requested to come in and give their views. The next subject to be taken up is: "Duties of our farmers as citizens."

Cortland, Saturday, Jan. 23.

C. M. BEAN, Sec'y.

Two Sides to a Story.

   On New Years' night a party numbering twenty-three, mostly students from the Normal school in a carryall drove up to Gay's Hotel at 8 o'clock in the evening, and asked for accommodations. Landlord Gay having been up all the night previous, had retired, but with his accustomed good nature immediately opened his whole house, ball room as well as sitting rooms for the merry party. Some of the party wishing to dance, Orrin Hutchings was sent for, and within an hour was on hand with his violin. A small part of the company joined in the dance, but all enjoyed themselves with games and sports.

   In the meantime Mrs. Gay prepared a most bountiful supper. Before twelve o'clock they settled promptly all bills including Orrin's and generously insisted that it was much less than they had paid but a short time previous for much poorer accommodations. They then left happily and merrily intending to soon repeat the visit.

THE OTHER SIDE

of this pleasant picture is one of pure cussedness. Some shyster correspondent of the Syracuse Sunday Times to make a sensational item entirely distorted the facts—in short, lied out of whole [oath]—to the injury of Mr. Gay and the slander of those participating.

   It was two weeks before anything came to his knowledge of this slanderous report, and even now he has been unable to obtain a copy of the paper. There was no boisterousness in the party, no drinking, no disputing of the bills, no lack of funds in the party to pay the same. No washing of the dishes by the girls, no remarks by landlord Gay reflecting in the least on any of the party or any of their doings. We have been informed that these points were made and enlarged upon to the annoyance of the parties coming and to the detriment pecuniarily [sic] of Mr. Gay.

THE FACTS

are as stated in the first clause, which would justify Mr. Gay in bringing suit for libel on the correspondent. While he desires mention of occurrences at his hotel, he will not again submit to a downright falsehood like the above. Remember George Washington and the hatchet, but if you must lie do it like— ULI SLICK.

Little York, Jan'y 27, '87.

HERE AND THERE.

   Prof. Bristol, with a troupe of trained horses, ponies and mules, will appear in the Cortland Opera House April 18th, 19th and 20th.

   M. W. Conger has leased the Empire House in Tully to a Mr. Tinker, of Willet, for a term of five years. Possession given April 1st next.

   Hon W. D. Tisdale has introduced a bill in the Assembly authorizing the Cortland Opera House company to issue bonds for $12,000 to settle an indebtedness.

   A valuable setter dog has accepted the hospitality of Mr. John B. Graham, in this village. The owner can have him by proving property and paying charges.

   Cornelius McGuire, of Solon, was sent to the Onondaga Penitentiary last Saturday morning for 120 days for assaulting Mrs. Chapin, said to be eighty five years old.

   A large audience attended the performance of "Mugg's Landing," in the Opera house, last Thursday evening. The performance was satisfactory in every particular.

   Manager Rood has secured the following attractions for the Opera House: Friday evening, Feb 4th, Louise Aldrich in "My Partner;" Monday evening, Feb. 7th, Barlow Bros. and Frost’s Minstrels; Thursday evening, Feb. 10th, "Lights ‘O London;" Saturday evening, Feb. 12th, "Little Tycoon."

   The Knights of Labor of Homer will give their first annual ball in Keator Opera  House, Monday evening, Feb. 21st, 1887. Music by Daniels' full orchestra. Dance tickets 50 cts. Supper will be served at the Hotel Windsor. The committee in charge will spare no pains to make the occasion an enjoyable one.

   Last Thursday an accident happened to the train due here at 2:40 P. M. from Canastota, on the E. C. & N road. The train was drawn by two engines and was running thirty-five miles an hour when the rear trucks of the passenger car dropped out, letting the car down on the track. After being dragged a short distance the forward trucks broke down, and the car was dragged some twenty-five or thirty rods when the coupling broke, leaving the car on the track. The passengers were considerably shaken up, but, fortunately, no one was injured. The car was badly damaged.

   The Brewery Hill gang undertook to run Geo. Straat's saloon in Homer, last Saturday evening. The proprietor and Patsey Kinney were assaulted, and the gang have since been arrested.

   The roadway in the vicinity of the bridge over Cold brook, in the town of Homer, is covered by two feet of water, caused by an ice jam. It was thought on Wednesday that the bridge would go out.

   Lewis Chapman, Fred Hicks and Mrs. Delia Reynolds, of Homer, were arrested on Tuesday, charged with willfully and wrongfully outraging public decency. The hearing is to take place to-day.

   Hugh McGuckin, of Summer Hill, who was found guilty of sending obscene letters through the mails at the recent Auburn Term, was sentenced at Albany, last week, to one year in the Erie Penitentiary.

   We are requested to state that the question of making the proposed change in the system of working highways, as published in the DEMOCRAT of a recent date, will not be submitted to the electors at the ensuing town meeting, owing to the fact that certain legal obstacles stand in the way.

   Mrs. Nellie Davis, of Homer, was arrested last Tuesday for creating a disturbance in the classic precincts of Brewery Hill, in that village. Officer Shirley landed her in the coop after a severe tussle. Enoch Rood interfered in her behalf, and was locked up and paid Justice Stone a fine of $7.65, and thus escaped going to jail.

   A public installation of officers and the second annual dance of St. Bernard Lodge, K of P., took place in Taylor Opera House, last Thursday evening. Capt W. B. Randal, of Syracuse, gave an excellent address on the principles of the order. District Deputy Grand Chancellor Ferguson and staff, and delegates from Syracuse division, uniform rank, were present. An excellent supper was served at the Arnold House. The installation services were very interesting, and the dance that followed was hugely enjoyed by a large party of Knights and their friends.

Town of Homer history and pathmasters: http://www.townofhomer.org/history/1800s.htm