CORTLAND'S ANTI-SALOON PARTY, VIRGIL NEWS AND MARGARET DEXTER'S LAWSUIT

The Cortland Democrat, Friday, December 9, 1887.

[Editorials/Page Two]

   It was a little singular that the State Committee of the Anti-Saloon party should send its call for a State Convention to the Monitor, the Prohibition organ in this village, for publication, instead of the Standard, whose editor only a year or so ago was the chief fugleman of the Anti-Saloonists in this county. Another singular part of the proceeding was the fact that the call was accompanied by a letter inquiring the name of the chairman of the Republican County Committee.

   This shows pretty plainly, what no one has ever seriously doubted, that the Anti-Saloon party is an organization gotten up by the Republicans solely for the purpose of breaking up the Prohibitionists, who for the past three or four years have refused to be fooled by the Republicans. For want of proper leaders and any principles whatever, the Anti-Saloon party has failed to materialize. You can't very well send a man to join a new party without going with him yourself, and if no one joins, the new party is liable to come to grief for want of membership.

   It is impossible to be a rabid Republican and an Anti-Saloonist at the same time. What the new party needs is votes, and that is something that no Republican proposes to furnish. The Republicans propose to have the Prohibitionists furnish the votes, but the proposition is respectfully declined with thanks. The disguise adopted by our Republican friends is entirely too thin, and the Anti-Saloon party will hardly make a ripple in the political history of the State.

   The Syracuse Standard has been lecturing the party ever since election on the necessity of throwing Tom Platt overboard. It maintains that the fact that Platt managed the last campaign cost the Republican party many votes and caused its defeat. It is undoubtedly true that many Republicans refused to vote because Platt was known to control the party, but there was another cause for apathy among the better class of Republicans which the Standard does not mention, and that was the nomination of Jas. J. Belden for Congress.

   While he managed to secure a very large majority in the district, his nomination hurt the party in every other county in the State. Hundreds of honest men refused to identify themselves with a party that would nominate a man with such a reputation. It is not at all fair for the Standard to lay the entire blame of defeat upon the shoulders of Tom Platt, whose reputation is certainly no worse than Belden’s.

   When the party throws Tom Platt overboard it will have done no more than half what it ought to do. Let the chief of the Canal Ring follow "Me Too," and the party will be in a fair way to begin business again.

VIRGIL, N. Y.

   The body of Mr. Zachariah Price, an old resident of this town, was brought here for burial last week, of whom a further notice will be given.

   The M. E. Sunday School are contemplating observing Christmas with appropriate exercises with local talent, and some foreign novelties is expected, of which due notice will be given.

   Mr. Dell Darn, of this place, commenced his school in the G. F. Weiler district, Harford, last week and reports a very pleasant opening. The school house has been newly repaired and everything in good shape. Mr. Darn has had good success as a teacher here and will doubtless sustain the judgment of the trustee, Mr. Henry Walker, in giving him the position.

   The Good Templar entertainment on Friday evening was a success. The Virgil Brass Band were present and furnished some excellent music.

   The band have passed through some internal discord, at one time disbanding, but is now reorganized and are doing well with the following list of membership and pieces: C. L. Chrisman solo bd cornet, George Harrison 1st bd cornet, Lynn Gee 2nd bd cornet, Merton Lang solo ld alto, J. F. Chrisman bd baritone, J. H. Wooden 1st bd tenor, Karl Gee 2nd bd tenor, Fred Wilcox ld bass, George Miller snare drum, J. C. Vereau bass drum. The band will give a concert and dramatic entertainment at the Presbyterian church in Virgil Tuesday evening, Dec. 20,1887. The band have made a choice selection in polka's, quicksteps, marches, and waltzes. The vocal music will consist of choruses, quartettes, duetts, and solos. They have secured the services of Mrs. Almeda Mynard as soprano, Miss Eva Elster alto, and Miss Eva Doud as organist. Singers from abroad will assist. The dramatic will consist of plays, farces, etc., the proceeds to be used for the paying for a drum lately purchased by the band. We hope to see the boys greeted with a full house.

   The Ladies Home Mission of the M. E. Church will hold a pink tea festival at the church Friday evening Dec. 10, 1887. Refreshments will be served at forty cents a couple, each gentleman and lady will receive a pink cup and saucer.

   At the annual meeting of the Ladies Social Union the following officers were elected: President, Mrs. N. A. Gardiner; Vice-President, Mrs. R. Price; Secretary, Mrs. N. Watrous; Treasurer, Mrs. M. B. Williams.

   Mr. William Tyler and wife, who have been visiting friends in the west, returned home last week.

   A reception was held at Mr. Frank Oaks' on Tuesday evening, a good time is reported.

   At the annual meeting of the South Cortland Grange the following list of officers were elected, half of whom are Virgil people:

M.—Riley Hammond.

O.— Charles Gallagher.

L.— George More.

S.—Frank Sears.

Asst. S.—Thomas McMahou

Chap.—Mrs. F. Haskins.

Treas. — Reuben Rood.

Sec.—Fred Calkins.

Gate Keeper—Frank Blanchard.

Pomona—Mrs. German Nye.

Flora—Mrs. H. F. Bristol.

Ceres—Mrs. Henry Parker.

Lady Asst. Steward—Addie Bristol.

Purchasing Agent—B. B. Morehouse.

Organist—Clara Rood.

Chorister—Nathan Hunt.

Member of Ex-Com.—B. F. Bristol.

   On Wednesday last Mr. Kemmich, living on Owego Hill, while engaged in drawing chestnut poles out of the woods about 30 rods from the house, in making the turn from the wood road to the main road, the pole became fastened at the back end, the horses a young and active team, sprang forward and split the double whiffletree, getting loose from the pole which returned to a straight line striking him, breaking one leg, one rib and injuring the spine. Mrs. Kemmich went for assistance, but when she returned he had crawled to the house unaided. Dr. Wm. A. Muncy was called and reduced the fracture. On Thursday Dr. Muncy returned to his patient and found him in a comatose state, other physicians were called but he continued in the same condition until Sunday morning when he died. Funeral at the house on Tuesday, Rev. Mr. Purrington officiating. Mr. Kemmich, though a stranger to us, is said to be a man of blameless record and his untimely death casts a gloom over the community. R.

Dexter House was located between Sager & Jennings and the Beard building on Main Street.

HERE AND THERE.

   "Dixie," in the Cortland Opera House, Friday and Saturday nights, December 16th and 17th.

   Last week Justice Bouton sentenced Patrick Dillon to the Cortland County Alms House for three months.

   H. B. Johnson has opened an oyster market and fish depot on South Main street. Fruits of all kinds will be kept on hand.

   Mr. F. L. Batchellor, of Weedsport, has opened a confectionery store in the Squires building. Every variety of pure candy will be kept on hand, or will be made to order.

   Geo. Bowen, an employee of the Cortland Desk factory, lost three fingers in a buzz planer, Wednesday forenoon. This is the second time Mr. Bowen has been injured in the same shop within a few weeks.

   Geo. Murray, Jr., formerly of Homer, has been appointed chief clerk in the Internal Revenue office in Syracuse. Salary, $1,900 per year. Mr. Murray was formerly cashier with a salary of $1,500 per year.

   Eugene Higgins, who fell down the stairway in the Peck block, in Marathon, on the 24th ult., died from the injuries received on Monday night. He was well known in this place, where he formerly resided.

   Persons indebted to Dr. Edson for medical services during the present year, or previously, are requested to settle the same during the present month, and please don't forget it.

   For the month of November the carriers in this place delivered 39,996 letters, 9510 cards, 32,983 papers, and 128 registered letters. They collected 19,743 letters, 857 drop letters, 3799 cards, 648 drop cards, and 1130 papers.

   Mrs. Nettie Webster, widow of Henry A. Webster, who was killed at the time of the boiler explosion at the Hitchcock Manufacturing Company's works last May, has brought an action against the company to recover $5,000 damages for the loss of her husband.

   At the annual election of officers of the Homer Wagon Company, held a few days since, the following officers were elected: President, H. M. Whitney; Vice President, M. L. Reed, of Albany; Randolph Hibbard, Secretary and Treasurer; Directors, H. M. Whitney, M. L Reed, Randolph Hibbard, Amos Hobart and Coleman Hitchcock.

   Last Saturday Eggleston & Smith were notified of a decision made by Judge Milton H. Merwin in the suit of Margaret Dexter against Randolph Beard in favor of the plaintiff. Mrs. Dexter is the owner of the Dexter House in this place. In 1884, Mr. Beard commenced the erection of his new brick block on the lot immediately south of the Dexter House. Between these two lots there is a driveway. Mrs. Dexter claimed that Mr. Beard encroached upon this driveway four and six-tenths feet, and brought this action to compel him to move the building. Judge Merwin holds that Mr. Beard has encroached upon the driveway for the distance claimed, and directs that the walls must be removed.