REFORM IS NECESSARY

                    The Cortland Democrat, Friday, December 20, 1889.

PAGE TWO/EDITORIALS.

   Fifteen good business men could do the work of the Board of Supervisors of this county in ten days and have some time to spare. The extra seventeen days frittered away by the present board cost the county at least $1,275. Does it pay to reelect such men to transact your business?

   Thirteen out of the fifteen members of the Board of Supervisors collared every thing in the room that was of any value and was not fastened down, last Saturday. With the exception of the two desks mentioned the room looked as bare as a high hole's nest in December, after they had taken their departure.

   There was no earthly reason why the Board of Supervisors should not have finished their business last Friday afternoon. The only object they had in remaining over until Saturday, was to draw a day's salary for doing nothing. The adjournment from Friday night to Saturday morning cost the county in the neighborhood of $75, and the county received not one cent's benefit. Reform is necessary.

   The Board of Supervisors of Chenango county transacted all of the business of that county in twelve days and adjourned sine die. The Board of Supervisors of Madison county transacted their business in the same time and adjourned. These are large counties and have much more business to transact than the little county of Cortland, and yet it took our board just twenty-seven days to accomplish so very little. Reform is necessary.
   [Supervisors were paid $3 each day in session. By Mr. Saunder's resolution which was adopted on the first day, they were supposed to worked five hours each day, 2 1/2 hours in the morning and 2 1/2 hours in the afternoon--CC editor.]

   It wouldn't be a bad plan for President Harrison to add a codicil to his message on the "home market" question. He had so much to say on the subject during the campaign of 1888, that it is a little singular that he does not say a word about it in his message. What has become of our "home market," anyway?

Supervisors Proceedings.

TWENTY-FIFTH DAY— Dec. 12.

   The board convened at 1:30 P. M. last Thursday pursuant to adjournment.

   On motion of Mr. Frisbie the rules were suspended for the day for the purpose of transacting general business.

   On motion of Mr. Frisbie the clerk of the board was authorized to draw an order on the Treasurer for expenses actually incurred in delivering the Journals of the present session.

   Mr. Frisbie was appointed a committee to express to Senator Hendricks and the Board of Supervisors of Onondaga county the views of the board on the matter of caring for the chronic insane.

   On motion of Mr. Frisbie, the taxes as extended upon the assessment rolls of the several towns were confirmed and warranted were authorized to be issued and delivered to the collectors for the collection of the same.

   On motion of Mr. Greene, collectors were given until February 15 to settle with the county treasurer.

   On motion the board adjourned to 9:30 the following day.

TWENTY SIXTH DAY—DEC. 13.

   Mr. Frisbie from the Committee on Game Laws submitted a report. The committee recommended the passage of a law forbidding the killing or exposing for sale or having in possession speckled trout only between the 1st day of April and the 1st day of August. Persons breaking this law are guilty of a misdemeanor and are to be fined twenty-five dollars for each trout killed, sold or found in possession of the party breaking the law. The same penalty was also prescribed for killing or having in possession woodcock and black or grey squirrels between the 1st day of January and the 1st day of September.

   They also recommended the passage of a law making it unlawful at any time to kill any game bird in this county with the intent to sell or dispose of the same, but it is not unlawful to sell birds in this county that are killed without the boundaries of the same. The same penalties are provided as in the first mentioned case.

   The board passed the law recommended by the committee and the same takes effect immediately. The clerk of the board was directed to file certified copies of the amendments in the County Clerk's office.

   On motion of Mr. Lee, the board adopted resolutions favoring the purchase of an addition to the County Alms House farm, to the end that the same might be more self supporting.

   The contract with Monroe county for the care of prisoners of this county in the Rochester Penitentiary was read and ordered signed by the chairman and clerk.

   On motion of Mr. Adams, the compensation for conveying prisoners to said penitentiary was fixed at $18 for one prisoner and $24 for two when taken at the same time and this is to include all expenses and disbursements incurred.

   On motion of Mr. Hazen the clerk of the board was authorized to arrange the books and papers in the supervisors' rooms in a proper manner and have a bookcase made of one not now in use, and file all bills for the past two years in the same manner as those of the present year. Keys to the drawers and doors were directed to be properly marked and an invoice of the library and property marked and a receipt for the same taken from his successor.

   Mr. Frisbie was selected as a delegate to attend the State Convention of County Superintendents of the Poor to be held at Lockport next August.

   The County Treasurer was authorized to borrow money on the credit of the county in case the money apportioned for any of the different funds became exhausted.

   The clerk was directed to draw orders on the County Treasurer for $200 payable to each of the School Commissioners for expenses and that the amount apportioned to the several towns be paid to the Treasurer to balance same.

   On motion of Mr. Adams all petitions to correct erroneous or omitted assessments and claims for refunding taxes were directed to be presented during the first week of the session of the board.

   The clerk was authorized to draw an order on the Treasurer for $50, payable to Thos. Davidson for services as janitor.

   Mr. Lee stated to the Board that the committee consisting of Mr. McGraw and himself appointed by the board of 1888 to obtain a reduction for this county in the State apportionment succeeded in getting the assessment reduced.

   The board appointed the same committee to secure a further reduction.

   Messrs. McGraw and A. H. Bennett were appointed a committee to arrange all unfinished business with the late County Clerk.

   On motion of Mr. Greene, bills and accounts against the county of Cortland are hereafter to be presented to the board on or before the morning of the fourth day of the annual session or it will be unlawful to audit the same.

   On motion of Mr. Greene, the clerk of the board was directed to give notice to the above effect, by publishing the same once in each week for four weeks previous to the annual meeting, in the Homer Republican, Cortland Standard and Cortland DEMOCRAT.

   On motion of Mr. Frisbie, a vote of thanks was tendered to Hon. R. T. Peck, for his efforts in procuring the passage of a bill through the last legislature, for an appropriation to erect an armory for the 45th Separate Company in this place.

   On motion of Mr. Greene, a unanimous vote of thanks was tendered to the chairman for the marked ability, impartiality and uniform fairness exhibited by him in the discharge of his duties throughout the session.

   Mr. Lee responded in an appropriate speech after which be presented each member of the board with a photograph of the members of that body taken by Mr. G. I. Pruden.

   A similar vote of thanks was unanimously tendered Clerk E. E. Mellon. Janitor Davidson also received a similar mark of confidence.

   Board adjourned to 8:00 A. M. the following day.

TWENTY-SEVENTH DAY—DEC. 14.

   The board convened at 8 A. M., and was called to order by the chair. The Journal of the preceding days' session was read and approved and on motion of Mr. Saunders the Board adjourned sine die.

COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY.

   The semi-annual meeting of the Cortland County Medical Society was held in the Court House on Thursday, Dec. 12. The members present were Dr. J. Angel, Dr. F. D. Reese, Dr. F. W. Higgins Dr. H. T. Dana. Dr. A. J. White, Dr. H. O. Jewett, Dr. W. J. Moore and Dr. H. S. Edson, of Cortland; Dr. G. D. Bradford and Dr. F. H. Green of Homer; Dr. L. G. Smart and Dr. C. B. Trafford of Marathon; Dr. H. C. Hendrick and student from McGrawville; Dr. Wm. Fitch of Dryden; Dr. E. W. McBirney of Willett; Dr. Philip Neary of Union Valley; and also Dr. M. R. Smith of McGrawville. An old member of the society, Dr. H. Wiggins, formerly of McGrawville, now of Elbridge, was present as a delegate from Onondaga County. Other visitors were Dr. H. L. Eisner of Syracuse and B. A. Benedict, Esq., of Cortland. The meeting was one of the most interesting and profitable in the history of the society. The following programme was given:

   Report of the Meeting of the American Medical Association at Newport, Dr. A. J. White, Cortland.

   Cause and Treatment of Typhoid Fever, Dr. F. D. Reese, Cortland.

   Typhoid Fever, Dr. Philip N. Neary, Union Valley.

   The Medico-Legal Bearing of so-called Spinal Concussion or Traumatic Neuroses, Dr. H. L. Eisner, Syracuse.

   The Cause of Ordinary Catarrh, Dr. F. W. Higgins, Cortland.

   The Period of Viability; the Management of Cases; its Moral and Medico-Legal Bearing, Dr. H. C. Hendrick, McGrawville.

   A Case of Premature Delivery, Dr. L. G. Smart, Marathon.

   In Dr. White's paper some account of the place, the papers and the noted men in the profession was given.

   The two papers on typhoid fever presented a full and lucid statement of the cause, symptoms and management of this prevalent disease. The discussion was entered into by Drs. Jewett, Smart, Wiggins, Eisner, Hendrick, Bradford, White, Dana, Trafford and Higgins.

   The paper by Dr. Eisner was received by the society with marked attention. The symptoms of railroad spinal injuries are those of hysteria and are either real or feigned. Traumatic hysteria is a synonymous term. "Litigation symptoms" comprise the nervous state caused by prolonged suspense, worry, indoor life and contemplation of their own case. Rapid recovery is not necessarily a proof that the subject was shamming, since the relief from mental worry and the prosperity arising from a favorable verdict would alone tend to promote health. An early settlement of the claim is of benefit to the patient's health.

   In the paper on catarrh the writer showed that over-heated and dried air of living rooms was a prolific cause.

   The essays by Drs. Hendrick and Smart each reported a case of a child born at the seventh month and living. One weighed two pounds and four ounces, the other two pounds and thirteen ounces at birth. The management of such cases was detailed, the especial point being to keep the little patient's temperature warm and even.

   Dr. C. B. Trafford was elected a member of the society.

   F. W. Higgins, Sec'y.

Mr. Jencks Honorably Discharged.

   United States Commissioner Northrup yesterday heard evidence in the case of the United States against Elmer D. Jencks, of Union Valley, Cortland county, who was charged with selling liquor without a license. The complainants were Mrs. N. L. Brooks and N. C. Smith, who informed Internal Revenue Collector Beach. After the hearing Judge Northrup decided that there was not evidence enough to warrant him in holding Jencks, who was therefore discharged. Jencks owns a store at Union Valley, and it is reported that when he opened it recently he bought a keg of beer and invited some of his friends in to celebrate, and it was that celebration that caused the charges against him to be made.—Syracuse Standard.

Cortland's New Postmaster.

   A telegram from Washington on Wednesday evening announced that Seymour M. Ballard Esq., of the firm of Edgcomb & Ballard, had been appointed postmaster at Cortland. Mr. Ballard is a good business man, a thorough-going republican and a most excellent citizen and the DEMOCRAT takes this occasion to congratulate him most heartily on his appointment. It is perfectly safe to say that he will make a very obliging as well as competent official and our business men will feel that the powers that be have made a most judicious selection. In fact the same thing might have been conscientiously said of any of the other candidates. All are reputable citizens.

HERE AND THERE.

   The Cortland "cops" have their new overcoats.

   The Howe Stove works have shut down to take an inventory.

   The pay car passed over the D. L. & W. road on Wednesday.

   Examinations are being held this week in all of the schools in town.

   Fire Department election takes place Wednesday evening, Dec. 25th.

   Mrs. J. D. Keeler, of Owego St., found a full blown dandelion in her yard, December 9th.

   The annual pew renting of the Baptist church took place last Tuesday afternoon and evening.

   St. Mary's church will hold a festival in Wells Hall on Monday and Tuesday evenings, Dec. 30th and 31st, 1889.

   Some well-connected boys are charged with stealing skunk skins from Allen O'Dell's premises west of Homer.

   The Universalist society have purchased the old Presbyterian church bell, which has been put in place. It is an excellent one.

   Parties from Lyons have leased the Tioughnioga pottery on Groton Ave., and will take possession on the first of next month.

   F. Maybury has removed his livery to the Arnold House barn, where he would be pleased to see his customers and any who are in want of his services.

   Be sure and see the Gaities Burlesque Company in "Esmeralda," at the Cortland Opera House, next Tuesday evening. Prices 25, 35, 50 and 75 cents.

   Two hundred turkeys, chickens, ducks and geese will be raffled for at "The

Burns," in Taylor Hall block, Tuesday, December 24th, afternoon and evening.

   Jack O' Neil, employed in the Cortland Trap Company's shops, was accidentally hit in the face by a piece of iron on Monday. Some of his teeth were loosened and his lip was cut. Dr. Edson sewed the lip together, and Jack is taking a few days' needed rest.

   The next dance of the 45th Separate company will be held in the armory on Christmas Eve. Fischer's orchestra will furnish the music. A drill will take place in the early part of the evening that will be well worth seeing. Remember that the original invitations hold good for all the dances.

OLD SOLDIERS TO THE FRONT AGAIN.

Camp Fires Rekindled—Old Stories Retold—Old-Time Memories Revived—Old Battles Refought— New Rations Freshly Served and Heartily Eaten.

   All of the above took place at the rooms of Grover Post of the G. A. R., in Wells Hall of this village, on Wednesday evening, Dec. 18th.

   As a result of an invitation extended to the members of all the Grand Army Posts in Cortland county by Grover Post, to meet them for a pleasant social gathering, there was a goodly number of old soldiers brought together. By half-past four o'clock the comrades began to assemble at the headquarters of the inviting Post. Some came with their empty sleeves hanging by their side, some with their wooden legs, crutches and canes, and some walking upright upon both feet, looking hale and hearty after all the chances of the battles through which they had passed, and the wear of twenty-five or eight years of life since the war was over.

   Many of the comrades brought their wives and daughters with them, all looking fresh and happy, smiling and blooming, showing that they, for their part, had been carefully protected against the rougher trials of life.

   Promptly at five o'clock a detachment of ninety was marched to the rooms in the upper story of the county building to take their supper, and as soon as this detachment had partaken to their entire satisfaction, another ninety took their seats at the tables and fared the same as the first, and so the work went on until several hundred had been bountifully fed. It was evident that the commissary department had been well supplied and none were left to go hungry. The rations were not only very fine in quality and ample in quantity, but most pleasantly served by a large corps of ladles who seemed to be untiring in their labors and unfailing in their charming politeness.

   As each detachment had finished their supper they made their way back to the rooms of the Post and waited for the time to open the exercises of the evening. At the time of opening the public meeting [at] Wells Hall was filled to its utmost capacity. Every army post in the county sent its quota of members to swell the gathering.

   Col. Frank Place had been chosen chairman of the meeting, and after making a few appropriate and well-timed remarks, called upon the Rev. Mr. Robinson to formally open the exercises with prayer. After the prayer, chairman Place called Lieutenant C. W. Wiles, of the 10th N. Y. Cavalry, to take command of the platform and carry out the programme that had been prepared for the evening.

   The Hon. H. T. Peck was called out and made an interesting and impressive speech. He expressed his regrets that he could not stand up before the audience and the old soldiers there assembled, "and say comrades." [sic] But though he had to confess that he was not a soldier in the army, he would say that his warmest sympathies were with the soldiers during the war and had always been with them since. In conclusion of his speech Mr. Peck read the draft of a bill which he proposed to offer at the next session of the legislature, providing for defraying the expenses of a proper observance of Decoration Day, by a tax assessed upon the town.

   Major A. Sager moved that the meeting approve the bill and ask Mr. Peck to push it through the legislature to the Governor for his signature. Judge Smith moved to amend by asking the Hon. Member of the legislature "to push the bill through the Governor." The motion as made by Major Sager was carried without a dissenting voice.

   One of the features of the evening was a very unique musical performance by an Indian, who was at one time a scout under Gen. Custer. He seemed to be a whole brass band in himself alone. He would play both the bass and tenor drum with his hands and at the same time imitate the notes of several brass instruments.

   Mrs. M. W. Coon, of DeRuyter, read a poem which seemed to be very pleasing to those who could hear it.

   Miss Nettie Stout favored the meeting with solo songs, which highly delighted the audience.

   Of course Judge Smith was called out, and of course he made one of those speeches which always delight the old soldiers, their wives and daughters. Speeches were also made by Hon. B. T. Wright, Maj. A. Sager, Mr. Newcomb, of Homer, and Supervisor Frisbie, of Scott, and several others.

   On the whole the meeting was made a very interesting and entertaining one to the large audience present, and many more would have enjoyed the occasion if they could have been there and the hall had been large enough to hold them.