A SILK STOCKING POLITICAL CLUB AND NORMAL SCHOOL COMMENCEMENT WITH HISTORY LESSON

Assemblyman Rufus Peck.

The Cortland Democrat, Friday, January 23, 1891.

A Silk Stocking Political Club.

   The Republican League is the name of a new organization recently formed in this village, to fill the vacancy caused by the death and burial of the several Republican clubs which have been organized in town within the past two years. The defunct clubs permitted any one to join who had made a practice of voting the Republican ticket, but the silk stocking element of the party were loath to come forward, probably for fear they might come in contact with some of the "cheese press and hay loft" members or a greasy mechanic or two, and for some reason best known to themselves the farmers and mechanics failed to put in an appearance, with the result that all efforts to sustain a league or club in Cortland have proved futile.

   The silk stocking element have, however, come to the front and propose to maintain a club or league that shall be decidedly exclusive so far as membership is concerned. The initiation fee has been fixed at $3, with 25 cents monthly dues. This will effectually bar out any but the wealthy classes, which was probably the intention of the promoters of the scheme.

   Some members of the party think the league is organized principally for the purpose of giving Assemblyman Peck an opportunity to keep his hand on the machine, and they may be right about it. The following are the officers who will have charge: President, Chas. T. Peck; Vice-President, C. E. Ingalls; Secretary, A. D. Wallace; Treasurer, E. E. Reynolds; Executive Com., J. R. Arnold, Dorr C. Smith, Duane Howard, Jacob Grassman, D. C. Beers.

Court Proceedings.

   The case of Jennie H. Fulton ag'st Eugene B. Nash, on trial when we went to press last week, was concluded Friday evening. The action was brought by plaintiff, a young lady 22 years of age, residing in Preble, to recover damages against the defendant for defamation of her character.

   Plaintiff is a music teacher, and was in the employ of Mr. A. Mahan, the well known dealer in musical instruments in this place, at the time the alleged slanderous words were spoken by defendant. Plaintiff claimed that she lost her situation by reason thereof, and was injured in reputation in consequence. Defendant denied that he had ever circulated injurious reports about plaintiff.

   The jury came into court at about 9:30 P. M. and handed up their verdict, whereby they gave plaintiff the sum of $450. The case was ably tried on the part of the plaintiff by Frank Pierce and O. U. Kellogg, and by B. T. Wright and Judge Duel for the defense. Mr. Wright moved for a stay of proceedings to give defendant an opportunity to move for a new trial, which was granted, but we understand the judgment will be paid.

NORMAL COMMENCEMENT.

COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES.

   Upwards of one thousand people attended the exercises held in the Opera House at 2 o'clock on Tuesday. The audience was not composed alone of the relatives and friends of those who took part, but a very large number of citizens who are interested in the cause of education and the prosperity of the school were present. Hon. R. Holland Duell, president of the local board called the assemblage to order and the following was the programme.
   [Music choices, titles of orations and essays omitted—CC editor.]

   The graduating class was not a large one but the members acquitted themselves with credit. The music by the Chorus Choir of students was a pleasing feature of the exercises and showed careful training and much talent. Mr. Stebbings having been excused, did not appear.

   Dr. Hoose in presenting the diploma to the Academic graduate spoke as follows:

   MY STUDENT FRIEND:—Out of school with a diploma and into what? This question is not answered readily. Fortunately, you live in times when schools are not fashions to the extent they were in former years; they are matters of course; they are wayside inns along the journey of youth. Another fortunate circumstance is the fact that schools are conceived more and more to be only windows through which one looks into the future of his life; they enable him to bend his steps towards those avenues down which he would travel in his subsequent years. The mere abstract idea of manhood is not an inspiring object to contemplate, especially in this rushing world of ours; but manhood in the concrete form of personality is a noble thought, inspiring hope and faith, and commanding respect for its intelligence and moral elevation. Herein is power. Be content to be a personality of manhood in your daily life; do not strive to be great in big things so much as to be great in little things—little duties, little thoughts, little acts, little purposes—for true greatness is but the sum total of many little acts of daily living.

   The following remarks of Dr. Hoose were addressed to the Normal graduates:

   FELLOW TEACHERS: You are to become a component portion of the forces that are to form the educational spirit of the future. This spirit rises out of history. The public school system of our State entered upon a career of moderate prosperity about the year 1812. The common schools were well attended for the times. The first Normal school in the State was opened in 1844. The schools of that period were large rural schools; the subjects taught in them were Common English branches. The first Normal school established for itself a course of study that should prepare teachers for the rural schools of that period; this work was done well, and the Normal school continued substantially that course of study down to the latter part of the year 1890.

   In the meantime the common schools of the State have been undergoing the important changes; population has been gravitating from the rural districts into centers—towns and cities; the rural school is small and the town school is large. The free-school law of 1867 had the effect of increasing the size and importance of the village schools by organizing them into graded schools with advanced courses of study in them. This grading called for advanced work in the preparation of teachers, if they were to occupy the several grades in the public schools of the State. To meet this latter demand, the Normal schools that opened in 1869 and 1870 put fourth three courses of study. The graduates were to be fitted for the lower, middle and higher grades of teaching.

   But, strangely enough, our Normal schools had no organized legal connection with the public schools, down to a late date—except that the diploma was a legal certificate to teach. During the last year the teachers' classes of the State, now known as training classes, have been reorganized upon a basis of adjustment to our Normal school work. The Normal schools were adjusted by law, a little over a year ago, to the secondary schools of the State. We accept in our schools much of the work that is done in the training classes and in the secondary schools, as well as that done in the higher institutions. We accept also the certificates granted by school commissioners.

   The effect of these late adjustments is to relegate to the training classes the duty of preparing teachers for the rural schools. The Normal schools will be thus relieved of some of their former duties; the Elementary English diploma will not be given after June, 1892. But in being relieved in this line, we have thrown upon us greater labors for the higher grades; our work will be devoted to giving a more thorough professional character to the training of our students. The people of the State will expect better work from the Normal schools; this work must show itself in something besides scholarship in branches of study, for other schools can stand in that regard; we must take high rank in turning out thoroughly trained professional skill. We must have well prepared students to enable us to do the work expected of us. This means that you are to do superior work in the schools you shall teach.

   These diplomas, fellow teachers, introduce you into this active evolution of the educational spirit of our day; you will constitute a part of the guiding forces that will direct this spirit of the times. "Act well your part, there all the honor lies."

GRADUATES.

   Elementary English Course—Nora Rachel Brown, Alma Jeanet Fairchild, Lina Olive Holmes, Olive Jeannette Hopkins, Mary Elizabeth Lewis, Grace Mead, Clara May Norton, Lillian May Patterson, Ida Jane Place, Georgia Adelaide Slade, Walter Stebbins, Eleanor B. Townsend, Lizzie Belle Williams.

   Advanced English Course—Minnie Andrews, Harriet Louise Clark, Ezra Talmadge Graves, Anna Hudson, Minnie Thera Myers, Antoinette Regina O'Hara.

   Classical Course—Edgar Hopper, Grace Ruth Townsend.

   Academic—Louis Earle Edgcomb.

PRINCIPALS RECEPTION.

   The Principal's reception, which was held on Tuesday evening at the home of Dr. Hoose, was largely attended and the occasion was a very enjoyable one. Music was furnished by an excellent orchestra, and the refreshments were such as would please the palate of an epicure and were nicely served.

Social Events.

   Last Thursday evening about fifty invited guests attended a reception and card party at the handsome home of Mr. and Mrs. Dorr C. Smith on Railroad street. The first hours of the evening were spent in social enjoyment after which toothsome refreshments were handsomely served. On the evening following Mr. and Mrs. Smith gave a reception and card party to about the same number of young married people which was heartily enjoyed by all present. The same programme was observed as on the evening previous, and all went home firmly impressed with the idea that Mr. and Mrs. Smith had entertained most handsomely.

   On Saturday afternoon Mrs. Chas. W. Stoker gave a reception to about 125 of her lady friends at her residence on Church street. Mrs. S. M. Ballard, Mrs. F. D. Smith and Mrs. F. Cy. Straat assisted the hostess in receiving her guests, and Mrs. Geo. J. Mager and Mrs. Dorr C. Smith presided over the refreshment tables, assisted by the Misses Anna Bauder, Minnie Mager, Cora Darby and Gracie Stoker. Darby's orchestra furnished excellent music for the occasion. The ladies pronounce the reception one of the most enjoyable of the many pleasant social events of the season.

They Entertained Their Friends.

   On Monday evening last, Mr. and Mrs. L. T. White and Mr. and M. B. Ingalls entertained a large number of their friends at the home of Mr. and Mrs. White, No. 40 Madison-st. Progressive euchre and dancing were the order of the evening. All in attendance pronounced the occasion a most successful social event. The specious new home of Mr. and Mrs. White furnished ample room for the 108 persons that were present. Caterer Griffith had charge of the refreshments, which were superb, and every one was served bounteously and in an expeditious manner. The first ladies' prize went to Mrs. H. M. Lane; first gent's prize to Mr. Dell Bingham; first booby prize to Mrs. T. N. Pudney; first gent's booby prize to Mr. F . R. Millar.

Cortland Sketch Club.

   Ten well known citizens of this place, met at the office of Beardsley & Conable in the Democrat Building, on Tuesday evening last, and organized a club under the above title for practical work. Mr. Al Smith, the well known artist, was elected president, and Mr. H. W. Beardsley was selected as secretary and treasurer. Several others have signified their intention to become members of the club. Meetings will be held weekly.

Farmers' Alliance in Truxton.

   Several of the farmers of Truxton held a meeting in Woodward's hall, in that place last Saturday evening and organized a Farmers' Alliance, and elected the following officers:

   President—H. I. Van Hoesen, M. D.

   Secretary—L. L. Schellinger.

   Treasurer—Henry D. Thompson.

   Doorkeeper—H. F. Buell.

   A resolution was adopted authorizing the Secretary to ask L. L. Polk, President of the National Alliance, for a dispensation to be recognized as a subordinate body, until such time as an organizer can be secured to confer the secret work, and report them regularly chartered.

STATE FARMERS' LEAGUE.

Resolutions Adopted—A Reform in Public Expenditure Demanded.

   SYRACUSE, Jan. 15.—The New York State Farmers' League at Utica last week adopted the following declaration of principles, which are made public to-day:

   WHEREAS, The New York State Farmers' League assembled in the city of Utica on the 30th day of December, in the year of our Lord 1890, deem it due to the public that a declaration of its principles be made, and

   WHEREAS, National and State Legislators have discriminated against the agricultural interests of the country to a great degree, and have squandered the public domain and funds to enrich corporations, and political adventurers, and have unnecessarily increased the expenditures of National, State and local governments, and it being evident that they intend to pursue the same course in the future, which will establish in this country an aristocracy of wealth, the results of which will be most disastrous to the agricultural and industrial interests, be it

   Resolved, That to prevent such a condition of affairs, the New York State Farmers' League hereby invite the co-operation of all persons who have the interests of their fellow men at heart, to join them in securing such legislation as will not discriminate in favor of the few against the many. We demand that our State and National governments shall take action regarding the following matters:

   First—That all property, real, personal and corporate, shall be equally taxed.

   Second—That no public officer accept passes from railroads or other corporations.

   Third—That the dealing in futures in agricultural products be prevented.

   Fourth—That the sale of adulterated food products be prohibited unless they are so branded.

   Fifth—To secure the nationalization of the canals and make the deepening of the Hudson river a national expense and until such time make no further appropriations for the canals, save such as may be necessary to keep them in good repair.

   Sixth—To secure the publication of a uniform system of school text books under direction of the State, in order that they may be furnished at a minimum of cost.

   Seventh—To secure such protection to State lands in the Adirondack forest as will prevent further destruction by lumber pirates and others, thus insuring a supply of water sufficient to meet the demands of our waterways, without expending millions in the purchase of lands held by speculators and sportsmen, to establish a State Park.

   Eighth—That an estimate on the probable cost of the completion of the State Capitol be obtained to the end that the taxpayers may determine as to whether it will not be economy to abandon the same and build one more in keeping with the demands of the people.

   Ninth—That while our present system of road making is not productive of the best results, we believe that any scheme to spend millions of the people's money on the highways should be postponed until an improvement in the financial condition of our country will warrant such expenditure.

   Tenth—That National legislation be deferred in reference to the irrigation of the western arid lands at public expense, until the consumptive demands of the people shall require a greater productive area.

   Eleventh—To secure such financial legislation as will meet the requirements of the agricultural and business interests of the country.

   Twelfth—To prevent immigration of the pauper and criminal classes to this country; also all persons who do not in good faith intend to become citizens.

   We furthermore demand retrenchment and reform in National, State and local expenditures to the end that legislation in these stringent times shall provide for the passage of such laws as will relieve an overburdened and tax-ridden people.

   Farmers throughout the State are invited to correspond with the secretary, F. E. Dawley, Syracuse, regarding the establishing of local Leagues in each town.