WHAT CAN BE EXPECTED FROM SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT DRAPER?

The Cortland Democrat, June 26, 1891.

WHAT CAN BE EXPECTED FROM DRAPER?

   There are several points which might help to throw light on the action of the Cortland Local Board in nominating Dr. Cheney to the principalship of the Cortland Normal School.

   It has been a cognizant fact with those who have known Cheney and heard him talk that he has been artfully but steadily working for the position for which he is now the candidate. While he claimed to take no sides in the controversy between Dr. Hoose and [Superintendent] Gilmore in 1880, still he has had his eye directed Cortlandward every since that time. He has availed himself of every opportunity to visit Cortland and ingratiate himself with the members of that Hon. Body, the Cortland Local Board.

   Nor has he been less strategetic [sic] with Supt. Draper. He has been as close a bosom friend of him as the Supt. would allow. He has lost no opportunity of praising and extolling Draper until he must think Cheney a golden trumpet of the gods, harping him to an immortal shrine. Cheney has also been heard to speak disparagingly of Dr. Hoose on several occasion, and to prophesy his early retirement. Whether he got this from the Hon. Body, the Cortland Local Board, the State Supt. or whether it was a fanciful product of his own prodigious imagination can not be ascertained.

   Now if Dr. Cheney wants a fat berth, why don't he take the competitive examination under Chancellor Curtis for the retention of his present position? Surely, if he is the greater man in the state, he should not hesitate to compete for honors which he was so willing to take and so grateful to get when there was no competition.

   The question arises again, Is Cheney the right man for the position of principal of the Cortland Normal School? One comment says, "Cheney may be a good man." That may be in a sense true. He is a good man, a clever man, a scheming man, a politic man. If that is what they want at Cortland, Cheney is the man. He can putty the Local Board, palaver the Superintendent, and soft soap the people, but whether he can beguile enough pupils to the Normal school, and treat them while there with that consideration which will induce them to come back and send their friends there, is a question different from what is now being decided.

   No doubt but what the Local Board are aware of the prestige which Cheney has with Draper. If it is strong enough to overcome justice, Dr. Hoose will have to go. On the other hand if Judge Draper is not a believer in "Favete linguis" (Favor with tongue,) he will forestall the plot of Cheney and stand by the old Cortland Normal School.

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     *    [pen name symbol of contributing reporter]

Whose Business Is It?

   There are a few citizens who assert that because the Cortland Normal School is a State institution, the wishes of the people of this village will not be considered in settling the controversy so inopportunely precipitated on this community by the President of the Local Board [William H. Clark]. This is an extremely narrow view to take of the question and we do not believe Superintendent Draper will decide the matter upon such a theory. It is true the state foots the bills, but how long could the state maintain the school successfully, if the people of this village were entirely ignored and should join the President of the Local Board in doing everything possible to compass its downfall?

   The school needs the assistance and support of our citizens, and with few exceptions, these have always been cheerfully accorded it. It is not a penal nor is it a manufacturing institution or a railroad corporation. If it was either of these the state might get on without the help of Cortland's citizens. The taxpayers of this village furnish a large majority of the pupils, without which it would be a failure. It should not be forgotten that Cortland paid for the building and site, while most of the other Normal schools were paid for by the state.

   The school is of great benefit not only to the citizens of this village, but to the inhabitants of this and surrounding counties, and any attempt to injure its prospect for the future is to be deplored. It brings many families to Cortland for the purpose of enjoying the educational advantages which it affords, and these families become permanent residents of the place and are identified with its interests. A successful educational institution serves as one of the strongest magnets for increasing the population of a town, and the people who are attracted are among the most desirable citizens.

   We repeat the school is of vast importance to the town and no citizen should do anything to injure its standing or prosperity. Every man, woman and child in this county has an interest in its future and they ought to bring all their influence to bear in favor of the retention of Dr. Hoose in his present capacity, until some more serious charge than "strained relations" can be brought against him. If charges of sufficient magnitude to require his dismissal can be sustained against Dr. Hoose, the DEMOCRAT would certainly favor his removal, but until such charges are maintained, his eminently successful management of the school entitles him to the support of all who have the best interests of the school at heart.

Caught in the Act.

   Frank Halley, a general all-about-errand lad and boot black, well known in Cortland, now occupies a berth in the retention department of the Court House building.

   For a long period he has been accredited with an affliction commonly styled simple-mindedness, and it was also evident that permanent employment and his make-up were not in harmony. Lately he posed as a wide-awake shiner of foot wear—giving a cigar or candy souvenir to patrons. This was a card which he used to draw trade; but his limited means would hardly meet the demand and the source of supply became a subject of inquiry on the part of certain business men. The DEMOCRAT has frequently mentioned petty pilferings that have occurred during the past few months and dealers have been patiently watching developments.

   Messrs. Cobb & Perkins have missed cigars, and the till has frequently been relieved of small amounts of change between Saturday night and Monday morning. Since the adoption of his plan of giving cigars, etc., to customers, a strict watch has been maintained, resulting in the capture of Halley about 2 A. M. Sunday, in the interior of their confectionery store and bakery, and the handing him over to a policeman, who put him in jail until Monday morning, when, after a hearing before Justice Bull, he was held on a charge of larceny for the next grand jury.

   The manner of his capture was very cleverly effected [sic]. Satisfied that the visit would occur late Saturday night or early Sunday morning, Messrs. Cobb & Perkins secreted themselves in the office of their store to await developments. Both of the watchers had dropped asleep and were not awakened until about two o'clock in the morning. An office stool stood in the route from the shipping room entrance to the office and the money drawer. Over this the burglar stumbled, landing by the side of Mr. Cobb, arousing him from his slumbers. Mr. Cobb wasted no time in closing on his prisoner. Mr. Perkins, too, was instantly moving and a light revealed the form of Halley. How he came there was next solved.

   A short time previous to this event, workmen missed the key to the rear door of the candy factory. That morning the key was inside in the lock. From the candy room he had gone up stairs, across the second floor to a flight of stairs leading down to the front portion of the store. Frank has been trusted in many capacities but of late his actions have been the subject of comment.

             

DAGOS GET THE WORST OF IT.

Bad Whiskey and Race Prejudice Create Havoc in a Gang of Laborers.

    ST. LOUIS, June 22.—A race riot between laborers employed by Contractor Forkley at Heman's camp, at the Chain of Rocks, a point about five miles up the river where the new water works are being constructed, occurred between 1 and 2 o'clock Sunday morning. One Italian was dangerously stabbed, 22 of his fellow countrymen were driven from the camp, their money and valuables were confiscated by the gang of American laborers, and a race panic was inaugurated.

   The riot was primarily caused by the admittance into camp of a lot of Italian laborers and the report that Contractor Forkley had gone to Chicago for more. All Saturday a feeling of revolt against the employment of Italian labor had been gaining in strength and bitterness. As soon as the laborers were paid off in the evening they congregated at a saloon just outside the city limits where bad whiskey is dealt out to men, who pass the time gambling away their hard earned money.

      About 1 o'clock Sunday morning the gambling party broke up and the 60 or more men, crazy drunk, started for their sleeping quarters. On the way, William B. Blair, it is alleged, sprang the idea of "driving out the d—d dagos." It took like wild fire and with muttered curses against the Italians the drunken mob hurried toward the camp. "D—n the Dagos" was the cry with which the attack began on the Italians. The drunken crowd sprang into the tent amidst the sleeping foreigners, armed with sticks, clubs, knives and whatever else they could lay their hands on.

   The fight did not last long. The Italians were at too great a disadvantage and after a brief resistance they fled in terror, leaving behind all their belongings. They carried away Catalise Francisco, who had a cut in the breast which threatens to result fatally. The Italians made their way to this city, where they reported the matter to the police, and Francisco was taken to the city dispensary where his wounds were dressed. At the camp the Italians' departure was followed by a scene of pillage. Their valises, bundles and packages were broken open and the contents taken possession of.

   The police at once began a rigid investigation and a number of arrests were made. The men taken into custody profess ignorance of the attack on the Italians and say they were awakened by a commotion and merely aided in driving from the camp the disturbers of their slumbers. One of the assaulted party, however, has identified two of the men arrested.

   Italian Consul Dominico Cinniche is indignant over the attack on his countrymen, and will doubtless enter into a preliminary correspondence with his government on the subject. He has demanded of the chief-of-police protection for the Italians and also an immediate official investigation of the riot.

Jottings on the Races.

   The management of the Cortland driving park respectfully yet clearly desire to state to the general public that the exploding of torpedoes, fire-crackers or other customary demonstrations attending the Fourth of July, whereby horses may be frightened or comfort of patrons annoyed, is strictly prohibited adjoining the entrances to or upon the grounds during the four day's races next week.

   Chief Sager with a detail of police will be upon the grounds to see that this order is enforced. All violators will be promptly arrested. The feasibility of the above is apparent to all.

   From the result of preceding races of '91, held in this circuit, horsemen are confident that there will be a grand exhibit on the Cortland track.

   Look over the list of entries, invite your family or, if not of the fold of Benedict, a portion of some other family, secure a sitting in the magnificent grand stand, and enjoy life.

   Wallace Brothers have been awarded the privilege for the grand stand restaurant and will spare no pains to please all. Several thoroughbred horses arrived from Philadelphia and other remote sections during the present week.

Chautauqua Circle.

   The Chautauqua Circle will hold its last regular meeting for the year with Mrs. Clark, 67 Madison street, Monday evening, June 29th. All interested in the work for another year will be cordially welcome. Program as follows:

NEW COURSE FOR THE AMERICAN YEAR

1891-92.

(Ready June 1st, 1891.)

   Main Facts of American History—D. H. Montgomery. 12 mo.

   Initial Studies in American Letters—H. A. Beers. 12 mo.

   The Story of the Constitution—Francis N. Thorpe. 12 mo.

   Social Institutions of America—James Bryce. 12 mo.

   German Literature in English—W. C. Wilkinson. 12 mo.

   Two Old Faiths—Hinduism and Mohammedanism. 12 mo.

Items.

   The picnic given the children in the brick school house district at Floral Trout Park, by their teacher, Miss Olive Parker, last Friday afternoon, was enjoyed by the scholars and many of their parents. The term just closed was most successful.

   Having adopted the proposed electric system of announcing the standard time upon the city ball bell, [Fire] chief Dowd announces that the connection with Clark & Nourse's jewelry store will be made today. It is expected that the first public announcement will be at 12 M., Saturday, and regularly at the same hour daily thereafter. One stroke of the bell at noon will indicate standard time, and clocks may be safely set thereby.

   The new grand stand on the fair grounds is s fine building. It will accommodate 1,200 people and every one of the 1,200 can see the entire course without interfering with their neighbors.

A Rare Bird.

   Mr. H. T. Hollister, the Railroad street hardware merchant, returned from a trip to Minnesota and other western states last Saturday. Monday he was exhibiting to his many friends a living specimen of the misquito [sic] family common to Northern Minnesota. The body of the insect is as large as that of an ordinary Empire state grasshopper, the head adorned with a pair of feelers two and three-fourths inches in length, in short the general appearance was non-conducive to pleasant dreams.

   Herb might have booked some orders, but an Ohio drummer happening upon the scene placed himself on record with the announcement of his ability to furnish the Buckeye grade at 80 per cent off list price. Herb reports a pleasant trip and that the cereal crop prospect of the west is most promising. He thinks for premium mud Missouri carries the banner, especially after a heavy rain.