NOT ONE OF THEM

Cortland Evening Standard, Saturday, January 6, 1894.

PAGE TWO—EDITORIALS.

Not One of Them.

   Some of our readers are wondering whether we meant to include the Cortland Howe Ventilating stove among the "old-fashioned clumsy stoves" referred to and condemned in the editorial article headed "House Warming," in yesterday's STANDARD. Most emphatically we did not. The "old-fashioned clumsy stove" neither brings fresh air into a room nor takes foul air out. The modern furnace, if it has an out-door connection—as it ought, brings fresh air into the house, and in this respect is superior to the "old-fashioned stove," but it does not and cannot take cold or foul air from the floors, and out of the house. In this respect it is inferior to the Cortland Howe Ventilator, which brings fresh air into a house by passing it over heated surfaces which never get red hot—thus never burning the oxygen out of the air as a furnace almost invariably does—and also takes the cold and foul air from the floors and out through the chimney, producing a constant circulation of pure warm air in the rooms. This is impossible with a modern furnace unless at a large extra expense in building ventilating flues and consuming fuel. The same is true of steam heating.

    In large houses of many rooms, all of which it is desired to heat, furnaces are generally employed on the score of convenience, but the close and often oppressive atmosphere, cold floors, uneven distribution of heat and resultant headaches and liability to lung and throat troubles in the persons living in houses thus heated, are evidences that the ordinary furnace is far from an ideal apparatus. Moistening the air passing through a furnace does not replace the oxygen which is burned out, When, as is almost always the case, the fresh air box of a furnace also takes air from the level of the ground, where "the poisonous gases and miasmas settle, and where refuse and filth are liable to collect, the air which enters the house through the furnace flues is anything but fresh. There is a case on record where an entire family were supposed to have contracted typhoid fever from the exhalations from manure spread in a field adjoining the house, these exhalations passing into the house through the "fresh air" box of the furnace.

   For persons using furnaces the extract from Mr. Wingate's article which we published contains some valuable suggestions, and was designed for users of furnaces, but the ideal heating apparatus for a moderate-sized house, both on the score of economy and health, is still the modern and beautiful—not clumsy and old-fashioned— Cortland Howe Ventilator, which brings fresh air into the house without burning out the oxygen or filling it with impurities, takes foul air out without creating drafts, and doesn't ruin the user by enormous coal bills.

  

◘ The question of the municipal ownership of [coal] gas works has been settled in Berlin and 28 other large cities in Germany. For 47 years Berlin has manufactured her own gas and disposed of it to citizens at a handsome profit. In the other cities, after the gas has been made at about the same expense as that at which private corporations make it, there has remained a large surplus which has gone toward paying the expenses of the city government.

  

◘ Philadelphia is now investigating the question of still further extending city ownership of gas works. The manufacture of illuminating gas from water has long occupied attention there. Several private companies desirous of building plants for the city declare positively and solemnly that a good fuel and illuminating gas can be made from water at a cost of 25 cents per thousand cubic feet. One company has offered to construct a water gas plant out and out and let the city test it 30 days on condition of its purchase by the city in case the gas does not cost more than 25 cents per thousand. If a good illuminating gas can be made at this price, then every small town in the country should have its own gas works. What is more, everybody can use gas as fuel, thus doing away with soot, ashes, dust, labor and kindling wood. It will pay the gas companies to sell their product as cheaply as possible, even in cases where a city does not make its own gas.

  

◘ After the fund has been raised in cities for the relief of the unemployed poor, they can be put to breaking stone, and preparing material under shelter when the weather is too inclement for them to work outdoors. Buffalo gives her poor men employment in that manner and pays them 10 cents an hour.

Emile Zola.

Zola and Newspaper Work.

   Emile Zola as a man is one to whom both literary men and journalists must look up with unlimited respect. This is not so much on account of what he has written, perhaps, as because he has always got so much money for it and been able to make himself a rich man at literature. He was wretchedly poor at the beginning of his career, but as soon as he got upon his feet he began to save money. Thus he showed himself a greater genius than almost any other writing man of his time, or any other time, whether the writing man be journalist or devoted to the minor task of making poetry and novels.

   Zola's opinions are therefore entitled to respect. He himself worked at journalism before he achieved success as a novelist, and really was not at all bad as a newspaper man. After he earned a good sum of money regularly as the producer of the fearful and wonderful fiction for which he has become noted, he gradually relinquished journalism. But he always had a warm side for our branch of the business, as will be seen from the paragraph below. What he writes in regard to strong character is especially worth remembering:

   "I consider that journalism, unless as a political instrument, can only be a transitory stage for the man of letters—his apprenticeship, as it were. I speak from experience—I, who have done every kind of journalistic work, from a vulgar police case report up to a political leader. The immense advantage of journalism is the great power that it bestows upon the writer. The whole social question can be formulated by the veriest journalistic tyro in the simplest fait divers [sic.] Besides, can the literary education, the habit of writing which is obtained by journalism, be held of no account? Doubtless one must have strong loins; this steam machine labor must kill the feeble, but the strong cannot but profit by it. And, to speak plainly, it is the strong only who interest me. I have no pity whatever for the fate of those who are vanquished when their weakness is the cause of their defeat. Character is wanted in life, and without energy one can attain nothing. Journalism, moreover, provides the man of letters of today with his daily bread and thus insures his independence. I should like to say all that I think on this subject."

Excise Commissioners Indicted.

   ROCHESTER, Jan. 6.—The excise commissioners of the town of Greece, John Burns, George Bradford and Frank Vance, have been indicted for malfeasance in office in granting licenses to persons known to be conducting places known to be immoral resorts. The proprietors of the roadhouses in Greece were also indicted.

Oil and Gas Discovered.

   SUSQUEHANNA, Pa., Jan. 6.—At Brooklyn, this county, oil and natural gas have been discovered. Oil Expert Nash and a farmer named Oakley drove a stake into a swamp, and natural gas came bubbling up. Oakley struck a match which ignited the oil and his clothes caught fire. He is now in a critical condition.

Want Marriage Laws Enacted.

   ALBANY, Jan. 6.—The legislative committee of the New York State Homeopathic Medical society has decided to bring before the legislature the question of marriage among those tainted by heredity with crime, insanity or disease, and to demand the enactment of suitable scientific laws restricting such marriages. The society believes the state can pass laws that will forbid any such marriages being enacted.

DRAMA AND MUSIC.

A SPLENDID ENTERTAINMENT BY HOME TALENT.

A Double Bill—A Large and Enthusiastic Audience—A Grand Success. All for Charity.

   The entertainment at the Opera House last night for the benefit of the needy poor of Cortland was in some respects one of the most remarkable and one of the best which has ever been presented here by local talent. It consisted of a four act comedy, "The Lost Heir," by Dr. G. A. Tompkins of Cortland and concluded with the laughable comic operetta entitled "Penelope, or the Milkman's Bride." To begin with, every person who appeared upon the stage was a bona fide resident of Cortland, and the play itself was written by a Cortland man. All of these facts and the object for which the entertainment was given helped to draw together one of the largest and one of the best audiences of the season.

   Dr. Tompkins is to be congratulated upon being the author of the play, for it contains a lively plot which is full of deep interest and abounds in the unexpected. When it is considered that the actors have been in possession of their lines for less than ten days, the results brought out last night were something surprising. It is good evidence that Cortland has in her midst dramatic talent which to the majority of the residents is at least surprising.

   The full cast was given in yesterday's STANDARD. The parts were thoroughly committed, and there were no pauses or hitches of any kind. All went along smoothly, as though the play had been running consecutively for a season.

   It is difficult to particularize where all are good. Mrs. Hawley represented the gay young Adelaide to perfection. Miss Miller was a very stately Mrs. Beekman, and impressed it upon all from the start that she intended to have her own way, but she surprised everyone at the conclusion by eloping with the doctor. Mr. James Culp made an admirable physician, but no one would have supposed him to be rascal enough to run off with another man's wife. A general titter went over the house as Miss Ruth Carpenter appeared for the first time in the character of Kate Rooney, attired in fantastic costume, and that titter became a laugh as she went through the various antics of her part. Whenever she was in sight she was in motion, and no one could fail to be aware of her presence.

   Pat O'Donavan, as personated by Mr. D. F. Waters, was one of the best characters of the evening. He never forgot his brogue, and he was all the time full of action and energy. Mr. F. K. Dibble made a good Englishman. Mr. Alger well sustained the part of the dignified elderly gentleman, but his mingled joy at the end in finding his son, and his despair at finding who he was, was funny indeed. Dr. Tompkins made an ideal old Dutchman in his character of Jake Strauss. Mr. Randolph Miller as Officer McFinn marched about with great dignity, but his long strides, as with club extended, he dashed across the stage after Newsboy Jim (Harry Clark), would have driven Chief Sager to despair, while the magnificence with which he escorted the ponies about the stage in the Central Park scene reminded one of Officer Jackson trying to arrest the circus clown.

   The third act which represented a scene in Central Park gave opportunity for the display of numerous specialties. The stage filled up with about twenty little girls in bright and pretty dress (who previously had occupied the box at the right of the stage) who now promenaded back and forth. Misses Grace Warren and Louise Holden drove about with their small ponies in their two-wheeled carts. Harry Clark rode a little gray donkey around, whenever with heel or whip he could inspire some locomotion in him. Harry also rode a bicycle. Little John Morgan, well disguised as a nurse maiden of color pushed a baby carriage about. Susie Tompkins, the daughter of the author of the play, as a street Italian girl, gave a fine violin solo. Miss Mabel C. Whitcomb personated a blind girl and sang a pleasing solo with guitar accompaniment and took up a collection among the frequenters of the park. Messrs. M. Stevens and Fred Ketchum gave an exhibition of dancing, which was well received.

   In the second act Dr. Tompkins had a solo, entitled the Pack Peddler's song, and "Dat Leetle German band," composed of representatives of the City band, thoroughly disguised, appeared and played popular street airs like "White Wings," etc.

   At the close of the drama Mr. Fred I. Graham played a fine flute solo with orchestra accompaniment while the stage was being rearranged for the one-act operetta which followed, and this operetta was very delightful. It was prepared under the direction of Mr. M. D. Murphey. To say that it was funny would be putting it mildly indeed. The music was excellent. That would go without saying when one noticed the cast of characters and remembered that they represented some of the best voices in Cortland. Several of the airs were from the "Bohemian Girl" and other well-known operas with words of course adapted to this play.

   Those who took part were Miss Kittie Ray Colvin as Penelope, a servant. She had a very ugly mistress in Miss B. Elizabeth Turner, as Mrs. Croaker.  She also had two lovers, Pitcher in the police, Mr. M. Day Murphey, and Tosser in the Grenadiers, Mr. Frank Lanigan. But they really cared nothing for her, only she was nice to flirt with and her kitchen was a good place to drop into whenever they chose and when the mistress was away. She had another lover "Chalks,"' a milkman, (Mr. T. H. Dowd) who proposed to her, but whom she rejected with scorn. Accidentally Pitcher and Tosser called upon her the same evening and a scene followed. Then the mistress was heard coming and one lover was concealed in the closet and another in a huge wash boiler. They were both discovered after many embarrassments and Penelope was discharged. Then she appealed to Pitcher and Tosser each in turn to marry her and take her with them, but they would not. At this point Chalks renews his offer and is accepted with alacrity.

   There are solos for every one, duets, trios, quartets, and the finale is a fine quintet.

HOMER DEPARTMENT.

Gleanings of New From our Twin Village.

   Dr. S. Burnham's lecture at the Baptist church last evening was upon the "Prophetic Books" and was a discussion of their origin, contents and literary merits. The professor brought out a great many interesting facts. He claimed that the sermons as published in the Prophetic books are not as originally preached, but are sometimes the important parts of different sermons arranged and improved by the prophet to give the best literary effect. A most interesting part of the lecture last evening was Dr. Burnham's reading of the book of Nahum, which was a masterly interpretation of that book. After the lecture the doctor answered a number of questions which were asked by his audience. He then took charge of a Sunday-school teachers' meeting which he made very interesting.

   Keator opera house is hereafter to be managed by Hose company No. 2.

Another Centenarian.

   Mrs. Ora Brown, who lives with her daughter, Mrs. Hubbard, opposite the big watering trough two miles from Cortland on the Truxton road, was one hundred years old yesterday. Mrs. Brown was born in Brimfield, Mass., and was a near neighbor to the parents of Mr. Hosea Sprague of Homer, who was one hundred years old upon Dec. 21, 1893, and in fact Mr. Sprague worked for Mrs. Brown's father the summer that he was eighteen years old. Mrs. Brown moved with her parents to Homer early in this century and united with the Homer Congregational church in 1818. She is a sister of Mrs. Lucy Hitchcock, who died in Homer Dec. 31, 1893. She has six children living—Mr. Newton Brown, Mrs. Hubbard, Mrs. Isaac Brown, Miss Mary E, Brown, all of Cortland, and two daughters in the West.

   Mrs. Brown is in fair health, and in perfect possession of all her faculties. She had a bad fall some months ago and has been rather lame ever since, but she is able to get about the house without much difficulty. A large number of her friends and relatives called upon her yesterday at her home. It was the intention of Mr. Hosea Sprague to go over and call upon his old friend, but the inclemency of the weather prevented.

   It is a very unusual occurrence for two children brought up together to remove from their home to the same place in another state and to live within three miles of each other until both pass the one hundred birthday mark.

BREVITIES.

   —The Loyal Temperance legion will be held at East Side reading rooms every Sunday at 3 P. M, All are invited.

   —The funeral of Master Guy Allen Fellows, son of Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Fellows, will be held at 3 P. M. to-morrow.

   —Mr. B. B. Terry yesterday sold his six-year-old chestnut gelding, "W. A. Swigert" to Mr. Hubbard of Providence, R. I. Consideration, $500.

   —Persons caring to know the difference between a furnace and the best modern stove will be interested in the editorial article headed, "Not One of Them."

   —All the boot and shoe dealers in town and the harness dealers have agreed to close their stores at 6 P. M. on each evening of the week except Monday and Saturday. This new arrangement will go into force next week and will continue for two months.

   —Supervisor R. Bruce Smith has left at the First National bank the pamphlet copies for the town of Cortlandville of the proceedings of the board of supervisors of this county. Any resident of the town desiring a copy can obtain it by calling at the bank.

   —There is on exhibition at the store of Clark & Nourse an elegant solid silver salad dish with spoon and fork, all gold-lined and all very handsomely chased with fine work, a Christmas present from the students of the Central High school of Philadelphia to President Henry C. Johnson. All are enclosed in a beautiful case of garnet and gold silk, lined with white silk. The whole thing cost over $300, and is a strong testimonial to the affection and regard which the students bear to their president.

Tea Table Talk.

   Buffalo is now feeding 2,200 destitute people every day.

   It will cost $38,296,633 to run the government of the city of New York in 1894.

   A young man in Mount Holly, N. J., winked at a young lady in church last Sunday. The young lady resented it. One of the elders of the church entered a complaint against the offender, who was arrested and ordered to pay a fine of $10 or go to jail. He demanded a hearing and claimed that the wink was involuntary. The justice is holding the matter under advisement, and the probabilities are that it will soon be decided whether or not it is a misdemeanor to wink at a pretty girl in church.