AN HONOR TO THE CRAFT

The Cortland Democrat, Friday, August 10, 1894.

An Honor to the Craft.

(From the Kingston Argus Aug. 1.)

   James H. Sinclair, of the Chenango Union, passed his 70th birthday on July 7th. He has been connected with the Union ever since it was established in 1847 and is well known to the fraternity. The proprietor of the ARGUS—the writer of this paragraph—was "printer's devil" in 1844 when "Jim" Sinclair was the "jour" in the office of the Cortland DEMOCRAT. He was there as he ever has been, a sterling character—a man of talent, industry and integrity, and his whole life has been admired by a host of friends for those qualities of manhood. He was ever by far too unassuming and doubtful of himself, else he could easily have held very high rank and been distinguished among the journalists of this State.

Main Street, north from Court Street, Cortland, N. Y. 1899.

Trolley cars near the Cortland House.

THE ELECTRIC ROAD.

Work Commenced and is Being Pushed Forward Rapidly.

   Last Monday contractor Jacobs put about 75 men at work taking up the old track between the Messenger House corner and the E., C. & N. station, and putting down the new rails and ties. [Village] President W. D. Tisdale drove the first spike in the new road at 3:30 P. M. of that day. The rails weigh 56 pounds to the yard, are 30 feet long and 4 1/2 inches high. All joints will be wired with electric rail bonds, copper wire. Every 200 feet they are to be cross bound to insure return of the electric fluid to the electric station. A two-inch plank is to be fastened down on each side of the rails except where the road is paved.

   Yesterday afternoon a traction engine and plow was started on Groton-ave. and the track will be laid on this street and on Homer-ave. as soon as possible, which will allow the horse cars to operate the road from Homer to the E., C. & N. station while the rest of the road is building. It is believed that the road from the Messenger House to the E., C. N. station will be finished to-night. Mr. Jacobs expects to start a gang of hands on Clinton-ave. next week. He is pushing the work rapidly. Most all of the men employed thus far are residents of Cortland and vicinity.

WHY NOT HAVE IT HERE?

Higher Education for Grown People.

   Our citizens have the opportunity to establish here one of the most important movements of the present time, one that has been well said to "mark an era." It is something that appeals not alone to a single class of people, but it would extend its great benefits alike to all, both young and old. Let us establish here a permanent branch of the movement for the extension of university instruction to every one without interfering with their regular daily occupation. Less than one person in thirty is able to attend college. University extension is a successful plan for bringing the precious opportunity for higher education within the reach of that vast majority who are compelled to leave school early to earn their living. It aims to elevate and enrich the life of every person by giving something of that broader outlook over the great world of literature, science and art which has hitherto been confined mainly to the favored few. The extension movement presents for the first time in history, systematic courses of evening lectures delivered in one's own town by able professors, with free discussions between the lecturer and the audience, so as to adapt the work to the needs of grown people engaged in regular pursuits. All the most important subjects are handled with as much as possible of the thoroughness of a regular college course.

   The extension method is so varied and thorough that a person in earnest can get very great results while those who simply wish to hear a fine course of instructive lectures will have something vastly superior to ordinary courses of miscellaneous lectures. The idea is to enable those who wish to study the subject thoroughly to do so with the help of the professor. The details of the work are:

   1st. Lectures—A systematic course of ten weekly lectures on a single subject like American history or literature.

   2nd. Syllabus—A printed analysis of the lectures is furnished for the use of the audience.

   3rd. Reading—The names of the best books on the subject are given in the syllabus to help students.

   4th. Discussions—In connection with each lecture a very fine informal talk is had between audience and lecturer to clear up all difficult points.

   5th. Paper Work—Those who wish are invited to write a page or two each week on a suggested topic.

   6th. Examination—At the close of the course all those who desire may take a regular examination and receive a certificate from the Regents of the state on passing.

   7th. Students' clubs can be formed to continue the study with the help of the professor at the close of lectures.

   8th. Travelling libraries of the best reference books on a subject can be supplied by the state library at slight expense where a town has no good library.

   The spirit of University Extension is pure democracy in education, and all classes including rich and poor, merchants, farmers, clerks, teachers, ministers, lawyers, doctors, bankers, mechanics, housekeepers and ladies of leisure attend the courses. The college graduate who wishes to extend and refresh his knowledge joins in cordial enthusiasm with the earnest workman who sees opening before him for the first time the inspiration of equal educational opportunity.

   The practical question for us is shall we establish University Extension here permanently with the help of the new University Extension department of the University of Rochester? The expense of course tickets for the entire ten lectures does not exceed two dollars. Thirty subjects can be supplied including American history or literature, economic questions, monetary science, improved agriculture, geology, electricity, etc.

   It is earnestly requested that every reader of this article who wishes to attend such a course send name and address on a postal card addressed to J. Eugene Whitney, Secy. of University Extension Department of University, Rochester, N. Y. Name on the postal what subject you prefer, and how many tickets you would agree to use or dispose of to help make this grand work a success. Write to-day so it will not be forgotten.

HUNTING FOR HIS WIFE.

An Abandoned Husband Trying to Arrange a Settlement With the Bride of a Few Days.

   For several days past the gossips of Syracuse have been wagging their tongues over a bit of sensational matter caused by the appearance of Mr. Adolph Roller, a wealthy young man of New York, who claims that he was married to Miss May Phillips of Syracuse, while she was on a visit with friends in New York three or four weeks since. Miss Phillips admits the marriage but claims now to be anxious to secure a divorce, and in this she is ably seconded by her mother and lawyer Edgar N. Wilson, who is said to have acted as a sort of chaperone for both mother and daughter on more than one occasion.

   The mother is said to be none other than Mary Jane, the divorced wife of Edwin A. Phillips, a wagon maker residing at East Homer. She is the daughter of Erastus Graham, who resides on Clayton-ave. in this village, and [she] married Phillips more than twenty years ago. A daughter, Nora M., was born to them while they lived together in East Homer. Mrs. Phillips was a handsome, stylish-looking woman and had no desire to hide her beauty in a cross-road town, and she finally left her husband and moved with her little girl to Cortland, where she had rooms in the Malmberg block and afterwards in the Moore block. Phillips is an easy going sort of man, but lacks the pushing quality that helps a man to get on in the world.

   In the spring of 1885, Phillips brought an action for divorce for principal cause, naming several more or less prominent citizens as co-respondents. Geo. B. Jones Esq., appeared for Phillips, and Hon. A. P. Smith for Mrs. Phillips, but after a few weeks the defence [sic] was abandoned and the case was referred to Hon. S. S. Knox, before whom the evidence was taken The referee submitted his report to the court, stating that plaintiff was entitled to a divorce. The report was confirmed and an order granting plaintiff an absolute divorce was filed in the County Clerks office in June of the same year.

   Miss Nora M. Phillips, or May as she is now called, is about 21 years of age. The decree of divorce gave the father custody of the child, but she has preferred to live with her mother most of the time. Mrs. Phillips moved to Syracuse some seven or eight years ago. Mr. Roller has been in Syracuse after his wife but it is understood that she declines to go with him. He is expected to be there again in a day or two and is said to be about to commence proceedings of a legal nature.

Eugene V. Debs.

PAGE FOUR—EDITORIALS.

  

◘ The people of Kansas are suffering from a severe drought. It is a prohibition state.

  

◘ China and Japan are arbitrating their differences. Powder and ball and dynamite are the arbitrators.

  

◘ The [State] Constitutional convention has voted not to submit the question of local option to the people. With an immense majority in that body the republicans refuse to do anything for temperance.

  

◘ The invitation from prominent Americans to Hon. W. E. Gladstone to visit this country, has been declined by that distinguished man for the reason that he has not yet recovered from the operation recently performed on his eyes. The Committee have some hopes that he may be induced to accept at a later date.

  

◘ Debs, president of the American Railway Union, said in Chicago the other day that the recent strike had been a failure and that he would never again have any official connection with one. He did not believe any strike could win because the organized forces of society were opposed to strikes. Debs proposes to go into politics now with a view of accomplishing there what he failed to accomplish by the strike.

  

◘ The republican majority in the Constitutional convention turned out five democratic members last Monday and gave their seats to five republicans who were not elected. These tactics prevail whenever the republicans have a majority of the legislature and if the convention sits much longer it will be unanimously republican. So far the majority seems to be working to adopt amendments that will serve the republican party instead of the people. The entire responsibility will rest upon the shoulders of the party, and if the results of the convention's deliberations prove to be bad the people will know where the blame should rest.

  

Brooklyn Bridge for Sale.

   Not in "blocks of five," but two blocks for five. Not the bridge that spans the East river between the cities of New York and Brooklyn, but the one that adorns Shepard's show window at Homer, N. Y.

   The white bridge is as unique in its way as the "White City" made not of steel but of Castile soap, 7,000 cakes being used in its construction. The soap is pure white Castile, so pure that it will float, and in order to introduce it to the people of Cortland county in a fitting way this beautiful bridge has been constructed. It is a work of art, a thing of beauty and worth coming miles to see. For a short time the soap will be sold two cakes for five cents. If you wish to see it come early. The sale will commence Thursday morning, Aug. 9. H. & G. A. Roever Co. of Cincinnati, O., are the manufacturers of the soap. It will not be on sale elsewhere in this county.

HERE AND THERE.

   Labor day is the next legal holiday.

   The woods are full of republican statesmen about these days.

   All the news for $2. Subscribe to the Cortland DEMOCRAT.

   The Tisdale family held their annual picnic at Floral Trout Park last week Wednesday.

   Fifteen people from this place went on the excursion to Eldridge park, Elmira, last Tuesday.

   R. G Lewis, Esq., has sold eighty-six Osborne mowers and reapers within the last two months.

   Three cottages have been erected on the marl pond in J. L. Gillett's grove. All are now occupied.

   The new locomotive No. 4 is running from Cortland to Canastota making the round trip twice each day.

   Messrs. Maxson & Starin have taken the contract to put down new cement walks on the Normal school grounds.

   The Griswold family will hold their annual picnic at the residence of Daniel P. Griswold in South Cortland, August 22.

   The E. C. & N. railroad company is erecting a two story building 30x50 just west of the car shops in this village. It is be used for storing the patterns of the car shops.

   The K. of P. excursion to Sylvan Beach takes place to-morrow over the E. C. & N. There will be two trains, one leaving this station at 8:07 and the other at [9] A. M. Fare for round trip $1.10.

   Messrs. H. W. Post and J. E. Bliss, merchant tailors, have entered into co-partnership under the firm name of Post & Bliss and will conduct the business in the rooms over Second National Bank, where Mr. Post has been engaged in business for some years past.

   Mr. J. F. Griswold of Waverly has recently fitted up the Cortland House with an excellent system of electric call and return call bells. A wire connects the office with each sleeping room. The clerk can call any guest from the office in the morning or at any time of night and the bell continues to ring until the guest arises and answers the call.

   Mr. Ridgeway Rowley of this place, was at the Thousand Islands last week and purchased a small sail-boat "Little Nell," which he shipped to his farm on Otisco lake. The boat has won first place in several races against the fastest of her class on the river.

Editor’s note:

   CC welcomes new followers Theresa Daley and Linda Witty who signed on during a wave of interest in the 1916 news report about the murder of Tony Camillo in Cortland. We thank all followers and readers for their interest in our current blog project, which is copying and arranging local, regional, national and international news of the Gilded Age from Cortland newspaper archives. We encourage readers to use the Search Bar located on each post. We recommend No Cow Left Behind--Anniversary Post. We also wish to thank our source provider, Mr. Tom Tryniski of Old Fulton Post Cards, for access to his newspaper archives.