DUAL REPORT FILED ON Z. BROCKWAY

Zebulon R. Brockway.

Cortland Evening Standard, Monday, December 10, 1894.

DUAL REPORT FILED.

Commission Fails to Agree on the Brockway Case.

   ALBANY, Dec 10.—The report of the commission to examine as to the charges against the managers of the Elmira reformatory, that they had neglected their duty and allowed cruelties to be practiced in the institution and which consists of a majority and minority report, will be given to the press this afternoon.

   The reports are voluminous and Governor Flower, in whose hands they now are, has not quite finished digesting them. He said that he would not divulge their contents until he gave them to the press. It is understood on the best of authority that Dr. Austin Flint and Israel T. Deyo have reported in favor of the board and consequently in favor of Brockway.

   They hold that the board had a perfect knowledge of the working of the institution and that such corporal punishment as was used was necessary for the maintenance of discipline in the institution.

   The punishment inflicted had no such lasting effect upon the punished as would solitary confinement or the various other modes suggested by so-called humanitarians.

   They point to the fact that from a small beginning the institution has grown to be one of the model, if not the model institution of the world, and if the methods and laxness, said to exist, had been prevalent, it never could have obtained that position.

   Judge William L. Learned, the brilliant jurist, who was the president of the commission, presents a minority report, in which he deals with the methods in vogue in the institution in the most severe manner. He alleges that brutality existed and that it was by failure to take action sanctioned by the board of managers. He holds that there is no warrant under the law for the punishment of the inmates in the manner used by Brockway and that in fact the statutes distinctly forbids any such brutal methods. He believes that the best interests of the inmates can only be obtained by the removal of the present officials and the strict enforcement of a provision prohibiting the use of violent punishment.

   The report of the commission does not in any way finally determine the case for the governor may or may not sanction the recommendations of either the majority or the minority. The matter rests entirely with him and he has the full lot of testimony before him for his own judgment. The report has less weight than that of a referee appointed to take testimony.

Sultan Objects to Jewett's Mission.

   LONDON, Dec. 10.—A dispatch from Constantinople says that the sultan has not acquiesced in the mission of Consul Milo Jewett, who was selected by President Cleveland to inquire into and report upon the Turkish outrages in Armenia. The dispatch adds that the sultan appears to fear the effect of an independent report to the Washington government.

Samuel Gompers.

BIG LABOR MEETING.

FEDERATION OF LABOR CONVENTION AT DENVER.

One or the Most Important Industrial Gatherings Ever Held—Many Prominent Labor Leaders Present—Large Number of Important Questions to Be Considered—John Burns a Delegate From England.

   DENVER, Dec. 10.—The 14th annual convention of the American Federation of Labor opened today at the Old Chamber of Commerce building.

   The congress this year has attracted general interest among all the labor organizations throughout the country, and in fact all over the world.

   The meeting will be one of the most important ever held by the federation both for the number and high standing of the delegates and visitors who will attend and the importance to the labor interests of the questions that will be discussed. The matters that will come before the convention will be of supreme interest to labor throughout the entire country.

   One of these is the establishment of a national labor commission of 15, composed of five from the agricultural interests, five from the labor organizations and five from the manufacturing interests.

   This idea has been broached, and it is thought by some who have studied the labor question closely, that the creation by congress of a commission of this character would go far toward adjusting the difficulties that arise between capital and labor, and preventing strikes.

   A strong effort will be made also to secure the indorsement [sic] of an unequivocal silver resolution. A silver resolution of a general, noncommittal character was adopted at the Chicago convention last year, but it was not sufficiently pronounced to suit the views of the Western delegates.

   It has been rumored that a strong effort will be made to commit the federation to a number of socialistic and anarchistic resolutions, but any such intention is discredited by the local delegates, who are thoroughly familiar with the program which will be carried out.

   The Trades Assembly have adopted a platform to be recommended to the convention of the Federation of Labor, embodying an eight-hour work day, compulsory education, sanitary inspection of workshop, mine and home; liability of employers for injury to health, body or life; abolition of the contract system in all public work; abolition of the sweating system; municipal ownership of streetcars and gas and electric plants for public distribution of light, heat and power; the nationalization of telegraphs, telephones, railroads and mines; the principal of referendum in all legislation.

   There is no doubt but that a severe struggle will occur when the election of officers takes place. Samuel Gompers, president of the organization, is a candidate for re-election. John McBride, president of the Mine Workers' union, is considered a strong candidate and is said to have a large following. Other candidates will probably come to the front before the election takes place. It is believed that Secretary McGuire of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners, and General Secretary Chris Evans will find a strong opposition against their election to any office as they are with Gompers responsible for the action of the federation in Chicago in refusing to recommend sympathetic strikes in support of the American Railway union railroad strikes.

   The main opposition of the West against Gompers is that he is a New York man and is said opposed to silver. It is likely, however, that the present officers of the federation will be re-elected. While Samuel Gompers pulled through with a very slender majority last year, he has made many friends since then, notwithstanding the many different reports about his cautious action during the Chicago strike. In addition to the large attendance expected from this country, a number of labor champions from abroad will be present and address the meeting. Among them are the great English leader, John Burns, M. P., one of the best known men in the labor world.

    His magnificent work in the dock strike and in organizing the unskilled laborers attracted much attention. In 1892 he was elected from Battersea as a member of parliament by a large majority, and at the trade union congress in 1893 he was elected member of the parliamentary committee, of which he soon became chairman.

   With John Burns will be David Holmes of Burnley, president of the Textile Workers' National union of Great Britain. It is expected that the Frenchmen, Isador Fiance and "Legordeur," widely known on the continent of Europe for their labors in behalf of the workingmen, will address the federation before it adjourns.

PAGE TWO—EDITORIALS.

Misappropriated Adjectives.

   "Splendid" means shining, superb and magnificent. Don't therefore call every mean little thing splendid. We have heard one of the superlative expletive women say a dish of ice cream was "splendid.'' A chicken stew was "splendid," too, and when she ate sausage and buckwheat cakes there was nothing for it but to call them splendid too. How she would have described a gorgeous sunset, a dazzling jewelry display or a shower of meteors, after calling ice cream splendid, one is at a loss to know.

   No word is vulgarized and dragged down more than this fine old Latin adjective ''splendid" unless it be the adjective "elegant." With some a scuttle of coal that burns up well and makes a clear fire is "elegant," while Wagner's "Lohengrin" or the sculptured lion of Lucerne would be elegant too. Some people have no sense anyhow.

   Do not exhaust your superlative terms on common and insignificant things. When the bread is good, say it is good. Don't say it is splendid. When a thing is merely pretty, say just that. Don't say you were never so cold or so hot before in your life. You have been so 20 times. The little girl who was badly frightened on one occasion expressed the superlative habit to the full when she exclaimed, "I never was so scared to death in my life.''

   Don't say it was the heaviest rain or the worst storm you ever witnessed. You have lived through a dozen such and will do so again. Tell a story exactly as it is, coloring it not an infinitesimal tint to suit your wishes. One of the most difficult things in life is to tell the exact truth. It takes a high order of intellect to do it.

   Don't plaster any common thing all over with adjectives or expletives. If you do, it shows that you are not a person of good judgment and that you cannot see things as they are. If you use all the fine words up over trifles, you will have none left to describe really great sensations. Remember this and use just plain, moderate words to describe merely ordinary objects and events. So shall your diction become elegant and expressive and not be wordy and sloppy.

◘ Last summer during the strike the railroad companies sent in great haste to President Cleveland for United States troops to suppress the rioters. They were sent. Now the railroad companies present bills for transporting the troops to protect their own property. Uncle Sam ought to send in as an offset a bill for the services of his boys while they were defending the railroads.

◘ It takes a long time to bury a person. He most get tired of having his body carted around over his country so long before it reaches its final resting place. At any rate, living people get awfully tired of it.

◘ There is one encouraging sign in some of the financial reports of the great corporations. It is that, while the gross earnings have decreased considerably in 1894, net earnings have diminished much less—that is to say, economy in management has made up somewhat for the loss of business. The Americans are naturally a wasteful people. An occasional spell of hard times will be the best lesson they could have on the subject of economy. The wastefulness extends even to the household and the individual. An American family throws away what would keep a European family of the poorer class. We in this country must hereafter adapt ourselves permanently to the system of smaller returns and greater economy. We shall be as rich in the long run for it. The vast fortunes once realized in a few years in this new country are a thing of the past. The country is settled up, and its resources must be divided among many people.

The Wheels Went Round.

   The motor cycle was being tried on Church-st. this afternoon and Dr. E. M. Santee got on to ride. He wasn't very well acquainted with his new pegasus and the pegasus didn't feel acquainted with him. This all led to a misunderstanding. The cycle bolted and there was a confused pile of man and motor on the walk. But the power was still on and the wheels would persist in going around. The result was a broken pedal. The cycle was taken to the factory for a new pedal and sooner or later the doctor's coat will need a good brushing and sponging.

The Week's Theatricals.

   Manager Rood takes pleasure in announcing that he has made arrangements with the celebrated Howard Stock company, band and orchestra, to appear at the Cortland Opera House one week, beginning to-night, presenting one of the strongest repertoire of plays ever before the public at the popular prices. Edward P. Sullivan, the highest salaried leading man in repertoire companies, appears in connection with the play "Forgiven," which strengthens its claim to the title of "The Leader." Manager Preston of the company says: "We have yet to receive adverse criticism on our performances." The attraction tonight will be "Silver Ledge." Seats now on sale.

HOMER DEPARTMENT.

Gleanings of News From Our Twin Village.

   Mr. C. H. White, The STANDARD'S collector, will be in Homer on Tuesday and Wednesday, Dec. 11 and 12, to collect the month's subscriptions.

   The regular fortnightly meeting of the Homer lodge, F. & A. M., No. 352, occurs this evening at the lodge in the Sherman block, North Main-st. at 8 o'clock.

   Y. P. S. C. E. prayer-meetings at the Congregational and First Baptist churches this evening at 7:30 o'clock.

   Epworth league prayer-meeting at the M. E. church at the same hour. All are invited to attend.

   The regular monthly meeting of the board of lady managers of the Cortland County Home for Aged Women will be held to-morrow afternoon at 2:30 o'clock at the Home.

   The Traction company commenced erecting poles this morning. The laborers are now at work on South Main-st.

   A very pleasant gathering took place at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Jones on South Main-st. last Saturday evening when about twenty relatives and personal friends of that couple assembled to do honor to the twenty-fifth anniversary of their marriage. Fully twice that number of invitations had been issued for the occasion, but owing to the storm which prevailed quite a number were prevented from participating in the celebration Mr. and Mrs. Jones were the recipients of many handsome tokens of remembrance from their friends, among which was a complete set of dishes. Among those present from out of town were Mr. and Mrs. Calvin S. Cobb of Scott and Mr. and Mrs. Hanson Terrill of Binghamton. Mrs. Terrill is a sister of Mr. Jones and was married at the same time. During the evening the hostess served delicious refreshments and a very delightful anniversary was enjoyed by those present.

Improvements at Marks' Bakery.

   Mr. T. M. Marks has lately been making some considerable improvements in the appearance of the interior of his popular bakery in the Squires building. Fresh paint and new paper have wrought a wondrous change. Mrs. Marks is the fortunate possessor of the secret of the successful growing of fine potted plants and has filled the windows with them, making a very pretty appearance. The freshest of all kinds of bake stuffs as well as fruits and candies are constantly on sale.

BREVITIES.

   —Hon. James J. Belden has presented to the library of Syracuse university 450 volumes on political economy.

   —The upholstering and varnishing departments of the Cortland Chair and Cabinet Co. now run all night.

   —Hon. Charles A. Dana, editor of the New York Sun, will address the students of Cornell university on Founders' day, Jan. 11.

   —The STANDARD is indebted to Mr. O. K. George, who is now at Florence, Colo , for interesting copies of the Colorado papers.

   —All members of the Y. M. C. A. who are desirous of organizing a basket ball team are requested to meet in the gymnasium to-night at 8 o'clock.

   —Frank Seaman was arrested by Officer Parker last night and was brought before Justice Bull this morning charged with public intoxication. He paid a fine of $3 and was discharged.

   —The Utica Herald speaks of the revival services and great interest manifested in the South-st. M. E. church at Utica, whose pastor is Rev. A. P. Palmer, son of Mr. Prosper Palmer of Cortland.

   —Ray Whiston of Cortland has been awarded the contract for slating the roof of the new power house for the electric road. Work will be commenced soon and will be pushed as rapidly as is possible.

   —Mr. Will O. Greene, at one time publisher of the Otselic Valley Register at Cincinnatus, now editor and proprietor of the Monroe County Mail, published at Fairport, has lately enlarged his paper to six pages of nine columns to the page. He is publishing a newsy sheet which must be very acceptable to his subscribers.

   —Bearers of heavy burdens in Cortland should be careful how they carry them. A hod carrier in Baltimore has become insane from a curious cause. The heavy weight he carried constantly affected the shoulder nerves. Finally the trouble went to the brain, and the man became a most dangerous lunatic. A strange phase of his insanity is a most ravenous appetite.

IT SHOULD BE STOPPED.

The Scattering of Handbills over Streets and Lawns.

   The custom of scattering handbills and dodgers all over the streets is to be severely condemned and should be stopped at once. It is a nuisance in the street, where every gust of wind blows them in the face of horses and causes them to dodge. No man either likes to have the sidewalks in front of his store or the lawn in front of his house littered up with bits of paper. In some other places the authorities forbid the promiscuous scattering of bills and papers about the streets and enforce it rigidly by imposing a fine for each and every offence [sic]. Our own board of trustees would receive the thanks and the hearty support of all the citizens if they would do likewise.

   This noon small boys were scattering dodgers over the town and instead of a legitimate distribution of one at every house or store, if that were necessary, they threw them up into the air by handfuls for the wind to scatter, and the result is that every street, sidewalk and lawn where the boys went is covered with pieces of red and green paper about six inches square which must all be picked up before lawns can be respectable again. It gives a dirty, disreputable appearance to the village, and it should be stopped at once.