A CLASH THREATENED

President Cleveland "twists the tail" of the Lion, Puck Magazine.

Cortland Evening Standard, Tuesday, April 2, 1895.

A CLASH THREATENED.

British and Venezuelan Troops Pressing Each Other.

SITUATION BECOMING ALARMING.

Great Britain Seems Determined to Force an Issue In the Territorial Dispute.

Remarkable Demonstration at Caracas Upon Admiral Meade's Visit.

   WASHINGTON, April 2.—The secretary of state is very much concerned these days by the Venezuela problem.

   The British ultimatum delivered to Nicaragua is not a source of present apprehension, for it is not now believed that the British will take any action in the way of attempting to acquire any territory in that direction, or even to jeopardize the property of Americans in Nicaragua by a bombardment in the effort to force a collection of the indemnity demanded from Nicaragua.

   These are the two moves that might cause the United States to interfere. But, in the case of the Venezuelan boundary dispute, there is much graver cause for apprehension. It appears that our ambassador, Mr. Bayard, has not succeeded in inducing the British government to give heed to the request submitted by him at the direction of congress that the boundary dispute be submitted to arbitration.

   The British are profuse in their declaration of a willingness to arbitrate the title to the lands west of the Schomberg line, but in the view of the state department this is a pure evasion of the real issue, for there never has been any reasonable assertion of a British right to this territory and it is the territory lying east of this line that forms the substance of the contention.

   The present situation is believed to be alarming, as armed bodies of British and Venezuelans are pressing each other closely in the disputed territory and there may be a hostile clash at any moment.

   The administration has been considering carefully the course to be pursued in such cases, and it is entirely probable that if the British persist in bringing about this collision through failure to heed the repeated warnings and requests of the United States to submit the matter to a fair arbitration then the United States will feel obliged to follow the moral aid it has given to Venezuela in this matter by more substantial assistance.

DEMONSTRATION AT CARACAS.

Venezuelans Show Many Honors to Our Admiral Meade.

   WASHINGTON, April 2.—Word has reached here of a remarkable demonstration at Caracas, the capital of Venezuela, expressive of the common sentiment of the United States and Venezuela in upholding the Monroe doctrine.

   It occurred on the visit of the United States squadron, under Admiral Meade, to La Guayra, where the officers were met by government officials and escorted with much pomp and a popular ovation to the capitol. There they were feted in many ways and official congratulations were exchanged between President Crespo and Admiral Meade.

   The entire press of the city united in a movement, urging the government to erect a statue to ex-President Monroe of the United States on the Plaza de Lopez, as a memorial to the American sentiment for the Monroe doctrine.

   The chief significance of the event is in its coming at a time when the United States is taking active part in the convention between Great Britain and Venezuela over the boundary question.

   Prior to the arrival of the American officers a proclamation was issued asking the people to meet them at the depot and accord them due honor. It concludes with the words: "Hurrah for the United States. Vive Venezuela."

   They were met also by several members of the cabinet and by two officers especially designated to represent the minister of foreign affairs.

   The state carriage, used only for public functions of much importance, was brought into use to convey Admiral Meade and his brother officers to their quarters.

   From this time forward there was a round of entertainments. They were received by President Crespo, and at a reception given in their honor, all the members of the cabinet, except the minister of foreign affairs, who was sick, were present.

   When the Americans were about to depart President Crespo issued an official letter to Admiral Meade, in the course of which he says: "In the name of the Venezuelan government and of myself I express to your excellency and your associates a most affectionate farewell, at the same time regretting that your stay has been so short that we could not further demonstrate to your noble American sailors the profound friendship which our people and our government has toward the people and government of the great Republic of the United States."

   To this Admiral Meade replied officially under date of March 18. He acknowledged President Crespo's expression of the friendly sentiment existing between the United States and Venezuela. He adds that in behalf of the United States he begs to assure the president that the sentiment of affection is fully reciprocated.

   Minister Andrade, the Venezuelan minister at Washington, has received a cable from Caracas announcing the formation of a new cabinet.

PAGE TWO—EDITORIALS.

◘ March gave some parts of the country a whack to be remembered. It was a dry whack, with immeasurable quantities of dust. At points along the middle Atlantic coast the gale broke the record. In New York city the wind was 76 miles an hour, higher than ever before recorded. It may be encouragement to persons in various parts of the country who contemplate constructing houses 18 and 20 stories high to know that there are several such structures now in process of erection in New York, and, though the wind was so terrific as to drive the workmen from their tasks, because of the danger of being blown away, yet the frames of these lofty buildings stood solid as the eternal rooks. The frames are in all cases of steel. The skyscraping houses are safe.

◘ The truth is that the last three congresses have all been "billion dollar congresses." Appropriations by the Fifty-first congress amounted to a little over $1,000,000,000. For the Fifty-second the amount was still larger, being $1,027,000,000. This was high water mark. The sum is, however, still over $1,000,000,000 for the Fifty-third congress. The original appropriations amounted to $990,338,691. But, counting in certain contracts and deficiencies that must be met, the expenditures of the Fifty-third will not be less than $1,019,000,000. The growing country requires the increase.

◘ Famous as he is, Bismarck's confession that he never knew any happiness is pathetic. "In politics I have never had time enough to be happy. I have always had to struggle, and when I was victorious cares came with victory, and I had to make the best of them."

◘ The finishing touches already put to the modern monitor Amphitrite at Norfolk mark the advent of a new vessel for the United States navy. She is designed for coast defense, but she can go as far as Cuba or Nicaragua.

◘ By May next the Infantry of the regular army will be completely equipped with the new small bore magazine rifle of 30 caliber. Besides the new rifles, the army will have in various parts of the country 246 field and siege guns, mortars and howitzers, ranging in size from 3.2 to 7 inches in caliber. By the end of this year there will be six new dynamite guns, three for New York and three for San Francisco, and we shall have of additional new guns 13 12-inch cannon and 51 12-inch mortars for defending our coasts. There will be also 35 10-inch cannon and 29 of 8-inch caliber. The United States will then be in tolerably good condition for the peaceful arbitration of differences with other nations.

◘ The New York board of health keeps a supply of pure antitoxine for diphtheria cures on sale for the convenience of those who cannot obtain the remedy elsewhere. It is to be hoped physicians all over the land will take hold of the awful scourge of diphtheria and annihilate it. They owe it to humanity to do this now that antitoxine furnishes them a means.

VILLAGE TRUSTEES.

APPOINTMENTS MADE FOR THE COMING YEAR.

Fred Hatch is Clerk and S. S. Stearns the Street Commissioner—A New Board of Health.

   At the meeting of the board of trustees last evening supplies for firemen and repairs on the truck of the Hitchcock Hose Co.

   President D. F. Waters and Chief B. H. Bosworth of the Excelsior Hook & Ladder Co. submitted estimates of the expense of procuring and keeping a team for drawing their truck.

   Trustee Warfield was made a committee of one on leasing and repairing the house at the gravel bank.

   Fred Hatch was re-appointed clerk of the board for the ensuing year by a unanimous vote.

   The resignation of A. H. Decker as street commissioner was read, placed on file and accepted.

   On motion, duly seconded and declared carried, an informal ballot was taken for highway commissioner. S. S. Stearns and B. D. Bentley each received two votes.

   A resolution was then adopted that whoever is appointed commissioner hold his office only during the pleasure of the board.

   A formal ballot was then taken with the result that S. S. Stearns received three votes and E. H. Baldwin one vote.

   On motion of Trustee Doubleday, seconded by Trustee Warfield and declared carried, it was resolved that Mr. Stearns be appointed street or highway commissioner of the village on a formal ballot and by unanimous vote of the board.

   On motion the board proceeded to appoint health commissioners of the village for the ensuing year on a formal ballot as follows: From the First ward, Henry B. Greenman; Second ward, Samuel E. Welch; Third ward, William G. McKinney; Fourth ward, Ernest M. Hulbert.

   On motion duly seconded and carried, the compensation of the chief of police was fixed at two dollars per day.

   It was moved and carried that the Hitchcock Hose Co.'s cart be fixed and supplies procured at a price not to exceed the sum of [$65].

   It was moved and carried that the clerk prepare a contract with Mr. Griffith for the use of team in hauling fire apparatus for the ensuing year.

   The following bills were allowed and ordered paid:

   Street commissioner's pay roll, $133.10

   L. D. Meacham, lanterns, 3.60

   John B. Morris, liveries, 26.00

   Jas. Costello, labor, 1.60

   W. W. Brown, bridle, 2.50

   Police force, 98.00

   F. J. Parmiter. supplies, 8.00

   F. A. Bickford, salary, [26.00]

   James E. Sager, expenses, 9.76

   Jas. E. Sagar, meals for prisoners, 3.40

   J. S., full salary, 250.00

   Cortland Standard, printing and advertising, 166.25

   Cortland & Homer Electric Co., 323.50

   J. W. Strowbridge, services special police, 1.75

   Wm. J. Moore, recording, 8.00

   Mr. Burchard, 10.00

   A number of petitions for the appointment of policemen and street commissioner were placed on file.

   The meeting was then adjourned till April 15.

ELECTRIC RAILROAD NOTES.

New Machinery Ordered for the Electric Light Plant.

   Messrs. P. S. Page and H. E. Hand of Scranton and H. Bergholtz of Ithaca were all in town yesterday afternoon and this morning and with Superintendent Dunston spent all of the time looking over the railroad, and the power house and in talking over matters connected with the road. The chief item of interest connected with their visit is that new machinery for the electric light system has been ordered and new lamps for the whole village. These are expected to arrive in about two weeks and then it is likely that there will be a decided improvement in the lighting of the village.

   It has also been arranged that work upon the extension of the road to McGrawville will be begun just as soon as the frost is out of the ground.

DIED THIS MORNING.

A. Burdett Sperry, an Old Resident, Passes Away.

   A. Burdett Sperry died at about 8 o'clock this morning of heart failure and kidney trouble, aged 68 years, after only a few days' illness. He attended the school exhibition at Blodgett Mills Friday evening and it is thought that he took cold there. He was obliged to give up Saturday and gradually failed till this morning, when he died. Besides his wife he leaves three children, Charles and Clarence Sperry of Cortland and Mrs. Daniel Hammond of Virgil; a sister, Mrs. Helen Willet of 126 Main-st., Cortland; two brothers, Judson A. of Chicago and Cortland of West Virginia. Mr. Sperry has been inspector of election at both Blodgett Mills and Cortland for a number of terms and as he had always lived here was one of the best known and best liked men in this section.

   The funeral will be held from his late home at 11 o'clock Thursday morning.

A NEW DEPARTMENT.

Hitchcock Mfg. Co. to Sell Agricultural Implements.

   The Hitchcock Mfg. Co. are branching out into a new field this season and aside from their large trade in wagons, sleighs and bicycles, have decided to start a department of agricultural implements and tools. This branch of industry will be located at the Hitchcock foundry on Port Watson-st. and will be in charge of Mr. Miles J. Peck, who is closing out his feed business on Elm-st. and will give his exclusive attention to the agricultural department. Mr. Peck had a large trade in farming tools and implements last year on his own account, and it is likely that with the increased facilities he will do much better this year.

   The Hitchcock bicycles will also be on sale at the foundry as well as at the Elm-st. factory. Repairing and refinishing of wheels will also be a specialty this season and the charges will be moderate.

Good Government Club Membership.

   At a meeting of the members of the Good Government club held last Saturday evening, the committee which has been appointed to take counsel as to whether members of the club could be shut out, on the ground of bias, from serving on a jury to try cases involving the question of the illegal sale of intoxicating liquors, reported that they were advised that objection could be made on this ground, and that it would therefore be wise to limit the membership of the club to as small a number as possible.

   It had been the intention of the executive committee and committee on membership to invite into the club every friend of the enforcement of law in the village, but on the receipt of this report it was resolved, most unwillingly, to limit the total number of members to fifty, which number had already been nearly reached.

   The officers and committees of the club desire the co-operation of all good citizens in the work which has been undertaken, and hope that the legal obstacle above referred to will be accepted as a satisfactory explanation as to why the invitation to membership is not made general.

Party on Madison-st.

   Miss Elizabeth Mack entertained a number of her friends last evening at her pleasant home on Madison-st. The time was spent most enjoyably with music and games until midnight when dainty refreshments were served, after which dancing was indulged till the wee small hours. The guests were the Misses Maude Chaddock, Irene Rogers, Grace Stevenson, Helen Carver, Angeline B. Gleason, Bell Gibbs, Anna Kane and the Messrs. Bert Van Buren, Warren Loope, Charles Outhoudt, Harry Chapin, Arthur Loope, Claude Hyde, Mr. Hamlar of Oneonta and Mr. Northrup of Homer.

A Traveling Palace

Is what they call the palatial car in which Hi. Henry's Minstrels travel. Mr. Hi. Henry had this car built under his personal supervision and it is one of the wonders in car annals. Mr. Henry and his superb minstrels will appear at the Cortland Opera House on Saturday evening, April 6, and all those who do not attend will miss one of the genuine treats of the amusement season.

BREVITIES.

   —Two tramps had a dry berth in the cooler last night.

   —The hospital patients were moved this morning in Beard & Peck's ambulance to the new hospital.

   —The Choral society is making rapid progress. It meets every Tuesday evening in the Y. M. C. A. parlors.

   —The regular meeting of the C. M. B. A. will be held at 7 o'clock tonight instead of at 8 o'clock as usual.

   —The regular meeting of the Y. M. C. A. membership committee will be held in the rooms to-night at 8 o'clock.

   —Miss Florence E. Smith of Madison-ave. entertained a few friends last evening in honor of her friend, Miss Gertrude Munger of Syracuse.

   —A. D. Maryook has opened a foreign and domestic fruit store in the store in the Squires block formerly occupied by John O. Reid as a meat market.

   —Dr. Green is engaged in raising an endowment fund of $60,000 for the Elmira college. Ten thousand dollars have already been secured.—Elmira News.

   —Ruth, the six months old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. E. O. Perry of Washington-st., died at 1 o'clock this morning. The funeral will be held at 8 P. M. to-morrow.

   —W. G. Mead and Henson & Crisp are to-day exchanging the locations of their jewelry stores. Mr. Mead will hereafter be found at 79 Main-st, and Benson & Crisp at 51 Main-st.

   —Rev, G. W. Powell, who preached to such acceptance in the Universalist church recently, will deliver a lecture in that church next Monday evening. Subject, "A Trip Through the Starry Heavens."

   —The Cortland branch of Stowell's bargain house has changed hands. It is now run by M. W. Giles, who was for some time with the Syracuse house. Mr. Giles will increase the stock, carrying a full line of everything which is handled by the Syracuse house.

   —Dr. E. A. Didama has rented of Mrs. Joseph Y. Wheatley the house at the corner of North Main and Grant-sts. Mrs. Wheatley is to make very thorough repairs and to put the house in first-class condition, and the doctor will about May 1 remove his office and residence to that place.

   —Harrison Crandall died at his home on Clinton-ave. at 8:10 o'clock last night, aged 40 years, 4 months and 13 days. He had been ill for several years from consumption. The funeral will be held from his home on Clinton-ave. at 2:30 o'clock Thursday afternoon.

   —Cortland is not the only place which has had a long sick roll during the past winter. The Lyons Republican says: "Such a sickly and fatal time has not been known in Lyons, or indeed in Wayne county in many years. Sunday there were five unburied corpses in this village alone. About all the people who believe that cold winters are healthful winters are dead."