Cortland Evening Standard, Friday, April
26, 1895.
NO AID FOR NICARAGUA.
She Must
Cope With Great Britain Alone.
UNCLE
SAM WILL NOT INTERFERE.
British
Admiral's Orders Were to Land Troops In Corinto at Daybreak This Morning Unless
the Terms of England's Ultimatum Were Complied With.
WASHINGTON, April 26.—Nicaragua's last hope
of assistance from the United States in her controversy with Great Britain, to
prevent the seizure of Corinto, has vanished. Dr. Guzman, the Nicaraguan
minister, who had been waiting with intense anxiety to see Secretary Gresham,
was finally successful when the secretary came into the department from the
White House, where he had been in consultation with President Cleveland, presumably
on the same subject.
The interview was very short. In five
minutes the minister emerged from the secretary's office looking very
depressed. He refused to say a word as to what had taken place, but it can be
stated that the secretary gave him to understand very clearly that the United
States would not interfere in the case as it stands.
So there are now three courses open to
Nicaragua, namely, to pay the indemnity, to permit the occupation of Corinto,
or to fight, and today must find that choice declared, for the British troops
were to land at daybreak today at Corinto.
As already stated, the position taken by the
president in this matter is that the dispute is one entirely between Great Britain
and Nicaragua, in which the United
States has no call to interfere unless there should be committed acts injurious
to American interests in Nicaragua, or there should be shown a disposition by
Great Britain to acquire Nicaraguan territory.
On each of these points a favorable
assurance has been had from Great Britain, and all it is said that can now be
done is to watch the course of events. This decision was not hastily reached,
for the entire subject of our relations to the countries of Central and South
America was considered and discussed very carefully by the president with his
constitutional advisers, and there has been made a close scrutiny of the
precedents that might suffice for our guidance.
These have been found in at least three cases.
The first was fully set out in the message of President Buchanan to congress in
1859 in that portion relating to Paraguay,
For several years preceding this message the
United States had had great difficulty in maintaining friendly relations with
Paraguay, the latter country being then under the iron dictatorship of Dr. Lopez,
who was carrying out a policy of excluding the rest of the world from his country
by the most drastic measures.
He had, as President Buchanan stated, upon
the most frivolous and even insulting pretexts, refused to ratify the treaty of
friendship and commerce concluded with Paraguay, had seized and appropriated
the property of American citizens residing in the country in a violent and
arbitrary manner, and finally the Paraguayans had fired upon the United States
steamer Water Witch in 1855 and killed the helmsman, while the vessel was
making a peaceful survey of the Parana river to determine its fitness for steam
navigation.
The honor as well as the interests of the
United States demanded satisfaction, and the president, being clothed with
necessary power, sent a naval expedition up the Parana river to the capital of
Paraquay and compelled ample apologies from the president, the payment of an
indemnity of $10,000 to the family of the seaman who was killed and finally
secured the ratification of the treaty.
The application of this case to the
Nicaraguan situation is not exact, but it is regarded as committing the United
States to the recognition of the principle of the right to demand an indemnity
for the abuse of United States officers, and therefore we could not
consistently deny the same right to Great Britain.
The second case which is relied upon as a
precedent grew out of the difficulties encountered by Spain, France and Great
Britain in their relations with Mexico in 1860.
The third precedent was found in the case of
war between Spain and Chili in 1866, the United States being appealed to in
behalf of Chill in the name of the Monroe doctrine to prevent the bombardment
of Valparaiso.
In both of these latter instances the
administration refused to interfere, as in neither case was it the expressed
intention of foreign powers to acquire territory.
Upon these precedents rests the decision of
the administration to refrain from interference between Great Britain and Nicaragua
at this stage of the proceedings. In behalf of Nicaragua, though without
success, it would appear that it has been urged that the occupation of Corinto
by the British troops would be in direct violation of the Clayton-Bulwer treaty
between the United States and Great Britain. A provision of that treaty
prohibits British occupation of Central American territory.
Article 1 covenants that the United States
and Great Britain agree "that neither will ever erect or maintain any
fortifications commanding the Nicaraguan canal or in the vicinity thereof, or
occupy, or fortify, or colonize, or assume or exercise any dominion over
Nicaragua, Costa Rica, the Mosquito coast or any part of Central America."
It is pointed out that this is even more
binding than the Monroe doctrine, as the latter is a principle asserted by the
United States, while the treaty is an agreement to which Great Britain is a
party. There have been individual claims on both sides of the water that the
Clayton-Bulwer treaty was abrogated, yet the government never formally
abrogated it.
A resolution was introduced in the last
senate to abrogate it, indicating that those who oppose it consider it in
force. The terms, it is held, appear to be very definite against Great
Britain's "occupying" or "exercising any dominion over
Nicaragua."
Blockade
of Corinto Reported.
COLON. Colombia, April 26.—It is reported
here that the British squadron at Corinto, Nicaragua, has closed that port.
Russian
Story Discredited.
WASHINGTON, April 26.—Japanese officials here
question the correctness of the St. Petersburg cable giving Japan's reply to
Russia. It is pointed out that the Tokio government would not make such a confession
of weakness as to say that a revolution would occur. It is also urged that the
reply lacks the dignity that will characterize such answers as Japan may make.
While this is the view of officials, they have not been advised of the Russo-Japan
phase of the subject. The impression is growing, however, that while the
threatened intervention will not be realized, it may encourage China to break
the peace arrangement and thus bring on a renewal of the war.
New Railroad
Incorporated.
ALBANY. April 26.—The Raquette River
Railroad company was incorporated to operate a steam railroad from Tupper Lake
postoffice to Axton, Franklin county, a distance of 10 miles, with a capital
stock of $100,000.
DEPARTMENT
OF GOOD GOVERNMENT.
Archbishop Ireland says: Law is order and
liberty, and without law liberty is social chaos The highest test of a people's
fitness for free institutions is their willingness to obey law. In monarchies
and empires physical force restrains the multitude and maintains government. In
a democracy all depends on the people's own intelligence and conscience.
Americans are law abiding. Occurrences
which may be quoted to the contrary are infrequent exceptions to the rule. The
prevailing spirit of our people is, to observe law, to revoke it if they dislike
its provisions, but to observe it while it is written on the pages of the
statute book. * * * When, "some months ago, the president of the United
States pledged the whole power of the land to the maintenance of law and order,
he proclaimed the right of the Republic to live and vindicated the sovereignty of the people. Democracy is political liberty, the everlasting adversary
of despotism and of anarchy."
PUBLIC
GOOD FIRST.
There are members of the Good Government
club who, as Democrats and Republicans, regretted that their respective parties
in this village did not see their way clear to definitely espouse the cause of
local reform in the late municipal campaign. We do not believe that there is
anything in the constitution of either of the parties, written or understood,
which would forbid it to expressly respond to a loud public demand, such as was
made two or three months ago in this village. To say that a political party, in
its local organizations and meetings cannot take up specifically, a great public
interest like the one in question, is nonsense which no intelligent community
will brook or stand. The late election teaches an impressive lesson on this
subject. Any politician who says that his party cannot socially and definitely
promise that it will try to remedy a certain great civil wrong against
which the people are crying out will be sent to the rear, and the party
that holds such views and acts upon such principles will be sent to
the same place in every intelligent and aroused community. To this end
speaks the Catholic Archbishop of St. Paul in his late magnificent
oration before the Union league and immense audience in Chicago:
A party, however, to the good citizen, is
always of lesser importance than country, and secures his allegiance only so
long as he conscientiously believes it to be the surer method to public [weal].
Be as you will, Democrats or Republicans; but first and always, Americans. This
high-minded patriotism, so frequently manifested in America, is one of the most
encouraging signs of the times. The independent voter is legion and whatever
its triumph at the polls last year, the party which in power is unwilling or
unable to understand and perform its duty, will surely go down next year in
defeat and disgrace."
PERJURY.
When a man is brought before an officer of
the law and takes a solemn oath that he will tell "the truth, the whole
truth and nothing but the truth," and then stubbornly evades the simple
and plain truth that the officer asks for, that is perjury, pure and simple.
But what shall we say of
the man who thus calls upon Almighty God to witness that he tells the truth and
then proceeds to tell what he knows is utterly false? Do such men realize what
they are doing? This is so constantly done that it becomes the despair of law
and justice, and it shows a condition of conscience which is at once deplorable
and alarming. It is startling, for instance, that so many men will swear that
they bought and drank cider, when they know and others know that they bought
and drank whiskey; or that they asked for extract of malt and could not tell
whether they got extract of malt or some distilled liquor or mixture of it; or
that they asked for birch beer, and meant to get birch beer when they knew they
wanted and got whiskey; or that no one but the bartender was present when they
know and reliable witnesses know that others were present, or that they were
not under the influence of liquor when they know that they were drunk and
reliable witnesses saw them in that condition.
All this kind of swearing it shameful and
wherever it is done it should be stopped by making an example of the perjurers.
We do not pretend to say to what extent this perjury prevails in the
examinations now in progress in this community, but fair warning is given that
should it be necessary some of these witnesses when brought into court, will be
confronted with a charge of perjury on testimony that cannot be controverted.
The
Standard Dictionary. What It Is. A Visit to Its Cortland Agency.
The STANDARD readers will doubtless
recollect that a short time ago we mentioned the fact that a new enterprise had
located here, the general agency of the Standard dictionary published by the
Funk & Wagnalls company, New York City. At that time we secured a copy of
the dictionary and take pleasure in saying that we regard it as superior to any
and every other dictionary of the English language. Our increasing delight in
its use and our warm interest in the progress and success of the local agency
led us to call at the office of F. F. Burdick & Co., Grand Central block,
the other day. Mr. Burdick was in attendance and entertained us for some time
relating particulars of the growing popularity of the dictionary. It certainly
deserves a place in every home and it seems to be rapidly taking its place. It
is really no wonder that the press as well as the foremost professional and educational
men of the English speaking world are so pronounced in their praise of this
most scholarly work.
We had thought that the latest edition of
Webster's, the International dictionary, would adequately supply the needs of
the general public for many years to come, but as the Standard brings to us a
multitude of living words of the language which the International has omitted,
we realize more fully its vast superiority. A comparison of the two works gives
the following facts. The Standard treats over 300,000 vocabulary terms, the
International only 125,000. The Standard is the work of an editorial staff
composed of 247 eminent educators and specialists, the International had but 41
editors. The Standard cost the publishers about $1,000,000, the International
about $800,000. In the Standard every definition was prepared by a specialist
in the department to which the defined term belongs, It is the first time that
the entire language has been treated in this manner and we thus have in the
Standard the highest authority in existence on the meaning of words. Then the most common meaning of words are
invariably given first, a feature which is an immense time saver.
The value of the use of synonyms as an aid
in defining has been recognized more and more as education has advanced, and in
no other dictionary is this valuable feature so largely introduced as in the
Standard, Not only has a larger number been given, but more of them are
discussed to bring out the exact application or use of words of similar
meaning. A comparison with the Century and International on this point gives
the following figures. The Standard contains about 66,000 synonyms of which 33,000
are discussed or illustrated, the Century 61,000, of which only 12,000 are
illustrated. The International gives about 34,000, of which only about 8,000
are discussed or illustrated. The Standard also gives about 60,000 antonyms or
words of opposite meaning, while the International and Century give none at
all. Thus it will be seen that the Standard gives a great advantage in the
study of words and in cultivating precision of statement.
We are also much pleased with the method
adopted in the Standard for indicating the pronunciation of words Heretofore it
has been necessary to learn the use of a great variety of marks or else
continually refer to the key to pronunciation. Here but four are used and the
method is so simple that it can be mastered in a few minutes once for all.
Another valuable feature is the introduction of a simple and accurate system of
forming compound words. This had never before been systematized and was always a
source of perplexity and annoyance, as well as inconsistency. The illustrations
are all new, and those of mechanical instruments and machinery are all modern, naming,
locating and explaining the use of all the various parts. Comparing the cut of
the locomotive with that in the Webster shows the comparative merit of the two
works in this respect. The Webster gives an old style engine and names and
locates fourteen parts. The Standard shows two views of a modern locomotive and
names and locates ninety-four parts.
Perhaps one of the most valuable new
features of the Standard is the extensive grouping system. We appreciate this feature
more and more with actual use. It consists of tabulating under general topics
or headings the related words or sub-heads for quick reference. For example, under
"apple" is a list prepared by the American Pomological association
giving the correct names of some 370 varieties of apples, giving also the size,
form, color, quality, use, season, and the section of country where they are
most largely grown. Other fruits are treated in the same way, also various commercial
products, as barks, oils, coffees, balsams, etc. The handicraft and trade terms
are grouped under the various trades, as carpentering, mining, blacksmithing, etc.
Under the various primary colors are grouped all the standard shades and tints.
Under constellation and planet the names and locations of all of them are given.
Under element are classified all the different elements, giving also,
derivation, symbol, atomic weight, specific gravity, melting point, when and by
whom discovered, where and how found. This feature opens up an entirely new
field of use for a dictionary, as it gives one instant command of the language
in almost any direction sought. When at a loss for a word to express our
meaning or the correct name of an article with which we are not familiar, we
should turn to the general term and the chances are that the required word will
be quickly found. The value of this feature can hardly be overestimated when we
realize how very extensively it has been carried out.
It is Standard authority for the
professional man and the commercial man, for the student and the mechanic,
because all definitions, instead of being taken in whole or in part from the
older works have been newly constructed by recognized specialists, and in every
case when a definition in the Standard is opposed to the definition of the same
word in other dictionaries, the point in question has been determined by
consultation with other eminent specialists. Many thousand errors which have
passed current in other works are thus corrected here for the first time in any
dictionary.
What is most surprising is the special introductory
price at which it is now furnished. Considering its immense cost, its many new
features which bring us so much assistance which can not be had from any other,
the excellent quality of binding, paper and printing, the 175,000 terms which
the International does not treat, the nearly 100,000 omitted definitions of
words the International does contain, and considering that the price of the
International in inferior binding and printing is nearly as great as that of
the Standard, we are forced to believe that the Standard is much cheaper to the
customer than any other dictionary published.
HOMER
DEPARTMENT.
Gleanings
of News From Our Twin Village.
Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Smith are the parents of
a son, born at home on Pine-st.
Rev. J. A. Hungate will deliver a
stereopticon lecture at the Homer-ave. Church
in Cortland this evening.
Miss Belle Widger, bookkeeper for A. T. Bennett,
is enjoying a fortnight's vacation.
Clarence Spicer is confined to his home on
Mill-st. with an attack of grip.
Mrs. Frank Wood and children of Cortland spent
the day with Mr. and Mrs. L. P. Wood on River-st.
The members of the Columbia club will attend
the third annual banquet of that organization, which will be held at the Mansion
House, this evening.
Mrs. E. K. Porter arrived home last evening
from New York City where she has been spending a fortnight.
Ex-Sheriff Borthwick of Cortland was in town
this morning.
The Homer Stars vs. Cortland Normals at the
fair grounds to-morrow afternoon. Baseball game called at 3 P. M. Admission 15
cents.
Atwater & Foster now have their soda fountain
running for the season of '95. Mr. W. H. Clark will have charge of this department
of the store and will be ready to serve ice cream soda during the warm weather.
The case of Horace W. Hall vs. Theodore L.
and Ira J. Corwin which was to have been tried in Justice Kingsbury's court to-day,
was settled by the defendants paying claim and costs. E. W. Hyatt was the attorney for
the plaintiff and W. J. Mantanye for the defendants.
A new thermometer, thoroughly tested and
guaranteed to register accurately, has been placed in front of Atwater &
Foster's store for the benefit of the public.
BREVITIES.
— One drunk was sentenced to three days or
three dollars in police court this morning.
—All members of the Y. M. C. A who are
interested in organizing a baseball team are requested to meet in the parlor
to-night at 7:30 o'clock,
—Mrs. R. C. Tillinghast entertained a few
friends last evening in honor of her brother, Mr. Oscar M. Edgerly of New York,
who has been visiting her. He returned this afternoon to New York.
—Mr. H. Bergholtz has been promised a puppy
of the choicest breed of bulldogs, by his friend, Mr. Cram. He will then have a
kennel of three canines. One of his
neighbors has five.—Ithaca Journal.
—In yesterday's account of the reception
tendered to Dr. and Mrs. Cordo, credit should have been given to Miss May
Watkins for several fine piano duets with Mr. Jennison; and also to Miss Arla
Hubbard and Miss Grace Pearson, each of whom rendered a piano solo.
—About one hundred were present at the
social of the Altar society of St. Mary's
church in Empire hall last evening. A fine musical program was rendered under
the direction of Mr. C. N. Hardy. Some interesting literary selections were
given by Rev. J. J. McLoghlin. Ice cream was served.
—An exchange gives the following, and it is
pretty near right: If a doctor makes a mistake he buries it; if a merchant makes
a mistake he never tells it; if a lawyer makes a mistake he crawls out of it,
but if an editor makes a mistake he puts it on a sheet of paper for the world to
look at, and in every community there are cranks who think that they are models
of wisdom because they occasionally discover it.
—James A. Estee, superintendent of schools
at Gloversville, N. Y,, visited the Normal yesterday in search of teachers for
the coming year, After visiting the classes of various members of the present
graduating class and having personal interviews with them he was so well
pleased with what he saw that he made arrangements to offer places to at least
four and perhaps five.
—A colored man and a white man had an egg
eating contest at a Norwich restaurant last evening. The time was
three-quarters of an hour, and each man began with half a hundred hard boiled eggs
in front of him. A limited quantity of beer was allowed. The white man led for
the first fifteen minutes, but the negro gained his lost ground, and when time
was called had eaten thirty-four eggs, while the white man had just finished his
thirty-second. The stakeholder paid the money to the negro.—Norwich Sun.
CHICKEN DISPUTE.
POLICE
ON A RAID ARREST ONE THE PRINCIPALS.
Well-known
Men Implicated—A Standard Reporter Scoops the Officers on Facts, Which are Now Made
Public.
There was a very lively time last night in
the vicinity of the corner of Elm and Pomeroy-sts. For a year past a number of
sports have been entertained at various times with cock fights and last night
two birds were matched in a pit in the cellar of the home of Tobias Robarsh, a
moulder, at 116 Elm-st. The names of the birds were Arkansas Traveler and Black
Red. The fight lasted thirty minutes and at the end of six rounds Arkansas Traveler
was declared the winning bird, as Black Red was almost dead. The fight was held
between 10 and 11 o'clock.
In the meantime the police through Officer
Monroe heard of the fight and the entire force under Chief Linderman and
assisted by Sheriff Hilsinger went to the scene of the fight. They secured evidence
enough to get out a warrant and Chief Linderman went in search of Justice Bull
leaving the others on guard at the house. The chief hired a livery at John
Morris' livery barn, but could not find Justice Bull. At about 1 o'clock this
morning they disturbed the slumbers of Justice Dorr C. Smith, who issued a
warrant, on evidence given by Chief Linderman, charging Robarsh in practicing,
aiding and abetting cock fighting, promoting the cock fight and permitting his
house to be used for cock fighting.
The witnesses to the fight soon discovered the
police and endeavored to cover up the scene of the conflict. Many of them are
well-known men and as they came out of the house they ran into the arms of the
police. Their names were taken and they were allowed to go to their homes.
When Chief Linderman returned with the
warrant the officers made a search of the house and found the cock pit in the
cellar. The game birds had very mysteriously disappeared and the officers gave
up the search for them. Robarsh was placed under arrest and taken before Justice
Smith. The examination was adjourned till 10 o'clock this morning. Bail was
fixed at $100 and as the prisoner was unable to find a bondsman he spent the
night in the cooler.
On being arraigned this morning James
Dougherty, who appeared for the defendant, entered the plea of not guilty and
demanded a trial by jury. The following jury was then drawn: Lester Cooper,
John Harvey, Ernest M. Hulbert, George W. Edgcomb, W. H. Porter, Thomas
Farrell, Philip Sugerman, Washington Harter, Luke Holton, H. G. Joy, E. D.
Barker, William Riley. Michael Nix came before the court and went [sic] the
prisoner's bail in the sum of $100.
The case was then adjourned till Wednesday,
May 8, at 10 A. M. Village Attorney
I. H. Palmer appeared for The People.
A STANDARD reporter worked all the morning
on the case and scooped the police on facts. The police labored under the
delusion that the birds had not been pitted and if they had an odor which they
observed in the house led them to believe that they had been burned. This was
not the case. During the time that the officers were making the search
"Arkansas Traveler," the winning bird, was quietly recuperating from the
effects of the conflict in the garret, while "Black Red," who was
nearly dead, was drowning in the cistern. The purse amounted to about fifteen
dollars and there was some betting on the side.
A number of men, who had also started for
the fight discovered the presence of the police and took refuge in a building
not far from the scene. There were an unusually large number of men who went
fishing early this morning and were not present when the prisoner was
arraigned.
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