THE FRANCHISE QUESTION

Elm Street bridge facing west.

The Cortland Democrat, Friday, April 26, 1895.

THE FRANCHISE QUESTION.

Citizens Oppose Granting the Franchise Permitting the Traction Co. to Use the New Highway Around McGrawville Hill.

   Last Monday a large number of citizens attended the hearing before Highway Commissioner E. C. Rindge, at the office of H. L. Bronson in this village, to discuss the application made by the Traction Co. for the franchise to use the new highway around McGrawville hill. The Traction Co. was represented by H. L. Bronson and Hon. R. T. Peck. A delegation from McGrawville headed by A. P. McGraw, Esq., was present also in the company's interests.

   The citizens were represented by R. Champlin, I. H. Palmer, C. T. Peck and others. The question was informally discussed at the first sitting which was held at 10 A. M., after which an adjournment was had until 1:30 P. M. when further discussion was had and the hearing was then adjourned to Thursday May 2, at the same place. Mr. Bronson asked to have the hearing adjourned to that date in order to give the company an opportunity to try and secure rights of way to the river from Elm or Railroad-sts. If these rights of way could be secured he thought the company would build their own bridge across the river at one of these points.

   The real bone of contention between the citizens of this village and the Traction company is the matter of crossing Port Watson bridge. About a year ago the town board made the mistake of granting the Traction company a franchise to use this bridge without any restrictions whatever. The bridge was not constructed with a view of using it for such purposes and experts say it would have to be greatly strengthened. One of the greatest objections to the use of the bridge however, is the liability which the town would incur for damages caused by frightening horses. It would be almost impossible for teams to cross the bridge without meeting a car and horses that are not accustomed to meeting the cars every day are likely to be so badly frightened as to become ungovernable and serious accidents would result. The town could not avoid responsibility and would be called upon to pay heavy damages. A large part of the trade of this village comes from the towns located on the east of us and teams are crossing the bridge almost constantly. Farmers' horses would not become accustomed to the cars from seeing them only two or three times a year and it is predicted that accidents would be frequent.

   The Highway commissioner should bear in mind the fact, that he was elected to serve the citizens and taxpayers of the town and not the interests of any corporation or company whose interests are not identical with those of the taxpayers. He has it in his power to say whether this franchise shall be granted or not. Will he keep faith with those who elected him or will he turn them down?

   It was more than intimated at the hearing that an agreement of some sort had been previously made and that it must be carried out. Surely the commissioner would not jeopardize the people's interests by entering into any contract or by giving any promise inimical to the people's interests before a hearing on the subject. It would be interesting to know what the alleged agreement was and who were parties to it, if any such agreement has been entered into. A petition has been circulated in opposition to the franchise and it is signed by the heaviest taxpayers of this village. Can the commissioner afford to run counter to the wishes of this large and respectable body of citizens? Their wishes and their interests should certainly be consulted in this matter.

   The DEMOCRAT wishes to have its position thoroughly understood. It is not opposed to granting any reasonable franchise to the Traction Co. It will not be tardy in endeavoring to promote the company's interests whenever it can do so without jeopardizing the interests of the town. The gentlemen who are prosecuting the enterprise have shown a disposition to treat the town and its citizens fairly and we believe the citizens appreciate this fact. The Traction Co. is not to be blamed for holding on to that which it has already secured but now it wants more. The town is in a position to treat with the company. Let the Traction company surrender its right to cross Port Watson bridge in exchange for a franchise to use the new highway around McGrawville hill. The town has purchased the right of way and has been obliged to pay all the expense of fencing and grading. It cost the Traction Co. nothing to secure the franchise to use the bridge. In exchanging this franchise for the one around the hill it secures a valuable franchise in exchange for one that cost it nothing.

   Every citizen and taxpayer of the town is interested in this matter and they should attend the next hearing and make their influence felt.

   The DEMOCRAT suggests that the town could well afford to join the Traction company in building a new bridge over the river at Elm-st.

A CORRECTION.

   Last week we published an item from a valuable correspondent in relation to a display of hosiery in the show window of one of our leading millinery establishments. Our correspondent was assured by reliable parties that the occurrence actually happened and relying upon such assurance we published the item. We are now assured by the proprietors of the store and all others interested that there was not a word of truth in the story and that the whole business started from a joke perpetrated by a practical joker. We sincerely regret that the story should have found space in our columns and take the first opportunity to correct it.

An Alleged Liquor Case.

   Mr. John Drake, who conducts s saloon in the Gerrard block on Railroad-st. was arrested last week, charged with a violation of the excise law. He was arraigned before Justice Bull and gave bail in the sum of $200 for his appearance before the justice to-day. The warrant was issued on an affidavit made by Stephen Simmons, who claims that he purchased liquor there and an affidavit made by F. W. Linderman who says he saw Simmons come out of the place. Dan Kernan made an affidavit claiming that he called for whiskey but was refused.

SERIOUSLY INJURED.

ENOS E. MELLON FALLS FROM A WINDOW.

Supposed to Have Walked Out of a Second Story Window While Asleep—Unconscious for Many Hours.

   Last Saturday morning Mrs. W. W. Brown who resides at No. 14 Reynolds-ave., saw a man clad in his night clothes only, lying on the steps of the piazza at the rear of No. 17 on the same street, occupied by Mrs. C. L. Jagger and her daughter. It was about 5 o'clock and she aroused her husband and Mr. O. A. Kinney, Jr., who boards with her and the three went to the man's assistance. It proved to be Enos E. Mellon, the well known lawyer. His face was covered with blood, his left ear was badly cut, his left shoulder and side were severely bruised and he was unconscious. The inmates of the house were quickly aroused and the injured man was carried in and placed in bed and his wife, who was at the home of her father. Mr. D. F. Wallace, and Dr. White were summoned.

   Mr. Mellon had lived with Mrs. Jagger for the past seventeen years and was considered a member of the family. He was married in February last and went to live with his father in-law, but both himself and wife had been in the habit of spending two or three nights each week with Mrs. Jagger.

   On Friday night Mrs. Wallace and her youngest daughter were in Syracuse visiting friends and Mrs. Mellon remained at home while her husband went to stay at Mrs. Jagger's.

   One of the windows in the room occupied by Mr. Mellon on the second floor was half way up and it is supposed that he arose in his sleep, raised the window and either walked out or fell out accidentally. He evidently struck on the hard driveway and had endeavored to climb up the steps to arouse the inmates when he became unconscious. Mrs. Brown heard some one groan about 2 o'clock but she finally concluded that the noise was made by some one going home from the dance and soon went to sleep again. He was completely chilled through when found and must have been exposed to the weather for several hours. It took more than two hours to counteract the effects of the chill and get the circulation started. No bones were broken and his physician thinks he is not injured internally. Up to the hour of going to press he had not entirely recovered consciousness owing to concussion of the brain produced by the fall. He recognizes members of the family but is delirious at times. He had a very bad night Wednesday and was very restless yesterday, but has no fever.

   Mr. Mellon has a large circle of friends who sincerely hope he may speedily recover from his injuries.

Postmasters' Holidays.

   WASHINGTON, April 19—The Postmaster General to-day amended the postal regulations in regard to holidays. The amendment states that Postmasters may observe as holidays January 1, February 22, May 30, July 4, the first Monday in September, known as Labor Day, December 25, and such other days as the President of the United States or the Governors in their respective States may designate as fast or thanksgiving days or proclaim specially as holidays.

   Upon Holidays post-offices must be opened sufficiently to meet fairly the public convenience. Mails must be made up and dispatched as on other days. When a legal holiday falls upon Sunday the following Monday may be observed.

HERE AND THERE.

   John Hodgson is rebuilding his blacksmith shop on Port Watson-st.

   Landlord Gay gives a social hop at his hotel in Little York this evening.

   The Cortland Athletic association will hold a race meet in this place on Saturday, May 25th.

   Rev. L. H. Pearce. D. D. will deliver the Memorial day address in this place, May 30th.

   Mr. and Mrs. James T. Bates of this place celebrated their golden wedding on the 15th inst.

   A social party will be held at the Owego Valley House in Harford Mills on the evening of May 30th.

   Alex Brown of Binghamton, formerly leader of the Marathon band, will play the cornet in Daniels orchestra.

   The First National Bank of Marathon is now located in the Peck Memorial building in that village. Its new quarters are very handsome.

   The Y. M. C. A. Choral society will give a grand concert in the Opera House early next month. Mr. B. L. Bentley has been drilling the company for this event for several weeks past.

   Assemblyman Holmes of this county is recorded as voting in favor of the Telephone companies and against the Gerst bill reducing the rates.

   The Actives and the Normals played a game of base ball on the Fair grounds last Saturday which resulted in a victory for the former by a score of 15 to 11.

   The Little York Ice Co. has three new and very handsome delivery wagons in use now. They were built by the Cortland Omnibus & Cab Co. and are a credit to both firms.

   The Normals and the Homers will play ball on the Fair grounds Saturday afternoon.

   The frog to enable the electric cars to cross the D., L. & W. track at the latter's station in this village has been put in.

   Messrs. Bingham & Miller have the contract for making twenty-five new uniforms for W. J. Buchanan Hose Co. of McGrawville.

   Whiteson's store has a new and handsome plate glass front. It is a great improvement. See his new advertisement on this page.

   The Normal ball team has elected the following officers captain, C. P. Miner; corresponding manager, T. A. Beardslee; business manager, H. A. Oday.

   Contractor Scott announces that work will be resumed on the sewers next Monday. About sixty men will be employed at first and the force will soon be increased to one hundred.

   The editor of the Good Government department in the Cortland Standard has been describing the slot machines which have been occupying space in most of the saloons and bar rooms of the state for the past two or three years. Either the editor has never loved with the machines or his mechanical education was sadly neglected in the days of his youth. There are lots of bare-footed gamins about town that could give him valuable pointers on the methods of working this ingenious little joker.

   The Governor has signed the bill requiring highway commissioners to erect sign boards at the corners of all intersections of highways in the several towns of the state where proper applications are made for the same. Our local wheelmen are taking up the matter in this county and all wheelmen having cyclometers are asked to volunteer to measure certain roads on May 1st. Those who are willing to serve are requested to send their names to A. C. Kinney, secretary of the C. A. A., when routes will be assigned them. The observance of this law will be a great convenience to all who have occasion to travel by any conveyance.

SCOTT.

    Most of the sick people are improving.

   Mr. and Mrs. Fred Foster are rejoicing over the advent of a baby boy.

   C. B. Fairchild has moved into the house lately occupied by F.  D. Allen and family.

   The roads are getting quite dry and people are bestirring themselves to plant and sow.

   Howard Bros. are fitting up their meat market in fine style. It don't look like the same place

   Archie Gould is making needed repairs upon the house lately purchased by him of the Hiram Babcock heirs.

   Quarterly meeting will be held at the S. D. B. church here next Friday evening and all the d a y following.

   Last year's crop of hops about here have mostly been sold recently at 4 cents per pound. Beer ought to be cheap.

   The town seems to be flooded with bogus nickels and some pieces of a larger denomination. Some of them are rather hard to detect.

   Myron Babcock and wife, Frank Hammond and wife of Homer, John Wilson of Sempronius and P. Olney and wife of New Hope were in town on Sunday.

   About 40 of the friends of Rev. and Mrs. B. F. Rogers made them a sort of a surprise last Saturday evening Supper was served and the evening passed away pleasantly in social chat.

   We learn that a young lady of Little York got befogged on a foggy day recently while trying to find her way to the home of a young man on Brake Hill. She got out of the road and finally she heard the sound of axes in the woods at some distance away and followed the sound until she found the workmen who kindly piloted her to the desired haven. She will doubtless choose a clear day next time she travels the wilderness road.

TRUXTON.

   Mrs. Julia Pierce is visiting in Syracuse.

   A. L. Lansing and wife were in Union Valley Sunday.

   Born to Mr. and Mrs. O. D. Patrick, April 21st, a boy.

   Jonathan Bosworth, of Cortland, was in town several days last week.

   Lester Hare, of Georgetown, is working at harness-making for Muller Brothers.