PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

Grover Cleveland.

Cortland Evening Standard, Thursday, December 5, 1895.

PAGE TWO—EDITORIALS.

The President's Message.

   President Cleveland's third annual message is another sorry offender against brevity and compactness, but the president at any rate has had the wisdom to dispense with the perfunctory summaries of department reports which have wasted so much of the space in his previous messages and in those of his predecessors. Practically the entire document can be arranged under two heads—foreign relations and national finances. These two topics seem to have been absorbing the chief executive's attention.

   Under neither head is there anything sensational. The message as a whole has a moderate and dignified tone, bespeaking an industrious and honest president, if not a great one. In his discussion of foreign affairs, Mr. Cleveland makes an error in urging that we should withdraw from the Samoan tri-protectorate, as was shown a year ago, when a Democratic congress utterly ignored his recommendation. But on most of the other matters under [this] head the president's position is conspicuously just and sound. He has rightly sensed the opinions of the American people. As to the imprisonment of poor Waller, he intimates that the production of the evidence under which the ex-consul was convicted will be rigidly insisted on and he adds that "it is expected that some satisfactory solution of the manner will shortly be reached."

   More vigorous measures for the protection of the seals in Behring Sea are recommended, and England's culpable neglect to carry out her share of the agreement is stated in plain terms. The  president's handling of the Venezuelan problem is one which will dismay some of his superserviceable friends and delight his opponents, for here Mr. Cleveland comes squarely over to the position occupied by the Republicans. His words on this point will occasion a very unpleasant sensation in some quarters. As a complete acceptance of the Republican attitude they are well worthy of being fully quoted. Mr. Cleveland declares that the general conclusions which he has reached and caused to be communicated to the British government are in  "substance, that the traditional and established policy of this government is firmly opposed to a forcible increase by any European power of its territorial possessions on this continent; that this policy is as well founded in principle as it is strongly supported by numerous precedents; that as a consequence the United States is bound to protest against the enlargement of the area of British Guiana in derogation of the slights and against the will of Venezuela; that, considering the disparity in strength of Great Britain and Venezuela, the territorial dispute between them can be reasonably settled only by friendly and impartial arbitration, and that the resort to such arbitration should include the whole controversy, and is not satisfied if one of the powers concerned is permitted to draw an arbitrary line through the territory in debate and to declare that it will submit to arbitration only the portion lying on one side of it. In view of these conclusions, the dispatch in question called upon the British government for a definite answer to the question whether it would or would not submit the territorial controversy between itself and Venezuela in its entirety to impartial arbitration."

   We quote these words in full, not only because they are an absolute indorsement of the Republican position, but because they are by all odds the strongest and most significant portion of the entire executive message. They embody a distinct affirmation of the Monroe doctrine in its most positive form as the "traditional and established policy of this government, well founded in principle as it is strongly supported by numerous precedents," and a further emphatic declaration that this policy directly applies to the present controversy between Venezuela and Great Britain. Moreover the president insists that not only a part, but all of the territory in dispute must be submitted to arbitration.

   This assertion of President Cleveland will come as a sudden and stunning blow to the noisy Anglomaniacs from a quarter whence they least expected it. These chattering relics of provincialism have mistaken their man. Mr. Cleveland may in times past have given them some encouragement, but when put to the real test he shows himself a statesman of broader mind and truer insight than they in their folly have imagined. They confidently expected him to pinion and muzzle the Monroe doctrine in English interests. On the contrary, he has reasserted it with a force which it has not felt since thirty years ago it sent the French eagles whirling out of Mexico. To this part of his message, Mr. Cleveland's enlightened and patriotic fellow-countrymen, of all shades of politics, will respond with grateful rejoicing.

   As to the President's financial recommendations, the gist of his long discussion of the subject is an amplification of the idea which Secretary Carlisle has already exploited—the retirement of the greenbacks and of the treasury notes issued under the Silver Purchase act of 1890. He would have these notes exchanged for long-term gold bonds bearing a low rate of interest.  The objection to this plan, is that it would divide the honest money forces in congress and unite the cheap dollar people solidly against it. If there is any suggestion calculated to provoke the Democratic silver men to violent anger  it is the issuance of any more gold interest-bearing bonds. Mr. Cleveland's recommendation is submitted with the best intentions. It will receive some support among the conservative classes of the North and East, but with the national senate constituted as it is at present the idea must be dismissed as totally impracticable.

   The trouble with Mr. Cleveland in his consideration of the national finances is that he has mistaken effect for cause. He devotes all his attention to rehabituating the currency, while the real secret of the financial weakness which afflicts us is the insufficient national revenue. Mr. Cleveland is human. He is naturally reluctant to con fess that the only important measure of legislation that his party has passed for thirty-five years has lamentably failed to fulfill the purpose for which it was enacted; that the Democratic tariff for revenue only is not producing income enough to meet the national expenditures. Yet that is the hard, cold truth of the situation. If the tariff were so amended that the revenue could be increased and a final step put to the accumulation of this huge deficit, the currency problem would take care of itself for the time being. Mr. Cleveland totally ignores this first and most pressing duty of congress, and leaves it to the Republican leaders to take the initiative. Fortunately the responsibility will be safe in their hands.

   ◘ Undoubtedly the wish was father to the thought which seems to have emanated originally from the brain of some British editor that the United States, Great Britain and Japan should form an alliance to prevent the further aggression of Russia against Japan and elsewhere. Such an idea is craziness. The American government will follow the Washington doctrine while time lasts and avoid entangling alliances with European and other powers. And, even if this were not the case, why should the United States form an alliance with Great Britain against Russia? From the beginning of our republic till now Russia has been the best friend and the only consistent friend the United States has ever had in Europe. She stood our friend when England, only for her influence, would have recognized the Southern Confederacy. She also stood our friend at a critical period earlier in our history. Shall we slap our best friend in the face just to please a nation that except for trade purposes is not our friend at all? Not if we know it. The true policy will be for Japan and Russia to get together and have a friendly understanding. Then they can defy their mutual enemies.

COMMISSIONERS REPORT

Fix the Value of the Randall Land at $600 per Acre.

   The report of Commissioners Eggleston, Carley and Van Hoesen upon the appraisal of the land of William R. Randall, Wilhelmina Randall and Antoinette R. Huntington, which was required by the Erie & Central New York railroad, was delivered at 12:20 to-day. The commissioners find that the railroad should pay the owners of the land at the rate of $600 per acre. The railroad requires 3.76 acres and the total sum to be pain is $2,256.

   Work will be pushed along on the east side of the land of Frank Welch which is still in question, all necessary material being hauled around his premises. If the winter should prove open the building of the road could be pushed on very rapidly as all the grading is done.

SUPERVISORS' BANQUET.

AT THE CORTLAND HOUSE WEDNESDAY NIGHT.

Many Guests Present—Delicious Menu Served—Fine Speaking—Splendid Good Time.

   The banquet of the board of supervisors last evening at the Cortland House was a great success from whatever point it is considered. The board with their guests began to assemble in the corridors and parlors of the hotel about 9 o'clock. After an hour pleasantly passed in hearty greetings and laughing reminiscences, the doors of the spacious diningroom were thrown open disclosing through the drapery a very pretty picture. The tables had been artistically arranged in the form of a circle extending entirely around the large room. They were very handsomely decorated with palms and strewn liberally with chrysanthemums. The procession to the diningroom was led by Chairman Crane, who occupied the seat of honor at the west side of the room, while the several members of the board with their guests took the seats assigned them about the outer circumference of the circle.

   The following very appetizing menu was served in a manner highly creditable to the well known reputation of this excellent hotel on all such occasions:

   It was 11 o'clock before the cigars were lighted and Chairman Crane arose to formally welcome the guests, which he did in his usual happy style and closed by saying that no regular program had been laid down for the evening, but as there were several well-known eloquent gentlemen present, it was the desire of the board to hear from them and to that end he called on J. C. Barry, the clerk of the board, to act as toastmaster for the evening.

   Mr. Barry, speaking as a representative of the board, outlined the reasons why the board had invited so cosmopolitan a representation to be present. He referred to the work done by the board during the two [annual] sessions, of the very pleasant friendships formed among its members, and of the doubt in the future as to their ever meeting again in the same official capacity.

   Judge A. P. Smith was obliged to leave the banquet hall to catch the 11:20 train for New York and was persuaded as he was going out to say a few words. He was in a happy mood and for five minutes cracked jokes, roasted different ones present and closed with an eloquent climax.

   Mr. Barry called upon the following gentlemen in the order named, assigning them such impromptu toasts as he saw fit. Very graciously one and all responded, in some of the brightest, wittiest and most eloquent impromptu efforts heard in Cortland in many days. All the remarks were good and it would be impossible to characterize one beyond another. The gentlemen responded in the order named: A. P. Smith, E. E. Mellon, John Courtney, Jr., James H. Tripp, N. L. Miller, F. J. Cheney, Ed L. Adams, H. L. Bronson, D. W. Van Hoesen, Geo. S. Sands and B. T. Wright. Dr. Kinyon, supervisor from Cincinnatus, then closed the speech making in a very happy manner speaking for the board.

   Mr. Barry read letters of regret from Messrs. F. P. Saunders, C. H. Stevens and W. H. Clark and a telegram from Dr. H. I. Van Hoesen.

   Hon. James H. Tripp then arose and after expressing his views as to the grand and royal time which the guests had enjoyed, asked the guests to join him in tendering to the board of supervisors a vote of thanks for their generous hospitality. It is needless to say, this was carried with a significant "aye."

   Mr. Barry then on behalf of the board thanked Mr. Tripp for his kind words, and also the guests for the kindly sentiments expressed, and bade all a formal good night. On departing words of pleasant good night and happy cheer were heard on every side. All were highly appreciative of the very excellent manner in which everything was done that could possibly be done by the proprietor of the Cortland House, Dorr C. Smith. He has dealt with supervisors so long that he knows just what to do for them and for their friends.

   The invited guests who were present were the following named gentlemen:

   Clayton E. Rowley, John Courtney, Jr., F. J. Cheney, Hugh Duffey, Wilber Holmes, W. H. Foster, Geo. S. Sands, B. F. Lee, J. H. Tripp, R. E. Dunston, C. S. Pomeroy, E. J. Bockes, Adam Hilsinger, E. C. Palmer, B. T. Wright, D. W. Van Hoesen, T. E. Dye, Will Tarbell, F. M, Benjamin, [Mr.] Comerfort, E. W. Childs, O. P. Miner, Ed L. Adams, A. P. Smith, E. E. Mellon, Frank P. Hakes, W. A. Stockwell, F. Cy. Straat, T. E. Courtney, A. S. Brown, N. L. Miller, H. L. Bronson.

CORONERS INQUEST.

NO IMPORTANT EVIDENCE YET BROUGHT OUT.

Conductor and Brakeman Sworn—Great Crowd in Attendance—Nothing but Theory.

   The coroner's inquest to determine the cause of the wreck of the night express at Preble Sunday night and the consequent death of the engineer and fireman and also the passenger who died in New Jersey Tuesday morning as a result of his injuries, was begun at Preble at 10:30 o'clock this morning. Coroner Moore was present and the jury consisting of Morris Spoore, Lorenzo Allen, A. A. Knapp, Philander Manchester, Duane Van Denburg, John Ackles, Edwin Wilbur, John H. Gay, Seth Hobart, A. Harter, C. Z. Shepard, and A. H. Vosburg. The inquest was held in the town hall which was packed almost to suffocation. A number of railroad men were present and some of the detectives. District Attorney Burlingame was the legal adviser and assistant of the coroner.

   The first witness called was John Carroll, a brakeman on the wrecked train. He testified that he was sitting in the forward end of the sleepingcar at the time of the accident. His first intimation of an accident was the applying of the air brakes, followed by a sudden stop and jar. He got out of doors as soon as possible and noticed that the switch lever was blocked up. The bull's eye switch light was out. He went back to Tully to flag any train that might be following and staid [sic] there until the wild cat engine came along. He thinks he was the first one at the switch. On the way to Tully he saw no person whatever.

   The next witness was H. H. Darling, the conductor of the train. He testified that when leaving Tully he was four minutes behind time. After passing Tully he was running at the rate of forty or forty-five miles an hour. He described the position of the wrecked cars and engine, their position being as already stated in The STANDARD. Engineer Young and Fireman Roof were running that night in place of William Gray and Michael Hogan, the regular engineer and fireman. He said he could give no motive for the wreck.

   An adjournment was then taken until 1:30 this afternoon. The inquest will probably continue into to-morrow.

   There is nothing new which so far points to the wreckers, except that four tramps were yesterday afternoon arrested in Buffalo. They gave their names as Frank Sherman, Lawrence Frye, Anthony Lawrett and William Lee. When searched one was found to have a switch key in his pocket and a copy of a Syracuse paper containing an account of the wreck. They were sent to the penitentiary for four months on a charge of vagrancy and before their release their records will be looked up.

POLICE COURT.

Three Dollars or Three Days—The Excise Cases.

   One offender was brought before Justice Bull this morning charged with public intoxication. He was fined three dollars or given three days in jail. He chose jail.

   The excise cases of H. Corcoran, Wallace & McKean, M. H. Ray and John Dowd, which were held open until 8 o'clock yesterday were adjourned until Saturday, Dec. 7 at 10 A. M.

   Dennis Cronin appeared and, through his counsel. Riley Champlin, withdrew his former plea of not guilty, pleaded guilty and sentence was suspended, Mr. Cronin having already discontinued business and agreed not to go into the business again.

   The case of Wm. Donegan which was set down for 10 o'clock to-day was again adjourned until 10 A. M., Monday, Dec. 9.

''A Thoroughbred'' To-night.

   The New York Herald says of "A Thoroughbred" which shows in Cortland to-night:

   "This successful London comedy was presented to a large audience at the Bijou last night, and scored an emphatic success. It is difficult to decide whether the piece is a comedy or a drama. Many of the situations are intensely dramatic and many extremely humorous. We have seldom seen an audience "roar" the way it did at the side-splitting love scene of Willie Green's in the last act. That "quiet little game of poker" will also be remembered. The company was adequate to the requirements of the different roles. Mr. Wilson as Willie Green and Kate Johnson as Mrs. Strongmind made hits. Miss St. Clare as Kate wore some beautiful gowns.

BREVITIES.

   —The Alpha C. L. S. meets at Mrs. Doubleday's, 44 Port Watson-st., Monday evening, Dec 9.

   —New advertisements to-day are—McKinney & Doubleday, page 7; D. Appleton &Co., page 6: Syndicate Publishing Co., page 3.

   —The supervisors closed their annual session to-day at 11:30 o'clock and adjourned. The full report of the proceedings of the adjourned session will be given to-morrow.

   —A regular meeting of W. C T. U. will be held on Saturday, Dec. 7, at 3 P. M. Items of interest will be most gladly listened to from as many of the union as can be present.

   —Messrs. Ford & Johnson who have been for a few weeks conducting a shoe store at 112 Main-st., closed up their business last sight and returned to Binghamton this morning.

   —The attention of all members of the Cortland county bar is called to the list of appointments of the supreme court of the Sixth judicial district which is found on the sixth page of to-day's issue.

   —Among those who went to Preble this morning to attend the coroner's inquest were Coroner W. J. Moore, District Attorney Miles Burlingame, Ex-Sheriff John Miller, Dr. Jerome Angel, C. F. Blackman and a STANDARD reporter.

   —Mr. Edwin Duffey entertained twenty-four ladies and gentlemen at his law office in the Schermerhorn building last evening. It was a regular meeting of a whist club and that fascinating game was the order of the evening. Very nice refreshments were served.

   —It is said that the engine "Sam Sloan" which was wrecked at Preble Sunday night and which had previously been through two other accidents, will be rebuilt. The new "Sam Sloan" will, however, be very much like the boy's jack-knife which had been provided with a new handle and a new blade, but was still his jack-knife.

   —Frequent inquiries are made regarding the Industrial Edition of The STANDARD. Work is being pushed as hard as possible day and night. More than half the pages are already printed. Unless something unforeseen occurs to hinder, the first completed copies will come from the bindery about Dec. 20 and others will follow at the rate of from 500 to 1,000 per day.