A CITIZEN AND A FIREMAN

Fireman's Hall next to the First National Bank on Main Street, Cortland.

Cortland Evening Standard, Tuesday, December 24, 1895.

"A Citizen and a Fireman."

   To the Editor of the Standard:

   SIR—Will you allow me a little space in your paper to answer a few questions propounded in yesterday's issue by my friend who signs himself "A Citizen and a Fireman?" I do not think that the questions are of any great importance to the community at large, for they have all, or nearly all of them been answered to the satisfaction of the great mass of taxpayers long ago; but my friend has worked himself into a frenzy over them and as he is really a good fellow, whom I wish no harm, they should be answered to his satisfaction.  

   "Has Cortland two score of firemen that it doesn't need?'' No, my dear boy, she needs all she has and about seven more to fill up the companies to

the number that the wise framer of our village charter decided that she needed and she will have them after the next monthly meetings.

   "Should there be a limit to the number of firemen, etc?" Yes, the charter makes a provision of that character and it seems to be about the right number.

   "Should a man over forty years old, a pensioner, etc., be admitted?" Experience teaches us, yes. Some of the most efficient firemen that we have would be [shut] out by such discrimination. No, a man who is physically disabled from performing the duties of a fireman should not be an active fireman.

   The framers of the charter, after much thought, well answered the questions as to the number of members each company should have.

   "Who pays for the support of the fire department?" I had been led to suppose that the taxpayers did, but if the individual members of the department do it, the more we have the lighter will be the burden on each.

   "Is it not time to have a paid department?" No. As long as we have so efficient a volunteer department, why go to the needless expense of a paid department that would not, in the nature of things, compare with what we now have.

   I am sorry that my friend takes the little shake up that we recently had at

the election in the department so sorely to heart; for I am sure he does not voice the sentiment of the majority of those who were defeated. It simply shows that his system was unprepared to withstand the little dose of the medicine that he and those who were in his combination have been feeding us annually for about twelve years. We took it like men and were prepared to swear that it tasted good. Now that the tables are turned for one year I hope that all will remember that we are and should be a unit in meeting our duties as members in the department that we are all so proud of.

   My friend seems proud of the fact that he is a citizen and a fireman. I will go him one better and sign myself,

   A CITIZEN, A FIREMAN, AND A TAXPAYER.

WAR IS IMPOSSIBLE.

England Has Too Many Hostages in This Country.

   COLUMBIA, Mo., Dec. 24 —Judge John Lawson, professor of Law in the state university, is the author of numerous law books. His work on "Contracts" is used in nearly all the leading law schools of America. Speaking of the threatened war with England, Judge Lawson said: There will be no war for the simple reason that England has given too many hostages to fortune in the shape of American investments. Every American citizen would be relieved for the time from any debt obligation to Great Britain and if it became necessary the United States government could, as a war measure, wholly annul obligations. Even without governmental action, all business relations would cease. Take the suspension of English insurance companies doing business in America, all the obligations incurred under these would be cancelled. It will be long before a commercial country like England involves itself in war with the United States.

PAGE TWO—EDITORIALS.

Christmas.

   Christmas comes this year amid rumors of wars and records of butcheries which seem strangely out of time and place in a season sacred to memories of the Prince of Peace. Many of those who believe in and follow Him are still enduring persecution and suffering death because of their faith, and what is sadder still, Christian nations which might check such brutalities and rescue a helpless people [Armenians] from fanatical assassins stand idly by, apparently more fearful of selfish loss or mindful of selfish interests than true to their duties to God and their fellow men.

   "Peace on earth and goodwill toward men" are yet far from reigning supreme around the homes and in the hearts of the peoples of the earth, but by no means so far as when the songs of the angels ushered in the first Christmas morning. The greed for gold, the thirst for power, the oppressor's wrong, the insolence and brutality of conscious strength have not passed away, but they have either been sensibly weakened or are far more strongly restrained than they were two thousand years ago.  There is a clear advance when a great nation says to a bully threatening to rob a weaker one, "Thus far shall thou come and no farther," instead of joining in the robbery.

   Vast bodies of men are still under arms and immense navies patrol the seas, but in their very strength and in the enormous costliness of war and the increasing efficiency of the engines of destruction are found the surest prophecies and strongest guaranties of peace. The time when nations will see that they cannot afford to go to war is nearer at hand than ever before, and the very selfishness which was the first cause of war will some day declare a universal and lasting peace.

   But even when this nation was in the throes of a mighty civil war, Christmas was not forgotten, nor were its pleasures slighted or its lessons ignored. The spirit of self-surrender and the joy of giving are often most perfectly manifested under most adverse circumstances. Surely this year, with its abundant reminders of the never failing generosity of the Great Giver, should fill every heart with a gratitude which finds expression in gifts not only to family and friends, but wherever it is possible to brighten the day for children or make Christmas more than a mere name to these who are bearing the burden and heat of life's day. "Freely ye have received, freely give."

   ◘ Professor Goldwin Smith sees things clearly. He says the Monroe doctrine is "a charter of independence for this continent and a declaration that the New World shall be allowed to work out its own destinies free from any interference on the part of the powers of the Old World." He also thinks the boundary dispute between British Guiana and Venezuela is a proper subject for arbitration.  Professor Smith it much respected in England and his remarks should bring John Bull into a more calm and reasonable frame of mind.

POLICE COURT.

Boys Found in a Sealed Freight Car on the D., L. & W. R. R.

   The spectators in police court this morning were much interested by the tale told Police Justice Bull by Emmett Card who had occupied a bunk in a cell during the night and was charged with public intoxication. Card repeated his oft told story of sickness and of his coming to Cortland yesterday and getting a little of Cortland's "malt extract" just for his stomach's sake. The judge in his wisdom saw fit to fine him three dollars which the prisoner paid and was discharged.

   Three young men claiming to hail from Binghamton are at the police station being held to await the arrival of Detective Sevenoaks of the D., L. & W. R. R., who is expected this afternoon armed with a warrant charging them with burglary. They gave their names as John Gregory, John Tobin and Charles Smith. They were arrested at the D., L. & W. station shortly after 2 o'clock Monday morning by Officers Jackson and Smith as tramps. Conductor James Doyle of through freight No. 18,  which passes Cortland at 2:05 A.M., in looking over his train after leaving Syracuse, found these boys concealed in a freight car loaded with merchandise bound for Scranton. This car had been sealed in Syracuse and the conductor discovered them sticking their heads out of the door afterward.

   Detective Sevenoaks arrived in Cortland at 3:07 this afternoon and took the three boys back to Syracuse at 4:20.

Cortland Athletic Association Notes.

   The Cortland Athletic association have been for various reasons obliged to postpone the entertainment they are arranging to furnish. It is expected now that the entertainment will be given some night during the week beginning Jan. 18, the exact date to be decided upon at a meeting of the board of governors to be held to-night.

   The association is growing in number, there now being fourteen applications for membership to be acted upon.

   The new janitor, Mr. Jas. F. Costello, is making many friends by his constant attention to business. He has recently put in a cigar case and is being freely patronized by the club members.

BREVITIES.

   —Wish you a Merry Christmas.

   —New advertisements to-day are: Second National bank, page 7.

   —The excise case of the village against Hugh Corcoran was settled yesterday by the defendant paying fifty dollars.

   —The Manhattan club will give one of their ever popular invited dancing parties in Empire hall Friday evening, Jan. 10, 1896. A very pleasant time is expected.

   —A special meeting of the managers of the hospital will be held Thursday, Dec. 26 at 3 P. M., at the home of Mrs. M. E. Doud. A full and prompt attendance is requested.

   —All members of Grover Post, No 98, G. A. R., are requested to attend the funeral of Comrade Job Taft at his late residence, 32 Railroad-ave., at 7:15 A. M., Thursday, Dec. 26. Wear memorial badges.

   —Southbound express train No. 9 on the D., L. & W. was nearly an hour late this morning owing to the engine becoming disabled at Onativia. The engine of freight No. 35 was substituted at Onativia.

   —Two young alligators in the north window of Brown's pharmacy are attracting considerable attention. They were sent here by Mr. Frank J. Peck who is spending some time in Florida and who it is supposed had some very bloodcurdling adventures in effecting their capture.

VILLAGE TRUSTEES.

Public Meeting to Consider Paving at Opera House Friday Night.

   The village board of trustees held a meeting last night and did very little but routine business. The paving question was discussed informally and it was ordered that a public meeting be called to be held in the Opera House Friday evening at 7:30 o'clock, at which time they hope to have freely discussed by the taxpayers the proposed bill which has been published.

   The subject of the appointment of a new policeman in place of S. G. Brower, resigned, was also discussed informally but no decision was reached, the matter being held open for further consideration.

   It was moved and carried that notice be served on J. Melvin Samson to build the walk he is now building opposite his premises on Groton-ave. so that the south line of said walk shall coincide with the south line of Groton-ave.