LAST RITES

The Cortland Democrat, Friday, December 27, 1895.

THE LAST RITES.

Renselaer W. Tripp and His Victim Geo W. Galpin Buried in Cortland Rural Cemetery.

   Last Friday at 11 o'clock A. M. Renselaer W. Tripp who murdered his neighbor Geo. W. Galpin, as detailed in our last week's issue, was buried in Cortland Rural Cemetery. There was not a large attendance at his funeral probably because people were horrified at the crime he had committed and because they had no sympathy for the man. The writer had been acquainted with Tripp for more than thirty years and had had more or less dealings with him during all these years. The writer of this article foreclosed the mortgage as attorney for the mortgagee, on the premises occupied by Galpin and formerly owned by Tripp. During the foreclosure proceedings it became necessary to obtain an injunction against Tripp to prevent him from drawing away some winter wheat which he had cut and claimed belonged to him.

   Notwithstanding this, our pleasant relations with the man continued up to the time of his death. The DEMOCRAT does not believe that Tripp felt ugly towards Galpin because he owned and occupied the farm, which he lost by these foreclosure proceedings. Tripp was not a fool by any means. He was a genial, pleasant man ordinarily and he was entirely willing to accord to others those rights that he claimed for himself, but like most good natured men he had a temper that was hard to control when he thought himself insulted or abused.

   Galpin was a clever sort of man but like many other men he would enjoy tantalizing anyone that he did not like. Tripp could not stand the insults he imagined were put upon him and he brooded over them and finally became insane enough on the subject to commit the horrible crime of last week. The result in this case ought to be a lesson to everybody. There is nothing to be gained by continual bickering between neighbors. Even if your neighbor seems to be inclined to encroach upon your rights it is better to submit to some inconveniences and annoyances than to be in a continual row. Tragedies as a rule result from these petty neighborhood quarrels.

   Galpin's funeral was held from his late home on Sunday at 1 o'clock P. M. A large number of sympathizers and friends were in attendance. The distress of the bereaved widow and the fatherless children caused many a tear to flow from sympathetic eyes. A subscription paper is being circulated for the purpose of raising $600 to pay off the mortgage on Galpin's farm.

   The Coroner's Jury met in Fletcher & Blackman's undertaking rooms in this village on Monday, and after hearing the evidence rendered a verdict in accordance with the facts as published in the DEMOCRAT last week.

The Child is Born.

   For nearly a year past citizens of Cortland have been waiting with more or less impatience, the appearance of the Industrial Edition of the Cortland Standard. For many months the columns of that paper have been filled with promises of what the wonderful enterprise was to be and what it would do for every man, woman and child in the community.

   Naturally then, its advent was looked for with longing mixed with more or less anxiety, caused by the fact that the usual period of gestation had long since passed and the date of its birth had been so often postponed. Last week however the anxiety was over and the piping tones of the infant were heard in the land. Surrounded by a score or more of physicians, who were aided by several wet and dry nurses and an innumerable posse of its brothers, its sisters, its cousins and its aunts, the child was born and it proved to be a lusty youngster. As a whole the job is very creditable to the Standard office. The illustrations are good and they are neatly printed on good paper and the make up in the main is satisfactory. Some of the handsomest buildings in town are shown and many of the old landmarks find a place on its pages. The edition will be valuable mainly as a keepsake for reference in future years.

   The critical reader however, may possibly wonder what particular motive actuated our neighbors to be at considerable pains and some expense to reproduce the unpretentious home of the Democrat of some thirty years ago, instead of the very handsome modern building it now occupies on Railroad-st., a photoengraving of which could have been had for the asking. To be true to its pretensions, the Industrial Edition should have contained views of all the handsome and expensive buildings in Cortland as well as descriptions of its principle industries.

   Omitting the DEMOCRAT from an Industrial Edition of Cortland is like leaving the part of Hamlet out of the play of that name. Of course it was an oversight on the part of our neighbors, and the profuse apologies they are almost bursting to deliver themselves of, are accepted with thanks in advance of their utterance.

Speaker Thomas B. Reed.

Washington Letter.

(From Our Regular Correspondent.)

   WASHINGTON. Dec. 23, 1895.—While there are democrats who do not approve either the sending of that special financial message to Congress by President Cleveland or its recommendation, they all admit that it was a clever move on the part of the President, and good politics as well, to shift the responsibility of relieving the government's financial distress upon the republican Congress. It is hardly probable that Mr. Cleveland really expects any immediate relief from Congress, but he will have the satisfaction of showing the country that the republican Congress can criticize the acts of the administration, taken in accordance with republican laws, to preserve the credit of the country, but that it cannot or will not provide a better method. Even if there were no other reason than the consternation into which that message has thrown the republicans, especially in the House, that ought to be sufficient to make democrats glad it was sent in. The republicans say they will answer the message with a tariff bill, but that isn't worrying anybody much. It will hardly have one chance out of fifty to get through the Senate.

   President Cleveland is still receiving congratulations for his patriotic message on the Monroe doctrine [British Guiana and Venezuela boundary dispute--CC editor], and while there is less outward excitement in Washington than existed for the first two or three days after the message went to Congress, there is a stalwart belief in the absolute correctness of the position taken by President Cleveland and a determination to maintain it at all hazards. Instead of being shaken or weakened by the attempt of the British capitalists to frighten us by unloading their holding of American securities with the hope of creating a financial panic, those attempts have strengthened that determination. While it might be a temporary misfortune for the United States to have all the railroad, state and federal securities held in Great Britain dumped upon the market and sold it would be equally disastrous for their holders, and in the end it might prove a great blessing for us, as there are lots of people who think the United States needs a financial declaration of Independence more than it needs any other one thing.

   The President has selected the members of the Commission authorized by the bill that passed both House and Senate unanimously, to ascertain the boundary line between Venezuela and British Guiana, but he will not make their names public until they have notified him of their willingness to serve.

   Speaker Reed is now the Czar of the House sure enough. The chairman of every single committee of that body which is at all prominent is a man who will do just exactly what Reed tells him to do. Henderson of Iowa was turned down because of his allegiance to Allison, and Cannon of Illinois made chairman of the Appropriation Committee. But probably the worst treated member of the House is Payne of New York, who was clearly entitled to the chairmanship of the Ways and Means Committee. He thought that Boss Platt was backing him for the place, but Platt had, it is said, told Reed that Payne couldn't be controlled, although he pretended to want him to have the chairmanship. Dingley of Maine was given the place, notwithstanding the selection of Boutelle for head of the Naval Committee and Milliken, both of the same state, for the committee on Public Buildings and Grounds. Three Election committees were named, so as to make short work of the democrats who either hold seats that are contested by republicans or are contesting seats held by republicans. This session of Congress will either make Reed the republican candidate for President or it will forever destroy his chances, for he is not only responsible for the acts or failures to act of the House by virtue of his office as Speaker, but he is virtually the House itself by reason of his ownership of the men who will control everything in that body.

   State Senator Stafford of Texas, who is now in Washington, pooh-poohs the idea that there is danger of the populists getting control of his state. He says: "I have but little fear in regard to the continued predominance of the democratic party in Texas. The only thing to be feared is the adoption of a radical gold plank by the democratic national convention. Should this be done I am afraid that thousands of democratic voters would refuse to vote the ticket. They would not vote any other ticket but would stay at home on election day. However, unless the advocates of gold shut the white metal entirely out in the convention, it's a safe bet that Texas will give a big democratic majority as usual."

   Ex-Congressman Stone of Kentucky has abandoned hope of a democrat being elected to succeed Senator Blackburn. He says "The republicans will unseat enough democrats in the House in favor of contestants of their own party to give them a majority, and will elect the senator, and Representative Hunter will probably be the man."

It May be Significant.

   There may not be much significance in the fact, but it is nevertheless a fact, that the editors of the two New York papers which take the British side in the Venezuelan controversy are not "native and to the manner born." Edwin Lawrence Godkin, of the Evening Post, was born at Moyne, County Wicklow, Ireland, October 2, 1831 and, like his father before him, is a Tory in the struggle between his countrymen and British rule over them. He was educated at Queens College, Belfast, and served the London Daily News as a correspondent in the Crimean war, and in our own war of the rebellion.

   Joseph Pulitzer, of the World, was born in Buda-Pesth, Hungary, April 10, 1847. He immigrated to this country when he attained his majority and has in one capacity and another been connected with journalism since.

SCHOMBURGK'S WORK.

He Worked as a Clerk in Philadelphia and Boston—Drew the Famous Line.

   WASHINGTON. D. C., Dec. 22.—An interesting fact in connection with the famous Schomburgk line which has escaped observation is that the man who provided the British government with that boundary came to this country from Germany when he was twenty-two years old, and after working for some time as a clerk in Boston and Philadelphia, became a partner in a Richmond, Va., tobacco manufactory in 1828. The factory was burned and Schomburgk drifted to the West Indies, where, after unsuccessful ventures, his botanical work attracted the attention of the London Geographical society and secured for him the means to explore the unknown regions of the Orinoco, where he traveled from 1833 to 1839, when he discovered the Victoria Regia lily and numerous other plants.

   This work led the British government to commission him to suggest a boundary between Venezuela and Guiana and to make further explorations. The line was drawn and he was knighted by the Queen for his services. Schomburgk, until his death in 1865, continued in the British consular service, but devoted himself chiefly to geographical studies, being a member of the principal American and European learned societies.

Grover Cleveland.

PAGE FOUR—EDITORIALS.

   The Venezuelans are jubilant over the Presidents message to Congress on the Venezuelan boundary question and the English are correspondingly mad.

   For sale, at a great bargain, duck shooting jokes and a large supply of stage wrath. At all Republican sanctums.—Albany Argus.

   Potatoes find no sale even at fifteen cents per bushel. If a protective tariff is of any benefit to the people of this country, the tariff of fifteen cents per bushel ought to raise the price of the "bulbous roots." If it would have that affect it would benefit the farmers of the United States who have thousands of bushels stored in their cellars for the reason there is no market for them. There is a big crop of potatoes this year, consequently the price is low. If the crop was a small one there would be a great demand for them and the price would rule high. The law of supply and demand controls the price of the farmers products instead of the tariff. The tariff is for the benefit of the few wealthy manufacturers and not for the farmer.

   A distinguished publicist in New York, Mr. James C. Carter, holds that the Monroe doctrine has no application to the territorial questions between Great Britain and Venezuela. In this he fully coincides with Mr. Andrew C. Cassatt, a writer in the December Forum, who maintains that the Monroe doctrine was intended to apply to "a state of facts that no longer exists." The writer rather broadly declares that the Holy Alliance proposed to extend its operations to this continent and aid Spain to recover her revolted States. There is no evidence of this beyond the fact that the Holy Alliance did encourage Louis XIII to send a French army across the Pyrenees to suppress the Spanish Revolution in 1823. It was an inference of George Canning, the British Secretary for Foreign affairs that the nations in the Holy Alliance would next turn their attention to the New World, and upon his suggestion President Monroe warned them off in his celebrated message.—Kingston Argus.

   The message of President Cleveland on the Venezuelan boundary is a strong state paper. It is commended by the republican as well as the democratic press of the country. The disposition of Great Britain to steal territory of American republics has received a setback that pleases nearly every country on the globe. She has received notice that she cannot bully the United States and that the Monroe doctrine will be enforced. President Cleveland is as firm as a rock and his message to Congress shows that he is a genuine American. England cannot afford to have war with this country and if the boundary is as claimed to be by Venezuela, the British will have to back down. Of course if the commission to be appointed by President Cleveland to investigate the boundary line reports that Venezuela is correct, Great Britain will get down from her horse with as good grace as possible, but if the commission report that she is right in her claims that will end the matter. There will be no war between the United States and Great Britain for the reason that the United States will concede Great Britain's claims if they are found to be correct, but if they are found to be without foundation John Bull will get down and out with the best grace that her eminent statesmen find possible. England cannot afford to have a war with the United States for the reason that she would be surrounded by too many complications. She requires a standing army in India in order to hold her possessions there. Ireland would surely take advantage of her complications and Russia and France have no love for the British lion. The war, if one was to come, would have to be fought mainly on the water, and her splendid navy would be formidable, but the United States could soon have naval fleets that would keep her ironclads busy. Our coast defenses are not what they should be but it would bother John Bull to enter our harbors without her fleets being blown out of existence by torpedoes. Timid people need not be frightened, however, by rumors of war because there will be no war. The question in dispute will be settled amicably but if it is not, the United States will be perfectly able to defend her boundaries in any event. President Cleveland has shown himself to be a true American by insisting on the observance of the Monroe doctrine and he will be sustained by every patriot in the land.

HERE AND THERE.

   Prof. Rittenhouse, optician, will be at Dr. Kenyon's office in Cincinnatus Jan 6.

   The Manhattan club have a dance in Empire hall, Friday evening, Jan. 10, '96.

   The Normal vacation for the Holidays began Dec. 20 and ends at 8:45 A. M. Jan. 6th, 1896.

   William J. Perkins has purchased the City drug store. He will take possession next Monday morning.

   Mr. Gideon Wright, the present janitor of the Tioughnioga club rooms, was well remembered on Christmas day by a very handsome sum of money presented by members of the club.

   Two young alligators have a comfortable resting place in the north window of Browns pharmacy. They were presented by Frank J. Peck, who is at present capturing curiosities in Florida for the northern markets.

   The total number of packages received for dispatch at the post office in this village for the ten days previous to and including Christmas was 2968. The number of Christmas packages received and delivered by the carriers was 1753.

   While splitting wood last Monday morning John Mulligan, aged 14 years, who lives with his parents on Hubbard-st., split his foot to the instep and cut off two of his toes. He may lose the foot. Dr. A. J. White dressed the injury.

   The members of the First M. E. church of this place made every arrangement for a sleigh ride on Christmas day but one. They neglected to furnish the snow and concluded to have an informal entertainment in the church parlors instead.

   Some kindly disposed person has presented the Standard editor with a box of pills bearing this legend, "Take one for wind on stomach." It must be admitted that it is a very appropriate Christmas present and it is to be hoped that it will have the desired effect.

   Three tramps were arrested in this place last Monday morning on a telegram from Detective Sevenoaks of Syracuse on the charge of breaking into a freight car on the D. L. & W. between here and Syracuse. They were stealing a ride on a freight that arrives here at 2:05 A. M. The officer came down on the 9 o'clock train and took them to Syracuse later in the day.

   The annual pew renting of the First Baptist church will occur Tuesday, Dec. 31st, 1895, commencing at 2 P. M. and continuing throughout the afternoon and evening. As no pews are to be rented until that time every one desiring a seat should be present if possible to make their selection.