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| Daniel S. Lamont. |
Cortland
Semi-Weekly Standard, Friday,
January 31, 1896.
SECRET
OF SUCCESS.
LESSON
FROM LIFE OF SECRETARY LAMONT.
Taught
when a Boy Never to Slight Any Task However Trifling—Painstaking and Shrewd.
(From
the New York Sun.)
This
is a story that may possibly interest the boys of the country. All American
boys are wide awake and quick to learn. It is a story concerning a little
incident in the life of the Hon. Daniel Scott Lamont, now secretary of war. Mr.
Lamont was a poor boy in Cortland county. He subsequently became a clerk in a
state department at Albany. When Grover Cleveland of Buffalo was elected
governor of the state in 1882, he was untried in all matters pertaining to the
state legislation, and when he arrived at Albany he had not selected his
private secretary. Mr. Lamont was at that time a newspaper correspondent on the
Albany Argus, of which the chief owner was then the late Daniel Manning. Mr.
Manning said to Grover Cleveland:
“You haven’t
any private secretary?”
“No,”
replied Cleveland, “and I want one.”
“Well,” replied
Mr. Manning, “I have a young man here who will help you until you can select a
private secretary.”
It was at
that time that the secretary of war was first brought into close communication
with Mr. Cleveland. Mr. Lamont did not think that he was to remain as the
private secretary of the governor, but he remained three or four weeks, and
then Mr. Cleveland said he could not get along without him. Mr. Lamont from his
cradle had been taught that he must do everything well. His parents taught him
that he must not slur the smallest task in life. He must, they said, pay as
much attention to the little things as to the big things, and
Mr. Lamont never forgot this training.
The time
ran along, and Mr. Cleveland was elected president. Just before his
inauguration he made that famous remark that Colonel Dan must go with him to
Washington. This governor of the state and this first Democratic president
since President Buchanan’s time relied on the painstaking, careful studious
ways of Colonel Dan. For four years Mr. Lamont was the president’s private
secretary, and then he returned with him to New York and was indirectly
connected with him for four years more. When Mr. Cleveland went to Washington
again in 1892, he took Daniel Lamont with him as secretary of war.
If the
American boys will visit the war department they will find Mr. Lamont there
from early until late. He is blue eyed, with an auburn bristling mustache. His
ways are just as kindly as when he was a newspaper writer.
A
correspondent had a pleasant talk with Secretary Lamont a few days ago in
Washington and he studied the secretary of war in the interest of the American
boy. The secretary was told by the correspondent that his own little son had a
telegraph wire leading into a neighbor’s house, and this mere statement aroused
an interest in the secretary of war.
“That is a
good thing,” said the secretary, “I remember in my early life that I was a
telegraph operator. If you once thoroughly learn telegraphy, you will never
forget. It remains with you as long as you live. I have not had occasion to use
telegraphy for a number of years, but all the boys of this country, if they
have time, ought to learn it. Several years ago, after my father’s death, I
wanted to bring my mother to Washington. I was in McGrawville, my home town in
Cortland county, and it was necessary for me to take a number of railroads in
order to reach the main line by which I could take my mother to Washington. It
was necessary to change cars a number of times on these local roads, and in one
or two instances the trains were late, and I feared that I could not get to the
main line in time to reach Washington.
“At last it
became positively known to me that unless I could make a certain connection my
mother would be compelled to remain over Sunday in a small and cheerless town.
I knew a president of a railroad who, if he were informed of my predicament, I
believed would help me out. So I telegraphed to him, telling him that my trains
were late, and asked him if he would not wire to the superintendent of the
place where I was apparently destined to be kept overnight and direct that the
train on the main road be held for me until my local train arrived. Before I
got to the local station where the main line train was to be met I had to
change cars. It was a dreary little station, and I remember well the anxiety
that I had when sitting in the waitingroom [sic] with my mother, not knowing
whether my dispatch had been received, when I heard clicking over the wire in
that little station an inquiry from the superintendent of the road: ‘Is Colonel
Lamont there?’ The telegraph operator looked around the room to see only two
persons, my mother and myself, there before he began to reply ‘No.’
“Just as he
sent that word I stepped up and I said: ‘My friend, I have unintentionally overheard
the inquiry [dots and dashes] going over your line as to whether Colonel Lamont
was here. That is my name.’ The telegraph operator quickly corrected his ‘No,’ informed
the superintendent that I was there, and the word came back that the main line
train would be held for me. This is only a little incident in my life, but it
demonstrates the value of telegraphy. My knowledge of telegraphy gave me the
opportunity to benefit my mother. So that I say that all boys in our country,
if they have the time, should learn telegraphy.”
Secretary
Lamont now has fine horses and carriages. As secretary of war he is a high
government officer and is the guest at all the state dinners at Washington. It
may not be uninteresting to add that Secretary Lamont never drank a drop of
intoxicating liquor in his life, and he does not know how to smoke. He has
succeeded because he has been painstaking and shrewd.
REVERSED WITH
COSTS.
DECISION IN TWO LOCAL EXCISE CASES.
Civil Actions of Village of
Cortland against Both Messrs. J. H. Howard and C. B. Warren.
(From the Daily Standard
Thursday.)
Attorney N.
L. Miller this morning received a telegram from the clerk of appellate division
of the general term at Albany in which it was stated that a decision had been
handed down in the two excise cases of The Village of Cortland vs. John H.
Howard, and The Village of Cortland vs. C. B. Warren, which cases were argued
on Monday, Jan. 13. The decision of the general term reverses the decision of
the county court with costs.
These cases
are two civil actions which were brought in police court before Justice Bull by
the village of Cortland against the two defendants to recover a fine of $100
each for the violation of an ordinance prohibiting the sale of liquor in
Cortland village, which ordinance was passed by the village board of trustees
on March 25, 1895. The Howard case came to trial on May 7 and the Warren case
on May 11, 1895. I. H. Palmer appeared for the prosecution and Dorr C. Smith
for the defense in both cases. No defense was put in in either case. The
prosecution proved their case and the defendants entered a demurrer and took an
appeal to county court.
The appeal
was argued before Judge Eggleston at the September term of county court and a
decision was handed down at the December term of court affirming the decision
of Justice Bull.
An appeal
was then taken to the general term and the case was argued on Jan. 13, as
stated above. "No opinion has yet been received so it is impossible to
determine upon what ground the decision is reversed.
Mr. Miller
based his argument before the general term upon two points: First, even
conceding that the village charter did give the right to the village board to
pass an ordinance imposing such a penalty, so much of it as referred to the
sale of liquor was repealed by Sec. 1, chapter 401 of the laws of 1892, which
chapter was the general excise law passed that year. Second, the complaint did
not state a cause of action and the demurrer which the defendant interposed at
the trial should have been sustained. The complaint didn’t state a cause of
action for the reason that it didn’t allege the mode of the sale of the liquor,
thus bringing the case within the statute.
Until the
opinion comes it will of course be impossible to know upon which point the
reversal of judgment is based. Mr. Miller stated to a Standard reporter that in
his opinion it was based upon the latter point, and in this opinion Attorney I.
H. Palmer, who argued the case for the village, also concurred. If this be true
it is only a defect in the pleadings and the effect is that of a non-suit. New
proceedings can be instituted and civil actions of this character can continue
if the complaints are correctly drawn. If, however, the reversal is based upon
the first point it will put an end altogether to any further civil actions of
this character.
Cortland County Game Laws.
Albany, Jan.
30.—Senator Johnson has introduced a bill amending the forest fisheries and game
laws to allow the hunting of rabbits in Cortland and Tioga counties except from
March 1 to August 15, but the game shall not be transported from these
counties. Woodcock and grouse cannot be transported from these counties at any
time. Suckers and eels can be caught through the ice in these counties at any
time.
THE MILK PATRONS.
May Strike Unless They Get Their
Back Pay.
The patrons
of the Cortland milk depot are not inclined to sit by in idleness and permit
their back pay, which amounts to nearly $4,000, to go to the winds without
doing something. Mrs. Haug has told them that they will be paid as soon as Mr.
Haug can get around to it, but that they think is too indefinite. The patrons
are about forty in number and
they have been furnishing the station each day of late with from sixty to
seventy-four quart cans of milk at 2
1/2 cents per quart. They have held one meeting and are soon to hold
another. Mr. Arnstein, the new manager, is expected in Cortland on Saturday
morning to pay them for the few days’ milk since the change of management, and
they are very strongly inclined to tell him that they will furnish no more milk
to the depot until Mr. Arnetein makes some arrangement with Mr. Haug by which they
will get their back pay.
PROHIBITION CONFERENCE
Of Cortland County Held in Taylor
Hall Wednesday.
(From the Daily Standard of
Thursday.)
The
Cortland county Prohibitionists are holding a conference in Taylor hall to-day.
The exercises were opened this morning at 10 o'clock with Hon. M. Downing of Poughkeepsie,
chairman of the state committee in the chair. Prayer was offered by Rev. I. C.
Estes of Harford. “The work for ‘96, How Best to Proceed,” was the subject of
remarks of Rev. I. C Estes and Mr. E. R. Wade of McLean.
E. M. Van Hoesen,
chairman of the county committee, gave a talk on the organization and methods
of the committee’s work which was followed by a general discussion. The
Beveridges of Nebraska are furnishing vocal music for the occasion.
Rev. B. F.
Weatherwax, E .R. Wade and Rev. I. C. Estes were appointed a committee on
resolutions.
A committee
consisting of M. L. Decker, C W. Collins and C. F. Cobb were appointed on the
order of business for the afternoon.
During the
noon hour lunch was served at the W. C. T. U. rooms by the ladies.
The
conference assembled again at 1:30 o’clock this afternoon and after singing by
the Beveridges. Rev. O. Berkely of Summerhill gave a stirring address on the
relation of young men to the country.
At 3:15
Mrs. T. B. Benjamin gave an interesting article on “The Purpose and Development
of the W. C. T. U.” Mrs. E. L. Tanner, the county president of the W. C. T. U.
discussed “The Do Everything Policy very intelligently and Mrs. James S.
Squires gave an account of the local work of the union.
“Our
Papers” by Mr. Geo. A. Norton formed a profitable part of the afternoon’s program.
This was followed by an interesting discussion on the issues of the campaign which
were participated in by a large number.
CORTLAND BEEKEEPERS
In Annual Session in Good
Templars’ Hall To-day.
The annual
meeting of the Cortland County Beekeepers’ association for the election of
officers and transaction of other business was held on Good Templars’ hall
Thursday. The morning session was devoted to visiting and exchange of ideas and
experiences. In the afternoon a profitable question box followed the election
of officers for the ensuing year. The new officers are:
President—M. R. Wood.
Vice
President—J. L. Kinney.
Secretary—H. S. Howe.
Treasurer—T. T. Barrows.
The time
and place for holding the June meeting was left to the executive committee.
Obituary.
Samuel
Klock was born in St. Johnsville, Herkimer Co., N. Y., Nov. 4, 1804, and fell
asleep in Jesus at his home in Freetown, N. Y., at half past 9 o'clock in the morning
of Jan. 18, 1896. He was the son of Jacob Klock, and grandson of George G.
Klock, the millionaire, who in lease land days was one of the most extensive
lease land holders between Utica and Albany. He also owned a large tract of
land that a hundred years ago was called “Klock patent,” but is now known by
the modern name of Adirondacks. The patentee, after a time, considering the
land cumbersome, allowed it to be sold for taxes.
Dr. Willoughby
ordered Samuel on the road for health and pure air. It thus occurred that he
wandered over to Freetown and became one of the pioneer settlers, buying in March 1837, the farm upon which he lived, with
the exception of a few years, till the day of his death.
On Sept.
21, 1874, he took to himself a wife in the person of Miss M. S. A. Timmerman of
Watertown, N. Y., who is left behind to mourn his loss. He lived about seven
months in McGrawville, N. Y., becoming a member of the Presbyterian church of
that place, July 8, 1885. Thence he removed
to Auburn, N. Y., where he lived for about three years, when he returned to his
Freetown home to spend the remainder of his days.
The funeral
services were conducted by Rev. J. J. Cowles, pastor of the McGrawville
Presbyterian church. The church choir furnished appropriate music. The casket was
surrounded by a profusion of flowers. The bearers were Thomas Davidson, Harvey
Z. Tuttle, Joel Chrysler and Summerville Caldwell. The funeral was very largely
attended.
INSPECTING THE ROAD.
Roadmaster of the Lehigh Valley
on the E., C. & N.
R. R.
Roadmaster
Richard Caffrey of the Lehigh Valley R. R. in a special car of his own road is
to-day looking over the E., C. & N. R. R. in company with Superintendent
Albert Allen. The Lehigh Valley car was received at Van Etten at 8:06 this
morning and was there attached to the regular passenger train which passes
Cortland at 9:48 eastward bound. Mr. Caffrey went through to Camden and will
return to-night.
This is
another move on the part of the Lehigh Valley road which gives a strong
impression that it has some plan in mind which may lead to the purchase or
lease of the E., C. & N. Higher officials have taken a trip over the road
and now comes the practical man of the road who can pass an opinion upon the exact
condition of the E., C. & N.
While no decisive steps have yet been taken it is possible that there may be
new developments in the near future.
CORTLAND’S HEALTH.
Very Low Death Record—Excellent
Sanitary Conditions.
The month
of January is proving to be an exceptionable month in the record of deaths in
Cortland village. Only four deaths have occurred within the confines of the
corporation since Jan. 1. This is certainly something remarkable when we take
into consideration the fact that Cortland has a population of over 10,000.
There is probably no other town in the state of the size of Cortland that can
boast of such a record as that. The year has started in with excellent health generally
all over the village and should no epidemic come upon us we have every reason
for expecting a low death rate for 1896.
The vital
statistics for 1895 show that during the year there were 146 deaths within the
village limits. Supposing the population to be 10,000 this makes our death rate
for 1895 14.6 per thousand. Cortland has been very fortunate during the past
year, no epidemic having broken out and nothing shows that a person living in
Cortland is more liable to some particular disease than as though he lived
somewhere else. On the contrary, everything points to the fact that the sanitary
conditions of the village are the very best possible. There is a popular impression
among country people that it is more healthful to live outside than inside the
village limits, but we venture the assertion that upon thorough investigation
it will be found that there is at least as much, if not more, sickness
prevailing among ten thousand people in the country immediately surrounding Cortland
as there is in the village. There is no disputing the fact that our
sanitary condition in as good as that of any town of its size in the state.
 |
| "Sam Sloan," Engine No. 6, D. L. & W. railroad. |
—Mrs. L. M. Beebe adds a subscription of one dollar
to the Galpin fund.
—There is prospect of an electric road from Auburn to
Skaneateles within a year.
—The Alpha C. L. S. C. will meet with Mrs. J. O. Reed
Monday evening, Feb. 3, 128 Main-st.
—Miss Belie Atkinson entertained the Afternoon Whist
club Thursday afternoon at her home on Argyle Place.
—Commencement exercises at the Normal occurred at the
Cortland Opera House this morning at 10 o’clock.
—The Daughters of Rebekah give a private dancing
party in John L. Lewis lodge rooms Friday evening of this week.
— Four painters from the E., C. & N. carshops
went out on the 7:20 train Wednesday to Camden to paint the station there.
—A move is on foot to start a series of weekly talks
on timely subjects to the young men at the East Side reading rooms.
—Dr. and Mrs. E. M. Santee entertained the Cortland Whist
club Tuesday evening. There were twenty-four in attendance.
—If the mileage book law is to be of any use to the
people the books should be on sale at every railroad station.—Syracuse Post.
— The principal’s reception which will close the full
term of the Normal school will occur in the Normal parlors this evening.
—The wallpaper department at Ament & Brazie’s is
receiving a new coat of paint and new paper on the walls at the hands of Mr.
George Peters.
—Assemblyman Saunders Wednesday introduced a bill
prohibiting the pollution of streams with the washings from a milk depot or
cheese factory.
—Assemblyman Saunders of Cortland, with his mileage
book bill, has joined the procession of those who intend to put kinks in the
tail of New York state railroads.—Syracuse
Post.
—At Elmira Sunday an electric car caught fire and was
destroyed, leaving only the trucks. The fire was caused by water entering the
resistance box, and the loss will amount to $400.
—Dr. F. J. Cheney is on the program for a lecture on
Feb. 13 at a district teachers’ association at Alfred Center, Allegany county.
His subject will be “The Professional Training of Teachers.”
—Engine No. 6, the “Sam Sloan,” which was smashed up
in the Preble
wreck and which has been in the shops for some time,
made a trial trip Tuesday morning over the road, going south on the 8:48 train.
—The busiest place in town all winter so far has been
the works of the Cortland Forging Co., which since Dec. 1, have been running two
sets of hands day and night. The company has, however, got so far caught up with
orders that it expects to discontinue the night work on Saturday of this week.
—Every taxpayer in Cortland should read the article
headed “Paving” on our editorial page, giving in full the report of the special
committee of the Binghamton common council which visited various cities and
made an exhaustive examination of the various styles of pavements. This report
is worth preserving as are also the communications recently published in The Standard
from Messrs. Boone and Maybury concerning Galesburg vitrified brick for paving.
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