EAGER FOR WAR AND E. C. & N. R. R. SUPT. ALLEN FAREWELL

Cortland Evening Standard, Monday, March 2, 1896.

EAGER FOR WAR.

United States Consulate Stoned by a Spanish Mob.

"DOWN WITH THE YANKEES."

Manifestations of Hatred In Many Parts of Spain. Great Public Excitement Exists Over the Action of the Senate Favoring the Recognition of Cuba as a Belligerent—Great Activity Observed In Naval and Military Circles—Mob Which Attacked the United States Consulate at Barcelona Succeeded In Doing no Damage Further Than Breaking the Windows, but Were Dispersed by the Police With Difficulty—Our Diplomatic Representatives In Danger at the Hands of Violent Mobs Which Parade the Streets—Spanish Press Bitter In Its Denunciation of America and Indulges In Warlike Talk—Spanish Government Expected to Lodge a Formal Protest Against the Action Proposed by the Senate—The Situation Considered Very Grave.

   BARCELONA, March 2.—The fever of indignation and hate against the United States which seems to have taken possession of the heart of all Spain over the action of the United States senate in recognizing the provisional government of Cuba as belligerents, and in calling upon President Cleveland to use his good offices with Spain to secure the independence of Cuba, culminated in violent scenes here and an attack upon the United States consulate.

   The trouble did not arise out of the spontaneous formation of the mob which did the violence, but was the outcome of a public meeting which had been influenced by fervid speeches.

   The public demonstration to protest against the United States senate's action was organized by the political leaders, including Republicans and men of all shades of political sentiment.

   It was 3 o'clock in the afternoon when the meeting had assembled and there was fully [10,000] people present, all in a state of high patriotic enthusiasm and ripe for any manifestation of the emotions which possessed them.

   They were addressed by the orators provided for the occasion and the purpose of the meeting was explained as one of protest against the recognition of the Cuban government as a belligerent power by the United States senate.

   The spirit of the crowd took fire and they set off for the United States consulate. The leaders, who had originated the meeting, seem to have realized the serious consequences that might follow upon a demonstration that took this direction and they made every effort to dissuade the mob from its purpose. But their utmost efforts were of no avail and the crowd set off for the United States consulate.

   The authorities of the city had, by this time, taken alarm and a force of police was sent to the consulate. The excited crowd was not intimidated by this show of force from gathering before the consulate and shouting "Long live Spain!" and "Down with the Yankees!"

   These verbal missiles did not long satisfy the aroused passions of the mob and in a short time stones began flying from the crowd, which broke a number of windows in the United States consulate.

   The force of police waited for no further manifestation, but charged the crowd under the orders of their officers and roughly dispersed them, wounding several. So far as learned, there were no fatal results.

   Being driven away from the United States consulate, the crowd marched off to the prefecture of police and gathered at the newspaper offices. There they listened to more oratory and got themselves worked up to the highest pitch of enthusiasm and patriotic spirit.

   The Military club in the city was also a centre of excitement and there also glowing speeches were indulged in to the honor of the army, which were eagerly listened to and greeted with loud cheers.

   The majority of those who took part in the disorders are found to have been students and they were most persistent in keeping up the disorders.  

   The police were obliged to charge the crowds again and again before they succeeded in clearing the streets of the rioters. After they were driven from the streets they proceeded to the governor's palace, intending to present to that functionary their protest against the action of the United States senate.

Jose Maria Beranger.

SPANISH EAGER FOR WAR.

Many Manifestations of Wrath and Excitement in Madrid.

   MADRID, March 2.—If one may judge by the things that have been said and some of the things that have been done, the Spanish people are enthusiastically determined to go to war forthwith with the United States and to speedily avenge the insult which, it is fancied, has been offered to the haughty pride of Spain by the United States senate in determining to recognize the Cuban provisional government as a belligerent power and to ask the president to use his good offices with Spain to obtain recognition of Cuban independence.

   Some of the organs of public opinion declare that the bankruptcy of the Spanish government would not prevent the Spanish people from taking up the quarrel on their own account and fitting out expeditions and maintaining themselves at their own expense while combating the intolerance of the assertions of the United States.

   The day has been characterized by many manifestations of public wrath and excitement, and in Barcelona the Spaniards have gone to the extreme of using violence upon the consulate of the United States and stoning it, breaking several windows in the building. No bodily harm was done to anybody, except to certain members of the crowd, which was charged by the police when the stones were thrown at the United States consulate.

   There seems to have been a notable increase of excitement and patriotic ardor among the people since Saturday, when the news of the senate's action was first made known. How much this may be due to the fact of its being a Sunday, with its accompanying absence of occupation and gathering of the people in public places for what amusement, entertainment or excitement may be offered, can only be conjectured.

   Such a stress of feeling [no less existed], if it continues for any length of time, cannot but afford a serious menace to the peaceful relations of the two countries.

   The Spanish authorities seem to have felt apprehensions of the form the people's wrath might take and provided special safeguards for the suppression of disorders, and especially for the protection of any official representative of the United States government.

   The preparations of the government are not all of a peaceful character, however. It is significant that the minister of marine, Admiral Jose Maria Beranger, has issued orders for the training squadron to be prepared to sail. It is regarded as possible that this squadron will proceed shortly to Cuba.

   It has also been ordered that all other warships available be forthwith armed and equipped and put into condition for active service. In addition to this, about 50 merchant steamers, available for the government service will he provided with naval armaments.

   For the military branch of the service a fresh expedition of 20,000 infantry and 5,000 cavalry will be equipped and put on a war footing and will be kept in readiness to leave on the shortest notice.

   In view of the excited state of the public mind, the United States legation in this city has been placed under the special surveillance of the police.

   The student class seems to form a large proportion of the inflammatory element which is making so much noise. The students of this city are busily at work to organize a great demonstration of protest against the vote of the United States senate.

   At Valencia all the students of the university paraded the streets and then gathered before the United States consulate, shouting "Death to Uncle Sam!" "Viva Spain!" and "Long live the army!"

   Senor Canovas del Castillo, the prime minister, has informed a journalist who interviewed him that the government now has sufficient resources for war purposes to last until the end of May, when they will ask the cortes for a fresh credit. The premier also said that he thought further reinforcements would not be required for the present.

   Saturday evening showed a high degree of popular excitement in this city in all public places. The bands at the numerous cafes made it a point to play only national airs, and evidently they could have chosen nothing more to the taste of their usually gay and careless customers, for the patriotic music unfailingly aroused the greatest enthusiasm, all within hearing arising and standing uncovered while it was played, amid shouts of "Long live Spain!" and "Down with the United States!"

   If Hon. Hannis Taylor, the United States minister to Spain, had gone to the opera Saturday evening he would certainly have had a very unpleasant time. Evidently some persons thought he had done so, for they were waiting outside the opera house after the performance was over and had organized a hostile demonstration with which to greet Mr. Taylor. But whether he considered it unwise to inflame the public mind by an appearance or for some other reason, the United States minister did not attend the opera, as it was expected he would do, and so the hostile demonstration came to nothing. Minister Taylor, in fact, spent the evening at home.

   The government has issued an order prohibiting the various demonstrations which have been planned by students. This order applies as well to all similar

Demonstrations, and is taken to mean that the government does not at all approve of the course the popular ardor has taken and sees in it danger of complications and embarrassments for it in its present delicate situation.

   It is understood that the Spanish minister in Washington, Senor Dupuy de Lome, has been instructed to make diplomatic representations to the United States government regarding the action of the United States senate.

   The Imparcial says on the crisis:

   "If things reach the goal which Americans desire, the whole of Spain will rise against the United States. Neither in the Mediterranean, whose entrance we command, nor in the Atlantic, will an American merchantman be safe, for we shall organize privateers on a great scale. We conquered Napoleon by guerrilla warfare and we shall employ a system of privateers to overcome a trading nation.

   "Americans are wrong to judge Spain by her budget. There are things which are superior to revenue. Some merchant captains have offered already to arm their steamers as privateers. A captain of Barcelona asks for letters of marque, offering to equip and maintain the fastest steamer at his own cost."

   The students were summoned to meet at the university at 2:30 o'clock yesterday afternoon, but precautions had been taken by the authorities to prevent a demonstration and no disorders resulted.

   The guard about the United States legation, so far as it is seen, consists only of a few policemen, but a force of 150 gendarmes is kept constantly ready in an adjacent house in case of any demonstration being made against the legation.

   In addition the authorities have tendered to Minister Taylor a guard of police at the entrance to his private residence, but Mr. Taylor has declined this offer.

   The customary Sunday bullfight occurred in the Plaza de Toros, and there were apprehensions felt lest, after the fight and its accompanying excitement, the keenest which a Spaniard knows, there should be a demonstration organized. With the vast throng of the different classes of people who attend the bullfights, the consequences of the awakening of the mob spirit would have threatened most serious results. Consequently, every avenue to the Plaza de Toros was occupied by a force of gendarmes.

   As it turned out, only a small knot of people raised shouts of "Viva Spain!" and they were quickly dispersed.

   Others, however, proceeded to the barracks and the military clubs, shouting for Spain and the army. The police were on the watch and prevented the demonstrations from becoming serious by dispersing the crowds at various points and arresting many persons.

   At a late hour at night the agitation and popular clamor still continued.

IN RECEIVERS' HANDS.

Failure of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company.

   BALTIMORE. March 2.—The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad company, one of the oldest and most extensive transportation systems in the United States, and until recently one of the most profitable, has confessed its insolvency and goes into the hands of receivers.

   John K. Cowan, its president, and Oscar G. Murray, its third vice-president, will hereafter operate it for the benefit of the creditors and bondholders, under the direction of the United States court. This action was the immediate result of the failure of the directors to negotiate loans to provide for interest and other payments due and about to become due. For several years the road has been losing money, and while the collapse coming at this time was a surprise to many, but few believed that it could be averted much longer.

PAGE TWO—EDITORIALS.

An Old Lesson.

   It seems strange that a great nation has to be taught again and again a bitter lesson where a single experience ought to be so burned into the national consciousness, and stand out so boldly in the national history, as to be forever a sufficient warning against repeating the folly which has brought the suffering. Yet it is a fact that there is not a great financial or commercial truth, with its opposing falsehood, which has not been illustrated and emphasized in the history of this country more than once, and still we are learning over again to-day, in depressed business and increasing national and private indebtedness, the same old lessons.

   Voters have listened to free trade demagogues and politicians greedy for office, instead of consulting history and their own common sense. A low tariff has always brought business distress to the country, and always will till labor is paid in foreign countries what it is here or our workmen will accept pauper wages. This is both history and common sense, yet we have again imposed this curse on ourselves. We have been suffering from a drain of gold from our treasury and its export to foreign countries, and have been selling bonds to keep good the treasury reserve and prop up the credit of the government, and our president and secretary of the treasury have been declaiming that the only trouble is with our currency.

   Yet the Boston Journal calls attention to the fact that whatever else may have been its consequences, "tariff reform" has never failed to drain away our wealth in precious metals to Europe just as it is doing now. It did the same between 1846 and 1861, when the Southern slaveholders were running things in Washington and managing our tariff and finance according to the most approved free trade notions.

   This draining of more than $400,000,000 of our gold abroad by the slaveholders' tariff for revenue only was one of the chief causes which produced the terrible panic of 1857, and also the Republican national victory and the defeat and abandonment of free trade which speedily followed. That "tariff reform" always has, and until conditions are greatly changed in this country always will, shake our business prosperity and our national credit, just as it did in 1846-61, and as it is doing now, is a matter of mathematical demonstration.

   It is a wise nation which can learn from the experience of other nations—it is a foolish nation which cannot learn from its own.

Engine No. 7 at Cortland station.

Albert Allen.

SUPT. ALLEN SURPRISED.

PRESENTED WITH A GOLD WATCH BY EMPLOYEES.

Heads of Departments Call Upon Him—Pleasing Testimonial of

Regard and Esteem.

   Saturday afternoon General Superintendent Albert Allen closed his connection with the E., C. & N. R. R. Several of his friends had been for some time preparing a surprise for him when the proper time arrived. Accordingly a scheme was arranged to have him detained at his home on Saturday evening. Promptly at 7:15 P. M. the officers and employees to the number of about a dozen assembled at the E., C. & N. offices and proceeded to Mr. Allen's house where they found as they expected, that the scheme had worked successfully and Mr. Allen and family were all at home. One of the family responded to the bell, but directly disappeared into the house and informed Mr. Allen that some one at [the] door wished to see him. Upon responding what was his surprise to see not one person only, but eleven persons, all most anxious to see him on pressing business.

   Of course the delegation was invited in and, after removing their wet overcoats and hats in the hall, all were soon at their ease in the beautiful parlors talking, and laughing but all the time an inquiring look was upon the genial superintendent's face as if he wished to know what the pressing "business" was that had called so many of the railroad men there at that hour. Soon, however, by the request of the "boys" Mr. J. R. Birdlebough rose to explain their "business." Mr. Birdlebough spoke as follows:

   Mr. Allen, it may be a matter of surprise to you that so many of us, employees of the E., C. & N. R. R. should have happened to call upon you in your home at one and the same time, and you may have been wondering since we have been here whether our meeting together is by accident or design, and if the latter what is the especial object of our visit. I have been chosen by those present to enlighten you as to our purpose, for our meeting here is not accidental, but is the result of a deliberate plan.

   It is no ordinary occasion that has called us together here to-night for, though we may have before visited you socially in your home and also where, yet there is something more behind this visit than a mere social call. This is a representative gathering. If you look around you will observe that every department and branch of the service of the old E., C. & N. R. R. is here represented: The machinery department, the bridge and building department, the traffic, the road and the supply departments, the train dispatcher and the car accountant are all represented.

   When a short time since we received official notice that the Elmira, Cortland & Northern R. R. had passed into the hands and under the control of the Lehigh Valley R. R. Co., the hope was almost unanimously expressed that you would be retained by the new management as our superintendent. When a little later we learned that such was not to be the case and that you were about to sever your connection with the road, universal regret was expressed.

   For many years we have worked together (for you have been one among us) for the common cause. We all remember the condition of the road when you first came among us nine years ago, and in comparing the condition of the road as it was then with what it is to-day, we realize more, if possible than ever before, the vast amount of labor that has been performed by you and your subordinates in order to bring the road into its present excellent condition. We have been loyal, for we recognize in you those sterling qualities and the executive ability which raised you to the position you have so long held among us and our loyalty and hearty co-operation have rendered it possible for you to achieve such splendid results as you have done and we have called upon you to-night in your beautiful home to express to you our regrets that you are to remain no longer with us and to leave with you as we separate, a substantial token of our regard and esteem.

   Mr. Allen, it affords me great pleasure to present you in behalf of my fellow employees and co-workers, who have so cheerfully contributed for this purpose, this beautiful watch upon the inner case of which is engraved your name and an inscription showing the source from whence it came. Long may you live to wear it and when you look upon its open face may it ever remind you of the givers, the employees of the old E., C. & N. R. R.

   And now I bid you farewell in your official capacity in which we have known you so long. Human life is made up of meetings and partings and I assure you this parting is full of sadness to us all. In leaving us you take with you the best wishes of us all and wherever your lot may be cast, we hope to be remembered by you as you certainly will be remembered by us. We hope for you a long and prosperous life and may your shadow never grow less. Again, I say farewell.

   When Mr. Birdlebough had ended, the superintendent arose and attempted to reply, but for once in his life he was as one of the men said "all broke up."

Still he managed to control his feelings sufficiently to respond which he did in substantially these words:

   My friends, I should be very ungrateful did I not with what knowledge of the use of language I possess thank you most sincerely for this valuable and beautiful gift and the kind words accompanying it. I shall value it not alone for its intrinsic worth, but also as a remembrance of the pleasant relations which have existed between you and those you represent and myself during the past eight years and seven months. It would be strange indeed if during that time I had not found it necessary to inflict upon some of my subordinates in the interest of safety to themselves and the property occasional hardship in the way of discipline. I have, however, always endeavored to exercise that unpleasant duty only when in my judgment the occasion demanded it. How carefully I performed it seems to be in evidence here, and now, my friends, I am going to ask you to be as loyal to the Lehigh Valley as you have been to the E., C. & N., treating my successor with the same respect you have treated me. Thanking you again for your kindness to me and with the earnest hope that you and those you represent may enjoy increased prosperity and that I may have the pleasure of meeting you all from time to time before I locate elsewhere I cordially welcome you to my home.

   Mr. Allen concluded: "I will now bid you farewell officially" and as he passed around the group shaking hands with each one in turn he attempted several times to speak, but was prevented by emotion which he could not control. After a short time spent in visiting and chatting the self-invited guests rose to go and as they were about donning their outer garments they were apprised that Mrs. Allen wished to see them in the diningroom. It appeared that she had in some way got a hint of such a visit and had evidently prepared herself accordingly, for when the guests entered their eyes fell upon an elegant spread which Mrs. Allen had been preparing while the guests were conducting their "business" with the superintendent.

   The viands were delicious, consisting of cold sliced ham, buttered bread, olives, pickles, coffee, ice cream and cake without limit. After all had done full justice to the occasion, cigars were brought out and a short time was devoted to visiting. Remarks were made by G. F. Richards, P. Clancy, James Walsh, William Shaw, and others and as the guests prepared to depart, Mr. Richards rendered "Auld Lang Syne" in a very pleasing and effective manner.

   This delicate attention on the part of Mrs. Allen was highly appreciated by all the party and will long be remembered as one of the very pleasant features of the evening.

   After another general hand shake all around the guests separated for their respective homes. The watch presented to Mr. Allen was the very finest Vacheron and Constantin Swiss movement in a rich plain gold beveled case which bore this inscription on the back of the inner case, "Presented to Albert Allen by the employees of E., C. & N. R. R., Feb. 29, 1896." It was obtained for the givers by Mr. F. B. Nourse, who had secured for the men the best watch he could find.

   Those present were Geo. F. Richards, master mechanic; J. R. Birdlebough, superintendent bridges and buildings; P. Clancy, road master; W. H. Clark, train dispatcher; F. H. Morse, car accountant; Jas. Walsh, storekeeper; E. D. Phillips, freight and ticket agent; John McCarty, foreman machine shop; P. H. Kiernan, yard master; Ira Short, baggageman; Will H. Shaw, National Express.

[Albert Allen, b. Oct. 25, 1837, d. Apr. 11, 1911. Buried at Cortland Rural Cemetery, Sect. B2, Lot 112. Also in the same place, his second wife Jane Kenyon Allen, b. 1857, d. 1939. The exact day and month of Albert Allen's birth is not marked on his memorial, and there is a bit of confusion at to his actual birthplace. The Cortland Standard obituary of April 11, 1911, below in full, claims that he was born in New York City. Railroad journals claim Oct. 25, 1837 as his date of birth in Newark, N. J.--CC editor.] 

DEATH OF ALBERT ALLEN.

Highly Esteemed Resident of Cortland Passes Away.

   Albert Allen, who has been seriously ill with Bright's disease for the last

two weeks, passed away at his home, 88 Port Watson-st. at 7:30 o'clock this morning. For more than a year past he has been a sufferer from this disease, but not till recently was it thought that the end was near. A month ago he was in Syracuse at the home of his son and consulted a specialist there who confirmed the treatment of his local physician and gave hope that the disease might be overcome or at least stayed. Mr. Allen was encouraged and walked back to the railroad stations with one of his granddaughters with that erect figure and springy and soldierly step that has so long been characteristic of him. But scarcely a week had elapse when the disease seemed to get a new hold upon him and from that time forward the decline was steady and rapid.

A Railroad Man.

   The deceased was born in New York city in October, 1837. A large share of his life was spent in the railroad business. For fifteen years he was a passenger conductor on the Morris & Essex railroad. In 1877 he was made superintendent of the Syracuse & Chenango Valley R. R.., and in 1887 he moved to Elmira, having become general superintendent of the Elmira, Cortland & Northern railroad, which position he held till that road became absorbed in February, 1896, by the Lehigh Valley railroad system. In 1889 he moved to Cortland which has since been his home.

Hotel Manager and Buyer.

   On May 1, 1899, Mr. Allen bought the Kremlin hotel in Cortland and for several years conducted it as a model hostelry that was much sought by traveling men who came to this place.

   It was while he was in the railroad business that he won the entire confidence and regard of Austin Corbin, the great railroad magnate, and it was due to Mr, Corbin's influence that he was made general superintendent of the E. C. & N. R. R. After that road had passed out of the Corbin control Mr. Corbin made Mr. Allen purchasing agent for all the supplies for the great Manhattan Beach and Oriental hotels at Manhattan Beach, which position he held till the time of his death, having been continued in that position after the death of Mr. Corbin because the managers of that estate, which was the owner of the two hotels, recognized Mr. Allen "s eminent fitness for the position. He has also had a general supervision over the Sunnyside plantation in Arkansas of the Corbin estate and has been accustomed to spend portions of each winter and spring there.

Veteran of Civil War.

   Mr. Allen was a soldier of the civil war. He enlisted at Newark, N. J., with the Twenty-sixth N. J. Volunteers infantry and went to the front as a second lieutenant. At the close of his enlistment he returned home as acting adjutant of his regiment.

His Fraternal Life.

   In early manhood Mr. Allen became a member of the Masonic Fraternity.

He was raised in a lodge in Newark, and a little later became one of the founders of Roseville lodge in a suburb of Newark, now a part of that city.

He affiliated with Cortlandville lodge, No. 470, in 1906, with Cortland chapter No. 194, R. A. M. in 1894, and with Cortland Commandery, No. 50, K. T. in 1891. In 1895 he was the commander of the Commandery. He was also a member of the Cortland Lodge of Perfection and of Kalurah Temple, Order of the Mystic Shrine, in Binghamton.

   Mr. Allen was a communicant of Grace Episcopal church and was for a time one of its vestrymen, but at that time business took him so much out of the city that he declined re-election.

   When the board of water commissioners of the city of Cortland was first appointed, Mr. Allen was named as one of its members and continued as a commissioner till the time of his death.

In the Home Circle.

   Mr. Allen was twice married. His first wife was Miss Elvira Stanford and they were married in Newark, N. J., in 1863. After her death in 1878 he married Miss Jennie Kenyon in Earlville on Jan. 11, 1882. He has had four grandchildren, all of whom survive: Henry C. Allen, engineer of the city of Syracuse; Mrs. Perley Dickinson of Cortland; A. Edward Allen of Buffalo; and Mrs. J. Ripley Manning of Marathon.

   Mr. Allen was a man of sterling character, whose word was as good as his bond. He had large executive ability and a great capacity for turning off business. He was genial and friendly and was well liked and highly esteemed by all with whom he came into contact.

   The funeral will be held at the house, 88 Port Watson-st., on Thursday afternoon at 2 o'clock. The regular Episcopal service will he used and will be followed by the burial service of the Commandery. Burial in the Cortland Rural cemetery.—Cortland Standard, Tuesday, April 11, 1911.