A QUESTION OF VERACITY

William H. Clark, editor and publisher of the Cortland Standard.

Benton Bushnell Jones, editor and publisher of the Cortland Democrat.

The Cortland Democrat, Friday, March 27, 1896.

PAGE FOUR—EDITORIALS.

A QUESTION OF VERACITY.

A Member of the Local Board Interviewed—He Substantially Agrees

With Every Statement Made by the Democrat.

   A day or two since a reporter of the DEMOCRAT interviewed one of the Normal school trustees for the purpose of learning whether the DEMOCRAT was in error in its statement of what took place at the meeting of the board held on Tuesday evening, March 17, or whether the Standard's bold denial of our report of the meeting was correct. We should not pursue the matter further were it not for the fact that the Standard charges the DEMOCRAT with lying. We here set down what the trustee said to our reporter as near as possible in his own language:

   "The meeting of the local board held on the 17th inst. was called for the special purpose of considering the question of permitting the professors in the Normal school to take an active part in local politics and the written call which was delivered to each trustee so stated. Every member of the board was present. Soon after the board assembled one of the members brought up the subject of the activity of some of the professors of the school in local politics and said it was clearly improper for them to become so conspicuous in local politics, as they had been during the last local campaign. They were employed to teach school and not politics and they were paid by the people of the state. One of the leading professors was present and the member of the board criticized him for the part he had taken in politics. Mr. Clark, the president of the board, denied that the teachers had taken an active part for one party more than another. Another member of the board arose and taking a copy of the Cortland Standard from his pocket, showed that one of the teachers had presented a protest against canvassing the vote to the board of city canvassers on the day following the election, and that according to the Standard's report, the protest was presented at 2 o'clock P. M., an hour when the teachers were supposed to be attending to their duties in school.

   Every member of the board except the president and possibly one other, agreed that it was improper for professors of the school to take an active part in local party politics, and instead of passing a resolution to that effect which was talked of at first, it was decided to appoint a committee to wait upon the teachers and apprise them of the fact that hereafter, they would be expected to attend to their duties as teachers and not to take an active part in local party politics. The two non-resident members of the board, Messrs. Hyde of Syracuse, and Deyo of Binghamton, were appointed as such committee and they discharged the duty for which they were appointed.

   The board did not feel like resorting to harsh measures, nor did they desire to treat the professors in any other than a kindly manner but they did propose to make their opinions known and to have them respected in the future. The statement of what transpired at the meeting, published in last week's issue of the DEMOCRAT, was substantially correct and it follows that the denial published in last Monday's Standard is not in accordance with the facts. The article published in the DEMOCRAT the week previous was not criticized at the meeting in any particular."

Normal School, Cortland, N. Y.

No Politics in the Normal.

   Last Friday afternoon rhetoricals were held in the Normal. One of the orators had an oration on the new system of photographing whereby it is claimed that the brain of the subject can be photographed. One of our reporters was present and made the following extract from the oration:

   "Thomas Edison is now experimenting with these new found rays of light [X rays], and expects to be able, in a short time, to obtain a clear negative of the brain through the skull. After this shall have become possible who knows but a committee of eminent phrenologists may be appointed to go about photographing the brains of all the most noted men in the country, and then, by comparing the developed negatives, choose that man who shows the greatest amount of mental development and place him in the Presidential chair. Then the qualifications for eligibility to the Presidency will be the size and quality of the brain, not the size of the shirt collar."

   This oration had to pass through the hands of one of the instructors. If the instructor did not know that the last clause of the above was meant as a mean allusion to a high official of the government, that instructor is incompetent to teach, if he or she did know it, it is high time a resignation followed. Such dirty political allusions would not be permitted in any other school in the country and ought not to be here. But this is a direct result of the methods and practices of the teacher in politics and the scholar is not so much to blame after all.

We Stand Corrected.

   Last week the DEMOCRAT stated that it "did not remember but one democrat who had been employed as an instructor in the Normal school for many years" and the Standard corrects us as follows:

   "The editor of the DEMOCRAT is probably unable to "remember" Prof. Hendrick, Prof. Milne. Prof. McEvoy and Prof. Raymond, and never heard of Prof. Cornish. Such convenient forgetfulness of facts is a happy accompaniment to disregard of truth. What an equipment for a Democratic editor."

   Well, at the time we made the statement we remembered only Prof McEvoy. Now that the Standard calls our attention to the fact, we do remember that Prof. Hendrick, a very competent gentleman and a thorough democrat, was an instructor in the Normal for a year or two and until he was given a larger field by the state superintendent. We have no recollection of Prof. Raymond whatever, and as for Prof. Milne, we have been unable to keep track of his political faith. In 1879 we remember he was a supporter of John Kelly and the following year he was president of the Garfield club in this place and in 1884 we believe he supported Cleveland.

   It is a remarkable fact that the school was opened in 1868 and during all the 38 years of its existence the Standard can only remember that five democratic instructors have been employed. We are pleased to be assured that Prof. Cornish of the present faculty is a democrat. We had the idea that he belonged to the opposition although he did not pursue their methods. How he managed to pass the watchful eye of the president of the local board and secure the situation is a mystery that probably never will be solved, but that he is here is gratifying, although he may be lonesome. We admit that we ought to have suspected him of harboring democratic sentiments because he has abstained from any attempt to run local politics.

   The fact that out of a score or more of instructors in the Normal there is at the present time one single, solitary democrat, proves beyond a doubt that the school is not run in the interest of republican politics. We thank thee, O, high priest [William Clark, president of the Normal School Board and editor and publisher of the Cortland Standard—CC editor] of the Normal and follower of the great and good Boss Platt, for this one small crumb of comfort.

   ◘ In another column we publish an interview with one of the members of the local board of trustees of the Normal school, which speaks for itself. It convicts the president of that board of a willful and deliberate misstatement of facts, which we should have gladly avoided, were we not compelled to publish the same in self defense and in the cause of truth and justice. It pains us to be obliged to prove to the public that our neighbor is other than what he claims to be. We would prefer to believe that he is a christian gentleman who would "tell the truth though the heavens fall," but his offense has been so rank, so glaring and so malicious, that we are compelled to believe that he is no better than he should be, notwithstanding his professions to the contrary. His position as president of the board of trustees of such an important school as the Normal, ought to command the respect and confidence of all good people. As the editor of a paper that should mould public opinion, his statements on every subject ought to be entitled to create weight in the community.

   As a christian gentleman and good citizen his word should be as good as his bond. The truth first suggests itself to every man's mind and is easily spoken. It requires an effort to substitute the false for the true and there is seldom, if ever, any reason that will justify making the effort. The man who makes the effort and succeeds in uttering the false, deceives no one, not even himself, and besides he loses all self respect. "Truth is mighty and will prevail." The DEMOCRAT prefers to think however, that our neighbor's zeal got the better of his judgment and that he will not again offend, but in future will strive to subdue his natural resentments and reform. Reform is necessary.

Cortland Hospital.

Cortland Hospital.

North Main St., Cortland, N. Y.

   The hospital is in charge of a competent trained nurse and is prepared to receive patients upon the following terms: Private rooms from $7 to $10 per week. Ward beds, including medical and surgical attendance, $5 per week. Patients of limited means are charged according to their ability to pay.

   Extras, special nursing, surgical dressings, personal laundry and stimulants.

   Accident cases may be taken immediately to the hospital. Contagious or infectious cases are not received. Application for admission may be made to any member of the executive committee or to the matron of the hospital.

   Mrs. M. T. Doud, 21 Tompkins-st.

   Mrs. J. E. Hyatt, 182 South Main-st.

   Mrs. W. H. Clark, 31 Prospect-st.

   Mrs. W. H. Crane, Homer.

   Mrs. A. P. McGraw, McGrawville.

   Executive Committee.

RESOLUTIONS

Adopted by Normal Students Upon Mrs. Cheney's Death.

   The students of the Normal school Monday morning appointed a committee to prepare a memorial tribute upon the death of the wife of their principal, Mrs. F. J. Cheney. The following resolutions were adopted:

   WHEREAS, God in his all wise providence has called from among us Mrs. Francis J. Cheney, the wife of our beloved principal, therefore

   Resolved, That we the students of the Cortland Normal school, recognize in the death of Mrs. Cheney, the loss of one whom we delighted to call our friend, one whose thoughtfulness of others, whose exemplary Christian life was an inspiration to many. Furthermore, that although words but poorly express the feeling of our hearts we extend to our principal, in this sad hour

of bereavement, our deepest sympathy.

   Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be sent to the bereaved family, and that they be printed in the Normal News and local papers.

   MARY I. STILLMAN,

   ELLA E. KAY,

   (Mrs.) EFFIE M. LAMBERT,

   MICHAEL J. KERWIN,

   JARED N. MEAKER,

   LINA L. BEEBE,

   ROBERT S. WELCH.

   Committee, March 23, 1896.

HERE AND THERE.

   Read Burgess' new advertisement on our last page.

   Wilson B. Hawley has been appointed postmaster of Taylor Valley.

   James C. Rann, the well known hotel man, has leased the hotel at Tully Lake Park for the season.

   Water Witch Steamer and Hose Co. will give a private party in Vesta Lodge rooms on the evening of April 7.

   Mr. Archie La Fevre of this place has leased the Newcomb market on James-st., Homer, and taken possession.

   The female minstrel show which appeared in Keator opera house last Friday night did not please Homer people.

   Messrs. Yager & Marshall will move the stock of goods in their Homer store to the Hakes building in that village April 1st.

   Tempest Hose Co., No. 4, will present the comedy drama, entitled "In Old

Mississippi," in Keator opera house on the evening of April 14.

   A fast freight train leaves the station in this place on the Lehigh Valley at 8 P. M. going west. This will prove a great convenience to all desiring to ship goods west.

   The Cortland Door and Window Screen Co. shipped nine carloads of their goods to one jobber in Baltimore, Md., last Friday. They went by the Lehigh Valley.

   A barn belonging to Mrs. Willard Webster on Cortland-st. in Homer was burned to the ground last Saturday evening. It is not known how the fire started. Loss, small.

   Hotel Arlington, which was badly scorched by fire a few weeks since, has been thoroughly overhauled and put in first class shape and is now open to the public.

   Regular meeting of the W C. T. U. on Saturday, March 28, at 3 P. M. Consecration service led by the president. An interesting program will be given for the after meeting.

   Mr. T. T. Bates, the well known plumber, steam and gas fitter of this place, put in a Palace King hot water heater in the residence of F. H. Wheelock in McGrawville last week.

   The Cortland & Homer Traction Co. has made a ten year contract with the D. L. & W. Co. to haul at least 200 cans of milk from McGrawville to Cortland each day for the next ten years.

   Mr. Paul S. Millspaugh has had added to his territory, as district passenger agent of the L. V. R. R., the recently acquired E. C. & N. branch of which Mr. Titus has become superintendent.—Ithaca Democrat.

   Mr. Alfred Livermore will have charge of the Lisle Gleaner hereafter. Mr.

Eugene Davis retires after twenty-five years active service. We hope he has money enough to live in luxury the rest of his life.

   Invitations have been issued for the wedding of Mr. Edgar L Hopper of New York and Miss Dora E. Smith, at the home of the brides parents, Mr. and Mrs. Otis L. Smith, 18 West Court-st., Cortland, at 1 o'clock, April 2.

   Another series of sparring contests is being arranged to take place in the Keator opera house, Homer, at an early date. The event of the evening will be a bout between Tommy Ryan of Syracuse and John Mahoney of Cortland.

   Mr. James E. Sung. Chinese laundryman, whose place of business has been located on North Main-st., has opened an office in the Sager block on Clinton-ave. He will continue also to do business on Tompkins-st. but his main office will be in the Sager block.

   Painters are at work in the Lehigh shops in this village repainting the E. C. & N. cars and re-lettering them. It won't be long before the long familiar name, Elmira, Cortland & Northern will be only a memory. It is now understood that the shops will remain in this place for doing repairing and light work while the heavier work will be done at Sayre. Pa.