A DEMOCRATIC SITUATION AND A BICYCLE PARADE

Grover Cleveland.

Cortland Evening Standard, Wednesday, June 17, 1896.

DEMOCRATIC SITUATION.

Statement Written by President Cleveland.

BELIEVES THAT GOLD WILL WIN.

Has Confidence In the Sense and Ability of the Party to Put Down the

Growing Demand For Free Coinage of Silver.

   WASHINGTON, June 17.—In reply to a request from the New York Herald for a statement concerning the Democratic situation, President Cleveland sent the following to that newspaper:

   "I have made no figures as to the probable action of delegates already chosen to the Democratic national convention, but I refuse to believe that when the time arrives for deliberate action there will be engrafted upon our Democratic creed a demand for the free, unlimited and independent coinage of silver. I cannot believe this because I know the Democratic party is neither unpatriotic nor foolish and because it seems so clear to me that such a course will inflict a very great injury upon every interest of our country, which it has been the mission of Democracy to advance, and will result in lasting disaster to our party organization.

   "There is little hope that as a means of success this free silver proposition, after its thorough discussion during a political campaign, will attract a majority of the voters of the country. It must be that many of the illusions influencing those now relying upon this alleged panacea for their ills will be dispelled before the time comes for them to cast their ballots which will express their sober second thought. The adoption by the Democracy of this proposition would, I believe, give to our opponents an advantage both in the present and future which they do not deserve.

   "My attachment to true Democracy is so strong that I consider its success as identical with the promotion of the country's good. This ought sufficiently to account for my anxiety that no mistake be made at the party convention. In my opinion no efforts should be spared to secure such action of the delegates as will avert party demoralization. It is a place for consultation and comparison of ideas, and if the Democratic party believe in the cause of sound money these should be heard and be constantly in evidence. A cause worth fighting for is worth fighting for to the end. If sound money Democrats suppose there is danger of a mistake being made such danger should stimulate their activity in averting instead of creating disaster.

   "I am very far from arrogating to myself a controlling influence upon the policy of my party, but as an unflinching Democrat, who has been honored by his party and who desires hereafter no greater political privileges than to occupy the place of private in its ranks, I hope I may not be blamed for saying this much at this time in the interest, as it seems to me, of the grand old organization so rich in honorable traditions, so justly proud of its achievements and always so undaunted and brave in its battles for the people's welfare."

Democratic Newspaper Bolts.

   BALTIMORE, June 17.—The Baltimore News, an influential Democratic newspaper in this city, practically gives notice in an editorial of its intention to support the Republican ticket in case the St. Louis [Republican] convention declares for the gold standard.

Tabled Gold; Adopted Silver.

   BANGOR, Me., June 17.—The Democrats of the Fourth congressional district in convention tabled gold standard resolution and adopted a 16 to 1 plank.

SILVER MEN TO BOLT.

Will Leave the Convention if the Gold Plank is Adopted.

   CHICAGO, June 17.—A special from St. Louis says: Yesterday's action of the committee on resolutions determined once and for all that the so-called silver senators and their allies in effect will leave the Republican party before the end of this week. The vote in the full committee against Dubois for chairman was only less overwhelming than that in the subcommittee which defeated the free silver resolutions offered by Teller.

   The silver men held an important conference and agreed in substance on a plan of action. They will submit a strong minority report from the committee on resolutions and demand that they be given time on the floor of the convention to explain their views. In that time they will not only make a brief plea for free silver, but state without hesitation that they will be unable to support Major McKinley or any one else "not standing on such a platform.

   This is exactly what the gold men wish. They want the issue drawn as plainly as possible. Senator Teller left the sub-committee on resolutions after the money question was settled. He explained to a reporter, who asked him if he had bolted, that he was tired and needed rest and, the money question being the only one in which he was interested, he had left as soon as it was settled.

   As to the money plank adopted, Senator Teller was asked what he would do. "Oh, I suppose I will bring the matter up again in the whole committee when the sub-committee reports. It is rather useless, however. The whole committee is packed just as the sub-committee was packed and there is no hope of getting any other results."

   "Will you then take it to the floor of the convention?''

   ''Yes, I presume we shall make a fight there, but there is practically no chance of our winning it. The whole thing is agreed upon. We shall be allowed only five minutes each for debate, and a man can't make much of an argument in five minutes.''

   It is probable that the little impromptu silver convention to be held at Idaho headquarters will nominate Henry M. Teller for president of the United States, prepare a brief platform declaring in favor of the free and unlimited coinage of silver at a ratio of 10 to 1 and then issue an address to the American people asking the support and co-operation of all who believe that way. A committee will be appointed to confer with the leaders of the Democratic and Populist parties with a view to inducing them to accept Mr. Teller and that platform. The Populists who meet in St. Louis on July 22, they claim, are certain to do it.

   The mails and telegraph wires brought hundreds of messages from Colorado, Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, Montana, Nevada, Arizona, South Dakota, Southern Illinois, Kansas, Nebraska and other states urging the free silver men to walk out of the convention and Wm. J. Bryan of Nebraska, Thomas Patterson of Colorado and a score of other prominent silver men were in conference with the silver delegates constantly.

   Last evening the Reed men began making overtures to the free silver delegates, seeking to bring them into the anti-McKinley camp, but their overtures were not received with enthusiasm and they were told that the silver men did not intend to vote on the nominations. Colorado, Utah and Idaho will not elect national committeemen. As soon as Senator Teller is out of the Republican party he will be put forward as the choice of the western free silver men for president. Plans are being made to bring a large number of Colorado free silver Republicans to Chicago when the National Democratic convention meets and every one will wear a Teller button.

   A close friend of Senator Teller said he believed the senator might be induced to accept a nomination made by Democrats provided that the nomination was based on an uncompromising free silver platform, and as ratified at the silver convention which meets in St. Louis next month.

Stearns "Yellow Fellow."

THE BICYCLE PARADE.

It Was a Great Success, Roads Were Fine, Many Riders Out.

   The bicycle parade in Cortland which has been talked about for a couple of weeks occurred last night and was a great success. Nothing has brought so many people upon the streets before in months. A circus is usually considered to be the great attraction to draw a crowd, but it is doubtful if any circus of late has brought out such a company of the village people themselves as did the parade last night. Not only was there a large number on Church-st. at the starting and finishing point, but upon the whole line of the ride all piazzas and windows were occupied, the walks were well filled and the curbs lined with spectators.

   The fear all day was that a heavy shower would make the streets so muddy that the parade would have to be postponed. There was a shower at about 2 o'clock and a drizzle from 5 to 6 o'clock, but these only settled the dust, and at 7 o'clock the roads were superb.

   The problem of road making in Cortland seems to be settled. Turn loose 500 wheelmen on any street and a track will soon be made that will put asphalt far in the shade. It was the remark of everyone what a splendid track was made by the riders.

   Shortly before 7 o'clock last night all streets leading toward Church-st. seemed filled with riders hurrying to the rendezvous, and Church-st. itself seemed one mass of wheels. At 7 o'clock sharp the procession moved, headed by Capt. C. F. Thompson and Lieut. R. H. Miller, and the line of streets previously published in The STANDARD was gone over. It was a pretty sight to see those silent wheels moving along so rapidly in pairs, and the prettiest part of it all was on Church-st. at the counter march at the end, when the whole width of the street seemed a network of wheels going back and forth in opposite directions, while the fine music by the band added not a little to the enjoyment of the affair.

   By no means all the riders in town were in the line, for too many wanted to see the others, but there were between 425 and 450 riders in the procession and the result was well worth the effort. The number was taken by several people at different points on the ride and so far as known it always fell within these limits. Riders dropped into and dropped out of the line at pleasure all along the ride, falling out to see the others go by. It would have been well if it had been thought of in time to have counted the wheels in sight along the ride which were not in the procession. It seemed as though there were as many to be seen outside of the line as in it. There is little doubt that the rain about 6 o'clock scared many out who had intended to join the procession, and it is altogether probable that if another parade were proposed later in the summer and if the weather were favorable many more would be in the line than appeared last night.

   As an evidence of what it means to see 450 wheelmen in line riding in double file and in close order it may be said that the head of the procession was just crossing Main-st. at the Cortland House as the last riders turned from Main-st. onto Maple-ave., the line thus reaching around three sides of the square enclosed by Maple-ave., Woodruff-st. and Groton-ave. The line reached from Union-st. to the Messenger House and clear back on Port Watson-st. below the D., L. & W. tracks. The line reached clear around the square of Main, Union, Owego and Tompkins-sts., and doubled a little on Port Watson-st.

   So great was the crowd on Church-st. at the end that the sides of the street were completely blocked. The McGrawville car reached the head of Railroad-st. and had to stop for ten minutes or more, it being impossible to get through without running over some one. Nearly all of the spectators along the line were looking for some friends in the procession and were ready to shout out to them as they appeared. Perhaps no one attracted as much attention in the line as the two small sons of Mr. G. F. Beaudry on their little Stearns tandem.

   The credit for this whole parade is due to Mr. A. M. Waterbury. He it is who originated the idea and made all the necessary arrangements for it.

   The thanks of every one are due to the Cortland City band for their voluntary offer to come out and furnish music last night. There was no money in this parade for any one. It was purely public spirit and good will and the band manifested the same spirit in coming out. It furnished fine music on Church-st. during the whole hour of the parade and contributed in no small degree to the pleasure of all.

   The thought was suggested last night of the money represented in the wheels in the parade. Probably $60 would be a fair average of the cost of them all. Some of course run much higher. The high grade wheels this year mostly retail for $100. Last year they were $125 and before that many of them were $150. Doubtless there were a good many of these in the line that were bought before the prices got down, but it is thought that $60 would be a fair average of the cost of the wheels large and small, high grade and lower grade. At this rate on the basis of 430 wheels the cost amounts to $25,800.

   The presence of L. E. Edgcomb and Frank Hilligus last night on the old style high wheels recalled the days when these alone were to be seen and they looked queer enough. Had the safety never come and were the high wheels still the only machine to be used, the bicycle would by no means be the popular mode of conveyance that it is.

   The weather seemed especially arranged for the parade. As mentioned above, it rained a little after 6 o'clock and then cleared, but the parade had not been over fifteen minutes and the riders dispersed before down came the rain again in torrents, but by that time every one had reached a shelter and the condition of the streets made no difference to any one.

   At the close of the parade and before the shower the band halted in front of the store of G. F. Beaudry on Main-st. and played "The Yellow Fellow March." This music was written especially for the Stearns wheel and was dedicated to its manufacturers. It was furnished to the band for this occasion by E. C. Stearns & Co. of Syracuse.

Wheelmen in front of the Dexter House on Main Street, Cortland.

RECENT IMPROVEMENTS

Make the Dexter House a Model in Every Way.

   During the early summer months the Dexter House has been undergoing extensive repairs and refurnishing in its interior. As one enters he notices that new paper adorns the walls and overhead is a new steel ceiling painted white. The woodwork too has received its share of attention, having been nicely regrained. The colors of the decorations are all such as to blend very nicely.

   The desk has been transferred to the south side of the office next the hall into which one goes past the desk to reach the bar at the rear. The house has been connected with the sewer and first-class plumbing put in throughout. All the rooms have been thoroughly renovated. New carpets will soon be put down in the halls and new gas fixtures put in, making the entire house a model of neatness as well as convenience.

   A valuable addition is the bathroom near the stairs in the hall on the second floor. The new cement walk adds very materially to the beauty of the place.

   Mr. Warren is a genial landlord, always looking after the convenience of his guests and his popularity is shown by a largely increasing patronage of the travelling public.

Charges Against J. H. Talmadge.

   The case of Joseph H. Talmadge of the Cortland Buggy company, charged with the fraudulent use of the mails, has been adjourned until June 18. Talmadge was brought before United States Commissioner Northrup yesterday and arraigned. It is claimed that he issued circulars and advertised that he carried on a big carriage business, but some of the carriages were never shipped as ordered.

   Talmadge explained before Commissioner Northrup that the carriages had been shipped, but had been lost in railroad wrecks. When asked to produce his books or receipts showing that a shipment had been made he said that he had not kept any books. Commissioner Northrup said that the business looked a little bit suspicious.

   A. P. Smith of Cortland, attorney for the defendant, signed his bond in the sum of $500.—Syracuse Journal, June 10.

[Department of Excuses: Every so often our blogger format does a few tricks with paragraph spacing--CC editor.]