THAT'S WHAT'S THE MATTER

William McKinley.

Cortland Evening Standard, Thursday, June 4, 1896.

PAGE TWO—EDITORIALS.

That's What's the Matter.

   The New York Sun says, "To hundreds of thousands of people McKinley has become a religion." The Sun is correct. In this instance its beams illuminate a great truth. It is because McKinley has "become a religion" that his followers are thicker than blackberries or than daisies in a Cortland county meadow. The doctrine of protection which he represents so conspicuously is something which the country has "gone crazy after,'' according to high Democratic authority, and to "hundreds of thousands" protection and McKinley mean one and the same thing. And the best of it all is that "hundreds of thousands" of former Democrats have been convicted and converted to the McKinley religion, and will never, no never, no never backslide. Entirely independent of McKinley's candidacy for the presidency, as a political religion he is not a bad thing to have in the family.

  ◘ "It is a significant fact," remarks the St. Louis Globe-Democrat, "that no

Democrat yet spoken of for the presidential nomination has been able to secure a delegate outside of his own state. "It is a still more significant fact observes the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, that no Democrat thus far mentioned has made a single effort to secure a delegate inside or outside of his state. Everybody seems to be dodging the Chicago nomination.

Important Bicycle Decision.

   All wheelmen who enter races and also carry accident insurance will be interested in a recent decision by the appellate division of the supreme court sitting in Albany.

   The National Accident society of New York issued an accident policy to one John J. Keefe. Mr. Keefe was a wheelman and sustained injuries while riding in a bicycle race, on account of which he brought suit against the insurance company upon his policy. That instrument contained a clause in these words:

   "This policy shall not extend to cover injury resulting from voluntary overexertion, either voluntary or unnecessary exposure to danger, or to obvious risk of injury." 

   The company asked the trial court to dismiss the complaint on the ground that this exception necessarily embraced the act of riding in a bicycle race, because a competitor in such a contest, from its very nature, voluntarily overexerted himself or exposed himself to danger or obvious risk of injury, willfully and without necessity. The judge before whom the case was tried refused to hold that participation in a bicycle race was, as a matter of law, a violation of the policy, but left it to the jury to say, as matter of fact and in view of the circumstances of the accident, whether the plaintiff was injured in consequence of voluntary overexertion or needless exposure to danger which was obvious. The jury found in favor of Mr. Keefe, and the National Accident society took the case up to the appellate division for review.

   The opinion in that branch of the court is written by Judge Charles E. Parker of Owego, the new presiding justice in the third department. "It cannot be said as matter of law," Judge Parker declares, "that the plaintiff was over-exerting himself or that he voluntarily exposed himself to danger by entering into the race. Different and equally intelligent and unbiased men might fairly differ in opinion as to whether or not, by taking part in such a race, any risk of injury was necessarily incurred, and we think the court was right in leaving that question to the jury." The appellate division therefore upheld the verdict.

   This decision, says the New York Sun, may be regarded as establishing the proposition that participation in a bicycle race does not operate as a legal bar to the recovery of accident insurance on account of injuries sustained in the contest.

Firemen's hall on Main Street, Cortland, N. Y.

THE ANNUAL TEST

Of the Fire Department Last Night—Emeralds Got First Water.

   It has previously been the custom of the chief of the fire department to give notice that the annual test or trial run of the department would occur within a certain period. This year it was thought best to have the trial without any previous notice whatever.

   Accordingly last evening soon after 7 o'clock Chief A. O. Bosworth and a few others gathered at the intersection of Clinton-ave. and Church-st. The chief pulled box 331 and before the echo of the bell had died away the Emerald Hose cart was seen to come from their building upon Church-st. manned by two members of the company. At almost the same time the Hitchcock boys came up Elm-st. with their handsome black horse and cart.

   The Hitchcocks were first on the scene, but instead of stopping at the corner by the Universalist church proceeded to the hydrant opposite Charles-st., where they attached and secured a stream at the same time as Orris who had come up from Main-st. The Emeralds attached to the hydrant opposite the Universalist church and had first water directing a stream skyward.

   The Hooks were on the scene and had L. E. Waters at the top of a ladder in 2 min., 17 sec. Water Witch attached to the same hydrant as the Emeralds. The Protective Police came up later, but their time was not taken. The watches were in the hands of Officer O. L. Jackson, F. A. Bickford and George French.

   The department responded in fine form and again showed that its companies are equal to every emergency and are one of the very best fire departments in the state.

   No prize was offered this year to the company getting first place.

   The official time for each company as given out by Chief Bosworth was as follows:

   Emeralds, 1 min. 40 sec.

   Excelsior Hook and Ladder Co., 2 min. 17 sec.

   Hitchcock, 2 min. 20 sec.

   Orris, 2 min. 20 sec.

   Water Witch, 3 min. 30 sec.

   Protectives, not taken.

   An error is claimed in the time by which Hitchcock and Orris would secure second place: instead of third, their time being 1:58. Timer George French states that he used a stop watch and reported 2:20 to the chief for both Hitchcock and Orris. After the time had been given in he re-examined his watch and found that he had made a mistake in noting the time and that it should have been 1:58 instead of 2:20. In any case all of the companies made very creditable records.

MRS. BURGESS ENTERTAINED

Lady Friends at Her Home Wednesday from 3 to 6.

   Mrs. A. S. Burgess very delightfully entertained nearly two hundred of her lady friends at her pleasant home,4 Church-st., yesterday afternoon from 3 to 6 o'clock.

   The guests were met at the door by little Rolland Benedict, Mrs. Burgess received alone. The following ladies assisted in entertaining: Mrs. A. C. Walrad, Mrs. S. W. Sherwood, Mrs. William A. Smith, Mrs. F. B. Nourse, and the Misses Belle Fitzgerald and Anna Bauder. Mrs. George J. Mager presided at the punch bowl, assisted by Mrs. Ellis.

   The Susan Tompkins Harp orchestra furnished delightful music during the afternoon, being located in the upper hall on the stair landing. The rooms were very beautifully decorated with palms and potted plants and presented a very attractive appearance. Elegant and elaborate refreshments were served. The afternoon was a perfect one for the occasion and every one had a very enjoyable time.

SACHER-HELD.

Home Wedding on Main-st. Wednesday Evening.

   Mr. Max Sacher and Miss Louise Held were united in marriage by Rev. J. L. Robertson at 8 o'clock last night at the home of the bride's mother, 124 Main-st. About sixty guests were present. The parlors were tastefully trimmed with cut flowers and evergreens, and the ceremony was performed under an arch of evergreens.

   The bride wore a gown of light silk and carried a bouquet of bride roses. She was attended by Miss Fannie Sacher, sister of the groom, who wore a light blue silk gown and carried a bouquet of pink roses. Mr. Benjamin Springer acted as groomsman, and he and Miss Sacher were the witnesses of the marriage.

   After congratulations a very elaborate supper was served and then dancing was indulged in until the early hours, excellent music being furnished by a select orchestra. The presents were very beautiful and numerous.

Charged With Abduction.

   Willis Hubbard of this place was arrested at Syracuse yesterday by Chief of Police Linderman on the charge of abducting Eva Baker, the 17-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Day Baker of Maple-ave. He was brought before the police justice and in default of $2,000 bail was committed to jail until to-day when the case was further adjourned until to-morrow morning at 9 o'clock. T. E. Courtney appeared for the prosecution and George S. Sands for the defendant.

W. C. T. U. Notes.

   A Model Union, or Royalville W. C. T. U.—a dime entertainment, will be held at the W. C. T. U. headquarters, 12 West Court-st., on Monday evening, June 8, commencing at 7:45, proceeds to go for East Side reading room. It is earnestly hoped that all friends of the cause will be present. Light refreshments at the close of the entertainment, free.

   Regular meeting of W. C. T. U. June 6 at 3 P. M.

   Devotionals conducted by Mrs. L. H. Pearce followed by quarterly reports by superintendents of departments.

   Members taking part in Monday evening's entertainment will please be at the rooms Saturday afternoon a t 2 o'clock sharp.

BREVITIES.

   —New advertisements to-day are—Glann & Clark, why are we successful, page 5.

   — The Robinson-Franklin circus will exhibit in Cortland to-morrow afternoon and evening.

   —The C. L. S. C. will meet with Mrs. A. M. Graves, 35 Madison-st., Monday evening, June 8, at 7:30 o'clock.

   —Syracuse is trying to revive again its county fair which used to be such a great success before the state fair located in the Salt City.

   —Local coal dealers yesterday received a notification of an advance of ten cents per ton in the price of coal. A further advance of twenty-five cents per ton is expected toward the end of the month.