A STORY OF SHAME

Cortland Evening Standard, Monday, June 29, 1896.

PAGE TWO—EDITORIALS.

A Story of Shame.

   A startling story of slave trade on the American continent has been made a subject of investigation by a representative of the Pittsburg Dispatch.

   Not long ago a rumor was circulated to the effect that an extensive business was being done at New Orleans and along the lower Mississippi river, in kidnapping negroes, placing them on ships and selling them as slaves in Guatemalan ports. The Dispatch man went to the scene of the alleged outrages and found that the stories were true. When possible, the negroes are induced to emigrate by alluring stories of good treatment, plenty of work and liberal wages. When they cannot be thus decoyed, they are stupefied with drink, carried aboard steamers, and conveyed to a destination of bondage, suffering and death.

   It appears that there is a demand for railroad laborers in one of the most unhealthy sections of Guatemala, and this is the method taken to obtain them. It is said that the Mafia in New Orleans are engaged in this nefarious traffic. Women as well as men are kidnapped and sold, and the Guatemalan contractors wink at the business, saying that the presence of women among the laborers makes the men more contented. One prepossessing colored girl was sold for $15, and several others brought $12.50 a piece. The correspondent writes:

   As to the treatment of both men and women, it is described as something appalling. They are given the poorest food and hardest work. They sleep in flat cars or bunched together in dirty huts. Snakes of the most venomous kind, scorpions, centipedes, interior Indians, and, worst of all, the dread fevers of that country carry them off like flies.

   Sometimes the slaves rebel, as did the man who killed his master as printed in The Dispatch over a month ago. It may have been noticed at the time that the cablegram telling of the riot ended with "the American was promptly lynched." One negro turning on his master makes "a riot" in Guatemala, and should half a dozen take up arms to protect themselves, it is "a revolution.''

   It is altogether probable that the cablegram printed In The Dispatch last week, briefly telling of a revolution breaking out in that country, means nothing more than the uprising of the desperate and disheartened negroes, who are treated worse than slaves.

   It is strongly intimated that this state of affairs will be made the subject of a damaging indictment against the Cleveland administration, as will also the indifference shown by our government to wrongs suffered by white Americans in Guatemala. An American named Campbell is now in a filthy jail at Gualan on some flimsy charge, and is unable to secure justice or obtain any attention from the American consul or the state department at Washington. Other cases equally outrageous are cited by the correspondent, who adds:

   The secret of all this neglect of the rights of citizens of the United States in Central and South American countries is well told by Kulp, Fraser and Harry Perkins of the detective agency by Marshal White of New Orleans, Cowan and others, met in the course of the investigation, who have either traveled in those countries or lived there for some time. It is told in the words above quoted: "Because they have no government to back up their claims for justice or demand reparation for injury!"

   It may and it may not be known, but it is a fact that Americans traveling in those countries or wishing for some favor or recognition never think of applying to a United States minister or consul. The first thing they do is to hunt up a British representative and secure papers or an introduction from him. Should it be papers or passports they desire they are set down in them as English subjects, and the way is open, for even the native Indians know the stubbornness with which England insists upon the rights of her subjects. An ominous British gunboat that now and then looms up along the coast also goes far as an object lesson. All these things, and more, are known to the men who have been making the investigation, and the intention is to bring them to the notice of this government in a manner that cannot be mistaken.

   A later telegram to The Dispatch continues the story and further states that two men have been arrested on charge of being engaged in the infamous traffic. The evidence against them is strong, as they had thirty victims in charge when captured.

   The agents of the slave dealers use persuasion or force, as circumstances may require, in inducing young colored men and girls to embark for Guatemala, and once on shipboard the captives are doomed to a horrible fate. The local authorities of New Orleans, with the assistance of detectives from Pittsburg, appear to have undertaken to stop the business, and it is to be hoped that the beginning which they have made will be followed by still more vigorous work. It is also the plain duty of the government at Washington, as the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle insists, to take a hand in the affair. When American citizens are lured or forced into going to another country, and there held as slaves, an international situation of the gravest character arises.

   The state department should move in the matter with promptness and determination, backed by whatever demonstration of force may be necessary to compel the return from Guatemala of every captured American citizen who may still be alive. Those on our own soil who have assisted or taken part in the traffic should be treated with the utmost severity that the law will permit.

Denmark Willing to Sell.

   LONDON, June 29.—A dispatch from Copenhagen says: "The allusion in the platform of the St. Louis Republican convention to the expediency of the United States purchasing the Danish West Indies has created some sensation here. It is believed that St. Thomas is especially coveted as being likely to afford an excellent American naval station. The opinion prevails that Denmark is quite prepared to sell these small colonies at a suitable price."

HORSE IS GONE.

So is the Boy—Everybody on the Watch for Them.

   Chief of Police W. T. Linderman has to-day received the following telegram from Brookton:

   My boy, Dan Dolan, ran away from home. If in Cortland arrest and hold him and wire me at once.

   DANIEL T. DOLAN.

   A telephone message came along too stating that the young man took along horse and carriage from Brookton, and the message described the rig as follows:

   ''Grayish black horse, mane sheared off, seven years old, new top carriage, Corning body, made by Cortland Carriage Co., end springs, heavy black lap robe, buggy new."

   Chief Linderman has been on the watch for such a turnout and for the boy Dan, but so far has seen nothing of either.

THE GLORIOUS FOURTH.

Program of Events for the Celebration Next Saturday.

   Cortland is to celebrate the glorious Fourth next Saturday in the good old fashioned style. There will be something going on all day long, and it will all be right in the center of the town where it is accessible and can be seen by everybody.

   The day will be opened by a salute of fifty guns at sunrise. At 7 A. M. there will be daylight fireworks. From 8 to 9:30 o'clock the visiting companies will be received. At 10 A. M. will occur the annual parade and review of the Cortland fire department, together with visiting companies, all to be reviewed by the president and trustees of the village.

   At 1 P. M. will occur the fusilier parade, with antiques, horribles, calithumpians, civic organizations and the bicycle parade.

   At 2:30 will occur the 200-yard hose race. Companies will lay 200 feet of hose, break coupling and attach nozzle. Prizes $50 and $25. There will also be a 600-feet hub and tub race. Prizes $15 and $10. The 300-feet hook and ladder race will follow. Prizes $15 and $10.

   At 3:30 o'clock will occur the bicycle races open to Cortland county riders.

   Two-mile handicap road race. First [prize], Morgan & Wright quick repair tires; second, one search light lamp, Bridgeport Brass Co.; time prize, Vim tires, Boston Woven Hose and Rubber Co.

   One-half mile green race, for riders who have never started in a bicycle race. First, cyclometer; second, pair bicycle shoes.

   Half-mile boys' race, under 15 years of age. First, one pair League tires, New York Belting and Packing Co.; second, History of the World.

   4:30 P. M., fifty-yard fat men's race between Dr. L. T. White and Deputy Sheriff James E. Edwards, both of Cortland.

   Amateur foot race for championship of Central New York. Mathewson and Miller matched 100 yards, 150 yards and 220 yards. Prize, diamond valued at $35.

   Further particulars in regard to the celebration will be given later.

SHAMROCKS VS. CORTLANDS.

The Cortlands put up a Good Game. Score 6 to 2 in Their Favor.

   The new Cortland baseball team played ball at the fair grounds Saturday afternoon and they played well. The team has been materially strengthened since the [blowout] game with the Syracuse Stars. They have had a chance to practice together since that time and their work showed up well in Saturday's game.

   The Shamrocks with whom they played Saturday are a strong team and have been playing good ball right along during the season. That the Cortlands were able to hold the Shamrocks down to two scores and run up six for themselves shows that they had some very good baseball timber in the team. Donovan the new pitcher struck out six men and the visiting team were able to get very few safe hits. Lovelock, the catcher, played well and Welch made a great catch in the third inning. The following is a summary of the game:

Scared by Firecrackers.

   Mail Carrier Theodore Sheeley had finished delivering the mail on his route this forenoon and had started for dinner. He hitched his horse in front of Stokers grocery and went inside to do some trading. While there, some person with more of a bump of mischief than good judgment set fire to a bunch of crackers and threw them under the wagon. The noise frightened the horse and she started to run up Main-st. In front of the Cortland House the mail cart collided with a lumber wagon tipping the wagon over and breaking the reach. Both crossbars of the mail cart were broken. The horse was stopped without being injured or doing further damage.

Persons-Wheeler.

   Mr. G. E. Persons and Miss C. Louise Wheeler were married Saturday evening at the home of Mr. Persons' mother, Mrs. Mary E. Persons, 12 Woodruff-st. The ceremony was performed at 8 o'clock by Rev. Adelbert Chapman, pastor of the Baptist church, assisted by Rev. Geo. H. Brigham, in the presence of about twenty-five invited guests. Mr. Bert L. Bentley presided at the piano and played the Lohengrin march at the beginning and the Mendelssohn march at the close of the ceremony. Daisies and ferns formed the decorations which were arranged in excellent taste, and during the ceremony the bridal party stood in front of a pyramid of daisies.

   The bride, attired in white lansdowne with pearl trimmings and satin ribbons, carried a bouquet of white carnations. The maid of honor was Miss Sara Ross, who wore a becoming gown of white mull and carried a bouquet of pink roses. Mr. J. W. Plant of Syracuse, formerly of Cortland, acted as best man.

   After congratulations had been received by the happy couple light refreshments were served.

   Mrs. E. M. Terwilleger of Binghamton, who was present, added much to the pleasure of the occasion by her singing. Mrs. Terwilleger has a rich, sweet voice and her singing was much enjoyed by all present.

   Among the guests from out of town were Mr. and Mrs. L. S. Leonard of Hancock, Mr. and Mrs. Elmer DeLap of Poplar Ridge, Mrs. E. M. Terwilleger of Binghamton and Mr. J. W. Plant of Syracuse.

BREVITIES.

   —New advertisements to-day are— A. S. Burgess, summer suits, etc., page 4; J. L. Gillett, Elysium park, page 6.

   —Tioughnioga Hose Co., No. 2, of Homer has accepted the invitation of Hitchcock Hose Co. to be its guest on the Fourth.

   —It is stated that a young man of this city mortgaged his house and lot for $3,000 which he took to Poughkeepsie and bet on Cornell.—Ithaca Journal.

   —Attention is called to an open letter from Mr. H. S. Hudson to the board of village trustees on the subject of paving which will to-day be found on our seventh page.

   —All men and boys who are willing to take part in the fusilier parade on the Fourth are requested to call at the water works office on Railroad-st., sometime tomorrow forenoon.

   —A nine from the wire shop has defeated a nine from the car shop at the Owego-st. ground by the score of 23 to 9. The playing of Sheridan at first and the fielding of Meldrum were the features of the game.

   —A lawn social will be held at the home of Mr. A. Sager, Lincoln-ave., Wednesday evening, July 1, under the auspices of the J. H. Kellogg Camp, S. O. V. Ice cream and cake will be served from 7 to 10:30. The full program for the evening will be announced to-morrow.

   —Three new pieces of music, "Remembrance of Glen Haven," "Song Bird

Polka," and "Titian Polka," have just been published by C. G. Conn & Co. of Elkhart, Ind., which will prove of unusual interest to Cortland musicians.

They are flute solos with piano accompaniment and are written by Mr. Fred I.

Graham.

Elysium Park.

   Friends of temperance desiring a pleasant place for camping out or for picnic excursions will find it at Elysium park located three miles west of Cortland on the Lehigh Valley road. Good boating, pure water, swings, etc., lunches, ice cream and other things for sale on the grounds, cottages to rent.

   L. J. GILLET,

   Proprietor.

132-1t 64-1t.