SOUTH AFRICA RISING

John Hays Hammond.

Cortland Evening Standard, Thursday, June 25, 1896.

SOUTH AFRICA RISING.

The Situation Growing Much More Serious.

MANY WHITE SETTLERS KILLED.

Residents Waiting Anxiously for Relief. The Whole Country in Arms and a Strong Force Needed

—J. H. Hammond Sails For Home.

   LONDON, June 25.—A Cape Town dispatch says that John Hays Hammond will sail from there for home today. The dispatch also says:

   "A telegram from Salisbury says that the whole country around that point has risen and relief is anxiously awaited, many outlying places being defenseless.

   "Stations along the Umtali and Salisbury road have been attacked and Motundella's store has been looted and six of its defenders killed. A number of isolated men along the road have also been killed.

   "It is feared that 50,000 Martini cartridges fell into the hands of the rebels with Motundella's party.

   "Seven whites from the latter party fought their way through to safety, passing a number of the corpses of white men on the way.

   "The bodies of some women were also seen and these bad been mutilated by the natives.

   "It is considered here that a large imperial force should be promptly sent to Salisbury.

   "Nine Ayreshire men were massacred while trying to reach Salisbury.

   "A telegram from Fort Charter announces that that point is surrounded by rebels and the inmates have laagered. All their cattle have been captured by the rebels, who killed the native herdsmen.

   "There is an intense feeling of concern in Cape Town, there being so many well-known people in danger. Nearly the whole of the house of assembly has signed a petition to the government urging that the colony should aid the imperial government with volunteers used to native warfare and with the resources of the colony."

Tom Sharkey.

James Corbett.

ENDED IN A DRAW.

Tom Sharkey, the Sailor, Fights Corbett to a Standstill.

   SAN FRANCISCO, June 25.—The astonished eyes of the sports of this city were treated to the astounding sight of a man comparatively without [boxing]  science not only standing four rounds before their popular idol, James Corbett, champion pugilist of the world, but actually fighting him to a standstill, The much heralded 4-round bout between Corbett and Tom Sharkey, the ex-sailor, ended in a draw.

   The first round was all Corbett's, although Sharkey fought aggressively. Corbett was too clever.

   In the second Sharkey landed several good blows, but the round ended in Corbett's favor.

   The third round was fast and furious, Sharkey receiving most of the punishment and resorting to clinches. Sharkey groggy at the call of time.

   In the fourth and last the men came near the center. Sharkey rushed at Jim and clinched. Sharkey adopted foul tactics and refused to break. Referee was unable to break men apart. Corbett now clinched Sharkey and held him tightly in order to avoid the Sailor's rushes. Corbett appeared groggy and unable to land a heavy blow. Corbett fell down.

   Corbett got mixed up with the referee and fell down again. Police broke into the ring to stop the fight, but Sharkey jumped at them and refused to be led from the ring. Corbett appeared very tired. Sharkey made a great fight all the way through.

PAGE TWO—EDITORIALS.

What Free Coinage Means.

   A subscriber to the Troy Times writes it as follows:

   To the Editor of the Troy Daily Times:

   What does "a ratio of 16 to 1" mean as applied to silver coinage and how would it effect domestic and foreign trade?' W. E. R.

   In reply The Times says that it has received many inquiries similar to the above, and as they are evidently made in good faith and with a sincere desire to secure light on an important question, it promises to do its best to clearly explain the matter. It says:

   The laws of the United States require that the gold dollar coined by the government shall weigh 25 8-10 grains. The half eagle ($5), eagle ($10) and double eagle ($20) are to be of proportionate weight. The standard silver dollar must weigh 412 1/2 grains. Both gold and silver coins must be of a specified fineness—900 parts of pure metal to 100 parts of alloy. The standard silver dollar of 412 1/2 grains of which 371 1/4 grains must be pure silver, is sixteen—or to be very precise 15.98—times the weight of the gold dollar. This is the much talked of 16 to 1 ratio. It was established when that ratio closely approximated the actual commercial value of the two metals—when the quantity of gold in a gold dollar of 25 8-10 grains and the quantity of silver in a silver dollar of 412 1/2 grains were each worth about 100 cents according to the prices of gold and silver bullion in the markets of the world.

   But gold and silver, like all other commodities, are subject to fluctuations, though these affect gold much less than silver. Of late years there has been a very great change in their relative values.

   The stock of gold and silver in the world has largely increased, though the greatest gain has been in the white metal. As a consequence silver has decreased in price, while gold has remained to all intents and purposes stationary. The falling off in the price of silver has been almost one-half, and therefore the actual bullion value of the quantity of silver in a standard silver dollar of the United States, weighing 412 1/2 grains and containing not less than 371 1/4 grains of pure metal, is about 51 cents, and the true ratio between the two metals at the commercial estimate is not 16 to 1, but about 31 to 1.

   Free coinage of silver means this: That any one may take silver of the standard fineness to the United States mint and have it coined into "dollars" of 412 1/2 grains—that the government shall declare every such "dollar" issued to be 100 cents, though it is really worth but fifty-one cents or less, and that such a dollar shall go forth bearing a government stamp certifying that it is something which it is not—an actual, bona fide, honest coin meaning just what it says, when it is really a base impostor.

   This is exactly what free sliver coinage would be—the issuing of fifty or fifty-one cent dollars in place of those good for 100 cents. And the imposture is sacrilegiously stamped over a bastard eagle "In God We Trust."

Cortland Opera House.

FINE ENTERTAINMENT.

"OVER THE HILLS TO THE POORHOUSE" AT THE OPERA HOUSE.

Large Audience Laughs Itself Tired—Some Excellent Work Presented—Nimrod a Great Character—To be Repeated To-night.

   For some days Cortland people have been looking forward with anticipation to the play "Over the Hills to the Poorhouse" which was to be presented last night at the Opera House by an amateur company of local players under the direction of Mr. Edward B. Kelly and under the auspices of the Cortland Athletic association. The play was given last night and a good sized audience was present.

   All that had been said in anticipation was fully justified by the entertainment itself. It was one of the best exhibitions of amateur dramatics that has ever been given in Cortland, and that is saying a great deal, for there has been some excellent work done here in the past. But it was more than amateur work in one respect for Mr. Kelly himself took the leading part of Nimrod, the negro, and he is an actor of more than twenty years experience and of no small reputation.

   The synopsis of the play has already been published in The STANDARD. It abounds in ridiculous situations all centering around the leading character of Nimrod. Too much can hardly be said in praise of Mr. Kelly's interpretation of the part. His every appearance was the signal for a laugh. He was irresistibly funny, and as lively as a cricket upon his feet. The antics which he cut up kept the house in roars of laughter. He was always doing the unexpected.

   Those who remember Mr. Kelley in the quaint part of Squire Tucker, the Talladega justice in "Alabama," in which he played in Cortland last winter were surprised beyond measure at his liveliness in this part, and yet he seemed just as natural in the one as in the other.

   Miss Elizabeth Phillips, as Annie Ellsworth the faithful sweetheart, looked very charming, and her noble sentiments elicited warm applause.

   Miss Winifred Smith, as Grandma Floyd, the ever forgiving mother, aroused the deepest sympathy of the audience. Her calm, placid face and soft tones seemed to correspond in a remarkable degree to what would be expected of that part.

   It is always unfortunate for one to have to play the part of the heavy villain, be that part masculine or feminine, for it never has the sympathy of the audience, though it may arouse admiration for the excellence of its portrayal. Such parts were those of Mrs. E. S. Burrows as Jennie Floyd, the city wife; Mr. W. F. Seacord as Frank Jackson, a false friend; and Mr. Bert Hakes, as Jerry Carter, a fresh young man. All of these were excellently brought out, and Mr. Hakes is entitled to special mention for his close imitation of the gait of the Bowery tough as he moved about the stage.

   May Beaudry as Little Gracie, an orphan, performed her part with childlike simplicity and was perfectly natural with her pretty ways and ready answers.

   Mr. Fred C. Thomas, as Charles Floyd, the heartless son, made an excellent henpecked husband. He would indeed have required a saintly disposition to have lived with such a wife as Mrs. Burrows portrayed for him, but that would never excuse the heartless way in which he abandoned his mother. The troubles which came to him he seemed to think were just punishments.

   Mr. Charles Roe, as Hugh Floyd, the noble outcast, performed well a rather difficult part and acquitted himself with credit.

   Mr. Harry Greenman, as James Clark, a sheriff and Mr. Harry Kinney, as

William Floyd, the father, did not have specially prominent characters but performed their parts well.

   Taken altogether the play was a grand success and was well enjoyed.

There was the opportunity for one of the most genuine and hearty laughs of the season and the audience took full advantage of the chance.

   Just before the last act Mr. Kelly stepped out and announced that the play would be repeated to-night at the Opera House. He said that he was spending his vacation in Cortland and he had gotten up this play and perhaps would put upon the stage before the summer is over two or three others, at any rate work will be begun at once upon "A Tramp's Daughter," which will be given some time in July.

A FOURTH OF JULY RACE.

Between Deputy Sheriff Edwards and Dr. L. T. White.

   What promises to be one of the most attractive features of the Fourth of July celebration to be held in Cortland will be the fifty yard road-race between Deputy Sheriff James Edwards and Dr. L. T. White. For some time there has been a difference of opinion between the friends of these gentlemen as to which is the better sprinter and the result has been that the Deputy Sheriff has challenged the doctor to a race and the challenge has been accepted.

   The race will be run on July fourth over a course yet to be decided upon. Both contestants are confident of winning. Dr. White has engaged for his trainer ex-sheriff John Miller and is getting up at 5 o'clock each morning for active training on the track at the fair grounds. T. H. Young, the livery man, is putting in good work as coacher for the doctor, and both he and Mr. Miller are very confident that their man will win. The doctor himself says that he will win the race even if he has to train until he is nothing but a walking skeleton.

Declared a Draw.

   SAN FRANCISCO, June 25.—"They fought like young dubs," was the brief but truthful expression of a small boy who stood by the ringside at the conclusion of the Corbett-Sharkey fight last night. Although the event was declared a draw, Corbett's most generous friends admit that the champion was worsted, and that he could not have lasted another round. The police interfered at the end of the fourth round and put a stop to the fight.

   Sharkey early this morning offered to put up a side bet of from $5,000 to $10,000 to fight Corbett to a finish and meet him whenever and wherever he desired. A paper here alleges that Corbett has accepted Sharkey's proposition.