CORTLAND ABLAZE

Main Street, Cortland, N. Y., 1899 photo, Grip's Historical Souvenir of Cortland.

Cortland Evening Standard, Monday, November 2, 1896.

CORTLAND ABLAZE

WITH FIREWORKS FOR MCKINLEY AND SOUND MONEY.

Last Grand Rally of the Republicans on Saturday Night—Magnificent Procession, Many Bands, Hundreds of Marching Men, Splendid Display of Fireworks, Handsome Decorations—Rousing Speech by Hon. Mahlon Chance of Ohio, Great Enthusiasm.

   Nothing except a ratification meeting can arouse the enthusiasm of a campaign rally. Because the result of the election, so far as the East is concerned at least, has been a foregone conclusion there have been very few rallies this year in this vicinity. The Republican party did not think it necessary to waste money or take the time of the speakers for work in the East when they were so needed in the West, and the Popocrats have been too disheartened to attempt anything in this section of the country, they also having devoted their energies to more closely disputed territory.

   But last Saturday evening the bottled up enthusiasm of the Republicans and sound money Democrats from all over the county found vent in a grand rally in Cortland for the cause of McKinley, Hobart, sound money, and protection to home industries. The night was all that could be desired. The air was warm, the sky clear and the roads fine. All the afternoon people kept coming into town, and by 6:30 o'clock the streets were as crowded as though a circus parade was in prospect. The small boy with his tin horn was very much in evidence and the older brother seemed to take keen delight in exploding caps at the end of the new fangled cane, so that from the sound one would judge that it was on the eve of the Fourth of July.

   Soon after 6 o'clock the horsemen began to gather on Court-st. and the Normal club took up its position on Railroad-st. The citizens assembled on North Main-st. in front of Republican headquarters. At about 7 o'clock the regular car and two special cars all crowded to their utmost capacity rolled in from McGrawville amid the hilarious shouts of those on foot. A few minutes later several cars arrived from Homer. The county committee distributed flags to all of the footmen, and nearly every one had a lantern or a torch.

   Shortly after 7 o'clock the line was made up as follows and the line of march was begun over the streets mentioned in a previous issue of the STANDARD:

   Cavalcade of 111 horsemen.

   Homer Drum Corps, 9 pieces.

   Homer McKinley club, 80 men.

   McGrawville band, 16 pieces.

   McGrawville Escort club, 43 men.

   Normal Drum corps, 7 pieces.

   Normal McKinley club, 48 men.

   Cortland City Band, 20 pieces.

   Citizens club, 30 men.

   Cortland Drum corps, 7 pieces.

   Detachment of citizens, 26 men.

   Scott Drum corps, 9 pieces.

   Citizens. 50 men.

   Total, 456 men.

   Among the transparencies carried in the line were the following: "Free Silver, Free Trade, 'Nit', Protection, Sound Money, 'Net,'" ''Think Right, Vote Right," "Open the Mills, not the Mints," "The first Dirty Errand of a Dirty Dollar is to Cheat the Workingman," "Vote Early, Vote for McKinley," ''Labor Crucified on the Cross of Free Trade," "We Want Americanism, Not Anarchism," "Business makes Money, Money Don't make Business."

   A conspicuous object in the procession was a huge bull owned and led by Warren Nye of South Cortland. The animal was decorated with flags and mounted on his back rode a small boy.

   It is a question if the streets of Cortland ever on any previous similar occasion presented as handsome an appearance as they did last Saturday night. The decorations of many of the houses were very elaborate and of the 295 private dwellings passed upon the line of march 227 displayed by some distinguishing mark their sympathy with the cause of McKinley and Hobart, and only sixty-eight houses were dark, or showed opposing emblems. As was the case with Homer Thursday night, some of the houses which remained dark were known to espouse the cause of light rather than darkness and the failure to show their colors was due to some other reason than hostility.

   A count was made by streets of the houses that were illuminated or otherwise and they resulted as follows: South Main to Union, illuminated 18, otherwise 7; Union to Owego: illuminated 21, otherwise 7; Owego to Tompkins, illuminated 10, otherwise 8; Tompkins to Port Watson, illuminated 21, otherwise 7: Port Watson to Church, illuminated 10, otherwise 0; Church to N. Church at the corner of Clinton, illuminated 25, otherwise 8; N. Church to Grant: 27 to 12; Grant to N. Main, illuminated 12, otherwise 3; N. Main to Madison (including five houses on the street, located just beyond the corners off the line of march, but which displayed illuminations) illuminated 12, otherwise 2; Madison to Homer, illuminated 32, otherwise 5; Homer to Lincoln: illuminated 16, otherwise 3; Lincoln to N. Main: illuminated 18, otherwise 8; Lincoln to Clinton, illuminated 5, otherwise 1.

   It would be impossible to mention all the decorations of these private houses. Some very artistic and effective designs were presented and all were very pretty. On Main-st. the residence of Mr. W. R. Randall showed lights at every window and the effect on the spacious grounds was very pretty. On South Main-st. the home of J. O. Reid was specially brilliant, rows of candles being placed in the walk leading to the house, and the porch being lined with Japanese lanterns. Going down this street there was a fine view of the great mills of Wickwire Brothers lighted in every window of every door by electric lights. S. N. Holden's house had one of the handsomest displays on Union-st. The spacious grounds of T. H. Wickwire looked very beautiful with red fire burning from a dozen different places on the lawn and the roof of the entrance porch, while every window was lighted.

   A great, shout arose as the procession passed the handsome residence of ex-State Treasurer L. J. Fitzgerald and saw the whole house open and every window from ground to attic throwing out a blaze of light. John Hodgson on Port Watson-st. had his lawn hung with Japanese lanterns. One of the prettiest effects was produced at the residence of Mrs. D. C. Cloyes on Church-st. There was a small flag in each pane of glass in each window, while there were large flags in profusion and as the procession passed red fire was burned from a point even with the house roof, being drawn up by a pulley and rope. On North Church-st. the house of Dr. S. J. Sornberger was one of the prettiest. The home of Mr. Walter F. Dates on Grant-st. elicited much applause. On N. Main-st. it is exceedingly difficult to particularize, all were so handsome. Mr. Edward Keator's house had lights in every window. The houses of J. C. Seager and W. E. Powers made a fine showing with their flags and lights.

   There was no handsomer street in town than Madison. The illuminations and decorations were very elaborate and nearly every house was adorned. L. F. Stillman had a decorated broomstick in the ground before his house to show how clean the Republicans would sweep everything. At C. W. Fleming's a small boy stood on a pedestal in the door draped with the Stars and Stripes and having a flag in one hand and a broom thrown over his shoulder. At E. B. DuChette's a young lady in a window represented the goddess of liberty. A similar idea was presented at S. K. Jones' on Lincoln-ave.

   The house of J. W. Suggett on Homer-ave. was a brilliant object standing as it did on the corner with windows on two sides illuminated. G. J. Mager's house was heavily draped with flags and the whole piazza illuminated.

   A very inadequate idea of the beauty of the decorations is conveyed by this passing mention, for others not specially mentioned were so pretty and each in its part did so much toward adding to the effect of it all.

   On Main-st. nearly all of the business places were illuminated. A pretty effect was produced in the block of B. F. Taylor which was illuminated from top to bottom and which blazed with red fire as the procession passed. At the county clerk's office E. C. Palmer had the letters of the words "Gold Standard" shining out in brilliant lights. The flag effect in the north window was very fine too.

   As the procession counter marched on Main-st. several bushels of Roman candles were distributed and the street quickly became the scene of a magnificent pyrotechnic display. The parade disbanded when the head of the line reached the Cortland House.

   Cortland Opera House in all its history of big assemblages never held a more enthusiastic crowd than that which gathered there Saturday night in the interests of McKinley, national honor and prosperity. Senator Clarence Lexow had been expected to address the meeting, but late in the afternoon A. S. Brown, chairman of the Republican county committee, received a telegram from the state committee saying that Senator Lexow was ill and that Hon. Mahlon Chance of Ohio would be sent in his stead. Every inch of available space in the Opera House was crowded. There were at least 1,600 people who heard Mr. Chance speak, and there were fully as many more outside, unable to gain admission. Mr. Chance performed his task well, and so brilliant was his oratory, so pointed his logic, and so perfect his language that the 1,600 people who were in the auditorium remained until the end, not willing to miss a word. He spoke for two hours, mostly on national issues and absorbed the attention of his hearers throughout. His address was along the lines upon which the people want to be enlightened and it is certain that no better substitute for Senator Lexow could have been sent.

   The Cortland Campaign quartet, consisting of A. M. Williamson, J. B. Hunt, J. W. Evans and A. McNett added not a little to the enthusiasm of the meeting by singing several campaign songs. A large number in the audience had provided themselves with small flags and emphasized the frequent cheering by waving them.

   The Opera House was decorated with the national colors and with flags. A large picture of McKinley was suspended over the center of the stage. A. S. Brown, chairman of the Republican county committee, called the meeting to order, naming Nathan L. Miller as chairman of the meeting. Mr. Miller in taking the chair made a fitting and appropriate speech.

   At the close of Mr. Miller's remarks W. C. Crombie stepped forward and proposed for vice-presidents and secretaries those whose names were published in Saturday's STANDARD, who were unanimously elected.

   Mr. Chance was then introduced and spoke in part as follows: I was born in Ohio and reared in the town of Canton, a place you have all heard of lately. Ohio has given you a Grant, a Sherman, a Sheridan, and next Tuesday is going to give you William McKinley to be president of these United States. Bryan says that gold is a curse to humanity and quotes Scripture to back up his statement. I once heard a man quote Scripture in the Ohio legislature in his argument for the repeal of the hog law, but never before have I heard of a man's quoting Scripture against gold. Silver has always been measured and weighed by gold. He traced the history of financial legislation from the framing of the constitution to the present time and said further: Under free coinage gold would come to the mint and say, 'coin me for my worth.' Silver would say, 'coin me for twice my worth.' Sewall, who makes his contracts with a gold clause, don't believe that running silver through the mint will add any value to it. When you can stop a hurricane and cork a volcano, you can increase the value of silver by running it through a mint. Bryan says we want more money. We have now per capita three times more money out of circulation than any silver country has in circulation.

   He briefly touched upon the tariff and showed the inconsistencies of the Wilson tariff law. He quoted the English Lord of Exchequer to show how England had prospered because of our free trade policy. Mr. Chance said further: Bryan wants to transfer our prosperity across the water, but we will elect McKinley and bring back that prosperity. On high wages depends the prosperity of the nation. When you have reduced labor you have wiped out three-fourths of the purchasing power of America. I am against free silver because it takes away just one-half of labor's value in the country. Ninety-two per cent of the mortgages in the United States are now coming due, and notices are being received by those who gave them to either insert a gold clause or foreclosure will be necessary. Fancy the panic that would follow the immediate foreclosure of all these mortgages and the closing of our National and Savings banks.

   Capital without labor is dead and labor without capital is doubly dead. McKinley favors intentional protection and accidental and incidental revenue. The sound money Democrats favor intentional revenue with incidental, accidental and providential protection. Consequently the Republicans and sound money Democrats are comparatively near together in the position which they take in regard to meeting the expenses of the government, but both are diametrically opposed to the Popocratic scheme as symbolized by Bryanism and the attitude of the present so-called Democratic party. The Republicans and sound money Democrats should unite in defeating Bryanism. The important question is, shall we maintain our civilization? If you vote for Bryan you must accept secession and repudiation.

   Mr. Chance closed amid loud applause and the meeting was brought to a close with three cheers for McKinley and Hobart.

BREVITIES.

   —Election day to-morrow. Polls open from 6 A M. to 5 P. M. Vote early.

   —Attorney Horace L. Bronson is to-day moving into his new quarters in the Burgess block.

   —The Eureka dancing club will meet this week on Thursday evening instead of Tuesday evening in Empire hall.

   —The Groton High school team defeated the Central school team at the fair grounds Saturday by the score of 6 to 2.

   —Miss Mary R. Mahan entertained very pleasantly a few friends at a Halloween party Saturday evening at her home on North Main-st.

   —Daniels' orchestra will furnish music for a reception given by the students of Joiners' business school on Wednesday night of this week.

   —The Woman's Auxiliary of the Y. M. C. A. will serve coffee and sandwiches to-morrow night in the Y. M. C. A. rooms, where election returns will be heard.

   —New advertisements to-day are—Dey Bros., Dry Goods, page 8; C. P. Brown, Witch Hazel Skin Soap, page 4; Case, Ruggles & Bristol, Dress Goods, page 6.

   —Two telephones were put into The Kremlin to-day, one in the room of Mr. Leonard Goodwin, train dispatcher on the Lehigh Valley railroad, and the other in the office of the hotel.

   —William Shultz and Johnny Knott, "the Syracuse poet," spent last night in a cell at the police station and were this morning given just one hour by Police Justice Mellon in which to get out of town.

   —The Cortland Athletic association has decided to move from its present quarters in the old Randall house now owned by C. E. Rowley on Tompkins-st. to Taylor hall. The change will probably be made this week.

   —Mr. Andrew Byrne, the wonderful solo violinist, who appeared in Cortland last season with the Tuxedo company and made such a great hit, appears with "The Spider and the Fly" company tonight at the Opera House.

   —Regular meeting of the W. C. T. U. will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 3, at 3 P. M. Consecration service led by Mrs. Anna Bentley, followed by business meeting and a resume of the delegate's reports from state convention. Every one interested is cordially invited to be present.

   —Daniels' orchestra played for a concert dance at Freeville Friday night. W. M. Schorley, flute soloist, and Hudson Hollis, trombone soloist, materially added to the excellence of the orchestra. Fifty couples were present at the dance. Arrangements were made for another similar affair on Nov. 19.

   —Last Saturday afternoon Rev. John T. Stone leased of Mrs. Laura S. Byram her house at 76 Port Watson-st., which for the last seven years has been occupied by Mr. F. C. Straat. The house is vacant at present and a force of men were put at work this morning by direction of Mrs. Byram to make some needed repairs. Mr. Stone returned to Utica this morning at 7:25, but expects to come back to Cortland with his family on Thursday afternoon. His household goods are nearly packed and ready for shipment, and are expected to arrive here on Thursday.