WHAT WE GUESS ABOUT MARS

"How Earth Men Learned the Martian Language." Edison's Conquest of Mars, Garrett Serviss.

Cortland Evening Standard, Monday, November 9, 1896.

PAGE TWO—EDITORIALS.

What We Guess About Mars.

   They do not know for certain, but astronomers believe that the planet Mars is peopled with inhabitants not unlike ourselves. Two hundred years ago the parallel lines were discovered which modern telescopic examination has almost certainly proved to be irrigating canals. Since Schiaparelli, the astronomers of the Lowell observatory at Flagstaff, A. T., have been the most successful and persevering observers of the recurring phases of change that pass over the red planet

   Only one side of the star is turned toward the sun. It has ceased to revolve on its axis. Its inhabitants, therefore, bask in eternal light. When they wish to sleep, if sleep they do, they just pull down the blinds, and the blinds must be very thick. The other side of the planet is dark, and on that side there can be no life, at least life as we know it.

   Every two years the earth's astronomers are able to observe Mars' seasons. Perhaps the Martian astronomers are doing the same thing at present with regard to our earth. If so, they must perceive that this year of 1896 there is tremendous commotion in the earth's western hemisphere.

   It is believed that the soil of Mars is reddish. At the season when the sun shines most squarely upon the planet the snows about its poles melt. These run into the irrigating canals. Along the edge of the canals, which form a thick network over the central part, there appears a fringe of dark blue green color. This is almost certainly the vegetation of the short Martian summer. It must grow rapidly, for the growing season apparently only lasts three months, during what corresponds to our May, June and July. During this period the canals appear double and become broader.

   The season advances to July. The dark blue green appearance begins to fade. The crops are gathered. The soil begins to turn yellow and red again. The canals dwindle and dry up and turn from black to red, showing that they have gone dry or nearly so. It is supposed there is little or no rain upon Mars. On the whole, we of the earth probably have it better than the Martians.

The Electoral Vote.

   The great change that has been wrought in the original scheme of choosing an American president is clearly set forth in volume 2 of George Ticknor Curtis' "Constitutional History of the United States," published since his death.

   Mr. Curtis shows how it was not meant at all by the founders of our government that the people themselves should vote for president. The founders of this government did not believe the people had sense enough to choose a president. The fathers thought the people were ignorant and would be at the mercy of any fascinating demagogue that could win their admiration. So it was provided, with much ceremonious machinery, that the people might choose electors, and the electors should choose the president. It was the intention to leave the electors perfectly free as individuals, each to vote for whom he chose. If he did not admire the man the people wanted him to vote for, then he had a perfect right to vote for some other man. To this day the elector has that right, though he would be a bold man indeed who would dare to exercise it. It would be the end of him politically.

   The change came about through the hard and fast organization of the political party. On this point Mr. Curtis says:

   A practice which has grown up within the past 60 years has entirely frustrated the original design of the electoral system of choosing the president. This has been the consequence of the activity, the powerful organization and discipline of the political parties, whose nominating conventions have imposed on the electoral college an obligation that has come to have the force of law without its sanctions or safeguards. All the political parties that have existed in this country for more than half a century are alike responsible for this departure from the constitution, for they have all used the same methods.

   ◘ England has made billions of dollars out of India. The reason the British government took possession of that country was on account of the money to be made there. It was the source of much of the vast amount of capital which makes England and London the commercial center of the world. Let British capitalists not forget this now when the Hindoos are dying of starvation because of the failure of the wheat crop. Let Mr. Gladstone and his friends who are burning with indignation for the wrongs of the Armenians put their hands in their pockets and save the lives of Britain's own subjects in India. There is plenty of wheat in the world, particularly in America, to feed England's millions of hungry Hindoos.

SUPERVISORS IN SESSION.

W. H. Crane Re-elected Chairman. A. E. Seymour Elected Clerk.

   The board of supervisors of Cortland county met in annual session at their rooms in the county clerk's building at 1:30 o'clock this afternoon. The board was called to order by J. C. Barry, clerk of the last board. On rollcall [sic] the full board was present as follows:

   Cincinnatus—B. R. Corning.

   Cortlandville— R. Bruce Smith.*

   Cuyler—B. F. Lee.

   Freetown—Harvey Z. Tuttle.

   Harford—Josiah H. Brown.*

   Homer—W. H. Crane.*

   Lapeer—Frank M. Surdam.*

   Marathon—Harry Hammond.

   Preble—Dr. H. D. Hunt.

   Scott—Ernest W. Childs.

   Solon—Johnson G. Bingham. *

   Taylor—Willis H. DeLong. *

   Truxton—John O'Donnell. *

   Virgil—Wm. A. Holton. *

   Willet—Jefferson Greene. *

   (Republicans in Roman; Democrats in italics; member of last board *.)

   On motion of Mr. Lee, W. H. Crane of Homer was unanimously elected chairman of the board. Mr. Crane briefly thanked the board for the honor conferred.

   The board then took a recess of fifteen minutes. On reconvening, on motion of Mr. Childs, Arthur E. Seymour of McGrawville was unanimously elected clerk. Messrs. Childs of Scott and Greene of Willet were appointed a committee to escort Mr. Seymour before the board. Mr. Seymour briefly thanked the members for the honor. On motion of Mr. Hammond of Marathon, Mr. L. T. Birdlebough of Marathon was unanimously elected janitor. On motion of Mr. Lee, the chairman appointed a committee on resolutions on the retiring clerk, Mr. J. C. Barry. The chair appointed Messrs. Lee, DeLong and O'Donnell.

   It was resolved that the board retain during the session the seats then occupied by the members. The supervisors then adjourned until 9 o'clock to-morrow morning.

BREVITIES.

   —Quarterly meeting will be held at Elm Stump, Nov. 14 and 15.

   —New advertisements to-day are—F. E. Brogden, Tooth Brushes, page 7; C. F. Brown, We Keep Everything, page 6; Dey Bros., Dry Goods, page 8.

   —The barber shop of T. P. Button and the office of Theodore Stevenson have just received new coats of paint and paper at the hands of George Peters.

   —A merry crowd of young people enjoyed themselves very much at dancing at the armory Saturday night to the music furnished by "Happy Bill" Daniels' orchestra.

   —Mr. John B. Leonard died Saturday afternoon at the residence of his daughter, Mrs. Frank A. Maycumber, 20 Evergreen-st., aged 85 years. The funeral will be held to-morrow afternoon at 2 o'clock from the house. Burial in Cortland Rural cemetery.

   —The city is besieged with commercial travelers, who all wear a happy contented look over the result of the election and report increased orders. At one merchant tailoring establishment this morning there were ten drummers awaiting the proprietor's pleasure.—Ithaca Journal.

   —Last evening Rev. Dr. Alfred J. Hutton, pastor of the First Presbyterian church, resumed his sermons on his trip through Palestine. The series will consist of eight sermons relating interesting incidents connected with his journey from Jerusalem north through Samaria into Galilee.—Corning Cor., Elmira Advertiser.

HOMER.

Gleanings of News From Our Twin Village.

   HOMER, Nov. 9.—C. E. Barber of New York spent Sunday in town.

   Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Starin and Mrs. F. R. Thompson are among the Homer people in Syracuse to-day.

   The W. N. Brockway wagon works resumed operations again this morning with a large force of men. The sound of the whistle was welcomed this morning by the citizens of this village as a good omen of prosperous times ahead.

   Johnson Sisters' bakery was closed recently for a short time on account of the illness of one of the firm.

   Mr. Linus Paddock of Utica spent Sunday with Mrs. Paddock, who is ill at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Lyman Heberd near this village.

   Mr. William Babcock and Miss Babcock of Scott were the guests of Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Atwater yesterday.

   Y. P. S. C. E. prayer-meeting at the First Baptist and Congregational churches this evening. Epworth league at the M. E. church at the same hour, 7 P. M. 

   Bishop Newman appointed Rev. George Britten, conference evangelist for Central New York conference. Rev. Mr. Britten will visit the First M. E. church of Homer Nov. 29 to Dec. 13. A week of prayer beginning Nov. 22 will be held by the church.

   Mr. Eli H. Lord, the Eastern agent for the Brockway Wagon company, left town for Springfield, Mass., this morning, where he will make his headquarters during the winter.

   Mr. Frank Bliven, who has been visiting his parents in town, started for Springfield, Mass., this morning.

   Local sporting circles were thrown into a state of excitement Saturday afternoon by the result of another bicycle coasting contest between Homer champion cycle coasters Messrs. C. H. Stevens and C. H. Danes. It will be remembered by the readers of The STANDARD that about a month ago by a heroic effort the south down [sic] alderman succeeded in capturing the pennant. The friends of the contesting parties were not satisfied, however, to have the season close without another trial of the abilities of their favorites. Accordingly it was arranged that a brush should take place on Saturday afternoon. Cemetery Hill was selected for the spin and at the appointed moment the start was made. Among the spectators the bets ran high with odds on "Pick." But whether the melancholy association of the neighborhood or the fact that Danes over oiled his Humber machine in the two hours he spent on it previous to the race was to blame for the result, is mere conjection. The wheels came down the hill neck and neck until they reached a knoll a few rods beyond the foot. Here the Humber showed signs of faintness and was unable, despite the desperate efforts of the rider, to pass the crest while the Malbie rolled gracefully by, with "Stevey" an easy winner.