Cortland
Evening Standard, Monday, November 23, 1896.
MILITARY
BALLOONS.
INTERESTING
EXPERIMENTS BY THE ARMY AT FORT LOGAN.
What Has
Been Accomplished In France. Practical Ballooning During the Civil War—Value of
Aerial Reconnoitering. Possibilities of the Future.
Some very interesting work of an
experimental nature is just now being done at Fort Logan, Colo. It is there
that the United States government has located its military balloon station, and
experiments on a large scale are being conducted in the art of aerial warfare.
It is novel work for the army officials who
are engaged in it, for Uncle Sam has neglected this branch of military tactics for
many years, but although the station has been established only a short time, it
is said that sufficient progress has been made to assure the government that in
case of war within a year from now the army would be behind that of no
civilized nation in aerial equipment and skill in managing it.
It is fully recognized that the next war between
great nations will be one in which military balloons will play an important part.
The science of aeronautics has not yet advanced so far that the air will be the
chief battleground of the immediate future, but sufficient strides have been made
to make the balloon an almost indispensable adjunct to every army.
Americans were the first to demonstrate this
fact to the world. In our war of the rebellion the Federal government made use
of balloons and, although they were abandoned later on, it was not because their
inefficiency had been proved.
In September1861, a daring aeronaut made an
ascent from the camp of General McClellan, and after rising to the height of a
mile and a half found himself directly over the Confederate lines. After making
observations he threw out ballast, rose still higher, until he got into a
current of air blowing in the desired direction, and alighted in safety within
the Union lines. The information which he was able to furnish General McClellan
was very valuable.
European nations had watched the result of
the trial, however, with much interest, and from that day to this, but more especially
within the last few years, they have been actively engaged in making experiments
in this field. Probably the French
have been the most successful, and marvelous stories are told concerning the
government experimental station of aeronautics which is located on the
outskirts of Paris, and which is guarded as jealously from prying eyes as are
the inner fortifications of Gibraltar. It is said that the French have an
airship which can be propelled almost 80 miles an hour, which can be controlled
as easily as a steamer, and which can drop a ton of dynamite from the clouds
upon an unsuspecting army. The Germans, the English, the Italians, and in fact
almost every civilized nation in the old world, has either equipped its army with balloons or is making arrangements to
do so.
The United States government seems to have
been finally aroused to the fact that it has been behind the times and to have made
up for the neglect as far as possible.
There is
no aerial warship building at Fort Logan just yet, but that may come later. At present
the soldiers there, under the command of Captain A. W. Glassford of the signal
corps, are learning how to handle a military balloon, and they are also perfecting
a system of balloon signaling which will make, so it is said, the attempts of
other nations in this line seem crude.
As an aid to the signal corps the balloon would
be chiefly valuable. It makes an ideal spy. Imagine a captive balloon sent up
into the sky a mile or so and connected with the earth by cables, telegraph and
electric light wires. From the basket the signal men would command a view of
the enemy's forces. His hidden reserves, fortifications and line of encampment
would be accurately described and even photographed for the benefit of the
commanding general in his tent below. At night a powerful searchlight would
keep track of the opposing forces, so that no surprises might be arranged for
under cover of darkness.
But signaling is to be the chief work of the
military aeronauts, for it may often be necessary to send up free balloons.
Just what method or system will be employed in our army has not yet been
revealed.
At Fort Logan some improved methods of
equipment, manipulation and transportation have been developed. It is no longer
necessary to generate the gas on the spot where the balloon is to be inflated,
for the hydrogen is compressed as much as a hundred and twentieth of its volume
and carried to the required spot in steel tubes. This is an improvement on the
French method, by which the gas is made by a portable generator which looks something
like a sham fire engine, and is at best a bulky and unwieldy carriage to trail
after an army. Inventive American genius has also produced a balloon wagon no
heavier than light artillery, which will carry not only the big silk bag and
passenger car, but has a drum on which can be wound several miles of cable,
with machinery for paying out the same when the air monster is soaring above.
The ultimate object of the military balloonists
now at Fort Logan is to perfect a balloon which, in addition to its signal apparatus,
shall carry three or four passengers, explosive shells and a machine gun or
two. This will demand a lifting capacity of about 5,500 pounds. If to this is added
in time a motor which will allow the machine to make 30 miles an hour, then the
long promised demon of the air will be realized, and the horrors of war will be
multiplied many fold. It is safe to say that, now Uncle Sam has started out, he
will have one of these aerial warships as soon as any one.
ALFRED R. ROWLEY.
TO STUDY
BIRD FLIGHT.
A
Scientific Photograph Competition Has Been Reopened.
BOSTON, NOV. 17.—A very interesting photographic
competition, which was to have closed Oct. 1 of this year, has been reopened
for another 12 months, A year ago the Boston Camera club, representing a gentleman
of high standing in matters pertaining to aerial navigation, sent out circulars
offering the following prizes for instantaneous photographs of large soaring
birds:
A prize of $100 for the best instantaneous
photograph of a large bird in the act of soaring, an additional prize of $50
for the greatest number of instantaneous photographs offered by one
photographer of large birds in the act of soaring.
By soaring was meant the attitude of the
bird in the air when no wing motion is apparent.
The purpose for which the photographs were desired—the
study of wing angles and a possible movement inappreciable to the eye of the
observer—necessitated that the figure of the bird should be at least half an
inch long on the print. If the figure were small but clearly defined in detail,
enlargements were to be submitted instead of contact prints, to be judged of equal
merit with direct prints.
It was provided expressly that if 100 different
photographs had not been submitted by Oct. 1, the limit of time would be
extended.
When Oct. 1 arrived, only three competitors had
entered for the prizes. It was decided therefore, to postpone the competition for
another year. A great deal of interest has been aroused among amateurs, and it
is believed that they will make particular efforts next summer to obtain
photographs to enter for the prizes.
Samuel Cabot, who initiated the competition,
said to me, "The most successful competitors probably will be those who
get the closest shots at birds with a sufficiently quick shutter to give no indistinct
outline."
The value of the competition will be in the
knowledge of bird flight which may be obtained through these photographs by the
students of man flight, which is occupying just now so much of the attention of
the scientific world.
EDWARD FISHER.
 |
| Thomas C. Platt. |
PAGE
TWO—EDITORIALS.
The Hon.
Thomas Collier Platt.
Said the New York Sun just after the
election of McKinley:
Let it not be for gotten in the hour of
general rejoicing that results are produced by beginnings.
The first man among the great Republican
leaders to say Gold! and to say it aloud and with an emphasis, which left no
chance for misunderstanding, was the Hon. Thomas C. Platt of New York.
Gold it was; gold to the finish.
We congratulate Mr. Platt on his splendid
initial service in this campaign. We congratulate him likewise on the final
attestation of the energy, skill and loyalty with which he has conducted the
canvass for McKinley in the Empire state.
How petty at this moment appear the
intrigues of the faction builders who sought at the expense of a great cause to
destroy a great leader who had earned his place by solid achievements, and who
held and holds it by solid merit.
It is a fact which no intelligent observer
will question that Mr. Platt stands higher and stronger to-day than ever
before—and deservedly so. He could have been nominated and elected governor of
the state of New York this year had he yielded to the solicitations of
his friends. It now seems settled that he is to be our next United States
senator.
He has
stood like a rock for honest money from the very start, and his efforts in this
direction are appreciated wherever business is done. A Republican who has held
an important place in New York City government for many years, through all
changes of administration and who has not been known as a Platt man, said to us
a short time since that Mr. Platt had never before had the standing and
influence in the city of New York which he has to-day, and this on account of
his determined fight for honest money.
Mr. Platt is entitled to the credit of
pushing through the legislature the
Raines
liquor law, which has come to stay, and which provides for the most perfect
expression of local option, besides taxing liquor as never before when a
community declares in favor of its sale. The receipts of taxes under this law
for this year have already exceeded $11,000,000. It has besides, to use Mr.
Platt's own words, "taken the saloon out of politics and delivered the
saloonkeeper from the fear of blackmailers and political knaves." Tammany
Hall no longer levies its infamous assessments upon the liquor traffic of New
York City and makes the saloonkeepers furnish a corruption fund to be used by
that vilest of all Democratic political associations to perpetuate its hold on the
city government. Nor does Tammany any longer control the votes of saloonkeepers
by the threat of taking away their licenses, or of prosecuting before Tammany
judges liquor dealers who refuse to be bled.
Mr. Platt was the strongest and most earnest
advocate of the Greater New
York bill
which passed the legislature at the last session, and about which there was a
decided diversity of opinion among good Republicans. So strong has been the
sentiment of opposition to this bill in some localities that the member of
assembly from this county, Mr. Saunders, has felt compelled to explain the
reasons of his vote for it. It will be a surprise to many who have been opposed
to Mr. Platt's views as to the wisdom of this bill to read the following
extract from General Stewart L. Woodford's speech at the last Republican state
convention:
Sixty-two years ago when the village of
Brooklyn was changed by legislative charter into the city of Brooklyn, a
senator of this state declared in public debate at Albany that it would be
wiser to include Brooklyn within the city of New York than to attempt to create
two rival cities within the same state and separated from each other only by a
narrow river. He foretold that before this century should close the necessities
of civic growth, of commerce and of population would compel the consolidation
of the two cities into one, and so he voted almost alone against chartering
Brooklyn. The result has justified his prophecy and has demonstrated his
wisdom. That which … first and greatest Republican leader in the Empire State,
William H. Seward, then foresaw and foretold is to-day on the threshold of
accomplishment. Destiny from the beginning decreed the union of those cities
and the Republican party has dared to enforce this decree. If we are continued
in power the dream and prophecy of Senator Seward shall be finally and fully
realized. The Republican party, against all opposition, passed the bill taxing
the liquor traffic and the bill creating the Greater New York. The Republican
party accepts all responsibility for these laws, and will forever claim and
hold the honor of their enactment. I congratulate the Republican party on the
courage and the statesmanship that dare go forward and do great things when
great things are demanded.
Cortland county is in the same senatorial
and judicial district with the county of Tioga, Mr. Platt's home. Consequently
there is special reason why Cortland Republicans should be ready to do him
justice, and should also feel a local and personal pride in the services which
he has rendered the party and the state, and rejoice over any recognition which
those services are likely to receive. It is therefore with pleasure that we
learn that our member of assembly, Hon. F. P. Saunders, is among Mr. Platt's
most earnest supporters for the United States senatorship.
TO CAN
TURTLES.
An Alleged
Industry to be Started Here in Cortland.
Some one who was possessed of a fertile
imagination and who doubtless wanted to collect pay for filling so much space
recently contributed the following to the New York Journal:
A number of local capitalists at Cortland,
N. Y., have organized a scheme for canning turtles in the West indies for sale
in New York and Europe, where green turtle soup and turtle steak are now among
the choicest and most expensive delicacies. Turtle eggs are also to be laid on
our tables at little more than cost. Robert P. Porter, late superintendent of
the census, is said to be interested in the enterprise.
The plan which the Cortland capitalists
regard as most feasible is to either charter or purchase a sailing vessel, and
equip her with lumber and other necessary articles to construct a canning
factory, including a few huge kettles in which the turtles will be boiled,
together with provisions for the supply of the man who will be employed to put
up the building and maintain those that will do the work of boiling and
canning. The natives will be utilized to catch the turtles.
As soon as a cargo of turtles is canned the
vessel will return to New Orleans or to New York and the goods will be
consigned to agents who will place them on the market. The United States will
be supplied first, and then shipments will be made to England and France.
It is thought there will be a great demand
for canned turtle in the country towns, as it is a toothsome dish when made
into soup or turtle steaks.
THE
EIGHTH VICTORY.
The
Normals Win From Groton by a Score of 30 to 0.
The Normal [School] football team again
covered themselves with glory Saturday, when they beat a combination team from
Groton and Ithaca at Groton by a score of 30 to 0.
Groton won the toss and chose the west goal.
Wilcox kicked off, Dunlavey caught but was tackled by Tracy without making much
of a gain. The Normals received the ball on downs and on the second line-up,
Robinson was sent around right end for a touch-down. A punt out was tried and
missed.
In the next line-up Brown fumbled. Dunlavey
falls on the ball. Groton again battered away at the Normal line, but made no
gains. A kick was attempted, but Robinson broke through, blocked the kick and
succeeded in getting the ball which was sent out of bounds. Brown was soon
shoved over for a touch-down. Goal was missed.
Groton kicked off, Griswold caught and came
back fifteen yards. Brown made a long run around end. The Normals advanced the
ball by steady gains and soon Wilcox was sent through for a touch-down, Givens
kicked goal. The ball was on Groton's forty-five yard line when time was
called. Score, Normals 14, Groton 0.
In the second half, Groton kicked off, Robinson
caught and made a small gain. By steady gain the ball was brought to Groton's
three-yard line. Brown made a touch-down through tackle. No [kicked] goal.
In the first scrimmage after the next kickoff
Barney was hurt and time was taken out. Costello made a good game through
tackle. Davis hurt. Time out. After the next line-up with four yards to gain a
fake kick was tried which netted ten yards. In the next scrimmage Dwyer was
hurt and time was taken out. Wilcox was soon shoved over for a touchdown. A
goal was kicked.
Costello blocked the next kickoff and fell
on the ball. By sure gains the ball was advanced to Groton's ten-yard line and
Robinson was sent through tackle for a touch-down. Givens kicked goal. The ball
was on Groton's fifteen-yard line when time ended the game. Score: Normals 30,
Groton High school 0.
Dwyer of Ithaca for Groton played a good
game and seemed to be in every play, but his good work was marred by foul
playing. Robinson played a brilliant game, his long run and breaking through
and blocking the kick, deserving special notice. The line of the opponent gave way
like chaff in a breeze before the fierce onslaughts of Wilcox and Brown and
Costello.
The team lined up as follows:
Groton
High School. Normals.
Dunlavey Left end right Givens
Anthony Left tackle right Costello
Dyckman Left guard right Bailey
Tucker Center Brooks
Gould Right
guard left Tracy
Barney Right tackle left Down
Sovocool Right end left Griswold
Townley Quarter back Davis
Clapp
(Capt.) Left half right. Brown
(Capt.)
Dwyer Right half left Robinson
Johnson Full back Wilcox
Umpire, Prof. J. E. Banta of Cortland:
referee, Mr. Hall of Groton; time of halves, 20 min.
SAMUEL
FREEMAN.
His
Death Occurred at his Home Saturday Afternoon.
Mr. Samuel Freeman, one of the oldest and
most respected residents of Cortland, died Saturday afternoon at 5:30 at his residence,
8 Union-st.
Mr. Freeman was stricken with paralysis two
years ago, from which he never recovered, having been confined to the house
most of the time. Mr. Freeman is a native of Truxton, this county, and was born
Feb. 5, 1817. He removed to Cortland in 1864 and has since resided here. His
judgment was recognized by the citizens of Cortland and for fourteen years he
held the office of village' assessor.
Mr. Freeman leaves besides a widow, one
brother, Mr. Allen B. Freeman of Blodgett
Mills. One daughter, Mrs. Ellen J. Race, died at Hollsterville, Pa., four years
ago and no children are remaining, but the surviving grandchildren are Mrs. Etta
Hartford of Callapoosa, Pa., Miss Verna Race of Hollsterville, Pa., Mrs. Josie
Jones and Mr. Fred Race of Ariel, Pa., and Miss Frances Race of Factoryville, Pa.
The funeral will take place from the family
residence at 1 o'clock to-morrow afternoon and interment will be made in Cortland
Rural cemetery.
A Few
Pointers for Reporters.
Every reporter will do well to heed the following
excellent suggestions from Newspaperdom:
It might have been good taste two hundred
years ago to say "ye reporter" or "ye editor," but it isn't
now, says a writer whom Newspaperdom has been unable to locate.
The editorial "we" is going out.
The best writers seldom refer to themselves at all, and when they do, speak in
the third person as, "the editor thinks," "the reporter
saw," "the Democratic believes," etc. Literary writers, finding it
desirable to refer to themselves, should use the personal pronoun
"I." Never mix "I" and "we," or the second and
third person, when referring to yourself.
Never say "Mr. Soandso and lady." Don't
even say, "Mr. Soandso and wife,'' that makes the woman mere personal property,
like a horse or cow. Say "Mr. and Mrs. Soandso."
Never say John Smith was married "to"
Mary Jones; that makes him the only one that was married. Say John Smith
"and" Mary Jones were married.
Never say any one died "with" any
disease; the disease isn't dead yet. Say he died "of" such and such a
disease.
Come right to the point, say it and stop.
The rhetorics that talk of the exordium, argument and peroration are merely off
their chunks, that's all.
The
Barber Pole.
We don't believe there is a barber in town
who knows why his sign is a striped pole, and so we will tell them. Ages ago
when blood letting was a cure-all, barbers often did the bleeding, and as the
sign for that kind of work they had a pole painted red and white bandage cloth
wound around it and placed in their windows. After a while the pole was painted
red and white and later the blue was added to represent the national colors.—Greene
American.
BREVITIES.
—Bingham Bros. & Miller have just placed
in their store a large and handsome burglar proof Cary safe with double doors.
—Druggist F. I. Graham has suspended over
the walk in front of his store a large mortar which will be illuminated
evenings by electric light.
—New advertisements to-day are—A. S.
Burgess, Men's Fine Dress Suits, page 7; C. F. Brown, Atomizers, etc., page 6;
G. F. Beaudry, China, etc., page 4.
—Three tramps were discharged from the
police station yesterday morning. They
claimed to hail from Schenectady and claimed to be hunting for work.
—Mr. Bruce Aldrich died at his home at
Syracuse at 8:30 this morning. The funeral will be held Wednesday afternoon.
Mr. Aldrich is the father of Mrs. Arthur R. Peck.
—The Alpha Chautauqua Literary club will
meet at the home of Mrs. F. J. Doubleday, 44 Port Watson-st., on Monday evening,
Nov. 23. Rollcall, "Selections from Eminent Dramatists."
—The mothers' meeting (north) will be held
at the home of Mrs. J. J. Walker, 47 Maple-ave., Wednesday, Nov. 25, at 3 P. M.
The meeting will be conducted by Mrs. Gearhart. Subject,
"Consecration."
—The two Hungarians, who were arrested
Friday on the charge of assault on another Hungarian and also with petit
larceny, were sentenced to thirty days in jail this morning by Police Justice Mellon.
—Mrs. Hattie Seaman, wife of Horace Seaman,
died yesterday afternoon at the family residence. 9 Willow-ave., aged 42 years.
The hour of the funeral has not yet been set. Interment will be made at DeRuyter.
—Mrs. Harriet Groat died Sunday afternoon at
1 o'clock at the home of her son, Mr. Frank Groat, 148 Tompkins-st., at the age
of 66 years. Prayer will be offered at the house Tuesday morning at 9 o'clock.
The remains will be taken on the 9:58 train to Carlyon, Orleans county, for
burial.
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