BRITISH-AMERICAN TREATY

Richard Olney.

Cortland Evening Standard, Monday, December 14, 1896.

GENERAL ARBITRATION.

British-American Treaty Now Almost Complete.

TO BE SIGNED IN THREE WEEKS.

Covers All Differences, Past and Prospective, Between the Great English

Speaking Nations, the Venezuela and Bering Sea Disputes Excepted.

   WASHINGTON, Dec. 14.—The negotiations between the United States and Great Britain for a treaty of general arbitration, covering all subjects of difference between the two English speaking nations, present and prospective, has advanced to a stage of completeness far beyond what the public has had reason to believe. The purpose of Secretary Olney and Sir Julian Pauncefote is to conclude the negotiations within the next three weeks. From the present status of the negotiations it is believed the following will be the important terms of the treaty:

   First—A term of years from the date of exchange of ratification within which the treaty shall be operative.

   Second—A court of arbitration of six members, three to be drawn from the judiciary of the United States and three from the judiciary of Great Britain.

   Third—The submission to this Tribunal of all differences between the two nations, now pending or to arise within the period of five years, this not to include the Bering sea question or the Venezuela question, now before independent commissions, but to include the question of the boundary between Alaska and British North America.

   The completion of this treaty will mark an important epoch in the relations between the two nations, and in the judgment of those who have been most identified with its consummation it will be the most important document of a peaceful character in the history of their mutual dealings. The president made passing allusion to the subject in his recent message.

   It had been understood, however, that the main purpose of Mr. Olney was to reach an agreement as to Venezuela and that having accomplished this, the larger question of arbitrating all differences would require considerable time for its complete development.

   But the negotiations have proceeded with surprising unanimity so that those engaged in the work confidently believe that it will be fully agreed upon and the signatures of the contracting parties placed to the document within three weeks.

   This will give two months for their consideration and ratification at the present session of the United States senate and unless some unexpected obstacle should arise in that quarter there is every reason to anticipate the treaty may be made effective before the close of the present administration. At least this is the confident hope and the expectation of those most concerned in the negotiations.

   Aside from the points previously referred to it can be stated in a general way that the terms of the treaty are such as to "clear the board" of all the vexatious questions which have arisen between the United States and Great Britain. These have been numerous in recent years and some of them have threatened serious consequences. But those familiar with the exact terms of the negotiations say that not one of these causes of friction will remain.

Manhattan and Brooklyn political leaders dividing the spoils of Greater New York. "A cinch, says Boss Croker to Boss McLaughlin."

Plan For Greater New York.

   The commission employed in drafting a charter for the consolidated city of Greater New York received from Mr. Edward M. Groat a letter asking them to incorporate in that charter a provision whereby, by a majority vote of its inhabitants, the new municipality might at any time become owner of the gas and electric light plants and the street railways, surface and elevated, within its limits.

   Mr. Grout mentions as an instance of the advantages of city ownership of electric lights that in Detroit, which operates its own electric lighting system, the annual cost per lamp to the city is only $84.70, whereas in Brooklyn, under private ownership, the cost is $146 per [street] lamp. Of cities here and in Europe where the system of municipal ownership of public works is in use and of the loss under private ownership Mr. Grout writes:

   Let me call your attention to the fact that the aggregate value of street franchises—for gas, electric lighting and railroads—in New York and Brooklyn, given away for nothing in the past, is undoubtedly equal to the amount of the debts of those two cities, and that if these public assets had been heretofore economically preserved to the public the proposed Greater New York might begin its corporate life free from debt and by its income from its franchises be self supporting and perhaps beyond the need of taxation, as the city of Glasgow is said to be today.

   The principle involved is not new. It is in complete and profitable operation in Berlin and Paris, in Birmingham, Manchester, Glasgow and Edinburgh and in Toronto and in many other cities abroad.

   As applied to gas works it has produced almost uniformly excellent results in many cities of the United States—in Philadelphia, in Richmond, Alexandria, Danville and Charlottesville, Va.; in Wheeling, in Hamilton and Bellefontaine, O., and in Henderson, Ky. As applied to electric lighting not less than 100 municipalities in this country already own and profitably operate their own plants.

COUNTY COURT.

Two Cases on Calendar—Criminal Matters—Appeals from Justice Court.

   A trial term of county court convened at the courthouse this morning, Justice J. E. Eggleston presiding. There were only two cases on the calendar.

   The case of Robert L. Eldredge, respondent, vs. Russell Oaks, appellant, was set down for trial at the judge's chambers on Saturday morning, Dec. 1, at 10 o'clock. E. W. Hyatt for respondent, W. J. Smith for appellant.

   The case of Maria Mallery, respondent, vs. Henry Smith, appellant, is on trial. This is an action to recover the sum of $82 claimed as payment for services as a nurse. The defence is a general denial, and also payment. E. W. Hyatt for respondent, Fred Hatch for appellant.

   In the matters of criminal court, the first case was that of The People vs. Aaron Willis and Mary Hennessy. The defendants are indicted for bigamy. Neither side was ready for trial and the case was permitted to go over till the next term of court. Bail was estreated and the bondsmen were given till the next term of court to produce the defendants. District Attorney Burlingame for The People and R. A. Benedict for the defendants.

   In the matter of Daniel Donohue sentenced by Justice of the Peace Babcock of Scott to ninety days imprisonment for assault, and in which the defendant's attorneys, J. & T. E. Courtney appealed, judgment of the lower court was sustained, and on the request of the defendant's attorneys and with the consent of the district attorney sentence was suspended during good behavior.

   The People vs. George Scribner, indicted for rape on the person of Florence

Newman. The district attorney was not ready for trial owing to his inability to secure his principal witness, Florence Newman, who was said to have married another and gone to Michigan to live. The court permitted the case to go over the term and permitted the defendant to go on his own recognizance.

   Appeals from justice court were affirmed with costs in the following two cases:

   Michael McGraw, respondent, vs. Thomas Miller, appellant. John O'Donnell for respondent, J. & T. E. Courtney for appellant.

   William Lord, respondent, vs. Orlando Cooper, appellant. Bouton & Champlin for respondent, J. H. Kelley for appellant.

Has Come to Cortland.

   Mr. George Oscar Bowen, who has secured the position of head salesman at Mahan's music house, arrived this morning from Binghamton to assume the duties of his new position. Mr. Bowen will be pleasantly remembered by many Cortland people as one of the popular attractions at two former music festivals here, his excellent tenor solos meeting with much favor. Mr. Bowen has a fine position in Trinity church choir, Binghamton, which he will retain. Mr. Bowen's fine business, social and musical abilities bespeak for him a cordial welcome by Cortland people.

Miss McMahon is Dead.

   Miss Katharine McMahon died at 12 o'clock last night at her home, 13 Monroe Heights, after an illness of five months with consumption. She was 31 years of age. The funeral will be held Wednesday morning at 10 o'clock from St. Mary's church. Miss McMahon's illness has been a very sad one for many reasons and she has a large number of friends here who will mourn her early decease.

BREVITIES.

   —The Woman's Relief corps will meet to-morrow afternoon at 2:30 o'clock.

   —The first quarterly meeting for the year at the Homer-ave. M. E. church will be held at that church Tuesday evening, Dec. 15, at 8:30 o'clock.

   —There was the usual large number of dancers at the armory Saturday night at Daniels' concert and dance, and the usual fine and enjoyable time is reported.

   —New advertisements to-day are—Stowell, Message from Santa Claus, page 7; G. O. Whitcomb, Isle of Java, page 6; A. S. Burgess, Holiday Sale, page 7; Case & Ruggles, Christmas Buying, page 6.

   —Sousa's celebrated military band has been booked for a date at the Opera House during the coming winter. He starts out after Jan. 1 upon a trip of about 21,000 miles through all parts of the United States.

   —Mrs. G. J. Mager's embroideries, needle and art work will be on exhibition to-morrow afternoon in the south window of G. J. Mager & Co.'s store. In point of originality, beauty and design the collection excels all her past efforts. Lovers and admirers of fancy work should not fail to see it.

   —We publish to-day on our third page the complete time schedule of the crosstown car on the electric road, including the time when it leaves the Messenger House to connect with all trains on the D., L. & W. R. R. Cut this out and save it, as it will not be published again in this extended form.

   —A regular meeting of the W. C. T. U. will be held Tuesday, Dee. 15, at [3] P. M. Consecration service led by Mrs. M. A. Morehouse will be followed by a business meeting and crusade day exercises. "The Story of the Crusade, the Spirit of the Crusade and the Child of the Crusade," will be the subject of the program.

   —The Rochester Post-Express on Saturday published a holiday edition of thirty-six pages. Part of it was printed on plate paper in colors from special artistic designs. Handsome halftone cuts were used. There was special holiday reading and the whole edition was a credit to that excellent paper which published it.

   —A philosopher's advice: "Do not place your expectations of a Christmas gift too high. Do not give more than you can afford to. Pay your debts and then perhaps the men you owed can buy Christmas presents. It may be that your pastor would rather have a pair of rubber boots or gloves than another pair of embroidered slippers. Useful gifts are usually the best. Do not forget the poor."

McGRAWVILLE.

Crisp Local Happenings at the Corset City.

   Max Baerncopf of Cortland called on friends in town Sunday.

   Mrs. Warren Olds of Cortland was the guest of Mr. and Mrs. W. E. Pike last Monday.

   Charles A. Brownell of Cortland visited in this village Saturday.

   Miss Elizabeth Simms of the Wickwire farm was a recent guest of Mrs. W. E. Pike.

   Pat Burns of Solon was in town Saturday.

   Dell McGraw of Truxton visited relatives here Saturday.

   A Cuban filibustering expedition is being organized here. S. K. Buell will be pleased to give any information.

   W. P. Henry has a strange guest in the form of a small brown horse with white spot on his face, which walked into his barn Sunday evening. A portion of a halter was on his head showing that he had probably escaped from the owner's barn.

   Miss Bertha Haughton gave a reception to a few of her lady friends on Saturday evening. A pleasant time is reported.

   It is doubtful if ever in the history of the Presbyterian church as large an audience crowded its seating capacity as last evening assembled there to hear Mr. Sheldon. Long before the hour of service the streets approaching that church were black with people on their way to get seats and before the service began every available place for chairs was filled. The meetings will be held this week every evening except Saturday at 7:30 o'clock in the Baptist church.

   Vern Potter is engaged in cutting wood for C. W. McLane. Saturday they tackled an uprooted tree which was several feet above the ground where they wished to cut it from the stump and Vern, who prides himself on being quite an athlete, proposed to cut it and as it fell jump and catch a sapling which stood close by. He carried out the first part of the program, but the tree was too quick for him for he literally fell out of his hat and, the time being too short to turn a complete somersault, he struck squarely on his head. The ground was soft or he might have received serious injury. As it is he is waiting for his hat to come down.

Editor's note: Double spacing between paragraphs is an unintended feature of blogger format with this post and some others.