CAPTURED CUBAN GENERAL RIUS RIVERA AND THE OTHER SIDE

Gen. Juan Rius Rivera.

Cortland Semi-Weekly Standard, Tuesday, April 6, 1897.

PAGE FOUR—EDITORIALS.

The Captured Cuban General.

   Rius Rivera, the second Cuban general in order of rank, has been captured by the Spanish and is now in a Spanish fortress upon the island awaiting trial by a drum head court martial by whom he will undoubtedly be condemned to be shot. His capture appears to have been the result of his own recklessness. Although he was badly wounded, he was in camp with only 100 men, instead of being under the protection of his army, which numbers fully 5,000. A Spanish force of 800 men suddenly surrounded the camp and captured the wounded general and his staff.

   Juan Rius Rivera was born in Porto Rico forty-five years ago. He was studying law at the University of Madrid when the revolution began in Cuba in 1868. He came to New York and in 1870, after several attempts, managed to join the insurgents on the island. His bravery and coolness led to his rapid promotion, and he became one of the most successful of the insurgent leaders.

   At Los Azules in July, 1875, although severely wounded, he kept at the head of his forces until he had routed the Spaniards. At Calabazas in 1877 with only 300 men he attacked a column of 2,000 in charge of a valuable supply train. At the first fire a bullet broke his right hand, but with his machete in his left hand he charged several times, finally gaining possession of the convoy. Rivera joined with Maceo in repudiating the peace of Zanjon in 1878, and after several successful engagements with the Spaniards the two left the island.

   When the present revolution broke out Rivera was in Costa Rica. On the summons of the junta he came to New York. In September, last year, he took command of an expedition which went to Cuba on the [seagoing tug] Three Friends. A member of his staff was young Gomez, who later fell with Maceo. As soon as he landed on the island Rivera was made a general. He succeeded Maceo in the command of the Cuban forces in Pinar del Rio after the latter’s death. He had since held his own very successfully against the far superior forces Weyler sent against him.

   While the loss of Rivera is a severe blow, it will not endanger the Cuban cause any more than the more serious catastrophe, the death of Maceo, did. There are at least three good men, either of whom can take the place of the captain general. They are General Hill, Vidal Duccasse and the western district leader, Varona. Duccasse is a mulatto, but is one of the hardest fighters on the island. He is also the best shot in the Cuban army. The probabilities now point strongly in his direction as River’s successor.

   It is said that Weyler has received numerous requests to spare Rivera’s life, as such an exhibition of clemency would win much needed sympathy for Spain. But no one expects that he will heed the requests. Rivera in prison has himself said, “I expect to be shot. Well, it may help the cause. Other considerations are not important.” His death will undoubtedly help the Cubans. It will rouse up new spirit within them and they will continue till Cuba is free.

Ambassador to Germany.

   Andrew Dickson White was Thursday nominated as ambassador to Germany, where as United States minister he once before served with distinguished ability. His return to Berlin will greatly please the German people, among whom he is held in high esteem because of his educational, philosophical and historical achievements, and his world-wide reputation as a scholar and man of letters.

   Mr. White was born in Homer, N. Y. in 1832. He spent a year at Hobart and graduated at Yale in 1853. He spent two years in Europe studying history, during which for six months he was attached to the American legation at St. Petersburg. In 1857 he was elected professor of history in the University of Michigan. He resigned in 1862 because of ill health and returned to his former home in Syracuse, N. Y., to recuperate. Here he was elected a state senator as a Republican and was re-elected in 1864.

   While in the legislature he introduced the bill incorporating Cornell university, and became the first president of that institution in 1867. He resigned because of ill health in 1885. In 1871 he was appointed a commissioner of the United States to Santo Domingo. In the same year he was chairman of the New York Republican state convention. From 1879 to 1881 he was United States minister to Germany.

   Mr. White contributed $100,000 to the equipment of Cornell, besides his historical library numbering 30,000 volumes. He is the author of a number of historical, scientific and philosophical works, the most famous being the “Warfare of Science” series. He is an excellent German scholar, and well informed as to the German people. In short, he is as well equipped for the position to which he is to be returned as any other man who can be named.

The Other Side.

   To the Editor of The STANDARD:

   Sir—In your issue of March 31 was an article entitled “The Matter of a Bill.” which requires, in the interest of the people of Truxton and good government, an answer.

   It is true that Overseer of the Poor Dunlay of Truxton has for two years past presented his annual bills for services to O. P. Miner, superintendent of the poor, charging $2 per diem fees, and it is true that Mr. Miner in each year refused to pay for one day’s service in 1895 and nine days’ service in 1896. It is also true that Mr. Dunlay felt aggrieved that his bills should alone be singled out, the others paid in full and his refused.

   So he brought suit spoken of for his earned wages and damages before Esquire Lazell of Truxton, and upon the joining on issue Mr. Miner appeared and answered by general denial and objected to the jurisdiction of the court, which objection was denied on the ground that Mr. Miner was not, as he claimed, “an auditing board,” and that if he was he had violated the statute in refusing an officer his statutory fees for services performed. Mr. Miner called for a jury, and the case was fairly presented to them and defended by Mr. Sands in a full and fair trial, and the jury brought in a verdict that Mr. Miner must pay Overseer Dunlay for services legally rendered the full amount or $20 and costs.

   The court at Truxton don’t think Mr. Miner is authorized to judge of the misfeasance in office of the officers of Truxton. Mr. Miner could only have shown that the services charged for were not rendered and this he failed to do. Judge Lazell decided that he was competent to try a question for damages on account of refusal to pay for services rendered, and the verdict of the jury, rendered promptly, said so.

   Mr. Dunlay’s bill was well substantiated by competent evidence, notwithstanding this published defense. He proved that his aid to vagrants was not forbidden, as Mr. Miner claims; that his services were rendered as charged, and not charged in excess of his $2 per diem fees but for much less; that the orders issued by him that could have been charged for at 25 cts. Each, and would have come to over $10 if so charged, were charged at $4; that the noted Shufelt case—which Mr. Miner complained of and for which Mr. Dunlay charged for four days—took him six days and two nights, making eight days of continuous service that he might have charged at $16.

   Yours truly,

   H. D. WATERS.

AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

New Officers Elected—Fair to be Held Aug. 17, 18, 19 and 20.

   The annual meeting of the Cortland County Agricultural society was called to order in Fireman’s hall at 3:10 Saturday afternoon by John J. Murray, president of the society. Secretary E. E. Mellon called the roll of members, and it was found that forty-seven shares of stock were represented. The treasurer, Ridgeway G. Rowley, read his annual report showing total receipts $1,701.49 and disbursements $2,562.46. T. H. Wickwire, R. Bushby and D. W. Hitchcock were appointed a committee to examine and audit the treasurer’s accounts. The report was approved, accepted and placed on file. Dr. W. L. Baker and D. K. Cutler were appointed tellers.

   On motion of T. H. Wickwire the following were elected directors for three years: Hon. O. U. Kellogg, G. P. Squires, George H. Hyde, Harrison Wells and J. J. Murray. The meeting then adjourned.

   The board of directors met immediately and organized by electing the following officers:

   President—George H. Hyde.

   Vice-President—D. K. Cutler.

   Secretary—Enos E. Mellon.

   Treasurer—Charles F. Brown.

   It was decided to hold the annual fair this year on Aug. 17, 18, 19 and 20, and the secretary was instructed to procure from the State Agricultural Experiment station at Geneva an exhibit for the fair. This exhibit will consist of grains, grasses, flowers and vegetables, and will prove an important and interesting feature of the exposition.

   A committee consisting of Hon. O. U. Kellogg, Harrison Wells, C. F. Wickwire and the officers was appointed to make needed repairs on the buildings and re-roof the grandstand which was unroofed by the cyclone last September. Every effort will be put forth to make the fair this year on of unexcelled interest, and one which will attract patrons from miles around.

Fine Collection of Pictures.

   In the office of County Judge J. E. Eggleston there is a fine collection of pictures. Messrs. A. P. Smith and S. S. Knox have recently presented India ink portraits of themselves, the work of W. E. Powers, the well known local artist. There are now hanging on the walls the following pictures: County Judges R. H. Duell, who served from 1856 to 1860, Hiram Crandall, 1860 to 1868, A. P. Smith, 1868 to 1884, S. S. Knox, 1884 to 1890, Secretary of State Horatio Ballard, the judges of the court of appeals in a group, Member of Congress Milo Goodrich, President Lincoln and his cabinet, and Governor E. D. Morgan.

ALL RECORDS BEATEN.

Immense Quantities of Maple Sugar and Syrup Made Last Week.

   According to the reports brought in by farmers and dealers, last week was a record breaker in the matter of maple sugar and syrup manufacture. Sap ran all the week with the greatest rapidity, and sugar-makers were compelled to keep their furnace fires going day and night, and then large quantities of the sap went to waste. So busy were the farmers that they could not get to market with their product, and the bulk of it will be marketed this week. As a rule the product this year is of good quality though of course there is some of inferior quality offered.

   I. E. Nickols, an extensive dealer at Cincinnatus, which is right at the heart of a great sugar locality, told a STANDARD man Monday morning that the oldest residents there tell him they never knew of a run of sap equal to that of last week. He said that his firm, Nichols & Lotridge, had been purchasing the best quality of sugar at 6 cents per pound, and syrup at 60 cents per gallon. Thus far this season they have purchased only a little over two tons, but they expect that they will handle as much this year as they did one season several years ago, when they handled eight tons. A market for the product is found among retail grocers all over the state.

BREVITIES.

   —The shoe stores are now open evenings.

   —T. L. Corwin, and family are boarding at 20 West Court-st. with Miss Eliza Austin.

   —Dr. J. C. Stevens, veterinarian, has removed his office to the old Daniels’ livery stable, 14 Orchard-st.

   —A large number of farmers have begun plowing for the spring crops. This is much earlier than usual.

   —The handsome new front for the store of D. E. Shepard in the Schermerhorn building has been put in.

   —Street Commissioner S. S. Stearns has a force of men at work to-day scraping the streets and putting them in fine condition.

   —Justice of the Peace John H. Kelley has rendered judgment in favor of F. D. Fuller against V. B. Weaver for $8.07 damages and $6.80 costs.

   —W. H. Wood, the milkman, appeared on the streets Friday morning with his wagon cover beautifully, artistically and patriotically lettered in red, white and blue.

   —Sheriff Hilsinger on Saturday filed at the county clerk’s office an order revoking the appointment of James E. Edwards as deputy sheriff. No reasons are stated.

   —It is expected that the fire [department] steamer will be tested this evening at 7 o’clock by Water Witch Steamer & Hose Co. The test will probably be made at the corner of Main and Court-sts.

   —Mrs. Grace Wonnacott died Sunday at the home of her daughter Mrs. George Hatler, 44 Union-st. She was 84 years of age, and the funeral will be held this morning at 10 o’clock. Burial in Cortland Rural cemetery.

   —Rev. John Kenyon of Pittsburg, Pa., has received and accepted a call to become pastor of the Universalist church, and began his duties on Sunday. His family is expected soon, and they will reside at the corner of Clinton-ave. and Pendleton-st.

   —A regular meeting of the W. C. T. U. will be held on Tuesday, April 6, at 2:45 o’clock. Mrs. A. M. Waterbury will lead the consecration service. Business meeting and the annual Sabbath Observance program will follow, which will be full of interest to every one.

NORTH SOLON.

   North Solon, N. Y., April 3.—The past week has been a very busy one for farmers as there has been large quantities of sap.

   Mrs. Rhoda V. Peters, a sister of Mrs. E. A. Warren, is on an extended tour to Mont Clair, N. J. and New York City.

   Our school has commenced with Miss Julia Underwood as teacher.

   April 1 many costly packages were lost just below the L. Maybury farm. Several young men won the reward by finding them.

   On the night of April 1, a most unmanly act was committed on our pleasant hill, when the dwelling house of Minnie Hopper was thrown down from the underpinning and tipped down the bank for several feet, although the house can be replaced at some expense to its natural condition. Mrs. Hopper with her two children Etta and Willie have resided in McGrawville the past winter where Mrs. Hopper has been engaged in daily washings to support her two little children. She has labored faithfully to pay for this little home, that she might secure a shelter for her little ones. Her many friends in North Solon and vicinity extend to her their heartfelt sympathy in the loss of her home. Mrs. Hopper expected to move in her house this week. But on Friday night news came to her of a destroyed home. Arrangements will be made by her friends to replace the house. Every effort is being put forth by several of her most intimate friends to find some clue to the daring culprit.

   Mr. Floyd Gilbert was in Cortland on business one day last week.