OUR CUBAN EDITION

1893 map of Cuba.

The Cortland Democrat, Friday, June 18, 1897.

OUR CUBAN EDITION.

THE DEMOCRAT INVITES OPINIONS ON CUBAN QUESTION.

A Page of Our Edition of July 2d Will be Devoted to Contributions on the Subject of "Cuba Libre."

   The DEMOCRAT believes that the great heart of the American people, without regard to party, beats in sympathy with suffering Cuba in her brave struggle for liberty. We believe that the majority of our people are disappointed that no decisive action has yet been taken by the present Administration for the relief of Cuba, and that the American navy is still compelled to do police duty for the government of Spain. We believe that if the rank and file of the American people were given an opportunity to express their sentiments on the Cuban question, that so strong a protest would go up against our present policy of inactivity, that it certainly would have an influence on the Government at Washington and possibly hasten the day when some decisive action will be taken, as that day must surely come.

   Briefly stated the DEMOCRAT believes, that this Government should at once recognize the Cuban insurgents as belligerents, or what would be preferable, the independence of the Cuban Republic; that this Government should demand that if the war must be continued, that it shall only be waged on such lines as are recognized by the international law of civilized nations. We believe that this Government should not only give all needed assistance and the fullest protection to our own citizens on Cuban soil, but should protest in unmistakable terms against the barbarous slaughter of wounded and dying soldiers, of innocent women and children and the starving of the "pacificos" of the island, who have been driven from their homes and plantations by Capt. Gen. Weyler into the guarded towns, where without money they are left to die from hunger to "exterminate the brood" as Weyler expresses it. We believe that the report of Consul General Lee in the Ruiz case shows clearly the violation of all treaty rights, and that the Spanish government is responsible for his death, and that it is the duty of this Government to at once demand the fullest reparation possible.

   Having briefly stated the position of the DEMOCRAT on the Cuban question, what we desire is this. We wish to make our issue of July 2d a grand Independence edition, and in doing so we can think of no more appropriate way to celebrate our own independence than to make our issue of July 2d a special "Cuba libre" edition, remembering the brave patriots who are now fighting for their independence as our forefathers fought for ours more than a century ago.

   We, therefore invite, not only all of the regular correspondents of the DEMOCRAT, but all readers of the DEMOCRAT as well, regardless of party, to contribute something to this number, and that too without regard as to whether they agree with us on  the Cuban question or not. We hope to receive a large number of communications for this issue, and for that reason would suggest that if possible to express their sentiments on the Cuban question in that space, that articles should not exceed two hundred words in length, and we also desire that all articles shall be over the signature of the writer with the privilege of publishing the same.

   Will the readers of the DEMOCRAT, the lovers of liberty, in whose hearts the fires of patriotism still burn, assist us in making this a red letter issue, in the hope that papers in other places may follow our example, even though their "Cuba libre" edition might appear after our Independence day has passed. Communications for this issue should reach us by one week from to-day if possible, and not later than June 28th.

FOR CUBA.

   A Washington dispatch says: "In the area in front of the Speaker's rostrum when the House met to-day was a monster petition appealing to Congress to recognize the Cuban insurgents as belligerents. It contained over 6,000,000 signatures.

HAWAIIAN TREATY.

   JUNE 16.—A Washington dispatch says: "It was thought that the Hawaiian annexation treaty would to-day receive the formal signatures of the negotiators, Secretary Sherman for the United States Government, and either Minister Hatch or Lorin Thurston, as a special commissioner for the Hawaiian Government. The document itself has been prepared and everything was in readiness, when it was taken again to the White House for the President's final inspection and review."

AID FOR CUBA.

   A special from Tampa, Fla., says: "A vessel supposed to be the Dauntless came into Hillsborough Bay last night and took on a cargo of arms and ammunition from a schooner lying at anchor off the mouth of Alafia River, and then sailed away. Quite a number of men were on board. The report sent yesterday that the Dauntless had sailed for Key West was a ruse. Last night's expedition was well planned and was gone twelve hours before the authorities or Spanish Consul knew anything was going on."

   A Washington dispatch states that at the Cabinet meeting held yesterday, the first question discussed was the proposed annexation of Hawaii, and second the state of affairs in Cuba, and it is stated that some weeks will elapse before the President will take any action on the Cuban question.

   A London dispatch states that Queen Victoria has suddenly become blind, and that possibly the jubilee may not be held.

   A Washington dispatch tries to account for delay on the tariff bill, by stating that Silver Senators have decided to delay action on the bill unless President McKinley will agree not to ask authority to appoint a currency commission during the present session.

TREATY SIGNED.

   JUNE 17—The treaty for the annexation of the Hawaiian islands has been signed and sent to the Senate. Relief for Cuba still waits.

   Gen. Stewart L. Woodford has been nominated by the President to be Minister to Spain.

   Another bomb was exploded in Paris yesterday in front of the Strasburg Statue but no one seriously injured.

Attempt at Burglary in Homer, N. Y.

From regular correspondent of the DEMOCRAT.

   About 1 A. M. Monday, James Peters, night watchman at the W. N. Brockway wagon works, was sitting in the engine room of the shop when his dog which always accompanies him came up and commenced to growl. Mr. Peters started to make his regular trip. As he approached the west end of the shops next to the railroad the dog jumped upon a bench and commenced to howl. Mr. Peters listened and heard a noise but thought it was the horses in Maxson & Starin's lumber yard barns and paid no more attention to it.

   The dog kept up his teasing and on the next trip, hearing the same noise, Mr. Peters went over near the office of the lumber yards and there met a man, who said he and some other fellows were sleeping in the sheds. The man asked Peters what train it was coming up the track and saying he guessed he would go to Syracuse, started up the track. Mr. Peters, thinking something was wrong, went over to the coal office and saw a window light out and found the door open. He entered and finding a light there he examined the safe which had a hole about six inches square in the side with a crow bar sticking in it. He knew then that an attempt had been made to rob the safe and hastened to the depot and aroused Mr. Adams and Mr. Shirley the railroad detective and they proceeded to the office, but found no one. Then thinking the robbers had taken the train that had just passed they telegraphed to Jamesville to search the train there.

   An officer left for there and Syracuse Monday morning, but at present nothing has been seen or heard from anyone in relation to the robbers. Certainly it was a very close call but [by] the timely warning of Mr. Peter's dog the robbery was averted.

DIRECTORS ELECTED.

Work Will Probably be Begun Monday on the Side Path.

   At the meeting of the Cortland County [Bicycle] Side Path Association held in Firemen's hall Tuesday evening. Rev. E. B. Gearhart presided and L. M. Alexander acted as secretary. The motion was carried that the board of directors shall consist of seventeen men, thirteen from Cortland, three from Homer and one from Little York.

   The following were elected from Cortland: G. F Beaudry, A. F. Stilson, H. A. Dickinson, C. F. Thompson, H. L. Beebe, J. H. Cowan, C. H. White, A. H. Milk, Geo. I. Watson, F. J. Kennedy, Wm. Grady, T. K. Norris and E. M. Santee.

   Directors from the other towns will be chosen and the full board of directors will meet to-night to elect officers. The board was empowered to incorporate the association under the laws of this state and to draw up and adopt a set of by-laws for its government.

   At the meeting reports showed that nearly $700 have been subscribed and it is probable that work will be commenced next Monday. The right of way has been obtained and nearly every farmer along the road has contributed several days work with his team to draw cinders. An experienced road builder will be put in charge of the work.

NEIGHBORING COUNTIES.

   TOMPKINS —The Dryden India relief fund now amounts to something over sixty dollars.

   A considerable quantity of crushed stone has been put upon Main St., Groton, the past week and more will follow

   By attending Ithaca's big Fourth of July celebration, you will have the privilege of listening to the great Southern orator, Henry Waterson.

   C. A. Brown, lessee of the paper mill in Ithaca, in which a fire occurred a week ago Monday, states that the damage is not very extensive, and he thinks two weeks will suffice to make repairs.

   The Bool Company of Ithaca delivered a large load of plants to a Dryden customer recently, and another, consisting of 175 plants, to the Willow Glen Cemetery Association on Monday of week before last.

   An irate citizen of Ithaca, apparently disgusted with the weather, said he had planned to go on a picnic, June 1st, but when the day came he concluded to try some other amusement, and so went skating.

   Clarence King, of Jacksonville, while recently working a large buzz saw in the woods of Peter DuBois near that place, had the misfortune to have a large splinter thrown into his left eye which nearly resulted in the loss of sight in that member. Dr. Lockerby is the attending physician.

   The farm west of Ludlowville, the property of John L Townley, now in the West, was sold on mortgage foreclosure, in front of the County Clerk's office, on June 5, by E. D. Shurter, Esq., for $2,000. The farm contains eighty-three acres and was purchased by Dr. Marion Townley of Ithaca.

   Eugene Mix, for many years a resident of Ithaca, and well remembered by many of our citizens in middle life, committed suicide at Columbus, Ohio. May 29th. He was found dying on the grave of his wife in Green Lawn cemetery and expired soon after from the effects of a dose of morphine taken with suicidal intent.

HERE AND THERE.

   Al Goldsmith is cop at the park this summer.

   Last Saturday Justice Kelley gave E. S. Reed of McLean a suspended sentence of fifty-nine days in jail for chicken stealing.

   An opportunity for you to take a free course in a business college. Look over the offer the DEMOCRAT makes you in another column.

   Cassius Faye Eastman, infant son of Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Eastman, died last Friday morning at the home of his parents after a brief illness from capillary pneumonia. His age was 4 months and 18 days. The funeral was held Monday.

   Invitations are out for the wedding of Mr. Thomas Page Bristol and Miss Margaret Barnard Wood, which will occur at the home of the bride's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Delos Bauder, 88 Lincoln-ave., on Wednesday evening, June 30, at 8 o'clock.

   Simons & Grant, successors to I. Whiteson the clothier, opened up the remains of the Whiteson stock and their own which was moved from Fulton yesterday morning. Both will be sold at low prices to close out before opening up new goods. See their large ad. on this page.

TOWN OF SCOTT.

   We are short our usual items from Scott this week, as our correspondent from that town was offended because we did not print all of his last communication. The part omitted was cloaked in ambiguous language, the significance of which we had no means of knowing, and for that reason was omitted, and such items will be omitted in the future unless accompanied by some note of explanation.

   A letter from the correspondent this week, explains the meaning of that portion of last week's items which we omitted and as we surmised proves to be a bit of town scandal of the kind which will always circulate without the aid of any newspaper, of interest to but few probably, and of the kind that will not add to the morals of a community, or the standing of the paper which publishes it. The correspondent's letter was also accompanied by one from a subscriber, who wishes his paper stopped because we omitted the item in question. We desire, of course, to hold our subscribers but not at that price, and we do not believe that our list of subscribers in the town of Scott will grow less, if we refuse to advertise it in such a way as to convey the impression that it is a town in which the standard of morals is lower than in other towns of the county. We will discontinue the subscriber's paper as requested when the time expires, and in doing so are reminded of a story of Horace Greeley.

   An irate subscriber rushed into his office one day and said: "Mr. Greeley, I am agoing to stop the Tribune!" "Oh, my dear sir," said Mr. Greeley, "you don't mean it." "Yes, I do," said the excited subscriber, "and I am agoing to stop it now." "Come with me a moment, please," said Mr. Greeley, and he took the gentleman through the composing rooms, mailing rooms and press rooms, calling his attention to the number of people employed, the amount paid out in wages, etc., and then turning to the subscriber, he said: "Surely, my dear sir, you would not stop all of this activity, deprive all of these people of employment and leave this great plant to idleness and decay?" "Why," said the astonished subscriber, "I meant that I was agoing to stop my paper, my Tribune."  "Oh," said Mr. Greeley, "I thought you were agoing to stop the Tribune." Mr. Greeley has been gone many years, but the Tribune still lives.

   We may lose our Scott subscriber, but the DEMOCRAT will be published just the same. We shall attempt to build up, not tear down, to help and benefit, not injure, and hope to make it a welcome guest in every home where a clean and honest sheet is appreciated.