CORTLAND BOARD OF TRADE

Lawrence J. Fitzgerald, proprietor of the Cortland Wagon Co. and former New York State Treasurer.

Cortland Evening Standard, Wednesday, July 28, 1897.

CORTLAND BOARD OF TRADE.

HON. LAWRENCE J. FITZGERALD IS ITS FIRST PRESIDENT.

T. H. Wickwire Chosen Vice-President, D. W. Van Hoesen Secretary and Edward Allay Treasurer—Enthusiastic Meeting of Representative Men in Fireman's Hall Last Night—Another Meeting Tuesday, Aug. 3.

   It now seems an assured fact that the business and commercial interests of Cortland are to be promoted in a way never before attempted here, and in a way which has been carried out in other places and made them what they are to-day. There was a large and enthusiastic meeting of the representative business and professional men of Cortland last evening at Fireman's hall for the purpose of organizing a permanent board of trade. The meeting was called to order at 8:10 o'clock by Grove T. Maxson, chairman of a previously appointed committee, and one of those who have been most influential in promoting the organization. There were present nearly one hundred of the most prominent citizens of Cortland, including representatives of every kind of business and profession.

   Mr. Maxson asked for nominations for temporary officers and on motion of F. D. Smith, L. S. Hayes was made temporary chairman and on motion of C. F. Brown, E. E. Mellon was chosen temporary secretary.

   Chairman Haves inquired the pleasure of the meeting, when Dorr C. Smith arose and said that he understood that the meeting was called for the purpose of developing enterprises in Cortland, which twenty years ago was one of the brightest villages in the state. It was booming then, but now it has degenerated, while others continued to boom. And all because of the lack of an organization of this kind, "Do something for Main-st.," said he. "Visitors, coming to Cortland are brought first to Main-st. and before they have been here long begin to inquire the time of the next train to Ithaca or Syracuse, or Binghamton."

   Mr. Smith's reference to Main-st. was greeted with a loud burst of applause. He moved the appointment of a committee of five on nominations for permanent officers, which was carried unanimously. The motion was afterward amended to include the names of F. H. Cobb, E. C. Palmer and G. T. Maxson as members of this committee, and those gentlemen together with Dorr C. Smith and S. N. Holden were appointed.

   Hon. L. J. Fitzgerald called for the reading of the list of signers of the call for the meeting. The list was read by the secretary, and included 126 names. While the committee on nominations was deliberating, short speeches were made by W. W. Kelsey and I. H. Palmer.

   The committee reported the following nominations for permanent officers:

   President—Hon. L. J. Fitzgerald.

   Vice-President—T. H. Wickwire.

   Secretary—D. W. Van Hoesen.

   Treasurer—Edward Alley.

   On motion of I. H. Palmer, seconded by John Courtney, Jr., the report of the committee was adopted.

   Mr. Fitzgerald took the chair amid applause and in doing so, said:  "Gentlemen and neighbors: Accept my thanks for this great honor. You have elected me president of this board of trade, and I shall do all in my power to further its objects and principles. I have for a number of years noticed how the town has depreciated, and the increased necessity for an organization of this kind. I await your further pleasure."

   S. N. Holden moved that a committee of three be appointed to associate with the officers as a board of managers. F. D. Smith thought that the first thing should be the adoption of a constitution, and then there would be some basis on which to appoint a board of managers. E. E. Mellon said that the organization was complete as far as officers were concerned, and moved as an amendment the appointment of a committee of five on constitution and bylaws. The amendment prevailed, and the following were appointed: G. T. Maxson, C. F. Brown, F. B. Nourse, I. H. Palmer and Lewis Bouton. An amendment prevailed to add three more to the committee and F. H. Cobb, D. F. Wallace and E. C. Palmer were named.

   G. T. Maxson had a copy of the constitution and bylaws of the Syracuse Business Men's association, which were read by the secretary, and were briefly discussed. It was decided that the name of the organization should be the Board of Trade of Cortland. N. Y., and its objects, the financial, business and commercial prosperity of Cortland. The question of annual dues came up and it was the sense of the meeting that the amount be placed at $10. The meeting then adjourned to Tuesday. Aug. 3, at 7:30 P. M. at Fireman's hall, when the committee on constitution and bylaws will report and the same will be discussed and adopted section by section.

Matias Romero.

PAGE TWO—EDITORIALS.

Some Interesting History.

   Minister Romero of Mexico makes out his case distinctly in reference to the conduct of the United States government during the struggle of the Spanish-American colonies for independence. He shows in The North American Review not only that we did not in the least help those colonies to free themselves from Spain, but that it the case of Cuba and Puerto Rico in 1826 we actually prevented these colonies from gaining their independence.

   So far back as 1797 the Spanish colonies, disgusted with the rule of the mother country, began to plot for independence. A number of Jesuit priests were the first to work for the independence of the colonies in South America just as it was a priest who raised the standard of rebellion in Mexico. The struggling nations sent from time to time commissioners to the United States to get help and recognition and sent it [in] vain. Minister Romero quotes from Lyman's "Diplomacy In the United States" this: "These revolutionary struggles did not awaken any great general interest in our citizens. Our government was left free and unembarrassed to pursue its steady course of good faith and exact neutrality toward Spain."

   There came a time, however, when the indifferent United States government was roused. That was in 1822-3, when the arrogant and aggressive "holy alliance" of Europe, founded to maintain by force the divine right of kings, menaced the western hemisphere itself. The alliance was about to undertake to subdue for Spain her revolted colonies in America. Then indeed at last we waked up, and the president sent to congress, Dec. 2, 1823, the famous message embodying what has since been known the world over as the Monroe doctrine. It is true that, March 8, 1822, President Monroe conveyed to the house of representatives his opinion that the time had come for recognizing the independence of the Spanish-American colonies, and the house passed a resolution to the effect that it thought so, too, but there the matter ended. Mexico won her independence in 1821, but the United States did not recognize her as a nation till 1824.

   All of which goes to show that the United States has nothing to be particularly proud of in the matter of sympathy with struggling republicanism in the western hemisphere.

   ◘ For the first time since the war of independence began the Cubans seem to be fighting the Spaniards during the rainy season, thus depriving them of the rest they have had in the past two summers. The result is terrible to the army of Spain. The mother country has been drained till her soldiers in Cuba are mostly beardless boys averaging no more than 20 years of age. Early in July 28,000 of them had already been attacked with yellow fever. They are dying off like sheep. A dispatch says that army surgeons themselves believe half the Spanish soldiers in the island this summer will either lose their lives or be disabled by disease and the casualties of war. This is an awful sacrifice merely to maintain the pride of a decaying old nation. If the Cubans can stand the strain of fighting all summer, they will be apt to end the war. They are acclimated and at home. They can live and remain in health where Spanish soldiers would die by the hundreds.

   ◘ Anybody can now own a bicycle. Almost all of the manufacturing firms that held out so long for keeping op the old price of $100 have yielded gracefully or otherwise according to temperament, and a wheel of the highest grade may now be bought for $75. Good wheels of a make not so well known may be purchased for $25. The drop had to come, and it is in the interest of the public. Bicycle manufacturers can no longer become millionaires in five years. There will be still fair profit in the business, however.

Wants the Dog Killed.

   G. F. Beaudry has commenced a proceeding before Justice Kelley to cause W. B. Stone to kill a dog in his possession on the ground that the dog is vicious and should not be allowed at large. Mr. Beaudry alleges that yesterday while he was passing Mr. Stone's ice cream parlor, the dog without just provocation attacked him and bit him in the calf of the leg. Mr. Beaudry dismounted from his wheel and fired a couple of shots from his revolver, but missed the dog. Mr. Stone alleges in his answer that Mr. Beaudry kicked at the dog while passing and that the dog resented it. The matter was adjourned to Aug. 10.

ATTEMPTED BURGLARY.

House of Deputy Sheriff Ira Crandall Entered Last Night.

   Deputy Sheriff Ira Crandall, who lives on a farm a short distance east of the village on the Truxton road, was disturbed early this morning by hearing a noise in the house and upon investigation found that there was some one moving about in the cellar. The cellar door was found open and upon hearing the noise above, the man was seen to leave hastily and disappear in the darkness. Mr. Crandall followed the tracks for some distance until they turned from the road into the field where he could trace them no further.

   Nothing was missing from the house except a can of sauce and a pan of milk from the cellar. Whether the intruder was simply trying to satisfy his hunger or was making an attempt to enter the house for some other purpose cannot be determined.

BREVITIES.

   —New display advertisements to-day are—Glann & Clark, Men Wanted, page 6; F. E. Brogden, Hair Tonic, page 6.

   —The Republican town committee met at the office of T. H. Dowd last night but did no business, and an adjournment was taken to Monday night.

   —Mrs. Sarah Jane Sprague died this morning at her residence at Blodgett Mills at the age of 64 years. The funeral will be held at her late home Friday at 1 o'clock P. M.

   —At a last beseeching plea to those who are about to start for Klondike, the Chicago Times-Herald begs them to eat one large, full meal before they go. They may not get another.

   —Flowers, fruit and delicacies for the sick from the Third ward for the King's Daughters may be left with Mrs. McElheney or Mrs. Jennings, 22 Elm-et., on Thursday, July 29, by whom they will be distributed.