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| Politicians buying votes, Harper's Weekly. |
Cortland
Evening Standard, Monday, Aug. 9, 1897.
PAGE TWO—EDITORIALS.
The Republican Caucus.
The Republican caucus held in this village
last Saturday evening was one which threw the "spring-bottom-hat" caucus
of years ago badly in the shade. That affair was quick, decisive, and though
politically rotten, was otherwise clean and sober. Last Saturday's performance
was corrupt and drunken, besides being politically fraudulent to a degree never
before known in this county. In the "spring-bottom-hat" deal,
Republicans stuffed the hat. In the Graham block affair a large section of the
Democratic party helped on the voting, assisted in so doing by the chairman of
the caucus, while two nearby Democratic saloons, one next door to the caucus
and with several bartenders and free whiskey, ministered to thirsty
Republicans, who voted as ordered by those who paid the bills, and braced up
Democrats to the task of swearing that they were Republicans. Both were crowded
till the caucus closed. R. C. Duell ran the machine on Saturday—as he did at
the "spring-bottom-hat" caucus.
The formal proceedings of the caucus will be
found in another column, and we propose to publish the names and alleged
residences of the voters, that all may see what a notable gathering of very
recent and hitherto unsuspected Republicans it was, as well as how many
strangers there are among us. Two or three circumstances connected with the
affair, however, we propose to comment on now.
At 9 o'clock Saturday morning the following was
served on Mr. H. A. Dickinson, chairman of the town committee:
To Henry A. Dickinson, Esq., Chairman of the
Republican Town Committee of the Town of Cortlandville:
SIR—Please take notice, that the undersigned
five qualified electors of Districts Nos. 2 to 10 inclusive of the town of
Cortlandville, lying and being in the village of Cortland; a village of more
than 5,000 population, we demand and require that you proceed to conduct the Republican
caucus in the said districts to be held Saturday, Aug. 7, 1897, from 4 o'clock
P. M. to 9 o'clock P. M., in the village of Cortland as follows:
That the chairman and other officers shall
take the constitutional oath of office before entering upon the duties of said
office.
That the officers of said caucus or primary,
to wit, the chairman, and the secretaries and tellers be elected and chosen by
ballot.
That the caucus or primary shall be held
open from 4 o'clock P. M. to 9 o'clock P. M.
That the delegates to be voted for at said
caucus, four in number, shall be elected and voted for upon one ballot.
That the teller shall keep a poll list of
the names and residences of each person voting and assist the secretary in the
canvass of the votes.
That the list of the voters, their names and
residences shall be at once filed in the county clerk's office for public
inspection, and that it remain on file as a public document therein.
An elector shall be appointed watcher for
each candidate or set of candidates or delegates voted for who shall require
the same.
That the chairman upon the canvass of the
votes shall publicly announce the number of votes cast for each delegate and
each set of delegates.
That the undersigned are each qualified
electors of the districts wherein said caucus or primary is held and of the
Republican party therein.
Dated, Aug. 6, 1897.
W. C. CROMBIE,
A. W. EDGCOMB
WM. D. TUTTLE,
W. A. HOWARD,
G. S. VAN HOESEN,
A. B. CORWIN.
When the hour arrived for calling the caucus
to order, Chairman Dickinson, whose duty it was to perform this office, shirked
it, and Mr. T. H. Dowd acted in his stead and nominated Mr. Dickinson himself
to preside over the caucus. Mr. T. E. Courtney moved as an amendment that Mr.
J. C. Barry be chosen chairman. Mr. Dowd put the amendment, but declared it
lost, though it was plainly carried. He refused to allow a ballot for chairman
or even to divide the house on the question, though both were called for, and
proceeded to put the motion on Mr. Dickinson and declared it carried, though it
was plainly lost. Both he and Mr. Dickinson also utterly disregarded Mr.
Courtney's demand that the portion of the primary election law which reads as
follows should be respected and obeyed:
If the primary be in a city or village
having a population of over five thousand according to the last preceding
federal or state enumeration, and five qualified electors of the district where
it is held, belonging to the political party calling it, shall serve upon the secretary
or chairman of the general committee of the party, or of its organization in
such city or village, or upon the chairman of the district committee, a written
demand, stating that they so require it, the following additional requirements,
or such of them as may be specified in such demand, shall be complied with:
2. Candidates and delegates and officers
of the organization or committee shall be chosen by ballot.
After the officers had been
chosen B. T. Wright moved that no votes except those of Republicans be accepted
or received at this caucus. This is the usual test of the right to vote at a
Republican caucus, but at least a portion of those present were partially
paralyzed when the chairman ruled, on the suggestion of Mr. Dowd, that no one
offering to vote at the caucus could be asked how he voted at the last general
election, on the ground that such a question, if answered would "destroy
the secrecy of the ballot!" As if a man appearing at a caucus and offering
to vote did not thereby profess to be a member of the party holding the caucus,
and to have voted its ticket. And as if a man who had voted the opposing ticket
at the last general election ought not to be exposed and shut out of a caucus held
by the party he had been voting against!
Chairman Dickinson was so
tender of the feelings of those challenged that he would only ask them
"Are you a Democrat or a Republican?" If the man challenged replied,
as many of them did, that he was a Democrat, Mr. Dickinson would ask, "Do
you intend to vote the Republican ticket?" or "Do you intend to
act with the Republican party?" and if either of these questions was
answered in the affirmative, in went the vote. After challenging thirty or
forty voters, the challengers opposed to the chairman's ticket, practically
threw up the sponge, and after that almost any one could vote and vote as often
as he pleased, if he changed his name and residence. No wonder the majority was
290.
The only wonder was that it
was not much larger. If the caucus had held open a few hours longer, high
watermark might have been reached and a record made for years to come. The
affair was not alone one to excite indignation. It was disgusting, humiliating,
pitiable, and many self-respecting Republicans turned their backs on it and refused to vote.
But Duell had the Democratic
majority, and now claims at least two of the delegates for himself for member
of assembly. It was a great day for Duell, Dowd and Dickinson. The effort was
the greatest of their lives. But how about those men who acted with them and
who like to regard themselves as decent citizens and fair minded Republicans,
who desire the good opinion of their fellow citizens and fellow Republicans and
who have often deserved it, and who yet, through a mistaken idea as to self-interest,
supported the managers of this disgraceful affair, and by so doing endorsed
their methods and contributed to their success? Are they either proud or
satisfied?
◘ County Clerk Palmer's victory in carrying the
caucus last Saturday in his old home district of McGrawville was one of the
most notable in the political history of the county. The voters in the
Blodgett Mills district were dragged to Cortland and away from McGrawville in
order to make sure of beating him in the McGrawville district, and his enemies
thought they "had him." But they hadn't. The only mistake they made was
in not bringing the McGrawville voters to Cortland, along with those of Blodgett
Mills, and burying them all together under that 290 majority. If the thing had
to be done over again, this would
probably be the course adopted.
◘ The news of the murder yesterday, by an anarchist
of Premier Canovas del Castillo of Spain will be received with feelings of horror and regret
by the civilized world. Assassination of such a character can right no wrong,
can help no cause. It does not appear to have been due to any political motive.
The man who committed the deed was an avowed anarchist. At this writing the
reason for his cowardly act is not known. Possibly it might have been in
revenge for the execution recently of some of his fellow anarchists at
Barcelona. Again the man may have been a crank. Whatever the circumstances, the
assassination is to be deplored and denounced.
 |
| Antonio Canovas del Castillo. |
Spanish Premier Shot by Neapolitan Anarchist.
SUFFERED GREAT AGONY.
With His Last Breath He Bravely Cried,
"Long Live Spain!"
MADRID, Aug. 9.—Senor
Canovas del Castillo, the prime minister of Spain, was assassinated at Santa
Agueda by an anarchist. The murderer fired three shots, one of which struck the
premier in the forehead and another in the chest.
The wounded man fell dying at
the feet of his wife, who was with him, lingering in agony for two hours and
then passing away with the cry of "Long Live Spain!" which were the
last words upon his lips.
Santa Agueda is noted for its
baths. The place is between San Sebastian, the summer residence of the Spanish
court, and Vitoria, the capital of the province of Alava about 30 miles south
of Bilbao.
The premier went there last
Thursday to take a three weeks course of the baths, after which he expected to
return to San Sebastian to meet United States Minister Woodford, when
officially received by the queen regent.
The assassin was immediately
arrested. He is a Neapolitan and gives the name of Rinaldi, but it is believed
that this is an assumed name and that his real name is Michele Angine Golli
The murderer declares that he
killed Senor Canovas "in accomplishment of a just vengeance," and
that the deed is the outcome of a vast anarchist conspiracy.
He is believed to have arrived
at Santa Agueda the same day as the premier, and he was frequently seen lurking
in the passages of the bathing establishment in a suspicious manner.
The body of Senor Canovas will
be brought here.
Marshal Martinez Campos has
gone to San Sebastian to attend the queen regent.
Senor Sagasta, the Liberal
leader, sent the following telegram to the government:
"I have heard with deep
pain of the crime that has thrown us all into mourning, and I place myself at
the orders of the government and of the queen."
Most of the Liberal leaders
have sent similar messages, placing themselves at the disposal of the
government.
BENEFIT TO CUBA.
Agromonte Says Canovas' Death May Lead to
Cuba's Independence.
NEW YORK, Aug. 9.—Emilio
Agromonte, president of the Jose Marti Revolutionary club and the Marti Charity
organization here, heard the news of the killing of Premier Canovas and
exclaimed:
"This is truly hard to
believe." Then he said: "Sagasta, who is head of the Liberals, will
surely succeed Canovas.
"And I feel certain that
should Sagasta succeed Canovas, he will follow the same general policy in
regard to Cuba, as Canovas made every effort to do. It will doubtless be his
idea to bring about a relationship between Spain and Cuba such as exists
between England and Canada. But such a relationship Cuba will never accept. She
must have complete and absolute independence.
"Still it is my belief
that the killing of Canovas will be a great benefit for the cause of Cuba. It
may even lead to independence. Independence, that is the only thing for Cuba.
"Canovas was directly
responsible for the relations which existed between the United States and Spain
as regards Cuba, because his instructions were so carefully followed out by
Spain's representative in Washington, that President Cleveland could not act
friendly to Cuba. The death of Canovas cannot but help the cause of Cuba."
 |
| John Sherman. |
Sherman Deeply Interested.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 9.—As is
customary. President McKinley, when informed by Secretary Sherman of Canovas'
assassination, cabled a message to the Spanish government expressing his sorrow
for the event that had removed the gifted premier from this earth.
Secretary Sherman expressed
deep interest in the details. He said:
"This deplorable event
will have some effect, of course, on the political affairs of Spain, but to
what extent I cannot say. The death of one man is not necessarily going to
change the sentiment of the whole country. Spain is a very tenacious country.
Her money is gone. Her resources have been exhausted. But she means evidently,
to hold on to Cuba.
"Just how she can do it,
under these circumstances, I cannot see. Yet she is opposed to yielding a
point. Premier Canovas was a strong partisan. He was the chief exponent of the
element which was determined to keep the island at all hazards. Seemingly Spain
is almost a unit on this.
"Canovas was a strong
factor in the government of Spain, but it is not impossible that another will
be found to replace him in that important office, having similar views and the
same pronounced ideas. How it may be in this case, I am not able to say, but
the effects, politically, of such an event are not essentially far reaching and
have not always produced radical developments. As to the consequences of the
conflict in Cuba, I do not care to talk."
Asked as to how long he now
thought the Cuban insurrection would last, he replied that that was
problematical, and that he did not care to discuss it. He added that he had
heard various names of prominent leaders in Spain mentioned, but he was not
well informed as to them, and there was nothing on which he could base a
prediction as to Canovas' probable successor.
Senator Morgan of Alabama, a
member of the foreign affairs committee of the senate and the champion of Cuba
in that body, predicted in an interview that the assassination might be the
forerunner of a complete change of government, a republic replacing the
monarchy. This, he thought, was the present tendency, and this event he
regarded as an evidence of the disintegration of the Spanish government.
The only member of the Spanish
legation in Washington when the news of Senor Canovas' assassination was
received was Julio Galarza, the third secretary. Senor De Lome, the Spanish
minister, was at Lenox, and all the other members of the legation were
scattered for the summer.
When Senor Galarza heard the
news he hurriedly left the Metropolitan club, where he was stopping, saying
merely that he was going to New York. It is probable that he will join Senor De
Lome either there or in Lenox. It is likely that this unexpected development
will bring the Spanish minister back to Washington.
Secretary Sherman's Reply to Japan.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 9.—It is
understood that the reply of Secretary Sherman to the last Japanese protest
against the annexation of Hawaii will be brief by comparison with the long
letters that have gone before, but will be conciliatory in tone. This is
accounted for by the fact that the state department has taken note of the
published utterances of eminent Japanese statesmen, which, while unofficial,
are still of undoubted authenticity, all going to show that Japan has herself
no designs upon the islands, but seeks only to conserve her treaty rights.
THE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS.
Over Twelve Hundred Ballets Cast Between 4
and 9 O'clock.
The Republican caucus of
Cortlandville districts 2 to 10 inclusive was held in the Graham building on
Port Watson-st., Saturday afternoon from 4 to 9 o'clock, and was the largest
attended in years, 1,201 ballots being cast. The caucus was called to order by Thomas
H. Dowd for the town committee, who nominated Henry A. Dickinson for chairman.
Thomas E. Courtney moved to amend by substituting the name of John C. Barry.
The amendment was put and declared lost, and the original motion was put and
declared carried. William M. Clark and Howard J. Harrington were chosen secretaries
and Eugene W. Bates and Herbert R. Cone tellers.
B. T. Wright, addressing the
chair said: "I suppose it is well-known and understood that this is a
Republican caucus called to choose delegates to a Republican convention soon to
be called, and I do not know that any but Republicans will offer to vote here.
I have no right to assume that any others than Republicans will attempt so to
do, but I think it is well to have some action taken at this time in reference
to that subject and therefore I move: That no votes except those of Republicans
be accepted or received at this caucus." This motion was duly seconded and
upon bring put to vote, was unanimously carried. The polls were closed at 9
o'clock, and the count was finished at 10:30.
There were two tickets in the
field for four delegates to the county convention yet to be called, and the
result was announced as follows:
David H. Brown, 746
William T. Bushby, 747
Hiram C. Harrington, 744
Chas. D. Swartout, 740
R. Bruce Smith, 456
Frank H. Cobb, 457
B. T. Wright, 458
Arthur F. Stilson, 452
Chairman Dickinson declared
the first four named duly elected delegates to the county convention.
Nathan L. Miller moved that
each delegate be given the power of substitution in case he is unable to attend
the convention, and in case he fails to send a substitute, the majority of the delegation
name a substitute. This was declared carried, and the caucus adjourned.
BREVITIES.
—Every one will be interested
in an article on our third page to-day entitled "Facts About Klondike."
—New display advertisements
to-day are—Bingham Bros. & Miller, Bargains in Clothing, page 8; T. P.
Bristol, Hat Sense, page 6.
—The Prohibition county
committee organized Saturday afternoon by electing Adolph Frost, Jr., chairman
and Charles A. Lowell secretary.
—Thomas Cuff, arrested
Saturday night by Officer Gooding on the charge of public intoxication, was
discharged from police court this morning.
—The Virgil Republican caucus
will be held in Winslow's hall on Saturday, Aug. 12, at 1 o'clock to elect six
delegates to the county convention yet to be called.
—The twenty-second picnic of
the Hammond family will be held at the home of Henry Hammond in McGrawville on
Friday, Aug. 20. A cordial invitation is extended to the relatives and friends.
—There was an unusually large
crowd at the park Saturday night to listen to the band concert by the Cortland
City band, and many enjoyed the dancing in the pavilion, McDermott's orchestra
furnishing the music.
—Mr. C. L. Kittrick, who for
some time has conducted the cafe in the Democrat building, has disposed of the
business to his brother, Jay Kittrick of Camden, who has taken possession. C.
L. Kittrick returns to Ithaca to engage in business.
—Mrs. Fred Price, formerly of
Cortland, died Friday at her home in Binghamton at the age of 26 years. The
remains were brought to Cortland this morning on the 10 o'clock train, and the funeral
was held immediately from St. Mary's church.
—The Republican caucus of
District No. 1 of the town of Cortlandville was held in McGrawville Saturday
night from 7 to 8 o'clock. The total number of votes cast was 233, and A. R. Rowe
and Howard T. Short were elected delegates to the county convention by a
majority of 25 votes.
—The Standard Oil company's distributing tank
reappeared on the streets to-day after being handsomely painted at the factory
of the Ellis Omnibus &
Cab Co.
The tank which has been used while the other one was in the paint shop is to be
shipped to Ithaca to be used there while the Ithaca tank is to be sent to Cortland
for similar treatment at the cab company's paint shop.
HOMER.
Gleanings
of News From Our Twin Village.
HOMER, Aug. 9.—Mr. Lyman H. Heberd died
suddenly about 7 o'clock Saturday evening. He had gone to the barn to look
after some of the evening work. When his daughter approached him to ask some
questions, she noticed that upon answering her, her father seemed about to
fall. Calling at once for help, Mr. Heberd was removed to the house. Medical
aid was at once summoned, but life had ended. Mr. Heberd was born in Homer
about fifty-nine years ago and had passed the most of his life near his late
place on the plank road about a mile north of Homer. He had always taken an
active interest in everything that tended to the advancement of the material
prosperity of the town of Homer, and held in a high degree the esteem and
respect of his fellow townsmen. Mr. Heberd at the time of his death had just
been re-elected a member of the school board of Homer, of which he had already
been a useful member for some years. The death of Mr. Heberd removes a kind and
indulgent parent, a friend whose judgment and advice were much sought by a
large circle to whom the sad event will come as a personal loss. The deceased
is survived by his wife, Misses May and Jessie, Mrs. Fred Corey of Springfield,
Mass., and Mrs. Linus Paddock of Utica.
The
funeral will occur at the residence on the Little York road at 3 o'clock
Tuesday afternoon.
Walter Kent has opened a barber shop over
the United States express office on the corner of James and Cortland-sts.
Miss Olive Lent of Moravia has been the
guest of Miss M… at her residence on North Main-st.
The regular monthly meeting of the Homer
Floricultural association will be held in the parlors of the Baptist church on
Tuesday evening at 8:15 P. M.
Mr. and Mrs. James O. Burrows are visiting
relatives in Oriskany and before their return they are to visit in Seward, Schoharie
county, and Utica.
Mr. and Mrs. Joel E. Fuller, Miss Mabel E.
Fuller and Miss Emily Lamont left this morning with Mr. and Mrs. Cyrus A.
Watson and Master Grant Watson for a two weeks' outing at Carpenter's Point,
Skaneateles lake.
Mr. William A. Shirley was in Scott on business
yesterday.
A number of Homer people attended the
excursion to Thousand Islands yesterday.
Mr. C. C. Clarke of Scott is in town on a
business trip to-day.
Miss Maude Crane who has been the guest of
her cousin, Miss Hattie Crane in Cortland for the past week returned Saturday.
South
Cortland.
SOUTH CORTLAND, Aug. 7.—Miss Carrie Coan of Syracuse
is visiting her friend, Miss Louise Rowley.
Mrs. Helen Wilcox and son Wilson visiting
friends in Lansing.
Mrs. Mansur of Floral Park spent a few days
with Mrs. Frank Haskins this week.
Mrs. Lord of Albany and Mrs. J. Wood of
Cortland visited at Mr. A. A. Sheerar's this week.
For the last two Friday evenings the people
have assembled at the church expecting preaching, but no one has come to preach
to them. If the services are to be discontinued the people would like to know
it.
We hope all the farmers will plan to take a
holiday next Saturday and go on the excursion to Ithaca.
Mr. and Mrs. A. M. Clark of Dryden were
guests at G. H. Hyde's Saturday.
Miss Donaldson and Master Charles Duell of
Syracuse, who have been with Mrs. G. H. Hyde during July, returned home
Wednesday.
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