LABOR CONVENTION AND THE NEW RAILROAD

Cortland Evening Standard, Tuesday, August 31, 1897.

LABOR IN CONVENTION.

No Action Taken to Settle Miners' Strike.

RATCHFORD RELIES ON CONGRESS.

He Declares, However, That If Congress Will Not Act Then He Is Strongly In Favor of a General Strike of All Organized Trades.

   ST. LOUIS, Aug. 31.—The labor convention assembled in this city. They met, appointed a credential committee and adjourned in order to give the committee time to work.

   The committee on credentials made its report immediately upon the reassembling of the conference. It was shown that 88 delegates, representing the following organizations, were present: United Mine Workers of America, the Social Democracy, the American Federation of Labor, the Stonemakers' International union, Brotherhood of Painters and Decorators, Brotherhood of Bottle Blowers, Building Trades council of St. Louis, the Patriots of America, International Brotherhood of Track Foreman, the Single Tax League of America, Central Labor council of Cincinnati, the International Typographical union, the People's Party of Kansas, and the Industrial Order of Freedmen.

   The report showed also the presence of one woman delegate, Mrs. Mary Jones of Chicago, who represents the Social Democracy.

   Mr. Ratchford took the floor. He went over the miners' strike from its inception to the present day and dwelt particularly upon "government by injunction."

   He pleaded for prompt action, and coming to the point of his argument, advocated a special session of congress as the best and, in fact, the only relief. "I believe," he said, "a special session of congress is necessary to define the rights of the people of this country—if they have any. I believe if sufficient time is given the president of the United States will call a special session of congress to act on the matter of injunctions and find means of relief from the existing troubles in the labor world.

   "In case of refusal," said Mr. Ratchford impressively, after an outburst of cheering had subsided, "it will then be time to consider more extreme measures. I am in favor, if the president refuses to call congress together, of a complete [paralysis of] business. I believe then in a sympathetic strike."

   Patrick O'Neil of Rich Hill, Mo., who said he represented 1,500 unorganized "picks," favored a labor revolution. He was a socialist, he said, and believed in the miners taking things in their own hands if necessary. His fiery harangue pleased the audience greatly.

   Mr. Sovereign put himself on record as opposed to Mr. Ratchford's plan. He believed this would be the last convention to be held under present conditions and that the crucial test now confronted organized labor.

   Mr. Mahon of Detroit said a resolutions committee was useless. The convention should vote on Ratchford's proposition and then go home. The power of the nation, he said, was in the courts and if anybody was to be injured let it be the courts. He was opposed to Mr. Ratchford's proposition.

   Mr. Ratchford, taking a fling at Miner Pat Reilly, said a man who advocated the use of Winchesters had no place in the convention. "Down our way," said Mr. Ratchford, "miners do not know how to handle guns."

   James Hogan, representing the Social Democracy of Chicago, "General" Bradley of Commonweal fame, and "General" Heinemann, a Texas Populist, kept up the flow of words until the convention adjourned.

Erastus Corning Dead.

   ALBANY, Aug. 31.—Erastus Corning, one of Albany's wealthiest and most prominent citizens, was stricken with apoplexy, dying from the shock.

ARBITRATION PROMISED.

Coal Miners Will Resume Operations and Abide the Result.

   COLUMBUS, O., Aug. 31.—The coal strike is considered settled here. The plan is to resume operations at 64 cents per ton and continue work pending arbitration. President Ratchford of the United Mine Workers and the executive committee of the operators are the direct parties in the conference.

PAGE TWO—EDITORIALS.

Future of Turk and Greek.

   Strong people are honest and sincere; weak ones are treacherous. It is as true of nations as of individuals, a fact strikingly illustrated by Turkey of today.

   Professor W. M. Ramsay of Aberdeen university, who lived in Turkey, European and Asiatic for 12 years, has written a book concerning his experiences and observations. It gives more bottom facts as to the sultan's people of today than can be found in any other one volume. He represents the Turks as a degenerate race. In the Turkish villages the women of the common people are poor, weak and inferior in mind and body. Such as they cannot be the mothers of a brave, intellectual people. In the Greek villages exactly the reverse was found by Ramsay. "The Greek women struck me a s being better and morally higher than the men, good and physically well developed." In a degenerate and decaying race the women are always weak and inferior in body and mind. In a strong, progressive race the women are superior.

   Professor Ramsay says the Asiatic Greeks are the coming race of Asia

Minor. "The steady, inexorable, irresistible spread of European, and mainly

Greek, influence in the western parts of Asia Minor is by far the most striking fact in modern Turkey. The Asiatic Greeks have the future in their own hands." The Armenians the professor does not think much of, for all that they have been so applauded. Two hundred thousand of them have been massacred and they "will in all probability be exterminated," he writes with the utmost coolness. The "Mohammedan revival, "of which so much has been heard, is produced by the killing off of those opposed to Mohammedanism, an easy and effectual way of converting infidels. The Turkish political question Mr. Ramsay well calls "the eastern bungle," and he wonders whether the British officials charged with the management of it are chosen for their power of misunderstanding or their skill in misrepresenting the real points at issue. Professor Ramsay is plain spoken.

   Another specimen of his ability to speak out is his bold statement that since 1882 the efforts of the sultan to stem the tide of civilization in Turkey have had the support of Germany.

Floral Trout Park or Ponds was located between East Avenue and Owen Avenue, and separated by two small arch bridges (upper right corner on map).

THE NEW RAILROAD.

About Three Miles or Track Laid—Work Being Pushed.

   Work on the E. & C. N. Y. R. R. is being crowded as hard as is possible, and every day sees a decided gain in the work of roadbuilding. In spite of all promises there is still a delay in the matter of ties. Ties do arrive, but not in the wholesale quantities that are expected and promised. A few loads get along almost every day, but it does not take much time to use them up.

   Yesterday about three-quarters of a mile of track was laid and this carried the eastern terminus of the road within a very short distance of the McGrawville corporation line, and then the ties gave out again and the whole gang of men had to be turned to tamping and ballasting, and that is the order of procedure to-day.

   This all counts, of course, and no real delay is caused by accomplishing this, as it all has to be done sooner or later, but it does not stretch out the line of rails as fast as Attorney Palmer would like to see. It looks now as though, unless ties arrive to-night, he would have to pay for that box of cigars and "Judge" Lawrence Mills would smoke them. A good installment of ties to-night though would let the construction train get inside of the corporation line to-morrow, Sept. 1, which is the day set upon which the cigar bet depends. It would really be a great disappointment to "Judge" Mills now not to present those cigars to Attorney Palmer. It had seemed such a clear case till within a day or two that he had made up his mind to the fact that he had lost, and had made all his preparations accordingly. He has picked out the cigars and secured a handsomely decorated label for them, and has looked up the history of the road in preparation for making a great speech of presentation, and all that labor will be lost if Mr. Palmer now has to pay for the cigars. But there is still a chance for getting that construction train inside of the corporation line before to-morrow night if ties come to-night.

   Down at the junction it is a busy place. Four teams and a dozen men are doing the grading for the switch connecting the E. & C. N. Y. R. R. with the D., L. & W. R. R. The switch from the new road will depart from the main line near the trout park, will curve to the south and join the D., L. & W. about 35 rods south of the junction with the Lehigh Valley R. R.

   The frame to the new enginehouse is to-day being erected. This is to stand next the trout park, and entrance to it will be from the east. Just west of this will be the freighthouse and the framework of that is almost ready to be raised. A half dozen men are working on this frame, as many more are sharpening fence posts and preparing them for fence building. Half a carload of fence wire has just been unloaded down there and is all ready to be taken out on the road.

   All of this looks very promising to the groups of people who saunter down to look on and who have heard of the prospects of this railroad for the last twenty-seven years. Mr. Daniel E. Morris of Solon is in this respect probably like a host of other people in his town. He is quoted as saying that he will believe in the existence of this road when he hears the whistle of the locomotive at the Solon station. But it seems now as though that would be only a question of a few weeks at the most.

THE W. C. T. U.

Summary of the Annual Reports for the Year Ending Aug. 31, 1897.

   The following is a summary of reports of the Woman's Christian Temperance union for the year ending August 31, 1897:

   Twenty-six regular meetings have been held with an average attendance of thirty. Thirty-three new members have been added during the year, making a total of 175 regular, thirty-six honorary and eight sustaining members. Death has taken three from our number, Mrs. Mary P. Randall, Miss E. Vennette Stephens and Mr. J. D. Price. We feel sad when our ranks lose one; we can not spare any, but we know God will send other helpers that the work may still go on.

   The consecration services conducted by members of the evangelistic committee have been a blessing to all who have attended the meetings. Three have been led to Christ through the instrumentality of this committee. We can not tell how much of fruitage may be gathered in other years from this year's work.

   The year closes with a balance in the treasury of $21.44, the sum of $320.76 having been expended.

   From the literature department—Mrs. Levi Johnson, superintendent—have been distributed or loaned 18,653 leaflets, 592 papers, twenty-five books, fifty pamphlets, and 171 cards. Eighty subscriptions for The Union Signal and other temperance papers have been obtained. As a result of Mrs. Johnson's faithful labors, people are better informed in regard to the W. C. T. U. work, new members have been gained, the sick comforted, and many have been led to realize their responsibility in the temperance cause. She has obtained more than ten new members, the required number to place her name upon the state honor roll.

   Twenty-four subscriptions for Woman's Temperance Work have been obtained by Mrs. Martha Johnson.

   Mrs. E. P. Jepson, superintendent of soldiers' and sailors' department, has sent to the Mariner's Temple, Seamen's Convalescent Home, tenement houses in New York City and to others places, fifty envelopes filled with choice literature and in some cases a personal letter, 140 large pasted cards, three pasted calendars, 482 papers, sixty-one magazines, fifteen books, three scrapbooks, one picture book, three packages of paper dolls, five Bibles and two Testaments.

   From the fruit and flower mission department— Mrs. Lovell, superintendent: Mrs. Robert Colver, assistant—have been sent to hospitals in New York City and Syracuse and to the sick and needy in our own town, 2,027 bouquets, 121 boxes containing comforting verses of Scripture and labeled, "Soothing powders—Take one when sad, troubled or sleepless," 450 packages of literature arranged in the form of motto candies, besides clothing, vegetables, fruit, etc.

   One hundred fifty calls have been made upon the sick.

   The superintendent of the parlor meetings department assisted by Mrs. Henry, and Mrs. Yale, has held nine meetings with an average attendance of eighty-two. Interesting programs, light refreshments and a pleasant social time have made the meetings a helpful feature in our work. Several new members and an added interest in temperance have been some of the results.

   Mrs. Patterson with her assistants, Mrs. Place, Mrs. Morehouse, Mrs. Linderman and Mrs. Johnson, has held twenty-seven mothers' meetings in different parts of the town at which 886 pages of literature, twenty pledge cards and nineteen books were distributed. Mothers have been enlightened on many subjects, and their hearts encouraged.

   Through the efforts of the superintendent of the Sunday-school department, Mrs. Frank Mudge, special exercises have been given in some schools on Temperance day, and 200 papers, 100 pages of literature and 300 pledge cards distributed. Three schools subscribe for temperance papers. 

   By request of the superintendent of Sabbath observance department, Mrs. Anna Bentley, one Sunday in April was devoted to that subject by several of the pastors and by the secretary of the Y. M. C. A. The subject has also been generally discussed in the prayer-meetings. One thousand one hundred forty-nine pages of literature and 100 Sabbath pledge cards have been distributed. Our young people need to have the subject presented as often as possible, for upon them will rest the decision whether we are to be a Sabbath keeping nation in the future.  

   In so large a field, surely no one need feel that there is nothing for them to do. Help is needed in all of the departments, and each member of the union should find the work for which she is best fitted and do with her might what her hands find to do. God loves the cheerful worker as well as the cheerful giver, and with his blessing what may not be accomplished.  

   Let us commence the new year with a strong determination to be faithful and earnest in whatever work the Lord asks of us.  

   MRS. A. M. WATERBURY, Rec. Secretary.

SUCCESSFUL SEA CLOWNS.

Acting Arctic Amphibious Marvels and the Only Ones.

   Among the many performing wild creatures which will be seen in the Adam Forepaugh and Sells Brothers' Consolidation of America's greatest menageries, circuses and hippodromes at Cortland on Wednesday, Sept. 8, Capt. Woodward 's school of performing huge sea lions and mild-eyed seals everywhere attract mirthful admiration, as the only exhibition of the kind, and one abounding in the quaintest, queerest, and funniest illustrations of amphibious intelligence ever seen. A porpoise performing a polka at a fashionable hop would not be one whit more surprising than are many of the martial, musical and mimic successes of these strange scholars, with only tails and flippers to physically aid their sagacity. Their program includes a rarely wonderful combination of salt water and ashore imitations and comicalities, which are so uniquely incredible and grotesque as to evoke shouts of laughter, and to at once establish them as clown pets with the children.

BREVITIES.

   —The Ithaca fair is now in progress, and will continue through Friday.

   —The Grace church chimes are to be taken out and sent to Methuen, Mass., for tuning.

   —Mr. W. E. Wood is to-day moving his household goods to his new home in Syracuse.

    —In police court yesterday the case of The People against Fred Stout was adjourned to Sept. 6.

   —The twentieth annual convention of the Eastern Millers' association will be held in Philadelphia, Sept. 7, 8 and 9.

   —The party of Y. M. C. A. Juniors, who have been camping at Cazenovia lake for a couple of weeks, returned this afternoon.

   —There will be a reunion of the Greene family at Willet on Thursday, Sept. 2. A large gathering is expected to be present. Giles Greene from Illinois will be there.

   —W. C. Crombie as referee sold at partition sale at the courthouse this morning 96 rods of land on Center-st. in Homer village. The property was purchased by Mrs. Margaret O'Connor for $455.

   —New display advertisements to-day are—D. McCarthy & Co., Ready for Fall, page 6; Steam Laundry, Carpets Cleaned, page 7; C. F. Brown, Drugs and Medicine, page 6: W. F. Burns, Klondike, page 6; Palmer & Co., New Goods, page 8.

   —The firm of Allen, Chubb & Co., repairers and manufacturers of wagons and of carriage goods at 22 1/2 Railroad-st., has been dissolved, Messrs. Allen and Chubb having purchased the interest of their partner, Mrs. F. S. Bennett, and will continue the business at the same stand.

   —Some time between Sunday and Monday morning, while Mrs. H. M. Hollister was away from her rooms in the Burgess block, some one entered and carried away her pocketbook which contained less than $1. It was probably the same miscreant who entered Strouse's barber shop and turned on the water and left it running.