WHO ARE TO GET THE PLUMS?

Cortland Evening Standard, Thursday, Aug. 26, 1897.

WHO ARE TO GET THE PLUMS?

   Cortland, N. Y., August 26, 1897.

   To the Editor of the STANDARD:

   SIR—To read the effusions of the paid advocate who pose as correspondents of various papers outside of the county, one would be led to believe that the Republican party of Cortland county is wholly under the control of its worse and most unscrupulous element, or that the honored "leaders'' of that party are "four D's and B", which being translated is supposed to mean "Dick" Duell, Duke (Lovell), Dowd and Dickinson, and Buell or A. S. Brown—doubtful which. Also that F. P. Saunders has united with the latter element and is to be renominated by it for member of assembly, for assisting in establishing its control of the party.

   The methods of this combination have surprised decent people. The "mob" caucus of Cortland is an unpleasant bit of political history, for its viciousness remains undisputed. A delegation obtained by such methods is not representative, and naturally would be looked upon with less respect than if obtained by orderly and lawful ways. In Solon and Lapeer where the members of the alliance worked and succeeded, there were more

votes than there were for McKinley in those towns last fall; and in the town of Cuyler, where the combination did not succeed, a scrutiny of the list of those opposing  Mr. Howes shows many who were supporting Bryan last fall, and hence the vote there is in excess of the McKinley vote of last fall, though not in excess of the Republican vote in former years as in Solon and Lapeer.

   The feeling among loyal Republicans in those towns, where "mob" or "union" caucuses have sought to compel the result favorable to what is called the "four D's and B" combination, is naturally that of indignation.

   Another of the peculiar methods used is the inducement held out to some persons in so many of the towns to become for the time being candidates for some nomination to be made. It is very evident that either the people or many of the so-called candidates are being fooled.

   In Solon the ''four D's and B" combination is to nominate Mr. Walker for superintendent of the poor, while in Scott it is Mr. Frisbie, in Cortland Mr. Strowbridge and Mr. Miner, and in Truxton, Mr. Baldwin. Of course, only one of the gentlemen named can be nominated, and if it should be Mr. Frisbie, who is regarded as the favorite of the combine, then the others have been cheated or used to cheat their friends. If Mr. Frisbie carries Scott, the cry will go up that it is for Saunders, Duell, and Dowd; and so when Mr. Walker got delegates in Solon, it was claimed they were for Saunders and Duell and Dowd also. So as to Truxton. Who is being cheated or used? That is a question to be answered later.

   After a like manner the same combination is professing to be sacrificing itself and devoting its efforts to the nomination of Mr. Jones of Homer for sheriff, when among Mr. Jones' friends, but when among Overton's friends it is equally devoted to Overton, and in Truxton its devotion to Mr. Crandall is assured. And it is for this same office of sheriff that "Duke" Lovell, one of the big "D's," is himself a candidate, and for which he claims to have the Cortland delegates. Who is going to be nominee for sheriff anyway, and how can "Duke" pull through, and all the others not get badly left? And how do they like the prospect? But when the caucuses were held in Virgil, Homer and Truxton, it was announced as a victory for Saunders, Dowd and Duell. Who is being fooled or used in these towns?

   Mr. Beardsley of Marathon was an original member of the same combination and its slated candidate for county clerk. His name was used to conjure with in Lapeer and Marathon, while the same men now bring out Mr. McVean in Willet, and try to get Mr. Collier and Mr. Cummings to stand for them as candidates for the same office to get them delegates in Preble. No matter what local candidates obtain delegates in any town the cry goes up that it is for Saunders, Dowd and the Duell interest. This is evidently done with a view of making a bluff, for on scrutinizing the list of delegates already elected, it is very difficult to see where Mr. Saunders has many delegates which he can give to anyone else. Harford and Lapeer and Solon claim to be unpledged, and their delegations are undoubtedly divided as to the present choice. Some of Mr. Saunders' friends suspect that even he is being cheated and used, as Duell has claimed all the Cortland delegates for himself for member of assembly, and it seems to be conceded that he controls two of them.

   Is Mr. Saunders, his friends ask, not being worked by Duell and Brown for their own purposes and to his own injury. Perhaps by using the same method as last fall, of getting all the delegates from these towns who are captained by a lieutenant or ostensible candidate into a room and locking them in for a few hours, they may be dragooned into a support of the schemes of the "D's and B." But how will the honest candidates who had hopes for themselves and those honest people who have shown loyalty to local candidates feel? The probabilities are now strongly against the success of the combination. Yet it is reckless and selfish and may be guilty of seizing the convention by unseating regularly elected delegates as a threatened in advance. The success or good name of the Republican party ought not to be endangered or sacrificed to the ambitions or hopes of plunder of unscrupulous men.

   Yours truly, REPUBLICAN.

New York Vets in Parade, G. A. R. Meet, Buffalo, N. Y.

PAGE TWO—EDITORIALS.

G. A. R. Encampment.

   The encampment of the Grand Army of the Republic, now in session in Buffalo, is one of the most numerously attended in the history of that organization. This is largely due to the fact that the city where it is held is very centrally located as regards the old soldier population of the country. It is easily reached from New York state, which contributed 392,270 three years' volunteers to the defense of the Union; from Pennsylvania, which contributed 265,517; and from Ohio, which contributed 240,514. And the New England and middle-western states, which contributed a large quota, are not very far off, when the excellent transportation facilities of the railways centering at Buffalo are taken into consideration.

   It is therefore among the probabilities that no future encampment will be attended by as many union veterans as now throng the Electric city. A large majority of the old soldiers are close to the scriptural measure of years. From now out they will rapidly be summoned to answer the last rollcall, and each successive encampment must needs see a smaller attendance.

   While the Grand Army endures it is fitting that it should assemble in annual encampment as a great object lesson in patriotism to those of a later generation, whose only knowledge of the days that tried men's souls comes from perusal of the printed page, or from the lips of those who took heroic part in the greatest of modern wars. It is fitting that every city where the encampment is held should extend unstinted welcome and hospitality to the old soldiers, for the best that can be done for them is small recompense for the services they have rendered. It is fitting for the veterans themselves that they should annually assemble to strengthen the bonds of fraternity, to broaden the scope of charity, and to exemplify the great sentiment of loyalty.

   The encampment of 1897 will pass into history as a red letter one not only in point of attendance and the generous welcome extended, but also because of the presence among the veterans as one of them of a citizen who rose from a soldier in the ranks to the position of commander in chief by virtue of his election to the presidency of the United States. Unquestionably the enthusiasm of the veterans has been all the greater because of the opportunity afforded them to meet a president who is a comrade.

THE CORWIN FAMILY

Held Its Annual Reunion at Ross Park, Binghamton.

   The annual reunion of the Corwin family was held at Ross park, Binghamton yesterday. A party of eighteen went down from Cortland and with 103 others sat down to a dinner which, as one of the company remarked was "unusually filling." The Cortland party consisted of Mr. and Mrs. D. G. Corwin, son Wilbur and daughter Jennie, Mr. and Mrs. T. L. Corwin, Mr. Cortland Corwin, Mrs. Menissa Reas, Miss Henliza Lakin, Mr. Ezra Corwin, Mrs. Jennie Wheeler Burnham, Miss [Racetia] Wheeler, Mrs. Amanda Welch, Miss Annis Kingman, Mrs. Isabel Corwin Pike of McGrawville, Mr. and Mrs. A. D. Kinney of Washington and Mr. Robert Ferguson.

   An unusual feature of the occasion was the number of old people present, among whom were Shultz Corwin of New Milford, Pa., aged 88 years. He was accompanied by his brothers, Alfred and George, aged respectively 85 and 83 years. Mr. Selah Corwin of Middletown, N. Y., aged 87 years, journeyed the long distance to meet his kin, and from Cortland went Cortland Corwin, aged 87 years. It may be of interest to some to know that Cortland Corwin was named after the county in which he was born, while later the village of Cortland was named after him.

   After the repast was ended the family adjourned to the pavilion where officers were elected as follows:

   President—S. Wells Corwin of Scranton.

   First Vice-President, J. H. Corwin of Montrose.

   Second Vice-President—Dudley G. Corwin of Cortland.

   Secretary—Mrs. C. A. Graham of Tunkhannock, Pa.

   Treasurer—E. E. Corwin of Scranton.

   A short speech was then made by Alfred Corwin of New Milford. He was followed by Selah Corwin of Middletown. Then D. G. Cortland [Corwin?] was called upon. He responded in his usual vigorous happy style. Silas Corwin of Binghamton spoke very feelingly of the family relations. Ezra Corwin of Cortland responded to the invitation to speak. Mr. C. R. Williams of Binghamton, a distant connection and an old time friend of the family, very tenderly referred to his boyhood days passed in New Milford, the dwelling place of the three grand old brothers, Shultz, Alfred and George. T. L. Corwin of Cortland succeeded Mr. Williams and, speaking of the characteristics of the Corwin family, did so in language forcible enough and pleasant enough to be remembered.

   After the speechmaking a general visit was inaugurated and so the time went on … till parting time came and then good byes were said and all went towards their homes.

   Each took with him a happy remembrance of the day and the hope that it might be his to hear the "Chant of the Angels'' referred to by one of the speakers.

   The train leaving Binghamton at 7 P. M. brought the Cortland party home and it was conceded by the railroad men to be a very lively party. One farmer below Whitney Point said that as the train passed his place he could bear far above the roaring of the train the laughter and song being borne along. He even thought he could plainly hear D. G. Corwin's voice. I hardly believe it but it may be.

   The next reunion will be held at the same place the fourth Wednesday of

August, 1898.

   ONE WHO WAS THERE.

W. C. T. U. County Convention.

   The annual convention of the Woman's Christian Temperance union of Cortland county will be held in the M. E. church in Truxton, Aug. 31 and Sept. 1. At this meeting will occur the election of officers for the ensuing year. Discussions upon different departments of work will occur and reports of all departments will be made. A fine address will be given on the first evening. All are invited.

   LIBBIE ROBERTSON, Secretary.

Steamer Frontenac on Cayuga Lake.

BREVITIES.

   —The Homer National bank has been connected with the telephone exchange.

   —A regular meeting of James H. Kellogg camp, No. 48, S. O. V., is to be held to-morrow night and a full attendance is desired.

   —About forty Cortland people were entertained at Homer last night by Mr. and Mrs. C. C. Carley at a 6 o'clock tea, followed by progressive whist.

   —The secretary of agriculture reckons the increased wealth of the farmers by reason of the advance in the prices of farm produce at $500,000,000.

   —The Eureka club gave an enjoyable party in Empire hall last night, attended by fifteen couples. George C. Murphy, pianist, furnished music.

   —The annual reunion and basket picnic of the Underwood family will be held in Reuben Underwood's grove, two miles southeast of McGrawville on Thursday, Sept. 2.

   —A meeting of the board of managers of the board of trade will be held in Fireman's hall to-morrow night at 8 o'clock to appoint committees and take steps for doing effective work at once.

   —Correspondence regarding the next year at the Cortland Conservatory of

Music is at present very large. Preparations are being made at the rooms for a large increase in the attendance over last year.

    —Messrs. D. G. Corwin, Wilbur Corwin and Fred Hollenbeck were fishing for about three hours on Monday afternoon in Dryden lake. The result was thirty fine pickerel which tipped the beam at a little over thirty pounds.

   —Mrs. Fannie Wilcox died at her late home in this village Tuesday morning, aged 91 years and 5 months. Deceased was the oldest inhabitant of this section, and was revered and respected by all who knew her.—Marathon Independent.

   —Chicago now has two horseless vehicles in use as delivery wagons. Each weighs 2,000 and is capable of carrying 1,800 pounds. It costs about 15 cents a day to charge the storage battery of each vehicle, and it is estimated the cost under maintaining a team is about 70 cents a day.

   —Mrs. Lettie Buell Woodward, wife of E. E. Woodward, died at her home in Truxton this morning after an illness of about seven months. Her age was 42 years. She is survived by her husband, three sons and one daughter. The funeral will be held at her late home in Truxton, Saturday at 10 o'clock.

   —John McTighe, who is employed by T. T. Bates, the plumber, was struck in the face Tuesday afternoon by a quantity of molten lead by an explosion caused by dropping into the molten lead some pieces of lead pipe, the inside of which was moist, generating steam. Vaseline relieved the pain, and no serious results are apprehended.

   —Congressman James J. Belden paid the railroad fare for between fifty and sixty needy Madison county G. A. R. men to the National encampment at Buffalo this week. Mr. Belden sent several hundred dollars here for the purpose and it was divided proportionately between the eleven G. A. R. posts of the county, in accordance with the membership of each post.—Canastota Journal.

   —On and after Sept. 1, the steamer Frontenac of the Cayuga Lake Transportation Co., will leave Cayuga at 12:30 P. M. instead of at 8:15 P. M. as at present, so that it will get back to Ithaca some after 4 o'clock. It will then make no lengthy stop at Cayuga as at present, and will connect with the noon trains east and west on the Central road instead of the 3 o'clock trains. This will permit Cortland people who desire to take the trip of the lake to get back home at 6:18 P. M. instead of at 8:35 as at present.

McGRAWVILLE.

Crisp Local Happenings at the Corset City.

   Mr. and Mrs. T. H. Tuffley, accompanied by their son Jesse and grandson Frederick Gorgens of Boscobel, Wis., arrived in town Wednesday morning and are the guests of their daughter, Mrs. C. D. McGraw. They expect to remain about a month.

   E. P. Mudge of Cortland is visiting his brother, A. H. D. Mudge, Jr.

   The quarterly missionary tea of the Presbyterian church will take place at the residence of N. H. Gillette on Tuesday evening, Aug. 31, J. H. Hill, the celebrated chef, will have charge of the culinary department and a large assortment of heathen will be present to represent their respective lands.

   Mabel White and little sister and Mrs. Mary Ferrens and two children visited at Adam Ransom's last week.

   James Kelley of Fulton was a guest of his brother J. H. Kelley Tuesday.

   Mr. and Mrs. William Martin and Mr. and Mrs. Fred Martin on Tuesday attended the reunion of the Martin family at the old homestead in Galatia now occupied by Frank H. Martin. A fine time is reported. Charlie, the youngest brother, sent a letter of regrets, as his business called him to Pennsylvania and he was unable to be present.

   A. J. Sweet spent Wednesday in Syracuse.

   Rev. W. P. Garrett writes from North Scriba, N. Y., under date of Aug. 23 and reports a splendid time. Sunday was spent at camp-meeting and Monday on the shores of Lake Ontario.

   H. E. Whitmore has sold his livery to W. F. Rogers and E. D. Landers and has purchased the lunch rooms of M. C. Borden who will work for him.

   Allen Pudney of Taylor is the guest of his brother L. G. Pudney.

   Miss Hattie Waide has arrived home.