THE LATTIMER TRAGEDY

Deputies firing on unarmed coal miners.

The Cortland Democrat, Friday, September 17, 1897.

PAGE FOUR—EDITORIALS.

The Lattimer Tragedy.

   While trouble has been feared for many weeks among the striking soft coal miners of the Pittsburg district, it has hardly been looked for among the hard coal miners of the Hazleton district. The unexpected has happened nevertheless, and at the time of writing twenty-one striking miners are dead, and with the probability that five more will be added to that number, as the result of someone's cowardice, incapacity or brutality, and at least forty more are more or less seriously wounded. Notwithstanding the conflicting reports in regard to this most lamentable affair, we believe, after a careful reading of dispatches from many sources, that this fearful slaughter of poor and ignorant workmen was without any justifiable cause. That they were marching on a public highway is not denied, and what seem to us to be the most reliable dispatches, show that they were marching in order and without any undue noise or demonstration of any kind.

   The effort of a certain class of papers to make it appear that this was a large armed mob which refused to halt when commanded to do so by the sheriff, and that they actually attacked the deputies, we believe is without any foundation of truth whatever. A careful search of the dead and wounded failed to reveal anything in the way of arms, except one cheap revolver without a single shell in it loaded or unloaded, and one small penknife.

   The probabilities are that the miners did not exceed 150 in number, while there were 102 deputies armed with repeating rifles, and the story that a company of 150 unarmed men would deliberately charge upon or assault 102 men whom they could see were armed with rifles, is unreasonable in the extreme. The deputies could see that the miners carried no guns, and for them to fire upon such a company of men when not even a revolver shot had been fired by the miners, shows a fiendish brutality worthy of Weyler, or extreme cowardice unworthy of men, and we shall be charitable enough to charge them with the latter. Law and order must be maintained, and we believe in upholding the majesty of the law by force if necessary, but law which will not protect the lives of the weak and unarmed subjects, against wanton killing by its armed representatives, is not worth upholding.

   This government cannot afford, with its vast mixed and heterogeneous population, to educate its poor and laboring people into the belief that not only are the courts of justice closed against such as they, but that even the guns of its representatives, whether deputies or soldiers, are ready to pour death into their unarmed ranks whenever the cowardice or caprice of some incompetent officer may dictate the command. This government cannot afford to condone or defend unwarranted acts such as this, and to do so breeds disrespect for the very laws which they seek to uphold, not alone in the minds of the poor and ignorant, not alone m the minds of the victims of injustice whether ignorant or not, but in the minds of many of the great middle class upon whom this government must always rely for its strength, who have always been its defenders, and in the minds of all who have hearts to feel for the sufferings of others, all who love liberty and justice.

   If as a people we would breed riot, anarchy and rebellion, we need but a few more such papers as the New York Sun and the New York Times to accomplish it. The New York Times in defending Sheriff Martin in their Sunday issue said:

   "Will it be contended by the sentimentalists who condemn him that he ought to have fled and left the rioters free to execute their lawless will? It was his plain and imperative duty to fire upon the mob. He did fire, and the mob dispersed. It is for such emergencies and for such uses that Sheriffs' posses and military organizations carry firearms."

   The Sun with equal brutality said:

   "Whether the volley from the Sheriff's posse was or was not preceded by the Sheriff's definite command, the action should and will receive the applause of all the law-abiding citizens of Pennsylvania and of the whole country. It is deplorable that human blood was shed, but it was shed in defence of the law officers of the State in the performance of their duty in resisting and attempting to suppress an armed rebellion. Far more deplorable than the killing of these rioters is the abuse of the brave sheriff which immediately proceeds from the demagogue politicians and the Pulitzer newspapers, and it is an inexplicable fact of human nature that even reputable people who should be the first to approve such a deed are among the first to condemn it."

   The Sun in closing its editorial from which the above is clipped says: "Honor to the sheriff of Luzerne county." Honor! Honor for what? Is it possible that the metropolitan press has fallen to such depths? God forbid that we shall ever know honor or distinction such as this.

Alton B. Parker.

For Judge of the Court of Appeals.

   In our issue of last week we stated that the name of Judge Alton B. Parker was the one most prominently mentioned for Judge of the Court of Appeals.

   The Democratic State Committee met in New York on Wednesday for the purpose of placing in nomination a candidate for that office, that power having been delegated to the committee at the State convention held last year, and Judge Alton B. Parker received the nomination. The candidates in the field besides Judge Parker were, Charles J. Patterson of Troy, Senator Murphy's candidate, D. Cady Merrick of Albany, and Charles F. Tabor of Erie county. Forty-five of the fifty members of the State Committee were present and voting and Judge Parker received 27 of the 45 votes and on motion of Mr. Malloy of Troy, his nomination was made unanimous.

   The DEMOCRAT congratulates Judge Parker on his nomination to this high office, and hopes that no dissensions in the ranks of the party in the State will imperil his election.

Democratic Opportunity?

   ◘ The political situation, so far as our [Cortland County] Republican friends are concerned, has not changed materially since our last issue. The breach in their ranks seems as wide as it was, and probably no wider. It is hardly probable that there will be any patching up of a truce between the contending factions, nor that the independent faction will increase much beyond their present numbers. The question as to whether this is a Democratic opportunity or not, will rest largely with the Democrats themselves. It will not do for Democrats to be misled with the idea that a Republican bolt necessarily means a Democratic victory. Neither must Democrats be misled by the talk of overzealous Republican independents, who may tell them that the whole Democratic ticket will be elected.

   The chances are that a large majority of the Republicans in Cortland county, when it comes to election day, will walk up to the polls and vote one or the other of the Republican tickets which have been placed in the field. The organization faction certainly will, in their effort to elect their ticket, and probably a majority of the independent faction, for the purpose of showing their strength.

   It is best that the Democratic party in the county look the situation squarely in the face, and estimate their chances for victory at their real worth, for in that way only will the necessary wisdom be shown in their action, and the selection of candidates, to take advantage of the opportunity which our opponents have given us.

   We have said what we have, not for the purpose of discouraging any loyal Democrat who desires the success of the ticket to be nominated on Friday, Oct. 1st, but for the purpose of showing, in part, what is necessary for success at the polls on November 2nd. First of all, if we are to succeed we must present a united front, and by that we do not mean or refer to any division in our ranks over gold or silver, for the gold Democratic vote was but 67 in the whole county and cuts no figure, but any local factional feeling that may exist in any town must be laid aside, and every Democratic vote polled for the ticket. If we would succeed, the ticket nominated must be made up of men who are at least, as well qualified in every particular for the various offices for which they are nominated, as the men on either of the other tickets, men in whose ability and integrity the people, both Democrats and Republicans, will have perfect confidence and in whose hands they will not be afraid to trust their interests.

   If we have harmony, and the right kind of a ticket is nominated, one which is satisfactory to every loyal Democrat, there will remain one important thing necessary to reach victory, and that is that no Democrat who is able to go to the polls shall fail to register and vote, we shall need every vote. Are the Democrats of Cortland county ready to embrace the opportunity? Are they ready to lay aside all differences and party strifes and work to win? Are they ready to go to the polls, and not only vote for the principles which they advocate but work also for the success of the ticket, and see to it that the man with money to tempt those who may be in need of money to sell their vote, shall find no place or opportunity to corrupt the voters?

   ◘ Baldwinsville gas drillers are about to sink a test well for natural gas at Auburn.

Pink line shows route of E. & C. N. Y. R. R. between Cortland and Cincinnatus, N. Y.

TO MCGRAWVILLE.

FIRST EXCURSION TRAIN WENT LAST FRIDAY EVENING OVER THE E. & C. N. Y. R. R.

Carried 200 Passengers—Track is Now Laid Beyond the Depot and

Switches There are all in—Connection Made With D. L. & W. R. R.

   Cortland Odd Fellows ran the first excursion over the Erie & Central New York R. R. last Friday evening. They wanted to visit their McGrawville brothers and with only a few hours' notice enough members of the order and citizens were at the Lehigh Valley depot to fill every seat and all standing room in three passenger coaches.

   McGrawville people turned out with a band and torches and fireworks and bonfires were all along the line of march from the end of the road, about half a mile this side of the depot to Main-st. Speeches were in order in the lodge rooms and a grand good time was enjoyed till the train returned at 11 o'clock. The conductor did not take up tickets on the return trip, and they are saved as souvenirs of the first trip over the long talked of railroad.

   Since Friday many carloads of ties have been received and on Wednesday the track was laid to the McGrawville depot. The necessary switches were also put in. Lack of ties in large quantities still hinders fast track laying. Enough rails have arrived and are in the yard to lay the track beyond Solon. A gang of D. L. & W. men have put in the necessary switches and frogs and the Erie now has direct connection with the D. L. & W. Fence men are over half way to McGrawville, putting up a substantial wire fence.

Cortland Opera House on Groton Avenue.

Opening of the Cortland Opera House.

   Managers Wallace & Gilmore open the regular season of the Cortland opera house Tuesday, September 21. The first attraction being the strong production, "The Man in the Iron Mask'' by the Robertson & Douglas Co. Arrangements are pending to have a new system of lighting the house, ready by September 20, and the house will present a bright cheerful appearance on this occasion. Tropical plants will adorn the stage, fronts of the boxes and lobby and an orchestra of twelve musicians will play the overture, and between the acts selections.

   The press, town officials and stock holders will be invited to occupy boxes and the introduction to the new management it is hoped will be a welcome one. Attractions to follow are "The Strange Adventures of Miss Brown," "Camp & Hopkins new minstrels," Lester & Williams' "Me and Jack," "Mme. Sans Gene," "Girl from Frisco," "Katie Emmett," "Victor Herbert's Band," "Under the Dome," "The Sporting Craze," "8 Bells," 'Rhea," Morrison's "Faust," "Sousa's Band," "The Wilbur Opera Co.," etc., etc.

Temporarily Deranged.

   Fred D. L. Squires, son of James S. Squires, started for North Dakota last Friday. His health is much broken and he went for the change of air and surroundings. He stopped at Brockport to spend a few days and as he is state president of the L. T. L. the members there planned a reception for him. While under a temporary failure of his mind he suddenly left Brockport just before the reception and went through to Chicago and met his brother, leaving his baggage behind. The affection of his mind is supposedly the result of a run down nervous system and physical condition which was probably brought on by eating ice cream just after violent exertion in the hot sun. He was at the ice cream table when he suddenly announced that he must go.

PENNANT NOT AWARDED.

Canandaigua and Palmyra Each Lay Claim to It.

   The State league base ball season is over and the race was so close that the winner of the pennant is still in doubt. The board of directors met at Auburn Tuesday and closed up all matters except awarding the pennant. The reports of several games are missing and these will have to be obtained. Canandaigua and Palmyra each admit 35 games lost but the former claim to have won fifty-two, and Palmyra claims Canandaigua has won only fifty-one games and that the two clubs are a tie, and there are many who have the same idea. The matter can only be settled by the directors after they have a full report of all games played.

   The State league has certainly been a success this year tad there is every prospect that it will next year be an eight or ten club league as there are many towns and cities anxious to enter. As to Cortland being in next year, there is nothing certain. Those who have had the hard work this year in connection with running the team say they will be lookers-on next year. The town has given its team better support than any other team in the circuit and in all probability will rise to the occasion next spring and put a team in the field. The following gives the standing of the clubs at the close of the season according to figures kept in this office:

   Last week Thursday Auburn beat Palmyra 16 to 3; Canandaigua beat Lyons 19 to 8 and Geneva won from Cortland 9 to 0. Friday Palmyra won from Lyons, 9 to 2; Canandaigua won from Geneva 14 to 9 and Cortland beat Auburn 12 to 2. Saturday last Lyons beat Palmyra 7 to 5; Canandaigua beat Geneva 8 to 5 and Cortland won from Auburn 5 to 0.

Another Ball Game.

   The State league season has closed but the fans should turn out to-morrow to see the game between two nines composed of Cortland's popular young society men. Not over three or four of them ever had a ball in their hands until their practice of the last few days.

   The two nines are captained by J. P. Gray of the Cortland Water Works Co. and G. Harry Garrison of the Cortland & Homer Traction Co. The batteries will be F. M. Van Hoesen and S. S. Jones for Gray and C. R. and H. R. Case for Garrison.

   The game will be played for the benefit of the Cortland hospital and an admission of 10 cents will be charged. Rev. John T. Stone will officiate as umpire.

A New Departure at Burgess' Mammoth Store.

   Mr. A. S. Burgess, the progressive and hustling men's outfitter, makes a new departure in adding a full line of men's and boys' shoes, in all grades, to his stock of clothing, hats and men's furnishing goods. The many patrons of this popular establishment will doubtless appreciate this addition to the stock, giving them, as it does, the opportunity to clothe themselves entire from head to foot at Burgess' big store.

   Either Railroad-st. [Central Avenue] entrance brings you directly into the boot and shoe department. Fifty feet of handsome oak shelving has been added to accommodate this new line and it will embrace goods from all the leading manufacturers of gent's boots, shoes and rubbers, in the country. The space devoted to this department will not be missed from the ample room in the store, and this economy of rent Burgess will give to customers.

Business at the Cortland Wrench Co.

   Last week the Cortland Wrench Company received an order from a London house for 50,000 of their improved bicycle wrenches, and Thursday morning an order for 25,000 wrenches from a German house in Berlin. The wrench manufactured by this rapidly growing company is a patented specialty in bicycle wrenches, that seems to be fully as well appreciated abroad as at home, and the company are now running at fullest capacity and working every man possible. This is a pace in business that we wish other Cortland manufacturers might be able to follow, and a few more such hustling concerns would be a good thing for Cortland, and reminds us of that old song: "When you get a good thing keep it, keep it."

Hospital Notes.

   There are now eight patients in the hospital, all of whom are apparently progressing toward recovery. Mr. Alfred Smith, the L. V. brakeman, who was injured by being caught between the bumpers of the cars, was well enough on Monday to return to his home in Elmira. Mr. Lovell who has been very ill with typhoid fever is convalescing rapidly. Mr. O. Hammond, who recently underwent an operation of appendicitis, has recovered sufficiently to be removed to his home in McGrawville and at last accounts was doing well.

   At the meeting of the managers held on Monday last the subject of a fair, which has been under consideration for several weeks, was more fully discussed and plans arranged for the holding of one in November, the date to be fixed later. Another scheme for securing to the hospital aid which shall be both substantial and constant, a plan kindly suggested by a lady formerly resident in Cortland, who has witnessed its very successful working in aid of other hospitals, was also resolved upon and will be at once put into operation. The plan consists in having every member of the board pledge herself to give twice a year at stated times two articles which can he used in the hospital.

   These ladies ask two others to do the same, who in turn each ask two others and the invitation is continued indefinitely in this order of geometric progression until a large number are interested, and though the articles given may be comparatively inexpensive, their aggregate results in a valuable addition to the hospital stores.

   A list of needed articles and the dates for their delivery will be given later. The Crosley fund has proved a very efficient aid, and has relieved the managers of a heavy burden in soliciting. Of the sixty pledges given only three of the first years' were unredeemed There are, however, several of the second years' still unpaid, and if those in arrears will kindly remit to the treasurer, Mrs. F. H. Cobb, 4 Monroe Heights, they will confer a favor.

   The original number having become somewhat reduced by death, removal from town and the disbanding of organizations, an effort will be made not only to recruit the list to its original number, but to largely increase it. There must surely be many others able and willing to thus unite in supporting this necessary charity.

HERE AND THERE.

   Dryden Fair next week.

   Opera house opening, next Tuesday evening.

   The summer series of parties given by the St. Vitus club closed with a very pleasant party last Friday night.

   "The Man in the Iron Mask" at the Cortland Opera house next Tuesday evening. It is well worth seeing.

   The number of students at Joiners' business college is constantly increasing. There are six new ones this week.

   Thanks to the enterprise of Collector James Costello work was begun on the new bath rooms for the C A. A. on Tuesday.

   Cooper Bros. have added a dynamo to their equipment at their foundry and machine shops. They will now have their own lights.

   Charles W. Ryan will open a meat market next Monday and run it in connection with his store near the D. L. & W. depot. Henry Carpenter of Elmira, an expert in this line, will be in charge.

   The new Weiting Opera house in Syracuse was opened for the first time Wednesday evening. It is said to eclipse everything of its kind in the country, except as to size, and there are few larger.

   Mr. H. M. Harvey of Syracuse University will give a phonograph entertainment at the Homer-ave. M. E. church this evening at 8 o'clock for the benefit of the Epworth League. Admission will be 10 cents.

   "The Man in the Iron Mask" deserves to be greeted by a crowded house at the Cortland Opera house on Tuesday evening, Sept. 21st. Sale of tickets opens at Rood's Candy Kitchen, Saturday the 18th, at 2:30 P. M.

   Regular meeting of the W. C. T. U. on Tuesday, Sept 21, at 2:45 P. M. It is expected that Mrs. Mary Gearhart will lead the consecration service. Regular business meeting will follow. For the programme the concluding arrangements for the State convention will be made.

   Grand Master Hiram H. Olmstead of Syracuse made an official visit to Vesta Lodge, I. O. O. F. of Cortland on Monday evening. After the work of the evening, speeches were made by the Grand Master and Grand Chaplain J. Barton French of Cortland and then refreshments were served in the lodge rooms.

Opening or the Women's Riverside Home.

   The Women's Riverside Home on Port Watson-st., which has been undergoing extensive repairs, is nearing completion. The roof over the large wing running to the north has been raised up, which makes an addition of six comfortable rooms, and they now have accommodations for eighteen or twenty ladies. A large piazza has been built, extending the entire length of the front which is 42 feet long, and with a balcony above. The city water has been put in and the entire house furnished with hot and cold water, bath room and closet put in and all connected with the sewers. The entire house has been papered, and painted both outside and inside, the cost of repairs amounting to about $1,000. The repairs, it is expected, will all be completed by Saturday, September 25th, which will be the opening day, and the citizens of Cortland are most cordially invited to call and inspect this new home for women.

Shepard's Opening.

   Yesterday and to-day are opening days at Shepard's. He and his two trimmers, Miss Butler and Mrs. Dixon, made large and tasty selections in New York of the very latest things in the dry goods and millinery line and these with the already complete stock are most tastily arranged in the store. Mr. D. C. Lewis, late of Macy's, New York, an expert decorator and an experienced dry goods man has entered the employ of Mr. Shepard. His handiwork is apparent in the show windows. The south one has an elegant display of imported hats and millinery and in the north one are the very latest things in silk dress goods. The millinery room upstairs is a revelation in this line.

   The orchestra in the main store added much to the pleasure of the large crowds that thronged the store yesterday afternoon. The opening continues to-day.