AFTER THE DAUNTLESS AND CITIES OF NEW YORK

Steam Tug Dauntless.

Cortland Evening Standard, Thursday, December 23, 1897.

AFTER THE DAUNTLESS.

Battleship For the First Time Put on Filibustering Tug's Track.

   WASHINGTON, Dec. 23.—The services of the navy department have been enlisted to search for the filibustering tug Dauntless, which left Jacksonville on Sunday last.

   The tug, according to her clearance papers, should have reached Key West two days ago, and it is believed she is off on another expedition in aid of the Cuban insurgents.

   Orders were sent to Captain Sigsbee, commanding the battleship Maine, now lying at Key West, to look out sharply for the Dauntless. This is the first instance of the dispatch of a first-class battleship to catch a filibustering vessel.

All Vessels Examined.

   KEY WEST, Dec. 23.—Schooners leaving port last night, that were unaccustomed to the summary methods adopted by the United States in intercepting filibusters, were treated to a surprise.

   The Battleship Maine's launch fired a shot as a command for them to halt. Not understanding the signal they proceeded on their course, but another shot brought them to. They were boarded by the naval officers and thoroughly searched, but no arms nor ammunition were found and they were allowed to proceed.

   The Maine's officers are unusually alert and there must be strong ground for suspecting that a filibustering expedition is being planned.

EASTERN SITUATION.

Japan Perplexed by the Attitude of Russia Towards China.

   LONDON, Dec. 23.—The Pekin correspondent of The Times says:

   The Chinese are provisioning Port Arthur and will reconstruct the fort there, Russia supervising and furnishing the money.

   In the face of this indication of permanent occupation the necessity of safeguarding our position in the East increases. The Russo-Chinese bank, which is the agent of the Russian government, has offered China 120,000 Berdan rifles, with payment five years hence. China has accepted the proposal.

   According to a dispatch from Kobe, Japan, the news from Port Arthur has greatly disturbed the Mikado's ministers. Long cabinet councils have been held and the high military officials have attended. The Japanese newspapers, the dispatch says, are nonplused at the situation in the far east, while the ministry is involved in domestic troubles connected with its taxation proposals, to which the Diet is hostile.

Soldiers and Sailors Monument.

   NEW YORK, Dec. 23.—At last the site for the Soldiers and Sailors monument has been decided upon by the special commission, of which Mayor Strong is chairman. The commission agreed upon Claremont, on Riverside drive, as the most desirable location, and the monument will be erected within a stone's throw of Grant's tomb.

Doughnuts and Apples In New York.

   NEW YORK, Dec. 23.—The 93d annual festival of the New England society in the city of New York was held at Delmonico's last night. Four hundred members of the society and their friends, including many distinguished men, were present. The tables were devoid of decorations, except for the miniature pyramids of yellow doughnuts and rosy red Baldwin apples.

   Throughout the evening the parlors of Delmonico's were thronged with New Englanders, representing every one of the states so designated. An hour was spent in social intercourse, and although the dinner was set for 6:30, it was 8 o'clock when the guests seated themselves at the table.

PAGE TWO—EDITORIALS.

Progressive Taxation.

   In 1895 the Illinois legislature enacted a progressive inheritance tax law, using an ascending scale of from 1 to 6 per cent on legacies ranging in value from $2,000 and upward. On inheritances of over $50,000 6 per cent was levied.

   Immediately the constitutionality of the law was contested by those interested. It was fought out in the Illinois supreme court, where with one dissenting vote, the act was declared constitutional. The case was then appealed to the United States supreme court, where it awaits decision. The arguments of those who wish to have the act set aside are that progressive taxation deprives people of property without due legal process, denies to them the equal protection of the laws and abridges the privileges and immunities of citizens. Several states have already enactments similar to the Illinois law.

   Mr. Max West points out in The North American Review what the effect of the United State's supreme court's decision would be in either case:

   The importance of the case now pending can scarcely be overestimated. An adverse decision would mean the prohibition of progressive taxation throughout the United States, and hence would annul not only the Illinois tax, but the inheritance tax of Missouri, the income tax of North Carolina and the railroad taxes of several states, and it would put a quietus upon any thoroughgoing reform of state taxation. On the other hand, a favorable decision will doubtless prove a powerful stimulus to the development of progressive taxation throughout the country. After such a decision by the highest court no state court will be likely to annul a similar act unless the state’s constitution very plainly requires all taxation to be proportional; a vague generality in the bill of rights will not be considered sufficient.

   ◘ If the administration of McKinley shall witness the annexation of Hawaii, the liberation of Cuba and the construction of the Nicaragua canal under United States auspices and control, it will be one of the most notable since the beginning of our history.

   ◘ The person who does most good in the world is he who just goes on and does it without labeling himself as of any particular school of belief.

CITIES OF NEW YORK.

LONG LIST OF APPLICANTS FOR CITY CHARTERS.

Dates of Some of the Incorporations of the Present Cities—Ten Thousand Population is not Now Required—Cortland has the Population but Does not Want to be a City.

   ALBANY, Dec. 23. (Special.)—Although the cities in this state now number forty-one and have been steadily on the increase since New York became a state, the agitation for new municipalities is still going on. With the consolidation of the Greater New York, Jan. 1, two of these forty-one cities will be wiped out of existence: they are Brooklyn and Long Island City. However, it is certain that enough villages will be incorporated as cities during the session, to more than bring the total back to the present figures.

   Time was when there were only three cities in the state—New York, Albany and Hudson. The last, it may be added, is now one of the smallest incorporated cities in the state, its population being less than ten thousand. All of the present large cities in the western and central portion of the state owe their existence as such, to the Erie canal. Soon after this canal was opened the former villages along its line or near it became incorporated as cities. Buffalo was incorporated in 1832, Rochester in 1834, Syracuse in 1847, Utica at the same time as Buffalo, 1832, and Brooklyn two years later. Since then additional villages have been incorporated as cities and some of them would seem by comparison with the rule of former years to be little entitled in respect to population to such civic honors. This is particularly noticeable in the case of those cities recently incorporated. Corning in Steuben county, although it has a population of but eight thousand eight hundred and fifty, is a city. Geneva, incorporated last year, has eleven thousand and North Tonawanda also an incorporation of 1897 has nine thousand.  Rensselaer which was made out of the village of Greenbush has less than nine thousand. Niagara Falls is another one of the tiny cities running less than ten thousand as does Olean in Cattaraugus county. Against these figures it is interesting to note the population of one of the New York City wards, the twelfth, which has a population of three hundred and seventy thousand.

   Of the villages that are anxious to be brought out in society this winter Glen Falls is quite prominent. This was incorporated as a village in 1839 and now has a population of thirteen thousand. It is believed that its corporation limits as a city would make a total of about fifteen thousand. Saratoga  with just about the same population and slightly more outlying territory has been suggested as a municipality for three years. The agitation this winter is a trifle more pronounced than heretofore.

   An attempt was made last winter to have Cortland made into a city, but the bill was never introduced. As a municipality Cortland would have about eleven thousand inhabitants.

   Plattsburg which would include about twelve thousand inhabitants with its outlying territory is another suggestion as is Fishkill, which taken with Matteawan and Fishkill Landing, the three companion villages would form about fifteen thousand. Peekskill with fifteen thousand, Canandaigua with eight thousand and Batavia with a possibility of about nine thousand are also indulging in municipal agitation.

   The city of Rensselaer, which was incorporated simply from the village of Greenbush, of nine thousand population, will branch out this year to take in East Albany and Bath thereby bringing its population up to about twelve thousand. North Tonawanda as a city of nine thousand will endeavor to take in the village of Tonawanda which has ten thousand inhabitants. Some difficulty will be experienced in this, however, for the Tonawanda creek which divides the two corporations is the dividing line also between Niagara and Erie counties, the city of North Tonawanda being in Niagara county and the village of Tonawanda in Erie county. Another extension of territory this winter will be the absorption of the village of Lansingburg with a population of thirteen thousand, into the city of Troy. Other villages that are looking towards civil honors include Oneida with eight thousand, Oneonta with nearly ten thousand, Port Jervis with a few hundred more, Sing Sing with over nine thousand and Lyons in Wayne county with between seven and eight thousand.

   To those provisions in the amended constitution which add to the political immunities of New York cities is to be ascribed to some extent at least, this agitation. At one time there was an unwritten law that no village should be incorporated as a city unless it at least possessed a population of ten thousand and opposition could be counted upon unless that population reached twelve thousand. In the last three years however, it has been entirely lost sight of and it is hardly likely that any of the villages that wish to become cities will meet with opposition because of the number of their inhabitants.

   C. N. A.

Skating To-night.

   The ice at the skating rink is in fine condition, and will be ready for use this afternoon and evening. Every one who enjoys this most exhilarating out door sport will now have the opportunity. The admission to the skating pond will be 5 cents, and season tickets can be procured at the office of the Cortland & Homer Traction company.

Four Months on the Hill.

   William Sheridan of Elm-st. was arrested yesterday afternoon on a warrant sworn out by his wife before Police Justice E. E. Mellon on the charge of assault in the third degree. He pleaded not guilty and this morning changed the plea to one of guilty, when the police justice sentenced him to four months in the Onondaga county penitentiary. He was taken to Syracuse this morning by chief of Police Linderman.

BREVITIES.

   —Miss Halbert's usual monthly recital will be omitted for December.

   —New display advertisements to-day are—Opera House, "Paradise Regained," page 5.

   — The annual election of officers of the Union Veteran legion will be held this evening.

   —Regular trains on the E. & C. N. Y. R. R. will begin running to East Freetown on Monday.

   —The Dryden Presbyterian church has called Rev. O. T. Mather of the Westminster church of Auburn to be its pastor.

   —McDermott's orchestra of six pieces went to North Lansing this afternoon where they will furnish music for a party thin evening.

   —The Y. P. S. C. C. of the Presbyterian church held an enjoyable sociable last night at the home of Mr. and Mrs. O. A. Kinney on Union-st. There was a large attendance.

   —A monument is to be erected in Woodlawn cemetery, Elmira, in memory of the 4,000 Confederate prisoners buried there. The Daughters of the Confederacy have the matter in hand.

   —Some miscreant removed the thills from the track wagon of George Gilbert sometime during Tuesday night while it was left standing under a shed on North Main-st. They have forgotten to return them yet.

   —The Gamma Sigma fraternity at the Normal [School] have presented to the Clionians for a Christmas gift a handsome plate glass mirror. The Clionians have returned the compliment by presenting the Gamma Sigmas with the Rogers group entitled "Football."

   —This evening at 9 o'clock the Bible study conducted by Mr. Corless in the Y. M. C. A. parlors will have for its subject, "The Atonement," from the Old Testament. All men are cordially invited. These studies are becoming more and more interesting each week.

   —Saturday will be Christmas and a legal holiday. The hours at the post office will be from 7 to 10 A. M. and from 6 to 7 P. M. The carriers will make one complete delivery. The money order department will be closed all day and the last mail will close at 7:30 P. M.

AMERICAN MECHANICS.

Patriotic Address by Hon. J. I. Sayles of Rome, N. Y.

   Cortland Council, No. 74, of the Order of United American Mechanics held an open meeting last night at the Universalist church, which was addressed by Hon. J. I. Sayles of Rome, the state councilor of the order.

   The meeting was presided over by H. M. Kellogg and was opened with prayer by Rev. W. H. Pound, pastor of the Congregational church. A quartet consisting of Messrs. A. M. Williamson, J. B. Hunt, Elmer Bangs and Mr. Murray, rendered a selection, and the speaker of the evening was introduced.

   Mr. Sayles opened by saying that the order of United American Mechanics will admit no one to membership who was not born under the protection of the American flag. He then answered some of the objections raised against the order, and said that the foreigner is not admitted because he has lurking In his bosom a love for the country that gave him birth. Only American born men can get into the order. Foreigners living in this country have organizations to which members of the O. U. A. M. are not eligible. The order is not connected with any political organization. It stands for honesty, industry and sobriety. It is not a Prohibition organization, but it is the sworn duty of every member if he sees a brother drinking to ask him to stop it. It is a secret order, founded in Philadelphia in 1845 by ship carpenters. The speaker made reference to United States histories in use in the public schools, and urged his hearers to use their influence against the use of those histories which are unpatriotic. The order is opposed to the importation of the criminals and paupers of foreign lands. It stands for liberty everywhere. The speaker urged the formation of a chapter of the Daughters of liberty, the ladies' auxiliary of the order.

   After the meeting the members of the order with several of their friends repaired to Grand Army hall, where a most tempting banquet was served followed by a pleasant session at speechmaking.