ELECTRIC SERVICE IN CORTLAND, HOMER AND MCGRAWVILLE

Trolley cars near the Cortland House.

The Cortland Democrat, Friday, December 3, 1897.

ELECTRIC SERVICE.

CORTLAND, HOMER AND MCGRAWVILLE ARE WELL SUPPLIED.

Some Details of the Plant and Equipment of the Cortland and Homer Traction and Electric Companies—We Have Better Service Than Other Towns This Size.

   Very few of the thousands of people who ride on our trolley cars and look at our electric lights have ever taken thought as to where the unseen power comes from or of the large amount of money invested in machinery, roadbed, cars, wires, etc.

   A visit to the power house brings most forcibly to mind the rapid advances that been made in the last few years in electricity and its use in supplementing horses for drawing street cars and gas for lighting. Nearly every one knows where the power house of the Traction Co. is located, near the second D., L. & W. railroad bridge between Cortland and Homer, but very few people have any idea of the completeness and magnitude of its equipment.

   The building itself is built entirely of brick and steel. The engine room is 50x80 feet wide with substantial foundations for both engines and dynamos and ample room for additional equipment. Back of this is the pump room and boiler room, 14x40 and 40x45 feet, respectively. In the wing, near which is a private coal dump connected with the D., L. & W. track, are the four 100 horsepower boilers. Two of these are in use at a time. The other two are for emergency and to allow of one set being repaired. Under ordinary circumstances each pair of boilers are run continuously for about a mouth.

   The equipment of engines is most complete. The dynamos for the power, arc and incandescent lights of Cortland and Homer are driven by four tandem, compound condensing, Watertown engines of 180 horsepower each. The lights at the park in summer and at the rink in winter are on a separate circuit and the power for this is furnished by a 60-horse Ball engine, one of those which furnished all of our lights in the old plant before the present company had the lighting contract. The other Ball engine, which was used there, the Electric company also purchased and it [sits] in the line of six engines which stand along the east side of the main building

   The dynamos were manufactured by the General Electric Co. of Schenectady and are of the very latest pattern. Two furnish power for the railway. During ordinary traffic either one is sufficient and they are used alternately but at times when there is extra heavy traffic, such as circus days or when there is an attraction at the park, both are used. The current is transmitted to the trolley wire at 500 volts. A very ingenious arrangement called a circuit breaker is used in connection with the railway generator and guards the delicate machinery from any accident that may occur on the line by its being torn down by storm or otherwise, and the trolley wire striking the rail, thus making a short circuit which would result in damage more or less serious to the machines.

   There are two arc light dynamos, each with a capacity of fifty lights. One of them is used entirely for lights in Cortland and the other for Cortland and Homer. Another one furnishes the park and [skating] rink lights.

   The current for incandescent lights is entirely different from the arc current and is another form of electricity. A large alternating dynamo with a capacity for 2,000 lights furnishes the current. The alternating current has this peculiar and at the same time convenient quality. It can be carried in immense quantities and force on a small wire and when the point is reached where it is to be used, by passing through a transformer, the qualities that would be dangerous in a building are removed and just that necessary for the lights on that particular line is used. The little black boxes around town on poles and buildings are the transformers.

   A splendid ice skating rink is provided in winter. An excavation has been made near the river which can be flooded at will and which gives a skating surface 100x500 feet in size.

   That the electric service in Cortland is of the best is apparent to all, especially in relation to our trolley cars. The frequency with which they run to Homer and McGrawville and across town would seem to be greater than the patronage warrants. The Traction company spared no expense when their roadbed was built and there is no jolt in any part of it such as is noticeable in lines in much larger places than Cortland.

   Then, again, the company have laid out a park which is free to all and a place the like of which the town has long needed. The company maintained free entertainments there for several months the past summer but the patronage did not warrant their continuance.

   Many of our people are daily finding fault with this company who have done so much for our town, having spent thousands of dollars in the equipment of what is one of the best systems of its size in the country, but they never stop to think of the immense benefit the entire town derives from this investment. No outlay of money or time has been too great for them if it would in any way add to the convenience or safety of the public. They stood ready to invest heavily in new machinery last summer, had a contract been awarded them for all night street lighting, and that too for a contract which would cover a period of only six months, relying upon the satisfactory service they proposed to give for a renewal of the contract without which they would be thousands of dollars out of pocket.

   One has only to visit other towns the size of Cortland to appreciate the excellent service which we enjoy from the Traction and electric companies, and when this is thought of it must be apparent that these companies have in many ways placed Cortland on an even footing with the large cities.

WEEK'S HAPPENINGS.

PRINCIPLE EVENTS CONDENSED FOR THE BUSY READER.

Miners Strike—Vienna in an Uproar.

STARVATION PAY AGAIN REJECTED.

   A dispatch from Spring Valley, Ill., says: The 1,500 coal miners of this district to-day unanimously rejected the plan of settlement agreed upon at Joliet yesterday at a conference of operators and representatives of the strikers. The plan proposed the resumption of work at 69 cents, or 4 cents below the scale, and the adoption of the gross weight system. Similar action was taken by the miners at Ladd and Marquette to-day. It is believed the miners will accept a rate of 62 1/2 cents.

VIENNA IN AN UPROAR.

   Nov. 27.—The Austrian Reichsrath has been in an uproar at every attempted session for four or five days, and conditions grow worse rather than better. A Vienna dispatch of the 24th explains in part the trouble as follows: The turbulence resulted from a motion that only one of a number of similar petitions against the ordinance of putting the Czech language on the same basis as the German in Bohemia should be read and printed. This order of the government has been the basis of the many uproarious scenes which have occurred during the past few weeks, although the question of renewing the compact between Austria and Hungary provisionally at least, has been mixed up in all the bitter feeling manifested by the German and anti-German elements. Any one not acquainted in some degree with the history of this country can hardly understand the conditions existing, but some idea may be gained when it is stated that there are about fourteen factions or parties represented in the Reichsrath, or Austrian House of Representatives. During the present trouble there have been riots in House daily in which the police have had to be called in to stop the fighting. Yesterday the tumult was worse than ever and the President of the House, Dr. Abrahamovicz, was chased out of the House and compelled to flee for safety, while the police tried to stop the fist fights and restore order. The trouble yesterday seems to have extended to the populace outside of the Reichsrath in Vienna and another revolution seems possible if not probable.

   Of the condition in Vienna a dispatch of yesterday says: After 9 o'clock this evening the aspect of the streets became more threatening. It is estimated that a crowd of 10.000, including a very large number of students, assembled and threatened the government with revolution and Count Badeni, the Premier, with the guillotine. An attempt was made to attack Count Badeni's house. The police repeatedly charged the crowd but refrained from using arms. The students resisted with sticks. One police inspector was severely injured by a kick from a horse and so badly hurt that it was necessary to remove him to the hospital. A few students and some citizens received slight injuries. Not until nearly 11 o'clock was quiet restored.

 

N. Y. S. Assemblyman Theodore Roosevelt.

PAGE FOUR—EDITORIALS.

   ◘ Many opinions have been expressed by the defeated as to the late election, but Roosevelt's is the best and briefest. In reply to the question: "What do you think of the election in New York?" he said: "My thoughts are unfit for publication!"—Albany Argus.

   ◘ It is reported that the Higbie-Armstrong good roads bill, with some slight changes, will be introduced in the coming session of the [State] Legislature. It is to be hoped that either this or some other practical and sensible measure for securing good roads will not only be introduced but passed. There is nothing that could add more to the comfort of farmers and to the value of their land, than thoroughly good and scientifically constructed highways.

   ◘ There was a time in America when a patriot was understood to be, one who was the friend of liberty everywhere, one who was jealous of his country's honor and zealous in the defense of it one who loved his country and was ready to fight for it and for principle. But times have changed since those old fashioned notions obtained, and such an one is now a "jingo." Honor no longer applies to us as a nation except in connection with the question of national credit and our currency system and he alone is a patriot now who most zealously guards the financial interests of stock jobbers, trusts and syndicates. It matters not that American citizens suffer indignities at the hands of a fifth-rate power [Spain], that may well bring the blush of shame to the cheek of every old-time American; that we are snubbed in half the courts of Europe, that the foreign press taunt us with our degeneracy. It matters not that a brave people [Cubans] battling for liberty at our very doors, cry to us for aid; that her women and children are butchered like beasts by soldiers unworthy of the name of men, that American citizens come from the dungeons of Spanish prisons but the wrecks of what they were; it is no longer the blood of a patriot that mounts to the cheek or boils in the veins as he reads of these things, but the blood of a "jingo." And this is America.

NEIGHBORING COUNTIES.

   CHENANGO.—New Berlin is to have a wholesale and retail confectionery establishment. It will be conducted by Mrs. Croak of Marathon, who is said to be a skillful manufacturer.

   It is said that the Ross cotton mill at Sherburne has shut down for good. The price of print cloth has reached such a low price that it will not pay to operate the mills in a small town.

   The Chenango Teachers' association will meet in Sherburne on December 31 and on Friday evening, December 3d, Professor Andrews of Colgate university will deliver an address on "The Earlier School Years."

   Two large cannon, between eight and [ten] feet long, with a seven inch bore, arrived in Norwich Saturday, and will be mounted upon west side park. They were presented to the E. B. Smith Post, G. A. R., by the United States government.

   MADISON.—Hamilton has a Bachelor [Men's] club.

   Cazenovia, Nelson, Fenner and other sections of the county had a heavy snow fall Saturday, Nov. 13, four or five inches covering the ground. At Oneida the snow disappeared as fast as it fell.

   At a recent meeting of the University of the State of New York it was decided that the academic departments of the Union schools at DeRuyter and Oneida were entitled to high school rank, and were authorized to hereafter use the name high school.

   An action for $1,000 damages against Prof. Douglass of Oneida has been brought by Mrs. Thomas Hawley of that place. She claims that her 16 year-old daughter Rose has suffered indignities at his hands in the way of pinching and humiliating her at times and places where he had no authority over her.

   TOMPKINS.—Some wild geese along Cayuga lake.

   The hotel at Taughannock Falls is to be kept open through the winter.

   Opening party at Elm Grove House, Wednesday evening. Dec. 8th.

   James H. Cole, proprietor of the Globe hotel, Dryden, died Friday morning, Nov. 19, of Blight's disease.

   Dryden is to have a farmer's institute, Dec. 10th and 11th, Moravia Dec. 13th, and Locke, Feb. 23d, '98. Groton will not have any.

   The Groton Bridge & Manufacturing Co., have received a large bridge contract in Alabama. The contract price is $88,000.

   The beautiful show of chrysanthemums, by the Bool Co., Ithaca recently, was the cause of much interest among lovers of this beautiful flower.

   The banner which Tompkins county lodge, I. O. G. T., gives to the Good Templar lodge having the largest average attendance during the quarter, was taken again by Lansingville lodge at the close of last quarter.

   The building formerly occupied by the Stanford Sign Co. on Seneca-st., Ithaca, is being fitted up for very handsome quarters for the [Hycmei] company. The Journal states that the present output of the company reaches in value $7,000 a week, and that the facilities of the new factory will permit of the doing of a business of $40,000 a week if necessary.

HERE AND THERE.

   Simmons & Grant are holding a great mark down sale for thirty days. See their new ad on this page.

   There were seventy-six transient dinners served at the Kremlin [Hotel] on Thanksgiving day. They were fine dinners, too.

   The fair to be held in C. A. A. hall next week for the benefit of the hospital promises to be most successful and entertaining.

   The regular meeting of the hospital board for the month of December will be held at the hospital Monday next, Dec. 6 at 3 P. M. A full attendance is desired.

   The pump house at Cortland Park ice rink was burned Tuesday evening and the electric motor badly damaged but repairs will be quickly made and with a hard freeze will come good skating.

   Cramer & Hollister put on 5,000 feet of tin roofing on the storage building of Wickwire Bros., Tuesday. Five thousand square feet of tin is a large amount to lay in one day and the boys must have hustled.

   The sessions of the New York State Dairyman's association to be held in the opera house will be of great interest to all engaged in any way in that business. Many of the ablest speakers of the country will be present.

   There are several bidders for the milk route on the E. & C. N. Y. R. R. and the farmers should get a good price for their milk. Several firms are ready to build large milk depots as soon as traffic is open to Cincinnatus.

   Among the patents issued by the Department last week, was one to Mr. S. W. Cateley of Cortland for a thill support. Mr. Cately already holds a number of patents on valuable attachments for buggies and wagons.

   The first entertainment in the Normal [School] course Monday evening was indeed a success. The Euterpe club cannot be out done in their line. The next entertainment is a lecture by Chas H. Frazier on Wednesday evening, Dec 15.

   George Richards and Eugene Canfield appeared at the opera house Wednesday evening as the stars in the very enjoyable comedy, "My Boys." They are all right and so are the rest of the company. The play is a good one and very laughable.

   The class in vocal culture conducted by Cortland's well known tenor, Mr. George Oscar Bowen, met as usual on Monday evening at 7:00 o'clock at No. 9 Court-st. The excellent instruction given by Mr. Bowen in sight-singing is highly appreciated.

   The DEMOCRAT is indebted to the State Commission in Lunacy for a copy of the eighth annual report of the commission. The report covers over 1,300 pages and gives in detail the reports of each of the State hospitals for the insane, and contains a mass of most important information.

   Bouton & Champlin, attorneys for the mortgagee, sold at auction at the courthouse Saturday morning a vacant lot on the west side of Homer-ave. at the corner of Van Hoesen-st. The property was purchased by the mortgagee, Lucia A. Hutchings, at $300. There was a claim against the property of $553.

   As will be seen in another column, capitalists from Buffalo are looking for a place to establish a beet sugar factory and have their eye on Earlville. This is an ideal place to locate an industry of this kind. Our Business Men's association should put in their work.—Earlville Standard.

   It "beets" all how neighboring towns are working for new industries, and, by the way, wouldn't a beet sugar factory in Cortland beat some of our defunct factories by a large majority.

CINCINNATUS, N. Y.

   CINCINNATUS, Nov. 29.—Mr. and Mrs. P. H. Reed of Binghamton are visiting friends here.

   Mrs. Mary Quivey has returned from an extended visit with her sister in Binghamton.

   Miss Alice Fiske of Taylor Center spent the Thanksgiving vacation with her friend, Miss Pearl Fish.

   Mr. DeForest Kingman, who has been an invalid for several years past, and has had two shocks during the past week, is now failing.

   Farmers' institute will be held in the Congregational church Tuesday, Dec. 7. There will be three sessions morning, afternoon and evening and an interesting programme has been arranged. It is hoped that every one interested in farming will attend. Admission free.

   Miss Marguerite Morse, the primary teacher in our Union school, spent the Thanksgiving vacation with her people at Triangle, Miss Mable Howes, the intermediate teacher, at her home in Cortland, and Mr. L. R. Brown, the principal, with his sister, Mrs. W. H. DeLong at Taylor Center.

   On Tuesday, Nov. 23, at the residence of G. M. Harrington, occurred the marriage of his daughter, Eva J. to Francis M. Curtis of East McDonough. Mr. and Mrs. Curtis are spending a little time in New York and other places of interest. Both are well known and highly esteemed and their many friends wish them much happiness.

   An entertainment will be given in Halbert's hall Friday evening, Dec. 10, by the students of the Union school. Among other numbers on the programme there is a debate, also dialogues, recitations, music, etc. It is hoped there will be a good attendance, as it will encourage the students and also help the institution as the proceeds are for school benefit.

FROM EVERYWHERE.

   Oneonta's new directory gives the population of that place about 10,500.

   The Hotel Oneida at Sylvan Beach has been sold under mortgage foreclosure.

   Over three thousand cigars were stolen from the Unadilla Cigar Co., one evening recently.

   The Oneonta business college has suspended business and its instructors have left town.

   The receipts of a Catholic church fair at Port Leyden were $2,136.86. Who said hard times?

   The Sidney Center Water Co. was robbed of 1,200 pounds of lead while putting in their system.

   The League of American Wheelman has offered cash prizes aggregating $125 for photographs of bad roads.

   An electric railway from Cazenovia to Oran to connect with the electric road from that place to Syracuse is talked of.

   Two thousand barrels of onions have been loaded at Vernon by W. E. Douglas of Oneida. They were purchased at Vernon Center.

   Charles A. Dana carried a large life insurance. One company has already paid the estate $42,000 in settlement of the death claim.

   Do you know that subjects of Great Britain alone have titles to over 20,000,000 acres of land in this country? 'Tis so, and they are still buying.

   Speaking of a ladies society in Greene that has $1,000 in its treasury, the Deposit Courier says the Methodist ladies' aid society in that village has $1,200—Exchange.

   Lawyers get about $60,000 out of the Shimer estate at Auburn for their services, the 27 heirs employing twenty lawyers, each of whom want from $2,000 to $4,000.

   All of Oriskany Falls' industries have started up again, the Scotch cap factory having begun operations last week. The return of prosperity is not mythical in that town.

   Adolph Johnson, a 16 year old boy, while digging fish bait on Beaver Island, Iowa, unearthed a strong iron box, containing gold and paper money amounting to $50,000.

   While conductor Clarence Rivenburg was standing in the Central Yards at

Utica last week he was struck in the chest by a spent bullet of 32 calibre, but was not injured.

   The Onondaga Indians are not noted for their sagacity, but among them are some brilliant lights. One Jarius Pierce, a leader among the tribe, has taken to the lecture field and has delivered some stirring addresses to different societies in the county. The lecture is said to be very interesting, abounding in a description and explanation of the customs and traditions of the tribe. Pierce delivers his lectures attired in the full dress costume of his tribe and is said to draw good crowds.—Skaneateles Democrat.

VIRGIL, N. Y.

   VIRGIL, Nov. 29.—The Virgil cheese factory closed Wednesday.

   Deacon E. Perkins is reported to be about the same.

   Mr. Charles Carson spent last week with friends in Cincinnatus.

   Mr. Ray Barnes spent last Friday and Saturday with friends in Berkshire.

   Mrs. George Barnes of Caroline visited at her son's, Frank Barnes, recently.

   Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Lane of Harford spent Thanksgiving at Amasa Lane's.

   Mrs. Nelson Bouton of Buffalo, who has been visiting in town, has returned to her home

   Mr. and Mrs. John Bays spent Thanksgiving with Mr. B. Johnson and wife in Marathon.

   Mr. Henry Luce, who has been in Auburn for the past two months, returned last Saturday.

   Mr. David Sweet of McLean spent Thanksgiving at J. D. Rounds and called on other friends.

   Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Reas are spending some time with their son, Fay Reas, in Genoa, and with John Reas in Utica.

   Miss Helen Smith and Mrs. Geo, Sherman spent Thursday with Mrs. M. B. Williams, who is feeble and not able to go out.

   There will be a meeting at the M. E. church Tuesday evening, Dec 14, for the purpose of electing two trustees in place of E. D. Ryan and O. C. Pond.

   One hundred seven couples were in attendance at Mr. W. H. Halls party Thanksgiving evening and the report is that they served a very fine supper.

   Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Terpening received notice Monday that her cousin, District Attorney Miles Burlingame, mourns the loss of his only daughter Roby, who died suddenly Sunday in church from apoplexy.

   Mr. Jehial W. Messenger died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Darius Allen, Nov. 22, 1897, aged 85 years. He was born in the town of Virgil in 1812 and has lived there all his life, excepting one year. He leaves three daughters. His wife died a few years ago, and since that time he has lived with his daughter, who has cared nicely for him, and he will be missed in this home and by his neighbors and friends. The funeral held at the house on Friday was largely attended. Rev. B. Franklin officiated.