HUMBUGGING THE RURALIST

Selling Rain to the Farmer, Puck, 1891.

Cortland Evening Standard, Wednesday, December 1, 1897.

PAGE TWO—EDITORIALS.

Humbugging the Ruralist.

   All people enjoy being humbugged, apparently the hard-headed, practical farmer better than anybody else. He likes to hear of extraordinary new vegetable growths that will make him a fortune in a year or two without any more culture than planting the seed. He might know from his common sense, however, that when the story of some new plant or grain reads like a fairy tale it is a humbug.

   Such stories originate in two ways. In the one case they emanate from the brain of the space writer for the newspaper, a person who will concoct any lie, however impossible, for the sake of getting his $3 or $5 a column. In the other case the fake story comes from unscrupulous seedsmen and seed agents who want to trap the agriculturist into buying their stuff. Little they care whether the thing grows at all or if it does grow whether it may not be a noxious weed that will be a pest to the universe. It is a pity that among so many honest and worthy seedsmen there are some of that kind.

   One of the fake stories that went the rounds was about the fortunes to be made in chili peppers. Another told of the extraordinary virtues of a Russian weed called by some saghalien. Then there is the Idaho pea, no doubt extremely useful in its way, but it will not grow everywhere, and it will not do all that is claimed for it.

   Time after time the farmer has been trapped with machines, with chemical preparations and with plants only to find when his money has been spent that if one wishes to be successful there is nothing like pegging away at the work immediately under your nose, at the same time watching every opportunity of bettering yourself that comes your way.

USS Marblehead, "unprotected cruiser."

WILL NOT BE BLUFFED.

Hayti Reads the Riot Act to the Mighty Germans.

ARE WILLING TO DEAL FAIR.

Protest Lodged Against the German Representative to Hayti—Refuse to Deal With Him

—United States Will Send the Cruiser Marblehead.

   WASHINGTON, Dec. 1.—Reports that came to the state department from Hayti were to the effect that considerable excitement prevailed there and that the situation was grave.

   For this reason it was determined to hasten the departure of the Marblehead and the naval officials were communicated with to this end. The impression appeared to prevail in Port Au Prince that a German warship was rapidly approaching the place.

   Of course, it is stated that the Marblehead goes solely for the purpose of protecting American interests that might be threatened by the outbreak of disorders in Hayti.

   The latest advices from German sources, however, indicate that no occasion will be given for friction between the United States and Germany on account of the Haytian difficulty and that the matter will be adjusted.

   It develops that Hayti has sent a reply to Germany's demands which is somewhat remarkable for firmness, in view of the difference in size between the two powers. The Haytian note makes it clear that the republic is ready to discuss the merits of the controversy, but does not desire to have Germany pass judgment in the first place, demand an indemnity and thereafter discuss the merits.

   Moreover, Hayti gives notice to Germany that the German charge d' affairs to Hayti, who made the recent demands is persona non grata, and that it is impossible for Hayti to conduct further negotiations with him.

   It is stated that he offended against all rules of propriety and official etiquette by going directly before the president of Hayti, and in an angry tone and insulting manner threatened dire consequences unless immediate reparation was made to Germany.

   This personal affront of Hayti's chief executive is regarded as touching the honor and self respect of the country, and is felt to call for an apology.

   Under such circumstances the Haytian government has expressed a willingness to negotiate a settlement of the entire case at Berlin, thus removing it from the hands of the objectional German official now in Hayti.

ENGLAND'S GAIN.

Secures Land and Islands From the China Government.

   LONDON, Dec. 1.—The morning papers assert that China has practically agreed to cede to England a strip of territory near Hong Kong and all the surrounding islands, in order to enable England to fortify them securely and to increase the garrison.

   It is expected that a covenant covering the agreement will soon be signed.

CHARGED WITH ASSAULT.

An Altercation Between John Moore and Deputy Sheriff Henry.

   John Moore, colored, who is employed at the livery barn of F. H. Maricle,

known as the Cortland House barn, got into an altercation with Deputy Sheriff W. P. Henry of McGrawville at the barn at 3:30 this afternoon while Mr. Henry's horse was being put out, whereupon several blows were interchanged. Mr. Henry received a cut over the right eye. Constable C. D. Wavle of McGrawville,who was in the barn unloading hay, immediately arrested Moore by order of Mr. Henry and took him before Police Justice Mellon, where he pleaded not guilty to the charge of assault and gave bail in the sum of $100 for his appearance for examination Friday at 10 A. M. Mr. Maricle was not at the barn at the time of the occurrence.

PHILLIPS DISCHARGED.

Justice Dowd Acts Under the Ruling of the County Judge.

   The examination of Charles L. Phillips, who was charged with the abduction of Lillian Miles, the 15 year old daughter of Mrs. Emma Miles, was brought to a close in Justice Dowd's court this afternoon at 2:30 o'clock, when that magistrate discharged the prisoner on a question of jurisdiction. The evidence was closed and W. D. Tuttle, attorney for the defendant, asked for his discharged on several grounds, and among them that of lack of jurisdiction. Justice Dowd immediately discharged Phillips, saying that he did so under the ruling of County Judge Eggleston last week in the Torrey case, where the county judge held that the police justice has exclusive jurisdiction in the village of Cortland unless prevented by absence from the village or by some inability of his own to act.

   It was alleged that the girl was abducted from Cortland village. Justice Dowd stated that he would discharge the prisoner notwithstanding the fact that E. E. Mellon, the police justice, had filed an affidavit stating that he had been retained by The People to represent them in the case, hence could not act as police justice.

Paid a Fine.

   Cora Phillips of Homer, who was yesterday arrested on the charge of larceny in taking a suit of boy's clothing from the store of Simmons & Grant on Nov. 13, pleaded not guilty yesterday afternoon, and demanded a jury trial. Attorney E. C. Alger appeared in her behalf.

   Last night she concluded she would change her plea, so she entered one of guilty, whereupon Police Justice Mellon imposed a fine of $20, and a suspended sentence of fifty-nine days in jail. She paid the fine and was discharged.

TO THE WATER'S EDGE.

Building at the Skating Rink Consumed by Fire.

   The wooden building at the skating rink of the Cortland & Homer Traction company on the east side of the Tioughnioga river was burned to the water's edge last evening at 8:30 o'clock. At that time four young men, Walter Moore, Will, Augustus and Harry Johnson, who live just across the river from the rink, saw flames bursting through the roof of the skatinghouse. They hastened to the scene with all speed, and on arriving there Walter Moore seized a piece of gas pipe and forced the door of the building open. As he did so, the smoke and flames drove him back and he could not enter. His purpose was to get inside and save the electric motor, which was the power used in flooding the rink. But the only thing to do was to stand by and see the building burn, which was done in a short time as there was tar paper in the outer walls. The greatest loss is the electric motor, which was valued at $400.

   The origin of the fire is unknown, though it is supposed that it caught from a wood stove, in which there had been fire during the afternoon. Superintendent Mooney said this afternoon that the loss would be difficult to estimate in dollars and cents, but that in a couple of days a new building would be erected, a new motor put in and that the fire would not interfere with the conducting of the rink this winter, and that skaters would have the privilege of the sport.

   The stock of skates kept at the building for renting was saved.

BREVITIES.

   —The ice at the park rink is not yet in proper condition for skating.

   —The attraction at the Opera House next Monday afternoon and evening will be Stowe's "Uncle Tom's Cabin.''

   —"Happy Bill" Daniels has a dancing school at East Homer of about fifty members. He goes to Scott next Wednesday night t o arrange another school.

   —At the meeting of branch, No. 108 of the C. M. B. A. last night, nominations were made for officers for the coming year. The election occurs next Tuesday night.

   —Mrs. Carrie Gardiner of 81 Maple-ave. fell yesterday morning and injured her wrist. Dr. Higgins was called and attended to the wounded member, and she is doing as well as could be expected.

   —Mr. John Burke of Blodgett Mills has shown to us a white sweet turnip which he raised on his farm and which measures 30 inches in circumference and weighs 12 1/4 pounds. It is a bouncer.

   —New display advertisements to-day are—D. E. Shepard, Excursion, page 7; Opera House, "Uncle Tom's Cabin," page 5; Kellogg & Curtis, Special Sale, page 4; F. Daehler, The Latest Thing, page 5.

   —Several Cortland people have received invitations to attend the third annual ball of the McLean Building Association, under the auspices of the Knights of Pythias at McLean on Friday evening, Dec. 10.

   —Let no one forget that the New York State Dairymen's association will meet at the Opera House next Wednesday and Thursday, Dec. 8 and 9. Eminent speakers from all over the country will be present.

   —Ever member of the Choral society is requested to be present to-night, as but three rehearsals yet remain before the concert on Dec 17. All the basses are requested to be present at 7 o'clock sharp for extra practice.

   —Hereafter the meetings of the Order of United American Mechanics will be held on Wednesday evenings instead of on Mondays. Grover post will meet the first and third Monday evenings of each month instead of Wednesdays as heretofore. Both organizations meet in Grand Army hall.

   —We are informed by Manager Wallace that the "My Boys" company which plays in Cortland to-night plays to-morrow night in Oswego and then goes directly to New York for a two months' engagement at the Manhattan theatre. The prices in Cortland are 25 cents to $1, and in New York from 50 cents to $2.

McGRAWVlLLE.

Crisp Local Happenings at the Corset City.

   Miss Genevieve Phelps, who is employed in the Taylor box factory, had some trouble with her heart Monday, but is all right again.

   The Junior Endeavor society will give an entertainment, "The Fetters that Fell," next Tuesday evening in G. A. R. hall. The children are being carefully drilled and a fine entertainment is promised.

   A. L. Kinney, who has been in Lestershire for several months, returned Tuesday.

   H. L. Chapin was in Ithaca Tuesday.

   A candy factory in C. B. Chapin's shop on Spring-st. is a new industry. Charles Cummings is the proprietor. Samples furnished The STANDARD were "all right."

   Homer Smith of Whitney Point visited at L. A. Dibble's and called on other friends in town Monday.

   A. B. Van Duser went to Tully Tuesday morning, where he has hired to Mrs. M. Smith to work on her farm the coming winter.

   E. E. Harvey, who has been employed as cutter with The Warren Bros. Co. at Bridgeport, Conn., arrived in town on the early train Tuesday morning and expects to remain with his family until after the Holidays.