SPAIN GRANTS ARMISTICE AND ISRAEL RICKARD OBITUARY

President William McKinley.

The Cortland Democrat, Friday, April 15, 1898.

PRINCIPAL EVENTS CONDENSED FOR THE BUSY READER.

Spain Grants Armistice—Lee Leaves Havana—Message Went to Congress Monday.

   APRIL 8.—These are press dispatches and given for what they are worth. The situation seems to change daily at the pleasure of the administration and to-day all talk is toward war. There is no longer any doubt as to the purpose of this government with respect to the situation in Cuba. War, in the opinion of the administration, is inevitable, except in the unlooked for event of a surrender on the part of Spain. The President's message, which he had intended to send to Congress yesterday, has not been changed in any particular and embodies the unanimous views of the Cabinet without the slightest variance or exception. Any movement to avert war now must come from Madrid and must concede American demands including an end to Spain's dominion in Cuba.

SPAIN PREPARING.

   Madrid dispatches say: Fifteen Spanish men-of-war will leave Cadiz immediately for Cape Verde Islands, and several battalions have started to reinforce the garrison at the Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean. The provincial militia in the Canary Islands will be placed on a war footing. Dispatches from Vancouver, B. C. say from the latest papers from Hong Kong, it is learned that there have been very exciting times recently in the Philippines, Spanish troops being surprised and massacred. The insurgents seem to be very active and have won several hard fought battles.

Consul Gen. Fitzhugh Lee.

LEE TO LEAVE HAVANA.

   [Consul] Gen. Lee has been scheduled to leave Havana to-day and if he does the following program has been arranged. The Olivette will enter Havana harbor on Saturday morning and General Lee will at once notify all Americans that this will be their last chance to leave the island under the American flag. After all are on board the steamer, including the United States consuls from the various ports of Cuba, General Lee will pull down the American flag from the consulate, will turn over the archives to the British consul and will go aboard the Olivette, which will at once sail for Key West.

SPAIN GRANTS ARMISTICE.

   APRIL 11.—News reached Washington yesterday that Spain had decided to grant an armistice in Cuba on these conditions: that the United States should immediately cease to lend moral and material support to the Cuban insurgents; that the American squadron in the vicinity of Cuba should be withdrawn, and that the American war vessels near the Philippine Islands also should be withdrawn.

   The Junta says the Cubans will not accept for this would simply give Spain a respite during the wet season, which is almost due, and allow them to begin again in the fall.

MESSAGE SENT IN.

   APRIL 12.—The full responsibility of the Cuban crisis was placed upon Congress yesterday when President McKinley transmitted to it an anxiously awaited message, detailing our negotiations with Spain, its warfare in Cuba and drawing therefrom his personal conclusions and recommendations.

   (The full text of the message will be found in another column.)

U. S. CONSUL LEAVES MANILA.

   A dispatch received in Madrid from Manila, capital of the Philippine Islands, confirms the report that the United States consul at that place has left Manila.

ACTION OF THE HOUSE.

   April 14.—Yesterday the majority of the House committee reported the following resolutions:

   Resolved, That the President is hereby directed to intervene at once to stop the war in Cuba, to the end and with the purpose of securing permanent peace and order there and establishing by the free action of the people thereof a stable and independent government of their own in the Island of Cuba, and the President is hereby authorized and empowered to use the land and naval forces of the United States to execute the purpose of this resolution.

   It was passed 322 to 19. The minority report was signed by five Democrats and one silver Republican. It declared for recognition of the Cubans but was defeated 147 to 190.

LAID OVER IN THE SENATE.

   The resolution reported in the Senate recognizes Cuban independence and is a terrific arraignment of Spain and her policy. It finally went over on a point of order but not until after a most eloquent and vehement debate.

LONDON OPINIONS.

   The London papers this morning all declare that war must come and they generally exonerate the United States.

Fast mail train at Cincinnatus, N. Y.

NEARLY COMPLETED.

Train Run Over the Trestle Nearly to Cincinnatus, N. Y.

   Last Saturday afternoon, General Manager N. A. Bundy of the E. & C. N. Y. R. R. ran a special excursion train to the end of the line which was then within but little over a mile of Cincinnatus. This was the first passenger train to go over the 50 foot trestle and through the 900 foot cut just beyond. Everything worked to a charm and the natives turned out in generous numbers to welcome the iron horse. The long whistling of the engine as it went over the trestle was heard in Cincinnatus. A few days more of pleasant weather will complete the track laying to the village.

   At H. F. Benton's mill in Cortland an immense tub has been built which will be mounted on top of the new milk depot at Cincinnatus.

   A new gang of fifty Italians were put at work ballasting the road beyond Solon and it will very soon be in first class condition, as is that from Cortland to Solon.

ISRAEL RICKARD.

Well Preserved and the Oldest Man in the County.

   Mr. Israel Rickard, who was born in Massachusetts on December 31, 1800, and three years later became a resident of this county, died last Saturday at the home of his nephew, Mr. E. O. Rickard on Clinton-ave. Notwithstanding his advanced age, Mr. Rickard has always enjoyed robust health, never having called a physician but once in his life. He remembered and was present when the troops from this vicinity assembled at Port Watson and marched toward Albany in 1812. He and his family were extremely loyal to the stars and stripes. An uncle was killed in the battle of Bunker Hill, a brother fought in the war of 1812, and at the age of 60 years [told the army he was 45--CC ed.] Mr. Rickard enlisted in the 76th regiment, N. Y. Volunteers. After serving a year he lost his teeth and was discharged for disability. With an artificial set he later offered to enlist but was rejected on account of age. From early life until death, except for about ten years spent in Pennsylvania, he was a resident of this county. By his first wife he had two children who died young and were followed by the mother. His second wife passed away about fourteen years ago and he then made his home with his brother and later with the nephew where he died. Death was due to old age, his faculties becoming impaired about a month ago and life then gradually falling. Mr. Rickard was a consistent Whig and later a strong Republican. The funeral was held Tuesday, Rev. Adelbert Chapman officiating. Grover Post, G. A. R., attended in a body and had charge of the services at the grave.

BASE BALL NOTES.

Manager McGuirk Here—Team Report Monday.

   The board of directors of the Base Ball Association met last Saturday evening and adopted by-laws governing the executive committee. In brief they are that the board of directors shall consist of fifteen chosen from subscribers to the fund. The officers shall be president, vice president, secretary and treasurer. An executive committee of five of which the officers shall form part shall be chosen from the directors and shall have full control of all matters outside the working of the team which shall be in full charge of the manager. No debts shall be contracted or money paid out except on written order of the president. The treasurer shall make a report of the financial condition every Saturday and a detailed written statement the last of every month. Not debts shall be contracted by the executive committee beyond the funds in the treasury except in signing players. Whenever the report of the treasurer to the executive committee shall show there are no funds to liquidate all indebtedness, a meeting of the full board of directors shall be called and the matter laid before them.

   Director H. A. Dickinson tendered his resignation and B. C. Winchell was chosen to fill the vacancy.

   Manager McGuirk arrived in town yesterday and the full team will report Monday.

   W. E. Friel of last year's team has been signed. New suits of brown with white trimming have been ordered. Red stockings and belts.

   M. T. Roche was made committee on grounds and the diamond and field are being put in first class condition.

   Next Friday the Rochester eastern league team will play here. Yerkes and O'Neil will be the battery. On the 26th the Syracuse Stars will be here for an exhibition game.

   If you have not paid in your subscription do so before April 20.

WASHINGTON LETTER.

(From Our Regular Correspondent.)

   WASHINGTON, April 11.—Congress has weightier business on hand than to find fault with the reasons Mr. McKinley says caused him to ask for armed intervention and let it go at that, knowing that every man who fires a gun in the war with Spain will feel the sentiments expressed by Col. John A. Joyce in the following verse from a poem dedicated to Capt. Sigsbee:

   "Remember the Maine in the midst of the battle,

   Strike down to the death where black cannons rattle;

   On ocean or mountain, on valley or plain,

   Remember forever, remember the Maine."

   To tell the truth, Congress is so much relieved by the action of Mr. McKinley in sending in that much postponed message in favor of armed intervention that it is willing to forgive his more serious sins, both of omission and commission, than saying that we are not making a war of vengeance on the Spaniards. They feared that instead of getting the message they would get another excuse for another postponement, on account of that trick armistice that Spain has proclaimed in Cuba. To show further that they have no desire to quibble because the message did not contain everything they would have liked it to contain. Congress is going to make that intervention resolution exactly what Mr. McKinley asked for—no more, no less. A solid front will be presented to the Spanish, and all differences will be left to be settled after the Spaniards are disposed of.

   Consul General Fitz Lee, having completed the task of getting all the Americans who desired to leave out of Cuba, is now on his way to Washington to tell Mr. McKinley and Congress what he thinks is the best and quickest way to get the Spanish out of Cuba. It is understood that he also brings evidence that will convince even Mr. McKinley that we have good reasons, to seek vengeance on Spain. In addition to insulting the country by refusing to see Gen. Lee on the day of his departure from Havana, Gen. Blanco has done some other things that Gen. Lee will tell about when he arrives, but the most important thing he will bring is the evidence making it absolutely certain that the Maine was blown up by a Spanish official in Havana, although he will also probably bring other information that he did not care to make public while there were numerous Americans in Cuba liable to be made victims of Spanish treachery.

   While not possible at this time to specify the exact time that our big fleet of warships at Key West will start to Cuba, they will certainly get off this week, unless there shall be some delay on the part of Mr. McKinley in carrying out the authority that will be conferred upon him by Congress, or the Spanish shall announce their recognition of Cuban independence and intention to evacuate the island. Naval officials regard the taking of the seaports of Cuba as an easy task, and are impatiently awaiting orders to proceed.

   The so-called army reorganization bill, which provided for increasing the regular army, whenever in the opinion of the authorities there was an exigency, to 104,000 men, is virtually dead, the House having voted to send it back to the committee on military affairs, which reported it. It was an administration measure.

   In response to a request for information on the subject by Representative Cooper of Texas, Secretary Alger stated that the work of fortifying the coast of Texas was being pushed rapidly to a conclusion and that sufficient heavy guns had been allotted to Sabine Pass to protect that port from any attack the Spanish could make upon it.

   The Democrats in Congress are ready to vote the Government all the money that will be needed to thoroughly thrash Spain even to the extent of an issue of from $100,000,000 to $500,000,000 in coin bonds but they have made it plain to the schemers who have been sounding Congress on the subject, that even if every gun owned by Spain were trained upon the Capitol building in easy range, they would refuse to vote for the issue of one single gold bond. Their position on this question, in which they are supported by all the Populists and a considerable number of Republicans, stopped all talk about the issue of gold bonds, and the bill that will be reported from the Ways and Means Committee of the House, as soon as the actual fighting begins, will provide for 3 per cent coin bonds.

   Col. Jed Hotchkiss of Virginia, who participated in more than 100 battles in the Civil war says: "We have ample justification for war and will wage it, but I do not think the clash will be severe, for the Spanish government too well understands its inferiority. It may make a semblance of fight in order to appease the home rabble, but with the absolute certainty of being crushed, it will speedily bow to the inevitable."

Resolutions.

   In memory of the extreme fondness with which the late Eugene Burlingame of Albany remembered his native county we print the following resolutions adopted by the Albany county bar:

   This resolution was ordered spread on the minutes.

   Eugene Burlingame died at North River, Virginia, April 4th, 1898.

   In his death the bar of this county has lost one of the most indefatigable workers among its trial lawyers. Called to the bar in 1871 he shortly came to be recognized as an earnest advocate and a safe counselor. By his own efforts and by an unselfish devotion of himself to the severe demands of the profession he was, at the age of 50, called upon more frequently than any one of our number to represent the interests of litigants in varied contentions before the courts.

   He was loyal to his clients, to his church, to the city and to the party of which he was a member. His manner was agreeable and courteous, considerate of the feelings of others the most aggravated cause rarely tempted him to unkindness in manner or remark. Helpful to those less experienced than himself, to the sacrifice of his own interests, he often gave freely of his time and counsel.

   During the past three years, as the counsel of the people in the prosecution of those charged with crime, he relentlessly prosecuted those whom he believed to be guilty, and in the disposition of charges against the young, of those for the first time brought before the court, his sympathetic and kindly nature, believing thus the ends of justice could best be subserved, led him many times to request the court to "temper justice with mercy."

   In the fullness of his mental equipment and apparently in the strength of his physical power, he is stricken down and the members of this bar sadly attest the loss which it has sustained in common with the city by the death of a good lawyer and a good citizen.

   We express to the aggrieved family our sympathy and we respectfully ask the court to place upon its record this minute as our tribute to the memory of Eugene Burlingame.

   WILLIAM P. RUDD,

   FRANCIS H. WOODS,

   ALBERT C. TENNANT,

   SIMON W. ROSENDALE,

   ARTHUR L. ANDREWS,

   Committee of the Bar.

   Mrs. John D. Schermerhorn of Cortland and Mrs. Geo. Carter of Marathon, sisters of Mr. Burlingame, and Miles E. Burlingame of Willet, his brother, attended the funeral in Albany. Mr. Ogden Burlingame of Willet was unable to go on account of poor health.

HERE AND THERE.

   An excellent article on Thomas Jefferson, "the greatest of all Democrats," will be found on our sixth page.

   Mails for the eastern part of the county are now carried over the E. & C. N. Y. R. R. there being two each day.

   The Consular reports which accompanied the message of President McKinley will be found on our seventh page.

   It should be remembered that the DEMOCRAT is printed on Thursday afternoon. Copy should be sent in early.

   The literature class at the Normal [School] presented their teacher, Miss M. F. Hendrick, with two handsome azaleas as Easter tokens.

   Don't fail to see Tommy Ryan, champion welter weight and bag-puncher of the world, in a limited round bout in C. A. A. hall tomorrow night. Ed. Dunkhurst is his opponent.

   Mrs. Ann Harvey, a woman 90 years of age died last week, Thursday morning, at the home of her son, John Harvey on Crandall-st. of old age. The funeral was held Saturday morning from St. Mary's church.

   Our Enfield correspondent writes that Mrs. William Dean celebrated the 104th anniversary of her birth on Wednesday, March 30, by giving a dinner party to a few invited guests, preparing the refreshments herself. Although she has reached the advanced age of 104 years she is still very active and pleased to welcome her friends.—Ithaca Journal.

McGRAWVILLE, N. Y.

      McGRAWVILLE, April 12.—Dr. H. S. Braman of Homer was in town on Monday.

   Appropriate Easter exercises were held at the M. E. church Sunday morning.

   Mr. and Mrs. W. T. Bushby and two children of Cortland were guests at C. B. Warrens Sunday.

   The trustees of the corporation have appointed H. C. Chaffee clerk and Elmer Bowdish street commissioner.

   Moss Walker who is attending school at Cazenovia Seminary spent Sunday with the family of Dr. D. E. Ensign.

   The annual meeting of the McGrawville Rural cemetery association will be held at Fireman's hall Monday afternoon, April 18, at 2 o'clock.

   The McGrawville Post Office has been suffering of late by a severe attack of appendicitis. It was first discovered in the Post Office and Corset Factory. Although the office had been suffering from this dreadful disease for over eighty years, it was not discovered until recently when it was decided that that the appendix must be removed and under the protest of between three and four hundred names, patrons of the office, the Hon. Dr. of Washington had the operation performed. So the ugly ville has been removed, and the Post Office is now McGraw, and the Corset Factory will still remain in McGrawville, as McGrawville is still the name of our village and will remain so until some time in the future when wiser heads may change it to East Cortland.