Cortland
Semi-Weekly Standard, Friday, March 4, 1898.
SPANISH TREACHERY.
Submarine
Mine Laid Near the Maine’s Anchorage.
FIRED
FROM THE SHORE.
Public
Opinion in Havana Charge the Spaniards with Doing the Deed.
HAVANA, via Key West, March 3.—Without
adding unnecessarily to the flood of surmise, conjecture and prophecy
concerning the finding of the [USS Maine] court of inquiry, most of the naval
officers here incline to the opinion that the court will find that the disaster
to the Maine was caused by a floating submarine mine under the port side of the
ship, forward of amidships.
Opinions differ as to whether this mine was
made of high explosives, such as wet and dry guncotton, or ordinary gunpowder.
Opinions concur, not only to the existence of mines in the harbor, but also that
this one was laid purposely near the buoy where foreign vessels were directed
to moor, and was fired by a flash from an electric battery on shore.
It is believed barely possible that the
explosion of the mine was the result of the carelessness or ignorance of
Spanish officers in charge of the mine station keys, when testing the circuit,
but the latter supposition is not felt to be probable. It is further regarded
as settled by the evidence before the court that the port side of the hull
forward was completely blown to pieces and that the only explosion on the
Maine, except of isolated cases of fixed ammunition, was that of 3,000 pounds
of saluting powder, stored forward and of which no trace can be found.
These views are gathered from officers who
talk with great reserve and only upon the assurance that their identity will
never be revealed. The fact remains that only the members of the court of
inquiry know all the testimony elicited; and no one is authorized to make
public the opinion of members in advance of the final judgment.
A good deal of surprise was expressed by
Americans here at learning that Spanish divers were to be permitted to make an
examination of the wreck of the Maine, especially as it was also said that the
American naval officers here would, give such divers all consistent facilities
and would throw no obstacles in the way of thorough submarine inspection.
It was not at first understood, as it came
to be later, that the Spanish search was to be entirely independent, and that
while it was being made the American investigation would proceed under Captain
Sigsbee’s supervision. As understood here, the Spanish request made immediately
after the disaster for a joint investigation was promptly refused at
Washington, but after a cabinet consultation it was agreed that the Spaniards
had a moral and international right to
discover the cause of the wreck for themselves if possible.
Therefore permission for an independent examination was granted on the ground,
as understood here, that it could not be refused to a friendly power in her own
harbor. That the permission was not accorded until after the court of inquiry
had finished its work and gone to Key West is regarded as significant. It opens
a wide field for speculation.
Some assert that the court now has no
objection to a Spanish inquiry for one of two reasons: Either the court has
sufficient evidence already of accident or malice, evidence that cannot be
controvered [sic] by the Spaniards or, after a diligent search, the mystery
remains as deep as ever, and the court does not think the Spanish will reach a
conclusion where the Americans have failed.
Of course, all this refers principally to
inspection of parts of the ship other than the hull. Until the guns, decks,
engines and debris of all kinds have been removed and the mud has been pumped
from the hull, it cannot be examined thoroughly by anyone. That any important
testimony before the court has found its way to the public is very unlikely.
Probably the court knew before it left
Havana for Key West whether the 10-inch magazine on the starboard forward did
or did not explode, but the members gave no sign and the divers who talk at all
contradict each other.
While criticizing the naval divers for their
slowness, it must be remembered that theirs is grim, dangerous and difficult
work. In muddy, foul water, through a mass of riven steel, bent iron, shattered
gratings and ladders, over upturned hatches, heaped up coal, scattered ammunition,
guns, chests, machinery and electric wires, they must make or cut their
intricate way. They must exercise great care lest the air tube be severed by
sharp projections. Already many have had falls, in the uncertain light and
difficult passages.
The question is frequently asked: “Are
Americans in danger in Havana? The only truthful answer ever given, by a well
informed resident or American, official or layman is: “We think not; we don’t
know.” Of course Spanish officials who will talk on the subject deprecate any
idea of danger, but they are as much in the dark as the rest.
A well informed Cuban of high social position and on good terms with the
government, said to the correspondent: “Of course in the low dives and saloons
there are constant boasts by irresponsible persons as to what they intend to do
to the Americans, but these people are only dangerous in case riotous demonstrations
come from other quarters such, for instance, as the volunteers.”
NO
INFORMATION WITHHELD.
Secretary
Alger Says Everything Is Given Out In Full.
WASHINGTON, March 3.—The Washington Post
this morning prints the following interview with Secretary of War Alger:
“The statement of Secretary Long that Spain’s
official participation in the disaster to the Maine had been practically
eliminated, was merely an expression of personal opinion on his part. It is an
in justice to him, as well as to the administration, to give an official
significance to his expression, when he was particular at the time to emphasize
the fact that he was speaking simply as an individual.
“In the absence of official facts—and I can
repeat what has been said heretofore, that the public is equally as well informed
as the government—no member of the administration can, of course, make an official
declaration touching Spain’s responsibility, moral or otherwise.
“There is not an iota of information as to
the cause or origin or the explosion upon which the government can, at this time,
form a conclusion or base a decision. The verdict of the court of inquiry on
that point must patiently be awaited.”
Beyond this Secretary Alger would not be
quoted, but he authorized The Post to state most positively that no official
information was being withheld from the public.
 |
| Mahan's Music Store, Court Street, Cortland, N. Y. |
MAHAN’S
MUSIC FESTIVAL
To be
Held May 23 to 27—List of Prominent Artists.
Arrangements are rapidly being closed up for
the music festival which will this season be held May 23 to 27—a little earlier
than usual, but the date was necessary in order to secure some of the
attractions. Of course Dr. H. R. Palmer of New York is to be the director. He
has been in charge of the festivals so long that it would seem strange indeed
to see another than he holding the baton.
The familiar face of Mrs. Martha Dana
Shepard will be missed this year, and this fact will no doubt be a source of
deep regret to the chorus with whom, as well as with all the audiences, she was
a great favorite not only on account of her splendid playing, and her fine
accompaniments, but on account of her magnetic presence and personality and her
genial and kindly disposition. Mr. Mahan tried to secure her again, but she is
out of the range of possibilities now. She wrote him that she had retired from
all festival work, except occasional local work near her home in Boston. He
has, however, secured Miss Alice Walker Bates of New York, who has a very high
reputation for excellent work at festivals and who has been with Dr. Palmer on
many such occasions. She will undoubtedly keep the accompaniments fully up to
the high standard set by Mrs. Shepard.
Among the other attractions are Miss Frances
Mosby, soprano; Miss Edith J. Miller, contralto; Dr. Ion A. Jackson, tenor; and
Henri Marteau, violin. The last mentioned gentleman was one of the artists here
in 1894. He simply delighted every one at the time, and it is said that his
playing now is far finer than four years ago. Several other artists are under
consideration and will probably be engaged, and there is every reason to
believe that the festival this year will be one of the very best in the long
series.
AGRICULTURAL
SOCIETY.
Annual
Meeting Held Wednesday—Fair to be Held August 23, 24, 25 and 26.
The annual meeting of the stockholders of
the Cortland County Agricultural society was held in Fireman’s hall Wednesday
afternoon with President Geo. H. Hyde in the chair. Of the eighty-one shares in
the society, forty-seven were represented.
On motion of T. H. Wickwire, seconded by O.
U. Kellogg, the society proceeded to the election of four directors for three
years. C. F. Brown and W. L. Baker were appointed tellers, and the following
were chosen directors to succeed themselves: J. R. Hathaway, Hugh Duffey, T. H.
Wickwire and A. P. Rowley. Treasurer C. F. Brown then read his report, and a
committee consisting of I. H. Palmer, D. K. Cutler and F. H. Sears was
appointed to examine the same together with the vouchers. The report showed the
following receipts for the year: Gate, $1,580.54; rents, $203.75; privileges,
$105.50; entry premiums, $35.45; race entries, $324; state appropriation,
$1,239.90; bank overdraft, $259.93; total, $3,749.07. Also the following
disbursements: Permanent improvements, $1,349.12; office assistants and
gatekeepers, $54; police, $170.98; judges, $25.20; helpers, $283.50; race
purses, $677; premiums, $1,189.18; total, $3,749.07.
On motion, the date for the sixtieth annual
fair was set for Aug. 23, 24, 25 and 26, 1898.
The board of directors of the Cortland
County Agricultural society Wednesday afternoon elected the following officers
for the year:
President—George H. Hyde of South Cortland.
Vice-President—D. K. Cutler of Scott.
Secretary—George J. Maycumber of Cortland.
Treasurer—Charles F. Brown of Cortland.
General Superintendent—W. L. Baker of
Cortland.
PAGE
FOUR—EDITORIALS.
A
Nefarious Election Scheme.
The Bryan Democratic legislature of Kentucky
is putting through one of the most infamous election laws that ever found a
place on the statute books of any state. Its purpose is to assure the control
of that state hereafter to the Democracy, no matter what the sentiment of the
people may be or what number of Republican votes may be polled.
This measure places the absolute control of
elections in the hands of three commissioners to be elected by the present
Bryan-Blackburn legislature. These three men are to appoint the election
officers in the counties and, in addition to that, will be canvassing and
returning board of the state. There is no pretense of fairness or consideration
for the rights of voters in the entire scheme. Having the power, should the
bill become law, the three commissioners will appoint election officers who
will do their bidding, but should the returns not be to their liking they will,
as a canvassing and returning board, fix them to suit their purposes. The
Republicans of the state who, at the election of 1896, were in a majority, will
practically be disenfranchised.
This bill is so nefarious in its character
that many Democrats are denouncing it as vigorously as the Republicans. The
Louisville Courier-Journal, which will not be a party to a fraud and dishonor,
has the following about the Goebel bill:
It is safe to say that the annals of free
government will be sought in vain for anything approaching it in shameless
effrontery and unconcealed deformity. The records of reconstruction furnish
nothing to compare to it. The Brownlow despotism of Tennessee was considered
tolerably reckless and tolerably thorough in its day. But the Brownlow
despotism at its worst ventured upon nothing so boldly, wholly bad as
this…Kentucky is to become the subject of a triumvirate, which is to decide who
shall hold office and who shall not. Nominally, the people are to be permitted
still to go through the form of elections. They are to be permitted still to
vote. The ballot-box is not actually abolished. But the triumvirate is in each
and every case to cast up the returns and determine the result…There is a limit
even to the fury of factional passion. There are bounds set upon the prosperous
rapacity of sectional leadership. The people cannot have gone completely and
incurable mad. There is yet some grace left in the manhood of Kentucky to rise
in its might and to say to this wicked attempt to steal its birthright of
freedom in open day and before its very eyes, “I forbid!”
Fortunately Kentucky at present has in
Governor Bradley a Republican executive who will veto this bill when it comes
before him; but the unscrupulous conspirators against honest government are
boasting that they will pass it over his veto. It is doubtful, however, if that
can be done. As it passed the house there were but 57 in its favor against 42
opposed, or a total of 99 votes. Two-thirds of that number are 66, or 9 in
excess of the affirmative vote. If the public sentiment of Kentucky is not
utterly debased it will make life a burden to the author and supporters of the
Goebel bill.
 |
| Historic Hathaway House, Solon, N. Y. |
BY
RAILROAD TO SOLON.
Mrs.
Kate E. Jones and Others Visit the Hathaway House.
To the Editor of The STANDARD:
Sir—I had a delightful surprise while
visiting Cortland recently in meeting an old friend, Mr. N. A. Bundy, general
manager of the Erie & Central New York railroad who invited myself and the
trio of friends with me to a ride by railroad to Solon. We accepted instantly
and in special car over the smooth track, soon arrived at Solon depot, where we
alighted and made a call at the Hathaway manor.
Miss Hathaway, the owner of this picturesque
old mansion, received us most graciously and entertained us in delightful conversation,
and a view of her valuable collection of rare old paintings, ancient mosaics,
and tiles centuries old, curios from many lands, and most exquisite sculpture.
To find in a home hid away in the country such rare work s of art, priceless
gems of Rubens, Rembrandt, Vernet and Claude, to behold immense cabinets of
curiosities, libraries of old volumes and tables piled with the late authors and
current magazines, to breathe the fragrance of tropical plants, hidden away in
the mullioned windows with trailing vines was indeed a rare and delightful
surprise. We enjoyed the call and were returned in Miss Hathaway’s sleigh to our
waiting train.
Returning, riding along through that country
so newly opened up to railroad facilities and knowing in earlier years of the
richness of its agricultural products and the great advantages that must accrue
to all the towns adjacent to this projected air line railroad from Buffalo to
New York, we marveled greatly that the inhabitants along the way had not sooner
awakened to the vast opportunities hidden in this railroad.
Hearing the history of Cortland’s “faithful
few” who had for twenty-seven years struggled with discouragements and delay,
and knowing too of the stern patience, rugged perseverance and self-sacrifice
of Mr. Bundy, the general manager, we could not but exclaim, truly railroads
like nations are not born in a day!
Returning home via Syracuse, and reading in
the morning paper an article on this new railroad to be extended from Cortland
to Syracuse, we congratulate the people of Cortland and vicinity that business
men elsewhere are waking up to the possibilities of the Erie & Central New York R. R.
and we shall expect next time we visit Cortland to go by railroad, not only to
Solon but to Deposit, and thence to the great metropolis.
K. E. J., Ilion, N. Y., Feb. 26, 1898.
[Cortland]
Hospital Report for January, 1898.
Patients remaining Jan. 1, 6; patients
admitted during January, 2; patients discharged during January, 4; number of
deaths during January, 1; number of operations performed, 1; number remaining
in house Jan. 31, 3.
BREVITIES.
—The dates for the Dryden fair have been
fixed for Sept. 20, 21, and 22.
—At the meeting of Grover Relief corps, No.
96, Tuesday afternoon, Mrs. Ellen A. Palmer was elected treasurer.
—In Justice Kelley’s court Wednesday a
judgment of non-suit was entered in the case of C. T. Peck against Mattie E. Bowdish.
—Every Republican in the village of Cortland
should read the editorial from the Troy Times which we publish on our fourth
page. It is as full of good sense as an egg is full of meat.
—Mr. Z. Lowe, whose farm house was recently
burned in the town of Virgil, has had his insurance satisfactorily adjusted by
the Patrons of Husbandry, in which the property was insured.
—John Garrity, a 12-year-old boy, was yesterday
sent to the Rochester Industrial school for skipping school. He had been before
the police justice on a previous occasion on the same charge.
—Dr. L. T. White has moved his dental
parlors from the Samson building to the Moore building, corner of Main and Orchard-sts.
He has a suite of four rooms on the second floor, the offices formerly occupied
by W. C. Crombie.
—Mrs. Celia M. Sanders died at 4 o’clock Thursday
morning at the home of her son, Mr. Charles E. Johnson, 89 Tompkins-st. at the
age of 77 years. The funeral is to be held from the house Saturday at 2 o’clock
P. M. and burial is to be made in the Cortland Rural cemetery.
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