THE MAINE DISASTER

The Cortland Democrat, Friday, February 25, 1898.

THE MAINE DISASTER

   Feb. 18.—The government has settled back into a waiting attitude in respect to the terrible marine disaster in Havana harbor. The great shock caused by the news has given way to a calmer and more judicial state of mind and realizing from the events of the day that the court of inquiry is the sole dependence in the search of the cause of the Maine's loss. The navel officials are now resigned to await the results of that inquiry by a court named to-day by the Navy department.

USN Capt. Charles Dwight Sigsbee.

SPANIARDS SUSPICIOUS.

   Feb. 19.—This morning's dispatches report a clash of authority at Havana between Capt. Sigsbee and Consul General Lee on the one side, and the Spanish authorities on the other, with regard to the right of the American government to have American divers examine the wreck of the battle ship without being accompanied by Spanish divers. The controversy began soon after dawn in the morning and continued until 3 o'clock in the afternoon. The Captain then gave the solution as follows: "I retain all my rights to examine by means of divers of my own selection, both the inside and the outside of the Maine. If after I have finished and recovered all the bodies and objects I expect to recover, and after I have made all investigation I need to make, the Spanish government can also do so provided the Washington government gives its permission."

DIVERS AT WORK.

   Feb. 21.—American divers began their work yesterday. Early in the morning they descended into the Maine but they were not able to make more than three trips. From the state room of Captain Sigsbee they brought a drawer which contained the official correspondence of Sigsbee and also the secret telegraphic and [letter] code of the American navy. The divers also brought up other books, official accounts and important documents that are needed by Captain Sigsbee and to the great relief of the captain they brought the keys of all the powder magazines which, as previously cabled, the captain declared had been duly delivered to him at 8 o'clock on the night of the explosion, that is to say two hours before the catastrophe occurred. This fact is of very great importance to show that there was no carelessness on the part of the captain and crew of the Maine.

WAR PREPARATIONS.

   Feb. 22.—There is nothing in the telegrams received to-day from Consul General Lee and Capt. Sigsbee to throw any light on the cause of the terrible disaster. In fact little is expected till the hoard of inquiry is ready to report. The federal government is actively engaged in preparations of a momentous character. The most significant action has been an order telegraphed to Capt. Chester of the cruiser Cincinnati, the senior officer on the South Atlantic naval station, to proceed with his ship and the gunboat Castine from Pars, Brazil to Barbados. This brings them nearer Cuba where the work of rescuing bodies and valuables from the wreck is being prosecuted by the board of inquiry.

CONTRACTS CLOSED.

   Contracts for raising the Maine have been signed and the contractors are starting for Cuba to begin the work.

GUN FACTORIES BUSY.

   Orders have been placed with nearly every gun factory in the country for ordnance of all kinds, for auxiliary cruisers, coast and harbor defences, etc. These shops are also running on 24 hour time. An order was closed to-day with one company for forty Hotchkiss rapid firing guns to be quickly delivered. Arrangements have been completed with several railroad companies by which western troops can be speedily transported to the Atlantic seaboard if necessary.

DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION.

Harmony Prevailed—Strong Fusion Ticket Nominated.

  The Democratic village convention was called to order at the Messenger house Monday afternoon by Committeeman Edwin Duffey. Daniel Van Hoesen was chosen chairman, William Kennedy, secretary and Geo J. Miller, teller. Roll call showed the following delegates:

   First Ward—James Conway, John Fitzgerald, Maurice Walsh, Thomas Murray, William Roche.

   Second Ward—Isaac Ousby, James Grant, Wayland Brown, J. A. Jayne, Maurice McSweeney, Geo. J. Miller.

   Third Ward—Peter Nodecker, P. J. Callahan, M. T. Roche, William Kennedy, Michael Nix.

   Fourth Ward—Hugh Corcoran, J. H. Wallace, T. Noonan, Ed Fitzgerald, Edward Dowd.

   The motion prevailed that a committee of three be appointed to confer with the Independent Republicans as to a fusion ticket that would be acceptable to both parties. Messrs. J. Hub Wallace, Peter Nodecker and Wayland Brown were chosen the committee and a recess of 10 minutes was taken.

   The committee reported the following nominations for village offices which were ratified by the convention:

   For President—Arthur F. Stilson.

   For Assessor—Burdette Richardson.

   For Collector—Willis A. Pierce.

   For Treasurer—Hubert R. Maine.

   For School Commissioners—F. D. Smith, W. J. Greenman, LaFloyd Stillman.

   Commissioner to fill vacancy—Albert W. Edgcomb.

   The nominations of the delegates from the Second and Fourth wards for trustees were confirmed, being Dr. L. T. White and A. J. Barber respectively.

   Inspectors of election were nominated as follows:

   First Ward—F. L. McDowell, John Mellon.

   Second Ward—C. V. Coon, John Grant.

   Third Ward—John Lanan, Eugene Davis.

   Fourth Ward—M. B. Burns, Michael Dillon.

   The town committee is made up as follows:

   At Large—J. Hub Wallace.

   First Ward—John Fitzgerald.

   Second Ward—Thomas Leech.

   Third Ward—James Fitzgerald.

   Fourth Ward—Edward Dowd.

REPUBLICAN NOMINATIONS.

The Much Talked of Harmony Was a Flat Failure.

   The Republican village convention was called to order in Firemen's hall at 2:30 last Saturday afternoon. After organizing and roll call the motion suddenly prevailed to adjourn till 7 P. M. to hold a harmony conference. To the majority of those present this was a decided surprise.

   When called to order in the evening it was stated that harmony seemed impossible and the convention proceeded to put in nomination the following ticket to be supported at the village election, March 8.

   For President—E. J. Warfield.

   For Trustee , Second Ward—George J. Mager.

   For Trustee, Fourth Ward—Adelbert A. Sprague.

   For Assessor—F. W. Kingsbury.

   For Treasurer—Charles S. Mead.

   For Collector—Samuel E. Welch.

   For School Commissioners—A. H. Walkins, Dr. H. P. Johnson, F. B. Nourse, S. N. Holden.

   The village committee were named as follows: First Ward, D. N. Lucy; Second Ward, E. M. Yager; Third Ward, C. E. Ingalls; Fourth Ward, H A. Dickerson.

PAGE FOUR—EDITORIALS.

An Extreme Bluff.

   Allusion is made above to the adjournment of the Republican convention for the purpose of holding a "harmony conference" with the Independent Republicans. Monday evening's Standard contains a long so-called explanation by the self-constituted "conference committee" and their report on their alleged efforts. After interviewing many of the most prominent leaders of the Independents as to the "conference" it would seem that the whole affair was a gigantic bluff as far as the majority of the leaders of the Regulars were concerned. That a part of the conference committee were [sic] sincere in their efforts and did return to the convention and try to work out and secure the nomination of a "harmony ticket" we do not dispute, but the minority of their supporters was painfully manifest when the old, slated nominations were made.

   The "address" in the Standard admits there was some mystery in the action of the convention and the explanation offered contains some truth, in as much as it says the leaders of the Independents did not feel qualified to bind their constituents without first consulting them. Had the desire for harmony been real, the alleged propositions could easily have been made at the preliminary meeting of the Independents which it was known was to be held the night previous to the convention.

   A prominent Independent told the Regular committee that their ticket would receive the support of practically every Independent if the old slate be discarded and a clean Republican ticket nominated. The later action of the convention showed how little of harmony was desired. Part of the committee worked like beavers before it was called to order to try and secure the nomination of a clean ticket as suggested by the Independents, but here was where the minority desire for harmony became apparent. The old slate went through without a hitch and the breach in the Republican party was opened wider instead of to any extent closed.

   Conversation with many Independents reveals the same feeling. If a clean ticket had been nominated at Saturday's convention it would have received almost unanimous support. The original delegations elected at the ward caucuses pointed to this result, but the bosses so arranged substitutions that when the convention met there was no chance for argument, the old bosses had control and were determined on another effort to "freeze out" and down the Independent movement. The mystery of the convention was simply a bluff to catch unsuspecting and confiding voters by the apparent desire for a really undesired harmony.

  

Fireman's Hall.

   The Cortland Firemen have a state-wide reputation, not only as gentlemen and successful competitors in contests but as royal entertainers. In 1888 the State Fireman's convention met in Cortland and the firemen then, from their own treasuries, did the entertaining. By their liberality and hospitality at that time they gave Cortland an enviable reputation, especially among firemen throughout the state.

   The Central New York Fireman's convention meets in Cortland next August and our firemen are preparing to do the right thing by their guests at that time. They will submit a resolution to raise $500 by tax, to the voters at the coming election to help defray the necessary expenses. Every voter should deem it a pleasure to vote "yes" on this proposition. Our department is one of the finest volunteer departments in the country and they ask very little financial assistance of the voters. In the other towns where these conventions have been held, the municipalities have voted from $800 to $2,000. Our boys only ask $500, and it should be gladly given. At fires they are always ready to do you a good turn, now show your appreciation and vote "yes" on their proposition.

HERE AND THERE.

   Sousa's band, March 5.

   First rhetoricals at the Normal [School] next Friday.

   The drug store of Sager & Jennings is receiving a new front and a steel ceiling.

   Appropriate programs were rendered in public schools Tuesday, Washington's birthday.

   According to our Virgil correspondent morning glories made a mistake during the thaw last week and began to blossom.

   Mrs. Blanche Potter-Spiker, reader and impersonator, and. Prof. Adolph Dahm-Petersen, concert singer, at the opera house to-night.

   Prof. D. L. Bardwell, of the Normal faculty, has been appointed an inspector of Union schools and academies by the state board of regents.  

   The Lycencor club of the Central school and some of their friends enjoyed a sleigh ride to Little York last Friday evening. They took supper at the Raymond house.

   Mr. and Mrs. J. E Joiner of Joiners' Business school entertained a number of their pupils in the school rooms in the DEMOCRAT building on last Saturday evening.

   The number of teams at the Willet station hauling supplies indicates that the farmers in that vicinity appreciate the advantage of having the new E. & C. N. Y. R. R. in operation.

   H. H. Pudney qualified as town clerk last Saturday and took up the duties of the office. The town safe was moved to his store on Railroad-st., where he can always be found.

   Frederick Stafford succumbed to an attack of pneumonia on Monday. He was nearly 22 years of age and the son of Mr. and Mrs. L. J. Stafford who reside just west of the corporation.

   Commissioner of Highways John Kane and Town Clerk Pudney made up the list of pathmasters in the town of Cortlandville Wednesday.

   "Pudd'nhead Wilson,"  dramatized at the Cortland opera house Monday evening, March 7, with Mr. Frank Mayo in the title role. The supporting cast is the same that played in the piece during its long run in New York.

   Mr. W. V. Foster, formerly of Cortland, has purchased and will conduct the grist mill at East Virgil. He is a miller of experience and will give satisfaction to all customers. He has lately been in the same business at Locke.

   The first serious accident this winter from jumping on bobs occurred yesterday morning. The nine-year-old son of Riley Baker of Prospect-st., made an attempt but fell and both bones of his left leg were crushed just above the ankle. Drs. Sornberger and Dana attended him.

   The Climax Road Machine company have, secured the patents on an improved wagon for carrying and distributing dirt, crushed stone, etc. and will manufacture and market the same, in connection with their other business. There are several wagons of this kind made but this one has advantageous features possessed by no other.—Marathon Independent.

ClNClNNATUS, N. Y.

   CINCINNATUS, Feb. 22.—Misses E. Pearl Fish and Annie Wheeler of the Cortland Normal [School] were home over Sunday.

   Messrs. H. C Higgins and F. M. Benjamin were in Cortland Friday.

   Mrs. Dell Wildman of Syracuse is here caring for her sister, who is sick with the measles.

   Miss Nellie Hayes of Cortland is in town, on account of the illness of her brother Mr. Robert Hayes.

   Mr. F. C. Lewis, who has been in town for the past few months helping in the brick store, has returned, to his home in Pharsalla.

   Rev. and Mrs. Edson Rogers returned from Elmira last Saturday where they had been to attend the marriage of their son to Miss Babcock of that city.

   Mr. Arthur Smith of Saugerties is in town, called here by the illness of his mother, Mrs. E. A. Smith, and the death of his cousin, Miss Fannie Hayes.

   We were called upon to mourn the loss of one of the members of our school, Miss Fannie Hayes. She was taken Sunday morning with the measles and had a severe hemorrhage of the nose on Monday from which she did not rally, and died at midnight Tuesday. Miss Fannie was one of our bright, faithful scholars and loved by all who knew her. Her funeral was held on Friday at 2 P. M. at the Baptist church at Lower Cincinnatus. The school and teachers attended in a body, besides many other friends and relatives. Among the flowers was a pillow sent by the school with the name Fannie in the center.