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| Russell A. Alger. |
Cortland Evening Standard, Thursday, September 8, 1898.
ALGER IS INTERVIEWED.
Views Entertained by Himself and the President.
TREATMENT OF THE SOLDIERS.
As Soon as One Hundred Thousand Men Are Mustered Out the Army Will Be Reorganized and Put Into Comfortable Camps Until They Are Needed Elsewhere.
WASHINGTON, Sept. 8.—Secretary Alger is going to inspect the army camps throughout the country, going first to Camp Meade, Pa., and thence to Detroit. Now that the active war operations have closed the secretary feels free to express certain views entertained by the president and himself respecting the plans for the treatment of the soldiers and touching the persons upon whom responsibilities should be placed for some of the matters of complaint. In this connection he says:
"The regiments that have been ordered mustered out will be mustered out. The regiments that have been designated by the president to remain in the service will have to remain. As soon as we have mustered out 100,000 more or less, we shall reorganize the army—every brigade, division and corps, and put them into comfortable camps until such of them as are needed are withdrawn for service in Cuba, Porto Rico and the Philippines. In these camps, with experience of the past to guide us, sanitary conditions will be strictly enforced.
"The men composing the army will be treated as soldiers. They will be shown every possible consideration and their health will be preserved. The officers commanding regiments and companies will be held strictly accountable for the sanitary condition of the camps. They are the ones who should be held responsible. During the war many of these officers disregarded the specific instructions that had been given looking to the proper care of the men. Now it is time for them to take this work upon themselves, and with the knowledge that they are to remain in service they will be expected to devote their best energies to the work. Where men are incompetent to discharge these duties they must give way to competent ones, for again I wish to make it clear that these company and regimental officers are to be held to account for the conduct and condition of their camps.
"The great complaint of the soldiers is homesickness and a great deal of this has been caused by the inconsiderate publications in the sensational newspapers. Some of it is also chargeable to the fact that the men entered the army with the expectation that their services would be very short. Every experienced officer knows that a great many men died of homesickness. Following the depression that ensues upon homesickness come other maladies, to which the homesick soldier falls an easy victim and it is impossible to check their course. Now to my mind the American people should try to brace up these men, to encourage them and cause them to remember that they are soldiers, and are expected to meet a soldier's duties. The people of this country should not be given the impression that they have sent to the army a lot of boys unlit to withstand the unavoidable vicissitudes of camp life. Some of the complaints that have been published are calculated to make the American army appear in a poor light to the eyes of the American people and also to those of the nations of the world."
The secretary gave an instance of his purpose to carry out strictly the decision he had announced to hold field officers responsible for the condition of their men in the case of Private Hugh Parrott, who was reported to have perished in his tent at Montauk, lacking medical attendance. This was the case to which Representative Grosvenor had directed the attention of the war department. The secretary several days ago called upon the commanding officer at Camp Wikoff for a report on this subject, and at last he sent a peremptory order to General Shafter by telegraph to create a court of inquiry to investigate the case or, if the facts warranted it, to shorten the proceedings by ordering a court-martial at once, for the officer responsible for Parrott's lack of attention.
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| Gen. Nelson A. Miles, USA. |
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SPANIARDS KEPT GUESSING.
General Miles Explains His Landing In Porto Rico.
The place of landing for the Porto Rico expedition had been so thoroughly advertised in communications sent over the French cable and in the newspapers of our own country and telegraphed to Madrid and from there to San Juan, that not having received the necessary appliances with which to disembark, he decided after leading the Windward passage, to change his course and land on the south side of Porto Rico, where the Spaniards were the least prepared and the least expecting to receive him, and where he knew that the disembarkation of the troops and supplies could be most easily effected. From the time of that disembarkation, during the following 19 days of the campaign, he kept the Spaniards guessing what the next move would be. When they withdrew along the line of the great military road between Ponce and San Juan, they destroyed the bridges, obstructed the road and fortified strong positions in the mountain passage and then were surprised that one column of his army was sweeping around the west end of the island, capturing the principal cities and towns, while another had passed over the mountains on the trail which the Spaniards had supposed impassable, and therefore had not fortified or guarded. And the first they knew of the march of the American army was the appearance of a strong brigade within 20 miles of the northern coast of the terminus of the railroad connecting San Juan with Arecibo.
The island of Porto Rico was fairly won by the right of conquest, and became a part of the United States. The sentiment of the people was in no sense outraged by the invaders, but on the contrary was successfully [propagated]. A people who have endured the severity of Spanish rule for four centuries, hail with joy the protection of the great republic. One of the richest sections of the country over which our flag now floats has been added and will be of lasting value to our nation, politically, commercially and from a military or strategic point of view.
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| Admiral William T. Sampson, USN. |
PAGE TWO—EDITORIALS.
Admiral Sampson.
The feeling with which all who have come in contact with him regard Admiral Sampson is unique, and forms of itself a great tribute to that wonderful man. Every one who has served under him from landsman to naval academy classmate, has some anecdote to relate of his calm, impassive way of meeting and surmounting difficulties. His slight, stooping figure is well known; he has been seen slowly pacing up and down the quarter deck of the flagship by every man in the fleet. Even in the midst of action, when he has taken his place on the forward bridge or at the door of the conning tower, his face has seldom been flushed or his step hastened. During the chase after the Spanish fleet on July 3, when the other officers on board from Capt. Chadwick down, were exhibiting signs of the greatest excitement, Admiral Sampson seemed unnaturally calm.
The boatswain's mate on watch during one of the bombardments of Santiago de Cuba has reason to remember that the admiral has a habit of noticing small things, even in the midst of greater. The admiral was passing from the bridge to the conning tower by way of one of the movable ladders from the forward end of the superstructure to the spar deck. The ship was drawing nearer rapidly to the eastern battery, which had already opened fire. At the top of the ladder the admiral stopped and called attention to the fact that one of the bolts that held the ladder in position had slipped part way out of its socket. It was a thing which few men, even if engaged in an inspection of the ship, would have noticed, but the admiral had seen it, even in such a moment.
Just after the bombardment of June 16 one of the men of the after turret gun crews, who were cleaning up their pieces, accidentally fired the primer in his gun. Now the primer of an 8-inch gun is considerably larger than a musket cartridge and, as it shoots a small conical-shaped piece of metal, it is capable of causing a serious accident. Admiral Sampson was standing not more than 2 feet from the muzzle of the gun when the primer was discharged. When he realized what had happened he turned around, slowly and thoughtfully as usual, to the turret entrance and asked in his customary tone of voice:
"Who fired that gun?"
The man who had done it climbed out of the turret and stood trembling before the admiral, evidently expecting the worst kind of a wigging, if nothing more. To be sure, the few words that Admiral Sampson said to him were terribly to the point and very much in earnest. They were something like this:
"You are hardly fit to have the care of this gun; learn to use a little more thought." Then the man went back to his work and the incident was closed.—New York Sun.
W. C. T. U. CONVENTION.
Twelfth Annual Session Held at the Homer-ave. M. E. Church.
The county convention of the Woman's Christian Temperance union closed a two days' session at the Homer-ave. M. E. church this afternoon. Nearly every union in the county was represented. Mrs. Julia L. Tanner of Blodgett Mills, the county president, presided at the sessions, and aside from the other county officers, the following vice-presidents from the unions were present:
Cincinnatus—Miss Genie Dunston.
Cortland—Mrs. Kate M. Greenman.
Blodgett Mills—Mrs. Julia L. Tanner.
Cuyler-Mrs. Olive Brown.
Taylor—Mrs. J. S. Cass.
Truxton—Mrs. Keeler.
Virgil—Mrs. Jennie Ballou.
The business sessions were devoted to reports from committees and the following department superintendents:
Parlor Meetings—Mrs. Lettie Keeler of Truxton.
State and National Papers—Mrs. E. S. Northrup of Homer.
Franchise—Miss Libbie Robertson of Cortland.
Systematic Giving —Mrs. Kate M. Greenman of Cortland.
Sabbath Observance—Mrs. Annie Bentley of Cortland.
Report of L. T. L.—Mrs. J. S. Squires of Cortland.
Report of Heredity—Mrs. A. G. Henry of Cortland.
Evangelistic—Mrs. Jennie Ballou of Virgil.
Soldiers, Sailors and Miners—Mrs. Martha Johnson of Cortland.
Literature—Mrs. A. D. Briggs of Homer.
Narcotics—Mrs. Hinman of Cortland
Non-alcoholics—Mrs. Edith Cotton of Cortland.
Yesterday afternoon the Y branch of Cortland occupied a period with papers, music and readings which proved very interesting. The election of officers took place Wednesday afternoon with the following result:
President—Mrs. Mary E. L. Squires of Cortland.
Vice-President—Miss Libbie Robertson of Cortland.
Corresponding Secretary—Miss Sarah Hare of Cortland.
Recording Secretary—Mrs. Della Higgins of Cincinnatus.
Treasurer—Mrs. Jennie Boynton of McGrawville.
Last evening occurred an address by Rev. Stanley B. Roberts, pastor of the Bethany Presbyterian church of Utica. He was preceded by Rev. Wm. H. Pound, pastor of the Congregational church, who bade the speaker welcome to Cortland, and also to the church, its pastor, Rev. J. C. B. Moyer, being in attendance at the district conference at Cazenovia.
Mr. Roberts discussed temperance from a spiritual, moral, physical and political standpoint, and his address was received with deep interest.
This morning's session was given up to reports of committees and miscellaneous business, and this afternoon the convention closed with a meeting of the executive board.
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| Main Street, Cortland, circa 1899. |
CONCRETE BEING LAID.
Main-st. a Scene of Much Activity—More Men Wanted.
Concrete for the brick portion of the Main-st. pavement is being laid to-day beginning at the hospital corner. The men have now nearly reached Arthur-ave. Work on building the Parkhurst curb and gutter is in progress, and the street car tracks have been replaced as far as the Cortland House. A gang of men is engaged in excavating the railroad strip between the Cortland House and the Messenger House so that the Traction company can get its tracks up and replaced before it is necessary to do any more work on that part of the street. A large number of teams is engaged in carting crushed stone, brick, cement, sand, etc. to the north end of the street for use. More men are wanted to work at mixing concrete. Mr. Warren of the paving company this morning asked Village Clerk Crombie if he could send him any more men, but he cannot as his list is exhausted. Applications should be made to the boss on the job.
George M. Frisbie.
George M. Frisbie, who died in Scott, N. Y., Sept. 1, 1898, was born in Norfolk, Litchfield Co., Conn., Oct. 30, 1814. He had been a resident of Scott for about seventy-five years, and at the time of his death was the oldest person in town. He was a man well and favorably known throughout the county, having always taken a lively interest in all the political and religious movements of the county, being present whenever it was possible at political and religious conventions. He was a thoughtful reader, and possessing a retentive memory, was more than ordinarily well informed on the current affairs of the state and nation, concerning which he was always ready to enter into conversation with any one, and especially well pleased was he to converse with those capable of imparting instruction.
In the early days of the anti-slavery agitation, he espoused the cause of the oppressed, and in later times as heartily enlisted in the crusade against intemperance, and also the manufacture and sale of all intoxicants. In polities he was a conscientious Prohibitionist, and in religious belief and practice a loyal member of the Seventh Day Baptist church of Scott.
He is survived by two sons, Messrs. E. T. Frisbie of Homer and Mills G. Frisbie of Scott, superintendent of the poor of Cortland county. He will be greatly missed in society, because he was interested in that which was uplifting and noble. His funeral occurred in Scott at the Seventh Day Baptist church, Sept. 4. A very large congregation was in attendance, which with the profusion of floral tributes, attested the esteem in which he was held in the community. The services were conducted by the Rev. B. F. Rogers.
BLACKMER-WILKINS.
A Pretty Home Wedding Which Occurred on Lansing-ave.
A very pretty home wedding took place on Lansing-ave. last evening at 8 o'clock at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Robert C. Wilkins, when Mildred A., their elder daughter, became the wife of Mr. Louie K. Blackmer of Auburn, formerly of Cortland. Rev. John T. Stone, pastor or the Presbyterian church, performed the ceremony. About twenty-five invited guests, including only the nearest relatives of both families, were present. The maid of honor was Miss Ina A. Wilkins, sister of the bride, and the groomsman was Mr. Page W. Benjamin of Cortland. The rooms were neatly trimmed with smilax and cut flowers. The bride wore her traveling gown of gray broadcloth. A very fine wedding supper was served, and Mr. and Mrs. Blackmer left at 11:25 for a short trip to Buffalo and Niagara Falls. They were remembered by a large variety of presents which will be useful and ornamental in their new home, which after Sept. 15 will be at 54 Fulton-st. in Auburn.
BREVITIES.
—The trolley ride will not take place to-night as announced on account of the coldness of the weather.
—The Loyal Circle of King's Daughters will meet with Mrs. W. G. McKinney, 5 Church-st., Friday, Sept. 9, at 2:30 P. M. A large attendance is requested.
—Mr. Harry Millard of the United States Express Co. was kicked by his horse last evening as he was driving into the barn on Groton-ave. He is unable to attend to business to-day.
—A quarter of a million dollars was sunk in the Myers ballot machine enterprise, the use of which has been declared illegal. Stockholders will get nothing back and creditors will get only 12 per cent of their money.
—New display advertisements to-day are—C. F. Brown, Children and Babies, page 4. A. S. Burgess, Men's Shoes, page 7; Bingham Bros., & Miner, Novelties, page 4; Angell & McFall, Good Things Inside, page 6: D. E. Shepard, Dry Goods, page 8.
—During the shower Tuesday night lightning struck a house owned by E. C. Rindge, located near the county house. The house was occupied by three families, employees of Mr. Rindge. The electric fluid entered every room, blackening the walls and setting one bed on fire. The people were all shocked, but not seriously.
A STEAMER STRUCK.
Lightning Plays Pranks with the Frontenac on Cayaga Lake.
The Cayuga Lake Transportation Co. is having hard luck. A few weeks ago one of its large steamers, the Ithaca, was burned at its pier. Tuesday afternoon the companion steamer, the Frontenac, was struck by lightning. The Seneca Falls' correspondent of the Syracuse Standard says: During the electrical storm Tuesday afternoon the passenger steamer Frontenac, which plies between Ithaca and Cayuga on Cayuga lake, while on her return trip, was struck by a bolt of lightning. The flagstaff on the bow was torn down and the deck slightly burned which, however, comprises the entire damage. A number of passengers in the immediate vicinity of the bolt were rendered unconscious.
SCOTT, N. Y.
SCOTT, Sept. 7.—Mr. and Mrs. Austin Brown went to Syracuse with their own conveyance last week to attend the State fair and visit relatives.
Mrs. O. T. Potter and Mrs. Lena Gaylord of Cortland were in town last week on business and visiting relatives.
Mr. and Mrs. Henry E. Stevens of New York have been guests a few days in the family of H. E. J. Potter, returning to their home on Monday. Their daughter Miss Nettie Stevens will stay a few weeks with Mr. and Mrs. Lucian Barber.
Mrs. Emily Burdick who has been visiting her sisters Mrs. C. C. Clark and Mrs. Austin Brown a few weeks, started for her home in East Saginaw last Monday.
Mrs. Emily Clark, who has been in DeRuyter several weeks with her daughter, Mrs. Erwin Babcock, helping care for a sick child, returned home Friday. Mr. and Mrs. Babcock came with her but returned to their home on Sunday.
Mr. H. E. J. Potter and H. E. Stevens with their wives made a trip to Skaneateles last Friday by way of Glen Haven and the lake.
Mr. George M. Frisbie, an old and respected citizen, died Sept. 1 of a painful and lingering disease, aged 84 years. Funeral was held Sunday afternoon at the S. D. B. church, conducted by Rev. B. F. Rogers. Burial in the old cemetery.
Threshing is the order. Oats are in much lighter yield than last year. The Barber Brothers run two machines and the Hall boys run one and all seem to be doing good business.
Cutting corn is the order with many this week. Filling silos will be commenced about the middle of the week, about two weeks earlier than last year. The rains are improving potatoes and buckwheat.
Mr. Charles F. Sarson, the soliciting agent for The STANDARD, was in town with their advertising wagon last Tuesday.
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