HOBSON IN SANTIAGO AND MCGRAW LETTER

 

Lt. Richmond P. Hobson, USN.

Cortland Evening Standard, Tuesday, August 30, 1898.

HOBSON IN SANTIAGO.

The Lieutenant Tendered an Enthusiastic Reception.

SIGNAL CORPS AT WORK.

Telephone and Telegraph Lines to Be Established.

   SANTIAGO, Cuba, Aug. 30.—The steamer Seguranca has arrived here, bringing Lieutenant Richmond P. Hobson, who will superintend the efforts to float the sunken Spanish cruisers Cristobal Colon and Infanta Maria Teresa. Lieutenant Hobson had an enthusiastic informal reception from General Lawton, with whom he will be quartered while in Santiago. The Seguranca brought also Captain Leigh and 40 men of the signal service corps, who will relieve Colonel Greene. Work will be begun at once on the military telephone and telegraph lines along the coast of Eastern Cuba. The Seguranca brought a cargo of fresh beef.

   General Lawton has issued an order releasing the largest dock in the harbor, lately wholly occupied by the United States government, and returning it to the use of the local merchants and shippers. Trading vessels had experienced great inconvenience and delay in consequence of wharf facilities, and many ships in the harbor are awaiting a place to unload. The special hardship arises from the excessive harbor charges.

   The beautiful Alameda boulevard, 200 feet wide and encircling Santiago bay, now occupied by the Second immunes regiment, will be released to the city as soon as the immunes can be removed to the new camp, two mils out. The boulevard is a fashionable resort for driving and promenading.

   Residents of the city and province to the number of about 8,000 now in Costa Rica and Jamaica, are expected to return here during the next three weeks, and preparations are going on for a house cleaning all around.

   A whole battalion of the Fifth regulars brought by the Knickerbocker from Tampa has been placed in the hospital vacated by the Spaniards, yellow fever having appeared among them. The Knickerbocker has been quarantined. She touched at a small Cuban port on her way from the United States and was not inspected at Tampa. Five cases of the fever have developed.

   A large quantity of government supplies, left here by the commissary department, will be distributed among the poor. General Wood said: "It seems impossible that much destitution could exist under the work of the Red Cross society, the government officers and inspectors, but I find extreme distress in the lower quarters of the city and am giving orders to have all cases relieved upon a medical certificate of necessity. Large quantities of food are being distributed."

 

CUBA'S GOVERNMENT.

For Some Time, at Least, It Will Be Under American Control.

   WASHINGTON, Aug. 30.—The instructions to the Cuban and Porto Rico military commissions were drawn up and approved by the president before he left Washington, and are now ready to be delivered to the president of each before he leaves. The instructions will not be made public, but their general terms are known to be the same as the instructions sent to General Shafter regarding the government of Santiago and to General Merritt regarding the Philippines. This will mean that the military commission will take control of Cuba and Porto Rico the same as the military governor now controls that portion of Cuba surrendered to the United States after the Santiago campaign.

   The many minor details relative to the evacuation of the islands are left to the commission, who will report any difficult or disputed points to Washington. There never has been doubt that the United States would take full control of Porto Rico, but the instructions to the Cuban military commission settles any questions regarding that island, and means that for the present at least the United States will assume the government and control of the remainder of the island as has been the case in Santiago.  

 

PHILIPPINE INSURGENTS.

They Are the Only Ones Causing Any Trouble at Manila.

   MANILA, Aug. 30.—The residential suburbs are full of armed insurgents and several personal vendettas have been reported. The inhabitants are greatly alarmed. There was firing in the streets of San Miguel recently. The insurgent troops Sunday attended mass fully armed and patrolled the principal residential suburbs.

   Major General Merritt, the commander of the American troops, in conversation, has avoided a declaration of his policy and gave his impression that he is undecided about the possibility of arranging to retain the Philippine islands, although personally he seemed to favor that policy.

   General Aguinaldo has court-martialed the offenders in the Cavite affray and they have been sentenced to death; but it is reported that they were afterwards reprieved at the request of General Anderson.

   The insurgents wish to send a delegate to Paris, even if he is not admitted to the conference. The Spaniards are said to be defrauding the Americans in the matter of the issuance of rations to the prisoners.

 

Joseph H. Choate.

PAGE TWO—EDITORIALS.

Trial by Jury.

   Mr. Joseph H. Choate, the distinguished lawyer, made the most important speech of the occasion at the recent congress of the American Bar association at Saratoga. It covered a range of topics touching the American methods of court procedure and incidentally comparing them with those of France, whose criminal judicature is organized to convict as much as a gun is built to shoot with. In reference to the Zola trial he said, "Every safeguard of personal liberty enjoyed in England and America for two centuries had been violated."

   We could not read the account of the trial without contrasting them with our own trial by jury or without the pious utterance from every lip, "Thank God, I am an American."

   Mr. Choate made an unnecessarily elaborate argument, one would almost think, for the jury trial system, as if itself were on trial, instead of being fixed in the bedrock of Anglo-Saxon institutions. Perhaps it is true that there is a tendency to supplant the jury method in certain kinds of litigation by other devices of legal procedure more simple and effective, to reserve it for great cases affecting life, liberty or property. This certainly is to dignify, not to cheapen it. With the diminution of jury trials comes the greater probability of securing intelligent jurymen. But who can wonder at the partiality of the great advocate, to whom the jury has always been the instrument on which the master player performs with such matchless skill.

 

Standard block, Cortland, N. Y.

A VERY HARD SHOWER.

Cortland Afloat for Nearly Two Hours Last Night.

   One of the hardest showers of the season occurred last night between about 4:30 and 6:30 o'clock. A full inch of rain fell, and Cortland was fully afloat. It has rained harder at some times this season, but not heretofore has it been continued so long. Railroad-st. just west of the gutters near H. F. Benton's office was full from curb to curb and the street car tracks were submerged. A big river flowed down Tompkins-st. and around the corner upon Main-st. Between the Standard and Squires buildings no land in the street was visible, and the water backed up nearly to the doors.

   The Fair store bridge was brought into requisition to enable one to get across the street after the shower, and one citizen came along looking to the right and left and finally stopped with the question, "Where is the nearest life-saving station?"

   The water was from eight to ten inches deep as it poured down West Court-st. over the crosswalk between the Randall corner and the Wallace building, and a fine deposit of mud and slush was left after the shower.

   To-day for a wonder it hasn't rained, but the weather forecast is "Threatening weather." In fact it is threatening all the time these days.

 

STAFFORD FAMILY REUNION.

Third Annual Gathering Held at Woodlawn Farm near Etna, Aug. 26.

   One of the pleasantest of days was spent at the home of Mr. and Mrs. J. L. Stafford at Woodlawn farm near Etna, N. Y., by nearly 100 of the Stafford family. Among those present were Mr. Garner Stafford of Alden, Erie Co. N. Y., Mr. Horace Stafford of Owego and Mr. Miles Stafford of Blodgett Mills, the only ones of the second generation now living.

   Everything was done by both host and hostess to make all feel at home and certainly every one did. The day was spent in playing games and renewing acquaintances. Every one enjoyed the vocal and instrumental music rendered by Messrs. Ira and Leon Stafford, Mrs. Layton Stafford of Blodgett Mills, Miss Lavina Stafford of Hugenot, N. Y., Mrs. Dana White of Cincinnatus, N. Y., and Master Floyd Stafford of Cortland, N. Y. Mr. Garner Stafford, although over 70 years of age, was one of the boys and kept every one in good humor with jokes and witty stories.

   About 2 P. M. the assembly was called to order by the president, Mr. Janus Stafford of Blodgett Mills, when the following officers were elected for the coming year:

   President—Mr. Henry Stafford, McGraw, N. Y.

   Vice-President — Randolph Stafford, Hugenot, N. Y.

   Secretary—F. J. Stafford, Blodgett Mills, N. Y.

   Chairman—Eli Stafford, Cortland, N.Y.

   Warren Stafford of McGraw, Dell Stafford of Cortland and Layton Cole of Cortland were appointed committee of arrangements and Mrs. Henry Stafford, chief of cooking committee. A vote of thanks was given to Mr. and Mrs. Stafford for their hospitality.

   Upon invitation of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Stafford of McGraw the next reunion will be held at their home on Wednesday, Aug. 23, 1899.

   FRED J. STAFFORD, Secretary.

 

TOMPKINS COUNTY FAIR

To be Held at Ithaca Sept. 6 to 9—Great List of Attractions.

   The annual fair of the Tompkins County Agricultural society will be held at Ithaca Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, Sept. 6, 7, 8 and 9. Over $5,000 in premiums and purse prizes are offered. On Tuesday afternoon there will be bicycle races under the management of the Ithaca Cycle club. At 6 o'clock that night the test of dairy cows begins. Wednesday will be Grangers' day, with a baby show at 2 o'clock. There will be trotting and pacing races on the last three days and a running race on the last day. On Thursday morning occurs the exhibition of carriage horses and the procession of prize animals. On Friday a new feature will be introduced—an auction sale of exhibits. The fair promises to be a first-class one. There are reduced rates on all railroads, fine music throughout, and good dining arrangements. A large number of special prizes are offered, and it will pay one to send for a premium list to the secretary, A. G. Genung, Ithaca.

 

BROOME COUNTY FAIR

To be Held at Whitney Point Sept. 6, 7, 8 and 9.

   The Broome county fair at Whitney Point will occur on Sept. 6, 7, 8 and 9, and is expected to be larger and better than ever. Miss Myrtle Peek, champion long distance rider of the world, will give exhibitions with her trained horses every day of the fair. This is one of the most costly attractions ever engaged for a fair in this section.

RACING PROGRAM.

   Wednesday, Sept. 7, named race, purse $50.

   Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2:29 class, purse $150.

   Thursday, Sept. 8, 2:40 class, purse $150.

   Thursday, Sept. 8, 2:24 class, purse $200.

   Thursday, Sept. 8, running race, purse $80.

   Friday, Sept. 9, 2:15 class, purse $200.

   Friday, Sept. 9, 2:35 class, purse $150.

   Friday, Sept. 9, 2:85 class, purse $150.

   Don't miss seeing Miss Peek and her trick horse from Boston, also Miss Peek in her race against the riderless wonder, in her great Roman standing ride and in her four-horse tandem race. The stables have been enlarged and there will be plenty of room for all horses.

 

BREVITIES.

   —The farmers' picnic is being held today in Wight Brothers' grove in Cincinnatus and a large number of people are in attendance.

   —New display advertisements to-day are—M. A. Case, Turn of the Tide, page 6; D. McCarthy & Sons, New Fall Dress Fabrics, page 8.

   —An old locust tree on the lawn of Engineer W. B. Landreth on Port Watson-st. was blown down during the storm yesterday afternoon and fell directly across the walk.

   —Members of the Cortland University Center will bear in mind that the first meeting after the summer vacation will be held next Monday evening, Sept. 5, at the Normal [School] building. The subject will be the last lesson on Greece and the exercise will be conducted by Prof. T. J. McEvoy.

 

Moved Back to the Farm.

   Mrs. E. M. Moore, who has been in charge of the Woman's Riverside Home for the past year or more, has moved back to her farm several miles west of Cortland, taking with her the three old ladies who were inmates of the home. She will resume the conducting of the Woman's Country Home of which she was the matron before going to the Riverside home. The Riverside home is now closed.

 

McGRAW.

Breezy Items of Corset City Chat.

   The following letters remain uncalled for at the postoffice at McGraw, N. Y., on Monday morning, Aug, 20, 1898: Ray D. Albro, E. Davis. (returned.) Persons calling for the above will please say "advertised."' B. T. BURLINGHAM, Postmaster.

   Mrs. Frank Spencer of Cameron Mills is the guest of her cousin Miss Lena Masten.

   Mr. and Mrs. F. C. Welch, Mr. and Mrs. C. B. Maybury of this place and Mr. and Mrs. James Winnie and D. C. Greenman of Cortland were guests of Mr. and Mrs. W. L. Bean and Mr. and Mrs. L. C. Greenwood at Tully lake Sunday.

   This vicinity was visited by a heavy thunder storm Monday evening. The rain came down in sheets and streams overflowed their banks, cellars were filled and the electric car was obliged to stop and remove flood wood from the Wellington bridge which the flood had deposited there. For a few moments the flashes of lightning and peals of thunder seemed to be continuous and it seemed as if some near point had been struck several times. In the corset factory the jar caused a stack of boxes to fall and there came near being a panic as the employees thought the lightning had struck the building. The electric lights on Main-st. were extinguished and some fine but startling fireworks were witnessed in the postoffice,  while next door in W. E. Miner's bakery the proprietor, who was standing near a light, was knocked down and dazed for a few minutes. Mrs. C. H. Edwards who was standing in her rooms on Main-st. was knocked down. Mrs. P. W. Chaffee was preparing supper and received a severe shock. M. B. Howes was knocked down while entering his residence. Will Rooks was tumbled off the stool on which he sat while milking. Miss Maud Purchas gave a public exhibition on her way home as little balls of fire were seen at her finger ends and bobbing around rather promiscuously, while it made a top of Mrs. N. W. Smith and whirled her around the walk. Geo. Gage reports that the sparks ran down his umbrella ribs. Mrs. Lee Maybury was chased out of the house by the lightning running around after her, and Floyd Phillips' lame back was helped by the electric fluid chasing him around the sittingroom. Many report headaches and nervous shocks, but no serious accidents are reported. In Solon the barn of Helmer Jacobs was struck, a post split and every cow in the stable knocked down, but all recovered in a short time.