Cortland Evening Standard, Friday, October 14, 1898.
PAGE TWO—EDITORIALS.
Yellow Jack.
Panic prevails throughout the state of Mississippi because of the yellow fever. While the disease is comparatively of a mild form, it is more widespread than has been the case before in some time. Nineteen counties and over a score of cities and towns are infected. With the exception of the secretary of state, every official of the free silver state government from the governor down has fled from Jackson, the capital. The fall session of the supreme court was to have opened there on Monday, but all of the justices were out of the city. When high officials like these desert their posts, ordinary people may be excused for becoming panic-stricken.
The epidemic once more finds the state board of health powerless to deal with the situation. It has no adequate system of quarantine regulations, no organized plan of delivering supplies, no general sanitary service; and there is little if any basis for a concerted effort between state and federal authorities to check the fever. The result is the establishment by the people themselves of the haphazard, brutal and utterly demoralizing shotgun quarantine. Under it railroad traffic is stopped, trade is brought to a standstill, poor people are herded together to starve, and even women and children are roughly treated should they chance to pass beyond a cordon.
The present situation in Mississippi but emphasizes the argument in favor of a national quarantine. Under such a system early, thorough and vigorous measures would have been taken to stamp out fever before it got anything like its present foothold. Now that they are powerless to do anything themselves the state officials appeal to the federal authorities for help. If there was a national quarantine system it would always be in operation, and whenever yellow fever appeared it would be checked at once without regard for state rights or co-operation. Last winter congress defeated the Coffey bill, which provided for the extension of the functions and duties of the marine hospital service, giving it the power of a national board of health. The reappearance of yellow fever this year makes the necessity of such legislation all the more pressing, and it should be enacted before the coming of another summer.
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| Gen. Nelson Miles. |
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| Russel Alexander Alger. |
CONFLICT OF OPINIONS.
Miles and Alger Differed on the War Plans.
CAMP THOMAS INVESTIGATED.
Shortage of Medical Supplies and Lack of Tents Caused Some of the Suffering— The Division Hospitals Were Often Overcrowded—Nurses Were Without Training.
WASHINGTON. Oct. 14.—After devoting several hours to hearing the testimony of Dr. Hoff, a chief surgeon of the Third army corps stationed at Camp Thomas, the war investigating commission gave the remainder of the day to the reading of papers submitted by Secretary Alger with his statement concerning the conduct of the war. The papers include orders for the movement of troops, communications to the secretary of war from the officers in the field and from the secretary to them and various other documents bearing on the subject of the Investigation. The documents reveal the fact that General Miles recommended the occupation of the Isle of Pines about the time of the battle of Santiago and that Secretary Alger disapproved the suggestion. It also appears that General Miles recommended that some point between Santiago and Porto Rico be taken previous to the beginning of either campaign.
The correspondence also developed the fact that there was an apparent conflict of authority between Generals Miles and Shafter at Tampa before the Santiago campaign was inaugurated. It also shows that orders were issued by the secretary of war that in the event that General Shafter should be disabled by sickness or other cause, the command of the troops at Santiago should devolve upon General Wheeler and upon the next in command in case of the disability of both Shafter and Wheeler.
Dr. Hoff's testimony was sometimes a sensational nature. He said that he did not consider Camp Thomas to have been in the best sanitary condition, but expressed the opinion that it was the best it could be under the circumstances. He said that in the beginning the camp was deficient in medical supplies. There were at this time many cases of diarrhoea, and it had not been possible to meet all the demands for remedies. The shortage was due to the fact that it had been expected the troops would come to camp supplied with medicines, but some of them failed in this respect, making a greater demand than had been accounted upon.
Continuing, Dr. Hoff said that the capacity of the division hospitals were often doubled and trebled. It sometimes occurred that there were eight men in tents which were intended to accommodate six because of delay in securing tentage to care for the increase of disease which was unexpectedly rapid. On one or two occasions patients were necessarily placed in beds made upon the floors because of a temporary deficiency in cots. The orders provided for careful disinfection in typhoid cases. As a rule the nurses were without training and this fact occasioned some difficulty in dealing with typhoid cases. Yet he knew of no specific cases of suffering on this account. He specified the case of a man afflicted with an infectious disease who had been compelled to lie in the open air one night on account of the lack of tentage. He was sure that no injury resulted, as the weather was pleasant. Dr. Hoff said that the shortage in medical supplies had continued for several weeks, but there was generally sufficient to meet the immediate demands. He also said that some requisitions had been returned by the Washington authorities because improperly filled and he was under the impression that there had been complaints of some suffering on this account.
Dr. Conner stated that the governor of Arkansas had complained of the neglect of the troops from that state, and he read an extract from the letter of the Arkansas governor saying that he had made a personal investigation of the conditions in the hospitals of the second division of the Third army corps and that he had found "the conditions deplorable—simply disgraceful." He charged that the doctors in the institution were all northern men, unfamiliar with diseases incidental to the south; that there were cases of fever in which patients had gone without water for 24 hours and in which sick men went without attention from a surgeon or without receiving a dose of medicine for a week.
Replying Dr. Hoff said that several southern physicians were engaged at the hospital and that he did not think it possible that men could have been neglected as indicated by the governor's letter. He had heard of no such cases.
A statement in the nature of a report was read from Dr. Samuel D. Hubbard, surgeon of Ninth New York, reflecting to some extent upon the second division hospital. He charged that the water from the hospital was bad, coming from Chickamauga creek, which he said, drained the camp.
Dr. Hoff thought the only safe plan was to regard the water in the pipes as infected. The in-take for this water was about 40 feet from the mouth of Cave Spring branch, which drained the camp, and some physicians had regarded it possible that it might be infected through the instrumentality of side eddies which might have taken water from the small stream into the pipes. He said that during the last few weeks of the second division hospital's existence it had been so overcrowded that it was found necessary to stop receiving patients there, but that the congested condition was relieved as soon as the Sternberg hospital was completed.
The commission has summoned Major Louis L. Seaman, a surgeon in the First volunteer engineers, to appear before it and he is expected to testify at the next session. He has recently been quoted in New York as saying that 200 men had died dally because of the maladministration of the quartermaster's department.
ECHOES OF THE WAR.
Military Notes and Items About the Recent Conflict.
The United States commission in Porto Rico have informed the Spanish commission that the United States expect to have complete possession of Porto Rico on Oct. 18. The Spanish commission assent to this and say that it is expected the evacuation will be complete on or before that day. If not, they will concede possession.
The remains of Major Bebee of the United States military commission, who died in Havana of yellow fever, have been embalmed and were deposited in the Colon cemetery. They will rest there until permission is obtained from the New York health authorities for their shipment to the United States.
Thirty cannon captured at the forts and in the trenches at Santiago, Cuba, are now ready for shipment to the United States. The proposed plan is to give 15 of the principal cities of the country two guns each as trophies, to be placed in position of honor in the public parks.
The custom receipts of the month of September at the ports of Sagua, Cardenas, Cienfuegos, Matanzas, Nuevitas, Caibarien and Havana amounted to $1,320,865, which was $655,230 in excess of the receipts for September, 1897.
The court-martial that tried Chaplain Mclntyre found him guilty, his sentence being dismissal from the United States naval service. The case is now under review at the navy department.
Typhoid fever of a severe type has appeared again at Camp Wikoff. There are three cases in the Seventh infantry, the only regiment there.
Rear Admiral Schley, who is recovering from his sprained ankle, expects to sail from Ponce, Porto Rico, for home on or before Oct. 24.
The Spanish transport Rabat and Cavadenga have arrived at Ponce, Porto Rico, to embark the remainder of the Spanish forces.
TROUBLE IN PHILIPPINES.
Rebellion Against Aguinaldo—Hard Fighting is Taking Place.
MANILA, Oct. 14.—A rumor here says that Macabulos, chief of the five northern provinces of the Philippine Islands, has rebelled against Aguinaldo and that hard fighting has already taken place between the opposing factions.
It is also reported here that General Rios, the Spanish commander at Iloilo, has sent emissaries from that place to undermine Aguinaldo's influence and induce the natives to demand that Spain retain the Philippine Islands.
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| Col. Theodore Roosevelt, Republican candidate for governor of New York State. |
A FLYING TRIP.
Roosevelt Speaks in Rensselaer County To-day, In New York To-night.
NEW YORK, Oct. 14.—Colonel Roosevelt left here this morning on the 8:30 o'clock train tor Troy. He had expected to have the forenoon for rest at home, but late last night he received from Benjamin B. Odell a telegram asking him to go "up-state" and make a speech at the Rensselaer county fair. Governor Black had requested that the colonel do so.
Colonel Roosevelt telegraphed lo Mr. Odell that he would go gladly if arrangements could be made for him to return in time for a speech this evening, as he had engaged to address a meeting of colored Republicans in the Lenox Lyceum tonight and that he would not miss it.
THE ANNUAL MEETING
OF THE CORTLAND COUNTY HOME FOR AGED WOMEN.
Held at Homer on Tuesday, Oct. 11—Annual Reports of the Secretary and Treasurer—Election of Officers, Directors and Managers for the Coming Year.
The annual meeting of the stockholders and directors of the Cortland County Home for Aged Women was held at the Home in Homer on Tuesday, Oct. 11, at 2:30 o'clock. Reports of the secretary and treasurer were given and officers were elected for the ensuing year as follows:
SECRETARY'S REPORT.
To the Board of Managers of the Home Association:
To-day I present the seventh annual report of the Home, which must necessarily be much like former reports of this institution. I do not mention this as an apology but rather to the contrary. At the time of our organization we found many friends that were willing to aid in all undertakings, and the same spirit has been manifested during the past seven years. The Home long ago passed the experimental stage, and is now one of the permanent organizations of our town.
At our last annual meeting the provisions in our constitution in regard to what shall constitute life and honorary members was amended to read as follows:
Article 8, Section 2. The payment of $20 at one time or in installments shall constitute the donor a life member.
Article 3, Section 3. The payment of $50 at one time or in installments, shall constitute the donor an honorary member.
Jan. 25 Mr. F. E. Stone of Skaneateles gave his lecture recital on American song writers and their music in the Congregational church for the benefit of the Home. For all the night was very stormy a large audience greeted Mr. Stone. The entertainment was of a high order, and all felt repaid for the effort made. The recital netted the Home $31.43. At the monthly meeting in February a vote of thanks was extended to Mr. Stone for his kindness.
In March our matron, Miss Susie Ellison, resigned to take effect June 7. The resignation was accepted, and the services of Mrs. Emily Bates were secured. She is very efficient both as matron and nurse, and is a great favorite with the old ladies.
We have held twelve monthly meetings with an average of eight at each meeting.
Our books show eighty-seven annual members. This number is not as large as in some previous years, but I do not think it shows a lack of interest, but no doubt carelessness on the part of many. It would be very gratifying if the members would pay their annual dues to the collectors, Miss Editha Stephens of Cortland and Mrs. Walter Jones of Homer, without solicitation.
We have received one life member during the year, Mrs. Marietta Griffin of Syracuse.
Our permanent fund has been increased by $100 from the estate of Miss Eunice Stickney of Homer, $200 from the estate of Mrs. Clarissa Babcock of McGrawville, $25 from friends of Mrs. Pardee, $25 from a friend, and the Home has had a gift of three acres of valuable land in Homer from the estate of Mrs. B. W. Payne of Homer. During the year we have had three deaths: May 15, Mrs. Amelia Pardee, aged 56 years; Aug. 18, Mrs. Mary Thompson, aged 89 years; Aug. 26, Mrs. Palmyra Stebbins, aged 89 years.
We have received into the Home family: Miss Emily Cook, Homer, Dec. 21, 1897, Mrs. Polly Beckwith, McLean, Aug. 27, 1898, and during the summer months we have had three boarders at the Home.
The committee have all done their work very acceptably, and all the workings have been very satisfactory, but the needs of the Home were never more than at the present time. Since our board was reduced to $2 per week, provisions of all kinds have been higher, and how they should meet their bills has been constantly before the officers. A little from each would make it easy for all, and all gifts, no matter how small, will be gladly and thankfully received by the managers. FLORENCE B. MAXSON, Secretary.
TREASURER'S REPORT.
Amount received during the year, $1,103.80; disbursements, $958.58; amount on hand, $145.28; permanent fund, $3,707.04. HATTIE E. GREEN, Treasurer.
The following officers were elected for the ensuing year:
President—Mrs. Elizabeth S. Newton.
First Vice-President—Mrs. Jane M. Crane.
Second Vice-President—Mrs. Susan L. Hitchcock.
Secretary—Mrs. Florence B. Maxson.
Treasurer—Miss Hattie K. Green.
Trustees—Mrs. Elizabeth S. Newton, Mrs. Susan L. Hitchcock, Mrs. Maria Stone, Miss Ellen Phillips, Mr. B. H. Griffin, Mr. Walter Briggs, Mr. A. H. Bennett of Homer; Mr. Calvin P. Walrad, Mr. D. F. Wallace of Cortland.
Board of Managers—Mrs. Elizabeth S. Newton, Mrs. Susan L. Hitchcock, Mrs. Jane M. Crane, Mrs. Newell Jones, Mrs. Walter Jones, Mrs. Maria Stone, Mrs. Mary Bacon, Miss Ellen Phillips, Mrs. Emma Bennett, Mrs. Cleora Kingsbury, Mrs. Sarah Griffin, Mrs. Anna Fisher, Mrs. Elizabeth Brewster, Mrs. Florence Maxson, Miss Hattie Green, Mr. B. H. Griffin, Mr. A. H. Bennett, Mr. E. L. Stone, Mr. Walter Briggs, Mr. E. G. Ranney of Homer; Miss Editha Stephens, Mrs. L. J. Fitzgerald, Mr. Calvin Walrad, Mr. D. F. Wallace of Cortland.
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| Fireman's Hall, Main Street, Cortland, N. Y. |
FIRST DAY OF REGISTRATION.
It is Light To-day—Only Three Days More.
To-day is the first day of registration for districts in the corporation for the coming state election, and the registry boards are in session in the following locations which are the polling places:
Dist. No. 2—M. E. Corwin's shop on Pomeroy-st.
Dist. No. 3—Steam laundry, Clinton-ave.
Dist. No. 4—Bennett & Horton's shop, Clinton-ave.
Dist. No. 5—Warner Rood's barn on Madison-st.
Dist. No. 6—Yager's livery barn on Maple-ave.
Dist. No. 7—Fireman's hall.
Dist. No. 8—C. H. Stickney's barn, 113 Tompkins-st.
Dist. No. 9— McGraw's wagon shop on Main-st.
Personal registration is necessary for all voters residing in the corporation. No one else can do this for you. The registration so far to-day has been light, owing doubtless to the rain. Those districts extending out into the country have the heaviest registration the first day because the names of voters residing outside the corporation are put on the lists by the boards.
There remain but three more days for registration, to-morrow, and next Friday and Saturday. Register to-morrow for next week you may be sick or out of town.
In district No. 1 at McGrawville the registry board will sit to-morrow and next Saturday, two days only. The same is true of district No. 10 at Blodgett Mills. Personal registration is not necessary in these districts, but every Republican should make it his personal business to see that he is registered, as if he is not, he cannot vote this fall. Register to-morrow.
ABOUT THE ASPHALT PLANT.
What it is and How it is Operated in Street Making.
The rain which began last night and has continued all day has stopped work on the new pavement. The Nelsonville block brick pavement on the railroad strip has been laid as far as the Cortland House corner. The blocks have been laid on a cushion of sand one-half of an inch thick, but that portion of the pavement is not yet completed. The joints are to be filled with a grout composed of one part Portland cement and one part sand swept to and fro over the pavement until every joint is filled flush. Wet sand is then to be spread over the pavement 1/2 inch in thickness and kept wet until ordered removed by the engineer.
For a distance of 15 feet back of the headers on street approaches, the natural earth is to be removed and the space, 6 inches deep, is to be refilled with broken stone.
The asphalt plant near the Lehigh Valley station is an institution of considerable interest. There are four revolving cylindrical sieves under which are hot fires for the purpose of heating broken stone and sand used in the mixture. The sand and stone reach the cylinders by means of carriers similar to those connected with a threshing machine.
The asphalt itself is melted in a huge tank from which it is drawn and conducted to the mixer where it meets the hot stone or sand as the case may be, the stone entering into the binder course mixture and the sand into the pavement proper mixture. The mixer consists simply of a revolving iron rod from which extend arms. When properly mixed, the material is let down through a trap door into a cart or wagon which has been placed beneath to receive it.
The asphalt comes to Cortland in barrels from New York, where it has been refined. It is hard and black as tar. The barrels have to be chopped from the asphalt.
The pavement mixture itself is composed of refined asphalt, fine sand, fine powder of carbonate of lime, and a hydro carbon flux or softening element, consisting of a residuum oil obtained by distillation of petroleum. The sand and asphalt are each to be heated separately to about 300 degrees Fahrenheit and the mixture is to be brought to the street in carts at a temperature not less than 250 degrees nor more than 310 degrees. It will be spread two inches in thickness, and then rolled thoroughly with a five-ton steam roller.
BREVITIES.
—New display advertisements to-day are—Palmer & Co., Visit our Silk Counter, page 8; The Country Gentleman, page 7.
—The Auburn Advertiser says that Mrs. Augusta Nack who is confined for life in Auburn prison for the murder of her lover, Guidensuppe, will be totally blind in a few months as a result of cataracts.
—The STANDARD is indebted to Mrs. M. W. Kunkely of Denver, Col., formerly of Cortland, for a copy of the yearly program and bylaws of the Denver Woman's Press club, of which Mrs. Kunkely is a member.
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