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| Nikola Tesla. |
Cortland Evening Standard, Friday, November 18, 1898.
PAGE TWO—EDITORIALS.
A Modern Jove.
The title of electrical wizard, long since given to Edison, is shared by Nicola Tesla, and if the latest discovery of the younger inventor fulfills his expectations it will revolutionize modern science and industry. The marvel alluded to is the transmission of energy through great distances, as far as you please in brief, without any conductor except that of rarefied air. This can only be compared to the launching of thunderbolts, not for the destruction but for the infinite benefit of mankind. It opens unlimited sources of power practically without cost, for the dynamic power of water would be transmitted any distance.
Once having established the fact that electricity in the sufficiently rarefied strata of the upper air needs no conductor of metal, the rest is comparatively easy to conceive. All that is needed is the storage of the power derived from waterfalls at high pressure and sending it to the upper air through the agency of balloons properly anchored, or from the tops of mountains. With sufficiently high terminals thus established, it is claimed that any amount of power can be transmitted for thousands of miles without loss of volume by that earth induction which cripples ordinary effort in this direction.
Once made commercially practical—and Mr. Tesla claims that this point has been practically reached—such a method of producing and transmitting power will effect a greater change in the world of industry than did the compound stationary engine discovered by the immortal Watt. Not only the power problem, indeed, but the production of cheap light and heat will have been solved, and mankind will cease to worry over the question of the world's future coal supply. It is not probable that Mr. Tesla in perfecting his apparatus for making his discovery finally useful will fail to find the same difficulties which have always embarrassed putting theory into practice. The greatest obstacles are experienced by the inventor just before he finally "gets there." But if his theory is clearly demonstrable, there ought not to be anything unconquerable, even though intractable, in the conditions of putting it into commercial use. This accomplished will make all the previous advances of electrical science puny and feeble in comparison.
◘ There is an interesting contribution to the last Atlantic Monthly that embodies the experiences of three school superintendents on the subject of the qualifications of schoolteachers. This enforces the point that no pedagogic training in the most advanced and scientific methods will take the place of natural aptitude for what is now recognized as an art as well as a science. The teacher at the best is like the poet—born, not made. Excellence of system can do much, but by itself it misses the essential point. One of these contributors lays down this dictum: "We must come to this proposition in our town and in other towns—namely, that a teacher can be discovered only by her teaching, and the best examination possible is a trial in the schoolroom. Given a young woman who appears to have all the requisites—a good education, good health and a fair knowledge of what the demands of the schoolroom are—and the only true way to proceed is to give her three months, or longer if advisable, as a trial. She will then show what she can do, and I do not believe that a satisfactory test can be made in any other way."
There is a world of good sense in this frank statement.
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| USS Buffalo. |
MILITARY NOTES.
Brief Telegrams Relating to Our Conflict With Spain.
Two islands of the Philippine group are in open revolt—Luzon and Iloilo. In the former the natives have taken up arms against Aguinaldo; in the latter they continue to hold them against Spain.
The Spanish mail boat which recently arrived at Iloilo has been detained there by the Spanish governor, who intends to use her if hostilities are resumed.
A corporal of the Third Immune regiment at Guantanamo, Cuba, has been discovered, in co-operation with some merchants of the town, to have been swindling the government. Over $1,000 worth of bacon and meal had been disposed of. All the parties are under arrest.
General Young and his staff left Camp Meade for Augusta, Ga., which will be the headquarters of the Second army corps until the troops are sent to Cuba. This completes the movement of the corps to the new camps in Georgia and South Carolina.
The disabled United States cruiser Buffalo has been towed to the Brooklyn navy yard, where she will be drydocked and repaired. The board of inquiry has not yet completed the investigation as to how she became disabled.
WON THEIR CASE.
The New York Indians Entitled to Nearly Two Million Dollars.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 18.—The court of claims rendered a judgment of $1,961,400 in favor of the New York Indians who entered suit against the United States to recover the value of certain lands donated to them in Kansas and subsequently disposed of by the United States. The award is in pursuance of a mandate from the United States supreme court. The case has been pending in the courts about five years. These lands had been set apart as a reservation for them by the treaty of 1838, but the lands were never occupied by them, and were sold by the government and the proceeds placed in the United States treasury.
The court of claims originally decided against the Indians, but the supreme court reversed that judgment and directed the award in their favor of the net amount actually received by the government for the Kansas lands, less the amount to which the Tonawandas and Senecas would have been entitled and less other just deductions.
HAD A FINE TRIP.
J. S. Bull Saw a Number of Former Residents of Cortland.
Mr. J. S. Bull returned Wednesday night from a two weeks' business trip to the Pacific coast, during the course of which he saw quite a number of former residents of Cortland who were greatly interested to learn of their friends here and of what was doing in their old home.
He visited Tacoma and Seattle, Ore. In the latter place be called upon William Corcoran, who was town clerk of Cortlandville just before be caught the Western fever and who is now a prosperous attorney of that city. He also saw Irving Knickerbocker, who was surrogate's clerk when be left Cortland a few years ago, and who is now in the front ranks of Republican politicians in that Western state. He is chairman of the Republican county committee of Kings county, of which Seattle is the county seat. They have just won after the hottest campaign in the history of the county. He had a large office in Seattle and had twenty-five assistants during the campaign. His home and local office is in Auburn, which is a short distance from Seattle.
In Minneapolis he called upon Mrs. Henry Woodruff, formerly of Cortland. In former days her health was not very good, but now she is strong and robust and is perfectly well. She inquired with interest for her many old friends. Her two sons Rollo and Hal S. are with her. The former was married but a few months ago. The latter is still a bachelor and is the most popular musician in the twin cities. Mr. Bull says he is a practical musician too, as well as a skillful one, for he nets $8,000 a year for his music. He has all the music pupils he can possibly take care of at $2 a lesson. He plays an organ in one of the churches at a salary of $1,500 a year, and is in constant demand at concerts and festivals. He works so hard during the fall and winter that he is completely prostrated by June and is ready for a summer trip to Europe each year and then comes back in fine shape for the next year.
INTO AN OPEN SLUICE.
Miss Emma Litz Thrown from Her Wheel Yesterday Afternoon.
Miss Emma Litz, a dressmaker, who resides at 101 Maple-ave., while riding her bicycle down Main-st. yesterday afternoon ran into an uncovered sluiceway which crosses Main-st. at Court-st. and was thrown to the pavement with such force that four front teeth were loosened from their sockets. Her right hand was pretty badly bruised, and she was considerably bruised about her body. She went to the office of Dentist M. B. Ingalls, who adjusted the teeth and is in hopes that they can be saved.
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| Cortland Normal School. |
Normal [School] Notes.
Dr. Cheney returned last evening from Camden, where he has been assisting at the teachers' institute.
The second entertainment of the Normal lecture course will be given in Normal hall Wednesday evening, Nov. 30 by the Boston Ladies' Military band. Course tickets can still be obtained at the reduced price of 90 cents for students, $1.35 for all others. Single admission to this concert will be 50 cents. Reserved seats for that night may be obtained at McKinney & Doubleday's for 10 cents extra.
Fell Through the Floor.
Mr. Joseph G. Jarvis had the misfortune while at work removing the burnt portion of J. L. Watrous' building on Clinton-ave. to fall through the floor from the second story to the ground and broke a rib. A partly burned floor board gave way under his feet.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.
Proceedings of Cortland Comity's Lawmakers and Financiers.
Third Day, Thursday, Nov. 17.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
The board convened at 1 o'clock and engaged in committee work till 2:15 when, on motion of Mr. Kinyon, the rules were suspended for the remainder of the day.
The clerk read the annual report of District Attorney Edwin Duffey which was referred to the committee on settling with the district attorney. The report showed no fines or penalties imposed and no moneys collected during the year. It also showed a salary of $850 due him and also disbursements to the amount of $74.65 for expenses incurred in the regular pursuit of duties of his office, making a total of $924.65 due him from the county.
Several communications in regard to erroneous assessments were read by the clerk and were referred to the committee on erroneous assessments.
The report of Prison Commissioner W. J. Mantanye was read and referred to the committee on courthouse and jail and finally to the committee on county buildings. The commissioner had just inspected the jail. Some of the improvements mentioned last year had been made—a bathroom with hot and cold shower baths had been put in; also electric lights; also fixed iron washbasins with waste pipes. Things are kept in a fairly cleanly condition, but as the care of the cells is largely attended to by the inmates themselves a little extra pressure upon them is recommended. It is also recommended that compulsory bathing be required. The stone floors of the first story have large cracks between the stones in which dirt collects and through which water runs. This prevents flushing which is needful for cleanliness, and it is recommended that the stone floor be replaced by a concrete floor. Some improvement in the ventilation is also recommended. A better separation of prisoners was also recommended; also that some kind of work be provided for them as directed by law.
On motion of Mr. Bingham:
Resolved, That Dr. H. C. Gazlay be and is hereby appointed by this board jail physician for the ensuing year.
On motion of Mr. Bingham:
Resolved, That the supervisor of the town of Solon be allowed to add to his town abstract the bill of the estate of B. B. Jones for printing town meeting supplies and ballots for $13.10 and to L. C. Grenell, town superintendent of the poor, for $2, the same being duly verified, but not presented to the town board for audit.
On motion of Mr. Kinyon:
Resolved, That the supervisors of the towns of Cortlandville and Homer be designated to superintend all repairs on county buildings and all purchases of furniture for the same and that the board of supervisors audit no bills except those made by their direction.
Mr. Kinyon, chairman of the committee on settling with the district attorney, presented his report of $924.65 claimed and allowed, and the same was referred to the committee on appropriations. At 4 P. M. the board adjourned.
Fourth Day, Friday, Nov. 14.
The board convened at 9 A. M. A quorum of the members was present. The journal of the previous day was read and approved.
On motion of Mr. Brown:
Resolved, That the clerk of the board be authorized to add the following accounts to the abstract of the town of Marathon, which have been duly verified, but not presented to the town board for audit:
D. B. Willson, assignee of Wm. S. Van Vost, $9.80
Wm. Davidson, constable 2.75
E. J. Bowdish, constable, 16.00
O. H. Johnson, inspector, 10.00
H. H. Clark, inspector, 12.00
On motion of Mr. Patrick:
Resolved, That the clerk of the board be permitted to add to the abstract of the town of Cuyler the bill of A. D. Waters as ballot clerk for $4, the same having been properly made and verified, but not presented to the town board for audit.
On motion of Mr. Robinson:
Resolved, That the clerk of this board be authorized to add to the abstract of the town of Lapeer the following bills, the same having been duly verified, but not presented to the town board for audit:
Lee Johnson, assessor, $10.00
Ed L. Adams, printing, 7.50
L. E. Witty, ballot clerk, 4.00
On motion of Mr. Crosley:
Resolved, That the clerk of the board of supervisors be authorized to correct the abstract of the town of Scott by deducting from the bills of F. G. Barber $3.25, W. N. Babcock $3.25, justices, for making monthly and annual reports, which is a county and not a town charge, and the clerk be authorized to add the same to the abstract of county audits.
At 9:20 A. M. Mr. Brown was called to the chair and the clerk read a report of the special committee to visit the county farm as presented by the chairman, Mr. Hammond. The report showed everything to be in a very satisfactory condition, several improvements having been made during the past year. Two new stoves were recommended for the kitchen, and a watercloset for the use of the keeper and his family.
On motion of Mr. Hunt, the report and its recommendations was made a special order for next Tuesday.
The annual report of the railroad commissioners of the towns of Cincinnatus, Cortlandville, Cuyler, Solon, Taylor and Truxton were read by the clerk.
On motion of the supervisors of the respective towns, the several amounts necessary to be raised to pay the principal and interest on railroad bonds as shown by the reports were added to the abstracts of the several towns.
On motion of Mr. O'Donnell, the clerk of the board was directed to add to the abstract of the town of Truxton the bill of Robert T. Turner $27.85, the same being properly verified, but not presented to the town board for audit.
On motion of Mr. O'Donnell, the privileges of the floor were extended to Mr. B. R. Corning of Cincinnatus, a member of last year's board.
The board then engaged in committee work.
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