MR. MEARS WAS ONE OF THEM

 

Wilmington mob posing at burned newspaper building.

The Cortland Democrat, Friday, November 25, 1898.

WAS ONE OF THEM.

Helped Patrol Streets During Recent Wilmington Race War.

   Mr. Iredell Mears of Wilmington, N. C., reached Cortland Sunday morning to accompany his family to their southern home.

   Mrs. Mears came north to attend her [mother], Mrs. H. T. Folger, during her last sickness, and owing to the unsettled conditions at home Mr. Mears thought it advisable for her with the children to remain here for a time. Mr. Mears now says that everything in the south is quiet and that all trouble is at an end.

   He speaks with authority for he has been very active in restoring order. It is the impression of many who are away from the scene that the negro has been much ill-treated but when the exact facts are known they throw a different light on the subject.

   It seems that the low whites, who in a large measure control the negro vote, had gradually obtained control of the city government and that their administration was one of lawlessness and crime.

   Mr. Mears tells us of repeated acts of vandalism and crime which, even when taken before the authorities, were allowed to go unpunished. Negroes had been elected to high offices and they made no effort to convict any of their race. The white population pay 97 per cent of the school taxes and 63 per cent of this is used for the benefit of the negro. The city of Wilmington raises $16,000 for educational purposes. Through lack of punishment the negroes had become so bold and lawless that ladies were hardly safe  from insult when unaccompanied and the white population finally took exception to the indecent article published by the negro editor Manley. It was vile in the extreme but was endorsed by the colored churches, clubs, etc., and something had to be done. The majority of the sixty-seven policemen were colored as was the Justice and a majority of the aldermen. For weeks the best whites of the city patrolled the streets all night armed with Winchester repeating rifles to protect their property.

   Just after election the negroes became so abusive and rabid in regard to the offensive Manley editorial that the white gentleman finally gave them until 7 A. M. of Nov. 10 to retract it and apologize or take the consequences.  This retraction did not come and the whites proceeded to the newspaper office and wrecked it, finally burning it. They then established a complete patrol of the city with two armed men on every street corner. Every passing coon was stopped, disarmed and told that if he went home or to work he would not be molested, but that he must not congregate with others. After a fellow had gone a few blocks and been stopped and searched on every corner and given the same admonition he usually made up his mind to do as told. Some, however,  insisted on gathering and these caused what bloodshed there was.

   The public officials and aldermen were compelled to resign, and immediately one did so, his place was filled with a responsible white man. Thus in one night the entire city administration was changed. The whites were prepared for any emergency with a rapid fire gun, one that shoots 450 balls a minute. The negroes saw some practicing done with it and this had a wholesome effect.

   Mr. Mears sizes up the negro character and the best way to handle him as follows: "Knock him down with a fence rail and when he gets up give him a watermelon." He says that everything is now quiet and that the streets and property are perfectly safe.

 

Lt. Richmond Pearson Hobson.

PAGE FOUR—EDITORIALS.

   Congressman George W. Ray of Chenango is now mentioned as a dark horse in the senatorial contest.

   The club women of Georgia propose to abolish the wearing of silk petticoats.  The "swich" disturbs a meeting when the wearers enter after opening.

   Hobson seems to be as much a success with the pen as with loaded colliers. Since the sinking of the Merrimac he has earned $6,000 with his pen and with it has paid the mortgage on his father's farm.

   The Spanish cruiser Maria Teresa, once the proud flagship of Admiral Cervera, now lies a wreck off the coast of Cat Island. All hopes of raising the ship a second time have been abandoned.

   The people are now anxiously waiting to see whether Col. Roosevelt will prove the very honest and courageous man he claimed to be, or whether T. C.  Platt will be Governor of the State de facto.—Batavia Spirit of the Times.

   The Republicans of this state will have the selection of a United States Senator to succeed Edward Murphy. Before election many said that in event of the republicans carrying the legislature they would give the place to Governor Black as a sort of consolation. Now the control of the legislature is definitely settled, Black's name is hardly mentioned. Poor Black.—Herkimer County News.

   The World forecasts that President McKinley's forthcoming message will recommend civil governors and no statehood for all our new colonies, a standing army of 100,000 men and a big increase in our navy. The World claims he will favor a protectorate over Cuba for the present and self-government later. He is also expected to treat the events of the war in detail and will urge government construction of the Nicaragua canal.

   Hon. George Wallace was last year a Member of Assembly from the territory now embodied in the new county of Nassau. He was also father of the bill creating the county, and this fall he was nominated by the Republicans to be the first County Judge thereof. Everything went well with the supposed plans till November 8, and then everything wrong and a Democrat was elected to that office. "What will poor George do now?''

   As a pugilist, James J. Corbett seems to be a thing of the past. The arena of the Lenox athletic club in New York contained $45,000 worth of people to see the twenty round bout Tuesday night between Corbett and Sharkey. The sailor had all the best of the argument and in the ninth round one of Corbett's seconds jumped into the ring, entirety against the rules and thus the mill was stopped. It is claimed to have been a put up job to keep Corbett from being knocked out. All bets were declared off and the decision given to Sharkey.

  

Away With the War Stamps.

   The Republican party is especially solicitous about the welfare of the business interests. Let it prove its devotion by repealing the War Revenue law at the coming session of Congress. The war is over. The treaty of peace which will officially end it will be submitted to the Senate for ratification early in the session. Even if it should fail, another would be substituted, and the Spanish certainly would not renew hostilities. The revenue stamps affixed to telegrams, proprietary medicines and all kinds of legal documents, are not only an inconvenience, but they represent a tax of considerable proportions on the business community which was endured patiently when it was necessary, but which ought not to be imposed in time of peace. Since the law went into effect on July 1st last, documentary stamps aggregating $72,826.42 and proprietary stamps amounting to $31,267.69 have been sold at the Buffalo Internal revenue office, a total tax on this city alone for four months of $104,094.11. This is exclusive of the large amounts received from special takes of various kinds. The first duty of Congress is to repeal the law. Away with the stamps!—Buffalo Courier.

 

Firemen's Hall, Cortland, N. Y.

VILLAGE BOARD MEETING.

Cabbage Suit Begun—Smaller Police Force Discussed.

   Trustee Nodeckcr, who is an adept at surprises, threw a bombshell into the proceedings of the Village board Monday evening by offering a motion that the police force be reduced by at least one member. The motion fairly paralyzed Mr. Nodecker's colleagues and for a moment profound silence reigned. The large hearted and equally physical rotund member from the second ward cast inquiring glances towards the fourth ward representative, leaving the first ward alderman to wink slyly at the President. No one ventured to offer a second to the motion, and then Trustee Nodecker proceeded to give his reasons for wishing [this] force reduced. He emphatically declared that the village had too much police for the work that is done, and in a sarcastic vein said:

   "The impression seems to prevail that the engine house and Firemen's hall is in danger of running away unless guarded by three or four policemen every night."

   He believed there was no danger in that direction, and he also stated that when the policemen were taking their vacations everything moved along as smoothly as when all were on duty.

   President Stilson thought this was a poor time of year to reduce the force. The village required closer attention during the long dark nights than in the summer. Mr. O'Leary opposed a reduction and Mr. Sprague inquired if the board did not settle the matter last April. At the suggestion of Mr. White the clerk read a resolution passed April 6, declaring the sense of the board to be that the police remain as then constituted at the pleasure of the president. There will probably be more discussion over the question at the next meeting.

   A. C. Walrad was, on motion of Mr. White, appointed a member of the hoard of health in place of George Latimer, deceased.

   The president gave notice that he had been served with a summons in an action brought by Norman Thompson to recover damages to a field of cabbage by an overflow of water. The summons was returnable before Justice Parker Friday morning at 10 o'clock. The matter was referred to the village attorneys.

   Mrs. Frederick Knight presented a claim of $50 for the loss of a maple tree out down by the village authorities at the corner of Main-st and Frederick-ave. No action was taken.

   Bills were audited as follows: Street commissioner's payroll, $241.05; police force, $126.90; other smaller claims, $48.00.

   The sewer board recommended that L. A. Coates be given the contract for laying the sewer to Graham ave. and the recommendation was adopted. The sewer is to be 430 feet long and the price is 35 cents per foot.

   The village collector reported that he had collected $42,625.45, the total amount being $45,551.63. He also reported that a lady on Elm-st. refused to pay a sidewalk assessment and the case was referred to the village attorneys. Adjourned to December 5.

 

HERE AND THERE.

   Any one wishing to rent an excellent barn in the center of town should apply at this office.

   Pecos tribe, Improved Order of Red Men, held their annual ball in C. A. A. hall Wednesday evening. It was largely attended and all enjoyed themselves. McDermott's orchestra and Caterer Griffeth each came in for much praise. Supper was served in C. M. B. A. hall.

   Mrs. Julia E. Hyatt, who has been president of the Cortland Hospital Association since its organization, has tendered her resignation of the office, but both the old and new advisory boards have passed resolutions asking her to withdraw the resignation.

   There is a gentleman in town who has done more successful gunning this season than any hunter heard from yet. He owns about two acres of land within 800 yards of the business center of the place and since the first of April has bagged eight pigeons, seven rabbits, nine skunks, one woodchuck and twelve cats and did not go off the two acres.—Hamilton Republican.

   Cabbage must be quite a crop around Homer. Our correspondent from there tells of one man who shipped nine carloads from that [train] station.

   The Cortland Good Government club has joined the National Municipal league which holds a convention in Indianapolis on Nov. 30 and Dec 1 and 2.

   The funny farce "What Happened to Jones," which was presented at the opera house Tuesday evening is certainly a side-splitter and it is put on by an excellent company.

   The insurance rates at Marathon have been lowered because of the new water works. It is estimated that $1,000 to $1,500 will be saved through the village in the payment of premiums.

   There was a rushing business in police court Monday morning. Six tramps had been arrested Sunday and three of them were ordered out of town. Two others were given four months and one three months in the Onondaga penitentiary.

   Do not fail to read the two interesting letters to be found this week on our third page. They are from former Cortland people and are very interesting. One is from Mr. J. E. Phelan of Company I, Eleventh regular infantry, who was present on Oct. 18 at the raising of the stars and stripes over Cuba and is the second letter we have received from him. He not only describes army life there but the people, the city and the island. The other is from Rev. J. L. Robertson, who now has a charge at Galveston, Tex., and describes his recent trip from New York to that city by water.