SUPREME COURT NEXT WEEK

 

Judge Walter Lloyd Smith.

The Cortland Democrat, Friday, January 20, 1899.

COURT NEXT WEEK.

HON. WALTER LLOYD SMITH WILL PRESIDE AT SUPREME COURT TERM.

A Large Calendar and Many Important Cases—Three Libel Suits—Twenty-two Mileage Book Cases—Many New Actions of Local Interest.

   The calendar for the term of Supreme court beginning next Monday is one of the largest in years, and should half the cases succeed in coming to trial, the term must necessarily run well into February. Of the 102 cases noticed for trial, eight are preferred and twelve are classed as issues of fact triable by court, several of the latter being divorce cases. A large number are suits that have been commenced within the past few weeks and now appear on the calendar for the first time. Incidentally it is an interesting fact that Messrs. J. & T. E. Courtney are connected with seventeen cases, Dougherty & Miller with sixteen, Kellogg  & Van Hoesen with thirteen, Bronson & Davis with eleven , Dickinson & Duffry with eight, and B. A. Benedict with twenty-six, twenty two of which, however, are practically one, as they consist of [railroad] mileage book suits. The more prominent cases of local interest are the following:

   Number one is Jane Benton, as administratrix, against the Elmira, Cortland & Northern Railroad company, an action brought to recover for the death of Christopher Benson.

   The three libel suits, Mary V. Francis against the Syracuse Herald, and two brought by Julia Lavan against the Elmira Gazette, are on the preferred calendar and will probably be reached the first week.

   Mary Conway's claim for damages against the village of Cortland is number 40 on the calendar. This action was brought August 21, 1897, the plaintiff alleging that she was injured by a defective sidewalk in East Court-st.

   A case of much interest it that of Martha Taylor against William Burnham. The defendant was riding his wheel on the sidewalk on Madison-st. and collided with the plaintiff, who seeks to recover damages for alleged injuries arising from the collision. Wheelmen's rights on the sidewalk will very naturally enter into this case.

   The county of Cortland will seek to recover from C. F. Wade for alleged violation of the state veterinary law.

   Something over a year ago Maurice W. Giles, as manager of Stowell's bargain store, caused the arrest of Mrs. Mary J. Alexander on the charge of stealing, and she brings suit for damages for false imprisonment. This case will be watched with much interest.

   The Erie & Central New York Railroad company is defendant in a suit brought by Clayton H. Peck, who claims $550 for wrongful conversion of land in the town of Solon., The plaintiff claims that the railroad company ran its tracks across his property without any compensation

   A spicy case, if it comes to trial, will be number 45, Kate Downs against William Greene of Willit. This an action brought to recover damage for breach of promise.

 

BOARD OF EDUCATION

May Buy More Land, and Discuss Kindergarten Department.

   While the board of education did little actual business at their regular meeting Monday night, considerable was talked over. The items for the annual budget to be voted on at charter election were largely made up but no definite action will be taken till January 30. In the meantime a committed will ascertain the cost to purchase some land adjoining the Central School lot which it is thought can now be had at very reasonable figure.

   The advisability of opening a kindergarten department in connection with the public schools was also brought up, and seemed to meet with favor.

   The library committee announced the addition of 300 volumes to the library.

   The figures showing the total cost of the two newly equipped rooms in the Central School were laid before the board. One hundred additional pupils can be accommodated therein and the cost was only $16.86 per sitting, a remarkably nominal amount. The board adjourned to Jan. 30.

 

Main Street, Cortland, N. Y., 1899.

VILLAGE TRUSTEES.

Jane S. Keator Claims $3,000 Damages from Pavement Grade—Protests Assessments.

   Only President Stilson and Trustees Sprague and Nodecker were present at Monday's meeting. R. H. Beard was present with the necessary deeds to show that Randolph Beard was down in the paving assessment for one foot of land he does not own. The matter was referred to Engineer Allen for correction.

   Mrs. Jane S. Keator presented claim for alleged damages against the village from the raising of the grade opposite her property Nos. 169 and 164 Main-st., in the sum of $3,000. She also protested against the assessment of $459.58, for paving in front of the property on the grounds that the trustees had no jurisdiction, that the damages are greater than the benefits; that it is illegal and unconstitutional and that she has not received pay for the damage done. Matter referred to village attorneys, Kellogg & Van Hoesen.

   A communication was received from Engineer Allen explaining his recent bill for $144. It is for time apportioning the paving assessment and looking up titles at $8 per day.

   Mrs. Fannie Knight reminded the board of her claim for $50 for cutting down a tree at the corner of Frederick-ave. As it was purely the fault of Engineer Allen or his assistant the clerk was instructed to refer Mrs. Knight to Mr. Allen.

   Clerk Crumbie read a communication from Mrs. Clara H. T. Whitmore in which she enquired what per cent the paving bonds will bear and how long they will run, and requested that some be in amounts of $500.

   A few bills were audited and the necessary blanks ordered for informing those assessed for the new pavement of their privilege of paying the whole sum on or before January 28. If you do not pay the amount before that time bonds will be issued therefor and you can only pay in annual installments and must pay interest on the amount outstanding. These notices will be mailed each one interested to-day as the assessment was to be approved at a meeting to be held last evening. Mr. Warren of the paving company had signified his intention of being present at the meeting and it is supposed he would ask the board to approve the pavement and curb and gutter. We go to press too early to give the proceedings of last night's meeting in this issue.

 

Supervisors Journal.

   The printing of the Journal of the proceedings of the board of supervisors was this year awarded to the Homer Republican and their job rooms have turned out an exceptionally fine job, in many respects better than any previous volume, thus setting a mark for future printers. In view of the preliminary proceedings taken in the matter of mandamusing [writ of mandamus or “we command”—CC ed.] the board of Supervisors and compel them to award the session laws to the Cortland Standard, it may now be in order for the editor of and part-proprietor of that paper to appear in the office of Messrs. Stevens & Danes of the Republican, accompanied by a lawyer and a stenographer, and ask for figures showing the actual cost of the journal to the printer and then get a law framed and passed making it obligatory with the supervisors to give this printing in future to the only office in the county having a Cox duplex perfecting press.

   Those desiring a copy of the proceedings can obtain it of the supervisors or at the various banks.

 

FROM EVERYWHERE.

   All the coin dies on hand at all the mints of the United States, bearing the date 1898 were sent to the mint in Philadelphia, at the opening of the new year, to be destroyed. The dies, which are made of fine steel, are heated in a furnace and hammered out of shape, so as to make it impossible to put them to any improper use if they should fall into the hands of dishonest persons. The task of defacing the dies is one of considerable magnitude, as their number runs away up into the hundreds every year. New dies have been prepared at the Philadelphia mint bearing the date 1899, for use at all mints where any coinage is done.

   In a short time all convicts in Oneida county will be required to work and the first thing they will be required to do is to break stone in the prison yard. The stone will be used for the improvement of the highway in the vicinity of the jail.

   The church deacons in Windsor know how to put the screws on unruly boys who disturb their meetings. At a recent occurrence of flagrant ill behavior, one young fellow was given his choice, either to get up in church and confess his wrong doing and ask forgiveness or to go before a magistrate and take what the law would give him. He chose confession and made it Sunday evening—Ex.

   The Canastota village authorities have been attempting to compel the Central railroad company to operate its gates at two of the village street crossings at night as well as in the day time, and the company has met them with the proposition to abolish grade crossings entirely under the state law. As this would cost several hundred thousand dollars, of which the village would have to pay a quarter, it is doubtful if the plan will be sanctioned.

 

Ad. from Cortland Evening Standard.

Cortland Opera House on Groton Avenue next to Cortland House Hotel.

REMEMBER THE MAINE

Is the title of a new sensational naval drama that will be seen for the first time in Cortland at the Opera House on next Thursday evening. It is Lincoln J. Carter's latest production.

   The play deals with the Cuban war and the Maine disaster, but the manner in which the subject is treated is said to be quite out of the ordinary. Hal Reid, who wrote "Human Hearts," had a hand in the making of this drama, and it is better than the average Carter play of this class in the matter of literary construction. Carter is strong on scenic effects and this excels anything yet evolved by Mr. Carter in the way of scenery and effects, though to one familiar with Cartersque plays, this does not seem possible. A special effort to make the production surpass his previous efforts has been fruitful of a mass of scenery, consisting of moving battleships, distant cities that are to be bombarded, tropical foliage and patriotic transformation scene containing pictures of Lincoln, Cuban slave, McKinley, "Remember me, Dewey," the Maine, "We have remembered tthe Maine" and Peace.

   The following artists are seen in the production: Misses Evelyn Selbie, May Stoddard and Anna Thomas, Messrs. Charles H. Mastoyer, A. Z. Chipman, Harry L. Hartel, Robert Irving, Ralph Bell, Anson Varnev, J. Hooker Wright, Frank W. Anderson and others. Seats on sale at Rood & Co.'s Tuesday at 2:30 P. M.

 

HERE AND THERE.

   Three January thaws so far this year.

   One Cortland doctor attended 138 cases of grip the first fifteen days of January.

   This office has been badly afflicted with grip the past week and any shortcomings in this issue are due thereto.

   The Homer Congregational church have nearly completed arrangements to buy the Murray property and use it for a parsonage.

   Mr. and Mrs. F. B. Miner were surprised by a visit of about thirty friends at their home on Maple-ave. last Friday evening.

   The DEMOCRAT would like to have a number of our subscribers bring in some wood. Anything can be used up to 30 inches in length, hard wood or slabs.

   The concert in the First M. E. church Wednesday evening by the Choral and Orchestral society of the Conservatory of Music was an excellent one and was well attended.

   Get your auction bills at the DEMOCRAT office. We do your work quickly and our prices are right. Furthermore, we give each one a complimentary notice in the DEMOCRAT.

   Prof. D. L. Bardwell has accepted the call to become superintendent of schools in Binghamton and has gone to that city to familiarize himself with the new duties which he will undertake Feb. 1.

   Elmira and Cortland Y. M. C. A. basket ball teams will contest in Cortland to-morrow night. Tickets can be had of Smith & Beaudry and McKinney & Doubleday.

   At 1:30 o'clock last week Wednesday morning the Lehigh Valley roundhouse at Camden was burned. The night watchman says the flames originated from an oil can which he was thawing out on a stove.

   McGraw & Osgood have an adv. in another column quoting prices on their "19-day mark down shoe sale." The sale will begin to-morrow, Jan. 21, and ends Jan. 31. Look over the prices. They are all right.

   A resident of Homer, whose name is at present not given out, has offered to give $10,000 for a public library for the town on condition that he receive a small rate of interest during his life time. The offer should be accepted.

   A benefit whist will be given in the Tioughnioga club rooms to-night in the interest of the Cortland hospital. This takes the place of the usual ladies' night and many invitations have been issued. Refreshments will be served.

   Two great basketball games in the Normal [School] to-morrow night. The Elmira team is a strong one—so is Cortland, and the game between the Normal ladies and gentlemen between the halves of the big game will be worth going miles to see.

   Cortland musicians and cigarmakers are arranging for a benefit dance to be held in C. A. A. hall Tuesday evening, Jan. 13.  The tickets are only 50 cents and the proceeds will be divided between Chas. Maas and Louis Holdridge who have recently met with adversity.

   With commendable enterprise Brother E. A. Beach of the Moravia Valley Register is keeping his paper in the front rank. Its columns are always newsy and last week in the body of the paper appeared a brand new dress. He also announces new type in his job room.

   Mrs. Mary E. Corcoran, wife of Officer John H. Corcoran, died Saturday evening, grip causing other complications. She was 36 years of age and leaves, besides her husband, a daughter, Miss Anna May, aged 10 years. The funeral was held from St. Mary's church Tuesday morning.

   If you want the freshest of oysters and clams go to Bennett's cafe in the DEMOCRAT building. He gets them fresh from Baltimore in the shell and opens at your order. If you are hungry and want a lunch of any kind, drop in any way. The cafe has been newly papered and painted and new furniture and kitchen utensils added so that it is complete in every respect. Open till 2 A. M.

   The officers of the Oneida County Wheelway League have prepared a bill imposing a license fee on bicyclists who ride on wheel paths, which will be submitted to the Legislature. Similar laws are now in operation in Monroe, Niagara and Albany counties. The bill, if it becomes a law, will compel every rider who uses the paths to pay a license fee of 60 cents or be liable to prosecution for misdemeanor and fine of $6. Here is a chance for the Cortland County Sidepath association to get in their work and help the good cause along.