 |
| William McKinley. |
Cortland Evening Standard, Tuesday, January 17, 1899.
TRIBUTE TO THE PRESIDENT.
Our Former Minister to Siam a Radical Expansionist.
SHANGHAI, Jan. 17.—John Barrett, formerly United States minister to Siam, in an address before the Shanghai chamber of commerce on the question of American control of the Philippines, said he feared that the opponents at home of such control did not appreciate its vital importance to the extension of American commerce and influence in the Far East, where immeasurable opportunities would otherwise be lost.
The failure to assume and maintain control, said Mr. Barrett, would forever relegate the United States to a secondary place in the Pacific. As for the difficulties of governing the archipelago they had been much exaggerated. Aguinaldo and his followers could be pacified with a mixture of diplomacy and firmness; nor would the Monroe doctrine be violated, for the occupation of the Philippines by the United States was not a direct act of conquest, but the inevitable result of a war in which grave responsibilities had been unavoidably entailed.
Mr. Barrett emphasized the fact that the nations which, like England, were chiefly concerned approved of permanent American control and concluded with the remark that all nations interested could safely trust to the good judgment of President McKinley.
 |
| Jacob Gould Schurman. |
PAGE TWO—EDITORIALS.
The Philippine Commission.
The president has taken another step toward the settlement of the vexed Philippine question that ought, if it does not, meet with universal approval. It is the appointment of a commission to investigate the question and to make such recommendations as it may see fit.
The commission is composed of men of exceptional character and ability. They are Dr. Schurman, president of Cornell university, Dean C. Worcester, one of the professors of Michigan university, Colonel Charles Denby, formerly minister to China, Rear Admiral Dewey, and General Otis. So well known is Dr. Schurman that it is hardly necessary to speak of him at length. He is a man of unusual ability, and while it is understood that he has not been in sympathy with the policy of expansion, he may be counted upon to rise to the requirements of the situation. Professor Worcester, it will be remembered, published a book recently, giving the results of an extended tour of travel and investigation in the islands. While his view of them is not altogether flattering, he, too, may be trusted to comply with the requirements of duty and patriotism. The experience of Colonel Denby as a diplomatist in the East will enable him to make a valuable contribution to the political aspects of the question. It is understood that the connection of Rear Admiral Dewey and General Otis with the commission, which is designed to be a civil body, is merely nominal. They are expected to contribute to the investigation only what they may know already or what may come to them in connection with their present duties.
The statement to made that besides investigating the condition of the Philippines and making such recommendations at their investigation may suggest they will conduct negotiations with the Filipinos and attempt to convince them of the benevolent intentions of the United States. That success will attend their efforts in this direction, we have little doubt. Unless the Filipinos are hopelessly obtuse, they will not fail to listen to men of the character and ability that compose the commission and act upon the advice given to them. Without knowing the precise nature of the instructions of the president, we cannot say what his intentions with reference to them are. But judging from what he has already said and done, we are confident that the commission will assure the Filipinos that the United States has no desire to deprive them of their liberty—that, on the contrary, it is anxious to concede all the demands that their representative in Washington has made. What the American people are particularly anxious about is the preservation of order and the enforcement of justice. If the commission finds that these two requirements can be met under a native government, we doubt not that congress will authorize its establishment at the earliest possible date.
 |
| Commissary General Charles P. Eagan |
COURT MARTIAL TO FOLLOW.
Gen. Eagan Must Account for His Violent Language.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 17.—President McKinley has announced to the cabinet at a regular meeting to-day that he had determined to court martial Commissary General Eagan. Secretary Alger was not present at the cabinet meeting, but with Adjutant-General Corbin at the White House was in conference with the president on the subject prior to the cabinet session. The order for the court martial will probably be made to-day.
 |
| Chauncey M. Depew. |
IT IS SENATOR DEPEW.
Legislature has Ratified the Action of the Republican Caucus.
ALBANY, Jan. 17.—Chauncy M. Depew was the choice of assembly to-day for United States senator receiving 84 votes. The minority vote was solidly given to Edward Murphy, Jr., who received 60 votes. The whole number cast was 144. The senate nominated Hon. Chauncey M. Depew for United States senator by a vote of 27 to 23 for Edward Murphy, Jr. The joint result is Depew 111, Murphy 83.
FIVE PER CENT.
Bill to Lower the Legal Rate of Interest in This State.
ALBANY, Jan. 17.—Mr. Miles of St. Lawrence, in the assembly to-day, introduced a bill making the legal rate of interest in New York state 5 per cent. Introduced by request of the agricultural societies and grangers of northern New York.
A RECREATION DAY.
Bill to Legalize Sunday Ball Games and Theatres.
ALBANY, Jan. 17.— Mr. Harburger in the house this morning dropped in the bill box two bills to make Sunday a day of recreation. One provides that baseball can be played on private grounds, and one that there may be Sunday night entertainments at theatres.
HISTORIC OLD CHAIN.
BARRED THE BRITISH FROM THE HUDSON DURING THE REVOLUTION.
It is Now Being Sold Piecemeal by a New York Junk Dealer, Who Bought it at Auction—Each Link Weighs Three Hundred Pounds.
If you are looking for a genuine Revolutionary War relic, here is an opportunity. In a New York junkshop there is for sale the famous old West Point chain which was stretched across the Hudson to keep the British fleet from ascending the river. You may buy one link or a dozen, but as each link weighs 300 pounds, don't try to go in too heavy for this sort of bric-a-brac unless you have a special contract with a railroad.
The latest purchaser of part of this historic chain was Abram S. Hewitt, ex-mayor of New York, who bought 18 links. He does not want them for cabinet curiosities, needless to say, but intends to use them as a lawn decoration for his country home on the shores of Greenwood lake, New Jersey. Mr. Hewitt manifested particular interest in the chain because it was made from ore taken 120 years ago out of the mines where his iron works are now making steel rails and building girders.
Some time ago 18 links were sold to the Libby Prison association of Chicago and were placed on exhibition in the old prison warehouse. The remainder of the chain is now owned by a junk dealer who bears the distinguished name of Westminster Abbey. Mr. Abbey's father intended him for a lawyer and gave him this remarkable Christian name as a starter. Mr. Abbey did not take to law, but he is making a success of the junk business. A year or so ago he attended a sale of old iron held at the Brooklyn navy yard and bought at auction a lot of rusty junk which he had not investigated. When he went to cart away his purchase, he was astonished to find this immense chain. Upon making inquiries he found that it was the old West Point chain which had been stored there more than a century ago.
Mr. Westminster Abbey says that the metal in the chain is the softest, toughest, yet the hardest iron known. It took his men a whole day to sever one of the links, the iron being only 3 1/2 inches in diameter. It is as ductile as copper and as hard as platinum.
The particulars of this chain are as interesting as a boy's pirate book full of pictures. According to Revolutionary experts, the Americans tried their 'prentice hand on four of these chains as a means of keeping the British from sailing up the river, laying waste the country above and shipping troops and supplies to the interior.
The big chain was the only effectual barrier in the way of the enemy's navigation. It was stretched across the Hudson at the narrowest point between the rocks, just below the steamboat landing and Constitution landing on the island opposite. It was fixed to huge rocks on each shore and under the cover of batteries on both sides of the river.
"It is buoyed up," wrote Dr. Thatcher in 1780, "by very large floating logs, about 16 feet long, pointed at the ends to lessen their opposition to the force of the current at flood and ebb tide. The logs are placed at short distances from each other, the chain carried over them and made fast to each by staples."
Lossing chronicles in his history that this great chain was 450 yards in length—nearly a third of a mile—and it, with the fortifications, made West Point the strongest military post in the country.
The iron in the chain was wrought from ore of equal parts from the Sterling and Long mines in Orange county. The chain was manufactured by Peter Townsend of Chester at the Sterling Iron works, in the same county, about 25 miles back from West Point.
The chain was completed about the middle of April, 1778, and on May 1 it was stretched across the river and anchored.
When Benedict Arnold was arranging to betray West Point to the British, this chain became the object of his especial attention. Only a few days before his treason was discovered he wrote in a disguised hand to Andre that he had weakened the obstructions in the river by ordering the removal of a link from the chain to a forge under the pretense that it needed repairing.
C. J. BOWDEN.
Y. M. C. A.
A Bustle in the "Gym" Preparatory to the Elmira Basket Ball Game.
On Saturday night William H. Reynolds was elected captain of the first basket ball team. All the old men are up, and working hard and, indeed it is well they should, for the members of the "Scrub" are ambitious, the regulars only winning by a score of 9 to 5 on Monday night.
"Buck" Callahan is captain of the Scrub. He is one of those "scrappy" men whom it hurts badly to be beaten. You will always find him there and playing ball until the whistle blows for time.
The makeup of the Elmira team will be:
Right Forward—Sullivan.
Left Forward—Donohue.
Center—Mahoney.
Left Guard—Drake.
Right Guard—Deister.
Cortland's team is not yet picked.
Mr. Louis Huntress, last year with Oswego's team, will come down with his men from Elmira and will act as one of the umpires.
H. F. BENTON LUMBER CO.
Incorporated for $50,000—List of the Directors.
ALBANY, Jan. 17 (Special. )—Papers Incorporating the H. F. Benton Lumber company at' Cortland have been filed with the secretary of state. The new concern is capitalized at $50,000 divided into 500 shares and is to begin business with $50,000. Its objects are stated to be to deal in lumber and its products and building materials, to manufacture supplies and to contract. The directors for the first year are: Henry F. Benton, Orson A. Kinney and Silus W. Sherwood of Cortland.—C. N. A.
A STANDARD man called at the office of Mr. H. F. Benton this morning to inquire further in regard to the above news dispatch which had been received. Mr. Benton said that it was true that the incorporation papers had been filed, but no extensive changes in the business were anticipated. He had conducted the lumber business with its various branches alone for thirty-three years, and he was in hopes that with the incorporation, of the company and the introduction of some new blood he might be relieved a little more from the details of its management. The directors had not yet elected officers and would not till the papers were returned from the office of the secretary of state and until some other minor details were accomplished.
Mr. Benton's lumber business has grown up from small beginnings thirty-three years ago until it has far more than a local reputation, and large contracts are taken and filled for concerns all over the country. For a number of years Mr. Sherwood, his son-in-law, who is one of the incorporators, has been his very capable and efficient assistant. He has grown up in the business and understands it thoroughly. Mr. O. A. Kinney, the third incorporator, is a native of McGrawville. For a number of years he has been employed in the offices of the wire mills of Wickwire Brothers and is a skilled bookkeeper and excellent business man. All three have a host of friends here as a result of long residence, and years of integrity and upright dealing, and the combination in the new company is a strong one.
Tampered With the Clock.
Sometime within the past week some miscreant has broken a lock and entered the clock tower in the Squires block and removed some of the rods and nuts from the interior of the clock, consequently the only movement the hands of the clock have made have been caused by the wind. The articles removed were thrown on the floor, and this morning they were found replaced and the clock placed in running order.
BREVITIES.
—The Opposition Male club meets with Robert McMillan Wednesday evening, Jan. 18.
—The Wideawake Literary club meets to-morrow evening, Jan. 18, at Mrs. L. A. Bunnell's, 58 Fitz-ave.
—The Fortnightly club will meet to-morrow afternoon at 3:30 o'clock with Mrs. W. T. Bushby, 60 Greenbush-st.
—The Ladies' Literary club will meet to-morrow afternoon at 3:30 o'clock with Mrs. C. P. Walrad, 13 Lincoln-ave.
—The Improved Order of Red Men will hold an important meeting Thursday night, and it is requested that every member of the tribe make an extra effort to be present.
—New display advertisements to-day are—D. McCarthy & Sons, Clearance Sale, page 8; M. A. Case, Inventory Sale, page 6; Glann & Clark, Rubber Boots, page 6; Savings Bank, Report, page 4.
—The regular monthly meeting of the Woman's Foreign Missionary society of the Homer-ave. M. E. church will be held to-morrow afternoon at 3 o'clock at the home of Mrs. H. J. Hallock, 40 Homer-ave.
—The next entertainment in the Normal course will be a lecture at Normal hall by ex-Chancellor Sims of Syracuse on Friday evening of this week. Subject, "The Typical American and How He Grew.''
—Prof. and Mrs. D. L. Bardwell on Saturday evening entertained the former's class of about forty young ladies in the Presbyterian Sunday-school at their home on Orchard-st. A very pleasant evening was spent.
—Prof. W. M. Booth gave a very fine address last night before the University Center, his subject being Cardinal Richelieu. He discussed this eminent personage from the standpoints of his educational work, his political life and his character as a man. The paper was not only highly interesting but by reason of the comprehensive summaries very instructive. There was an excellent attendance. Next week the character under discussion will be Oliver Cromwell and the subject will be handled by Miss M. F. Hendrick.
PREPARING THE BUDGET.
Local Board of Education Engaged in Estimating Expenses for the Year.
The board of education held a meeting at the office of the superintendent in the Central school building last night, and transacted but little business, but paved the way for doing some important business at the next meeting, which will be held Jan. 30. Most of the time was passed in discussing the annual budget or estimate of expenses for the coming year to be submitted to the voters at the charter election. Nothing definite was decided upon, the whole matter being laid over for a couple of weeks.
The library committee reported that about 300 volumes had been added to the library at an expense of $400. Among the additions are many books relating to the war with Spain, and also a new edition of Chambers' encyclopedia in ten volumes.
The members of the board are congratulating themselves, and justly too, over the small expense incurred in fitting up two additional rooms on the third floor of the Central school building. When this plan was decided upon, the board faced a condition. There were more pupils than could be accommodated, and it was necessary to build an addition or fit up some rooms on the third floor. The board chose the latter alternative, and the total expense for the additional 100 sittings in these two rooms has been $1,682.80, or $16.828 per sitting. This is considered a very wise solution of the difficulty, when it is considered that the original cost of the building was $40,000 and there are accommodations for 200 pupils, the expense being $200 per pupil. It is estimated that a new addition to accommodate 100 pupils would have far exceeded in expense $16.83 per sitting.
REPUBLICAN LEAGUE.
Officers and Committees Were Elected Last Night.
The Republican league, which suspended operations some two years since, took a new lease of life last night at a meeting for the purpose of electing officers. About twenty-five members gathered in the office of T. H. Dowd, and
elected the following officers:
President—C. E. Ingalls.
Vice-President—C. S. Bull.
Secretary—Thomas H. Dowd.
Treasurer—E. C. Alger.
Executive Committee—John H. Kelley, Charles A. Brownell, L. F. Stillman, C. T. Peck, S. K. Jones.
Membership Committee—George H. Ames, George S. Sands, A. D. Wallace,
A. S. Burgess, A. E. Seymour.
Michigan Hill, Harford.
MICHIGAN HILL, HARFORD, Jan. 16.— Mr. and Mrs. E. Ruscher were in Cortland during the Holidays.
Mr. and Mrs. P. N. Decker entertained a company on New Year's day. Those from off the hill were Mr. and Mrs. Charles Brink, daughter Gladys and Miss Mate Decker of Harford Mills and Mr. and Mrs. Floyd Decker of Hunt Corners.
Mr. and Mrs. George Seamans of Lisle were guests at E. Ruscher's on Jan. 2.
Mrs. S. Rockerfeller is ill.
Mrs. H. Hamilton of Cortland is with her daughter Mrs. D. Vincent.
Mrs. P. N. Decker and daughter Cecil spent a portion of last week at Hunt Corners at the home of her son Floyd.
School opened on Monday last after the Holiday vacation with Mr. James Kief of Groton as teacher.
Mr. W. A. Pudney has moved from the Abram Boice place to the place he recently purchased of Edbert Hines.
Mr. John Culver of Daisy Hollow was on the hill recently selling goods for the Grand Union Tea Co.
Mrs. George Moore is visiting Binghamton friends.
The chimney on the wing of Mr. P. N. Decker's house was blown down by the severe wind of Saturday evening.
West Willet.
WEST WILLET, Jan. 16.—Mrs. A. R. Salisbury visited at Fred Totman's one day last week.
Miss Helen Jones visited her cousin, Gussie Burgess, at Marathon last week.
Miss Lulu Paige is spending some time with her parents Mr. and Mrs. E. F. Paige.
Mrs. Earl Johnson, Mrs. Geo. Merrick, Mrs. Ina Sweet and Mrs. William Campbell visited Mrs. Minervia Boothe Thursday.
A number from this place attended the farmers' institute at Marathon last week.
Mr. and Mrs. Fred E. Totman visited at Merrick Flint's one day last week.
Misses Edna Richards and Lulu Paige visited the school Thursday.
No comments:
Post a Comment