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| Camp Witherill, 4th Missouri Volunteers. |
Cortland Evening Standard, Friday, February 17, 1899.
SNOW IN THE SOUTH.
SOLDIERS' EFFORTS TO SECURE A SLEIGHRIDE.
Local Residents Want the Military Camps Made Permanent, so Great Is Their Financial Gain—Colored People Enjoy the Castoff Uniforms—Doings of the Cortland Boys at Greenville.
GREENVILLE, S. C., Feb. 13.
Camp Wetherill is within the cold weather belt and as a result there is much suffering among the soldiers. All kinds of camp duty have had to be abandoned, and even the rollcalls are omitted. The oldest citizens shake their heads and say, "I done reckin this is the coldest snap since the wah." The canvas tents are of little use in keeping out cold, and there is not much difference in the temperature whether one is inside or out, although the small stove is kept at a red heat, when wood is obtainable. There are five or six inches of snow, and fine sleighing but, as there is not such an article as a sleigh or cutter in the city, wagons are still used. A major of the Fourth New Jersey was seen driving a mule attached to a rude sleigh, which consisted of two long, small oaks, this acting for both shafts and runners. On the rear end of these a rude box was constructed, in which the officer sat.
The colored people are seldom seen on the street without old horse blankets or bagging encasing their head and feet, and one old fellow was recently seen on the street with a bed quilt, much the worse for wear, enclosing the whole head and upper part of body, with round holes cut in blanket opposite the eyes.
All the troops were paid last week, and as it takes about $20,000 to pay a regiment, there is $100,000 distributed among the soldiers here every month, and as the largest part of this is left in town, it is no wonder the business men wish this to be made a permanent camp.
As it is thought that the colored people smuggle liquor into the camp, none are now permitted inside the lines except on business, and are then accompanied by a guard.
Many of the men are receiving their discharges. All who apply and truthfully give as a reason physical disability or dependence of others obtain them easily, but without these it takes much longer. As it is reasonably certain that we shall soon be mustered out the Cortland boys will undoubtedly stay until that time.
The men of the Missouri regiment which was mustered out here a few days ago have returned to their homes. The government gave each man between $90 and $150. As many of the men could not wait to get home before donning citizens' clothes the clothiers did a large business, and the prices doubled. But the clothiers were not the only gainers, and many of the "culled gentry" have almost brand new clothes, and what pleases them most the color is blue.
About half the Two Hundred Third is quartered in the city doing provost duty. They have their headquarters in the city armory, which much more resembles a barn than a New York armory.
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| Joe Cannon. |
FRESH COMPLICATION.
House Not Inclined to Pay Spain $20,000,000.
STRUCK FROM THE SUNDRY BILL.
Mr. Cannon, Chairman of the House Appropriation Committee, Is Confident That a Way Will Be Found to Have the Appropriation Made Before Congress Adjourns.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 17.—Two very sensational and unexpected things happened in the house during the consideration of the sundry civil bill. The paragraph carrying the appropriation of $20,000,000 for payment to Spain under the terms of the peace treaty was stricken out upon a point of order made by Mr. Wheeler, a Kentucky Democrat, who declared that he opposed the appropriation on principle and would resort to any technicality to defeat it. The point of order was debated for hours, its determination hinging upon the question of whether the ratification of the treaty by the senate and its signing by the president vitalized it without the action of the Spanish cortes. Warrant of law was necessary to make the appropriation in order. Mr. Hopkins, an Illinois Republican, who was in the chair, sustained the point of order against it and upon an appeal his decision was sustained—149 to 56.
Mr. Cannon then attempted to have the appropriation inserted by unanimous consent but Mr. Wheeler again objected.
A strong intimation was given by Mr. Cannon that a way would be found within the rules to make the appropriation before the adjournment of congress. He referred undoubtedly to the probability that the appropriation would be placed on the bill by the senate.
After the sundry civil bill had been completed and reported to the house, Mr. Hepburn of Iowa, the champion of the Nicaragua canal bill, moved to recommit it with instructions to report it back with the canal bill incorporated in it. This was an unexpected movement, as it was generally understood that Mr. Hepburn had abandoned all hope after his previous defeat. But he believed that his motion would have additional strength in the house where members could be put on record. The motion was promptly declared out of order by the speaker, whereupon Mr. Hepburn appealed and Mr. Payne of New York moved to lay the appeal on the table. Upon the latter motion the vote was taken and the result was 97 yeas to 67 nays. As no quorum was developed on the vote owing to the lateness of the hour the friends of the canal bill managed to carry an adjournment. This gives them a breathing spell in which to marshal their forces for the final encounter.
QUESADA TALKS.
He Says That Many People In Cuba Are Trying to Cause Trouble.
NEW YORK, Feb. 17.—Gonzales de Quesada, head of the Cuban republic at Washington, was a passenger on the Ward line steamer which arrived here from Havana. De Quesada went to Cuba three weeks ago with United States Commissioner Robert Porter, and was with the latter when he met General Gomez.
Mr. De Quesada spoke enthusiastically of the present condition on the island. He also defended Gomez from the charge of seeking to raise a rebellion in Porto Rico. He said: "There are many people in Cuba who are trying to create bad feeling between both the Cubans and Spaniards in the island, and the United States and Cuba. The letter was written by General Gomez two months ago when the conditions in the island were different."
NOT NECESSARY.
Strong Objections Against Two Locomotive Engineers on Each Engine.
ALBANY, Feb. 17.—The executive committee of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers of New York state waited upon the Assembly judiciary committee to protest against the bill introduced by Mr. Philips of New York which provides that all railroad companies must employ two regularly licensed engineers to run a locomotive or steam engine and making it a misdemeanor in failing to comply with the provisions of this act.
Jeremiah Harris acted as spokesman of the delegation. Mr. Harris said that the railroad companies were not only opposed to the bill, but the engineers were also. Moreover, he was sure that the engineers could get along very comfortably if the bill was dropped right where it was.
PAGE TWO—EDITORIALS.
◘ Not the least of the curious facts brought out by the beef controversy, and a fact that is not generally known, relates to the beef that is bought for the merchant marines of the world. An old ship's surgeon has furnished a statement that the beef served to the men on the best of the steamship lines has often been in the stores of the British navy for three years, after which it is sold at auction and is generally bought up by the commissary department of the steamship lines. If it is not used up within a year or so, it is resold and bought up by smaller lines and tramp steamers and finally reaches the whaling craft. This authority says that he has seen many a cask of meat on a transatlantic steamer bearing the marks of Aden, Calcutta, Bombay, Melbourne and San Francisco, showing that the meat had been making voyages for three or four years and traveling all over the world, and he testifies from personal knowledge that meat kept in this way so long becomes green and black around the bone and the bone becomes soft. That it is fit food for men is absurd, but the poor sailors have grown accustomed to it and they take it rather than go without meat at all.
◘ The engineers of the Brooklyn bridge made an allowance of 15 feet for contraction by cold in a change of 100 degrees of temperature. At the coldest period in the recent blizzard, 6 below, the contraction of the structure was 14 1/2 feet, figuring from the July record of temperature 99 in the shade. The contraction raised the center of the bridge 30 inches above its July point. The engineers' allowance, 15 feet for 100 degrees of temperature, is shown to have been conservative, the contraction being 14 1/2 feet for 105 degrees.
TO SUBDUE THE ISLANDS
And Establish the Jurisdiction of the United States.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 17.—Administration has determined to rapidly extend the jurisdiction of the United States over the whole Philippine group, acting on the theory that delay is dangerous; that anarchy and a general paralysis of such interests as the islands support will be brought about through the failure to promptly replace Spanish sovereignty on the islands by that of the United States. The decision involves the necessity of a naval campaign, and this will be instituted as soon as Admiral Dewey receives reinforcements in the shape of the gunboats now on their way to Manila.
The Animotiscope.
Those who saw the animotiscope in Homer, N. Y., Monday night say it is the best of its kind they ever saw. Among the forty and more moving pictures shown are the bombardment of Mantanzas, the charge up San Juan hill and other scenes in the Spanish war. Don't fail to go. Normal hall, [Cortland], Saturday evening at 8 o'clock.
Ansill W. Merritt.
Ansill W. Merritt, one of the oldest of Cortland's residents, died last night at his home, 53 Lincoln-ave., at the age of 70 years. The funeral arrangements have not yet been made. Mr. Merritt was one of the three pensioners in Cortland county who w a s receiving $72 per month, the other two being Egbert Peak and Franklin B. Rice. On Jan. 8, 1898, The STANDARD published the following interview with Mr. Merritt:
Mr. Merritt enlisted at Herman, St. Lawrence Co., May 1, 1861, in the Sixteenth New York regiment of volunteers. He was corporal of company G, and his captain was N. M. Curtis now of Ogdensburg, who afterward became a general. Mr. Merritt served in the army sixteen months, when he became subject to chronic diarrhoea, and was removed to the West Philadelphia hospital. When taken sick he was located at Harrington's Landing, and had just passed through the famous "seven days' battle." He remained in the hospital from July 10 until his discharge Jan. 12. His discharge papers read "discharged by reason of surgeon's certificate of disability for pain and tyrannies in the lumbar regions, failing strength and loss of flesh." When he enlisted he weighed 145 pounds, and when he reached home his weight was less than 100 pounds, and his most intimate friends of former days hardly knew him. He removed to Syracuse, and in 1866 came to Cortland, where he has since resided. The sickness contracted in the army has never left him and to-day he has no use whatever of his lower limbs.
In 1880 he was granted a pension of $4 per month, and at the time of his death was getting $72 per month. Mr. Merrit lay in his bed a large share of the time, and passed the time in reading, so that he was well posted on the affairs of the world.
RANDOLPH BEARD,
A Man Prominent in Business Affairs, who Expired Yesterday.
One of Cortland's most honored citizens and business men died at 2:45 o'clock yesterday afternoon, when Randolph Beard breathed his last at his home on Church-st.
Mr. Beard was born in Pompey, Onondaga county, June 24, 1831, and up to 1875 continued to live on the same farm upon which he was born. He was married to Miss Helen A. Knapp of Pompey on Sept. 22, 1852, and is survived by her.
In 1875 Mr. Beard came to Cortland and engaged in the furniture and undertaking business with Rufus B. Fletcher, which business they continued for four years, when they dissolved partnership, Mr. Beard taking the furniture and Mr. Fletcher the undertaking. Mr. Beard continued the furniture business for four years longer, when he took his son Robert H. Beard into partnership, the firm name being R. Beard & Son. This partnership continued up to Oct. 1, 1888, when the deceased sold his interest to N. Jay Peck, and the business has since been continued under the firm name of Beard & Peck.
Mr. Beard suffered a shock of paralysis May 20, 1886, which was the commencement of his long suffering. He had for nearly twelve years been almost or entirely helpless up to Monday of this week, when he suffered a second shock which caused his death.
During his business career, Mr. Beard built up and sustained a reputation second to none for the strictest honesty and integrity, and no one knew him but to admire him. While residing in Pompey he was a member of the Disciple church and on removing to Cortland united with the First Baptist church of which he remained a faithful and consistent member up to his death. His kindly Christian spirit was often made manifest to those with whom he associated, and it could well be said of him that his was a life which could be looked upon with emulation. He knew no caste in society; he was a friend to the rich and the poor alike.
Aside from his wife, he is survived by one daughter, Mrs. Gertrude L. Price, wife of Charles H. Price of Cortland, and one son, Mr. Robert H. Beard, of the firm of Beard & Peck. Two other daughters have died, Mrs. Minnie A. Baker of Syracuse and Miss Frances A. Beard.
Funeral services will take place from the family home, 11 Church-st., Monday at 2 o'clock P. M., the sermon being delivered by Rev. George H. Brigham. Interment will be made in Cortland Rural cemetery.
Mr. and Mrs. Gutches Surprised.
A very pleasant surprise was given Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Gutches, on Wednesday, Feb. 15, by about twenty-three of their friends and relatives at their home near East Homer, in honor of Mr. Gutches' birthday. Mr. and Mrs. Gutches were taken completely by surprise, when at about eleven o'clock A. M. their friends began to arrive, but made their guests very welcome. At about 2 P. M., in behalf of the company, Mr. Daniel McNish presented Mr. and Mrs. Gutches with nine handsome diningroom chairs. Acknowledgments were made by both the recipients and then a bountiful dinner wife served.
Those present were Hon. and Mrs. B. F. Lee of Cuyler, Mr. and Mrs. Daniel McNish and daughter of South Cortland, Mr. and Mrs. John Beattie, Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Knapp. Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Russel and son, Mr. and Mrs. Dell Preston, Mr. and Mrs. Will Preston, Mr. and Mrs. John DeBarr, Miss Jessie Gutches, Raymond Knapp, P. J. Wilson and Earl Gutches.
BREVITIES.
—The Wideawake Literary club will meet at the home of Mrs. M. Medes, 41 Fitz-ave., to-night at 7:30 o'clock.
—Particulars of an attempt at suicide yesterday at the Brockway blacksmith shop are given in our Homer letter today.
—The funeral of Mrs. Walter Morris, who died yesterday, will be held Monday morning but the hour has not yet been fixed.
—The Cortland Political Equality club will meet with Mrs. Parsons, 88 Tompkins-st., Monday, Feb. 20, at 3 P. M. All are invited.
—The Republican village committee will meet at the office of Dr. C. E. Ingalls this evening to take steps for calling the Republican village caucuses and convention next week.
—The Thomasville (Ga.) Enterprise of Feb. 10 contains a lengthy item in regard to a progressive euchre party at the Mitchell House in that city in which Miss Minnie Graves of Cortland won a first prize.
—Otsego county on Tuesday elected twelve Republican and twelve Democratic supervisors and the board is consequently tied. Long delays in organization and in other matters pertaining to the annual session are anticipated.
—New display advertisements to-day are—C. F. Thompson, Saturday's Pickups, page 6; Glann & Clark, Closing Out Sale, page 6; Buck & Lane, Plumbing, page 5; Warren, Tanner & Co., Sale of Damaged Goods, page 6; McGraw & Osgood, A Good Bluff, page 8.
—Dairymen will all be interested in an item in our McGraw letter to-day concerning the proposed visit for scientific purposes of Dr. James Law of Cornell university to the dairy of L. C. Greenwood on Feb. 21, and to any other dairies where the conditions may make it wise or expedient to call him.
—One of the most noticeable changes in the 1899 wheels [bicycles] is the drop of the crank bracket between two and three inches, thus requiring a shortening of the steering head to an average of about 6 inches. Longer cranks and higher gears are also in favor; the cranks for men's wheels running to 7 inches, against 6 last year.
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