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| Pierre Lorillard. |
The McGrawville Sentinel, Thursday, February 4, 1886.
LABOR AND CAPITAL.
A REMARKABLE LETTER FROM A MANUFACTURER.
His View of Organized Labor and Means For Securing Peaceable Relations.
Mr. Pierre Lorillard was congratulated by letter some time ago on his bravery in the collision of his yacht Radha with a ferry-boat in the North River. The writer, who was a workingman, and evidently sincere, took occasion to warn Mr. Lorillard of the impending struggle between labor and capital. The following remarkable reply, which is published in the current number of the North American Review, was sent by Mr. Lorillard:
Henry Markham, Esq.
DEAR SIR: Your note with enclosure received; I do not usually answer letters personally, as I have so much to attend to, but being at present laid up in the house by an accident which damaged my leg, I thought I would answer your letter.
Allow me to deny any heroism in looking after my lady guests at the time my yacht collided with the ferry-boat. * * * For a long time I have taken a great and increasing interest in the welfare and happiness of the oppressed of Europe, and also a deep interest in the laboring classes of America, so many of whom I employ. No manufacturer is, I hope, more liked and trusted by his employees than myself, and while never yielding in the least to unjust demands, I have always tried to look after their welfare and happiness and to gain their confidence and affection.
But the field is broader than my own affairs. I know the irresistible power of the masses, and I sympathize with them in their eternal struggle for existence. I feel for them, well knowing their daily efforts to keep the wolf from the door. Many times have I thought if some plan could not be devised to give them a more equal share in the good things of this life. How to ameliorate their condition is the question. Could not their leaders advise them to look upon the ballot as the most efficient instrumentality to produce for them a more satisfactory state of affairs. Communism is and always has been a failure. Co-operative works look well in theory, but they have generally failed; and yet I think we must look to them in the near future as the most practicable method in benefiting the laboring classes. When they have honest leaders who consider their welfare as the supreme consideration, we will find them acting with common sense. With communism in operation we would have financial ruin, distress and want of employment, and it would end in military despotism.
The danger to the people by the accumulation of the enormous fortunes of the present day, and the fact of their being owned by persons who seem to have no respect, love or common feeling for the people, seems to me a great and important problem. In Europe princes, kings and persons of great wealth used their means in a thousand ways for the gratification, happiness and refinement of the people around them, whereas, in this country, they act selfishly and they are, or appear to be, utterly indifferent to the suffering at their doors. As to your hint of an impending rising among the people, personally I have nothing to fear. Almost all my means are in my factories, and I will always be in the front rank of those who love the people and shall do all in my power to check them in any madness that bad or ambitious leaders may advocate.
I hope that labor's remedy is in the ballot. It now has a power stronger than armies or navies. By means of it the working classes can so wield the machinery of legislation as to give them all they can ask for in justice. I have no political ambition. I will never willingly enter into political life unless some uprising or concerned action on the part of labor makes it my duty to try to guide this rising tide. For any uprising, even if successful, would be of no benefit to the people unless it is directed by capable leaders. Destroy all the wealth and capital of the country and you would spread financial ruin, deprive labor of employment, and in six months starvation would stare fifty millions of people in the face. When time brought its remedy, we would be the subjects of a modern Bonaparte or Caesar.
If I should ever be tempted to take a part in public affairs it shall be simply as a friend of the people. I want no office, and should accept nothing in the gift of the nation; but I should like to see labor organized in such a manner as I could easily suggest, with labor lodges organized on the principle of benevolent associations, so thoroughly knit together that they would act as one man, then make their views respected and their influence felt politically and at the election by their ballots. But to do this the labor party must not allow itself to be used as a party machine. Its officers must never take office from city, state or nation. Its committees must be free from all political predilections. It must stand as pure as the Spartans before the world. If these perhaps Utopian ideas could be carried out, we might expect a more equitable division between capital and labor.
You who represent the laboring classes would do well to consider if you could not find among those you term "aristocrats"—leaders who would make the interests of labor and their own interests identical—men whose success in this world's affairs is due more to their own business ability and honesty than to the wiles of fate or fortune.
Yours respectfully, PlERRE LORILLARD.
Cortland County Farmers' Club.
President Blodgett called the meeting to order at the usual hour. The secretary read the report of the committee on questions and upon motion it was decided to have the list of subjects published as it might interest many.
It is not intended, however, that the list be taken up in just the order given but that as far as possible each one be considered at that season when it would most benefit those interested. This list, including the one now being discussed, is as follows:
Care of stock.
Topics suggested by the State Farmer's institute.
Which is more profitable, general or special farming, and how to make the most money from the farm?
Garden and farm implements.
Selection of seed.
Fruits—apples, pears, plums and cherries,
Noxious weeds, and how shall we destroy them.
Farm buildings.
Injurious insects and how to combat them.
Road making.
How shall we most economically keep our farms fertile?
Fences.
Corn and corn fodder.
How forests and mountains influence the climate and products of the country.
The Dairy.
Can cows be kept in as good condition by soiling as by grazing?
Do the trade winds and the gulf stream have a favorable influence on growing vegetation in the United States?
Does stable manure ever increase in value by age?
Which is the most profitable grass to raise in the county for both meadow and pasture?
Does manure waste more by leaching than by evaporation and the escape of gases?
Is there any advantage in keeping farm horses on straw instead of hay?
How can a cow be kept in good condition through the year on the least quantity of land?
Review—What have we gained by the Farmers' club?
Mr. Goodrich was invited at some time agreeable to him to give the club an account of his trip to South America some years ago. Mr. Goodrich accepted and due notice of the time will be given.
The subject continued from last meeting—Care of Horses—was taken up and discussed with considerable interest.
President Blodgett: Some prefer to have colts foaled in fall but our ordinary method is in the spring letting the mare do light work during the summer. Usually the colts are not handled much until three years old but I think they should be handled and, particularly, well halter broken while young.
Mr. Goodrich: In handling a colt you can hardly begin too young. I would begin when he is a week old and my first lesson would be to hold him firmly around the neck, being careful not to let him get away. This I would repeat from day to day and gradually he will become accustomed to it and like it. Afterwards you can pick up his feet, and put on a halter. Colts are bitted too much many times, sometimes making the mouth bleed. I would bit him but mainly to get him used to having it in his mouth. I would leave it very loose at first, drawing it up gradually. I would not let a colt stand too much on a bare floor. As a rule I think oats the best feed for horses, but under some circumstances this might not hold good. For those working very hard cut feed is better as it is soon eaten and they lie down and rest while with hay and oats they would feed half the night. I do not think a barefoot horse would need to have its hoof clipped. There is a great difference in the anatomy of the hind and fore foot. The latter is far more liable to corns, quarter crack and other outward manifestations of disease than the former. For this reason I would not wish horses having shoes to stand with nothing but bare floor under the feet as the frog dries and the foot contracts. But the hind foot is in little danger of injury from almost any cause. Four feet in the clear is usual rule for width of stall. In a wide stall a horse may roll and get cast; Soft wood is better for plank, being less slippery. I do not think the coughing seen in horses after drinking at high trough is of a serious nature. If you feed a horse straw you must make up lack of nutrition in grain but such a diet is better if horses are driven violently. For ordinary farm horses, hay is better. In tying a horse I would fasten to a light weight running over a pulley, the horse then has no slack to get his foot over. It is hard to keep horses clean in box stall. I manage by feeding in narrow stall and slipping off the halter and giving the freedom of a box stall at night. I like to feed hay in chute with opening at bottom.
Mr. Rowley: I take exception to the chute for feeding. My experience has been dear as I lost a valuable horse by getting choked in one and have known of others.
President Blodgett: They were not made right.
Mr. Rowley: I never knew one that was made right. I claim a [colt] needs liberal feed and should be kept growing. I would feed from four to six quarts of oats. A stunted colt is not worth half price. I would give them the freedom of a yard and not confine them on a floor.
Mr. Sanders: I have broken a good many colts in my life. My best method was when we used to thresh by driving horses on a barn floor. By driving a colt with a well broken horse he could be taught to turn, to stop and to start very easily.
President Blodgett: I think that there is a good deal in never hitching a colt to a load he cannot draw.
Mr. Bean, W. A.: Is not the old theory exploded that "to break a colt you must first break his disposition?" I think it cruel to keep a horse checked up tight as we often see. To take a long drive I would leave him unchecked.
Mr. Rowley: I have cured a horse pulling at the halter by fixing the halter so it pulled across the nose.
Mr. Robinson: I have cured two by letting them throw themselves back into a water hole.
President Blodgett: "Prevention is better than cure," and that is by having strong halters and never letting them learn they can break them.
Mr. Wellington: A hay chute that a horse can get its head into is a dangerous thing. In breaking a colt do not feed him very high unless you work him a good deal. Have known valuable colts ruined by working them hard and getting them discouraged.
Mr. Rowley: Balky horses can usually be traced back to balky drivers. I have known such horses to be started by fastening a strap around one foreleg.
President Blodgett: Last year I noticed the street car horses in New York were given water at certain places and in the water was some corn meal. It was claimed to be an excellent drink for hot weather.
Mr. Goodrich: Feeding a horse while warm and again driving is dangerous. In taking a long day's drive, I would prefer not to feed until my destination was reached.
President Blodgett: For our farm teams a medium sized horse is best. But there is a great demand at present for heavier horses.
Mr. Goodrich: A thousand pound horse-for-all-work is better.
Mr. Rowley: The objection to our farmers raising colts is that they are not particular enough about breeding. We should always breed to thoroughbreds to get the most profitable results.
President Blodgett: I find it costs no more to keep three medium sized horses than a pair of heavy ones. For heavy work I can use all three and on the road, lighter ones are preferable. It costs no more to raise a good colt than a poor one.
Club adjourned to meet Saturday, February 13. Subject will be "Care of Cattle."
C. M. BEAN, Secretary, Saturday, Jan. 30.
This County Would Like to Hear It.
The following from a recent number of a Bridgeport, Conn., paper will interest many of our readers:
Dr. I. DeVer Warner's "Private Talk to Young Men," delivered in Y. M. C. A. hall last evening, called out an audience which filled the place and made standing room a quest. The lecture began at 8 o'clock and lasted an hour and fifteen minutes. Illustrations were afforded by four large oil paintings, a hundred times life size, prepared especially for this occasion at a heavy cost to the doctor. The information contained in the discourse was invaluable to young men. The speaker was eloquent, but his language was so plain and simple that no one could fail to understand. He remarked that eleven years of his life had been spent in that business of which he knew more than he did about corsets, and that he had been visited by and had advised hundreds of young men with respect to their health. At the close, several representative Bridgeport men expressed their approval of the lecture, and were unanimous in their belief that the doctor and the society are doing a good work in bringing the matter before the public in this way. Dr.Warner is to deliver this lecture at Meriden and New Haven.
McGrawville Union School.
Roll of honor of the McGrawville union school for the month ending January 29.
Grammar department:—Bert Braman, Lida Ramsey, Julia McQuat, Mary McQuat, Mertie Palmer, Ida Atkins, Hattie Warren, and Millie Ayers.
Intermediate department:—Joseph Moore, Libbie Topping, Merton Edwards, Martha Haskell, Lillie Burditt, Jennie English, Cora Johnson and Pearl Russell.
Primary department:—George Pudney, Gertie Smith, Lizzie Carruthers, Gertie Gardner, Libbie Moore, Carrie Waters, Lula Kinney and Nora Watson.
Not absent or tardy during the month: Cynthia Brownell, Elmer Grant, Phil Hoag, Ivan McGraw, Lida Rumsey, Pearl Russell, Charlie Torrey, Gertie Lewis, Floyd Pndney and Clayton Holmes. Enrollment 129. Average 107. WM. F. SMITH, Principal.
DEATH OF STEPHEN JOHNSON.
Twenty Years a Missionary to the Siamese and Chinese.
A short time ago a letter was received by S. Johnson of this place stating that his brother Stephen Johnson of Gouverneur, N. Y., was dead. He has preached in this place a few times and having been known to many of our readers we take occasion to briefly note a few characteristics of his life which has been somewhat eventful:
Stephen Johnson was the eldest son of Deacon Stephen Johnson of Griswold, Conn., was born in 1803 and in early life was brought to a faith in Christ and His teachings. He secured his inheritance from his parents and entered Amherst college and after five or six years, to finish his course, he went to the Auburn theological seminary, after which he was ordained and preached for some time at his home church in Griswold. His ambition had risen to labor on the mission fields and he was accepted by the American board of missions and sent in 1833 to Siam and stationed at Singapore; thence he was sent to Bangkok, the capital of Siam, and after a seven years' stay in the foreign land he was permitted to return home, his wife having lost her health.
On arriving in Philadelphia his wife died, was buried and he returned to his home alone. He spent a year or more in this country, was married again and returned to Siam probably in 1841, in which country and China he spent twelve or thirteen years during which time his second wife died. He remained on his field of labor eight or ten years without a companion but before his return to this country he married Miss Caroline Slimer, a Swedish lady, who had been sent from England to teach in China. He returned to this country in 1854 and cared for his father during the last years of his life. He published a book entitled "Cyclopedia of Missions," and then served a pastorate in Black Creek, this state, until bronchitis set in and almost totally unfitted him for ministerial duties. He then secured some financial help from his brother and sisters in Connecticut and about the time of the breaking out of the late war he purchased a small piece of land in Gouverneur, where he made his last home. His wife taught Latin and French in a neighboring school a short time but sickness brought them where they again sought and obtained aid from their relatives and friends. The 23d of last November Mr. Johnson fell and broke his hip which accident proved not only serious but fatal and the 14th of last month he died at the age of 82 years and nine months.
CORTLAND ITEMS.
Miss Carrie Aldrich is visiting in Dryden.
Many McGrawville people seem to be attending court this week.
Jerry Gross, an attorney of Owego, was in town yesterday on legal business.
Rollo Woodruff has started for New Orleans where he will spend his vacation.
Sunday night while John B. Graham was going home he slipped on the walk and broke his leg.
"Peck's Bad Boy" was played to a crowded house at the Cortland opera house Monday night.
John D. Benton of Fargo, Dak., was in this place last Tuesday en route from Washington to his home.
The Farmers club had a meeting in Union hall building last Saturday and further discussed "the horse" question.
The Mclntyre squad of the Orris Hose company are to go to Auburn to give an entertainment some time in February.
"Mugg's Landing," presented by a first class company, will be one of the best plays at the Cortland opera house this season.
Some new household goods have been moved into L. J. Fitzgerald's new house on Tompkins street and it is reported that the mansion will soon be ready for occupancy.
Charles Van Brocklin, a former Normal student, has purchased a half interest in Pudney's hat store in our place. Charley is a model young man and deserves success.
Some of our Cortland friends, who are spending the winter in the south, are very much displeased with the weather, it being so cold as to be uncomfortable in their loosely built houses.
A party of our gayest young swains and their fair lasses took Truxton by storm one fine day last week and had supper and a social dance of their own before returning.
Caucus work for our next nominees for town officers seems to be quite lively and many a man will be glad when town meeting is over so that he can have a rest until autumn. Yet we must have town officers.
At the camp-fire of Grover post, G. A. R., held in the Pioneer rink last Friday evening, there was a large attendance, representatives being present from posts in several counties. Beans, hard tack and coffee stormed the breast works and after making havoc with these the veterans spent an enjoyable time making speeches, singing and telling stories.
Our circuit court opened Monday with Frothingham Fish of Montgomery county as presiding judge instead of Judge Murray, who is sick. It was supposed that Vann of Syracuse would preside until late last week. The calendar contains 59 cases of which 15 are over the term, 9 referred, two discontinued and off, and two settled. No. 11 being Crosley vs. Cobb, a slander and libel case, commenced trial Monday before dinner and was running with great force and vigor yesterday. It is believed that court will last two weeks.
At the meeting of the State Grange in this place last week the following officers were elected: W. A. Armstrong of Chemung, worthy master; H. H. Goff of Monroe, worthy secretary; A. C. Hedden of Tompkins, worthy treasurer; W. C. Gifford of Chautauqua, worthy overseer; Hon. E. F. Jones of Binghamton, worthy steward; N. Belles of Seneca, worthy assistant steward; Miss S. A. Little of Wayne, worthy lady assistant; Allen Potter of Cortland, worthy gate-keeper; J. D. F. Woolsten of Cortland, worthy member of executive committee. The fifth degree was conferred on about three hundred members.
EDITORS' EASY CHAIR.
—Mrs. John Haughton visited in Homer last week.
—Miss Addie Clegg is now working in the corset factory.
—S. B. Pierce of Marathon was in town the latter part of last week.
—Mark Brownell of Cortland stopped over Sunday with friends in town.
—Miss Arvilla Branch of Virgil is visiting at Jay Norcott's on Academy street.
—S. P. Hoag of East Homer is visiting his son, C. S. Hoag of this village.
—Asa Kinney of Brewerton, visited his sister, Mrs. L. Parsons, Church street, this week.
—Miss Emma Brooks of Cortland is stopping with her sister, Mrs. B. H. Graves, on Main street.
—The Rev. Mr. Dunham of Binghamton will occupy the Presbyterian pulpit next Sunday.
—Mr. and Mrs. Levi Thomas of McLean were the guests of William Lord's people over Sunday.
—More ladies may be accommodated with work by applying at the factory of P. H. McGraw & Son.
—We learn that Perlee Robinson of Taylor has rented the Aaron Gardner farm south-east of this place.
—Tene Hollister returned from Bridgeport Sunday evening and is now at work in the corset factory.
—G. B. Hammond of this place informs us that he recently sold a trio of Wyandotts for twenty-five dollars.
—H. C. Johnson was in Oneida and Canastota last week in the interest of the "Little Monarch" wagon company.
—Mrs. L. J. Higgins called upon friends in town Tuesday, while enroute from Cincinnatus to her home in Cazenovia.
—Quite a number of our village people attended the dinner party given at Hiram Rease's at Blodgett Mills yesterday.
—Six new members were admitted to the Good Templars' lodge Tuesday evening. They have more than doubled their membership since the first meeting.
—The Ladies Aid society of the M. E. church will have a social at the residence of the Rowe Brothers on Wednesday evening, February 10. All are cordially invited.
—O. C. Wurst returned from New York Tuesday evening. Those wishing first-class photographs will find him prepared to receive them at his studio on Church street. See adv.
—A meeting in the interest of no [alcohol] license will be held at the Presbyterian church on Friday evening of this week. William H. Clark of Cortland, and others will address the meeting.
—Jay Norcott and wife celebrated the eleventh anniversary of their marriage by a pleasant social party Tuesday evening. About twenty-five were present and enjoyed the evening very much.
—The thirtieth anniversary of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. G. L. Barker of this place was observed at their home last Friday evening. A goodly number were present and a very pleasant time is reported by all.
—To accommodate the increasing attendance of our union school, last Saturday the seats in the academic department were re-arranged in such shape as to allow the putting in of eleven new seats, thus affording twenty-two more sittings.
—Deacon Benjamin, having rented his farm located south-east of this village to T. Griffin, has moved his household goods to Marathon. He is now stopping with his son Willard in this place as his house in Marathon will not be vacated until April 1.
—While John Lee of Virgil, aged about 80 years, was doing his chores on Monday afternoon he fell and broke his right leg at the hip joint. Drs. Hendrick & Stone were called on Tuesday morning and reduced the fracture which is a very serious one, he being so old a person.
—The singing school under the direction of W. D. Fox is now well organized with nearly fifty in attendance as scholars. No one should miss this great opportunity of cheap tuition and thorough rudimental teaching. New books will be introduced containing the choicest music published.
—Charles Waters of this village tells us he is a candidate for the office of town collector. He recently lost the entire sight of one of his eyes and has been unable since to perform any labor of any kind. He cites this incident and the fact of his having served as a soldier in the late war as reasons for his aspiring to this office.
—A series of steps, a quantity of ice and E. H. Clark constituted the scenic display, appurtenances and principal participant in an extremely amusing act that took place in our village recently. His legs and body formed an angle and he tried all, but fitted not a single step till he reached the bottom. It is a query among the corset cutters whether he turned to see if anything was hurt.
—Do not our business men think this paper would be a better representative of home industry if their business was represented in its advertising columns? Our paper goes to fifteen hundred homes in this county in each of which from two to five persons are always anxious to know the best store at which to trade. We are doing all we can to show enterprise in our village and a little more advertising on the part of business men will not only be an immediate benefit to them but speak in much better terms for McGrawville to outsiders. Think of it.
—It is announced that Rev. J. V. C. Nellis, Ph. D., will deliver a lecture on language in this village Monday evening, February 15. Mr. Nellis will be remembered as having preached here a short time twenty-two years ago. In this lecture he is said to have acquired a grand success. The rich store of humor from which he draws keeps his audience in a smiling mood. A lecture eminently great in all that constitutes what, in lectures and lecturers, is called success. Philological, historical, instructive and highly entertaining. The title of the lecture is "Book Agents;" subject, "Words."
—White & lngalls give nitrous oxide gas for the painless extraction of teeth, Room 3, Wickwire building, Cortland.
—To Rent—Eight acres of land, good House, Barn, and Fruit. Half mile east of McGrawville. J. G. BINGHAM.
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