Cortland Evening Standard, Monday, January 30, 1899.
NEW STAR IN THE FLAG.
Oklahoma to Make a Fight For Statehood.
WILL TRY IT IN NEXT CONGRESS.
Territory Mill Make One of the Richest States For Its Size In the Union. Spanish War Mementos—Claimants Before Congress.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 30.—(Special.)—Although there is no probability of the admission of new states during the present session of congress it is believed that the next session will see another star added to the flag. The leading men of Oklahoma territory are in Washington laying the foundation for a persistent and winning fight for the admission of that territory as a state at the next session. Among the most active are Dennis Flynn, delegate elect, and J. J. S. Hassler, receiver of the land office at Enid, Oklahoma. The latter is a genuine western boomer and has spent a great many years on the frontier. He worked in the interests of the admission of the Dakotas ten years ago. He says that Oklahoma has a bona fide population of 859,000, which is large enough under the present apportionments to allow two members of the house. This record is marvelous when it is remembered that the territory did not exist ten years ago, but was Indian land only. The people of Oklahoma are mostly settlers from other states, many being from Kansas and a small percentage from the middle west. Tracing the ancestry of the people of Oklahoma back, it will be found that their forefathers were settlers in Illinois, Indiana and Ohio who went to Kansas during the "free soil" excitement before the civil war, or that they are the children of old soldiers of the war who went to Kansas immediately after the close of that great struggle. The foreign population is very small, those who are there being Bohemians and Germans. Mr. Hassler says the territory will make one of the richest states of its size, because nearly every acre is tillable. It is divided into small farms of 160 or 320 acres to each settler. Some are often as small as 80 acres.
Mementos of the War.
It has been generally supposed that a bill would pass congress providing that each state should get a memento from the late Spanish war in the shape of some of the captured guns aboard the ships or taken from Spanish forts. As yet nothing has been done in this line, no bills having been introduced, and probably, owing to the fact that the different departments of the government have not as yet an accurate knowledge of all the property which the United States obtained, nor been able to decide what portion is available for service and what may be disposed of, nothing will be done in that direction at this session of congress. In the distribution it was proposed that the capitals of the different states and some of the larger cities would receive mementos to decorate public places. It has also been suggested that states and cities having battleships or other war vessels named for them should receive some memento from places where these ships were engaged in service.
Learning Spanish.
The effect of the Spanish war and the control of the late Spanish possessions by the United States is shown in a striking manner by the number of persons in Washington who are now learning the Spanish language. Teachers of the Castilian tongue find themselves employed by business men, clerks, newspaper men and many of the students in the law and high schools of the city. Some years ago, at the time of the Pan-American congress, some statesmen advocated the teaching of Spanish as of great advantage on account of the more intimate relations with the Spanish-American countries which the future was expected to bring about. Some of those who acted upon the advice given them at that time have profited to a considerable extent by finding lucrative employment in connection with the United States' occupation of Cuba and Porto Rico. Others, who did not avail themselves of the suggestion made at that time, are now energetically at work getting a sufficient knowledge of the Spanish language for future use in case they should go to the new American possessions.
On the Waiting List.
Claimants become familiar figures in Washington. Sometimes some very old men are pointed out as among those who have been here from 10 to 30 years seeking to get a claim through congress. An instance of this was the famous William McGarrahan. Another man who bids fair to become quite familiar to Washington and more particularly to the war department is Major J. W. Wham, although his case is less complicated. Some years ago he was a paymaster with the rank of major and was court martialed and dismissed. Nearly a year ago congress passed a bill allowing the president to restore him to his former rank and position in the army on the ground that the sentence was unjust, and although the president signed the bill he has not yet acted upon it. The bill is not mandatory, but leaves the matter in the discretion of the president, and the long delay has created the impression that the president is not quite satisfied that Major Wham should be restored. Day after day the major visits some one supposed to have influence with the president with a view to securing his restoration. He is but one of the many who go around and make inquiries as to whether anything has been done in their cases, receiving each day the same answer, "It has not yet been reached." The life of these claimants in the city is decidedly disagreeable and hard, but they become very persistent, and nothing but death removes them from their field of operations.
Two New Listeners.
It has been noticed that the two senators who listen with the greatest attention, who are rarely absent from their seats and who read the bills and study the reports and give more time to general legislation than all others, are Senator Simon of Oregon and Senator Ross of Vermont. These are the latest additions to the senate and have not been long enough members of that body to follow in the footsteps of the older members, who listen only to such speeches as interest them or give attention to subjects upon which they wish to inform themselves. Senator Simon is an older member by a month and a half than Senator Ross, and it is already remarked that the Vermont senator pays much more attention to legislation and the speeches than does the far western man, who is becoming accustomed to the ways of the senate and is already escaping some of the longer speeches that are made.
ARTHUR W. DUNN.
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| Regis Post. |
OUR CANAL COMMERCE.
Its Decline a Subject For Legislative Inquiry.
BILL BEADY FOE INTRODUCTION.
The Proposed Commission Is to Inquire Into the Commerce of the Canals to Determine Just How Much the Railroads Have Cut Into the Canal Traffic.
ALBANY, Jan. 30.—An effort will be made at the current session of the legislature to provide for the creation of a commission to investigate the condition and needs of the commerce of the canal system of this state. A bill having this object in view will be introduced at the session of the assembly tonight by Regis H. Post of Suffolk county. The state government is already making an inquiry as to the causes of the decline in commerce at the port of New York.
A commission was appointed by Governor Black for that purpose and is still engaged in making inquiry into the subject. As a great relationship exists between the canal system and the port of New York it is as important that the needs of one should be ascertained as the other and necessitating a great amount of attention it has been deemed by many legislators necessary to have a second commission inquire into the needs of the canals.
Mr. Post is of the opinion that although the two subjects are closely allied they need the attention of separate commissions. His measure will provide for the appointment by the governor of a transportation commission to inquire into the commerce of the canals to determine just how much the railroad corporations have cut into the canal traffic and whether or not if such competition continues it will mean the entire abandonment of the canals in the near future.
The systematic destruction of the people's traffic is clearly shown by the fact that 17 years ago they delivered at New York 70,000,000 bushels of grain, while now the amount has depreciated to less than 23,000,000 bushels of cereals. The freight reduction of 1897 was over 200 per cent as compared with the 1880 rate of 6.5 in 1880, as against 6.2 a bushel on wheat in 1897. The tide of grain trade at the western terminus of the Erie canal at Buffalo by lake alone has risen from 105,000,000 bushels in 1880 to 190,000,000 bushels in 1897. Notwithstanding this immense increase at Buffalo the tide of the grain trade at New York has fallen far below that of 1880. A large per cent of the grain traffic which came into this state has found a rail outlet to the sea by the way of Boston, Philadelphia and other competing ports.
There are three distinct grievances which those interested in canal traffic have relative to existing conditions. The first is that the elevator rates at Buffalo are too high. They have sought to remedy this by various measures, all of which have thus far failed to pass. State regulation of the rates to be charged by private owners, the building of elevators to be operated by the state and other schemes have been suggested, but have never met with the approval at the hands of the legislature.
The second grievance is that the railroad lines have made discriminating rates in favor of through freight; that is that the companies will carry grain from the far west to the seaboard at a lower rate than they will handle it at Buffalo from the same destination. This, the boatmen claim, has prevented fair competition. Legislation in the direction of an amelioration of this alleged condition has been proposed without success.
The unimproved condition of the canal has been the third grievance. This has been partially removed by the improvement work which has been temporarily suspended owing to the exhaustion of appropriated funds and the lack of determination on the part of the state as the best course to pursue in the future.
Brighter News From Iloilo.
MANILA, Jan. 30.—According to advices just received from Iloilo, capital of the island of Panay, at the election held on Jan. 17, Senor Ramon Melliza was chosen president of the so-called Visayan federation for a term of two years, his predecessor, General Copez (Lopez), being appointed commander-in-chief of the forces of the revolutionary government. Senor Melliza is kindly disposed to the Americans and it is hoped that the difficulty between the natives and the United States authorities will be settled amicably.
MILITARY HOSPITAL.
Sick Troops Will Be Cared For Near Savannah During the Winter.
SAVANNAH, Ga., Jan. 30.—Major Appel of the medical corps of the army is here to take charge of the new winter hospital at this place. He announced that the hospital would begin to receive patients in three weeks notwithstanding all the buildings will not be completed in that time. There are 46 buildings in the establishments. Twenty of them will be ready for occupancy next week and the hospital ship Missouri will begin to bring patients from Cuba and Porto Rico.
The buildings here will not be used as a hospital from May to November. During the intervening months they will be utilized as a training school for male army nurses. One hundred and fifty nurses will be employed during the winter months and about that number will be instructed during the summer.
OLD LADY MURDERED.
Foully Mutilated With an Ax and Her House Robbed.
PANA, Ills., Jan. 30.—Mrs. Mary McIntyre, a wealthy widow 60 years old, was found murdered in her home here. The body had been frightfully mutilated with an ax. Mrs. Mclntyre is supposed to have kept considerable money about her. She lived alone in a small house in the Fatham district, near the scene of several fights recently between the striking union miners and negroes working in the mines.
It is supposed the crime was committed two or three days ago. Neighbors became suspicious when Mrs. Mclntyre failed to appear at church, as was her habit. The doors of her home were broken open. Everything about the place showed that a desperate struggle had occurred. Mrs. Mclntyre's body was found chopped almost to pieces and thrown under the bed. Everything of value had been carried off by the murderers. Mrs. Mclntyre is said to have sympathized with the union miners in their struggle against negro labor. Her house has been fired on a number of times.
BEFORE GRADUATES.
Baccalaureate Sermon Delivered by Rev. J. Barton French Sunday Night.
One of the best baccalaureate sermons ever delivered in Cortland was listened to at the Congregational church last evening from Rev. J. Barton French, pastor of the Memorial Baptist church.
Long before the hour of service, every available seat in the auditorium was taken, a portion directly in front of the pulpit being reserved for the members of the graduating class of the State Normal school, the faculty and the local board. The choir had arranged a pleasant and appropriate musical program for the evening. The hymns were announced by Rev. W. H. Pound, the pastor of the church, who also offered prayer. Dr. Francis J. Cheney, principal of the school, read the scripture lesson from the fourteenth chapter of Romans.
Rev. J. Barton French chose his text from James iv:14—"What is life." He referred in passing to the brevity of life and thoughts which should inspire one to improve the present opportunities. He made the text a personal question, "What is your life?" speaking at length of life as character, which he referred to as the conviction that moves and determines action and eventuates destiny. There is a something which moves our thought, and it is difficult for us to change its course. It gains control of our affections and brings us out before men as we are. It makes us representatives of ourselves. Our life is individual. God looks upon us as individuals, not as congregations. The training we receive from other minds determines somewhat our thought, it fashions somewhat our character. But there comes a time when our thought must be independent; we must build for ourselves.
Life is a social career. You cannot think that because of your individuality you have no influence. No man can afford to neglect to be manly and no woman can afford to neglect to be womanly. Man cannot isolate himself completely from society, but as soon as he makes the attempt, he becomes an injury to society. Be cheerful, not frivolous; companionable, not burdensome. The question of success comes in. Some people measure success by the amount of worldly goods they can amass or by the extent of popularity which they reach. Measure your success by what good you can do for yourself, and for others. Life is an open door. Its opportunities are many, but obstacles will be encountered all the way. These can be overcome only by effort. The key to the open door before you will be your parchment, but to keep it open and open up higher doors, needs determination and perseverance. Always be willing to assert your manhood and womanhood.
Benefit Entertainment.
There has been a large sale of tickets for the concert and dance to be given in C. A. A. hall to-morrow evening for the benefit of Messrs. Chas. Maas and Lewis Holdridge, under the auspices of the musicians of Cortland and Homer and the Cigar-Makers' union. The concert will begin at 8:15 and dancing at 9 o'clock. General admission 50 cents for all.
STRICKEN IN THE STREET.
Sudden Death of George A. Grossman from Paralysis.
George A. Crossman died suddenly at his home, 132 Railroad-st., shortly before 10 o'clock this morning from a stroke of paralysis.
Mr. Crossman arose this morning feeling as well as usual and after breakfast started to walk up town. He had gone but a few rods when he was suddenly stricken with paralysis. With great difficulty he made his way back to the house and went to bed. Dr. Neary was summoned, but medical assistance was of no avail, and he expired in an half hour.
Mr. Crossman was born in Herkimer county fifty-nine years ago, and for the last thirty-five years had resided in Cortland. His trade was that of a painter and paper-hanger, and he had been quite active in local politics. He leaves no brothers or sisters and besides a wife, two children, a son and daughter.
The funeral will be held at the house Wednesday at 2 o'clock P. M. The body will be placed in the receiving vault of the Cortland Rural cemetery and afterward removed to East Homer for burial, where Mr. Crossman's father is also buried.
TO REMAIN IN CORTLAND.
J. T. Davern & Co. to Continue Business at the Old Stand.
Many will be glad to know that the firm of J. T. Davern & Co. have decided to remain in Cortland. Both Rochester and Syracuse have been holding out large inducements to them to go there and Mr. and Mrs. Davern have been seriously considering the matter for some time, but have finally decided not to be led away from the place where they have built up such a large and flourishing business in millinery and ladies' and children's goods and where they have already attained far more than a local reputation for fine goods, excellent work of a fashionable and altogether up-to-date character and for fair and square dealing.
HARD TIMES SOCIAL.
And Old-Fashioned Dance at Vesta Lodge rooms Friday Night.
Vesta lodge, No. 255, I. O. O. F., will hold a hard times social and old-fashioned dance at the lodgerooms on Friday evening, Feb. 8, at 8 o'clock, to which all Odd Fellows and their wives are invited. The bill, including supper for two, will be 74 cents. As this will be purely a hard times social expensive articles of apparel will be prohibited under severe penalties. Fines will be imposed by impartial judges.
The committee, consisting of A. B. Ryan, F. E. Hilligus and H. W. Hall, has prepared a little statement of fines and regulations for the evening which is as follows:
Know Ye—That all persons who shall be found wearing any of the following articles of apparel shall pay into the treasury the respective sums hereafter designated.
Escorts shall pay the fines of ladies.
Ladies—Kid gloves, 1 ct.; tailor made suits, value over $2, 13 cts.; silk waists, 9 cts.; silk ties, 4 cts.; silk handkerchiefs, 6 cts.; rings (except diamond), 3 cts.; diamond rings, 9 cts.; pins, 1 ct.
Gentlemen—Patent leather shoes, 13 cts.; boiled shirts, 9 cts.; stand-up collar (per inch), 1 ct.; red necktie, 9 cts.; gold watch chains, 7 cts.; kid gloves, 99 cts.; silk hat, wearer will not be allowed to enter the rooms. Silk ties, 4 cts.; diamond stud, $33.33; seal skin caps, 49 cts.; diamond rings, 23 cts.
Fines will be remitted upon presentation of satisfactory evidence to the judges.
Dancing will begin at S o'clock sharp. Guests arriving later than 6 will be fined 1 cent.
Prizes—A 25 cent washboard will be given to the most appropriately dressed lady; a can of embalmed beef to the most appropriately dressed gentleman; and a pair of shoes to the best gentleman dancer.
Caterer—E. D. Rogers.
Music by Daniels' orchestra in hard times costume. Spectators' tickets 13 cents or two for 25 cents.
BREVITIES.
—The Marathon Republican caucus will be held on Tuesday evening, Jan. 31.
—Miss Anna Heath, dressmaker, has moved from 38 Groton-ave. to 40 Lincoln-ave.
—The eighth annual public exercises of the Corlonor fraternity occur at Normal hall at 8 o'clock this evening.
—The twenty-third annual public exercises of the Gamma Sigma fraternity occur at Normal hall to-morrow evening at 8 o'clock.
—The closing entertainment in the Normal course will be a concert at Normal hall on Thursday evening, Feb. 9, by the Old Homestead quartet.
—New display advertisements to-day are—Bingham & Miller , Overalls and Pants, page 8; McKinney & Doubleday, Fine Art Department, page 6; McGraw & Osgood, Mark Down Sale, page 8.
—The mothers meeting (central) will meet with Mrs. A. A. Jennings, 12 Rickard-st., Wednesday, Feb. 1, at 3 P. M. Subject to be considered, "The Cultivation of Self-Respect." All ladies are cordially welcome.
—Mrs. Mary Powers died yesterday at the home of her son, Mr. James Powers, 46 River-st., at the age of 85 years. The funeral will be held at the house to-morrow morning at 9 o'clock and, on account of the illness of Mrs. James Powers, will be private. Burial at Willow Glen cemetery, Dryden.
—On Friday of this week, Feb. 3, will occur the golden wedding anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Bates of 6 North Church-st. They will receive their friends in celebration of this event on that day from 4 to 10 P. M. No formal invitations will be issued, but all their friends are through the medium of this notice most cordially invited to visit them at that time.
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