PEACE TREATY SECRET AND BASEBALL FAIR

 

Delaware Senator George Gray.

Cortland Evening Standard, Tuesday, January 31, 1899.

PEACE TREATY SECRET.

One of Them Made Public by the President.

PEACE TREATY CORRESPONDENCE.

The President Complied With a Resolution Passed by the Senate—First Instructions to the Peace Commissioners Were Changed Later ln the Proceedings.

   WASHINGTON, Jan. 31.—The president sent to the senate the correspondence on file in the state department, bearing upon the peace treaty and it was read in the executive session. The correspondence was sent in response to the resolution introduced by Senator Hoar and includes most of the letters and cablegrams from the commissioners to the president, and from the president to the commissioners in the way of instructions in return. The documents are numerous, as there were telegrams, letters and reports for almost every day the commissioners were in Paris.

   One of the first cablegrams from the president instructed them to demand the cession of Luzon island only of the Philippines, and he told them that full sovereignty should come with it. The reading of the correspondence received the closest attention from senators.

   In submitting the papers the president sent a brief message saying that he transmitted them in accordance with the resolution. The reading consumed the entire executive session. Much of the matter covered the same ground as that already published, but it was presented in the form in which the proceedings were outlined from day to day in the cable correspondence between Secretary Day as the president's representative on the one hand, and Commissioner Day as the representative of the American commissioners on the other.

   The principal interest among the senators attached to the president's instructions to insist upon the cession of the island of Luzon, and after that in the decision to take the entire group of islands. This latter development appeared from the correspondence to be a growth and the suggestion was made by the commissioners to the president as the result of occurrence at Paris after the arrival there of the commissioners. In his dispatch concerning Luzon he said there was but one alternative. The United States must either take the island and assume sovereignty or return it to Spain, and of the two courses he preferred the former.

   Spain was from the first unwilling to cede any of the Philippines and she made especial objection to letting go of Luzon alone. The commissioners with the exception of Senator Gray urged that to take Luzon and leave the other islands of the archipelago in the hands of Spaniards would be to invite innumerable complications with other nations and especially with Europe and with Spain.

   Much stress was laid upon the probability of future trouble with Spain. With Luzon under American administration there would soon be such a vast improvement, they wrote, that the other islanders would soon grow more and more rebellious and with Spain's oppressive methods of government we would soon again find that we had another Cuba at another door. Furthermore there would be constant filibustering and we should find ourselves spending millions to preserve a state of neutrality just as we did in the case of Cuba prior to our declaration of war on account of that island.

   General Merritt's testimony at this point was cited and was made the reason for much of the argument in favor of taking the entire group.

   The president does not appear to have at any time given explicit instructions to consummate the bargain by taking all the Philippines, but rather after hearing a full explanation, to have left the matter to the discretion of the commissioners.

   The entire controversy was practically over the Philippines and the question of assuming responsibility for the payment of the Spanish bonds for which the Cuban revenues were pledged. The Spaniards from the first insisted upon an indemnity for the Philippines, and the correspondence shows that after the proposition to pay $20,000,000 was made the negotiations proceeded much more smoothly and were soon brought to a close.

   The American commissioners appear to have been of one mind as to the wisdom of taking over all the Philippines with the exception of Senator Gray who, notwithstanding he signed the treaty, held out to the last against the policy of acquiring these islands. In one notable dispatch he pleaded zealously against the policy as unpatriotic, un-American, and inconsistent with probity and good statesmanship.

   After a brief debate the senate refused to print the correspondence.

 

Theodore Hancock.

WANTS AUTHORITY.

Report Made by the Attorney General of New York State.

   ALBANY, Jan. 31.—The annual report of Hon. Theodore Hancock who retired from the attorney generalship of the state which has been submitted to the legislature says:

   "After five years experience in the attorney general's office, I advise that all the legal business and litigation in which the state is interested, or in which it may be interested in the future (the excise department excepted), be placed entirely under the control of the attorney general. I advise this, not only as a matter of economy, but also to prevent counsel designated by other departments from working cross purposes with the attorney general's office. This suggestion is made without any desire to criticize or interfere with the functions of the other state officials with whom I have always sustained friendly relations. Cases, however, have arisen where officials, acting upon the advice of special or private counsel, have caused unnecessary and expensive suits involving large interests. These actions have demanded much time and labor from the attorney general in their preparation, trial and argument on appeal.

   "It must be manifest to anyone familiar with the legal business of the state, that the attorney general, while held responsible for the results, should have the sole authority to direct and control what actions shall be commenced and what steps shall be taken where questions of law are involved to conserve the interests of the state. Any deviation from this rule is in derogation of the provisions of the executive law, which places the law officer of the state in charge and control of all the legal business of the departments and bureaus of the state, or in any office thereof which requires the services of an attorney or counsel. Special statutes in contravention of these requirements of the executive law are unwise and unnecessary."

 

TWO AMENDMENTS

Offered in the Senate to the Raines' Liquor Tax Law.

   ALBANY, Jan. 31.—Excise legislation received consideration in the senate this morning when two proposed amendments to the Raines' liquor tax law were presented—one by Senator Raines raising the limit of license fees in towns of less than 1200 population from $100 to $200 and the other by Senator Mackey permitting the sale of liquor in cities on Sunday between 2 and 11 o'clock P. M. In presenting his bill Senator Mackey requested that it be referred to the cities committee. This caused a long debate, not on the referment [sic] but upon excise matters generally.

 

PAGE TWO—EDITORIALS.

More Canned Beef.

   The canned beef inquiry is freshly stirred by Captain F. M. Bean of Battery C, Pennsylvania Light artillery, who has made a public statement that is direct and unmistakable. He says that the canned beef furnished to his company was putrid, and not even a dog would eat it. It was covered by blue mold and a growth of hairs, and the whole company was made sick by it. To corroborate this he saved some of the cans of meat, and bringing them back with him sent them to General Miles. In regard to the ordinary provisions for the comfort of his men when on the transport, he says: "We had two ranges on the transport Alamo on our way back which could be used to bake bread, but we had no flour with which to make the bread. The men were obliged to eat their meat directly out of the cans, having no proper arrangements for cooking. Coffee was made out of salt water, for the supply of fresh water was short and the color of iron rust.'' Captain Bean says that he will never again go into the United States service so long as he can serve his country by driving a bobtail car.

 

   ◘ In the constant pressure of more clearly defined events one need not overlook entirely what is going on in Arabia. The Yemen Arabs have revolted against their conquerors, the Turks, and there has been a sanguinary battle in which about 6,000 men have been killed, and the Turks were victorious. For a very long time these Arabs have been ground under the corrupt and cruel sway of the Ottoman system, with no other means of redress than revolt, but always with the same result. The troops of Abdul Hamid swarm down upon them, kill a few thousand and a peace is patched up only to be broken by the uprising of another tribe. The Arabs are a hardy and brave race, but all hope of successfully opposing the sultan and his iniquitous system is hopeless because the tribes have no unity of purpose and are torn by internal jealousies, living and fighting very much as the original Ishmaelites did.

 

MCLEAN, N. Y.

   MCLEAN, Jan. 30.—Miss Sarah Wilcox occupied the Baptist pulpit again yesterday.

   Mr. Wright, a young man from Dryden, preached at the M. E. church yesterday.

   Rev. Mr. Mathers, pastor of the Presbyterian church at Dryden, will preach at the M. E church next Sunday.

   Miss Clara Webster of Cortland was at home over Sunday.

   Mr. Charles F. Sarson was in town last Monday calling on the friends of The STANDARD.

   Mr. Ed Per Lee, Jr., of Cortland visited his parents yesterday.

   Mrs. Sarah Sandwick of Cortland visited her sister, Mrs. Barto, yesterday.

   The Young Ladies' Literary club went to Cortland Saturday evening.

   Mrs. Ernest Lincoln left Saturday morning for Buffalo.

   Mr. and Mrs. S. R. Reniff went to Dryden Saturday to visit at the home of Frank Perry.

   J. T. Keenan of Elmira is in town.

   Mrs. Wait is at home again after an absence of several months.

   Nearly all of the town officers were renominated at the caucus at Groton Saturday.

   C. A. Stout and wife are in Auburn visiting friends.

   J. W. West has purchased C. A. Stout's place. Consideration $1,600.

   D. R. Stout will move his stock of groceries into C. A. Stout's old stand.

   Mr. G. H. Boynton is improving.

   Mr. E. B. Wheeler, who has been ill for some time, is better.

   Mr. Samuel Fulkerson and daughter Esther of Dryden were guests at the home of A. H. Vough on Wednesday of last week.

   Miss Estella Trapp's school friends gave her a surprise party last Friday evening.

   J. A. Ronk and family visited friends in Virgil Saturday.

   Herbert Davidson of Groton was at home over Sunday.

   Mrs. Calista Boynton, a lady who is 88 years of age, is still able to attend church nearly every Sunday.

   Our school had its first Regents' examination last week.

 

Judge Walter Lloyd Smith.

THE SEALED VERDICT

Rendered by the Jury in Favor of the Plaintiff Anna E. Jones.

   The jury yesterday rendered a verdict of $200 in favor of the plaintiff in the case of Anna E. Jones vs. Henry Howes et al. It will be remembered that this action was brought to recover for a quantity of ice which was in the creameries at Truxton and DeRuyter and which was sold on a judgment obtained against William McAdam who was the owner of the creameries.

   At the conclusion of the evidence the plaintiffs attorney asked the court to declare that the judgments obtained in the attachment proceedings—one in favor of Howes and his associates and the other in favor of Boyce—against McAdam were null and void for want of jurisdiction, and after argument the court decided that the said judgments were null and void as claimed by the plaintiff. The plaintiff thereupon moved that all evidence based on such judgments be stricken out, and the court granted the motion. The plaintiff then asked the court to direct a verdict for the plaintiff which he declined to do, but submitted to the jury two questions of fact: (1) Whether or not the plaintiff received the bill of sale under which she claimed title to the ice in question before the sale of the ice by the defendants, (2) as to the value of the ice.

   These questions were discussed before the jury by B. T. Wright for the plaintiff and by O. U. Kellogg for the defendants. The jury, not having come in at the adjournment of court Friday, Judge Smith directed that if they agreed they seal their verdict and bring it into court on Monday at the reconvening of court. At that time the jury came in with a sealed verdict and found for the plaintiff and assessed her damages at $200. B. T. Wright for plaintiff. W. E. Burdick, assisted by J. & T. E. Courtney and O. U. Kellogg for defendants.

 

A HARD FOUGHT CASE.

Negligence Action of Mary Conway Against the Village.

   The negligence action of Mary Conway, wife of Timothy Conway, against the village of Cortland which is on trial before Justice Lyon and a jury in supreme court is attracting no little attention. Claim is made for $5,000 alleged damages by reason of a fall on an East Court-st. sidewalk, and the attorneys in the case are to-day getting plenty of practice in medical jurisprudence. Dr. S. J. Sornberger of Cortland and Dr. Adam Miller of Syracuse, who performed an operation on Mrs. Conway soon after the accident, have both been on the stand to-day for the plaintiff, and have also given considerable expert testimony. Drs. Reese, Dana and Higgins are expected to be called for the defense, they having made an examination of Mrs. Conway. The case will probably consume the greater part of to-morrow.

   Justice Lyon sentenced John Hahan, the young man who pleaded guilty to grand larceny in stealing a horse and cutter from Liveryman O. L. Crofoot, to Elmira reformatory.

   The court also appointed Enos E. Mellon to defend Irving Congdon, indicted for grand larceny, whose case was yesterday sent to the county court.

 

VIRGIL NOMINATIONS.

Republicans and Democrats Put Up Town-Meeting Tickets.

   The following tickets have been put in nomination for town-meeting for the town of Virgil:

REPUBLICAN.

   Supervisor—N. F. Webb.

   Town Clerk—Dr. T. M. Emery.

   Justices—Rodolph Price, Frank J. Hill.

   Vacancy—George Moore.

   Assessors—M. L. Dann, J. W. Shevalier, F. D. Marcy.

   Commissioner of Highways—A. R. Overton.

   Overseers of Poor—S. Hutchings, J. B. Rounds.

   Collector—C. L. Chrisman.

   Constables—C. Hutchings, W. H. Bell, Hilton Ryan, F. A. Gallagher, A. J. Miller.

   Inspectors, Dist. No. 1—Homer Robinson, R. N. Adams.

   Inspectors, Dist. No. 2—George Bloomer, E. Lampher.

DEMOCRATS.

   Supervisor—W. A Holton.

   Town Clerk—W. B. Muncey.

   Justice, Vacancy—Gilbert Jameson.

   Justice, Full Term—Gilbert Jameson.

   Justice, Full Term—S. D. Deyoe.

   Assessors—Henry Edsall, Harley Wood, Seth Davis.

   Highway Commissioner—W. H. Hall.

   Overseers of Poor—Sylvester Oaks, Eugene Brown.

   Collector—W. W. Norwood.

   Constables—Earl Curtis, E. D. Oaks, John Yaples, Floyd Woodard, Watson Oaks.

   Inspectors, District No. 1—D. E. Stillman, Leroy Trapp.

   Inspectors, District No 2—A. T. Dickinson, M. V. B. Brandow.

 

THE BASEBALL FAIR.

Valuable Prizes Offered in Ticket Selling Contest.

   The fair to be held in Taylor hall next week every evening promises to be a success in every way socially as well as in creating a big fund for the Cortland Baseball association to start the season with much encouragement and good success. The Cortland City band will be in attendance, and each evening a vaudeville entertainment will be presented, besides an attractive musical program. Five valuable prizes are to be given away to the five ladies or children who sell the largest number of season tickets. On Saturday evening the handsome $50 parlor suit donated by Beard & Peck will be disposed of.

   Those desiring to compete for the five prizes in the ticket selling contest can obtain tickets from O. K. George, the treasurer, manager of the Western Union Telegraph company. One young lady has already disposed of enough tickets to insure her securing a place among the prize winners.

 

BREVITIES.

   —The Ladies' Literary club will meet to-morrow afternoon at 3:30 o'clock with Mrs. W. A. Cornish, Stewart Place.

  —The twenty-third annual public exercises of the Gamma Sigma fraternity occur at Normal hall this evening at 8 o'clock.

   —The Fortnightly club will meet tomorrow afternoon at 3:30 o'clock at Miss Halbert's studio in the Wickwire building.

   —New display advertisements to-day are—D. McCarthy & Sons, New Summer Fabrics, page 7; Palmer & Co., Compare Prices, page 6; Rubber Stamps, page 6.

   —Manager Wallace announces that he has succeeded in closing a contract for the appearance at the Cortland Opera House on Friday evening, March 3, of George W. Ryer and Denman Thompson's last season's success, "The Sunshine of Paradise Alley." It will be remembered that on the appearance of this company in Cortland last winter on one of the most stormy nights of the season it was greeted with a crowded house and gave splendid satisfaction.