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| Major General Elwell Stephen Otis. |
Cortland Evening Standard, Monday, February 13, 1899.
QUIET ALONG THE LINE.
No Further Skirmishing Around Manila.
IT PROBABLY FOREBODES EVIL.
The Filipinos Evidently Preparing For Another Attack Upon the American Lines—General Otis Reports All Our Attacks as Successful—Our Loss Sixty-Five Killed.
MANILA, Feb. 13.—Contrary to general expectations all is quiet along the entire line, nothing having happened up to this hour to disturb the peace. In Manila the inhabitants have generally recovered from the alarm occasioned by the fear of a native uprising and are resuming their ordinary business. The shipping interests are naturally suffering since there have been no clearances for Philippine ports within a week; but, on the other hand, foreign shipping has increased, especially for Hong Kong, every steamer bound thither being crowded with timid refugees.
Despite, however, this present quietude, many are asking whether the problem is not still far from solution. A week ago those who took an optimistic view predicted that the terrible lesson just administered to the rebels would settle the question of Filipino independence in short order. But this prediction has not been fulfilled. As matter of fact the rebels are now scattered throughout the country bushwhacking, except at Malabon, where they are gathered in force. Even there their methods savor more of guerrilla than of civilized warfare, every bush, clump and tree furnishing a cover for their sharpshooters.
Unfortunately for miles around is studded with bamboo jungle and open spaces are few and far between. This affords the natives, who fight better under cover, a distinct advantage. In many places the jungle is so dense that the eye cannot penetrate it, and only by the flashes of their rifles is the whereabouts of the enemy indicated.
Under such conditions it is remarkable that the American casualties should be so few, while the number of dead natives found in the brush after every skirmish testifies to the precision of our fire. Last week there was not a single day without fighting, but the Americans steadily advanced carrying everything before them and gradually increasing their semi-circle until now it spreads fanshaped from 4 to 10 miles around Manila, the waterworks being the most distant point. It is known that the Filipino loss is fully 2,500 killed, with wounded vastly in excess of that number and thousands arc held prisoners. All this has been achieved at the cost of 65 Americans killed and 257 wounded. There are two Americans missing and unaccounted for.
No fewer than 20 native villages have surrendered or been captured. Several have been destroyed because their houses harbored men, frequently disguised in female attire, who shot from windows and roof tops at the American troops. Many rifles and a ton of ammunition have been sized. As might be expected there has been some looting in the outskirts; but it has not been general and has been done in direct violation of orders.
The only incident that broke the quiet of Sunday followed the arrival of the German first-class cruiser Kaisarin Augusta. When she saluted Admiral Dewey a report spread rapidly that the American warships were bombarding Malabon.
Crowds have visited the scenes of last week's fighting. All the roads from the city were thronged with vehicles. But beyond burned villages and the new mounds in the fields, there was little to be seen. A close inspection showed that most of the enemy's dead had remained to their posts to the last, as the bodies were usually surrounded by empty cartridges; while in the trenches wherever there were no dead there was little and often no ammunition.
Among the distinguished prisoners captured in Manila since the outbreak of hostilities are Captain G. Escamillo, Aguinaldo's private secretary; Captain E. P. Veraguth, Colonel Martin de los Deyes, and Senor Tomas del Reasrio, a member of the so-called Filipino congress in session at Malolos. A few minor Filipino officials are also in custody.
PAGE TWO—EDITORIALS.
Our Minor Culprits.
Judge Aspinall in Brooklyn the other day gave expression from the bench to his astonishment at the number of boys who are brought into his court charged with burglary. He had seven before him at the moment. "There must be something radically wrong in the home surroundings of these boys," he said. The boys probably had no home surroundings whatever. What are we to expect of boys who are educated in the streets, who associate in gangs, whose literature is blood and thunder, whose amusements are furnished at the cheap and nasty concert hall and whose art stares at them from the coalyard fences? Home influence, indeed! It is not the quality of the home influence that is to blame, but the total absence of it. The popular inclination in the cities is to condone the mischief of the street boy on account of his size. He is virtually encouraged to be vicious. Very seldom indeed does a stalwart policeman undertake to arrest a young pickpocket without being assailed with cries of "Shame!" from truckmen and bystanders. No one understands this so well as the small boy. Judge Aspinall can help to correct this evil by inflicting punishment upon these boys sternly and not by hunting for the homes to send them back to.
Just how the boys of a community run things when the home influence does not suit them may be seen in Vineland, N. J. A curfew ordinance was passed in Vineland requiring all children to be indoors upon the ringing of the bell at 9 o'clock. This was especially odious to the boys who, when the attempt was made to execute the law, broke into the high school, paraded the streets in derision, fairly defying the town marshal. Now, the boys of Vineland are supposed to have home influences, but it is very questionable if those influences are at work teaching them respect for law.
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| American Baseball. |
THE CORTLAND TEAM.
Probabilities as to Who Will be Members of It.
Manager Henry D. Ramsey of the Cortland baseball team said the other day in an interview that he would release Pitchers McMackin and Gildea, Infielders Shafer, Deisel and Shea, and Outfielders Jones and Molesworth, all of whom are under reserve. He has sent contracts to Pitcher Mullin and Second Baseman Neville. He has signed Center Fielder Ketchum and Third Baseman Delaney. The latter will cover the initial bag next season. The terms of Pat Dougherty, who pitched for Canandaigua last year, have been accepted and he will be played in right field. Pat led the State league in batting in '98. Ramsey expects to secure Pitcher McFall and Center Fielder Lawlor, who were with the champion Canandaiguas. He is also after Charles Mess of Newark, N. J., and Billy Heine of Elmira. and one of them will cover short field. "Hank" stopped off at Rome Friday and had a talk with Fox, who played third with Rome last year. He may be signed. In case Fox is engaged Cortland's infield will probably consist of Delaney at first, Neville at second, Fox at third and Heine at short. The outfield will show Ketchum in left, Jack Lawlor in center, and Dougherty in right. McFall, Mullin and one other good man will do the twirling. The receiving end will be in keeping with the rest of the team.
Manager Ramsey says that the Cortlands of '99 will be stronger in every way than were the Canandaiguas of '98. He intends to pursue his usual course of getting a big lead in the spring and is confident of remaining near the top throughout the entire season. He believes that faster ball will be played in the State league next summer and is counting upon a successful year for that organization. Just before going away he said that the Cortland team would report on the 15th of April. The club will not play Sunday ball. He added that Bobby Cargo, who played shortstop with Canandaigua last season, had been signed by New Castle of the Inter-State league.
FAIR WAS A SUCCESS.
Baseball Association Will Realize Over $900 from It.
It is believed that no fair was ever held in Cortland upon a week's notice that netted as a result anything like $900 previous to the one of last week.
But such is the case in connection with the baseball fair which came to a successful termination Saturday night. Although Treasurer O. K. George has not yet secured full reports from all committees, he thinks he is safe in saying that after all bills are paid, there will be left at least $950 to the credit of the association with which to start the season. All credit is due to the several committees who have devoted much time and energy in the last two weeks to the enterprise, and the business men who so liberally contributed to the success of the fair are entitled to no small amount of thanks.
It all shows that Cortland is alive with baseball enthusiasm, and is going to support the team this year with great unanimity.
The fair closed Saturday night with Taylor hall crowded full. The entertainment consisted of an exhibition of hypnotism by "Prof." Huguenin, who kept the large audience convulsed with laughter
Prize winners were announced. The firemen's contest had assumed immense proportions, and Emerald hose received the elegant Turkish divan donated by O'Leary & McEvoy. The vote in this contest at the close was as follows: Emeralds 707, Orris 601, Excelsiors 337, Water Witch 296, Hitchcocks 136, Tioughnioga of Homer 105, Orient of Homer 16.
The bicycle contest between Miss Josie Sullivan and Miss Helen Grey was won by the former, who secured $127.85, and will hereafter ride a Stearns bicycle. Miss Grey turned in $91.
Miss Lena Waters won a gold watch by turning in $102.53. Her opponent, Miss Daisy Watkins, secured $94.54. Both Miss Grey and Miss Watkins will be suitably rewarded for their efforts. The special season prize, the $50 parlor suite from Beard & Peck, was awarded to W. A. Stockwell. Earl Barry won the Red Cross [kitchen] range, A. K. Weatherwax the graphophone, Harry L. Hartwell the oil range, L. Holmes the cake with ring inside, and Frank Brady a bottle of perfume, all of which were offered as special prizes.
DEATH OF ELMER BANGS.
Had Been Ill Only a Week—Sketch of His Life.
After an illness of only a week, Elmer Bangs, junior member of the undertaking firm of Fletcher & Bangs, died at 9:15 o'clock Sunday morning at his home, 3 Stevenson-st.
He was attacked with the grip a week ago Saturday night, but pneumonia developed and caused his death.
Mr. Bangs was born in Summerhill, and was 42 years, 7 months and 12 days of age. For the last twenty-three years he had resided with his family in Cortland. About three and one-half years ago he formed a partnership with R. B. Fletcher in the undertaking business, and had been sole manager for the firm since the death of Mr. Fletcher a year ago. For several years previous to his partnership with Mr. Fletcher, Mr. Bangs was a traveling salesman for John Marcellus, furniture manufacturer of Syracuse.
Mr. Bangs was a man who had a large number of friends, and in his death, Cortland loses one of its best citizens. He was a member of Vesta lodge, I. O. O. F., and of Cortland council, O. U. A. M., and for some time had sung tenor in the choir of the Universalist church.
Mr. Bangs is survived by his mother, Mrs. Eliza Bangs, who had been living with him, by a wife and one son Jay Bangs. One sister, Mrs. W. P. Winters, resides in Cortland and one brother, Loren Bangs, lives at Summerhill, while the other brother, Fred Bangs, is a resident of Groton.
The funeral will be held from the family home on Stevenson-st. to-morrow afternoon at 2 o'clock and from the Presbyterian church at 2:30 o'clock. The remains will be placed in the receiving vault at the Cortland Rural cemetery.
Death of Mrs. Messenger.
The sad news of the death of Mrs. Ella Messenger, wife of N. Heaton Messenger of New York City, was received in Cortland Saturday. Death occurred Friday evening after a short illness from neuralgia of the heart.
Mr. and Mrs. Messenger were former residents of Cortland and have many friends here who will be saddened to learn of Mrs. Messenger's untimely death. Besides her husband she leaves one daughter Irene, aged 8 years.
The remains will reach Cortland to-night and the funeral will be held Tuesday morning at 11 o'clock from the home of her nephew, Mr. Harry M. Wilcox, 9 Argyle Place.
NO-LICENSE CAMPAIGN.
First Rally Meeting at the Congregational Church Yesterday.
The first public meeting held in the campaign in favor of no-license occurred at the Congregational church yesterday afternoon and was quite well attended. The question of license is submitted to the people at the town-meeting to be held Feb. 21 because ten per cent of the voters of the town at the last general election had petitioned under the law for its submission. The whole four propositions on excise must thus be passed upon by the voters. At present only hotels and druggists are licensed in the town of Cortlandville. The four propositions follow:
Number 1—Selling liquor to be drunk on the premises where sold: Shall any corporation, association, co-partnership or person be authorized to traffic in liquors under the provision of subdivision 1 of Section 11 of the liquor tax law in the town of Cortlandville?
Number 2—Selling liquor not to be drunk on the premises where sold—Shall any corporation, association, co-partnership or person be authorized to traffic in liquor under the provisions of subdivision 2 of Section 11 of the liquor tax law in the town of Cortlandville?
Number 3—Selling liquor as a pharmacist on physician's prescription—Shall any corporation, association, co-partnership or person be authorized to traffic in liquor under provision of subdivision 3 of Section 11 of the liquor tax law in the town of Cortlandville?
Number 4—Selling liquor by hotel keepers—Shall any corporation, association, co-partnership or person be authorized to traffic in liquors under subdivision 1 of Section 11 of the liquor tax law as keeper of a hotel in the town of Cortlandville?
The design of yesterday's meeting was to stir up and create a sentiment in opposition to the granting of licenses. Prof. J. E. Banta called the meeting to order and introduced Dr. F. W. Higgins as the chairman. Dr. Higgins made brief opening remarks, and called upon Rev. W. H. Pound to offer prayer.
The first address was by Rev. J. C. B. Moyer, pastor of the Homer-ave. M. E. church. The speaker referred to the past two years in which the opponents of license have been resting on a partial victory, licenses having been refused to stores and saloons. But the saloons, he said, have added a few more rooms, and have added few more sandwiches to their bills of fare, making themselves hotels, and the number of drinking places has not perceptibly lessened. Some think the temperance banner is being carried too far in advance, and that public sentiment ought to be waited for, but that would never avail, said the speaker.
Mr. Moyer then advanced reasons why liquor should not be sold in Cortland, holding first that it is wrong. No one attempts to defend it or to assign any motives or reasons for it. Some claim that alcohol is as much needed as food on the table, or as medicine, but if used as such, let it be labeled and sold as such. The dispenser thinks only of his own gain, though it ruins the fortunes and homes of the indulgers. The liquor traffic causes a useless expenditure of money. In America $900,000,000 are spent annually for it. So many silver dollars laid back to face and standing on edge would extend 100,000,000 inches, which is 833,335 feet, 5,550 rods or 1,578 miles or from New York City west 800 miles beyond the Mississippi river. The liquor habit tempts men to crime as nothing else does. The traffic is a wrong to the men engaged in lawful trade, such as the shoe merchant, the hardware or the drygoods dealer. One or two hotels in Cortland would be sufficient to accommodate the traveling public. Why not have a dozen hardware stores? The answer comes quickly that it would not pay. There would be just as much sense in putting in a bar in these stores to draw trade as there is in thinking that a hotel cannot be run without a bar. The speaker closed by declaring that he did not believe in a license, high or low, and that while the Raines law is not a good law, it is the best excise law so far enacted.
Rev. D. W. Clark, pastor of the Free Methodist church, said he was totally opposed to the liquor traffic. He could not even honor it with the name of business. He believed that no man has the right to do wrong, and no one has the right to delegate to any one else the right to do wrong. The traffic is a great injury to the man who engages in it; it blunts his sensibilities, hardens him and makes him care for nothing but his personal gain or aggrandizement. It totally destroys the indulger, body, mind and soul.
Prof. Banta closed the meeting by announcing a mass-meeting for men only in Taylor hall next Sunday at 3 o'clock P. M., a meeting at South Cortland Friday night, and meetings Sunday night in the Presbyterian, First Baptist, Universalist, Homer-ave. and Memorial Baptist churches, and a final mass-meeting in the Opera House Monday night. Rev. Charles E. Hamilton of Rochester will be one of the speakers at the Opera House.
The singing yesterday afternoon was led by J. B. Hunt. The benediction was pronounced by Rev. John T. Stone.
BREVITIES.
—Ash Wednesday will be observed at St. Mary's Catholic church on Feb. 15 by high mass at 9 o'clock.
—A regular meeting of the board of directors of the Y. M. C. A. will be held at the association parlor this evening at 7 o'clock.
—McGraw claims the record for cold weather. Saturday night the mercury is said to have descended to 34 degrees below zero.
—The members of Vesta lodge, No. 255, I. O. O. F., are urgently requested to attend the meeting to-night as final arrangements are to be made for attending the funeral of Elmer Bangs.
—New display advertisements to-day are—A. S. Burgess, Spring Hats, page 8; The National Bank Report, page 7; Pearson Bros., Bargains This Week, page 4; F. E. Brogden, Tickets on Watch, page 8.
—The ladies of the Women's Auxiliary of the Y. M. C. A. are urged to be present at the regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 14, at 3:30 o'clock as business of unusual importance is to be presented by the entertainment committee.
—Arrangements have been definitely arranged for the Y. M. C. A. basket ball team to play Cornell at the Normal gymnasium on Friday, Feb. 17. This is Cornell's first team and has never been defeated. Neither has Cortland. It will be interesting from start to finish.
—The lowest temperature recorded in Cortland by the United States weather bureau's official tested thermometer during the present cold snap was 20 degrees below zero at 2 o'clock Sunday morning. At 2 o'clock to-day the temperature got up to 3 degrees above zero, and then it began to settle back again.
—Benjamin Springer of 1 Broadway last week caught in his cellar and exhibited to his friends in the Wickwire wire mills a number of butterflies which had apparently just taken on that form of existence. The temperature of Mr. Springer's cellar must be quite different from the air out-of-doors in these days.
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