FEW PUBLIC MEN COLLEGE BRED

 

Grover Cleveland (U. S. President 1885-1889 and 1893-1897).

Few Public Men College Bred.

   The president of the United States never attended a college of any kind. The acting vice-president, John Sherman, is a graduate of the common schools of Ohio. The secretary of state, Thomas F. Bayard, never got farther than a Delaware rural academy. The speaker of the house, John G. Carlisle, is a self-educated man. Of the entire seventy-four members of the senate, only thirty are graduates of colleges, and of these only twelve hold diplomas from institutions of national reputation. In the house the ratio of college graduates to those who never had any college training is less than one to four, and the collegians are by no means the strongest and most influential men of the body—a statement which also applies to the relative standing and power of the two classes in the senate. The party leaders on both side in both branches of congress are nearly all men whose educational privileges, in the strict sense of the expression, were confined to the ordinary country or village school.

   It seems incredible that Harvard, with all its boasted service and its long array of alumni, really furnishes but one senator. Yale does some better, having three senators to represent her, while Princeton and Hamilton have two each, and Bowdoin and Williams one each. Singularly enough, neither of the senators from Vermont nor New Hampshire is a college graduate, and only one each of those from Maine and Connecticut have that distinction. Few people are aware, we suppose, that Senator Edmunds, the peer of any other man in the nation as to political and legal wisdom and influence, never attended college a day in his life. The same is true of Senator Beck, who is probably the most capable and forceful man on the democratic side. New York, the greatest of the states, has Mr. Evarts, a Yale graduate, to speak for her; but the best representative of college breeding, in manner and in effectiveness (Mr. Ingalls) hails from the comparatively new and untutored state of Kansas.

 

THE DIFFERENCE OF BITTERENCE.

AN INTERESTING LETTER FROM SOUTHERN NEW YORK.

Comparison of Trees and Birds Native in Chemung and Cortland Counties—Larks in January.

   To the Editors McGrawville Sentinel:

   There is not much difference, of course, between Chemung valley and the country around the head waters of the Tioughnioga, but there are katydids down here and I never heard one in Cortland county. They are thick enough in Cayuga county to keep one awake nights. I may be mistaken, but it is my candid opinion that you may live on Trout Brook for a lifetime and never know whether Katy did or Katy didn't.

   Then as for quail, they were all shot off there years ago, or instinctively preferred to risk their lives elsewhere. Would that the queen of game birds might live in peace the year round with the exception of the month of October. One farmer that lives back says a brood of them came into his yard like chickens last summer. There are partridge, too, with the difference that they are called grouse.

   A thing that astonished me was to see a meadow lark flying around us last January. This must be almost the northern limit of their winter residence. I suppose this one will go to the Arctic circle to make its nest, while its more effeminate relatives are coming up here from Georgia.

   Crows do not make any pretense of migrating this winter. There are several other birds to be seen now as they may be anywhere by looking for them—butcher birds, snow birds, sparrows, woodpeckers, chick-a-dees, and some rarer winter visitants.

   The trees of different localities manifest a slight difference. Chestnut trees are very rare in Truxton while they are among the most common here. Pitch pine, ditto. Cucumber wood was a new kind of timber which much resembles basswood. The balls that grow on it look like green cucumbers. I am sorry to say that maple sugar is not native here.

   Witch hazel is probably found all over the state, but may be so sparce in some localities that the people generally have not learned its remarkable yellow sheen of winter blossoms, covering the same limbs where still cling the dry leaves and nuts that open like gaping mouths. We took a branch into the house and were much astonished the next evening to hear the slimy black seeds popping around the room. This performance is done by the shells. Gibson writes, "just as a boy snaps apple seeds between his fingers." The purpose evidently is to scatter widely the seeds that some may find a suitable soil not crowding the parent too much. For the same reason the thistle plumes its little seeds and sends them out upon the wind to find a home for themselves.

   Another striking bush at this time of year is the laurel with its evergreen, smooth, leathery leaf covered with snow. It seems to grow only on certain hillsides like the ground laurel or trailing arbutus, that beautiful poetical creeper, known only to the few botanists and lovers of the woods among the practical McGrawvillians.

   RIP VAN WINKLE, Chemung, N. Y., Feb. 2.

 

RIOT IN LONDON.

MEETING OF THE "STARVING MECHANICS" AND SOCIALISTS.

Dwellings Destroyed, and Citizens Terrified—Saloons and Stores Pillaged.

   LONDON, Feb. 10.—The "starving mechanics" of London Monday held a mass meeting at Trafalgar square around the Nelson monument and it resulted in a riot. The proceedings were opened with an assemblage of 10,000 men. The police were present in large numbers. They at once saw that the socialistic element of London greatly predominated in the crowd, which was also managed by 100 known socialists, and extraordinary vigilance was ordered to preserve the peace at all hazards.

   According to latest estimates there were 150,000 persons engaged in the demonstration. Two-thirds of the crowd were bona fide unemployed, working-men, while the remainder were socialists. The two sections were not in accord, and there were frequent collisions between them. The working-men took no part in the riotous act that followed the meeting at Trafalgar Square. The socialists, aroused to fury by the violent tirades of the speakers in the square created a three hours' reign of terror. Jewelry shops were broken into and their contents carried off by the mob. Carriages containing ladies were stopped in the streets and the occupants forced to alight. Some of them entered the vehicles and drove at the head of the crowd. The mob swept through the streets crying, "Smash the windows! Let's get inside the shops!"

   All decently attired persons who encountered the rioters were maltreated. The wearers of silk hats met with particularly rough usage. Lord Randolph Churchill appeared at a window of the Carlton club building when the mob reached there. He was loudly hooted and menaced with clinched fists by the rioters. The leaders of the socialists, especially Burnes, Hyndman, Williams and Champion, of whom the last named is an ex-captain of artillery, will probably be prosecuted. The most violent acts were committed on North and South Audley streets and Oxford street. Probably two hundred shops and a dozen club houses were seriously damaged, and about fifty shops were pillaged, including jeweler's, bakers, butchers and wineshops. Hundreds of inoffensive people were maltreated. The police were powerless at first, but they ultimately succeeded in restoring order by breaking up the ranks of the rioters into small squads. The military were kept under arms all the evening while policemen patrolled the streets.

   Sparling, a socialist leader, in an interview in relation to the part taken by the socialists in the demonstrations Monday, said that while he did not approve of rioting, still he could not but rejoice at an event which tended to show that society was insecure. In regard to the stone throwing at the Carlton club, Sparling said the members of that body had brought the attack upon themselves by appearing at the windows and laughing and jeering at the mob. In explanation of the rough treatment to which a lady had been subjected by the mob, he said her carriage had been stopped because she was heard to order her coachman to "drive over the dogs." The mob, Sparling said, selected and attacked shops which exhibited the royal arms.

 

A Farmers' Convention.

   A farmers' institute will be held at Cornell University, Ithaca, on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, February 16, 17 and 18, which all are cordially invited to attend. Several short addresses are expected from able speakers on subjects connected with agriculture, which may be followed by brief discussions on the subjects treated. These exercises will be held in some of the rooms of the university buildings. Headquarters of institute will be found in the faculty room, Merrill hall, near the chapel where those attending are invited to register their names. On Tuesday and Wednesday evenings addresses will be given, one by the president of the university, and the other by W. B. Powell. Railroads will make special rates to the delegates returning from Ithaca.

 

Alonzo Dwight Blodgett.

County Agricultural Society.

   The officers of the Cortland County Agricultural society for the ensuing year are as follows:

   President—A. D. Blodgett.

   Vice-President—L. H. Hebbard.

   Secretary—H. R, Rouse.

   Treasurer—G. J. Mager.

   Executive committee—A. D. Blodgett, A. L. Cole, T. H. Wickwire, H. R. Rouse, C. D. Greenman, E. Keater, A. P. Rowley, H. A. Randall, H. Wells of Cortlandville; C. W. Gage, O. Potter, George Daniels, John Scott, L. H. Hebbard, James M. Clarke of Homer; G. P. Squires, J. H. Tripp of Marathon; Seth Hobart, J. D. F. Woolston of Preble; J. H. Seeber of Freetown.

   Messrs. J. S. Barber, A. D. Blodgett, H. A. Randall, and J. R. Hathaway were appointed a committee to revise the by-laws of the society.

 

COURT NEWS.

   The grand jury arose Saturday and reported five indictments.

   Billy Fred, the Italian who was indicted for assault in the second degree on one Collins, was arraigned and pleaded not guilty. He was held to bail in the sum of $500. Fred Hatch was assigned as his counsel and the case sent to next session.

   Giles A. Rood was arraigned on three indictments: First, for assault in the second degree on Harry Chapman; second, for assault in the second degree on Warren Chapman, and the third for "assault in the third degree on Enoch Rood. He pleaded not guilty and the case was sent to the next session. Rood was held to bail in the sum of $500 for the first offence, $300 for the second and $200 for the third.

   Charles Smith was arraigned on an indictment found against him for furnishing oil of tansy to a girl by the name of Card, who lives in Homer. He pleaded not guilty.

   The case of Crosby against Cobb was finished on Tuesday and the jury rendered a verdict of fifty dollars for the plaintiff. This action for slander was tried once before. The jury returned a verdict of no cause of action and the case was appealed and new trial granted. The case will no doubt be carried to the higher courts.

   The case of Michael Muldoon, as overseer of the poor of Truxton, against George Goddard was called, and a jury was drawn. The defendant made a great effort to put the case over the term, but it was denied and Mr. Goddard paid $100 to settle it. This was an action for selling liquor without a license. John Courtney, Jr., appeared for the plaintiff and John O'Donnell for the defendant. This is the first money received for a fine of this kind in a long time.

   In the case of Mary N. Ladd against John A. McKinney of Virgil, for selling liquor to her husband, the jury rendered a verdict Saturday morning of $350 in favor of plaintiff.

   The suit of Henry G. Wilcox for absolute divorce from his wife, Jennie D. Wilcox, was summed up Tuesday morning and the jury rendered a verdict of not guilty.

   The case of George I. Crane against Moses D. Eaton was then called.

 

CORTLAND ITEMS.

   Normal school opened yesterday.

   "Mugg's Landing" was played here Monday night last to a crowded house and gave the best of satisfaction.

   Dorr Mack who has been a hundred day lodger in jail for not supporting his wife and child, was discharged Saturday.

   The Salvation army have opened a barracks at Pioneer [roller skating] rink. The first meeting was held Sunday and are to be held every night at 7:30.

   "Siberia," one of the best spectacular plays on the road, puts in an appearance at Cortland Opera house next Monday night. Prices $1 and $1.50.

   Lincoln lodge, I. O. of G. T., hold an oyster supper at their rooms, February 21. They will furnish supper for thirty cents a couple, the proceeds to apply on the purchase of a new carpet. Sister lodges have been invited.

   Saturday afternoon while some cars loaded with coal on the Elmira, Cortland & Northern railroad were being switched into Martin's coal yard, a brakeman named John Roy caught his right hand between the bumpers cutting two of his fingers off and smashing his hand badly.

 

EDITORS' EASY CHAIR.

   —St. Valentine's day occurs Sunday the 14th.

   —Mine host Hammond of the Central Hotel is in Whitney's Point.

   —Frederick Mooney of Willett was a guest or Dr. Hendrick's yesterday.

   —Frank Wheelock is feeling rather indisposed from the effects of a sore throat.

   —Mrs. G. E. Larrabee, who has been quite ill the past week, is now convalescent.

   —Town meeting tickets and pasters will be printed on short notice at the SENTINEL office.

   —Mrs. O. B. Allord and daughter of Cortland visited in town the latter part of last week.

   —The J. G. F. Club of this place will hold a calico hop in Hammond's hall February 18.

   —John Arnold and Dan McNish of South Cortland called on friends in this place last Monday.

   —Rev. W. A. Huntington of Euclid, Onondaga county, visited his parents in this place last week.

   —Mr. A. Benjamin and wife are stopping in Marathon this week. They went to attend the funeral services of Mr. Bouton.

   —Howard Short, who has been living in Ohio for some two years past, is visiting his parents north of this village. He arrived in town yesterday.

   —Hereafter the McGrawville Grange will meet the first and third Saturday evenings of each month, instead of Friday evenings as heretofore.

   —There will be a union temperance meeting in the Baptist church next Sunday evening. Good speakers will be present. Everyone is urged to come.

  —George Case and wife visited at Center Lisle this week. Well Dibble, the future proprietor, tried his hand at the freight business during George's absence.

   —A large number from this place attended "Mugg's Landing" at the Cortland Opera house Monday evening last. The house was completely filled, as the company deserved.

   —Mrs. Minnie Chamberlin of Rochester, accompanied by Mrs. Joe Hinds, are visiting at present with relatives and friends here. We learn Mrs. Chamberlin has just recovered from a severe illness.

   —Hereafter we shall publish a time card of the E. C. & N. railroad. It has been requested by many of our readers and we trust will prove beneficial to many more. It will be found in another column.

   —The McGrawville Grange will have a farmers' supper of hot biscuit, honey, etc., at Association hall, Friday evening, February 19. A cordial invitation is extended to all. Supper 25 cents. M. M. Brown, our present member of assembly, is expected to be present and deliver an address.

   —We have completed arrangements to club nearly any paper or magazine you may want with the SENTINEL and save you from ten cents to a dollar on the two. Let us know the name of your favorite paper and we can under all probability quote you a good reduction from the list price.

   —In the Homer correspondence of last week, which was received one day too late for publication, we see that the Knights of Labor of that place have issued a local boycott on the firms of Paddock & Brown, hardware dealers; W. N. Brockway, Gage, Hitchcock & Company, and the Homer Wagon Company.

   —John O'Donnell will sell at his residence on the Edgar Warren farm one mile north-east of Freetown Corners, on Saturday, February 20, eight dairy cows, seven-year old bay horse, Victor mowing machine, plows, rakes, wagons, sleighs, harness, and farming utensils generally, also a quantity of hay, oats, etc. Remember the date, Saturday, February 20, 1 P. M.

   —Morning papers throughout the state announced last Saturday the serious illness of Ex-State Senator Dennis McCarthy at his home in Syracuse and despaired of his life. In later issues they did not retract and rectify the erroneous impression which they succeeded in making. Mr. McCarthy has a heart trouble and although seriously ill at that time was not dangerously so.

   —The Ladies Aid society of the Presbyterian church will hold a "mum pie" social on Thursday evening, February 18, at Association hall. The collection will be taken in the usual way. When the refreshments are being served, the word "mum" will be given and the first one to speak will be fined fifty cents; the second, twenty-five cents; the third, ten cents and all after that five cents until the refreshments are over. All are cordially invited.

   —Village President F. W. Perrott is enjoying a few days' vacation from his labor as cutter in the corset factory.

   —The entertainment given by the Ladies Aid society of the Presbyterian church at P. H. McGraw's last Thursday evening was a decided success and added $12 to the treasury.

   —The New York Weekly World, the best paper for news in the United States, and the SENTINEL, one of the best county news papers, will be sent to anyone one year for $1.70 in advance.

   —Clem Hoag of East Homer, who has recently been licensed by his home church as an exhorter, occupied the pulpit of the Baptist church last Sunday evening. He spoke very freely, his thoughts were excellent and he was listened to by an attentive audience.

   —William Bentley, on the Valorus Crandall farm, has had to exhibit this week the queerest thing in the shape of a monster we ever heard of. One of his cows gave birth to a double calf. It had two heads, four front feet, two bodies that were united, distinct ahead but tapering back to nearer the size of one; two complete backbones, two tails and only two hind feet. If still living it would be one of the greatest curiosities in existence.

   —The highway commissioners of the town of Cortlandville have served notice that the usual $250 appropriated town meeting day for work under their care will be insufficient for the ensuing year. They ask for an appropriation of $500 and also that the town secure a loan of not more than six thousand dollars to erect a bridge on Port Watson street across the Tioughnioga river. These suggestions will probably come up before the town electors next Tuesday to be acted upon.

   —Last Thursday evening a very pleasant birthday surprise occurred at the residence of Mrs. Maria Gross on South street. Neighbors and friends took possession of the house while she was calling on her sister, Mrs. Burlingham. Mrs. Gross was sent for and was very much surprised on arriving at her home to find the house so full of kind wishers and many merry faces. The evening was very agreeably spent and some valuable presents, among which were a couch, large picture, etc., were presented to the hostess with appropriate remarks by Mr. G. E. Larrabee in behalf of the company present.