SHERMAN IS NOT DEAD

 

John Sherman.

Cortland Evening Standard, Wednesday, March 22, 1899.

SHERMAN IS NOT DEAD.

Conflicting Emotions Caused by Two Announcements.

ONE REPORT THAT HE WAS DEAD.

This Was Contradicted a Few Hours Afterward, Which Said That He Was Better With Fair Prospects of Recovery—Mr. Sherman Will Be Brought Back at Once.

   WASHINGTON, March 22.—Seldom has official Washington been more completely stirred by conflicting emotions than it was by the announcement, first, of the death of Hon. John Sherman and then by the contradiction of the report which came a few hours later, the one giving relief which was as marked as was the sorrow produced by the other.

   The first report which came from New York was received at 3 o'clock in the afternoon and was circulated in the departments just before they closed for the day. The announcement seemed to follow naturally the other cablegrams of the day stating that the venerable statesman’s condition has grown worse and there was a universal expression of regret and in many cases of personal distress over the news. Cabinet ministers, senators and members of the house expressed deep sorrow, speaking not only in terms of admiration and respect for the ex-senator's public career but dwelling with loving kindness upon his personal character.

   The contradiction of the first report did not arrive until 8:30 o'clock. It came in the shape of a positive statement from Santiago made in the knowledge that the report of Mr. Sherman's death had been circulated. This dispatch was immediately given as wide circulation in the city as it was possible for it to receive at that hour. Secretary Hay was placed in possession of a copy of the dispatch, as were also Mr. Sherman's family.

   "A most marvelous condition of affairs," remarked the secretary. He then proceeded to express his great relief that the first news was not confirmed.

   The news of the reported death took many persons, friends and others, to his house on K street. Among others who were congregated there were the two former private secretaries of Senator Sherman, Mr. Babcock and Mr. Vaile, as well as Miss Kate Willack, a niece, and Mrs. Colonel Charles Hoyt, whose husband was a cousin of Senator Sherman. They and others present read the dispatch, stating that the senator was still alive, with tremulous joy.

   The reading of the glad messages had scarcely been concluded by those present, than Mrs. McCallum, the adopted daughter of Senator and Mrs. Sherman, burst into the room, accompanied by the daughter of General Miles. They had received the news through a telephone message while at General Miles' house and had hurried over to impart it to the rest of the family.

   "It has been a trying day," said Mrs. McCallum, "but all is well again." Indeed there were heartfelt rejoicings and thanksgiving on the part of all those who had assembled at the house when they realized it was true that the invalid was better and might yet be restored to them.

   Mrs. Sherman, the one person of the senator's household who suffered neither from the first announcement nor rejoiced over the second. She was not informed of either. Mrs. Sherman has been quite ill from a paralytic attack for several months and had never been informed even of the senator's serious illness for fear of its effect upon her. It was felt, when the news of his death came, that it would have to be broken to her but all hesitated to make the announcement. She was thus saved the shock.

   Already many telegrams of condolence and personal calls of sympathy had been received at the house.

   Prompt efforts were taken to inform the prominent officials of the administration and others of the safe arrival of Mr. Sherman at Santiago, and it was with a feeling of genuine gratification and satisfaction that this news was received, supplemented by an expression of hope that Mr. Sherman would entirely recover.

   When the report of Mr. Sherman's death was at first circulated a reporter called at the Sherman residence. He was received by Mrs. McCallum, who asked if the report was confirmed. She said:

   "Yes, I have heard it from the state department that he is dead."

   Mrs. McCallum added that she did not know where the state department received their information.

 

State School of Public Health.

   ALBANY, March 22.—An important bill passed by the assembly was Mr. Henry's, for the establishment of a state school of public health at the New York university for the purpose of giving instructions in all matters of public sanitation and in the method and means for the prevention of diseases, purity of water, etc. Twenty-five thousand dollars is appropriated for the equipping of such institution and an additional $25,000 for its maintenance during the first year.

 

THEIR FATE IS SEALED.

No Political Measures Will Be Passed This Session.

The Senate Hopelessly Divided on the Impending Bills —A Number of Important Bills Have Been Passed—A Protest From the Brewers—Bills Protecting Hotel Quests.

   ALBANY, March 22.—The procrastinating policy which has been pursued with regard to the political measures this season has from present indications succeeded in making their passage impossible. Though the police bills, the civil service and the biennial cession amendments were introduced comparatively early in the session, their progress has been painfully slow and their fate is now seemingly sealed. The last of these political propositions, the cause of biennial sessions, is in a comatose state of helplessness from which no one seems inclined to awaken it. The police bills and civil service bill have been amended and re-amended until it would be difficult to discern even the outline of the original proposition. Reforms to prevent in discriminating privileges being granted to corporations have so far failed and unless a decided turn is taken for the better the legislature of 1899 will go down in political history with an inglorious record. A caucus of the Republican senators on the civil service bill brought forth another bolter from the majority, Senator Ambler of Columbia county, who refuses to listen to any arguments in favor of the bill. As it only takes another vote to defeat the measure the Republican leaders are somewhat in a dilemma regarding its probable fate.

   The Astoria Light, Heat and Power company's grab bill was advanced to third reading in the assembly after a hard fight and later passed and is now in the senate committee on miscellaneous corporations.

   The senate railroad committee has amended the celebrated Amsterdam avenue bill by adding an amendment offered by Edward Lauterbach, counsel of the Third Avenue Railroad company. Senator Ford, the introducer of the original bill was much disappointed over the action of the committee, as he believes the amendment will kill the bill as he entertains no hope of its passage in its present form.

   Thus, instead of being a unit in instituting reforms or blocking bad legislation, the majority in the senate, where the real fight is in progress, is hopelessly divided. This state of affairs is not due to the great majority of the Republican senators and with but one or two exceptions the older Republicans of the upper house adhere to the old principle that "honesty is the best policy"' in the long run. The blame for the unnecessary delay in political legislation can be laid at the door of a few senators who cannot be reconciled to drop prejudice for party good. Governor Roosevelt has been characterized as entering his first gubernatorial administration with a white elephant on his hands but it is a comfort to know that in his veto power he holds the key to the situation. If no positive good is to be accomplished this winter at least a negative good may be realized in the governor preventing any bad legislation from being enacted.

   Though the progress of these bills have been slow they have now reached a position where a decisive vote must be taken. The police bills are on the calendars of both houses and Senator Raines, who introduced them in the senate, is said to have decided that further delay will not improve their chance of passing. The senate judiciary committee will consider amendments to the civil service bill suggested at the last hearing by the counsel of the Civil Service Reform association, and the bill will be reported this week. The committee's action on the amendments will show whether any honest effort is to be made to pass a real reform measure. The Civil Service Reform association has pronounced the bill in its present form to be less desirable than the existing law, and if the committee and the Republican caucus refuse to sanction the amendments suggested by the association, their action would be taken to mean that there is to be no civil service reform legislation this winter.

Many Bills Passed.

   After a hard fight by Senator Krum of Schoharie county, Assemblyman Schoeneck's bill giving boards of supervisors in counties, that have improved highways, power to regulate the width of tires on vehicles carrying a weight of 1,500 pounds or over, has been passed by the senate. When it was called for final passage Senator Krum moved to recommit the bill, but the motion was lost by a vote of 26 to 7. He contended that there should be some general law, which should be contained in the session laws of the state, whereby the people could have an opportunity to become acquainted with the laws of the different counties of the state through which they might have occasion to travel. To give to the board of supervisors power to adopt different laws for different counties would create a confusion which only could be disastrous. He then tried to amend it, but was again defeated. The bill was finally passed by a vote of 30 to 7.

   Among the other bills which have passed the senate are: Senator Humprey's, providing that the surplus moneys arising from the foreclosure of loan office mortgages shall be deposited with the county treasurer; also providing that the expenses of the transfer of a prisoner to Matteawan state hospital shall be borne by the county if the prisoner be a resident of the county and, if not, by the state; Senator Donnelly's bill perfecting the anti-trust law; Senator Brackett's wampum bill which authorizes the university of the state of New York power to secure by purchase, suit or otherwise any wampums which have ever belonged to any of the tribes of the Five Nations. The bill is aimed at ex-Mayor John Boyd Thatcher, who some years before the state university had been appointed official wampum keeper, had purchased several of the wampums from the New York Indians.

   Assemblyman Hitchcock's bill to make Brant lake a public highway for logging operations has met with forcible opposition and an amendment has been added to the original bill. The measure as introduced provided that Spuyten Devil creek, Brant lake and Brant lake creek, tributaries of the Schroon river in the county of Warren, are hereby declared to be public highways, for the purpose of floating logs, timber and lumber down such streams. All dams and booms hereafter erected in such streams shall be so constructed as to have a free passage for logs, timber and lumber, of at least 20 feet in width, and persons desiring to run streams may rearrange any booms or dams already constructed so as to permit the free passage of logs, timber and lumber.

   Any person desiring to use said streams as a public highway may apply to a special term of the supreme court for the appointment of three commissioners to appraise the damages of the riparian owners on said streams on eight days' notice to, and on service of a copy of the application to said supreme court, on said owners, and notice when and where the same will be presented. What was feared was that the law confers power on the commission provided to authorize the construction of a retaining dam at the mouth of the lake, so that water may be stored in the spring with which to feed Schroon river in the summer, for the purpose of making its current sufficient to float logs from other points along its banks when the dry season is prevalent in the woods. The bill as reported by the internal affairs committee seeks to allay the fear of the opposition by providing as follows: "But nothing contained in this act shall contemplate the raising or lowering of waters in Brant lake by construction of dams or booms in said lake."

Brewers Protest.

   Senator Krum's bill placing a tax of 1 per cent on the gross receipts of all brewing companies has stirred up a hornet's nest among the brewers. At a hearing the other day before the senate committee on taxation and retrenchment the measure was viciously opposed. Gallus Thomayn, secretary of the State Brewers' and Malsters' association, at the head of a delegation of brewers from various parts of the state, formed a strong phalanx against the bill. Mr. Thomayn declared that the brewers were suffering from over taxation now and that any further taxation would virtually drive them out of business. It was a mistaken idea, he said, that all brewers and brewing concerns were great money makers for statistics showed that 25 per cent of the brewing concerns went into the hands of receivers yearly. They could not be considered on the same plane with other business institutions because they alone paid a tax, and an exceedingly heavy one, to the federal government. He believed that the passage of the bill would seriously militate against the brewers of the state to the advantage of the brewers of adjacent states. If the bill became a law it would mean one or two things, either the brewers would have to make a poorer quality of beer or the expenses of their establishments would have to be curtailed and probably both. C. P. Pankow of Buffalo, president of the association; W. K. Clarkson, president of the New York Board of Trade, and Mathias Kondolf of Rochester, also spoke against the bill. The committee took no action.

Voting Machines.

   The senate judiciary committee has made a favorable report upon Senator Parson's voting machine bills. The first provides for the creation of a voting machine commission who shall examine all machines submitted to it and file a report with the secretary of state. Any machine approved by this commission may be used at all elections upon its adoption by the police board of New York city, the common council of any city or local authorities of any town or village. The other makes it a misdemeanor for any person to willfully injure or destroy any voting machine or to commit or attempt to commit a fraud in the use of the machine.

   The annual supply bill, as finally agreed upon by the ways and means committee and reported in the assembly calls for a total appropriation of $1,251,146. Of this $79,000 consists of refunds from the banking, insurance and railroad departments, so that only $1,172,146 of this amount will have to go into the tax levy. Last year the total of the supply bill was $1,788,580.

Protecting Hotel Guests.

   The terrible hotel fire in New York city last week has caused several bills to be introduced in the legislature calculated to make more stringent regulations in regard to the placing of fire escapes in hotels. Several years ago as the result of the Hotel Royal fire in New York city a statute was enacted providing for fire escapes in each room of a hotel. The measures recently introduced are even more definite, stating the nature and efficiency of the appliances and making it mandatory that more general provisions for the safety of life be made. The bills are all by New York assemblymen, Messrs. Green, Harburger and Hoffman. One of the bills provides that it shall be the duty of the proprietor, owner, agent, manager or leasee of every hotel which shall have accommodations for 100 guests or more to provide on the outside of such buildings fire escapes or means of escape in case of fire on each and every floor excepting the ground or first floors. The fire escapes shall extend the entire length and sides of the building and such fire escapes shall afford egress to the roof and to the street in front of and around said building. Any person not complying with the provisions of this act shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.

   Mr. Hoffman's bill provides that all hotels in New York city over 40 feet in height and with more than 20 rooms shall have a balcony on each floor over 40 feet from the ground. This balcony is to be made of iron or other material as the department of public buildings may require. These are to be maintained in connection with the fire escapes. Modern fire proof hotels are exempt from the provisions of the act on the certificate of the department of public buildings. If an owner, leasee or person renting the property fails to comply with the act he is guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of $1,000 or 60 days in prison.

   Mr. Green's bill makes the violation of the fire law a felony.

 

COUNTY COURT.

Welch Boys Sent to Rochester—Mosher Pleads Guilty and is Sentenced.

   In county court the case of Charles Gillett, respondent, vs. William T. Perkins, appellant, which had been on trial for two days was completed. The jury brought in a verdict for $145.33, the full amount claimed. Edwin W. Hyatt for plaintiff. Bronson & Davis for defendant.

   In the case of The People vs. Orville Pickert, indicted for assault in the second degree, H. L. Bronson of counsel for defendant made a motion to put the case over the term. Judge Eggleston held the matter under consideration and did not decide. One material witness for the defendant was conceded to be ill and unable to attend court just now. If the witness should be able to be present before the court adjourns or at such a time as this court may adjourn to the case may still be tried. District Attorney Edwin Duffey for the prosecution. Bronson & Davis for the defendant.

   Henry and George Welch, the two boys who pleaded guilty to the charge of grand larceny in the second degree, were sentenced to Rochester Industrial school for an indeterminate period. It will be remembered that these are the boys who took the horses of L. D. Taylor from his pasture on the Truxton road one night early in November, 1898, and abandoned them near McLean. They were afterwards caught by Deputy Sheriff John Miller under a bed in a house in the north part of town. They stated on oath that they were respectively 14 and 13 years old. District Attorney Duffey for the plaintiff. E. W. Hyatt for defendant.

   In the case of The People vs. Charles Mosher, indicted for keeping a disorderly house, the defendant pleaded guilty and sentenced to pay a fine of $250 or spend 250 days in Onondaga penitentiary. District Attorney Duffey for the plaintiff. Dougherty & Miller for the defendant.

   Philip Cuneo was naturalized as a citizen of the United States.

   The case of The People vs. Erving Congdon is now on trial. The defendant is indicted criminally for receiving stolen property, and it is alleged that the defendant knew it was stolen at the time. District Attorney Edwin Duffey for the plaintiff. E. E. Mellon for the defendant.

 

Death of Dr. Ball.

   Dr. Jay Ball, who in his prime was one of the leading medical practitioners in Cortland county, died at 8 o'clock this morning in rooms in the house of C. Van Alstine, 47 North Main-st., which he with Mrs. Ball has been occupying for some months.

   Dr. Ball was born in Berkshire, Tioga county, May 10, 1827, and received his early education in the schools of his native town. When but a boy, he had a desire for professional life, and at an early age began the study of medicine with Dr. Rowell at Owego. His first course of lectures was taken at the Geneva Medical college, and at the age of 21 he was graduated from the medical department of the University of New York. His first practice was made at Virgil, where he remained five years, going then to Homer where he practiced six years. He then removed to Cortland, where he has since been pursuing his profession. Since 1884, however, owing to declining health and advancing years, he has spent his winters at Auburndale, Fla.

   Miss Jennie Louise McConnell of Sempronius became the wife of Dr. Ball in 1858, and she survives him. They have one son, Dr. Halsey J. Ball of Scott. Two brothers survive Dr. Ball, Messrs. P. H. Ball of Erie, Pa., and John Ball of Berkshire.

   The funeral will be held Friday at 2 o'clock P. M. from 47 North Main-st., and burial will be made in Cortland Rural cemetery.

 

THE EIGHT HOUR LAW.

To be Tested by an Action Brought Against Cortland Ministers.

   Reference has already been made to a mock trial to be held early in April under the auspices of the Women's Auxiliary of the Y. M. C. A. The eight hour law is to be tested by an action to be brought in the name of The People of the State of New York against four Cortland ministers, Rev. O. A. Houghton, D. D., Rev. John Timothy Stone, Rev. W. H. Pound and Rev. Amos Watkins, for inciting people to break the law in question. Plans for the trial of this case are being made and further announcements will be made from time to time.

   So far it has been decided that the trial will occur in Normal hall on April 4 and 5 beginning at 7:30 o'clock each evening. Judge J. E. Eggleston will preside. The prosecution will be conducted by District Attorney Edwin Duffey. The defense will be made by Kellogg & Van Hoesen. Both sides will doubtless have other counsel to assist. Prof. J. E. Banta will be sheriff; Albert W. Edgcomb, crier; and other court officers will be Arthur F. Stilson, Edward Stilson, O. A. Kinney, B. L. Webb and E. C. Palmer. A panel of jurors is to be drawn in a few days and the names will then be published.

   The following subpoenaes were issued this morning:

   In the Name of The People of the State of New York:

   To F. R. Faville, Otis C. Smith, David Wesson, Edward D. Blodgett, Carrie D. Halbert, Marguerite Force, Dr. F. W. Riggins, Grace E. Hubbard, Joseph G. Jarvis, Arthur B. Nelson, E. E. Ellis, S. N. Holden, E. C. Cleaves, Wm. M. Booth, Carrie Monell Curry, Dr. E. B. Nash, F. B. Nourse, Dinah Washington and Bridget O'Fanigan:

   You are commanded to appear before the stupendous court at the Normal hall in the village of Cortland in and for the county of Cortland, N. Y., on the 4th and 5th days of April 1899, at 7:30 o'clock P. M., as a witness in a criminal action prosecuted by The People of the state of New York, against Rev. Dr. O. A. Houghton, Rev. John Timothy Stone, Rev. W. H. Pound and Rev. Amos Watkins charged with the crime of infringement on the eight hour law and have you then there all letters, books, papers and scandals relating to or in which anything is said in relation to such criminal charge or to the defendants.

   Issued the 22nd day of March 1899.

   EDWIN DUFFEY, District Attorney of Cortland County.

 

BREVITIES.

   —Police Justice Davis gave two tramps thirty minutes in which to leave town this morning.

   —There will be a regular convocation of Cortland chapter, No. 104, R. A. M. to-night. The Royal Arch degree will be conferred.

   —Fayette park in Syracuse has been renamed by the common council White park in honor of the late Hamilton S. White of that city.

   —Further information concerning the Greater New York teachers' examinations recently held at the Cortland Normal school shows that each one of the eight who entered passed the examination sufficiently well to be offered a position in that city.

   —Arrangements are nearly completed for the presentation in the near future of the operetta, "The Merry Milkmaids," under the auspices of St. Mary's church and under the direction of Prof. A. D. Lane, who so successfully conducted "Belshazzar" recently.

   —Attention is called to the fine continued story "A Garrison Tangle," which is begun to-day. It is from the pen of that popular writer Capt. Charles King, who has come to so much prominence by reason of his gallantry in action at Manila. It is worthy of the reading of all.

   —New display advertisements to-day are—Dey Brothers & Co., Crockery department, page 7; Pope Mfg. Co.. Bicycles, page 7; Burgess, Our special top coats, page 7; Model Clothing Co., Top coat and hat sense, page 6; Mrs. Warren, Samson's compound, page 5; Mrs. J. T. Davern & Co., Easter millinery, page 6.

   —All local users of the electric lights will be glad to know that under a new arrangement the incandescent circuits will be run the whole of the day and night hereafter except the one hour from 12 to 1 o'clock each noon. This will be a great convenience, and General Manager Westcott will receive the thanks of many for bringing it about.

   —Invitations are out for the wedding of Mr. N. Fillmore Mather and Miss Lizzie Vashti Salisbury, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. B. Salisbury, which will occur at the home of Mr. and Mrs. A. A. Sprague, 144 Port Watson-st., on Wednesday, April 5, at 8 o'clock P. M. Mr. and Mrs. Mather will be at home after May 1 on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 20 Reynolds-ave.