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| Joe Choynski. |
Cortland Evening Standard, Thursday, January 25, 1900.
HORTON LAW DENOUNCED.
Petitions and Memorials Presented Praying For Its Repeal.
ALBANY, Jan. 25.—The codes committee of the assembly gave a hearing yesterday on Assemblyman Lewis' bill, which calls for the entire repeal of the so-called Horton law which permits prizefighting in the state. Petitions and memorials from the citizens of Franklin, Wayne and Clinton counties urging the committee to report the bill favorably were presented by the assembly representatives or these respective counties. Rev. Dr. Rite, pastor of the Trinity Methodist Episcopal church of the city, who was the first speaker, said:
"There was an overwhelming sentiment through the state for the repeal of the law."
Mr. Lewis, the introducer of the bill, was the last speaker. He said: "My bill was really introduced a year in advance of public sentiment. It was regarded at that time as a huge joke, and an amendment was tacked on by a gentleman supposed to be interested in prizefighting for profit, which forced me to move to strike out the enacting clause and virtually killing the bill. For nearly 50 years the policy of the state has been to prohibit everything in the nature of a prizefight. Fighters are regarded as brawlers and disturbers of the public peace.
"What is the result of the Horton law? The passage of that act opened the doors of the state of New York to every prizefighter. Those persons who 'toil not, neither do they spin,' but who desire to promote their own selfish purposes without giving anything of value in return, proceeded to incorporate athletic associations and to lease buildings in which to hold fights. The provision tacked to section 468 in 1896 was designed deliberately for the purpose of permitting the carrying on of prizefighting in this state for profit. No other reason can be assigned. No person can tell me that George Horton did not know what results would follow.
"Sparring was permitted by members of athletic associations before the Horton law was passed and will be permitted after it is repealed.
"But sparring for exercise and fun is not prizefighting such as is conducted by the athletic clubs of Greater New York.
"Statistics will show you that last year nine human beings lost their lives in the United States in the prize ring. This law as it now stands permits about a dozen men of New York city to fill their pockets. These favored few conspired together to secure the passage of an amendment to the law so that they could give prizefights for an admission and disgrace the state.
"No man here will dare say that the Choynski-McCoy fight was not a brutal exhibition or the one that preceded it. If the law permitting prizefighting is to remain on our statute books, then in Heaven's name, let us place dueling also on the statute books. You legislators will be held responsible by the people if this law be not repealed, as the eyes of the masses are fastened upon you, and I tell you, gentlemen, that whosoever fails to vote for this repeal is a doomed man. Popular sentiment demands its repeal, and you must bow to the inevitable."
Pan-American Exposition Buildings.
ALBANY, Jan. 25.—The ways and means committee of the assembly will today favorably report Mr. Hill's bill in relation to the location, construction and disposition of the state building to be erected for use at the Pan-American Exposition and thereafter to become the property of the Buffalo Historical society.
Out of the $300,000 appropriated, $100,000 is to be used in the erection of the building.
Bills Signed By the Governor.
ALBANY: Jan. 25.—Governor Roosevelt has signed chapters 3 and 4 of the laws of 1900. They are:
Chapter 3—Mr. Kelsey's legalizing a special election held at Lima, Livingston county, at which a bond issue for water works purposes was voted on.
Chapter 4—Mr. Fish's, incorporating Edward G. Carpenter, Gardner Colby and James C. Colgate with additional persons not to exceed four, as trustees of the Dodge Memorial Fund of Colgate University.
PAGE TWO—EDITORIALS.
Must Pay Their Debts.
The United States government is fully determined upon one thing—all its employees must pay their debts. If they do not they are liable to hear from headquarters, as a complaint from a creditor is pretty sure to be investigated and bring fruit. An example of this has just been noted in the press dispatches. Edward Elias, assurer of the San Francisco mint, has been dismissed because he failed to pay a female house servant $62.50 that he had owed her for six months' service. His salary was $250 a month. The woman got judgment against him, but when he paid her only small amounts at a time she became disgusted and appealed to the treasury department, calling attention to the rule that a government official who fails to pay for the necessaries of life is liable to dismissal. The secretary of the treasury failed to act on the first letter, but when a second came from the woman's attorney he dismissed Elias and the president nominated his successor. The dismissal was a great surprise to Elias. He had no hint of the woman's action.
◘ Brigham Roberts intimates that he will take his case to the supreme court of the United States, if the house refuses to admit him in obedience to the "sovereign will of Utah." Probably he will do nothing of the kind, says the Utica Herald. Some one will kindly call his attention to the constitutional provision which makes each house of congress final judge of the qualification and election of its members. The thing for Roberts to do, after the vote shutting the congress door against him, is to go home and be as good a citizen as the circumstances surrounding him will permit him to be.
NEW CHINESE EMPEROR.
A Nine-year-old Boy to Ascend the Throne on January 31.
SHANGHAI, Jan. 25.—The North China Daily News publishes an edict signed last night by Emperor Kwaug Su appointing as emperor in his place Put Sing, the nine-year-old son of Prince Tuano. The new emperor will ascend the throne on January 31.
REV. AMOS WATKINS
May be Called to Rectorship Of Christ Church, Oswego.
Two members of Christ Episcopal church, Oswego, were in the congregation of Grace Episcopal church in Cortland on Sunday with the idea of hearing Rev. Amos Watkins. The rector of the Christ church is looking for a rector.
These gentlemen made a call of courtesy upon Mr. Watkins after service, and went home on the 4:39 train that afternoon. They gave no expression of their opinion to anyone as to their approval or disapproval. Several members of the congregation recognized them as churchmen and noted the fact of their arrival and departure on Sunday and that both were registered at The Kremlin as from Oswego. This gave rise to the idea at once that they were after Mr. Watkins. When that gentleman was inquired of as to the matter he could say nothing more than that they had been here, but had made no proposition nor had they given any intention of their purpose or thought of making one. At Mr. Watkins' earnest request the matter has not been referred to hitherto in The STANDARD, but a secret of this kind takes wings to itself and so many know it already that there is nothing to be gained in withholding the facts longer.
Whether anything will come of it is uncertain and what Mr. Watkins would decide to do if a proposition came is still unknown, but Cortland would be very sorry to lose him. He has been here six years and has won the respect and regard of many outside of his own society and congregation as well as of all within it by his manly christian character, his earnestness, his unvarying courteousness and kindness of heart and his most pronounced ability as a preacher of the Word and a scholar along Biblical and all secular lines.
Death of Mrs. Brooks.
Mrs. George H. Brooks died at her home, 23 Arthur-ave., at 11:30 o'clock to-day, aged 47 years. The funeral arrangements have not yet been completed, but will be announced later.
Mrs. Louisa Carr Palmer.
Mrs. Louisa Carr Palmer died from pneumonia at 8:30 o'clock this morning at her borne in Blodgett Mills after a brief illness. Funeral services will be held at the house Sunday at 1 P. M. and burial will be made in Cortland.
Mrs. Palmer leaves one daughter, Mrs. Lyman Potter and one son, Mr. Vernon E. Palmer, both of whom lived with her at Blodgett Mills. She is also survived by one sister, Mrs. J. H. Seeber of Cortland, and two brothers, Messrs. Solomon Carr of Blodgett Mills and Wilber Carr of Freetown.
REPLY TO DR. HOUGHTON.
Supervisor Hunt of Preble Thinks Little of Raines Law Inspectors.
To the Editor of the Standard:
SIR—Judging from the article from the pen of the Rev. Dr. Houghton which appeared in your issue of Jan. 20 it would seem that the reverend gentleman feels that the special agents of the commissioner of excise who have recently been operating in this county have been put upon the defensive, and he seeks with his pen to come to their rescue by stating first that they passed the civil service examination after they had secured the recommendation of two or three of their friends that they were proper candidates for such examination—and every man who knows anything of politics knows what that means—and then that after passing that examination they received their appointment, subscribed to the necessary oath, executed the required bond, and are paid a salary of $1,200 a year, and necessary expenses.
There are many men in Cortland county, even among the liquor sellers themselves, who could do all those things, and would be glad of the opportunity particularly that of drawing the salary of $1,200 a year. The learned gentleman has said, by implication, that the excise department was notified that liquor was being sold in this county in violation of law and that the department sent two agents here with instructions to report each night. Suppose that they had reported that they were unable to discover any violations of the law here, does any one believe that they would be drawing their $1,200 salary to-day? Was there any pecuniary motive for them to report that the law was being violated? Was there any incentive for them to go upon the witness stand and substantiate that report?
The closing sentence of the gentleman's article is, "Almost any method of detecting crime is honorable and praiseworthy." I trust he did not reflect upon that thought. Certainly he would not condone the crime of perjury, that a person might be convicted of a petty offense that would subject him to a fine of a few paltry dollars.
Again I trust he did not reflect upon the terrible arraignment which the county officers got by his article. For he evidently believes that the law was being violated and that the sheriff, deputy-sheriffs, policemen and constables were cognizant of the fact, and that their failure to do their duty necessitated the employment of special agents.
The criticisms showered upon the attorneys for the defendant in the case of The People vs. Crane, I think should be toned down.
Let us glance at the evidence in the case. The prosecution produced the two salaried agents who swore to certain facts without a single circumstance to support their evidence. Mr. Crane, a man whose reputation for truth and veracity is beyond question, whose testimony is absolutely unimpeachable, else the district attorney would have taken advantage of it—for no one can dispute that he did try the case carefully and thoroughly—disputed them squarely and pointedly. Several citizens of the county, gentleman who are respected in the several communities in which they live, one of them an old gentleman, who had passed the allotted time of man three score and ten, tottering on the brink of the grave upon borrowed time, and none of them in any way interested in Mr. Crane or in his business affairs, with no reason apparent or imaginable why they should go upon the witness stand and testify other than truthfully, all this substantiated Mr. Crane in every important particular. Therefore it is a fact that perjury was committed. Will the reverend gentlemen in the quiet of his own home, in the privacy of his own room, ask himself this question—who committed the perjury; was it the $1,200 witnesses, or was it the half dozen honored and respected citizens of Cortland county? I believe the answer that will pervade the atmosphere of that room will be so clear and convincing that the gentleman will at once see that the interest he took in that trial and the disappointment he felt at its termination had so worked upon him that he became careless with his pen and he wrote that which he would not have written upon careful second thought.
With very great reverence for Dr. Houghton and his profession, and his professional co-workers, I sign myself, H. D. HUNT, Preble, N. Y.
THE WOMAN'S PAPER
Read to an Enthusiastic Audience at the First M. E. Church.
There was an enthusiastic audience at the newspaper social at the First M. E. church last night. The ladies had prepared a newspaper with all departments, and it was read during the course of the evening much to the amusement and edification of those present. The program was as follows, the first four numbers being editorials:
The Philippine Islands—Shall we Annex Them?—Mrs. Jayne.
Should Women take an Active Part in Politics?—Mrs. Linderman.
The Temperance Question in Cortland—Miss Hare.
Should the Curfew Bell be Run in Cortland?—Mrs. Weiler.
Home Department—Miss Haskins.
Music Department —Mrs. Twiss.
Brevities—Mrs. Nash.
Story Department—Mrs. Kellogg.
Puzzle Department—Mrs. Higgins.
Local Personals—Mrs. Doubleday.
Advertisements—Mrs. Maritt.
Subscription Editor—Mrs. Alexander.
Refreshments in charge of Mrs. Conable.
APOPLEXY THE CAUSE
Mr. Erastus Miller Found Dead in His Bed To-day.
Mr. Erastus Miller, who has been living at the home of his son, Alonzo Miller, near the brick schoolhouse, was found dead in his bed at noon to-day. Mr. Miller had been called several times during the forenoon, but the family, thinking he was sleeping, did not try farther means of rousing him until nearly dinner time. Upon going to his room it was found that the man was dead. Coroner Moore was summoned and he pronounced death due to apoplexy. Mr. Miller had evidently been dead for about six hours. He was 77 years of age.
Avalon Club Party.
About twenty couples enjoyed an evening of dancing at the Avalon club's party last night at Empire hall, McDermott's orchestra furnishing fine music. An excellent supper was served at Bennetts'. The dancers included guests from Syracuse, Groton and McGraw.
FORTNIGHTLY CLUB.
Miss Bishop Gives a Charming Talk on Rome from Personal Experience.
The Fortnightly club met with Miss Hinman yesterday afternoon. A full number of members was in attendance together with a few guests. The program offered more than ordinary interest, Miss Maria W. Bishop being the guest of honor who had consented to talk on the subject of Rome, drawing largely for her material upon personal experiences in Italy. Miss Bishop made the mental picture of Rome more vivid by showing on a map the parts of the city which she wished to describe, and in locating the various objects of interest which travelers in Rome are likely to see. A large collection of photographs and some curios added something more to the great interest which all felt in the charming conversational description of Miss Bishop.
A solo by Mrs. James Walsh and a piano duet by Miss Halbert and Mrs. Walsh added materially to the pleasure of the afternoon. Light refreshments were served at the close of the program.
Funeral of Agnes Robertson.
The funeral of Agnes Johnston Robertson, infant daughter of Mr. Robert Swan Robertson, will be held at the house, 25 Prospect-st., at 3:30 o'clock Friday afternoon. The death occurred very suddenly and unexpectedly at about 3:30 o'clock yesterday afternoon. She had been ill with pneumonia for two weeks past, but was yesterday afternoon quite as comfortable as at any time during the past week, and in fact took her medicine ten minutes before she died. Her father was up from New York on Sunday, but returned that night thinking that she was doing well. He came back to Cortland this morning. Suddenly yesterday afternoon she closed her eyes and stopped breathing, without a struggle or a gasp.
Agnes was one of the twin daughters born to Mr. and Mrs. Robertson on Feb. 28, 1899. Her mother, who was formerly Miss E. Jeannette Collins of Cortland, died on April 3 following and the two little girls were brought to Cortland from New York, the home of their father, to be cared for by Mrs. J. L. Robertson and Mrs. B. L. Webb, mother and sister of Mr. Robertson.
BREVITIES.
—The proposed parlor meeting under the auspices of the W. C. T. U. has been postponed indefinitely.
—Earlville advertises for a produce merchant. A good opening for a progressive business man.
—Cortland Commandery, No. 50, K. T., will confer the order of temple at its regular conclave Friday evening.
—The Loyal circle of King's Daughters will meet to-morrow afternoon with Mrs. C. F. Thompson, 23 Clayton-ave.
—Cortland chapter, No. 194, R. A. M., will hold a special convocation this evening for the purpose of conferring the M. M. degree.
—The STANDARD is indebted to Clerk Edmond C. Alger for a handsomely bound copy of the proceedings of the board of supervisors for 1899.
—The regular meeting of Y. W. C. T. U. will this week be postponed on account of the revival services which are being conducted at First Baptist church.
—New display advertisements to-day are—F. D. Smith, The reputation, page 6; Opera House, Maude Hillman, page 5; Dey Brothers & Co., Great opportunities, page 7.
—Now here's a reason why marriage should be encouraged. It is said that among every 1,000 bachelors there are thirty-eight criminals and among married men the ratio is only 18 per 1,000.
—Rev. M. H. Kendrick will preach Thursday and Friday evenings at the Free Methodist church and Saturday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock. Quarterly meeting services will be held next Sunday.
—Invitations are out for the wedding of Mr. Charles Morse and Miss Jessie Louise Gutcheus both of East Homer, which will occur at the home of the bride's parents, Wednesday afternoon, Jan. 31, at 2 P.M.
—Farmers and threshers in this section are taking much interest in the windstacker which the Groton Bridge & Manufacturing Co., are preparing to equip separators with. It revolutionizes this part of threshing—the carrying off the straw.—Groton Journal.
—Lent begins this year on the last day of February. It ends with the 14th day of April. Easter Sunday will fall on the 15th, Good Friday on the 13th, Palm Sunday on the 8th of April, St. Patrick's day will be on Saturday, the 17th of March.
—A cigarette bill has been introduced into the legislature that fixes the license fee at $50 for all dealers in cigarettes and makes it a misdemeanor for any person to sell cigarettes to any one under 21 years of age, under a penalty of a $25 fine. Any person who shall be thrice convicted of selling cigarettes to a minor shall forfeit his license.
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