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| Sen. George Frisbie Hoar. |
Cortland Evening Standard, Tuesday, January 30, 1900.
CONSUL DENOUNCED.
Senator Mason Scores British Official at New Orleans.
BRITAIN'S WAR POLICY DERIDED.
Senator Tillman Delivers a Characteristic Speech on the Philippine Question. Bill For Reorganizing Weather Bureau Side Tracked in the House.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 30.—Senator Mason arose yesterday soon after the senate convened to a question of privilege and sharply attacked the British government and the British vice consul at New Orleans because of an interview in which the vice consul had assailed Mr. Mason for the position he had taken in behalf of the Transvaal in its war with Great Britain. Mr. Mason attacked not only the consul, but the policy of Great Britain in levying war upon an inferior nation.
Mr. Hoar thought the consul's purported remarks so serious that they ought to be investigated by the government and at the same time he deprecated any attack upon Great Britain, with the people of which the American people ought not only to live in peace, but as loving and devoted friends.
Mr. Lodge (Rep., Mass.) sharply arraigned the British consul for his utterances against a United States senator and believed it ought not lightly to be passed.
Mr. Tillman delivered a forceful and quite characteristic speech on the Philippine question, in which he maintained that this government ought to extend the Filipinos the right to govern themselves, the United States guarding them against the aggression of other nations.
IN THE HOUSE.
Hot Discussion Over Bill Reorganizing Weather Bureau.
The bill for the reorganization and improvement of the weather bureau, which includes provision for pensioning disabled and aged employes [sic] of the service, received a black eye in the house. The bill was bitterly fought by the opponents of civil pension rolls on account of the life tenure provision it contained, and it was side-tracked on a test vote of 57 to 73.
Although the speaker ruled that it remained unfinished business when the house was again in committee of the whole, the opponents of the measure believe the action yesterday killed it.
The early portion of the day was devoted to a lively scrimmage over the Sulzer resolution to investigate Secretary Gage, which the committee on rules recommended should be sent to the ways and means committee as the latter committee has the response of the secretary in its possession.
There was no opposition to the proposed action, but Mr. Richardson and Mr. Sulzer used it as a text for renewing their attacks upon the secretary. Mr. Gage was defended by Mr. Hopkins, Mr. Hill and Mr. Dalzell.
A bill to require pilots and officers of steam vessels to make oath to their applications for licenses was passed.
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| William McKinley. |
McKinley 57 Years Old.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 30.—President McKinley was 57 years old yesterday, having been born at Niles, Trumbull county, Ohio, Jan. 29, 1843. He received many congratulations from visitors and a large number of cablegrams and telegrams. Many floral remembrances were sent him.
THE TRUCK MURDER TRIAL.
Date for its Beginning Set Down Friday, Feb. 23.
The trial of John Truck, charged with murdering Frank W. Miller in Virgil on the night of March 14, 1899, has been set down for Friday, Feb. 23. This is a singular time of the week to begin a trial that promises to be as lengthy as the Truck case, but Feb. 22 is a legal holiday and court could not sit upon that day, so to avoid the holding of a jury over a holiday the case will begin immediately following the holiday. The old superstition of Friday will perhaps occur to some, but the question is to whom will it carry the bad luck if any, to the prosecution or the defense. The case promises to be a very interesting one and The STANDARD will report it very fully.
SUPERVISOR HUNT
Makes a Further Reply to Dr. O. A. Houghton.
To the Editor of the Standard:
SIR—If I am not crowding your good nature by taking up too much of the valuable space in your paper, I beg you to indulge me this once more that I may express my joy at knowing that Dr. Houghton has taken a more liberal view of one of the matters we have had under discussion through your columns, namely: The credibility of the witnesses in the case of The People vs. Crane. I am pleased that Dr. Houghton with myself and all unprejudiced people, "can readily believe the words of the old gentleman, and all the others who swore that they had only peach cider out of that bottle," and the question as to what he thinks of the evidence of the prosecution in that case need not be asked, for the great effort he makes to smother that opinion clearly indicates what that answer is down deep in his own mind and conscience.
This case in court was not, as your readers well know, the question that I primarily desired to discuss. That which attracted my attention was the proposition of Dr. Houghton, "That almost any method of detecting crime was honorable and praiseworthy.'' I do not wonder that he in his last article should seek to "obscure the real issue," for certainly he, as a Christian teacher and as a moralist, would not for one moment attempt to defend that proposition, and that is why I think his pen must have moved faster than his thoughts. Certainly, he as a teacher of higher, purer, and nobler thoughts and deeds, would not say in a Christian land to an enlightened people: Do evil that good may come. Nay, I believe his advice to every person within the circle of his influence would be, do right. And further, I believe he, from the standpoint of a Christian gentleman and teacher of the gospel would say, better that every violator of the liquor-tax law in Cortland county should escape punishment under that law—the law and courts of men—rather than one single person should commit perjury upon which he would be arraigned in the courts of the great hereafter, where the Omnipotent ruler of the universe sits in judgment and judges without the aid of special agents, or salaried witnesses.
"Let us keep the issue clear."
Dr. Houghton is sorry to class me with the liquor sellers of Cortland. I am proud to be classed with those gentlemen, for I believe them to be gentlemen, and if Dr. Houghton's family physician should write him a prescription for a certain quantity of whiskey, and he, his wife, or perchance his daughter, should take it to the store to have it filled by a licensed liquor seller—and they are the only liquor sellers under the law—as much courtesy and gentlemanly conduct would be displayed by the man behind the counter as would be shown in the bookstore where he purchases his Bible. The bookseller does business for gain, the liquor seller, if he complies with the law, has the right to exercise the same privilege, and in his effort to gain a livelihood I honor him and am glad to be classed with him. But for the men who have come into court and confessed that they have violated the liquor tax law and have been dealt with according to the provisions of that law, I have no sympathies. I have said and still say that they deserved the punishment they received. But because a few confessed, it is no reason why every person accused should be punished likewise.
Dr. Houghton says the special agents are not upon the defensive. Again he and I agree, they are in no danger. Assuming that those agents did commit perjury in the Crane case, and that they did commit perjury in the evidence they gave before the last grand jury, suppose they were indicted, tried, convicted and punished for the crime, what would be the sequel? Doubtless not two, but two, three or four score of that class of state officials would infest Cortland county and we would have lawsuits galore, our county court would be in session from the setting of one grand jury to another, and the taxpayer would have good need to dread the day of the coming of the tax-gatherer. But no such calamity will follow, and judging from public sentiment, the next grand jury will question very closely any special agents that may appear before them, and criticize their evidence very carefully, before they plunge the county into any unnecessary and expensive criminal prosecutions solely upon the evidence of those whom Dr. Houghton chooses to call as honorable "any public servant in Cortland county."
But to that sentiment we fail to hear the "Amen."
Thus have I expressed my opinion of special agents, and in support of that opinion allow me to quote the Hon. Edgar L. Fursman, one of the supreme court justices of the Third judicial district of the state of New York, one of the ablest judges upon the bench of the supreme court of the state. In the case of Lyman vs. Hefferman tried in Renselaer county in March, 1899, Judge Fursman delivered the following charge to the jury:
GENTLEMAN OF THE JURY—This action is brought in pursuance of the provisions of an act commonly known as the liquor tax law. It is an act passed by the legislature of the state, and of course, whatever our individual opinions may be in relation to the propriety of this law, so long as it remains on the statute book, it is our duty as good citizens to enforce it in a proper case.
The question for you is whether this is a case, in which its very highly penal provisions should be enforced against the defendant. It is to be inferred from the evidence that he paid for and obtained a certificate to sell liquors not to be drunk upon the premises. The plaintiff produces two witnesses here, one of whom (Collar) testified that on the evening of the 30th of June last he went down into the premises of the defendant and ordered a glass of ale, paid for it and drank it. Collar says that having drank the glass of ale, which if he was right was a violation of law on the part of the defendant in selling it to him and exposed the defendant to the penalty of $50 and to the forfeiture of his tax certificate; Collar says that having drank the glass of ale, within four or five minutes Moore came in there, and he (Collar) ordered a glass of whiskey. He says he bought that, paid for it, and drank it. After he had found the violation of this law by drinking the glass of ale it is a little difficult to see why he should want a glass of whiskey to drink on top of the ale, unless it be that in the pursuit of his business he had an insatiable thirst upon him for strong drink. Then it was that Moore came in, according to the plaintiff. Moore ordered a glass of lager beer, got it, drank it and paid for it. Both of these witnesses testify to that, and to the drinking and paying for the whiskey. If that was so, that was a violation of this law which would entitle the plaintiff to recover for these two penalties $50 for the whiskey, and $50 for the lager beer, making $100; of course costs would follow against the defendant.
This statute being highly penal—$50 each for two drinks—of course we must consider the evidence with a good deal of care before we impose so high a penalty upon the defendant for so small an offense, but we must enforce the law as we find it whether we believe in it or do not believe in it. That is our business as good citizens; that I must do, and that I expect you to do as jurors under your oath.
But as I have already intimated, you are to inquire whether there was a violation of the law. The defendant denies this. He-says he did not sell him any lager beer or whiskey or ale. The burden of proof is upon the plaintiff. These men are hired by the year at a salary of $1,200 to go about and see if they cannot catch somebody violating this law. Of course it is to be presumed that they are a little anxious to earn their salaries in order to keep their places. It is for you to say whether these men under these circumstances coming into this city in the way they did, going down there in the night time and into a perfectly strange place, and a place that had a license for selling liquors not to be consumed upon the premises, and going in there pretending to be strangers to each other and obtaining this drink as they say they did, are telling the truth about it, or whether they really mean to get up a case so as to indicate to the state commissioner of excise and to the people at large that they are vigilant officers and are seeking to do their duty and earn their salary and expense money. You have a right to believe the defendant if you choose, who is a reputable citizen of this city, and who having a license to carry on the business so far as the sale of liquors not to be drank upon the premises was concerned, you are to say whether he tells the truth when he says he did not sell these men anything. You are to remember that the plaintiff is to satisfy you by better evidence, not by the number of witnesses, not because there are two to one, but by better evidence, evidence that you can believe better than you can the evidence of the defendant that he sold this, before you can find this penalty against him.
I hope Dr. Houghton will, if he has not already done so, make the acquaintance of Agent Collar before he leaves Cortland and from his own observation and study of the man satisfy himself whether the learned judge was in error or not, when he so clearly indicated to that jury that Agent Collar was not worthy of belief under oath, and whether that jury violated their oath as jurors when they returned a verdict for the defendant in that case. H. D. HUNT, Preble, N. Y.
GOOD GOVERNMENT.
Citizens Meet for further Consultation in Independent Movement.
About fifty men representing the Good Government club met last night in the parlors of the First M. E. church to discuss further plans for placing in nomination an independent ticket in the coming charter election. Mr. N. H. Gillette was chosen chairman, and he stated that the object of the meeting was to give instructions to the committee which had been previously named to fix the time and place for holding a convention and to suggest available candidates.
The Committee reported that it was in need of advice as to the method to pursue in taking up the work; that it wished an expression of the people in reference to the makeup of the ticket and that it wanted, in general, a free discussion of the matter.
The remarks that followed the report showed that the impression of the meeting was thoroughly in favor of placing an Independent ticket in the field, but the ticket, the remarks showed, should not be Anti-saloon, Prohibitionist or the like; but made up of such men as could be trusted by the people and in whom the people would have confidence.
Dr. Houghton moved that the present committee be continued in office, that it be empowered to increase its numbers, and that the committee arrange for a convention to nominate an independent ticket. The motion was carried.
The remarks then made by Mr. B. L. Webb, Mr. M. H. Yale, Rev. Mr. Howell, Rev. Mr. Stone and others showed much earnestness in the work. Mr. N. H. Gillette was chosen chairman of a prudential committee with power to select two other associate members. The meeting was then adjourned.
"PROHIBITION" HIS THEME.
U. S. Milburn Speaks Before the Prohibition League.
The Prohibition league met last night in Collins hall and was addressed by Rev. U. S. Milburn of the Universalist church. Mr. Milburn's address was carefully prepared and well received. He drew from a United States statistical report many inferences that might be of value in handling the no-license question here, and concluded his remarks with an original poem written for the occasion. The meeting adjourned to meet with the Good Government club at the First M. E. church.
Notice to the Public.
We the trustees of the A. M. E. Zion church of Cortland are constantly hearing that money has been collected for our church, but we have not received the money. Now please take notice that we have not authorized any one to collect for us. We have but one pastor, the Rev. George Smith. Since his pastorate began the mission has been in a more prosperous condition than ever before. Please do not contribute any money for the mission unless the subscription is duly signed by the president of the board, J. P. Thomas; the secretary, F. B. [Kristow], and the treasurer, Samuel S. Bolden. BY ORDER OF TRUSTEES, Cortland, Jan. 29, 1900.
HAND IN A GEAR.
Boy Started a Machine While Operator was Oiling It.
Mr. William Phillips, an employee of the Wallace Wallpaper Co., had a narrow escape yesterday from being drawn bodily into the gears of a big machine and from very serious results. Late in the afternoon Mr. Phillips, who operates one of the big printing machines, stopped his machine to oil it. He had his oil can in both bands and his arms nearly up to the shoulders inserted between the gears of a big five-foot cogwheel and the smaller wheels which work upon it, when his helper, a young boy, who seems not to have noted where Mr. Phillips was at the time, started the machine. Instantly he was caught, the cog-wheels crawling up his arms toward the shoulders. His screams attracted the attention of the boy, but he lost his head and did not think to stop the machine, but stood as though glued to the spot with a horrified expression on his face, watching the blood spurting from Mr. Phillips' arms. Another employee, operating an adjoining machine, heard the calls and leaped forward to the lever and stopped the machine, and the unfortunate victim was extricated.
Dr. Sornberger was called and dressed the wounds and helped Mr. Phillips to his room at the Cortland House. On the right hand the first and second metacarpal bones were broken and there was a flesh wound from the wrist to the elbow where the cog wheels had torn the flesh. On the left hand the fourth and fifth metacarpal bones were broken and there was a flesh wound on the back of the hand and the arm. Mr. Phillips is as comfortable to-day as may be and is going to get along well. He was fortunate in not being more seriously hurt.
Bought at Mortgage Sale.
Dr. E. M. Santee purchased yesterday at mortgage foreclosure sale the Hitchcock property, corner of Cayuga and Cortland-sts., Homer. The property was sold by Attorney E. W. Hyatt and the purchase price was the amount of the mortgage, $600, with accrued interest and costs.
FIRE IN SOCIETY HOUSE.
Narrow Escapes for All the Student Occupants.
Further particulars in regard to the fire at Ithaca yesterday morning which totally destroyed the Delta Chi society house are gained from the papers of that city last sight.
It appears that the house was a brick veneered building three stories high. The first and second stories were occupied as study rooms for the students and the third floor was a dormitory for them all. Only one stairway led to the top floor and there were no fire escapes. Fifteen young men roomed in the house and fourteen were there that night, the other being out of the city over Sunday.
The fire was discovered at about 5:30 o'clock and then had complete possession of the two lower floors and the stairway leading to the third floor. There was nothing to do but jump from the windows as quickly as possible without stopping to dress or to secure a possession of any kind from the house. It was thirty feet down upon a flag stone walk and they followed one another out as quickly as they could. Three of the fellows were not hurt, but the other eleven were injured and had to be taken to the Cornell infirmary. Two are thought to be seriously injured with perhaps internal injuries. The others have broken legs and arms and cuts and burns, but are expected to get along all right.
The wonder is that a party of young men would sleep in a place of that kind with only one stairway or exit and with no fire escapes. It was fortunate the results were not worse.
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| S. N. Holden. |
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| Left to right: Hatch Library, Kremlin Hotel, County Courthouse and Jail. |
VILLAGE BOARD BANQUETED.
President Holden Entertains at the Kremlin—Others Present.
Village president S. N. Holden very delightfully entertained the trustees, their wives and a few others last evening at a 7 o'clock dinner at The Kremlin. An excellent menu was served and a toast list was projected, but when called upon for the toasts after the spread, the gentlemen seemed too full for utterance.
The party was made up as follows: Trustee Thompson, wife and daughter, Trustee Wood and wife, Trustee White and wife, Trustee Sprague and wife, Village Clerk Fred Hatch and wife, Engineer H. C. Allen and wife and President Holden, wife and daughter. The menu served was:
Consomme a la Royale.
BREVITIES.
—The Wide-Awake Literary club will meet with Mrs. P. A. Bunnell, 58 Fitz-ave., this evening at 7 o'clock.
—Lookout for the cold wave to-night. The special forecast bulletin says the mercury will fall 20 degrees to-night.
—Revival services will be held on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings at the Free Methodist church. Rev. M. H. Hendrick will preach.
—The January number of the New York Education contains a fine contribution by Prof. T. J. McEvoy of the Cortland Normal school on "Intermediate Language Work."
—Residents of South Hill saw the fire at Ithaca yesterday morning, the burning of the Delta Chi chapter house, and so bright was the light that they thought it only a few miles away.
—Mr. J. B. Kellogg entertained the employees of his store last night at a very fine 6 o'clock dinner, which was followed by progressive pedro playing. A very pleasant evening was spent.
—New display advertisements to-day are—Warren, Tanner & Co., Oriental rugs, page 4; Model Clothing Co., if you want to travel, etc., page 6; McGraw & Osgood, The Heywood bunion shoe, page 4.
—There will be a social gathering of the congregation of the Presbyterian church and their friends at the church parlors this evening. A musical and literary program will be given beginning at 7:30 o'clock.
—The Ladles' Literary club will meet on Wednesday afternoon of this week at the home of Mrs. C. B. Hughes, 29 Lincoln-ave., instead of at the place appointed at the last meeting. All members will please take note of the change.
—A panel of 300 jurymen for the Truck murder trial will be drawn at some convenient season in supreme court within the next few days. It is considered doubtful by some whether this number will be sufficient to furnish a jury for this celebrated case, and it is likely to take several days to procure the jury.
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