CONGRESS, TALMAGE WAGON FACTORY FIRE, NEW SOUSA PROGRAMS AT CORTLAND OPERA HOUSE, AND BASEBALL STRUCK HORSE

 

Jacob G. Shurman.

Richard S. Pettigrew.

Chauncey Depew.

Cortland Evening Standard, Thursday, February 8, 1900.

NATIONAL CONGRESS.

Senators Depew and Pettigrew Have a Lively Tilt In the Senate.

   WASHINGTON, Feb. 8.—A lively tilt between Mr. Depew and Mr. Pettigrew was an unexpected feature in the early proceedings of the senate yesterday. Mr. Depew read a letter from President Schurman of the Philippines commission flatly contradicting statements made by Mr. Pettigrew in a speech several days ago and then commented caustically upon methods of the South Dakota senator in introducing the evidence of such men as President Schurman and Admiral Dewey through the statements of Aguinaldo.

   Mr. Pettigrew replied sharply, repeating much that he has said heretofore, but distinctly reiterating the statements which had called forth the denials of both President Schurman and Admiral Dewey.

   Discussion of the financial measure was then resumed, speeches being made by Mr. Turner, Mr. Bate and Mr. Allen, all in opposition to the pending bill.

 

In the House.

   The house finished the diplomatic and consular appropriation bill yesterday, passing it substantially as it came from the committee.

   There was some desultory discussion of the Philippine question and the war in South Africa, the principal feature being the speech of Mr. Shafroth in favor of mediation in the British-Boer war under the provisions of The Hague treaty.

   The diplomatic bill, as passed, carries $1,743,000.

 

New Fire Escapes Required.

   ALBANY, Feb. 8.—Senator Wilcox has introduced a bill which amends the law requiring fire escapes by prohibiting the use of drop ladders and requiring either folding iron stairs or drop iron stairs to connect the balconies on the outside of each floor. The amendment also requires such fire escapes on all boarding or lodging houses as well as hotels.

 

PAGE TWO—EDITORIALS.

Less Than One Per cent.

(From the Troy Times, Feb. 5.)

   The state has a claim of between $2,000,000 and $3,000,000 against the Armours of Chicago for alleged violation of law in selling oleomargarine in this state. The claim is in the hands of Attorney General Davies for prosecution. The Chicago concern would like to compromise for $20,000, and has made such an offer.

   During the administration of Governor Black an attempt was made to compromise with the state by the payment of $20,000. The governor refused to be a party to a settlement out of which the state of New York would get less than one per cent and the wealthy Armours more than ninety-nine per cent. The compromise scheme stuck right there, for the assent of the governor was necessary to success.

   When Governor Roosevelt entered the executive office the proposition for a $20,000 compromise was again broached. Politico-legal influence [sic] were set at work, but the press drew public attention to the scheme, Governor Roosevelt refused to approve and the case was still on the order of unfinished business in the attorney general's office.

   Attorney General Davies, like a faithful officer of the public, shows a disposition to press the claim and to make the defendant corporation and not the people of the state meet the penalties which attach to violations of law.

   But the same influences are again at work that would have the state accept less than 1 per cent of a claim which it prepared to press to collection, thus having more than 90 per cent for the Chicago establishment and for such legal and other fees as would necessarily accompany the compounding of a public claim with public officers.

   The Republican party cannot afford to have its legislature take the attorney general by the collar to keep him from performing his duty under the law.

   The Republican party cannot afford to have its governor consent to divide by 100 the amount of penalties sought to be collected from a rich establishment and say that it is enough. Governor Roosevelt refused his consent a year ago, and it is not likely that he will declare just in 1900 what he declared unjust in 1899.

   It should be remembered that this scheme, which has already got publicly upon the floor of the assembly chamber, would if successful commit the Republican party to this proposition: more than $2,000,000 divided by political and legal influence, equals $20,000, or 100 per cent can be reduced by official complaisance to less than one per cent. This ratio of 100 to 1 is worse than 16 to l.

   The state will look to its governor to see that the creditable standard set by Governor Black and himself is not lowered, and that the hound's tooth is not greased with oleomargarine.

 

Death Blow to Hazing.

   ALBANY, Feb. 8.—Assemblyman Larzelere of Seneca has introduced a bill making penalties of from $50 to $500 and imprisonment of from three months to one year or both for conviction of hazing at schools or colleges.

 

YOUTHFUL RUNAWAYS.

Their Mother Requests that They be Sent to Rochester.

   Two young lads by the name of Herman and Clarence Newman who live on River-st., Cortland, were arrested yesterday by Truant Officer James E. Edwards. These lads seem to have a mania for running away from home and school. On Dec. 26, 1899, one of them started out on a trip and was found in Onondaga county six weeks later by an officer. The other has been away on at least one excursion for a couple of weeks without his mother knowing anything of his whereabouts.

   Yesterday the runaways were brought before Police Justice Davis and at the request of their mother, Mrs. Estelle Newman, they were committed to the Rochester Industrial school. Officer Edwards started with the boys for Rochester at 9:20 this morning.

 

W. C. T. U. Meeting.

   The regular meeting of the W. C. T. U. was held on Tuesday afternoon and opened with devotional exercises led by Mrs. J. W. Keese, the topic selected being, "Seek ye first the Kingdom of God."

   An invitation was read from the Y. W. C.T. U. to join with them in attending the meeting of the Prohibition club, for which they are to furnish the program next Monday evening at Collins hall.

   A letter was read from our state corresponding secretary, Mrs. Hutchinson, calling attention to the fact that Cortland county members had as yet ordered but few copies of the annual report, not as many as usual, as the report is sold for only 15 cents per copy and contains much valuable material for workers. It was suggested that the matter be given thoughtful consideration.

   Some time ago Mrs. Ferguson of Syracuse offered to present to the union seventy-five copies of a book, containing songs and readings for use in our meetings provided a certain amount of advertising could be secured to defray the expense of publication. Through the efforts of Mrs. Watson the advertising was secured and on Tuesday the new books were placed in the hands of the union.

   The committee on current topics gave items of interest relating to temperance work and kindred subjects.

   Mrs. Caswell read a letter from the department having in charge the work for sailors, thanking the union for its gift of comfort bags and saying that many more could have been used.

   The remainder of the time was devoted to the subject of "Non-Alcoholic Medication" and was in charge of Mrs. Cotton. In regard to the use of safe remedies in illness as opposed to the use of alcoholics, Sir B. W. Richardson, M. D., said of the London Temperance hospital: "No alcohol is administered and no substitute for it. Any drug with similar action would be bad; warmth and suitable nourishment are relied on to keep op the system."

   SUPT. PRESS WORK, Cortland, Feb. 6, 1900.

 

A PERSISTENT FIRE.

J. H. TALMAGE'S WAGON FACTORY BURNED OUT.

Origin of the Fire Uncertain—The Building Thoroughly Gutted—Peck's Livery Stable and Hitching Barn in Danger, but Saved—The Losses and Insurance.

   A few minutes before 10 o'clock this morning there was a cry of "fire" from the vicinity of the Messenger House, and in a moment or two it was discovered that flames had broken out in the second floor of the three-story frame building in the rear of C. B. Peck's residence on Port Watson-st., Cortland, which was largely occupied by J. H. Talmage as a carriage factory. The building was erected about thirty years ago by Col. J. G. Carmichael as a furniture factory, and is still known as the furniture factory. For the last nine years J. H. Talmage has occupied the second and third floors. The first floor was occupied by C. B. Peck as a livery office and storage barn. His livery stable and hitching barn closely adjoin. The whole property is owned by Mrs. H. E. Carmichael of Binghamton.

   The firebell was rung and the fire department responded with great promptness. The morning was warm and rain was falling heavily at the time. Orris and Water Witch [fire companies] attached to the hydrant in front of G. I. Watson's drug store, while Emerald and Hitchcock [fire companies] coupled to the one in front of the residence of G. J. Maycumber. Water was quickly turned on, but by the time that the first stream was started the interior of the second story at the front was a roaring furnace with flames bursting from the windows. The interior of the building was perfectly dry. For years it had been used as a paint shop and finishing room for furniture. The walls and floors were saturated with paint and oil and burned like tinder.

   The smoke rose high and swept down over the hitching barn and livery barn adjoining. In the latter Mr. Peck had fourteen horses. Willing hands in abundance helped lead out the horses and rescue the wagons, sleighs, harnesses and equipments, also teams from the hitching barn. Mr. Peck's office in the burning building was quickly stripped of furniture.

   Orris put a stream into the front windows. Hitchcock played upon the east side of the building near the home of G. J. Maycumber. Water Witch took a position on the roof of the one-story hitching barn at the rear of the burning building, where a stream could be thrown the whole length of the second floor. Emerald at first poured water into the west second story windows, and then when the flames were deadened down a little walked in the front door with ball spray nozzle and fought the way inch by inch up the stairs into the room where the hottest part of the fire was.

   With the volume of water thus poured on it was not long before the most of the flames were extinguished and it was evident that the fire would be confined to one building and that the livery barn and hitching stable would be saved. But the fire got into the attic under the roof, and was exceedingly persistent and hard to get at, and it took almost another hour to get it fully out.

   Orris got into a window at the middle of the east side and chopping a hole in the ceiling above put a stream up into the little attic. A tall ladder was raised against the west front gable and an axman cut a hole into the attic. James Gaffney, pipeman of Emerald, poured a stream in where the flames were hottest. The axman enlarged the hole and Gaffney went in through the opening. There were calls from all sides to him not to get in too far, as the smoke was dense and nothing but a thin ceiling would prevent a fall clear through to the first floor, but Mr. Gaffney was bound to fight the flames right there and keeping his feet on the joists and frequently sticking his head out of the opening to get a breath of fresh air and to blow the smoke out of his eyes he directed the stream till all the fire was out there.

   Shortly before the [fire] was finally put out the second floor fell with a crash and the east wall bulged far out of a perpendicular position. It was after 11 o'clock before the flames were entirely out.

   The livery barn and hitching barn were entirely uninjured.

   The origin of the fire is uncertain. Mr. Talmage used the front room of the second floor as a workroom for upholstering and finishing. The only fire in the building was kept there, but that had gone out. Mr. Talmage had been working alone for some days. A carload of gears and carriage hardware had arrived and was to have been delivered to-day.

   This morning at about 9:30 Mr. Talmage told a STANDARD man be went up the back way to this front room and built a fire of wood in the stove and then went down stairs again, put a pair of shafts upon a surrey which he had arranged to store at Dr. Johnson's barn next door to give more room for the new goods coming. He started to draw the surrey around to Dr. Johnson's barn and had nearly reached the street, when there was a cry of fire, and looking around he saw the flames through the second story windows of the shop behind him. He ran back at once.

   The fire was discovered among the first by Frank LaFortune, a man employed at the livery stable, who ran up the front stairs with a pail of water to see if he couldn't put it out. He found the door at the head of the stairs locked. Mr. Talmage says the key dropped from his pocket last night when retiring and the loss was unnoticed. He found it on the floor of his bed room today. LaFortune burst open the door and threw on the water, but the flames were already too well started to be affected by water from a pail.

   Mr. Talmage cannot account for the origin of the fire. He thinks it must have started from something connected with the stove or in starting the fire. There was quite a quantity of shavings and excelsior on the floor at the time. He didn't know but the stove exploded, but when seen after the fire was out it seemed to be all right. He says it is unsafe to start a fire and go off and leave it till it is well going, and he shouldn't have done it this morning except that he was in such a hurry. LaFortune, however, thinks the fire was not near the stove, but nearer the corner of the room and a pile of paint pails.

   Mr. Talmage estimates his loss on stock and material at $2,500 upon which he has an insurance of $600; his loss on machinery and tools at $200; on a quantity of new cuts just received for a catalogue at $500, and on patterns $50. On all the latter he had an insurance of $500, all placed with Theodore Stevenson.

   Mrs. Carmichael had an insurance on the building of $800 placed with James A. Nixon. It is impossible yet to determine whether the loss will be covered by the insurance.

   C. B. Peck's loss on goods stored in the burning building is entirely covered by insurance. Among the articles lost, however, were the rubber tire wheels for his hack. They were stored in the third floor and ordinary wheels were on the hack during the winter. However, they were insured.

 

Some New Sousa Programs.

   In Sousa's programs for his present tour there are two new Sousa marches, "The Man Behind the Gun" from his new extravaganza, "Chris and the Wonderful Lamp," and "Hands across the Sea." Sousa is a rapid and most happy arranger, and there is little of any account in musical composition that escapes his eye. He is ever alert, watchful for productions of merit, and whatever has feature enough to claim public attention is likely to find a place somewhere in his concerts, either as program number or in encore presentment. His accumulation of new works constantly is remarkable. At this particular time especially he is making extraordinary addition to his later library in view of the present tour in this country, the European tour next summer, and the great trans-continental tour in which he will cover the whole American continent next year, season of 1900-01.

   The next Sousa concert here, the only one this season, will occur on Wednesday afternoon, Feb. 14, at the Opera House at which we may expect the brightest sort of program. The special soloists are Miss Blanche Duffield, soprano, and Miss Bertha Bucklin, violinist, both artists of sterling qualities.

 

BALL STRUCK A HORSE.

Horse Ran Away and Delivered Groceries all Along the Street.

   About 10:30 this morning a horse belonging to Spot Cash Baldwin and used in delivering goods started down Main-st. at a lively clip drawing a pair of bobs on which was the delivery rig. When about opposite the enginehouse a man with an umbrella ran out to stop the animal. At this the horse jumped to one side and upset the sleigh. This loosened the fore bob, and with this the horse continued, leaving the rest of the rig in a mixed up mass. The horse was captured near St. Mary's church without having done further injury.

   The horse started from the store.  While goods were being loaded in the sleigh, a baseball from the Y. M. C. A. gymnasium came through a third story window not yet screened and dropped on him, causing him to start out a little soon for delivering. As soon as the boys who were playing ball in the gymnasium learned of the consequences of the work of the lost ball they went down to Mr. Baldwin's store to settle for the damage.

 

SIDE PATH COMMISSION

Makes Plans for Building New Paths This Year.

   At the monthly meeting of the Side Path [bicycle] commission held last night at the surrogate's office, the foundation for the year's work was pretty thoroughly mapped out and various committees were appointed. A side path machine and weeder was ordered from the LeRoy Plow Co. It was decided to thoroughly enforce the law requiring licenses to ride upon the paths and the chairman was appointed a committee of one to employ side path policemen to not only have an early lookout for tagless riders, but for teams driving upon the paths when the roads are bad in the spring.

   So many applications have been received for new paths, many of which cannot possibly be built this year, that Commissioner Beebe was appointed a committee of one to investigate the claims of each and also to ascertain the amount of time that the people living along new routes are willing to contribute for the sake of having the paths pass their premises. The farmers are beginning to realize the value of these paths; and instead of opposing them, as they did at first, they are very anxious to have them. No new paths will be built until all of the old ones are put in the best possible repairs and then every dollar that comes into the commission's hands will be expended upon new paths as far as it will go.

   The commission desires to call the wheelmen's attention to a misconception of the law which seems to be quite prevalent, that is, that the badges are good for a year from the time of purchase. Each license expires Dec. 31 of the year it is issued. If every wheelman in Cortland county would contribute his 50 cents it would be possible to build twenty miles of new path this year.

   In New York county there are no licenses issued and residents may purchase there from any county in the state they wish. Mr. C. E. Thompson formerly of Cortland remembers his old home, and each year sends for a Cortland county tag. This year he was sent number 24.

 

BREVITIES.

   —The water has flowed very freely upon the streets to-day.

   —The February thaw is upon us. Now is the time to clean the walks clear down to the bottom.

   —Commencement of the Normal school will occur at the Cortland Opera House to-morrow morning at 10 o'clock.

   —Cortland commandery, No. 50, K. T., will confer the Order of Red Cross at their regular conclave Friday evening.

   —Dr. and Mrs. F. J. Cheney has issued invitations for the principal's reception at the Normal parlors to-morrow evening.

   —Rehearsal of the "Chimes of Normandy" at the Opera House to-night at 7:30 o'clock. Every member must be present.

   —Elon encampment worked second and third degree last night. Ten applications for membership were received by the order.

   —The Loyal circle of King's Daughters will meet to-morrow (Friday) at 3 o'clock at the home of Mrs. W. D. Tisdale, 111 Port Watson-st.

   —The sixth annual public exercises of the Alpha Delta sorority occur at Normal hall this evening at 8 o'clock. A fine program has been prepared.

   —New display advertisements to-day are—A. J. Leamy, Optician, page 6; F. D. Smith, Red Cross Ranges, page 6; Opera House, "Chimes of Normandy," page 5.

   —Text books at the Normal have been returned to-day and the standing was read this afternoon showing the results of the work of the term now nearly closed.

   —The meeting of the board of directors of the Tioughnioga club which was to have been held last night was postponed till the third Wednesday evening of this month.

   —There will be a meeting of the Y. W. C. T. U. at the home of the president, Mrs. Townsend, 20 1/2 Madison-st., Friday, Feb. 9. Ah executive meeting will be held at 7 o'clock sharp.

   —The meeting of the Presbyterian church and society called for the purpose of taking action upon the resignation of the pastor Rev. John T. Stone, will occur to-night at 8:30 o'clock in the chapel at the close of the regular prayer-meeting.

   —Invitations are out for the wedding of Mr. William N. Tarbell of East Freetown and Miss Martha Eliza Seeber, which will occur at the home of the bride's parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Seeber, 34 Homer-ave. in Cortland on Wednesday evening, Feb. 14 at 8 o'clock.

   —The funeral of the late Dr. W. C. Thomas will be held at the Glen Haven sanitarium to-morrow at 12 o'clock noon. The burial will be at Scott. The funeral services will be conducted by Rev. W. F. Kettle, pastor of the Congregational church at Homer.

   —A young and attractive lady fainted in the audience last night at the Clionian entertainment in Normal hall and was promptly gathered up by a gallant young man who sat near and carried her to the rear of the room, where placed on the floor next an open window she soon recovered her consciousness. She had been sitting well back in the hall, and the whole affair was so quietly conducted that few in the audience realized that anything had happened.

   —The 8th of February is a great day in Mr. George I. Watson's family. It is Mr. Watson's birthday and he prepared to celebrate it in fine style, but before the celebration had advanced far a little stranger appeared on the scene and offered to help the affair along. The young man was given a very warm welcome and now father and son are looking forward to spending many happy birthdays together in the years to come.