PHILIPPINES DISCUSSED IN CONGRESS, HOSPITAL DONATIONS, DR. SORNBERGER FOUND A QUEER CONDITION, AND SOLONS IN SESSION

 

Senator Donelson Caffery.

Cortland Evening Standard, Tuesday, February 6, 1900.

DOINGS IN CONGRESS.

Philippine Question Again Bobs Up In Senate and House.

   WASHINGTON, Feb. 6.—Senator Caffery of Louisiana in a discussion of the Philippine question in the senate yesterday broke new ground in developing his position as an anti-expansionist. In response to an inquiry as to what in the present circumstances he would do with the Filipinos, he said with characteristic courage of conviction:

   "Turn them loose as soon as we can get rid of them. That would be better for them and infinitely better for us."

   Mr. Caffery's argument was mainly a discussion of the constitutional questions involved in the Philippine problem. He maintained that the constitution extends absolutely over the Filipinos, and that they were entitled to all the rights and privileges of citizens of the United States guaranteed by the constitution.

 

In the House.

   The Democrats of the house continued their assaults upon the Philippine policy of the administration during the general debate upon the diplomatic and consular appropriation bill yesterday. Two speeches were made by Democratic members of the foreign affairs committee, Mr. Dinsmore of Arkansas and Champ Clark of Missouri opposing the retention of the islands. The speech of Mr. Clark, which lasted almost two hours, was a notable effort, replete with unique epigrams, and attracted much attention. No Republican spoke in defense of the administration's policy.

   Mr. Sibley of Pennsylvania, who was elected as a Democrat, but who made a speech last week defending expansion, was goaded yesterday into the announcement that the Democrats could consider his seat constructively on the Republican side.

   Before the debate began an effort was made to pass a bill looking to the appointment of an expert commission to examine into the question of the pollution of the water supply of cities, but it was defeated. The Chicago members considered that it was aimed especially at the Chicago drainage canal.

 

General William Knobbe.

OPENING NEW PORTS.

Numerous Towns in Philippines Occupied by our Troops.

FORTY BRASS CANNON CAPTURED.

Americans Have a Sharp Fight With 6,000 Insurgents and Put Them to Rout, Killing 75—Large Amount of Gold Captured from the Filipinos.

   MANILA, Feb. 6.—Brigadier General Knobbe's expedition in the islands of Luzon, Leyte and Samar has occupied permanently and garrisoned nine towns. The Forty-third and Forty-seventh regiments have placed on the market 180,000 bales of hemp.

   A thousand insurgents armed with rifles, and over 5,000 armed with wooden swords, bows and arrows, were encountered during the entire trip. The troops killed 75 natives, 11 of whom had rifles. The balance were villagers, armed with wooden swords. The American loss was one man killed and nine men wounded. The Americans captured $9,000 in gold, enemy's money, and 40 muzzle-loading brass cannon. At Calbagog and Samar the enemy evacuated the town, the Americans chasing, fighting and scattering them to the mountains.

   At Catbalagan, Lukban, the Tagalog general, fired the place with kerosene just before the Americans landed, and then fought with cannon and rifles from the hills encircling the town for two hours. When the Filipinos were driven out the Americans did their best to save the town, fighting the fire for several hours. Thirty stone and 60 other houses, half the business portion of the place, were consumed. The soldiers prevented the fire from spreading. The next day Major Allen with three companies of the Forty-third regiment pursued Lukban to the mountain fastnesses and thence to the coast town where Lukban was heading in hope of escaping. Lukban by taxing the natives has accumulated $100,000 in gold. His capture is probable.

   At Takloban, island of Leyte, the enemy evacuated the town and the Americans pursued them to the hills. Several fleeing non-combatants were killed, including three women.

   At Palo, seven miles distant, the enemy was found entrenched and resisted. Lieutenant Johnson and 12 scouts of the Forty-third regiment drove out 150 of the enemy and captured the town.

   The insurgents in these towns were mostly Visayans who had been impressed in the service of the Tagalog leaders from Luzon.

   The Visayans appear today indifferent or sullenly antagonistic to the American occupation. The Tagalog chiefs influenced them against United States, but when they perceive we are more powerful than the Tagalogs and intend to maintain garrisons in order to open the islands to commerce, it is believed the rebel party will lose its popularity.

 

Land Purchased in Adirondacks.

   ALBANY, Feb. 6.—During the past year the forest preserve board expended $247,661 in the purchase of 58,427 acres of forest land in the Adirondacks at an average of $3.97 an acre. It began the year 1899, with an unexpended balance of $356,056, and received from the last legislature in appropriations $300,000 for the purchase of Adirondack lands and $50,000 for Catskill lands. During the year $272,898 were expended for the purchase of lands and the adjustment of claims. There is on hand a balance of $411,524 to the credit of the board from which, however, must be paid the purchase of a large amount of land already contracted for.

 

PEACE IN KENTUCKY.

SATISFACTORY AGREEMENT SIGNED BY BOTH SIDES.

Democratic Contestants to be Seated—Both Sides to Unite to Repeal Goebel Law and Provide for Non-Partisan Returning Boards—General Assembly Shall Resume Sessions—State Troops Shall Leave Capitol—No Prosecutions Shall Follow.

   LOUISVILLE, Feb. 6.—The peace conference held at the Galt House last night between seven representatives of the Republican party and seven representatives of the Democratic party resulted in the unanimous signing of an agreement embodying seven specific propositions which promise a settlement of the party differences which have brought about two state governments in Kentucky. This agreement is in substance as follows:

   First, That if the general assembly in joint session shall adopt a resolution ratifying their recent action adopting the contest reports seating Goebel and Beckham, the contestees W. S. Taylor and John Marshall shall submit without further protest.

   Second, that all parties shall unite in an effort to bring about such a modification of the election law as will provide for non-partisan elections boards and insure free and fair elections.

   Third, that the conditions shall remain in status quo until Monday, the general assembly meeting and adjourning from day to day until that time.

   Fourth, that nothing shall be done to hinder or prevent a joint session of the general assembly for taking action on the ratification resolution.

   Fifth, that the state contest board shall meet and adjourn from day to day until Monday without taking any action on the contests for minor state officers. This postponement is suggested in order that the action of the general assembly on the ratification resolution may be taken first.

   Sixth, that the state troops shall be removed from the state capitol at once, though with all necessary precaution for the public safety. This matter is to be under the direction of General Dan Lindsey of Frankfort.

   Seventh, that the Republican officials and officers of the state guard shall have immunity from charges of treason, usurpation, court martial or any other such offenses.

 

Ice in New York Bay.

   NEW YORK, Feb. 6.—For the first time this season ice covered to-day the surface of the upper and lower bay. At 7 o'clock it extended from the Battery far into the lower bay and no open water could be seen. The ice was soft, however, and not seriously impede navigation.

 

Harvesting the Ice.

   KINGSTON, N. Y., Feb. 6.—Active operations will commence all along the Hudson river to-day to harvest the ice crop. The weather turned very cold, so  that the heavy rain did not spoil the ice. Several thousand men are necessary to gather the crop at a cost of $600,000.

 

Cortland Hospital, North Main Street.

Donations to the Hospital.

   The following is a partial list of recent donations at the Cortland hospital. Others will be published soon.

   Flowers, two dresser scarfs, Mrs. Gordon, Truxton; canned fruit, jelly, old linen, Mrs. Bouton; seven bed tables, Mr. A. J. Lucas; chicken pie, Y. M. C. A.; rug, Mrs. J. D. Price; rug, Nathan Brong; bread, pickles, vegetables, fruit, Dr. Strowbridge; three quarts jelly, Mrs. A. B. Freeman, Truxton; mince meat, canned fruit, Mrs. C. Hitchcock, Homer; magazines; Miss Hubbard, Mrs. Apgar; nine cans fruit, large quantity vegetables, jelly, Mrs. E. C. Beach; basket roses, irrigator and irrigator stand, Mrs. O. A. Houghton; two hospital beds and springs, Rev. J. M. Benedict; two books, potatoes, Mrs. Sell, Mrs. G. H. Squires; one pair pillows and cases, Mrs. E. O. Seymour; box roses, Mrs. Lucas; two hospital beds and springs, Beard and Peck; fruit, vegetables, F. E. Russell; one-half bushel potatoes, Mrs. Geo, Squires; oak rocker, Mrs. Maas; fruit, large quantity of vegetables, F. E. Whitmore; box of cakes, ladies of Baptist church; donation on bill for work, $3, S. J. Parmiter; flowers, Mrs. Houghton; fresh fruit, Mrs. Hitchcock; fresh fruit, Mr. Whitcomb, Scott; screen wire for three windows, Wickwire Bros.; one dozen glasses jelly, Mrs. E. C. Beach; flowers, fruit, Mrs. Banta; one-half bushel apples, Mrs. Walter Dates; potatoes, Mr. Arnold; one ton coal, Maxson & Starin; biscuits, baked beans, Missionary Society Congregational church; one gallon ice cream, altar society of Catholic church; vegetables, Mr. Walsworth; fruit, Mrs. James Stafford, Blodgett Mills; fresh and canned fruits, old muslin, Mrs. A. L. Cole; six glasses jelly, Miss Amelia Smith; dessert for patients and nurses, ice cream, etc., Mrs. Doud; one bushel apples, Mrs. Hall, Scott; flowers and vegetables, Mrs. Samuel Miller, one bushel apples, W. B. Hinman; vegetables, eggs, Mrs. M. W, Wadsworth; one-half day's mending, Mrs. Beers and Mrs. Sprague; flowers, old muslin, W. C. T. U.; vegetables, Miss Goodrich; grapes, Mr. Heffron; large fresh fish, Mrs. Keator; vegetables, Mrs. A. E. Buck; fruit, Mrs. H. E. Woods; box flowers, Mrs. McGraw.

 

FOUND A QUEER CONDITION.

Mr. Whitney Has Not Lost His Heart but its Location is Changed.

   One of the most remarkable cases that comes to the notice of a practicing physician was discovered by Dr. Sornberger last evening and came about in this manner.

   Mr. Claude W. Whitney of the Fair store went to the doctor's office to be examined preparatory to taking out a life insurance policy. While making the examination Dr. Sornberger found that Mr. Whitney's heart was noticeably to the right of the chest and that the apex beat was as far to the right as ordinarily it is to the left of the center line. Mr. Whitney was inclined to think the doctor was making sport of him, but when he listened to his own heart beats through the phonendoscope, he was assured that it was over in its neighbor's territory. The neighbor, which in this case is the liver, being crowded out of its place, took up quarters far to the left side and a little lower than normal. This position of the liver at the left has allowed the right lung to expand a little, so he has lung tissue where ordinarily the liver would not permit the development.

   Dr. Sornberger found the heart action regular and perfectly healthy, and has made out the examination papers explaining what he found. He has no doubt that the papers will be accepted by the company. The case is certainly an extraordinary one and Dr. Sornberger will bring it to the notice of the profession at once.

 

RATTLESNAKE JOHN

Once Acted as Guide for Two Cortland Sportsmen—Afraid of Toads.

   To the Editor of the Standard:

   SIR—The paragraph in Friday's STANDARD relating to John Deer, the famous rattlesnake tamer of Sullivan county, recalls to the mind of the [writer] the fact that he once acted as guide and assistant to two Cortland sportsmen, the late D. C. McGraw, at that time county clerk, and Dr. F. O. Hyatt, who went to the head waters of the Delaware on a trouting expedition. On that occasion Old John spoke in the most matter-of-fact manner of the large number of rattlesnakes he had killed that season and showed a reckless indifference to rattlesnakes generally that was somewhat disturbing to the nerves of his "tender foot" companions.

   But he had a weakness that soon manifested itself and enabled them to turn the laugh upon him. He had a great and seemingly unconquerable fear of toads. In speaking of it he said "If I were in a boat where the water was very deep and I should discover a great, fat, warty toad in the boat, though I cannot swim, I would jump out and take my chance of drowning rather than stay near the toad."

   Verily, there is no accounting for tastes nor for the powerful antipathies that govern people.—H.

 

John Philip Sousa.

SOUSA ON FEB. 14.

Concert by the Splendid Band on Wednesday Afternoon.

   Honors accumulate rapidly on the head of John Philip Sousa, and some bear an international significance. Not only was Sousa selected to head the great procession on Dewey day in New York, with his band of 135, an honor that might have been envied by any leader on earth, but later he was appointed by the American commissioner general to the Paris Exposition to open the great world's exposition on April 14, a distinction of even greater significance. It is augmented by the further fact that Sousa is to continue directing his own band for a prolonged period and upon a number of national and international fete days, including our own American day, July 4. This will undoubtedly be one of the greatest days of the entire exposition owing to the prodigious number of Americans who will congregate at Paris at that time.

   Sousa has also agreed to write a special march for the ceremonies of the unveiling of the Lafayette monument, erected by the contributions of American school children solely, on the same day, and the march will then be played for the first time. The succeeding tour of the continent of Europe in which Sousa concerts will be given in many of the capitals and chief cities, bears on the face of it distinction of unusual order.

   Sousa fills a short American tour before taking his band abroad—January 31 to April 1—his only American tour this season, and will be in Cortland on Wednesday afternoon, Feb. 14, at Cortland Opera House. The special soloists are Miss Bertha Bucklin, violinist, and Miss Blanche Duffield, soprano.

 

SOLONS IN SESSION.

Bills Audited, Possible Action Upon Street Sprinkling.

   Last night the village board of trustees held a regular meeting at the office of the village clerk. This was the last meeting at which this board will audit bills, as the budget of accounts for this year is to be made at once. The following bills were acted upon:

   Village Collector S. P. Bulkley came before the board and stated that since the time for collecting village taxes had been renewed, he had collected upward of $900. Some of those who are still back on taxes were going to be ready to pay very soon and it was his opinion that, if a little more time was given, quite a little of the amount would be paid. His warrant was renewed for two weeks.

   On motion, the clerk was authorized to make contracts for printing election notices, returns, etc. The First ward trustee was selected as a committee of one to fix upon a place to hold the village election in that ward. Trustees Sprague and Thompson were appointed by the president to settle with the collector and treasurer.

   The question was then raised concerning the street sprinkling for next year. The water used for this purpose was donated last year, but this year the water board is of the opinion that a charge should be made for the supply. It is understood that the cost for water to sprinkle the paved streets next summer will be $200 per mile, and with 3 miles of paving this would aggregate a large expense. It was thought that it would be hardly fair to ask the taxpayers of the village to help pay this amount. Then too, the board is of the opinion that the village team will have enough to do on the streets without the sprinkling. This practically reduces the question of sprinkling the paved streets to that of individual enterprise in securing subscriptions from property-holders along the streets.

   It was reported to the board that one of the members of the police force was away without leave of absence. The matter was placed in the hands of President Holden for investigation.

   Chief Engineer Davis submitted the list of officers that had been elected by the different fire companies, also his report of hotel fire escapes. The fire officers were confirmed and the report accepted.

   The board then adjourned to meet next Monday night when the annual budget of accounts will be begun.

 

BREVITIES.

   —Members of Vesta lodge will bold a social hop in their lodge rooms next Saturday night.

   —The Wide Awake Literary club will meet this evening with Mrs. Wm. Smith, 27 Groton-ave.

   —The Gentlemen's Opposition club will meet this evening with Mr. Porter Bunnell, 58 Fitz-ave.

   —John L. Lewis lodge, I. O. O. F., will confer the initiatory degree on a number of candidates this evening.

   —The Fortnightly club will meet with Miss Harriet Allen at The Kremlin to-morrow afternoon at 3:30 o'clock.

   —The ninth annual public exercises of the Clionian fraternity occurs at Normal hall to-morrow evening at 8 o'clock.

   —The eighth annual public exercises of the Corlonor fraternity occur at Normal hall to-night at 8 o'clock. A unique program has been prepared which it is anticipated will prove very attractive.

   —The funeral of Mrs. John Mourin will be held from the home of her son, Edward Mourin, South Main-st., Homer, Wednesday morning at 8:30 o'clock and from St. Mary's church, Cortland, at 9:30 o'clock.

   —The directors of the Tioughnioga club will hold their regular monthly meeting to-morrow night at 8 o'clock. Ladies' night is postponed to a date yet to be decided upon on account of the inability of the house committee to secure music for to-morrow night, all musicians being otherwise previously engaged.