PRISONER IN TERROR, SAVINGS BANK TAX, AND CORTLAND CITIZENS' MEETING

 

Roland B. Molineux.

Cortland Evening Standard, Wednesday, February 21, 1900.

PRISONER IN TERROR.

Condemned Italian Murderer Creates Scene in Sing Sing.

SCREAMS WHEN TOLD HE IS TO DIE.

Molineux and All the Men in the Cage Greatly Agitated—Dr. Kennedy Affected So He Could Hardly Stand—Ferraro Dies Monday Nest.

   NEW YORK, Feb. 21.—There was an exciting scene in the death house at Sing Sing prison yesterday afternoon. All the men in the cages were greatly shaken. Molineux was much agitated and was pale and drawn about the face when it was over. All the prisoners were in a similar condition. Dr. Kennedy is said to have been so affected that he could hardly stand.

   Antonio Ferraro is to die next week for the murder of Lucius Mussaccio on Sept. 4, 1898. Since being in the death house he has proved to be most vicious and uncontrollable.

   Warden Johnson feared to inform him that all appeals for clemency had failed and that he must die next week. This duty he entrusted to an Italian priest from New York, who visits the condemned man occasionally. The priest went to the death house and informed Ferraro that he must expect to die any time after Sunday at midnight.

   The moment Ferraro heard this he burst forth into a prolonged scream. His screeches in the silent room were fearful and were totally unexpected by the prisoners. For the greater part of half an hour Ferraro screamed hysterically, rushing about the cell and acting in a violent manner. Finally the priest calmed Ferraro somewhat, leaving him seated on his cot rocking and moaning.

   Warden Johnson fears a scene when Ferraro is led to the death chamber on Monday next, which is the probable date.

Dr. Mary Walker.

 

Opposed to Capital Punishment.

   ALBANY, Feb. 21.—Dr. Mary Walker, whose masculine dress attracted great attention yesterday at the Capitol, appeared before the assembly committee on codes yesterday afternoon in favor of Mr. Maher's bill to abolish capital punishment. Those who listened to her argument were composed mostly of women.

 

PROTECTION FOR NEGROES.

Colored Voters of Kentucky Are Upheld in Their Franchise.

   LOUISVILLE, Feb. 21.—In the case of several persons arrested during the recent state election for alleged intimidation of negro voters Judge Evans in the United States court overruled the demurrer of the defendants which brought into question the jurisdiction of the federal court.

   Judge Evans held that congress passed section 5507 of the United States statutes to protect the colored people in their right of suffrage and 5508 was passed to prevent persons from conspiring to injure and oppress, thus insuring this class of voters the free exercise of their right of franchise; that congress had the power to pass such laws as the only real guarantee of liberty, and that it was the duty of the court to see that the provisions of the statutes were enforced.

   He held that if congress had no power to protect the colored people against intimidation, etc., then they were left at the mercy of the combinations of politicians and brute force, and that the fact that the election was one at which only officers of the state were voted for did not in any wise take away the jurisdiction of the United States court to protect the colored voters under the constitutional amendments and sections referred to.

 

Uniform Law For Plumbers.

   ALBANY, Feb, 21.—Another hearing on the bill of Senator Armstrong providing that a plumber having passed an examination before an examining board of one city or village shall be entitled to engage in his work in any city of the state. John F. Kinney, representing the Master Plumbers' association of Rochester, favored the measure, as he said it established a uniform law throughout the state. John E. Harbison of Schenectady also favored the bill. H. W. Westcott of Albany, president of the State Master Plumbers' association, opposed the measure.

 

PAGE TWO—EDITORIALS.

The Savings Bank Tax.

   The Hon. Willis S. Paine of New York, formerly superintendent of the State Banking department, has sent to the chairman of the assembly committee on taxation and retrenchment a powerful argument against the proposal to tax all deposits in savings banks above the sum of $1,000. He calls attention first to the fact that measures of this kind tend to prevent competent men holding such responsible and thankless positions as trustees of savings banks. He cites the case of a trustee of the Bond Street Savings bank sued under a law that made him responsible for unauthorized acts not committed with any wrong intent: the law holds him responsible even though he acted under the advice of counsel. The result of the litigation brought against him was that he had to pay $113,000.

   Mr. Paine points out next that the bill would operate inequitably. "Private individuals and many corporations," he says, "may by concealment as to the amount to be taxed avoid payment, but savings institutions may be compelled to make without the possibility of under-valuation a full public exhibit of their resources." The consequence would be that they would have to bear their share of the taxation that private individuals and corporations escaped. Moreover, they pay taxes already. The real estate that they hold in connection with their buildings is taxed. It should be remembered also that the real estate upon which they hold mortgages bears a tax.

   But the strongest point that Mr. Paine makes is that the bill will tend to discourage the thrift of the poor. According to the last annual report of the superintendent of the state banking department the amount due depositors on the first of January was $887,480,650.30. This vast sum is the result of small accumulations that would not without economy have been saved and thus placed within the reach of the tax gatherer. It is not only of great importance to the people that have deposited it but to the industrial interest of the community. In the first place, it enables them to make provision for the purchase of homes, for such emergencies as sickness, and for the incapacity of old age. In the second place, it becomes available to the holders of real estate, and is a potent factor in reducing the rate to interest. Were laws to be enacted to discourage the habits of thrift that have placed nearly a billion dollars at the disposal of the community, they would do incalculable harm. "If the pecuniary result were not to be considered," says Mr. Paine, "the moral result of discouraging habits of industry and economy cannot be overdrawn."

   The conservative forces of society called into existence by these accumulations are worthy of especial attention at this time. "Organized anarchy has existed in this country," says Mr. Paine. "All communities possess an unstable and vicious element, and experience has demonstrated that the city of New York as well as in Chicago and elsewhere, a slight pretext may be made the excuse for a disturbance. Savings institutions especially are to be conserved as barriers to the increase of communism. The small sum the state may realize from savings banks by the enactment of laws like these bills is of small consequence compared to the harm wrought by the knowledge of the fatal fact that these deposits are subject to taxation."

   It should be remembered, finally, that the poor are already subject to heavy indirect taxation. That has been pointed out many times. On this subject Mr. Paine says: "The poorer portion of every community pay many indirect taxes, and their small accumulations should be protected from taxation to the end that the tendency to save may be encouraged. For example, those who engage in manual labor usually do not own the tenement that gives them shelter. The landlord imposes the tax which be pays, in the form of additional rent upon the tenant precisely as a farmer increases the price of his products as his taxes increase."

   ◘ Mr. Frick has sued Mr. Carnegie for 16,000,000. Possibly Mr. Frick wants to found a few libraries himself.

 

Fire at J. B. Kellogg's.

   A fire in the cloak room of J. B. Kellogg's store on the second floor was quickly extinguished at 4:15 P. M. to-day. A hose from the Palace Star laundry was run across the alley and extinguished the flame before the fire department arrived.

 

Attorney James Dougherty.

CITIZENS' MEETING.

HOT TIME IN THE OLD TOWN LAST NIGHT.

Full Citizens' Ticket Nominated—City Charter Figures Prominently in the Discussion—Charges That Obstructionists Were Present--Oil on Troubled Waters—Great Crowd of all Parties and Classes Present.

   Fireman's hall was last night crowded to the doors and clear down the stairway and standing room was at a premium. The occasion was the meeting called by the so-called Citizens' committee to nominate a full Citizens' ticket for the coming village charter election. Not all of those present were there to take part or were in sympathy with the movement, but many were spectators, interested to know was to be done. A considerable number came because of a hint conveyed by a handbill that was spread about town during the day that the proposed city charter was to be discussed, and it was thought that some new light might be thrown upon the subject. This did indeed come in for its share of attention, but it proved not to be the primary object of the meeting. That was to go through the form of nominating a ticket, and a full ticket was proposed, though It was stated in the convention that the mere nomination of an independent ticket at a meeting of that kind was not sufficient or legal, but that a petition to ratify those names must be signed by the required number of individuals.

   At 7:30 o'clock the meeting was called to order by M. H. Yale, who nominated for chairman of the meeting A. J. Murray. The nomination was seconded and carried and Mr. Murray took the chair. He said as a preliminary that this was a most undesirable position for him to take and he was not anxious to preside, still he had yielded to the wishes of his friends in the matter and it was time that some one sacrifice himself. It was reported, Mr. Murray said, that a charter made by some one was about to be thrust upon Cortland without an opportunity for the people to express an opinion upon it.

   On motion J. A. Jayne was made secretary of the meeting.

   At this point James Dougherty arose and said that he was there in response to a call circulated that day upon a handbill, a copy of which he held in his hand, which appointed a public meeting at this time and place for the purpose of discussing the proposed city charter for the village of Cortland. A number were present who were interested in that charter who would like to take part in the meeting if anything was coming up in reference to the charter. The same handbill also intimated that another purpose of the meeting was to nominate an independent Citizens' ticket. If this was so he didn't wish to interfere in any respect with the progress of the meeting. If the charter was the object of the meeting he should insist on the right to take part. He therefore called upon the chairman for information as to the object of the meeting.

   George B. Jones was on his feet in a moment and said they were there to nominate an independent ticket.

   Chairman Murray stated that there had been a mistake in preparing the copy for the handbill. The names of the committee which were appended to it were there by mistake. That committee was appointed for altogether another purpose. The bill should have been signed by another committee, and he would call upon the man who was really the chairman of the proper committee whose names should have been on the bill, to explain the object of the meeting.

   Mr. M. H. Yale responded and said that the purpose of the meeting was to nominate an Independent Citizens' ticket. The independent citizens wanted the proposition for a city charter first submitted to the voters if it were to be considered. After the ticket had been nominated they purposed to discuss the charter, and he hoped that all who were interested and who would like to discuss the charter would wait and take part in the discussion at the proper time.

   Lewis S. Hayes inquired what Mr. Dougherty had to do in this meeting any way. He didn't belong to the Independent Citizens movement. He was there as an obstructionist. The meeting was called by the independent citizens to nominate a ticket, and if they afterward proposed to discuss the city charter what business of Mr. Dougherty's was it whether they did or not? "What do you expect to do," said Mr. Hayes turning directly to Mr. Dougherty, "Do you think it legitimate business to come into such a meeting and try to run it?"

   Mr. Dougherty said that Mr. Hayes' remarks seemed to be personal, and he explained that it was not his intention to interfere in any way and that he would never have thought of coming to it had it not been for the dodgers put out.

   L. F. Stillman said he didn't expect to always remain a citizen of Cortland, but he thought the charter was a good thing. He didn't believe the dodger expressed the sentiments of any great number of citizens. The citizens need none of them fear that the charter was to be railroaded through the legislature as an abundant opportunity would be given for a full and free discussion of its provisions.

   Chairman Murray stated that the people who called this meeting believed it to be one of the fundamental provisions of the charter that it should contain a referendum clause and that it should not be put through without submitting it to the people; and that the plan of putting it through the legislature without submitting it to vote was contrary to the republican form of government under which we live. The charter, said the chairman, may be exactly what we want, but what we object to is the method of putting it through without a chance to express our approval or disapproval of it.

   Mr. Dougherty said that as the people who were there didn't seem to know much about the proposed charter and what it contained, and as there was no way of getting a copy of it till the printed copy was sent back from Albany, and as  it was evident that the people would like to have a look at it before discussing it, it seemed to him that this meeting was premature and he would, therefore move that the meeting adjourn pursuant to a call from the village board of trustees when the copy of the charter came back.

   The motion was seconded by some one from the house, but was declared out of order by the chairman on the ground that Mr. Dougherty was not a member of the citizens' organization and consequently had no right to take part in its meeting. 

   Dr. Higgins said that he and Mr. Dougherty were good friends. He thought Mr. Dougherty represented a number of people who wished to be heard and they had a perfect right to be heard. If any discussion were to follow or any action were to be taken he hoped those people would feel free to remain and take part and have their say.

   Mr. Dougherty said he thanked the doctor for the bouquets thus thrown to him, and he would like to throw some more back to the doctor were he able to do it in such an easy graceful style, but in any event be thought that he and Dr. Higgins fully understood each other.

   Chairman Murray inquired, what was the pleasure of the meeting?

   M. H. Yale then moved the nomination of a full ticket for village offices. He said he hoped that no one would leave the hall under the impression that the committee who had called this meeting was opposed to a city charter. What they were opposed to was the method of putting it through. They would like a voice in the matter of its adoption.

   A voice from the house inquired if Mr. Yale, the mover of the resolution, purposed continuing his residence in Cortland during the coming year.

   Mr. Yale evaded the question by replying that he had not introduced a resolution, but had simply made a motion.

   Dr. O. A. Houghton inquired if the charter might not become a law before a meeting could be called to consider it.

   R. C. Duell inquired of Dr. Houghton if he did not read The STANDARD and if he had not noticed Mr. Sands' telegram there last night saying that a hearing was set down for Tuesday, Feb. 27.

   Dr. Houghton replied that he did read it carefully every night.

   Rev. J. L. Robertson, D. D., said that he was not accustomed to speaking in meetings of this kind, but he felt very deeply regarding the proposed charter. He was opposed to the methods pursued to get it through. He denounced the action of the promoters of the charter and of the village officers in approving of it.

   Mr. Yale then read the list of nominations that had been prepared by the committee. They were voted for separately, but as a whole they are as follows:

   For President—Benj. L. Webb.

   For Trustee, Second Ward—Dr. F. W. Higgins.

   For Trustee, Fourth Ward—Dr. C. D. VerNooy.

   For Treasurer—H. M. Kellogg.

   For Assessor—Robert McMillan,

   For Collector—R. J. Lucas.

   For Commissioners Union Free School District No. 1—F. E. Whitmore, O. A. Kinney, C. A. Lowell.

   While these nominations were submitted at this meeting, in order to have them legal they must be made by petition and a petition signed by at least 100 names of citizens must be secured to enable the nominations to be placed upon the ballot. These signatures were largely secured last night with the affidavits with each, and the list will very shortly be completed.

   M. H. Yale was appointed committeeman to fill any vacancies that might appear on the ticket.

   Dr. Houghton moved that the committee previously appointed for the purpose ask the president of the village to call a mass-meeting at the Opera House within two days after the return of printed copies of the charter from Albany, to discuss the charter and give the people an opportunity to know what it contained, and if the president failed to do so that the citizens committee be authorized to call the meeting. The motion was seconded and carried. The meeting then adjourned.

 

W. C. T. U. Parlor Meeting.

   A parlor meeting under the auspices of the W. C. T. U. was held at the rooms on Saturday evening, Feb. 17. The exercises were commemorative of the life and work of Frances E. Willard and consisted of brief papers on various phases of W. C. T. U. work, recitations, vocal music and an earnest and inspiring address by Dr. O. A. Houghton on the subject, "Our Organization a Monument to Frances E. Willard."

   Refreshments were served at the close of the program. There were about forty present. The receipts of the evening were $5.50 of which $2 is to be contributed to national work.

 

BREVITIES.

   —A special meeting of the Cortland Science club is called for this evening at 7:30 o'clock sharp, at the office of the Traction Co. Ladies are invited.

   —The Epworth league of the First M. E. church will hold a patriotic parlor meeting at the home of Mr. and Mrs. A. L. Gladding, 78 Clinton-ave., to-night.

   —New display advertisements to-day are—F. D. Smith, Red Cross stove, page 6; W. J. Perkins, Vim, vigor, vitality, page 7; C. W. Cudworth, Repairing glasses, page 5.

   —To-morrow is Washington's birthday and a legal holiday. The postoffice will be closed except from 7 to 10 A. M. and 6 to 7 P. M. There will be but one complete delivery by carriers, and the last mail will close at 7 P. M.

   —At the John L. Lewis lodge of Odd Fellows last night the second degree was worked upon six candidates. Visitors were present from Vesta lodge and from McGrawville lodge. Refreshments were served during a social hour at the close of the exercises.

   —One very sure evidence that Cortland is growing is the fact that there is scarcely a house in town to be rented. Everything is occupied. Several of the large factories are running nights with double shifts of men. In Homer several men recently come to town to work in the Brockway shops are unable to find houses in the town into which to move their families.