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| Piet Arnoldus Cronje. |
Cortland Evening Standard, Friday, February 23, 1900.
CRONJE'S LAST STAND.
Brought to Bay by Roberts' Troops—The Boers Fight Desperately.
LONDON, Feb. 23.—General Cronje is seemingly making his last stand. He is dying hard, hemmed in by British infantry with shells from 50 guns falling into his camp.
On the third day of the fight the Boer chief asked for an armistice to bury his dead. "Fight to a finish or surrender unconditionally," was Lord Kitchener's reply. General Cronje immediately sent back word that his request for a truce had been misunderstood and that his determination then, as before, was to fight to the death.
The battle went on. This was the situation of General Cronje Tuesday evening, as sketched in the scanty telegrams that have emerged from the semi-silence of South Africa.
Officially, Lord Roberts wires that he has scattered the advance commandoes of the reinforcements that were striving to reach General Cronje. It is regarded as singular that Lord Roberts, wiring Wednesday, should not mention the appeal for armistice on the previous day, and also that the war office should withhold good news, if it has any.
Without trying to reconcile even the scanty materials at hand, it seems plain that General Cronje is in a bad, and even a desperate situation and that the British are pressing their advantage.
While the attack on General Cronje proceeds, there is a race for concentration between the Boers and the British. The engagement with General Cronje's 5,000 to 8,000 entrenched men is likely to become an incident in a battle between the masses. The separate fractions of the Boers' power are rapidly drawing together to attack Lord Roberts.
Will General Cronje be able to hold out until the Boer masses appear, or if he does, will they then be able to succor him? The British are facing the Boers on grounds where the arms, tactics and training of the British are expected to give them the advantage.
General Buller, according to a dispatch from Chieveley, dated Wednesday, finds the Boers in positions north of the Tugela largely reinforced. This seems strange.
The war office, for the first time, has given out a n official [compilation] of the British losses. The total is 11,208 to Feb. 17. This does not include, therefore, Lord Roberts' recent losses, nor the Wiltshire prisoners.
The press association learns that the British losses at Koodoosrand were 700.
Three thousand fresh troops will embark for South Africa today.
The relative position of the combatants is likened to chess players, one of whom, from time to time, adds pieces to the board, while any loss to the adversary is irreplaceable.
ARMISTICE DENIED.
Boers Must Fight or Surrender Unconditionally to British.
CAPE TOWN, Tuesday morning, Feb. 22.—In reply to General Cronje's request for an armistice of 24 hours to allow him to bury his dead, Lord Kitchener told the Boer commander that he must fight to a finish or surrender unconditionally. General Cronje's position is reported hopeless. The British have occupied Barkly West.
From Far Off Manila.
MANILA, Feb. 23.—Americans fittingly celebrated George Washington's birthday here. Numerous houses were decorated and the stars and stripes floated all over the city and business was quite suspended. A number of banquets were held.
OVER THE FALLS.
Man Supposed to Be John Lazarus of Mount Carmel, Pa., Suicides.
NIAGARA FALLS, N. Y., Feb. 23.—A man between 50 and 60 years old, smooth shaven and respectably attired, supposed to be John Lazarus of Mount Carmel, Pa., jumped from Goat Island bridge into the upper rapids and went over the American falls yesterday afternoon. He came here on a Lehigh Valley excursion at noon and engaged a hackman to drive him to the points of interests. While driving he stopped at the United States express office and expressed three pocketbooks and a gold watch to Dr. J. S. Lazarus at Bloomburg, Pa.
After driving for an hour he took the trolley line to the gorge, and on returning left his grip and overcoat at the railway office. Then he walked hurriedly towards the Goat Island bridge. Ten minutes later Park Policemen Highlands and Burch saw a man leap from the bridge into the water, and their description tallies with that of Lazarus, The grip contained an empty whisky flask and a pair of gloves. All who had occasion to meet Lazarus say he appeared perfectly rational and did not seem the least excited.
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| Charles Rufus Skinner. |
NEW RULINGS EXPLAINED.
Superintendent Skinner Throws Light upon Subjects of Interest to Teachers.
The school commissioners of Cortland county have received from Hon. Charles R. Skinner, superintendent of public instruction of New York state, the new regulations governing uniform examinations for teachers' certificates, which will be of keen interest to all teachers and would-be teachers. They are as follows:
"After Aug. 1, 1900, the questions shall be upon the present first grade basis, and we shall not have two sets of questions, one known as the second and third grades and the other as the first grade. All persons, however, who have earned certificates under the present regulations, or who shall complete the work for certificates under the present rules in the April examination, will receive such certificates Aug. 1.
"Third Grade Certificates—For certificates of the third grade candidates will be examined in the ten subjects in which they are now examined, and they will be required to attain 75 per cent in each subject. These certificates will be valid for a period of one year. The only change therefore which will be made in the requirements for a certificate of this grade, is the advance in the standard of the questions used in the examination, and in requiring 75 per cent instead of 65 per cent in school law.
"Second Grade Certificates—(a) For a certificate of this grade candidates will be examined in fourteen subjects in which they are now examined and will be required to attain seventy-five per cent in all subjects except drawing, in which they must attain 65 per cent. This certificate will be issued for a period of three years.
"(b) Persons who have earned third grade certificates under these rules will be exempt from examination in all subjects required for such certificates and on attaining the prescribed standing in the four additional subjects during the time for which their third grade certificates are valid, will be entitled to receive second grade certificates.
"(c) Persons holding third grade certificates issued under the rules now in operation, will not be entitled to apply the standing on which such third grade certificates were issued on that required for a second grade certificate, as such standing was earned in examinations on the second grade basis instead of on the first grade basis. Such persons, however, will be allowed two years if necessary in which to complete the work required for a certificate of the second grade under the new regulations.
''(d) Persons holding certificates of the second grade issued under the present rules, will be entitled to receive another second grade certificate under the revised rules and will be allowed two years in which to complete the work for such second grade certificate. It is important that all persons holding second grade certificates under the present rules shall enter examinations August next and continue the work in each of the subsequent examinations until they have earned another certificate.
"(e) Persons having earned certificates of the second grade under the merit rules, that is, having attained 90 per cent in each of the subjects required for such certificate, will be issued another certificate of the second grade under the revised rules without examination.
"(f) All persons holding certificates of the second grade who have attained 90 per cent in one or more of the subjects on such certificate, will be exempt from examination therein for a period of two years and during such period will be allowed to complete the work required for another certificate of the second grade.
"First Grade Certificates—(a) Certificates of this grade earned under the revised rules will be issued for a period of ten years and may be renewed upon their expiration from time to time without examination, provided the holders of such certificates have taught successfully for five of the ten years for which they were issued. It will be observed that these certificates will be made valid for twice the period for which they have been previously issued and that the condition of renewal is simplified to the extent of requiring that those holding them shall have taught at least one-half of the time for which they were issued. It therefore seems advisable to advance somewhat the requirements for certificates of this grade by including English composition and the philosophy and history of education and by requiring candidates to attain 75 per cent in all subjects except drawing, in which they must attain 65 per cent.
"(b) Persons who have attained 75 per cent in first grade examinations, since Jan. 1, 1898, will be exempt from examination in such subjects and may complete the work for a certificate of this grade in any or all of the examinations held within three years from that date.
"(c) Persons holding second grade certificates issued under the merit rules, that is, certificates on which is recorded a standing of 90 per cent in each subject, will be exempt from examination in all of such subjects for a certificate of the first grade and will be allowed three years in which to complete the additional subjects for first grade certificates.
"(d) Persons holding certificates of the second grade issued under the present rules and dated on or after Aug. 1, 1899, will be allowed three years in which to earn a certificate of the first grade under the present rules.
"It will be observed from the above rulings relative to the issuance of first and second grade certificates that we have accorded candidates the privileges to which they are entitled under the merit rules adopted in 1898. I am also disposed to be as liberal as possible to the teacher of successful experience and all persons who have taught successfully for five years on second grade certificates will be exempt from examination in all subjects credited on their present second grade certificates with a standing of 75 per cent.
"The provisions of the new regulations affecting college graduates are as follows: "Graduates of approved colleges who have completed an approved pedagogical course in a university or college are exempt from examination. Candidates for certificates who meet these conditions, will be issued a certificate for a period of three years and during this period an official inspection of the work of such persons will be made by inspectors of this department and at the expiration of three years, if their work is satisfactory, college graduate certificates will be issued."
The following regulations are made as to high schools: After Aug 1, 1901, no person who does not possess one of the following qualifications or who was not employed in high school teaching in this state during the school year ending July 31, 1901, shall be employed to teach foreign languages (modern or ancient,) English, mathematics, botany, zoology, physiology, physics, chemistry, physiography [sic], history, civics, economics, or psychology, in any high school or high school department in any city whose teachers are examined and licensed under the authority of the state department of public instruction or in any village authorized by law to employ a superintendent of schools:
(a) A state certificate issued since 1875 by the state superintendent of public instruction.
(b) A college graduate certificate issued by the state superintendent of public instruction.
(c) Graduation from a college approved by the state superintendent, and graduation from a pedagogical course in a university or college also approved by the state superintendent, or in lieu of graduation from such pedagogical course three years experience in teaching.
(d) A Normal school diploma issued on the completion of a classical course in a State Normal school in this state, or in a State Normal school of another state whose classical course has been approved by the state superintendent of public instruction.
(e) A Normal school diploma issued on the completion of a course in a State Normal school, other than the classical course, will be accepted for those subjects above enumerated which were included in the course completed by the person holding such Normal school diploma.
(f) A first-grade uniform certificate and in addition thereto a standing of 75 per cent attained in an examination under the direction of the state superintendent of public instruction in each of the above enumerated subjects which such person is employed to teach.
Pedagogical courses are "approved" in the following institutions: Adelphi college, Brooklyn; Hamilton college, Clinton; Cornell university, Ithaca; Barnard college, College of the City of New York, College of St. Francis Xavier, Columbia university, and Teachers' college, New York; and Syracuse university, Syracuse.
TRIAL OF JOHN TRUCK
BEGUN AT THE COURT HOUSE THIS MORNING.
Court Room Crowded With Jurors—No Others Admitted to Room—Many Applications for Being Excused, Some Granted—Six Jurors Called and Examined During Forenoon, Two Accepted, William Salisbury of McGraw and Eliss Crampton of Homer.
The trial of John Truck charged with the murder of Frank W. Miller in the town of Virgil on the night of March 14, 1899, was begun in supreme court at the courthouse in Cortland soon after 10 o'clock this morning. No case in years has begun to arouse the interest in Cortland of this one. The early morning trains were loaded with jurymen and spectators coming to Cortland, for a panel of 336 jurors had been drawn for the occasion, and between 9 and 10 o'clock Court-st. was lined with people going to and coming from the courthouse. Coming from, for G. K. Smith of Marathon at the outside door would admit no one to the building except attorneys, jurymen and reporters. There was much grumbling at this among the parties refused admittance, but there was reason for it, for including the extra chairs that had been put in the court room seats but 330, and there are 336 jurymen. After a jury has been selected and the 324 men not needed have gone home then there will be an opportunity for others to come in to hear the testimony.
Before time for the court to open all the seats were taken, even the chairs I the jury box. The box began to fill up with attorneys, and the reporters occupied a table within the bar and just in front of the clerk's desk.
At 10:23 Justice Sewell took his place upon the bench. Attorney H. C. Johnson of New York by invitation occupied a seat by his side. District Attorney Duffey, Attorney O. U. Kellogg, H. A Dickinson and Dr. James M. Milne for the prosecution took their chairs in a group at the table, with Attorneys E. W Hyatt, N. L. Miller and James Dougherty in the rear. Mr. J. E. Jarvis was seated at the end of the table with a book of county orders before him to draw orders to pay off the rejected jurors.
At 10:25 Crier Van Hoesen opened court.
A motion in a reference case was made by Judge Knox and the matter was quickly settled.
At 10:27 District Attorney Duffey arose and said: "If the court please, I would move the trial of The People against John Truck."
"Is the defense ready," inquired the court.
"It is ready," replied Mr. Hyatt.
"Bring in the prisoner," said Judge Sewell, and Under Sheriff F. M. Hazard went after him, bringing him in at 10:29.
Truck took a place close beside his counsel, and Deputy Sheriff Ryan of Cuyler took a chair by his side.
The prisoner looked more pale than when arrested a year ago. He was clean shaven and his mouth was shut together in a firm way and his eyes wandered about from side to side in a restless way, seemingly measuring up the men who held his life and death in their hands. He wore a neat fitting suit of dark brown with white turn over collar and dark blue polka dot tie.
Applications for excuses were first preferred by jurymen and the following were excused: M. E. Burlingame, the attorney of Willet; Ed. Butterfield, a painter of Cortland; Henry Hovey, a butcher of Homer; Edward Keater, president of the First National bank of Cortland; Byron Maxon, coal merchant of Cortland; O. J. Maycumber, insurance agent of Cortland; W. R. Miller, a book keeper of Homer; Peter Nodecker, a machinist of Cortland.
At 10:37 Deputy Clerk Jones directed Truck to stand up and made the customary announcement to him in regard to challenge, saying that he might challenge any juror if he so desired as he came forward to be sworn. Attorney Hyatt said that the defense had no challenge to make at present.
The first juror drawn was William Salisbury, a mechanic of Cortlandville. He was examined by Attorney O. U. Kellogg, and proved satisfactory so far as cause was concerned. It was decided right here by the court that the prosecution might first use their challenges for cause, then the defense their challenges for cause, next the prosecution their peremptory challenges and lastly the defense their peremptory challenges. Attorney Miller examined the juror for the defense. At 11 o'clock both sides announced themselves satisfied with the juror and he was sworn. The juror had read the account of the transaction in the Cortland County Sentinel.
At this point W. E. Powers of Cortland made an application to be excused and his request was granted.
The second juror called was Jay Heath, a farmer of Cortlandville. The juror had read the account of the transaction in the Cortland STANDARD and had formed an opinion which it would require much evidence to change. Objected to by the defense and excused by the court at 11:15.
The third juror called was H. I. Whiting of Scott. He had read an account of the transaction in the Cortland STANDARD and had formed an opinion which was so strong he thought he could not render a verdict on the evidence without having it affected by his previous opinion. Excused by the court at the close of the examination by prosecution without examination by defense.
The fourth juror drawn was Eliss Crampton, a farmer of Homer. He had read the account of the transaction in the Cortland STANDARD. He had formed an opinion concerning the guilt of the prisoner, but believed he could render a fair and impartial verdict in accordance with the evidence. He was acceptable to both sides and was sworn as the second juror.
The fifth juror drawn was Edward Wilcox, a farmer of Harford. He had followed the transaction in the Cortland STANDARD. Had formed an opinion and it would require evidence to remove it; could not give equal weight to evidence for defense as he would for prosecution as he now felt. Challenged by defense and excused by court.
The sixth juror drawn was George H. Trapp of Virgil. He had read an account of the case in the Cortland STANDARD and had formed on opinion. He could render a verdict in spite of his opinion if it was the right evidence, but without knowing the evidence he could not say but what his verdict might not be affected by the opinion. Challenge for cause by defense. Overruled by court. Defense took an exception. Peremptory challenge by defense. Juror excused by court.
It had now become 12:30 o'clock and a large number of applications for excuses were made. The following were excused: Almond M. Kibble of Homer; William Munson of Lapeer; Job Ayres, a farmer of Harford; Clarence Tripp, a farmer of Freetown; Ed Haley, a farmer of Solon; John Flavahan, a farmer of Willet; Byron E. Wilson, a mason of Marathon; Fred Henry, a farmer of Homer; Gurden Gay, a farmer of Preble; Frank Gallagher, a stage driver of Virgil; Frank Yaples, a farmer of Virgil; Jas. H. Wavle, a farmer of Harford; Morris House, a farmer of Cuyler; John O. Kingsley, a farmer of Preble; Burdett Hall, a farmer of Freetown; Henry F. Harter, a farmer of Preble; S. A. Churchill, a farmer of Scott; Cyrus A. Watson, a druggist of Homer; Arthur J. Goddard, a hotel proprietor of Cortland. This made thirty-four drawn up to the noon recess, two accepted as jurors and thirty-two registered or excused. At 1 o'clock court took a recess till 2 o'clock.
At 2:05 court reconvened and A. M. Schermerhorn, retired, of Cortland was excused from serving.
F. A. Crosley, a farmer and supervisor of Scott, was the seventh juror drawn. Had read the account of the transaction and had formed an opinion which he believed might be likely to bias any verdict which he might bring, regardless of evidence. Challenged for cause by defense. Excused by the court. (Mr. Crosley is a daily reader of the evening STANDARD, though this did not appear from his testimony.)
Reuben Holmes, a farmer of Cuyler, was the eighth juror called. Had read the account of the transaction in the Cortland STANDARD. Had conscientious scruples against the death penalty. Challenged for cause by prosecution. Excused by the court.
D. L. Harrington, a farmer of South Cortland, was the ninth juror called. Had read the account of the transaction in the Cortland STANDARD. Had discussed the matter with son-in-law, a resident of Virgil, and with others. Clear evidence would be required to change his opinion. Challenged for bias by defense. Excused by court.
Christopher Long, a carpenter of Preble was the tenth juror called. Has known Defendant Truck for seven or eight years. Had read the account of the transaction in the Cortland STANDARD. Has conscientious scruples against the death penalty. Challenged for cause by prosecution. Excused by court.
William N. Bliss, a farmer of Willet, was the eleventh juror called. Had talked about the matter and had expressed an opinion as to the guilt or innocence of the defendant. It would take evidence to change opinion. Challenged for cause by defense. Excused by court.
William Rickey, a farmer of Harford, was the twelfth juror drawn. Had read the account of the transaction in the Cortland STANDARD. Had talked the matter over with some of the people living along the state road near Milles's home, and with J. E. Winslow, who was foreman of the coroner's jury. Challenged by defense for cause. Excused by court at 3 P. M.
REV. ROBERT CLEMENTS
CALLED TO PASTORATE OF PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
Very Large Meeting of Church and Society—Action Absolutely Unanimous—Belief That Mr. Clements Will Accept the Call and Come Soon—Classmate of Rev. Mr. Stone at Auburn Theological Seminary—Now Preaching at Cuba, N. Y.
At a very largely attended meeting of the Presbyterian church and society last night Rev. Robert Clements of Cuba, N.Y., was unanimously called to the pastorate of the local church, and there is reason to think that he will be likely to accept the call.
The usual church prayer-meeting was held at 7:30 o'clock and was conducted by Mr. Store. The subject was "The Christian Walking with Christ." The pastor brought out the threefold relations of Christian duty: the relation of the Christian to God, of God to the Christian, and of Christians to each other. Indirectly there was a turn to this subject that was plainly brought out, bearing quite definitely upon the action of the later meeting.
At the conclusion of the prayer-meeting at 8:30 o'clock the meeting of the church and society, of which previous notice had been given, was called to order. By request of the session, Mr. Stone acted as moderator, and Mr. F. D. Smith, the secretary of the board of trustees as clerk. After prayer the moderator explained that the object of the meeting was the hearing of the report of the committee on pastor and the electing if deemed expedient of a pastor. Mr. Stone said that during the three years and over of his pastorate in Cortland it had been the custom to hold joint meetings at stated intervals of session, trustees and deacons. The rules of the Presbyterian church at large entrust the spiritual welfare of the church to the care of the session and pastor, but they had desired the counsel of the other two bodies, and it had been granted, and throughout those three years he took pleasure in saying that the three bodies had been an absolute unit on every matter that had come before them.
On the Saturday night prior to the presenting of his resignation to the church a meeting of session, trustees and deacons had been held. He had told them of his expected action on the coming day and the course of procedure, looking to the calling of a new pastor, had been decided upon. The following committee upon securing a pastor had then been appointed: Mr. H. F. Benton, chairman, and Mr. Lewis Bouton from the session; Mr. C.P. Walrad and Mr. T. H. Wickwire from the trustees; and Mr. Edward D. Blodgett from the church at large. He now called upon Mr. Benton for the report of the committee.
Mr. Benton said that the committee had held many meetings; it had had many names presented and suggested to it; it had looked them over carefully; it had been led to consider the name of Rev. Robert Clements, pastor of the Presbyterian church at Cuba, N, Y.; it had looked him up thoroughly and was satisfied that he was the man to succeed Mr. Stone, and now it came to this meeting unanimously recommending the calling of Mr. Clements to the pastorate of the church. He called upon Mr. Wickwire to tell of the visit which that gentleman and himself had made to Mr. Clements' prayer-meeting on the night of Feb. 7.
Mr. Wickwire said they had found Mr. Clements in the center of a live church, in a prayer-meeting room filled with young people as well as older ones. It had been an excellent meeting. They had seen Mr. Clements afterward in his home and talked with him. They were charmed with him in every respect. Mr. Wickwire also read a letter from Rev. J. F. Fitschen of the Presbyterian church in Ithaca, who had been a friend of Mr. Clements in the seminary.
Mr. C. P. Walrad read strong letters from Rev. Mr. Stevenson of Schenectady, pastor of Mr. Clements' home church, and also from Rev. Timothy Darling, D. D., now professor in Auburn Theological seminary, who had been Mr. Clements' pastor in Schenectady when he was a small boy, and afterward his instructor at Auburn, and who said that he had known Mr. Clements in three generations, grandparents, parents and self.
Mr. Edward D. Blodgett told of a personal incident which had led him to know Mr. Clements better than might otherwise have occurred in a long time. He also read a letter from that gentleman's classmate at Auburn, Rev. H. Grant Person of Seneca Falls; another letter from Rev. Timothy Darling, D. D., letters from Rev. Arthur S. Hoyt, D. D., and Rev. J. S. Riggs, D. D., professors in Auburn; and one from Rev. A. V. V. Raymond, D. D., LL. D., president of Union college. All spoke in the highest terms of Mr. Clements.
Mr. Bouton of the committee was unable to be present on account of illness in his family, but it was stated that he was enthusiastic for Mr. Clements.
Mr. Benton then called upon Mr. Stone for his impressions of Mr. Clements. That gentleman said that Mr. Clements had been his classmate at Auburn and was his dearest friend. He had never mentioned his name in connection with this pastorate because he was so near to him. It would be like recommending a brother. But the suggestion had come in the first place from the committee and the committee had pushed the matter, though he now made no secret of the fact that he was gratified at the result. The future of this church was very dear to him, and he knew of no one in whose hands be would rather leave it than in Mr. Clements'. He paid a warm tribute to him as a scholar, as a man, and as a Christian minister.
Mr. Benton then made a few more remarks urging harmony of action.
At the conclusion of his remarks Mr. J. A. Nixon moved that the church proceed immediately to ballot upon the pastor. Seconded and carried unanimously by rising vote.
Mr. F. D. Smith then moved that the church proceed to ballot upon the name of Mr. Clements on a "yes" and "no" ballot. Seconded and carried unanimously by a rising vote.
Messrs. C. F. Wickwire, O. W. Lund, W. H. Clark and A. F. Stilson were appointed tellers and the ballot proceeded. The result was 186 votes cast, 181 for, and five blanks. There being none against, the vote was immediately declared unanimous. The ballots were of very thin linen paper pressed closely together under the cutter when being trimmed, and they were difficult to separate in the first place. A general impression was that most of the blanks came from votes sticking together as a single ballot when put in and getting separated during the handling in the count.
A formal call was then read after the form prescribed by the Presbyterian rules, Mr. Clements' name being inserted in the blanks where it should appear. This will be signed by moderator, session and trustees and forwarded at once to Mr. Clements. The salary is fixed at $2,000 with a month's vacation to be taken at his discretion.
After prayer by the moderator the meeting adjourned.
Mr. Clements was born in Schenectady thirty years ago. He comes of a good family. His father is an elder and trustee in the First Presbyterian church of that city, having been for years the treasurer of the church. The mother early consecrated her two boys to the Christian ministry. The younger brother has just been called to the pastorate of the Presbyterian church at Gloversville. Mr. Clements was a graduate of Union college in 1891, and of Auburn Theological seminary in 1894, being one of the six honor men of the class to appear on the commencement stage, Mr. Stone being another of the six. He was called at once to Cuba and has since been the pastor of the church there which is the leading church of the place in number's and strength. He is unmarried. It is confidently believed that he will accept the call and can arrange, to come to Cortland at an early date.
More About Dr. Higgins' Pig.
To the Editor of the Standard:
SIR—The doctor's story of the proverb "Never buy a pig in a poke," does not quite apply to the matter which he attempts to follow. The fact that some saw a bag with something in it, seems to be all that led to the "fuss and feathers"' that followed. No sale, no gift, no description no nothing, only a bag with a cat, or pig, or thing that caused a suspicion, curiosity, or wish to know just what was in that package.
So guessing commenced, some guessing one thing and some another, until finally some wise-acre said that because of the secrecy there must be a draft of a city charter with the local-option clause left off. This guess caused a great commotion and I cannot illustrate it better than by telling another story. Once upon a time a number of boys and men with their dogs concluded to have a coon hunt. So after tramping through the woods for a long time, and becoming weary, they sat down to rest, and while resting one little dog began barking about a large brush-heap. His owner exclaiming, "Can it be possible that there is a coon under that brush-heap?" All set to work building fires, preparing clubs, and unpiling the brush. As the work proceeded excitement raged both with men and dogs. All were eager for the fray, and when the last handful of brush was lifted, sure enough no coon was there. The doctor with many others, who in imagination saw the cloven foot, could not refrain from saying that he ought to have had a hand in nourishing the "pig."
Now I will venture the assertion that if an attempt were made to frame a charter by a public method, or by one-fourth of the inhabitants of this village, the man is not living to-day who would see the village working under a city government for the adage of old would prove true in "that what is everybody's business is nobody's," No fears need be cherished but that the honorable legislature of this state will see to it that no wrong be done to the people of Cortland.
Yours truly, L. V. SMITH, dated Feb. 23, 1900.
BREVITIES.
—The class of young ladies taught by Mr. R. J. Lucas in the First M. E. Sunday-school will meet at the home of Miss Mertie Jones, Charles-st., this evening.
—New display advertisements to-day are—C. F. Thompson, Saturday's pickups, page 6; F. Daehler, 1900 Spring!, page 8; Mitchell & Strowbridge, Chickens, turkeys, veal, page 5.
—Cortland commandery, No, 50, K. T., will hold its regular conclave this evening and confer the order of temple after which a banquet will follow. Sir John Little of New York, grand junior warden, will be present on his official visit.
—In the account of the fire at Kellogg's dry goods store in Taylor hall block which appeared in yesterday's STANDARD a typographical error was responsible for the statement that the damage to the building would amount to about two hundred dollars. The statement should have read $500.
—A special meeting of the Cortland Science club will be held at the Hatch library this evening at 8 o'clock. This meeting takes the place of the meeting which would regularly be held to-morrow night. The speaker will be Mr. Lester Cooper, and the subject will be "Steel."
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