BEER STAMP THEFTS, TEACHERS' INSTITUTE, CARL BEARD'S WAGON TRAP, AND CORTLAND COUNTY VETERANS' ASSOCIATION

 

Cortland Evening Standard, Thursday, April 12, 1900.

BEER STAMP THEFTS.

Internal Revenue Agent Thompson Hunts Down Suspect.

   NEW YORK, April 12.—Within the past few months two mysterious robberies of beer stamps by which the government lost $16,000 have occurred. One of these thefts occurred while the stamps were in transit between the treasury department and the general postoffice in Washington, and the other between the postoffice and the internal revenue office in Chicago. The stamps stolen in Washington were worth $10,000 and those in Chicago $6,000.

   Information concerning these thefts was kept from the public but the internal revenue agents and collectors throughout the country were secretly warned to be on the lookout.

   Internal Revenue Agent Frank G. Thompson of the New York district recently suspected that the stolen beer stamps were hidden in Brooklyn and that the thieves made P. McCauley's saloon their headquarters. Agent Thompson learned that stamp thieves had made arrangements for the sale of a large quantity of stamps to a brewer's agent at the Astor House. Thomas Blaney, a bartender employed in McCauley's saloon, was seen to enter the hotel with a big brown paper bundle under his arm. He seemingly failed to meet the prospective purchaser, and afterwards at the corner of the hotel was arrested by Agent Thompson.

   The bundle which Blaney carried when opened in the federal building was found to contain about $10,000 worth of beer stamps. The prisoner was unable to give a satisfactory account of these stamps.

   Blaney was taken before United States Commissioner Shields, who held him in $5,000 bail for examination on Friday.

 

Fugitive Ingersoll in Philadelphia.

   ITHACA, N. Y., April 12.—A dispatch was received here last night by the chief of police from the chief of police at Philadelphia, announcing the arrest of a man supposed to be Charles Ingersoll, the fugitive treasurer of Tompkins county. A description of Ingersoll was telegraphed to Philadelphia and the police authorities asked that the man be held. A reward, which was offered for Ingersoll's arrest, will be paid if the man arrested in Philadelphia proves to be Ingersoll.

 

Veteran Superintendent of W. U. Dead.

   PATERSON, N. J., April 12.—William J. Holmes, aged 62, general superintendent of the Western Union Telegraph company, on the line of the Erie railroad for 40 years, died at his home here.

 

William Andrews Clark.

PAGE TWO—EDITORIALS.

Sen. Clark to be Unseated.

   Whoever has read the testimony in the case will not withhold approval from the unanimous decision of the senate committee on privileges and elections that Clark should be unseated. The evidence that large sums of money were spent to secure his electron is conclusive. Clark himself has admitted that he placed a good deal of money in the hands of his agents. He denied of course that an improper use was made of it. But only one inference can be drawn from the conduct of a candidate for the United States senate that uses money as freely as he did during a bitter and protracted election contest. It is that a considerable percentage of the money went into the pockets of the [state] legislators that had votes to exchange for it.

   In support of this view there is no lack of corroborative evidence. Witnesses were brought forward to prove that money was paid to certain legislators. It is doubtless true that some of them showed themselves to be somewhat untrustworthy. But even after all allowances have been made for this common infirmity, there is enough evidence to show that it was Clark's money and not his merit that secured his election. What makes his denial of the charge against him rather incredible is the fact that his own attorneys could not make out a case in his favor. The best that they could do was to show that the motive inspiring the contest was not a desire to unseat a corrupt man and to expose a shameless case of bribery; it was bitter personal animosity. That this motive operated we would not deny. But we assert that it has nothing to do with the matter. If it is a fact that Clark bought his seat, then he ought not to be permitted to hold it. The failure of his attorneys to show that he did not buy it is presumptive evidence that the charge against him is true.

   It is not to be inferred, however, that we think that Marcus Daly, Clark's opponent, has pursued a proper course. We think, on the contrary, that he is no better than Clark, and has certainly used money in politics freely, though not as a candidate. For years there has been fierce antagonism between the two men. In business as well as in politics, they have fought each other with the relentlessness of the adversaries in a Kentucky feud. There is little doubt that their free use of money in their efforts to down each other has had a very demoralizing effect upon the people of Montana and has seriously impaired the standard of private and public honor and honesty. In the light of this fact, we may admit that the Daly crowd, which has been pushing the charges against Clark, has not been animated with any high purpose. We may hope also that the governor of the state will not have the indecency to appoint Daly in his place. If he should, it would be in order to investigate the methods that he adopted to defeat his opponent. While the investigation might not have a direct bearing on the ease, it would show conclusively enough that he is most unfit to occupy a seat in the senate.

 

King's Daughters Meeting.

   The Loyal Circle of King's Daughters will meet with Mrs. S. L. Ingersoll, 82 Railroad-st., to-morrow afternoon at 3 o'clock.

 

LADIES' LITERARY CLUB

Spends an Afternoon With Shakespeare and Elects Officers.

   The Ladies' Literary club met yesterday afternoon with Mrs. G. E. Chambers, 28 Tompkins-st. The subject was "A Day with Shakespeare." The following program was given:

   Sonnets, Mrs. C. B. Hughes.

   The Jew of Malta and the Merchant of Venice, Mrs. E. B. Johnson.

   The Drama as a Medium of Philosophic Thought, Miss Ella Gale.

   Philosophy in Shakespeare, Mrs. S. J. Sornberger.

   Officers for next year were elected as follows:

   President—Mrs. F. D. Reese.

   First Vice-President—Mrs. W. A. Cornish.

   Second Vice-President—Miss Editha Stephens.

   Secretary and Treasurer—Mrs. J. E. Banta.

   Corresponding Secretary—Mrs. N. H. Gillette.

   The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 25, with Mrs. George H. Smith, 6 East Main-st.

 

Charles Rufus Skinner.

HON. CHARLES R. SKINNER

Addresses the Teachers' Institute Practical and Timely Talk.

WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON.

   After the opening exercises Prof. T. J. McEvoy occupied the first period. His subject was ''Civil Government." He gave several characteristics and habits which it is the duty of the teacher to develop. His work was mainly along the line of developing students for citizenship. A class of pupils from the intermediate department of the Normal was present and contributed much to the exercise. This exercise was esteemed very practical by the teachers.

   The second period was given to "The Recitation," by Conductor Smith. The strength of the teacher is shown in the recitation. The object of the recitation is to teach the pupils to think. The teacher should never enter the recitation without a well-defined purpose. The teachers were much interested in the work presented.

WEDNESDAY EVENING.

   Commissioner Katharine E. Cobb introduced the speaker of the evening. Institute Conductor Philip M. Hull, A. M., of Johnstown. The subject of his illustrated lecture was "Cuba and Puerto Rico." He spoke of the proposed Nicaragua canal and showed its necessity for the progress of the United States and the best interests of these islands. Among the more important views exhibited were some of the cathedrals, Morro castle, the governor-general's palace and the theaters. The chief productions of the islands were shown. The homes of the different classes of people were thrown on the screen and offered a sharp contrast. He also exhibited the transports which carried the soldiers to the scenes of the recent war. The principal American and Spanish warships were shown. The last slide represented Admiral Dewey. The interest manifested by the audience was very marked.

THURSDAY MORNING.

   The devotional exercises were conducted by Prof. Hull. The work of the first hour in the primary division was on "Drawing" by Miss Rice, the State instructor in that subject. In the intermediate part Conductor Smith discussed "Percentage." The advanced section listened very attentively to Prof. W. M. Booth as he gave a brief history of the microscope, explained its construction, and told the teachers how it could be used to their advantage even in district schools.

   State Superintendent Hon. Chas. R. Skinner was present the second period and addressed the institute. Progress in educational work is made evident by the reduction in the number of examinations which the teachers are required to undergo. The tendency has been to place too much reliance on the attainment of a certain per cent in a certain subject at a certain time. Such work bars individuality. The mere holding of a certificate does not make a teacher. It is the spirit of the teacher that tells. If a teacher cannot love children and lead them aright the state ought to give her another diploma to leave the profession. Every teacher ought to receive inspiration here and be able to do better work. The teaching of this state to-day is better than it ever has been. We want the home spirit in harmony with the school spirit.

   Mr. Skinner spoke with great earnestness of the recent attempt to secure a curfew ordinance in Cortland. The worst of all influences is a street education. It is bad enough for the boys, but God help the girls.

   The possibilities and responsibilities in the path of the teacher were never greater than to-day. Professional training in this state is rapidly increasing. Forty-three per cent of our teachers hold professional certificates. The greater part of these certificates have been issued within the last four years.

   Teachers must study the children. They must find out their highest ideals, know their environments, and get into their lives. A crowded schoolroom limits the influence of the teacher. Individual instruction secures the best results.

   A great wrong is done the women who instruct our children by denying to them what we readily give to foreigners—the right of suffrage. It takes twenty-one years to raise a citizen in this country, but a foreigner can become naturalized in one-tenth that time.

   The work of the last period was that indicated on the program.

 

 

A Cottage Prayer-meeting.

   The Cortland Praying band will hold a cottage prayer-meeting, Friday night, April 11, at the residence of Charles V. Wright, 9 Pomeroy-st. All are welcome. Come and bring your friends.

 

DEATH OF AN OLD RESIDENT.

Mrs. Akin of Joliet, Ill., Formerly Sophronia C. Merrill of Cortland.

   The Juliet, (Ill.,) News of March 28 notes the death in that city on the previous day of one who will be remembered by the older residents of Cortland as Miss Sophronia C. Merrill, who was born and lived till her marriage on what is now known as the George Conable farm just east of the Port Watson bridge. She was the widow of Edward Howard Akin and mother of Attorney General E. C. Akin of Illinois. Her age was 81 years. She was the daughter of Abel and Charlotte Merrill of Cortland and married Mr. Akin June 10, 1840. In 1847 they moved to Michigan, a little later to Chicago, and about fifty years ago to Lockport, Ill., whence in 1854 they moved to Joliet, which has since been their home. Mrs. Akin is survived by two sons and two daughters. Mr. Akin was in the flour business when he first went to Joliet. He invested largely in real estate in the rapidly growing city of Joliet and as a result became immensely wealthy. Mrs. Akin was a member of the Central Presbyterian church of Joliet, having taken her letter there from the Presbyterian church of Cortland. She was a cousin of Mr. A. P. Rowley of South Cortland.

 

Carl Beard's Trap.

   Carl Beard, son of Mr. Robert H. Beard, recently received from his father a little gray donkey that is decidedly deliberate in all his movements. Carl is possessed of a mechanical turn of mind and wholly by himself has evolved a trap [light two-wheeled carriage—CC ed.] that would surprise the natives. It has been out upon the street a few times, and never fails to attract attention, but it is a pretty good piece of work just the same for a boy of his years. It is a drygoods box mounted on two wheels, on the top of which the passengers ride. It has a foot board and tail board with a board in the middle which serves as a back for those facing both ways. Carl's latest addition is a big bell, but whether he got it to warn pedestrians of his coming, fearing that the common council would hold up his donkey for moving too fast or whether it is to inform the automobiles that he is there and doesn't want to be run over has not yet appeared. But at any rate he enjoys both his donkey and his new trap, all his boy friends enjoy him because he gives them frequent invitations to ride, and all the people enjoy seeing the whole outfit and the happy crowd mounted on top.

 

Local Personals.

   MR. LEWIS S. HAYES has consulted Dr. U. H. Brown, the oculist, of Syracuse with reference to removing from both his eyes cataracts from which he has been suffering for a long time. The operation will be performed within a very short time now. Mr. Hayes still goes about the streets, but is unable to recognize his best friends over 3 feet away. If he has lately failed to speak to those whom he should recognize and know, this is the reason, and he will rejoice to have perfect eyesight again, for it now appears that with the progress of science cataracts in the hands of a skillful operator are easily overcome.

 

NEW READINGROOM

To be Opened by the Christian Scientists at the Samson Building.

   First church of Christ Scientist, of Cortland, will open on Friday afternoon, April 13, a readingroom in connection with its church work, on the second floor of Samson block, Main-st. Here will be found on sale and for readingroom use all authentic Christian Science literature, including the works of Rev. Mary Baker G. Eddy, the discoverer and founder of Christian Science, and the publications of the Christian Science Publishing society of Boston, Mass. This reading room will be open to the public on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday of each week, from 2:30 to 4:30 P. M. All wishing to learn of the teachings and practice of Christian Science will be welcomed at the readingroom, where the desired information will be gladly furnished, and literature on the subject supplied.

 

Cortland Opera House on Groton Ave.

"The Corner Grocery."

   The famously funny comedy "Corner Grocery" presenting Daisy Champlin as Patsie, the bad kid, will be produced at the Opera House next Monday evening. It is a farce comedy pure and simple and serves as a good vehicle to introduce a lot of good specialties which are rendered by all the members of the company. Miss Chaplin will introduce her famous drunken song which she has made quite a hit in from ocean to ocean. The company carries its own special scenery and will give a fine production.

 

THE COUNTY VETERANS.

An Effort to Secure a Complete List of the Soldiers.

   The Soldiers' and Sailors' Veterans' association assembled at G. A. R. hall on Saturday afternoon, March 17, President Wm. Wakefield in the chair. After the routine of business a committee was appointed to nominate officers for the ensuing year. They made the following nominations, and the nominations were accepted and elected:

   President—Maj. Aaron Sager of Cortland.

   Vice-President—Mills G.  Frisbie of Scott.

   Second Vice-President—O. W. Smith of Marathon.

   Secretary—P. W. Chaffee of McGrawville.

   Treasurer—J. F. Wheeler.

   Chaplain—H. M. Kellogg.

   The best way to get a complete roster of the soldiers of the county was then discussed and it was thought best to appoint directors in the different towns to ascertain and get the names of all soldiers in their locality and send them to the secretary that he may as far as possible get a complete roster of those in the county, and it is hoped that these directors will use their best efforts to secure every name in their town and thus help to maintain this association in the work of loyalty, in comradeship and thus bind us together more closely in this county association. The following comrades were appointed directors:

   For City of Cortland—Comrades O. P. Miner, H. M. Kellogg, M. E. Corwin.

   For McGrawville—P. W. Chaffee.

   Cincinnatus—H. A. Smith.

   Cuyler—J. W. Patrick.

   Freetown—Austin Watrous.

   Harford—Charles Harrington.

   Lapeer—David Youngs.

   Homer—Horton Bates, Wm. Wakefield.

   Marathon—Charles Bouton.

   Preble—James Steel.

   Scott—James Fenton, Mills G. Frisbie.

   Solon—I. J. Walker.

   Taylor—L. D. Finn.

   Truxton—Alexander Lansing, Thomas Dodd.

   Virgil—Mason Williams, Nelson Conrad.

   Willet—Charles Harris, R. W. Bourne.

   By order of AARON SAGER, Pres., P. W. CHAFFEE, Sec.

 

BREVITIES.

   —To-morrow is Good Friday.

   —The adjourned annual meeting of the Presbyterian church and society occurs to-night at 7:30 o'clock at the chapel.

   —New display advertisements to-day are—Palmer & Co., How about silks, page 7; Opera House, "The Missouri Girl," page 5.

   —There will be a special musical meeting at the Salvation Army rooms this evening at 8 o'clock conducted by Ensign Herbert Wall of Buffalo.

   —Cortland Commandery, No. 50, K. T., will confer the Order of Red Cross at its regular conclave Friday evening. The commandery will attend divine service Sunday evening at the Congregational church in Homer upon invitation of Rev. W. F. Kettle. [Trolley] cars will leave at 6 o'clock.

   —The ice on the south side of Railroad-st. under the shadow of the Grand Central and the other building where the sun can get to it but a short time each day is still about a foot thick and the city street employees are to-day picking it out and chopping it loose where it can melt away.