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| Joe Cannon, Speaker of the House, 1903-1911. |
Cortland Evening Standard, Wednesday, May 2, 1900.
DOINGS IN CONGRESS.
House Considers Measure For Construction of Canal.
AFTER FIFTY YEARS' AGITATION.
Project For Building Inter-Oceanic Canal Thought of Half a Century Ago and Proposition Now to Be Voted On—In the Senate.
WASHINGTON, May 2.—For the first time during the 50 years of agitation of the project for the construction of an inter-oceanic canal the house of representatives yesterday entered upon the consideration of a measure to actually authorize the building of a canal. Many times propositions bearing upon the subject have been before the house, but this was the first time positive action can be predicted. Today the bill will be voted upon before adjournment.
The debate was memorable because of the unexpected powerful opposition it developed. Mr. Burton of Ohio, chairman of the rivers and harbors committee, Mr. Hitt of Illinois, chairman of the foreign affairs committee, and Mr. Cannon of Illinois, chairman of the appropriation committee threw the weight of their influence against it, not because they oppose the building of the canal, but because they considered that the time for authorizing its construction was not ripe. Mr. Burton and Mr. Hitt contended that the bill would violate the Clayton-Bulwer treaty, which guarantees the neutrality of the canal and Mr. Cannon quoted Admiral Walker, chairman of the Isthmian canal commission, as saying that the commission was not yet prepared to say which was the best route.
Mr. Cannon contended that the authorization of the construction of the canal over the Nicaraguan route at this time would delay its building for years and cost the government $50,000,000. He declared that this bill, if it became a law would place the United States at the mercy of Nicaragua and Costa Rica. Mr. Cannon created something of a sensation by quoting Admiral Walker as saying: "We are not prepared to say now when the canal across the isthmus should be constructed or which is the best route and it will take us the remainder of the year to determine those facts."
Mr. Cannon said that the proper way to get this [concession] would be to play one government against the other. "Gentlemen talk of trusts,'' said he, "God in his infinite wisdom could not have created such a trust as this bill creates." He declared the enactment of the bill would put a weight on the canal that would hinder its construction for years and cost the government $50,000,000.
The debate also developed other lines of opposition. Some of the Democrats insisted that the amendment striking the words "defend" and "fortifications" from the bill are designed to make it harmonize with the Hay-Pauncefote treaty and that it is therefore objectionable, and Mr. Shackleford of Missouri desired the bill amended so that if that treaty is ratified the bill will not go into effect. The anomalous situation is therefore resented of practically every member on the floor pressing his friendship for the canal and yet of powerful opposition arrayed against it on various grounds.
The bill was ably and vigorously championed by Chairman Hepburn of the inter-state commerce committee; Mr. Lovering of Massachusetts, Mr. Ransdale of Louisiana and Mr. Corliss of Michigan. Mr. Fletcher of Minnesota was the only member of the commerce committee, who opposed the passage of any bill at any session. During the debate ex-Secretary of State Sherman was one of the interested listeners on the floor and Admiral Walker followed the proceedings from a seat in the reserved galleries.
At 5:25 the house took a recess until 8 o'clock.
At the night session Messrs. Levy and Adamson opposed the bill. Messrs. Sparkman, Messick, Ball and Berry favored the bill. Other speakers at the night session were Messrs. Newlands, Ridgeley, Devries, Hepburn, Stewart, Waters, Daly, Polk, Pearce, Ryan and Parker.
At 10:30 the house adjourned.
Senate Proceedings.
After having been under consideration more than two months the Alaskan civil code bill was passed by the senate yesterday. The amendment relating to the alien location of mining claims has delayed the passage of the measure for several weeks and at times has engendered a deal of feeling in debate. Mr. Carter, therefore, withdrew the amendment and all other points in dispute and a few minutes later the bill was passed. It provides a full civil code of procedure for the district of Alaska.
The army appropriation bill carrying supplies for the military of more than $114,000,000 was under consideration. The feature of the discussion of the measure was a debate on trusts precipitated by an amendment offered by Mr. Berry, providing that the quartermaster's department should not purchase supplies from any recognized trust. The amendment was defeated, 18 to 29.
Mr. Lodge offered the following amendment: "For the purpose of establishing military telegraph and cable lines in Alaska, $450,550. Provided, further, that no telegraph or cable lines owned wholly or in part or operated or controlled by persons not citizens of the United States, or by any foreign corporation shall be established in or permitted to enter Alaska."
PAGE TWO—EDITORIALS.
◘ At every performance of Colonel Cody's Wild West show in New York huge portraits of President McKinley and Governor Roosevelt are thrown upon canvas by a calcium light lantern at the conclusion of the San Juan fight. As a result the spectators nearly raised the roof of Madison Square Garden with their cheers. Democratic campaigners have grown apprehensive over the political effect of this feature of the show. They want to know where Bryan comes in. Colonel Cody says he does not show Bryan's picture because he is not nominated yet, and there is no telling that he will be. He shows McKinley's picture because he is president and Roosevelt's because he is governor. Besides he does show the pictures of Democrats. One of them is that of General Joe Wheeler. Then there is the portrait of Dewey. "Isn't he," asks the colonel, "a Democrat, or trying mighty hard to be one? Is there any kick over Dewey's picture?" It would thus appear that no charge of partiality can be brought against [Bison] William.
◘ President Kruger is reported to have said that he had 200 relatives fighting in the Boer army and that he would rather see every one of them perish than yield to England's demands. Possibly the old man's relatives have been in the habit of visiting him often and touching him for loans.
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| United States military fighting in Philippines. |
A NARROW ESCAPE.
CORTLAND SOLDIER AMBUSHED IN PHILIPPINES.
Several of the Party Were Killed While Seeking Water—Morgan McAllister Tells of His Experience and Describes the Country—Will be Glad When He Gets Home Again.
The following letter wag recently received from Morgan McAllister, who is still in the Philippine Islands by his sister Mrs. B. H. Lyon of South Cortland, N. Y.:
OLONGAPO, PHILIPPINE ISLANDS, Feb. 20, 1900.
DEAR SISTER LENA—I have something to tell you. Last week Friday I nearly met my end. As I have said before, Olongapo is a very unhandy place, and we have no water fit to drink on any of the navy yards; and as the waterboat has not been here in nearly three months, we were forced to look for water from the fresh water streams in the mountains. Men used to be detailed to go in two boats up the Don Frisco river, twice a day for water. Now these two boats only carried eight men and one corporal, he being in charge. We had made the trip in the forenoon and after dinner, Sergeant Kelly came up to me and said "You would just as lief go up the river in the boat this afternoon, would you not?" I said, I did not mind the trip; so he gave me the list of names and told me to give it to Corporal Sullivan, who would be in charge.
We all got on our belts and took our guns, as we always do in this dangerous country. I got in the pulling boat and pulled an oar across the bay. When we came to the mouth of the river we changed into the other boat we had in tow and the other fellows pulled up the river. While going along, I spoke to a fellow marine in a careless way and said, "I wonder if there are any of the insurgents looking at us?" He said, "he did not doubt it, as they must know we came up there every day for water." I said he was right and we would never know until we heard the crack of a Mauser rifle, and we spoke of what we would do if we were to be fired upon. Finally we reached the place where we always leave one of the boats while the other one went up to a deep place a little around a curve in the river. Sullivan told me to get into the other boat with four others and after we made her fast to the shore, to come over to his boat and keep a lookout.
We made it fast and went over to where the other boat was and we had not been there two minutes, when crack, crack, crack, went three shots in quick succession, and Corporal Sullivan and Private Welck dropped. I pulled open the breech of my gun and put in a clip so quick I cut my thumb. I had just closed my rifle when a rain of bullets screamed past my head. I could not see one of the black devils, so I advanced two paces. I had no more than done so when zip, zip went a Mauser bullet close to my head and it was followed by a volley of at least eighty shots. There were only four of my comrades in sight and one private, Manchester, was shot through his shirt. Now the insurgents were firing so rapidly we could only retreat under such a rain of lead and steel. They continued to fire at us and their bullets cut and split the bamboo about us as we ran.
We were at least 2 1/4 miles from the camp, or rather the navy yard, and one mile of that was the bay, which we would have to cross. We plunged into the thick bamboo and then into mud to our waists. We could make no headway, so we climbed out of the swamp and started to run somewhere, we did not know where, as we were not acquainted with the country around. We dashed ahead and ran into another ambush. We presumed it to be a squad of the main body, put there to head us off, in case we were not all killed at the first ambush. Well, we were pretty well rattled and did not know where to run to get away from them. We ran anywhere we could get through the brush the easiest and came to a river where we had but a narrow log on which to cross. It was about six inches wide and nearly burned through. Only one could cross at a time and we were exposed to their fire all the more, as they could see us as we crept closely across this narrow span. It was all that saved our lives. I never could have got across the river if we had been forced to ford as we would sink in the mud and quicksand. When we got over none of us were hurt, but the bullets still screamed and cracked about us.
As we turned into a narrow trail, three natives fired at us as we passed. There were five of us, so they did not chase us, as we would have turned and done them up when we could have gotten out of reach of the main body. Finally we sighted the bay ahead and ran straight for it, and got in the salt water and lay down, only keeping our heads above. They ceased to fire any longer as they are not good enough shots to hit so small an object as a man's head, and they were too cowardly to come out from under cover to get near to us.
We saw two of the yard boats coming and I got up and shouted to them. After they had gone up the river I made a native fisherman paddle two of us over to the navy yard. The other fellows did the same. The yard boats went up the river and got the two dead bodies and the remaining two men who did not come with us. They had hid in the brush until the insurgents stripped the two dead marines of their belts and guns. Then they got into one of the water boats and came down the river until they met the party from the Don Frisco, which lays at the mouth of the river. They were in turn met by the yard boats, got the dead and came back to the yard. I lost my hat, shoes and pants and came within an inch of losing my life, as I am certain, some of those Mauser bullets came within an inch of my head, and a great many within a foot. One fellow's gun got caught in a branch, and things were so warm he left it right there. My pants got to coming down, as we do not wear suspenders out here, and I had no belt except my cartridge belt and it did not hold them up, so I tore them off to get rid of them.
The next morning at 1:30 o'clock the whole command, except the men on guard, went aboard the gunboat, and she had to be towed down to a town we intended to bombard and burn. We landed at the town at 4 o'clock, and got ashore before any of them were up or even knew we were in their midst. The gunboat opened fire with her six-pounder, and when the insurgents rallied out of their shacks she let drive with her Colts automatic. It fires 400 shots to the minute. We gave them three volleys and up went the white flag in front of every house. We raided the town and then applied the torch, took all the chickens and boloes we could carry, besides other things, then went aboard the ship and steamed away to Olongapo.
To-day is Washington's birthday. The gunboat Nashville is in here to-night. We expect her to bombard to-morrow morning at 4 o'clock, and we are going to make on attack on the insurgents' camp at that time. After that I can tell you more if we do anything. I can't say what we shall do.
Well, sister, write soon. I always thought when I am being fired upon that I should never again write to my dear sister and mother. I thank God he spared me this time. An ambush is the worst thing we run up against out here, as we see nothing to shoot at. It is the same as all Indian warfare.
OLONGAPO, March 1, 1900.
We burned Tonictian. The Nashville bombarded it to make certain there would be no ambush waiting for us when we came in to burn it. That is the place where we, the water party, were ambushed and two of our number killed, as I told you in my former letter. Pueblo means town in Spanish, or ciudad means town also. The houses are built of bamboo and the roofs are covered with a sort of coarse grass similar to rushes. It is called Nipa. Casa is the word for house. The houses are called shacks and are built up 3 or 4 feet above ground. The beds are also of bamboo and are built around the side of the room as shelves, and some are very close to the roof. The dishes used to carry water are large earthen ware of a reddish color. They also use a great many baskets, woven so tight they will almost hold water. Bamboo is used to a great extent to carry tools in and the insurgents use a bamboo joint as a canteen to carry water on the march. The natives dry their fish in the sun and eat them raw. The staple food is fish and rice.
The women and men alike smoke cigarettes and chew a nut called bedel nut, which turns the teeth black. The children begin to smoke at the age of 6 or 7 or 8 years. This country abounds in small lizards of two different kinds and there is also a very large kind 5 feet in length. They are harmless. There is every kind of ants here and one large red kind will nearly eat you up if you get in the bushes where they are. There are plenty of scorpions, tarantulas, centipedes and watersnakes. In woods there are all kinds of valuable timber and trees grow to a great size. The weather is very warm in the daytime and cool at night and quite a heavy dew falls at night. The rainy season sets in about April and lasts until September. After this comes the typhoon season and the weather is heavy in the China seas. They are dangerous waters in that season. There are waterspouts at times in and around these islands. I have seen both. In some parts, I have seen large sponge beds and the coral reefs are numerous, to say the least. I have seen a fish called a sea urchin, that when it comes in contact with another fish, would shoot a stream of liquid from its mouth in the direction of the other fish; and in so doing leave a black cloud resembling ink. That is its mode of defense. While the inky cloud is in the way of the other fish, he makes his escape. There are large numbers of star fish around the sandy beach. They partly bury themselves in the sand and stay in beds like oysters or clams. There are all sorts of odd fish in these waters, I never saw elsewhere.
One very seldom sees a good looking woman among these people, and no matter what you give them they will scarcely ever thank you, as the Philippine language has no word that means thankfulness. Their highest ambition in every day life is to get the best of an American or European. They are nearly all connected with a secret society of K. K. K. and their motto is death to all Americans and Europeans. No one knows who they are or at least they will not tell if they do. Each member of the K. K. K. is given some deed to perform and if he succeeds all is well, and no one knows what becomes of certain persons except that they disappear.
The insurgents are no more to be found in large forces, but they are organized in roving bands and do not come to make an attack on our outposts; but they scout around, always on the alert for small parties of soldiers on the march or out on a scouting expedition. In such a case they go off the trail in the thicket and conceal themselves behind rocks and trees. At the approach of the party they fire two or three volleys in rapid succession, then retreat. That is what is called an ambush. They are cowardly and cannot be trusted in any case. If we come on a party of them in a town and they see us before we get there, they will run and hide their guns and boloes, and when we come into town, they will all come out with a white cloth on a piece, of bamboo, and tell you they are all your friends. At the same time if they could get half a chance, any of them would split your head open with his bolo. Some times when the soldiers enter a town, they will be picked off one here and there, at a time, while they are marching through. One case where they come into town, every little while, whiz, comes a bullet. Finally they spied a gun barrel sticking through the edge of the peak of the roof, and as they ran towards the house the gun was withdrawn and a young fellow stepped out with a white flag in his hand and says "Me Amego" (Amego is friend) They searched the house and found the gun concealed in a large bamboo. He then tried to tell the fellows that an insurgent had left it there and run into a trench. I think he has forgotten how to shoot a Mauser rifle now. He will do no one any harm in the future.
Well, sister, they are a lot of savages and nothing else. They are not fighting to get free, but to murder, rob and steal, as they are born cut throats and never will be anything else until they are captured or a great deal better killed altogether. Write as soon as you can. I am well at present. I don't like Olongapo, it is such an out of the way place; but when we get out here we have to stay where they put us. I will for the first time since I have been out here, say, I shall thank God when they send me back to America. Good bye, with love. Address as ever,
MORGAN MCALLISTER, U. S. M. C., Olongapo, Subig Bay, P. I.
ARMY RECRUITING STATION
To be Established at the Dexter House in Cortland.
Capt. John T. Finley of the United States army has been in the city to-day making preliminary arrangements for the establishment of a branch of the Syracuse recruiting station for the army. It is the design to make this a permanent station. Rooms were engaged at the Dexter House and the headquarters will be located there. It is probable that Dr. C. D. Ver Nooy will be secured as the examining physician. Just now there is a call for troops for the Philippines.
Sidepath Notes.
The [bicycle] sidepath roller has been received by the sidepath commission and will be pressed into service at once. It weighs 2,000 pounds and was made at Churchville.
The badgeless wonders are getting scarce. The special police have been getting in good work along the lines and several arrests and fines have resulted. In the week after the first arrest was made, over six hundred badges were sold. A vigilant watch will be kept up for offenders.
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| Ferdinand E. Smith. |
Superintendent Appointed.
Mr. F. E. Smith was unanimously reappointed superintendent of schools by the board last night. The charter provides that the board meet and make this appointment on the first Tuesday in May and for three years time. The term begins on the first of August next.
COMMON COUNCIL.
UNUSUAL AMOUNT OF WORK BEFORE THE ALDERMEN.
Local Telephone Concern Renew Application for Franchise—Officers Report—Official Newspapers Designated.
A regular meeting of the common council of the city of Cortland was held at the office of the city clerk last evening beginning at 7:30 o'clock. The following responded to rollcall: Mayor S. N. Holden, Aldermen E. M. Yager, C. F. Thompson, A. E. Buck, E. D. Wood, Wm. G. McKinney and Vernon Skeele. The minutes of the last two meetings of April 17 and 24 were read and approved.
Mr. Rowland L. Davis came before the official board and renewed the application of Dr. C. D. Ver Nooy and W. H. Jones for a telephone franchise. Mr. Davis spoke for fifty-five minutes along the line suggested in yesterday's STANDARD, in the interview with the promoters, making a strong appeal and being listened to with evident interest by the council.
City Chamberlain G. J. Maycumber came before the board and reported the purchase by the committee, consisting of Messrs. Thompson, Buck and Maycumber, of a safe of Herring, Hall, Marvin & Co., No. 193, at $220, F. O. B. cars Cortland.
On motion of Mr. Thompson, seconded by Mr. Buck, and declared carried.
Resolved, That the Cortland Daily STANDARD and the Cortland Democrat be and are hereby designated the official newspapers of the city of Cortland for the ensuing official year, at the compensation of $50 each per year (March 16, 1900 to Jan. 1, 1901) for publishing all the minutes of this board, including a summary of all official monthly reports, and other notices, bylaws, rules, ordinances and regulations at the legal folio rates therefor.
The mayor presented the name of Charles H. White for commissioner of deeds in the city of Cortland and appointed him as such. On motion of Mr. Buck, seconded by Mr. Wood and declared carried: Resolved, that such appointment be ratified and confirmed by the board, all voting aye.
Mr. George J. Maycumber presented his official report as acting city chamberlain for the month of April, 1900, which was read aid placed on file. The summary of the chamberlain's report is as follows:
Mr. James R. Schermerhorn presented his official report as acting commissioner of charities of the city of Cortland, which was read and placed on file. The report showed $138.82 dispensed upon sixty-six separate orders among the needy of Cortland.
The following bills were allowed and ordered paid:
On motion of Mr. Thompson, seconded by Mr. Yager and declared carried, resolved, that the official bond of Mr. C. L. Becker, as superintendent of public works in the penal sum of $5,000, was approved and accepted as to its form and sureties thereof and placed on file.
On motion of Mr.- Thompson, seconded by Mr. Wood and declared carried, resolved: that the mayor and clerk have authority and direction to draw orders on the acting city chamberlain, from time to time, and in such amounts and to such persons and banks as the same shall mature to pay interest to accrue on any of the bonds of said city of Cortland. All voting aye.
On motion the meeting was adjourned to May 2, at 7:30 P. M.
THE TELEPHONE FRANCHISE.
Three Companies Likely to Make Application for One.
Cortland is in demand as the site for the location of telephone plants. There is one telephone plant here, owned and operated by the Empire State Telephone and Telegraph Co. It has been giving a good service and has been quite widely extending it lately through putting in new telephones. But it has not a franchise. Its managers say that they did not particularly care for one in Cortland, the village, but had planned to ask for one as soon as Cortland became a city.
While they were making plans, however, for such a request other promoters got the start of them and asked for a franchise in trust for a company about to be formed, which they say they hope to get up from purely local capital. A formal application was made for this a week ago, and last night the application was renewed.
Meanwhile another independent telephone company hailing from Lockport made a verbal request for a franchise a week ago, and it is understood that the request is to be made in formal style at the meeting to-night.
All the companies promise first class service and the last two promise cheap rates, while the old company says it is already giving cheap rates for the same class of service which the others promise.
The common council is in a bit of a quandary to know what to do. They all want to do the best thing possible for the residents of the city. They appreciate that the more telephones there are in use the more valuable every telephone becomes to its possessor because the more people he can reach by phone. In conversation with some members of the common council this morning a STANDARD man gained the impression that the members would perhaps not be averse [to] granting a franchise to a local company if they knew who that company consisted of, but to grant a franchise to two men in trust was quite another thing. To quote an expression made to the reporter, "it is putting the cart ahead of the horse." The promoters say they would get up the company in town if they could, but if they could not get the stock here they would get it out of town, and it would not then be a local company in ownership though it might be in management and operation. They do not guarantee the price at $12 and $18 for more than a year, but it may go up then to $15 and $25, but they do guarantee that it shall not go higher than that. The impression was gained, however, that the two men who ask for the telephones in trust, though believed to be asking in perfect good faith, would be told to go ahead and organize their company and incorporate and then come before the common council with the names of the incorporators and renew their application.
Concerning the Lockport company little can be learned yet, but more details will doubtless appear at the meeting tonight, and the action of the common council will be looked forward to with interest.
The impression was also gained that the common council would not be inclined to continue the custom of giving away valuable franchises free, but that if a franchise was granted to any company the terms of the grant would be that some consideration should be made to the city in return, perhaps a certain percentage of gross receipts to be turned into the city treasury annually.
Surely all that anyone wants is the best possible service at the lowest price, and by best service is meant both quality of service and number of instruments.
MEETING OF TOWN BOARD.
Are Certain Offices in the Town of Cortlandville Vacant?
A meeting of the town board of the town of Cortlandville was held at the office of Town Clerk T. H. Dowd this morning, and it was understood that this meeting was called to declare vacant the office of supervisor, town clerk and one of the assessors, on the ground that the occupants of these offices referred to reside within the limits of the city of Cortland. Attorney E. E. Mellon appeared before the board in behalf of a portion of the officers concerned and took the position that there were no vacancies and that the town board had no power to declare any of the offices vacant and cited various decisions of the courts and opinions of the attorney general, as sustaining him in his claim.
Justices Kelley and Biggar contended that the offices referred to were vacant because the persons elected to fill them now reside within the limits of the city of Cortland.
By a unanimous vote of the board Town Clerk Dowd was directed to make application to the attorney general of the state on behalf of the board to decide the matter for them.
Death of John Ireland.
Mr. John Ireland died at his late residence, 66 Clinton-st., last night at 11 o'clock, aged 61 years, 4 months and 11 days.
Mr. Ireland was born in England, but was brought to this country when a mere infant. For the past thirty years he has been a resident of Cortland, and has for the past eighteen years been a lumber dealer. About thirty-one years ago he married Jane Ousby of Tully who survives him. He is also survived by two daughters, Mary and Jennie Ireland, and by two sisters, Mrs. Dexter Pierce and Mrs. Elizabeth Woodard, both of East River. Mr. Ireland had been ill for about a year, and his death was not unexpected.
Mr. Ireland had been for a long number of years a vestryman in Grace Episcopal church.
The funeral services will be held Friday at 2 P. M. from the residence, 66 Clinton-st.
BREVITIES.
—At the close of the regular meeting of Iskoot council, Degree of Pocahontas, last evening, a very enjoyable musical program was carried out by some of the members and invited guests.
—The Oswego Y. M. C. A. has had plans drawn for a Y. M. C. A. building to cost about $35,000 and the association sees its way clear to proceed with the erection of such a building.
—New display advertisements to-day are—Burgess, Men's suits, page 8; C. W. Cudworth, Optical talks, page 7; Mitchell & Strowbridge, Fresh fish, page 5; A. J. Leamy, Optician, page 4; Buck & Lane, The only reliable rain maker, page 6; N. B. Andrews, Stocks, bonds, etc., page 4.
—The Meridian, (Ct.,) Record of April 30 prints a lengthy abstract of the sermons at the First Baptist church of that city on the previous day of a former pastor, Rev. H. A. Cordo, D. D., of Lambertsville, N. J., formerly of Cortland. The same paper also refers at length to the sermons of Rev. C. J. Greenwood of that city at the Main-st. Baptist church.
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