AMERICA TAKES A HAND IN CHINA, PHILIPPINE DEBATE IN SENATE, GILLETTE FACTORY INSPECTION, AND TAXING FRANCHISES

 

"China, the Cake of Kings and Emperors"--French Political Cartoon.

Edward Hurd Conger.

Cortland Evening Standard, Saturday, May 26, 1900.

AMERICA TAKES A HAND.

Warns Chinese Government About Dealings of Society of Boxers.

   WASHINGTON, May 26.—The United States government has taken a hand in the suppression of the "Boxers," the famous Chinese secret society which is engaged in the massacre of native Christians in China, and to which is attributed numberless outrages upon the foreign missionaries.

   United States Minister Conger has been instructed by the state department to inform the Chinese government that the government of the United States expects it to promptly and thoroughly stamp out this society and to provide proper guarantees for the maintenance of peace and order and the protection of life and property of Americans in China, all now threatened by the operations of the "Boxers."

   There is no indication in the instructions as to the course that will be pursued by the United States in case the Chinese government ignores or fails to observe the warning conveyed in this communication. Mr. Conger is acting on parallel lines with the representatives of every European power at the Chinese court. He has not joined in any concert of action, for to do so would be to violate the unbroken practice of our government.

   It is realized here that the Chinese government in dealing with the "Boxers" will encounter more difficulty than might be expected in the effort to suppress any of the ordinary rebellions to which the empire is subject. The society claims to be purely patriotic in purpose.

 

Massacre by Chinese Boxers.

   LONDON, May 26.—A special dispatch from Shanghai says advices from Szuchuan, province of Hu Peh, report that "Boxers" have destroyed two villages and massacred many converts of the French missionary stations. The general commanding at Shi Nan Fu sent a regiment to the scene of the disturbances. The soldiers were ambushed and lost 26 men killed. Reinforcements have been dispatched from Ichang.

 

PHILIPPINE DEBATE.

Senator Morgan Delivers an Address on That Momentous Question.

   WASHINGTON, May 26.—Discussion of the Spooner Philippine bill was continued in the senate by Mr. Morgan of Alabama. On the general question of the ownership and government by the United States of the Philippine islands he was in accord with Senators Spooner and Lodge, but he regarded the pending bill as unwise and dangerous legislation because of the great power it placed in the hands of the president. He was satisfied, however, that the measure would not be passed by this congress and declared that it was being used as a foil to thrust aside the Nicaraguan canal bill.

   Much of his speech was devoted to the canal bill and to denunciation of the efforts to prevent its enactment at this session.

   The session closed with eulogies upon the late Representative Ermentraut of Pennsylvania.

 

Work of the House.

   WASHINGTON, May 26.—The house devoted two hours of yesterday morning which belonged to the legislative day of Thursday to the continuation of the discussion of the Alaskan bill without completing it. The session from noon until adjournment was devoted under the rule to private pension bills.

   Mr. Talbert of South Carolina, who abandoned obstructive tactics a few weeks ago, was again in evidence yesterday. After 190 bills to pension the widow of the late Captain Gridley who commanded the Olympia in the battle of Manila at $50 per month; the widow of the late Commodore R. W. Mead at $40 per month and the widow of the late General M. F. Force of Ohio at $5 per month.

 

James Corbett.

PAGE TWO—EDITORIALS.

Pugilism and Statesmanship.

   The announcement is made, apparently in all seriousness, that James J. Corbett will be a candidate for congress in the Twelfth New York district. Speaking of his candidacy, the distinguished pugilist said: "I don't see why l should not run for congress as well as the next man. I have never given the great topics of the day more than passing thought, but I am willing to train for them just as earnestly as I have trained for any other contest."

   Mr. Corbett at least is frank, and his willingness to "train'' for congressional duties is commendable. That is more than a good many congressmen are willing to do.

   While the prize ring has not been the school from which statesmen have been graduated, "Gentleman Jim" has precedent for his political ambition. New York was once before represented in congress by a professional pugilist in the person of John Morrissey, who a third of a century ago served two terms, and there are those who say that there have been worse men in the house of representatives than the ex-prizefighter. England also furnishes a precedent in the person of Thomas Gully, grandfather of the present speaker of the house of commons, who was elected to parliament shortly after retiring from the prize ring.

   If elected, Corbett might distinguish himself in more ways than one. He might be useful in settling promptly and effectively election contests and committee room disputes, and occasionally the science of which he is a master might well be employed on the floor of the house. He would have been an especially handy man to have around in adjusting the squabbles during the present session.

   Mr. Corbett possesses in an eminent degree the qualifications of some congressmen. One of these is "sparring" over troublesome questions, and certainly no one can deny that he is an adept at sparring. Then there is the matter of "dodging" perplexing issues. His ability as a dodger was amply demonstrated in his recent encounter with Mr. Jeffries.

   If "Gentleman Jim" could use his prowess in "knocking out" bad bills, it wouldn't be a bad idea to have him in congress.

 

An Accident.

   Just before the hour of going to press yesterday afternoon an accident happened to The STANDARD'S Otto Gas engine, the repairing of which seriously delayed us in getting out the paper. This will explain why so many of our subscribers failed to receive their papers at the usual time.

 

Democratic Caucus.

   The Democratic town of Cortlandville caucus was called to order last night at Fireman's hall by J. A. Jayne, chairman of the town committee. The meeting was organized with the following officers:

   Chairman—C. V. Coon.

   Secretary—Frank W. Collins.

   Tellers—C. B. Warren and Edward Fitzgerald.

   Dr. J. M. Milne, James Dougherty, Edwin Duffey, Frank W. Collins, Wm. W. Winter and George J. Miller were chosen delegates to the county convention, which will be held in Fireman's hall next Tuesday at 11 o'clock A. M.

 

FACTORY INSPECTION.

Gillette Shirt Co. to Open Its Doors to the Public Wednesday Night.

   The Gillette Skirt Co. proposes to open its factory to the inspection of the public next Wednesday evening, at which time some of the employees of each department will be at work and all who are interested will have a chance to see the different machines in operation. Mrs. Gillette, Mrs. Waters and Mrs. Jewett, assisted by several young ladies, will serve Russian tea. The Homer band has been secured to furnish music for the occasion. Trolley car tickets at half rate, good to board the cars at any point going, or to leave the same in returning, can be secured for use in Cortland at McKinney & Doubleday's for 5 cents; Homer, at Skinner's drugstore, and McGrawville, at Miss Gertrude Vincent's. Every one is invited to attend this opening.

 

TAXING FRANCHISES.

Hearing Before the State Board of Tax Commissioners.

(From the Oswego Palladium, May 23.)

   The rooms of the State Tax commissioners at the Capitol building, Albany, were pretty well filled yesterday with representatives of the various corporations in two or three counties of the state, whose interests will be affected by the franchise tax. Like every new law, there were about as many theories as individuals present and no one seemed to have any clear idea of the measure by which the State Tax commissioners arrived at the estimate of the value of the franchise.

   The only thing in which everybody agreed was that the assessment made an additional tax and every corporation wanted it taken off. The majority of the Oswego county corporations were not represented. Colonel J. T. Mott and W. G. Robinson, attorney for the Oswego Water Works company, made no argument, but simply filed briefs with the commissioners. Mr. E. B. Powell was heard in behalf of the Ontario Telephone company. Mr. Powell said that the stock issued was $12,850 and the company owed about $10,000. That only 6 per cent dividends were paid and that no officer was paid 1 cent for his services. If a reasonable amount was charged off for depreciation in the property and the officers got anything for their service the property would not pay expenses. A large share of the lines of the company were stretched over the roofs of buildings and the state could not assess that. Mr. Powell also represented the Phoenix Water Supply company which he claimed barely lived, that the officers of the corporation received no pay and that the owners took it because their bonds obliged them do so to protect themselves, and they would be glad to get out at a considerable loss, if they could.

   The Phoenix Electric Light company was in about the same condition, Mr. Powell said, and neither corporation should pay any franchise tax.

   Mr. A. D. Merry of Phoenix appeared in behalf of the Fulton and Phoenix Natural Gas company. The company has thirteen wells. Some of them are dry and others are failing.

   Mr. Merry said the gas belt through that section was failing generally and he did not consider the amount just or equitable. The notice for a hearing was so short that he had no opportunity to prepare a brief, but would do so at once. He was given time to prepare and file a statement.

   Mr. N. S. Bentley appeared for the Oswego Traction company. The affairs of that corporation have been pretty thoroughly discussed in the newspapers. Mr. Bentley's argument was along the line that the Company had proven a sink hole for the money invested, and that the imposition of this tax would, he believed, be the last straw in the load it was carrying.

   Lawyers differ widely regarding the imposition of the tax. For instance, President Feitner, of the Tax commission of the city of New York, and who is considered good authority in tax laws, says that the operation of the franchise tax will reduce the taxable personal property of the city, and thus tend to increase the local tax rate. His argument was based on the premise that the state, in including the capital stock, dividends and profits of a corporation in the property to be assessed for a franchise tax, necessarily would deprive the city of the right to assess such property over again on personal property. Franchise values are considered as real estate for the purposes of taxation by the state in the franchise tax law.

   Lawyers have claimed that the franchise is so much additional value to be added to the assessment rolls and is liable to assessment for local as well as state purposes. It will undoubtedly require a decision of the court of last resort to interpret the law.

 

BREVITIES.

   —Every one will be watching for the eclipse of the sun on Monday.

   —The annual county convention of Christian Endeavor societies will be held at Cincinnatus Wednesday, June 6.

   —New display advertisements to-day are—W. W. Bennett, Refrigerators, page 7; J. W. Cudworth, Optical Talks, page 7.

   —There will be no Sunday service at the Y. M. C. A. to-morrow. Out door meetings will begin the first Sunday in June.

   —The West End Brownies defeated the East Siders in a game of baseball at the Athletic field this forenoon by a score of 22 to 19.

   —The funeral of Mrs. Sarah A. Benton will be held at the home of her daughter, Mrs. John F. Wilson, Sunday afternoon at 1:30 o'clock. Burial in Groton.

   —State Chairman Durkee will address the Prohibition club in Collins hall Tuesday evening, May 29, at 8 o'clock. The public are cordially invited to attend.

   —Thirteen teams went to Taylor this morning to draw lumber to Cortland for Peck Bros., who have a mill at Taylor where they have been getting out a large quantity of lumber.