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| Lord Roberts. |
The Cortland Democrat, Friday, August 17, 1900.
NO JEALOUSIES EXIST.
Allies in Chinese Field Are Under One Head.
CRITICISM OF LORD ROBERTS.
Angry British Press Scores Him For Leniency Toward Boers and Insists That He Should Conduct the Campaign With Iron Hand.
There is no tendency to be unduly sanguine over the Chinese situation, but the European peoples and governments are beginning to give some credence to the reports that resistance to the powers may soon collapse. It is recognized that at all events each fresh aggression of the allied forces seems to diminish the strength of the Chinese opposition and their bellicose spirit. This alone is a sufficient vindication of the forward policy of the allies and threats to sacrifice the legations unless the invasion is abandoned no longer seriously alarm the European powers. It is believed that the Pekin authorities are now duly impressed with the warning that any harm hereafter inflicted upon the foreigners will be met with the infliction of the severest personal penalties. This is something which appeals even to the most fanatical Oriental and the successes already gained by the allies are a sufficient indication of their power to execute the threat.
No one has a clear idea of what authority is really in control at Pekin, but it makes little difference if fear of reprisals or any other motive is sufficient to protect the legations until their rescue is complete. The best sign of all is the prospective easy agreement of the powers upon a German commander-in- Chief, Count Von Waldersee. It signalizes harmony in the Western world sufficient to deprive China of any possible advantage during the military portion of the crisis, and this, so far as China is concerned, means that her case is absolutely hopeless. The Pekin authorities, whoever they may be, cannot fail to be duly impressed with this fact.
The attitude of France is dramatically interesting. Five years ago the idea of such intimate military co-operation with the conqueror of 1870 would have been absurd. There has been a certain amount of angry comment in Paris over the proposal, but nothing approaching a general popular protest has been observed. The Waldeck-Rousseau government finds itself in a difficult position, because it will be denounced by its opponents whatever it does; but there is little doubt that it will acquiesce in one form or another, and the country will accept the situation with good grace.
Much surprise is expressed by the London foreign office at the pother caused by Admiral Seymour's little deal with the Yang Tse viceroy, and the disposition is to charge the grumblers with rank ingratitude. According to dispatches to some of the London newspapers, the grumblers include people in Washington. It is even suggested that the state department is not altogether satisfied with England's action, but such a suggestion is scouted here as incredible, because Secretary Hay must have known through Ambassador Choate what was coming and he gave not the slightest hint of a disagreement. If there is one idea more firmly rooted in the British official mind than any other, it is that British and American interests in China are identical. Consequently, the action is to be identical.
It is explained that the British action in Shanghai is purely precautionary. Whatever may happen elsewhere, England is determined to keep the Yang Tse valley open to the world's trade. If this can be done by the maintenance of Chinese authority unimpaired, so much the better; if not, British authority will step into the breach. That, it is urged, is a perfectly simple and and straightforward policy. If it is not good enough for the Washington statesmen, they are quite at liberty to ascertain what they can get elsewhere, bearing in mind always that England is perfectly prepared to fight for her own hand in the Yang Tse valley.
It is said [in] the information coming in a dispatch from Shanghai, that Li Hung Chang has been appointed minister plenipotentiary to negotiate peace.
◘ As far as the dispatches reveal the military situation in South Africa, the past week of activity on the part of General Lord Roberts' subordinates resulted in an apparent clearing up of the Orange Free States, but the situation in the Transvaal is still veiled in considerable uncertainty. As expected, guerrilla warfare has proceeded without respite. The fighting west of Pretoria resulted in the abandonment of Rustenburg and the capture of 300 British at Elands river camp. General Delarey is still there with a large force, which is most active, and General Dewet is apparently trying to join him, with General Kitchener at his heels and General Methuen at his head. Whether Methuen, who is now engaging Dewet, will succeed in forcing him to stand at bay is a question that is not answered hopefully here, the pursuit of this nimble Boer having seldom resulted in overtaking him. Thus a somewhat pessimistic view is taken lest General Kitchener's and General Methuen's present actions be running fights with small bodies of the enemy, while Dewet achieves his escape.
To the east of Pretoria General French is pressing on Machadodorp. He was last reported at Wonderfontein about 100 miles east of the capital. Buller's column is ponderously marching north along the Ermelo road, Botha, of course, being his object but his trains are constantly sniped.
Reports of constant small Boer successes, with nothing to indicate a speedy end of the warfare, are causing deep dissatisfaction here. The Pretoria plot, though dismissed by Lord Roberts in a few words, has been taken very seriously, and there is an almost unanimous outcry that the sternest measures be taken. The English press clamors for "an Iron hand" and strongly criticizes Lord Roberts' "dangerous leniency." The London Times is especially bitter, and, anticipating the objection that the Pretoria plot mustn't be seriously taken, expresses the following widely entertained opinion:
"Officers going to bed in fancy security would fall an easy prey to three or four ruffians, and from what we know of the carelessness and laxity displayed in so many directions in this war, we may assume that there was at least a fair chance of the conspirators penetrating the headquarters of General Roberts."
RELEASED FROM JAIL.
Nora
Ayres Out on Bail—Her Release the Cause of a Scrap.
A woman was the cause of a scrimmage
in Railroad-st. Tuesday afternoon. Nora Ayres hails from Marathon, N. Y.,
and since last May has been living on the hospitality of Cortland county, not
from choice but from necessity, being charged with receiving stolen goods, the
last grand jury indicting her for burglary in the third degree.
Life in the county bastille was a dreary monotony to Nora, but an old friend named Jimmie Burdick has frequently cheered her lonely moments by furnishing her with dainties, and thus giving her to understand that Jimmie was thinking kindly of her, notwithstanding the serious charge hanging over her head.
On Tuesday another friend named William Crandall appeared upon the scene, and he showed his good faith in Miss Ayres by putting up the bond of $100 demanded by the court before she could be allowed her liberty. Jimmie didn't like this proceeding o'ermuch, but finally consented to her release and allowed Crandall to start for the D., L. & W. depot with Nora. The sight of the couple marching along the street was too much for him and he overtook them near the Presbyterian church corner, where he attempted to take the valise belonging to Nora and which Crandall refused to give up. Jimmie finally struck Crandall a stinging blow when, like a worm, the latter turned and proceeded to give Burdick a most polished whipping, letting up only at the suggestion of a passer-by who interceded in the victim's behalf.
Mr. Crandall and the Ayres woman then went to the depot and boarded the train for Marathon.
THE LAZY REPORTER.
What He Has Observed While Wandering About the City.
In behalf of the ladies of Cortland I plead for mercy at the hands of the fellow who manipulates the street sprinkler. No doubt his intentions are good, but he uses wretched poor judgment in his work, flooding the crossings at the intersections of streets fully as much if ladies are crossing the street, if they come within reach of his sprinkler their dresses show the effects of his work, as he keeps his old force pump going ladies or no ladies. I "weally" wish somebody would speak to the driver, as his avoirdupois is too great for me to run any risk.
The free ride last Saturday afternoon to the land sale east of the river was a drawing card, as three trolley cars were crowded worse than they were in the days of baseball on the fair ground.
Did you ever notice that it always makes a man hot to have his friends turn a cold shoulder to him? Curious, isn't it?
A friend of mine wonders who invented or introduced the senseless custom of lifting the hat to ladies. The only reason I have ever known comes from some quill-driver on a newspaper, who claims that woman originally demanded the removal of the hat to see if her admirer was bald-headed.
Over near Moravia a school district known as "Suckerport" has been dissolved, there not being a sufficient number of children of school age residing in the district to warrant its continuation. Any district which will abide such a nomenclature as "Suckerport" deserves to be obliterated from the face of the earth.
"Tommy" ride is the proper term to use in the present age. When the automobile first began to be used, the newspapers were filled with lengthy and learned disquisitions on the length of the name and the inconvenience that would certainly arise in using a word with so many syllables. Various names were suggested, from "mobe" to electro dynamic "whoom 'em doodle do," but none of them were appropriate, and they failed to stick. It seemed that the automobile was doomed to continue to be a plain automobile, when some one hit on the syllable "tom" as a solution of the problem. The name was taken up quickly, and now it is quite proper to call it "tommy."
Say, but the climate is beastly in this part of the world, isn't it In the summer it's too hot; in the fall it's too raw; in the winter it's too cold; and in the spring it's too backward.
The running of a snow plow over the Lehigh Valley road last Sunday made the cold shivers run down the backs of those who saw the strange sight, after enduring seven days of the hottest weather imaginable. A rumor was passed along that a snow blockade down the road was the cause of the strange August proceeding, but it was finally learned that the plow was being run to the shops at Sayre for repairs.
Whenever you see a freight car on the Lackawanna or any other road labeled "Syracuse and Binghamton R. R.," you will always find the number in the five thousands.
I saw a mad man last Friday morning, or perhaps the phrase should be transposed to read, I saw a man very mad. You would know him if I gave his name, but I won't do that. He was bound for Syracuse on the early morning train, which happened to pull into the station perhaps a minute or two ahead of time. Our Cortland friend turned the corner of Church into Railroad-st., and saw the train, which excited him very much. Just at this time a delivery wagon was going west on Railroad-st. and our friend in his fear of missing the train offered the driver a quarter to take him to the depot in haste, which offer was accepted. The horse went down street with the speed of the wind and when the traveler found that the train wouldn't leave for several minutes and that he would have had plenty of time to walk, why, he swore, he did.
M. L Decker's morning-glory fence in front of his residence is a pretty sight every morning, several hundred blossoms of many colors making the sight a beautiful one.
Cortland is a great town for fruit, more being sold here than in many cities of twice its size. Last Friday morning F. H Cobb & Co. received a car load of watermelons, another of peaches and another of banana. And yet I hear of no serious cases of colic.
Randall's woods, below the junction, is the mecca for many people these hot Sundays, the objective point being a berry lot back on the hill.
BASE BALL NOTES
The Three Leaders Running Very Close—Rome Leads the League.
Cortland seems to have played in hard luck the past week and as a consequence the team loses first place temporarily, but with reasonable fair show on the part of the umpires in future games, the team will regain its proper position at the head. The game with Albany Wednesday afternoon was a clear case of steal, the umpire declaring the game forfeited to Albany without semblance of reason. The spectators were naturally indignant and for a time made it very unpleasant for Mr. Gifford, who was greeted with uncomplimentary remarks properly applied.
On Thursday last Cortland was defeated by Utica 11 to 1; Friday, Cortland 3, Schenectady 4; Saturday, first game, Cortland 1 Schenectady 7; second game, Cortland 6, Schenectady 1; Sunday, Cortland 4, Albany 7; Monday, Cortland 7, Utica 5; Tuesday, Cortland 5, Utica 15; Wednesday, Cortland 0, Albany 9—clear case of steal by Umpire Gifford. The standing Wednesday night was as follows:
HOMER MAN KILLED.
Escaped From an Owego Sanitarium and Run Over by Cars.
On Wednesday of last week a well-known resident of Homer, C. H. Smith, was taken to Glenmary Home for Insane at Owego for treatment, being accompanied by Dr. C. D. VerNooy of Cortland. Mr. Smith was a bachelor, and was about 62 years old. For some time he had teen troubled with insomnia and nervousness, and at his own suggestion he went to the sanitarium at Owego. Further particulars are given by the Owego Record as follows:
"Over at the Home they are rather suspicious of such patients and so placed him in charge of their best nurse, who sat by his bed, talking to and fanning him until midnight, when Smith fell asleep. The nurse continued his vigil till 3:30, when Smith was sleeping soundly and he dropped on a rug on the floor and went to sleep. He woke at 4:45 and found the bed vacant and his patient away. The door being locked, a small window was the only point of egress and from that point they traced Smith in the dew and dust till they found his lifeless body on the south side of the Erie railroad's east bound track.
"The face had a bad cut diagonally across one eye and the back part of the head was crushed, while the left arm was severed twice. From the marks on the night shirt which he wore, it is thought he was sitting on the rail when some freight train struck him. The body was taken to Lauterman's undertaking rooms and Smith's friends notified.''
Mr. Smith's remains were brought to Homer for interment.
Spiritualists Incorporate.
A certificate of incorporation was placed on file in the county clerk's office at Ithaca Monday morning for the Central New York Spiritual association, with a capital stock of $3,500. The company's object is to establish and maintain a center for free religion, where people may receive instructions in religions or scientific reformatory branches.
The stipulations are that there shall be 700 shares of $5 each and that the company shall begin business on $1,670. The office or principal place of meeting will be at Freeville and the incorporation shall be of 50 years duration.
The trustees are B. L. Robinson of McLean; A. C. Stone, Freeville; R. Weaver, Dryden; Benjamin Rhoes, Elmira and W. E. Sutfin, Freeville.
PAGE FOUR—SHORT EDITORIALS.
The trusts are making hay in Mark Hanna sunshine. They are taxing the entire American people on the necessities of life and gradually gathering the entire wealth of the country.
To show how little is needed to elect Bryan, it has been estimated that a change of only thirty per cent of the German American voters would do the trick. And there seems no doubt of a change of at least seventy-five per cent.
From every quarter come protests against McKinley's subservient surrender of a big tract of American territory in Alaska to Great Britain. The strip donated England contains rich mining claims and many American miners and lumbermen have been made citizens of Great Britain against their will.
Yes, Cortland county Republicans realize that they have a fight on their hands. They are now making a canvass of the county. The only object in doing it thus early must be to deal out a little pap. Well, go ahead, you can't atone for a "corrupt and drunken'' caucus, an outrage on decent people, that way, nor by nominating two of the ringleaders in that affair.
Riley Champlin, a Cortland attorney of more or less renown, has caused considerable merriment in this city the past week by the production of a three column article which appeared in the Cortland Standard and is said to embody his ideas of the political situation. Mr. Champlin never agrees with the party leaders of any party or with any one else and it is probable that no man in the county has the ability to write so much and say so little as Mr. Champlin, but it is no fault of his for he seems to be built that way. His lengthy production is unanswerable for the reason that no argument is presented and there is nothing to answer. The effect of the article on its writer is apparent by a personal in the same issue of the Standard, which informs the public that "Riley Champlin left this morning for a rest at Atlantic City." [Mr. Champlin was an enrolled Democrat—CC ed.]
McKinley Prosperity.
Within the past few days the Sweet Steel company at Syracuse has made a cut of 15 per cent in the wages of its employees. Dozens of blast furnaces in the vicinity of Pittsburg have been banked. The United Indurated Fibre company of Lockport, the largest of its kind in the world, has shut down. The American Steel trust has ordered a 15 per cent cut in the wages of its employees in Chicago. These are a few instances of "McKinley prosperity" of one short week.
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| William McKinley. |
Here's Your Prosperity.
The trusts and giant monopolies fostered by Republican rule have skimmed the cream from "McKinley prosperity." According to the Republican New York Press, the Standard Oil trust on Tuesday last declared an 8 per cent dividend on its entire capital stock of $100,000,000. On June 15 they declared a dividend of 10 per cent, and on March 1st one of 20 per cent. So far during the year dividends of 38 per cent have been declared by this favored monopoly and it is expected that 60 per cent in dividends will be declared before the close of 1900.
Such enormous profits are possible through the success of the combine in destroying competition and exacting its own price from every American citizen who buys a gallon of oil. Big dividends are also declared by the Sugar trust, Match trust and hundreds of other monopolies which are draining the wealth of the country from those who have to pay trust prices for every thing they buy. This deplorable state is due solely to the fact that the trusts have grown all-powerful and dominant through the favoritism of friendly state and national administrations. William Jennings Bryan, the champion of the plain people, is pledged to crush these monopolies and check their feast upon the vitals of the nation.
HERE AND THERE.
A thunder storm every fifteen minutes would have been acceptable last week.
The Erie & Central New York R. R.company is building an engine house at Cincinnatus.
Proprietor John F. Dowd has been making decided improvements in the office of the American hotel.
Hitch up the old nag for the county fair next week. W. J. Greenman will give you plenty of entertainment every day.
The Sunday school convention of the Cortland Baptist association will be held at Blodgett Mills August 28. The Baptist association will be held at the same place the two succeeding days.
The Binghamton Herald states that away back, between 1830 and 1845, Broome County was the banner Democratic county of New York state! Alas! How it has degenerated since that time.
The state board of health is making an effort to strictly enforce the provisions of the new law which pronounces consumption to be a contagious disease and requires local health authorities to furnish all information concerning its prevalence in their respective jurisdictions.
At the Central New York Firemen's convention last week, M. F. Cleary of Cortland was awarded a sack of flour for having the largest family of any fireman at the convention. The Cortland fire department was given a huge water melon for having the largest colored porter in line.
Some of the railroads are considering the advisability of abandoning the time honored title of brakeman on passenger trains and calling him assistant conductor. The brakes on passenger trains are no longer worked by hand but by air, therefore it is argued that the old title is a misnomer.
The Marathon Independent says: G. T. Maxson of Cortland is completing the repairs to the storage reservoir of the Marathon waterworks. This reservoir since the repairs made last spring, has leaked but a trifle up to the unplastered slope wall. This is now to be plastered to the overflow, and a cement coping put outside to carry the surface water off. There is more water reported at the springs than a year ago.
"The Prisoner of Zenda," which will be given here at an early date by a specially selected company by arrangement with Mr. Daniel Frohman, is now up on the most successful tour of its career. Most plays are considered fortunate to exist for a period of two years, but the reception accorded this season to "The Prisoner of Zenda" would indicate that it could, like Tennyson's brook, "go on forever." The cast is said to be an especially meritorious one and the scenic embellishments most elaborate.
Wm. E. Ames, editor of the Broome County Herald, was in Cortland last week, and while here he called at the Democrat office to enlighten the agricultural editor upon the potato ball question. Mr. Ames has made a special study of horticulture, floriculture, astronomy, entomology, zoology, etymology, theology, lithology, mythology, ornithology, philology and philosophy, and claims to be an expert on the subject of potato balls. His theory is, and he speaks with much positiveness, that the bugs eat up or destroy the seed producing properties of the flower, hence no balls. We are pleased to have the matter made so clear.
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