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| John Hay. |
Cortland Evening Standard, Thursday, December 6, 1900.
NO DELAY ON OUR PART.
Conger Authorized to Sign Envoys' Agreement.
VICTORY FOR UNITED STATES.
Indemnity and Punishment Issues, Which Barred the Way to Unity, Surmounted Through Adoption of This Government's Suggestion.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 6.—The state department has been informed that the foreign ministers at Pekin, Tuesday, reached an agreement which was submitted to the home offices. Secretary Hay immediately cabled Mr. Conger, authorizing him to sign the agreement on behalf of the United States government.
It is difficult to gather details of the understanding at this time. However, it is known that in the two important issues that were still open, namely, those relating to punishment and indemnity, the views of the United States government have prevailed.
As to punishments, they are to be the severest that can be inflicted by the Chinese government. As to indemnity, the Chinese government is to formally admit its liabilities and then the matter is to be left for future negotiations.
It is understood that on the other points the French proposition has formed the basis of the agreement.
Chinese Holding Mountain Passes.
BERLIN, Dec. 6.—A dispatch from Field Marshal Von Waldersee, dated Pekin, Tuesday, Dec. 4, says strong detachments of Chinese regulars under General Ma, are reported from Shan Si to be holding the mountain passes on the frontier of Chi Li.
An explosion at Pao Ting Fu during the clearing out of a powder magazine killed one man and wounded Lieutenant Wolfgramm and four others.
CABLE FROM CERVERA
Is Afflicted at the News of Lieutenant Hobson's Illness.
NEW YORK, Dec. 6.—Admiral Cervera of the Spanish navy, evidently has profound respect for the daring valor of the men who imperilled their lives to "bottle" his fleet at Santiago. The Journal to-day prints the following cablegram from the Spanish admiral:
"MADRID, Dec. 5.
"I am greatly afflicted to learn that the valiant Hobson is in an unhealthy state. I am praying to God to return him to health and if he dies to receive him into his presence. CERVERA."
The cablegram was taken to the Presbyterian hospital last night but in view of the lieutenant's condition it was not deemed wise to let him see it. It is added that the pile of letters addressed to Lieut. Hobson is increasing. Hobson is somewhat improved to-day.
PAGE FOUR—EDITORIALS.
The Nation's Bulwark.
According to a late bulletin of the twelfth census there is a grand total of 16,738,302 persons attending the schools of the United States, public and private, a great army of boys and girls, young men and young women, animated by common impulses, bound together by kindred ties and seeking common objects. This great army, in whose hands will rest the future destiny and welfare of the republic, is thus distributed among the splendid institutions of learning of the country:
Public Private
schools. schools.
Elementary, 14,662,488 1,193,822
High schools and academies, 488,549 166,678
Universities and colleges, 30,050 73,201
Professional schools, 8,540 46,594
Normal schools, 44,808 23,572
Total: 15,234,435 1,503,867
The grand total comprises something more than one-fifth of our entire population. This educational bulletin contains some other data of an interesting and gratifying character. There are in the United States 244,527 buildings used in educational work, and they are worth $524,689,255, or more than one-fourth of the whole amount of the national debt. The money spent for educational purposes last year amounted to $197,281,603, or $2.67 per capita of our whole population and $3.20 per capita of children of school age. To train these millions of youth 415,660 teachers were employed, a number more than four times exceeding the present strength of the American army. Of these teachers 131,793 were men and 283,867 were women. The salaries paid to the former averaged $45.25 per month and those to the latter $38.14 per month.
Altogether the figures tell an inspiring story of educational progress and show the steady development of the intellectual and moral forces which must serve as the future bulwarks of our national institutions.
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| Samuel N. Holden. |
COMMON COUNCIL.
Official Minutes of the Meeting of Tuesday, Dec. 4.
A regular meeting of the common council of the city of Cortland was held at the office of the clerk of said city on the 4th day of Dec., 1900, at 7:30 o'clock P. M. Present: Samuel N. Holden, mayor; E. M. Yager, C. F. Thompson, A. E. Buck, Wm. G. McKinney and Vern Skeele, aldermen.
On motion of Mr. Buck, seconded by Mr. Yager, and declared carried:
Resolved, That the city chamberlain, Mr. George J. Maycumber, give an official bond as such chamberlain in the penal sum of $100,000 and present the same to this board for its approval.
The official report of G. J. Maycumber, acting city chamberlain for the month of November, 1900, was read and placed on file, and the official report of James R. Schermerhorn, commissioner of charities, for the month of November, 1900, was read and placed on file, and on motion duly seconded and carried.
Resolved, That the same be ratified and approved by the board.
Bills were allowed and ordered paid, for the items of which reference is made to the financial record.
Bills of C. W. Townsend, Frank E. Fellows and Maurice F. Sweeney, objected to by Mr. Thompson. Mr. Thompson called for "Ayes" and "Nays," Mr. Yager voted no, Mr. Thompson voted no, Mr. Buck voted yes, Mr. McKinney voted yes, Mr. Skeele voted no. Declared not carried.
Moved by Mr. Skeele that bills of Day Baker and James A. Smith at $55 and $65 respectively be paid as per bill rendered; seconded by Mr. Yager. Mr. Skeele called for the "Ayes" and "Nays." Mr. Yager voted yes, Mr. Thompson voted yes, Mr. Buck voted yes, Mr. McKinney voted yes, Mr. Skeele voted yes. Declared carried.
On motion of Mr. Yager, seconded by Mr. Skeele, and declared carried:
Resolved, That an order be drawn on the city chamberlain for $500 and interest in all $503.61 in favor of Cortland Savings bank with which he has authority and direction to pay and retire bond No. 2 for $500 given for judgment Warren-Scharf Asphalt Paving Co., for paving Main-st.
Moved by Mr. Thompson and seconded by Mr. Skeele, as follows:
Resolved, 1st. That the resolution passed by this board October 2nd ult. relieving the police officers, Parker, Nix and Corcoran from their duties and offices as policemen of this city be rescinded.
2nd. That their alleged successors. Frank E. Fellows, Chas. W. Townsend and Maurice Sweeney, are hereby discharged and dismissed from the duties and offices as policemen of this city.
3d. That the said Parker, Nix and Corcoran are hereby directed to report for duty at once, and forthwith enter upon the discharge of the duties and offices of policemen of this city.
The mayor refused to put such motion, on the ground that such motion is out of order, as the police force has been already reorganized, and also that the appointment of the police force rests in the mayor subject to the ratification by the common council.
Mr. Thompson appealed from such decision and refusal of the mayor to put such motion.
Moved by Mr. Buck that this board now adjourn to Dec. 8, 1900, at 8 o'clock P. M., at the office of the clerk of said city, seconded by Mr. McKinney. Mr. Thompson called for the ayes and nays on the motion for adjournment. Mr. Yager voted no, Mr. Thompson voted no, Mr. Buck voted yes, Mr. Skeele voted no, Mr. McKinney voted yes. Declared lost.
Approved Dec. 4, 1900.
S. N. HOLDEN, MAYOR.
Mr. Skeele moved the adoption of the resolution offered by Mr. Thompson, seconded by Mr. Yager. Mr. Thompson put the motion to vote and same was by him declared carried.
Moved by Mr. Skeele that the clerk be instructed to notify Mr. Townsend, Mr. Frank E. Fellows and Mr. Maurice Sweeney that their services were no longer required, and to notify Mr. Parker, Mr. Nix and Mr. Corcoran to report for duly at once, Mr. Parker as chief of police, and Mr. Nix and Mr. Corcoran as patrolmen. Seconded by Mr. Yager. Mr. Thompson put the motion to vote and same was by him declared carried.
Mr. Skeele moved that Mr. Smith be reduced from the office of chief of police to that of patrolman, seconded by Mr. Yager. Mr. Thompson put the motion to vote and same was by him declared carried.
Moved by Mr. Skeele, seconded by Mr. Yager that this meeting adjourn to Dec. 7, 1900, at 7:30 o'clock P. M. at the office of the clerk of said city.
Approved Dec. 4, 1900.
C. F. THOMPSON, President of Board.
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| Orris U. Kellogg. |
BOND NOT SATISFACTORY.
City Attorney Had Not O. K.'d. the Paving Co's. Bond.—Dirt in an Alley.
The board of public works held an adjourned meeting last night to examine and, if favorable, accept the bond of the Warren-Scharf Asphalt Co., for the guaranty of the Groton-ave. pavement recently finished by them. The bond, however, did not meet the approval of City Attorney O. U. Kellogg in all its phraseology, so the board adjourned till next Monday night. In the meantime the bond will be changed to conform to the city officials' wishes.
Superintendent Becker came before the board and explained that the asphalt company had drawn dirt unbeknown to him in the alleyway between the Opera House and the Cortland House and apparently without direction from any one. This, he stated, the parties interested in objected to, as it backed the water up in their cellars. He had asked the representatives of the company to draw the dirt out, but as yet they had not done so. The board authorized Mr. Becker to state to the Warren Asphalt Co. that it would not audit the bill for paving the street till the dirt is hauled out.
DECISION RESERVED
In the Action of the Deposed Policemen in Special Term.
At the special term at Binghamton on Tuesday, H. A. Dickinson appeared for the deposed policemen, Messrs. Parker, Nix and Corcoran, who were asking for reinstatement and for back pay, and City Attorney O. U. Kellogg appeared for the common council. Arguments were made before Judge Sewell and decision was reserved, the judge taking the papers for further examination. It is probable that a decision will be handed down within a few days.
Telephone Lines Straightened.
The Empire State Telephone Co. is taking down wires in the vicinity of the Dexter House on Main-st. to-day and preparing to run the same through on the west side of the street without crossing over to the east side. The Home Telephone company, which intended to run its wires across the street at this point and which bad a pole set on the west side of the street for the purpose, will bring the pole over to the east side of the street and so keep its wires all on that side. The change is a good one and Superintendent Becker is deserving of much praise in bringing it about.
PATRONS OF INDUSTRY
Held a Sociable as a Farewell to One of the Neighbors.
Stone association, No. 768, Patrons of Industry, held a social gathering last night at the home of Mr. N. J. Munson at the corner of Tompkins-st. and the McLean road. It was a sort of a farewell for Mr. and Mrs. Frank Neely who are about to move from that vicinity to a farm two miles north of Solon, and it was attended by many of the friends of these two in the neighborhood, regardless of whether or not they were members of the organization. A purse was made up by the friends as a little token to Mr. and Mrs. Neely of their regard and esteem and the recipients expressed their heartfelt thanks for the thoughtfulness thus manifested. Mr. and Mrs. Neely are now moving to their new home.
A. O. U. W.
A regular meeting of Cortland lodge, No. 351, Ancient Order of United Workmen, will be held in the lodgeroom Friday evening, Dec. 7, at 7:30 sharp. All members should be present as several candidates are to be initiated. The election of officers for the ensuing year will also occur at this time.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Transact a Considerable Amount of Business and Adjourn.
Twentieth Day, Wednesday. Dee. 5.
The supervisors met at 9 o'clock Wednesday for their twentieth day's work and at noon adjourned till Tuesday, Dec. 11, at 10:30 o'clock.
The committee appointed to apportion the state tax among the canal, school and general funds submitted its report, and the same was, on motion of Mr. Crosley, adopted and referred to the committee on appropriations.
The report of the committee to apportion school commissioners' expenses was submitted and, on motion of Mr. Crosley, was adopted and referred to the committee on appropriations.
The apportionment is as follows: Cuyler, $20.83; Homer. $96; Preble, $25.25; Scott, $12.81; Solon, $10.41; Taylor, $10.65; Truxton, $24.05; Cincinnatus, $7.18; City of Cortland, $115.50; Cortlandville, $25.22; Freetown, $6.47; Harford, $6.90; Lapeer, $5.82; Marathon, $17.13; Virgil, $13.50; Willet, $6.28. Total $414. N. JAY PECK, D. C. JOHNSTON, Committee.
Mr. Hunt, chairman of the committee on appropriations, offered the following report which was, on motion of Mr. Crosley, adopted, all the supervisors voting for except Mr. Ingersoll who was absent:
To the Honorable Board of Supervisors of Cortland County:
The undersigned committee on appropriations respectfully report and recommend that there be levied and collected on the taxable property of the several towns of the county of Cortland and the sums herein set forth for the following purposes:
On motion of Mr. Crosley:
Resolved, That the clerk be directed to have printed for the next general election notices of the same and he shall deliver the same to the town clerks of the respective towns by Sept. 1, 1901.
On motion of Mr. Bennett:
Resolved, That the chairman and clerk be a special committee to attend to any complication or controversy that may arise from the resolution passed by the board, instructing the county treasurer to withhold the state tax levied upon towns and that said committee have full power to act.
On motion of Mr. Peck:
Resolved, That David College of the city of Cortland be appointed sealer of weights and measures for the coming year.
On motion of Mr. Bennett:
Resolved, That the salary of the incoming superintendent of poor be and is hereby fixed at $500.
On motion of Mr. Patrick:
Resolved, That the salary of the district attorney be $850, including office rent.
On motion of Mr. O'Donnell:
Resolved, That this board extend to F. C. Parsons, of the Cortland Democrat, the thanks and appreciation of the board as well as the individual members for the evening's pleasure and entertainment accorded to the supervisors and the press at the banquet at the Cortland House, Dec. 4, 1900.
At 12 o'clock noon the board adjourned to Tuesday, Dec. 11, 1900.
WHAT THE CHARTER SAYS.
Some Questions as to Legality of Action by Aldermen.
The question is being frequently raised as to the legality of the action of three of the aldermen in passing a resolution restoring to office the deposed policemen at the meeting on Tuesday evening after the mayor and two aldermen had retired from the room.
The whole matter seems to depend upon whether or not a quorum was present at the time this action was taken.
Section 50 of the city charter says:
"The mayor and aldermen of said city shall constitute the common council thereof. A majority of the common council, including the mayor as a member thereof, shall be a quorum for the transaction of business, but a smaller number may adjourn from time to time."
A majority of seven is four. Four are therefore required to transact business. Only three were present when the action was taken.
The three who took the action contend that the official minutes show that six members were present when the meeting came to order and do not show the departure of any of the six from the room. The other three claim that they can prove that they did go and that consequently only three were left, which number was one short of a quorum, and that the only action which those remaining could take under the charter was to adjourn.
Meanwhile the interests of the city are being well looked after with two chiefs and two sets of patrolmen.
James Costello.
THE FIRE ALARM SYSTEM.
Superintendent Costello Worked All Night and Kept It In Order.
In speaking of the effects of the big snowstorm yesterday, the fire alarm system was inadvertently omitted. Superintendent of Fire Alarm System Jas. F. Costello, with an assistant, was out all night during the storm looking after the wires and keeping matters in as good shape as possible, with the result that when morning came there was not a box in the city but that an alarm could have been rung in from. Mr. Costello certainly deserves a great deal of praise for the painstaking manner which he shows in keeping the alarm system intact.
Yesterday afternoon when the power was turned on the incandescent lamps, a wire of the lighting system somewhere in the city crossed a wire of the alarm system, and the alarm bell was struck twice.
The indicator at the Emerald Hose Co.'s rooms was burned out Tuesday night by the wires getting crossed. The instrument will be repaired immediately.
BREVITIES.
—McDermott's orchestra of six pieces played in DeRuyter last night at the Fireman's ball.
—Vesta lodge will hold a dancing party at the parlors Saturday night. McDermott's orchestra will furnish music.
—The Red Men will hold a dancing party in their hall Saturday evening from 8 to 12 o'clock. Kane's orchestra will furnish music.
—The condition of Mrs. O. A. Houghton remains unchanged; she seems unconscious though the attendants feel sometimes that she hears. Few hopes are entertained of her recovery.
—Parents should see that their children do not have wet feet during this wet weather. Physicians say that wet feet breed numberless diseases. Children are not to be trusted to comprehend the importance of having dry, warm feet.
—At the regular bi-monthly business meeting of the Christian Endeavor society of the Presbyterian church, held at the church parlors last evening, Miss Lula Hinman was elected treasurer of the society in place of Mr. Edward S. Bierce, who is now in Florida.
—The United States weather bureau has sent to The STANDARD for use in Cortland a brand new rain gauge of improved pattern to replace the one which was recently found to be defective. It has been put in position and will now furnish accurate measurements on the rainfall or snowfall.
—Among the bills of the commissioner of charities noted in these columns yesterday as being audited the previous evening by the common council was one of $4 to E. M. Yager and it was said to have been for a livery. There was a mistake. The bill was for wood purchased from Mr. Yager's wood yard for different needy families in the city.
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