Cortland Evening Standard, Tuesday, December 11, 1900.
COLONEL LISCUM'S REMAINS.
Body Arrives at Washington After Long Trip From China.
WASHINGTON, Dec. l l.—The remains of Colonel Emerson H. Liscum, one of the heroes of the fight at Tien Tsin in July last, arrived at the Pennsylvania railroad depot yesterday and were escorted by a troop of the Fifth cavalry to the parish hall of St. John's church.
They were accompanied from China and San Francisco by General James H. Wilson and by Mrs. Liscum and her brother. Colonel Liscum's remains will be buried at Arlington cemetery with full military honors.
Richmond P. Hobson.
Hobson Now Out of Danger.
NEW YORK. Dec. 11.—The condition of Lieutenant Hobson at the Presbyterian hospital yesterday was said to be greatly improved. He was said to be out of all danger. At the home of Judge George C. Barrett he was said to have passed a very good night and that his condition was greatly improved.
Says There's a Misunderstanding.
ALBANY, Dec. 11.—Governor Roosevelt said last night that there was evidently some misunderstanding at the African Methodist conference at Winston, N. C., when they passed resolutions thanking him for giving the African church at Oyster Bay a rectory. He said he was not a party in any such transaction, but that to the contrary he had urged in view of the failure to financially support the church, its abandonment.
More Smallpox Cases In New York.
NEW YORK, Dec. l l.—Two more cases of smallpox were reported last night. They were Mary Cafraffa, 32 years old, and Annie Clemensen, 34, both in West Sixty-eighth street. Both patients were sent to North Brother island. This makes a total of 50 cases since the outbreak.
Don't Want Vaccination.
SCHENECTADY, N. Y., Dec. 11.—Considerable feeling is already manifested in this city over the proposed wholesale vaccination of school children, and there is every reason to believe that the public schools will be practically deserted if the order is made by the health authorities. Dr. Louis Faust, a leading physician, says he believes vaccination in this cold weather would involve grave danger.
PAGE FOUR—EDITORIALS.
The World's Greatest Electorate.
The Daily Telegraph of London, referring to the recent election in the United States, speaks of "the unparalleled plebiscite of 15,000,000 votes." Although the official figures are not yet obtainable, it is pretty certain that the total number of votes cast at the presidential election will rather exceed than fall below 15,000,000. Four years ago about 13,920,000 were cast, and there has unquestionably been an increase of more than 1,000,000. Comparing these figures with those of other countries where the elective franchise prevails, there is suggested an impressive phase of the greatness of the United States.
The plebiscite by which Louis Napoleon was first chosen president of France in 1848 comprised more than 7,500,000 votes, or about half the number cast at our late election. The high water mark reached by the French electorate was that by which the popular approval of the revised constitution was secured in 1870, when nearly 9,000,000 votes were cast. The highest number of votes cast at any election since 1870 was about 7,500,000.
In the United Kingdom, where almost the same conditions of suffrage obtain as here, we find a still more marked inferiority to the American electorate. There were in 1898 only a few more than 6,500,000 registered voters out of a total population of a trifle more than 40,000,000. The exact number voting under the registry of 1898 in the recent parliamentary elections is not known, but is fairly estimated to have been less than 4,000,000. In Germany at the election in 1893 the number of votes actually cast was about 7,770,000 out of a population of about 50,000,000.
Thus the United States has an electorate four times as numerous as that of the United Kingdom, two or three times as large as that of the entire self-governing British empire throughout the world and about as large as the electorates of France and Germany combined, an aggregate of political power which has no parallel among the nations.
◘ When some people marry, they settle down. In the case of the Duke of Manchester, who has recently married an American heiress, his creditors hope he will settle up.
Funeral of Mrs. Houghton.
The funeral of Mrs. O. A. Houghton was held from the residence, 39 Church-st., this afternoon at 2 o'clock. Presiding Elder Theron Cooper conducted the services, assisted by Presiding Elder B. I. Ives and Rev. H. L. Rixon of the Homer-ave. M. E. church.
After the reading of the passage of Scripture by Mr. Rixon, Presiding Elder Cooper spoke for a short time of the life of Mrs. Houghton. He spoke of her bright sunny nature, of her educational aspirations and of her pure Christian character. Presiding Elder Ives outlined her life, saying he had been acquainted with Mrs. Houghton throughout all her married life. He spoke feelingly of the work she had done in the charges where her husband had been pastor and closed his remarks with an earnest prayer.
The floral emblems were very beautiful. The King's Daughters of Auburn, which Mrs. Houghton was instrumental in organizing, sent a beautiful Maltese cross of chrysanthemums, also white carnations. A beautiful table of pink carnations was the kind remembrance of neighbors, as was a wreath of white roses. The different organizations of the church, the chorus choir and the W. C. T. U. gave handsome clusters and pretty designs. Undertaker Ryan of Syracuse, an old friend of the family, sent a rich cluster of red roses.
The official board sat together at one side of the room where the casket rested. Just outside in the hall a mixed quartet from the chorus choir, composed of Messrs. G. O. Bowen and J. G. Osgood, and Miss Maude Linderman and Mrs. Julia F. Twiss sang two selections: "My Jesus, as Thou Wilt," and "Asleep in Jesus."
The remains will be taken to the D., L. & W. depot at 5:55 and sent to Elmira, where to-morrow afternoon at 2 o'clock the burial will be made, prayer having been previously offered at her old home.
Those in attendance at the funeral from out of the city were: Mr. F. S. Ayres of Elmira, a brother of Mrs. Houghton, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Welch of South Butler, and Mrs. Clayton Bushnell of Collamer, N. Y., relatives of the family, and Mrs. George Sager of Syracuse, a life-long friend of Mrs. Houghton.
MRS. SUSAN A. HOUGHTON.
Tribute to a Lovely Life from a Girlhood Friend.
The Elmira Advertiser of Monday morning contained a lengthy obituary notice of the late Mrs. O. A. Houghton of Cortland written and signed by one of Mrs. Houghton's girlhood friends in that city, Mrs. George Archibald. We quote some portions of this as follows:
In Elmira, which was her birthplace and her home until her marriage, knowledge of her death brings especial sadness. There remain in this city those who remember her in her bright and promising girlhood, those who were her associates in youth and middle age, and some bound to her by ties of kindred. Besides these there are many who in later years have known the unusual quality of her womanhood and felt the superiority of her intellect. None of these but will speak of her today with a sense that something gifted and gracious has passed beyond.
Susan Ayres was born July 7, 1843, daughter of Socrates Ayres and of Susan Harris, his wife. Her father was long prominent among Elmira's business men and was well-known as a member of the First Methodist church, with which he was connected not far from a half century. There lives in Elmira a woman who remembers the day when he and his wife, then young people but years married, took their babe Susan to the church altar for baptism.
This child was educated in the Elmira schools and was a graduate of Elmira college. In 1867, Oscar A. Houghton, a young man just beginning the work of ministry, supplied the First Methodist church pulpit for six months. Shortly after this Susan Ayres became his wife. This marriage removed Mrs. Houghton from the city, yet she has always been a frequent visitor here, and sustained close relations to former friends and an undiminished love for the old places. Indeed her returns have seemed like those of one who, from time to time, simply came to her own again.
Twice Dr. Houghton has been appointed to Elmira charges, serving a full term at Hedding church and a year at Centenary. This renewed former companionships and revived former attachments.
Of the fullness and achievements of Mrs. Houghton's life much might be written. She was a woman highly endowed and with a capacity for development rarely equalled. Nature intended her for a student and so far as life allowed she became one. Her intellectual discernments were quick and true. Her patience in following their leadings was untiring. On the day when her son and only child, Harris, was graduated from Syracuse university, Mrs. Houghton took a degree there, won by a course of study such as few women accomplish. To the time when the inroads of disease made application no longer possible, she still earnestly sought to know more of the things beloved evermore of scholars.
But not in books alone did Mrs. Houghton learn. In travel and in observation she delighted to add to her store of knowledge, and the lessons she pondered were full of inspiration to those with whom she spoke of them. In the ripeness of her thought her desire turned to usefulness, and the educative plans of her future were the plans of one who hoped to move the thoughts of others to refining and uplifting effort. These plans were broken off by death.
For about two years Mrs. Houghton has suffered from the illness that has ended her earthly life. Every known resort of medical science failed to do more than temporarily relieve, and for a few months hold the disease in abeyance. Through the fluctuations of hope and fear she herself has been aware of the fatal possibility. With bright courage she looked toward life when life seemed coming back, with still submission toward death when she saw it sure to conquer. Only those who knew her well enough to know the indwelling, spiritual things of her soul can appreciate the experience of that submission.
It is difficult to speak of the hidden, sacred experiences of any mortal when death has closed the book. It is unfitting to speak much of them when she, of whom they are spoken, held them apart. What they were must be inferred from what she was. And Mrs. Houghton was a woman of noble soul. Bright, positive, independent in thought and action, she held in her heart the tenderest love for her friends, the capacity for sacrifice and the supremest loyalty. She was incapable of the mean word of gossip, of insincere profession of any sort.
Honor, fealty, sweetness at the core! In the memories of those who loved her, thoughts of her will bring remembrance of those graces—hers of nature and by the blessing of spiritual attainment.
The following lines close a poem sent by Mrs. Houghton to a friend in Elmira. Of them she wrote: "I think of myself when I read them:"
"What, though life's best, most precious things
Withheld, grow dimmed with moth and rust,
The idols human hands have reared
Be levelled and laid low in dust?
There surely is some kindlier clime
Only by clearer vision seen;
Sometimes these blinded eyes shall pierce
The dull gray mists which come between.
The heavenly city which I seek
Lies just beyond—the gates ajar—
Though long the journey, rough and bleak,
The last few milestones reach not far.
His feet, have trod the path before,
And so I cannot miss my way,
Clasped in the hollow of his hand
Which leads me to the light of day."
MEMORIAL TRIBUTE
Adopted by the Quarterly Conference of the First M. E. Church.
The first quarterly conference of the church year was held at the First M. E. church last night with Presiding Elder Cooper in the chair. The following tribute to Mrs. Houghton was adopted:
The quarterly conference of the First Methodist Episcopal church of Cortland meets under circumstances of great sadness. The bereavement of our pastor, Dr. Oscar A. Houghton, in the loss of his beloved companion, who had shared his joys and borne his sorrows for more than thirty years, calls for our heartiest sympathy and sincere condolence.
We recognize the brave fight for life that our sister, Mrs. Houghton, made during the past years. She was patient, although suffering great physical pain for months, and with the serene confidence of an earnest Christian woman passed into the other world. In her death the church and the community have lost a member of strong Christian character and more than usual intellectual power.
We recognize also how tenderly and faithful our pastor has ministered to the comforts of Mrs. Houghton during these many anxious months carrying a burden the weight of which few of us have realized.
And now in the presence of the greatest grief that can come to a loving husband we wish to assure him of our heartfelt sympathy and of our united prayers to a loving Father that he may be given grace and comfort as he is passing through the shadows. We hereby pledge our brotherly friendship and loyal support of him as he shall again take up the work as pastor of the church for the coming year.
Mrs. Chas. H. Riley
The funeral services of Mrs. Chas. H. Riley were conducted from the family residence, 183 Railroad-st., this afternoon.
Mrs. Riley had for a long time been suffering from consumption and about the middle of last September she went to Buffalo to visit her two brothers thinking a change of climate and surroundings might help her. The desired benefits, however, did not materialize, and she gradually grew worse till 1 o'clock Sunday morning when she died at the home of her brother, Mr. Oliver A. Jenkins, 202 West Ferry-st. Her age was 56 years and 10 months.
Beside her husband, Mrs. Riley leaves four children; two boys and two girls, Oliver, Chas. H. Jr., Edith and May, to mourn her loss.
Church Protective Union.
The regular meeting of the Church Protective union was held at the home of Dr. VerNooy last evening, Dec. 10. A large number of the members were present, expecting to meet the superintendent of the C. P. U., Rev. V. P. Welch of Buffalo, but were disappointed as Rev. Mr. Welch was unable to be present. Part of the business which was to have been transacted last evening was put over until this coming week, Wednesday, Dec. 19, when Rev. Mr. Welch and wife will be here to install the officers, which have already been elected in W. C. T. U. hall.
The secretary, authorized by superintendent of the C. P. U., wishes to state that the second degree members of the C. P. U. who have paid their first quarterly dues are entitled to the benefits in case of sickness or accident after Dec. 10, 1900.
ACCEPTED THE BOND.
Board of Public Works Settles With Warren-Scharf Asphalt Co.
The board of public works met last night at the city clerk's office to examine the bond of the Warren-Scharf Asphalt Co., given for a ten years' guaranty of the Groton-ave. pavement in the penal sum of $10,000 and also to make a final settlement with the company for the work done on Groton-ave. according to the estimates of Engineer H. C. Allen.
Mr. Allen's report showed the whole expense of the paving to be $24,051.17. $17,047.45 had been paid the company, leaving a balance of $7,903.72 in favor of the company. This bill was audited by the board after its representative, Mr. Bannigan, had promised to pay $4.80 for drawing out the dirt from between the Opera House and the Cortland House, which work had been done by Superintendent Becker at that cost.
The bond of the company has as sureties the United States Fidelity Guarantee Co. of Baltimore, Md., and Mr. Thomas Hogan of the law firm of Hogan & Quinn, Syracuse, N. Y. The bond was unanimously accepted.
A bill of $150 for sprinkling street intersections, etc., in favor of Mr. C. H. Price, was audited by the board.
BREVITIES.
—The merchants are looking eagerly forward to a prospect of sleighing before the Holidays.
—A regular meeting of the Royal Arcanum will be held this evening at G. A. R. hall at 7:30 o'clock.
—The funeral of Mr. Samuel E. Welch will be held at his late home, 28 Groton-ave., on Thursday afternoon at 2 o'clock.
—It is fine sleighing on the pavement, and if a little more snow comes it will soon be good slipping on the other streets as well.
—The annual election of officers of the L. C. B. A. will occur at a regular meeting of the association at Empire hall to-morrow evening at 8 o'clock.
—The December recital of Miss Carrie D. Halbert's music pupils will occur at her studio in the Wickwire building tomorrow evening at 8 o'clock.
—The board of supervisors reconvened this morning at 10 o'clock for the second installment of their annual session. The work of the year will be completed very soon now.
—Cortland Tent, No. 304, K. O. T. M., will hold its regular review this evening. Nomination of officers for the ensuing term will take place at this time. A full attendance is desired.
—At the quarterly conference of the First M. E. church last night Presiding Elder Theron G. Cooper was invited to preach at that church next Sunday morning and evening. It is expected that the invitation will be accepted.
—Rev. Frank M. Goodchild of New York, state president of the B. Y. P. U., will deliver an address at the First Baptist church this evening at the young people's rally. The members of other young people's societies of the city are especially invited to be present.
—New display advertisements to-day are—City Cycle Co., Toys, page 2; W. J. Perkins, Holiday goods, page 8; Tyler & Smith, New things for Christmas, page 2; M. A. Case, Christmas hints, page 8; McKinney & Doubleday, Handy volume classics, page 6.
—The board of supervisors has accepted the invitation of Dr. Cheney to visit the Normal school to-morrow morning and attend chapel exercises at 8:45 o'clock. They will also look over the school in its recitation rooms after the recitations have begun.
—There are nine cases of typhoid fever at the hospital at the present time, all private patients and all taken there because of the desire for the extra good care which can be given by the hospital attendants under surroundings especially suited to caring for the ill. All are doing well and all are expected to recover.
—A reception will be tendered to Rev. W. W. Way, the new rector of Grace Episcopal church, by the ladies of that church to-morrow evening at the home of Mr. S. M. Benjamin, 16 West Court-st., and an invitation is extended not only to the members of the church and society but to all others as well to call at the house and make the acquaintance of the new rector.
—The report of the general secretary at a meeting of the directors of the Y. M. C. A., last night showed a daily average attendance of 135 in the association rooms in these days. The reading room is supplied with twenty-five daily papers, a half dozen weeklies and all the latest magazines. It is a pleasant and convenient place to drop in to for a short time and many are taking advantage of it as the statistics show.
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