TREATY SHOULD NOT DETER UNITED STATES, CAPTURED 25 CHINESE AT BORDER, OWEGO BRIDGE CO., BOARD OF HEALTH, AND FIRE IN MARATHON

 

John Tyler Morgan.

Cortland Evening Standard, Saturday, February 23, 1901.

TREATY SHOULD NOT DETER.

Minority Report on Resolution Upsetting Hay-Pauncefote Agreement.

   WASHINGTON, Feb. 23.—Senator Morgan of the committee on foreign relations, has made a minority report upon the resolution declaring that the ratification of the Hay-Pauncefote treaty is not a condition precedent to the construction of the Nicaragua canal and that the United States should proceed with that work regardless of the existence of the Clayton-Bulwer agreement.

   The committee made an adverse report upon the resolution a few days ago, and Senator Morgan controverts the wisdom of that action. Senator Morgan's report intimates that the adverse report was made to conform to the views of the president. On this point he says:

   "The resolutions have my hearty approval and I cannot admit that the president has any right to direct congress as to the time when it is expedient to express our approval of this solemn act of making the agreements with Nicaragua and Costa Rica.

   "This claim was made in the committee and his views as to the expediency of action were stated as grounds of objection to the resolutions. From this view of the duty of the senate I wholly dissent."

   In another connection he says on the same point: "We are bound to agree with Costa Rica and Nicaragua as to the terms on which canal privileges will be extended to the United States if this subject be settled by agreement. We have so agreed and the question is whether in a spasm of apprehension or under a subordination to the criticisms that British opinion may inflict upon us, we will permit that government to compel the president to abandon these agreements. They are honorable, just, lawful and inconceivably valuable and once abandoned, we cannot expect a peaceful resumption of them."

   Mr. Morgan also takes the position that the president already has outlined the position of the United States towards the Clayton-Bulwer treaty by negotiating the protocols with Costa Rica and Nicaragua.

   "It is quite as clear," he says, "that the president is making these agreements in the name of the United States defiantly disregarding any claim of right that Great Britain could assert to the effect  that her consent was necessary to such action on his part as president. And, equally, he asserted the right of congress to disregard any claims of Great Britain to prevent the acquisition of such rights from Costa Rica and Nicaragua and to appropriate money for that distinct purpose.

   "Beyond question he has bound himself as president and as a plenipotentiary to those agreements, and if they violate the rights of Great Britain or give her just offense congress is also bound either  to undo the wrong and atone for it and repudiate and impeach what the president has done, or sustain his action."

 

Hard Winter in Adirondacks.

   UTICA, N. Y., Feb. 23.—This has been a hard winter on the Adirondacks lumbering district, the snow being from 5 to 7 feet deep. The lumbermen are having hard work, but are doing their best to complete contracts.

 

Captured 25 Chinese.

   SYRACUSE, Feb. 23.—A special to The Post-Standard from Malone says: Chinese Inspector Ketcham and United States Marshal Roby captured 25 Chinese on the boundary yesterday. They are in jail at Malone.

 

Michael C. Murphy.

NO FOOD IN TEN YEARS.

New Head of the New York Police Lives Without Eating.

   NEW YORK, Feb. 23.—The police situation to-day is in a worse snarl than ever. A few hours after Gov. Odell signed the single-headed police bill yesterday Mayor Van Wyck appointed Col. Michael C.Murphy as police commissioner. Murphy within half an hour appointed Chief Wm. S. Devery as his first deputy, thereby retaining him on the force and nullifying the intent of the new bill, which was designed to get rid of Devery.

   It is said a council of war will soon be held to plan reprisals. The Republicans have two schemes to work. One is the removal of Mayor Van Wyck by Governor Odell. He has that power. The second is the passage of the state Constabulary bill which is now pending in the legislature.

   Michael C. Murphy, the new head of police force,  is 59 years old. He is a physical wonder in that for the last ten years he has not tasted food. At meal times he pumps specially prepared food into his stomach through a silver tube inserted below his esophagus.

   Col. Murphy's case has attracted the attention of the medical world. His peculiar case dates back to 1899 when he was attacked with acute indigestion which caused a stricture of the esophagus. Dangerous operations were resorted to. His life was saved, but he was left in the condition in which he is to-day. Before his sickness he was large and robust, weighing 246 pounds. After the operations he weighed 86 pounds. To-day he weighs about 90.

   Col. Murphy has been prominent in the councils of Tammany for thirty years. He was president of the board of health up to the time of his new appointment yesterday.

 

CORONER'S INQUEST.

Adelbert McElheny Came to His Death Through His Own Careless Acts.

   The remains of Adelbert McElheny were taken from Beard & Peck's undertaking rooms to his late residence, 29 Greenbush-st, Cortland, at about 5 o'clock yesterday afternoon. Coroner E. M. Santee held an inquest, examining eight persons who saw McElheny at any time during the progress of the cars from the dump to the tracks of the railroad company. The witnesses were: James Cashin, Grove T. Maxson, Paul Maxson, Mark Maxson, William Lee, Edward Lee, James Lee and Jerry Calihan. All of these, with the exception of Jerry Calihan the flagman, testified that when they last saw McElheny he was running along side the cars, in accordance with James Cashin's story, as given in The STANDARD yesterday.

   Calihan testified that McElheny was moving in the direction of the approaching cars. Some of the witnesses were of the opinion that he was trying to cross the track from the east to the west side. Others thought he was running directly ahead of the cars. According to the evidence of the witnesses who saw the man running ahead of the cars, McElheny had at one time gained as much as 16 feet on the cars, and was that distance ahead of them. His motive for running ahead of the cars is yet unsolved and will probably never be known. The decision of the coroner is that McElheny came to his death through his own careless acts.

   The funeral will be held from the residence, Monday at 1:30 o'clock P. M. and from the Congregational church at 2 P. M.

 

OWEGO BRIDGE CO.

Sold Out to the Trust—Believed That Plant Will be Enlarged.

   The Owego Bridge Co. has sold their plant, situated on upper North-ave., this village, to Frank Conger of the Groton Bridge Co., and vice-president of the American Bridge Co., who will transfer this property, as soon as the deal is completed, to the "Trust," or American Bridge Co. Two appraisers, one appointed by the Owego Bridge Co. and one by the "Trust," are invoicing the property. If they cannot agree a third appraiser will be appointed. It is confidently expected the bridge works will continue under the name of the Owego Bridge Works, and that more machinery will be put into the plant and the force of hands increased. Just as soon as the invoicing is completed the works will re-open.

 

WHAT GROTON IS DOING.

An Enterprise that may Mean Much for that Lively Village.

   Groton is about to develop its heretofore small industry of manufacturing engines and separators into a big concern. The Journal of that town in speaking of it says:

   "There are to be four large buildings and a power house, we learn. The four buildings will be 60 by 144 each and will comprise machine shop, wood work shop, foundry and boiler room and storehouse. They will be connected by a [railroad] switch to facilitate shipping and receiving material. The machine shop and foundry and boiler room will be erected first.

   "Efforts will be made to make this a model plant. This large enterprise, with our other manufactories, means much for the future of our village."

 

PAGE FOUR—EDITORIALS.

Our Congressmen.

   The state of New York now has thirty-four members of the Federal house of representatives. Under the new apportionment it will have thirty-seven. It is the duty of the present legislature to redistrict the state and provide for the additional representation. Under the law recently passed by congress the districts must be "composed of contiguous and compact territory and containing as nearly as practicable an equal number of inhabitants." This law should be obeyed by the legislature in letter and spirit.

   Kings county with a population of 1,166,582 now has five representatives. The ratio is one representative to each 233,216 inhabitants.

   New York, Richmond, and Westchester, with a population of 2,300,996,  have ten representatives, or one for each 230,099.

   Erie county, with a population of 433,686, has two, the ratio being one for each 216,843 inhabitants.

   Outside of the metropolitan districts the thirty-first, or Monroe district, has the largest population, 217,854. The smallest district is the nineteenth, composed of Columbia and Rensselaer, with 164,908 inhabitants.

   The population of the state is now 7,268,012; there are to be thirty-seven representatives, so that the ratio is to be one for each group of 196,438 inhabitants.

   The Republican leaders are still undecided how to arrange the new districts.

 

BOARD OF HEALTH.

FULLY DETERMINED THAT THE CITY MUST CLEAN UP.

Each Commissioner a Committee on the Sanitary Condition of His Own Ward—Sluices and Gutters—Street Sprinkling—Dairy Inspection—Examination of Milk—Other Matters.

   A meeting of the board of health was held last night at the office of the city clerk, at which all members were present. The board is made up as follows: President, Chas. F. Brown; health officer, Dr. Paul T. Carpenter; commissioners of health: First ward, W. A. Stockwell; Second ward. Dr. E. M. Santee; Third ward, Fred Ryan; Fourth ward, H. S. Bliss; Fifth ward, Geo. T. Chatterton; Sixth ward, Dr. C. D. VerNooy. The members of the board discussed at length the duties that confront them and came to the conclusion that there was a chance and a demand for much work in the matter of the health of the citizens of the city.

   A committee of three was appointed by the president for the purpose of formulating regulations under which the board should act. This committee is Mr. H. S. Bliss, Dr. E. M. Santee and Dr. C. D. VerNooy.

   Previous to the selecting of this committee, the regulations recommended by the state board of health were read and the most of the members were in favor of adopting these. It is quite probable that these regulations, with a few modifications, will be adopted by the board.

   The matter of the spread of infectious diseases was taken up and placed in the hands of the committee previously appointed. It was the sentiment of the board that printed instructions in regard to the prevention of the spreading of such diseases should be tacked up in every house where these diseases were found.

   President Brown thought there should be two standing committees appointed; one of three members to look after sanitary conditions, and the other of the same number to inspect dairies. Mr. Bliss of the Fourth ward thought that if there was a sanitary committee appointed, consisting of three members, the remainder of the board would shirk the duty that each ought to perform in his own ward. After some discussion along this line it was decided to make each member a committeeman of his own ward to look after the sanitary condition of that ward.

   The committee on dairy inspection was announced as follows: Dr. E. M. Santee, Geo. T. Chatterton and Fred Ryan. Mr. Bliss asked if the milk law gave the board the right to inspect milk for quality, brought into the city for sale. This was answered by the reading of the law in reference to this matter. The board is of the opinion that it has this right beyond the shadow of a doubt.

   Dr. VerNooy was of the opinion that particular attention should be given to the cleanliness of side streets. The gutters had been neglected in these streets in not being opened, consequently they were filled with garbage and filth. Mr. Bliss was of the opinion that it is very unhealthy to keep the pavements sprinkled in the fashion that had been followed. Mr. Warren of the Warren-Scharf Asphalt company, which has laid all the asphalt pavement in Cortland was his authority for the statement that this treatment also rots the pavement, and that it would release the company from its ten year guarantee.

   The matter of placing garbage buckets in every section of the city for the purpose of collecting waste materials was discussed, but no action in reference to it was taken.

   Mr. Ryan and Dr. Santee, who had made inspections in the Fifth ward, reported a terrible lack of cleanliness in outhouses and surroundings. The board is bound to keep the city clean and is wide awake to the matters in hand.

   The time of meeting was changed from the first Monday night in the month to the last Thursday night of the month. This change will not be effective till after the next meeting.

 

THE ST. PATRICK'S BANQUET.

Date is Changed—Will Now be Held at Empire Hall on March 14.

   The fourth annual banquet of the A. O. H. in honor of St. Patrick will be held in Empire hall Thursday evening, March 14, on account of the fact that the 17th is on Sunday. This date is changed from the 18th, on which it was first arranged. The committee of arrangements includes Joseph Dowd, John A. Nix, Thos. Drake, J. E. Lonergan, John Dalton, T. Noonan, John Lynch and D. M. Roche.

 

Mrs. Miles Bennett.

   After lingering many months with consumption Mrs. Miles Bennett of Pitcher quietly passed to her home in heaven, Feb. 12, 1901. She was the daughter of Joseph Twentyman of the town of Truxton, where she was born July 13, 1864, and was one of a family of eight children, viz: Mrs. Clayton Phillips, McGrawville; Mrs. Wm. Stevens, Truxton; Mrs. Kendall Garlic, Cortland; Mrs. Porter Coral and Mrs. John Dever, East Homer; Mrs. John Reakes and Miss Cora Twentyman of Truxton. Mrs. Bennett was but 3 years old when her mother died, but a kind heart in the person of the present Mrs. Tweatyman supplied the vacant place, and her untiring devotion to the motherless little ones is worthy of highest commendation.

   On Nov. 4, 1885,  Mr. and Mrs. Bennett were married and lived first at Cheningo, then at Taylor, finally settling on the old Bennett homestead, where for several years they have lived in happiness and prosperity, and where last Tuesday, Mrs. Bennett died. Two bright little boys, Ralph, aged 6, and Donaven, aged 4, are left motherless. Mrs. Bennett was a valued member of the M. E church at Taylor, and was deeply interested in divine things. She was a lover of all that is beautiful and true, an ideal wife and mother, and was especially interested in her home and friends. When in New York, where for three months she remained under special medical treatment, she wrote home as follows: New York is a grand place, but I would not give my home in Pitcher for all of its grandeur.

   Mr. Bennett has clearly proven his devotion to his wife in sparing no time nor money in his effort to save her from disease and death. He has the sympathy of the entire community. That one so young and useful should be called from earth at a time when life is sweetest and hopes are brightest, is a mystery too deep for the finite mind, but we know that "God doeth all things well."

   "Not now, but in the coming years,

   It may be in the better land,

   We'll read the meaning of our tears,

   And there, up there, we'll understand."

   The funeral was largely attended from the house Sunday, Feb. 17. The beautiful floral display, consisting of roses, carnations and geraniums nearly covered the elegant silver gray casket. A quartet of select singers rendered three selections in an excellent manner.

   Rev. A. S. Anderson of Freetown, a personal friend of the family, preached from these consoling words, "She is not dead, but sleepeth." All who knew Mrs. Bennett, loved her, and we know of no more appropriate words than those by Mary Lathrop:

   "Beautiful toiler, thy work all done.

   Beautiful soul, into glory gone.

   Beautiful life with its crown now won,

   God giveth thee rest.

   Rest from all sorrows, and watchings and fears.

   Rest from all possible sighing and tears

   Rest through God's endless wonderful years, at home with the blest."

   Interment in new family lot at Pitcher. A. S. A.

 

MCALLISTER-FULLER.

Truxton Young Man Wins a Charming Bride In Tully.

   On Wednesday, Feb 20, at 2 o'clock a very pleasant affair occurred at the home of Mr. and Mrs. I. W. Filler at Tully, N. Y., when their daughter Mertice Adelaide, and Frederick C. McAllister of Truxton, N. Y., were united in marriage by Rev. E. Richard Edwards of Syracuse, assisted by Rev. Joseph Tisdall of Tully. Miss Grace Currie was organist and to the strains of Mendelssohn's Wedding March the bridal party entered the parlors and took their position facing the large company of friends and relatives. The bride was very becomingly attired in a gown of white moussellne de sole over white taffeta, trimmed with valencienes lace and carried a shower bouquet of white carnations. The bridesmaid, Miss Blanche McAllister, sister of the groom, also wore white and carried a shower bouquet of pink carnations. Mr. I. Paul Fuller, brother of the bride, was best man.

   After congratulations fine refreshments were served. The young couple were the recipients of many useful and valuable gifts. Mr. and Mrs. McAllister left on the evening train for a visit to Springfield, Mass., where they will be the guests of their brother Ralph J. McAllister. After March 1 they will be at home in Truxton, N. Y.

 

FIRE IN MARATHON, N. Y.

AN ARREST MADE ON THE CHARGE OF ARSON.

Furniture Moved Out and Some Other Suspicious Circumstances. But a Belief That There is not Much Evidence Against the Defendant—Examination on Tuesday.

   MARATHON, Feb. 28—The fire companies were called out at 10:30 o'clock Thursday night for a fire on East hill. The dwelling house and shop of Mr. and Mrs. Will Morenus were on fire and the flames had gained such headway by the time the firemen arrived that it was impossible to save house or shop and both with their contents are a total loss. The flames seemed to break out at once all over the first floor of the house and were quickly communicated to the upper story and to the shop.

   There is a suspicion that the fire was of incendiary origin and Mr. Morenus has been arrested on the charge of arson in the second degree. It is true that there are some suspicious circumstances in the case, but they may all be coincidences so far as Mr. Morenus is concerned and some of those who have looked into the case quite carefully since the arrest was made find very little evidence pointing toward Mr. Morenus as an incendiary, though there is a general belief that some one set the buildings on fire.

   For two or three weeks past there has been a jar in the Morenus family and Mr. and Mrs. Morenus were not living together at the time of the fire. All of the furniture in the house had been removed to the N. Winters farm for storage; the wood had been sold to a neighbor and several casks of cider had been disposed of on town meeting day. The tools in the shop as well as the engine and shingle machine had been mortgaged some time before. Mrs. Morenus held one mortgage and the hose company and Desmond Livingston held two others for $100 and $50 respectively.

   On the day before the fire Morenus moved the shingle machine from the shop. The hose company learned what he was doing and forbade the removal of the property, but Morenus persisted in spite of the company's direction to let the machine alone and took it across the street to Mr. Sherwood's barn, so that it was not destroyed in the fire.

   On Thursday morning Morenus was arrested on the charge of assault in the second degree, his wife being supposed to be the complainant, and was taken to Whitney Point, but he was not held upon the charge, there being some defect, it is said, in the papers.

   Morenus was not seen on the night of the fire and his whereabouts at that time are unknown. The firemen say that when they approached the house they saw by the light of the fire tracks in the snow of a man's feet going to and coming from the house. They report that the steps headed toward the house, seemed to be of ordinary length, but those coming from the house were upwards of four feet long, as though the party was running.

   Yesterday morning Mrs. Morenus who with her two children is now living with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Israel McGee in this town, swore out a warrant before Justice of the Peace Dunne Burgess, charging her husband with arson in the second degree. Under Sheriff L. D. Sweet last night found Morenus at Tim Noonan's in Cortland and arrested him. Word of the arrest was telephoned to Marathon and Constable Hilsinger went up on an early train this morning and brought him back at 10 o'clock.

   He was arraigned before Justice Burgess and pleaded not guilty. He asked for an adjournment pending examination and the examination was set down for Tuesday morning at 10 o'clock. Bail was fixed at $100, but up to the noon hour to-day Morenus had not found any one to go on his bond.

   Another house was burned on these same premises several years ago, the fire occurring at about the same time of night.

 

BREVITIES.

   —John O. Reid of this village received a discharge in bankruptcy at Utica, on Tuesday.—Moravia Register.

   —In Truxton the proposition to work the highways by the money system was carried on town meeting day by the vote of 198 to 55.

   —The case of Patrick McMann vs. Horace Martin, held before Thos. H. Dowd referee, was adjourned yesterday afternoon to March 5.

   —The girls of Binghamton, N. Y., have resolved not to talk so much during Lent. This will properly mortify the flesh and also give the young men a chance to come to the point.—Chicago Journal.

   —Mr. Wm. T. Tower of Cortland, a student of Colgate Theological seminary, Hamilton, will preach at the First Baptist church to-morrow morning. The pastor will preach in the evening and administer the ordinance of baptism.

   —New display advertisements to-day are—Home Telephone Co., Telephones, page 5; B. M. Mansur, Coffee, page 2; J. W. Cudworth, Optical talks, page 2; F. E. Brogden, Druggist, page 6; C. F. Brown, Baby food, page 7; Opera House, Carner Stock Co., page 5.

   —A regular meeting of the Cortland Science club will be held at the Hatch library this evening at 8 o'clock. The speaker will be Dr. F. D. Reese and his subject will be "Commercial Carbon." The paper of two weeks ago will be reviewed by Dr. G. H. Smith.

   —A Groton man, who drove over to Cortland yesterday, said that in making the ten miles between the two places he rode twenty-five miles. He explained that the distance in and out of the multitude of pitch holes in the road was accountable for the greater part of this extra distance.

 

WRECK ON LEHIGH VALLEY R. R., DELAYED BY BROKEN TRUCK, HENRY MASON KINGMAN, HE CAN CROW, AND GOV. ODELL'S REFORMS

 

Lehigh Valley Train No. 321 down embankment between Loring Crossing and East River, N. Y.

The Cortland Democrat, Friday, February 22, 1901.

WRECK ON LEHIGH.

ONE ENGINE IN THE RIVER, ANOTHER CRIPPLED.

Train Leaves Track Near East River—Engineer Edward Cleveland of Cortland Seriously Injured—His Fireman, Nick Fox. Slightly Hurt—Combination Car Goes Down Embankment.

   Not since the memorable wreck at Blodgett Mills on September 21, 1897, have the people of Cortland had the unpleasant privilege of witnessing the damage wrought by the failure of engine and cars to keep in their proper place and sphere, until last Friday when another of those mysterious railroad wrecks occurred at a point north of the county farm. about a half mile south from East River.

   The heavy body of snow which fell previous to Friday last, coupled with the prevailing high wind, caused much annoyance to railroad companies, the Lehigh road especially by reason of its northern portion lying in what is known as the snow belt, having much difficulty in making anything like schedule time.

   On account of a heavy body of snow between Cortland and Canastota, the forenoon train bound north last Friday left this city a half hour late, drawn by two locomotives, the forward in charge of Engineer Thomas Durant of Elmira with Austin J. Esty of Cortland serving as fireman. Engineer Edward Cleveland of Cortland, a popular railroad man, held the throttle of the second locomotive, and his fireman was Nicholas Fox of Lisle, who had just started out on his first trip over the road as fireman (and we may add parenthetically that he avers it will be his last). Following the locomotives was a combination baggage and smoking car, and behind this was the regular passenger coach. On the train were only twelve passengers, three of whom were ladies. Of the passengers three were in the smoker.

   At the point indicated above the road makes what is termed a double curve, [and] runs along very near the Tioughnioga river, which is some thirty feet or more lower than the track. Previous to reaching this point the train had forced its way through several small drifts and suddenly Engineer Durant of the forward engine became aware of trouble in his rear, and looking backwards saw that the second engine was off the track and was jolting along regardless of the rails. He shut off steam at once. Mr. Cleveland's engine suddenly turned and plunged down the bank, landing bottom upwards, partly in the river. The tender of the forward engine was turned over on the east side of the track. The tender of the second engine also lay bottom side up and was in the water of the river.

   The combination car left the rails and turned down the bank, the forward end nearly reaching the river. The passenger coach bounded along on the ties for a short distance and finally stopped partially turned up on its side.

   When the upheaval ceased the conductor, Thomas Lynch of Elmira, with Superintendent H. D. Titus, who was on the train, followed by the passengers, hastened forward to investigate the extent of the damage. It was soon learned that no lives were lost, though Engineer Cleveland's escape was most miraculous. He gallantly stood by his lever, and when the engine completed its perambulations down the bank he crawled from his perilous position, and when found was sitting on the bottom of his overturned tender, both bones of his left leg being broken below the knee, and he was otherwise considerably bruised.

   Fireman Fox jumped when he felt the commotion, and was found bleeding from wounds in the head, and he received several other cuts, but none of them of a serious nature.

   Fortunately these were all the personal casualties, none of the passengers being injured, though they were all considerably shaken up.

   The track was not clear to travel until early Saturday morning. On Sunday a portion of the wreck was cleared away, hundreds of people from Cortland and elsewhere visiting the scene to view the work.

   The cause of the disaster is one of those mysteries which usually follow in such cases. That the rails spread apart was plainly evident, but Superintendent Titus is of the opinion that an axle or truck broke, which very naturally would create havoc with train and rails alike.

 

DELAYED BY BROKEN TRUCK.

Several Trains Tarry at Cortland Station All Night.

   Conductor "Sile" Pratt was unable to run his train—the early passenger North—Tuesday morning, and all because of a broken truck, which prevented his reaching Binghamton until long after he should have left on his return trip.

   What is known as the 8 o'clock coal train, bound south Monday evening, had a car load of cabbage which played havoc with the time-table and no doubt caused some grumbling on the part of New York passengers. Between Cortland and Blodgett Mills one of the trucks to this cabbage car broke and the train crew were unable to repair damages. A wrecking car was sent for, and meantime all passenger, freight and coal trains were tied up either at Cortland or Blodgett Mills, and all for lack of a clear track. The car was put to rights towards morning and the deadlock was broken. The early train north was in charge of Conductor Tim Carroll, and Conductor Pratt ran the forenoon train north.

 

                                   HENRY MASON KINGMAN.

   Henry Mason Kingman was born in Cincinnatus, N. Y., June 7, 1826. His ancestors were prominent citizens of his native town from its very earliest settlement. His grandfather Col. John Kingman, a native of Wethersfield, Mass., born in the year 1770, came to Cincinnatus in 1795—then largely a wilderness—with his wife and infant son John Kingman, Jr. He was a leading man in the early settlement and represented his town as its first supervisor in 1808, and thereafter twelve consecutive years. He kept the first inn. He was a colonel of infantry. His children were six sons and two daughters. Of the latter were Betsey, wife of the late Dr. John Maybury, and one who died young. The sons were John, Oliver, Charles, Lyman, Leroy and George, each of sterling character, worthy successors of the pioneer father, all of them at some period of their lives, prosperous merchants in general trade, and three of them at times members of the state legislature.

   Judge Oliver Kingman, father of the subject of this sketch, married Betsey Brown, a most worthy partner of his life, by whom he had four children: Charles M. Kingman, deceased, was a physician of the regular school  recognized in the profession as one of more than ordinary attainments and skill; practiced in this county several years, principally at McGrawville until 1863, when he removed to Palmyra. N. Y., where he maintained a large practice until his death a few years since; Julia A. (Kingman) Kingsley, wife of late Judge Lewis Kingsley, who served as judge and surrogate in Cortland Co. and later a distinguished member of the bar at Norwich, N. Y., both deceased; Henry M. Kingman; and Cornelia A. (Kingman) Sturtevant, wife of James W. Sturtevant, who is at the head of an extensive manufacturing establishment in Binghamton N. Y.

   Oliver Kingman held the office of associate judge from 1828 to 1846, and during the same period represented his town ten years upon the board of supervisors. Judge Kingman began business as a merchant in Cincinnatus, in that part of the village on the west side of Otselic river in 1834, continued the trade there twenty years, when in 1854 he with his brother George bought the brick store of Halbert & Bean. Two years later, Henry M. Kingman with his cousin Jefferson Kingman (now of Binghamton), bought and continued the business until succeeded by Kingman (H. M.) & Sturtevant and successively, Kingman & Lewis and Kingman & Wheeler, until 1893 when Henry M. Kingman retired from mercantile pursuits, his health not being robust, to gain the benefit of out-door air and exercise.

   Mr. Kingman, by close attention to business, by sound judgment and the integrity that commanded the approbation and patronage of a wide community had made a financial success in trade and need not have pursued business for a necessary livelihood, but his nature was that of active life. He invested in lands, purchasing several farms and gave his attention mostly to stock raising and agriculture.

   He was a man of public spirit and interested himself in everything that could contribute to the general good of the town and people, and gave largely of his means for such purposes. He was always interested in Christian work and was a liberal contributor to church interests.

   Cincinnatus Academy was built in 1857. Nothing could testify more clearly to his activity in educational matters than the fact that Mr. Kingman was made the first president of the board of education and continued to hold that office over 35 years until nearly or quite the date of his death.

   He was a Democrat in politics, and though Cincinnatus is naturally Republican, he represented his town  nine years upon the board of supervisors, from 1870 to 1873 and 1877 to 1883, being the third successive generation of the family that served terms respectively of twelve, ten and nine years in this office, the highest gift of the town, while in other lines of the family, John Kingman, Jr. served four years, Charles Kingman two years, Daton Kingman one year, Jefferson Kingman four years and George Kingman one year, in the aggregate 43 years of supervisorship from the organization of the town in 1808 to 1883, which speaks in no uncertain terms of the character of this distinguished family in the history of the town of Cincinnatus and of Cortland county.

   Henry M. Kingman was married August 30, 1855, to Pamelia McGraw, daughter of the late Hon. Harry McGraw of McGrawville. N. Y., who still survives him. Carrie Kingman Higgins, wife of Prof. Louis J. Higgins of Cortland, is an adopted daughter.

   Mr. Kingman's opinions and sound judgment were always respected, and while ever trusted by his fellow townspeople where counsel and action were sought or, while his neighbor in need of advice or sympathy came for his aid, knowing that he had ever an attentive ear and a heart responsive to every want that could reasonably be expected at human hands, yet there was no place that his life evinced its quiet worth as in the home, where he was a model of the kind and loving husband and father ever ministering to the necessities, comforts and pleasures of the fireside with no stinted hand, making the saying doubly true that "There is no place like home,'' and where his loving deeds are treasured by the surviving family in most precious living memories. Mr. Kingman died suddenly of heart disease September 14, 1895.

 

HE CAN STILL CROW.

DEMOCRATS ELECT NINE SUPERVISORS; REPUBLICANS SIX.

A Sweeping Victory—Lapeer, Marathon and Taylor Turn From The Error of Their Ways and Elect Democratic Supervisors—Several Democratic Collectors Chosen—Virgil Honors Wm. R. Muncey.

   From a political point of view, Cortland county did most nobly at the town meetings held on Tuesday, the Democrats making substantial gains in nearly every town. Out of the fifteen supervisors elected, nine are Democrats, leaving only six for the Republicans. Two of these had a clear field, the Democrats making no nomination for supervisor, hence in towns where there was a contest our opponents were successful in only four. In Cortlandville, in Homer and in Virgil the Democrats elected collectors, and in Virgil Wm. B. Muncey, that sterling Democrat, was chosen town clerk by the magnificent majority of 82.

   The Democratic supervisors elected are as follows:

   Cincinnatus—Dr. Benj. Kinyon.

   Freetown—M. A. Mynard.

   Harford—John A Wavle.

   Lapeer—Seth H. Parker.

   Marathon—James R. Robinson.

   Preble—Dr. H. D. Hunt.

   Taylor—Frank E. Jordan.

   Truxton—John O'Donnell.

   Willet—Dr. E. W McBirney.

   The six Republicans elected follows:

   Cortlandville—A. R. Rowe.

   Cuyler—L. S. Barber.

   Homer—A. H. Bennett.

   Scott—Fred A. Crosley.

   Solon—Willis D. Shuler

   Virgil—N. F. Webb.

   The entire board stands ten Democrats and eleven Republicans, the six city supervisors holding over.

   So close was the result in the county that a change of five votes in the town of Solon would have given the Democrats a majority on the board.

   The following vote in the towns gives the story in detail: [too much detail, so we omitted several columns of election statistics—CC ed.]

 

Benjamin B. Odell, Jr.

PAGE FOUR—EDITORIALS.

Gov. Odell's Alleged Reforms.

   The present legislative session at Albany is commanding more public attention than any session in recent years. Governor Odell's measures in the interest of practical reform are beginning to look to an outsider like measures for political reform in the interest of the advancement of the political fortunes of the present incumbent of the gubernatorial chair. To be sure, the governor holds aloft a banner with the strange device. Excelsior; but on the reverse side of that same banner is a device stranger yet to Republican politicians, viz: Reform and Retrenchment. It is difficult to say under which of these epigraphs the governor would claim was enacted the New York police bill, taking away from the metropolis of the state the right of home rule. To center in the governor of the state the power to remove the head of the police of New York city, is, to say the very least, a high-handed reform of our democratic form of government and a rampant retrenchment of the rights of the voters of New York city. Is the metropolis an integral or a detached part of the commonwealth? If an integral part, why is not the governor the executive of the whole state, including New York city? If a detached part, by what right does Governor Odell acquire the right of territorial despot?

   It has been a study at once interesting and instructive to note the attitude of the Republican journals in the other cities of the state in their consideration of that monstrosity in legislation. Their endorsement of the police measure has been feeble, spacious, evasive and equivocal. Some more bold than the others have halfheartedly maintained that the legislation would presumably be good for New York city, but would be baneful and dangerous in "our city." And yet this is a government of equal rights and equal privileges and equal laws for all. The attitude of these Republican newspapers is as equivocal as the frontiersman's reply as to how he liked lynching. He said that it might be very good for some, but as for himself his neck was far too sensitive to enjoy it.

   The abolition of the State Prison commission is hardly in the interest of reform, as understood by the people of the state. We have heard no criticism of the board, either as to its efficiency, or its personnel. Contrariwise, Com'r Mantanye of this city [Cortland] has received widespread commendation for his faithfulness and efficiency, and for his intelligence and devotion, wholly directed to the uplifting and betterment of the penal institutions of the state. On the other hand the abolition of that board is hardly in the interest of retrenchment, as the proposed board in scope, interest and province will prove much more expensive than the board abolished.

   It is also difficult to understand what high purpose and plane is to be subserved, or what scientific advancement is to be brought about in the abolition of the State Board of Health and the State Board of Charities. Not reform certainly, not higher efficiency certainly, not permanent retrenchment.

   But taxation is the governor's hobby. He seems to believe that our mission in this "bank-note world," within our little day span from birth to death is, in the language of the poet, merely to "make love and pay taxes."" with the dominant stress on the latter part of the statement. The governor in his virtuous ardor to crowd a system of taxation through the legislature, that shall do away with direct taxation—a something for which the Democrat party has stood since the beginning of the administration of Gov. Flower—is forgetful of the fact that a system of taxation can be devised or carried out whereby a just tax can be levied on every dollar in sight. That principle has, in essence, been followed in the tariff policy of the Republican party. Its avowed purpose has ever been to oppose any horizontal tariff import, but that the duties should fall where easiest borne. In other words, it has been set forth as the policy of the g. o. p. to levy high tribute on the luxuries and little or no tax on the necessaries of life.

   We commend this line of policy to the governor, as contradistinct to his plan to tax the surplus of savings banks. These institutions are largely the treasuries of the poor. Their surplus is maintained for the protection of the depositors. How long could any savings bank command confidence without a surplus? Stockholders in national banks are responsible for bank losses to an amount equal to the face value of their holdings in stock. That is the confidence-creating element in such banks. Savings bank trustees and directors are under no such bonds. The safety of savings bank depositors rests in the confidence of the ability and integrity of its officers, and its surplus. This surplus takes the place of the responsibility of national bank stockholders and it must of necessity be maintained in a large amount for the protection of depositors, the large majority of whom know little or nothing about banking.

   The national bank has, in the vested responsibility of its stockholders, a security-surplus equal in amount to the face value of the stock. Its stated surplus is for the protection of its stockholders. The savings bank surplus is gathered earnings set aside for the protection of its depositors. Now, in essence it would be approximately as just, so far as the safety of the depositors is concerned, to tax the amount for which national bank directors are liable, as to tax the part of the surplus of savings banks equal to making these depositors relatively safe. If the fostering care is to be extended, it should be to the institutions that are for the savings of the small depositors. Such institutions should not be crippled in their earning capacity or in their confidence-creating powers. Even if the dictum goes forth, that the surplus of savings banks shall be taxed, such a tax should apply only to the surplus over and above a given amount, such an exempt amount to be sufficient, at least, to give ample protection against any probable loss of the pennies of the poor.

   Changing the forms of the burden is simply a temporary, not a permanent, relief. Let the heavy burdens of taxation fall where they will least be felt.

   There are many forms of personal property eluding the tax-gatherer. Banks of all kinds are already bearing the lion's share of taxation. Let the current lessons taught from the death of those millionaires who have left estates inventoried at hundreds of millions of dollars, but only paid taxes on a hundred or two thousand dollars during their lives, be acted upon with persistency and intelligence. Let hidden personal property be brought to light and bear its burden of governmental expense. Or if it cannot be found during the lives of the millionaires, do as is done in England, collect taxes from the estate at death on all parts and portions of property that have escaped the tax-gatherer throughout the life of the tax-avoider.

 

HERE AND THERE.

   Charles J. Kelley began clerking for F. E. Brogden Monday.

   'Ere's 'oping the bear will not see 'is shadow February 1 next.

   The Loyal Circle of Kings Daughters will meet with Mrs. E. R. Wright, 16 Groton-ave., this afternoon at 3 o'clock.

   A large crowd of Cortland people visited the scene of the wreck on the Lehigh road north of the county farm Sunday.

   Binghamton has stolen a march on Cortland by being first to set its jail prisoners to breaking stone, the yard beginning operations on Monday last.

   M. W. Wilcox, who was charged with appropriating two [railroad] mileage books belonging to F. M. Quick, was found guilty by a jury Wednesday in city court, and was fined $25.

   A gentleman who has lived in Cortland for two or three months past has not as yet seen the pavement on Main-st., and he begins to think it will be a long time before he will be able to do so.

   While in Broome county the past week a gentleman remarked to the local editor that in his opinion Cortland contained some of the smartest lawyers in the state. We very readily coincided in his opinion.

   Real estate sales in Cortland are reported as follows: E. W. Bates, house and lot, 145 Groton-ave., to Wm. H. Botten of Auburn, $1,200. Gideon Wright, 20 Woodruff-st., to Mrs. Elizabeth Lester of Syracuse, $1,450.

   Arthur Coram, while working on the new building at the Wickwire shops Wednesday, fell a distance of sixteen feet and was seriously bruised and shaken up. No bones were broken, but he was evidently hurt internally.

   Serviss & Baevier's English Stars gave a most excellent entertainment in the Cortland Opera House last Friday and Saturday evenings. Every feature was fine, and especially the cabinet mystery, which was the feature of the entertainments.

   A skylight in the Normal school building fell through to the room used by Miss Bishop, one of the instructors, last Friday, precipitating the mass of snow and glass over the desk at which Miss Bishop usually sits. The teacher was fortunately absent in another room.

   Another radical reform is demanded in Syracuse. The women of that city have petitioned the street railroad officials to issue an order that their conductors shall not eat onions. It seems that some of the ladies are so delicate in the olfactories that the plebian onion is a cardinal offense to their patrician blood, hence the kick. The company has no constitutional right to curtail personal liberty, hence we suggest that it provide its conductors with atomizers filled with attar of roses, oil of apple blossoms, or crushed violets, and spray every passenger who enters the cars.

   The almost impassable condition of the roads prevented a large attendance at the social held by Cortlandville grange. No. 461, at the home of Mr. and Mrs. H. M. Phillips, Rickard-st., last Friday evening, yet a goodly number of members and several invited guests heartily enjoyed the evening, thanks to the hospitality of Mr. and Mrs. Phillips.

   Optician E. E. Bates, who has conducted that department for D. M. McCarthy & Co. in Syracuse until they closed it, and who is locating in the former office of Dr. Higgins in the Wallace building, has been delayed in his opening by the non-arrival of his instruments and fixtures, but expects to be ready for business next Monday. His ten years successful experience in this line are a warrant of his ability.