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| William P. Hepburn. |
Cortland Evening Standard, Friday, February 22, 1901.
SENSATION IN HOUSE.
Hepburn Scores Officers of Navy and Army Academies.
SAYS TYRANNY IS PRACTICED.
Says They Are Responsible For the Refusal of Sailors to Enlist In the Navy and For the Many Desertions From the Army.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 22.—Yesterday was another field day in the house. Early in the day, during the consideration of an amendment to the deficiency bill to prevent hazing at the naval academy, Mr. Hepburn of Iowa used very strong language while inveighing against the practice of hazing, charging by indirection that the habits of tyranny and oppression formed by the officers of the army and navy at their academies was responsible for the refusal of sailors to enlist in the navy and for the large number of desertions from the army.
Moreover, he alleged that the officers stood by each other when in trouble, saying the commanders of 25 vessels of the navy lost since the civil war had, with one exception, escaped with slight punishment.
Mr. Cannon and Mr. Dayton warmly defended the navy.
Mr. Hepburn recalled the fact that when the Booz case first attracted the attention of the country the superintendent of the military academy had rushed into print to declare that hazing had ceased at West Point. Yet the committee of the house had found 41 cases where under class men had been called out to engage in brutal prize fights. When he declared that he favored a "certain fixed severe punishment" for the cowing and browbeating of the younger class at the academies his statement received a round of applause. Why, Mr. Hepburn asked, was the navy department 8,000 men short of its complement? Why had there been 4,000 desertions from the army? Because the men were American citizens compelled to serve under men "schooled in tyranny and oppression." These officers, Mr. Hepburn said, stood by each other. "I have in my pocket," said he, "a list of 25 vessels of the United States cast away on the rocks or shoals by incompetent officers since the close of the war. In many cases the ships were totally destroyed, but with a solitary exception their brother officer let the commanders off with a slight punishment. The severest punishment inflicted was suspension of rank. Here, when a ship is cast away and becomes a total loss, nothing is done. I want to see a fixed and certain punishment for hazing. Men inured to these customs are unfit to command troops or sailors of the United States and our boys will not serve under men reared in the unwholesome, pernicious and damnable atmosphere of tyranny."
Mr. Wheeler asked Mr. Hepburn if he favored abolishing the naval and military academies.
"I favor abolishing hazing in every form," replied Mr. Hepburn emphatically.
"Do you favor expulsion for childish pranks?'
"It is not a 'childish prank' if you or I have a son at the academy for an upper class man to compel him to perform menial service. It is not a 'childish prank' for upper class men to pick out an athlete to beat a new boy. It is not a 'childish prank' to indulge in brutality that is a felony."
"Are not the lessons of obedience the hardest to inculcate?" asked Mr. Wheeler.
"They are. I know it is the hardest thing in the world for an American citizen with his ideas of liberty to be molded into the cog which we call a private soldier. For that reason we need men who can persuade and teach men into obedience, not tyrants begotten at the academy. The so-called 'upstarts' in the army have their inception in this thing we call hazing—that is where the boy gets the idea of his superiority."
"Do you not think if the superintendents of the academies did their duty there would be less hazing?" asked Mr. Burke.
"Probably. Unfortunately they are upheld by too many gentlemen of the martial spirit of my friend from Kentucky, who endorse this sort of thing even at the risk of incendiarism and murder. They want the boys brought up to the magnificence of the Kentucky standard."
"The martial spirit of my state," replied Mr. Wheeler, "recognizes that war is terrible and it is not in favor of sending somebody else's son to be shot down in foreign lands."
Mr. Cannon briefly replied to Mr. Hepburn. He recalled the heroic service of Lieutenant Lucien Young of the navy off Hatteras, going from ship to shore, back and forth, at the peril of his life, in the work of rescue. It was such heroism as this that won the admiration of every American. Mr. Cannon also pictured the tidal wave which swept over Samoa, wrecking the Trenton and beaching the Yantic, and paid a glowing tribute to the Americans there whose heroism had rarely been equalled. The Charleston, he said, had been lost in new seas and through the use of imperfect Spanish charts. Not one of the 25 cases referred to, if they in fact existed, had been caused by negligence.
"I believe the record of our officers in peace and war is one which the American people glory in and do not condemn," said Mr. Cannon in conclusion.
After further sparring the point of order against the Sherman amendment was sustained.
Another Row on Another Subject.
The stir caused by Mr. Hepburn's speech, however, was mild compared with the row which was kicked up later over some items in the bill for extra compensation to employees of the house.
Mr. Dinsmore exposed the fact that one of the employees of the house, while occupying one position, was drawing a salary for another and that the difference between the salaries was to be made up in the items of the bill. This led to general ventilation of the domestic affairs of the house, during which Mr. Bailey declared that the situation was a scandal on the integrity of the house.
He charged that there were employees of the house who were dividing their salaries with others who performed no work and challenged anyone on the other side to deny his allegations. He offered to produce sworn testimony in substantiation of his charges if an investigation committee was appointed.
It was explained by Mr. Joy and others that there was no law concerning the employees of the house.
Mr. Cannon contented himself with saying it was evident that matters were "very much mixed."
At the close of the session Mr. Bailey offered a resolution for the appointment of an investigation committee, which was referred to the committee on rules on the assurance of Mr. Payne, the majority leader.
The general deficiency bill, the last of the appropriation bills, was passed.
CUBA'S CONSTITUTION.
Delegate Cisneros Created a Sensation By Refusing to Sign.
HAVANA, Feb. 22.—The Cuban constitution first submitted by the central committee to the convention at the public session of Jan. 21 was signed yesterday. One copy was sent to Governor General Wood and the other placed among the records of the convention.
Senor Cisneros created a sensation by refusing to sign. He said: "Cuba is now independent and I can see no reason for sending this constitution to the United States for acception. The United States government has no right to pass upon it, for it is a distinctly Cuban document and was drawn up by this convention which has assumed the responsibility of establishing the republic."
Several delegates crowded around him and endeavored to dissuade him from his course, but he was immovable. As the delegates retired Senor Tamaye remarked: "We are all Cubans, Senor" and Senor Cisneros replied: "Yes, when the time conies to fight the Americans we will fight them together."
Subsequently he said he would sign the copy of the constitution that had been filed with the records of the convention but would wait until the other had been sent to Washington in order to avoid any possibility of his name being attached to that also.
Provincial Officers Inaugurated.
MANILA, Feb. 22.—The provincial officers of the provinces of Tarlac, Pangasinau and Pampanga have been inaugurated. Chief Justice Arliano administered the oaths in the presence of the commission. Judge Taft said to the provincial officers that they were subordinate to General MacArthur but not to the minor military officers, having no civil functions. Judge Taft then presented the new officials to General MacArthur.
TEXAS' BIG OIL BOOM.
MILLIONS OF GALLONS OF PETROLEUM GUSHING FROM THE EARTH.
Story of the Famous Lucas "Gusher" Near Beaumont— Every One Has Gone "Oil Mad" Over the Discovery—Quality of the Product.
BEAUMONT, Tex., Feb. 19.— All this section of the country has gone "oil mad" over the striking of the famous Lucas "gusher" and the other oil wells. Beaumont itself presents all the symptoms of a town of more than 9,000 people which has suddenly been seized with a passion for rapidly making large fortunes in oil. Besides the steady inhabitants of this thriving town there are many others now here all interested in petroleum. Truly, "oil is king" here, just as much as or more than it was in Pennsylvania in the sixties and seventies. Nothing else is spoken of or thought of—oil is everywhere, on the people's lips, in their houses and in their minds. Even the smell of the stuff is in the air.
All the excitement has been caused by the striking of the Lucas well, and it is well worth it, for it is the largest oil well in the world, not even excepting the famous Russian "gushers." The well was struck on Jan. 10 by Captain A. F. Lucas, a geologist of Washington, who has been prospecting for oil in the southeastern section of Texas for about two years. It has been known for very many years that oil underlay this region, since some parts of the gulf of Mexico are covered with a coating of rock oil that can only be the product of a stream running diagonally through Texas. This stream, it is believed, has now been tapped.
Captain Lucas has been operating in the interest of Colonel James Guffey, the millionaire oil man of Pennsylvania.
Lucas had been at work boring holes all around Beaumont before he struck any oil to speak of. He began this well last October and had sunk his drill pipe 600 feet. On Jan. 10 a commotion was noticed in the well, and the men had scarcely time to get out of the way when a mingled column of gas and oil shot 600 feet into the air. With it came several hundred feet of distorted piping. Almost immediately the well settled down to sending up pure oil and made a sight worth going miles to see. The solid column of oil rose 150 feet into the air and then broke into spray, sending the stuff in every direction and soaking everything within reach. It took several days before the great flow could be controlled, and in the meanwhile a regular lake of oil was formed. Experts have estimated that the gusher poured out between 15,000 and 25,000 barrels of oil every 24 hours. Naturally the flow has diminished considerably, but there is enough oil left to make millions for everybody connected with the well.
Since the striking of the Lucas gusher several other good wells have been struck in this vicinity, but none as good as the first. There has been a steady influx of visitors, not only to see the Lucas well, but also to seek opportunities for investment. Land has gone up to fabulous prices, and every man, woman and child in Beaumont is figuring on owning at least a share in a ''gusher." Beaumont, which has extensive rice and lumber interests, was even without the oil wells one of the most thriving towns of Texas. It is situated very favorably near the gulf.
Although attempts have been made to depreciate it there is no doubt that the Beaumont oil is a very valuable product. It has a very heavy body and closely resembles the West Virginia natural oil. Analysis shows the oil to be of light yield in illuminating products, magnificent yield in lubricating, good fuel and with valuable byproducts. It will not compete with other oils, therefore, as an illuminant, but should prove immensely valuable as a lubricant. For roadmaking it will be found desirable, and Texas could make good use of many barrels of it for this purpose. It is said that the oil from some of the smaller wells will rank higher than that from the Lucas well. At any rate, Texas surely struck a good thing when the "gusher" began to spout.
HARVEY L. MOORE.
PAGE FOUR—EDITORIALS.
There is now fair indication that the truth about the Maine disaster may be known within a month or so. The proposals of a Chicago contractor have been accepted by the Havana authorities, and the wreck of the battleship is to be uncovered and removed from the muck of that fatal harbor. A coffer-dam is to be built around the wreck, and when the water is pumped out of the enclosure for the first time it will be possible to make detailed and satisfactory examination of the wreckage. Few Americans doubt that the loss of the ship and the hundreds of lives was due to an external explosion—torpedo, mine or whatever it should be called. The Spanish have resented that charge more than any other feature of the troubles accompanying the war. The discovery of the truth in this matter will be a distinct contribution to the history of the conflict, of equal importance whether it proves Spanish innocence or guilt.
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| Maxson & Starin's coal yards were built on the same model as John Seager's coal yards with an elevated trestle above dump chutes. |
KILLED BY THE CARS.
Adelbert McElheny the Victim of His Own Act of Carelessness. Was Helping to Send Two Empty Cars Down the Trestle from Maxson & Starin's Coal Dump—Supposed to have Attempted to Cross the Tracks Ahead of the Cars—Struck by Cars and Almost Instantly Killed—Dragged Twenty-five Feet—Right Arm Cut Off and Left Leg Crushed—Had Just Been Warned to be Careful by His Associate.
A very strange accident happened at the D., L. & W. coal dump of Maxson & Starin at 1:45 o'clock this afternoon, as a result of which Adelbert McElheny, an employee of that firm, was almost instantly killed. He was struck and run over by two cars, but just how he came to be in front of them will probably never be known, as for a moment or two no one saw him and there is now no one living who can explain the matter.
Mr. McElheny had been in the employ of Maxson & Starin for about three years. He was one of the teamsters and used to deliver coal. Among his other duties be has been accustomed to assist in the releasing of coal cars when empty and getting them out of the covered coal dump and out upon the track where a locomotive could couple to them. To-day with James Cashin, another employee, he was sent to get two empty gondolas out of the dump. The two cars were coupled together. McElheny first went down the trestle and opened the switch close to the water tank to permit the cars to go out into the railroad yard near the passenger station. After opening the switch McElheny started to go on and notify the flagman at the Railroad-st. crossing to flag for the two cars as they should come down, but he discovered a small boy near the station whom he knew and asked him to tell the flagman, while he returned to the coal dump to assist Cashin in starting out the cars. Meanwhile Cashin had mounted to the forward car to set the brakes when the cars should strike the grade on the trestle. McElheny, as was his wont, took an iron bar and, using this at a lever behind the rear car started them forward. As the cars moved off, McEhleny called to Cashin to let them go slowly. Cashin says that when McElheny spoke to him this time he was running forward on the trestle beside the cars and on the east side of them. Cashin replied by warning McElheny to be careful, saying to him, "Look out there, you'll go under." As the forward car struck the incline Cashin, having set the brakes upon it, went back to the rear car to attend to the brakes upon that one and saw no more of McElheny. The cars ran down the grade at the usual speed and when they crossed Railroad-st. Jerry Callahan, the flagman, called out to Cashin that he had struck a man. They stopped just across Railroad-st. and Cashin jumped off and ran back. McElheny's body was found on the track between the rails and near the west rail. There was a large pool of blood where he lay. Before any one else had arrived upon the scene McElheny's tracks were followed and observed in the snow. He seems to have run along the trestle on the east side of the track to a point nearly half way down the grade and then attempted to cross over to the west side in front of the cars, evidently not appreciating the speed or the nearness of the approaching cars. The indications are that he was dragged for about twenty-five feet from the point where he was struck to the place where he was found.
He had ceased breathing when found and the belief is that he was instantly killed. His right arm was cut off about three inches below the shoulder, and his left leg was crushed below the knee. The body was picked up and carried into the baggageroom of the station and Beard & Peck's ambulance was called and the remains were taken to their undertaking rooms.
Coroner Santee was summoned and has looked over the scene of the accident. At the time of going to press it had not been determined whether or not an inquest would be held.
Mr. Cashin said to a STANDARD man that they had started the cars from the coal dump many times before in practically the same way, but he had never before known Mr. McElheny to run along side of the cars as they moved as he did to-day. He had no idea what his purpose was in doing it this time or why he wanted to get over to the other side of the track.
Mr. McElheny was 48 years old. He was born in the town of Cortlandville and has lived in Cortland for about fifteen years. Before his employment with Maxson & Starin he was a driver for Ol Delavan, the truckman, for a number of years. He is survived by a wife and one son, and by a sister, Mrs. John Withey of Cortland and by one brother, Mr. George McElheny of Wellsville, N. Y. His home was at 29 Greenbush-st.
The news of the accident reached Mrs. McElheny at her home and she at once went up to Beard & Peck's undertaking rooms, but was not permitted to see the remains. Her grief was pitiable in the extreme.
BREVITIES.
—To-day is Washington's birthday.
—A special meeting of the hospital board will be hold at the home of Mrs. Julia E. Hyatt, 182 Main-st. Saturday afternoon at 3 o'clock.
—The orchestra of the Central school, assisted by the Choral society, will give a concert at Central school to-morrow evening. Admission 10 cents.
—The annual meeting of the members of the Y. M. C. A. for election of directors will occur at the association rooms on Monday night, Feb. 25, at 8 o'clock. Fifteen directors will be elected.
—The Church Protective union has engaged the privilege of holding its regular meetings at the W. C. T. U. rooms. The next meeting will be held there on Monday evening, Feb. 25 at 7:30 o'clock.
—New display advertisements to-day are—City Cycle Co., Bicycles, page 7; F. Daehler, Clothing, page 6; Palmer & Co., Groceries, page 4; E. M. Mansur, Coffee, page 2; Graham, Clothing, page 2.
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