TURMOIL IN THE HOUSE, SAMPSON AND SCHLEY, PRICE-LANG WEDDING, AND SLEIGH PARTY UPSET

 

Ohio Congressman John J. Lentz.

Cortland Evening Standard, Thursday, February 21, 1901.

TURMOIL IN THE HOUSE.

Lentz Attacked by Entire Republican Side.

MADE CHARGES OF CORRUPTION.

Also Made Startling Charges of Horrible Cruelties Perpetrated by Our Soldiers In the Philippines and Claimed They Were Justified in Deserting.

   WASHINGTON, Feb. 21.—The house finally passed the sundry civil appropriation bill yesterday and entered upon consideration of the general deficiency—the last of the general appropriation bills. Mr. Lentz, an Ohio Democrat, who in this and the previous congress has violently attacked the administration, furnished the sensation of the day.

   He read a newspaper paragraph recounting the death of a federal judge in New Mexico who had been a member of the legislature which elected Senator Hanna, as a text charging corruption in that election. This called for a rebuke from Mr. Cannon who declared that brave men fought the living and only ghouls ravished the tombs of the dead.

   General Grosvenor of Ohio attempted to reply and the two Ohioans were anxious for the fray, but Mr. Cannon would not permit. He thought if "dirty linen'' was to be washed the gentlemen should hire a hall.

   Later Mr. Lentz made a second onslaught of a more sensational character and brought down upon himself the whole Republican side of the house. In some remarks about a paragraph in the bill for payments for the apprehension of deserters Mr. Lentz made the startling charge that soldiers in the Philippines had buried a native alive and had then beheaded him and he read a letter written, he said, by a soldier in the Philippines, saying that he and his companions while on an expedition were ordered to shoot every man and beast they found.

   Mr. Lentz said if these things were true the soldiers were justified in deserting.

   Mr. Cannon, Mr. Mahon, Mr. Grosvenor and Mr. Moody strongly rebuked Mr. Lentz, Mr. Cannon declaring that were Mr. Lentz in the Philippines he would be tried by court martial and shot.

   Mr. Sherman offered an amendment designed to prohibit hazing at the naval academy, on penalty of dismissal, which was pending on a point of order when the house adjourned.

 

Illinois Takes Initiative.

   SPRINGFIELD, Ills., Feb. 21.—A concurrent resolution was adopted yesterday by the lower house of the Illinois legislature, and was sent to the upper house, making application to congress for the calling of a convention to propose an amendment to the federal constitution which shall make United States senators elective in the several states by direct vote of the people.

 

TYPEWRITER RIBBONS

Have Produced Blood Poisoning from the Aniline Dyes.

   CHICAGO, Feb. 21.—A menace to life and health has been found in the typewriter ribbon and the indelible pencil when carelessly handled. The coloring matter, said to be aniline dye, has produced blood poisoning in a number of cases. Dr. Elmer E. Prescott became interested in the matter through the case of Frank Meyer, a 14-year-old boy, who ran a splinter under his finger nail, and tried to remove it with the point of an indelible pencil. In a short time the poison spread to all parts of the body.

 

Forests Transformed to Spools.

   ''What becomes of the spools?" is a question that those who are striving to prevent the deforesting of the United States might find it worthwhile to consider. The seventeen spool mills of Maine use up 18,000,000 feet of white birch annually and about 15,000,000 feet besides are annually exported, chiefly to Scotland, to be made into spools abroad. At this rate of consumption even the immense white birch forests of Maine cannot last very many years. As a spool is just as good after it has been emptied of thread as it was before and there seems to be no special objection to new thread on old spools, a good deal of this consumption seems to be senseless waste, that is if Maine's white birch forests are worth preserving.—Rochester Democrat and Chronicle.

 

Admiral Winfield Scott Schley.

Admiral William T. Sampson.

PAGE FOUR—EDITORIALS.

Sampson and Schley.

   Congress richly rewarded the men who won the glorious victory in the harbor of Manila. Dewey was made an admiral and takes his place among the greatest naval heroes of our history. The captains of his ships were promoted, and medals and money were bestowed upon those who fought under them. Recognition and reward followed fast upon the victory.

   The destruction of the Spanish fleet off the harbor of Santiago was a naval victory equally as glorious, but congress has given neither recognition nor reward to the commander of the North Atlantic squadron and the officers and men who fought under him.

   Why? Because of the bitter controversy between the partisans of Sampson and Schley in the senate. The former was in command of the fleet on the North Atlantic station but Schley really held a higher rank on the naval register. When Cervera's fleet came out of the harbor of Santiago, Sampson was absent on official duty and Schley was in command. It was not until near the close of the fight that Sampson returned. Nevertheless Sampson was regarded by the president as the commander of the squadron and he proposed to the senate that Sampson should be advanced eight numbers and Schley six numbers in the list of rear admirals, thus putting Sampson ahead of Schley. This was on Dec. 7, 1898, and on the same day promotions for the captains of the ships in the squadron were also recommended. Opposition to this program was so strong in the senate that no action was taken. And so the matter rests.

   In official communications to the senate, the secretary of the navy sharply criticized Schley's conduct previous to the battle off Santiago. In the fight itself he did his duty well, but previous thereto he disobeyed orders, in the opinion of the president and the secretary of the navy. In a communication to the senate under date of Feb. 6, 1899, Secretary Long said:

   The advancement of Admiral Sampson was proposed in recognition of his services in the execution of his duties as commander-in-chief of all our ships engaged in the campaign in the West Indies; in the supervision of all its details whenever distributed; in the blockade of the island of Cuba; in the convoying and landing of the army and co-operation with its movements, and in the pursuit, blockade, and destruction of the Spanish fleet, which destruction on the 3d of July by our fleet under his command was the consummation of his orders and preparations beginning on the first day of June.

   The advancement of Commodore Schley was proposed in recognition of his services as next in rank at the victory of Santiago, where so much was achieved in this culminating battle, and where his ship was such a conspicuous force in the fight. His conduct while in independent command prior to June 1 which, by reason of his unsteadiness in purpose and in push and failure to obey orders, did not meet the approval of the president and the department, was yet not permitted to stand in the way of his nomination for promotion to a higher grade for the part he took in the final triumph.

   In view of the criticisms made by his superiors, naval officers are amazed that Schley has not asked for a court of inquiry, in order that his standing as an officer may be determined beyond question. As he will not ask for it, but one course now remains—an investigation by the senate. Justice should be done to those brave American naval officers who did their duty at Santiago; the controversy between the partisans of Sampson and Schley should no longer be allowed to stand in the way of recognition and reward for them. Let the senate get the facts and then deal promptly and justly. The delay that has occurred is discreditable to all concerned.

 

Price-Lang.

   A pretty home wedding took place at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Emmett Lang, 3 miles south of this city, in the town of Virgil Wednesday evening, Feb. 13, 1901, when their second daughter Pearl was united in marriage to Mr. Earl Price of Virgil. The ceremony was performed by Rev. Robert Yost of Cortland, in the presence of immediate relatives and friends. The bride was very becomingly attired in pearl colored satin trimmed with pearl passementrie. The groom in conventional black made a fine appearance. After congratulations a sumptuous dinner was served. Music was rendered by the Chrisman orchestra.

   Mr. and Mrs. Price were the recipients of many useful gifts of silver, furniture, etc. Also a bank check of $25 and a beautiful oak rocker to the bride from Mr. and Mrs. E. Price, father and mother of the groom. The many friends of Mr. and Mrs. Price join in wishes for a happy and prosperous life.

   Many who were invited were unable to be present on account of the weather and roads. The worst blizzard for a number of years was at its height and roads were piled full and high with snow drifts which made traveling simply impossible.

 

Holiday at the Postoffice.

   To-morrow being Washington's birthday, the postoffice will be open from 7 to to 10 in the morning, and from 6 to 7 in the evening. There will be one complete delivery in the morning by the carriers. The money order office will be closed for the day. ANDREW S. BROWN, P. M.

 

THE PARTY UPSET.

Gave Up their Trip but Ate Oysters at Homer and Enjoyed Themselves.

   A party of young people started last night for a sleighride to West Homer, where they expected to spend the evening with Mr. and Mrs. Abel Smith, the uncle and aunt of some of their number. Just after crossing the D., L. & W. railroad tracks between Cortland and Homer the sleigh slewed off the side of a deep pitch-hole and tipped over, breaking the reach and mixing up the crowd in quite a promiscuous manner. One young man who was on the lower side and went over backward was nearly smothered by the lady who landed fairly and squarely in his arms, but he was tremendously relieved when he extricated himself, as he is a modest man, to find that she was his wife.

   Mr. W. A. Smith, before whose house the upset occurred, heard the noise and came out and helped them collect themselves and their belongings. He invited them into the house to await the arrival of the relief sleigh which was telephoned for from his house, and before that had arrived the party had gotten itself well straightened out again and the above mentioned young man had caught his breath.

   This experience, however, convinced them that the roads to West Homer were too bad to be attempted and they decided to go to Crane's hotel in Homer. They had taken oysters with them for an oyster supper and, wonderful to relate, the oysters were not spilled, so that they used them in Homer, where a very pleasant evening was spent.

   The party was composed of Mr. and Mrs. A. R. Klotten, Mr. and Mrs. H. T. Lovell, Misses Weeks, Mabel Flanders, Jessie Pritchard, Goldie Clark, Anna Harvey, Anna Crane and Messrs. Arthur French, George Hough, Louis Crane, James Corwin, Carl Cole, DeForest Ladd and Clinton PerLee.

 

Wickwire Bros. factory, South Main Street, Cortland, N. Y.

LADDER STOOD TOO STRAIGHT

And Fell Over Backwards Taking Arthur Coram With It.

   While placing a pulley in the rod room at Wickwires' wire mills late yesterday afternoon, Arthur Coram of 11 Harrington-ave. had the misfortune to fall about fourteen feet and received a severe sprain in the region of the left shoulder, and perhaps there is a fracture of a bone in the arm near the shoulder.

   At the time the accident occurred Mr. Coram was on a ladder that rested on a platform. The ladder was placed nearly straight up and down and the man's weight caused it to fall backward, taking him with it. A cab was called which took him to his home and Dr. H. T. Dana was called. At present the shoulder is so swollen that it is impossible to determine whether there is a fracture. Mr. Coram is experiencing a great deal of pain from the fall.

 

CLEANING THE WALKS.

Superintendent Becker and Men Hard at Work Upon Them.

   A great many residents of Cortland were warned by Superintendent Becker's notice in these columns last night in regard to clearing the sidewalks of snow and ice and they set at work at it this morning. Promptly at 1 o'clock according to the notice the superintendent and his men began clearing off snow and ice where it had not been removed before.

   Mr. Becker calls attention to Section 81 of the charter which says, "In case such owner or occupant shall neglect or refuse to clean said sidewalk within such time, he shall be subject to such fine or penalty therefore as shall be prescribed by the board of public works, and in addition thereto the superintendent of public works shall in such case proceed to clean the same without notice to such owner or occupant."

   Mr. Becker says that this time, inasmuch as this matter of fine or penalty may not be generally understood, the property owners can settle with him at once for cleaning the walks by paying the actual cost of the work done and he will not report the names to the board of public works but will simply turn in the money. Another time, however, the owner will probably have to pay a fine in addition to paying the cost of the work.

   It is understood that one man in the city has received a fall from slipping on the rounding sidewalks and is about to bring an action for damages. The superintendent of public works does not mean to let that happen again, and is determined that the walks shall be cleaned. A considerable number of walks received attention this afternoon and in some cases the owners paid for it at once; in others the names will go to the board of public works who will collect unless settled for at once.

 

SLEIGHRIDE TO LITTLE YORK.

Twenty-five People Enjoy an Evening Out and Tip Over Once.

   A party of twenty-five went to Little York last night on a sleighing trip and took supper at the Raymond House. Dancing was the order of things after supper. The party was given in honor of Mr. A. Albert Fox, formerly of Cortland and now of Utica. A first class time is reported by the members of the party, and only one tip-over was indulged in, although the roads were in very bad condition.

   The party was composed as follows: Leroy Cady, Wm. Dennis, Fred Tyler, Floyd Wood, Neil Price, Harry Ettling, Mason Ingalls, Elbert Burdghart, Hallie Collins, Albert Fox, Emerson Rigby, D. B. Grant, Misses Anna Thompson, Grace Warren, Ella Sweeney, Jennie Godfrey, Perle Blair, Miss Green, Miss White, Miss Conger, Miss Dora Manderville, Miss Reardon, Miss Mabel Treadwell, Miss Mabel Mills, Miss Jennie H. Spencer.

   A. L. Call took the party in his carryall.

 

BREVITIES.

   —To-morrow is Washington's birthday and a legal holiday. The banks will all be closed.

   —New display advertisements to-day are—E. M. Mansur, Groceries, page 2; Opera House, "A Cavalier of France," page 5.

   —The Loyal Circle of King's Daughters will meet with Mrs. E. R. Wright,  16 Groton-ave., to-morrow afternoon at 3 o'clock.

   —Mr. T. N. Leach has shipped a fine 3-months old Scotch collie from the litter of five beauties to F. C. Alexander, Delanson, N. Y.