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| John Hay. |
Cortland Evening Standard, Tuesday, March 12, 1901.
TREATY REJECTED.
England Cannot See Way Clear to Accept Amended Hay-Pauncefote Treaty.
WASHINGTON, March 12.—The long-expected answer from the British government to the state department's communication reciting the action of the senate upon the Hay-Pauncefote treaty was returned at noon yesterday. Lord Pauncefote, the British ambassador, already had acquainted Secretary Hay with the fact that he had received a communication from his government on the subject and it is believed it has been in his possession for several days.
Lord Pauncefote came to the state department at noon by appointment. He brought the answer with him and read it to Secretary Hay. It was, in form, an instruction from Lord Landowne, the British minister of foreign affairs, to Lord Pauncefote, and of this instruction he left a copy with Secretary Hay. The secretary and the ambassador were closeted for half an hour. At the conclusion of the conference it was stated that the instruction to Lord Pauucefote was to notify the government of the United States that the British government did not see its way clear to the acceptance of the senate amendments.
These amendments were treated in detail at some length, in argumentative fashion, the purpose of the British government being to show that it had sound reason for declining to accept them. After disposing of the details, the note concluded with an expression of regret that such a course had been forced upon the British government. There was nothing in the nature of a counter proposition, nor was any opening left for further action by the British government.
It was stated that if there was to be a further attempt to amend the Clayton-Bulwer treaty, so as to authorize the United States to construct a waterway across the isthmus, then it was for the United States to make the overture; the British government simply dropped the matter at this point.
Secretary Hay carried the communication to the White House to talk with the president as to the future action of the department. The impression prevails that there will be no immediate action looking toward the negotiation of a treaty.
A BRITISH VIEW.
Treaty Rights Are Musty—Better Bargain and Get What It Possible.
LONDON, March 12.—The Evening Star says in an editorial on the Nicaragua canal question: "When it is a question of Anglo-American good feeling, as in the case of the Nicaraguan canal treaty, we might have strained a point and made clear what concessions we were really prepared to make. The American contentions are not unreasonable, while there are sound commercial reasons for us wishing them Godspeed in the matter. We have our musty treaty rights, but let us bargain to get what we can for those rights."
Quarters For Our Troops In Pekin.
PEKIN, March 12.—The question of quarters for the American troops remaining in Pekin is still the subject of discussion. Army men favor the temple of agriculture as being healthier and sufficiently near the legation for troops to be sent there in a hurry as an additional daily guard should circumstances arise rendering it necessary. They think the court's objections are magnified. It is not likely the British will relinquish the temple of heaven, and they will certainly long require the permanent building being erected there. A company of infantry easily could be housed in the temple of agriculture and the two temples now used for quartermaster's stores. The only other available place ready is a palace belonging to one of the princes, far from the legation, in the middle of the Tartar city. This is private property.
SCHOOL ATTENDANCE.
Over a quarter of the Students Complete a High School Course.
ALBANY, March 11, (Special).—In their monthly bulletin, just issued, the regents of the university have this to say about the attendance upon the high schools of the state: Aug. 1, 1896, a fourth year was added to the course of study in New York state high schools. Statistics for year ending June 30, 1900, show that about 26 per cent of all the students attending these secondary schools now complete four year courses of study. If we make the standard allowance from the actuaries' table for loss by death and from available statistics for loss through failure of promotion from illness and other causes, it is found that in 1900, 133,367 could have been enrolled in New York state secondary schools, while 79,365 or 59.5 per cent were so enrolled. The corresponding per cent for the elementary schools was 79.5.
PAGE FOUR—EDITORIALS.
Put a Stop to the Bloodshed.
Following closely upon the receipt to Washington of the news of the execution of Chi Hien, the former grand secretary of China, United States Special Commissioner Rockhill at Peking has been instructed to make it known to the foreign ministers that President McKinley strongly deprecates any action that will tend to delay or check the present negotiations there, and especially is he desirous that there shall be no further unnecessary bloodshed.
The policy thus laid down for Mr. Rockhill is consistent with the instructions heretofore sent to Minister Conger, who is on a leave of absence, and fully in line with the action of General Chaffee in positively refusing to take part in Field Marshal Waldersee's lately proposed punitive expedition. It is more than probable that the instructions to Mr. Rockhill were framed to stop if possible contemplated expeditions which, it is believed, would amount to practically wholesale slaughter and spoliation. The United States government regards any punitive expedition undertaken against a power with which we are arranging terms of peace as a breach of international faith. The German government, however, and some other governments have not been troubled by such sensitiveness.
It is confidently hoped in Washington that our commissioner will be able to secure the support and co-operation of a sufficient number of the other ministers to insure a cessation of the punitive demands, which are regarded as not only unworthy of civilization, but threaten to drive the Chinese to further desperation and thereby cause a renewal of armed resistance on their part.
In this connection there is food for reflection in the reported last words of Chi Hien, who when beheaded said: "I do not know what I have done to make me deserving of death, but if beheading me will make the foreign troops evacuate Peking and my emperor return I am satisfied to die. I will die a patriot."
The western world has not been wont to regard the Chinese as possessing such a thing as patriotism, but unquestionably they are as warmly attached to their country and institutions as are the more highly civilized nations. Sir Robert Hart early told the world that the Boxer movement was in its inception an expression of patriotism. The existence of this invaluable quality, even if misdirected, is the foundation of all hopes of the future of China, and this fact should make the powers proceed, even in the necessary punishment, of Chinese officials, with great circumspection.
SIXTY YEARS AGO.
Some Interesting Facts and Figures Concerning Cortland County.
When Mr. Edwin Duffey was in Albany a few days ago he ran across an atlas of New York state that was published in Ithaca by Stone & Clark in 1840, the maps being a reprint of those drawn by David H. Burr in 1829. The owner would not sell the atlas entire, but was separating it into its pages and was selling the several county maps individually, and was thus securing pretty good pay for his book. Mr. Duffey was able to buy the map of Cortland county and an adjoining page of statistics.
The map is a remarkably fine one and was evidently printed from a copper plate. It is interesting to see Cortland county as it was then. There were but twelve towns in the county. Virgil included all of the present town of that name and also all of Harford and Lapeer. Truxton included Cuyler, and Solon included Taylor. The town of Cortlandville had a straight east and west line for its south boundary, and did not have the jog which it now contains cutting down into the town of Virgil.
One of the principal postoffices noted on the map was Port Watson on the Tioughnioga river. In the northeast part of the town of Solon (now Taylor) appears the postoffice of Hulbert where Union Valley is now located.
There was shown the line of the proposed S. & B. R. R., but it is found on the west side of Little York lake and on the west side of the Preble lakes evidently headed for the Christian Hollow valley route to Syracuse.
The adjoining page of statistics says that the county forms a part of the Seventh senatorial and, together with the counties of Tompkins, Chenango and Tioga, the Twenty-second congressional district, and is entitled to elect two members of assembly. The county contains 500 square miles or 320,000 acres.
According to the quoted statistics of 1838 the valuation of real estate in the county was $2,014,093 and of personal property $298,507. Homer was the wealthiest town, its total valuation being $509,534, but it gained its pre-eminence over Cortlandville from its personal property, for Cortlandville exceeded it in real estate. Cortlandville's real valuation was $405,200 and Homer's $353,620, while Cortlandville's personal was $58,020, to Homer's $155,914.
The matter of population is interesting and it may very well compare with the census of 1900. It is interesting also to note how nearly equal were the numbers of the sexes. In the comparative statement published below, where several towns were included in one in that day, the population of those several towns were bunched together in the 1900 column for purposes of comparison. The population is as follows, the numbers given on the map referred to being of course the census of 1830 which is compared with 1900:
In school statistics it appears that there were 174 school districts in the county; that school was kept on an average seven months in a year. In Freetown the schools were taught eight months and in Solon, Virgil and Willet but six. There were 8,165 children in school and 7,209 children between the ages of 5 and 16 years, from which facts it would be inferred that some children over 16 years of age went to school.
In 1838 the records show in the county 32,992 cattle, 7,515 horses, 85,748 sheep, and 20,624 swine. There were then twenty-five grist mills in the county, 103 saw mills, three oil mills, twenty-one fulling mills, one paper mill, nineteen carding mills, one cotton factory, four woolen factories, fourteen asheries, eight distilleries, nineteen tanneries and one brewery.
The full statistics of the census of1900 are not yet made public, so that no comparisons on these latter matters can be made through the seventy years.
Red Men.
All members of Pecos tribe, No. 357, Improved Order of Red Men, are requested to be present at the next council fire Thursday evening, March 14. Mr. M. J. O'Hara of Elmira, great chief of records, will make an official visit and address the members.
DAVIS-COLLINS.
A Quiet Wedding in Which a Local Newspaper Man is Prominent.
A quiet wedding occurred at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Lucius Davis, 92 Maple-ave., last night, when their son Mr. Ralph H. Davis was married to Miss Virginia Collins by Rev. Warren W. Way, rector of Grace Episcopal church. Only some of the most immediate relatives were present at the ceremony. The newly wedded couple left at 11:33 last night for a few days' trip, expecting to return next Saturday. Both Mr. and Mrs. Davis are well known in Cortland. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John H. Collins, 31 Arthur-ave., and the groom is the Cortland correspondent of the Syracuse Post-Standard.
MRS. ABRAM P. SMITH
Died on Her Birthday After an Illness of Several Months.
Mrs. Ellen Prince Stedman Smith, widow of the late Judge Abram P. Smith, died this morning at her home, 20 West Court-st., after an illness of several months. On Oct. 3 she had a stroke of apoplexy from which she never entirely recovered. This was followed at intervals by four shocks of paralysis, the last being on Feb. 28, since which time she has not been able to speak except to say "yes" and "no." During her illness she did not seem to suffer any and up to the time of the last shock she enjoyed meeting and visiting with her friends. Her mind seemed at first in some respects unimpaired, but there was an almost utter loss of memory along certain lines. She could not remember that she had been ill previous to the day and moment, confined to the house or bed, but each day she appeared to look upon her illness as a new idea, and thought she would be up and out again in a day or two. She was also at times, especially in recent weeks, a little mixed upon the identity of friends, but when she knew who her visitor was she would continue a conversation as in former days, apparently enjoying exceedingly seeing those about her and listening to what they had to say.
Mrs. Smith was born in Bainbridge, N. Y., March 12, 1829, thus passing away upon her seventy-second birthday, and there [Bainbridge], as Mrs. Ellen Prince Stedman, Judge Smith married her on Dec. 25, 1873. No children were ever born to her. She is survived by a brother in Bainbridge and by two brothers in the state of Washington. The son and daughter of Judge Smith also survive, Dr. David Eugene Smith of Brockport, N. Y., and Mrs. A. M. Jewett of Cortland.
Mrs. Smith was a member of Grace Episcopal church and throughout her residence in Cortland was an active and earnest worker in the church.
The funeral will be held at the house, 26 West Court-st., on Thursday at 2 o'clock and the services will be conducted by the rector of Grace church, Rev. W. W. Way.
UPSET IN THE SNOW.
Dr. VerNooy's Horse Got Away While Turning Around.
Late last night, while Dr. C. D. VanNooy was making a professional call on Stevenson-ave., Mrs. VerNooy, who had been riding with him, drove on out Groton-ave. to Beers & Warfield's storehouse where she undertook to turn around and return to get the doctor. In turning about the covered cutter was tipped over and landed with Mrs. VerNooy in it against a telephone pole. In going over, the thills were wrenched loose from the cutter, and the horse made good his escape, dangling the shafts after him and leaving Mrs. VerNooy in the road with her ankle slightly wrenched and a thumb some what injured.
The horse made his way down Groton-ave. to Main-st., turned south and started for home. At Court-st. corner he evidently became tired of the bad condition of the roads and raced himself along the sidewalk, dodging signposts, bicycle racks, policemen, etc., in good form till at the Messenger House, where he collided with a telephone pole that threw him off his balance and he was caught.
Mrs. VerNooy was not badly hurt and the horse was not harmed. The cutter was not injured except about the shafts. Mrs. VerNooy ridicules the idea that she is a poor horsewoman and claims that she could have kept the horse from turning had she been in an open cutter. As it was, she was placed in a position where she had to make her own safety her chief end. Dr. VerNooy says that his horse's reputation is at stake, as it is the third time he has run away under conditions that would encourage the average horse to do the same thing. He is of the opinion that his horse ought not to be classed with runaways. Any way he is good at improving opportunities when they are presented.
BREVITIES.
—Two tramps appeared in police court this morning and were ordered to pass along.
—Vesta lodge, No. 255, I. O. O. F., will hold a hop at the lodge room next Saturday night.
—The Fortnightly club will meet tomorrow afternoon at 3:30 o'clock with Mrs. W. M. Booth, 131 Tompkins-st.
—The Lehigh Valley train going west this morning was stalled in snow drifts at Woodstock. A special was sent from Cortland to make the Freeville connections.
—The new display advertisements today are—E. M. Mansur, Coffee, page 2; W. J. Perkins, Celery and Nerve Tonic, page 7; Warren, Tanner & Co., Carpets, page 8.
—The Ladies' Literary club will hold the second entertainment of the year at 7 o'clock to-morrow evening at the home of Mrs. F. W. Higgins, 61 Lincoln-ave. It will be a "reversible" evening.
—Cortland Tent, No 304, K. O. T. M., will hold a regular review this evening. The review will be held at 7:30 sharp in order that the Ladies of the Maccabees may hold a meeting after its conclusion.
—The VerNooy Bible class of the First M. E. church will entertain Mr. R. J. Lucas' class of young ladies at Dr. C. D. VerNooy's to-morrow night. The Sunday-school orchestra of the church will be present and furnish music.
—Two Cortland men started for Virgil this morning with a team, but the roads were so bad that they had to give it up and turn back. The drifts were terrific and the road was full of holes where horses had slumped during the thaw yesterday and where sleighs had cut off.
—The Y. M. C. A. directors met last a night and transacted some routine business. They then adjourned till next Monday night when the new board of directors will be invited to meet with the old board as a preliminary to passing the affairs of the association into their hands.
—The thaw of yesterday seems to have caught a very decided chill, and it was fortunate too or the city would have been afloat, for with the rain added to the great amount of snow that was rapidly melting, the gutters and sluice ways seemed inadequate to take care of the water.
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