Tuesday, December 31, 2024

FIGHTING IN COLUMBIA, CITY CLERK ALGER, COMMON COUNCIL, AND COASTING ON PROSPECT HILL MUST STOP

 
Modesto Garces.

Cortland Evening Standard, Tuesday, Jan. 28, 1902.

FIGHTING IN COLOMBIA.

Reports of Two Engagements in Which Liberals Were Successful.

   New York, Jan. 28.—General Modesto Garces, special delegate in charge of foreign affairs of the Liberal party of Colombia, gave out a statement that he had received cable advices from Curacoa, the headquarters of his party, saying that the army under General Solo met and defeated the Conservative forces led by General Franjavar and a Jesuit priest Padre Espana, after a bloody engagement lasting all day, near La Cruze, 35 miles south of Bogota. General Solo captured much arms, ammunition and several cannon. Among the killed was the Jesuit leader Padre Espana.

   Another engagement was at Usme, about 30 miles east of Bogota, in which the Liberals also were successful.

   General Gascas' advices also state that another Liberal army under General Tolosa combined with forces from Cauca and Tolima has just entered from the south the department of Antioquia, formerly a stronghold of the Conservatives, and hare captured the important city of Salamina and it is now in the possession of the Liberals.

   The city of Remołina on the Magdalena river, about 22 miles south of Barranquilla, has also been captured by another branch of the Liberal forces.

 

New York Central Empire State Express.

COLLISION ON CENTRAL.

PASSENGER TRAIN RAN INTO SWITCH ENGINE

Right at Oneida Station—Engineer of Passenger Train Instantly Killed— Switch Engine Hurled Into Station, Tearing Corner Out of Building—Tender Ran a Half Mile on Track—No One Else Hurt.

   SYRACUSE, Jan. 28.—By the collision of fast passenger New York Central train No. 16 and a switch engine at Oneida at 10 o'clock this morning, Engineer James Welch of the passenger train was instantly killed, a portion of the Oneida depot demolished, and both engines thrown from the track.

   The passenger train, east bound, was five hours late and struck a switch engine as it was going upon the main track, hurling it against the station building and tearing out one corner of it. The tender of the passenger engine stuck to the track and ran half a mile before stopping, having on board Fireman Frank McHale of Albany, who had leaped upon it from his own cab. The crew of the switch engine saved their lives by jumping.

   Very fortunately no one happened to be in the path of the locomotive as it crashed into the depot, and no one was injured.

   The home of the dead engineer was in Albany. Traffic was delayed but a short time.

 

PAGE FOUR—EDITORIALS.

He is Clerk Alger.

   At an adjourned meeting of the common council last night Mayor Brown appointed [attorney] Edmond C. Alger clerk of the city [of Cortland] and his appointment was promptly ratified by the aldermen. The appointment was in line with the others which the mayor has made and is to be commended.

   This appointment was delayed somewhat beyond that of the other appointive officials through a sort of misunderstanding between mayor and aldermen. There was no objection so far as can be learned, on the part of any one to Mr. Alger, personally, but some of the aldermen would have been glad to have been consulted a little more in regard to the matter. Saturday, however, the mayor and aldermen and some others got together for a little conference to see if the appointment could not be made and have every one satisfied. It was all talked over and an understanding was arrived at so that there was good feeling all around, with the result that last night the appointment was made and ratified.

   Mr. Alger is abundantly competent for the position. He has been for three years clerk of the board of supervisors and before that was for four years clerk of the town of Cortlandville, and it goes without saying that he will make a good record for himself as city clerk and give general satisfaction to all.

 


COMMON COUNCIL.

EDMOND C. ALGER APPOINTED CLERK FOR THE YEAR.

Coasting on Prospect Hill Discussed—Corporation Counsel Miller's Bill for 1901 Allowed—Damage Actions Settled—Committee on Meeting Place for Council.

   At the meeting of the common council last evening Mayor Brown nominated Edmond C. Alger as clerk of the city for the next full term of one year, beginning on Feb. 1. The appointment was ratified by the common council, only one of the aldermen voting against it. Mr. Yager of the First ward, in submitting the one negative vote on the appointment, stated that he voted thus because he was pledged to vote for another party and not because he had anything against Mr. Alger.

   In making the appointment Mayor Brown said that a week ago at the regular meeting of the common council he had asked for an extension of time in which to think over the appointment. Since that time he had not seen any reason for changing his mind about the appointment. On the other hand many prominent citizens had come to him during the week and urged Mr. Alger's appointment, consequently he presented his name for the aldermen's consideration.

   The aldermen discussed the practice of coasting on Prospect-st., and while all seemed agreed that the young people ought to have a good place for their sports, yet the practice at that place they deemed was too dangerous to warrant the countenance of the practice. South hill was suggested as a coasting place.

   The bill of City Attorney N. L. Miller for official services from July 1, 1901, to Jan. 1, 1902, in the amount of $500 was allowed. The official minutes follow:

   An adjourned meeting of the common council of the city of Cortland was held at the office of the clerk of said city on the 27th day of Jan. 1902, at 7:30 o'clock, P. M., at which were present, Mayor Charles F. Brown, and Aldermen E. M. Yager, E. R. Wright, George F. Richards, T. C. Scudder, R. S. Pettigrew and Vern W. Skeele.

   The mayor nominated and duly appointed Edmond C. Alger, as clerk of the city of Cortland for the next full term, commencing Feb. 1, 1902.

   On motion of Mr. Wright, seconded by Mr. Richards:

   Resolved, That such nomination and appointment be ratified and confirmed by this board.

   Mr. Pettigrew called for the ayes and nays. Mr. Yager voted nay. Mr. Wright, Mr. Richards, Mr. Scudder, Mr. Pettigrew and Mr. Skeele all voted aye. Declared carried.

   Agreements in writing duly executed by the city attorney and the counsel for the respective parties, to compromise and settle the actions of Maude Crofoot vs. The City of Cortland and Margaret Dillon vs. The City of Cortland, on motion of Mr. Skeele, seconded by Mr. Scudder and declared carried:

   Resolved, That said agreement be affirmed by the common council of said city.

   On motion of Mr. Skeele, seconded by Mr. Yager and declared carried:

   Resolved, That the penal sum of the official bond of the city clerk be fixed at $1,000.

   On motion duly seconded and declared carried:

   Resolved, That Messrs. Richards and Wright be a committee to fix upon suitable rooms for the clerk and council rooms.

   The minutes of the present meeting were read and approved.

   On motion, meeting adjourned.

   Approved, Jan. 27, 1902, CHAS. F. BROWN, Mayor.

 

Upset Turning a Corner.

   Bert Tarbox of Lapeer was thrown from his cutter yesterday while rounding the corner of Railroad and Church-sts., and was dragged by his spirited horse as far as the jail where the animal was stopped by Deputy Sheriff James E. Edwards. Turbox was badly bruised about the face and arms as a result of being dragged over the hard frozen road.

 

Dissolution of Partnership.

   Notice is hereby given that the firm of Cramer & Hollister has been dissolved by mutual consent. The business will be continued under the name Hollister Hardware & Plumbing Co. All accounts due the firm of Cramer & Hollister may be settled at the office of the new firm or with L. S. Cramer who has charge of the collection of the accounts.

   L. S. CRAMER.

   W. K. HOLLISTER

   Jan. 23, 1902. [Paid ad.]

 

COASTING MUST STOP.

Hill Too Icy—Several Bad Accidents Narrowly Averted.

   The common council and Superintendent Becker remembered the days of their boyhood and thought it would be fine to let the Cortland boys and girls have some coasting on some hill set apart for the purpose and kept under guard. The result was that Prospect hill was selected and Mr. Becker agreed to stand guard on Tompkins-st. to watch for teams. But since that decision was reached the conditions have changed. Rain has fallen and the hill and the Tompkins-st. corner have both become glare ice. The young people have had a glorious time with their coasting on these beautiful moonlight nights, but last night some bad accidents were narrowly averted. The hill is so icy that when Tompkins-st. is reached the speed of the big double runners is so great that it is impossible to make the turn without upsetting. Consequently the sleds have to cross the street and they can hardly stop without colliding with something on the other side.

   Last night teams were in the way. Mr. Becker has warned teams to stop and some do it gladly when a sled is coming, others will not. On two occasions last night Mr. Becker had to seize horses by the bits and fairly force them back upon their haunches to avoid collision. The teams surely have a right to be driven on Tompkins-st.

   Word of the situation was brought to the common council meeting and the matter was discussed at length. It was decided that while the streets remain as at present, coasting must cease on that hill. It was stated that if an accident should happen the city would probably be the defendant in a damage suit. Syracuse has two on hand now from coasting accidents. One is for $30,000, the other for $15,000. The city will not take the chances.

   There is another reason too why it could not be permitted more just now on that hill. There is a case of such serious illness on the hill that the patient is disturbed by every noise and the laughter and shouts of last night were especially trying and the authorities would not permit it again for a few nights any way on that account.

   But at the same time every one wants to let the boys and girls have their fun. They can be boys and girls but once. With that thought in mind the common council unofficially have said that if there is a general desire to coast on the South Main-st. hill the city road scraper will be sent up there to put the hill in proper condition for that use. It will cost but little to do the work and it will be a source of pleasure to all who delight in that sport. Few teams go up that hill in the evening. The hill is straight. The likelihood of accident would be reduced to the minimum, and it would be a fine long coast, almost down to the Lehigh Valley tracks.

  If any one cares to go there let the request for the use of the scraper be made to Mayor Brown or to Superintendent Becker. If enough requests come in the scraper will probably be sent.

 



BREVITIES.

   —The Ladies' Literary club will meet tomorrow afternoon with Mrs. A. J. Murray, 46 Church-st.

   —The annual public exercises of the Delphic fraternity occur at Normal hall tomorrow night at 8 o'clock.

   —The Corlonor society will present "The Two Gentlemen from Verona" at Normal [School] hall tonight at 8 o'clock.

   —New display advertisements today are—A. S. Burgess, Clothing, page 8; F. Daehler, Clothing, page 4; Warren, Tanner & Co., Mill end sale, page 7.

   —An adjourned meeting of the Political Equality club will be held at the home of Mrs. Julia E. Hyatt, 182 South Main-st., Wednesday at 3 o'clock, P. M.

   —Charles Morgan, who claimed his home was in Marathon, was sent to jail this morning by City Judge Davis. Public intoxication was the charge made against him.

   —The Grace church chicken pie supper last night In the Collins store was a great success. The supper itself was of course first class, but the happy part of it was that over 400 came to partake of it so that a fine sum was netted for the treasury.

 

Monday, December 30, 2024

APPEAL TO CONGRESS, ULTIMATE INDEPENDENCE, CORTLAND 1901 VITAL STATISTICS, AND NOTICE FOR WOMEN

 
Papa Isio.

Cortland Evening Standard, Monday, Jan. 27, 1902.

APPEAL TO CONGRESS.

Want Chinamen Admitted to the Philippines.

MANILA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Say the Present Restriction is of No Benefit to the Filipinos, and Chinese Labor is Needed to Work Lands. Conditions in Negros Island Unsatisfactory.

   Manila, Jan. 27.—The American chamber of commerce here has formulated an appeal to congress, in which it earnestly prays for the enactment of laws allowing Chinamen to enter the Philippine islands, under such restrictions as the United States Philippine commission may enact. The present restrictive law concerning immigration, continues this appeal, is of no benefit to the Filipinos, as Chinamen, if admitted would not enter into competition with local labor and their entry into the islands is imperatively needed, as the tobacco, hemp and sugar lands of the archipelago are only partially cultivated. Without this legislation this country cannot be properly developed. Building in Manila has been badly retarded because of this lack of labor and for these reasons the American chamber of commerce composed entirely of American citizens, representing commercial interests, respectfully prays for immediate action in this matter.

   Colonel Charles W. Miner of the Sixth infantry reports the conditions on the island of Negros to be unsatisfactory and that 400 bolomen and 40 men armed with rifles under the command of the fanatical bandit leader, Papa Isio, are terrorizing the people of Negros.

 

Jacob Gould Schurman.

ULTIMATE INDEPENDENCE.

President Schurman Reiterates Views Expressed in Boston Speech.

   Ithaca, N. Y., Jan. 27.—President Schurman made a statement explanatory of his recent Boston speech in which he advocated the eventual independence of the people of the Philippines. The substance of his late speech was to the effect that if the Christians of Luzon and Visaya wanted independence and showed themselves capable of assuming it, this country would eventually give it to them.

   President Schurman said yesterday that he believed the policy he advocated would, more than anything else, promote the welfare of the Filipinos. President Roosevelt, he said, had declared in his message to congress that we were to do for the Filipinos far more than any other nation had done for a tropical people and that we were to fit them for self-government after the fashion of really free races, He said he stood with President Roosevelt in his policy and was against the policy advocated by General Wheaton, which would mean colonial servitude like that of Java and India; and that it was just as proper for one to advocate a policy of eventual independence at the present time as it would be to urge the adoption of General Wheaton's plan, since the American people have not yet passed upon the question of final Philippine policy.

 

Judge William Howard Taft.

GOVERNOR TAFT IN CHICAGO.

Says the Government is Concealing Nothing and That It is Well Informed.

   Chicago, Jan. 27.—William H. Taft, civil governor of the Philippine Islands, arrived in Chicago yesterday afternoon from San Francisco. He was met at the depot by President S. M. Felton of the Chicago and Alton Railroad company and went at once to Mr. Felton's residence where he spent the day.

   Governor Taft said:

   "The only answer I have to make to the ideas of individual observers, who declare that the true condition in the Philippines is being concealed, or that we are hugging delusions of peace that can never be brought about, is that the government is concealing nothing and that its conclusions are not based on wild theories, but substantial facts."

   Governor Taft left over the Pennsylvania road for Cincinnati.

 



PAGE FOUR—EDITORIAL.

Vital Statistics for Cortland.

   In another column we publish today the record of birth, deaths and marriages for the city of Cortland for the year 1901, as filed at the office of the city clerk. The record of births and deaths is probably complete. The record of marriages is known to be incomplete because some of the ministers never file them with the clerk who is the registrar of vital statistics.

   The records show 124 births in the city during the year, of which sixty-four were males and sixty females. There are also 136 deaths. By these figures it is apparent that the city is not holding its own in population aside from the fact of strangers moving in to locate here. Notwithstanding the epidemic of typhoid fever that existed early in the year there are but eight deaths recorded from this disease and these are scattered all through the twelve months and several of them are coupled with pneumonia. There seem to have been more deaths from pneumonia than from any other single cause. The records show twenty-four deaths under 1 year of age, sixteen deaths between 1 and 10 years, five between 10 and 20 years, eight between 20 and 30 years, eight between 30 and 40 years, eleven between 40 and 50 years, thirteen between 50 and 60 years, eighteen between 60 and 70 years, fifteen between 70 and 80 years, thirteen between 80 and 90 years and five over 90 years.

   Last year there were recorded 124 births, identically the same number as this year, but then there were seventy-nine boys and forty-five girls, instead of being so evenly balanced as this year. Last year there were but 117 deaths.

   Fifty-nine marriages are reported this year. Last year there were sixty-four. Rev. H. L. Rixon, pastor of the Homer-ave. M. E. church, one of Cortland's marriageables, heads the list as being the most desirable minister to perform the ceremonies. Thirteen marriages are ascribed to him. Rev. O. A. Houghton, D. D., late pastor of the First M. E. church, comes next with nine marriages. Then Rev. W. J. Howell, pastor of the First Baptist church, another eligible bachelor, records seven marriages. Rev. Robert Yost of the Congregational church has six. Rev. G. H. Brigham, retired, and Rev. O. M. Owen of the Free Methodist church have each five. Rev. Robert Clements of the Presbyterian church has four, and Rev. W. W. Way of Grace Episcopal church, Rev. Geo. E. T. Stevenson of the Memorial Baptist church, and Rev. U. S. Milburn of the Universalist church each have two. Rev. W. P. Garrett, late of McGraw, Rev. Mr. Brown and Rev. Mr. Post and City Judge R. L. Davis each had one. These marriages of course were all performed within the city limits and have no reference to any of the marriages any of the ministers may have performed among their parishioners outside of the city lines.

 


NOTICE FOR WOMEN.

Meeting to Consider bill to Permit  Women Taxpayers to Vote.

   On Thursday a bill to give the tax-paying women of all third class cities in New York the right to vote on tax propositions was introduced in the senate by Hon. Lester R. Humphrey and was referred to the cities' committee. This will give the tax-paying right to women in the last of the places to which it can be applied. Nearly one-third of the third class cities now have a provision in their charter giving women this right. The bill for towns and villages passed last year, and was in the legislature for three years. It has always been in the judiciary committee, and it is considered a great gain to have the bill in a committee where a majority of its members are in favor of it.—Brooklyn Woman's Journal.

   An adjourned meeting of the Political Equality club will be held at the home of Mrs. Julia E. Hyatt, 182 Main-st., Wednesday at 8 o'clock P. M. to consider the above named subject. All tax-paying women and all interested are urged to be present. MRS. BENTLEY, Sec.

 

Mrs. Eliza Schutt.

   Mrs. Eliza Schutt, one of the very oldest residents of this city, died at about 9:30 o'clock this morning from old age at the home of Mr. M. Michelson, 149 Tompkins-st. Her age was 92 years. 8 months and 14 days.

   Mrs. Schutt and her husband, Henry Schutt, who died twenty-two years ago, were for many years residents of Cortland. About thirty-two years ago they moved to the vicinity of the old toll [plank road] gate between Cortland and Homer, of which Mr. Schutt was the keeper. After the death of her husband Mrs. Schutt went to Plattsburg, Mo., to live with a son, but at his death, the last of six children, Mrs. Schutt came back to Cortland, arriving here April 11, 1900. At that time she said she had come back among friends to die. Since then she has lived with and been most tenderly cared for by Mr. and Mrs. Michelson.

   Mrs. Schutt was awarded the prize at the fairgrounds last fall for being the oldest lady on the fair grounds.

   The funeral will be held Wednesday at 10 o'clock A. M., from the home of Mr.  Michelson.

 

SYRACUSE TEAM WON.

The Fifty-Hours Go-As-You-Please Race at Taylor Hall.

   Powers and Williams of Syracuse easily won the 50 miles go-as-you-please race, which was ended in Taylor hall Saturday night, having covered over twelve miles more ground than any other team. The final distances were: Powers and Williams, 259 miles and twenty-three laps; Diabo and Bishop, the pork and beans team from Clayton, 238 miles and ten laps; Hart and Lloyd from Rochester and Utica respectively, 247 miles and eighteen laps.

   In the two mile race between Hoagland, heel and toe, and Mills as-he-pleased, Mills won by four laps. Coleman and Hoagland went for 3 miles under the same conditions, and the former won by two laps.

 


BREVITIES.

   —The Primary Teachers' union will meet at the home of Mrs. Silas W. Sherwood, 70 Railroad-st., Tuesday evening at 7o'clock.

   —New display advertisements today are—Bingham & Miller, Clothing, page 8; C. F. Brown, Hair brushes, etc., page 4; R. W. Mitchell, meats, page 5.

   —Fred H. Ritter, who has been a barber in Cortland for ten or twelve years past, left this morning for Ithaca to accept a good position in a shop there.

   —Tilden H. Ware, one of the three men injured in the boiler explosion at the powerhouse of the Ithaca Traction Co. on Wednesday night, died at 10 o'clock Wednesday morning.

   —Twenty-five ladies of the dressmaking department of the Gillette Skirt Co. enjoyed a fine sleighride to Little York Saturday afternoon, leaving the factory at 2 o'clock in a huge carryall and returning home at about dark.

 

Saturday, December 28, 2024

RIGHTS OF CITIZENS, DANISH ISLANDS, JOHN TRUCK CASE, AND W. C. T. U. MEETING

 
Senator John Raines.

Cortland Evening Standard, Saturday, Jan. 25, 1902.

"RIGHTS OF CITIZENS."

Senator Raines Replies to Jerome's Speech at Rochester.

ALL LAWS SHOULD BE ENFORCED.

Says No Law Protects Disorderly Places—Cites the Action of the Governor in Removing Sheriff Caldwell. Supineness of Local Authorities is Blamed.

   Rochester, Jan. 25.—State Senator John Raines at the annual banquet of the Railway Men's Sound Money association here last evening in discussing "Rights of Citizens" touched upon many points raised by District Attorney Jerome of New York in a speech in this city a short time ago.

   Speaking of hotels commonly called "Raines Law Hotels," Mr. Raines asked two questions:

   "Have you ever suspected the charges of evil against them were being persistently iterated in the interest of certain persons who desire to do so as a means to an end, namely, to secure the Sunday opening of the saloons?

   ''Is it true that the proprietors of some 2,000 or more such establishments ought to be in the penitentiary?"

   Continuing the speaker said:

   The vital question is not whether there is one hotel in 1,400 or 2,000 of population. What we wish to know is, how are they conducted. If they are disorderly places, resorts for the depraved and vicious, no law protects them. They exist in spite of law and only through the supineness of the local authorities. Every policeman has knowledge of them, if they are located on his beat. Will good citizens have the laws enforced? At least do not make the existence of disorderly places which can be suppressed an excuse for countenancing the worst calamity that could befall poor humanity, the Sunday selling of liquor by saloons."

   After citing, authorities as to the power of local authorities to enforce the Sunday and all night closing provisions of the liquor tax law, Senator Raines in conclusion said:

   ''I cannot relieve myself from responsibility by saying 'You attend to your affairs and I will attend to mine.' When a sheriff of Erie county refuses or neglects to enforce the law against poolrooms, it is the right of any citizen to ask his removal by the governor. All honor to the governor who knowing his duty does not hesitate to perform it. It seems to me that example will be worth more to the interests that stand for the enforcement of law and the preservation of order, than anyone thing that has happened in 20 years. It is a notice that, whether the sandwich be chained to the table or not, the sword hangs by a hair; that though few office holders die and none resign, some may be removed.

   "And yet, though it be the right of every citizen to have laws enforced, it is his equal privilege to work for such change or modification of law as he may think best. Let him work for their repeal if he will, but until that is accomplished let him earnestly demand their enforcement. It is his right so to do, more than that it is his duty."

 

Raid on the Bowery.

   New York, Jan. 25.—A raid of unusual proportions was made by nearly 100 policemen under Inspector Cross on the Lower Bowery last night. A number of notorious resorts were closed and 32 prisoners locked up. The large number of policemen on the scene prevented any outbreak of violence and there was little difficulty in getting the prisoners to the Eldridge street station. The raids foreshadow the doom of the old Bowery, for they [made] a preliminary step to the wholesale cleaning out of that famous thoroughfare. In nearly every raid the proprietor of the resort was arrested.

 

PAGE FOUR—EDITORIAL.

The Danish Islands.

   The treaty was signed yesterday afternoon transferring the Danish West Indian islands to the United States. The exact terms are not yet made public. The treaty will now have to be ratified both by the United States senate and the Danish rigsdag, but no opposition is anticipated in either body.

   The treaty, it is expected, will transfer absolute sovereignty over the islands of St. Thomas, St. John and St. Croix or St. Kitts to the United States. The consideration is about $4,000,000, much less than Denmark could have obtained from the same country, a few years ago.

   The Danish West Indies consist of three small islands lying to the southeast of Porto Rico; St. Thomas having about 12,000 people, St. Croix with 25,000 and St. John, the smallest and least important. St. Croix is the largest, but commercially and strategically not as important as St. Thomas.

   The islands have remained under the rule of the Danish crown since their colonization in 1663 with the exception of the period 1807 to 1815 when England seized them, only to recognize the priority of the Danish claim and relinquish them. They have been ruled by a royal governor and a colonial council of fifteen members, of which four were named by the crown, and eleven chosen by the electors. In such elections the franchise was restricted to property owners and those having an annual income in excess of $500. Thus out of the 12,000 inhabitants of St. Thomas only 200 exercised civic rights.

   To the United States, St. Thomas has the greatest value. With a safe and easy entrance, a roadstead, deep and almost land locked, affording safe anchorage to more than 200 vessels at one time, it has become the chief port of all and the chief coaling point in the West Indies. More than 100,000 tons of fuel all of which comes from the United States, are handled there each year, and such is the business of this town and its close connection with America that English has been the language generally spoken for the last fifty years. Moreover the harbor, commanding the stream of commerce as it will leave the eastern opening of the isthmian canal, can be fortified and easily made impregnable. All of these things have made for annexation.

   Negotiations for the sale of the islands to the United States were begun by William H. Seward, secretary of state in 1869, when a treaty between Denmark and the United States was concluded. An election held in the islands resulted in practically unanimous ratification, but when the treaty reached the United States senate, it was turned down. This country was then in the throes of the reconstruction period, when many of the Southern states were without representation at Washington. There was a heavy public debt which many thought could be wiped out only by repudiation, and the people were unwilling to add to their burden. They rejected at the same time the government proposition to annex San Domingo.

   Within the past six years the negotiations were renewed. This time there was opposition from the islanders. At least one-fifth of the population objected to their prospective loss of civic rights. Many looked upon the United States as a young but powerful factor in the future of the world. Ambitious, aggressive, fully appreciating the success of its debut in the congress of globe-encircling nations, the result could only be war with some other country. In that event the trade with the islands would inevitably be interrupted, perhaps ruined, and their little prosperity swept away.

   In Denmark, too, there were difficulties, chiefly the question of price.

   An intense national pride also obtruded into the negotiations. It was the Danish translation of the American formula: "Wherever the flag has gone up, let it not be pulled down."

   Along with this quasi-patriotic sentiment was a more sordid one, the desire to obtain for Danish commercialism specific privileges in the islands. Again there was the recognition of a duty to perform by the mother country toward the islanders, the securing for them of United States citizenship, the free entrance into the United States of the islands' products, and the safe keeping of their material interests by the maintenance of St. Thomas as a free port in times of war as well as peace.

   The last and the least important consideration was the race feeling, which preferred to see the islands pass into the hands of a more nearly kindred people,  the Germans, than into those of the republic across the seas. No doubt Germany, though fully aware of the impossibility under the operation of the Monroe doctrine of any realization of this sentiment, zealously fostered it through motives of rivalry in dominion and in commerce.

 


THE TRUCK CASE

NOTICED FOR ARGUMENT BEFORE COURT OF APPEALS FEB. 13.

District Attorney Dowd Consults With Chief Justice Parker and Clerk Shankland at Albany as to How to Bring Attorney McCrahon to Time—No Briefs to be Submitted Now—If Appellant Fails to Appear Appeal Will Be Dismissed.

   District Attorney Thomas H. Dowd was in Albany yesterday morning and had a conference with Chief Justice Parker of the court of appeals and Clerk Henry W. Shankland of that court, and upon returning to Cortland today he informed The Standard representative that upon the advice of Justice Parker he had noticed the Truck case for argument before the court of appeals for Feb. 13, 1902. Notice of the argument will be served today upon John H. McCrahon, attorney for Truck.

   The district attorney had been uncertain as to which would be the better method to pursue, whether to make a notice to dismiss the appeal or to notice the appeal for argument. Judge Parker advised that the appeal should be noticed for argument, and if the defendant was not ready to make his argument on the day that the argument was noticed for, the appeal would be dismissed.

   The rules of the court of appeals provide that the attorney for an appellant shall serve his briefs upon the attorney for the respondent, who in this case is District Attorney Dowd, at least 20 days before the argument, and then the attorney for the respondent may reply to the appellant's brief. Attorney McCrahon has so far refused to serve his brief upon District Attorney Dowd, although several dates have been fixed upon to do so.

   Each party will now go before the court for argument without having an opportunity of examining the other's brief, which is not so satisfactory, but much more expeditious.

   District Attorney Dowd states that the case in behalf of The People is fully prepared, and he is confident that the judgment of conviction of murder in the first degree will be confirmed.

   As all well know, John Truck, the defendant, is now in the condemned cells at Auburn, N. Y., having been convicted in March, 1900, of murder in the first degree in causing the death of Frank. W. Miller of Virgil the previous year.

 

Cortlandvilłe Grange.

   The Cortlandville grange held a very interesting meeting last evening in G. A. R. hall, at which time the first and second degrees were conferred. Two weeks from last night a special meeting will be held for third and fourth degrees.

   The state grange meets this year in Olean on the 4th of February. Mr. and Mrs. L. E. Burnham of Cortland [will] attend as delegates and will start for Olean next Saturday.

 

F. E. Smith.



W. C. T. U. MEETING.

Scientific Temperance Instruction by Prof. F. E. Smith of City Schools.

   The regular meeting of the W. C. T. U. was held on Tuesday afternoon, and opened with devotional exercises led by the president.

   A petition against the Sunday opening of saloons in New York was presented and by a unanimous vote signed by the officers in behalf of the union.

   The members then had the pleasure of listening to a paper on "Scientific Temperance Instruction," by Prof. F. E. Smith, superintendent of the city schools. Prof. Smith said he would not take up the discussion of this important subject from the scientific standpoint, as the underlying facts were doubtless well known to those present, but would speak of it rather from the point of view reached through his own observation and experience.

   While fully believing in giving this subject a prominent place in the course of study prescribed for our public schools, Prof. Smith expressed the belief that under the present law the teaching of physiology and hygiene with special reference to the effect of alcoholic drinks and narcotics is spread over too long a period, beginning as it does with the first year of school and extending to the second year in the high school. His idea is that in the lower grades lessons in health, morals and manners might be profitably substituted for the more scientific side of the question presented by the text books, while in the higher grades the scientific facts should be taught and the whole subject treated in a more intense manner than is now practicable.

   The relation of temperance to other subjects, especially history and biography should be clearly shown. He thought Prof. Atwater's experiments and attempts to prove that alcohol has some value as food would have very little effect upon the position of temperance people. A few years ago it was feared that belief in the Bible would be greatly shaken by the facts brought to light through scientific investigation, but today no thoughtful person values the Bible any less because of what science has revealed. So, even though it might be proved that alcohol has a very slight food value, which has not been by any means made clear, the necessity of teaching our children the evil effects of strong drink would be just as great as now. We have only to look around and see the havoc made by alcohol in its various forms to be convinced that it cannot safely be tampered with.

   At the conclusion of the paper opportunity was given for questions and discussion.

   Upon motion, in closing the meeting a rising vote of thanks was given Prof. Smith for his kindness, in responding to the invitation of the union and for his very thoughtful and interesting paper.

 



BREVITIES.

   —New display advertisements today are—Opera House, "In Love," page 5.

   —Dr. F. D. Reese will address the Science club this evening at the Hatch library building. His subject will be "Tuberculosis."

   —Rev. Robert Yost tomorrow night at the Congregational church will preach the first in a series of historical sermons on Sunday evenings. The theme tomorrow night will be "The Christian Artist."

   —Rev. Henry M. Parsons, D. D., of Toronto, who has been conducting the series of Bible readings at the Presbyterian church, will preach at that church at both services tomorrow. The Bible readings will be continued the first three evenings of next week.

   —Mrs. W. M. Bass, state organizer of the Women's Home Missionary society of the M. E. church will speak at the Homer-ave. M. E. church tomorrow morning at 10:30 o'clock and at the First M. E. church tomorrow evening at 7 o'clock. Mrs. Bass is staying with Miss Mary Oday at 70 Railroad-st., while in Cortland, where she may be found by any of the ladies who desire to see her.