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| Czar Nicholas II. |
Cortland Evening Standard, Tuesday, April 9, 1901.
HARD BLOW TO RUSSIA.
Her Prestige In China Sure to Be Lessened.
JAPAN'S PART MAKES IT GALLING.
Little Nation, Which Has Always Been Treated With Contempt by Russia, Had Most to Do With Checking Czar's Ambitions In Manchuria.
LONDON, April 9.—In a dispatch to The Times from Pekin, dated Sunday, Dr. Morrison comments upon the blow to Russian prestige in China resulting from the check to Russia's ambition regarding Manchuria. "This blow is all the more severe," he says, "because Japan, whom the Russians have affected to treat with the utmost contempt, has had the largest share in dealing it.
"There is little doubt that Russia will renew the struggle in some shape. It is a remarkable outburst of popular feeling which has thus enabled China to withstand Russia. All the appeals against the convention concerning Manchuria were addressed to the emperor. It is, therefore, difficult to believe that the empress dowager has not been affected by the defeat of the policy of which her henchman, Li Hung Chang, is the sturdiest exponent.
"The emperor has summoned the president of the board of revenue from Pekin to prepare for the removal of the court. Probably this only means a removal to Kai Fong Fu, in the province of Ho Nan, which would bring the court into closer contact with the Yang Tse viceroys."
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| Senator John Raines. |
NEW CANAL OPPOSED.
State Grange and Farmers' Congress Against It.
UNJUST, AND PERHAPS ILLEGAL.
Protest Presented in Senate and Assembly Demanding That Those Who Are Opposed to An Outlay of $26,000,000 Be Given a Hearing.
ALBANY, April 9.—A protest against the proposed expenditure of $26,000,000 for canal improvement work was submitted last night to the senate and assembly, It was signed by Elliot B. Norris, master of the New York State Grange, Patrons of Husbandry; James Ward, president of the New York State Farmers' congress, and John I. Platt, secretary of the New York State Tax and Transportation Reform association.
The protest is as follows:
"The undersigned, representing important organizations of the farmers and taxpayers of the state, respectfully remonstrate against the passage of the proposed bill for the expenditure of $26,000,000 in the enlargement of the canals, without first affording an adequate and proper hearing to those who believe that such action will be unwise and detrimental to the interests of the state and especially to its agricultural interests.
"We respectfully represent that during the last three years the advocates of canal enlargement have practically used the official power of the state to create public sentiment in favor of the expenditure. The commission appointed by Governor Roosevelt, after expending several thousand dollars taken from the treasury, brought in a report consisting exclusively of arguments upon that side, which we regret to be compelled to say were based upon statements and figures which a careful examination shows to be absolutely false.
The tables contained in that report are so erroneous that they are entirely unreliable, and the conclusion based upon them is misleading and untrue. The last legislature appropriated $200,000 for a continuance of the same process. The advocates of canal enlargement have had the ear of the state government, and their expenses have been paid out of the state treasury. On the other hand there is a very large and respectable body of citizens who believe that further money spent upon the canals will be utterly wasted, and who have had no hearing at all. We claim that these parties, which we in part represent, are entitled to be heard.
"We further call your attention to the unjust and, as we believe, illegal manner in which this bill has been brought before your honorable body. The act of last year authorizing further surveys directed the state engineer to report the result of his action to the governor before Jan. 1. The governor was directed to transmit the same to the legislature on or before Jan. 15. The purpose of these conditions was evidently to afford all parties full knowledge of the conclusions reached and opportunity for full and fair discussion of the propositions based upon, them. Instead of obeying this mandate the final report of the state engineer was not made until Feb. 20 and was not transmitted till March 15. The bill itself was introduced on Thursday last. It is printed and on file for the first time today.
Method of Introduction an Outrage.
"We respectfully submit that this is unprecedented in the history of legislation; that a subject more important and carrying a larger sum of money than any other that has ever been submitted to the legislature should be thus introduced in the last days of the session is in itself an outrage, and to force it to a vote now without fair and ample discussion will be an act of such injustice that we hereby enter our most earnest and emphatic protest against it.
"We, therefore, respectfully ask the honorable, the senate, to make such order as shall refer this bill to a committee with directions to grant a sufficient hearing to all parties interested in and affected by it. And we respectfully ask the honorable, the assembly, to take such notice of the conditions hereinbefore named as will assure to us an ample and unrestricted hearing before the committee to which it has already been referred."
The petition was presented to the senate by Senator Ambler. Senator Davis objected to the reading, but upon advice of Leader Ellsworth withdrew his objection.
The petition was then read. Senator Raines moved that it be on the table to be printed.
"I object. There is no need of having this printed at the expense of the state. We can get copies very easily. The railroads [canal competitors—CC ed.] will furnish them. I move Senator Raines' motion lie on the table," said Senator Grady.
In explaining his vote Senator Malby said that the constitution of the state providing that the right of petition should not be abridged. It was a dangerous precedent not to permit the humble request of a body like the State Grange to have a petition spread upon the minutes of the senate. Senator Raines took the same ground.
Tilt Between Grady and Raines.
When Senator Grady rose to explain his vote he stated that the attempt made by Senator Raines to prejudice his motives, in making the motion to lie on the table, was contemptible.
"It is akin to the action of a man whose only reason for not picking your pocket is because you are looking at him."
"I call the senator to order. In view of his legislative experience such conduct is disgraceful," interrupted Senator Raines.
"The senator will proceed in order," said President pro tem Ellsworth.
"Senator Raines will not live in history as the farmers' friend because of his championing this petition. He will rather be known as the chairman of the railroading railroad committee," said Senator Grady.
The Grady motion was then put and lost—26 nays to 13 yeas. The original motion to lay the petition on the table and have it printed was then put and carried by vive voce vote.
Assemblyman G. W. Smith of Columbia presented the protest to the assembly. No objection was raised to it in that house and it was referred to the committee on canals.
FEAR PUBLIC OPINION.
Cubans Unwilling to Accept or Reject Platt Amendment.
CHANGES IN THE ELECTION LAW.
This Is Because of an Effort to Be Made to Bring Out the Conservative Element In the Coming Elections. Judges to Be Appointed, Not Elected.
HAVANA, April 9.—The Cuban Constitutional convention did not meet yesterday owing to the absence of Senor Capote, its president.
La Lucha, referring to the delay, says:
"The convention is unwilling to accept or reject the Platt amendment. Three propositions on lines practically the same as the amendment have been rejected, but the convention refuses to discuss the majority report of the committee on relations, which is diametrically opposed."
It is intimated by La Lucha that the delegates are afraid of public opinion such as would be likely to result from decisive action on the amendment.
An effort is being made to bring out the conservative element at the coming municipal elections. With this end in view several changes have been made in the election law. A new registration will be held throughout the island, beginning April 19 and ending May 12.
It is provided that representatives of the three parties shall compose the registration boards and there will be new municipal boards of canvassers of nine members, three chosen from each party. The minority will have a representation of one-third in the ayuntamientos. The correctional judges will not be elected, as formerly, but will be appointed by the military governor. All protests and appeals in election cases will be decided by the audiences, instead of by a commission.
Center Truss of the Bridge Was Defective.
SYRACUSE, April 9.—The state engineers who have been investigating the James street canal bridge disaster in this city Saturday evening have about come to the conclusion that the accident was caused by blowholes in the iron of the center truss. Some further investigation will be made before a formal report is rendered. Work on a temporary structure for the traffic of the street commenced this morning. Of the 40 victims of the accident all but three are out of danger.
PAGE FOUR—EDITORIALS.
◘ If Russia and Japan go to war and begin to hurl their respective languages at each other, there is likely to be a mortality list that will stagger humanity. The destructive force of a projectile charged with Russian nouns or Japanese verbs would be something frightful to contemplate.
◘ The women of Meade, Kan., have nominated a municipal ticket of their own, and the men were afraid to put up one to run against it. Possibly a majority of the men of Meade are married to the women's ticket or its sisters, its cousins or its aunts.
◘ It required but 200 words for Andrew Carnegie to give $5,200,000 to New York. Many a man has talked a lot more and given much less.
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| Franklin Hatch Library on Court Street, Cortland, N. Y. |
THE SCIENCE CLUB.
Another Interesting Meeting at Hatch Library Saturday Evening.
The Cortland Science club met at the Franklin Hatch library Saturday evening. The meeting was an unusually interesting one. Major Aaron Sager gave an extended and comprehensive review of the lecture upon "Ecology of Plants" delivered at the last meeting by Prof. Wiegand of Cornell university. The speaker of the evening was Rev. Robert Clements and his subject was "The Place of Theology Among the Sciences."
The paper was introduced with the remark that it was more of the nature of a compilation than a composition and was in part as follows:
Theology may be defined as the Science of God, as the etymology of the word would indicate, or as the Science of Religion, which is really the most exact definition. As Dr. Clark puts it, "theology is preceded by religion as botany is preceded by plant life. Religion is the reality of which theology is the study." If we assume this latter definition, what have we to base our claim upon that among the sciences there is a place for theology? We are told that the practical scientist requires the fulfillment of three conditions: The actual existence of the object with which the science deals; the subjective capacity of the mind to know it; and the provision or means whereby the contact is made between the object and the mind.
Religion may be defined "As the life of man in his superhuman relations." If we grant the superhuman relations, that is, if we grant the religious life of man, we have in no small degree the objective basis for the science. Religion is natural to man; in the lowest orders religion is crude, nevertheless the essential elements are present. Theology is the intellectual presentation of the religious life of man. It is the reason for worship that is the intellectual explanation of worship, and hence is religion's inseparable companion. In accordance with demands of science noted above we find theology depends upon, first, the existence of God who has relations to the universe, second, the capacity of the human mind to know God in certain of these relations, and third, in the provision of means whereby God is brought into contact with the mind. Since the possibility of theology depends upon the existence of God who has relations to the universe, are we able to demonstrate that our knowledge of God can be said to be on scientific ground? An objection, for instance, has arisen that these relations are apparent only by faith, and that, therefore, they cannot be termed proper objects for knowledge or proper subjects for science; but before such objection can stand it would seem necessary to prove that faith and knowledge are not relative studies. It seems to me that that can hardly be demonstrated. The very existence of faith proves the fact of knowledge, for how is it possible to have any faith without some assurances, and on what can assurance rest but knowledge, hence, faith has been said to be a higher sort of knowledge. This element, moreover, can hardly be eliminated in physical science, for we are forced to faith in our own existence and faculties and in the testimony of humanity. Some one has said that faith may be defined as certitude with respect to matters in which verification is impossible. Faith then, which is really the ground of knowledge in theology, is not to be discredited as a scientific fact, nor is theology to be discredited because in its demonstration faith is so necessary.
The second basis for the science was the subjective capacity of the human mind to know the object. This seems to indicate that in order to have a sufficient knowledge there must be phenomena. If we use the derivative definition of theology, it might be objected that there is no phenomena whereby we can know God. But it is hardly successfully proved that natural phenomena are wanting, for instance, we grant in mental studies the existence of mental phenomena which are as real and satisfying to the physiologist as the phenomena of the physical world are to the physicists. From the phenomena that is presented we come to a knowledge of space time, cause, etc., the reality of which no scientific mind can doubt. Since these are not phenomenal except as they are brought in contact with matter and yet are knowable, is it unscientific to say that because he is not phenomenal, therefore, God is not knowable? The Scriptures tell us that man is made in the image of God. On the ground of this fact there may be said to be some evidences of similarity. This similarity, however, is not exact reduplication any more than a picture, which [in] the image of a landscape is the exact counterpart of that landscape in every detail. Idolatry is, therefore, the worship of the image of an image and not of that of which the first is the image. The fact that a material image is not possible to God, that he cannot be seen or handled, is not proof that he is not knowable, is not ground for saying there cannot be any theology. That of which scientists take the most care and upon which they constantly rely is not possible before the camera. So we may know God in spite of our inability along that line. In the book of Job we find the query, "Canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection?" The inference is that is impossible. If it is impossible, is scientific treatment impossible? As no science is perfectly known in all its relations and ramifications, it is no objection to say that because God cannot be perfectly known, therefore, theology is unscientific. While God cannot be exactly defined, yet certain characteristics can be predicted of him. We can of our own consciousness predicate of him love and holiness besides the attributes which in his very nature as God, we would ascribe to him. "We cannot know that he is, still we can know what he is; we can know that there must be an infinite and absolute being. But all that is included in his attributes we cannot affirm. As in the scene of Moses on the Mount, we cannot see God face to face but we can track him."
Now is there a provision whereby we can get in contact with this object, which is the third requirement for the science. Where shall theology find its materials? As in any science, doubtless the answer here would be anywhere. Theology cannot be separated from general science, since all truth is one, although some sciences have special relation to it, as for example, universal history, archaeology, ethnology, comparative philology, comparative religion, psychology, etc. "Wherever there is truth concerning God there is true material for theology." But there is also, as the Psalmist notes, the fact that "the heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament showeth his handiwork." We have already noticed that man is made in God's likeness, so we can say that the two great means of communication are God's revelation and the universe including man. It is right here we come to the definition between natural and revealed religion. In Christian theology Christ is first. The fact that science in other branches does not find it necessary to ignore the truths which have been declared and proven in the past is evidence of the propriety and wisdom of Christian theology starting with Christ.
It may be well, however, to note the necessity of God's revelation. It is seen in the need of man's nature which has been kept by it from deterioration. Proofs of this have been noticed called the psychological and historical proofs. The psychological is that this revelation is necessary in order that light might be thrown upon questions which arise in the mind and to which the mind gives no satisfactory answer, as for example, personal existence after death. The historical proof is the low moral condition, and primitive ideas which prevail among those with whom the special revelation is unknown, as the condition of man in ante-Christian times or among the heathen are in our own time illustrates. The fact of exceptional appreciation of truth on the part of some of the nobler natures is not proof against this statement. The objection that revelation is necessarily internal and subjective, and hence incapable of objective facts, the proper material for a science, is not valid against theology because the objection does not prove external revelation impossible, as man can reveal himself by external communication. God can and has revealed himself in his wonderful works. Dr. Strong in illustration of this says, "we may get the need of internal revelation from Egyptology which is impossible so long as an external revelation in the hieroglyphics is unrevealed."
There are in other sciences facts beyond the full understanding of students, and these are explained by certain theories which are accepted not because they are proved explanations but because as far as given they reconcile great classes of facts, otherwise impossible of reconciliation, as for example the atomic theory in chemistry. The fact, therefore, that in the study of theology it is found difficult to express these concepts in words, and yet that these are expressed shows that it, is necessary to make a trial and the real value of the degree of success which is attained.
Not only is there a possibility for the science of theology but there is a necessity for it in the tendency of the human mind to be discontented where there is no system in regard to that with which it is bound to concern itself. Dr. Strong says "the mind cannot endure confusion or apparent contradiction to known facts. Theology is a rational necessity for if theological systems were destroyed new systems would immediately arise to take their places." Moreover there is a necessity in the relation of systematic truth in the development of character. Truth thoroughly digested is essential to the growth of character. "Theology cannot deaden religious facts since it draws out from their sources into connection with each other the truths which are best adapted to nourish the religions life. The strongest characters are those who have the firmest hold upon the doctrines of Christianity. The heroic ages of the church have been those who witnessed most consistently to them. The piety that cannot endure a systematic examination must be weak, mystical or mistaken."
Theology, the science of religion, has a place among the important studies of life. It puts in order the accumulated facts which show God and his relation to man, man and his relation to God and helps to the solution of the questions of the age of doubt. These words of Robert Browning relative to the importance of knowing God in Christ seem to me to indicate the place of theology among the sciences:
TEACHERS' INSTITUTE.
ANNUAL GATHERING OF TEACHERS IN HOMER THIS WEEK.
Prof. Charles A. Shaver Conductor—Registration and Organization Monday—Regular Program of Work in Progress—Delightful Reception by Homer Teachers last Evening—Musical Program.
The teachers' institute for both commissioner districts of Cortland county began its sessions at the Academy building in Homer yesterday. The forenoon was taken up by the registration of teachers and the work of organization. Charles A. Shaver of Watertown is the conductor and from the work done yesterday afternoon and thus far to-day the institute gives promise of being an unusually profitable one.
Commissioner Katharine Cobb-MacDiarmid called the institute to order at 2 P. M. Prof. L. H. Tuthill of Homer then took charge of the singing and after responsive reading Commissioner MacDiarmid introduced the conductor, Prof. Chas. A. Shaver of Watertown, who spoke upon the subject of "The Teacher's Reading." In his introductory remarks, the conductor referred to the benefits to be derived from teachers' institutes calling attention to the culture to be gained by association. The conductor believed that he should bring a message of importance to the teachers. He said, at a teachers' institute there are always two classes of teachers, the experienced and the inexperienced. The ignorant and inexperienced always have the greatest confidence in themselves. The experienced teacher who does not change his methods loses inspiration. By repetition of the same method he may become skilled, but it will hardly do for the teacher to lose enthusiasm in his work. Experience gives two classes of teachers, the idolized and the fossilized.
The teacher should have the highest possible attainment in heart and intellect. It is absolutely necessary for a teacher to be a student. Variety is the law of mental development. To keep the mind vigorous, bring it into contact with great thoughts. The teacher needs the companionship of good books, because he is cut off from the business world and is associating with children, inferiors mentally.
The question of ownership is often a serious question with the teacher. A person seldom gets as much benefit from reading when reading borrowed books. A small outlay each year in the purchase of books will return to the teacher the best equivalent for money expended. The question, what to read? is an important one. Every professional man should read for a certain time along the line of his profession. Do not spend all time for reading on works of pedagogy. Have some well defined plan in reading. Read for rest and recreation sometimes. Do not read for facts, but for power. The chief object in reading is a pure and noble character. The teacher should have in his library elementary books on psychology, philosophy of education, history of education, principles and practice of teaching and school management.
Every teacher should be fairly well versed in the history of his country and cultivate a love for poetry.
There is now a craze for reading historical fiction. There is a place for fiction but guard against giving too much time to it. A well thinking mind cannot be trained by reading fiction. Never read a novel until the best literary critics have passed their opinion upon it, thus saving time and money. Read books that are to live [sic]. Bring the best of your reading to the children and they will get a taste for broad and liberal culture.
After a short recess Commissioner McEvoy introduced Dr. Cheney of the Cortland Normal [School] who spoke upon "The Amenities of the Profession" emphasizing the necessity for harmony and sympathy among teachers. In the evening the teachers of the institute were given an informal reception by the faculty of the Homer academy in the Columbia clubrooms. A fine musical program was rendered and light refreshments were served. The teachers were well represented and the members of the board of education and their wives were in attendance.
BREVITIES.
—All Easter hats looked alike to the weather clerk.—Rochester Democrat and Chronicle.
—The Assembly club will hold the fifth dance in its series at Red Men's hall next Thursday evening. Darby's orchestra will furnish music.
—The regular meeting of Pecos Tribe, Improved Order of Red Men, will be called at 7:30 o'clock sharp next Thursday evening, instead of at 8 o'clock as usual.
—New display advertisements to-day are—Warren, Tanner & Co., Corsets, page 8; Buck & Lane, Chrysolite Ware, page 6; M. A. Case, Drygoods, page 6; Miss Mary Lamb, Millinery, page 8.
—A very attractive sign being placed over the front of Mr. Rea M. Shepard's millinery store this afternoon, bearing the inscription "The Fashion." Mr. John E. Murphy was the designer and painter of the sign.
—Mr. Chester E. Kinney died at the home of his daughter Mrs. Arthur Wadsworth, 18 Washington-st. at 12:30 o'clock to-day, aged 61 years, 2 months and 2 days. Arrangements for the funeral will be announced later.
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