MCKINLEY DELUGED WITH ROSES, SITUATION IN CHINA, BOY PHENOMENON, SAUTELLE CIRCUS, MEETING OF EDITORS, AND AUTO-BI IN TOWN

 

William McKinley.

Cortland Evening Standard, Friday, May 10, 1901.

DELUGED WITH ROSES.

McKinley the Central Figure at Los Angeles Carnival.

VISITED OLD SOLDIERS' HOME.

While President Was Speaking a Pickpocket Was Busy In the Crowd But Was Caught—Beautiful Floral Parade Led by the President.

   LOS ANGELES, Cal., May 10.—From a broad blue-canopied pavilion surrounded by the members of his cabinet, the governor of Ohio and notables from many states, President McKinley yesterday reviewed the floral parade of the Los Angeles carnival. The city was packed. The scene on Broadway, where the reviewing stand was located, resembled Pennsylvania avenue in Washington on the day of an inauguration parade. Every facade flamed with bunting, flags and pampas grass plumes, red, green and orange, the colors of the fiesta prevailing.

   Mrs. McKinley did not witness the show, but she drove along Broadway and received the plaudits of the multitude just before the procession appeared. The president rode at the head of the parade in an open carriage drawn by six spirited white horses with yellow satin harness. At the head of each horse walked a Spanish caballero in green velvet and much gold braid. The carriage was a mass of white carnations and yellow coreopsis blossoms. A troop of cavalry with yellow horsehair plumes waving above their helmets, and wreaths of flowers across their shoulders and blanket rolls of red carnations behind their saddles, headed by a band playing "The Star Spangled Banner," preceded the carriage of the chief magistrate to the reviewing stand.

   As each carriage reached the reviewing stand the ladies in it arose and saluted the president with deep courtesies. The president was kept on his feet most of the time returning these greetings. Each lady carried a bag of rose leaves for use as confetti, and after saluting the president she threw a handful of the soft petals into his box. Before the parade was over he was ankle-deep in rose leaves.

   In the morning previous to the floral parade the president and his party were driven through the resident section of Los Angeles. In the afternoon the ladies of the president's party went to Pasadena and took a drive there, while the president made a trip to the National Soldiers' home near Santa Monica. It is 18 miles distant and he made the journey in electric cars. Three thousand of the president's old comrades in the civil war greeted him there. The old soldiers gave the president a remarkable demonstration. He was introduced by the governor at the home and spoke briefly.

   Considerable excitement was caused by the discovery after the speaking that a pickpocket who had been at work in the crowd had relieved Secretary Wilson and Colonel Charles A. Moore of their pocketbooks. Later the thief was arrested. Several pocketbooks were found on his person, a gold nugget that Mr. Moore's son had obtained at the Congress mine in Arizona, and Secretary Wilson's pocketbook, which contained $175. The thief proved to be a pickpocket well known to the police.

   Upon his return to Los Angeles the president received Governor Nash and the Ohio congressional delegation at the hotel. There was no public function in the evening. The president and Mrs. McKinley dined at the residence of Homer Laughlin. The president and members of his party returned to their train and left at 5 o'clock this morning for Del Monte, where they will spend Sunday. Stops will be made on the way at Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo.

 

Irish Paper Seized.

   DUBLIN, May 10.—The police last night seized William O'Brien's weekly paper, "The Irish People." It is reported that the seizure was made on account of reflections upon King Edward. Another report says that The Irish People was seized for a coarse personal attack upon George Wyndham, the Irish secretary.

 

Prince Ching.

PAGE FOUR—EDITORIAL.

The Situation In China.

   The powers have again fixed the amount of indemnity which China must pay. This time it totals $263,000,000, and Russia, Germany and France are to get the major portion of that amount. Sir Robert Hart, the best western observer of oriental affairs, said some time ago that China cannot pay more than$200,000,000, and possibly the figures may be scaled down to that amount before the dickering for damages is over. However, the powers have made steady progress toward moderation. The first tentative and unofficial figures which reached the light last fall placed the total of their claims for indemnity at about $600,000,000. There was more authority for the statement published a month ago that the total would be $500,000,000, and the preliminary estimates did exceed $400,000,000. After further caucusing the powers have concluded that they can get along with the modest sum of $263,000,000.

   It is evident that no offsets are to be allowed the Chinese on account of claims for damages suffered by them through butchery or loot. It is evident also that their creditors are going to crowd at least to the limit their capacity to liquidate their debts without going into bankruptcy. If the dominating purpose of the allies is to drive a hard bargain, but not to break up the empire, they will make it their business to nurse and develop its resources in order to get their money out of it.

   Despite the heavy burdens that the powers are likely to place upon the empire there are indications that China will in the long run be benefited by the encounter it has been having with western civilization. There are some evidences that ancient Cathay is on the eve of a reform era. This is evidenced by the waning power and influence of the dowager empress and the placing of more enlightened and liberal men, of whom Prince Ching is a type, in practical control of the affairs of the empire. China evidently is beginning to realize that she must rise and shake off the lethargy of the ages or suffer dismemberment. She can become a sovereign power and compel the western world to treat her as an equal, but if she lapses into apathy, corruption, ignorance and stagnation her doom is sealed, no matter how heavy or light may be the financial exactions of the powers.

 

THE BOY PHENOMENON

Heals All Manner of Diseases Through Magnetic Power.

   It was a curious crowd that assembled at the Opera House last night to witness the demonstrations of the Boy Phenomenon, in whose touch magnetic healing power seems to exist. The people in the audience were, as might be expected, incredulous and visited the place to gratify their curiosity, but when it was all over and seven people had been treated, many remarks of satisfaction were heard on every hand regarding the power which the Boy Phenomenon seems to possess.

   The manager first gave a short address, in which the power of vital magnetism as a therapeutic agency was explained, and then the Boy Phenomenon was introduced. The name "Boy Phenomenon" was said by the manager to be a misnomer, as the young man is twenty-four years of age. The name is merely the trademark, given by Eugene Field. The young and attractive healer was warmly greeted.

   No acute cases, the manager stated, would be treated, as they did not wish to come into competition with the work of the family physician. All the cases were treated by rubbing the head and parts afflicted. The manager claimed that the healing was done entirely by magnetism, and not at all by hypnotism.

   The manager then called for the hardest subject in the house, and Mr. Geo. P. Overton of East Virgil was conducted to the stage by two ushers. He was very infirm and stated that he had been afflicted with rheumatism for twenty years. He was given the treatment and immediately threw aside his walking stick and walked up and down the stage, saying that he did not have an ache or a pain. He walked down the steps to the auditorium alone, and his face beamed with joy.

   Mr. G. W. Davenport, 38 Lincoln-ave., came next and was treated for lumbago. After a few minutes' work, he was asked how he felt, to which he replied that he had just a little pain left. Another application was made, and he stated that he felt all right.

   Mrs. Mary Phelps of Fisher-ave., this city, was next treated. She had been sick for forty-three years with neuralgia of the entire body. She had to be helped to the stage, but she tripped off of it like a school girl.

   Four other cases were treated, among which was that of Mr. Thomas Bosworth, 41 Maple-ave., for deafness, caused by catarrh, of eight years' standing. Mr. Bosworth said to a STANDARD reporter after his treatment that he had been unable to bear any conversation carried on in common conversational tones for eight years, but that he could now hear distinctly all that was said. The other three treated were: Mr. C. M. Mack, 84 1/2 Madison-st., deafness; Amie Sherwood, 86 Groton-ave., paralysis; and Mrs. Buchanan, Center-st., Homer, rheumatism.

   The scenes at the Opera House last night were in many cases dramatic. All classes of people sought relief, but the Boy Phenomenon cannot treat only a few without becoming exhausted. Many went away without treatment and the disappointment shown in their faces, when they saw others helped, was pathetic indeed. The Boy Wonder will be at the Opera House again tonight and treat cases free of charge.

 

SAUTELLE TOMORROW.

Circus Season to be Opened by the Show on Elm-st.

   Sig. Sautelle's massive 25-cent one ring circus will make its reappearance in Cortland tomorrow afternoon and evening and there is no reason to doubt that, in all the qualities which lend distinction and brilliancy to an audience, the gatherings of patrons both afternoon and evening will be the largest in numbers for the size of the tent ever known in local tent show history. Mr. Sautelle has expended vast sums of money this year in the enlargement and improvement of his shows, with the result that they are now unquestionably the most pretentious of all popular price amusement institutions extent. His prestige as an enterprising, wide awake showman has been firmly established for too many years to admit a doubt of the complete excellence of his 1901 circus. The program is an imperial one in the full meaning of the word, embracing as it does all-feature acts. In the long list of performers is to be found the names of many of the most prominent artists known in the circus world. There are the dashing, fearless equestrians, handsome, daring lady aerialists, death-defying acrobats, marvelous contortionists, reckless leapers and tumblers, the funniest of funny clowns, a score or more of decided novelties and features and last but by no means least numerous educated animals. Like their human co-workers, the performing representatives of the brute kingdom have been developed to such a high degree of perfection as to amaze and astound all who witness the performance. With an intelligence that would do credit to a man, these animals do as they are told in such a manner as to win the plaudits of the multitudes. The circus will exhibit on the same lot as last year on Elm-st., Cortland.

 

William H. Clark.

MEETING OF EDITORS.

ASSOCIATED DAILIES OF NEW YORK STATE AT SCHENECTADY.

Guests of the Publisher of The Union—Tour of City and Visit to Big Industries in Forenoon—Business Session in Afternoon—Dinner and More Business in the Evening.

   The members of the New York Associated Dailies held a meeting at Schenectady on Wednesday of this week and were the guests of the publisher of the Schenectady Union. The association is made up of one publisher from each of the third class cities of the state, and meetings are held three times a year in the home city of some one of the members. These gatherings are of the most practical kind, and are for the purpose of discussing matters pertaining to newspaper making and its success. The STANDARD was represented at this meeting by its editor, Wm. H. Clark.

   During the forenoon the host of the occasion, Mr. J. H. Callanan of the Schenectady Union, escorted his guests about the city, pointing out various features of interest and calling attention to the rapid growth of the place. Through the courtesy of Manager Fraser of the street railroad company a special car was placed at their disposal for the ride. After a general tour of the city an inspection was made of the immense plant of the General Electric company, and of the great locomotive works. The editors were also escorted through the grounds and principal buildings of Union college by President Raymond and Treasurer Harroun of that institution, and also through "Captain Jack's garden," really a part of the college grounds and a lovely spot, for which there is a warm place in every Union boy's heart. The forenoon was concluded with a visit to and inspection of the Schenectady Union's plant.

   The business session was held in the parlors of the Hotel Edison in the afternoon. The following were the subjects discussed informally by the editors: "Affiliation with Daily Associations of Other States," "The Publisher's Clearing House—How We Can Be Useful to Each Other," "Rural Mail Delivery," "Telegraphic News Service," "Insanity in Advertising Rates," "Print Paper—What are We Going to Do About It?" "Objectionable Advertising—Should We Run It?" "Odds and Ends."

   Wednesday evening the members of the association were entertained at dinner at the Hotel Edison by the publisher of The Union. Addresses were made by Edwin G. Conde, advertising manager of the W. T. Hanson Co., on "Advertising from an Advertiser's Standpoint" and by John A. McCarthy, publisher of the Albany Press-Knickerbocker Express, on "Insuring a Newspaper Plant and Adjusting Losses by Fire."

   Those present were: H. R. Bryan, Republican, Hudson; A. E. Blunck, Republican, Johnstown; H. A. Brockway, Times, Watertown; J. H. Callanan, Union, Schenectady; W. H. Clark, STANDARD, Cortland; W. B. Collins, Leader, Gloversvllle; F . W. Corson, Union, Lockport; W. B. Greenhow, Tribune, Hornellsville; G. S. Griswold, News, Batavia; Fred P. Hall, Journal, Jamestown; A. C. Kessinger, Sentinel, Rome; W. J. Kline, Democrat, Amsterdam; J. E. Klock, Freeman, Kingston; H. J. Knapp, Advertiser, Auburn; John E. Kraft, Leader, Kingston; H. W. Lee, Star, Oneonta; George H. Marriott, Journal, Corning; John L. Platt, Eagle, Poughkeepsie; J. W. Slauson, Press, Middletown; F. W. Thompson, Star, Nyack; J. and M. Wallace, Despatch, Cohoes; H. K. Williams, Observer, Dunkirk.

   The officers of the association are: President, W. H. Greenhow of Hornellsville; vice-president, W. H. Clark of Cortland; secretary, H. R. Bryan of Hudson.

 

MEMORIAL DAY.

Rev. Dr. Pearce of Binghamton to Deliver the Address.

   Arrangements are being made for the observation of Memorial Day by Grover Post, though the plans have not yet progressed very far. The Post and Relief Corps will attend service in a body at the Presbyterian church on Sunday evening, May 26, and the annual sermon will be preached by the pastor Rev. Robert Clements. The exercises of Memorial Day will be held at the Opera House at 1:30 o'clock, and the address will be delivered by Rev. W. H. Pearce, D. D., of Binghamton. The music will be furnished by the Cortland City band and the Excelsior quartet. Further arrangements have not yet been made, but the official program will soon be prepared.

 

Thomas Auto-Bi.

AN AUTO-BI IN TOWN.

Has Been Flying About the Streets at a Rapid Pace.

   Mr. E. J. Edmond, representing the E.  R. Thomas Motor Co., Buffalo, is exhibiting in Cortland a motor bicycle made by this company. Mr. Edmond has the wheel on exhibition at the City Cycle company's rooms on Railroad-st., and he is very willing to show the working of it. The machine is called the Auto-bi, and it has a motor power of one and one half horse power, weighing eighty-five pounds. It has a speed of from three miles to twenty-five miles an hour. The mechanical part is simple, and any one can run it who can ride a wheel. Two quarts of gasoline will run the wheel 100 miles, and the three batteries will last for 3,000 miles of travel. It will certainly climb steep hills, for Mr. Edmond rode it up Court House hill this morning at a good pace.

   The City Cycle Co. has taken the agency for these wheels in Cortland and Mr. E B. Richardson of the company has purchased one of them for his personal use.

 

MEMORIAL SERVICES

To be held Sunday at Homer-ave. M. E. Church for Mrs. Andrus.

   Mrs. Frances Andrus, who removed from this place to Blackwell, Oklahoma, with her family some two years ago, died March 27, 1901, aged 51 years. Mrs. Andrus moved to Cortland from Homer and united with the Homer-ave. Methodist Episcopal church March 6, 1892. She became teacher of a large class of young ladies, also assistant superintendent of the Hamilton Junior league in the church, and in all other lines of church work was very efficient. When the superintendent of the league, Mrs. C. E. Hamilton, removed to another city Mrs. Andrus was made superintendent of the league, which office she resigned only when she left Cortland for her western home.

   Those who knew Mrs. Andrus and of her work during the first eight years of the history of the Homer-ave. church remember how capably and conscientiously she filled these positions.

   In her immediate family circle she leaves her husband, Leander H., and two sons: Herbert J., of Cortland, and Charles L. of Blackwell, Oklahoma.

   Memorial services will be held in the church under the auspices of the Hamilton Junior league Sunday afternoon, May 12, at 4 o'clock, to which services the friends of Mrs. Andrus and family are invited.

 

BREVITIES.

   —The Sautelle circus will exhibit tomorrow on the Montague lot on Elm-st., just where the show was last year.

   —The Lackawanna railroad station has been connected with the Home Telephone exchange, and the number is 30.

   —The Traction company has a force of men at work clearing up the park in preparation for its opening for the summer.

   —The Excelsior Male quartet will sing this evening at Marathon, under the auspices of the Bethelonian society of the Presbyterian church of that place,

   —At a meeting of the police commission last night Erwin A. Townsend was appointed a patrolman in Cortland to succeed James A. Smith, resigned. The appointment is a good one.

   —New display advertisements today are—Palmer & Co., Bargains, page 7; E. E. Bates, Optician, page 6; McGraw Corset Co., Special sale, page 8; Boy Phenomenon, Magnetic healer, page 4.

   —Cortland Commandery, No. 50, K. T., will meet at a regular conclave this evening and Em. Sir Herman R. Kritachmar of New York will be present and make the commandery an official visit,

   —The flower thieves are again getting in their work. A resident of North Church-st. has lost ten tulips in two nights. He is getting his gun ready for any one who undertakes to secure the other three that remain.

   —Three new iron bed frames with springs and mattresses have been procured for the cells at Fireman's hall. Two of these were placed in the middle cells and the other one is in the back cell. They replace the old box like bunkers that were formerly used.

   —A special [trolley] car will leave Cortland tonight at 7:30 o'clock to take the Baptist Oratorio society to McGraw, where it tonight gives a concert for the benefit of the Baptist church of that place. The car will remain over there to bring the party back again.

 

MCKINLEY IN LAND OF FLOWERS, DAMAGE CLAIMED, SIDEWALKS IN CORTLAND, AND RUMOR NOT TRUE

 

William McKinley.

Cortland Evening Standard, Thursday, May 9, 1901.

IN LAND OF FLOWERS.

McKinley Arrives at Los Angeles During Carnival.

SECRETARY LONG JOINS PARTY.

City Beautifully Decorated In Honor of  the President's Coming—Governor Nash of Ohio and General Shafter There to Meet the Tourists.

   LOS ANGELES, Cal., May 9.—The president and his party had their first taste of the hospitality of California yesterday. The introduction to the land of sunshine, fruit and flowers was like a dream of paradise after three days spent in the alkali deserts of Texas, New Mexico and Arizona. It was like passing into a fairyland. No words can picture the beauty of the rich sun-flooded valleys between snow-capped peaks, the orange groves of the Santa Ana and the trees and flowers which the president saw yesterday. Nature seemed to have adorned herself for the occasion in her brightest colors.

   Governor Gage and the California congressional delegation met the president at Redlands in the San Bernardino valley and welcomed him to the state. It was here that the president got his first idea of the wonderful treat that awaited him. Through an avenue lined with palms and Venetian masts he drove over beds of roses, beneath a triumphal arch of flowers and fruit to the Casa Loma hotel, on the balcony of which the exercises took place. A drive through the orange groves and parks followed. All along the route of the drive ladies showered the president and Mrs. McKinley with flowers, and through the streets they bombarded him from the windows with confetti until the air was a perfect maze of color.

   From Redlands down to Los Angeles it was a continuous ovation. Every station was crowded by children with wreaths of flowers in their hands, and by cheering men and women. Minute stops were made at Colton, Ontario, [Pomona], and at 2:30 o'clock in the afternoon the train drew into Los Angeles.

   The approach to the city of Los Angeles was heralded by a terrific din, which could be heard for miles. Steam whistles screamed, cannon boomed, and as the train passed through the Chinese quarter of the city long strings of firecrackers, hung from awnings, exploded like the continuous rattle of musketry. The city had been beautifully decorated in honor of the president's coming. The fiesta is in progress here and the town was dressed like a queen to receive the coming of her lord. The colors of the carnival, red, yellow and green, representing the wine, orange and olive, predominated. The streets were avenues of masts festooned with yellow bunting and crowned with palm leaves and wreaths of laurel. At the station the party was met by the citizens' committee and many distinguished people from all over California.

   General Shafter, commander of the department of the Pacific, with his entire staff, in full uniform, had come down from the presidio to greet his chief. Secretary of the Navy Long, who was to have met the party at San Francisco, also came here to meet the president and was at the station. The party was driven in carriages to the [Van Nuys] hotel. An escort of artillery and several companies of militia had been provided to escort them, but both the military and police had to fight their way through the enormous crowds that had swarmed into the city, drawn by the double attraction of the president's visit and the carnival. At the hotel the police were obliged to literally force a way to the entrance. There the president met Governor Nash of Ohio and the Ohio congressional delegation which had arrived by different routes an hour before. In the rotunda of the hotel the mayor of Los Angeles formally greeted the chief executive and extended to him the freedom of the city. The president responded in a happy speech.

   The president then held a short public reception in the parlors of the hotel. Meantime Mrs. McKinley and the ladies of the party had been driven to the Woman's club in Figuro street, where they met the ladies of Los Angeles. Last evening President and Mrs. McKinley dined at "Bivouac," the handsome residence of General Harrison Grey Otis, and after dinner a private reception was held there in their honor. They spent the night at the Bivouac. Governor Nash held a public reception at the chamber of commerce.

   Late in the afternoon some of the members of the president's party ascended Mount Low, 6,000 feet high, whence they had a birdseye view for 70 miles of Southern California and the Pacific coast, 20 miles out to sea. The members of the cabinet and other members of the party witnessed the brilliant illumination in the streets. The whole city blazed with fantastic colors, and the air was a blinding storm of confetti, thrown by the merry rioters.

   The train will leave Los Angeles early Friday morning.

 

BUILDING MONSTER CANNON.

Government Working on a Gun That Is Effective at 21 Miles.

   WASHINGTON, May 9.—A gun that weighs 130 tons and can throw a projectile weighing 2,370 pounds a distance of 21 miles is being completed at the Watervliet arsenal under the direction of the war department.

   If successful this great rifle will be by all odds the most terrible engine of war possessed by any nation. It is an experiment, but there is every reason to believe it will be all its builders expect of it. It will be 18 inches in muzzle diameter and over 49 feet in length. Each shot will consume a charge of 576 pounds of smokeless powder. Captain Wheeler of the ordnance bureau has been ordered to inspect the completion of the gun.

   The weapon when completed will be sent to the Buffalo exposition. If the tests are satisfactory the government will order 40 of them. Of this number [18] will be placed in New York harbor, 10 at San Francisco, 8 at Boston and 4 at Hampton Roads.

 

THE DAMAGES CLAIMED

By James S. Burgess and Others for Diversion of the Tioughnioga.

   The Marathon Independent says in regard to the claim for $2,000 damages filed before the state court of claims last week by James S. Burgess of that place, owner of the milling privilege there, concerning which a news dispatch has already appeared in these columns:

   This is one of several claims to be filed, and grows out of the fact that the state, in creating the canal feeder near DeRuyter several years since, dammed up and diverted to the north, waters that had formerly flowed into and formed a part of the headwaters of the east branch of the Tioughnioga river. At the time this damming was done, several owners of riparian rights in that section were settled with, but the owners of mill sites at a distance were ignored.

   The fact of the water being diverted did not come to Mr. Burgess' attention until quite recently, and he at once took steps to ascertain what his rights were, and the above claim is a result thereof.

   We understand that the mills at Blodgett Mills, Lisle and Whitney's Point are also affected by this same taking away of the water, and will file similar claims.

   The millowners along the river and the west branch thereof, which rises in the lakes at Tully, also have their optics trained upon the Solvay Process company, who operate the Tully Pipe Line Co. This company is acquiring lands adjacent to the Tully lakes, and is using water from some of them in large quantities. The drainage of the Tully lakes is to the southward, and as stated, they are the headwaters of the west branch. It is believed that the lakes used by the Pipe Line company have a subterranean, if not a surface connection with each other, and that therefore water diverted from one of them affects them all, and consequently cuts off the flow of the water in the Tioughnioga. It is a fact that the water in the stream has been unusually low the past two or three seasons, and it is claimed that this use of the water is to some extent the cause of it.

   It is expected that during the coming season it will be demonstrated if this is so or not, and if found that the company is depriving the mill owners of water that they need to use, they will probably be asked to settle therefore.

 

S. S. Knox.

Main Street, Cortland, N. Y., circa 1900.

PAGE FOUR—EDITORIAL.

Sidewalks in Cortland.

   The board of public works of this city has turned its attention particularly to the question of sidewalks and is planning to follow this matter up systematically until a great improvement over the present condition is made.

   It may be said, as a preliminary, that the name and character of the five men comprising the board is such as to preclude the possibility of any action being taken from any other motive than to attain the best results for the greatest number of people. The city of Cortland is exceedingly fortunate in having upon its board of public works such conscientious, honorable, energetic, efficient and practical men as Judge S. S. Knox, C. F. Wickwire, Hugh Duffey, C. W. Collins and F. H. Cobb. Few cities are thus favored, and that these gentlemen may be willing to accept reappointment for many years to come will be the earnest wish of every one having the welfare of the city at heart.

   These gentlemen were first appointed to constitute the sewer board of the village in the old days and they have been instrumental in securing for Cortland one of the best systems of sewerage that could be instituted in a place as level as this city. When the city charter bill became a law they were legislated into office as the new board of public works. They have always been harmonious in their action because all were seeking the public good. It always proves impossible to undertake any improvements or to make any advance without inconveniencing some one, even though the interests of the greater number may thereby be served. But if this is the case, and some one is disturbed by the action of the board, as undoubtedly will he true in the sidewalk matter. It goes without saying that the board is animated by no other motive than to do its duty and to serve the city in the very best way possible.

   During the last few years the village and later the city of Cortland has been the defendant in several actions for damages brought against it by reason of accidents sustained from defective sidewalks. The walks of Cortland, except on the business streets are as a rule built of plank. The life of a plank walk is but a few years. In about four years it needs repairs, and in as many more years it needs rebuilding. During the last few years of its existence it is a constant menace to life and limb, for planks decay and nails pull out, letting the planks come loose. It is unnecessary to state further in what ways these loose planks and defective walks become dangerous, for nearly every one has had experience with them. The board of public works set out last year to remedy this and to put a stop to the cause of these damage suits.

   During the last half decade the art of laying cement walks has been greatly perfected until now it is possible for a skilled operator to lay a walk that is smoother and better than flagstone and that is practically indestructible. Cheap imitations of these walks have been laid which have cracked by weather and heaved by frost, but there are a considerable number of cement walks in this city which have been down for five years or more and which have never started a particle and which stand as a monument of skilled workmanship, and bid fair to last a life time.

   The board of public works took preliminary action last year toward changing all the plank walks of the city to such cement walks as those last mentioned. It did not expect to be able to do this in a single year, but it did believe that in the course of five years all the plank walks of the city might be removed and in their place substantial and permanent cement or stone walks might be built.

   To this end a resolution was last year adopted prohibiting the building of any more plank walks in the city and requiring that all future walks be constructed of cement or stone. In the face of this resolution a few people did presume to lay new plank walks. The board of public works took note of this fact and also recorded the date of the building. It may be a source of comfort or otherwise to those people to know that very soon they will probably be directed to remove them and to build cement or stone walks in their place, and that in the meantime if any accident occurs upon these walks the abutting property owner will be liable for it, and not the city, because he has not complied with the city's regulation. It is also true that at least one of those new walks has already been ordered removed and that a cement walk will be built there by the city and the expense be charged up against the property if the owner neglects to obey the notice served upon him.

   But the board of public works was looking forward to assisting the property owners, in that it did not at once last season take official cognizance of the new plank walks that were building. It realized that the cement walks are at the outset a little more expensive than the plank walks, though in the end because of their permanence they are far cheaper. It also recognized the fact that every one in the city is indirectly benefitted by every new walk that is built.

   During the last session of the legislature certain amendments were made to the charter of the city, and one of them has reference to sidewalks. Under its provisions the board of public works is authorized to offer a rebate of three cents a foot to be paid by the city to every property owner putting down a cement walk. This brings the actual cost of the cement walk to the owner to just about the cost of the plank walk. Several reputable firms in Cortland have been putting down cement walks and are prepared to put them down with a guaranty of permanence for 10 cents a foot. With a rebate of 3 cents a foot this brings the cost to the owner down to 7 cents a foot. A plank walk cannot be laid in good style for less money than that amount. The board of public works has reckoned, on the basis of damage suits which it has recently had to pay, that it can afford to pay this rebate to the property owner laying the cement walk and thus help him, and still be money ahead at the end of the year if it can avoid the damage suits. And of course this idea is entirely independent of the humanitarian thought of sorrow at the misfortune, perhaps resulting in a permanent disability, of every one who gets hurt.

   The board of public works will very properly require that arrangements for this rebate be made in advance before the walk is built, and when it is to pay a rebate it will require the builder to give an acceptable bond to insure the permanence of the walk. This is to guard against paying out a rebate where a cheap and poor walk might be built by an unskilled workman which would need renewing in a few years.

   The members of the board of public works are in earnest about this matter, and the people will stand by them. It is no trifling affair for busy business men like the five members of this board to give to the service of the city without compensation two or three evenings or more each month, to say nothing about the days when inspections of streets and work are made. But they are doing it and they are bound to improve the condition of our city. The streets are being put into good condition, and now the walks are to receive their share of attention, and the people are to be required to pay practically no more for them than formerly, if this work is continued, as the board purposes, for five years and every plank walk is removed from the city in that time, and in its place is laid such cement walks as are now to be seen about the National bank of Cortland, or on the west side of Main-st. in the block north of Court-st, or on the east side of Church-st. between the First M. E. church and Port Watson-st. or in some other places that might be mentioned, what an improvement it will be to the city and to the value of the abutting property itself. And that is just what is coming, and the people will without doubt endorse the action of the board in bringing it about.

 

STILL MORE DIFFICULTY

Between the Sidepath Commission and the Cortlandville Town Board.

   The [Bicycle] Sidepath commission has notified the town board of Cortlandville that it does not accept its amendment to a previous resolution concerning the sidepath matters, in making the highway commission the judge of what is a suitable bed for a path. It has also notified the town board and the highway commissioner not to disturb any more paths till the matter is adjusted. The sidepath commission is in favor of making Supervisor A. R. Rowe and its superintendent Mr. Kirk, the judges of the beds for replaced paths.

 

Sig. Sautelle.

Sautelle on Saturday.

   Search the wide world over and there can not be found a better one-ring circus than Sig. Sautelle's, which will exhibit in Cortland Saturday afternoon and evening. Without question this circus is the largest, grandest and best 25-cent amusement institution ever organized. Always prompted with the desire to excel, the owner has been lavish in his expenditures year after year with the result that he has season following season kept far in the lead of show managers. No attraction or feature has been too expensive for him and to this progressiveness is largely due his great success as a showman. All of his advertisements are truthful to the letter. The announcement that this season his shows have been greatly enlarged and improved must therefore be believed, and the amusement lovers in this vicinity can feel assured that the coming of the Sautelle show means a genuine holiday treat. Uniformed and gentlemanly ushers will be present at each performance to look after the comfort of ladies and\ children unaccompanied by escorts. The show ground will be on the Montague lot on Elm-st., where the circus was held last year.

 

W. C. T. U. PARLOR MEETING.

Mrs. H. B. Greenman Presented with a Telephone by Sister Members.

   A W. C. T. U. parlor meeting was held at home of the president, Mrs. H. B. Greenman, last evening at 8 o'clock. The program opened with devotional exercises and those were followed by an interesting program consisting of recitations by Mr. B. B. Nichols and two very pleasing piano solos by Miss Helen Walker. Short articles on various phases of the W. C. T. U. work were read by different members. During the afternoon the local union ordered a telephone placed in Mrs. Greenman's house as a present to her and a token of appreciation. One feature of the program was the presentation to Mrs. Greenman of a year's receipt for the telephone, for which she expressed her thanks in well chosen words. Light refreshments were served. About thirty members and guests were present.

 

TO CURTAIL CREDIT

Of the Students of Cornell—Business Men Take Action.

   The Ithaca News says there was a meeting of the Business Men's association of Ithaca on Tuesday evening, and one of the subjects considered was the curtailing of the credits now given to the students of Cornell university, the credits now being almost unlimited. The News says:

   Mr. Clapp called attention to the fact that the college boys were allowed to contract a large indebtedness which he believed was as ruinous to the morals of the young men as it was unprofitable to the merchants. He said:

   The greater number of the boys who come to this city are supplied with money by their parents for the purpose of purchasing their necessities. If the youths are allowed to procure their goods on credit they spend money in other ways and the parents must reimburse them to sustain their reputation.

   It was proposed that the association draft a letter to be sent to the parents of the freshmen calling attention to the condition and asking them to either sanction or forbid the giving of credit. The chairman was requested to appoint a committee to investigate and report at the next meeting.

 

TO VISIT VIRGIL.

Cornell University's Civil Engineering Class to do the Town.

   The civil engineering class of Cornell university, forty-five in number, with an instructor is to spend three weeks and three days in Virgil this spring, beginning May 23. This class always goes out to some locality each spring for practical work. It will find this, especially in the line of leveling among the hills of Virgil. The boys are to camp in a tent erected in an orchard on the outskirts of the town on the road to Cortland and will take their meals at the Virgil hotel. They will probably work hard by day and make the nights lively for the town.

 

Dunsmore's Park Trout Ponds, 1892 Sanborn Fire Map.

Floral Trout Ponds (lower right), separated by two small arched foot bridges, located near East Ave., Cortland, N.Y. 1894 Panoramic Map of Cortland, Library of Congress.

RUMOR NOT TRUE.

Floral Trout Park has Not Been Sold nor Negotiated For.

   The rumor published in a morning paper that the Floral trout park had been sold to Ringling Brothers for a winter headquarters for a circus is without foundation. The park was enclosed and started thirty years ago by Hiram C. Blodgett, lately deceased. For a time it enjoyed great popularity, but the Traction company's park threw it in the shade and of late it has not been used for any purpose. It is in the hands of Prof. C. H. Van Tuyl, principal of the Hamilton High school, to be disposed of. Prof. Van Tuyl is the son-in-law of Mr. and Mrs. Blodgett. Mrs. Blodgett said she knew nothing about the rumored transaction. Prof. Van Vuyl at the telephone this afternoon said that the rumor was without foundation; that there had been no sale and no negotiations with any party for a sale. He said, however, they would like to sell it, and he would be glad to have such a rumor come true.

 

BREVITIES.

   —Canton Cortland, No. 27, will hold a regular meeting at 8 o'clock this evening.

   —New display advertisements today are—Baker & Angell, Shoes, page 7; Mitch's Market, Fish, page 5.

   —The Sautelle circus will exhibit on Saturday of this week on the Montague lot on Elm-st., just where the show was last year.

   —The Loyal circle of King's Daughters will meet with Mrs. A. A. Sprague, 144 Port Watson-st., tomorrow afternoon at 3 o'clock.

   —The Woman's Home Missionary society of the First M. E. church will meet at the parsonage tomorrow at 2:30 P. M. An interesting program is provided. A full attendance is desired.

   —The state senate of Michigan invited Mrs. W. H. Pound, formerly of Cortland, now of Lansing. Mich., to read a paper before that body on Wednesday evening, April 24, on "Sex, as a Factor in Life's Problem," and the invitation was accepted. This is the first time that a lady was ever invited to address the Michigan state senate.