ADMIRAL SCHLEY GIVEN CREDIT, CZOLGOSZ SEES PRIEST, NEW CANAL CONVENTION, TEACHERS' INSTITUTE, AND EXAMINATION OF SCHOOLS

 

Rear Admiral Winfield Scott Schley.

USS Brooklyn.

Spanish Cruiser Vizcaya.

Cortland Evening Standard, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 1901.

SCHLEY GIVEN CREDIT.

Testimony of Witnesses Continues In His Favor.

ONE SAYS LOOP WAS NECESSARY.

Others Corroborate Story That Sigsbee Told Him That Spanish Fleet Was Not at Santiago—Bore Himself Bravely and Cheered His Men During Fight.

   WASHINGTON, Oct. 23.—The Schley court of inquiry opened yesterday with Lieutenant B. W. Wells, Jr., who was Admiral Schley's flag lieutenant during the Spanish war, still on the stand, but he was soon displaced to allow Yeoman Albert V. Mason, who had written the Brooklyn's log for the period covering the Santiago campaign, to testify. Mr. Mason explained the erasures in the log entry, referring to the Brooklyn's turn on the day of the battle off Santiago.

   He was followed by George B. Graham who, as an Associated Press correspondent, was with Schley during the entire campaign.

   Mr. Graham's testimony covered all the principal events of the campaign and discussed especially the bombardment of the Spanish ship Colon on May 31 and the battle off Santiago on July 3.

   Mr. Graham testified to hearing a conversation between Commodore Schley and Captain Sigsbee when the latter came aboard the flagship Brooklyn, off Santiago, May 26. He said that he had distinctly heard Captain Sigsbee tell the commodore that the Spanish fleet was not inside the harbor at Santiago.

   The witnesses for the afternoon were: Dennis Cronin, who was Admiral Schley's orderly, and who testified along the same lines as Mr. Graham, to the conversation with Captain Sigsbee; Lieutenant Commander W. R. Bush, who said he thought the Viscaya had planned to ram the Brooklyn; Lieutenant Edward Simpson, who gave a very graphic picture of the battle of July 3, and Lieutenant Edwin T. Fitzgerald, an assistant engineer, who was on duty in the fire room on July 3, and who testified that an order had been given early in the morning to stand by for a ram.

   Captain Lemley asked Orderly Cronin concerning the proximity of the Texas and the witness replied that he had not especially noticed the Texas, "because he had not believed it was near enough to be dangerous."

   "That will do," said Captain Lemly. "I have before objected to that line of testimony."

   Mr. Rayner interrupted at this point to say: "It is not necessary to get into a rage with the witness."

   To this Captain Lemly responded that he was not in a rage, adding: "I have seen counsel with the veins standing out on his forehead as big as your fist. He is accusing me of being in a rage when he is in a high temper all the time."

   After Mr. Cronin had been excused Lieutenant Commander William H. Rush was called. He had charge of the after division of guns on the spar deck of that vessel. Describing the Brooklyn's loop he said: "When I was ready to fire it was impossible to do so as the ship had commenced turning very promptly and was heading in toward the mouth of the harbor. I was unable to fire until the ship made her turn so as to bring the after guns on the enemy."

   "What did you see?" asked Mr. Rayner.

Brooklyn's Turn Was Necessary.

   "I saw nothing but the target, the enemy's ships."

   The witness said he had a vivid impression of the Spanish ship Viscaya turning toward the Brooklyn and he was under the impression that this had occurred before the Brooklyn made its turn. He had himself considered it necessary to make a turn.

   The witness said in response to questions that he had prepared a chart from his memory showing the positions of vessels of the American fleet on July 3, but it was objected to. Mr. Rayner contended that it should go in for what it was worth. The navigator's chart had, he said, been prepared after the battle.

   "That chart," he said, "was right in one of two particulars; it was not altogether wrong."

   Captain Lemley responded that Mr. Rayner had himself introduced the navigator's chart which Mr. Rayner denied.

   "We don't want the chart," said Admiral Dewey for the court, and Captain Lemley took the witness for cross-examination.

   In reply to questions by the court the witness said he was inclined to think that the Viscaya had meant to ram the Brooklyn, and also that he thought the Spanish ships had not come out to exceed three-fourths of a mile from the mouth of the harbor.

   Lieutenant Commander Rush was succeeded on the stand by Lieutenant Edward Simpson, who told of the beginning of the cruise from Key West, May 19. He placed the distance of the fleet from Santiago harbor at six miles, saying it was about the same both day and night. Lieutenant Simpson said that Commodore Schley had given a general order before starting on the campaign that all lights should be concealed at night.

   The range was given at 3,500 yards and the Maria Teresa was right in line. The last range he had heard was 1,400 yards. He was unable to testify concerning the loop because he had had to repair his guns.

   After the turn he said that he had again picked up the forward Spanish ship, which was still the Maria Teresa. He could hear smaller shot, indicating close range, and during the entire time he had heard Commodore Schley's voice frequently cheering the men. Again when he saw that the Viscaya's fire slackened he heard the commodore give the order, "Fire deliberately, boys.'' He had at that time observed the Viscaya turn toward the Brooklyn, but she had received a shot which turned her to the shore.

   At this point the witness described the coming up of the Oregon.

Graphic Story of the Chase.

   "It was after the Maria Teresa had dropped astern and we had only two ships to contend with, I got the cry that one of the Spanish ships was on fire and heading for the beach. I tried to see her. I looked back and could see nothing but smoke. Then I heard the cry very shortly afterwards, 'another one is on fire, heading for the beach.' Between shots I looked back again and saw a bow wave coming through the smoke, followed almost immediately by two 13-inch guns. It was the Oregon. She was then about off our starboard quarter. I should say 600 yards. I called to the men that the Oregon was with us, got a cheer in reply and then the action continued, the Oregon firing also. As the Viscaya turned and headed off, the Oregon fired one of her big guns. I heard the commodore say: 'He has raked her and she is on fire. Signal to Oregon to cease firing,' and through the peepholes of my hood I saw Lieutenant McCauley climb on top of my turret with the wigwag flag and I could hear the flapping of the flag. As soon as the Viscaya turned in we ceased firing on her and were allowed to come out of the turret for a breathing spell.

   "The Colon was in the neighborhood of, roughly speaking, six miles ahead of us. She continued to gain but later we held her. The Oregon came along with us and got pretty near abeam. Then as our steam came up our speed increased. We still held her and finally commenced gaining on her and the Oregon. Nine thousand yards was the elevation of my forward guns. I was ordered occasionally to try a shot at the Colon simply for range using armor piercing shells because I had very few common shells left at that time.

   "We would try a shot at her and it would fall short. Then the Oregon would try a shot and there was wigwagging going on between the vessels as to the results of the fall of the two shots. Finally, my range decreasing, and firing not at will but by order, I was told to try again. I tried at the Colon at 6,800 yards, and I saw the splash of my projectile on the other side of her. I jumped out of my turret to ask permission to fire another immediately at 700 yards. Before they gave me permission or a chance to do it the Oregon fired one of her 13-inch guns and that also went over her. Then the Colon turned in, ran to the beach and her flag came down. We kept on steaming toward her.

   "At the time her flag came down I heard the commodore's voice asking: 'What time is it?' and I heard the chief quartermaster answer 'one fifteen, sir.' As we steamed in toward her I heard one of the quartermasters say 'they are jumping overboard.' I saw splashes alongside and thought they were. But that probably was what we afterward heard to be breach blocks. Captain Cook left the ship after some difficulty in getting out a boat and went to the Colon to receive her surrender."

   In reply to a question Lieutenant Simpson said he had seen Commodore Schley several times during the engagement of July 3 but he remembered him especially as he stood when the Viscaya went ashore. "He was," said the witness, "leaning against the turret in the most natural position, holding his glasses in his arms."

   "What was his deportment and bearing?"

   "It was that of a brave man; self-possessed, alert to his duties and encouraging to officers and men to do their duty."

 

CZOLGOSZ SEES PRIEST.

Assassin of President McKinley Seeks Spiritual Consolation.

WOULDN'T RENOUNCE ANARCHY.

Told That Unless He Did So Consolation of the Church Must Be Denied Him—Visit Lasted an Hour and Result Was Unsatisfactory to Both.

   AUBURN, N. Y., Oct. 23.—Leon Czolgosz, the assassin of President McKinley, has asked for spiritual consolation and yesterday afternoon received a visit from the Rev. T. Szandinski, a Polish priest of the Roman Catholic church.

   Czolgosz' request for a priest of his own nationality was made known to Warden Meade in the morning. Father Szandinski, who is pastor of St. Stanislaus church, Rochester, was in this city and was asked to visit the prisoner. He went to the prison and remained there about an hour.

   The interview between priest and prisoner proved very unsatisfactory to both. It took place in the condemned man's cell and the conversation was carried on in Polish.

   During the interview Czolgosz said that he had been baptized in the Roman Catholic faith in the Polish church in Detroit. He had abandoned the church early in life and had lost all faith in its teachings. Father Szandinski urged him to renounce his belief in anarchy and return to the faith of his early years.

   Czolgosz declared his inability to do so and he was informed that unless he could the consolation of the church would be denied him. The priest urged the condemned man to consider the matter carefully and if at any time he decided to re-embrace the faith he would return from his home in Rochester and stay with him until the end.

   Father Szandinski before taking his departure left with Czolgosz some Catholic literature printed in Polish, and also some emblems of the church. Czolgosz assured Father Szandinski that in case he determined to accept the offices of religion he would send for him but he did not hold out much hope that he would renounce the doctrines of anarchy.

 

Shamrock II.

SHAMROCK II FOR SALE.

No Further Use for the Defeated Racer—Price Said to be Reasonable.

   NEW YOBK, Oct. 23.—Shamrock II, Sir Thomas Lipton's beautiful but defeated challenger, is for sale. She has been upon the market since last week when the Irish knight commissioned Messrs. Tams, Le Moyne and Crane of this city, to sell her and the boat is now in their hands. Only those interested know what Sir Thomas asks for his yacht, but it is said the price is reasonable.

   The challenger is now waiting to be hoisted to the balance dock. The spars, rigging and sails are stored away. She has been painted a dull red to protect her from the weather. A cradle will be built around her in the balance dock and then she will be transferred to her winter berth on shore.

 

PAGE FOUR—EDITORIALS.

The New Canal Convention.

   Ambassador Choate will soon place in the hands of the president and the state department for transmission to the United States senate the text of an agreement with Great Britain concerning the isthmian canal question. It is stated upon good authority that such an agreement has been reached and that its provisions are substantially these:

   First.—For abrogation of the old Clayton-Bulwer treaty in toto.

   Second.—For a neutral isthmian canal, in case one be constructed by the United States, open in time of peace to the ships of all nations upon equal terms.

   Third.—This neutrality is guaranteed by the United States alone, and other maritime powers are not invited to participate in such guarantee. Great Britain is inferentially one of the guarantors, because it is a party to this treaty.

   Fourth.—In case of war the United States reserves the right to take such steps for its own protection as it may deem proper.

   This is practically an admission on the part of the British government of the American contention. While the principle of neutrality is asserted, the United States alone guarantees that neutrality, and no European powers are invited to give their assent to it. In time of peace the canal will be free and open to all on equal terms. This simply means that the United States pledges itself to impose no discriminating charges on the commerce of other nations and to give no preference to American users of the canal.

   The right of the United States to close the canal to an enemy or to any power suspected of hostile intentions and the right to fortify its termini are conceded, according to reported terms of the proposed convention. The waterway will therefore for naval and military purposes form a part of our seacoast line. This is about all the most ardent advocates of an "all American" canal have ever asked.

   If a treaty with Great Britain abrogating the old Clayton-Bulwer treaty, which has hitherto operated as a bar against our building and controlling the isthmian waterway, drawn upon the lines above suggested, shall be placed before the senate, there seems to be no good reason why it would not be speedily ratified.

   ◘ The London Times' observation that the Protestant Episcopal church of the United States will probably be discussing the marriage and divorce question a quarter of a century hence, with no clearer prospect of its solution than exists today, is not altogether encouraging. This would make it almost as perennial as the deceased wife's sister bill in the British parliament.

   ◘ Great Britain seems to have done some rather graceful side stepping in the matter of the Isthmian canal treaty if all accounts are true.

   ◘ Russia appears to be cutting her wisdom teeth. She is adopting American dentistry.

 

TEACHERS' INSTITUTE

FOR BOTH DISTRICTS AT MARATHON THIS WEEK.

Brief Outline of the Proceedings—A List of the Teachers in Attendance.

   The teachers' institute of both commissioner districts of Cortland county is held in Marathon at the high school building this week. The registration was completed Monday morning.

   In calling the institute to order at 2 o'clock Monday afternoon, Commissioner McEvoy said that the success of the institute depends not so much upon a large number of teachers and efficient instructors as upon the interest and cooperation of individuals. That the program was somewhat broader in scope than usual, and he hoped that every teacher would find something of particular value in addition to the general results of the institute.

   Mr. McEvoy then introduced Mr. Geo. Oscar Bowen of Cortland who is also supervisor of music in Homer, who led the institute in singing "America." After the singing Prof. Coon of Marathon led in reading a responsive service; the teachers then again sang, "Onward Christian Soldiers," and the program commenced.

   Conductor Smith was the first speaker, and his theme was "Teachers' Institutes.'' He gave a history of institutes from the first institute which was held in Ithaca April 4, 1848, and touched upon the importance of the occasion.

   The second speaker was Prof. F. R. Parker of the Cortland Normal school who gave the talk on "The Recitation." His address evinced a clear, intelligent comprehension of the essentials of a good recitation. His words abounded in helpful suggestions and keen analysis. The teachers are confident that if his theories were put into practice, a higher standard of class work would be required. One thought that particularly deserves mention is the one which he brought forward in regard to the care that should be exercised in assigning lessons as well as that of the personal element in teaching.

   This was Prof. Parker's second appearance before a gathering of this kind, and he will be listened to with interest when he comes again.

   At 4 o'clock that institute adjourned till the following morning.

      The following teachers attended the institute:

FIRST COMMISSIONER DISTRICT.

   Cincinnatus—Charles E. Wheeler, Rena E. Avery, Maude Goodspeed, Florence Snyder, L. Pearl Smith, Mrs. S. M. Briggs, Estella F. Ufford, Edith B. Harvey.

   Cortlandville—E. Frances O'Neil, M. Agnes Mourin, Rachel E. McEvoy, Marie E. Davern, Chas. H. Huntley, Bessie Morgan, Mrs. G. L. Birdlebough, Kirby Bradford, Mrs. A. C. Tanghe, Earl S. Price, Vann H. Smith, Ella M. Halloran, Calvin F. Place, Claribel Warren, Edith E. Colledge, Eleanor S. Shields, Mabel Tennant, Almon O. Nye, Addie Davenport, Lillian E. Lang, Helen N. Reagan.

   Freetown—Jennie L. Ryan, Rachel A.  Burns, Mrs. Julia F. Fotts, Mrs. Mary L. Burns, Anna Atkins, Eva C. Caldwell, Elma Maricle Maynard.

   Harford—Myra C. Wells, William Halloran, Lillian M. Lyon, Lanelle M. Tripp, Harriet E. Pollard, Alice M. Belden, Mrs. P. L. Barnes, Floyd H. Ryan.

   Lapeer—Nina Murray, Iva Lewis Conrad, Martin E. Chapin, Ida J. Bonney, Louise Willson, Alfred E. Fairbank, L. Grace Jones, Estella Allen.

   Marathon—Mary J. Holmes, Ethel Kinney, Ernest A. Conrad, S. Grace Pulford, Helen MacKellar, Wm. A. Coon, C. Irene Burrows,, Margaret C. Killela, Helen L. Page, Marietta Davis, Carrie E. Brown, Mrs. Mertie B. Lyon.

   Virgil—Anna M. Greenman, Mrs. Zella P. Gardiner, Mrs. Edith L. Spencer, Frances Davern, Edna M. Gridley, Mary E. Edwards, Ida G. Ellsworth, Mary Dalton, George H. Munson, Alphia K. Potter, Martha A. Burvee, Edith E. Van Derveer, Effie J. Hallock, Nora P. Hennessy, Lynn H. Gee, Katherine M. Byrnes, Florence Perry.

   Willet—L. LeRoy Reed, Wesley L. Hovey, Sara E. Cummings.

SECOND COMMISSIONER DISTRICT.

   Cuyler—Mary E. Long, Ina A. Tucker, Maude Chase, R. E. Swinney, William G. Frisbie, W. J. Gleason, Mabel M. Hoyer, Mary A. McGuire, B. Lena Pease, J. Lee Burdick, Mabel Stearns.

   Homer—Lewis H. Tuthill, A. M., Alice R. Watson, A. B., Mabel E. Fuller, Nina M. Coon, Mrs. Maude M. Alvord, Cora A. Carpenter, Maud M. Whitney, Louise E. Hobert, Mrs. Mary F. Daniels, Jennie M. Wood, Delphine C. Bates, Florence E. Nixon, Fannie M. Clark, Florence M. Johnson, George Oscar Bowen, Reine Rogers, Agnes Tracy, Leva J. Butler, Jennie D. Wells, Bertha E. Crandall, Rhoda M. Perry, Hattie P. Stout, Mary A. Gilbert, Sophia. A. Carty, Nettie Currie, Nora B. Phelps.

   Preble—Grace Currie, Jennie Currie, Grace B. DuBois, Jennie Ackles, Agnes M. Sheedy, Miles G. Spaulding, Anna M. Steele, Blanche Van Patten, Margaret Doody, Laura M. Carty, David W. Currie.

   Scott—Julia Cummings, Hattie L. Butts, Mary A. Lynch, Mrs. Dora M. Greene, M. Genevieve Babcock, Jennie L. Dalton, Hattie A. Landphier, Flora A. Reynolds.

   Solon—Marie Wicks, Harriet M. Gates, Harriet E. Davis, Gertrude E. Kelly, Mary Kerrigan, A. Mabelle Phelps, Anna Johnson, Philip McGuire.

   Taylor—Lulu L. Brown, Nellie E. Keefe, Floyd L. Atkins, Fred C. White, Myrtle A. Saunders, Maud Huntley, Arthur Kiely.

   Truxton—Herman Crandall, Mrs. Ethel Bennett.

 

Hayes-Ryan.

   Mr. Timothy Hayes, a trimmer at the Cortland Wagon works, and Miss Anna Ryan, daughter of Mrs. Catharine Ryan, 66 Lincoln-ave., were married at St. Mary's church this morning at 7:30 o'clock by Rev, Father McCormick of Syracuse. The bride was attended by her cousin Miss Anna McNiff, and Mr. John Hayes, a brother of the groom, was best man. The newly married couple left on the 9:27 Lackawanna train for a week at the Pan-American, and will return to Cortland to make their home.

 

African M. E. Zion Church.

   Instead of the regular Thursday evening meeting this week in Zion's church,  Rev. Dr. M. H. Ross, presiding elder, will preach at 7:30 P. M. All are invited to attend. At the close of the service the quarterly conference will convene.

 

Cortland Central School.

EXAMINED THE SCHOOLS.

Took Note of Seating Capacity and Registration Throughout the City.

   A party of citizens of Cortland took a trip through all the city schools yesterday afternoon investigating the matter of seating capacity. The registration and number of seats were taken in each room in the city and the result is astounding. Those who contend that Cortland now has ample school facilities are recommended to take a similar trip and see what they will find out. No one's word need be taken, they can simply see for themselves. A detailed statement concerning this trip will be given tomorrow.

 

BREVITIES.

   —There will be a meeting of the L. O. T. M. tomorrow night at 7:30 o'clock.

   —The gravel roof on the new Lackawanna freight station is nearly completed.

   —New display advertisements today are—C. F. Thompson, Canned goods, etc., page 5; S. Katzen, Tailoring, page 6.

   —Cortland chapter, No. 194, R. A. M., will confer the P. and M. R. degrees at their regular convocation this evening.

   —The Pan-American will remain open for two extra days, closing finally at midnight on Saturday night, Nov. 2, when the lights will be turned out for the fast time. This is the recent decision of the officials. The last day will be known as Farewell Day and a special effort will be made to get out a great crowd.

   —Word comes from McLean that Mr. Patrick McDermott, father of Messrs. Henry, Thomas and John McDermott of this city and of Mr. M. L. McDermott, who is now on his way from San Francisco to the Philippines, where he will teach, is very seriously ill from pneumonia, and that his recovery is considered very doubtful.