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| Rear Admiral Winfield Scott Schley. |
Cortland Evening Standard, Saturday, Oct. 26, 1901.
CROWDS HEAR SCHLEY.
Audience Largest Since Inquiry Opened.
SAMPSON WILL NOT BE CALLED.
Subject on Which His Testimony Was Thought to Be Needed Has Been Threshed Out. Besides, His Health Is Too Bad—Schley Denies Statements.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 26.—When the Schley court of inquiry adjourned yesterday Admiral Schley had not concluded his testimony in chief. He took the stand about 11:30 o'clock, after former witnesses had been recalled for the purpose of making corrections in and additions to their testimony and continued his statement until the court adjourned. This adjournment was 20 minutes in advance of the usual time, due to the fact that the admiral's throat had become somewhat sensitive as a result of his continuous talking Thursday and yesterday. He had made complaint to the court of his throat after concluding his recital of the story of the battle off Santiago, and Admiral Dewey, who, evidently had himself noticed the difficulty, responded by showing a willingness to adjourn the court.
Mr. Rayner, however, expressed a desire to proceed, saying that he had a number of questions which he wished to ask, and Admiral Schley assented to his counsel's suggestion. Quarter of an hour later Admiral Dewey himself renewed the suggestion for an adjournment and all concerned agreeing to this proposition the court adjourned until Monday at 11 o'clock.
The day was a notable one. The largest crowd that has yet attended any of the sessions was present and earnest interest was manifested throughout the proceedings. Long before the beginning of the morning session all the seats reserved for visitors in the courtroom were occupied and the greater portion of the space in the rear of these seats was covered by men and women standing.
They not only stood upon the floor, but upon window sills and tables, and even the rude elevator machinery in that portion of the hall was covered by men. On only one occasion was there any effort of applause and this was suppressed before it had reached any magnitude.
The chief event of the day was the admiral's relation of the events of July 3, when the American fleet sent Cervera's squadron to the bottom of the sea or to the beach. He told his story of this historical occurrence in plain words and in unaffected style, but the narrative was straightforward and to the point, indicating close familiarity with all phases of that event. He said that the Brooklyn for a time had sustained the fire of all four of the Spanish ships, and also the fire of the Spanish land batteries.
Schley Makes Several Denials.
Explaining the historical turn of his own flagship, the Brooklyn, he said that she had not approached to within less than 600 yards of the Texas and that he never had considered that vessel in the least danger. He also stated, in response to an interrogation from Mr. Rayner, that he had never during the battle engaged in any colloquy with Lieutenant Hodgson and that he had not used the expression attributed to him by Hodgson.
This refers to the alleged colloquy in which the admiral is charged with having said: "Damn the Texas." Admiral Schley also gave the details of the reconnaissance of May 31 when the Spanish ship Cristobal Colon was bombarded. In this connection he denied the statements attributed to him by Commander Potts of the battleship Massachusetts.
Preceding the adjournment of the court the question of calling Admiral Sampson to the stand was revived by Judge Advocate Lemly, who reminded Mr. Rayner that he (Rayner) had suggested some time ago that he desired the admiral called. Captain Lemly said he was prepared to issue the summons if called upon to do so, but Mr. Rayner responded that the incident which had seemed to demand the admiral's attention had dwindled into comparative insignificance, and he added that it was well understood the condition of Admiral Sampson's health was such that he could not be expected to appear upon the witness stand.
As Admiral Schley left the courtroom yesterday he was given quite an ovation. The assemblage escorted him up the hill from the gunners' workshop in which the court sits to the outer gates of the navy yard.
FIFTEEN YEARS IN ASYLUM
And It Is Just Discovered That Mary Lake Has Never Been Insane.
NEW YORK, Oct. 26.—After 15 years in the institution for the feebleminded, a board of physicians convened under the direction of James Feeney, charities commissioner of Staten Island, has declared Mary L. Lake never to have been feebleminded.
Mary Lake's father, who resided at New Dorp, was sentenced in 1883 to 10 years in state's prison. His children were sent to an almshouse. In 1886 Mary, then 12 years old, was committed to a state institution for feebleminded children at Syracuse. When she became of age she was transferred to an asylum for the feeble minded at Newark, N. Y.
Commissioner Feeney recently received a communication from the latter institution stating that Miss Lake had become insane and asking that she be removed to her home county. When his agents called they found that she was apparently bright and intelligent. She was taken to an almshouse Oct. 2 and since has been carefully watched. Drs. I. L. Millspaugh and J. T. Sprague finally have certified to Commissioner Feeney that the young woman is not insane and further that there is no evidence of her ever having been feebleminded. They added that she is intelligent, well educated and willing to work. Commissioner Feeney at once set about to find a good home for Miss Lake.
PAGE FOUR—EDITORIAL.
Over the Horseshoe Falls and Alive.
Mrs. Anna Edson Taylor, a widow of forty-three years, has successfully accomplished what no other human being ever did before and lived. Thursday afternoon she passed over the Canadian or Horseshoe falls at Niagara. To do this she was enclosed in a barrel, suspended in a specially constructed harness. At 4:05 o'clock the barrel with its living freight was towed into the Canadian channel about one mile above the falls and turned loose. At 4:23 o'clock it passed the brink of the Horseshoe falls, and at 4:40 o'clock the barrel was landed.
Mrs. Taylor became unconscious as she passed over the brink and was practically helpless when released from the barrel. She describes her experience as a terrible one, and says she would not go through with it again for millions of dollars.
The success of this woman, says the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, as usual, will no doubt stimulate imitators to follow her example, with the strong probability that they will perish in the performance. The chances of surviving such a trip are as one to a hundred. Mrs. Taylor was fortunate; but, as we have seen, she doesn't want to do the thing again. It is a weak, foolish and reckless performance, which serves no good end, and by the encouragement it affords, may result in mischief to others in the future.
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| Nathan Lewis Miller. |
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
As to Who Can Vote at the Special Election to be Held Nov. 6.
A special meeting of the board of education was held at the office of A. W. Edgcomb in the city of Cortland, N. Y., on Friday afternoon, Oct. 25, 1901. The following members of the board were present: Messrs. A. W. Edgcomb, G. J. Mager, F. P. Hakes, F. D. Smith and A. F. Stilson. The following resolution was offered by Mr. Mager and seconded:
Resolved, That the following questions be submitted to the city attorney of Cortland for his ruling:
Is a resident of the city of Cortland who is the owner of stock in an incorporated company whose property is assessed upon the last preceding assessment roll of said city entitled to vote at the special election called for Nov. 6, 1901?
Is a resident of the city of Cortland who is an heir to an estate in which there is property that is assessed upon the last preceding assessment roll of said city entitled to rote at the special election called for Nov. 6, 1901?
The above resolution was unanimously adopted.
City Attorney Nathan L. Miller has submitted in writing to the board of education the following answers to the questions propounded:
To the Board of Education of the City of Cortland:
GENTLEMEN—In answer to the questions submitted by you as hereinafter stated, I have to report as follows:
First, in answer to the question "Is a resident of the city of Cortland who is an owner of stock in an incorporated company whose property is assessed upon the last preceding assessment roll of said city, entitled to vote at the special election called for Nov. 6, 1901?" My opinion is that the owner of stock in an incorporated company is not the owner of the property of the company within the meaning of that part of Section 16 of the charter in reference to the property qualification to entitle an elector to vote upon a proposition to raise money by tax or bonds, which is "he or his wife must be the owner of property in the city assessed upon the last preceding assessment roll thereof; and, therefore, if the corporation is only assessed upon its real property or special franchises, the stockholder would not from that fact alone be qualified to vote.
If, however, the corporation is assessed upon its capital stock as such, as provided in Section 31 of the tax law, a stockholder possessing the other qualifications would be entitled to vote.
If a corporation is assessed upon its capital stock that assessment will be found in the fourth column of the assessment roll opposite the name of the corporation.
The reason upon which I base this opinion is that the owner of stock in a corporation that is liable to taxation on its capital stock cannot be taxed as an individual for such stock.
If, therefore, a corporation within the city is assessed upon the last preceding assessment roll on its capital stock, the stockholders of such corporation possessing the other qualifications can vote. If the corporation is not assessed upon its capital stock, its stockholders must be assessed as individuals in order to possess the property qualification specified in the charter.
Second. In answer to the question "Is a resident of the city of Cortland who is an heir to an estate in which there is property that is assessed upon the last preceding assessment roll of said city, entitled to vote at the special election called for Nov. 6, 1901?" My opinion is that the title to real property upon the death of the owner vests immediately in the heirs and devisees, and that, therefore, an heir immediately takes a vested interest in such real property, and if such property is assessed upon the last preceding assessment roll, even though not in the name of the present owner, such heir can vote at said election.
Respectfully submitted,
NATHAN L. MILLER, City Attorney.
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| Wickwire family in carriage, Chester and Ardell. |
Dinner for Bridal Party.
Mr. Charles C. Wickwire gave a very elegant 6 o'clock dinner last night at his home on Tompkins-st., for the bridal party at the recent Garrison-Winchell wedding. There were also four other guests: Misses Maude Fitzgerald and Hester Frederick and Mr. Clarke from London and Mr. E. W. Newton. Whist followed in the evening.
TEACHERS' INSTITUTE.
Cortland and Homer Teachers Assist in the Program.
The Teachers' Institute Record commenting on the institute held this week at Marathon says in its Thursday issue: After the opening exercises Principal Tuthill of Homer gave a talk on "Number," and was followed by Prof. Booth of the Cortland Normal with a talk on "Water, Helpful and Harmful."
As to Prof. Booth's lecture, it had additional force as coming from one of the live and progressive science teachers connected with the state department. He has done a great work in his department in school, and his frequent appearance before institutes in various parts of the state, speaks well for the estimation in which he is held. His talk yesterday was straight forward, earnest, and very clear. It should result in improved conditions of water supply throughout the county, and he will be always welcome, both personally and as a speaker, in the institutes of our county.
Principal Tuthill's talk was fine, and came from one who although a comparatively young man, holds the position of principal of one of our best high schools. He is always practical and willing to help, and has been of great assistance generally during the institute.
Mrs. L. S. Hawkins of the Cortland Normal school spoke on "The Use of Biography in Teaching English," and protested against the easy side of things being always made prominent. Give your pupils good old fashioned work wherein effort is put forth. Honor the man who works. Let us see cause and effect here, as well as in other work. It is not the clothes, but the man. And a crowning thought: "Failure does not mean defeat." An inspiring address.
Upon the subject of "School Ethics" at a later period Mrs. Hawkins said: Ethics is the science of right living. We train for the long period when the child will become a man, not for the short time while he is a boy. We should strive constantly to make out of the boy or the girl the very best man or woman that it is possible for us to do. Teachers should know their pupils as individuals. It is better to teach a child to govern himself than to govern him. Children learn how to do by doing.
Longer Ago Than Stated.
Mr. A. B. Benham calls our attention to the fact that our informant must have misunderstood him a few days ago in reporting him to say that it was thirty-six years ago on Oct. 18 that the snow fell in Cortland to the depth of 18 inches. It was not thirty-six years ago, but it was in 1836 on Oct. 18. Mr. Benham says further that on that occasion he and Artemas Reed, his brother-in-law, were wading across the fields having some carpenter's tools in their hands. In the midst of an open field Mr. Reed put down a square and took the depth of snow on the level, and it was 18 inches deep. Few leaves on forest or fruit trees had fallen off at that time, and the result was that many branches and limbs were broken down under the great weight of the snow. Mr. Benham was then 16 years old.
Church of the Little Flock.
The Church of the Little Flock is the name adopted by the adherents of a new belief who have no church organization, but who have selected Rev. B. F. Weatherwax as their pastor. They are to meet each Sunday at 3 p. m. at the home of U. G. Williams, 23 Maple-ave. and Wednesday evening at 7:30 p. m. for prayer and Bible study. The pastor's theme for the sermon tomorrow will be "God's Plea for Saving the World."
BREVITIES.
—What is the matter with Auburn? She has had three elopements in one week.
—New display advertisements today are—Glann & Clark, Shoes, page 7; Opera House, "The Missouri Girl," page 5.
—In the secretary's annual hospital report, published Thursday, the amount received from the Brewer estate during the year should have read $323.69.
—On account of the illness of Dr. David Keppel, the pastor of the First M. E. church, his pulpit tomorrow morning will be supplied by Rev. Robert Yost of the Congregational church, and there will be no services in the evening.
—The news dispatches today note the arrival at New York this forenoon of the Campania from Liverpool. This has significance to Cortland people as among its passengers are Bishop Ludden of Syracuse and Rev. J. J. McLoghlin of Cortland.
—Mr. Harry H. Gleason and Miss Anna A. Youngs, both of Marathon, were on Wednesday, Oct. 23, married by Rev. H. L. Rixon, pastor of the Homer-ave. M. E. church, at the house of the bride's sister, Mrs. D. G. Ashcraft, 32 Hubbard-st., in Cortland.
—Mr. W. R. George of the George Junior Republic will address the men's meeting at the Y. M. C.A. tomorrow afternoon at 3:15. Theme, "Problems Concerning Boys." The meeting will be thrown open for the asking of questions by any who desire to make inquiries of the speaker.
—Word has been received in Cortland of the death of Dr. M. D. Peck, a brother of Mr. Chas. T. Peck of this city, in Washington, D. C., yesterday. He leaves a widow and one daughter, Miss Eva Peck. Dr. Peck was 59 years of age. He was a former resident of this county and for many years after moving to Washington used to spend part of his summers here.
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