ALASKA BOUNDARY, THEY WANT A WORD, HIGH COURT OF LABOR, NATHAN L. MILLER, AND DEATH CLAIM PAID

 

John Hay.

Lord Julian Pauncefote.

Cortland Evening Standard, Monday, Dec. 30, 1901.

ALASKAN BOUNDARY.

Controversies Between United States and Great Britain.

WANTS TO HAVE CLEAN SLATE.

Diplomacy Has Settled Three Important Differences, Two of Which Threatened War, and the Only One Unsettled Is the Northern Boundary.

   WASHINGTON, Dec. 30.—It is expected that efforts will be renewed before long for the settlement of the numerous controversies which have long existed between the United States and, Great Britain, growing out of relations along the Canadian border, the Atlantic fisheries, warships in the great lakes, the Alaskan boundary and other questions. Heretofore the negotiations designed to secure a settlement of the matters recited have not proved effective, largely because of the cumbersome machinery of negotiations, and this led to a belief that much more could be accomplished by direct negotiations between Secretary Hay and Lord Pauncefote on the main points and the subsequent assembling of a commission representing the United States, Great Britain and Canada to give form to the basis of agreement rendered.

   Lord Pauncefote desires to clear up all pending differences and have a clean slate before his present term of ambassador comes to a close. When he came to Washington there were four great issues between the two governments. The first of these was the Behring sea controversy which had reached an acute stage. Diplomacy disposed of this issue. The second issue was over Venezuela which like the seal question at one time threatened war. But the efforts of diplomacy were again successful. The third important issue was "isthmian canal," which has been satisfactorily disposed of by the recent Hay-Pauncefote treaty.

   This leaves only one issue remaining in order to bring about "a clean slate," namely, the border controversy, both as to Canada and Alaska. At present a modus vivendi exists as to the Alaskan boundary, chiefly for the purpose of avoiding a clash along the border and holding each side in check until a final boundary is determined upon.

   It seems to be conceded on both sides that the modus cannot be carried on indefinitely and that sooner or later the main question of establishing a permanent boundary must be settled. Lord Lansdowne's desire to take up the question was expressed clearly in his note to Secretary Hay last spring, when the British government declined to accept the senate amendment to the first Hay-Pauncefote treaty. Recently Lord Lansdowne again has expressed in speeches the need of taking up the Alaskan boundary question. These declarations by the head of the British foreign service, together with the well-known wish of Lord Pauncefote to clear away all pending differences between the two governments doubtless will lead to the formal exchanges necessary to an adjustment. Just what steps will be adopted are not disclosed, but it seems likely that direct negotiations and the subsequent assembling of a commission will commend itself to the parties concerned as the most feasible procedure.

 

Major General Adolphus W. Greely.

THEY WANT A WORD

To Tell of Messages Transmitted by Wireless Telegraphy.

   WASHINGTON, Dec. 30.—Officials of the signal service and of the navy department are looking for a word. They want a short and simple term that will stand for the laborious expression employed: "A message transmitted by wireless telegraph."

   One genius in the war department suggests ''atmospherogram," a student of natural forces in the navy believes that "etherogram" would be better. But General Greely, chief of the signal service, has not taken kindly enough to either or them to advocate its use in official reports, and therefore its adoption into the language. "Aerogram" finds most favor with the signal service as a coined word fitting the need created by the Marconi discoveries. It is short and simple, almost as convenient as "cablegram" or "telegram" and on its face shows what it means. After it is in every day employment, its pronunciation doubtless would be shortened to "airgram." Before many months have passed, it will probably be no unusual thing for one to read in his dally paper, "An aerogram from Caracas states that another revolution was started there this morning," or "General Chaffee reports to the war department by aerogram that the Island of Samar bas been pacified."

 

ANOTHER HATFIELD SHOT.

Officer Fired Two Shots to Scare and Then One to Kill.

   GLOBE, Ariz. Dec. 30.—Robert H. Hatfield, one of the last of the notorious Kentucky clan, was shot and instantly killed on Tuesday at Troy mining camp in the Pinal mountains. The slayer was Deputy Sheriff John C. Devine, who bore a warrant for Hatfield's arrest on the charge of wife-beating. Devine met Hatfield outside his room, the abused wife standing by. The man simply cursed when called upon to surrender and started for the house to secure a weapon. Devine fired two shots over his head and then shot to kill. The bullet passed through Hatfield's body. Devine was exonerated and commended by the coroner's jury.

 

Mark Hanna.

PAGE FOUR—EDITORIAL.

The High Court of Labor.

   Whatever may be the practical results of the late conference of the representatives of labor and capital in New York, its avowed purpose, the establishment of industrial peace, is a pleasant thing to contemplate at this season of commemoration of the coming of him whose mission was to bring peace on earth and good will to man.

   The conference was held under the auspices of the National Civic federation and was a most remarkable gathering, embracing as it did such capitalists and captains of industry as Marcus A. Hanna, Charles M. Schwab, Charles A. Moore and a score of others of their class, such labor leaders as Samuel Gompers, John Mitchell, Frank P. Sargent and other well known representatives of organized labor, and such devotees of religion and learning as Archbishop Ireland, Bishop Potter, President Eliot of Harvard and many others occupying neutral ground whom it is fair to assume seek the well being of their fellow men. That such a representative assembly should have been convened for the candid and frank discussion of the relations of labor and capital is in itself significant, and may be taken as an indication upon the part of both employing capital and organized labor of a more substantial recognition than heretofore of the fact that industrial war is a waste and loss to both. It does not, however, by any means imply an end to industrial conflict. Nothing short of the millennium can bring that. So long as human nature remains as it is there will be selfish strife for gain, but it is not impossible that two men striving for the same dollar might be able to convince themselves that it would be more profitable to split the dollar than to fight for it.

   The outcome of the conference was the naming of a committee of thirty-six, twelve from the ranks of labor, twelve from the side of capital and twelve representing the nonpartisan general public, which may be termed the high court of labor arbitration and conciliation. It is known specifically as the industrial department of the National Civic federation. Certain general rules of procedure were adopted, though it would manifestly be beyond the scope of such a body to make an authoritative proclamation of principles. Its edicts can have no binding effect upon any one except as they may be enforced in recognition of public sentiment. A court without legal jurisdiction or power to enforce processes or compel obedience to its verdicts is apt to be rather more ornamental than useful. Such is the case with the high court of arbitration growing out of the peace congress of The Hague, before which none of the signatory powers seems inclined to bring their cases, but continue to build up their fortifications and increase their armaments and settle their disputes by the same old devastating processes of war. It may or may not be so with the new court of labor. It should, however, have a fair trial and just recognition. If capital and labor choose to submit to it their disputes and abide by its findings, as the late conference seems to indicate their willingness to do, the third party in interest, the general public, which is frequently the innocent sufferer from strikes, lockouts and tie-ups, will hail it as a blessing.

 

Nathan Lewis Miller.

NATHAN L. MILLER

APPOINTED BY GOVERNOR ODELL AS STATE COMPTROLLER

To Succeed Erastus C. Knight of Buffalo—Honor for a Cortland County Attorney as Well as for the County Itself—Appointment Unsolicited and Unexpected—Sketch of the Appointee.

   A telegram was received in Cortland this noon saying that Governor Odell had today appointed Nathan L. Miller of Cortland comptroller of the state of New York to complete the unexpired term of Erastus C. Knight who last Saturday resigned the office to undertake the duties of mayor of Buffalo, to which office he was elected in November. The office of comptroller has a term of two years, and one year of this term remains unexpired. The salary is $6,000 per year.

   The position of comptroller is considered to be the most important office in the state except that of governor, and not only is Mr. Miller highly honored by this appointment, but the whole county of Cortland is likewise honored. This is said to be the best office in point of honor and rank that has ever come to the county, and Mr. Miller's friends will most heartily offer to him their congratulations.

   A STANDARD man called upon the appointee at his office this afternoon and learned that the appointment was not only unsolicited, but unexpected. There had been some communication between the governor and Mr. Miller in regard to the vacancy upon the court of claims bench as referred to in these columns some days ago, but this appointment was an utter surprise. Mr. Miller said, however, that he should accept the appointment and expects to go to Albany tomorrow to qualify preparatory to undertaking the duties of his new office on the following day.

   Nathan L. Miller was born in Solon Oct. 10, 1868, and was graduated from the Cortland Normal school in 1887. In 1890 he entered the law office of Smith & Dickinson where he studied law and in 1893 was admitted to practice. In the fall of that year he was elected school commissioner for the First commissioner district of Cortland county and held the office for two terms of three years each. In the fall of 1898 he was made chairman of the Republican county committee which position he has held ever since. He has been three times a delegate to the Republican state convention, three times a delegate to judicial convention, twice a delegate to the congressional convention and twice a delegate to the senatorial convention. He is at present corporation counsel of the city of Cortland and is recognized as one of the most prominent members of the Cortland county bar, being the junior member of the firm of Dougherty & Miller.

   Mr. Miller was on Nov. 23, 1896, married to Miss Elizabeth M. Davern of Marathon and they have one daughter. Mr. Miller does not expect to move his family to Albany at present at least.

 

GASOLENE FIRE POT EXPLODED.

And Four Men Who Were Near It Were Burned.

   Edward Fitzgerald, Joseph Markee and Barnard Keenan of this city and Frank J. Short of Binghamton were quite seriously burned Saturday night while at work repairing a boiler at the Traction company's power house. The four men were in the fire box under the boiler at work while lying on their stomachs, when a gasolene [sic] fire pot which was used by them became disconnected and a terrific explosion followed. The four were taken at once to Dr. H. T. Dana's office, where they received medical attention. Today they are doing well, and none of them will be in any way disfigured by the occurrence.

 

Teachers' Examinations.

   Uniform examinations for teachers' certificates and Normal entrance will be held in the Second Commissioner district of Cortland county during the year 1902 as follows:

   Homer—Jan. 9, 10.

   Truxton—April 10, 11.

   Homer—Aug. 14, 15.

   Truxton—Nov. 13, 14.

   KATHARINE C. MACDIARMID, Commissioner. [First woman elected to public office in Cortland County—CC editor.]

 

A Deal in Real Estate.

   Messrs. L. M. Loope and C. W. Collins have purchased of Mr. Frederick Mantanye two houses and lots and three vacant lots on the north side of Frederick-ave. near Main-st. These lots constitute a part of the Knight tract.

 

Death Claim Paid.

   On Saturday, Dec. 28, Mrs. Anna L. Howe received a draft for $3,000 to pay the [insurance] benefit on account of the death of her husband, W. D. Howe, who was a member of Cortland Council of the Royal Arcanum. H. W. GAZLAT, Secretary.

 

BREVlTIES.

   —Norwich is to have a new passenger station upon the Lackawanna railroad. If she gets as fine one as is building in Cortland, she may well be proud of it.

   —New display advertisements today are—Bingham & Miller, Pre-Inventory clothing sale, page 8; F. Daehler, Closing out sale of overcoats, page 6; J. W. Cudworth, Optical talks, page 7; Buck & Lane, Up-to-date plumbing, page 6.

   —The Cayuga county board of supervisors has decided that it needs an attorney to whom to refer all matters of a legal character, so it has appointed one at a salary of $600 per annum. The Cortland county board has lawyer as a supervisor and chairman of its judiciary committee and he answers all the legal questions of the board to its entire satisfaction.