IMPORTANT CAPTURE, PHILIPPINE QUESTION, THE TRUCK CASE, SIDEPATH COMMISSION, AND UNIVERSALIST CHURCH FIRE

 

Gen. J. Franklin Bell.

Cortland Evening Standard, Wednesday, Jan. 15, 1902.

IMPORTANT CAPTURE.

General Bell's Success In the Batangas Province.

AN UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER.

Colonel Marasigan and Other Officers With 245 Men Give Themselves Up. Many Rifles and a Cannon Taken. Province Now Quiet—Men Have Been Released.

   Washington, Jan. 15.—The War Department was advised late yesterday afternoon of an important surrender which occurred yesterday at Taal, Batangas, Philippine Islands. The surrender included one colonel, three lieutenant colonels, one major, five captains, twelve lieutenants, 245 men and 223 rifles.

   Marasigan, the colonel, was a leader of importance under the insurgent General Malvalar, operating in the western part of Batangas. That section is reported now to be practically clear of hostile forces. It is stated that the surrender was unconditional and due directly to the excellent service of the American troops. The loyal natives, it is added, believe this surrender will influence hostile bands in other sections of Batangas.

   Manila, Jan. 15.—The full surrender of the forces of Colonel Marisigan (who with Major Cabrera and a renegade priest named Castillo, gave themselves up unconditionally on January 10 to General Bell, who is conducting the campaign against the insurgents in Batangas province) occurred yesterday at Taal. The insurgents created a surprise by bringing in 60 more rifles than the authorities thought Marisigan could command in the district of Toaei, which he controlled. They gave up 219 rifles and one cannon. All the insurgents who surrendered did so unconditionally. General Bell ordered the men to be released.

   Colonel Marisigan says he can prevail on many more men to surrender during the next few days and also obtain possession of a number of additional rifles. General Bell says the surrender pacifies, for the time being, all the eastern part of Batangas.

 

Senator George F. Hoar.

THŁ PHILLIPPINE QUESTION.

Senator Hoar Wants a Committee Appointed to Investigate the Administration of Islands.

   Washington, Jan. 15.—For the first time this session the Philippine question was touched on in the senate. Interest taken indicates it will occupy the attention of the upper branch of congress for some time when the tariff bill is reported. The Philippines were the subject of an address by Mr. Hoar who spoke on his resolution introduced Tuesday providing for the appointment of a committee to investigate the administration of those islands. Mr. Hoar spoke at some length regarding the unreliability of statements which have been made from time to time, regarding the situation in the Philippines and the causes which led to the outbreak.

   He urged that there should be a plan whereby any senator in his official capacity could go and ask for two witnesses to prove the correctness or incorrectness of any question upon which light is desired.

   Mr. Lodge, Mr. Hoar's colleague, said he regarded the resolution as a reflection on the Philippine commission of which he was chairman and the necessity for the latter would cease were this resolution to be adopted. His committee, he said, was perfectly able to handle any investigation which might be conducted.

   Mr. Carmack agreed with him.

   The discussion was leading rapidly to an opening up of the whole Philippine question when it was agreed that the resolution should go over until today.

   Mr. Mason made a speech in favor of reciprocity with Cuba and discussed the protective policy generally.

 

PAGE FOUR—EDITORIAL.

Who is Responsible?

   The village of Marathon, N. Y., is now trying to settle a question of responsibility. During the recent flood hundreds of tons of gravel were washed down Hunt's creek which divides the village on the east side of the river. The deposit was several feet in depth and as a result the level of the creek is so raised that cellars in that vicinity are filled with water to the depth of several inches.

   Seamans Brothers and Swift & Co., whose cellars were flooded, served notice on the trustees of the village to have the gravel removed. The trustees took counsel with Attorney O. U. Kellogg of Cortland and his opinion was that the village had no jurisdiction over the creek except where it intersected the streets, and that the owners of the property through which the creek took its course were the responsible parties, and that they would be responsible for resulting damages. He advised the board to assume no responsibility outside their jurisdiction and they have not done so.

   The abutting property owners don't like this a little bit, and then besides there are certain sections of the creek where the ownership of the abutting property is in question owing to the manner in which it was acquired. The result would seem to be that several legal questions must needs be determined before anybody will move in the matter, and in the meantime the people along the line of the creek in its lower course, whose cellars are already moist at times, are expecting to have to move out when the high water in the spring comes. It is an unfortunate state of affairs all around.

 

John Truck.

THE TRUCK CASE.

CORTLAND COUNTY'S FAMOUS MURDER TRIAL.

Motion for New Trial to be Made Tomorrow Before Judge A. H. Sewell at Norwich—Claim of Newly Discovered Evidence—What the Motion Alleges—District Attorney Dowd Says It is Only to Cause Delay—Case Will be Pressed to Court of Appeals.

   A motion for a new trial for John Truck, who was convicted of murder in the first degree, March 16, 1900, for taking the life of Frank W. Miller of Virgil on March 14, 1899, will be argued before Judge A. H. Sewell at Norwich tomorrow on the grounds on newly discovered evidence.

   The motion for the new trial is made by J. H. McCrahon of Syracuse, the attorney for the defendant, and it will be opposed by District Attorney Thomas H. Dowd. The motion makes the following claims:

   That witness Tompkins was active in the prosecution of the defendant, having stated matters untrue under promise of immunity from conviction by the prosecuting officers of Cortland county.

   That evidence was admitted which tended to prove that the defendant was guilty of having caused the wreck at Preble, when no such specification was contained in the indictment upon which he was placed on trial.

   That the court misdirected the jury in matters of law, and the defendant at the trial excepted to the numerous instances to such misdirection; and the said defendant specifies various exceptions and admissions of evidence offered and admitted in behalf of the people, to which the defendant excepted on trial; the various exceptions taken to the exclusion of evidence offered on behalf of the defendant on the trial; to the various exceptions taken to the several refusals of the court to charge the jury as requested by the defendant on the trial.

   The evidence is not sufficient to sustain the verdict of the jury.

   The verdict is contrary to law.

   The verdict is clearly against the evidence.

   The verdict is clearly against the law.

   The verdict is against the weight of evidence.

   There is no evidence in this case to warrant a conviction of murder in the first degree.

   Illegal evidence was admitted against the defendant which was prejudicial to him.

   The defendant asks for a new trial upon all the exceptions taken by the defendant upon the trial herein.

  The defendant asks for a new trial on the further ground that justice requires a new trial, and for each further, other or different relief as to the court may seem just and proper.

   District Attorney Dowd, commenting on the motion this morning, said:

   "I have made a careful investigation of the alleged facts set forth in the affidavits upon which the motion is founded, and have become satisfied that there is nothing in the papers of which the court will take any notice whatever. The entire motion seems to be made on the strength of the affidavit made by Orvil Pickert, who is now confined in the Onondaga county penitentiary and who naturally, feels unfriendly toward the Cortland county officials, and his affidavit is not to be credited.

   "The motion is made simply for delay, and to introduce foreign matter into the argument before the court of appeals. The motion will be denied, and an immediate appeal will be taken to the court of appeals. This will bring the entire matter before that court.

   "The case has been noticed for argument in the court of appeals, and if the defendant is not ready to argue the same on the first day of February, a motion will be made to dismiss the appeal."

 

SIDEPATH COMMISSION

Of Cortland County Submits its Annual Report for the Year 1901.

   The following is the report of the Cortland county [bicycle] sidepath commission for the year 1901:

   Hon. Joseph E. Eggleston, County Judge:

   DEAR SIR—The undersigned, "the board of sidepath commissioners of Cortland county, N. Y.," do make the following report of the proceedings of said board for the year ending Dec. 31, 1901.

   At the time of filing the last report there was a balance in the hands of the county treasurer to the credit of the sidepath fund in the sum of $56.16.

   The commission has sold during the season 2,797 sidepath licenses, which sum received from such sale amounts to $1,398.50, an increase over the sale of last year of about 180 badges.

   During the year the commissioners have received nothing in the way of contributions, making the total amount in the hands of said commission the sum of $1,454.66. The detailed financial statement is as follows:

 

   The vouchers for all the above payments and the several items entering into the same are submitted herewith and will be filed with this report with the county clerk of Cortland county, N. Y.

   During the recent year the commission constructed an extension of the Gillett's grove sidepath up to the Tompkins county line. At the time sad path was constructed the Tompkins county commission agreed to finish the construction of their path and join us at the county line, but have failed to do so.

   A committee of the commission appeared before the board of trustees of the village of Homer, N. Y., and secured their consent for the construction of a sidepath extending from the gas house, to the foundry corner in said village, which path was constructed much to the gratification of the commission and the wheelmen in general, as this was a much needed path being located as it is between the city of Cortland and the village of Homer, and the commission feel very grateful to the trustees of the village of Homer for their courtesy in the matter.

   The spring of the year found our paths in a very ragged condition caused by high water which washed away whole sections of the path, and also by the promiscuous and heedless driving upon the paths during the wet weather in the spring when the bed of the path was soft, cutting them up in places so that one could not recognize the first semblance of a sidepath. This caused expenditure of the greater part of our revenues in replacing and repairing the paths so destroyed; in the items for repairs in the foregoing statement quite a portion of that amount was expended in completing the Truxton sidepath, also for weeding the several sidepaths during the season, but these amounts are so mixed in the pay rolls that we are unable to separate them.

   The commission thought best to continue the system of sidepath police in order that the sidepath law should be enforced and to arrest all persons detected in violating the same.

   Several arrests were made during the season for the violation of the law in different ways, most of the offenders, however, pleaded guilty when arraigned and paid their fines. In one case, however, the party arrested pleaded not guilty. A jury was drawn, the case tried and submitted, the jury finding the defendant guilty, and the justice fined the defendant $15, which was paid. The above party was arrested for driving cattle on the sidepath, and when warned not to do so, said that "if they did not want the path driven upon they had better take it out of the road or fence it in."

   It will be necessary for the commission the coming year to top dress nearly all of the paths or so far as their means will allow.

   Altogether the commission feel that they have had a very prosperous year and feel encouraged in that the wheelmen seem to be taking a greater interest in sidepaths as shown by the increased number of badges sold.

   All of which is very respectfully submitted.

   ELLIS M. SANTEE, Chairman.

   H. L. DeCLERCQ, Secretary.

   H. L. BEBEE, F. V. BENNETT, C. H. DANES.

   Dated Dec. 31, 1901.

 

UNIVERSALIST CHURCH ON FIRE.

Started in Ceiling Above a Lighted and Unprotected Gas Jet.

   What might have been a very serious fire was discovered in the Universalist church last night at about 9:45 o'clock, at which time the church was holding its annual meeting. Willing and anxious hands set forth to put out the blaze and after a hard struggle they came out victorious. A fire alarm was sent in and the companies responded, but the fire was extinguished without the aid of the hosemen.

   The fire started from a gas jet in the basement in what is used for the Sunday-school room. The members of the church were holding the annual meeting in the room adjoining. The ceiling is low in the basement of the church and a reflector had been fastened above the gas jet to protect the wood ceiling from the heat. The screw that held the reflector in place, however, was heated red hot and fire caught from this into the ceiling. Some little time before the fire was discovered, Mr. W. W. Kelsey, who sat near the door between the two rooms, heard something drop in the adjoining room, and he opened the door and looked into the room, but saw nothing out of place. This proved afterward to be the fall of the reflector.

   More than a half hour after this Mrs. G. E. Ashby retired from the meeting, and going into the Sunday-school room she was horrified to see the ceiling all on fire. Her cries brought help and with the men to throw water and the women to draw it, the fire had to give way. The pastor did gallant work with an axe in chopping out the ceiling in order to get to the flames, and all worked like heroes. The floor above which is three boards thick was a hard proposition, but the fire which had gotten thoroughly started in this, was finally checked.

   The damage will not be heavy and is fully covered by insurance.

 

BREVETIES.

   —Mr. D. R. Shults claims the honor of being the first one to pay his city taxes this year.

   —The kindergarten association will meet at the Normal kindergarten tomorrow afternoon at 3:30 o'clock.

   —Canastota is to secure $10,000 from Andrew Carnegie for a library provided it will pledge itself to raise $1,000 a year for its support, and will also furnish a site.

—Mrs. George H. Smith entertained sixteen ladies at tea last night at her home on East Main-st. Whist and music followed and formed a very pleasant entertainment for the evening.

   —The STANDARD is indebted to Mr. Arthur H. Bennett, formerly of Cortland, now of Charleston, S. C., for papers of that city containing an account of the arrival there of the famous Liberty bell which has been taken down there from Independence hall, Philadelphia, for the exposition.

   —The last number of Hub, a trade paper of the carriage builders, contains the portrait of Bruce I. Norton, the new vice-president and manager of the Groton Carriage Co., and of C. E. Thompson, the new general manager for Keator & Wells, both Cortland men, together with a complimentary sketch of both and also a reference to H. J. Lewis, another Cortland man who has recently become connected with the Groton Carriage Co.

 

 

MARCONI, GERMANY BLAMES THE POLISH, CORPORATION COUNSEL HATCH, AND COMMON COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS

Guglielmo Marconi.

Cortland Evening Standard, Tuesday, Jan. 14, 1902.

WAS GUEST OF HONOR.

Annual Dinner of American Electrical Engineers.

MR. EDISON SENDS REGRETS.

Marconi Describes What His System Has Accomplished—Messages Have Been Read When Transmitter and Receiver Are Attuned—Perfected System Not Yet Used on Ships.

   New York, Jan. 14.—William Marconi, the inventor of wireless telegraphy, was the guest of honor last evening at the annual dinner of the American Institute of Electrical Engineers held in the Astor gallery of the Waldorf-Astoria hotel.

   The decorations were elaborate, among them being two black tablets, placed some distance apart. The word in electric lights on one was Poldhu, on the other St. Johns, the names of the towns between which the famous wireless test was recently made.

   The only formal addresses were those by President Charles Proteus Steinmetz, Signor Marconi, Professor Elihu Thomson and Dr. Michael I. Pupin.

   Thomas A. Edison wrote that he would be glad to be present as he would like "to meet the young man who had the monumental audacity to attempt and succeeded in jumping an electrical wave clear across the Atlantic ocean," but was unable to accept the invitation.

   Signor Marconi, on being introduced first described what his system had accomplished. He then referred to the prevailing opinion that when a message is sent into space anyone of the necessary apparatus can intercept that message and read it. He said:

   "Messages can only be read when the receiver and transmitter are attuned. This attuned system as perfected is not at present in use on ships. It has been deemed necessary that each ship should be equipped with apparatus which will permit of their reading a message sent from any other ship because of the possibility of aid being required in a case of danger."

   Signor Marconi declared that shortly it would be possible to send many messages over the sea at the same time.

 

Soldier Hanged For Murder.

   Washington, Jan. 14.—The war department has been advised of the execution of Phineas Foutz, late corporal of Company K, Nineteenth infantry, at Cebu, Philippine islands, on the morning of Jan. 3, 1902. Foutz was convicted of the willful murder of a native girl in the Philippine islands on Nov. 14, 1900, and was sentenced to be hanged.

 

Bernhard Von Bulow.

BLAMES THE POLISH.

Germany Will Amend Rules Affecting Prussian Schools.

AGITATION HAS BORNE FRUIT.

Corporal Punishment Will Be Omitted During Religious Instruction—Chancellor Says Questions Are National and Not Religious—Poles Must Learn to Speak German.

   Berlin, Jan. 14.—The imperial chancellor, Count Von Buelow, replied in the lower house of the diet yesterday to interpellations relative to the Polish question in Prussia.

   Von Buelow prefaced his remarks by saying that the incidents at Vreschen had been greatly exaggerated. What had occurred was the fault of the Polish agitation and not of the Prussian school system. Corporal punishment would hereafter be omitted during religious instruction. No one prevented the Poles from speaking Polish but they must also learn to speak German and participate in the German work of civilization.

   The chancellor disclaimed all desire to slight the Catholics, saying the government's policy was neither Protestant nor Catholic, just as his policy was neither Liberal nor Conservative. "I know." added the chancellor, "only one policy, just as I know only one single individual nation. The questions at issue in the eastern provinces are not religious, but are national. Now that these national conflicts are forced on us, only two possible courses are open—either to allow ourselves to be vanquished without a struggle, or to protect our skins. The Polish question is the most important before the nation and on its settlement depends the development of the immediate future of our fatherland."

   The chancellor concluded with assuring the Germans of East Prussia that the government would not deviate in the slightest from the track laid out by "that greatest German," the late Prince Bismarck.

 

THANKS OUR GOVERNMENT.

For Protecting Forbidden City During Disturbances.

   Washington. Jan. 14.—Mr. Wu, the Chinese minister, yesterday handed Secretary Hay the following edict, transmitted to him by Wei Wu Pu at Pekin, in a cablegram dated Jan. 11, 1902:

   "By order of her imperial majesty, the empress dowager, we issue the following edict: During the disturbances caused by the Boxers last year, the American commanding officers issued strict orders to their troops to use strenuous efforts to protect the buildings within the Forbidden City. This was an act of friendship worthy of imitation for which we feel extremely gratified. We therefore instruct Wu Ting Fang to convey our expression of thanks through the secretary of state to his excellency, the president of the United States. Respect this.''

 

PAGE FOUR—EDITORIAL.

Corporation Counsel Hatch.

   At a meeting of the common council last night Mayor Brown nominated Fred Hatch for Corporation counsel to succeed Nathan L. Miller resigned and the nomination was promptly and unanimously ratified. Mr. Hatch is the present clerk of the city and the new appointment comes in the way of a promotion which is abundantly deserved. Few cities have been so fortunate in their clerk as has Cortland been. All that experience could do for a man it has been able to do for Mr. Hatch in these later years, for he has been the clerk of Cortland as a village and subsequently as the city for eighteen continuous years with the exception of a single year which intervened some time ago. He is thoroughly familiar with the charter of the city and with every method of procedure. He has never been officious with advice while in the performance of the duties of his office, but quietly and with excellent judgment whenever consulted has been able to steer the city officials clear of many snags that have lain in wait for inexperienced men, and the aldermen had come to lean and depend upon him in almost every emergency. He is recognized as an able lawyer and his ability at the bar coupled with his experience as clerk will fit him in an unusual degree for the new duties of corporation counsel which now comes to him.

 

COMMON COUNCIL.

FRED HATCH APPOINTED AS CORPORATION COUNSEL.

No Othar Appointments Made—Paving Assessments Made for the Coming Year—Photographer Hyatt to Build a Tasty Studio on Tompkins-st.—Vacancies to be Filled at the Next Meeting.

   Only one appointment was made by Mayor Charles F. Brown at the adjourned meeting of the common council last evening. This was the appointment of Fred Hatch as Corporation counsel for the full term from Feb. 1. Mr. Hatch is the present clerk of the city, which office he has filled in a most satisfactory manner ever since Cortland became a city on March 16, 1900. Previous to that time and since the year 1888 Mr. Hatch was clerk of the board of trustees of the village of Cortland, with the exception of one year.

   The other appointments will not be made by the mayor until the regular meeting next Tuesday night. At this time a clerk will be appointed; also two members of the health board to succeed W. A. Stockwell and Dr. E. M. Santee; three members of the school board to succeed G. J. Mager, Edward Keator and W. J. Greenman, and one member of the fire board to succeed E. E. Ellis.

   It is generally understood that E. C. Alger is to be appointed city clerk. Mr. Alger has been the very efficient clerk of the board of supervisors for a number of years' and has shown a remarkable aptitude for the work. If appointed, he will, without doubt, prove a very acceptable assistant for the city law givers.

   There will probably be no change in the board of health, as the aldermen from the wards where the vacancies will occur stated last night that they were well satisfied with the present members. Each of the aldermen was asked to suggest a member from his ward for the board of health, and this practice will be continued by Mayor Brown.

   Commissioner of Charities F. E. Price is the only officer in the city who does not know where he is at, and there is a difference of opinion in the minds of those who advise him. Mr. Price was appointed a year ago for one year according to the wording of the charter. Since that time an amendment to the section has been made which makes the office one of two years' duration. The question is whether he holds for one year as he was appointed or whether his term is made two years by the amendment. Some are of the opinion that he should be appointed again if he is to hold through another year, while others claim that an appointment can only be made for two years, and that if he were appointed by Mayor Brown now the appointment would reach beyond the mayor's term of office.

   Clerk Hatch is of the opinion that the term of office of the present commissioner of charities is extended a year by the amendment to the section and that no appointment is necessary. This opinion meets with favor in the common council, and it is thought that the present officer will be continued in office in accordance with the terms of the amendment.

   Mayor Brown stated that two parties had applied to him for permits to put up buildings within what was thought to be the fire limits. Warren, Tanner, & Co. wished to build a one-story, iron covered building directly back of their drygoods store for a carpet room, and E. H. Hyatt has asked for permission to build a studio on the east part of Dr. P. M. Neary's lot on Tompkins-st. It was found, however, upon investigation that the fire units include only a strip 300 feet wide west of the center of Main-st. between a point 800 feet north of the north walls of the Cortland House and a point 300 feet south of the south walls of the Messenger House. The east side is without fire limits, and the building proposed by Mr. Hyatt is outside the 300 feet mark. Consequently no action in the matters was taken. Mr. Hyatt expects to put up a very tasty two-story building for a combined studio and residence.

   The official minutes follow:

   An adjourned meeting of the common council of the city of Cortland was held at the office of the clerk of said city on Jan. 18, 1902, at 7:30 o’clock P. M. Present: Charles F. Brown, mayor; E. M. Yager, E. R. Wright, Geo. F. Richards, T. C. Scudder, R. S. Pettigrew and Vern W. Skeele, aldermen.

   On motion of Mr. Scudder, seconded by Mr. Richards and declared carried:

   Resolved, That there be added to the assessment roll and tax levy of the city of Cortland for the current year the various sums as heretofore assessed and determined to be due and owing for principal and interest against abutting property owners on Railroad-st., Main-st., Lincoln-ave., Tompkins-st., Port Watson-st. and Groton-ave. maturing in 1902, the items and charges of which said sums respectively are set forth in detail on said assessment roll and tax list presented to this board at this time and inspected by said board and approved and determined by said board. Also all other unpaid assessments and taxes including taxes and charges for building and repairing sidewalks, and unpaid assessments and charges for water and sewer connections and all other unpaid taxes, assessments and charges whatsoever.

   Declared carried, all voting aye. 

   The mayor duly noted the resignation of Nathan L. Miller, city attorney of the city of Cortland to take effect upon the appointment of his successor in office. On motion of Mr. Skeele, seconded by Mr. Richards and declared carried:

   Resolved, That the same be accepted by this board.

   The mayor of the city presented the name of and nominated and appointed Mr. Fred Hatch city attorney of the city of Cortland for a full term commencing Feb. 1, 1902. Moved by Mr. Skeele and seconded by Mr. Yager that such appointment be ratified and confirmed by this board. Mr. Pettigrew called for the "ayes" and "nays." Ayes and nays taken, all voting aye, declared carried.

   Messrs. Scudder and Wright duly appointed as committee to examine the accounts of the city Chamberlain in accordance with his official annual report, reported in writing attached thereto, that the same were correct. On motion of Mr. Richards, seconded by Mr. Pettigrew and carried:

   Resolved, That such report be accepted and the committee discharged.

   The minutes of the present meeting were read and approved. On motion meeting adjourned.

   Jan. 13, 1902, CHAS. F. BROWN, Mayor.

 

Cortland Dairy Co.

   At the annual meeting of the Cortland Dairy Co., Jan. 14, 1902, the following officers were elected for the ensuing year:

   President—W. Bell.

   Vice-President—Frank J. Sears.

   Secretary and Treasurer—G. H. Smith.

   Sales Committee—Hon. O. U. Kellogg, Frank J. Sears and J. L. Stafford.

   Directors—Frank J. Sears, G. H. Smith, W. Bell and J. L. Stafford.

 

BREVITIES.

   —New display advertisements today are—M. A. Case, Clearing sale, page 6.

   —The Ladies' Literary club will meet tomorrow afternoon at 3:30 o'clock with Mrs. Julia F. Twiss, 16 Church-st.

   —The nomination of Frank J. Enz for postmaster of Ithaca was yesterday sent to the senate by President Roosevelt for confirmation.

   —The Washington Glass company of Ithaca suspended operations yesterday indefinitely. The management announced that it had been conducting its business at a loss for some time.

 

 

BOXING CATS FILMED BY THOMAS EDISON

 

N. Y. S. LEGISLATURE, MARCONI, CROUP IS DIPHTHERIA, CORTLAND TALENT AT TULLY, AND NEW GRANGE HALL ON SCOTT ROAD

 

Benjamin M. Wilcox.

Cortland Evening Standard, Monday, Jan. 13, 1902.

WEEK IN LEGISLATURE.

Administration Bills Are Being Pressed Rapidly.

BUSINESS CLOSED ON FRIDAY.

Two Hundred Bills Introduced, but One-Third Will Die in Committee. Mortgage Tax Bill Will Be Reported Soon—Governor's Canal Bill. Many Ridiculous Measures.

   Albany, Jan. 13.—The [New York State] legislature concluded its first week of actual business on Friday last and up to that time 200 new bills had been introduced. Many of the new measures have excellent prospects of passing both houses but it is predicted that 75 per cent of them will never get out of committee. Among the favored bills are three or four approved by the administration and they will be pressed as rapidly as possible. The governor and the leaders are still insisting that there be an early adjournment.

   By long odds the mortgage tax bill is the most important legislation. There will be a joint senate and assembly hearing upon it next Tuesday. It is said that the committees in both houses who have the bill in charge will report it favorably before Jan. 16. The governor favors the proposition as it is directly in line with his message recommendation.

   It was expected that there would be an early flood of excise bills but with the exception of Mr. Knipp's measure making the Raines law tighter than ever, none has appeared. It is understood that during the incoming week, District Attorney Jerome of New York and a delegation of the Reform club will appear in Albany with a Sunday opening measure.

   Very likely before the middle of the week the administration canal bill providing for the submission to the people of the proposition to expend $28,700,000 for the deepening and improvement of the state's big waterway will be introduced.

   The ways and means committee having reported the annual appropriation bill favorably, it is now on the order of final passage. It will be discussed and likely passed in the assembly this week. This is two months ahead of time gauged by previous sessions.

   In the assembly there are many curious bills. There is a measure to stop flirting; a measure permitting the ploughing up of daisies on the plea that they are weeds and a measure to censor the drama and license actors. All of these bills are still in committee.

   The bill for a municipal gas plant in New York, which this session was introduced by Assemblyman Adler, will not get through, it is said. The same legislator has introduced a bill to permit the opening of butcher shops on Sunday morning. A similar bill was vetoed last year.

   The taxation problem will come up for discussion in the senate this week and it is expected that the Stranahan mortgage tax bill with some few amendments will be reported during the latter part of the week.

   Senator Wilcox of Auburn has announced that he will attend the hearing and after studying the bill may offer certain amendments. He has decided to offer at least one amendment and that to make it mandatory, under penalty of usury, that the mortgagee shall pay the stamp tax.

   At present there are four bills on the order of third reading in the senate, including the Buffalo charter amendment bills, making the city treasurer ineligible for re-election, and reducing the number of park commissioners from 15 to 5. The first bill to pass this session will probably be Senator Brackett's measure legalizing the issuance of bonds by the village of Corinth.

   Senator McEwan's bill, legalizing the issuance of school bonds by the town of Guilderland, is second on the order for passage.

 

Richard Croker.

MR. CROKER RETIRES.

Lewis Nixon Succeeds Him as Chairman of the Finance Committee.

   New York, Jan. 13.—Richard Croker announced his retirement from the formal leadership of Tammany Hall Saturday afternoon. The announcement was made at the meeting of the executive committee at which the plan of the organization for the year 1902 was agreed upon.

   Lewis Nixon was named as Mr. Croker's successor as the chairman of the finance committee. The position by long usage carries with it the leadership of the organization.

 

Guglielmo Marconi.

MARCONI'S WORK.

Sails For Europe on Wednesday—Tells of His Plans.

   New York, Jan. 13.—Signor William Marconi, inventor of the wireless telegraph, arrived here yesterday from Canada where he has been the guest of the Dominion government. This evening he will be the guest of honor at the annual banquet of the American Institute of Electrical Engineers. On Wednesday he will sail for Europe.

   Signor Marconi described his recent experiments in wireless telegraphy between Newfoundland and Cornwall, Eng., and said the test letters were received exactly according to prearranged plans both as to number and speed.

   "As soon as I reach the other side," he said, "I shall start to work to get stations in readiness for the transmission of messages, commercial and otherwise, across the Atlantic. There will be two stations on each side, that in Europe being located at Cornwall and Belgium. Those on the American side will be at Nova Scotia and Cape-Cod.

   At the banquet this evening Signor Marconi is expected to speak regarding his recent achievements. Others on the list of speakers are Lieutenant General Nelson A. Miles, Rear Admiral Bradford and Professor Pupin of Columbia university.

 

Wireless Signals Between Trains.

   Jamestown, N. Y., Jan. 13.—An instrument has been perfected by F. R. Cobham of this city for signaling between trains on the same railway track. It is based on the wireless telegraph principal and signals automatically when two trains are within 2,000 feet of each other. It also indicates in which direction each of the two trains is running or, if one of them is standing on the track, that fact is indicated.

 

USS ALABAMA (BB-8).

PAGE FOUR—EDITORIAL.

Our Engines of War.

   The launching of the new battleship Missouri the other day is a reminder that we have several other powerful ironclads in process of construction. Three classes of vessels are represented among our more recent battleships—viz., the Alabama class, the Maine class and the Virginia class—and they respectively represent the evolution in shipbuilding which has occurred during the past decade.

   In the Alabama class there are five vessels, as follows: The Kearsarge, the Kentucky, the Illinois, the Alabama and the Wisconsin, all of which are now in commission and are doing active service.

   In the Maine class there are three vessels, as follows: The Missouri, to be completed March 13, 1903; the Maine, to be completed Oct. 1, 1902, and the Ohio to be completed May 5, 1903. The vessels belonging to the Maine class are much larger than those belonging to the Alabama class, but they are greatly inferior to those belonging to the Virginia class.

   In the Virginia class there will be, according to provisions already made, five immense ironclads, as follows: The Georgia, the Nebraska, the Rhode Island,  the New Jersey and the Virginia. The first three were authorized March 3, 1899, and the last two June 7, 1900.

   The vessels of the Alabama class have a displacement of 11,525 tons, those of the Maine class will have a displacement of 12,500 tons, and those of the Virginia class will have a displacement of 14,948 tons. But the vessels of all three classes will be much larger than either the Oregon or the Iowa.

   Whether the fighting craft which congress shall authorize will be larger than those for which provision has already been made remains to be seen, but certainly there has been an extraordinary development in the building of battleships during the last decade. In world's navies as well as merchant marine these are the days of big ships.

 

CROUP IS DIPHTHERIA.

Cultures Sent to Specialist Who Now Makes His Report.

   For the past week or more there have been in Cortland several cases of what have been termed by many membraneous croup. The attention of Health Officer Paul T. Carpenter was early directed to this and in each case he called the disease diphtheria and quarantined the houses where it was found. To make sure of his position in the matter the officer obtained cultures from several of the patients and sent these to Dr. William H. May, city bacteriologist of Syracuse, for examination. Saturday the specialist reported to Dr. Carpenter that the cultures showed diphtheria germs plainly.

   The health laws state that membranous croup shall be reported to the health officers the same as diphtheria, and this, the officer states, has not been done. The position that Dr. Carpenter takes is that all of these cases should be promptly reported to him, and that he will then quarantine them and thus form a safeguard against the further spread of the disease. He is of the opinion that the greatest care possible should be exercised. He states frankly that he takes all responsibility in quarantining and that he would rather be mistaken and get a case confined that afterwards proved not t o have diphtheria than to take any chance with it.

   Another matter that the health officer wishes to impress is that parents should be watchful and, if any symptom of throat irregularity is found, that medical attendance should be secured at once.  There are several cases of diphtheria in the city, and every one should cooperate in the plan proposed to break it up. There is no particular cause for alarm, as every case so far as known is quarantined, but it will be wise for each and every one to take every precaution possible in the matter.

 

Cortland Talent at Tully, N. Y.

   The Cortland Musical and Vaudeville company goes to Tully tonight to play a two nights' engagement at Van Bergen's opera house. The following will be the program:

A NEW GRANGE HALL.

Secured for the Grangers on the Scott Road North of Homer, N. Y.

   To the Editor of The Standard:

   SIR—We hear good news from the Alvord district on the Scott road. The members of the grange or Patrons of Husbandry have secured possession of a dwelling house to use as grange hall, where the farmers can meet to discuss questions about farming. They intend to progress in the science of agriculture and horticulture. Opportunity will be given the young men and women to read their essays and talk on subjects interesting to all who attend the grange meetings. We hope all, who can, will hold a continued interest in the organization and prosper as they advance in the science of farming, for the grange in designed to make people honorable and useful to each other.

   Some of the topics will be good roads and government legislation relative to the interest and protection for the tillers of the soil. A question that should be presented and properly considered is what shall be done with the cabbage which has been injured by severe freezing at the beginning of the unusually early winter? Remember, the analysis of cabbage at the Geneva experiment station has demonstrated the fact that cabbage is worth $1.70 per ton for fertilizing purposes. The farmers, who have ten tons of cabbage on an acre, have $17 worth of fertilizing material on that acre. Where there has been much loss, there can be some gain by removing a large quantity of the crop to other fields, where it should be broken to pieces and ploughed under. It should be ploughed under as soon as possible to prevent sickness, which will result from the poisonous effluvia of the decaying cabbage if it is left above ground.

   We wish to say to those who own the farms just north of that grange hall, that they would do well to divide a hundred acres or more into five or ten acre lots and sell them for a reasonable sum on long time payment to some honest and industrious men, who may be able to make comfortable homes, by growing the many varieties of fruits and vegetables for home use and the markets. Streets can be laid at right angles to the road, thus making a country villa, where it will be a pleasant place to live. E. C. CROSMAN, Homer, N. Y.

 

The Ministers' Meeting.

   The Ministerial association of Cortland, Homer and vicinity met in Y. M. C. A. hall today. The president, Rev. C. W. Negus, presided. The paper of the morning was read by Rev, W. P. Decker of Pitcher. It was a strong, exegetical treatise on "The Christian's Resurrection's Body." The sermon of the afternoon was preached by Rev. U. S. Milburn of Cortland. The subject was, "God and Man, as Factors in Revelation."

   Present Rev. Messrs. Robert Clements, C. L. Rice, U. S. Milburn, H. L. Rixon, W. J. Howell, G. H. Brigham and Geo. E. T. Stevenson of Cortland; B. W. Hamilton, D. D., W. F. Kettle, and C. W. [Negus] of Homer; Edson Rogers of Cincinnatus; W. P. Decker of Pitcher; D. D. King, Ph. D., and D. D. Harmon of Tully; Dr. Bull and A. W. Batty of DeRuyter.

 

BREVITIES.

   —The Cortland lodge of Perfection will meet at 8 o'clock tonight.

   —The regular meeting of the Women's Auxiliary has been postponed until Feb. 11.

   —A bowling contest will be participated in at Towsend's [sic] alleys this evening between the North end team and South end team.

   —A special meeting of the common council will be held this evening at which time it is expected that the appointments will be made for the coming year.

   —A regular meeting of the Royal Arcanum council will be held Tuesday evening, Jan. 14, at G. A. R. hall at 7:30 o'clock. Officers to be installed.

  —New display advertisements today are—Warren, Tanner & Co., Carpets, etc., page 6; R. W. Mitchell, Meats, etc., page 5; C. F. Brown, Pure drugs, page 6.

  —Evangelistic services will be continued at the Memorial Baptist church every evening this week except Saturday. Preaching this evening at 7:30 o'clock.

   —The Christmas offering at St. Mary's Catholic church this year amounted to $742 which is the largest in the history of this church and the sixth largest in the diocese. It is $57 larger than the offering a year ago and $15 larger than the Easter offering.