RUMORS OF PEACE, COMMERCE DEPARTMENT, BETTER ROADS, AND CONCERT BY TELEPHONE

 

Afrikaner Kommandos.

Cortland Evening Standard, Friday, Jan. 17, 1902.

RUMORS OF PEACE.

Belief That Negotiations Are on With Leading Boers.

   London, Jan. 17.—A strong belief prevailed in financial circles here late yesterday, that negotiations for peace had been reopened between the leading Boers and the British government.

   South African stocks rose in sympathy with the reports. The exact nature of what was going on was not known, but a representative of the press learned that leading Boers had indirectly approached the government protesting against the appropriation of farms in the Transvaal and Orange River colonies by British settlers, which system is now being rapidly pushed, and that strong influence had been brought to bear on the Boer leaders to save at least a vestige of property for their followers.

   Whether what is passing between the Boers and the British government can be termed peace negotiations or what will be their result can only remain speculation for the present. The stock exchange evidently takes a hopeful view of the outcome.

 

Naval Schools on the Lakes.

   Milwaukee, Jan. 17.—Great pressure will be brought to bear upon congress to secure for Milwaukee the naval training school that is to be established at some point on the great lakes. At a meeting last night which was attended by representatives of the Milwaukee Chamber of Commerce, the merchants' and manufacturers' association and other civil organizations, Mayor Rose was authorized to appoint a committee of 15 citizens who will set forth the advantages to be gained in selecting Milwaukee as the site for the naval school. The committee will likely visit Washington at an early date to confer with the house committee on naval affairs.

 

UNITED STATES SENATE.

Much Objection to the New Department of Commerce.

   Washington, Jan. 17.—The senate yesterday for a brief time had under consideration the bill creating a department of commerce and the discussion tended to show that the measure will have to be amended in many particulars before it can receive the approval of the senate.

   Serious objections were raised to the transfer to the proposed department of several important bureaus now a part of the other departments of the government.  It was pointed out that if the bill as reported became a law it would create the greatest department of the government and that the secretary of commerce would have more power even than the secretary of the treasury. Notice of several important amendments was given.

   A large number of uncontested bills and private pension measures was passed, after which the senate adjourned until Monday.

 

FOR BETTER ROADS.

Bill to Regulate Improvement When Road is Partly in a City.

   ALBANY, Jan. 17, (Special).—A bill just introduced in the state legislature by Senator Willard and Assemblyman Marson, in their respective house, possesses interest for residents of Cortland and vicinity. It amends the highway law so as to exempt that portion of a highway laying outside the corporation tax district from the provision of law which says that the board of supervisors in any county, upon the presentation of a petition as required in Section 2 of the law, must pass a resolution that public interest demands the improvement of any public highway or section thereof, situated within such county and described in such resolution; but such resolution shall not include any portion of a highway within the boundaries of a city or incorporated village.

 

Carrie Nation.

PAGE FOUR—EDITORIALS.

Ithaca's Waterworks.

  The city of Ithaca is making a move to own its own waterworks, and would either like to buy the present plant which is under private control or put in a new plant of its own. But according to The News a new complication has turned up. The franchise of the water company is a perpetual one granted in 1853 under an old law and under its terms the city is bound to purchase its water for municipal purposes from this company no matter how many new companies might be started and no matter from whom private consumers might buy their water. The cause of the present desire for a new water company is the claim that the present rates are excessive, but this discovery as to a perpetual right on the part of the old company to supply water to the city has rather discouraged those who want city ownership. What the next move will be remains to be seen.

   ◘ Mrs. Carrie Nation's assertion that she is ''not going to marry any man in Iowa" must be a source of great relief to marriageable Iowa men.

 

William R. George.

GEORGE JUNIOR REPUBLIC.

Two Citizens Arrested in Cortland Driving a Stolen Rig.

   Fred Becker and Will Bertenshaw, two lads scarcely 12 years of age from the George Junior Republic at Freeville, were arrested on Elm-st. today at 11 o'clock by Chief Barnes. When stopped by the chief they were driving a horse hitched to a cutter, which they had taken from the republic without asking. The boys, according to their own story, left the republic last night without knowing exactly where they were going. They had taken a horse that belonged to the authorities. A telephone communication from Mr. George of the republic at 11 o'clock last night gave information that the boys had left and were headed for Cortland. Upon seeing these two today the chief mistrusted that they were the culprits, and sure enough they were.

   Fred Becker, who had been at the republic for seven months, stated that he formerly lived in New York. He wept bitterly, partially from the cold and more at the thought of being among strangers, while he also might have thought of the severe punishment given when he returns to the George Junior.

   Will Bertenshaw said he formerly lived in Groton, and he was unmoved. He had a smile for all that was said, and seemed to be not at all troubled over his situation.

   Mr. George was informed that the boys were captured, and it is expected that he will come to Cortland tonight to get the boys.

 

Death of a Virgil Minister.

   Rev. Frank P. Fletcher, pastor of the Baptist church at Virgil, N. Y., died at his home in that place Wednesday morning, aged 38 years. Mr. Fletcher has been pastor of the Virgil Baptist church for the past five years. He leaves a wife and five children. The funeral will be held Saturday at 11o'clock at his late home and at 12 o'clock at the Virgil Baptist church.

 

CONCERT BY TELEPHONE.

A Numerous Audience Enjoys Several Selections by Phonograph.

   Mr. Clyde L. Pierce of F. I. Graham's drug store afforded pleasure to a number of people last night by a phonograph concert by telephone. He placed Mr. Graham's splendid Edison phonograph in front of the transmitter of the Home telephone in the store and then called up one of his friends. He also gave the operator at the central office permission to make several more connections with the open line with the result that upwards of a score of people in as many different places enjoyed the music which was as clear and distinct as though they had been present in the room itself. A band selection was first given, then a vocal solo, in which every word was perfectly enunciated, a banjo solo followed and then more banjo music. A representative of The STANDARD was one of those favored and he enjoyed the music immensely.

 

Sang for the School.

   Mrs. Charlotte Nash-Head very pleasingly entertained the pupils of the Schermerhorn-st. school this afternoon with a short musical program, consisting of several songs especially adapted to children, all of which were highly appreciated.

 

BREVITIES.

   —New display advertisements today are—Opera House, "The Spinster's Convention," page 5.

   —The population of Whitney's Point has increased from 773 to 785 in four years—a gain of three a year.

   —The next in the series of stereopticon lectures to be given by Rev. W. Jasper Howell at the First Baptist church will occur next Monday night, Jan. 20. The theme will be "Castles and Abbeys of England and Scotland."

   —Mr. James H. Foote of McLean, formerly the organist of Grace Episcopal church of Cortland, suffered a stroke of paralysis about noon yesterday. Mr. Foote married Mrs. Rankin, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. V. D. Mills of Cortland, about three years ago.

   —Annual passes have been issued for this year to Lehigh Valley engineers, firemen, conductors, baggage masters and brakemen who have been in the service over two years. The Lehigh Valley is said to be the first company of the eastern roads to grant passes to the train service to such an extent.—Athens [Pa.] News.