CHICAGO ELECTION, NEGRO LYNCHED, COMMON COUNCIL, AND MUNICIPAL OWNERSHIP LEAGUE

 

John J. Coughlin.

Cortland Evening Standard, Wednesday, April 2, 1902.

CHICAGO CITY ELECTION.

Republicans and Democrats Each Gain an Alderman—"Bathhouse John" a Winner.

   Chicago, April 2.—The Republicans and Democrats each made a net gain of one alderman in the city election held yesterday. The new council will consist of 39 Republicans, 30 Democrats and one independent. The old council consisted of 38 Republicans, 29 Democrats and 3 independents.

   The hottest fight of the campaign was in the First ward, where a determined effort was made by the opponents of John Coughlin, known as "Bathhouse John." He easily defeated his opponent David Frank.

   The issues at stake were entirely local, the only interest outside the ward boundaries being interjected by the Municipal Voters' League, an organization formed for the selection of desirable members of the city council, irrespective of party. The league succeeded with the majority of its candidates. It recommended 36 men for election and of these 28 were elected.

   The question of abolishing the various town governments was submitted to the people and carried by an overwhelming majority.

   Other questions of public policy were voted upon, among them being municipal ownership of street car systems, gas works and other public utilities, and the nomination of candidates by vote at the primaries instead of by city conventions. All of these were favorably voted upon.

   None of these votes save that on the abolition of the town offices carries action with it. The others are merely expressive of the wish of the people. The vote was very light, not over 160,000 votes being cast.

 

Prince Ching.

Russia Will Remain.

   Pekin, April 2.—The Manchurian convention, the main conditions of which were recently agreed upon by Paul Lessar, Russia's minister to China, and Prince Ching, president of the Chinese foreign office, permits China to maintain whatever force she may think necessary in Manchuria, after the evacuation of that territory. Official reports from Niu Chwang declare that the Russians are displaying great military activity there. Ten thousand troops have recently been moved to Port Arthur and new drafts are arriving. An extensive and permanent telegraph system is being constructed.

 

Negro Lynched at Rome, Ga.

   Rome, Ga., April 2.—Walter Allen, a negro, charged with attempting to criminally assault Miss Adamson, a 15-year-old girl in this city, was taken from the jail last night by 4,000 people, who battered down the prison doors, and hanged him to an electric light pole in the principal portion of the city. A volley was fired afterward and fully 1,000 bullets entered the negro's body.

 

PAGE FOUR–EDITORIALS.

Population of United States.

   ◘ Final results of the 12th census gives the total population of the United States on June 1, 1900, as 84,233.069, with a margin of error of possibly one million accounted for by the uncertainty regarding the population of the Philippines. Three countries only have a greater number of inhabitants under their flags, the Chinese, British and Russian empires. The total area of the United States, the term ''United States" including all insular and other possessions, is now 3,090,822 square miles, about one-fourteenth of the entire land surface of the earth. The same three countries exceeding the United States in population also surpass it in area.

   ◘ Trade statistics of the Philippine Islands just made public by the insular bureau of the war department show an increase of 35 per cent in imports and of 6 per cent in exports for the first eight months of 1901 as compared with the same period in 1900. A similar comparison shows an increase of nearly $1,000,000 in imports of foodstuffs and of nearly $4,000,000 in manufactured articles. At the same time the export of hemp, the chief native product, shows a progressive increase. These figures are interesting and instructive, but they would be still more so if they were brought more nearly up to date.

 

COMMON COUNCIL.

PROGRESS REPORTED IN MATTER OF WATER CONTRACT.

Permission to Board of Education to Reject All Bids for New School Building—Discussion of the Subject of Draining Water—Monthly Reports—Bills Audited.

   No action was taken by the common council last night at its regular meeting at the city clerk's office in the matter of the water contract. More time is needed to prepare the contract, and the meeting adjourned until next Tuesday night, when it is expected that terms with the water company will have been arrived at and the document be ready to be acted upon by the council. All of the council men were present except Aldermen Richards and Scudder.

   F. D. Smith, president of the board of education, and A. W. Edgcomb, chairman of the committee on grounds and buildings of that board, came before the meeting and asked that the common council consent to the rejection by the board of education of the bids for building the addition to the Central School building, on the grounds that the bids were in excess of the appropriation. Mr. Smith did not state what the bids for the building were and gave as his reason for not giving out the amounts that it would be unfair to the bidders. He stated that the plans would be changed so as to bring the expenses down to the appropriation.

   A resolution of the board of education duly certified and stating that the lowest bid received by such board for the building of an addition to the Central School building and for the heating, ventilating and plumbing therefore was in the opinion of such board too high, was read, and on motion, placed on file.

   On motion of Mr. Skeele, seconded and carried:

   Resolved, That the common council hereby consent that the board of education reject the lowest bid received by such board of education and all bids therefore for the building of an addition to the Central School building and for the heating, ventilating and plumbing therefore and that the city clerk may advertise for new proposals for the same.

   All voting aye, declared carried.

   Mayor Brown presented the appointment of Alma E. Austin to be commissioner of deeds.

   On motion of Mr. Yager, seconded and carried, such appointment was ratified and confirmed.

   Alderman Yager, who was appointed a committee at the previous meeting to obtain an estimate for the expenses of making maps of Otter and Dry creeks, made a report. He had seen J. D. F. Woolston about the creeks and he had said that the surveys and maps needed ought to be made for $40 for each creek. He did not want to take hold of the job alone, however. It was thought best to communicate with Allen &Farrington in reference to the matter and see if an outline map could not be furnished by them cheaper than their first price of $150 each.

   Alderman Skeele said the drainage water on Port Watson-st. was giving much trouble. The sluiceway at the corner of Hyatt and Port Watson-sts. had caved in and the water covers the adjacent lots and fills the cellars. He said that the residents could not get relief from the board of public works. The people of that section, he thought, are willing to build sluiceways to protect their property if the city would furnish them with material. He thought something must be done at once to save actions against the city, which are threatened.

   City Chamberlain G. J. Maycumber submitted his monthly report. This showed that the receipts had been$1,659.56, disbursement, $10,065.19.

   Commissioner of Charities F. E. Price gave his report, showing an expenditure of $83.95 for the poor during the month of March.

   Alderman Skeele, a committee on street markers, reported that he had not yet completed his investigation of the matter. His time for reporting to the council was extended.

   The following bills were ordered paid:

 

   The minutes of the present meeting were approved.

   On motion, meeting adjourned to Tuesday, April 8, 1902.

   Approved. CHAS. F. BBOWN, Mayor, EDMUND C. ALGER, Clerk.

 

Sent Up for Four Months.

   David Finn, who was arrested last Saturday night and was saved from going to jail by his brother, Ike Finn, who paid a fine of $10 for him, was arrested again Monday night on the same charge, that of public intoxication. Yesterday morning he pleaded not guilty, but this morning he withdrew his former plea and pleaded guilty. He was sentenced to Onondaga county penitentiary for four months.

 

MUNICIPAL OWNERSHIP LEAGUE

Forming In Cortland to Control all Franchises and Industries.

   A municipal ownership league is being formed in Cortland and already steps have been taken to perfect a permanent organization. The league will have for its object the promotion of municipal ownership ideas, not only in relation to owning the waterworks, but also other industries that are being operated by private parties or corporations from which the citizens of Cortland are the consumers.

   It is said that the movement is meeting with favorable action on the part of those who believe in municipal ownership and the league will have a large membership.

 

EFFORT TO RAISE MONEY

To Pay the Rent on Athletic Field for Another Year.

   Yesterday afternoon it was reported on the street that some one was trying to buy up all the stock of the Athletic Field association. The 900 shares at an original cost of $1 each, advanced five points in short order, and were held at 10 cents per share. During the afternoon there were as many inquiries made for the would-be stock cornerer as there are holders of the stock. No one, however, seems to have found him, and now the association is pondering over the question of raising $150 by April 15 to pay the rent, in order that the field may be kept as a public playground.

 

Mrs. Minnie Woodward Calhoun.

   Mrs. Minnie Woodward Calhoun of New York City died yesterday forenoon at the home of her brother, Mr. Mason H. Woodward, at the Mason Loring homestead on the Truxton road. Mrs. Calhoun bad been suffering from lung trouble and had been in poor health for a long time. Several weeks ago she came from New York to the home of her brother, where she died yesterday.

   Mrs. Calhoun was the daughter of Mrs. H. A. Woodward of Cortland, who survives her. She leaves four step children, Misses Jennie and Bertha Calhoun and Messrs. T. H. and W. C. Calhoun of New York City. One sister and six brothers also survive. These are Mrs. S. L. Clark of Cortland and Messrs. E. Woodward of Tully, Fred I. and W. R. Woodward of Truxton, George Woodward of Jacksonville, Fla., and M. H. and Ward Woodward of Cortland.

   Mrs. Calhoun was a graduate of the Cortland Normal school and for several years was a successful teacher in the schools ac Moravia, Babylon, and East Orange, N. J. She was for many years a member of the Presbyterian church of Cortland, but transferred her membership to East Orange some years ago.

   The funeral will be held at the home of her brother, Mr. M. H. Woodward, Friday afternoon at 2 o'clock.

 

Residence Changed.

   Dr. J. C. Stevens has moved his residence to 146 Homer-ave. Telephone 107. Office at Maricle's livery the same as before.

 

BREVITIES.

   —The funeral of the late Mr. B. B. Morehouse will be held at the house Friday at 2 o'clock.

   —The funeral of Mr. James Fullmer of Manlius, father of Mrs. F. B. Miller of this city, was held Monday of this week.

   —Cortlandville lodge, No. 470, F. & A. M., will hold a special communication Thursday evening for conferring the first degree.

   —Dillon Bros.' Easter reception, the second in the series, will be given tomorrow night in Red Men's hall. Music by their own orchestra of eight pieces will be furnished.

   —Cortland encampment, No. 122, I. O. O. F., will administer the Royal Purple degree to nearly a dozen candidates tomorrow night at the regular meeting in John L. Lewis lodgerooms.

   —New display advertisements today are—S. Simmons, Spring clothing, page 8; Family Liquor Store, Bottle of wine free, page 5; The York Store, Opening sale of drygoods, page 8; Opera House, "The Outpost." page 5; Opera House, "Lecture on Boer War," page 5; C. F. Thompson, Fresh fish, page 6; E. H. Medes, Coffee, page 5; E, M. Mansur, Flower seeds, page 8.