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| Elihu Root. |
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| Emilio Aguinaldo. |
Cortland Evening Standard, Saturday, June 28, 1902.
PARDON FOR FILIPINOS.
Amnesty Proclamation to Be Issued on Independence Day.
IF PHILIPPINE BILL IS PASSED.
All Persons Held For Political Offences to Be Restored to Liberty, Including Aguinaldo and Those Held at Guam. Details of the Proclamation Discussed by Cabinet.
Washington, June 28.—At the meeting of the cabinet yesterday the terms of an amnesty proclamation to the Filipinos, which it is contemplated to issue on the Fourth of July, were agreed upon. The war department for some time past has had under consideration the draft of a proclamation. In its modified state it was agreed to by the cabinet and Secretary Root will cable it to Acting Governor Wright for his inspection. If it meets the latter's approval nothing will remain but for the president, if the Philippine civil government bill is a law on that day as is now expected, it will be to issue on Independence day a formal proclamation setting forth terms of amnesty for all political offenders in the islands, including Aguinaldo and those held at Guam.
The proclamation is based on the general objects of the Philippine government bill, namely, to restore peace in the archipelago and substitute a civil for a military administration. That bill is now in conference and the proclamation will not be published until the Philippine government measure has been agreed upon by both houses and the president has affixed his signature to it.
The proclamation will declare that a state of peace now exists in the Philippines, save in the parts of the archipelago where the Mindanao or pagan tribes are giving the United States a great amount of trouble, and will declare in effect that with the transfer of the government of the archipelago from a military to a civil status all those arrested and held for political offenses shall be restored to liberty, granted full amnesty, and allowed to participate in the civil government that is to be inaugurated on the islands.
There was a general discussion of the treatment that should be accorded the political prisoners of the islands. There is no intention, it is stated, to release those prisoners convicted of other than political offences, the benefits of the amnesty being limited to those in custody as a result of breaches of military law, leaving criminal offenders to the action of the proper authorities and the coming civil government. The purpose is to demonstrate that motives of humanity and generosity dictate our course toward the Filipinos. When the islands are turned over to the civil authorities they will not be left without adequate military protection, as no more troops will be ordered home at present and every precaution will be taken for the military safeguarding of the islands under the new civil administration.
Another subject under discussion at the cabinet meeting was the negotiations for the purchase of the friars' lands in the Philippines. It is understood that Secretary Root feels great confidence in a successful outcome of Governor Taft's efforts.
The cabinet also took up the question of naming the naval vessels provided for in the naval appropriation bill and it is stated, a decision was reached in each case but it is desired not to make the names public until the vessels are actually authorized.
The cabinet meeting was held in the president's temporary quarters on\ Lafayette square and was the first time in 88 years that a regular session of the cabinet had been held outside of the White House.
Believed Teachers Were Murdered.
Manila, June 28.—Though there is no positive proof that the four American teachers of Ceba, island of Cebu, who have been missing since June 10, have been killed, there is little doubt that they were murdered, as members of the constabulary who killed a man for resisting arrest found on his person the revolver, watch and chain which belonged to Mr. Thomas, one of the teachers referred to.
PAGE FOUR—EDITORIAL.
Uncle Sam's Percentage.
In supplying money and postage stamps to the public Uncle Sam makes a large and steady profit. In fact, gold is about the only thing from which he does not get a percentage.
The Utica Herald-Dispatch has been figuring up some of these lines of gain and says: Uncle Sam issues a silver certificate for a dollar, and stacks up in the treasury half a dollar's worth of the white metal with which to redeem it. And he also makes a hundred per cent on every dollar in coin he puts into circulation.
When he issues paper money, some of it is destroyed or lost every year and, not having to redeem it, your Uncle makes another percentage. For example, of the legal tender notes outstanding, the treasury department estimates that at least a million dollars' worth has been destroyed, and the government is therefore just so much ahead. Only one legal tender note of the denomination of $10,000 is outstanding. As the others were redeemed years ago, the one still carried on the treasury books has doubtless been burned up or otherwise lost, so that Uncle Sam will never be called upon to redeem it. The total issue of fractional currency notes was $368,724,079.45. Of this there is still outstanding $15,284,349.96. It is estimated that $32,000 worth has been destroyed. The balance is doubtless in the hands of curio dealers or collectors. During the year the government redeemed $2,518.78 in this kind of money. Redemptions are likely to be less each year, and a large portion of the outstanding notes will never reach the treasury; so that will be another percentage for Uncle Sam.
It is calculated that the government is at least a million dollars in pocket every year as the result of carelessness in the use of postage stamps.
People put them loose in a drawer or desk, or in a corner of a pocketbook, not to think of them again until they are run across months later in rummaging. They are now old, dirty and dilapidated, and as they cannot be redeemed, they are thrown away. Before the oiled paper books came into use, hot weather was responsible for more gain for the postoffice department than any other one cause. Stamps were ruined by the thousands because the gum melted, and they stuck to one another, although an infusible gum was supposed to be put on summer stamps. There is another practice indulged in by many advertising and business firms that puts a good deal of money into Uncle Sam's pocket every year, and that is the practice of sending out unsolicited letters asking for trade or patronage of some sort. These are often accompanied by stamped and addressed envelopes for replies that in a majority of cases are never made. Perhaps not one-tenth of them elicit replies. Thus the stamp that has been paid for is not used, and the government gets money for work not done. There are business houses that collect such envelopes and redeem them when they have enough to make it worth their while, but very few take the trouble to do this. There are thousands of reply postal cards, too, that are never used.
Again, lots of people are careless about putting stamps on envelopes and paper wrappers. The result is that often before the stamp has been cancelled it has fallen off, and the letter is held up at the other end of the line until the postage is paid. A great many more folks put on too much postage, for instance two 5-cent stamps on a package that needs but one. They are too busy or indolent to inquire as to the exact rate. It is amazing how ignorant well educated and intelligent people often are about such a common matter of information as the postal rates for different classes of matter. Uncle Sam gets the benefit of all mistakes. If there is not enough postage, he collects; and, in case of a foreign letter that is overweight, he collects a double rate for the excess. If there is too much postage, your Uncle simply cancels the stamps and pockets the excess as another form of percentage. Then he makes considerable out of the many philatelists who put various issues into collections. For these the government does no work.
THE OLDEST POSTMASTER
Has Now Served for Seventy-four Consecutive Years.
North Lansing, N. Y., has the distinction of possessing the oldest postmaster in length of service of any postoffice in the United States. This Saturday, June 28, Roswell Beardsley has been the postmaster of that little town for seventy-four consecutive years. He was born in a log cabin in Scipio, July 5, 1809. He was the third son of John and Alice Beardsley. His original commission as postmaster was signed by President John Quincy Adams and bears date of Aug. 6, 1828, a year before Andrew Jackson was inaugurated as president. There was not a railroad in the United States and Queen Victoria was a child of 9 years. His accounts have always been perfect and not a postage stamp has been lost except when burglars have blown open his safe. He always uses a quill pen of his own make. The first year his salary was $19.53, and it has never been more than $200. Postmaster Beardsley does not depend on his office for a living. He is worth $150,000.
A BUSINESS CHANGE.
D. E. Shepard Sells His Store to George H. Wiltsie.
Negotiations were completed this afternoon by which D. E. Shepard sells his drygoods store on the corner of Main-st. and Groton-ave. to George H. Wiltsie of Burlington, Vt. Possession will be given Aug. 15.
Mr. Shepard has been in the drygoods business for many years. Thirty years ago he was a clerk for G. J. Mager in Lowville. Five years ago he came to Cortland from Homer, where he had successfully conducted a store for a few years. The first year here was spent in the old Mager store in the Schermerhorn building. Four years ago he moved into the splendid new store in the Samson block which had just been completed. The growth of his business in this city has been almost phenomenal from the small beginnings of five years ago [and] has grown to almost four times its original size and value. Each year Mr. Shepard has extended his store as the business has increased. He now occupies three floors and as much room on each floor as he can obtain and is doing a prosperous business at this time. In addition to drygoods, carpets, cloaks, and millinery have been added. Mr. Shepard would not make the sale now but for the fact that in the rush of business he has over exerted himself and is in need of a good long rest, which he will now proceed to take. Mr. Shepard is well pleased with Cortland and as he owns his own residence will still continue to make this place his home.
Mr. Wiltsie is a merchant of long experience. He has been in Cortland several times and has watched Mr. Shepard's business grow and has finally decided that this will be a good opening for him. He has been the manager of a large syndicate store in Burlington and will come to Cortland with fresh ideas of the drygoods business. He informs us that he will extend the business and enlarge the stock and will conduct a store in every respect along the most modern lines.
A FINE POSITION.
Mr. O. C. Smith to Travel for Large Paper House.
Mr. O. C. Smith, who has been connected with the Wallace Wallpaper Co. since its organization three years ago, and who has been one of the directors and salesman of the company, has been offered and has accepted the position of distributing or sales agent for the United States and Canada for a representative wall paper manufacturer. Mr. Smith called at their factory about ten days ago and finding their line far in advance of anything they had ever put on the market, decided to accept the position although he had two other situations offered him. Mr. Smith goes to the factory early next week to assist in assembling the line and will be in New York to show the jobbers in August.
Mr. Smith will retain his residence in Cortland.
A BIRTHDAY SURPRISE.
Friends Called Unannounced Upon Mr. S. J. Parmiter.
Yesterday was Mr. S. J. Parmiter's 70th birthday anniversary and about thirty couples assembled at his home, 27 Maple-ave., Cortland, to honor the occasion. The visitors were principally members of the Homer-ave. M. E. church and of the First M. E. church, Dr. and Mrs. David Keppel being among the number. Music, including songs, and readings by Mr. Mahem, principal of the Killawog school [sic]. Refreshments including ice cream and. cake were served.
The occasion was a complete surprise to Mr. Parmiter, who states that it is the first time in seventy years that he was taken off his feet. In two years will occur the golden wedding of Mr. and Mrs. Parmiter.
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| Wheelmen line up at Dexter House across the street from the Cortland House. |
LITTLE YORK ROAD RACE.
Eight Starters Over Heavy Roads—Won by Jones in 47:27.
The first of the series of three [bicycle] road races was run off last evening. The start was made from the Cortland House, and a very large crowd congregated to see the start and finish of the contest. Jones, with an advantage of 8 minutes over the scratch men, won first place, and Seamans with an advantage of 6 minutes, was second. Brooks made the best time, covering the distance in 44 minutes and 5 seconds.
The course taken was to Little York and return, going by the back road and returning by the road on the east side of the river. The road last night was quite heavy and against fast time. The best record for this course was made several years ago by George Ł. Chamberlain, who made the trip in 40 minutes and 1 second,
There were eight starters in last night's race. At 7:10 Jones and Dennison were sent off together. One minute later Robinson started down the pavement. Another minute and Seamans was off at a lively clip. Baker was started at 7:13, a minute after Seamans. Two minutes later Hogan was sent down the pike. Brooks and Hammond, the scratch men, then had a dreary wait of three minutes, and at 7:18 they were off.
The order of returning and the time of each man follows:
Jones, 47 min., 27 sec.; Seamans, 47 min, 19 sec.; Brooks, 44 min., 5 sec.; Dennison, 51 min., 50 sec; Hammond, 44 min., 51 sec.; Hogan, 46 min., 51 sec.; Baker, 50 min., 2 sec.; Robinson, 60 min.
The next race will be held next Monday night from the same place, at 7 o'clock. The last of the series will be run July 4.
Agent for Automobiles.
Harold Gillette bas interested himself in automobiles and has accepted the agency for several makes of steam, gasoline and electric vehicles of the most approved types. He will be pleased to demonstrate the merits of each to those who may be interested.
BREVITIES.
—New display advertisements today are—Harold Gillette, Automobiles, page 6.
—A very large number of [Normal School] students left Cortland yesterday afternoon and evening and this morning for their homes. The trains were crowded, and baggage carriers and baggage masters did a hustling business.
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