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| Lt. Gen. S. B. M. Young. |
Cortland Evening Standard, Friday, November 14, 1902.
DEFENSE OF THE ARMY.
General Young Spoke of Our Soldiers in the Philippines
AT BANQUET IN WASHINGTON
In Honor of Representatives of Foreign Commercial Bodies—General Said That Isolated Acts Were Not Characteristic of the American Army Compared With Other Armies.
Washington, Nov. 14.—A banquet was given at the Arlington hotel last night in honor of the representatives of foreign commercial bodies who came to America to attend the dedication of the New York chamber of commerce building and who arrived in Washington for a short visit.
In addition to the foreigners there were present Secretary Shaw and Postmaster General Payne of President Roosevelt's cabinet; Admiral Dewey, Generals Corbin, Young and Wood and members of the diplomatic corps.
The table was set in oval shaped form and was decorated in large yellow chrysanthemums and American beauty roses.
Mr. Hepburn, chairman of the committee of reception of the New York chamber of commerce, sat at the head of the table with Ambassador Cambor of France on his right and Ambassador Herbert of Great Britain on his left, while to the right and left of the ambassadors were seated respectively Prince Henry of Pless and Count Quadt of the German embassy.
Mr. Hepburn introduced the speakers among whom were Secretary Shaw and Major General Young.
General S. B. M. Young in speaking on "Our soldiers in the Philippines" said that much comment on the army in the Philippines had passed beyond the limits of criticism and descended to absolute vilification. He said that the statement came from unreliable persons and from comparatively few individuals.
The complaints did not come from the Filipino people or from the foreign press, but originated with our own people and were against our own soldiers.
American Soldiers Not Savages.
The accusers had tried to "convince the world that our soldiers are barbarous savages." He did not think it right for these persons to create the impression that isolated acts were characteristic of the American army.
He continued: "No one was more anxious to have the soldiers behave properly than were our generals in the field. These defamers of our patriotic soldiers were never numerous, but for a time were very noisy and some of our good people believed there was some truth in their statements.
"There was a few good people that sincerely believed that a voyage across the Pacific actually had turned their fathers and brothers, and lovers, into bloodthirsty savages. All of the army's defamers were densely ignorant of what constitutes the laws of war, the nature of the warfare waged by the Filipino and the conditions that prevailed in any war, civilized or otherwise.
"The election is now past and those who expected to gain political advantage by assailing the army have failed in their object and the results have buried that question forever as a political one and I feel now that I can speak the truth about our soldiers without being accused of having political bias or defending them for political effect.
"If every accusation that was brought against these soldiers were true, these stay-at-homes, these befoulers of their own nest, these seekers after notoriety, these active disturbers of the peace of mind of the brave patriotic wives and mothers, should have had the decency to present their wild fancies to the proper authorities instead of trying to convince the whole world that our own brothers and kindred were barbarians.
"I say that the American army is the most humane army that ever waged war and I could bear out my assertions by the Filipinos and Chinese and even the Spanish prisoners.
"To carry on war," added General Young, "disguise it as we may, is to be cruel, it is to kill and burn, burn and kill and again kill and burn. If it had not been for the intense desire of the American people to carry on an easy, persuasive war with the Filipinos and the good faith in which the American officers acted to carry out that desire, the Filipino war would have ended in much less time.
"You feel confident that our little Japanese friends would have stopped the pattering of the bare foot 'little brown brothers' through the jungles in a very short time, and that the aggressive army of our German friends would not have viewed with equanimity the burying alive of their friends, as did our soldiers in obedience to the home sentiment.
"I am satisfied that the coming census of the Philippines Islands will have on the list a great many more people and houses than there would be if the German army had control the past four years.
Agrees With German Emperor.
"I am not an advocate of war either for conquest or revenge, nor as a means of making either good Indians or Filipinos, but when war has been decided on by our nation, I agree with the German Emperor's sentiments and believe that the American army should leave such an impression that future generations would know we had been there."
General Young defended the soldiers for making use of churches for hospitals and quarters and said that in many towns churches afforded the only shelter for footsore and weary troops. He claimed that the burning of houses and supplies was one of the oldest weapons and was used in all wars civilized and uncivilized.
He said that up to the time of the massacre of the American soldiers in Samar he believed that the Filipinos had burned 10 times as much as the Americans.
He declared there had been few cases of looting and added: "Since the knowledge became general of the extensive looting and pillage by the allied powers in China not much had been said about the looting in the Philippines. It is not known what defense or excuse the allied powers have for permitting the extensive looting and pillaging on their march to Pekin unless they should say that they were not at war with China. In that case their soldiery can be acquitted of the charge of looting and their looting becomes theft or robbery. I am proud to say that the American army officer and soldiers have been universally credited with exercising great care over the rights of property in China.''
ERUPTION OF STROBOLI.
Rome, Nov. 14.—The volcano on Stromboli Island (off the north coast of Sicily) has commenced a terrible eruption. A colossal column of fire is rising, and incandescent stones are being emitted from the craters. Many houses on the island have been destroyed.
Election Booths at Hospital.
Rochester, Nov. 14.—Accordlng to an official bulletin issued by the health authorities, eight smallpox patients were received at Hope hospital during the 24 hours preceding. A number of election booths have been taken to Hope hospital and provided with stoves and other furnishings. Each booth will accommodate four persons.
THE STRIKE COMMISSION
Starting In Upon a Long Task—Pyramids of Testimony.
Scranton, Pa., Now 14.—The anthracite coalstrike commission appointed by President Roosevelt to investigate the condition of labor in the anthracite field met for their first session here this morning. Vested with full power to make a rigid investigation the members of the commission state that they intend to insert the probe without fear or favor and bring to light the causes of the discontent and strife in the coal fields. The commission has previously made a trip through the region for the purpose of acquainting itself with the physical outlook. Today testimony on the complaints lodged by the miners will be taken. The miners are the complainants in the case and their side will be heard first. The operators are on the defensive and will present their side last. The leading coal companies are represented by their own counsel, who will be permitted to cross-examine the witnesses for the miners. The miners' side will be placed before the commission by their own attorneys. The independent operators are also represented by counsel.
The commissioners, while appreciating the responsibility of their labors, gave evidence of alarm this morning when they saw the array of lawyers and witnesses file into court and bury themselves in the voluminous evidence piled in pyramids on the desks. The miners intend to produce over seventy-five witnesses and the commission fear that the cross-examination of witnesses will be interminable. Then there were wagon loads of records of due bills, which included the miners' pay rolls, the amounts of coal mined, powder sheets and other charges.
Commissioner Wright said when he surveyed the numerous witnesses and records: "I can't say when it will be finished now. There seems to be so many witnesses that it may take many days. Whether we shall take all the testimony here has not been decided."
The independent operators intend to make a fight on the question of recognition of United Mine Workers and propose to adduce evidence, according to their statement, that previous to the organization of the United Mine Workers that it was considered bad form to kill and maim a citizen who attempted to exercise the right to sell his labor, guaranteed him under the constitution of the United States. This mooted question is expected to bring forth much acrimonious discussion.
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| Senator Henry Cabot Lodge. |
PAGE FOUR—EDITORIAL.
Third Time Since the War.
Senator Henry Cabot Lodge of Massachusetts in an address a few nights ago before the Middlesex club in Boston referred to the character of the victory won by the Republicans at the polls this fall which he characterized as one of the most important ever known in an off year. Said he:
"We have won a very great victory. Any one who has taken the trouble to examine the returns, as I have, who is familiar with the condition of things in Washington, realizes how great that victory has been. Only twice since the civil war times has the house of representatives in an off year been carried by the party in power. The drift of an off year against the party in power in Washington is one of the fixed facts of American politics. Mr. Cleveland in his first term had a favorable house elected by a majority of 13—it proved an unlucky number—which passed the Mills bill, and it was considered a very great victory that they carried that House in the middle of his term. At the close of a successful war, with peace not yet made, we carried the house in 1898 in support of President McKinley by a majority of 14. We have carried the house this year by a majority of between 26 and 30. It is one of the most remarkable victories ever won in an off year. It is not only a vote of confidence in the Republican party, but it is very much and very pre-eminently, I think, a vote of confidence in Theodore Roosevelt.
"The American people are satisfied with him. They believe in his policies. They believe in the man, and they have sent him a house which will support him in his policies. It means a great deal. We hardly realize here that we have actually made a gain in the senate. With the Republican party with a majority of 20 in the senate, an enormous majority already, it is no light feat to have added to that majority, but without Delaware we have a majority of 22 in the next senate. The Democrats gained three seats, one in North Carolina, one in Maryland and one in Kentucky. We gained three, one in Washington, one in Kansas and one in Utah, and we have also one in Idaho, which gives a net gain of one in the senate. It is not impossible [that] we shall gain a senator in Colorado, and in Delaware. I don't know what may happen but they won't elect two Democratic senators. It is a very remarkable victory and an important one, and I think that the Republican party can be trusted to use it well."
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| Benn Conger. |
CASAR IS GUILTY.
Jury Returned Verdict After Twenty-five Minutes.
SECOND BALLOT WAS UNANIMOUS.
First One Stood Ten to Two for Conviction—Prisoner's Nerve Which Was Firm Throughout the Trial Failed as He Left the Court Room—Sentence Reserved.
The Ithaca Journal of Thursday gives the following account of the last day's proceedings in the Casar blackmail case:
After a deliberation of twenty-five minutes yesterday afternoon the jury in the trial of Harlow Casar, returned a verdict of guilty of the crime of blackmail charged, and recommended the mercy of the court towards the prisoner.
By arriving at this decision the jury determined that Casar was the author of the letter received by Hon. Benn Conger of Groton, in which his life and the life of his brother was threatened if he failed to accede to the demands and place $12,000 in a secluded spot on the Brooks farm, near Groton, N. Y., on the night of Aug. 9. The proof by which the jury was convinced that Casar wrote this letter was furnished by expert witnesses on handwriting. That the jury should give this expert testimony due consideration was charged by the judge.
With his heretofore brazen nerve entirely exhausted, Harlow Casar now awaits the pronouncing of the sentence which will send him to state prison for the crime he committed. Throughout the trial, as he had since the moment of his arrest, Casar displayed no indications of nervousness and with a smiling countenance acted perfectly confident of an acquittal. When Counsel Sweetland in his summing up, told the jury that Casar was innocent, and gave his reasons for that belief in eloquent terms, the prisoner shed tears. His eyes were dry and a smile crossed his face when the jury re-entered the room.
In answer to the clerk's inquiry the foreman replied, "Yes, we have found a verdict of guilty of the crime charged, with recommendations to the court that the prisoner be given its mercy." Casar was closely watching the jury, a cloud spread over his face and he stared blankly into space. Counsel Sweetland was on his feet immediately and requested that the jury be polled. The request was granted and each juror in answer to the question, "Is this your verdict?" replied, "It is." The vote was unanimous. It was learned afterwards that upon the first ballot taken in the jury room, the vote stood 10 to 2 in favor of conviction. The second ballot resulted unanimously for conviction.
Led from the courtroom by Sheriff Seaman, the prisoner began to show signs of nervousness. At the door he collapsed and it was with difficulty that he walked to his cell.
In his summing up of the case, which occupied an hour and twenty-five minutes, Counsel Sweetland strongly appealed to the jury to give the prisoner every benefit of a possible doubt. He asked them to remember that the prisoner was presumed innocent until his guilt had been proven, "This," he continued, "the people have failed to do." He asked the jurors to give little consideration to the expert testimony on the matter of handwriting, and referred to the case of Dr. Kennedy who was several times convicted upon expert testimony but was finally acquitted. He also referred to the Molineux trial.
Theory of Defense.
He said his theory of the Conger letter was that it was a joke, written perhaps by some one who wished to have fun with Mr. Conger.
District Attorney Blood asked the jurors not to forget their responsible position, and the duty they owed the people of Tompkins county. "In forming your verdict," he said, "you are not merely passing upon the guilt of Harlow Casar. You sit here not only to punish a man for a crime that has been committed but to protect the people of this county from similar unlawful acts in the future."
In his charge Judge Almy told the jurors that they were called upon, not to decide what occurred on Aug. 9 but what occurred on July 28, when the blackmailing letter was sent, and to determine who was its author. In part he continued, "The district attorney claims that Casar wrote that letter; and that fact is claimed by the evidence of experts. Expert testimony is just as legal, just as much a part of what we have to consider as anything else, but its value depends upon the circumstances under which it is considered."
When sentence will be pronounced upon Casar has not been announced. This will not occur, however, until all other criminal cases are disposed of, then if there are other prisoners convicted, they will all be sentenced at the same time. It is probable that the sentences will not be pronounced until early next week.
THEN AND NOW
A Blizzard a Year Ago Today—Indian Summer Today.
One year ago today there were sleighs seen on the streets of Cortland. It snowed all day, and the wind blew a gale. There was, in fact, a genuine blizzard on, and the big November snowstorm that lasted for several days was begun. Snowplows were seen throwing the snow from the street car tracks, the railroads had put on their heavy plows, and winter was on in earnest.
A very different aspect is presented today. The sun has shown throughout the day, and it has seemed more like June weather than like November. The thermometer registered 70 degrees, and only a few top coats were seen on people about the city.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.
Court House and Jail—Election Expenses—Journals—a Long Session.
County Clerk Otis D. Patrick brought to the attention of the board of supervisors yesterday afternoon the fact that the ink in some of the county records of the county clerk's office was poor and such records are badly faded and indistinct.
On motion of Mr. Webb a committee of three was appointed to investigate the matter and report. The chairman appointed Messrs. Webb, O'Donnell and Baker as such committee.
At the session of the board this morning the annual report of Messrs. N. F. Webb, E. W. McBirney and D. C. Johnson, the committee on court house and jail, was submitted. The report contains an enumeration of property found in the buildings. It finds that the matting in the lower corridor on the stairs and in the petit jurors' room is badly worn and that all the matting and carpets in the building is soiled. The report recommends that the sheriff with the aid of the prisoners be requested to take up all matting and carpets and that woodwork and furniture be thoroughly cleaned, the matting and carpets be sent to a suitable place to be cleaned and that some changes be made in relaying the matting so that old matting go in less prominent places and new matting be procured to make up the deficiency, also that linoleum be purchased for the petit jurors' room; also that the floors in the halls be leveled and that twelve pillows, twenty quilts, some towels and a piece of factory for sheeting be purchased [sic].
A petition was presented from E. D. Hammond of Marathon asking for the return of $7.28 for erroneous assessment.
County Clerk Patrick submitted a report showing that the cost of election in the city of Cortland was $162.36, of which the city's share for payment is $59.04.
Supervisor Jordan introduced a resolution giving specifications for the printing of the supervisors' journals for this year and calling for bids.
The rest of the forenoon was devoted to committee work.
It is believed that the session of the board this year is likely to be prolonged further than usual, as the decision of the state tax commissioners upon the Preble appeal case must be submitted before the Equalization committee of this board can make its report.
Moved to Cortland.
Mr. E. L. Tanner, who recently sold out his business and disposed of his property in Blodgett Mills, has moved with his family to the house recently purchased by him at 126 Homer-ave. The house has been completely renovated, city water and gas have been put in and all modern improvements added.
Mr. Tanner is now giving his attention to the work of completing his new business block on Main-st. and is yet undecided as to his future plans.
Big Deal in Real Estate.
Herman Bergholtz has sold his tract of 250 acres of land upon Cornell Heights, north of the university, to Jared T. Newman. This is part of the tract that is being built upon so rapidly in connection with the improvements of the Cornell Heights Improvement Co. Mr. Bergholtz reserves nineteen acres along the lake road.
BREVITIES.
—Regular conclave Cortland Commandery, No. 50, Knights Templar, this evening at 8 o'clock.
—A meeting of the H. C. Hall circle, 439, P. H. C., will be held this evening at 7:30 o'clock in John L. Lewis lodge rooms.
—The rising of the sun for the past few mornings has been preceded by a most brilliant and beautiful appearance of the sky. Ordinarily a red sunrise is supposed to indicate the approach of a storm, but surely nothing could be more beautiful than these autumn days.
—The new display advertisements today are—Bingham & Miller, Clothing, page 8; The New York Store, Embroideries, etc., page 4; G. H. Wiltsie, Furs and cloaks, page 6; M. A. Case, Ready to wear goods, etc., page 6; Opera House, "The Parish Priest," page 5.
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