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| Benjamin B. Odell, Jr. |
Cortland Evening Standard, Thursday, October 23, 1902.
THE GOVERNOR SPEAKS.
Opened the State Campaign in Syracuse, N. Y.
ISSUES CLEARLY PUT FORWARD.
Governor Spoke of Attacks Made Upon Him In Relation to His Connection With a Grocery Firm Having Dealings With State Institutions—Only Loaned Them Money.
Syracuse, Oct. 23.—An audience of fully 2,500, almost entirely voters, welcomed Governor Odell at the Alhambra last evening as he opened his state tour in this city.
The weather was lowering for hours before the meeting and it rained as the people began to turn out and the large gathering was gratifying to the governor. He was applauded heartily as he arose to speak. He had the closest attention of the audience as he gave out figures on expenditures and taxation and explained the laws which had brought about a low tax rate. They applauded his references to President Roosevelt and expressed delight with his criticism of David B. Hill.
His reply to the charge that he was interested in a firm profiting by state contracts pleased his hearers and drew hearty applause.
The governor said in part:
The issues of the campaign now confronting us are clearly set forth in the platforms of the two parties.
The Republican party stands pledged to economical government, to freedom from a direct tax, to internal improvements, to the protection of the rights of property and of individuals, and to the building up and the maintenance of our commercial supremacy; while the Democratic party in its utterances at Saratoga proposes remedies which are impossible of consummation and attempts to influence the voter by misstatements of facts and by appeals to his passion.
Beginning at the close of the last session of the legislature, they proposed as issues the alleged extravagance of the Republican party, its alleged attack upon the charitable interests of the state and the usurpation of the judicial functions of government; but when combated and shown to be in error it resorted to socialistic utterances, seeking to overturn government and making its one central figure of campaign oratory an unfortunate condition existing in a neighboring state and for which neither the legislature nor the executive of New York were at all responsible.
Would Not Produce Coal.
When a coal famine threatened the people of our state, it adopted a plank advocating national control of the mines, a proposition which under the then existing circumstances could not have relieved the market nor have produced a single ton of coal to protect the people of the state against adverse winds of winter, or have enabled our manufacturing interests to continue their work. Happily, through the influence of a Republican president, seconded by the sound judgment of many influential advisers, the last vestige of the Democratic platform has been swept away, and that party stands today in the pitiful light of going before the people with issues the fallacies of which have been exposed and dispelled.
In the campaign of 1896 and 1900 many who believed in the doctrines of Tilden and of Cleveland and other leaders of the Democratic party, sundered their allegiance, placing the good of the country above partisanship, and lent their support to the Republican cause.
These men at this time looked to the Democratic party to forever shake off and to purge itself of the incubus of Bryanism and to take up as its leaders men who would not attempt to bring it into disrepute; men who for partisan advantage would not be betrayed into the mistake which made Maynardism and Hillism bywords of reproach in our state, and that at last the Democratic party of the Empire state would take its place in such positive manner as to be an example which other states might follow.
Great was their disappointment, however, when they found an ex-senator of the United States advocating a plank which meant an attack upon vested rights, and which in its conception and enunciation "outheroded" even the wildest doctrine of Bryan himself; a plank which, even after its defenses by its authority in his opening speech in the Borough of Brooklyn, the Democratic candidate for governor felt the necessity of at least excusing, if not denying entirely.
Increased Expenditures.
They fail to tell you that, notwithstanding all the increase and necessary expenditures, the state is receiving from indirect sources of taxation as a result of Republican wisdom, over $11,000,000 of money more than under the administration of Governor Flower.
The governor said:
Out of this charity legislation has come an attack upon my personal character which, if it were confined to an irresponsible newspaper, I would not lower the dignity of the high office I fill to give consideration or the weight of refutation.
But when uttered by a man whom the people of this state have honored and whose occupancy of the office of governor of the state of New York should have inspired with a higher opinion of and more decent regard for men whom the people of the state have selected as their executive, I feel that it is incumbent upon me to stigmatize these charges as base slanders, not only against me personally but against the office of governor of the state of New York.
Attack Not Unexpected.
This attack was not entirely unexpected, because in a conversation early-in the spring with Mr. Hill, who is now the central figure in the political arena so far as the Democratic party is concerned, and whose leadership should be considered among decent people as reprehensible and as dangerous to society, he made the statement that he proposes to run this campaign upon old fashionable methods. When asked what he meant by that statement, he said he meant to engage in mud-slinging. No regard for the feelings of those with whom he has broken bread could lead him to forget his partisanship for a single moment or deter him from making statements even though he knew them to be absolutely false.
I had not thought it necessary for me to lay bare before the public, nor to herald abroad that upon assuming the office of governor I had disposed of my holdings in business concerns which might have business dealings with the state, because I considered that as a matter between my own conscience and myself. But that I have done so, I pledge you my word as a man, and I have refrained from engaging in any pursuit whereby the state in the remotest degree could be interested.
I have gone so far even as to refuse to permit my relatives to go upon bonds given to the state for the faithful discharge of contracts in which the state was a party.
In the present instance I can assure you that it would not make the slightest difference to be whether the firm which is now accused of being unduly favored ever had a dollars worth of contracts from the state or not.
It is unfortunate that in order to meet such malicious charges that one must lay bare the transactions of friendship, but I have had a conversation with Mr. Matthews, of the firm of J. W. Matthews & Company, and I have his permission to make this statement, and I do so now without any reservation.
The firm of J. W. Matthews & Company is an old established one in the city of Newburgh, where it has a business large and prosperous, and it is naturally the market for the surrounding country. For years and years it has done business with the State of New York through its institutions, but always under competition, and as the result of lowest bidding.
I presume that the imputation which it is attempted to bring against me is that, through my alleged connection with that firm, I have been instrumental in securing to it trade which it might not otherwise have obtained. Such connection as I have with it as follows:
While upon a trip three years ago with Mr. Matthews, who has always been a close personal friend of mine, he unfolded to me a desire to increase his business, but explained that he had not capital enough to properly do so. After listening to him, I said, laughing, "I do not wish to engage in the grocery business, but if you desire it, I will lend you the money to invest in the business."
When the question of terms came up it was proposed that preferred stock should be issued to me as collateral\ for the loan, and that the consent of the common stockholders of the company should be secured so that I might at all time be secure, with the understanding that my loan would be promptly met whenever I called upon the firm for it. I loaned this money to Mr. Matthews in the early part of April, 1901. He has had the benefit of it. The loan can be liquidated tomorrow or at any time that I desire it, by simply notifying him. So far, therefore, for my connection with the firm.
Now as to the results in the way of benefits which have been produced I hold in my hand several affidavits; the first is by Mr. Hobbs, who for a number of years has been chief clerk in the bureau of charitable institutions, and who is now chief clerk of the fiscal supervisor of the charitable institutions of the state, who has the supervision and auditing of all accounts against the state's charitable institutions, exclusive of the insane asylums and prisons, to the effect that during all the time that he has been connected with this bureau, not one dollar's worth of goods has been purchased from the firm of J. W. Matthews & Company directly or indirectly.
The governor then read the affidavits of Mr. Hobbs bearing out his statement, and continued:
This clearly establishes the fact that not one dollar's worth of goods has ever been purchased by the state for its charitable institutions from the firm of J. W. Matthews & Company, and disposes of that falsehood.
The governor then detailed the transactions of J. W. Matthews & Company with the state institutions in which, as the lowest bidders, they obtained a portion of the state's business. He read affidavits made by William L. Parkhurst, state committee in lunacy, and T. R. McGarr, secretary of the commission in lunacy, substantiating his statements, and said:
"This, with the affidavits which I have read, establishes very clearly the fact that there can be no possible stricture upon me, except that I have aided a friend by a loan of money.
"If this is a crime, then I never knew it to be so charged before. If there is anything in the statement that I have made that is not clearly understood, or if any further explanation is desired by any one here present, I invite him to rise, and I will cheerfully answer any question that he may ask.
"I can only add in closing, that 1 have always regarded the high office of governor as entitled to the greatest respect. I have tried to maintain its dignity, and have endeavored to serve the people with fidelity. That no charge of such a character can justly be brought against me; that no influences directly or indirectly have ever had the slightest weight in the consideration of matters that have come before me officially, I leave to the people to judge by my official acts."
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| Annie Jones Donovan. |
Death of Barnum's Bearded Lady.
New York, Oct 23.—Mrs. William Donovan, who travelled with a circus as "The Bearded Lady" famous in the days of Barnum, died at her home in Brooklyn. She was 37 years of age. She was born in Virginia, and started traveling with a show when she was 9 years old. In the course of her career she visited every civilized country in the world. She had a heavy black beard and mustache.
DYNAMITE OUTRAGES.
Cause the Troops to Hurry Out in the Night.
Mahanoy City, Pa., Oct. 23—Because of the successive dynamite outrages upon non-union men and the attitude of the strikers towards ''scabs" at Gilberton, Lieutenant Colonel Corbitt commanding the Fourteenth regiment, dispatched three companies of militia to that town shortly before midnight last night to preserve order. A message received at headquarters this morning from Major Fowler in command, reports the situation quiet. Throughout the division there is not a colliery working this morning, despite the fact that the men reported for work.
This is due to the lack of repairs, shodding of the mules, and the general unreadiness of the mines to be operated.
A resumption is not looked for before Monday. In the Shenandoah and Ashland districts similar conditions are reported. No trouble was experienced by the steam men, blacksmith, repair men and carpenters in getting their former jobs back. So far as can be learned not a man of this class was turned down.
PAGE FOUR—EDITORIAL.
A Proof Verified.
Camille Flammarion, the eminent astronomer, in the presence of official representatives of the French government, the most prominent scientists and five thousand people at the Pantheon in Paris on Wednesday renewed the only visible proof ever given of the earth's rotation. It is said that the proof has never been demonstrated in Paris since Foucault's original experiment in 1851. The principle of the demonstration is a pendulum, which swings in an invariable plane, though the point of suspension turns, causing an apparent deviation of the pendulum from the earth's real rotation.
From the Pantheon dome a weight of 62 pounds was suspended by a wire 78 yards in length. The pendulum was started by Flammarion and each double beat of sixteen seconds showed an apparent deviation of one-tenth of an inch in a direction contrary to the earth's real rotation. With the successive beats the deviation became clearly perceptible and a cry of enthusiasm escaped the spectators. Flammarion said after the demonstration: "The experiment is the grandest lesson ever given in popular astronomy and we now know with our own eyes that we inhabit a moving planet and the citizens of the heavens as if on Mars."
The same experiment was demonstrated a few years ago in the old Normal school building in Cortland, the pendulum being suspended from the third floor ceiling and swinging upon the first floor in the opening of the circular stairs. A track of sand was laid upon the floor and a pin projecting from the lower surface of the weight of the pendulum marked the course in the sand. The deviation of the track of the pendulum was very clearly marked in the sand as the minutes and hours passed. So that though the experiment may not have been demonstrated in Paris since 1851 till the other day it has been shown in Cortland.
KIEHL EXAMINATION
Conducted Before Coroner Santee at the Court House.
DEFENDANT'S ATTORNEY OBJECTS
To Any Further Examination Before the Coroner Since Inquest is Completed and Verdict Found—Objections Overruled and Examination Proceeds—Witnesses Testify.
The formal examination in the Kiehl case was begun this morning before Coroner E. M. Santee at the court house at 10 o'clock, the people appearing by District Attorney Thomas H. Dowd, and the defendant appearing in person and by Rowland L. Davis.
The defendant is a small person, olive complexion, black hair and eyes, and about 18 years of age. The child was also present with the mother.
Attorney Davis appeared to object to the jurisdiction of coroner, court, or magistrate, as follows:
1st. The coroner has no legal jurisdiction to conduct an examination.
2nd. That the coroner has already held an inquisition on the death of Adam Kiehl and has made his finding thereon and has heretofore made the decision and is, Therefore, unqualified to sit as magistrate in this case and passing upon evidence a second time.
3rd. The proceedings are generally illegal and void.
The objections were overruled and defendant excepted [sic].
Wm. S. Earle.
William S. Earle was the first witness called and testified as follows: My residence is Tully, N. Y., and business an undertaker. I had known Adam Kiehl, he having had business relations with me in regard to a casket for his brother. On Saturday, Sept. 20, I went to the farm occupied by Adam Kiehl. Went to the room where a body laid and recognized it as that of Adam Kiehl. Injected a fluid containing alcohol, arsenic, creosote, glycerine and water. The arsenic used was white arsenic. On reaching the house saw Lyman Henderson, another Mr. Henderson, and could not say that I saw any of the Kiehls on first arriving. Lyman Henderson assisted in embalming the body, and the time occupied about an hour. I found the body lying directly on the back, both hands folded over the breast, the eyes closed, the bed clothes well smoothed, a white froth issuing from the mouth. I undressed the body, removing a colored shirt and a nightshirt. Found him covered with the bedclothes. The face had a pleasant expression and the hands were tightly clinched.
Upon cross examination witness testified as to having made the embalming fluid himself. He was unable to state anything in regard to the shape or size of the packages which contained the arsenic which was used for the composition of the fluid. He also acknowledged his inability to tell arsenic from strychnine. Finding the arms folded parallel across the chest impressed him as being strange and he spoke of it at the time. Rigor mortis had set in, but not extensively. Thought deceased had died between the hours of 11 and 1 o'clock. We drew blood and fluid by inserting a hollow needle into the heart. Injected about three quarts of the embalming fluid into the stomach and cavities. Did no arterial embalming. Since he had been in the undertaking business had embalmed about 2,000 bodies. Delivered to the coroner a specimen of the fluid taken from the same bottle used at the time of the embalming.
Dr. H. S. Braman.
Dr. Harry S. Braman, a physician residing in Homer was called. He testified as follows: "On Sept. 14, 1902, Adam Kiehl called at my office. Upon examination found an inflammation of bronchial tubes. Did not find the lungs congested. Gave him, medicine containing syrup of white pine, aconite and water; also gave him a Dover's tablet. His condition was not such as would lead up to the first stages of pneumonia. If he had anything further than bronchitis it had not developed enough to be distinguished. I recommended him to stay indoors until he was better, as I considered it dangerous for him to be exposed to the weather. If on the Thursday following my examination and prescribing for him, pneumonia had developed I should not have been surprised as it might have resulted from the exposure he was subjected to while doing his work.
John Henderson.
John Henderson testified: "I am a resident of Preble, and have been for six years. My business is that of a blacksmith. I have known Adam Kiehl for the past fifteen years. I knew him in Otisco prior to my-residence in Preble. On my arrival at the house on the morning of Adam's death, I think Maude Kiehl was the first person I met. I went directly to the room in which the body lay. I found Mrs. Perkins, Henry and Frances Kiehl in the room.
Mr. Henderson was still on the stand when The Standard went to press.
LADIES' LITERARY CLUB.
Miss Turner Discusses Rugs and Exhibits Samples of Them.
The Ladies' Literary club met on Tuesday with Mrs. E. B. Nash, on Clinton-ave. The following program was presented:
Italian Music—Puritani, Bellini, Mrs. G. H. Smith
Characteristics of Neapolitan Life, Miss M. Roe
Gift of Naples to European Civilization, Mrs. Julia F. Twiss
Conversation—What are the Causes of Destitution in Southern Italy—Mrs. G. B. Smith Round Table—Rugs Miss Elizabeth Turner
The ladies were most delightfully entertained by Miss Turner's instructive discourse, illustrated by many costly and beautiful Turkish and Persian rugs, all agreeing that rugs meant more to them than ever before. For the pleasure conferred, a vote of hearty thanks was extended to Miss Turner and her able assistants, also to those who so kindly loaned the rugs.
The next meeting will be with Mrs. F. W. Higgins, 61 Lincoln-ave., on Wednesday, Nov. 5.
JACOB A. RIIS
To Open the Normal Course at Normal Hall Tomorrow Night.
Jacob A. Riis of New York will open the Normal [School] entertainment course at Normal hall tomorrow night by a lecture entitled "Tony's Hardships." Several people in Cortland have heard Mr. Riis deliver this same lecture and they are prepared to bear testimony to its deep and absorbing interest from first to last, and the best proof of this fact is that some of them at least are anxious to hear him again upon this same theme.
The character of "Tony" who figures in the title of the lecture is a typical boy of the slums of New York. He is a composite individual and Mr. Riis has brought into his personality characteristics and qualities of many of the boys of his acquaintance. The lecture is an exhortation toward good citizenship and a plea for the four props which he says are under every boy, the removal of any of which will lessen his chance of becoming a good citizen. The four props are home, school, play, respect for law. The lecture is full of striking and forceful illustrations and of good stories, every one of which has a definite point and helps to clinch an argument. It is a lecture that no young man and no old one either, can afford to miss, and which will please the ladies as well as the men.
Jipson-Fertig.
Miss Lillian P. Fertig of Cortland and Mr. Valentine Jipson of Union Valley were married at the home of the bride's sister, Mrs. Kate M. Seaman, 2 Monroe Heights, at 4:30 o'clock yesterday afternoon, Rev. J. W. Eberly of Cuyler officiating. Only a few immediate relatives witnessed the nuptials. Mr. and Mrs. Jipson left last evening for Union Valley, where they will make their home.
BREVITIES.
—Lincoln lodge, No. 119. I. O. G. T. will celebrate its thirty-sixth anniversary in its rooms Friday evening at 8:30 o'clock.
—New display advertisements today are—S. P. Smith, meats, page 5; Cortland Fish and Oyster Co., Fish and oysters, page 6; Scotch Woollen Co., Suits and overcoats, page 8.
—The proprietors of the Dryden woolen mill are about to incorporate with a capital of $50,000, of which $5,000 will be sold to residents of the village, the balance being held by the proprietors, Doxey & Davenport.
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