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| John Mitchell. |
Cortland Evening Standard, Tuesday, October 21, 1902.
MINERS IN CONVENTION
Serious Question Over Engineers, Firemen and Pumpmen.
THEIR CLAIMS CAUSED DELAY.
Mr. Mitchell Laid President's Plan Before the Convention and Advocates It in an Eloquent Speech—Newspaper Men Admitted Despite Some Opposition.
Wilkes-Barre, Oct. 21.—The anxiously awaited convention of the 145,000 striking miners met Monday but did not reach a vote on the proposed plan of settlement. It is expected to do so some time today.
There were 662 delegates present in the Nesbitt theater where the convention was held, and they were empowered by their local unions to cast 867 votes for or against President Roosevelt's proposition of arbitration.
The great majority of the delegates were uninstructed, the few who were being engineers, firemen and pumpmen who fear that the 5,000 strikers of those classes may not get back their old places now held by non-union men.
This question of the engineers, firemen and pumpmen proved the only stumbling block in the way of almost immediate adoption of the president's plan, which carries with it the declaring off of the strike and a general resumption of work through the 175 mile strip of hard coal mining region.
At one time it seemed certain that the convention was about to adopt the recommendation of President Mitchell to end the strike, but the steam men's plea was too earnest and the final vote went over until today. It is practically certain, however, that the vote to declare the strike off will show a big majority for it.
The leaders of the strikers, except Mr. Mitchell, were hardly heard at all in the convention, the engineers being allowed to give full expression to their feelings. But today it is predicted the leaders will be heard and one of them, a high district officer, said there would be no more than 13 votes cast against the plan which the president of the United States had proposed to them and which all the highest officials of the mine workers in this region earnestly have recommended.
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| James J. Hill. |
MR. HILL TESTIFIED.
Told of the Exchange of Great Northern Stock.
St. Paul, Minn., Oct. 21.—The adjourned hearing of the government suit against the so-called railway merger was called to order by Special Examiner Ingersoll at the circuit court in this city and the entire day was given to the direct testimony of James J. Hill, for the defendants.
Mr. Hill went over the ground previously covered by him before the interstate commerce committee, but he brought out more fully the fact that the exchange of the Great Northern stock for that of the Northern Securities company was the individual act of the individual shareholders, and dwelt at length on his statement that the whole purpose of the organization of the Northern Securities company was for the protection of a great commerce with the Orient which the northern lines had sought to develop in competition with the transportation companies of the world.
The circular of the Northern Securities company to shareholders offering to expand stock had heretofore been placed in evidence, but the lawyers, through Mr. Hill, introduced a personal circular letter sent by him to numerous Great Northern shareholders in answer to inquiries, telling them that any action of theirs in exchanging their stock must be their own individual action and not be influenced by him.
Mr. Hill will be on the stand again today and will be followed by Colonel W. P. Clough, Frederick Weyerhauser and other defendants or directors of the defendant companies.
COAL STRIKE ENDED.
Not a Dissenting Vote Upon Question of Acceptance.
WORK TO BE RESUMED THURSDAY.
Delegates Ali Eager to End the Trouble and Accept President Roosevelt's Proposition—Mitchell Lets Every One Talk Who Wants to—Delegates Call for "Question"—Speeches in Various Languages.
Wilkes-Barre, Pa., Oct. 21—The convention of United Mine Workers met in session again this morning at 10 o'clock to debate the question of adopting the arbitration proposition submitted by President Roosevelt. The temper of the convention was such that a vote could have been taken yesterday and the strike declared off, but President Mitchell desired every one to be heard and so expressed himself to the convention by declaring:
"There is no disposition to ram this proposition down your throats. You are the men who voted for the strike and you are the men who will end it if it is ended."
The feeling here and there among the delegates that they might not be able to secure their old places back has given away this morning to an easier confidence and many who spoke apprehensively in convention upon the adoption declare this morning that they do not intend to sacrifice the cause for any personal motive.
The delegation hung around headquarters at the Hotel Hart until nearly 10 o'clock when they began to move in squads towards the convention hall. The feeling for a unanimous adoption of Mitchell's recommendation became stronger and many of those who had expressed themselves otherwise yesterday were strongest in favor of it this morning.
Louis Hammerling a delegate who was the prominent intermediary in the New York conference between Mitchell, the operators and politicians in an interview said this morning: "The recommendation should have been adopted without parley. The public want yes and no. If the convention should fail to adopt the recommendation the United Mine Workers would be a broken organization. President Roosevelt should be trusted and if he fails to fulfill his promises the public will mete out its judgment."
Eager for Acceptance.
The convention was called to order a few minutes after 10 o'clock by President Mitchell and while awaiting the report of committee on credentials, a delegate asked if the individual operators were included in the agreement to arbitrate. President Mitchell replied that he understood that the coal operators who had signed the proposition had done so for all the companies. Another delegate caused applause by stating that the Kingston coal company had agreed to take all men back without discrimination. A delegate rose to his feet and declared that the talk on the question of adopting the recommendation had gone long enough, and that the man who held back because of personal sacrifice would accept a better position and forget the cause entirely, if he had the opportunity.
Speeches along the line of adoption were heard while awaiting the report of committee on resolutions. The delegates began to weary of the discussion and it was agreed to postpone the proceedings for a time until the committee reported. In the interim the convention was entertained by solos by several delegates.
Delegates Call for Question.
The committee on resolutions then submitted its report. The report recommended that the resolution be sent to President Roosevelt. The resolution declared for a resumption of work on Thursday and a motion was made to adopt the recommendations as read. The question was about to be put when a delegate interposed and opened the discussion afresh on the question of men returning to work.
One delegate declared that in previous strikes the Lehigh Coal company had declared they would not take the strikers in their places and two months after the strike was off, the men were all back in their places. There were cries of "question," showing that the delegates were anxious to settle the question. President Mitchell, however, declared that until the last man had been heard the vote would not be taken.
Secretary Wilson at this point took occasion to make a speech in favor of adopting the recommendations. He said that the miners had won a victory and that the original demands of the miners for arbitration had been acceded to, and he could not understand why some men were still hanging out. Secretary Wilson said that it appeared that several of the delegates were anticipating what would be done regarding their places if they returned to work. If the strikers found that they could not get back it would be a matter for the arbitration committee. He said: "You have by your conduct of this strike, won the respect and confidence of the American people. If you turn down this proposition made by the president of the United States, do you think you can retain the confidence of the people, who have helped you? You have won the victory and you should accept it.
Several delegates were heard and a delegate asked that in view of the numerous foreigners among the delegates that they have the proposition explained in native tongues. Speeches of explanation were made in Lithuanian, Slavish and Polish.
Strike Declared Off.
Just at noon President Mitchell put the question to vote and the proposition to end the strike was accepted without a dissenting vote. The miners will all return to work on Thursday morning.
SEWED UP HER HEART
Where She Had Been Stabbed— Wonderful Piece of Surgery.
New York, Oct. 21.—By taking six stitches in the partly severed muscle of her heart, the doctors at Bellevue hospital last night probably saved the life of a woman whose case was thought to be hopeless. The operation was performed by Dr. George B. Stewart, professor of anatomy at the hospital, and was witnessed by twenty-five other doctors. The stitches were made with catgut. It was announced early this morning that the operation was successful. She had been stabbed by her husband. Her name was Anna Kingsley and she is 32 years old.
PAGE FOUR—EDITORIALS.
Registration Presages Victory.
The heavy registration of the last two days throughout this state puts Republican victory beyond a doubt. It proves that there has been a general awakening among the people to the need of determined effort to frustrate the attempt of the Hill-ridden Democracy to grab the offices for the sake of party advantage. The danger there is in the socialistic doctrines advanced in Mr. Hill's platform has been recognized, and there has come a general uprising to avert it.
They are not voters who intend to vote the Democratic ticket, who swelled the registry on Friday and Saturday of last week. It is quite safe to assume that the great majority of the Democratic vote will come out of the registry of the first two days, for the Democratic managers left nothing undone to get their voters to register at the first opportunity. Those whose names were added last week are the ones who, a little indifferent at first, hastened to secure their right to vote as soon as they fully comprehended that there was danger that all the benefits which have accrued to the people from Republican administration of their affairs would be lost. The elimination of Mr. Coler by Mr. Hill from the campaign has exposed the Democratic plan. It has proved the truth of the assertion made by this paper right after the Democratic state convention, that the elevation of Mr. Hill was the sole purpose of organized Democratic endeavor in this state.
The people of this state will not stand for a revival of Hillism in the management of their affairs. The Republican majority that will appear from the count on the night of November 4 will demonstrate that fact in forcible manner.—Albany Journal.
Arraigns the School System.
President Eliot of Harvard university a few days ago delivered an address before the Connecticut State Teachers' association at New Haven in which he severely arraigned the public school system of this country, affirming that the public schools have not kept pace with social development during the last half century. While all may not agree with the speaker in all of his assertions it is quite sure that food for thought may be found in some of them.
President Eliot declared that we spend too little money on education. He said the annual expenditure on the public school child in the most liberal states was insufficient. For instance, in Massachusetts, it was $30 per child per year and in New York, $32. ''Is it not plain, "he said, "that if the American people were all well to do they would multiply by four or five [the] present average school expenditures per child and per year?''
President Eliot alleged as proof of the inefficiency of our public schools that their training was not sufficient. It has failed for two generations in dealing with the barbarous vice of drunkenness. It has injured the teaching of science in attempts to inculcate total abstinence. It has failed to train citizens so that they can vote intelligently. It has failed to stamp out gambling. It has failed to curb mob law and crimes of violence. It has failed to suppress a taste for ephemeral reading matter, improper plays and a liking for patent medicines. It has failed to cultivate sufficient reasoning power in employers and employed to prevent strikes, violence and loss. It has failed to abolish the demoralizing spoils system in the civil service. Greater effectiveness, President Eliot contended, means greater costliness. "Could any one imagine it to be unreasonable, he said in conclusion, "to spend for the moral and mental training of a child as much as is spent in food? If that equality in expenditure could be established over the Union there would result a prodigious improvement in the public schools."
The public school system is the pride and the salvation of this country. Without it the possibility would not exist of harmonizing so many different elements as live side by side in this land as a result of the immigration to the United States of people from every quarter of the globe and of making Americans of them all. But no one claims that it is yet perfect. It needs to grow as the country grows. President Eliot is without doubt taking advanced ground in many of his statements, but some one must always do that if a system is to improve. Many of his claims are to say the least worth pondering over.
CORONER'S VERDICT.
Adam Keihl Died from the Effects of Poison in Food.
MAUD KEIHL HELD RESPONSIBLE.
Claimed that She Mixed the Poison With Her Brother-in-law's Food so that He Took it Unknowingly.
[Cortland County] Coroner Santee rendered his verdict in the Keihl case at 3:45 today. It is rather lengthy, but in substance it finds that Adam Kiehl died from the effects of poison administered in food or drink and that the poison was placed there by the act of Maude C. Kiehl, the widow of the victim's deceased brother. The full text of the verdict will be given tomorrow. The formal examination before the coroner will be begun on Thursday.
THE MOTHER ARRIVES
And Brings Maude Kiehl's Little Boy—Examination on Thursday.
Mrs. Charles Fenner, mother of Maud Kiehl, who is held at the county jail under suspicion of being implicated in some way in causing the death of Adam Kiehl of Preble, arrived in Cortland this morning at 9:22 o'clock with Roger, the baby son of the accused woman. They came from Mrs. Fenner's home in South Onondaga and were accompanied by Mrs. Kiehl's brother, Arthur Fenner. Mrs. Fenner and Roger will stay in Cortland until after Mrs. Kiehl's examination, which is set down for next Thursday.
Today the young woman is allowed to visit with her mother and to be with her baby in the grand jurors' room and the district attorney's room on the first floor and to the east of the main corridor.
The suspected woman is about the average height, rather slight with dark complexion and hair. She seems oppressed, but smiles upon her little boy as he toddles about the rooms and halls. Roger is a bright eyed little fellow, makes friends with all who notice him. He will be two years old in February, and he gets around remarkably fast while at play with Myrtle, the sheriffs little girl.
Mrs. Fenner is not unlike her daughter in looks or appearances, only that she is older. She declined to be interviewed upon all matters.
PREFERS THE JAIL.
More to Eat Than at the Elmira Reformatory.
Fred Rowe and William Ferris have been sent back to the county jail from the Elmira reformatory, on the ground that they are too young to be kept in that institution. They will remain with Sheriff Overton until the December term of court, when they will be resentenced. They were sent to Elmira last September by Judge Forbes.
The lads are glad enough to be at the county jail again. Fred Rowe said today that at the reformatory they did not get any where near enough to eat, but that where they now are they get plenty to eat and that it is always clean.
Booklet on Ginseng.
Mr. Robert R. Freer, formerly of Cortland, now of 266 West 23d-st., New York City, has just published a little pamphlet of thirty-two pages containing facts out of his own experience and knowledge concerning the cultivation of ginseng. The pamphlet retails for 10 cents, a copy. Mr. Freer has been more or less engaged for fifteen years in the cultivation of ginseng and is an authority on the subject. The pamphlet contains some highly interesting statements.
BREVITIES.
—The Tompkins House at Ithaca is to have a four story addition 35 by 30 feet in size.
—A regular meeting of the L. C. B. A. will be held Wednesday evening at 7:30 o'clock.
—The state railroad commissioners were in Cortland today making yearly investigations.
—The Ladies' Literary club will meet tomorrow afternoon at 3:30 o'clock with Mrs. E. B. Nash, 30 Clinton-ave.
—The final hearing in the Preble tax appeal case, which was to have been held at the courthouse today, has been put over until Thursday, Oct. 30.
—Cortland Chapter, No. 194. R. A. M., will confer the Past and Most Excellent degrees at its regular convocation Wednesday evening at 8 o'clock.
—A new winter time schedule on the Lackawanna railroad will go into effect next Sunday, Oct. 26. It is said that the changes are not very marked.
—Albert J. Baker, a highly esteemed resident of Dryden, died Sunday morning from Bright's disease at the age of 76 years. He is survived by his wife and four children.
—The barn of Frank Hollister between Dryden and Slaterville was struck by lightning and burned Sunday morning. Sixty tons of hay and 1,200 bushels of grain were destroyed. The loss is estimated at $3,000, with insurance of $1,600.
—New display advertisements today are—A. Mahan, Up-to-date pianos, page 8; Hollister Hardware and Plumbing Co., Hardware, stoves, etc., page 4; C. F. Brown, Rubber that lasts, page 4; Buck & Lane, Andes Parlor stoves, page 6; Haight & Freese Co., Stocks, Bonds, etc., page 7; J. W. Cudworth, Eyeglasses, page 7; A. S. Burgess, Clothing, page 5; W. W. Walters, Shoes, page7; Opera House, ''Duffey's Jubilee," page 5.
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