 |
| Coal miners in Hazelton, Pa., circa 1900. |
Cortland Evening Standard, Saturday, December 6, 1902.
ALLEGED BLACKLISTING.
Strikers Testified They Were Refused Re-Employment.
TWO MAIMED MEN ON STAND.
Introduced to Show the Dangers of Mining—Both Blind and One Had Lost an Arm and Use of the Other Hand—Rev. Father Curran's Testimony.
Scranton, Dec 6.—The lawyers for the mine workers continued to call witnesses before the strike commission to testify to the alleged blacklisting methods pursued by several coal companies in refusing to re-employ strikers who took a more or less prominent part in the affairs of the mine workers' union during the recent suspension.
All of them said they had been employed before the strike but were refused their old places after the strike was ended. In most cases, according to the testimony, no satisfactory reason was given why they were not taken back.
Two blind men who were also otherwise badly injured by underground explosions, were presented as living evidence of the dangers in the mines.
When the commission adjourned for the day Rev. J. J. Curran, the Roman Catholic clergyman of Wilkes-Barre, who took a prominent part in the miners' cause during the recent strike, was on the witness stand.
Nothing could be learned here with reference to the reported efforts at a settlement outside the commission.
Wayne MacVeagh left here accompanied by Commissioner Parker at 3:35 o'clock for New York.
Mr. MacVeagh, before leaving, stated that a majority of the operators thought it better to adjourn all efforts to reach by amicable conferences a basis for the award of the commission until both sides had presented all the testimony they wished to offer. Whether the efforts to reach such a basis will then be resumed can only be decided after the testimony is closed.
Mr. MacVeagh added that he personally thought, in view of the extraordinary conditions existing in the anthracite region, that this was a mistaken attitude for the operators to assume as it was feared each day's testimony would tend to increase the bitterness of feeling, but it was not only the right but the duty of the operators to act on their own judgment of the situation and he sincerely hoped the result would fully justify the conclusion they reached.
From this expression it is taken that Mr. MacVeagh was opposed to the calling off of the negotiations last week.
The departure of Mr. MacVeagh for New York gave rise to a rumor that the attorney was going there to consult with the operators on the settlement scheme, but when seen just before leaving the city he said he did not know whom he would see there. He denied all knowledge of any efforts being made by the large coal companies to absorb the independent concerns. Individual operators who were approached on the subject also said they knew nothing of such a move.
Before the examination of witnesses was resumed at the afternoon session Chairman Gray said that the commission had decided to present to both sides certain blank forms which would indicate what information regarding wages the commission wanted.
A half a dozen witnesses, all of them mine workers, were called to the stand in rapid succession, to testify to the alleged blacklisting of themselves by the companies.
Mr. Darrow, for the miners, then presented two witnesses who had been injured in the mines. Both were blind and had to be led to the stand. One of them, besides losing both eyes in an explosion, lost one arm and the hand of the other arm was rendered useless.
After they had left the stand the attorneys for the operators protested against bringing those unfortunate men to the witness stand.
Rev. J. J. Curran occupied the witness stand during the remainder of the session. He read a statement to which he said he had made every effort possible to prevent the recent struggle, and that after the men had concluded to strike he came out and strongly espoused their cause, because he thought they were being unfairly dealt with and deserved more money for their labor.
PAGE FOUR—EDITORIAL.
The Immigration Problem.
A circular lately issued by the Immigration Restriction league is of timely interest in view of the fact that there is now pending in the United States senate a bill to restrict immigration by excluding those unable to read and write their own language, which passed the house of representatives at the last session.
The circular referred to brings out sharply some important facts bearing upon the immigration problem. It is of the immigration for the last fiscal year is once more a third greater than the year before and is now twice as great as in 1899.
In the second place, the immigrants in increasing measure are from eastern and southern Europe. Western Europe—Great Britain, France, Germany and Scandinavia—which up to a few years ago had supplied four-fifths of our immigrants, now supplies but one-fifth, and the immigrants from eastern and southern Europe, who now form the great bulk of our new citizens, are of a relatively servile grade as regards intelligence and fitness for the responsibilities of citizenship. Only 1 per cent of the Scandinavians and Scotch immigrants are illiterate, only 2 per cent of the English, only 4 per cent of the Irish and only 5 per cent of the French and Germans, but among the immigrants from eastern and southern Europe the percentage of illiteracy ranges from 13 per cent among the Magyars to 72 per cent among the Portuguese, the average for all being 44 per cent.
The third point brought out by the circular is the extent to which these immigrants are settling down in the foreign wards of our great cities instead of scattering over the country in such a way as to become assimilated to the mass of our citizenship. Nearly 70 per cent of all the immigration is now destined for the four industrial states of New York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and Illinois.
While this country still welcomes those from less forward lands who are likely to become useful, orderly and law respecting citizens of the republic, it seems evident that the time is at hand to restrict immigration in a manner that shall advance rather than lower the intellectual and moral level of our citizenship.
.jpg) |
| Early Grange Poster. |
CORTLANDVILLE GRANGE
Celebrates an Anniversary and Spends a Pleasant Evening.
Last night was observed by Cortlandville grange as an anniversary of the founding of the order. Nearly 175 grangers were present including about fifty visitors who represented eight other granges. A special feature of the evening was the visit of State Secretary W. N. Giles of Skaneateles who made an address upon the growth of the order. Mr. Giles complimented the Pomona grange of this county upon being in the best condition financially of any Pomona grange in the United States, and he said he had the figures to verify his statement. It appeared also that the several granges in this county have made the largest growth in the aggregate during the past year of any county in the state in proportion to their numbers a year ago. Cortlandville grange alone has added forty-two members to its roll during the year.
Supervisor N. F. Webb of Virgil, the master of the Pomona grange, also spoke in an enthusiastic way of the benefits of the grange and of its increasing members. He was listened to with keen attention by all.
At the close of these addresses the following toasts were propounded by Toastmaster W. P. Robinson and were ably responded to by all.
Grange Meetings—Mrs. N. F. Webb
Rural Life—Mrs. G. H. Hyde
Reading—Putting Up Stoves, Mrs. Bert Dickinson
Recitation—The Switchman's Ordeal.
Recitation—Mrs. Frank Thompson
Our Babies—Mrs. A. V. Smith, Mrs. A. W. Graham
It was announced during the evening that a call will soon be issued for a special meeting of the Pomona grange in January at which the fifth degree will be conferred upon all grangers throughout the county who may desire it, and then they will be prepared to attend the annual convention of the state grange in Syracuse in February.
PREBLE, N. Y., APPEAL CASE.
Decision to be Announced Early in the Week.
In response to a telegram from the clerk of the board of supervisors in regard to the [Town of] Preble appeal, the board was informed last evening by telegram from the secretary of the state tax commissioners that the decision in the matter would be announced early next week. Consequently the board adjourned at 10 o'clock this morning until 10 o'clock Wednesday.
The committee on miscellaneous bills reported a total amount of $4,484.96 claimed and $4,469.93 allowed. The committee is made up of Messrs. Kinyon, Walrad, and Parker. The report was adopted.
On motion of Mr. Jordan, and unanimously carried:
Resolved, That this sum of $25 be allowed the superintendent of the poor for the purpose of securing religious services at the county almshouse for the ensuing year.
NEWSPAPER FAILS.
Democratic Geneva Review in Receiver's Hands.
The Seneca Printing company of Geneva, N. Y., is in the hands of a receiver. The company prints The Review, the daily Democratic organ of Geneva.
Tioughnioga Chapter D. A. R.
The Tioughnioga chapter of the D. A. R. will meet Monday afternoon, Dec. 8, at 3:30 o'clock with Mrs. R. V. Townsend at the home of Mrs. Chauncey Keator, 164 South Main-st., and Cortland. It is expected that the copies of the constitution will be ready for the members at this time.
Death of Mrs. Bulkley.
Mrs. Hannah L. Bulkley, wife of Mr. S. P. Bulkley, 40 Greenbush-st., died last evening at a little after 6 o'clock from a complication of diseases. Her age was nearly 60 years. The funeral will be held from the house at 8 o'clock Monday morning. Burial will be made at New Woodstock.
Mrs. Bulkley had been ill during the past year, and her death was not a surprise. She was born in Nelson, Madison Co., and her maiden name was Peek. In August, 1863, she married Mr. Bulkley and for seventeen years they have lived in Cortland. Aside from her husband she leaves five children, Miss Lillian P. Bulkley, of Cortland, Mr. Frank Bulkley of Binghamton, Mr. John Bulkley of Pittsburg, Pa., Mr. Brownell Bulkley of Cortland and Miss Inza Bulkley of Cortland.
Mrs. Bulkley was a faithful and conscientious wife and mother and a firm friend. She was a member of the First Baptist church of this city, in which she was held in the highest esteem.
LOWER CINCINNATUS, N. Y.
Lower Cincinnatus, Dec. 4.—S. S. Beckwith was in Owego last week on business.
Mr. Dunham of the Owego Bridge Co. has contracted to place the abutments for the new iron bridge over the river in place of the covered one. The bridge is to be built this winter, instead of spring, as was the first bargain. All will be glad to have a handsome iron structure to replace the unsightly covered affair put up in 1865.
The Baptist pulpit will be filled Sunday by Rev. Mr. Rightmire of Liberty, Sullivan Co.
The oyster supper held Tuesday evening at M. V. Totman's for the benefit of the church was very largely attended, all present enjoying the novel entertainment furnished by the ladies.
Hon. Delos McGraw of McGraw passed through here Wednesday enroute to German.
Word has been received from Arva Youngs, who recently went to Colorado for his wife's health. Mr. Youngs has purchased 160 acres of land and will soon resume his former occupation, farming.
Mrs. Henry Martin has been assisting Mrs. James Mitchell during her illness.
We understand Geo. Gilliland expects to move back to German in the spring, Mrs. Helen White having engaged the rooms now occupied by them [sic].
Mrs. Henry Jackson recently visited friends in McGraw.
Mrs. Fenton Kellam left Friday for her home in Binghamton.
 |
| Judge Alton B. Parker. |
JUDGE ALTON B. PARKER.
Native of Cortland County Prominent in Political World.
Since election a number of Democratic newspapers have been talking increasingly of Judge Alton B. Parker, chief justice of the court of appeals of this state, in connection with the Democratic nomination for the presidency in 1904. Cortland county is one of the strongholds of Republicanism in New York state. It gave the largest plurality this fall for the Republican ticket ever recorded in an off year, and that vote was largely an endorsement of President Roosevelt and the policy of his administration. It is enthusiastic for the president and eager for an opportunity of voting for his re-election two years from now, and will without doubt do even harder and better work in that campaign than ever before. And yet without detracting one iota in enthusiasm, or earnestness or loyalty for the party and its chosen standard bearer, it cannot help looking with interest at one of its old "boys" who seems likely to be the candidate on the other ticket and in reading whatever is said about him especially if it pertains to his relations to Cortland and his every day life independent of politics.
The New York World a few days ago published an article about him which in part is as follows:
In spite of the widespread and unmistakable Democratic movement toward the nomination of Chief Judge Alton Brooks Parker of the court of appeals for president in 1904, no man has yet succeeded in drawing from him the slightest hint of his attitude or ambition.
Within three weeks scores of Democratic leaders and newspapers, east, west and south, have declared that Judge Parker is the only Democrat who can carry New York state in the next presidential campaign and that his nomination is likely to become a party necessity.
The judge himself declines to discuss the matter, saying that the chief judicial officer of the greatest state in the nation must hold his personality aloof from partisan politics and attend strictly to the business of his office.
Nor can any of the political leaders explain the secret of Judge Parker's popularity, although the demand for information about him is as remarkable as his own reticence. His candidacy seems to be acceptable to Mr. Cleveland, to Senator Hill, to Mr. Bryan, to Senator Gorman and to many other of the powerful and representative party leaders; still, not one of them can say just why it is so. The truth is that there is less known about the political opinions and personal traits of Judge Parker than any other American of national reputation.
Lives on a Farm.
When the judge is not in Albany he lives on his farm of 90 acres overlooking the Hudson river at Esopus, N. Y. Here he spends his time as a farmer, with his fruit trees, grain fields, vineyard and blooded cattle. His farm is his chief possession, a picturesque stretch of land, plentifully shaded, which runs from a tiny village on the West Shore railroad over the brow of a rocky hill down to the shore of the great river, where there is a private dock, which is touched several times a day by the crack steamboats. At the top of a green slope, over which the judge's pigs and hens are allowed to range, stands a quaint house, remodeled from a Dutch stone residence built in colonial days. Here the judge lives, and here some of the most important opinions handed down by the court of appeals have been written.
Judge Parker is only 50 years old, a powerfully built man, with an iron hand grip and the simplest manners imaginable. At the first glance one is impressed by a sense of tremendous physical force. The broad shoulders, immense chest, sinewy neck, big, full head, strong jaws, square, formidable chin; strong, masculine mouth, shaded by a coarse, tawny mustache; high cheek bones, fresh coloring—as red and white as a young girl's face—great, brilliant brown eyes and massive, symmetrical limbs—go well with the deep, full voice and grave dignity of the man.
When he is not striding about his farm, playing with his grandson or riding over the rough roads on his favorite saddle horse—for the judge rides an hour every day, wherever he happens to be—he sits in a sunny room walled with law books and works out his judgments.
Is a Conservative Democrat.
You may go to Esopus and wander about its fields and paths or sit by the blazing logs in the judge's roomy fireplace, as many a political leader has done within the past few weeks, and you will come away ignorant of the judge's political views, save that he is a conservative Democrat who believes in tariff revision and is confident that the American people can deal wisely and successfully with any problem that confronts them. His slow manner of speech and the straight, honest look out of his eyes indicate the careful, deliberate mind. But, in spite of his impressive bearing, there is a singular suggestion of the warm-hearted farm-boy that persists.
This is the man who is being talked of for president of the United States in many parts of the country, the man who most people believe would have been elected governor of New York in the last election had he been nominated, the man who managed the campaign that resulted in the election of Gov. Hill, who was offered an office by President Cleveland, who voted for Mr. Bryan twice, who was the personal and political friend of Samuel J. Tilden—the mystery of Democratic politics today.
Who Judge Parker Is.
Judge Parker is descended from English ancestors, who settled in New England nearly 200 years ago. His great-grandfather served in Washington's army as a private. His father was a farmer. Fifty years ago the judge was born on his father's farm near Cortland, N. Y. He attended the primary and Normal schools at Cortland. At the age of 16 he taught school in a country schoolhouse and established his authority by thrashing the bully of his class. Then he taught school in Binghamton. Later he was a teacher at $3 a day in Accord, an Ulster county village. After that, his hopes of attending Cornell university failing, he entered the law office of Schoonmaker& Hardenberg at Kingston. Next he attended the law school in Albany. Then he returned to Schoonmaker & Hardenberg's office, and after a few months he took a law partner named Kenyon and opened an office at Kingston.
For twelve years he practiced law in Kingston, and during that time he was free from the control or influence of large corporations.
In 1877 he was elected surrogate of Ulster county, and when his term expired he was re-elected.
By this time the young lawyer was recognized as a powerful factor in the politics of Ulster county, and in 1885 he was persuaded to become the chairman of the Democratic state executive committee which had charge of Mr. Hill's campaign for the governorship. Gov. Hill appointed him to a seat on the bench of the supreme court when Judge Westbrook died.
Then a curious thing happened. Judge Parker was only 33 years old, and yet he was unanimously nominated for the supreme court bench by the Democrats, and the Republicans refused to nominate an antagonist or oppose him.
Not a vote was cast against him. He served in the supreme court until his election as chief judge of the court of appeals in 1897 by a plurality of about 60,000.
 |
| Charles Gradison Maybury. |
OLD DAYS IN HOMER, N. Y.
A Temperance Hotel that Was Thoroughly Genuine.
NO DRINKS FOR THE LAWYER.
Some of the Famous People Who Came from that Town Anecdote of John Lenox—A Lady Philanthropist—Pop Brown and His Oddities.
To the Editor of The Standard:
Sir—I made reference in my former letter to an anecdote, in which this proposition of the Van Anden hotel in Homer was a conspicuous figure which was copied from a local paper of those days. The paper said:
The rum trade is utterly extinguished in Homer, Cortland Co. Two excellent temperance houses, Samson's and Van Anden's, are open to strangers, but rum can't be had at any public place. Not long since the circuit closed at Binghamton and the judge attended by several distinguished counselors started to Syracuse via Homer. They stayed overnight at Van Anden's. Of this company of notable men was S—r. of Cooperstown, a stalwart person with buoyant old age and a great lover of fun. He knew he was in a temperance house, and the host also knew the distinguished character of his guests. So soon as they were comfortably located in the parlors, on the second floor. S—r told the company to keep their faces, and they should see something. He rang the bell and sent for the landlord. The landlord soon appeared, a man of gentlemanly bearing and address, and said: "What shall I do for you, gentlemen?" "I am exceedingly weary riding from Binghamton, and will thank you to send me up a bottle of brandy."
The landlord received the proposition and composedly and civilly replied—"Well, sir, I have no brandy in my house." "I wish, landlord, you would send for some, for I need it very much." "Really, sir, I can't oblige you in this matter. I never sell liquor at my house. I keep strictly a temperance house." "Well, you can for once depart from your rule to oblige a weary man. Can't you send out and get a bottle? It would be a great favor." "I am happy to accommodate my customers in everything I can consistently; but, really sir, I must say it is not possible to oblige you. Besides, I don't believe there is any brandy to be found in Homer, if I should attempt to get it for you."
The judge and his friend kept their faces with much trouble; while the celebrated counselor tested to the extent of his genius, the unbending integrity of the landlord; and at last he had to surrender to the firmness of his host, whom they dismissed with great respect and enjoyed the result very much, the learned counselor greatly preferring his defeat to victory in the case. The honored friend who told us the story was present, and said they all regarded the transaction as decisive proof of the virtue of the old town.
Have Risen to Celebrity.
Homer is quite rich in reminiscences of people who once lived in the town and since have become, or their descendants, celebrated people in the world. Horace and Hamilton White, I believe, were once citizens of Homer, whence they removed to Syracuse, where they became wealthy and honored people. One of the brothers was the father of Hon. Andrew D. White, recently the celebrated ambassador to Berlin. John Rankin, former mayor of Binghamton, and the original of John Lenox in David Harum, was formerly as a young man, a Homer resident. It is recorded of him that he was quite a gay young man. His mother placed him in the Cazenovia academy to advance his education and it is said that the faculty were sorely perplexed concerning the young man's conduct in school and threatened writing to his mother to take him from the school, which the principal finally informed him they had done. On receiving this information he visited a livery stable and engaged its fastest steed and started for Homer in time to intercept the principal's letter. So he returned to his school and was possibly a more circumspect student than before the episode. Mr. Rankin at one time boarded at the Van Anden hotel.
She Made no Mistake.
Another summer boarder at that hotel was a middle aged lady who was a sister of George Peabody, the famous philanthropist and builder of homes for the poor of London. The ladies had associated themselves as a missionary society and once or twice a year they went around and solicited subscriptions of 25 or 50 cents each for carrying on the good work. One lady suggested that the sister of Mr. Peabody would probably give them a subscription. So they called on her. When they made their errand known she said she would be pleased to aid them and handed them some money. After leaving her they thought they would see how much she had given them and discovered that it was $25. The ladies concluded a mistake had been made and returned to the donor suggesting that possibly she had made a mistake "No," she said, "I always give that amount."
Pop Brown's Joke.
Old residents of Homer will remember Don Brown, the colored pop corn, candy and peanut purveyor. Don was a cripple, one leg being much shorter than the other and when he walked he had considerably of an up and down movement. He was very popular among the residents of Homer, and some days it was said he would make $4 or $5. Don was quite popular among the young misses of the village and he would occasionally charter a large omnibus or stage and invite a full load of them to a ride to Little York or Preble, where he would order up a big supper for the young ladies for which Don paid the bill. He always waited until his guests were through their meal before he partook of his repast. It was said that the students in the academy at one time inaugurated the fad of wearing a dressing gown when they marched to the academy for their recitations. Don followed after the students' fad and went to the dressmakers and said he wished he had a gown like those worn by the academy boys, and they promised him they would make one for him. Don arrayed himself in his new costume and waited in a hidden corner until the company of students came marching down the sidewalk, when he slyly dropped into line behind the boys, bobbing up and down like an old fashioned saw mill gate. It was said that they never again appeared on the streets in their dressing gowns. The citizens of Homer have erected a fine monument in the cemetery to his memory, evidencing how he was esteemed.
Winona, Minn., Nov. 26, 1902.
BREVITIES.
—Mr. James A. Wood has purchased of the Cortland Savings bank the Selover place on Prospect-st., and will occupy the house in the spring.
—The members of the congregation of the Congregational church are urgently requested to take their Bibles with them to the service tomorrow morning.
—Several persons who started for the East Ithaca train this morning missed their train. On account of the snow the trolley car which usually meets the train was nearly an hour climbing the hill [Buffalo Street].—Ithaca Journal.
—Now is the time to keep in mind the city ordinances about cleaning walks and clearing them clear down to the bottom. They are easier cleaned too if attended to promptly before the snow is tramped down hard upon them.
—The new display advertisements today are—Buck & Lane, Hardware, etc., page 5; McKinney & Doubleday, Standard diaries for 1903, page 4; F. Daehler, Overcoats, page 5; Mrs. L. E, Benton, Quaker shoes, page 5; Haight & Freese Co., Stocks, bonds, grain, etc., page 7.
—In accordance with the custom established some time ago at the Presbyterian church tomorrow being communion Sunday the evening service will be omitted and in its place there will be a service with a brief sermon designed especially for the children at 4 o'clock in the afternoon. Parents are urged to bring their children to this service.
No comments:
Post a Comment