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| USS Iowa BB-4. |
Cortland Evening Standard, Wednesday, December 3, 1902.
NAVAL WAR GAME.
Admiral Sumner to Fortify a Base Against Cuba Before Opposing Fleet Arrives.
United States Flagship Iowa, Port of Spain, Island of Trinidad, Dec. 3.—The problem presented in the naval war game requires that Admiral Sumner shall fortify a port with mines and guns within six hours. Should Admiral Higginson appear with a superior force before the expiration of that time Admiral Sumner will be considered defeated.
To fix the strength of the opposing squadrons the department has given a battleship the value of 20 points; a heavily protected cruiser, 8 points; a smaller protected cruiser, 5 points; a gunboat, 3 points, and a torpedo boat or tender, 1 point each.
It is estimated that Admiral Higginson has 126 points and Admiral Sumner 66 points. If the estimate is correct it is claimed that it would be folly for Admiral Higginson to divide his battleship squadron, numbering 80 points, and that therefore they must act together, so that on hearing of the arrival of Admiral Sumner's squadron they can hasten to attack it.
Some officers believe that Admiral Higginson will separate his battleships into two divisions and form a division of fast cruisers which will hold the balance of power and reinforce the battleships.
It is believed here that Admiral Higginson has arranged with the United States consuls and weather observers in the West Indies to report the appearance of Admiral Sumner's vessels and has made telephonic and telegraphic arrangements in Porto Rico so that if a port of that island is attacked he will be immediately advised.
The distance from Trinidad to the nearest base is 570 miles in a straight line and 700 miles by the outside course. Leaving Trinidad on Friday morning Admiral Sumner cannot possibly reach his destination before Sunday morning and he may proceed slowly and arrive Monday or even later.
All lights will be out at night except a red lamp aft to serve as a guide for the vessel following. It is permissible to hoist neutral colors in order to deceive the scouts of Admiral Higginson's squadron. Admiral Sumner is allowed to drop his slow ships though the sacrifices points by so doing, and as his squadron is inferior to that of Admiral Higginson, Admiral Sumner will possibly prefer to hold his vessels together so long as possible and be prepared to detach them on any attempt being made to entice them away on Admiral Higginson's scouts sighting him.
The squadron is constantly engaged in target practice, in order to make a record off Culebra island.
The Iowa will have finished coaling today and then the squadron will be ready to sail.
Attempt to Kill Emperor.
Victoria, B. C., Dec. 3.—Steamer Kage Maru which arrived from the Orient brought news of an attempt on the life of the Emperor of Japan when the imperial train was at Otaka, a station west of Hiroshima, en route to the scene of the maneuvers of Kinshin. A number of conspirators had gone there and arranged to blow up the emperor's train, but the police authorities learned of the plot and the would-be dynamiters fled. The imperial train did not proceed until after an engine had been sent over the line to test the safety of track. The plotters were not captured.
Admission of Territories.
Washington, Dec. 3.—The senate committee on territories will today take up the bill for the admission of the territories of Oklahoma, New Mexico and Arizona as states, preparatory to the report to be made on the bill to the senate later in the day, in accordance with the unanimous agreement arrived at the last session.
PAGE FOUR—EDITORIAL.
Good, but Might Be Better.
Taking all in all, the United States postoffice [sic] department is perhaps the most efficient and useful of all the public functions of our government. Through varying political administrations it has in the main been conducted with intelligence and integrity and in the interest of the people. Yet there is still chance for improvement and for the broadening of the scope of its usefulness. There are several important things that the postal authorities upon sufficient congressional authorization might do, and perhaps may do, to perfect the system already admirable in most respects.
Among these are the completions of the free delivery projects already under consideration. The territory of the United States available for rural free delivery embraces about 1,000,000 square miles, or about one-third of the country's area. The general superintendent of the free delivery system now estimates that within the next three years this system will cover 700,000 square miles and employ 40,000 carriers. There are 11,650 routes now in operation, covering some 300,000 square miles, so that almost one-third of the work is already accomplished. All it wants is sufficient governmental appropriations, and at the rate of 12,000 new routes a year universal free delivery will soon be an accomplished fact.
But the mere delivery of letters and packages is by no means all that is contemplated. It is proposed that rural carriers be authorized to pay money orders to patrons as well as to issue them. In this way the postoffice can be made to supply ready capital to isolated farmers having credit, without further banking charges.
Another project which would greatly increase the usefulness and popularity of the postal department is the proposed universal postage stamps, which would pass current in all countries and which could be used in settling not too large accounts by letter. This innovation may, before long, be instrumental in establishing one form of money for all the principal nations.
The adoption of a parcels post system similar to those in successful operation in various European countries would undoubtedly meet the approval of the great majority of the American people. They would likewise approve the establishment of postal savings banks such as have been found to work admirably in England.
To all this there should be added in the near future penny postage, which would be hailed with popular delight. In scarcely anything can the present congress better serve the public than in improving, broadening and cheapening the nation's postal facilities.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Awaiting Decision of Preble Tax Case.
COMMITTEE CANNOT PROCEED.
Petition Presented by Highway Commissioner and Town Board of Cortlandville for Permission to Issue Bonds for Purpose of Raising Money to Defray Extraordinary Expenses Arising from Damage and Destruction of Roads and Bridges Due to Floods.
The long looked for decision of the state tax commissioners in regard to the [Town of] Preble appeal has not been received as yet by the board of supervisors. Nearly all the work that the county legislators can do until the decision has been received has now been done The equalization committee can not go ahead with its work of equalizing the state and county tax until the matter is settled.
The board met this morning and was called to order by Chairman Crosley.
The following petition of the town board of Cortlandville was read by the clerk:
To the Honorable Board of Supervisors of the County of Cortland:
Gentlemen —We, the undersigned commission of the town of Cortlandville and the town board of said town of Cortlandville, N. Y., in such several capacities, at a special meeting of said board with said highway commissioner, duly called by the supervisor of said town for such purpose, do hereby request and pray your honorable board that permission be granted to the said town of Cortlandville, and the proper officer or officers thereof, to borrow money on the credit of said town of Cortlandville, and to issue bonds of such town therefore, running in a successive series, in the aggregate sum of five thousand dollars ($5,000), with interest payable annually at a rate not exceeding four per centum per annum, having a face value of one thousand dollars each, and being numbered from one to five inclusive, and maturing in the years 1912, 1913, 1914, 1915 and 1916 respectively; that said bonds bear the same date and be issued immediately upon the maturity of the outstanding road and bridge certificates issued by resolution of said board to defray extraordinary expenses arising from damages to and destruction of roads and bridges due to floods, and held by the Second National bank of Cortland, N. Y., said roads and bridges having been repaired and replaced under contracts, now completed, with the Owego Bridge company and with A. L. Shuler, and the contract price thereof not otherwise provided for, having been paid from the money borrowed upon said certificate by said highway commissioner upon resolutions of said town board, viz: the resolution of June 16, 1902, providing for a loan of $1,500 and the resolution of Aug. 13, 1902, providing for a loan of $3,500.
Dated at McGrawville, N. Y., Nov. 12, 1902.
W. A. Smith, Highway Commissioner, A. R. Rowe, Supervisor, G. H. Maricle, Town Clerk, John H. Kelley, Arthur A. Borthwick, Michael J. Grady, Clinton Lamont, W. R. Bigger, Justices of the Peace.
Upon motion the unanimous consent of the board was given for such action.
On motion of Mr. Jordan:
Resolved, That a committee, consisting of two members each, be appointed by the chairman to apportion the state tax, a committee to apportion the county tax, and a committee to apportion the school commissioners' expenses.
These committees have not yet been named.
On motion of Mr. Shuler:
Resolved, That the clerk of this board be directed to correspond with the authorities of the Onondaga county penitentiary and obtain terms for the board of prisoners for the ensuing year.
AT MORTGAGE SALE.
Four Pieces of City Property Sold by Cortland Savings Bank.
Lewis Bouton, as attorney for the Cortland Savings bank, sold at mortgage foreclosure at the court house this forenoon the house and lot at 156 Port Watson-st.; the house and one acre of land at 43 Groton-ave.; the barn and lot 22 Groton-ave.; and five building lots comprising an acre and a half of land on Graham-ave.
The house and lot at 156 Port Watson-st. was bid off by Mr. Charles Clements for $1,455; Edgar L. Pierce bid off the place at 43 Groton-ave. at $2,200; the barn and lot at 22 Groton-ave. was struck off at $1,000 and was bid in by Mr. C. P. Walrad for the Savings bank. The five lots on Graham-ave. were also bid in by Mr. Walrad for the bank at $350.
CORTLAND COMMON COUNCIL.
Regular Monthly Meeting Held Last Evening.
ALL THE MEMBERS WERE PRESENT.
Reports of City Chamberlain and Commissioner of Charities—Action in Reference to a Building Line—City Attorney to Draft Amendment to Charter—Bills Audited.
At the regular and adjourned meeting of the common council, held at the office of the city clerk last evening, all members of the board were present.
Commissioner of Charities F. E. Price and City Chamberlain G. J. Maycumber submitted their monthly reports which were received and placed on file. Mr. Price's report showed that $88.43 had been spent for the poor. The report of the chamberlain showed a deficit in each fund except the poor fund, which showed a balance of $1,166.76. The total deficit at present is about $6,000, against $16,363.30 one year ago.
Mr. Richards said that there should be a building line established for each street of the city, and he spoke of several buildings that had been crowded out beyond houses, much to the injury of other property holders. He thought there should be an amendment to the charter in this respect. The other members were of the same mind, and other matters that should be straightened out, among which is the paving ordinance, were cited by the aldermen, and it was suggested that these matters should be changed if any amendment to the charter were attempted.
Upon motion of Mr. Richards seconded and carried:
Resolved, That the city attorney be directed to prepare a proper amendment to the charter, providing for a building line upon all streets of the city.
The following bills were allowed and ordered paid:
The board adjourned until Tuesday evening, Dec. 9, at 8 o'clock.
COURT OF APPEALS.
Hands Down Two Decisions That Interest Cortland County.
The court of appeals yesterday handed down two decisions that are of particular interest to Cortland people. The first was in the case of The Second National bank of Cortland against A. Leroy Cole and others, which was tried in supreme court in Cortland before Justice Walter Lloyd Smith in January, 1898, and a decision was rendered for the defendants. Dougherty & Miller were attorneys for the plaintiff and Kellogg & Van Hoesen for the defendants. The case was an action which grew out of the failure of the Cortland Desk Co. several years ago. When that company failed, the stockholders settled with the Second National bank by giving a note of $12,000 which note was afterward paid by Mr. Cole and others. This settlement and the giving of this note and its subsequent payment was supposed by the stockholders of the company to cancel all claims which the bank held against them as stockholders of the defunct company. Subsequently the bank sued Mr. Cole as an endorser upon these notes of the company which, with interest amounted to about $4,300, and a judgment was taken by default against him.
The default was opened and the payment of the notes contested by Mr. Cole on the ground that the notes had been paid in the settlement with the $12,000 note.
The judgment of the trial term was affirmed by the appellate division Nov. 21. 1899, and the case was carried to the court of appeals. It was argued in November last by N. L. Miller for the plaintiff and by Hon. O. U. Kellogg for the defendant, and the decision, which was handed down yesterday affirms the decisions of the lower courts.
The other case was that of Andrew Carpenter vs. Robert Purvis and was an appeal from a decision handed down by the appellate division in January, 1901, which sustained the action of the trial court and was in favor of the plaintiff. The action was brought by John E. Winslow as attorney of record, who was assisted by Kellogg & Van Hoesen. S. D. Halliday of Ithaca and Geo. E. Goodrich of Dryden were attorneys for the defendant. The case was argued in November and the decision which was handed down yesterday was also in favor of the plaintiff and sustained the decision of the lower courts.
BREVITIES.
—The new display advertisements today are—G. H. Wiltsie, Dry goods, etc., page 4: C. P. Thompson, Hulled corn and cooked samp, page 5.
—The First National bank of Dryden opened its doors on Monday and nearly $7,000 were deposited during the day.
—The New York State Ginseng Growers' association, which was formed in Tully last August, will hold a meeting at the Yates hotel in Syracuse next Tuesday.
—Providence continues to favor mankind with mild weather. Though barely three weeks to Christmas, we have had no winter weather yet to speak of. The only general complaint heard is of bad roads, but these can be put up with, being offset by the mild weather and the resulting saving of fuel.
From the Hyatt Studio.
To our patrons:
All who desire pictures for the Holidays should have the sitting within the next two weeks. Respectfully, E. H. Hyatt. Phone No. 652. [Paid ad.]
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