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| Czar Nicolas II. |
Cortland Evening Standard, Wednesday, May 6, 1903.
REFORMS IN RUSSIA.
WHAT THE CZAR'S UKASE MEANS TO HIS SUBJECTS.
While the New Order of Things May Not Mean Freedom as We Know It, the Russians Will Be Much Better Off Than Now.
There seems to be more or less vagueness about the recent reform decree of Czar Nicholas of Russia, but although it is quite possible that the first enthusiastic expectations may not be realized much good will doubtless result. Among the positive benefits are religious liberty and a degree of local self government. These things the Russian people have long and earnestly desired.
Some of the measures outlined by the czar propose reform of the rural laws. This is to be affected with the advice of persons who possess the confidence of the people. The system of administration is to be examined by representatives of the different localities concerned with a view of bringing about the desired reforms. Measures are also to be taken to relieve the peasantry of the burdens of forced labor.
One of the most welcome reforms outlined is that enabling the sober and hardworking individual peasant to escape from the joint responsibility for arrears of taxation incurred by intemperate and lazy fellow villagers. Many other abuses of the communal system which pressed heavily on the peasantry will be removed.
That paragraph in the decree proposing to refer the reforms to the provincial government councils is by many regarded as pointing in the direction of constitutional government.
Whether or not the action of the czar was dictated by his desire to prevent a union of the progressive party with the revolutionists or simply by a sense of duty and a larger conception of the moral foundations of life, the fact remains that reforms which he has announced will mean much to the lower classes of the population of Russia.
Fears are expressed that the powerful party of reaction led by M. von Plehwe may yet delay or frustrate the realization of the czar's aspirations. Great hopes are based, however, on the known fact that Minister de Witte is a strong advocate of whatever reforms he considers the country ripe for. In any case months must elapse before the projected reforms can be put into execution.
M. von Plehwe, minister of interior, M. Witte, minister of finance, and M. Pobiedonostseff, procurator general of the holy synod, are the three most powerful ministers in the czar's counsels for domestic affairs. M. von Witte has warmly favored the reforms, while the other two have opposed them. Other members of the cabinet, however, have been with the czar, notably Count Lamsdorff, minister of foreign affairs, one of the ablest men in Russia, M. Senger, minister of instruction, and General von Wahl, chief of gendarmerie.
With the exception of restraints laid on the Hebrews all religions hitherto might be freely professed, but the dissenters have been subjected to persecution by intolerant officials, and the new decree will give them complete freedom in the exercise of their particular religion.
The Orthodox Greek Catholics form the vast majority of the nation, numbering at least 90,000,000. Of Roman Catholics there are about 12,000,000, Protestants 6,000,000, Mohammedans 14,000,000, Hebrews, 5,000,000, while there are at least fifty distinct sectarian divisions of nonconformists from the national church.
Although the Hebrew faith is not specifically mentioned in the Czar's new decree it is believed that the liberty granted to "all creeds" is intended to include the Hebrews. It is worthy of note that the decree does not mention the removal of restrictions on the press.
FOUGHT AND RESIGNED.
End of New Jersey Teacher's Struggles With Big Pupils.
Morristown, N. J., May 6.—A. S. Taylor, who has been principal in the public schools in German Valley for eight months, resigned yesterday, having had fights with the pupils that put rural school episodes of fifty years ago in the shade.
Several weeks ago Mr. Taylor reprimanded and suspended a pupil who happened to be the most popular girl in school. The boys then got together and concluded to defy the principal's authority, and boasted that they would get rid of him. Two or three days ago they concluded to "lick the teacher, but that they did not succeed in doing, as Mr. Taylor is an exponent of pugilistic art, and he sent in right hooks and left jabs with telling effects.
Some of the boys refused to return to the school, but their parents sent them back, and Mr. Taylor was told to use the rod in maintaining his discipline if he found it necessary. Yesterday morning he attempted to use the rod on one of the boys, who spat tobacco juice in Mr. Taylor's face and kicked him on the shins. That was a little more than Mr. Taylor's dignity could stand, and he left the school and handed in his resignation, which has been accepted.
PAGE FOUR—EDITORIAL.
The Matter of School Discipline.
The question of right of teachers in the public schools to inflict corporal punishment is almost as old as the public school system itself and will probably never be settled to the satisfaction of all concerned. It crops up now and then in various parts of the country in more or less aggravated form.
In Boston, for instance, Dr. Edward Everett Hale has precipitated a spirited discussion by delivering an opinion that the school discipline of the day is lax and that the chief principle in education, the instillation of the idea of duty, has been practically forgotten. At Terre Haute, Ind., the citizens are excitedly discussing the action of a teacher who established a record of whipping three pupils in fifteen minutes. The city of Elgin, Ill., has just had a school election in which the issue was whether or not the teachers should be empowered to administer corporal punishment. The advocates of the birch won.
It is unquestionable that discipline must be maintained in schools, but how far teachers should go in this direction is a delicate question. If parents would so order their households that there would be no ungovernable and vicious children, there would be no need of corporal chastisement in the schools. However, the parent who neglects to train his child and sends it to school as an exhibit of juvenile anarchy can have no just complaint against teachers who are obliged to perform the duty which the parent has neglected.
REFERS TO CORTLAND.
The Syracuse Dog Catcher Would Officiate in Binghamton.
The Binghamton Republican of this morning contains a letter from O. D. Knapp, the professional dog catcher from Syracuse who officiated so effectively in Cortland a few months ago, in which he applies for a similar position in Binghamton. In the letter he refers to Cortland for a testimonial. And Cortland can give it to him too. Mayor Brown says he is the best man who has ever operated in Cortland and the only one who has ever accomplished anything. All local men are afraid of the guying that comes from the crowd which watches the process. The mayor says he shall take steps soon, if possible, to secure Mr. Knapp for another crusade against [stray] dogs in Cortland.
Syracuse Lawyers to Play.
The Ithaca high school has canceled the date for its base ball game which was to have been played at Athletic field Saturday, and the Syracuse law school team will cross bats with the Normals instead, the game being called at 2:30.
CORTLAND COMMON COUNCIL.
Legislative Amendments Approved and Returned to the Governor.
The regular meeting of the common council was held in the office of the city clerk last evening, those present being Mayor Brown and Aldermen E. M. Yager, C. E. Ingalls, Geo. F. Richards, R. S. Pettigrew, Vern W. Skeele and E. R. Wright.
The following bills were audited and ordered paid:
Commissioner of Charities Bushnell read his report which was accepted. City Chamberlain G. J. Maycumber made his monthly report which was accepted on motion of Alderman Yager.
On motion of Alderman Skeele the bond of the sealer of weight and measures was accepted and, on motion of Alderman Yager, he was instructed to begin work at once.
John Courtney, Jr., attorney for Mrs. Kate Silver, presented a claim of $2,000 against the city for injuries received by the plaintiff, resulting from a fall on an icy sidewalk on Rickard-st. on the evening of Feb. 14, 1903. The claim was referred to the city attorney.
On motion of Alderman Skeele, it was decided to lay water mains on East Main-st. and Pearne-ave. A hydrant is also to be placed on each street.
The Charter Amendments.
The charter amendment bill was next brought up. The amendments were taken out of the original bill so as not to retard its passage. They were incorporated in another bill which passed both houses of the legislature and were returned to the common council for their approval. The first amendment is concerning the amount of bonds required in various cases, the surety, etc. The second is concerning the building line, and the third places the responsibility of a person suffering an accident from an unsafe walk on the party owning the walk. It does not release the city, however, if the owner is insolvent. The amendments were approved, on motion of Alderman Yager, and are to be returned to the governor for his signature. The matter of requiring cabmen, truckmen, etc., to take out a license was tabled.
The council was then adjourned.
BREVITIES.
—The city of Auburn has just bought a site for an isolation hospital. The purchase price was $4,600.
—The new display advertisements today are—The New York store, Specials, page 6; Normal Lecture, page 5; Warren Tanner & Co., Dry goods, page 8.
—The Primary and Junior union will meet Thursday evening at 6:45 in the First Baptist church for a short session. The lesson will be presented by Miss Aria Eggleston.
—The regular monthly business meeting of the Homer-ave. Epworth league will be held at 7:45 this evening, at which time the annual election of officers will take place.
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