AFTER THE LYNCHING, BOOKER WASHINGTON, C. H. S. COMMENCEMENT, GODDARD BLOCK, AND SIG. SAUTELLE CIRCUS

 

Geroge White.

Cortland Evening Standard, Wednesday, June 24, 1903.

AFTER THE LYNCHING.

Public Opinion Deplores Resort to Mob Violence.

ONLY ONE ARREST YET MADE.

Twelve Year Old Boy Shot in the Excitement Not Expected to Live. Mrs. Bishop, Mother of the Murdered Girl, in a State of Extreme Nervousness.

   Wilmington, Del., June 24.—The excitement attending the gruesome tragedy enacted Monday night outside the city limits when George P. White, the negro murderer of 17-year-old Helen S. Bishop, was burned at the stake, has subsided. The swift and dire punishment meted out to the perpetrator of the crime is the sole topic of conversation but the details are calmly rehearsed.

   Public sentiment appears to deplore the resort to mob violence, but the consensus of opinion is that summary vengeance alone could atone for the outrage upon the life and honor of the young girl. It is generally believed that had the courts brought the murderer to speedy trial the tragedy would have been averted. The judges who had postponed action upon the case of the confessed assailant of Miss Bishop explain their action by stating that popular prejudice and indignation would have precluded the possibility of a fair trial for the culprit.

   It is not known as yet what action the state authorities will take. Governor Hunn says he will confer with Attorney General Ward. The latter made a brief statement in which he said that the state will await the result of the coroner's inquest and that every effort would be exerted to ascertain the names of the leaders.

   One arrest was made last night but the prisoner's name was not divulged by the police. It is said that state and city detectives were in the crowd and recognized some of those who participated in the burning. Other arrests, it is believed, will follow.

   During the show of resistance made by the police and the, jail officials when the mob attacked the New Castle county workhouse, Peter Smith, a 12 year old boy, was shot in the back. The bullet which struck him evidently came from a pistol in the crowd, as it is claimed by the prison warden that his guards fired over the heads of the lynchers. Smith is not expected to live.

   Another young man, whose name is unknown, was slightly injured. The only other persons known to have been hurt was a man who was kicked by White when the negro attempted to escape from his torturers, and another man who had his arm burned.

   Mrs. Bishop, mother of the murdered girl, is in a state of extreme nervousness. White was put to death within a few hundred yards of the Bishop house and the glare of the fire and howls of the mob could plainly be seen and heard at the house.

 

Booker T. Washington, American Educator.

BOOKER WASHINGTON CAN'T GO.

Declines Lord Grey's Invitation to Report on South Africa's Negroes.

   Boston, June 24.—Booker T. Washington says that his place is at Tuskegee and that he has no intention of accepting the offer of Lord Grey to go to British South Africa to undertake a similar work. At his Weymouth summer home he said:

   "One very practical reason why I cannot accept the offer is that Tuskegee needs about $100,000 a year which I have to raise. Lord Grey wanted me to examine the condition of the black people, and make a report as to what methods would increase their industrial and moral value. I considered the offer carefully, but found the task fraught with such responsibility that I have decided to reject it at this time. Some day, perhaps, I shall go, but it will be when my labors here are not so great as they are now. The blacks there represent every grade of intelligence and education, from savagery to the college graduate, but the majority of the work of advancement is being done along industrial lines."

 

Ferdinand E. Smith.

COMMENCEMENT.

The First Class to Graduate from the High School.

NINETEEN MEMBERS IN CLASS.

Fine Program of Exercises at the Opera House—Timely and Appropriate Themes for Orations—Presentation of Diplomas by Superintendent Smith—The Graduates.

   The commencement exercises of the Central high school of Cortland were held in the Opera House last evening, in the presence of a large audience, many of whom were friends of members of the graduating class.

   Seated upon the stage were the members of the board of education, the teachers of the ward schools of the city, Superintendent F. E. Smith and Rev. James Rain.

   The Opera House was decorated with palms, flags and the class colors, lavender and white, which made a pretty effect.

   Music for the evening was furnished by Darby's orchestra.

   After the invocation by Rev. Mr. Rain, pastor of the Congregational church, the first number upon the program, "The Race Question," was given by Daniel Robert Reilly. He said the negro is here to stay and because of that fact, the two races must be on friendly terms, but they must also be separate. We of the North must show frankness, charity and good will; while the South must show charity and forbearance. And the negro himself should try to be the highest type of man—that which is exemplified in one of their number, Booker T. Washington.

   Anna R. Hull spoke of "Public Libraries." The advantages of public libraries were clearly pointed out, and the need of them that it might be possible for every one to read the best literature of the day. Andrew Carnegie, who has endowed so many libraries, is a self-made man and he knows the value of them.

   "Are Strikes Justifiable?" was the subject of George D. Lucy's oration. This question naturally arises in the minds of every one. Many object to unions. But there are laws to protect organized capital. And if capital has a right to organize, why then should not labor organize? If those employed are being imposed upon, it is their duty and privilege to resist.

   Harry A. Mott spoke of the "Russian Influence in Asia." He said Russia has skillfully laid her plans to demand, in only a question of time, the entire empire of China. It, therefore, becomes the duty of the other nations to insist upon the open doors into China.

   "Cortland County and Her Great Men," by Katharine E. Townsend. She spoke of the early pioneers of Cortland county, and among her great men were such men as Samuel S. Nelson, Judge Shankland, Horatio Ballard, R. Holland Duell, Judge Alton B. Parker, Dr. James H. Hoose, Daniel S. Lamont, Nathan L. Miller of Cortland and Lewis Swift of Marathon.

   Charles J. McAleer's subject was "The Municipal Problem." He said the character and ability of a man should determine his appointment to office. On the contrary, his political power has all to do with it. It, therefore, becomes necessary to educate the people in regard to their duty in this matter.

   "Dialect in Literature," was the subject by Miss Olive N. Cogswell. She said while English is the language of the United States, yet all people do not speak good English. The dialect differs in different sections of the country. In literature every phase of existence has been pictured to us, and dialect has done much to beautify what we have read.

   The subject of Clarence E. Geer's oration was "Socialism." He brought out many good points and clearly showed that socialism with all its high ideals, is unable to equally distribute among the citizens of any country all the honors it has to bestow.

   Iva M. Barnes spoke of "The Practical in Education." The schools of today are much more practical than those of earlier times. The practical in education illustrated in every phase of school life today. The American people are a practical people, and to this may be attributed the fact that they are more open minded and better qualified to govern than other nations.

   Superintendent Smith, then in a few well chosen words, presented the graduates their diplomas. He congratulated the class upon their being the first class to graduate after the school had become a high school. He urged them to let the same spirit rule their lives which had ruled the lives of all the great men of our country, and to maintain the same high standard at the close of life, which they had won in the Central high school of Cortland.

   Benediction was pronounced by Rev. James Rain.

Graduates.

   The following is a list of the graduates from the class of 1903: Iva M. Barnes, Lillian H. Carty, Olive N. Cogswell, Minnie L. Conrad, Gertrude I. Daily, Anna R. Hull, Gentry L. Oakley, Grace F. Odell, Katharine O'Connor, Addie D. Palmer, Angie W. Pike, Katharine E. Townsend, Clarence E. Geer, Geo. D. Lucy, Henry A. Mott, Charles J. MacAleer, William F. Quinn, Daniel R. Reilly, and Ford White.

 

THE SCHOOL EXHIBIT

As Displayed at the Central School—Some Fine Work.

   There is on exhibition at the Central school at the present time, samples of the work that is being done in various departments of the city schools. The exhibit is an exceptionally fine one. The drawing charts illustrate the work that is being done in all grades from the first up to the regents' class, and it will compare very favorably with that done in any of the schools in the state. Several of the charts will be sent to the state exhibit. There are some good specimens of Japanese brush work, some fine sketches and etchings, some work done in water colors, accurate mechanical drawings, etc.

   A number of art books are exceptionally good. One of these, "Raphael and his Work,'' will be entered at the state exhibit. This is no doubt the best piece of work on exhibition. The printing is clean, clear, and easily deciphered, the work was all done by one of the pupils, Roger K. Williams, and it is a work of art.

   Many of the note books, compositions, maps, etc., are worthy of special mention. An hour can be no more profitably spent than in examining this collection.

 

THE GODDARD BŁOCK.

Contract Let to Hopkins & Hall—Work to Begin Monday.

   A. J. Goddard this afternoon let the contract for his new block on Railroad-st. to Hopkins & Hall who will begin work next Monday.

   The building will have a frontage of 86 feet and will be 90 feet deep. Some of the details of the building have already appeared in The Standard and the plans, etc., will be published later.

   Hopkins & Hall is a new firm, though neither member of it is new or strange to Cortland. The senior member is L. R. Hopkins who for years has been a prominent contractor and builder here and elsewhere. Among the buildings in this vicinity which he has erected are the Hopkins block on Main-st., the Presbyterian church and the Baptist church in Homer. Outside of Cortland he has done more work and taken larger contracts than anything that has appeared in this city. Horace W. Hall has for years been Mr. Hopkins' superintendent of mason work, and has had much experience. The two have recently formed the partnership. The fact that Hopkins & Hall are to erect the Goddard block is a guaranty that it will be well done.

 

MARRIED IN TRUXTON.

Given a Fitting Send Off by Friends in this City.

   About forty Cortland people attended the wedding of Wm. Reagan and Miss Margaret Comerford, who were married in Truxton last evening by Rev. Father Conway. Mr. and Mrs. Reagan arrived in Cortland on the morning train on the Lehigh and left on the 9:20 train on the Lackawanna for St. Louis. Quite a number of their friends were at the depot and gave them a good send off.

 

THE SAUTELLE CIRCUS

Now Touring in Maine and Drawing Big Crowds.

   The Sautelle circus is now exhibiting in the state of Maine and is drawing large crowds and, judging from the newspaper notices, is pleasing the people. At Biddeford an audience of 7,500 people was crowded into the tent seating 6,800. At Portsmouth, N. H., over 12,000 people were present at the two exhibitions. The Biddeford Journal says:

   The Signor is a great hustler and gives his personal attention to all the workings of the show. It is not uncommon to see him in any part of the grounds, supervising the work or giving orders for improvements. His men say he is a stickler for having things always neat and orderly.

   At Webster, Mass., a few days ago, the circus struck a furious wind and rain storm which wrecked the menagerie tent and prevented a performance. A new tent had to be procured.

 

BREVITIES.

   —The class graduated from the Binghamton high school yesterday numbered 79.

   —Normal class day exercises will be held in Normal hall tomorrow afternoon at 2 o'clock,

   —A regular review of the L. O. T. M. will he held tomorrow night at 7:30 o'clock. A large attendance is desired.

   —The Dilger-Cornell repertoire comedy company will open a week's engagement at the Opera House next Monday night.

   —The annual business meeting of the Normal Alumni association will be held in Room 215, Normal building, tomorrow afternoon at 3:30 o'clock.

   —A little German band has been about the city for a couple of days serenading different private houses as well at public places, and passing the hat.

   —The twelfth annual reception of the different fraternities of the Normal school to the alumni and friends occurs in the Normal parlors this evening.

   —The new display advertisements today are—G. H. Wiltsie, Special mid-summer clearance sale, page 8; J. A. Keenan, Painting, paper hanging, etc., page 5.