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| John Jacob Astor IV. |
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| Chauncey M. Depew. |
Cortland Evening Standard, Friday, June 19, 1903.
HONDURAS RAILROAD.
Senator Depew and Other Prominent New Yorkers Interested.
Washington, June 19.—The state department is considering the controversy raised by the seizure by the government of Honduras of the railroad from Puerto Cortez to La Pimiento, which was leased to an American syndicate in 1897 for a period of 25 years.
Senator Depew of New York, Colonel John Jacob Astor and other prominent people are said to be largely interested in the syndicate.
The controversy grows out of a large quantity of bonds issued many years ago to build the road. These bonds eventually found their way into the hands of British and American citizens, but their claims were not pressed until about a year ago, when the British consul in Honduras filed a protest against the lease.
Action upon the protest was postponed by the government of Honduras until May 27 of the present year, when the government seized the road.
The state department has no information as to why the road was confiscated, but the representatives of the American syndicate threw out an intimation that it is for the purpose of protecting the interest of the government and that the interests of the syndicate are not jeopardized thereby. Both the American bondholders and the representatives of the syndicate which leased the road have presented their sides of the controversy to the department.
Rural Free Delivery Routes.
Washington, June 19.—The postoffice [sic] department has resumed the establishment of rural free delivery routes, which were held up on account of the deficit in the appropriation for that service, and a large number of routes will be put into operation on July 1, the beginning of the new fiscal year. The policy of the department hereafter will be to establish routes as rapidly as possible, consistent with the best interests of the service and economic administration. The rule as to the number of families required to be on the route in order to secure the service, probably will be more strictly adhered to. The rule requires that no service shall be established on a route on which there are less than 100 families.
PAGE FOUR—EDITORIAL.
Our Rule in Guam.
In a recent issue of the New York Independent the Rev. Francis E. Price, a missionary of the American board in Guam, gives an interesting account of affairs on the island since its occupancy by the American government.
Mr. Price says that the islanders are far more prosperous than ever before, and as a rule contented. Many of them being of Spanish extraction they are naturally loyal to the Spanish name, and inclined to criticize our government, but all admit that although the cost of living is higher there never was a time in the history of the islands when the people were so well supplied with the comforts of life. The price paid for a day's work is many times larger and rents have greatly increased. This change has affected the common people more than the better classes, and enabled them to live in decency and comfort. A large sum of money is distributed to the people monthly, and a very large proportion goes to the poorer classes, who never handled money before, and naturally they like it.
But the satisfaction with American rule does not spring entirely from the prosperity of the people. It is frankly admitted that there have been mistakes and failures of government, and that evil examples have been set before the natives by some Americans; yet the one fact stands out clear, that the government has been honest, administering public affairs justly and visiting swift punishment on official dishonesty. Governor Schroeder, who has just retired, was at first unpopular because of the severe measures which he instituted, but by force of character and conscientious fidelity to public duties he gradually won the esteem of his fellow country men and encomiums of the natives.
Mr. Price says that the prompt relief furnished by the government to sufferers from the typhoon of November, 1900, opened the eyes of the natives. Under Spanish rule the people had always given to the government, receiving nothing in return; under American rule the extraordinary spectacle was presented of the government helping the people. The work of the medical department has in the long run counted for more than the relief extended to the typhoon sufferers. Guam is a naval station, and consequently does not admit of private medical practice. The government surgeons have therefore deemed it their duty to look after the general public. The civil hospital building, the leper colony, the public market house, where meat and fish are sold under expert supervision, the licensing of midwives after having received special instructions, which has reduced the mortality among infants 50 per cent, the reduction of nuisances and the introduction of preventive measures against diseases are conspicuous results of their work. Furthermore the private treatment of the sick in serious cases, freely given by the surgeons, the daily public clinic at the hospitals, open to all, and the kindness and courtesy of the American surgeon, so free from snobbery, pride and contempt for the natives, have touched the hearts of the people and called for the expressions of warmest praise.
Mr. Price says that the executive department has been greatly hampered for lack of funds, and some public work, well begun, had to be broken off abruptly because the treasury was depleted. In fact, only the most necessary things have been done, and the government is utterly unable to provide for the education of the people without a larger income, or help from the home government.
A difficult and delicate subject presented itself with reference to a code of laws for the island. Existing conditions were not disturbed, but the governor used his prerogative to supplement and limit the old code by issuing general orders from time to time as necessity arose. Mr. Price says that court proceedings are slow and costly, and that the entire judiciary of the island needs a most thorough overhauling by competent hands. American schools were started under the most favorable auspices, but in eight months they were closed because the insular treasury was empty. The present governor proposes to conduct them on a cheaper plan with native teachers, but he must have an appropriation of $25,000 for buildings and $6,000 for running expenses.
Mr. Price insists that Guam should have a civil government with a large measure of autonomy. He says that social conditions have in some respects grown worse in four years. There is a great deal of gambling. But no saloons are allowed on the island, so there is now very little drunkenness among the people, who number nearly 10,000 souls. The American board has just opened a day school and will soon open a boarding school.
A PUBLIC MEETING
At Fireman's Hall Tonight to Fourth of July.
There will be a meeting of the business men of the city in Fireman's hall tonight for the purpose of raising money for a Fourth of July celebration. A number of years have elapsed since Cortland has had a celebration of this kind and citizens have spent the day at celebrations in nearby towns. Those interesting will have an opportunity tonight to show the depth of that interest by contributing to the fund necessary to carry on the celebration.
THE NEW HOSE HOUSE
Built on Squires-st., Equipped and Ready for Use.
The board of fire commissioners at their meeting on May 12 gave the residents of the Third ward authority to erect a hose house on Squires-st., with the understanding that if this was done the city would furnish a hose cart, necessary hose, etc.
The hose house has been built through the kindness of Champlin & Peckham, and is located just west of their coal office on Squires-st. It is a neat substantial frame building about 15 by 20 feet in size. The city has furnished a hose cart, 400 feet of hose, nozzles, and all necessary apparatus for a first class equipage.
The apparatus is intended for use in case of a fire in that part of the city, but will not respond to calls in other wards. No special company will be organized to report at the hose house. A key will be found in a glass box in the door and in case of fire anyone, by breaking the glass, can get the key, unlock the building and find the apparatus ready for service.
The apparatus will be in charge of and under the supervision of members of other companies residing in that locality and will add greatly to the efficiency of the fire department in that part of the city.
CORNELL COMMENCEMENT.
Graduating Class Numbers 510 from All Departments.
Commencement at Cornell university occurred yesterday and the graduating class, including the representatives from all departments numbered 510. Of this number forty-five were graduates of the law school and sixty of the medical college, leaving 405 from other courses. Of this number 181 received the degree of bachelor of arts, eight bachelors of the science of agriculture, thirteen doctors of veterinary medicine, two forest engineers, six bachelors of architecture, thirty-eight civil engineers, seventy-seven mechanical engineers, fifty-one mechanical engineers in electrical engineering, nineteen mechanical engineers in marine construction, ten mechanical engineers in railway mechanical engineering.
Among the graduates were Arthur Taylor Dunn of Cortland from the Arts course, Walter Edward Stockwell of Cortland from the electrical engineering department. From this latter department was also graduated Fred Lawrence Pomeroy, Jr., of New York, only son of F. L. Pomeroy, formerly of Cortland, who began his railroad experience on the old Ithaca and Cortland R. R., and who is now assistant manager of the freight department of the New York Central railroad. Mr. Pomeroy was also awarded a certificate for proficiency in military science.
Fifty-six advanced degrees were conferred. Among those to receive these was Roy Sherman Stowell who was given the degree of Master of Arts. Mr. Stowell is a son of Dr. T. B. Stowell of the Potsdam Normal school, formerly of the Cortland Normal school.
BALL BALL TOMORROW.
First Games of the City League Championship Contest.
The first games in the Cortland City League baseball championship will be played tomorrow afternoon op Athletic field, beginning at 2 o'clock. There will be two seven-innings games. The Wickwires will play against the Implement Co., and the Forging Co. [will play] against the Y. M. C. A. Admission will be 15 cents for boys. Ladies free.
Daily Refrigerator Car.
Commencing today the United States Express company will run a refrigerator car every day over the Lackawanna, leaving Cortland at 2:23 p. m., connecting at Binghamton, N. Y., with their exclusive fast express train No. 10, arriving in New York at 5 a.m., thus giving unexcelled service from Cortland to New York of all perishable goods.
NO INQUEST NECESSARY.
Coroner Santee Has Investigated the Death of Sylvester Keyes.
Coroner Santee has been investigating the matter of the death of Sylvester Keyes, who passed away Tuesday under rather peculiar circumstances, but finds that no inquest is necessary.
In company with Deputy Sheriff John Miller the coroner went to Lapeer Monday night and called at the home of Charles E. Waterman, where Keyes had been visiting. He inquired as to the black eye which Keyes came home with. He was told that there had been no fracas of any kind, but that Keyes had had a swelled eye and Dr. Field called it erysipelas and prescribed for it as such. He had been quite ill but had become better and finally was well enough to come home and they brought him to the station and he came home.
Then the coroner saw Dr. Field and he reported that he was called up to the Waterman house. Keyes came out to the gate to see him. The doctor had a fractious horse that would not stand. Keyes told him he had erysipelas and he prescribed for this disease. The eye was swollen up nearly shut. He did not examine it closely but took the man's word for the cause of the trouble. He probably did not see him over two minutes altogether.
The coroner notes that no trace of erysipelas was discovered in the postmortem, but Keyes and the others may have thought that the difficulty and so told Dr. Field. At any rate he decided that there is not sufficient ground to warrant an inquest.
BREVITIES.
—The new display advertisements today are—Mrs. Everts, Millinery, page 6.
—There were just 500 graduates from the Normal college in New York City on Wednesday night.
—The Young Ladies' Sodality of St. Mary's church is requested to meet this evening at 7:30 o'clock in the church.
—The Y. M. C. A. Juniors' base ball team will cross bats with a team from the George Junior Republic at Athletic field at 9 o'clock tomorrow. All boys are invited.
—E. MacClain, district manager of the Penn Mutual Life Insurance company of Philadelphia, is soon to locate in Ithaca, with an office in the News building.—Ithaca News.
—Among the graduates at Cornell university yesterday was "Jakey" Smith, a former president of the George Junior Republic, who in earlier days on several occasions visited Cortland in company with other citizens of the republic and spoke at some of the churches. He will be well remembered here.
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