RECIPE FOR MAKING STATESMEN--SNOW BLIZZARD AND TARIFF COMMENTARY

William H. Clark

The Cortland Democrat, Friday, February 10, 1888.

Recipe for Making "Statesmen."

   Take a very small specimen—say a vendor of picture frames—send him to the State Senate for his negative qualities. Direct him to secure the appointment of an editor [Clark] in Cortland—no matter how unpopular—as a member of the Local [Normal School] Board, and the election of another editor in Syracuse as a member of the Board of Regents. Then have the Regent publish a "ripping" article in his Journal extolling the "great" Senator and have that article published in the paper of the "Local Boarder."

   The Local Board man will not be out done. He will publish an article in his Standard varying the other a little and this will be quoted in the Journal of the Regent, and the "picture frame" man of yesterday will be a "paper statesman" at least by next week! If he will do "something handsome" for a Troy paper and another paper "down the river," and send three dollars for a wood cut of himself he can lend it with his additional puffs to the two first named papers and it will not be long before his head will be swollen with ideas of comptrollerships, governorships and presidencies.

   Very light basswood timber is required nowadays for "newspaper Statesmen." The only trouble is they don't last. Watch Senator Hendricks. Even now then there is being a rod pickled for him [sic].

   REPUBLICAN.

Some Snow.

   The recent blizzard must have piled the snow up pretty lively in the vicinity of Cincinnatus. We clip the following items from the Register, published in that place:

   In breaking out the road on West Hill, which runs past Hawley's factory, a tunnel was cut through a drift fifteen feet deep.

   Dr. B. Kinyon met with a narrow escape while returning from a visit to a patient in German Friday night he was on the road between Rev. O. Cooper's and L. Spencer's over which the snow was piled in monstrous drifts, when his horse got down and was unable to get up. The doctor got out of his cutter and unharnessed the horse, but was unable to extricate it. He then endeavored to reach Spencer's, but the deep drifts nearly proved too much for him and when he finally reached the house he was completely exhausted and benumbed, and hardly able to speak. Mr. Spencer and his son found the horse completely buried in the snow with nothing but the feet protruding. A trench was dug and the horse finally extricated uninjured.

Taylor.

   Mrs. Philetus Tracy is dangerously ill with pneumonia.

   There is an immense snow-drift across the highway near Joseph Cass’s, which is estimated to be twenty feet in depth, through which there is an arched tunnel about thirty feet in length, for the passage of teams. Can any other town beat this?

   Many are having the measles about town.

   We were glad to see our sister town, Cincinnatus, represented in the correspondents' column in last week's issue. We venture the hope that he or she will continue to be one of us. Let us hear from other towns as well. Why not?

PAGE TWO/EDITORIALS.

   Men who work hard six days in the week, for wages, and earn good pay because they work industriously and skillfully in this country, are getting very tired of having Republican politicians come around, every year, about election time, and tell them: ''See what good wages our war tariff secures for you."

   American workingmen earn better wages than European workingmen, because they do more and better work, and they deserve better wages. Take the manufacturers of cotton, for example. In the United States, a cotton weaver earns from eighty cents to $1.12 a day. In England, the same operative earns only sixty-five cents a day. Of course, this shows how the tariff "protects" labor!

   But in a week, the English workingman makes, on the average, about 710 yards of cotton print goods. In the same week, the American workingman makes 1,300 yards of the same cloth. For each 100 yards of cotton goods he makes, the English weaver is paid sixty-one cents. For each 100 yards of cotton cloth he makes, the American weaver is paid forty cents. There is no "protection to labor'' in the war tariff.

   The American workingman gets more wages because he does more work, and it is about time that he should be given credit for it.—Albany Argus.

Little York.

   MR. EDITOR:—Our enemy is still sowing tares [weeds] in our democratic field. From the front of the enemy we have attempted a flank measurement—and failed. We have read in the [Toledo] Blade Senators Frye, Sherman, and we know not whose speeches that Cleveland was a free trader, and if re-elected would become a free-booter, reducing all the laboring men to paupers. That the only hope of the country was in the election of Sherman, Bob Lincoln, Col. Fred Grant, or any other man who had a happy faculty of spending the surplus most rapidly. That the wool growers in all meetings of their clan, had resolved to go out of the business, that it could be imported for a song a pound and the sellers would sing it.

   Now we prided ourselves on being a wool grower and had written to several associations about becoming a member, but most of them added the title of sheep-breeders also and we did not press the matter. Our flock was not of that kind. It would come to us when we called Nan! Nan! but when we really meant business we said, "come here Amos.''

   Now we resolved to go out of wool growing before this free trade tariff which Cleveland was passing should make a pauper of us. We knew there would be a strong family opposition from the old lady, girls, sons and son-in laws, for they were all strong democrats, against our selling out the flock, as that might make my neighbor a pauper.

   But this did not stop us from going out of the business of wool growing. We must make a sacrifice for the good of the country. Patriotism and the Toledo Blade called for it—and we sacrificed. We were down on our knees pulling the wool from the pelt that we might sell it for shoe thread, when out rushed the whole family. We were down and it was a long time before we were able to get up. There was so much hair and shreds of clothing mixed with that wool that we shall never be able to sell it unless it is to the knitting mills for undershirts.

   At the family reunion it was moved that there was raw material enough to start a first class idiot asylum. After a prolonged discussion the sons-in-law carried unanimously an amendment "That under the circumstances of the case we had shown talents that would place us high on the record as the editor of a Republican paper." This let us down easy but we can't sleep nights thinking of the great number of lies that we would have to tell in that position and that we could not tell them slick either.

Yours in utter sleeplessness,

   ULI SLICK. [pen name]

THE CANTON FAIR AT CORTLAND'S NEW WICKWIRE BUILDING ON RAILROAD STREET

The Cortland Democrat, Friday, February 10, 1888.

The Canton Fair.

   The comparatively insignificant sum of two bits, expended for the purchase of a ticket, will admit one into the Canton Fair [presented by the International Order of Odd Fellows--CC editor] in the new Wickwire Building, where much that is interesting may be seen. On the lower floor are displayed the exhibits of the representative business men of town. On the second are arranged a number of booths where fancy articles can be purchased, while the third is devoted to the art gallery, museum, glass blowers and dancing hall.

   The exhibits on the first floor are tastefully arranged and reflect great credit on the firms by whom they were gotten up. The booths on the second floor are marvels of the unique effects that can be evolved where taste, and an artistic sense are given room in which to work. The museum contains the collection of war relics from the battlefield of Gettysburg and is of rare interest. In it are found the various kinds of missiles used in war, such as bomb shells, solid shot, grape shot and canister, together with specimens of the arms used by both armies. The collection is owned by Albert Hollenbeck, of Virgil, and its authenticity is vouched for by a number of the best citizens of Cortland.

   The museum is also worthy of inspection containing as it does many curios which it must have taken much money and time to collect. In it are found articles of great antiquity, some even dating back of the birth of Christ. A number of autographs of famous persons are also exhibited, among them being those of Gen. Grant, Senator Leland Stamford, Nellie Bly, Belva Lockwood, Senator Frank Hiscock and others.

   Wednesday evening the famous Lotus Glee Club of Boston, was present and sang two selections at the request of Mr. Pruden. Their performance elicited much applause.

   The Mechanics' Band, under the capable leadership of Mr. M. J. Muncev, is stationed on the first floor and renders each evening a number of selections in an extremely pleasing manner. Fischer's orchestra furnishes the music for dancing on the third floor.

   The fair will be continued this and to-morrow evening when the drawing of the prizes will take place.

HERE AND THERE.

   Mr. R. R. Davis of Canada has become manager of the Tully Times.

   The Cortland Corset Company has a new advertisement on our fourth page.

   William Clark & Co., of this place, has taken possession of the shoe store recently purchased by E. W. Tripp in Homer.

   The Opera House was well filled to witness the performance of Jas. C. Roach and company, in “Dan Darcy,” last week Wednesday evening. The entertainment was [splendid.]

   The Prohibitionists of this town will hold a caucus at the Monitor office at 7:30 P. M. to-night, for the purpose of nominating officers to be supported at the coming town meeting.

   Probably the largest corpse that was ever buried in the Willett cemetery was that of Mrs.---ey, of that place, who weighed some 400 lbs.—Cincinnatus Register.

   The citizens of Homer have made application to the State hatchery for trout with which to stock the streams in that vicinity. It would be well for some one to make a move in that direction here.

   Messrs. H. C. Beebe, F. C. Reynolds, and F. C. Cobb have been appointed a committee to investigate the Gamewell Fire Alarm system, and to report thereon at the next meeting of the board of trustees.

   Last Wednesday Mrs. Sheeley, of Fitz ave., while on her way to call upon a neighbor, fell on the sidewalk, breaking her arm about three inches above the wrist. Dr. McNamara was called and reduced the fracture.

   At the desk factory, last Monday, an employee by the name of Stein had his thumb nearly cut off by the saw on which he was working; another named Mitchell had his finger badly cut by a saw, while another was knocked down by a stick which caught the teeth of a saw and was thrown over. striking him just above the eye.

   Next month Messrs. E. A., E. J. and G. M.  Hopkins, of this village, will open a grocery store and meat market in the new Wickwire block on Railroad St., under the firm name of Hopkins Bros. They have had several years' experience in the grocery trade, and have many friends who will remember them when in need of goods in their line. We wish them success.

   The discussion of "Womens' voting at school meetings," which was to have been held at the W. C. T. U. meeting on January 28th, was postponed on account of the\ severe storm, until 2:30 P. M. to-morrow afternoon, at the Baptist church parlors. All ladies who are interested in the subject, whether members of the union or not, are earnestly requested to be present and participate in the discussion.

   The new boiler made for the Hitchcock Manufacturing Co. by the Porter Manufacturing Co. of Syracuse, has been received, and will be placed in position at once. The boiler is sixty six inches in diameter, sixteen feet long, and is rated at 125 horse power. It is made of the best A. A. steel, and is capable of sustaining a tensile strain of 60,000 lbs. The boiler will be used in running the dynamo for the electric lights, and will furnish power sufficient to run every light in town to its full capacity. It will be ready for use in one week.

   At the Screen Door and Window factory, last Wednesday, Mrs. Anna Shepherd and Miss Rosa Faulkner made four hundred and seventy-two heads [sic], it being the largest number ever made in the shop in one day.

   Frank D. Haskell, of McGrawville, has sold his restaurant in that place, and has purchased the Skeels hotel at Blodgett's Mills. Mr. Haskell has had several years' experience as a hotel keeper, and we doubt not will give excellent satisfaction to all who patronize him. He takes possession April 1st next.

   Mahan's Music Festival (14th year) will be held at the Cortland Opera House, June 5th to 8th inclusive. Mr. Carl Zerrahn, of Boston, will be the conductor. Prof. C. L. Schaichs' excellent orchestra of twenty pieces, from Rochester, will assist again. Other eminent artists will be engaged, and the complete announcement will soon be made of the entire list and plans.

   In making up our report of the court proceedings last week we stated that H. L. Bronson, F. Pierce and A. P. Smith appeared for the plaintiff in the case of Ellen S. Ballard vs. The Hitchcock Manufacturing Co. This was a mistake. Judge Smith and Mr. Bronson were not in the case at all. Mr. Pierce, of Homer, and Geo. S. Sands, Esq., of this place, tried the case for Mrs. Ballard, and are alone entitled to all the credit for the victory obtained. [Mrs. Ballard sued for $5,000 over the death of her husband at the Hitchcock factory fire—CC editor.]

   D. E Whitmore, of Marathon, chairman of the Board of Supervisors, was in town Wednesday and had a consultation with County Treasurer Brown with reference to providing a drill room and armory for the 45th Separate company. It was decided to wait till a certificate could be obtained from the Adjutant General's office stating that the company contained the required number of men, when steps will be at once taken to procure a suitable place. The Mammoth rink on South Main St. will probably be selected.

CORTLAND COUNTY FARMERS CLUB DISCUSSES WINTERING STOCK

The Cortland Democrat, Friday, February 3, 1888.

County Farmers’ Club.

   The attendance at the club was quite fair notwithstanding the severe weather.

   In the absence of President Blodgett, who was unable to attend, Mr. Crandall was called to the chair. The question of "Wintering Stock" was taken up.

   Mr. Rowley: Great progress has been made during the past twenty years, as regards the comfort of stock. It is not a good plan to see how many cattle can be wintered but rather to see how well they can be wintered. It is all important that they go into winter quarters in good condition and are kept free from vermin. I have been asked why the question, "Does it pay to feed cattle meal at $28 a ton?" was not answered. I think it pays to feed some even at that price, if necessary, to keep stock from falling off.

   Mr. Calvert: I believe in keeping stock well. In summer if feed gets short I think it a good plan to feed grain, if only a little. By this system they are in good condition in the fall and a fat animal in the fall is half wintered.

   Secretary: The question is not being fairly put. It was not whether it paid to keep cattle on short feed, but if in addition to plenty of good hay there was an object in feeding meal or other grain at the present prices of butter.

   Mr. —: I am keeping one cow here in the village. She was taken off from grass in the fall and by liberal feeding of grain the yield of milk has doubled.

   Mr. Purvis: I think there is far more advantage gained in feeding grain to horses than cattle and sheep. Where cows are doing will on hay I hardly think at present prices it would pay to feed grain. I am of the opinion that two tons of good hay are equal to one ton of meal. It is not now thought necessary by good farmers to let cattle remain out doors very long exposed to cold winds. They are better off in the barn.

   Mr. Harmon: It is essential that cattle begin winter in good condition. I do not think it pays to feed much grain in winter except for a few weeks before dropping calves. I turn my cattle out for water twice a day and let them back in again in a short time. This gives them all the exercise they need. In feeding hay I feed but twice a day. I think it is better than to feed oftener. I like to feed grain to cattle but think it is often done at a loss. On good clover hay sheep will come through alright.

   Mr. Crandall: I think cattle will leave less oats when fed twice a day than if fed oftener. When feeding cows for milk I think they should be watered twice a day but it is not necessary with other stock. As I think of the great improvement in the care of stock that thirty years has made, I feel I am unable to describe it. Very few feed from stacks now, and once it was quite common.

   Mr. Purvis: Has any one had any experience in warming water for stock?

   Mr. Crandall: Recently I visited the barns of Messrs. Squires & Waters at Marathon and could but admire the comfort afforded the cattle in warm stables.

   By request of the club Mr. Stoppard was asked to give some information about marketing milk in New York.

   Mr. Stoppard: I was visited a short time ago by some gentlemen from New York who were desirous of ascertaining if there could be sufficient encouragement in this section to justify putting on a milk train. By arrangement of the New York Milk association with the railroad the freight rates are equalized with points nearer the city so that the distance is not an objection. The net prices the past season would seem to have been fairly remunerative to the producers. The milk in winter is especially profitable.

   All present were so much interested in the subject that it was decided to take up "Marketing Milk" for discussion at the next meeting, February 4.

   Club adjourned.

   Cortland, January 21,

   C. M. Bean, Sec'y.

PAGE TWO/EDITORIALS.

   The Standard rushes to the defense of Dist. Attorney Bronson, who failed to enter up the proper judgment in the O'Neil case [alleged factory arson--CC editor], and promulgates the astounding doctrine that it is not the duty of the party succeeding in the trial of a law suit to enter up judgment, but that this duty devolves upon the losing party. Where the Standard finds its authority for such a statement no other fellow can find out. The attempt to shoulder the blame for the District Attorney's incompetency on the defendant’s counsel, will hardly work. They have no power to enter the proper judgment and can only appeal from such judgment as the District Attorney puts on record.

   If we mistake not, this is the third case during District Attorney Bronson's term that has been sent back by the General Term because he had failed to enter up the proper judgment. The talk that such blundering work does not cost the county anything is nonsense, as the bill which Mr. Bronson presented to the Board of Supervisors at its last session abundantly proves. It would pay the county to employ Ex-District Attorney Palmer to teach the present incumbent how to enter judgment in criminal cases.

LITTLE YORK.

   EDITOR DEMOCRAT:—We have got an enemy. We supposed that out honest upright course and straightforward democracy made us a shining light and without an enemy. For forty straight years we have never failed to vote at the general election and town meetings, and never failed "to get there Eli,"—and every time voted the democratic ticket. We have endeavored to keep our democratic mind so well drilled that no weeds of doubt or suspicion of insincerity of principles should ever enter or find lodgment therein.

   And right here is where our enemy has taken an undue advantage of us. In the good book we read that an enemy came upon the wheat field of the good man and sowed tares [weeds] and thus the whole crop was ruined. So our enemy has come upon us unawares and is sowing tares in our democracy.

   Now we are so much like the late General Grant that we could not refuse a present of a corkscrew or a meeting house, and our enemy probably knows this trait of our character. Thus he has proceeded to business by sending us the "Toledo Blade" with a marked label with one year paid up. Just think of it, and give me your sympathy.

   For fifty-two consecutive weeks we have got to suffer the tares and thistles to fall to our democratic fallow ground. We might throw it in the waste basket but from our principle of not looking a gift horse in the mouth.

   We read all about "free trade" Cleveland, Bob Lincoln for president— campfire republicans—high license prohibition— Sherman's bloody shirt—but nothing about running Fred Grant for president. He is my candidate from reading the Blade and in the future we may have more to say on this particular tare which is growing in our field.

   The Blade has also given us some new light on the tariff question and next week we may have something to impart to the readers of the DEMOCRAT on this subject. 
Yours in front of the enemy,

ULI SLICK. [local reporter’s pen name—CC editor.]

VILLAGE OF MALONE BURNED.

$200,000 Worth of Property Destroyed—A Citizen Killed.

   UTICA, N. Y., Jan. 29.—Malone, Franklin county, N Y., was visited by a terrible fire early this morning. It was first discovered in the crockery store of M. C. Fuller, situated in the Empire end Howard house block, and was then under full headway. Owing to the hydrants being frozen up, no water could be obtained from them and long delay was caused from the fact that connections had to be made at the river and the water forced up by steamers.

   Meanwhile the fire had completely gutted the above store and communicated to the Howard House, one of the finest hotels in Northern New York, and was under good headway when the water was ready to pour on the flames.

   During the burning of the Howard House an explosion occurred, presumably of gas, blowing out a portion of the block walls and killing Isaac Chester, a prominent business man of Malone, who was coming out of the bank, and injuring several others. The whole Empire block, including hotel, opera house and all the stores in the block, were completely destroyed.

   Following is the list of losers: Frank Tallman, proprietor of the Howard House; Ferguson & Merritt, proprietors of the opera house; G. M. Shaun, Hardware; M. & C. H. Brown, carriages; M. C. Tuller, glassware and crockery ; Cantwell & Maine, Lawyers; Abner Croft, furniture; Farmers’ National bank; Sanford & Bartlett, millinery; Thomas Carpenter, clothier; Umpter & Barnum, dry goods.

   An estimate of the total loss places it at $200,000, with probably $75,000 insurance.

CINCINNATUS.

   Owing to the severe weather which lasted five days, Madam Humor as well as the rest of our citizens was glad to sit by the fire as that was found the most agreeable occupation. Hence a scarcity of news this week.

   The bad condition of the roads prevented the stage from making its accustomed trips, so that we had no mails from Wednesday  until Monday.

   Quite a number of our young people attended the donation at German last Wednesday evening, and were obliged to remain all night on account of the storm.

   Fred Harvey, of West Hill, one of the Academy students is dangerously ill, and doubts are entertained of his recovery.

   The donation that was to have been held last Friday evening at Totman's hotel, for the benefit of D. Burroughs, was necessarily postponed one week.

   The Wight Bros. give another social hop this evening. The boys must be getting engaged in the work, as this is the third one they have given within a short time.

   Messrs. J. Kingman and B. Dwight who have been visiting friends in town have returned to their home in Binghamton.

   Mr. Arthur Meade, who has been visiting relatives and friends in this vicinity for a few weeks past, started for his home in Washington Territory last week. His brother John accompanied him. Johnnie will be greatly missed by the many friends whom he has won for himself by his honesty and uprightness, and they all unite in wishing him the best of success.

   Frank Livermore and his sister Verna, of Lincklaen, spent the week in town with friends.

   John Wildman and wife, of South Otselic, visited friends in town one day last week.

   Mr. Luther Lull of McDonough, visited his daughter, Mrs. Chas. Grant, last week.

"QUEER PEOPLE" [local reporter’s pen name—CC editor.]

Toledo Blade: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Blade_(newspaper)