THEY WERE UNDOUBTEDLY TROPHIES OF WAR

The Cortland Democrat, Friday, Friday, September 2, 1892.

Cortland's Soldiers Welcomed Home.

   Word was received here last Saturday that the Cortland boys who were called to Buffalo to take part in protecting the lives and property of the people during the recent strike of the switchmen in that city, would be here at 8 o'clock P. M. Accordingly a very large crowd of people with two bands and a drum corps assembled at the D. L. & W. depot to welcome them. The train did not come, and all sorts of rumors were afloat in regard to the delay and time of their arrival.

   When the special train bearing them finally pulled into the depot at 10:15 many people had gone home, but there was still several hundred people on hand.

   A reception committee appointed at a citizens' meeting consisting of President Price and Messrs. Birdlebough, Sager and Ballard, welcomed the boys, and headed the parade which passed from the depot to Church-st., to Clinton-ave., to Main, and to the Armory. Many business places were illuminated and Main-st. was one glare of fire works as the parade consisting of the 45th Separate Company, G. A. R., Sons of Veterans with their drum corps and [their] Cortland band, and Cortland City band marched along.

   At the armory after a selection by the band, President Price called the meeting to order after arms were stacked and knapsacks thrown off. At the conclusion of a short address of welcome he introduced Mr. B. T. Wright. Mr. Wright spoke in terms of the highest commendation of the conduct of Cortland's soldiers in time of action, calling to mind how similar was their call to action to that of those who went to war in '61, also how unlike their duties and hardships, though not so long drawn out. He spoke of them as comrades now, of the veterans of the war. He threw much humor into his remarks which were short owing to the lateness of the hour.

   As Mr. Wright took his seat Major Aaron Sager proposed three cheers for the 45th which were given with a will, and returned by the company.

   President Price then asked to hear something of the experience from one of the company and called upon Captain Dickinson. The Captain thanked Cortland for the reception which was to them unexpected, for they went "from a sense of duty and not for glory." He had nothing but praise for the conduct of his men and after speaking of the difficulties of fighting an unknown enemy, as they had been doing and relating some camp hardships thought all would enjoy immediate rest better than speeches, for their sleep was all broken up while gone, and the night before had been four hours with their clothes on, he did not detain them.

   Out of a membership of 68, the 45th turned out 65 men, and the other three were out of town and not notified.

   As relics the boys brought home a Newfoundland pup to be called "strike" and kept in the armory, and a sheep. The latter is to be sold to buy a collar for the dog. When asked how they were obtained a knowing smile was the only reply. They were undoubtedly trophies of the war.

The Strike and the Authorities.

   EDITOR DEMOCRAT: --The 45th Separate Company of Cortland went to Buffalo in response to an order, issued by the constituted military authorities of the state, which order they were not at liberty to disregard. The company responded promptly to the call of duty, and so far as can be ascertained, have in the discharge of their delicate and important duty at Buffalo, commended themselves to the good will of the community in which they live, by the moderation and good judgment they displayed.

   Nevertheless there are, even in Cortland, individuals unwise enough to blame the constituted authorities for calling out the militia, and also those who criticise our citizen soldiery for responding to the call.  This feeling is not only unwise, but extremely unjust to the company. They simply did what their duty required them to do and which they had no option to refuse.

   This feeling as far as it exists has no doubt arisen from the mistaken notion that the military, were called out to put down the strike.

   The fact is the military were not called out for any such purpose, and neither the 45th Separate Company nor any other Company have labored to that end. Neither does Governor Flower nor any officer of the National Guard dispute the right of any man or body of men to strike.

   The right of labor to organize and the propriety of such organizations cannot be questioned.

   The value of such organizations to laboring men depends largely upon the judgment and discretion with which they are managed.  While right of labor to organize is sacred, it is not compulsory on any workman to do so, and the law affords equal protection to labor, whether organized or unorganized.

   Anarchists seek to accomplish their ends by force, but honest workmen have no sympathy with them, and do not even admit them to their unions.

   Grand Master Sweeney testifies that when he approved of the recent switchman's strike at Buffalo, he most emphatically urged the striking switchmen to abstain from all acts of force and violence, and after the strike was declared off, still insisted that the striking switchmen had not destroyed the property of any railroad company, or used any violence to its employes. Nevertheless certain persons in the city of Buffalo did destroy property, and did assault workingmen, to such an extent that the civil authorities of the city of Buffalo, and the county of Erie, were unable to quell the disturbance and preserve order. It is not asserted that these violations of law were committed by striking switchmen, but the fact remains that the law was trampled upon, and the local authorities were unable to uphold it. Such being the case it became the duty of the Governor and those under him to furnish all the force necessary to maintain the law and preserve the peace and good order.

   The duty of the Governor promptly recognized and faithfully discharged.

   It has been said "that government is best that best protects the life, liberty and property of its citizens."

   Such protection the constituted authorities have furnished through the National Guard, and for such prompt and timely effort to maintain the law the constituted authorities are entitled to and are receiving the commendation of all good citizens.

   Cortland , Aug. 30th, 1892.

   JUSTICE. [pen name]

Recommended—National Guard of New York by Capt. E. E. Hardin (1895):

http://library.la84.org/SportsLibrary/Outing/Volume_25/outXXV05/outXXV05o.pdf

Labor Day Parade and Picnic.

   The Cortland Wagon Co. Mutual Aid, and the Cortland City Band, never do anything by halves, consequently they propose to have the largest and best street parade on Labor Day that has ever been seen in this city.

   Let all working people in whatever field of activity they may be engaged, unify on that day, not for the purpose of a strike on a riot, but for sympathy and a day of mutual pleasure.

   Come out from your stores and your shops, from your work rooms and kitchens, leave the wearisome struggle for "food and raiment" which is using up the best of so many lives, and for one day in the year, enjoy your town, the society of your neighbors and friends and your own families.

   A most hearty invitation is extended to all preachers and teachers, to all presidents and officers of the factories and their employes, to all merchants and their clerks, to the bands of music, to the pupils of the schools, to all labor organizations, and all who toll with hand or brain, to join in the parade and enjoy the picnic at the Park. Come.

   Cortland, N. Y., Sept. 1, 1892.

   EDITOR DEMOCRAT:--The executive committee on Labor Day celebration and picnic, held a meeting last evening and appointed committees to visit at the factories and invite the officers and employes to organize with a marshal, and with suitable banners join the Cortland City Band and the C. W. C. M. A., in a monster parade on Labor Day. Another committee will invite the village Board to lead the parade. A committee was also appointed to invite the Board of Education with the teachers and all the pupils of all the schools to come out and with flags and banners show the people what an immense force the school system of the village is. We propose to make this one of the features of the celebration.

   All children under five years of age will be admitted to the Park free and from five to ten years five cents and all others ten cents.

   COMMITTEE.

[We copy articles as they were printed, past rules of grammar included—CC editor.]

 

FOR WORKMEN TO THINK OF

The Cortland Democrat, Friday, August 26, 1892.

FOR WORKMEN TO THINK OF.

   A very large proportion of the dispatches nowadays, as well as the reports of local news gatherers, bring news of strikers. Do the workingmen of this country realize that there is such a thing as killing the goose that lays the golden egg? Would they, as a whole or individually, be benefited by a financial crisis, such as a labor crisis could bring on?
   It is much easier to pull down than build up business prosperity. This country was as prosperous apparently, before the last great panic as it is now. We are near the completion of one of our cycles of business growth and downfall. In 1837 we had a panic, in 1857 another, in 1873 another. Shall we have one in 1892? The intervals range from 16 to 20 years. We have had 19 years of business this time.

   If we have a crash this fall it will be the first precipitated by labor itself. Speculation and wild cat banking produced the others. Capital, misused by reckless speculators, brought each of them about. Shall labor as recklessly handled by leaders who profit or expect to profit by industrial convulsion, bring about ruin this time and throw hundreds of thousands out of employment, in trades that are fairly recompensed and content as well as in those full of agitation?—Buffalo News,16th.

PAGE FOUR/EDITORIALS.

   The advocates of a protective tariff claim that the prime object of a high protective tariff is to foster and protect our infant industries. The very next day we find them insisting that a protective tariff reduces the price of the articles sought to be protected. Such logic would have astonished Aristotle himself. If a protective tariff fails to advance the price of the article protected, of what earthly use is the protection? Protection that fails to protect is just no protection at all.

   James J. Belden walked off with the Congressional nomination at Syracuse Wednesday. The caucuses in the city were held the same day and there was a bitter fight between the Hiscock-Hendrick's faction on one side, and Belden's faction on the other. Belden carried all but three of the wards and the fight was a desperate one. Fist fights were plenty but no arrests were made. Belden gave the delegates a grand dinner at the Globe after the convention was over. It is said that Mr. Belden neglected to send an invitation to the feast to Hon. Carroll E. Smith, of the Syracuse Journal.

Tariff Lessons.

   The Standard jumps on the DEMOCRAT for referring in a general way to the "high tariff on tin" and then hops lightly to the conclusion that the DEMOCRAT knows nothing about the McKinley bill or the tariff question. We are content to allow our neighbor to monopolize all the satisfaction that can be derived from such a mistaken notion, but we are not entirely willing that the public shall be misled to please our self-constituted instructor on tariff reform. When speaking of tin we did not mean to be understood as referring to black oxide, bar, block or pig tin in its natural state, but used the word in its plain, every day meaning, which refers to tin plate, or manufactured tin, in sheets ready for use. The Standard gravely informs us that there "is no tariff on tin at the present time," but that there will be after July 1, 1893. The duty on tin after that date by virtue of the McKinley bill will be four cents per pound.

   We hope we shall not be considered as presumptuous if we choose to change places with the Standard for a brief period and turn instructor. Under the tariff of 1883, tin plate (we are particular to add the word plate) paid a duty of 1 cent per pound. The McKinley bill raised the duty to 2 2-10 cents per pound and this duty is now in force and is being collected. The consumer pays this extra tax, which is put on solely for the benefit of the manufacturer, and tin plate is the material from which every article of tin ware used by the people is manufactured. The duty was raised simply to benefit the manufacturer of iron or steel sheets. Senator Aldrich, of Rhode Island, in his report upon the Senate substitute for the Mills bill, which put tinned plate upon the free list showed clearly why and in whose interest the job was being worked. He said, "The free admission of iron or steel sheets of all thicknesses coated with tin or lead would cause a substitution of imported tin plates or sheets in most cases for roofing and other building purposes, and for domestic uses where galvanized or other sheet iron or steel is now used." The object of the McKinley bill was to protect the makers of galvanized or sheet iron and steel from being obliged to sell their products in competition with tinned plate, which, under, the tariff of 1883, had become cheaper, and was at the same time better adapted for such purposes.

   The Standard thinks that an enormous duty ought not to be placed on sealskin cloaks because "the skins are grown on the backs of seals which are the property of the United States, and for whose protection against free trade thieves and pirates the government has exerted its power, and has now under arbitration a dispute with

England." The people of England may be free trade; thieves and pirates" for all we know, but our government has made but a very poor showing so far, to establish its right to all the seals in the waters in dispute. Not that it did not have a good case, but the vantage ground possessed by this government was almost if not quite given up, in order to make the contract which it had given to Messrs. Stephen B. Elkins and James G. Blaine, to kill fur-bearing seals in these waters, more profitable. The skins are usually shipped direct to London, where they are cured, dyed and manufactured into garments at an immense profit and sold to the jobbers in New York, who add still another large profit. These cloaks are sold to the very wealthy people only, who can well afford to pay a high tariff on them. They are luxuries which cannot be afforded by any but wealthy people and they ought to be taxed roundly. The reason why they were not, was because the law was made by wealthy men for the benefit of the wealthy.

   The goods which poor people are able to wear, bear the highest tax. The wives of farmers and mechanics might have been able to wear plush cloaks under the Mills bill which put the duty at 40 per cent ad valorum on "Plushes and other fine fabrics, composed wholly or in part of wool, worsted, the hair of the camel, goat, alpaca, or other animals valued at not above 80 cts. per lb." while the McKinley bill raised the duty of 1883 to a specific duty of 49 c. to 60 per cent with an ad valorum duty of 122 per cent. Was there any sense or decency in raising the duty on those goods so needful to the poor people and not making a corresponding raise in the price of the rich man’s goods? The duty on "Dress goods of cotton and worsted, costing 15 cts. the square yard paid a duty under the tariff of 1883 of 68 per cent; the McKinley bill raised it to 88 per cent. Same goods costing 20 cts. per square yard were raised from 60 to 90 per cent. Same, all wool or mixed materials, costing 24 cents, raised from 77 to 100 per cent, and so on.

   The McKinley bill was passed to benefit the rich and to oppress the poor and the tendency of Republican legislation has been in this direction for many years past.

Permanently Located.

(From the Tully Times, August 20, 1892.)

   Profs. Armstrong & Cook, Managers of the Central N. Y. Assembly, have purchased from A. H. Van Bergen fifteen acres of land, taking in the entire lake front on Mr. Van Bergen's farm, with a right of way directly from their station to the grounds. The survey is now being made. The managers will soon commence to make improvements and will convert the place into a summer home. It is contemplated to erect a mammoth hotel, cottages, boat and bathing houses, etc. This is, indeed, a boom for Tully, the extent of which can hardly yet be fully appreciated by our citizens. Every one should feel interested and do all in their power to assist and encourage the enterprising, plucky managers who are doing so much for Tully. The Assembly at Tully is destined to be the Chautauqua of Central N. Y.

   The Times congratulates Messrs. Armstrong & Cook. The success they have already achieved is but the forerunner of what is to follow.

HERE AND THERE.

   The repairs on the Court House are being pushed ahead rapidly.
   The King's Daughters will meet with Mrs. H. H. Robbins, 20 Park street, Saturday, Aug. 27th, at 3 P. M.

   The fall term of Marathon Union school and Academy opens next Monday, with Prof. C. V. Coon as principal.

   The Sunday school of the First M. E. church held a basket picnic in Gillett's grove, two miles west of Cortland, on Wednesday.

   The Knight Templars excursion to Oswego takes place Sept. 18th. The 79th Grand Conclave of the Grand Commandery will be held in that city on that date.

   Manager G. W. Ripley, of the Marathon Opera House, announces another social party for Friday evening, September 2d. Good music will be in attendance.

   Under the law an exclusive ballot, containing only candidates for school commissioner, must be provided for women who desire to exercise the franchise in the choice of this official.

   Jacob Knapp, employed on the Normal building, cut his wrist badly with a chisel last Friday. The arteries and cords were severed and it will be some time before he will be able to work.

   The regular semi-monthly mothers' meeting (west) will be held at the residence of Mrs. J. H. Johnson, 10 Duane street, on Thursday, Sept. 1st, 1892, at 1 P. M. Subject, "Heredities". All ladies are invited.

   Messrs. Morse & Green have sold their stock of groceries, corner of Main and Port Watson streets, to Mr. S. Green of Binghamton. The business will be conducted by Mr. J. D. Green, late of the firm of Morse & Green.

   Pathmasters who conform to the law in removing loose stones from the track and cutting the foul weeds along the highway twice during the summer will have an opportunity next fall to make affidavit that such work has been done. Five dollars is the price for not doing it.

   The picnic given by the Cortland City Band and the Young Men's City Club, at the Trout Park last Saturday, was well attended and each organization cleared $80. William Riley won the 300 yard foot race, Datus Smith, the sack race, and Fred Ketchum and Smith the three-legged race, and Eddie Fitzgerald the tub race.

   At about 1 o'clock Sunday afternoon, some loose hay in a shed adjoining Mr. Abner Doubleday's barn at 18 Maple avenue, was discovered to be on fire, and an alarm was sent in from station 232. The fire was extinguished by the neighbors before the fire department arrived. The hay had been set on fire by an urchin, who evidently did not realize that his bonfire would have been a very large one if it had not been discovered in time to prevent further progress.

   On Tuesday evening next, August 30th, will be given at Hulbert's Grand Opera House, a concert for the benefit of St. Stephen's church, of Marathon, under the auspices of the Misses Dunphy. One of the chief attractions of the concert will be the harp playing of Miss Agnes Dunphy. Assistance will be rendered by the Misses Allen, of Whitney's Point, Miss Costello, of Binghamton, Tom Allen, of Cortland and others, and an attractive program is assured. Tickets 25c; reserved seats 35c.

   Mrs. W. B. Smith. No. 7 Lincoln-ave., is about moving to Kalamazoo, Mich., and is selling her household goods at private sale.

   The 45th Separate Company is expected home from Buffalo this morning. President Price called a public meeting at Firemen's hall last evening to make arrangements for giving the boys a welcome on their return.

   Mr. F. E. Williams, of Homer, has sold his furniture and undertaking business to Mr. George H. Paddock, of the same place, and Mr. Paddock has sold his hardware and plumbing business to Mr. Williams. They simply change places and lines of business.

CORTLAND DEMOCRAT, PAGE SIX--COMICS.