FLORIDA'S BALMY AIR AND TWO UTTER FAKES

Ice skating at the Tidal Basin in Washington, D. C.

Cortland Evening Standard, Thursday, January 28, 1897.

FLORIDA'S BALMY AIR.

Cold Weather Starts People Toward Winter Resorts.

POTOMAC RIVER FROZEN OVER.

Throughout Texas, Alabama and Louisiana There Has Been a Heavy Fall of Snow—Present Cold Wave Covers a Large Area—Not Over Yet.

   WASHINGTON, Jan. 38.—The cold wave touched its lowest point in this city Tuesday. Since then there has been a noticeable rise in the temperature with the indications that it would continue for several days in the Middle and Southern states. It is predicted by the weather bureau that it will be at least a week before relatively low temperatures cease. The Potomac river is frozen over and will be closed to navigation soon, so that skaters will have the rare luxury of being able to travel from Washington to Alexandria on ice.

   Reports from the South indicate a general and quite heavy fall of snow in Virginia, amounting to over six inches, and the weather map shows that the rain or snow belt extends as far south as Florida and the gulf coast, as far west as Kansas and as far north as portions of the Great Lakes.

   The cold wave that has gone over the United States during the past several days is one of the severest, considering both the low temperatures that prevailed in many places and the vast extent of the area covered by it, that has been recorded by the weather bureau in its 30 years of existence.

   The South had an unusual experience. Throughout Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and in a large part of Georgia a fall of snow of from one to three inches in depth is reported to the weather bureau.

   The temperature has fallen in the South Atlantic and East Gulf states and Tennessee. It continues below freezing in the Southern states except Florida, and is below zero in the Northwest as far south as Iowa and Northern Illinois.

   Snow prevails on the Atlantic coast north of South Carolina. It will be colder in the southern Atlantic states, and below freezing as far south as extreme northern Florida.

   Reports from Jacksonville state that the belated cold wave has at last reached there, but has lost some of its severity by delay. The weather bureau reports temperature of 36, with a prospect of its reaching 30. The orange trees can stand 36 degrees, and there is little prospect of so low a temperature. The truck farms, however, will be greatly damaged. The gardens are full of cabbage now, and all will be killed with other tender vegetables.

   Pensacola reports the mercury at 21, the coldest of the season. Buds have not appeared on the fruit trees and little damage is anticipated.

   At Savannah, Ga., the thermometer registered 38 above zero with the prospects of going considerably lower.

   Augusta, Ga., reports say that the cold spell at this season cannot hurt fruit, but will do it good by keeping it from maturing too early and being killed by a late spring.

   The cold snap has had a marked effect on the winter hegira to the South, and the trains to Florida and Southern points are heavily loaded with passengers. A New York and Florida limited, which passed through here over the Southern railway and the Florida Central and Peninsular railroad, had over 100 passengers to Florida besides others to intermediate points, while the Southern's two other daily trains also were filled.

HUDSON RIVER ICE.

Crop Now Mature—Harvesting of the Ice Will Cost $500,000.

   KINGSTON, N. Y., Jan. 28.—The Hudson river icemen are again jubilant. The sharp cold wave has matured the crop in the river and it is now fit to gather from Kingston Point north to Albany. In thickness it is from 8 to 11 inches. Operations were begun in the vicinity of Catskill Monday, it being in reality the first ice gathered from the channel of the river this year.

   It is nearly a week later than the opening of the harvest last year, but there is yet ample time to secure a full crop before spring, and none of the ice superintendents express any fear over the situation. It is rare indeed, that much ice is housed from the river before February. There is now a light covering of snow which must be scraped from the ice.

   Athens is the greatest ice center of the river. There are some 10 or more different houses in that immediate vicinity. Over $500,000 will doubtless be paid out to house this ice crop.

Ice Trotting on Lake George.

   SARATOGA. Jan. 28.—The Ticonderoga Trotting association formally opened its ice trotting meeting on Lake George. While there was a good attendance of members it would have been much larger but for the counter-trotting attractions at Tupper lake in the Adirondacks. The kite track was in fair condition. But one event, the 2:50 class, purse $100, was trotted. There were five heats. A. Nickerson's Kittle N of Ticonderoga won. Best time, 2:37.

Arrest of Arthur Palmer.

   ST. LOUIS, Jan. 28.—Arthur Palmer of New York was arrested at the Planters' hotel. He is a handsome, well dressed man of 45 years, and had been at the hotel a week registered under the name of Paul Jones. The arrest was made on a long distance telephone message from Sheriff Johnson of Westchester county, N. Y., who said that Palmer murdered his mother, brother and sister about nine days ago and fled. The sheriff telephoned that Palmer had been traced to St. Louis. Palmer is supposed to be insane.

Supervisors Arraigned in Court.

   BUFFALO, Jan. 28.—The eight supervisors of Erie county who made a trip to New York in search of a mythical consumption hospital, and who are accused of spending their time and the public money in junketing, were arraigned before Police Justice King on warrants charging them with larceny and perjury. One of the supervisors, Henry L. Steiner, is now an assemblyman.

PAGE TWO—EDITORIALS.

Where Friday Kept Things Tidy.

   Readers of that well beloved book of adventure, "Robinson Crusoe," will be pleased to learn that the island of Juan Fernandez in the south Pacific ocean is still in existence and has not been blown up by volcanic upheavals, as was recently reported.

   It now appears that the story of the island's destruction sent broadcast a few months ago was conceived in the rum befuddled brain of an irresponsible old sea captain, whose chief pleasure in life is the spinning of yarns for thick headed folk.

   Newspapers received recently from Chile give accounts of the results of a scientific expedition dispatched to Juan Fernandez upon a government warship. Furthermore, a large cannery for packing lobsters is established at Cumberland Bay, the only port on the island, and the last steamer from New York carried to Valparaiso from Panama a quantity of material for this cannery. It is therefore unlikely that the island has disappeared.

   Every month a sailing vessel plies between Valparaiso and Cumberland Bay; so that communication has been made with the settlement since its alleged disappearance. The volcanic yarn originated about the time a series of heavy earthquake shocks on the mainland of Chile occurred. A British captain sailed into Valparaiso with the news that he had seen, while passing the Juan Fernandez, a column of smoke, and his ship received a violent shock, and he thought Selkirk's island had been swallowed up. The Chilean maritime officials sent the transport Carma to the island, and as she returned in three days with a large consignment of both canned and live lobsters there was proof of the existence of land.

   Then that honest and picturesque old sea dog, Captain Joshua Slocomb, who is now on a cruise round the world, says he saw the island not long ago, and Captain Slocomb's word is as good as a whole crew of sea serpent seeing sailors' affidavits.

TWO UTTER FAKES.

Some One Seems Desirous of Killing Off the Musicians.

   About ten days ago a story was circulated all over Cortland that Patsey Conway, formerly of this place, now leader of the famous Ithaca band, had fallen through the ice and been drowned. We could not believe it, the Ithaca papers had said nothing regarding it, but many Cortland people were talking about it and were lamenting the loss of the talented musician.

   The STANDARD attempted to run down the story and finally found that it had started through the attempted joke of a smart young man who had inquired of a friend if he had heard about Patsey Conway. No, what about him, said the other. Why, he was playing "Down on the Swanee River," and fell in. Both laughed at the effect. The second attempted to tell it to a third. It went through a half dozen mouths and between those who heard it all and those who heard part of it and those who didn't hear any they dropped our friend Patsey through the ice of Cayuga lake and sent him where he couldn't wield the baton before any more earthly bands. We are glad, however, he didn't go.

   Yesterday came the second fake. The Central telephone office called up The STANDARD to inquire if it was actually true that "Happy Bill" Daniels was dead. We hadn't heard it and we didn't believe it, as a reporter had met that gentleman on the street less than an hour before and had had a talk with him. We told the Central of that fact and learned in response that an inquiry had come up from Lisle [N. Y.] saying that the report of the death of "Happy Bill" was in every one's mouth down there. We urged the Central to assure Lisle that "Happy Bill'' was still happy.

   To-day when we inquired of Mr. Daniels on Main-st., as to the state of his health he said it was never better. We informed him that Lisle was all ready to join the mourners and he said, "You tell those Lisle people that I have an engagement to play there soon with my full orchestra and they will find at that time if nothing unexpected happens that I am very much alive." Evidently idle tongues are having a hard time trying to find something to do.

Will Fix Up the Store.

   G. J. Mager & Co. expect to move to other quarters after completing their fire sale of drygoods. Just where they will locate has not yet been fully decided, but they expect, Mr. Mager says, to get out of the Schermerhorn building by March 1.

   We are informed by Messrs. J. R. and A. M. Schermerhorn that they have not yet rented the store to other parties, but that they expect to begin March 1 to put it in thorough repair, in fact it will be almost rebuilt inside. A new steel ceiling will be put up and new shelving and everything about the store will be new.

BREVITIES.

   —New advertisements to-day are— W. J. Perkins, Special Sale, page 6.

   —The 104th session of Cortland county lodge, I. O. G. T., will be held at McGrawville on Feb. 17.

   —The regular meeting of the Sons of Veterans occurs to-morrow night. The work will be in the first degree.

   —Mr. T. N. Hollister was very pleasantly surprised at his rooms in the Wallace building last evening by the arrival of sixteen friends, who spent the evening with him. Duplicate whist was the order of the evening.

   —The clam chowder supper which was served last evening under the auspices of the Ladies' and Pastor's union of the First M. E. church was a great success both socially and financially. About two hundred and fifty were in attendance. The receipts were most gratifying to the ladies.

   —Manager Gutstadt announces that the Bostonians will give the following

operas during their engagement here Feb. 10 and 11: "Bohemian Girl,'' "Robin Hood," (matinee) and "Prince Ananias." Possibly the company may sing their new opera, now in rehearsal, in place of "Prince Ananias."—Ithaca Journal.

   —Our Virgil subscribers will be glad to know that The STANDARD has arranged with Mrs. Ina C. Overton to furnish the news from that town, succeeding Mr. Riley Hammond, deceased, who so long and faithfully looked after the interests of the Virgil people. Mrs. Overton has assisted Mr. Hammond during the weeks of his last illness in the preparation of the letters. All persons in the town having news that they would like published can leave it with or send it to Mrs. Overton.

"The Deacon's Daughter."

   "The Deacon's Daughter'' will be the attraction at the Opera House to-night. As presented by Lillian Kennedy and her merry company of artists this play has its serious sides as well as its bright ones, and both are woven nicely together. It is a story of a country girl who went to the city of New York as a nurse, otherwise termed a baby jumper, took to the stage and was highly successful, though her parents detested actors. Her father comes to the city to visit her, she practices a pleasant deception on him through her maid and is forced to leave the city and take up her home on the parental farm, where the bane of her life is a washtub and rubbing board; she sings the washtub song in the second act; it is new and very catchy. The sheriff seizes her father's farm to satisfy a mortgage and she returns to the city, where her successes continue and her wealth correspondingly increases. Through her sweetheart, Charlie Lawton, portrayed by her handsome leading man, her father is induced to visit New York and finally learns of his daughter's happiness.

 

BANQUET FOR MR. PLATT

Thomas C. Platt.

Cortland Evening Standard, Wednesday, January 27, 1897.

BANQUET TO MR. PLATT.

GREAT DEMONSTRATION IN HONOR OF THE SENATOR-ELECT.

Distinguished Republicans From This and Other States—Nearly a Thousand Guests at the Tables, Many Spectators in the Galleries—Beautiful Decorations of Flowers, Flags and Colored Lights—Strong Speech by Mr. Platt and Good Words by Others.

   ALBANY, Jan. 27.—Hon. Thomas C. Platt was last night honored by an assemblage of prominent Republicans from all parts of the state and from other states. The occasion was the banquet tendered to the senator-elect by the New York state league of Republican clubs. Harmanus Bleecker hall was the scene of the festivities. A temporary flooring had been constructed from the stage over the orchestra seats, upon which rested the banquet tables, with a seating capacity for 990 people. The spectators occupied the dress circle and the gallery, and the wives of the prominent guests and of the state officers occupied the boxes on each side of the speaker's table.

   The interior decorations and arrangements were elaborate. The speaker's table stood upon a raised platform, resting upon the stage, and had seating capacity for fifty-four. There were fourteen tables extending over the orchestra circle and seven more in the rear of the main table. The decorations were extremely tasteful. Each table was distinguished by flowers of a certain color. Smilax interwoven with ferns formed the body of the decorations, with celluloid baskets filled with roses, azaleas, ferns and palms comprising the center pieces.

   On the speaker's table were three massive incandescent banquet ornaments. The decorations of the hall were a combination of bunting, flowers, vines, tropical foliage and colored electric bulbs. Broad streamers of the national colors hung from the dome to the balconies. From the proscenium arch the state coat of arms was displayed, surrounded by American flags. Draperies of silk and groups of shields and ancient armor were arranged before the boxes and around the balcony rail.

   Variegated trailing vines entwined the posts supporting the balcony, intermingling with silk American banners. Curtains of silk and lace and lambrequins of the American colors adorned the large windows. Back of the stage was a representation of the American flag in colored lights. There were separate tables reserved for the congressmen from this state, for the members of the legislature, for state officers and heads of state departments, and the members of the Republican state committee, nearly all of whom were present. It took some time for the guests to be seated. They began arriving at 6 o'clock, but the banquet did not commence until shortly after 7.

   Mr. Platt was escorted to his seat at the center of the main table by State

Treasurer Addison B. Colvin, president of the league. Among those who sat at the same table were: Governor Frank S. Black, Lieutenant Governor Timothy L. Woodruff, General R. A. Alger of Michigan, ex-Senator William Pitt Kellogg of Louisiana, D. D. Woodmansee, president of the National Republican league, General Benjamin F. Tracy, General Stewart L. Woodford, Chauncey M. Depew, William Barnes, Jr., George W. Aldridge, Congressman B. B. Odell, Jr.,  Frederick Easton, General E. A. McAlpin, J. Sloat Fassett, Louis F. Payn, ex-Senator Frank Hiscock, Edward Lauterbach, Frank S. Witherbee, Congressman Rowland B. Mahany, Cornelius Van Cott, George E. Green and J. Ryder Cady.

   The menu card prepared by the league for the occasion was a most artistic piece of engraving. Upon the outer cover there was an excellent portrait of Senator Platt. In the upper left hand corner there was a small American flag, executed in colors and gilt, with a blue streamer on which was inscribed the letters "R. L. U. S."

   The second page of the program contained the portraits of Addison B. Colvin, president; George R. Manchester, secretary, and William Barnes, Jr., treasurer, comprising the executive officers of the league. [The Cortland Democrat called the local chapter the "Silk Stocking Club"—CC editor.]

   Among those who sent letters of regret, which were printed in the menu card, were the following: Ex-President Benjamin Harrison, Vice-President-elect Garrett A. Hobart, Governors Roger Wolcott of Massachusetts, C. W. Lippett of Rhode Island, Josiah Grant of Vermont, John W. Griggs of New Jersey, Daniel H. Hastings of Pennsylvania and Llewellyn Powers of Maine, United States Senators W. B. Allison of Iowa, O. H. Platt of Connecticut, Eugene Hale of Maine, John M. Thurston of Nebraska, W. J. Sewell of New Jersey, and W. P. Frye of Maine, and ex-United States Senators Philetus Sawyer of Wisconsin, John I. Mitchell of Pennsylvania, H. G. Davis of West Virginia, John J. Ingalls of Kansas, Alvin Saunders of Nebraska, S. I. R. McMillan of Minnesota, and George F. Edmunds of Vermont.

   Telegrams of regret were received from President-elect McKinley and Mark Hanna, chairman of the national Republican committee. Mr. Hanna's telegram was as follows: "I find it impossible to be with you this evening and send with my regrets my congratulations to your honored guest, and best wishes to the Republican league of New York."

  

    It was nearly 9 o'clock before the toast list was reached. President Colvin made the opening address.

   When the president introduced the senator-elect, Mr. Platt received a royal greeting. His remarks were well received and he was interrupted time and time again by the vociferous applause of his friends. Mr. Platt said:

   "It is not without hesitation that I have again accepted the responsibilities of public office. Indeed, it seemed as though the temptation to do so had been put by, and that the remainder of my life would have no other relation to public affairs than such as become every citizen. Nor could the situation have arisen in which I should have sought even so high an honor as the one just conferred. I shall be acquitted, I think, of any affectation about office seeking and office holding, but it is a fact that I have not been a candidate for the senate. I have not asked any member of the legislature to vote for me. I did not even intimate until after the caucus that I should accept the office if it were tendered. That it has come under these circumstances, and with such generous expressions of good will and confidence from Republicans throughout the state, makes it a pleasing burden and a rich compensation for all that I have done and tried to do in my party's service. And so I shall go to Washington grateful to the Republican party, devoted to the state of New York, and earnest in the resolution to exert whatever influence I may have or may acquire, for the welfare of our incomparable country.

   "It is especially gratifying to re-enter the senate coincidentally with the inauguration of a Republican president. The support given by the state of New York to Major McKinley's candidacy abundantly testifies of the high hopes which our people base on his patriotic wisdom. The success of his administration will be the success of the Republican party, and no contribution that I can make to that great cause will be wanting.

   "Sufficient time has passed since the November election to permit a close examination of its results. It can not be said that they are wholly satisfactory. The bewildering program of legislation proposed by Mr. Bryan attained so great a popular support as to forbid the idea that agitation in its favor will be abandoned, and our Democratic friends, who without giving unqualified adhesion to Republican principles, nevertheless, constrained by their convictions on the money question to support the Republican candidates, should give sober consideration to this fact, it is not yet certain that any plan for the relief the treasury can pass the senate as it will be constituted after the 4th of March.

   "Capital will not invest, production will not increase, labor will not be adequately employed until laws are passed to insure the treasury against insolvency and to guarantee to the business interests of the country a safe and reasonable permanent basis on which to operate. If the changes in the composition of the senate now in progress shall fail to produce a majority that can hold together for the enactment of such legislation, we shall have the same fight out of which we have just come to make again four years from now, under probably less favorable conditions.

   "The lesson which this possibility teaches to the sound money Democrats, and the duty it enforces upon them, seems entirely clear. They can find no home in the Democratic party. Their presence there is not wanted, whereas, with us, it is held in just esteem. They must come into the Republican party, exert their due influence upon its politics and accept their share of the responsibility for its work. And without abandoning any vital principle, which they would not ask or expect, we must seek in all we do to hold their confidence and support.

   "People do not agitate themselves over theories of finance when they are getting along comfortably. The clamor for the free coinage of silver became serious only when an ill-considered tariff measure threw the business of the country into confusion and left the treasury without an income sufficient to meet its inevitable expenditures. It was then that capital withdrew from investment. It was then that production was checked, that wages were reduced, that profits and earnings fell off, that labor was thrown out of employment and that the people began to lend an ear to the theorists who tell them that there was something the matter with their dollars. It was not in human nature for those who had enacted this mistaken law [Wilson-Gorman tariff] to admit it to be the origin of the troubles which at once came upon the country, and they cast about for other causes.

   "One of these they found in the greenback, and they fell to abusing that useful feature of the currency with especial bitterness. It may be that the greenback is not an ideal form in which to express a public debt, or to supply the people with a substitute for money, and it certainly is true that no substitute for money should be legal tender. But it was not the greenback that caused the demand for gold, nor was it the greenback that shut down mills and reduced the opportunities of labor and the earnings of investment. It was the Wilson tariff law which did these things, and there would have been just as much gold to raise and just as much trouble raising it had the burden fallen on the banks instead of on the treasury, and even then there would have been an enormous treasury deficit. The trouble came with the revenue law, and the remedy is to be provided in the same way. No legislation is now necessary for the maintenance of the gold standard, and when we have replenished the treasury, restored the public credit and set the country's industries again on their feet, there will be time enough to look after the legal tenders, and to revise our no doubt disordered currency system.

   "There can be no pretense that the American people do not desire to return to the protective policy. They gave a much heavier majority in 1894 against the Wilson bill than in 1896 against all the combined vagaries of Bryanism. The question is not whether they can adapt themselves to a system of production which must be based on a larger standard of wages than has heretofore prevailed. They do not want to adapt themselves to such a system. The question is not whether revenues can be provided sufficient to meet the government's necessities by patching up the Wilson bill with new internal taxes. The people do not want the Wilson bill patched up. They want it repealed, and in its place their plain demand to which the election of two successive Republican majorities in the house of representatives sufficiently testifies, is for the enactment of an intelligent and consistent tariff based in every schedule upon the principle of preventing the foreign producer of goods which compete with American goods from wholesaling his wares in the American market at prices which compel the American maker of such wares either to go out of business or reduce the wages he pays to his labor.

   "If there is no other respect in which the country is to be congratulated upon the result of Mr. Cleveland's administration, it may be admitted that since the present secretary of state assumed the direction of our foreign affairs, the position of our country abroad has improved. It has been demonstrated again that the consistent upholding of American interests in foreign lands does not necessarily involve disagreeable relations with foreign governments, and that the just influence of our country can be preserved without offense to our neighbors. I have had no fair opportunity to examine the text of the arbitration treaty, or to consider the possibilities that may arise under its various provisions, but with the principle involved it seems as though all civilized men must be sympathetic. A war with England would be unspeakably wrong, and it ought to be rendered impossible. Indeed, as a matter of fact, there is nothing in our situation to call for a war with anybody.

   "The cause of liberty is always noble. It always deserves to succeed. I look to see the time when the people of every American [Western hemisphere] country will govern themselves without theoretical or other interference from any European sovereignty, and the attitude of our people is bound to be one of friendly interest whenever the American subjects of a foreign power decide that the time has come for them to establish a free and independent American state. The attitude of our government, however, can not always express the sympathies of the people. It has its treaties to observe and its code of public law to respect. Acts of intervention, moreover, involve responsibilities, and these must be assumed with caution. We neither wish to govern Cuba nor to fight Spain, and no act of government should be performed that leads us in the direction of either of these enterprises.

   "It is a long while, Mr. Chairman, since such a celebration as this was possible. It is a long while since a Republican governor of New York, a Republican lieutenant governor, a Republican speaker of the assembly, a full line of Republican state officers, a Republican United States senator and so great a body of Republican officials from the counties and municipalities of the state could assemble at a public banquet. Four years ago the thought of to-night's festival would have seemed absurd. Let us take care that four years hence it shall have no such seeming. Let us prove ourselves competent and honest and truly representative of the hopes and impulses of the people."

   Governor Black followed Mr. Platt and his response presented the usual element of briefness. Ex-United States Senator William Pitt Kellogg of Louisiana was the next speaker. President D. D. Woodmansee of the national league of Republican clubs, responded to the toast, "Party success." Brief speeches were made by Lieutenant Governor Woodruff, J. Sloat Fassett and General Russell A. Alger.

Chauncey M. Depew.

   The last speaker was Chauncey M. Depew. He said: "Mr. President and

Gentlemen—It is always a pleasure for Republicans to meet with each other. It is especially gratifying when we assemble to-night under the joyous and hilarious conditions of a successful presidential canvass. The party of progress is now the party of victory. After four years of trial of other principles and of no principles, the country has turned again for relief to the time honored policies of Republicanism.

   "I am very glad to be with you and join in your cordial congratulations to the guest of the evening upon the signal honor which, with rare unanimity, the legislature has conferred upon him. I have been in political accord or discord, more accord than discord, with Mr. Platt for a quarter of a century, but during the whole of that period there has never been any break or disturbance of our personal friendship. The scene to-night recalls a memorable day sixteen years ago. Garfield's administration had come into power, and Senator Conkling, the leader of the organization in our state, was on unfriendly terms with the president, and had not spoken for years to his secretary of state, James G. Blaine. It was in the air that the administration was to be antagonized by New York. Vice-President Arthur came to Albany with a candidate for United States senator, claiming also that he represented the leader, and Mr. Platt appeared on his own behalf and equally divided the organization's force. I did not want to be United States senator. It meant ruin to a professional and business career which I meant to make a success, and the selection would have been a personal calamity. But Mr. Blaine came to New York with a message from the president, insisting that I should take the field. My friends held the balance of power. I was a candidate only to represent the Garfield administration. I said to Mr. Platt: 'You can have my strength if, as senator, you will support the president.' His answer was 'I have done my best to elect a Republican, and as senator I will support him.'

   "Mr. Platt was nominated and elected. The disagreement between the administration and Senator Conkling, which had been anticipated came about, and Mr. Platt had to face the difficult question of going with his organization under the commands of its autocratic and imperious leader, or of keeping his pledge. The pledge was not bond, nor letter, but the word of a man who I believe never broke his promise, and rather than break that promise he resigned from the senate and surrendered his commission. This little incident reveals the secret of his success in politics. In the general break up which followed the senatorial canvass, every representative in the state had the same opportunities, the same constituency, the same future for effort and work as the guest of the evening, and the result demonstrates that he [has made his own career].

   Our guest of to-night must surrender much to be senator from the state of New York, but the state and the country will find, in my judgment, that his ripe experience, his familiarity with public affairs, and his ability and good judgment will be of the greatest service in that august body, the senate of the United States. We have elected our president; we have the house of representatives by an overwhelming majority, and the senate by a narrow margin. Now that the bonfires have burned out and the shoutings have died out, there rest upon the Republican party the responsibilities of the government. Now that we are in power we can not satisfy the country with our past, glorious as it is. Our past is our only inspiration but the country was never in such good condition for good times. There is plenty of money, plenty of waiting enterprises, plenty of glorious opportunities for capital and labor all waiting upon confidence and upon an assured policy of peace and rest. Let us not postpone the issues or the solving of them. Let us not leave the whole summer and the fall in doubt as to what we will do. Extra sessions may be bad, but there are times when an extra session is blessing. Let us formulate a moderate, sensible tariff, one which will yield abundant revenues for the carrying on of the government; one which will start mills and the factories that were legislated out of existence by the Wilson bill; one which will give the farmer hope and courage; one which will make America again America for Americans. Let us not fear the currency question, but take the government out of the banking business and adopt a system so elastic that in every community the national banks can be able to issue currency as the needs of the community require. Let us give the world to understand that the Monroe doctrine is an impregnable principle of American diplomacy and international law, and be as we can be, the leader for the peace of the world and the advancement of civilization by promoting in every possible way the peaceful arbitration of international disputes."

   J. Sloat Fassett was given a most enthusiastic reception. He paid a magnificent tribute to the Empire state, the Republican party and to the leadership of Mr. Platt. He said it was due to his valiant fight at St. Louis, backed by the other New York state Republicans, that the victory of last November was won.

Putting in the Ice.

   Messrs. Dye & Brown, owners of the cold storage building near the Lehigh Valley depot, are now busily engaged in harvesting their ice. The ice is being cut on the cove near the Wickwire mills and is of the finest quality, clear as a crystal and ten inches thick. A dozen men are engaged in cutting the ice under the supervision of Mr. Brown. Five teams are kept busy in drawing the ice to the cold storage building, where ten more men are engaged in packing it away under the direction of Mr. Dye. They expect to store four hundred tons of the ice for use the coming season.

  

Burned in the Lehigh Yard.

   A Lehigh Valley combination car that was formerly used on the E., C. & N. and had just been fixed up to use as a caboose to run on a freight train between Ithaca and Geneva was badly burned in the yard at Ithaca yesterday. Fires had been started in stoves at each end of the car and then the car was left. The woodwork got overheated. The car stood out of the reach of water and before an engine could be secured to draw it where there was water it was nearly destroyed. Loss about $2,000.

Black Diamond Express.

A GENUINE FLIER.

The Black Diamond Made Up Fifty Minutes and Arrived on Time.

   The Ithaca Journal of Tuesday says: The Black Diamond express, conceded to be the handsomest train in the world, is becoming also the most famous train as regards running time. Scarcely a week passes but that good reports are heard of this remarkable train. No matter what delays occur on the road, the Black Diamond is always given the right of way, because the train has, since the day it was placed on the Lehigh schedule, arrived at its destination on time, and this record is jealously guarded by all those connected with the train from the general passenger agent down to the mechanic who taps the wheels.

   Yesterday the Black Diamond was delayed some fifty minutes on the Van-

Etten branch, owing to the temporary disarrangement of part of the mechanism connected with the engine. When the trouble had been removed, the engineer knew there was a task before him to make up that fifty minutes, but did not shrink from it. The run from Cayuta to Sayre, a distance of twenty-four miles, was made in twenty minutes, and from Sayre to Wilkesbarre, eighty-four miles, the run was made in seventy-eight minutes. The record of the train on the balance of the run to New York is not known on this division, except that a message flashed over the wire last night that the Black Diamond had arrived in New York on time. As a genuine "flyer" the Black Diamond is without a peer.

Well-Known Engineer Dead.

   Michael Keefe, a well-known Lehigh engineer of Elmira, died in the R. A. Packer hospital at Sayre, Pa., Tuesday morning, at the age of 38 years. Deceased had been an engineer on the E., C. & N. branch from Elmira to Cortland since 1884. Until about two months ago he had run a passenger engine, but his health was failing and at his own request he was transferred to a local freight where the work was lighter and the strain less. Five weeks ago he had to discontinue work altogether on account of Bright's disease which finally resulted in his death.

   Mr. Keefe was a genial and companionable man, and was well-known in railroad circles in Cortland. He is survived by a wife and two children.

BREVITIES.

   —The Lehigh Valley railroad company has 714 uniformed men in its employ.

   —New advertisements to-day are—Chris Hansen, Awnings, page 6; J . C. Brogden, Quinine Hair Tonic, page 2.

   —Frank Rose of Binghamton has been engaged by Chadwick & Potter to take charge of the third chair at their shaving parlor in the Burgess block.

   —Cortland Commandery, No. 50, Knights Templars, are making preparations for a grand ball to be held In Taylor hall on the evening of Feb. 22.

   —Erastus Goodale of Homer this morning bought at mortgage foreclosure sale in Homer eighty-six acres of land in Cuyler for $700. There was a mortgage against the place of $770.70.

   —We publish to-day on the seventh page a synopsis of the report of the state prison commissioners which was to-day transmitted to the legislature. It is full of facts that will be of general interest and should be read by all.

   —The Republican town committee met to-day at 1 o'clock at T. H. Dowd's office and made arrangements for the Cortlandville town caucuses which will be held on Friday night of this week from 7 to 8 o'clock. The call for the caucuses naming the places where each caucus will be held appears on the second page at the head of the editorial column. The town convention occurs in Fireman's hall on Saturday of this week at 2 o'clock.

HOMER.

Gleanings of News From Our Twin Village.

   The Republican of last week was quite right in calling attention to Homer's need of some sort of town or village hall, where the various municipal meetings could be held and where associations of moderate size could meet at an expense within a reasonable limit. As it is to-day there is no room of sufficient size except Keator opera house which is occupied by the Grand Army post. It can be urged against both of these halls that even if they were available they are reached only with a climb of several flights of stairs. The Homer Floricultural association, a company of ladies and gentlemen working voluntarily and solely for the improvement of the village along the line of better lawns and care of the park and the trees on the streets and the increased cultivation of flowers, has been compelled to postpone its annual meeting and election of officers till some good-natured church offers its parlors, because the village affords no place for such a meeting to be held. It is to be hoped that The Republican will continue to agitate this matter until something definite and permanent materializes.

   Regents' examinations are in progress in the Homer academy and the number of those trying them from out of town is unusually large.

   Mr. F. E. Shultz has left his position with the Homer Manufacturing company and accepted one in the shippingroom of W. N. Brockway.

 

MERCURY IN THE BULB AND BIG FIRE IN SYRACUSE

Cortland Evening Standard, Tuesday, January 26, 1897.

MERCURY IN THE BULB.

Cold Wave Spreads Over a Large Area.

FAIR WEATHER IS PROMISED.

New York City Visited by a Fierce, Biting Wind—Poor Apply For Relief

In Large Numbers—Blizzard Throughout the West.

   NEW YORK, Jan. 26.—The threatening antics of the weather for some time past culminated in the most severe cold throughout the state of New York experienced this season.

   In New York city the mercury got down to the record point of the year and in the upper part of the state it succeeded in disappearing almost entirely.

   Reports from Canada indicate an even more rigorous condition of affairs, but it was in the large cities of this state that the direful effects of the cold wave were the most painfully apparent.

   The poor of this city suffered terribly, for they had not alone to contend against the low temperature, but against a biting wind that opened up the crevices and cut its way through the broken windows and under the doors.

   The weather forecaster here reported that the cold wave had spread over a great section of the country and that not only in its extent, but in its severity as well, it was quite up to the record of previous years.

   Worse than this, he declares, that for this section of the country at least, there is no relief in sight. Fair weather is promised.

Fifty Below at Winnipeg.

   WINNIPEG, Man., Jan. 26.—The temperature went to the lowest point in this country recorded for years. Fifty below zero was generally reported from the Red river to Banff in the mountains. The weather is now moderating.

Coldest Day In Chicago.

   CHICAGO, Jan. 26.—Whistles of distress began to sound from the Sixty-eight street crib and a tug was sent out at once. The crib is about four miles out in the lake and had run out of coal. Six men were there at work and four of them were brought back to the city. They had a severe struggle to keep from freezing throughout Sunday night, but by burning up everything that was not nailed down they managed to get enough fire to generate the steam for the whistle.

   With a minimum of 20 degrees below zero and a maximum of 10 below it was the coldest day in the history of Chicago. The mercury hung at the 20 mark with a persistency worthy a better cause. Only one time do the records of the weather bureau show that the thermometer reached a lower point. That was on Dec. 24, 1872, but it lasted only for the briefest time.

Kitchen Range Blew Up.

   MALONE, N. Y., Jan. 26.—Soon after the fire was started in the range at the home of N. W. Porter and while a nephew of Mr. Porter's, 12 years old, was sitting in front of the stove, a terrific explosion occurred, caused by the freezing of the water pipes connecting with the boiler. The boy's face was badly burned and frightfully injured by fragments of the stove which struck him. His jaw was broken and one side of his face cut open. His condition is serious.

Mississippi River Frozen Over.

   QUINCY, Ills., Jan. 26.—The Mississippi river is frozen over solid above the city bridge.

New York Central steam locomotive...through a tunnel of snow on the St. Lawrence division.

THE STORM AT OSWEGO.

Railroads and Streets Blocked—Schools Closed—Mercury 15 Below Zero.

   OSWEGO, N. Y., Jan. 26.—The storm raged here with fearful fury all night and there is little sign of abatement to-day. The wind reached a velocity of forty-two miles an hour during the night and the thermometer was 15 degrees below zero. Many of the city streets are impassable and all roads leading to the city are blocked. Trains west on the Rome, Watertown and Ogdensburg railroad and trains on the New York, Ontario and Western railroad are abandoned. Trains on other roads are running with great difficulty, much belated. Public schools are abandoned for the day, neither teachers nor pupils being able to reach the school buildings.

Railroad Blocked Up.

   WATERTOWN, N. Y., Jan. 26.—A blizzard has been raging here during the past fifteen hours which has blocked the Rome, Watertown & Ogdensburg railroad along its entire system. A train which should have reached here at 9 o'clock last evening from the south is stalled east of Richland having been on the road all night and covered less than one third its route. No train has reached Watertown from any direction since last evening. This is the first time the road has been blocked this winter.

HORSES IN A DRIFT.

Remained All Night, Thoroughly Chilled, Shoveled Out in the Morning.

   Michael Burns is a farmer who lives on the Calkins farm west of the village. He was in town last night and for some reason seemed to forget all about his team or about going home. The horses were attached to a pair of bobs and, after staying as long as they thought best, they started for home. The road is drifted badly on Tompkins-st near the McLean crossroad and when the horses reached that point they got entangled in the drifts and fell down.

   Mr. Curtis R. Harmon lives at that corner and he said the team passed his house last night at about 9 o'clock bound for home. When Mr. Harmon went out of the house this morning at about daylight he discovered the team in the drift. With a shovel he went over to dig them out. John Brooks, the milkman, came along at about that time and assisted in the task. The poor animals were so chilled and benumbed by the cold, that they could scarcely stand when dug out and helped up, and they seemed to have hardly strength enough to draw the empty sleigh over to Mr. Harmon's barn. It is needless to say that when they reached the barn they received the best of attention.

   Mr. Brooks came on to Cortland with his milk. When at the Lehigh Valley crossing of Tompkins-st. he met Burns apparently going home. They passed the time of day, but Burns made no inquiries about his team and took the railroad track for a short cut home.

BIG FIRE IN SYRACUSE.

Nothing Like It In Six Years in the City. Loss Over $250,000.

   The Dillaye and Vann blocks and other adjoining property at the corner of South Salina and Fayette-sts. were destroyed by fire last evening and the loss will reach $250,000. The New York Cloak house, Palmer's millinery store, the Kimball Piano Co., Leiter Brothers' Jewelry and music store and others were destroyed. It was a wild night for fire and it seemed as though it could not be controlled. The fire started at 7:05 P. M. and lasted nearly all night. The whole of the city's [fire] department was employed in extinguishing the flames. At one time a call was sent to Oswego for help, but this was countermanded when the Oswego companies were just ready to leave as it was thought then that the flames could be subdued.

Coal hod or scuttle.

SENTENCE SUSPENDED

In the Case of Orrin Mosier Charged With Stealing a Coal Hod.

   Orrin Mosier of 127 Port Watson-st. was arrested this morning by Chief Linderman on a warrant sworn out by M. W. Giles, manager of Stowell's Bargain House, charging his with larceny in stealing a coal hod from a stand in front of the store one evening last week. The evidence was said to be conclusive against him, as he was said to have been seen carrying the hod away from the store in a suspicious manner, and that subsequently his house was visited by Chief Linderman and Mr. Giles armed with a search warrant, the hod found and identified by Mr. Giles.

   This morning Mosier pleaded guilty to the charge and sentence was suspended. Mosier is a one-armed veteran of the late war.

BREVITIES.

   —The Adlake club will meet in Empire hall to-morrow evening at 7:30.

   —Dr. L. T. White is now to be found at his office at 58 Port Watson-st.

   —At the board of governor's meeting at the Cortland Athletic association last evening thirty-seven new members were elected.

   —The cloning exercises of the intermediate department of the Normal [School] will be held in Normal hall to-morrow afternoon at 2 o'clock.

   —One tramp giving his name as John Standsfield and his home as Pennsylvania enjoyed the hospitalities at the police station last night.

   —New advertisements to-day are—G. O. Whitcomb Co., groceries, etc., page 6; F. Daehler, at cost, page 5; Warren, Tanner & Co., exquisite styles, page 8.

   —Three degrees were worked by Vesta lodge, I. O. O. F., last night. Several visitors were present from Preble and after the business of the meeting light refreshments were served.

   —The twenty-first annual public exercises of the Gamma Sigma fraternity will be held in Normal hall to-morrow night at 8 o'clock. An admission fee of ten cents will be charged.

    —The town board held a special meeting this morning and among other things authorized Town Clerk E. C. Alger to make all the necessary arrangements for the approaching town election on Feb. 1.

   —To-day is the last day of recitations in the present term at the Normal. Tomorrow the teachers will prepare and present their reports and on Thursday afternoon at 1:30 o'clock the standing will be read.

   —Mr. John White of Park-st. lost a valuable horse Sunday evening from what was thought to be heart trouble. He drove the horse up to church in the morning and after returning home the horse was taken sick and died at 6 o'clock.

   —The sixth annual public exercises of the Corlonor fraternity at the Normal will be held in Normal hall this evening at 8 o'clock. An attractive program has been prepared and the exercises will no doubt fully sustain the excellent reputation of this society upon such occasions,

   —On Sunday morning Dr. G. Parsons Nichols, pastor of the First Presbyterian church of Binghamton, asked his people for a collection of $1,500 and at once a collection was taken up which exceeded $2,500. Of this sum $1,500 will be used to support the smaller Presbyterian churches in that city and $1,000 will be sent to the home mission field in the West.

   —Invitations are out for the wedding of Mr. Fred P. Barney of Groton and Miss Lizzie E. Burnham of Cortland, which will occur at the home of the bride's parents, Mr. and Mrs. D. A. Burnham in Cortland at 1 o'clock P. M. on Wednesday, Feb. 10, 1897. The bride and groom will be at home after Feb. 15.

   —The funeral of Attorney L. B. Kern will be held at his late home in DeRuyter to-morrow afternoon at 1 o'clock and will be conducted by the Masonic fraternity of which the deceased was a member. All Masons are invited to be present and participate in the service. Many will go from Portland on the 9:48 train to-morrow morning, and will return at 7:31 in the evening.