FIGHTING IN THE PHILIPPINES, AND COMRADE BIRDLEBOUGH RECALLS OLD MEMORIES

 

General Arthur MacArthur.

Cortland Evening Standard, Wednesday, March 29, 1899.

OUT OF THE JUNGLES.

A Clear Country Now Ahead of Our Forces.

ARE ADVANCING ON MALOLOS.

The American Troops Have Four Days Rations With Them and Two Hundred Rounds of Ammunition In Their Bolts—Railroad Busy Furnishing Supplies.

   MANILA, March 29.—The engineers are repairing bridges, the rebels having failed to destroy the iron work and the railroad is kept busy hurrying supplies to the front.

   The country to Malolos is level with occasional streams and patches of wood, but there is no more jungle. The American troops will advance, taking four days rations with them and having 200 rounds of ammunition in their belts. They expect to take Bocavo, on the railroad, to the east of Bulacan first. It is a difficult position protected by streams.

   The American line is about 1,200 yards from that of the rebels. Desultory shots were exchanged but no injury done.

   The American report show 20 men were killed and 61 wounded on our side Monday. The Dakota regiment lost 10 men killed and had 37 wounded.

   According to prisoners in the hands of the Americans, Aguinaldo's generals, Garcia, Tofreo and Pacheco, were with the Filipino army Monday and drove their followers into the first aggressive demonstration. The rebels attempted to charge across the plain east of the railroad, but the Americans charged to meet them and the Filipinos bolted after a few shots, leaving several men killed on the field. The Filipinos prisoners further declare that the rebels have lost all taste for fighting and their officers have to keep them in line by beating them with swords.

   One of the most brilliant and costliest achievements of the campaign was the charge of Major Howard's battalion across the river. Advancing at the double, they found the river beneath them and splashed across with a yell, swimming and wading, with bullets spattering in the water, and rushed upon the rebel trenches. Ten men were killed and 11 were wounded in the charge.

   At the capture of Marilao there were several incidents showing the bravery of our troops. Some Filipinos were entrenched on an island in a bend of the river. The Americans approached in a triangular formation, with the Third artillery in the apex and the Kansas and Pennsylvania regiments forming the sides.

   Colonel Funston called for volunteers to swim the river. Two men crossed under fire and secured materials with which a crossing was eventually effected. Major Bell of General MacArthur's staff, with Company I of the Pennsylvania regiment and Lieutenant Abernethy and 10 men engaged in similar exploits. After the Filipinos had raised the white flag many of them attempted to run and several were shot for so doing.

   In the church yard of Marilao the Americans found 30 newly made graves of Filipinos and a dozen bodies were seen drifting down the river with grewsome [sic] wounds.

   Many huts are smoking ruins, having been burned by their inhabitants. The Americans are not burning any buildings. Our troops captured four Spaniards who were fighting with the insurgents.

   General MacArthur was under a heavy fire.

   The prisoners say Aguinaldo has declared that if the Americans can take the Filipino capital he will surrender.

 

RETURNING THE DEAD.

Bodies of Our Soldiers Who Died Abroad Brought Back.

SIX HUNDRED AND SEVENTY-ONE.

They Will Be Shipped to Friends or Relatives Who Claim Them, or Burled In Arlington Cemetery In Washington—They Will Be Taken Off the Transport Soon.

   NEW YORK, March 29.—The United States transport Crook arrived here, having on board the bodies of the soldiers who died during the campaign in Porto Rico and the bodies of 671 of the soldier dead from Santiago. She stopped in the bay. According to the quartermaster's department the Crook will weigh anchor and go to the army pier at the foot of Pacific street, Brooklyn. The work of taking the bodies off will be begun at once.

   The army officials are of the opinion that the last body will not be lifted from the hold until Friday. Great care will be taken that there will be no mixing of the caskets, thus making the identity of the deceased doubtful. Each body was positively identified before sealing the metallic caskets at the cemetery and the department is sure that there will be no cases of mistaken identity. As each body is checked off it will be turned over to the express company for shipment, if not going to Arlington. The Pennsylvania railroad company has promised the war department that they would send to the pier a float containing five cars and as those bodies going to Arlington are laid on the pier they will be carried to the cars.

   Colonel Kimball said that about half of the bodies would be buried in Arlington cemetery. Bodies that are claimed by the relatives will be expressed to destinations at the expense of the war department. When all the bodies intended for Arlington have been placed on the float the cars will be started for Washington. There will go to Washington on the train as a guard of honor a detail of eight privates under the command of two non-commissioned officers from the Thirteenth United States infantry, now stationed on Governor's island.

   The office of Colonel Kimball in the army building is besieged by those who had bodies of friends or relatives on the Crook.

 

Andrew Dickson White.

SAMOAN SETTLEMENT.

An Understanding Reached Between the United States and Germany.

   BERLIN, March 29.—It has been obtained from the highest authority at this capital the following explanation of a feature of the Samoan question which has lately arisen. On the report that the American government had cabled to its admiral at Samoa to act in accordance with the decision of two out of three of the representatives of the powers, the German government made earnest representations to the American ambassador here, Andrew D. White, that the Berlin treaty requires the concurrence of the three powers, and called attention to the dangers which were sure to arise if there was anything like a violation of the treaty.

   The American government made a frank and conciliatory answer which has caused much satisfaction here. It recognized the necessity for unanimity upon the part of all three powers under the treaty, as a condition of any settled policy or permanent action, and declared the admiral was only authorized to act in agreement with a majority of the representatives of the powers in a case of emergency which absolutely does not admit of delay. But, in such a case, the ratification or adjustment by the unanimous vote of the three powers must be sought at the first possible moment, and no permanent arrangement can be made without such unanimity.

   The American government, it is added, cabled to its representatives in Samoa to pursue the most friendly and conciliatory policy toward the German representatives and German interests, carefully avoiding everything likely to be misconstrued or to create ill-will.

   In consequence of the stories regarding Mataafa having sanctioned sectarian tyranny, the German government assured Mr. White that all its influence would be exerted against interference with the religion of any sect.

 

PAGE TWO—EDITORIALS.

Governor's Message on Taxation.

   The governor's recommendation that a joint committee of the senate and assembly be appointed to investigate the subject of taxation and to make a full report to the legislature is an important one, and ought to be acted upon without delay.

   As the governor points out, repeating the views of Comptroller Roberts, "the tax laws of this state are in an exceedingly unsatisfactory condition." He says furthermore that the "taxation is excessive and badly distributed," and that many of the efforts to remedy this state of affairs "are not only unwise but inefficient and often serve merely to put a premium upon dishonesty." In justification of his views he cites the fact that "at present the farmers, the market gardeners and the mechanics, and the tradesmen having small holdings, are paying an improper and excessive portion of the general taxes." The further fact may be cited that the taxation and regulation of corporations have been such that some of them are leaving the state.

   The governor does not attempt to point out in detail a remedy for this state of affairs. He confines himself chiefly to the suggestion that corporations, which derive their just powers from the state, "should pay to the state a just percentage" of their earnings "as a return for the privileges" they enjoy. He says also that "franchises should, in some form, yield a money return to the government." In this connection he makes the interesting observation that "the question of municipal ownership of these franchises cannot be raised with propriety until the governments of all municipalities show greater wisdom and virtue than has been recently shown."

   Whether action upon the recommendation of the governor will bear much fruit, we are not prepared to say. Commissions have been appointed in this state and in other states that have gone over the subject of taxation with great care and ability. They have in fact exhausted it. But no attention has been paid to their discoveries or to their recommendations. Possibly, as the governor hints, the cause may be due to the absence of members of the legislature from them. If that is the case, no such excuse will exist for ignoring the recommendations of the joint committee.

 

J. R. Birdlebough.

A NOTABLE DAY.

Comrade Birdlebough Recalls Old Memories of March 29, 1865.

   To the Editor of The STANDARD:

   SIR—The 29th of March! What a host of memories come crowding in upon my mind as I recall that other 29th of March thirty-four years ago which witnessed the opening of the last great campaign of the war which culminated in the fall of Richmond, April 2, and the downfall of the Southern confederacy which was practically accomplished when Lee surrendered to Grant on that famous 9th of April in the little hamlet of Appomattox, Va. In imagination I see again the serried hosts of the invincible Army of the Potomac with their gleaming bayonets and hear the roar of cannon as they usher in the fray in which so many of our brave boys bit the dust. I recall the Sawdust Pile, Gravelly Run, Five Forks, and the continuous ten days' battles and skirmishes from Hatcher's Run to Appomattox. I see the immortal Grant, the victorious leader; little Phil Sheridan, as he swept along with his gallant troopers. I see the burning Long Bridge, the abandoned and ruined caissons of the enemy whom we pressed so closely that they had to abandon many of the munitions of war in their mad flight. Who but the participants in that glorious campaign can appreciate these things?

   It was in the afternoon of the 28th of March, 1865, (if my memory serves me correctly) that Gen. Grant with his official family arrived on the field to take command in person; also brave Phil Sheridan, who had been summoned from the scene of his late victories in the valley. We who were wholly uninformed as to the plans of our general yet knew that something was going to happen, and it did as daybreak saw us on the move and the enemy were very soon uncovered, and the desperate fighting that ensued made it very plain that we were not to have a walk over. Here many of our men were killed and wounded, among the killed was Lucien Randall of Solon. Bravely did the boys in blue charge the boys in gray and bravely were they met. It was American against American, the bravest and best soldiers in the world pitted against each other.

   You all know the result. It is a matter of history. I saw Gen. Grant on the 2nd day of April as he rode up to a house on the line of March and made the announcement in a calm low voice that Richmond had fallen. The cheers and shouts that went up from the war-worn veterans I never heard equalled until we reached Appomattox, and then the scene beggared description. A short distance from Burkesville Junction on, I think, the 7th of April, General Ewell and his army of 10,000 men together with his staff, were taken prisoners. I distinctly remember the chaff we fed them as unarmed they marched to the rear, the general and his staff riding in the center of the column.

   Although conquered they were not subdued. We greeted them with cries of "Hello, Johnnie, where's your gun?" They answered in kind "Oh, back up the road a piece;" "Where are you going?" "Oh, down to the junction;" "Well, where is Lee?" "You'll find out where Lee is before you get much farther," and so on. Everybody happy although tired about to death. I remember falling asleep in the saddle. I was then on detached service with the quartermaster's department.

   As a sequel to this let me relate a little incident that occurred a few years ago when I was enroute from Chattanooga to Petersburg. It was a long ride and at the end of every division the crews changed, conductor and all. It was midnight and I was conversing with a young traveling man from New York and speaking of the Confederate veterans how easy it was to recognize them, etc., a point which he could not see, when the car door at the opposite end opened and a new conductor came in to collect fares. I at once said to my New York friend "that man is an ex-Confederate," and in a moment I added "and he was an officer too." My friend could not see how I could tell, as I had never seen the man before to my knowledge. I said "I will ask him when he comes this way;" so when he came up I put the question, "if he was a confederate veteran and he said he was. I asked him what command; he answered, "Gen. Ewell." I asked him if he was in the surrender the 7th of April and if he remembered such and such circumstances referring to what I have already related above and he said he did, but he didn't seem very friendly and not much disposed to talk about it. He said, however, that he was adjutant of his regiment which verified my statement.

   I could fill volumes with the memories of those old days so long gone by, but I must not. The war is long over, our country is united, the flag still waves and the glorious spirit of '76 and '61 still lives, as evidenced in the late Spanish-American war. Let us who are soon to pass away from the scenes of action remit unimpaired to our posterity that love of country, that spirit of patriotism that should ever prompt every true American to the conscientious fulfillment of every thing that may be thrust upon him at no matter what sacrifice, that this Union may forever remain one and inseparable and that the Star Spangled Banner may forever wave "Oe'r the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave."

   J. R. B., Cortland, N. Y., March 29, 1899.

 

SIDEPATH COMMISSIONERS.

Five Men Appointed by Judge Eggleston to Serve for Cortland County.

   County Judge J. E. Eggleston this afternoon appointed Dr. E. M. Santee, H. L. De Clercq and Thomas J. Kennedy of Cortland and Charles H. Danes and Edward W. Hyatt of Homer sidepath commissioners of Cortland county in accordance with the provisions of the new state sidepath law signed by Governor Roosevelt on Monday, March 27. Cortland county is probably the first county in the state to get its commissioners appointed.

   The commissioners in the future will serve for five years each. These five just appointed will meet at sometime within a month and draw cuts to determine the length of the terms of each. One of these commissioners will retire each year for five years and his successor will be appointed for five years. This will make a single change in the board each year in the future.

   The sidepath commissioners, under the new law, will have entire charge of the maintenance of all existing sidepaths in the county and the construction of all future sidepaths. They have authority to issue annual licenses to wheelmen and wheelwomen at an annual license fee of not less than 50 cents nor more than $1 at their discretion. The evidence of possession of a license is a tag to be attached to the left front fork of the wheel or to the left side of the lower bar within 6 inches of the head. The speed of all riders is limited to ten miles per hour while passing other riders or pedestrians. Otherwise the speed is not limited. The commissioners have power to impose a fine of not to exceed $25 for riding on a sidepath in the county without a license or for injuring it in any way, or or leading or driving horses, cattle or swine on the path except to cross it to or from adjacent fields. Riders possessing a license in any county are privileged to ride on sidepaths in any other county in the state. The commissioners are empowered to set out shade trees along any sidepath with the consent of the adjacent property owner. Paths may be constructed along the side of any highway within highway limits on the written consent of the highway commissioner or the town supervisor.

 

Main Street, Cortland, N. Y.

VILLAGE TRUSTEES.

Routine Business Only Transacted Last Night.

   The board of village trustees met in adjourned regular session last evening in the office of Village Clerk Crombie, but transacted only routine business.

   John Ireland and his attorney Thomas E. Courtney appeared before the board with a petition relative to the switch from the S., B. & N. Y. railroad tracks, leading into the former's lumber yard. Attorney Courtney spoke for Mr. Ireland, stating that about thirty years ago Mr. Ireland purchased some land west of the S., B. & N. Y. tracks between Grant-st. and Mill-st., now Clinton-ave. He laid out Railroad-ave. About twenty-four years ago he laid out the land into village lots, but in the rear of them reserved a place for a lumberyard and mill. About nineteen years ago he applied to the village trustees for permission to lay a switch across Railroad-ave. The petition was granted, but Mr. Courtney said that he had been unable to find the resolution on the minutes of the board. Mr. Ireland was sure such a resolution had been passed for he was present at the meeting when such action was taken.

   Mr. Courtney asked last night that such a resolution be adopted and placed on record. The petition was granted with the restriction that the space between the rails where they cross the street be kept planked.

   This is the switch the railroad company removed Feb. 24, and from which litigation will doubtless ensue.

   The bills of the inspectors, poll and ballot clerks who served at the charter election March 14, were allowed $4 each, and the officers at the polls $2 each.

   Bills were audited as follows:

   H. F. Benton Lumber Co., $14.50

   H. M. Kellogg, supplies, 7.45

   Street Commissioner's payroll, 189.90

   Telephone bill, .45

   McKinney & Doubleday, 21.54

   Police force, 189.00

   J. J. Gillette, use of horse, 1.50

   E. E. Mellon, salary, 276.80

   W. C. Crombie, salary, 33.33

   Jas. F. Costello, salary, 25.00

   G. W. Allen, rent of store, 1.50

   Savings bank, interest , 160.00

   John Garrity, hauling truck, 5.00

   D., L. & W. mileage book, 10.00

   The bond of George V. Clark, the new village treasurer, in the sum of $92,000 was approved. The sureties are Edward Alley, Edward Keator, Samuel Keator, R. B. Smith, A. A. Carley, C. W. Stoker W. F. Clark, C. F. Brown, O. U. Kellogg, D. W. Van Hoesen.

   Clerk Crombie was directed to order a new blade for the village road machine.

   President Holden was authorized to arrange with the First National bank in regard to overdrafts the village will need before the taxes are collected. The orders for the bills audited last night will be dated April 1 and will be left with Treasurer Clark at the First National bank Saturday morning, when they can be procured by those to whom they belong. It seemed to be the opinion of the majority of the members of the board that bills should be audited only at the first regular meeting in each month, and bills or salary should be made for only one month, so that each month's business can be kept by itself.

   The matter of street lighting for the coming year came up for discussion informally, but no action was taken. The present contract expires April 1, and the Electric company has made no move toward a renewal of the contract.

 

BREVITIES.

   —The national W. C. T. U. has designated the week of April 9-16 as a week of prayer in behalf of Sabbath observance.

   —March seems to be taking its departure in quite the lion-like manner that would have been expected from its lamb-like entrance.

   —Mr. and Mrs. A. B. Nelson last night very pleasantly entertained the whist club of which they are members at their home on Monroe Heights.

   —There will be a regular meeting of the Men's Bible class of the Presbyterian church at the home of the president, Mr. E. E. Ellis, 93 North Main-st., at 8 o'clock to-night. Every member is urged to be present.

   —Justice of the Peace Kelley is to-day hearing evidence in the case of R. B. Kibbe against Adam Ranson. George B. Jones Is the plaintiff's attorney, and W. D. Tuttle looks after the defendant's side of the case.

   —New display advertisements to-day are—Glann & Clark, Last week closing out sale, page 7; W. W. Bennett, Bicycles, page 4; Pope Mfg. Co., Bicycles, page 7; C. P. Brown, Easter offerings, page 4; Opera House, "The Real Thing," page 5.

THIRD DAY'S FIGHTING AND OUR COLONIAL POLICY

 

Emilio Aguinaldo.

Major General Elwell S. Otis.

Cortland Evening Standard, Tuesday, March 28, 1899.

THIRD DAY'S FIGHTING.

But Little of a Decisive Nature Accomplished.

CONFIDENCE AT WASHINGTON.

General Otis Announces That He Will Press on Toward the Rebel Capital. The Rebels Burning the Bridges and ln Other Ways Interfere With American Progress.

   WASHINGTON, March 28.—The third day of the fighting north of Manila brought little of a decisive character from which war department officials could judge what the final outcome of this movement would be. In all official quarters, the most intense interest prevailed, but there was no excitement and none of that anxiety and tension shown during the memorable days last summer when the decisive blows were being struck at Santiago. General Otis cabled the war department a brief but comprehensive dispatch summing up the situation. It disclosed that severe fighting was going on with our forces advanced as far north as Mariloa, while the insurgents, under the command of Aguinaldo, were being driven back with considerable slaughter. This and the press dispatches satisfied the officials that the strategic movement of entrapping the insurgents between our lines had not proved as successful as designed, and that the move had now shifted to a retreat by Aguinaldo's forces and a pursuit by our troops. The insurgent retreat to Malolos was slow and dogged, and advantage was taken of one after another of lines of entrenchments; the burning of bridges and the interrupting of communications.

   General Otis' dispatch summed up the work of the three days. That the fighting would proceed into the fourth day was shown by his closing sentence: "The column will press on."

   The engagement has now shaped itself so that it is looked upon as more of a chase than the execution of a strategic movement. With the American base advanced to Mariloa, and the insurgent base forced back to Malolos, the main bodies of the two opposing forces are about 10 or 12 miles apart. This could be quickly covered in a forced march under fair conditions, but it is 12 miles of innumerable difficulties and obstacles, which our troops must cover before they reach the insurgent stronghold.

   It is expected that the engineers with MacArthur are hastily repairing the burned bridges. This will permit the artillery to be taken forward as well as the infantry column. It is expected that every mile of the distance to Malolos will be contested by the insurgents, for General Otis reports that it is a stretch of country covered with the entrenchments thrown up during the last three months. Our men, therefore, must advance slowly, repairing the roads as they go, and at the same time they must fight their way through well-made rebel entrenchments.

   Serious as the work is, there is no lack of confidence among officials here as to the satisfactory outcome of the campaign. Malolos is the insurgent capital, where the assembly has been sitting and the insurgent government has been in operation. It represents more to the insurgents than any other place in the Philippines and little doubt is entertained that they will make a desperate stand there.

   The tactics of Aguinaldo are taking him gradually beyond the range of Admiral Dewey's guns. While the insurgents were at Malabon on Saturday they were within a mile of the water front, and easily within range of the fleet. But as they have moved northward they have gradually moved away from the bay.

 

John Hay.

SAMOAN AFFAIRS.

No Material Change In the Situation From What It Was a Week Ago.

   WASHINGTON, March 28.—The lively discussion of Samoan affairs in the foreign press seems to be the sequel to the developments of last week, which have not been followed by any material change of the situation. Secretary Hay has held further conferences with Ambassador Von Holleben of Germany, and Sir Julian Pauncefote, the British ambassador, but these, it is stated quite positively, have not advanced the subject toward a settlement.

   The Berlin report in one of the London papers to the effect that the Germans had determined to abandon the support of King Mataafa in order to induce the United States to withdraw Chief Justice Chambers, is not borne out by any propositions made here.

   It is the view of the state department that if the Germans withdraw support from Mataafa the trouble would practically be over, as the kingship is at the bottom of the present affair. Thus far, however, there has been no intimation that the Germans would abandon Mataafa. On the contrary the understanding has been that the contention between Mataafa and Malieto would go over to await fuller information, the only action in the meantime being restricted to the controversy between German, American and British consular and municipal officers.

 

PROTEST BY GERMANS.

An Indignation Meeting Held In the Chicago Auditorium.

A VERY STRONG DECLARATION.

They Protest Against an Anglo-American Alliance and the Alleged False Assertions Made Against Germany In Connection With the Recent Spanish War.

   CHICAGO, March 28. — The Auditorium was packed full of German-Americans called together to protest against an Anglo-American alliance and the alleged false assertion made against Germany in connection with the recent Spanish-American war. The committee in charge received application for several thousand more tickets of admission than there were seats in the hall.

   Ex-Representative William Vocks presided and delivered the opening address.

   The meeting was a very enthusiastic one and the following declaration was unanimously adopted:

   "With profound indignation we have noticed the persistent efforts of English-American newspapers not only to incite among our people vicious prejudices against Germany and to defame the character of the German-Americans, but also to drag the United States into an alliance with England.

   "As loyal citizens of this republic, it is our right, as well as our duty to resist these wicked practices with all due firmness. The immigrants from Germany have brought with them to this land the achievements of a civilization as high as it is old. Upon every field of the intellectual life of our nation, as well as in commerce, industry and agriculture, their efforts have redounded to the weal of our people, and in peace as well as in war, they have at all times faithfully fulfilled their duty. No part of the American people has done more for the cultivation of music, sociability, the arts, the sciences, the churches and the schools than the Germans. As good citizens of this country, we cheerfully hand over the achievements of German culture to our youthful American people still in a state of development. We emphatically object, therefore, to the attempt to stamp our people as Anglo-Saxons and to make them subservient to English guile. Not England, but the whole of Europe is the mother country of the white inhabitants of the United States. We demand that not only friendly relations be maintained with Germany that has been a faithful friend of our people for more than 120 years, but that peace and harmony be cultivated with all nations and we will, therefore, true to the wise counsel of George Washington, at all times firmly oppose the formation of entangling alliances with England as well as with any other country, whereby our country may be involved in unnecessary war.

   "We denounce the defamers who have not only instigated public ill-will against Germany, but who have by their gross slanders also sown the seeds of discord among our own people and we solemnly protest against the proposed alliance with England.

   "We further declare that with all lawful means at our disposal, especially campaigns, we will at all times strenuously oppose all those who favor the wicked attacks made upon friendly nations, and who labor to entangle our country in an alliance with England. We call upon the committee that has had in charge the arrangements for this mass meeting to invite all the German-American churches, societies and orders in this city to send a delegate to a convention to be held at an early date for the purpose of forming a permanent organization, that the German-American citizens may be called to action whenever it shall become necessary to protect the blessing of our American institutions against wicked and silly politicians.

   "We call upon the committee to send copies of these declarations to the president of the United States, to his secretaries and to the senators and representatives in congress."

 

Jacob G. Shurman.

PAGE TWO—EDITORIALS.

Our Colonial Policy.

   Those who oppose the colonial policy of President McKinley's administration have spoken either too late or too soon. If they oppose it on the ground that if we are true to the Declaration of Independence, we can govern only with the consent of the governed, they have spoken too late. That issue has been settled again and again and finally and forever settled by our civil war. If their opposition is based on a demand for the recognition of the right of the Filipinos to independence, it comes too soon, for the policy of the administration in reference to the final disposition of the Philippines has yet to be disclosed.

   Imperialism is not a new issue. We had in 1803, when Jefferson, who himself wrote in our Declaration of Independence, that government ought to rest upon the consent of the governed, and who was perhaps the strictest constructionist of the constitution that the country has ever had, finally wrote that the constitution must be shut for the time being, in the face of the great emergency. And he shut it, and Louisiana, embracing a territory much larger than that of the original thirteen colonies, was purchased without the consent of its people and without well defined constitutional authority.

   What is the president's policy? First, to secure peace and order in the Philippines. Secondly, to obtain a report from the three commissioners sent to the Philippines, and on their report to make his recommendation to congress. Two of these commissioners, President Schurman of Cornell and Prof. Worcester of Michigan—the former in a public address and the latter in his book on the Philippines—have plainly indicated their belief that the Philippines would not be a desirable acquisition for the United States. This commission is therefore not committed to the idea of annexation.

   President McKinley never made a truer remark than when he said that the results of no war could be determined at the beginning. The American Revolution was not begun with the original purpose of making it a war for independence. The civil war was not fought by the North primarily to bring about emancipation. The Spanish war was not intended to be a war of conquest. Man proposes, but God disposes, and the hand of an overruling Providence, in every emergency, has settled the purpose of the American people and fixed the destiny of the American nation.

   There may be some who have thought that it was of no more consequence to sink the Spanish fleet in Manila Bay than to save 10,000,000 souls in the Philippines for civilization. But this administration does not think so, and neither do the American people.

 

SOLDIER BOYS RETURN.

Two Hundred Third Regiment Mustered Out of the Service.

   Four Cortland boys, members of Company L., Two Hundred Third regiment, N. Y. Vols., have reached home and others are on the way. John C. Dormody reached home last week, having received an honorable discharge on account of disability a few days in advance of the mustering cut, which occurred at Camp Weatherell, Greenville, S. C., last Saturday, March 25.

   Alverdo Seaman and J. R. Bump returned last night by way of Ithaca. G. R. Atwood came last night by way of Syracuse. E. E. Butterfield, Collins Holcomb and Corporal E. D. Phillips, Jr., are still in New York, Claude Bates is still in Ithaca, and Charles L. Towle of Truxton is remaining for a few days longer in Washington, but all will be home soon.

   The regiment left Syracuse, passing through Cortland on the night of July 20, 1898. It arrived at Camp Black, L. I., next morning, and remained there till Sept. 12 when it was moved to Camp Meade in Pennsylvania. Oct. 1 it was ordered to Conewago Station, twelve miles away, and until Nov. 13 stayed there in quarantine. On Nov. 13 it started for Camp Weatherell at Greenville, S. C., and continued there till mustered out on March 25.

   On March 21 all the arms and accoutrements were turned into the government except such as the boys cared to retain by paying cost price for them to the government. Five men of Company L retained all their equipments, but most of the others retained a few articles as souvenirs. Comrade Atwood retained his knapsack, haversack and canteen.

   The regiment was mustered out in the forenoon and in the afternoon started for the North in two sections, the Cortland boys being in the first section. They reached Washington at noon on Sunday and remained there till 7:20 that night.

   A STANDARD man asked Mr. Atwood if he had become so pleased with the South that he was reluctant to return North. He replied that he was glad to get home. He liked the southern winter, but there were too many irresponsible colored people floating around down there to suit him. He had been from the camp down to Greenville village one afternoon about three months ago. It was growing dusky as he returned through a piece of woods that separated the village from the camp. It was the evening of payday and all the boys had money with them. Suddenly there was a flash of light in the woods at his left, a loud report and his hat dropped off his head with a bullet hole clear through it. He picked up the hat and lost no time in getting out of there. "How do you know it was a negro that shot at you?" asked The STANDARD man. "Oh, the woods were full of them," was the reply.

 

Sam Houston.

The Dignity of the Senate.

   Professor Hiram Corson, who fills the chair of English literature at Cornell university, and publishes introductions to Browning and primers of English verse, was once in the full swing of political life. In 1850 Mr. Corson was one of the reporters of the United States senate. He has many quaint tales to tell of Webster, Stephen A. Douglas, Sumner and other senators of those days. But the quaintest tale of all is one that has never found its way into print. The hero of it is Sam Houston, the giant frontiersman who was president of Texas before annexation and senator after it.

   "We reporters," said Professor Corson, "took turn and turn about, each for an hour. One day I was sitting idly in the reporters' gallery, waiting my turn and looking on. Presently my attention was drawn by Senator Houston. Huge of frame, he was particularly huge of feet, and those extremities were rendered the more conspicuous in those days of boots by being encased in laced shoes. On this occasion there seemed to be an amount of pain in those feet proportionate to their size. The senator kept one upon his knee rubbing it with an anguished expression and periodically exchanging for the other foot. After awhile, he unlaced his shoes and drew them off. Then the nursing of his aching toes continued for a time as before. But no relief came, and at last, to my utter amazement and amusement, he slowly divested himself of a long blue woolen stocking, and taking the huge jackknife with which he was wont to pass the time whittling, he proceeded deliberately to pare his corns in the senate of the United States."

   And yet they say the dignity of the senate has declined! What has it come to now?

 

BASEBALL PICKUPS.

Seen, Heard and Done In the New State League.

   The prospects for a successful season in the New York State league were never better at this time of the year than now, and with nothing like a war to attract public attention, it is more than probable that the game will be more liberally patronized than formerly. Even the politician likes a change once in a while, and the baseball game affords him an excellent opportunity. The State league race gives promise of not being so one-sided as last year, judging from the names of players signed by the different managers, but of all teams that want to be watched, it will be Ramsey's Wagonmakers of Cortland. Mr. Ramsey is gathering an aggregation of players that will prove eye-openers to the other towns in the league, and will make a grand hustle for the first place in the percentage table. Watch the wagonmakers, ye Pentups, ye Starchmakers, ye Romans and ye Prison City guards.

   Schenectady and Amsterdam have been working hard for the other franchise to be given out, but it is a settled fact and has been for some time that Schenectady would get the coveted place, despite rumors to the contrary, which went on to say that there was no money behind the venture in that city. Such is not the case. It is doubtful if there is a club in the league which will have as good financial backing at Schenectady will have.—Exchange.

   Albany isn't saying much, but the devotees in the Capital City are sawing wood just the same. Good financial backing has been secured and a franchise will be allotted the Albanians.

   An Auburn dispatch says: With the advent of spring, enthusiasm for the national game in the cities which make up the State league increases. Reports from every town, as received by President Farrell, are highly satisfactory. All of the cities at present in the league are sure to remain, despite rumors to the contrary. The matter of transferring the Auburn club from President Farrell's hands to a stock company has not as yet taken place, but the deal will be consummated in the near future. All last year's players are under reserve by the Auburn club and many new men have been signed, but Manager Shinnick [is] refraining from giving out names of the new men for publication.

   Congressman Sherman will officiate at the opening game of the championship season of the State baseball league in Utica, May 12.

   Baseball clubs this season will have to pay more for balls than they did last year. During the baseball term of 1898 the balls used by the National league and the ones generally played with by the minor leagues of the east and by the independent teams throughout this part of the country, were listed at $1.25 each, or $15 a dozen retail. But the dealers generally cut these prices and sold them for $1 apiece, or $12 a dozen, thereby making a little profit. Depending on the money made on other baseball paraphernalia, the balls were sold cheap, more as a card to draw trade than anything else.

   Now an edict has gone forth from the manufacturers, forbidding all dealers from selling balls at less than $1.25 each. If prices are cut the retailer will be forbidden to handle the baseballs any longer. If the teams are not disposed to pay the higher price, the only thing possible will be to purchase another kind of baseball. As yet nothing as to the course they will adopt has been given out by the managers of the teams around here. The Interstate league, although a strong kick was made at the recent meeting at Mansfield, O., decided to continue the use of the same balls they played with last year, notwithstanding the price is higher.

 

Albert W. Edgcomb.

A NEW METHOD.

Clerk Edgcomb Has His Own Method of Drawing a Jury.

   Probably for more than a dozen centuries the prescribed way for the drawing of jury has been to place the names of the jurymen in a box and then draw one name at a time until the jury is complete.

   Clerk A. W. Edgcomb who will officiate at the Stupendous court [Mock Trial] on the nights of April 4 and 5, says that he will not follow any such tame procedure as that prescribed by law. Yesterday he claimed to have received from Hon. Wm.F. Cody (better known as Buffalo Bill) a very fine silk tasseled lariat, with which on Tuesday evening next at the Stupendous court he will with great skill lasso the jurors to serve upon the jury. At present he has hired a hall and for several hours each day is practicing the art of throwing the lasso. So far he has brought down everything in the hall. After the trial he expects an engagement the coming season to travel with the Wild West show.

 

TRACTION COMPANY

Elects H. B. Westcott Secretary and Treasurer of the Company.

   There was a meeting of the directors of the Cortland &. Homer Traction company last night, at which Messrs. P. S. Page and Harry Simpson of Scranton and H. Bergholtz of Ithaca were present in addition to the local directors.

   Mr. H. B. Westcott, the new general manager, was elected secretary and treasurer of the company to succeed G. H. Garrison, resigned. No other business was transacted, but there was a general discussion of the affairs of the road.

 

MISS SUSAN TOMPKINS.

Cortland's Girl Violinist is Meeting With a Favorable Reception in New York.

   Last Saturday Miss Susan Tompkins, who is now in New York, was invited to play at the Tiffany mansion for the Misses Calendar and De Forest and Madame Emma Eames of grand opera fame. So pleased were these ladies with her playing that they engaged Mrs. Baxter, a noted accompanist, and invited Miss Susan to play before the critics and a number of society people on Sunday afternoon. Later she was invited to the home of Madame Eames and nicely entertained. She has also received very favorable and kind letters of introduction to a number of musical artists in that city.

 

BREVITIES.

   —The Wide Awake Literary club meet to-night with Mrs. Webster, 75 Hamlin-st., at 7:30 o'clock.

   —In Justice Kelley's court this morning the case of Mary Van Order against Albert Stevens was reported settled and the case discontinued.

   —A mothers' meeting (north) will be held at the home of Mrs. Kelley, 10 Halbert-st., Wednesday, March 29, at 3 P.M. An interesting program is prepared.

    —New display advertisements to-day are—Stowell, Make room sale, page 7; Palmer & Co., Special sale, page 6; F. Daehler, Gents' furnishings, page 8; Glann & Clark, Closing out sale, page 3; McGraw & Osgood, Spring footwear, page 4; D. McCarthy & Sons, New silks, page 4; M. A. Case, Misses and ladies' suits, page 6; Warren, Tanner & Co., New goods, page 4; M. L. Decker, $25,000 saved, page 4.

 

CRUELTY TO ANIMALS.

Joseph Rose Pleaded Guilty and Paid a $10 Fine.

    Officer James E. Edwards of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals arrested Joseph Rose, who lives on the hill east of Cortland park, this morning on the charge of cruelty to animals. It was alleged that last Friday for several hours he left his team standing uncovered and unprotected in Main-st. It will be remembered that Friday was a very rough day.

   Before Police Justice Davis this afternoon he pleaded guilty to the charge and was sentenced to pay a fine of $10 or go to jail for ten days. He paid the fine. Enos E. Mellon appeared for The People, also representing the society.