TERRIFIED INSURGENTS, AND THE CORTLAND COUNTY ALMSHOUSE

 

Major General Loyd Wheaton.

Cortland Evening Standard, Friday, November 24, 1899.

TERRIFIED INSURGENTS.

Colored Soldiers Gave Them a Great Fright.

NEGRO TROOPS CAPTURE A TOWN.

Drag the Sleepy Filipino Warriors From Their Beds With Kicks and Cuffs. Women and Children Thought They Would Be Cooked and Devoured.

   MANILA, Nov. 24.—The fording of Pampanga river above Tarlac by the Thirty-sixth regiment and a battalion of the Seventeenth regiment was a noteworthy feature, as the river is broad and swift. Part of the command was ferried over on rafts, and the remainder swam over, holding on to a life line strung across.

   General Wheaton, when General MacArthur communicated with him, was holding San Fabian and two or three neighboring towns.

   Captain Leonhauser's capture of the town of O'Donnell was a remarkable stroke. His command consisted of three companies of the Twenty-fifth regiment, Captain Albright and Lieutenants Bates and Morton commanding, started at 6 o'clock at night and marched 15 miles in the mud.

   The only regular approach was along a road and over a river whose bridge was strongly fortified. The entrance of the town was entrenched. The soldiers left the road and followed a cattle trail to the rear of the town.

   At daylight the command separated, one company advancing on the back of the town and the others flanking it. The insurgent force was asleep, except those at the outposts who were captured without shooting. One platoon ran down the main street to a trench and the other detachments made a quick search of the houses.

   An officer, describing the scene, said: "The negro soldiers were pouring out of every house, dragging sleepy, frightened Filipino warriors by the collar and kicking them into the street. It was a race to see which company would corral the most Filipinos. The women and children, believing the stories told that the negro soldiers were cannibals, shrieked frightfully. After all the rifles had been secured the Filipinos were surprised by being told to go to their homes and attend to work."

   Colonel Carpenter Nov. 18 advanced to Santa Barbara, straight north from Jaro, taking trench after trench, the enemy fighting and retreating.

   General Hughes' column has steadily been advancing north to gain a position west of Santa Barbara. It encountered the enemy in small detachments. Six to 10 Americans were wounded in this column.

   Colonel Carpenter started during the night of Nov. 20 and opened with Battery G of the Sixth artillery at daybreak, Nov. 21, on the trenches. The enemy volleyed as the artillery took up a position, wounding four. Two companies of the Twenty-sixth regiment, garrisoning Jaro, moved through Capaz, attacking the enemy on the right flank, just north of Jaro at daybreak, Nov. 21, driving them towards Colonel Carpenter. The country between Jaro and Santa Barbara is thickly entrenched, and especially near Pavia. The Sixth artillery fired on the trenches and the Eighteenth regiment charged, the enemy retreating to the next trench. The Eighteenth again charged, encountering and attacking a force of bolomen, who were hiding in the long grass and who severely wounded several Americans.

   During the afternoon of Nov. 21 the fighting was severe immediately south of Pavia, three miles north of Jaro. The Twenty-sixth's companies returned to Jaro after the flank movement, having captured three 6-pound smooth-bore cannon and a quantity of arms and ammunition.

   The enemy's lose was not obtainable, but seven men were found dead in one trench. The insurgents are falling back on Santa Barbara which, it is expected,  General Hughes has attacked before this.

   A Spanish corporal captured by the Filipinos has arrived here from Tarlac. He says he saw Aguinaldo, accompanied by a prominent leader and 15 men arrive at Dayamban, during the night of Nov. 13, hatless with clothes torn and tattered with mud and the horses exhausted. Aguinaldo, it appears, rested a short time, seemed anxious, consulted with his companions and the villagers as to the nature of the roads, secured fresh horses and proceeded immediately towards Mangalarem (Mangalaren?) in Pangebian (Pangasinan?) province, west of Bayambang, (Dayamban?). The corporal tells a straight story, giving minute details. He is convinced he is not mistaken, having seen Aguinaldo several times during recent months. Aguinaldo, it appears, would have had time to leave Bayambeng (Dayamben?) Nov. 13 and pass through General Wheaton's lines Nov. 17.

 

Garret A. Hobart.

PAGE TWO—EDITORIALS.

The Presidential Succession.

   The death of Vice-President Hobart brings out many inquiries as to who will succeed him, and also regarding the presidential succession, the direct line of which is broken by this sad event.

   As to the vice-presidency, that will remain vacant until Mr. Hobart's successor is elected and installed. There is no provision of law for filling the office after the death of its incumbent. The functions exercised by Mr. Hobart in the senate, over which he presided by command of the constitution, will be exercised by United States Senator William P. Frye, who is the president pro tempore of the body, elected to that position by the majority of its members. Of course a president pro tempore of the senate can be replaced at any time and another senator chosen. Bu t as the Republicans will control the new senate it is not likely that Mr. Frye will be disturbed. A president pro tempore of the senate loses none of his senatorial privileges by being chosen to preside, and retains all his committee positions. His salary is $8,000 per year, the same as that of the vice-president and of the cabinet officers and the speaker of the house of representatives.

   When a president dies or becomes in any constitutional way disqualified for service the vice-president, if living, succeeds to his powers and responsibilities. But this does not apply to the president of the senate. The presidential succession is now established by a law enacted in 1886, which provides that in case of the removal, death, resignation or disability of both the president and vice-president the secretary of state, the secretary of the treasury, the secretary of war, the attorney general, the postmaster general, the secretary of the navy or the secretary of the interior, in the order named, shall act as president until the disability is removed or a president elected. The list of heirs presumptive to the presidency, it will be seen, includes all the cabinet officers holding portfolios at the time the law was passed. The department of agriculture has since been made a cabinet position, but the secretary of agriculture is not in the line of succession. The law also provides that when one of the cabinet officials succeeds to the presidency he shall call a special session of congress.

   Four presidents—William H. Harrison, Zachary Taylor, Abraham Lincoln and James A. Garfield—have died in office and been succeeded by the vice-presidents—John Tyler, Millard Fillmore, Andrew Johnson and Chester A. Arthur. Six vice-presidents have died before the expiration of their terms—George Clinton of New York, Elbridge Gerry of Massachusetts, William R. King of Alabama, Henry Wilson of Massachusetts, Thomas A. Hendricks of Indiana and Garret A. Hobart of New Jersey.

 

Cortland County Almshouse.

THE ALMSHOUSE.

THE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS INSPECT IT.

Some of the Improvements Recently Made to Buildings, Water Supply, Etc.—A Large Amount of Work Done and Done Well.

   The board of supervisors, on the invitation of Superintendent of the Poor Miles G. Frisbie, made a visit of inspection to the county almshouse yesterday, and were also entertained at dinner while there. No invitations were given outside of the board, except that the usual courtesies were extended to representatives of the county press. Necessary conveyances were provided without expense to the county.

   Owing to the condition of the out buildings and because of the recommendation of improvements deemed necessary by the state authorities, an unusual amount of repairs and other work connected with the property has been demanded during the past year, and the condition of the premises showed that all had been thoroughly and intelligently done. It was, therefore, both natural and proper that Mr. Frisbie should desire the full board to see how the county's money had been expended.

   The following summary will give an idea of the character and amount of work put upon the property in the way of additions and betterments during the past year. The cow barn has been reshingled. The horse barn has been thoroughly repaired, the worn-out siding has been replaced with new and painted two coats, with new windows entire. The interior has been newly ceiled with Georgia pine, the same having been finished with a coat each of linseed and hard oil. New stalls have been put in with iron racks and feed boxes. The floor has been newly laid and new sleepers put in where needed. A new lead pipe has been laid from the springs on the hill side to the institution. There has been a fence built to enclose the plot of ground containing the springs, and the wet ground adjacent thereto. A very substantial reservoir has also been built, into which has been conducted by lead pipe the water from three springs. There has also been a main and several angle ditches dug from the upper part of the plot of wet ground referred to, to the reservoir, thus conducting the water from other springs that lead out from the bank. These ditches are laid in horseshoe tile. The reservoir is covered with a substantial shingled roof with gables, enclosed with matched spruce painted. This water has been abundant even through the past extremely dry season, and the institution will probably never again be troubled with defective water supply.

   A bathroom has been fitted up in the keeper's department, furnished complete. Hot and cold water are supplied. A flushing closet has been placed in bathroom and also one in each of the inmates' departments. A new range bas been placed in the keeper's kitchen and one in the inmates' kitchen. Hot water from boiler attached to range in inmates' kitchen is conducted to sinks in each kitchen, and pipes conducting cold water also lead into these sinks. Both sinks and bread vat have been re-lined with zinc and the work tables covered with zinc. The old worn out water vats in washhouse have been replaced with new ones. The hoghouse has been removed to a more suitable site and placed on a stone basement with cement floor, which is to be used for a manure cellar. The mason work has been done by Mr. Thomas Welch, an employee of the almshouse. Water and steam pipes are attached to this building for convenience in cooking feed and butchering.

   The board reached the county house about noon, where they were cordially received and, after some time spent in social conversation in the parlors, sat down to the substantial, abundant and well cooked dinner which had been prepared by Mrs. Walker and her assistants, and to which no higher compliment needed to be paid than the evident relish with which everyone partook of it. No attempt was made at lavishness or show, but everything was excellent of its kind and excellently prepared.

   After dinner the board made a tour of the premises, examining all the improvements and noting the manner in which everything had been done. It can safely be said that never in the history of the county has a board of supervisors found the buildings and surroundings in better condition, or the inmates better cared for than at present, and Mr. Frisbie and Keeper I. J. Walker received many compliments on the neatness, care and attention to details which were everywhere shown.

 

GEORGE JUNIOR REPUBLIC.

Annual Meeting in New York—Gift of $3,000 for New Chapel.

   The annual meeting of the George Junior Republic association was held in the parlors of the Brick Presbyterian church, New York City, last week. Ex-Secretary of the Treasury Charles S. Fairchild presided. Remarks were made by Mr. Fairchild, Dr. Van Dyck and others, and reports were presented by Thomas Osborne, president, and A. G. Agnew, treasurer of the board of trustees. Reports were also read from the superintendent of the republic, W. R. George and the heads of its different departments.

   The treasurer's report showed about $2,000 on hand on Nov. 1 of which the greater part was owed for current expenses, leaving the treasury indebted to special accounts for building and other purposes in the neighborhood of $1,200. The president's report showed the erection of six new buildings during the year besides the completion of another, and the entire reconstruction of one more.

   The reports of the farmer and housekeeper, showing work accomplished were enthusiastically applauded.

   A pleasant feature was the announcement by Dr. Van Dyck that just before the meeting began there had been handed to the treasurer a check for $3,000, for the building of a chapel. The gift came from a woman of the state of Georgia, who does not wish her name made public.

   The following were elected trustees to serve for three years: A. G. Agnew, New York; Dr. E . M. Foote, New York; G. S. Miller, Peterboro; Prof. J. W. Jenks, Ithaca; Frederick Almy, Buffalo; W. H. Gratwick, Jr., Buffalo; Arthur Goadby, New York.

 

ATCHINSON-BATES.

The Second Wedding Within a Few Weeks in the Bates Family.

   The home of Mr. and Mrs. O. A. Bates of McLean was on Nov. 22, 1899, again the scene of a very pleasant affair when their eldest daughter Emma was united in marriage with Mr. John Atchinson of Freeville, N. Y., in the presence of about fifty relatives and friends.

   Promptly at 5:30 the bridal party entered the parlor, the bride attended by her father, where under an arch of chrysanthemums and roses they were met by the Rev. Amos Watkins, rector of the Grace Episcopal church of Cortland, where the beautiful Episcopal service was performed. The bride was attired in a handsome navy blue traveling suit and carried yellow and white chrysanthemums. The groom wore the conventional black. After a short time spent in congratulations very elaborate refreshments were served. At 7 o'clock the bride and groom left with the best wishes of their friends amid a shower of rice and old shoes for a short trip to Auburn and other places. The number and elegance of the gifts showed the high esteem in which Mr. and Mrs. Atchinson are held by their friends.

 

FIVE STATES MILK MEN.

Work is Progressing in Satisfactory Manner all Along the Line.

(From the Binghamton Republican.)

   The executive committee of the Five States Milk Producers' association, J. C. Latimer, H. T. Coons, F. B. Aiken and Ira R. Knell, met last evening at The Arlington and transacted routine business connected with the association's plans. They told a reporter that the work of the organization, both in city and country, was progressing satisfactorily and the Pure Milk company would be ready to carry out its contract, beginning with the time of extension, Dec. 1. The members of the committee denied a rumor that had reached their ears, that the association in controlling the milk would cut short the supply in the interior cities, and said that the organization would simply seek to make the prices throughout as equal as possible and to improve the present system of distribution of milk.

   The committee expressed amusement at many of the comments about their organization published in New York and other papers. In the same paper in which the original milk dealers of New York were quoted as saying that the Five States' association could not control the price of milk, so the members of the committee said, could be found statements of dealers that the Five States' as a trust had raised the price of milk a cent.

 

BREVITIES.

   —The choir of Grace church is requested to meet in the church after service this evening to practice the music for Thanksgiving day.

   —On account of the funeral of Vice-President Hobart the postoffice will be closed from 2 until 4 P. M. to-morrow afternoon.

   —The Y. W. C. T. U. will hold its regular meeting at 7:30 to-morrow evening at the home of the president, Mrs. Caswell, 13 Venette-st.

   —New display advertisements to-day are—F. D. Smith, Carving knives and forks, page 7; Buck & Lane, Carving knives and forks, page 7.

   —Rev. J. Q. A. Henry, state superintendent of the Anti-Saloon league, addresses a temperance mass-meeting at the First M. E. church to-night at 7:30 o'clock.

AGUINALDO INTERVIEWED, CORTLAND COUNTY SUPERVISORS, AND EXAMINING THE E. & C. N. Y. R. R.

 

Emilio Aguinaldo.

Cortland Evening Standard, Thursday, November 23, 1899.

AGUINALDO INTERVIEWED.

He Wants Peace and Independence—Will Repay the $20,000,000.

   NEW YORK, Nov. 23.—The World says its Hong Kong correspondent knows an American who lives in the Philippines and who has recently seen Aguinaldo. He has been through the lines and has been two weeks with the insurgent commander-in-chief. What was said by Aguinaldo this American jotted down and forwarded to Hong Kong through the mails to his business correspondent there.

   Aguinaldo wants peace and to get it he is willing to repay the $20,000,000 which the United States paid to Spain for the Philippines and will consent to American soldiers remaining in Manila till the debt is cancelled. He wants a republic to consist of a president, congress and judiciary. The letter detailing the interview is dated Manila, Oct. 14. It adds:

   "Aguinaldo said that he had been repeatedly informed that McKinley would never consent to a compromise; that unconditional surrender was the only thing the American president would accept; that to conquer the Filipinos McKinley would expend a thousand millions of dollars in gold and 200,000 lives of American soldiers."

 

PAGE TWO—EDITORIALS.

Modern Scientific Warfare.

   The Boers are brave and honest fighters and in their treatment of the wounded and prisoners have shown themselves most humane. Their battles have been conducted on the lines of civilized warfare, if armed conflict can be called civilized. Thus far in the campaign, conditions being fairly even, the Afrikander yeomen have proved themselves fully a match in point of valor and endurance for the trained and disciplined soldiery of Great Britain.

   It seems evident, however, that the Boers have not taken into account the great superiority of British arms and the high explosives used in modern warfare or, if they have, they are relying on a higher power which has not always manifested itself on the side of the weaker artillery. The Boers have no guns which can work anything like the terrible havoc of the British rapid fire guns, which fire shrapnel shells, each containing 200 bullets, scattering over an area of 24 square yards.

   The British are also using lyddite, an explosive of such terrible force that whole battalions can be literally mowed down with it. The Boers have protested against its use, but evidently the protest will be of no avail. All the great nations have their high explosives— melinite, thorite and various other "ites"—which have become terrible factors in modern war. The success of war does not now depend so much upon the personal valor, heroism and endurance of the officers and men as in the possession of the latest scientific engines of destruction, with skilled machinists to operate them.

   Whether it may be called "civilized warfare" or otherwise, modern warfare is becoming distinctly a science, and against the scientific devices of slaughter in the hands of the British the determined heroism of the simple Boers would in the long run seem to be futile.

 

SUPERVISORS AT WORK.

A Number of Reports of Committees and Others Handed Up.

NINTH DAY, THURSDAY, NOV. 23.

   At the opening of the morning session, reports of the railroad commissioners for the towns of Cincinnatus, Cortlandville, Cuyler, Solon, Taylor and Truxton were read. The report from Cincinnatus showed that the bonded indebtedness of that town is $88,000. Cortlandville's indebtedness is $141,000, Cuyler $56,500, Solon $75,900, Taylor $30,000, Truxton $112,400. The reports and recommendations contained in them for raising tax for principal and interest were adopted. Reports of the supervisors of Cincinnatus, Cortlandville, Cuyler Solon, Taylor, Truxton and Willet were read and filed.

   The report of the committee an footing assessment rolls was read, adopted and referred to the committee on equalization. It will be published later.

   The report of the committee on coroners' bills was read and referred to the committee on appropriation. The total claims amounted to $460.70, and they were allowed at $415.25.

   The committee on settling with county judge and justices reported the allowance of bills amounting to $492.27, and the report was referred to the appropriations committee.

   The committee on courthouse reported, and the report was referred to the committee on county buildings. After referring to some smaller improvements, the report says: "Your committee spent some time in the jail investigating the recommendations of Prison Commissioner Wm. J. Mantanye with reference to a proposed change in ventilation, the floors, the chilled grates in the windows and do not concur in the same. Upon his recommendation with reference to the employment of prisoners we advise careful consideration and if a feasible plan can be devised recommend the adoption of the system. It is further advised that the rope and slat bedsteads in the upper jail be replaced by eight iron ones."

   The report was signed by all the members of the committee, Supervisors N. F. Webb, J. A. Wavle and F. A. Crosley.

   The clerk read a report from Supervisors Hunt and Hammond, a special committee appointed to attend the state convention of commerce and taxation at Utica Oct. 10, 11 and 12. The report reviewed somewhat the work of the convention and closed with the following: "Now while your committee is not in possession of sufficient data to enable them to fully understand the whole problem which the canal improvement questions presents, yet such knowledge of the matter as we have we believe justifies us in recommending that this  board advise our representatives in the legislature, both our member of assembly and state senators, to oppose any measure that seeks an appropriation of money for canal improvement, except possibly such sum as may be necessary to complete the improvements already begun, and will be of no value unless they are completed."

   On motion of Mr. Bennett the report was accepted and placed on file.

   The board at 11:30 left in carriages for the county almshouse in response to an invitation from Superintendent Frisbie.

 

REV. C. W. NEGUS ORDAINED.

Interesting Services at the Homer Baptist Church.

   The ordination of Rev. C. W. Negus into the Baptist ministry occurred at the Homer Baptist church yesterday afternoon and evening. Mr. Negus is a graduate of Colgate Theological seminary at Hamilton and has accepted a call to the pastorate of the Baptist church In Homer. A council was held at the church in the afternoon which recommended Mr. Negus for ordination and acceptance into the Baptist ministry. This was presided over by Rev. G. H. Brigham of Cortland, and Rev. A. B. Browe of McGraw acted as clerk.

   The service was opened by prayer by Rev. E. V. Hammond of Marathon. The call of the council was read by Mr. C. A. Watson, clerk of the Homer church. The following churches were entitled to delegates: Babcock Hollow, Blodgett Mills, Cincinnatus, Cortland First church, Cortland Memorial. Dryden, Freetown, Groton, Homer, Lansing and Groton, Lake Ridge, Marathon, McGraw, Milan, McLean, North Lansing, Solon, Sempronious, Summerhill, Truxton, Virgil.

   At the conclusion of the calling of delegates to represent these different churches, Mr. C. A. Watson, in behalf of the church, presented the candidate, C. W. Negus, to the council assembled. A few well chosen remarks were made to the candidate by the moderator, after which he related his Christian experience, his call for the ministry and gave views of his Christian doctrine.

   At the close of Mr. Negus' remarks the council retired to another room and after a careful deliberation returned and stated to the moderator that they had been unanimous in their decision and recommended that he be ordained into the ministry. A committee was appointed to perfect arrangements for the evening session. The meeting then adjourned.

 

Cortland Normal School.

Inspecting the Normal.

   Mr. H. W. Smith of the department of public instruction is at the Normal school to-day looking over the library and apparatus in the physical and chemical laboratories, and taking an inventory of the same. It is Mr. Smith's business to call at all the Normal schools of the state once each year for this purpose. He says that the Cortland Normal is the only Normal in the state which has an inventory of all its property in the lines mentioned kept constantly up to date. At Cortland he can simply take that inventory and check it up and perform his duty in much less time than at any other school.

 

EXAMINING THE ROAD.

New Station on E. & C. N. Y. R. R. to be Built at Willet—New Switch Laid.

   President Charles O. Scull of the E. & C. N. Y. R. R. and Jacob Rosenthal, one of the most prominent directors of the United States Fidelity and Guaranty Co., both of Baltimore, Md., spent yesterday in looking over the condition of the railroad. They arrived at 9:40 A. M. on the Lehigh Valley R. R. and left at 9:45 for Cincinnatus, returning in the afternoon and starting back to Baltimore at 11:25 last night on the D., L. & W. R. R. Several improvements were decided upon for the new railroad. A new station will be built at once at Willet and a switch be put in there. The matter of the extension of the road to South Otselic was also discussed. The sentiment seemed to be favorable to the extension, but the advanced cost of steel and building material in general will probably delay the matter for a little while.

 

NEW COLD STORAGE.

The Stevenson Block on Elm-st. Purchased by T. E. Dye.

   Cortland is to have another cold storage establishment. The Stevenson block at the corner of Elm and Pomeroy-sts., which was last week sold to the Onondaga County Savings bank on a judgment foreclosure, was to-day purchased by T. E. Dye of Cortland, who will proceed at once to fit a large portion of the building for cold storage purposes. The price paid was $4,000. Mr. Dye some time ago sold his interest in the cold storage building near the Lehigh Valley station to A. S. Brown.

   The building purchased is a three-story brick structure of ample size for its new purpose and is well located for shipping, being close by the Elm-st. station of the Lehigh Valley. Only the west half will be fitted up for cold storage purposes at present, the east half being rented, Andrews' cash grocery and market being located on the first floor. The ammonia process for preserving goods which is rapidly taking the place of ice in all parts of the country will be used.

   Mr. Dye is a careful and courteous business man and his decision to remain in business in Cortland will be gratifying to his many friends.

 

"Jack and the Beanstalk."

   The Scranton Tribune of Nov. 20 says of the famous "Jack and the Beanstalk" company of sixty-nine people which appears at the Opera House next Monday night, tickets now being on sale at the Candy Kitchen:

   Under the new management, which includes E. J. Goodwin of Scranton, the magnificent extravaganza, "Jack and the Beanstalk," is better than ever this season, as the delighted audiences that greeted the spectacle at the Lyceum on Saturday afternoon and evening will attest. Upon witnessing a presentation of "Jack" it is easy to understand why the extravaganza should increase in popularity. The catchy music and gorgeous features of the spectacle in the way of dazzling scenery and costumes are retained, while the company has been strengthened by the addition of the well-known comedians Frank Deshon, Sarony Lambert, George Gorman and Dan Darleigh.

 

BREVITIES.

   —Vesta lodge, I. O. O. F. will give a social hop Saturday evening.

  —The Loyal circle of King's Daughters will meet with Mrs. S. J. Palmiter, 27 Maple-ave., to-morrow afternoon at 3 o'clock.

   —A special invitation is extended to all the children to attend the reception at the hospital to-morrow from 2 to 5 and 7 to 9 o'clock.

   —The Home Mission circle of First Baptist church meets at Mrs. Wm. Pearson's, 3 Argyle Place, to-morrow at 2:30 o'clock. All ladies are invited.

   —All members of the class taught by Mr. R. J. Lucas in the First M. E. Sunday-school are invited to the home of Miss Lillian Hayes, 192 South Main-st., to-morrow evening.

   —New display advertisements to-day are—Simmons & Grant, Great dissolution sale, page 7; Burgess, Clothing, page 4; J. A. Jayne, Boats and shoes, page 7.

   —We learn that Orrin Miller of East Lansing has recently sold a fine horse to O. U. Kellogg of Cortland for three hundred dollars. Mr. Miller raised the horse and has reason to be proud of its fine qualities.—Groton Journal.

DEATH OF GARRET A. HOBART, AND IRVING H. PALMER LETTER

 

Garret A. Hobart.

Cortland Evening Standard, Wednesday, November 22, 1899.

PAGE TWO—EDITORIALS.

Garret A. Hobart.

   The death of Garrett A. Hobart, vice-president of the United States, occurred yesterday morning. He had been dangerously ill for weeks and it was known that there was little probability that he could resume his official duties at Washington.

   Mr. Hobart was born at Long Branch in 1844, was graduated at Rutgers in 1863, and was admitted to the bar in New Jersey in 1866. Five years later he was chosen city counsel of Paterson. In 1872 he was elected to the state legislature after a re-election, he was chosen speaker. In 1877 and again in 1879, he was elected to the state senate. In 1881 and 1882 he was president of that body, and when he retired from the legislature he had the complete confidence of the people of New Jersey and the reputation of being an honorable and faithful representative. But he did not abandon politics. Becoming a member of the Republican state committee he began to devote his energies to an exposure of the corrupt ring that was in control of the state administration; later on he was elected chairman of the committee, and after three years of hard work he had so aroused the people and so skillfully organized the Republican party, that a Republican victory was won.

   He was successful at the bar and successful in politics, but it was, perhaps, as a business man that he was most distinguished. He became identified with enterprises that required great industry, great diplomacy, and great executive ability. He served as receiver of broken down railroad companies and brought them up to solvency; he organized manufacturing companies, and furnished employment to thousands of people, and he was actively identified with the management of several of the strongest banks of the state.

   At the national Republican convention of 1896 the rival candidates for nomination for vice-president were Mr. Hobart of New Jersey whose name was presented by Franklin Fort of that state; ex-Governor Buckeley of Connecticut, Charles W. Lippitt of Rhode Island, Henry Clay Evans of Tennessee and James A. Walker of Virginia. Mr. Hobart was nominated on the first ballot, the vote standing as follows: Hobart 533 1/2; Evans, 277 1/2; Bulkeley, 39; Walker, 24 and Lippitt, 8. Mr. Hobart's nomination was received with great enthusiasm and he added dignity and strength to the ticket.

   As the presiding officer of the senate he was courteous, impartial, and faithful, sustaining all the traditions of the past. His personal popularity was boundless. Every senator was his friend. His relations with the president were extremely cordial, affording in this respect a great contrast with some of the vice-presidents who had preceded him.

   President McKinley and Vice President Hobart were warm personal friends, and the president consulted with him frequently on questions of importance, instead of slighting the vice-president and regarding him as a man of no consequence in our scheme of government. The death of Mr. Hobart will be greatly lamented.

 

THE PHILIPPINES.

Mr. Palmer on Their Status and Independence.

   Mr. Irving H. Palmer contributes to The STANDARD to-day a forcible and thoughtful article on the statements of the Declaration of Independence, considering especially their soundness and applicability to the Philippine situation, as well as the status of the insurgents and our duties as a nation towards these new possessions. The article, though lengthy, is interesting throughout, and no one who reads it will regret the time thus spent. It is marked by the writer's well-known vigor, pungency and positive convictions, and presents views which, while they may be new to some, are ably maintained.

 

DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE.

A Disquisition on it and its Applicability to the Philippines.

   To the Editor of The STANDARD:

   SIR—Heretofore it has seemed scarcely worthwhile to combat the fatuous and disloyal heresies of the craven and decadent crew who have so persistently and obtrusively assailed be government, the army and the navy of the United States, engaged in subduing the unprovoked, unjustifiable and ungrateful rebellion of the Tagals in the island of Luzon under the leadership of the preposterous Aguinaldo and his mentors. Silent contempt, however, now no longer suffices to adequately reprehend them for so dishonoring the American name and reputation.

   Among the most atrocious of their efforts is the sacrilegious attempt to pervert the language of the Declaration of Independence into support of this unholy insurrection of these half savage, half civilized, "half devil and half child"-like Tagals, led and incited by that monster of cruelty and rapacity, the bribe taker and assassin Aguinaldo and his flagitious associates, by odious and unseemly comparisons with whose infamous character they have even attempted to degrade the name of Washington.

   To comprehend and elucidate the Declaration of Independence, it should be analyzed in the light of the events, the causes and the circumstances which evoked and produced it.

   It was debated and approved in the colonial congress, composed of delegates from the English colonies in America which, in the course of events, became the original thirteen states which constituted the beginning of the United States of America. It was subscribed by these delegates respectively, probably because of the questionable legality and authority of the congress which had adopted it, and because of which it was authenticated and promulgated over the individual signatures of the respective members of this historic congress, on the memorable 4th day of July, 1776.

   Since that time, it has served as the antetype and precedent for the national platforms of the political parties into which the American people have been divided, as announced by the national conventions of these parties from time to time.

   It was made to serve as the political platform of those who determined to fight the British and Tories of the American revolution, until freedom and independence were achieved.

   It was never intended to be a declaration of the principles of organic, civil or international law. It was not designed to be a code of political ethics or philosophy, but simply a rallying point, a common ground, upon which American colonists could stand together in their battle for independence.

   Law, ethics and philosophy deal with facts in detail, with divers conditions and limitations, with differences and distinctions of many shades and with powers of varying degrees of potency and of more or less direct or remote applicability, far too complex and intricate for incorporation into a declaration which had for its object the sole purposes of uniting Americans in their efforts to achieve their independence and of commending their objects and motives to the civilized world.

   It never had, and was never intended to have, the force of law or a rule of action. It placed no binding obligation of obedience upon any one. It neither defines the obligations, the rights nor the duties of the citizen or the alien, but it does assume to do this for governments and states, by glittering generalizations more brilliant than exact.

   The grievances which caused the historical facts which developed and the experiences which culminated in the Declaration of Independence were separated from all that now exists by a century and a quarter. There is scarcely a trace of similarity or analogy between the conditions then and now existing. The facts which served to uphold the Declaration of Independence differ so widely from those in support of which it is now invoked as to render it inapplicable as an authority to sustain the conclusions of the anti-expansionists, who advocate Independence for the Philippines; these men are perverting the language and meaning of the Declaration of Independence into support of their contention..

   It is safe to assume that a declaration made by a party engaged in such a struggle as was the American revolution will not require to be enlarged or extended by implication or construction.

   Mindful of these observation respecting the Declaration of Independence as a whole, we will proceed to determine what meaning may be legitimately drawn from the express language thereof, so frequently cited and quoted by the anti-expansionists in support of their theories and contentions.

   "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal." This is an obvious exaggeration. Men are not created equal in mental, moral or physical endowments. The slightest observation and experience will serve to disprove this proposition.

   "That they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." This is another obvious exaggeration. The proposition is untrue, unless it is greatly limited. It is not true that men possess any inalienable rights. To alienate, is to estrange, to withdraw, to forfeit, to transfer to another. No man has any right which he may not lose by crime or disobedience, or by releasing, renouncing or waiving the same or suffering it to lapse by some act or omission of his own. His right to life may be forfeited by conviction for murder or treason. His lands may be confiscated for treason, or lost by adverse possession, or he may part with his right thereto by conveyance or alienation. His pursuit of happiness may be interrupted by conviction and imprisonment for felony, and even by improvidence or want of discernment or understanding or by the contraction of indebtedness beyond his ability to pay without distress. Hence his right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness is not "inalienable," for it may be alienated or lost.

   Again we quote, "That to secure these rights (alleged 'inalienable' rights) governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed." This language does not expressly state or necessarily imply that no just powers may be exercised by government, except such as are derived from the consent of the governed—although that is the inference which the pro-Tagals and anti-expansionists seek to draw from it. This proposition merely asserts, in effect, that some just powers are derived from the consent of the governed, which is true enough. The pavement or improvement of a public street, based upon the petition of those owning the abutting land, is an example of such a right. But government limited in essential particulars by the consent of the governed, is nihilism. It is not government, for it does not govern. Such a thing is impossible and absurd. It has no actual existence and can have none, because inconsistent with the indispensable prerequisites of its own existence.

   "Government" means control, restraint, management, the exercise of authority over some person, body or thing governed, which excludes the idea of consent entirely from the term or expression embodied in the word "government."

   Governments are mainly instituted among men to control and discipline those who are required to be coerced into doing that which is right, but to which they refuse to give their consent and are therefore required to be compelled to do against their will. No prison, no school, no people can be successfully governed by consent alone. These who put themselves in conflict with the law are always governed, if at all, without their consent. Government is invariably coercion or the means of coercion, depending upon whether the act of governing or the means whereby the act is accomplished is meant.

   The seceded states were governed by the United States without their consent, and without according them any representation in the legislative or governing body for a time. The same is true of all the territory acquired by the United States at divers times, by which there have been a series of expansions, beginning at an early period in its history and continuing to the present.

   The elective franchise is not a natural right; it is a right conferred by law, and may be withheld or taken away, and should be, whenever the public welfare demands it.

   The contention that any principle of organic law or natural justice has been violated by the annexation of the Philippines, the suppression of the insurrection therein, the withholding of independence or the denial of the elective franchise, is illogical and preposterous, not to say treasonable, to which it has, very nearly approached in some instances. When Spain ceded the sovereignty, i.e., the right to govern the Philippines, to the United States, she had been in the undisputed possession thereof for more than three centuries and a half. The Tagals who are now in rebellion had no capital and no army, but had been in a state of chronic insurrection produced by Spanish misrule for a long period. They held no place of strategic or commercial importance, and had no means of arming any formidable force. Aguinaldo and his lieutenant were in Hong Kong until some time after the Spanish fleet under Montigo had been captured or destroyed, Cavite had been captured. Manila was at our mercy and its capture only awaited the arrival of soldiers from the United States sufficient to garrison and police it. At this juncture, Aguinaldo and his associates arrived from Hong Kong, they collected a force of Tagals whom they furnished with arms taken from the Spanish arsenal at Cavite, and began operations about Cavite and Manila, which made a larger force of American soldiers necessary to protect the persons and property of the inhabitants at Manila than would have been required but for the presence of this armed force of Tagals. They delayed the capture of Manila by the American forces for weeks, as it was feared these Tagals would loot the city, which the Americans had not only to capture from the Spaniards but to protect from pillage by the Tagals, thus doubling their burdens and their duties.

   Aguinaldo soon proclaimed himself dictator and procured himself to be declared president of an alleged republic which never had any actual existence. His rule is based mainly upon the terror and cupidity inspired by his cruelty and rapacity, his power of taking life and property and the means of bribery acquired by the unlawful exercise of this power. Having been checked and hindered in its exercise by American troops, he had the temerity to attack them while they were engaged in protecting life and property from the depredations committed by his bands of assassins.

   We have no right to withdraw our forces from the Philippines and abandon their inhabitants, composed of Europeans and white Americans, as well as yellow and brown Asiatics, civilized, half-civilized, barbarous and savage as they are, to such a fate as Aguinaldo's government would inevitably have in store for them. Besides, we cannot sacrifice our national honor and reputation by such craven abasement.

   The president, and all the combined executive branch of the government have no power to cede to any other power or nation the sovereignty of these islands, and thus relieve himself or itself of the duty imposed upon him by the constitution, to suppress the rebellion therein, restore order, execute the law, and protect life and property, however, much he might desire to be relieved of this burden by transferring it to others, with the sovereignty over the territory embraced in the archipelago.

   Expansion became an accomplished fact with the ratification of the treaty of Paris. The executive has no power to cede or alienate the sovereignty of these islands to another power or nation, and has no right to abandon them except by yielding to a conquest thereof by a superior military force. The executive has no right either to enact any laws for their government or to establish any other than a military government thereto, which he may do by virtue of being commander in chief of the military and naval forces of the United States.

   What government shall be created for these islands, with what civil and political status the inhabitants thereof may be endowed, whether or not they shall share any part, and if so what part, in their own government, and when and under what circumstances, lies with congress alone. The inhabitants of these islands acquired none of the rights of citizens of the United States as a result of the treaty of Paris, and have none by the constitution of the United States except such as congress may confer. They must be subject to such government and to such laws as congress shall provide for them. They are extremely fortunate in being freed from the despotism of Spain and ought to be grateful to America and thankful to the Almighty that they have achieved so much with so little pains and effort. They ought to be very grateful, cease to be rebels and prove their gratitude by their loyalty, and zealously apply themselves to acquire those qualifications which are essential and even indispensable to fit a people for self government before demanding autonomy and independence. In their present condition, independence would be sure to be perverted into a license for brigandage and pillage, which is precisely what some of their foremost leaders evidently desire, and to secure which they are in arms against their American benefactors while their ignorant followers are the dupes and victims of the piratical and rapacious schemes of these mercenary leaders. They must be made pupils in the school of government and taught not only what freedom and liberty are, but how to use them; and the first lesson is required to be one of obedience to law and the ruling power, to be promptly followed by lessons in patriotism and loyalty as duties which the citizen owes the state. They must be convinced of our worthiness as well as our power and ability to rule them by our impartial justice, by our altruism, by our liberality, generosity and kindness, by our efficiency and ability, by our energy, economy, intelligence and skill in  the administration of their affairs, and the rigor, courage and impartiality with which law is enforced and justice administered among them, without cruelty, vindictiveness or cupidity on our part. To enable this to be successfully done, they must be first subdued, made to yield to our efforts in their behalf, as the pupils of a school are subjected to vaccination. This implies a vigorous and an relenting prosecution of the war for their subjugation, as the most merciful, because most expeditious and economical, solution of the questions which must determine their future.

   When they begin to manifest a capacity and disposition qualifying them for the exercise of citizenship under a free government, they should be given probationary opportunities in the exercise of the duties and responsibilities of citizenship, including official authority and positions on their merits.

   The Anglo-Saxon races have had centuries of experience to fit and qualify them for free government. Savages, barbarians and half civilized people must not expect to compete with them in the administration of government, much less turn teacher and master with an experience in which rapacity, cruelty, perfidy and treachery have been the most prominent elements and characteristics in all the governments of which they have had any knowledge.

   While greater benefits will undoubtedly accrue to them than to Americans from these relations and conditions which will constitute the latter, their rulers, there is no basis for the pessimistic suggestion that the exercise of this function will render us weaker or more corrupt that we should otherwise be. Strength and virtue increase and grow by exercise and use, not by indolence and inaction. The servants in the parable, who used their talents, were commended and rewarded and made prosperous and happy, while he who buried his single talent for fear of risking its loss was reprimanded and punished for refraining from its use.

   It has long been the fault of Americans that they have taken too much interest in their own private affairs and too little in those of the world at large. Their diplomacy and their national policies have been limited, with few unimportant exceptions, to the affairs of the Western continent, slavery, secession, reconstruction, state rights, protective and revenue tariffs, currency, monopolies, and municipal affairs have occupied our statesmen and the people to the entire exclusion of the greater questions and wider interests hitherto determined exclusively in Europe. Broader policies will produce broader and more comprehensive politics and statesmanship, in which the ward heeler will be outclassed by the statesman and the scholar, instead of their being eclipsed by him. Localisms and provincialisms will be swallowed, digested and dissolved in the greater laboratory of world-wide politics. The "open door," free and unfettered commerce, will eliminate legislation for classes and cliques, which will be adjusted to the wider wants and broader conditions resulting from the change. These are some of the welcome developments certain to result from expansion.

   Those who fear that expansion will work the injury or destruction of free American institutions take counsel of their timidity, their indolence and their selfishness. Having themselves swallowed the oyster and given mankind the shells, they are in favor of the status quo and opposed to all innovations. English politics have improved with the increase of her colonies and dependencies. Is it logical to reverse the conclusion to be drawn from like conditions, when applied to America?

   Shall we then give up the game before the dice are thrown and yield to mythical and unreal apprehensions of evil, invoked to threaten and intimidate us? We can no more relinquish the Philippines under such circumstances, and have them a prey to the blood-thirsty dissensions of the sixty tribes into which their inhabitants are divided, and the anarchy sure to result therefrom, than a robust and prosperous father can abandon his helpless and dependent family, without ignominy, turpitude and dishonor.

   IRVING H. PALMER, Cortland, N. Y., Nov. 17, 1899.

 [Irving Palmer was a Cortland attorney and was twice elected president of the village of Cortland. He was an officer and investor in the Erie & Central New York R. R. which served Cincinnatus and Cortland--C. C. editor.]

 

BREVITIES.

   —The residences of R. H. Beard and N. J. Peck have been connected with the telephone exchange.

   —Miss Maude Summers of Chicago has been at the Normal to-day and has been engaged in explaining the Speer method of teaching number. She addressed the entire school this afternoon, and spoke to the methods class and to some other classes during the day.

   —New display advertisements to-day are—F. P. Smith, Carving knives, page 7; W. W. Bennett, Hot air furnaces page 7; Model Clothing Co., Suits and overcoats, page 6; Opera House, "King of the Opium Ring," page 5; Mrs. J. T. Davern & Co., Slaughter sale of furnishings, page 6.

   —There was a quiet wedding at the home of the officiating clergyman,  29 1/2 Lincoln-ave., last evening, the happy couple being Mr. John H. Lyon and Miss Ella Mills, both of East Homer. Rev. W. H. Robertson performed the ceremony in the presence of a few personal friends of the bride and groom.