T. ROOSEVELT, MARRIED A SPIRIT, MILLER IN CHARGE, FIRE ALARM WIRE, RAILROAD REOPENED, AND TWO MARRIAGES

 

Cortland Evening Standard, Thursday, Jan. 2, 1902.

PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT.

His First New Year Reception at Washington.

DIPLOMATIC CORPS ALL PRESENT.

The President's Manner of Receiving Callers, Gracious and Happy—Greeted General Miles Heartily—Admiral Dewey Present—Largest Reception Ever Held.

   WASHINGTON, Jan. 2.—President Roosevelt held his first New Year's reception at the White House yesterday. Surrounded by the presidential and cabinet circle, he greeted officials in every branch of public life, as well as a great concourse of people from private life. The scene within the historic mansion was one of extraordinary beauty and brilliancy, and there was an added touch of interest in the occasion this year from the fact that this was the first official function of magnitude with Mr. Roosevelt and his interesting family as the central figures.

   The day was ideal for the observance of the time-honored custom of making New Year's calls. The interior of the mansion was aglow with a myriad of electric lights, and to this was added the beauty of a profusion of flowers, plants and vines, banked about the mantels and draped from chandeliers and walls. The floral decorations reached their height of effectiveness in the East Room. Here the great crystal chandeliers were looped with smilax, while the recesses of the chamber were banked with poinsettia blossoms, begonias and tall ferns. In the red and blue parlors there was the same effective disposition of flowers and plants, the flaming red of the poinsettia being most apparent everywhere.

   In the outer corridor, just within the entrance, the band of the engineer corps, U. S. A., sixty strong in their brilliant uniforms, were ranged in tiers, while further along in the conservatory was the full membership of the Marine band, in bright red uniforms. While the musicians were taking their places the Roosevelt children were having a merry time through the corridors and one of them could be heard playing the "Kangaroo March" in the private apartments of the presidential family.

   Shortly before 11 o'clock the throngs of distinguished callers began to assemble in the main corridor. First came the members of the diplomatic corps in their rich court uniforms, resplendent in medals and decorations.

   Exactly at 11 o'clock a fanfare from three trumpeters, stationed at the further end of the main corridor, announced the approach of the president and the receiving party. At the same moment President and Mrs. Roosevelt appeared at the upper landing of the corridor and arm-in-arm descended the stairway while the Marine band broke into "Hail to the Chief."

   The president bowed as he passed along, frequently giving a cheery response to the New Year's greetings extended to him from those in the line. Mrs. Roosevelt held in her hand a superb bouquet of rich orchids. She wore a gown of white satin, heavily pleated, with lace yoke and diamond ornaments, and in her hair sparkled a diamond tiara. The president was in the conventional black frock coat. He had no boutonnière and the gray striped neck scarf was the only bit of color in his attire. Following the president and wife came the members of the cabinet and their wives, the Secretary of State and Mrs. Hay, the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of War and Mrs. Root, the Secretary of the Navy and Mrs. Long, the Postmaster General and Mrs. Smith, the Attorney General and Mrs. Knox, the Secretary of the Interior and Mrs. Hitchcock, the Secretary of Agriculture and Miss Wilson, and Secretary and Mrs. Cortelyou. The presidential party took up their station in the blue parlor with the President and Mrs. Roosevelt immediately alongside the entrance, ready to grasp the hands of callers as they were announced. The cabinet ladies formed a long line extending from Mrs. Roosevelt to the further side of the room, while back of the receiving line were grouped the members of the cabinet and a gay party of young people. As soon as the president took his position he turned to the many ladies invited behind the line and gave each of them in turn a warm greeting and the well wishes of the day. Then the signal was given for admitting the distinguished official callers who by this time filled the outer corridors to overflowing.

   President Roosevelt's manner of receiving his callers was especially gracious and happy. As each guest was announced by Colonel Bingham, the president grasped the hand of the visitor and wished him a hearty new year, often accompanying this with same felicitous expression to anyone recognized as a close friend. There was no hurrying along of the callers, and often there was considerable delay while pleasantries were exchanged. Mrs. Roosevelt proved to be a most charming New Year's host and the cordiality of her greetings reminded many of the callers of the days when Mrs. Cleveland was mistress of the White House.

   The President greeted General Miles with the same hearty courtesy he had shown to others, and General Miles returned the salutation in the same spirit and then passed, smiling, along the line exchanging well wishes with the ladies.

   Admiral Dewey was another of the distinguished callers to engage the attention of the crowds. He was at the head of the long line of naval officers, all in full uniform and including the ranking rear admirals and heads of the naval staff departments. The admiral wore the superb sword voted to him by congress for the victory of Manila, and on his breast was the congressional medal commemorating the event. He, too, was most cordially welcomed by the president. The officers of marine corps with Brigadier General Heywood at their head, followed the navy. After them came officials of many official branches.

   At 12:30 the reception to the public began, and great crowds accepted this first opportunity to grasp the hand of the president.

   At that hour the crowd at the outer gate stretched away in both directions for several blocks.

 

PAGE FOUR—EDITORIAL.

Married a Spirit.

   It would seem to be rather scant consolation to marry a spirit, but then that might perhaps depend on what sort of a fellow the spirit was in his lifetime. Perhaps the spiritual companionship might be better than the personal association. At any rate that is exactly what Mrs. Sarah Williams, a buxom widow of 45 years and a resident of Detroit, Mich., did on Tuesday night. The groom was Theodore Comstock, once a successful Michigan miller, but who has been dead a number of years. The ceremony was performed by Mollie Ladell, a noted Spiritualistic medium in the presence of a numerous following of the cult. The courtship is said to have extended over a number of months under the tutelage of Medium Ladell. The ceremony commenced by the singing of "Nearer My God, to Thee." The medium then went into a trance and invoked the spirit of the dead miller. The customary questions were asked the bride and groom, and answered in the customary manner after which the medium pronounced them man and wife. Numerous spirits came to offer their congratulations. After the ceremony the bride took her spirit husband home to a house she had prepared for him. She says she is well satisfied with the match. But that conclusion would almost appear to be a reflection upon the former husband and the life they led together, and the intimation would be that spiritual presence is better than personal companionship. However, every one to his taste.

   But there is another feature to this spirit marriage that would seem worthy of consideration. This bride was a widow. Her first husband was no doubt somewhere in the spirit land. If it is possible for a person on earth to be connected by marriage with one who is a spirit, why doesn't the first marriage still hold? Was she a widow in fact? Isn't there every probability that this first spirit husband will appear before some spirit court and prefer a complaint against the wife for bigamy or will claim damages against spirit husband No. 2 for alienating the affections of the wife? Or may it not be that Medium Ladell will again be summoned to act as a go-between and that these actions will be brought in a court on earth? The more this spirit marriage is considered the more mysterious it becomes.

   But there is one more question that must appeal to everyone—who paid the officiating medium for performing the marriage; was it the wife or the spirit husband? If so, what is the coin of that land, gold or free silver?

 

COMPTROLLER MILLER IN CHARGE.

Will Make Several Changes in Department at a Later Time.

   ALBANY, Jan. 1, (Special.)—Hon. Nathan L. Miller, the new state comptroller, is now in full charge of his department.

   Mr. Miller reached Albany early yesterday morning, and temporarily made his home at the Hotel Ten Eyck, Albany's most aristocratic hostelry. As yet he has not determined where he will establish himself while in Albany. Probably for the present he will so arrange his public affairs as to permit himself to return to his home each week over Sunday. Later on he will bring his family to Albany.

   Just before noon yesterday Mr. Miller, accompanied by Private Secretary Lewis of the comptroller's department visited the capitol. After Mr. Miller had paid his respects to Governor Odell and enjoyed a short chat with him, he repaired to the office of the secretary of state where Judge McDonough duly administered the oath of office. Thereupon the new state comptroller returned to the State House, where his department quarters are situated and was presented to the chiefs of the several bureaus making up the department. Several score of clerks are connected with the comptroller's office, which is viewed as one of the most important under the state government.

   It is understood that Mr. Miller proposes to retain as his chief assistant Deputy Comptroller Gilman of New York City, who was himself an aspirant for the comptrollership. Later on it is expected that several changes in the personnel of the department force will be made by Mr. Miller.

 

Fast mail train at Cincinnatus, N. Y., depot.

RAILROAD REOPENED

After the Great Flood—Bridges Replaced—Roadbed Repaired.

   The Erie & Central New York railway, which has been tied up ever since the flood on Sunday, Dec. 15, has been cleared throughout its entire length, and the first train since that date was run from Cortland to Cincinnatus this morning. From now on the trains will run on schedule time. The authorities of the road have shown determination and progress in clearing up the roadbed, replacing tracks and bridges and getting the whole matter straightened out as soon as it was.

 

Fire Alarm Wire All Up.

   The new wire for the fire alarm system is now all strung. About 10 miles was used in the work. The box pipes will next be placed by the workmen. These pipes are three-fourths of an inch in diameter and are used to conduct the wires from the top of the high poles to the boxes. Over 700 feet of this piping will be used.

 

Letter Carriers Elect Officers.

   Branch, No. 211, National association  of Letter Carriers of Cortland has elected officers as follows:

   President—George T. Lester.

   Secretary and Treasurer—Dewitt Howard.

   Collector of M. B. A.—P. F. Lyons.

 

BENSON-CLEARY.

Both Parties Formerly of Cortland, Now Residents of Rochester.

   Miss Josephine Cleary of Rochester, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. M. F. Cleary of this city, was married at noon yesterday to Mr. Albert Benson of Rochester, formerly of Cortland. The ceremony was solemnized at the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Rochester by Rev. Father Gleason in the presence of a few relatives and friends. Mr. and Mr. Benson, in company with Mr. and Mrs. Joseph A. Cleary of Rochester came to Cortland last night and are guests at the home of the bride's parents. Mr. Benson is a merchant tailor in Rochester, and the happy pair will return to that city soon to reside.

 

SAGER-SMITH.

A Quiet New Year's Wedding in the Town of Homer, N. Y.

   A very pretty New Year's wedding occurred at the home of the bride's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Abel B. Smith, Homer, when their daughter, Leila Edna, was united in marriage with Mr. Aaron Sager, son of the late Major Aaron Sager of Cortland. Mrs. D. J. Chadwick, sister of the groom played the wedding march for the bridal party to enter the parlor. The ceremony was performed by Rev. Dr. B. W. Hamilton, pastor of the Homer M. E. church, under a very tastily decorated arch of smilax. Her brother, Mr. W. A. Smith of Syracuse, gave the bride away, The bride was attired in her traveling suit of Oxford gray.

   At the close of the ceremony and after many congratulations had been offered the wedding supper was served. Mr. and Mrs. Sager left on the evening train for Syracuse and intermediate points amidst a shower of rice. After Jan. 19 they will be at home to receive their many friends at Homer.

   The young couple received many valuable and useful gifts, including a very rare necklace of pearls given by the groom and a fine bedroom suite presented by bride's parents; also a sideboard, the gift of the groom's family.

   Among the out of town guests were Mr. W. A. Smith, Mrs. J. Murdock, Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Sager, Mr. and Mrs. D. J. Chadwick and daughter, Mrs. N. C. Hubbel of Syracuse, Miss Cora A. Sager of New York City, Mrs. A. Sager, Mr. and Mrs. A. S. Perry, Mr. R. Sager, Mr. B. Sager, Mr. and Mrs. Byron Crane and son Lewis and daughter Hattie all of Cortland.

   The wedding was a quiet one, owing to the recent death of the groom's father, Maj. Aaron Sager. Only the immediate relatives of the contracting parties were present.

 

BREVITIES.

   —Mr. T. E. Dye yesterday moved his residence from Union-st. to his new home at 20 North Church-st.

   —Messrs. W. W. Stanton and J. W. Keese will be ordained as deacons at the prayer meeting tonight at the Congregational church.

   —The fare on all the railroads in the state of Michigan has become 2 cents a mile under a law recently passed which went into effect with the beginning of the New Year.

   —The monthly business meeting of the executive committee of the First Baptist Sunday-school will be held Friday evening at 7:30 o'clock at the home of M. J. Peck, 18 North Church-st.

   —New display advertisements today are—A. S. Burgess, Clothing sale, page 7; R. W. Mitchell, Meats, page 5; S. F. Smith, Meats, page 6; Opera House, Maude Hillman Co., page 5.

   —An enthusiastic sleighload of young people, chaperoned by Prof. and Mrs. W. M. Booth drove to McLean last night and enjoyed the hospitalities of the Elm Tree House. The large sleigh and four-horse team added not a little to the pleasure of the trip.

 

STATE LEGISLATURE, MR. MILLER'S APPOINTMENT, AND CARLEY FAMILY REUNION

 

Julius Harburger.

Cortland Evening Standard, Jan. 1, 1902.

STATE LEGISLATURE

Assembles and Organizes On the First Day of the Year.

ASSEMBLYMAN AHERN'S BILL.

The Old Harburger Excise Bill Will Be Revived as Usual—New Marriage Law Goes into Effect—Was a Result of Last Year's Legislation—Kilburn's Bank Report.

   Albany, N. Y., Jan. 1, 1902.—Today at noon begins the one hundred and twenty-fifth session of the Legislature of the State of New York. This day marks not only the beginning of the New Year, but of the political year of the State. Caucuses were held at the Capitol last night and the following nominations, which will be confirmed today, were made. S. Fred Nixon, majority speaker; George H. Pałmer, minority leader; Assemblyman J. P. Allds of Chenango, leader on the floor, and Colonel Archie E. Baxter, clerk of the Assembly. It is also quite likely that the following chairmen of important committees will be announced by speaker Nixon: Ways and Means, Allds of Chenango; cities, Kelsey of Livingston; codes, Weekes of New York; railroads, Bedell of Orange; insurance, Coughtry of Albany.

   Of the one hundred and fifty Assemblymen, one hundred and six are Republicans and forty-four Democrats, ninety were re-elected, thus leaving sixty new members. Of these sixty new members thirty-eight were Republican Julius A. Harburgher of the Tenth District, New York, was not re-elected for this year and for that reason the Monday night debates will not take on as much interest as formerly.  Mr. Harburgher had always something on for Monday night and when the time for his debate drew near, he rolled up his sleeves in true oratorical style and  simply sailed in. He usually emerged in flying colors from the combat, greatly to the satisfaction of himself and every one else and his flights of oratory were certainly a drawing card for Monday night, which is as every one knows the regular weekly show night of  the Legislature. J. F. McCullough will take the place of Mr. Harburgher this year. The Assembly will do little but organize today, leaving the choosing of their seats until next Monday night. This is a matter that usually takes a couple of hours' time and a great deal of interest is always manifested. There is no Assemblyman so generous minded that he will voluntarily take a back seat that some other member may have a front seat. The desks are to be occupied for a number of weeks and each member likes to be as advantageously placed as possible. The whole thing, however, is decided by lot, and it very often happens that the most prominent member gets the back seat.

   There will be, of course, no change in the Senate leaders and officials, as the Senate is not a new body this year. Immediately after the session is formally opened today adjournment will be taken until Monday, January 6th at 3:30 p. m.

   There has been, as there always is before each session of the Legislature, a whole lot of talk on the probable length of the session. Some have even gone so far as to say that the final adjournment would be taken in forty days. There is no likelihood of this, however. Last year a great amount of legislation was gone through with and this year it looks as if but little comparatively would be done. This is going to make a splendid argument for those who favor bi-annual sessions. Two years ago a bill to that effect was introduced and something of the sort may come up during this session. It will be many a long year, however, before the State of New York consents to bi-annual sessions of the Legislature. This talk of bi-annual sessions and short sessions is not very much relished by Albany, as it is through the annual session of Legislature that Albany makes its pile. Final adjournment will come, it is likely, about April first and nearly every one will be satisfied by that date.

   To Assemblyman John F. Ahern of the Second District, Rensselaer County, will come the honor of introducing one of the first bills. A bill that has already caused a good deal of comment favorable and otherwise, and a bill which it is pretty safe to say will die in committee. Mr. Ahern's bill provides the creation of a State Board of Censors of the Drama, which will have the duty not only of passing on the plays to be produced, but of examining and licensing persons who wish to be actors. To elevate the standard of competency among actors, it is Mr. Ahern's intention to establish a board of examiners composed of three veteran actors selected by the Governor, whose duty it shall be to meet at stated intervals and test the ability of all persons desiring or intending to engage in the occupation of acting. To candidates deemed worthy the examiners will issue certificates good for one year, the fee in each case being the sum of ten dollars. The same examiners are to judge the merits of all plays, operas and kindred amusements, and such as they do not approve of will be suppressed. The difficulties to this bill are obvious on the surface, but that it has some good features none will deny.

   The case of the Albany Penitentiary will undoubtedly go before the Legislature this session. The Penitentiary is running now at a great loss and has been since manufacturing of all kinds has been taken away from the institution. The prison has become a burden on the taxpayers of Albany County and those interested declare that something should he done by the Legislature to obviate the difficulties in some way. Apropos of the Albany Penitentiary a good story is told by the Board of Supervisors of Rensselaer County. Rensselaer County sends from one end of the year to the other a great many prisoners to the penitentiary. Every one of these prisoners is paid for at the rate of three dollars per week. Two or three weeks ago the Supervisors were making a round of visits of different institutions, each one of which set up a fine dinner for the board. At length the time came to pay the annual visit to the penitentiary and word was sent that the Supervisors would be there on a certain date. That day the board was in session and it hurried madly through its work in order to be on time at the penitentiary. They reached the institution and were met at the door by officials, who divided them off into squads, detailed a guard with each squad, showed them through the institution and then politely showed them into the street. Not even a box of cigars was forthcoming. The frost was Klondike in its intensity and the chagrined Supervisors came back to their court-house disgruntled and hungry.

   One of the results of the Legislation of last year is the new marriage law, which goes into effect today. The bill to abolish common-law marriage was introduced by Assemblyman Weekes of New York some years ago. The enactment of the Weekes marriage law alters one of the fundamental statutes of the State. Instead of the present common-law marriage, where consent on the part of the man and woman and cohabitation have been sufficient to make them husband and wife in the eyes of the law, a written contract is to be substituted. The marriage is to be null and void if no contract can be shown signed by the two parties. Publicity as to the exact provisions of the new law will be given, of course, and will help much in bringing about its observance. A radical change such as this law makes, however, cannot be brought about in a short length of time, and it is altogether probable that many years will elapse before its provisions are thoroughly understood, especially by the more ignorant classes. Mr. Weekes states that the new law will protect the woman as much as the man, in fact, that it will work both ways equally well and will prevent great abuses and incidentally many tragedies arising from such abuses. The exact provisions which are to govern the making and filing of a marriage contract under the Weekes law are as follows:

   The written contract must be signed by both parties and at least two witnesses.

   It shall state the place of residence of the contracting parties and of the witnesses.

   It shall give the time and place of the marriage.

   It must be acknowledged by the parties and witnesses in a manner required for the acknowledgement of a conveyance of real estate to entitle it to be recorded.

   It shall be filed within six months after its execution in the office of the clerk of the city or town where the marriage took place.

   When the certificate is presented at the office of the town or city clerk it must be filed and entered in a book kept by him in alphabetical order.

   The fee for filing the certificate is twenty-five cents and for a certified copy of a certificate or contract or entry ten cents.

   Another bill which will be introduced the first thing will be the one known as the old Harburgher excise bill. It will be introduced by John P. McCullough of the tenth New York district and it abolishes the office of State excise commissioner and re-establishes the old system of local boards of excise for cities and towns with the privilege of fixing the license fees. This bill has been introduced on the first day of session for a number of consecutive years. Relating to Sunday opening this bill provides that the excise authorities in any city of the town or State may, within their discretion on any application signed and sworn to by five per cent of the qualified electors of any political division authorized to elect a member of the Assembly, authorize the sale by any licensed applicant between the hours of one o'clock in the afternoon  and midnight on Sundays, subject to such restrictions as may to such board seem reasonable, necessary and proper in all licensed saloon gardens, concert saloons, and in all beer saloons within such Assembly district for the period of one year.

   Superintendent Kilburn today will transmit to the Legislature his annual bank report.  In the report Superintendent Kilburn will recommend that he be given power to inspect and supervise personal loan associations or that they be removed entirely from connection with the State Banking Department. The superintendent declares in the report that he has made it his policy not to authorize any new savings bank unless its proposed trustees executed an agreement to defray all its expenses themselves until such time as its earnings shall be sufficient to meet such expenses and also permit the payment to depositors of interest at a rate of not less than three per cent per annum.

   '"The tax imposed upon savings banks by the last Legislature," states the superintendent, "was the result of long deliberation and should be met with a spirit of fairness, for seeking to avoid some portion of the tax there might be danger of provoking legislation still more stringent and onerous." Of building and loan associations the superintendent says:

   "The ruin of building and loan associations can be directly traced to extravagance and waste upon the part of the officers and directors to the payment of exorbitant salaries and commissions to agents, to the crediting of dividends from uncollected and fictitious profits, to improvident and reckless loans, and to loaning upon second mortgages. I believe that this system of making loans upon the dividend or second mortgage plan is at the present time the most dangerous practice indulged in." The superintendent also recommends that it be made by law compulsory upon the part of every board of bank directors to examine periodically and as often at least as once in every six months, the assets and liabilities of their respective institutions to the superintendent of banks.

 

Nathan Lewis Miller.

MR. MILLER'S APPOINTMENT.

What the Papers and Individuals Throughout the State are saying.

   As was expected the appointment of Nathan L. Miller as comptroller of New York state has met with favorable comment from newspapers and individuals throughout the state. The New York Sun says:

   Mr. Miller is a prominent lawyer in his part of the state and is chairman of the Cortland county Republican committee. His appointment will hold until Dec. 31, 1902. His salary will be $6,000 and $1,800 is allowed annually for expenses.

   Mr. Miller has always been a close political lieutenant of Col. Dunn in Cortland county, and during the recent factional Republican fights in that county headed the delegations to the state convention, which always were admitted through the influence of Senator Platt and Col. Dunn. So far as can be learned the only political elective office Mr. Miller ever held was that of school commissioner.

   Senator Platt and his friends and all of the friends of Gov. Odell and Chairman Dunn of the Republican state committee were greatly pleased over the appointment of Nathan L. Miller to be state comptroller and Gilbert D. B. Hasbrouck to be judge of the court of claims. Mr. Miller succeeds Erastus C. Knight of Buffalo and Mr. Hasbrouck succeeds John F. Parkhurst of Bath. Mr. Miller is a new man in politics. Mr. Hasbrouck is an old warhorse and has earned his spurs on many a battlefield. Senator Platt said last night concerning Mr. Miller:

   "He is a good, strong, well-balanced man, and will make an admirable comptroller. His selection is the result of an agreement between the governor, Chairman Dunn and myself. There was considerable competition for this appointment, but we have got the best man at last, all things considered. Deputy Comptroller Gilman is a good man, and his friends were anxious to have him promoted, but Mr. Gilman is a good man in his present place and will remain there. Erie county did not bring out the kind of man that we wanted."

   The New York Times says:

   Senator Platt yesterday expressed entire satisfaction with the appointment of Mr. Miller who, he said, was one of the most active and influential Republicans in the state and one who had rendered his party valuable service.

   Before leaving for Albany yesterday afternoon Col. George W. Dunn, chairman of the Republican state committee, said:

   "The appointment of Mr. Miller is an excellent one. I have known him for years and recognize him as one of the most worthy Republicans in the state. He has few equals as a political orator. Although only 35 years old, he has built up a large and lucrative practice and is the head of the law firm of Miller & Dougherty of Cortland. He has been chairman of the Cortland county Republican committee for several years. Before he took the helm the Democrats frequently carried the county, but since his accession to the chairmanship, it has always given a comfortable Republican majority."

   The Syracuse Herald says:

   Governor Odell has gone to our neighboring county of Cortland for a successor to Erastus C. Knight, who retired from the office of state comptroller to perform the duties of mayor of Buffalo. The appointment of Nathan L. Miller is described as a compromise. New York City and Buffalo each had a candidate for the place, and Buffalo was particularly insistent because it has of late been deluding itself with the idea that it holds a mortgage upon the state comptrollership. The governor, however, solved the problem thus presented to him by instructing the two first class cities of the state to assume a semi-recumbent attitude in the distant background, and by inviting a clean and capable young Republican of central New York to take the office.

   Among those who know Mr. Miller best, nothing but commendations of the selection are heard. In point of both character and ability, he seems to be well equipped for this important office; and his neighbors in Cortland are immensely pleased with the honor conferred upon him.

 

Carley Family Reunion.

   Hon. and Mrs. A. A. Carley, 10 Grant-st., are today entertaining ą large number of relatives from different parts of Cortland county, In fact the gathering is much in the nature of a reunion of the Carley family of this section. The guests are Mr. and Mrs. C. C. Adams, Master Clark Carley, Mrs. Esther A. Hunt, Mr. and Mrs. Carley Adams and family and Mr. and Mrs. C. M. Chapman of Marathon, Mr. and Mrs. A. E. Brainard and Mrs. Sarah R. Carley of Freetown, Mr. and Mrs. C. C. Carley and family of Homer, and Mr. and Mrs. F. B. Feeter of Cuyler.

 

FAITH AND THIN AIR.

What Three Tramps Lived on—Had 10 Cents Between Them.

     Thomas Howard, James Thompson and Thomas Clark were arrested last night on the charge of being tramps. This morning the trio appeared in police court and said that they were making their way to Syracuse. All of them were well dressed, but they had only 10 cents among them. Thomas Howard stoutly proclaimed that he was not kith or kin of any Thomas Howard in Cortland, although the court was inclined for a time to connect the wandering Thomas with the long lost nephew of the doting uncle in Cortland. James Thompson claimed to be a sailor, and he stated that he had "sailed the lakes," and that his home was in Buffalo where there was "nothing doing," so he had wandered far "inshore." Thomas Clark said he had subsisted for the past two days on faith and thin air. They were all given a short time to get out of the city.

 

BREVITIES.

   — Wish you a Happy New Year.

   —News comes of the death at Canaseraga of Rev. A. J. Wood, who was born in Virgil 64 years ago.

   —New display advertisements today are—J. B. Kellogg, Special sale, page 8; F. R. Brogden, Drugs, etc., page 6.

   —New Year's reception at the Y. M. C. A. rooms tonight, with basket ball in the gymnasium between Cortland and Auburn.

   —Mr. Adelbert Stevens and Miss Marilla Dann, both of Virgil, were married on Christmas day at Marathon by Rev. B. V. Armstrong, pastor of the M. E. church of Marathon.

 

SOLDIERS' HOME, GERONIMO, GERMANY AND THE POLES, COMPTROLLER MILLER, BREWER'S ORANGES, AND CORTLAND SCIENCE CLUB

 

Cortland Evening Standard, Tuesday, Dec. 31, 1901.

SOLDIERS' HOME AT BATH, N. Y.

Institution Is Crowded, Many Veterans Sleeping In Cellars.

   BATH, Dec. 31.—Health Officer Dr. George C. McNett of Bath yesterday made thorough inspection of the sanitary conditions at the New York State Soldiers and Sailors Home here, at the request of State Health commissioner Daniel Lewis of Albany. Complaints that veterans were compelled to sleep in the cellar and that hospital patients were placed in the hospital cellar were lodged with Commissioner Lewis. Dr. McNett sent his report to Albany tonight.

   It was learned that 153 men were sleeping in the cellars of the various barracks and 15 patients slept in the hospital cellar. The barracks cellars occupied by veterans during the day lack proper ventilation. The capacity of the home is between 15 and 16 hundred. Today's morning reports show the membership at present to be 1796.

   It is understood the incoming [state] legislature will be asked to appropriate money for a convalescent barracks and also for additional barracks to accommodate the fast growing population of the home.

 

Geronimo.

Geronimo May Re Released.

   GUTHRIE, Ok., Dec. 31.—General Frank Armstrong, as agent of the war department, is at Fort Sill, Ok., [is] making arrangements for the release of Chief Geronimo and the 298 Arizona Apache Indians who are held by the government as prisoners of war.

 

PAGE FOUR—EDITORIAL.

Germany and the Poles.

   Prince Radziwill, in whose veins runs the blood of the ancient kings of Poland, lately made in the German Reichstag a strong and significant appeal in behalf of the Poles in the German empire. He recited the wrongs endured by his people in Germany and in particular the recent incidents at Wreschen, Prussia, where some Polish children had been cruelly and unjustly flogged, and when their parents protested the latter were imprisoned. During the course of his speech Prince Radziwill said:

   ''The Poles are moved to the elemental depths of their nature by the altogether unnecessary action of the Prussian school authorities. They could not believe that the German people intended to treat the Poles cruelly or unjustly. Nevertheless, prizes are offered to those German teachers who obtain the swiftest results in teaching Polish children the German language. Teachers earning these cash bonuses have used the scourge and have had recourse to brutalities which I believe the imperial government should not approve."

   After Prince Radziwill's speech a large number of Polish nobles organized a demonstration at a Paderewski concert in Berlin. The pianist and composer was presented with many bouquets tied with the Polish colors, red and white, while the proceeds of the concert will go to the families of those persons imprisoned as an outcome of the Wreschen school scandal.

   The incident indicates that there are more troubles in the kaiser's realm than the agrarian war on grain imports which threatens bread riots.

 

Nathan Lewis Miller.

IT IS COMPTROLLER MILLER.

He Has Now Taken the Oath of Office at Albany.

   ALBANY, Dec. 31.—Nathan L. Miller of Cortland was today sworn in as state comptroller by Secretary of State McDonough.

 

CORTLAND BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

Special Meeting Called for Jan. 6 to Consider Preble's Appeal.

   Clerk E. C. Alger has issued a call for a meeting of the supervisors to be held in the supervisors' rooms next Monday, Jan. 6 at 1 o'clock P. M. At this meeting the board will discuss the Preble, N. Y., appeal and prepare to defend the action of the board in fixing the [tax-related] percentages of the different towns.

 

DEATH OF THOMAS ALLPORT.

Heart Disease the Cause—Found Fully Dressed in His Room.

   Another of Cortland's old and highly respected citizens, Mr. Thomas Allport, 9 1/2 Miller St., dropped dead early this morning at his home. Mr. Allport had been in poor health for the past three years aud for two or three weeks he had suffered from grip. This morning at about 6:45 o'clock he was found dead in his room. He had risen and was dressed, but death to all appearances came instantaneously and was due to heart disease. His age was 74 years and 6 months.

   Mr. Allport was born in Worcestershire, England, and came to this country about fifty years ago. He first went to Utica, where he married Miss Martha Archer, who died thirty-five years ago. He and his wife came to Cortland forty-three years ago, and when he first came to this place, he was interested in a clothing business, but this he closed out after a few years and resumed work at his trade, which was that of a carpenter.

   Mr. Allport was the father of six children, George Allport, deceased, Charles Allport of Rochester, William Allport of Whitney's Point, Mrs. Emma Bloomer and Miss Martha Allport of Cortland and Mrs. Ada Leins of Chicago. Mr. Albert H. Allport, 18 Squires-st., is a nephew.

   Funeral Friday at 2 o'clock and burial in Cortland.

 

Brewer House Museum, Winter Park, Fl.

E. H. Brewer's

Fancy Palm Brand Florida Oranges at H. B. Hubbard's.

   We have just received and placed on sale today a large shipment of Palm brand oranges direct from Winter Park, Fla. These oranges are selected fruit from Mr. E. H. Brewer's orange grove. They are ripe and sweet, and we invite customers who want good oranges to try them. H. B. HUBBARD. [Paid ad.]

 

BARBERING UP-TO-DATE.

Both as to Prices and Sanitary Arrangements.

   From and after Jan. 1, 1902, the undersigned will do hair cutting in the best style for 15 cents. Shampooing, same price. Special terms will also be given steady customers for shaving and hair cutting.

   We observe all sanitary rules. A clean towel for every customer, and everything done to insure comfort, health and satisfaction.

   We invite the public to call and see for themselves. Room No. 5, Standard building, over postoffice. HOAR & RITTER. [Paid ad.]

 

NEW YEAR'S AT THE Y. M. C. A.

Open House to be Held—Athletic Sports in the Gymnasium.

   New Year's day at the Y. M. C. A. will be observed by holding an open house reception in the afternoon and evening. The reception in the afternoon will begin at 2 o'clock. Music for the entertainment of guests will be furnished by the Y. M. C. A. orchestra. Athletic exhibitions will be given in the gymnasium. The Women's Auxiliary will furnish refreshments for both afternoon and evening. At 8 o'clock the Y. M. C. A. basket ball team [sic] will play the opening game of the season in the gymnasium with the Auburn Y. M. C. A. team. An admission fee of 15 cents to all will be charged to this feature of the day. The rest is entirely free.

 

WRIGHT-BULL.

Brilliant Wedding at Grace Episcopal Church at High Noon.

   Grace church was at noon today the scene of a very elaborate and exceedingly pretty wedding, when Miss Cora Bull of Cortland was united in marriage with Mr. Charles S. Wright of Woodmere, L. I. Appropriate decorations of evergreen, smilax and cut flowers adorned the church and added to the effectiveness of the surroundings.

   Before the ceremony and while the guests were assembling in the church the following musical program was effectively rendered by Miss Jennie Guild, who presided at the organ and played the wedding marches:

   Norwegian Wedding March, Soderman

   Gavotte in B Flat, Handel

   Bridal Song from Jensen Wedding March, Nocturne Op. 9, No. 2, Chopin

   The ceremony was performed by Rev. W. W. Way, rector of Grace church. Promptly at 12 o'clock the bridal party entered the church while the organist played the Wedding March from Lohengrin. The ushers were Messrs. Arthur P. Robinson of Princeton university, E. C. Wixom of Cornell university, Walter Seymour Bull and Charles B. White of Cortland. Following them came the bridesmaid, Miss Mabel Janette Wood of Ithaca, and then the bride leaning upon the arm of her uncle, Mr. J. Seaman Bull, by whom she was given away. At the altar they were met by the groom and his best man, his brother, Mr. William W. Wright, Jr., of Preble. The bride looked exceptionally handsome and it was the general expression that a more beautiful bride had not approached the altar in many a day. She wore a very becoming wedding gown of rock crepe de chene, cut entrain, and trimmed with silk applique, and a veil and also carried a large bouquet of white bridal roses. The bridesmaid was gowned in pink French dimity with ecru lace trimmings and carried a bouquet of pink roses.

   During the impressive Episcopal ceremony the organ was softly played and at its close the bridal party left the church to the strains of Mendelssohn's Wedding March.

   After the ceremony at the church an elaborate wedding breakfast was served at the home of the bride's uncle, Mr. J. Seaman Bull, Prospect-st., to which only the near relatives and most intimate friends were invited.

   The bride was most generously remembered in the way of wedding gifts, which were costly and appropriate, including a quantity of solid silver, cut glass, pictures and a generous sum of money.

   To the best man and each of the ushers the groom presented a gold scarf pin set with an opal.

   Mr. Wright is the son of Mr. William W. Wright of Preble, N. Y., a graduate of the Cortland Normal school in the class of '95 and is now principal of the high school at Woodmere, L. I. The bride is one of Cortland's most charming young ladies and a prime favorite among her wide circle of friends. Mr. and Mrs. Wright left on the 2:38 train for New York and will go at once to Woodmere, where they have a new home already furnished.

   Among the guests from out of town who were present at the wedding were: Mr. and Mrs. William W. Wright, Sr., Mr. and Mrs. George Wright and Mr. William W. Wright, Jr., of Preble; Mr. Earl Wright and Miss Eleanor Wright of Little York; Mr. and Mrs. H. M. Barrows of Cato; Mr. and Mrs. Daniel D. Olmstead, Mm. Percy Wood and Miss Mabel Janette Wood of Ithaca; Mr. Arthur P. Robinson of Princeton; Mr. E. C. Wixom of Cornell; Miss Elizabeth Hatheway of Solon; Miss Bertha Bardwell of Auburn; Mr. and Mrs. L. E. Porter of Rochester and Mr. and Mrs. William DcCoudres of McLean.

 

Woodruff-Fox.

   Mr. William Woodruff of Cortland and Miss Clara F. Fox of Lestershire were married last night at the First, M. E. parsonage by Rev. Dr. David Keppel. Mr. Woodruff is an employee of the Cortland Carriage Goods Co. of Cortland, and they will make their home in this city.

 

CORTLAND SCIENCE CLUB.

Mr. F. E. Whitmore Gives a Talk on Different Kinds of Seeds.

   The lecture by Mr. F. E. Whitmore at the Science club last Saturday evening was really a continuation and conclusion of the two given by him previously. In his introduction he traced briefly the arrangements provided in plant life for pollenization, giving the parts of the flower that lead up to the fruit. Then followed the consideration of the object of it all—the seed, for the perpetuation of the species.

   Some lower forms of plant life, such as ferns, have fruit but no real seeds. Some plants, as potatoes and bulbs, are propagated largely by other means. But the formation and distribution of seeds is the great means of covering the surface of the earth with its varied vegetation.

   Seeds grow within an ovary, one or many of which are upon or within a receptacle. These receptacles vary from the broad flat ones of the sunflower to the pointed ones of the raspberry. They become edible in the strawberry which bears little seeds upon the outside, and in the fig which is hollow with the flower and seeds within.

   Many varieties of ovaries were shown from the dry achenia of wild asters to the succulent orchard product which sells at $5 a barrel. Seeds themselves are of all shapes and sizes. The cocoanut was the largest shown, while the birch tree develops from a seed that a breath will blow away. Much of this difference in the size of seeds is due to the reserve material stored up in some seeds for assisting in the early growth of the future plant. Beans and maple seeds were split open to show the miniature plant already provided with a stem and a pair of leaves.

   All sorts of strange attachments and outgrowths upon seeds are seen. Thorns and prickles are to protect the growing seed against browsing animals. Many succulent seeds are bitter to protect them from being devoured. Others take great precautions to protect themselves against the rain as the pine cones which close tightly while there is wet weather.

   It is in the provisions for the dispersion of the species that the greatest ingenuity is shown by the seeds. Each plant seems to have worked out the problem for itself, and the solution has been reached in many ways. A crane bill pod is furnished with a spring which files open when the contents are fully ripe and thus casts the seed a few inches away. Or some well protected fruit may float upon the Gulf stream to a foreign land and there develop. The parachute is a very popular thing with the seeds. Lettuce, aster, cat-tail and dandelion all have them to perfection. Burdocks have taken another way to get about which has not raised them in common estimation. Beggar's lice have no wings at all, but they get there just the same. In some cases the whole top of the plant breaks off and rolls up into a ball for the wind to drive away. Jays, squirrels and robins are ever active agents in the distribution of seeds. When we see a berry bush or mountain ash springing from a rock ledge we may be sure some of these agencies are to be credited.

   After the lecture the club sampled many varieties of seeds provided by the reader. The apples and nuts moved Dr. Cheney to bring out some stories from his repertoire so that the members left for home in very good nature.

 

BREVITIES.

   —Tomorrow will be New Year's day. Wish you a Happy New Year.

   —New display advertisements today are—C. F. Brown, Chest Protectors, page 6.

   —Mrs. Eliza Schutt of Cortland has been granted a mothers' pension of $12 per month. Mrs. Maggie Glover acted as the pension agent.

   —There will be a meeting of the Women's Auxiliary at 2 o'clock tomorrow afternoon in the Y. M. C. A. rooms. The reception will be held at 2:30 P. M.

   —Cortlandville lodge, No. 470, F. & A. M., will hold its annual communication this evening at 7:30 at which time officers will be chosen for the ensuing year.

   —Mrs. Thomas Lynch of Elmira, formerly of Cortland, underwent an operation Sunday at the Arnot-Ogden hospital of Elmira. She is doing well.

   —The blizzard and cold wave promised a few days ago by the New York Sun for New Year's day seems to be getting along on schedule time all right.

   —From Syracuse to Oswego by trolley is the latest scheme which is forecasted for the coming summer. Already the trolley line runs nearly half of that distance, from Syracuse to Baldwinsville.

   —A most delightful time is reported by the large party that went to Truxton last evening to attend the club dance. The special Lehigh Valley train started out at 7 o'clock and returned to Cortland shortly before 3 o'clock this morning.

   —Some of the inmates of the jail gathered about an open window last night and sang for an hour or more, and the effect was very good indeed at times. Some of the boys have excellent voices. All sorts of music was in evidence, ragtime, patriotic airs and hymns.

   —Eighty-five acres upon lot 85 in the town of Solon were sold this morning at the courthouse by Sheriff Overton at mortgage foreclosure sale. The farm was bid off by George F. Davis of Solon for $450. This was the only bid. B. A. Benedict was the attorney for the plaintiff in the case.

   —The First Congregational church of Binghamton held its first pew rental last night, the system of free seats which has previously been in use having proved to be a failure so far as that church was concerned. The contributions for church support were not sufficient to meet current expenses.

   —Owing to the pressure of work in The STANDARD'S jobrooms [sic] we have been compelled, in completing work for others, to delay our own work to some extent. Consequently the calendars which are issued annually from this office are not yet all ready for distribution. It is the intention that every regular subscriber, however, shall have a calendar. Those subscribers who receive their papers from the carrier boys will get their calendars tomorrow, but the binder has not been able to get the others ready for tomorrow. The semi-weekly STANDARD subscribers will get their calendars with the Friday's issue, and those daily subscribers who get their papers through the mail will receive theirs on Saturday. Let every one have patience and the calendars will come.

 

CHICAGO--SATURDAY IN THE PARK AND DOCUMENTARY