APPEAL FOR CUBA, SENATE'S BIG PAYROLL, OPENING RAILROADS AFTER STORM, AND LITTLE YORK, N. Y.

 

Major General Leonard Wood.

Cortland Evening Standard, Tuesday, Feb. 4, 1902.

AN APPEAL FOR CUBA.

General Wood Urges Concessions to Cuban Sugar.

   Washington, Feb. 4.—A circular letter has been received by members of the senate from General Wood, military governor of Cuba, urging concessions on  Cuban sugar coming into United States. It is dated at Havana, January 30. General Wood says:

   "I desire to invite your most earnest attention and consideration to the economic conditions existing in Cuba today, conditions that threaten to bring ruin to her principal industries, sugar and tobacco, unless prompt and efficient relief is given. With the ruin of her two principal industries we must give up all hopes of a stable government, for unless Cuba can sell her products at a reasonable profit it is obvious that their cultivation must cease, bringing idleness and hunger to her people.

   "We have established a reasonably efficient government in Cuba with all those numerous adjuncts which pertain to a stable, civilized administration. The outlay for the maintenance of these necessary adjuncts to the government is necessarily large, and the revenues therefore are derived principally from materials purchased in exchange for sugar and tobacco. These great industries are now in a most critical condition, especially sugar, which is being sold at a price less than the cost of production. The planter must grind his cane, even at a moderate loss, for his entire fortune is in the fields and is liable to be swept away by fire or deteriorate from the effects of the elements.''

   After giving figures concerning the cost of production, etc, General Wood says that a reduction of 33 1-3 per cent will give an average profit of 48 cents on each 300 pounds of sugar produced and that such reduction should be the minimum. He further says:

   "Each day of delay in giving relief is dangerous. When once the crash comes relief will be of little value except to the speculator who may gather up the wrecks here, the people of the country, who have virtually reconstructed it in three years will be ruined and we shall have to step in and reoccupy the country or continue in occupation and to do over again the work which we have spent thousands of lives and much treasure in doing up to date. The situation demands relief and it should be immediate and liberal."

 

Theodore Roosevelt.

CUBAN RECIPROCITY.

THE PRESIDENT HAS HEART TO HEART TALKS

With Different Members—Now They Begin to Think Something Can Be Done—Speaker Henderson Still Holds Out, but Relief is Prevalent that He Will Yield to the President.

   WASHINGTON, Feb. 4.—President Roosevelt is using his persuasive powers, or his executive whip, to such good purpose that the members of the house ways and means committee are said to be falling into line with him on the question of Cuban reciprocity. At first the committeemen were disposed to sidetrack the matter. Then Mr. Payne, the chairman of the committee, after a heart to heart talk with the president, "thought" that some way might be found to help the Islanders at this session. Next, General Grosvenor, in an interview, agreed with Mr. Payne. Now it is understood that Mr. Dalzell has decided that the president is not so far wrong. Speaker Henderson is said to be still holding out against the desire of the White House. Unless Mr. Henderson comes over to the president in the matter, Cuban reciprocity may have some very hard sledding before it becomes a fact. The speaker is chairman of the rules committee and as such is absolute dictator of what shall and what shall not be brought up on the floor. It is believed scarcely probable, however, that the speaker will stand out alone against the president if the other Republican leaders fall into line with the presidents policy.

 

SMALLPOX IN NEW YORK.

One Case Has Appeared in Bellevue Hospital—Quarantine Imposed.

   NEW YORK, Feb. 4.—The board of health is alarmed at the spread of smallpox through the city. Fifteen new cases and five deaths have been reported in the past twenty-four hours.

   One of the cases developed yesterday in the insane pavilion at Bellevue hospital. The victim, William Barry, was found lying in the street in a semi-comatose condition, apparently suffering from alcoholism. Smallpox symptoms developed after he had been taken to Bellevue. The insane pavilion has been quarantined.

 

Orville H. Platt.

PAGE FOUR—EDITORIALS.

The Senate's Big Pay Roll.

   Senator Platt of Connecticut says that the cost of the clerical and messenger force of the senate exceeds the salaries and mileage of senators, which foot up nearly $600,000 a year. Of course the committee and other work which falls upon senators requires the employment of a large force. Even if there were little work to be done the maintenance of senatorial dignity would make it necessary to have a small army of retainers. But it hardly seems necessary for a body of ninety men to surround themselves with so many clerks, messengers. Doorkeepers and other retainers as to make up a pay roll of $600,000 a year. No one believes that these employees earn that amount of money or that there is sufficient work for such a great force.

   If there be any senators who wish to shine as reformers and who have the courage to make themselves disagreeable to other senators, here is a field for their activity. Let them make a vigorous fight for the reduction of the army of senatorial employees. The senators who may be zealous for reform can talk about "economy in the public expense" and urge their associates to practice it in the senate by cutting down this enormous pay roll. Speeches are occasionally made in the senate in favor of economy, but the speakers rarely take the ground that economy should begin at home—that is, in that august body of which they are members.

   ◘ The recent explosion in the New York subway, by which five people were killed and scores injured and damage done to property amounting to something over $2,000,000, is a reminder that nearly every great engineering enterprise is attended by some fatality, but it hardly seems necessary that gross carelessness should be a factor in such enterprises, as was the case in the New York disaster.

 

Lehigh Valley train stuck in snow.

Opening the Roads.

   The E. & C. N. Y. R. R. is open now and trains are running as usual, though a little behind time.

   The Lehigh Valley R. R., has the west end of its road working well, but the east end is still snowbound. No trains have gone east so far today and the train due in Cortland from Canastota at 8:30 this morning had at 3 o'clock this afternoon progressed as far as New Woodstock.

   The Lackawanna trains are on time today.

 

OPENING THE ROAD.

Four Cars in One Train Pushing Forward on Electric Road.

   The Traction company is having a hard time digging out after this storm. The sleet with which it began transformed to ice makes a difficult roadbed to overcome. Yesterday four cars in a single train pushing forward at full speed drove the snow plow into drifts. A small army of men dug out the train which then backed up to try it again. But today nothing but pick and shovel will avail.

   The Homer line has today been open from the Messenger House in Cortland to James-st. in Homer. The extremities will be dug out later, though men have this afternoon been at work south of the Messenger House.

   All day long work has been in progress on the McGraw division and it is believed that by 6 o'clock tonight a car can be run through from Cortland.

 

BROKE HIS NECK.

Delivery Horse Has a Long Run—Winds Up on Railroad Bridge.

   A delivery horse belonging to Van Auken & Hetherington, proprietors of the Railway-ave. meat market, ran away this morning when left for a moment on Owego-st., Cortland. It ran up Owego-st. to Railway-ave., thence to the Lehigh Valley tracks by the way of South Main-st. Turning down the railroad tracks, the animal ran to the Junction and then turned and proceeded down the tracks of the Erie & Central New York Raiłway Co. until it got to the bridge across the river. Upon this the horse ran with great force, but at the first leap its feet went through between the ties and its neck was broken in the sudden fall, killing it outright. The sleigh was left behind before the bridge was reached and was not badly damaged. Before reaching the river bridge, the horse leaped clear over the bridge that covers the creek that runs down toward Hon. O. U. Kellogg's farm. This bridge is 12 feet long, and the leap across it by the animal is noteworthy.

 

THE PROTECTED HOME CIRCLE

To Have a Special Meeting on Wednesday Evening—Public Invited.

   The Protected Home Circle will hold a special meeting Wednesday evening in the John L. Lewis lodge rooms for the purpose of initiating fifteen new candidates, after which the meeting will be thrown open and a musical and literary program will be given. Ali members are urged to be present and to invite all their friends to the entertainment at 9 o'clock. The Protected Home Circle is a fraternal beneficiary society which admits both sexes between the ages of 18 and 50 years and has a membership of nearly 40,000 and a reserve fund of over $500,000. H. C. Hall circle, No. 439, of this city now has over forty members and is constantly growing and hopes soon to be placed upon the roll of honor. L. Scott Gale is the president of this circle.

 

Laundries Consolidated.

   George M. Houghton, who for the past two years has conducted the City Steam laundry, 7 Tompkins-st., has sold the business to J. M. Stearns of Homer, who has been interested in the Homer Steam laundry, and now he and his son-in-law, C. W. Severson of the Homer laundry will operate both places under the firm name of Stearns & Co. Mr. Houghton has not fully decided upon his course for the future, but expects to go to Syracuse and engage in the laundry business there. He will, however, remain in Cortland for some time and assist in the work here.

 

Cutting ice on Little York Lake.

Little York.

   LITTLE YORK, N. Y., Feb. 3.—The Little York Ice Co. completed their ice harvest Saturday night having filled their [storage] houses, besides loading a good many cars.

   Sig. Sautelle had five teams on the road last week drawing ice from Little York to Homer. Frank Pender and Dever Morse cut the ice.

   D. T. Bowdish has bought out Frank Salisbury's interest in the store. Mr. Bowdish took possession Feb. 1.

   Frank Salisbury has purchased the house now occupied by Mr. Bowdish.

   Mrs. Stella Eaton arrived in town last week. She will move her things into one part of her house, she having rented the other part to Mr. Holbon of Cold Brook. He will move in the 1st of March.

   Mr. and Mrs. Frank Pender and daughter were in Homer part of last week, called there by the death of his mother Mrs. Daniel Pender. She was 61 years of age and had been confined to her bed for the past twenty-seven months. The funeral was held Friday afternoon at her home on Hudson-st.

 

BREVITIES.

   —The Fortnightly club will meet tomorrow afternoon at 8:15 o'clock with Miss Grace Mead, 13 Argyle Place.

   —The Men's Bible class of the Presbyterian church will meet this evening at the home of Mr. F. D. Smith, 6 Argyle Place.

   —The fall term of school at the Normal was concluded today and the spring term opens tomorrow morning at 8:45 o'clock.

   —The rehearsal of the "Rose Maiden" chorus will be held at the Y. M. C. A. rooms tomorrow evening instead of at the First M. E. church.

   —The special revival services at the First M. E. church begins tonight at 7:30. The pastor Rey. Dr. Keppel will preach a short sermon.

   —New display advertisements today are—C. F. Brown, Drugs, etc, page 5; R. W. Mitchell, Meats, page 5; M. A. Case, Dry goods, page 6; E. M. Mansur, pickles, page 6.

   —The 7:09 train south on the Lackawanna railroad did not reach Cortland till after 11 o'clock last night, being delayed by the snowdrifts and a disabled locomotive north of Syracuse.

   —A. W. Edgcomb, the proverbial joker, must have had visions of Florida or some other warm place yesterday, as while wading through the drifts nearly up to his waist, and that was good ways too, he inquired of his friends if they purposed attending the band concert at the park last night.

 

FEELING IN MANILA, WORST STORM OF SEASON, CHICAGO'S WIND, AND CORTLAND SNOWBOUND

 

Judge William Howard Taft.

Cortland Evening Standard, Monday, Feb. 3, 1902.

FEELING IN MANILA.

Want Congress to Pass Homestead and Mining Laws.

   Manila, Feb. 3.—Manila is intensely interested as to what action congress will take concerning the Philippine islands. Ordinary local politics have been forgotten and two parties have been formed, the optimists and the pessimists. Some think that life and property are unsafe out of the towns of the islands, while others ridicule such ideas and consider life and property to be assured.

   Criticisms of the statement of Civil Governor Taft that he believed 15,000 men would be sufficient to garrison the islands in a year are plentiful. Yet the majority of the business men who are financially interested in the provinces and consequently claim exceptional opportunities for feeling the pulse of the people, say that Governor General Taft is right on one condition only that being that congress acts for the benefit of the Philippines.

   Captain Frank Green, president of the American chamber of commerce here, says he fully believes that Civil Governor Taft's forecast can be realized if congress will arrange to open and enlarge the forestry reserves. Should this legislation be affected an act by the United States Philippine commission granting franchises would naturally follow and American capital in large quantities as well as many American miners and homestead seekers would come to the islands.

   "If this were accomplished," continued the president of the chamber of commerce, "we would immediately have a large body of resourceful and self-reliant men scattered throughout the archipelago who would become a source of information for the government concerning the natives surrounding them and who would constitute a reserve force in case of necessity."

 

Worst Storm of Season.

   Utica, N. Y., Feb. 3.—With the thermometer averaging 25 degrees above zero the worst storm of the season is raging in this section, assuming the proportions of a blizzard. Heavy snow fell all day until all roads are badly drifted. Telegraph, telephone, police and fire wires are out of the business and cars on the electric roads have a hard time of it. On the steam roads all trains are delayed from a few minutes to two hours.

 

Heavy Wind and Snow.

   Syracuse, N. Y., Feb. 3.—The wind blew 35 miles an hour and the heavy wet snow drifted badly in Syracuse and in Central New York. Street car service is demoralized on some lines. Railroad trains are late. The weather is not cold.

 

Trains Delayed.

   Oswego, N. Y., Feb. 3.—A fierce storm raged in this section last night. Telegraph and telephone wires have been badly damaged and railroad trains are all delayed. Since last night seven and a half inches of snow has fallen.

 

PAGE FOUR—EDITORIAL.

Use For Chicago's Wind.

   Chicago has long been known as the Windy City. It is also generally recognized as a progressive and practical city, quick to take advantage of resources, whether natural or acquired. No one need be much surprised, therefore, to learn of the proposition to utilize in lighting and heating the city the east winds that come blowing in from the bosom of Lake Michigan and the western zephyrs from the expansive prairies of northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin. If there could be added to these the wordy breezes set in motion by the voluminous and versatile Chicago professors, a force ought to be created and put into operation which would not only light and heat the city, but illumine and warm the entire universe.

   But really the proposition is made in sober earnestness and is not altogether chimerical. It is advanced by so practical and level headed a man as Franklin H. Head, the president of the National Civic Federation, and was exploited the other day before the students of the College of Commerce and Administration at the University of Chicago. Mr. Head presented as a practical possibility of the future the use of a belt of windmills running dynamos which would charge storage batteries with electricity. He expressed the belief that a series of windmills around Chicago, say for forty miles, could supply storage batteries—such, for instance, as that recently perfected by Edison—with enough electricity to light and possibly heat the entire city. The thing is not impossible. Indeed nothing is impossible in Chicago.

 

PRINCIPAL'S RECEPTION

Held Saturday Evening at the Normal School Parlors—A Delightful Affair.

   The annual principal's reception given in February of each year to the senior class of the Cortland Normal school, the local board and the faculty, was given last Saturday evening at the Normal parlors by Principal and Mrs. Francis J. Cheney. Nearly all of the large class that will go out from the school this year and a number of students of other classes who assisted were present. The guests were received by Dr. and Mrs. Cheney, Superintendent and Mrs. D. L. Bardwell of Binghamton and Prof. and Mrs. W. A. Cornish. The decorations were arranged very tastefully under the direction of Mrs. C. M. C. Hawkins of the faculty and Miss Laura Cotton, a student of the Normal. Refreshments were served in the kindergarten room, and these were superintended by Miss Bishop and Miss Skidmore, assisted by Miss Ella Grace and eight young ladies of the four ladies' societies. These were, Misses Bloxham and Lynden of the Philomathians, Misses Humphrey and Dates of Alpha Delta, Misses Bessie Davis and McFarland of Corlonor and Misses Redington and Cheney of Clionian. The ushers were Messrs. Earl Wood and Hugh Duffey, Jr., of Gamma Sigma and Messrs. Thomas S. Clark and Arthur Knights of the Delphic. Mrs. Hawkins assisted by Miss Olive Edgcomb served lemonade. The refreshments were especially delicious and well served, and everything in connection with the reception tended to make the affair a very pleasant one for all. Darby's orchestra furnished music for the occasion.

 

Railroad Street, Cortland, N. Y.

CORTLAND SNOWBOUND.

THE WORST STORM SEEN IN THE PLACE SINCE 1895.

Railroads Struggling with the Drifts—Electric Road Tied Up, but Working Hard to Get Out—Everybody Shoveling for Dear Life to Clear the Sidewalks—Wholly Unexpected.

   Cortland is now in the embrace of the worst storm that has visited the place since 1895, and only a few storms like it are recorded by the oldest inhabitant. It began during Saturday night with rain which poured down in torrents at intervals all night long. The temperature was high, and altogether the effect was not unlike an April shower. People started for church Sunday morning at about 10:15 with umbrellas hoisted against the strong wind to protect them from the driving rain storm, but before they reached the church doors the rain had turned to snow and as the immense snow flakes floated down there was every appearance of a regular sap snow.

   Then the sidewalks became covered with slush and a few hours later it was hard work to travel without getting over the tops of one's rubbers in the slush. Before night there came a chill in the air and every one who could got out to remote the slush from his walk before it should freeze up. Then the wind came up and all night long it blew a gale. Houses shook and windows rattled. On Clayton-ave a front door carefully locked was blown open by the force of the hurricane and the hall way was filled with snow. The front door of the adjoining house was nailed up and this morning it was almost impossible to draw the nails they had become so bent by the force of the straining upon them.

   Services at the churches last night were very poorly attended. In several of the churches the regular order of worship was changed to a prayer meeting. And how the snow came down, and how it drifted. At about 9:30 the fire bell sounded its warning notes and every one who heard shuddered thinking of the awful night for a fire. Fortunately it was a false alarm caused by the crossing of wires. It was deliverance, for had a fire broken out in such a gale it would have swept everything before it. People who got out to see where the fire was located found themselves in the face of a blizzard with drifts to the knees or higher. The electric lights sputtered and flickered fitfully and could be seen for but a few rods. All night long the wind blew and the snow piled up. This morning when people opened their doors many of them found that they had to dig before they could even set foot outside. The drifts were a sight to behold. They are piles up on Main-st. to an incredible height and the country roads are said to be absolutely impassible.

   Strange to say some of the biggest of all in the city appear to be directly on the sidewalks. On the west side of Main-st. for nearly its whole length the walks were this morning covered by banks anywhere from 1 to 6 feet in depth. The east side fared much better, in fact many of the walks were bare on that side, and good natured remarks upon the relative condition of the two sides were exchanged between the fortunate ones on the one side and the shovelers on the other. Those on the west side, however, contented themselves by thinking back to a storm of three or four years ago when that side of the street was entirely snowbound, as it was this morning, and the eastsiders indulged in about the same amount of fun at their expense, but in a few days the conditions reversed, as it seemed as though all the snow on the west side of the street and a reinforcement of about three times as much new material landed over on the east side, and then the shoveling began over there in good earnest.

   But the banks are not by any means confined to Main-st. On all the streets the snow is heaped up, not only on walks, but also in the roads and milkmen and deliverymen were repeatedly caught and stuck fast in the drifts, where they were held until shoveled out.

   The railroads are having a hard time of it. The early Lackawanna train from the south arrived on time, but got stuck in a drift near Preble which delayed it for some time. The 9:25 southbound train did not get through from Syracuse to Cortland till about noon. The vestibule train due at 1:03 did not leave Syracuse till that time and reached Cortland after 3 o'clock with two engines. One track between Cortland and Syracuse was then wholly open and the other partly so.

   The Lehigh Valley R. R. finds the bulk of its snow between Freeville and Camden. Three snow plows are out on the road one west and two east of Cortland. The one at the west has cleared the road well. The 9:43 train from Elmira arrived soon after 11 o'clock and went right back again. No trains are being run east of Cortland.

   A snowplow was sent east last night and it got as far as Canastota and there the engine to which it was attached broke down and the plow was useless as no other engine could get to it. A second plow started out from Cortland at 12:15 this noon to clear the east end of the road.

   The E. & C. N. Y. R. R. started a train with two engines from Cortland for Cincinnatus this morning. It reached Cincinnatus a little after noon, but will not try to return till tomorrow. Some big drifts were encountered.

   The electric road has been having a big time of it. Last night it tried to run its snow plow all night to keep the road open, but that was found to be impossible, as the snow blew in faster than it could be cleared out by the plow. At 11 o'clock the last car was pulled off the McGraw division and soon after that the cars were taken from the Homer line. This morning the road was drifted full. Work has been pushed all day and it was expected that the Homer line would be open before dark, and work will then be begun at once on the other division.

   The wind has abated much during the day and the mercury is beginning to drop. During the night and forenoon it was warm and comfortable, but this afternoon the air is keen and there is the promise of a cold night.

 

FALSE ALARM OF FIRE.

Proceeded from a Break in Wire and Crossing of Wires.

   At about 9 o'clock last night the fire bell began a vigorous ringing which was kept up for several minutes. No particular number was struck, but, in spite of the blinding snow storm and the big drifts that had been piled up, about sixty firemen responded and were at the engine house ready for duty if required. The cause of the ringing of the bell was a break in the alarm wire on Greenbush-st. in front of the residence of C. C. Darby, where the wire came in contact with the limb of a tree, thus sawing the wire off by the action of the wind. It is said by the officials that there are only two places in the city where these wires can possibly be interfered with by coming in contact with trees, and these, the officers state, will be attended to immediately.

   Mayor Charles F. Brown was one to start out from his home to see if there was a fire. Just at dusk he had been out and cleared his walks from all snow and slush, and as this was only a little later he stepped out on what be supposed to be a clear track, but instead of this he was soon nearly up to his neck in a big drift that had piled up directly in front of his door.

 

Delaware, Lackawanna & Western engine "Sam Sloan."

Installing New System.

   The Lackawanna is installing all along the main line of the road a complete system of telephonic communication which will eventually supplant the telegraphic system now in use, although the latter will not be entirely abandoned as the Western Union Telegraph company controls  the lines to a certain extent.

   Work has already been commenced in extending the system from Binghamton to Syracuse on the Syracuse division, and wires will afterwards be strung to Elmira and eventually to Buffalo. When the lines are completed and in operation between Scranton and New York, the communicating circuits will be over the northern division to Binghamton.

   The work of installing the new system being done by the company's own employees, under the direction of L. B. Foley, superintendent of telegraph on the Lackawanna.—Binghamton Herald.

 

BREVITIES.

   —There will be a meeting of Grover Relief Corps tomorrow at 3 o'clock sharp in G. A. R. hall.

   —The Primary union will meet in the parlors of the First M. E. church tomorrow afternoon at 4 o'clock.

   —New display advertisements today are—E. M. Mansur, Oranges, page 8; Buck & Lane, Plumbing, etc., page 6.

   —Cortlandville lodge, No. 470, F. & A. M., will confer the second degree at their regular communication Tuesday evening.

   —All members of the degree staff of Iskoot council, D. of P., are requested to meet at Red Men's hall at 7 o'clock Tuesday evening, Feb. 4.

   —A regular meeting of the W. C. T. U. will be held Tuesday, Feb. 4, at 1 P. M. The entire service will be in charge of the county president, Miss Libbie Robertson.

   —A meeting or the National Protective legion will be held Tuesday evening at 7:30 o'clock in I. O. G. T. hall. All members are requested to vote on sick claims.

 

CONGRESS, UNITED STATES AND THE POWERS, BALDWIN-DICKERSON WEDDING, AND CANDLEMAS DAY

 

Congressman John Dalzell.

Cortland Evening Standard, Saturday, Feb. 1, 1902.

IN CONGRESS.

Members of the House Think Senate is Invading Its Functions.

   Washington, Feb. 1.—The house yesterday prepared to defend itself against what it considers the threatened invasion by the senate of its prerogatives in the matter of revenue legislation by directing the ways and means committee to investigate the subject and report to the house its conclusions. The action of the house was the outgrowth of the agitation in the senate of the claim that reciprocity treaties affecting the customs revenues can be negotiated without the concurrence of the house.

   Mr. Richardson, the minority leader, sought to have the house adopt a declaration on the subject without waiting for the senate to commit an overt act, but the majority leaders were opposed to hasty action and his resolution was referred to the ways and means committee.

   The matter came up at the opening of the session in a favorable report by Mr. Dalzell from the committee on rules of the Tawney resolution to direct the ways and means committee to investigate the question of whether the treaty making power could negotiate reciprocity treaties affecting the customs revenues without action by congress.

   The resolution was adopted without division.

   Mr. Dalzell followed this resolution with another from the same committee to make the oleomargarine bill a special order for Monday next to continue until disposed.

   Mr. Richardson, the minority leader, saw no reason why this piece of legislation should be picked out and given priority over other bills.

   Mr. Grosvenor declared himself uncompromisingly opposed to the proposed legislation and all kindred legislation. He believed at the root of it lay a menace to the liberties of the country, that under its operation the strong could crush the weak. Nevertheless as there was a public demand for the consideration of the bill he believed the house should have an opportunity to pass on it. The special order was adopted 132 to 71.

 

John Tyler Morgan.

In the Senate.

   Washington, Feb. 1.—An extended speech on the pending Philippine tariff bill was delivered in the senate by Mr. Morgan of Alabama, who devoted particular attention to an amendment he offered to the bill last week. He maintained that the enactment of the bill as it stands now would not be a constitutional remedy for the situation the measure is designed to relieve but said with the addition of his amendment the bill would stand the closest scrutiny of the courts.

   An hour and a half was devoted to consideration of a bill to increase the salaries of judges of the United States courts, but no action was taken. The first work of the senate was the adoption of Mr. Rawlins' resolution providing for a general inquiry by the committee on Indian affairs into the matter of leasing mineral lands by Indians.

   The resolution offered by Mr. Rawlins directing the secretary of war to inform the senate whether what is known as the "sedition laws" have been promulgated by the Philippine commission was also passed.

 

BLACKWELL'S ISLAND.

United States Wants It For a Drill Ground.

   New York, Feb. 1.—President Cantor of the borough of Manhattan has become active in an endeavor to give the United States government a portion of Blackwell's island for a drill station, receiving ship, etc. The matter was negatived by Mayor Van Wyck. In order to do this Mr. Cantor has been of the opinion that a bill must be approved at Albany authorizing the transfer of the island to the government. He communicated with Rear Admiral A. S. Crowinshield, the chief of the bureau of navigation of the navy department, in reference to the subject and has received a reply which is in part as follows:

   "The secretary of the navy has directed me to inform you that the navy department still entertains a desire to acquire for its use Blackwell's island, or a part of it, for a receiving ship, drill ground, etc.

   "It is considered by the navy department most desirable that you proceed to secure the necessary legislation from the state which will authorize the city of New York to lease the island for the purposes stated."

 

Viscount Cranborne.

PAGE FOUR—EDITORIAL.

United States and the Powers.

   The speech of Lord Cranborne, British undersecretary of state for foreign affairs, reiterating the oft repeated statement that but for the friendly attitude of Great Britain in the early stages of the Spanish-American war all the Continental powers would have given moral if not active support to Spain against the United States, has caused much comment in European capitals and brought out vigorous protests from official and semiofficial sources. While it is admitted that at that time and since Great Britain has been extremely friendly toward us, which we fully appreciate, it is by no means clear that she restrained the other powers from taking a position hostile to us. Indeed, in the light of subsequent history, it is quite apparent that none of them, except Austria, whose ruling house is bound to that of Spain by ties of  blood, desired to interfere in Spain's behalf, though they were all strongly urged to do so by the Austrian government.

   According to a statement coming from a high authority in Paris, Great Britain took the same attitude as France and the other powers in the Spanish negotiations, at the end of March, 1898, to secure the intervention of the powers in her favor. Great Britain at that time, it is asserted, neither refused nor consented to join in collective action. All the powers were hesitating until they ascertained the intentions of the others. Russia clinched the matter by the late Count Muravieff's blunt rejection of the proposal.

   A second effort made by Austria in behalf of Spain met the same fate, all of the powers agreeing not to do anything that would have the appearance of putting pressure on the United States, though undoubtedly Great Britain took the initiative in the expression of this noninterference. The French authority above quoted asserts that France's attitude throughout was friendly to the United States as well as to Spain, her ardent desire being to avert war. She took no initiative in any suggestion tending to put pressure on the United States nor at any time encouraged Spain to resistance. Her influence was always directed in the pourparlers [sic] of the powers to maintaining peace.

   Lord Cranborne's statement has brought out this avowal from the Russian foreign office: "Russia has always been and now is extremely desirous of maintaining amicable relations with the United States. Russia never had any intention of participating in any collective step in the Spanish-American dispute, which did not directly concern her."

   From Berlin comes an equally emphatic denial of Lord Cranborne's insinuation that Germany had any intention of siding against us in the interest of Spain, Imperial Chancellor von Bulow repeating what he said in the reichstag at the time of our trouble with Spain—that "the German government and people are filled with an earnest desire to maintain, on the basis of perfect reciprocity and mutual appreciation, the traditional good relations which have always existed between ourselves and the United States."

   All these vigorous protests against Lord Cranborne's insinuations are significant and gratifying and indicate that all the powers of Europe are desirous of being regarded as especially friendly to the United States.

 

Inspecting the Fire Alarm System.

   The Cortland board of fire commissioners are this afternoon inspecting the new wiring of the fire alarm system before accepting the same. The board is made up of Messrs. E. Alley, E. J. Warfield and E. E. Ellis. The trip is being made in the department sleighs, drawn by the fire team, which is reigned by Mr. D. F. Waters.

 

Board of Health.

   At the regular meeting of the Cortland health board last evening, Commissioners Santee, Ryan and Chatterton were continued as a committee to make milk and dairy inspections. The bills for the month were audited.

 

Music at Presbyterian Church.

   Miss Lucy I. Marsh, soprano, and Mrs. Charlotte Nash-Head, contralto, have been engaged to sing at the Cortland Presbyterian church for the coming year. Mrs. Head will begin tomorrow, but Miss Marsh is in New York and cannot be here till next week. The action of the music committee will without doubt meet with the hearty approval of the church and congregation.

 

''Italy and the Orient.''

   In a very short time Mr. A. P. McGraw of McGraw is to give a stereopticon lecture in the chapel of the Presbyterian church for the benefit of the building fund of the new Presbyterian church at McGraw, N. Y. He will speak of his trip of last summer to the Holy Land and his theme will be "Italy and the Orient." He has a very choice collection of views. The Marathon Independent says of the same lecture recently delivered there:

   The lecture on Friday evening upon "Italy and the Orient," by A. P. McGraw of McGraw proved to be all that had been looked forward to in that respect. Mr. McGraw has a fine voice and his descriptions are accurate and concise. The pictures were very fine ones and presented in a most satisfactory manner. He began with a picture of the party to which he was attached, stopped at the Azores, then Gibraltar, the Bay of Naples. Pompeii, Egypt, Cairo, Damascus and scenes in the Holy Land. The evening proved very interesting.

 

BALDWIN-DICKINSON.

A Pretty Wedding in Well Known Families in Cincinnatus, N. Y.

   A very pretty wedding was solemnized Wednesday, Jan. 29, at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Chauncey R. Dickinson in Cincinnatus, when their daughter, Miss Ella S. Dickinson, was united in marriage with Mr. Burchard R. Baldwin, also of Cincinnatus. The ceremony, which was performed by Rev. Edson Rogers of the Cincinnatus Congregational church, took place at high noon. The nuptials took place before a beautiful bank of flowers and the rooms were prettily trimmed with evergreens. About forty relatives and intimate friends were present at the ceremonies, after which all passed out to the diningroom, where a bountiful wedding dinner was served. No congratulations were offered before the dinner was served, but afterwards Mr. and Mrs. Baldwin received most hearty expressions of joy.

   The bride was unattended and wore a gown of navy blue silk with bride's roses in her hair and on her gown. The happy pair are now away for a few days' honeymoon and expect to return to Cincinnatus tomorrow. Mrs. Baldwin is one of Cincinnatus' most amiable young ladies, while Mr. Baldwin is well known in that place, and is a bookkeeper in the Cincinnatus bank. They will make their home in Cincinnatus.

 

Tomorrow Will be Candlemas Day.

   Candlemas day will be celebrated tomorrow at St. Mary's Catholic church. On this day the candles which are used on the altar for the year are blessed. It is the day on which candles for the altar are donated by the people, and in return they are presented with a blessed candle by the priests.

   Candlemas day is also of special significance from the secular point of view, because on this day the bear and ground hog crawl out of their winter's resting place, and if they see their shadows it is a sign that there will be six weeks more of cold weather. If they fail to see their shadow they remain out, as it is a sign that winter is at an end.

 

BREVITIES.

   —Tomorrow will be Candlemas Day.

   —Binghamton has several cases of smallpox.

   —Dr. and Mrs. F. J. Cheney tender a reception to the Normal classes of 1902 at the Normal parlors this evening.

   —A meeting of the board of managers of the Cortland hospital will be held Monday at 3 P. M., at the home of Mrs. Julia E. Hyatt, 182 South Main-at.

   —There will be revival services at the First M. E. church on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday evenings of next week, beginning at 7:30 o'clock.

   —Mrs. F. Ł. MacDowell and Miss Harriet Allen entertain the Fortnightly club at the home of the former, 78 Tompkins-st. this afternoon. The program includes whist.

   —New display advertisements today are—C. F. Brown, Huyler's candies, page 4; Opera House "The Penitent" page 5; C. F. Thompson, Chase & Sanburn's coffee, page 5.

   —The children's service will be held at the Presbyterian church tomorrow afternoon at 4 o'clock in place of the evening service as is customary upon communion Sundays.

   —Hon. L. S. Chapman of Syracuse will address a mass-meeting for men at the Y. M. C. A. rooms tomorrow afternoon at 4 o'clock. His theme will be "A Finished Product." There will be a special musical program.

   —Rev. John Mooshie, a native Persian and now a student at Hamilton Theological seminary, will speak at the First Baptist church tomorrow night. Theme, "Persian Life, Customs and Christian Missions."

   —It is expected that the new varnish building at the works of the Cortland Door and Window Screen Co. will be ready for occupancy and use next Tuesday. That is what might be called hustling work, but is characteristic of that company.

   —Mrs. J. D, Calkins, formerly of Cortland, died this morning at Ithaca at the home of her son Mr. Fred D. Calkins. The remains will be brought to Cortland Monday on a special train at 1 o'clock and will be placed in the vault of the Rural cemetery. No further particulars are yet known here.

   —Cortland people who are in the habit of taking the Lackawanna railroad for their trips to New York will be interested to know that steps are being taken to change the motive power of the Christopher-st. line of crosstown cars in New York from horse to electricity. This is the line that most people take who go by the Lackawanna.

 

THOMAS EDISON