CHINA ACCEPTS TERMS, HARMSWORTH'S IDEAL NEWSPAPER, ROBERT PURVIS, CORTLAND PHYSICIANS VS. TYPHOID, AND SCIENCE OF EDUCATION

 

Prince Ching.

Li Hung Chang.

Cortland Evening Standard, Monday, December 31, 1900.

CHINA FULLY AGREES.

Emperor Orders Preliminary Joint Note Signed.

ASKS FOR A FEW CONCESSIONS.

Kwang Su Prays That the Allies Limit the Number of Legation Guards. Also That the Forts Be Not Destroyed But Simply Disarmed.

   PEKIN, Dec. 31.—The Chinese plenipotentiaries have been unexpectedly ordered to sign the preliminary joint note and have notified the foreign envoys to that effect.

   The Chinese themselves were greatly astonished at receiving the imperial instructions. Neither Li Hung Chang nor Prince Ching had expected success in persuading the court under 10 days.

   The emperor's instructions are to agree fully to the note, but to endeavor to get the best terms possible, particularly in the matter of limiting the number of the legation guards and also as to the places where these are to be located.

   The plenipotentiaries are instructed to endeavor to limit the number of army posts along the lines of railway to as few as possible, and finally to request the powers not to destroy the forts, but merely to disarm them.

   Li Hung Chang's health is bad and it is doubtful whether he will be able to do more than affix his signature to an instrument delegating his powers to Prince Ching until another plenipotentiary has been appointed. He was dressed yesterday morning and carried in a chair to the residence of Prince Ching, with whom he held a long consultation. Prince Ching then called upon the doyen of the diplomatic corps, the Spanish minister Senor de Cologan, and requested him to notify the other envoys that instructions had been received from the emperor to sign the note.

 

Commanding General Nelson Miles.

MILES UNDECIDED.

Commanding General Will Not Answer Alger's Statement at Present.

   WASHINGTON. Dec. 31.—General Miles is not yet prepared to make any formal statement in reply to the published article of former Secretary of War Alger, regarding the use of canned beef and embalmed beef during and after the Spanish war. He is still undecided as to whether he will have any statement to make, saying in reply to questions on the subject that he has not yet fully determined what his course will be. General Miles says he has not even read the full extracts from General Alger's article published in the newspapers, such as he had seen being so full of misleading statements that he did not care to go through with the entire matter.

   "One hundred thousand soldiers have gone home from the Spanish war and told the story and the proper officers have condemned the action of certain persons," said General Miles, "so that I question whether it is necessary to say anything further about the controversy."

 

Professor Tyler Buried at Ithaca.

   ITHACA, N. Y., Dec. 31--The funeral of the late Professor Moses Coit Tyler was held in Sage chapel at Cornell university yesterday afternoon. Services were performed by Rev. Dr. Sinnot, rector of St. John's church of Ithaca, assisted by Professor Charles Mellen Tyler, professor of the philosophy of religion in Cornell. The remains of Professor Tyler were buried at the Pleasant Grove cemetery in Ithaca.

 

PAGE FOUR—EDITORIAL.

Mr. Harmsworth's Ideal Newspaper.

   Mr. Harmsworth, editor and proprietor of the London Daily Mail, has tried to give in the North American Review an idea of what he conceives will be the newspaper of the future. It is embraced in the following paragraph:

   Let us suppose that one of the great American newspapers in my opinion, perhaps, the best arranged of all American newspapers, is placed under the control of a man of the journalistic ability of Delane, the greatest of the former editors of the London Times, certainly the greatest political editor in the history of journalism, backed by an organization as perfect as that of the Standard Oil company, and issued simultaneously each morning in, say, New York, Boston, Chicago, Pittsburg, St. Louis, Philadelphia and other points in America, or at London, Liverpool, Manchester, Bristol, Edinburgh, Belfast and Newcastle in Great Britain. It is not obvious that the power of such a paper might become such as we have not yet seen in the history of the press? And would not such a journal effectively revive the waning influence of the newspaper upon the life and thought of the nation? The thing is not as improbable as it sounds. The whole tendency of the times, both in America and Great Britain, is toward the concentration of great affairs in the hands of a few. The methods by which such journals would be established would be precisely those that are employed in the formation of the ordinary trust.

   When such a newspaper is established in the place of the leading newspapers in the cities where it is published, the end of American journalism will be at hand. We think, too, that the end of many of the distinctive features of the American republic will have come. Nothing, says the Rochester Post-Express, except extinction would be more unfortunate for American journalism and American institutions than the placing of the control of the news of the day and of the comments, upon it in the hands of one man, though he were a hundred times abler than Mr. Delane, with the immense capital of a powerful corporation behind him. While a newspaper of the kind that Mr. Harmsworth imagines might not become a terrific engine of despotism and corruption, the natural tendency would be in that direction. Unscrupulous men would be likely to get control of it and use it to promote their own interests.

   Even if the vast power that a newspaper of this kind would have might not be abused, it would lead to disastrous results. Instead of having the infinite variety that gives American journalism its endless interest, we should have everything reduced to a dead uniformity. The readers of the daily press would have to content themselves with the news as shaped and with opinions as set forth by the great editor that Mr. Harmsworth has in mind. The lively competition that now tends to make every newspaper anxious to get the latest and best news, to set it forth in the most attractive way, and to comment upon it in the most intelligent and effective manner would be removed. The thousands of training schools for young journalists, giving them an opportunity to develop whatever genius they have in any direction, would be abolished. In the long run we should have a journalistic dullness and sterility that could not fail to grow out of the despotic conditions that would exist. What this dullness and sterility would mean we may gather from the effects of the domination of a powerful personality like Bismarck in German politics. Because of the restraint that he put upon every budding genius around him, he has left no successor. It is only under conditions of perfect freedom that are developed such men as Bryant, Weed, Dana, Greeley, Raymond, Godkin and the other remarkable journalists that Mr. Harmsworth mentions.

   Bad as American journalism is to-day, a condition due to causes that will, we believe, pass away, it is far better than would be the case with only a great newspaper trust issuing newspapers from one end of the continent to the other. It gives greater promise of a brilliant future. The only thing needful to make American newspapers the pride and glory of the United States is more conscience, more knowledge, more character. In the field of news, there is need of better editing—the suppression of much that is not news and the elaboration of much that is now merely mentioned or suppressed. In the editorial field, there is need of more independence, of wider and more accurate knowledge, of more vigorous and trenchant discussion. Just as soon as the public demands these qualities, we shall have them, and American journalism will become the power for good that it does not possess to-day and will never have under Mr. Harmsworth's trust system.

 

ROBERT PURVIS.

Death and Funeral of a Lifelong Resident of Cortland County.

   Robert Purvis, whose death occurred on the 28th inst. at his residence, 19 Union-st, in this city, was born Oct. 20, 1825, and consequently was 75 years of age. His father Andrew Purvis was a native of Scotland, having emigrated to this country in the year 1809, locating first at Attleboro, Mass., where in 1812 he married Nancy Hale, and afterwards settling in Exter, Otsego Co., N. Y., where the subject of this notice was born. In the year 1830 his parents with young Robert removed to Harford in this county, purchasing the homestead farm upon which the father died in 1863, and which Robert occupied as his home until 1887, when he removed to Cortland, where he has since resided. In the year 1881 he married Jennie M., daughter of the late Nathaniel Bouton, Jr. of Marathon, N.Y.

   Robert died without descendants and was the last survivor of his father's children—a sister, Mrs. Chas. A. Keech, having died in Harford some years ago and all of the others having previously died, all without surviving issue except William, whose only living descendants are Lillian Purvis, a granddaughter, and Andrew W. Purvis, a son, and his two children, all residing in the town of Dryden, N. Y.

   There are collateral relatives of his father whose ancestors early emigrated from Scotland to New Zealand instead of America, and who are generously remembered by Robert in his will. There are also collateral relatives of his mother living in Massachusetts, Rhode Island and St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., who will also share in the distribution of his estate.

   Robert Purvis, seventy years of whose life was spent in Cortland county, and the last thirteen years in Cortland village, was in many respects a remarkable man. With no greater advantages than many farmers possess he accumulated by successful farm management a small fortune. Inheriting a constitution somewhat delicate, but preserved with most judicious care, his success was due to his mental rather than to his physical ability. Naturally of a modest and retiring disposition he did not shirk his social and political duties and his home town of Harford gladly availed itself of his acknowledged prudent and wise management by electing him successively as its school superintendent, commissioner of highways and supervisor. His home farm always afforded an object lesson in the application of scientific agriculture to practical use, and as he acquired additional farms, the same skillful direction given them by Mr. Purvis transferred them into models of scientific farming. His specialties were dairying and sheep raising, with special attention given to the cultivation of potatoes, in which he made very careful experiments, resulting in his becoming an expert and an acknowledged authority upon that subject.

   While the farms of Mr. Purvis will continue to be cultivated they will miss the intelligent supervision which he gave them, and his numerous friends and neighbors as well as his family relatives will lose by his death an honest, prudent, kind-hearted friend and counselor. A legacy of $400 to the Cortland hospital is an instance of his benevolent gifts.

   The funeral was held at his late home, 19 Union-st., at 2 o'clock this afternoon, Rev. Dr. O. A. Houghton, pastor of the First Methodist church, officiated. A profusion of flowers covered the casket and a quartet consisting of Mrs. Julia F. Twiss, Miss Nettie Stout, Mr. Geo. Oscar Bowen and C. N. Tyler sang "How Tender is Thy Hand," and "Lo, All thy Mercies." The bearers were Messrs. Geo. H. Smith and Lewis Bouton of Cortland, C. H. Bouton and Daniel McKellar of Marathon, Andrew Purvis and Chas. Keech of Harford.

   Among the relatives from out of town present at the funeral were Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Purvis, Miss Lillian Purvis and Mr. Charles Keech of Harford, Mr. and Mrs. C. H. Bouton, Mr. and Mrs. Daniel McKellar, Miss Hellen McKellar, and Mrs. C. H. Swift of Marathon. Others from out of town were: Mr. Geo. E. Goodrich, Mr. and Mrs. Theron Johnson, and Mr. G. Rummer of Dryden, Mrs. J. H. Brown of Harford, Mr. and Mrs. C. C. Carley of Homer, and D. B. Tripp of Marathon.

 

THE TYPHOID FEVER.

PHYSICIANS GIVE OPINIONS AS TO ITS PRESENT CAUSE.

Unanimous That the Drought Followed by Heavy Rains is Responsible for it—Must be Germs to Transmit Typhoid Fever—Few Cases Where City Water is Used—Wells are Perhaps the Medium of Transmission.

   The fact that there are now in Cortland city upwards of two dozen cases of typhoid fever has led many to wonder as to the cause of such an epidemic of this disease, particularly after a year which  has been exceptionally free from typhoid.

   Several of the doctors of the city have been questioned in regard to the matter and have given their verdict in the case. None of these differ materially but all tend toward supporting the theory that an exceptionally long, dry season was followed by a drenching rain that carried the accumulated filth, that had been stored upon the surface without moisture to germinate it, down into the gravelly soil of this locality, and so to the wells. This theory is materially strengthened by the fact that a very large percentage of the cases is found in families where well water instead of city water is used.

   Dr. F. D. Reese, after stating his theory, which was materially as given above, added that the very porous condition of the soil underneath the city of Cortland was not generally known to the citizens here. It is, in fact, so permeable that it offers less assistance than most soils in purifying the water, which goes through it in regular streams in wet seasons. He cited, as an illustration of the free passage of water through the soil and the possibility of its carrying impure and infectious matter with it, the fact that a few years ago Dr. H. P. Goodrich, who lived on Tompkins-st., and who had a cesspool on his premises, found, upon attempting to clean it after a number of years, that this pool was being kept perfectly clean by a stream of water running through the bottom of it. How many wells this underground stream fed is unknown, but certain it is that some, perhaps hundreds of people, were being affected by it. Dr. Reese stated that, in his opinion, the most of the typhoid fever cases came from the lack of sewer connections and the use of well water.

   When asked if the infection might not come through milk as a result of feeding ensilage, as had been suggested by a resident of the city, he said that this would be impossible, as the typhoid germs must come from a previous case of the same disease. It might, however, come from milk as a result of there being germs in the water used in washing milk cans. This, he thought, would be less frequent than in the former case of getting the germs directly from the water drank from the wells by the individual.

   Dr. S. J. Sornberger said the cause of so much typhoid fever at present was very plain to him. The past season, which was remarkably dry, was very free from the disease. We had then a long dry season in which a great amount of filth was accumulated, followed by a soaking rain that dissolved all this collected and poisonous mass and sent it in solution down through the soil. In ten or twelve days the typhoid fever cases began to break out, and nine out of ten of these were in families where well water is used. This makes the causes very plain, the germs were upon the surface; they were carried in solution through the soil to the wells and from these to the system.

   Dr. P. M. Neary said the fact that all, or nearly all, the patients now suffering with typhoid fever were drinking well water at the time they were taken sick is suggestive. It suggests that water rather than air was the medium through which the germs entered the system.

   It also suggests that the soil through which our well water percolates contained the fever germs.

   It may be a question whether these germs entered our patients through low water near the end of a long dry season, or through the first water finding its way through the soil following the dry season.

   We may assume that it is in the water, under either or both of these conditions and that the germs are more numerous and more potent for mischief than when the opposite conditions obtain.

   Solid matter, and organic and other impurities, are relatively greater in low water than in high water, hence a greater chance of becoming infected by drinking such water.

   The first water passing through the soil after a long, dry, warm season will carry with it, held both in solution and suspension, a greater amount relatively of solid matter, etc., than the water following, hence germs more numerous in this.

   Dr. Higgins said in reply to questions that typhoid fever comes from germs and these are usually communicated from one of three causes: poor water, milk infected from washing the cans or dishes which contain it in water that contains the germs, or from inhaling the germs which proceed from the discharge from the bowels or the bladder. In almost all the cases in this city well water has been used, and probably the wells have been contaminated by some manner of filth which produces the germs. The prolonged drought of the summer left a great amount of decaying vegetable matter upon the surface of the ground. When the heavy rains came these were washed into the ground and into the wells, producing the germs. All well water should be boiled to destroy the germs. Milk should be inspected to see if it contains germs. All discharges from bowels and bladder should be carefully disinfected so as not to spread the disease further.

   Dr. E. A. Didama says that there must be typhoid germs to produce typhoid fever. All this section of the state has for the past two years been visited with severe draughts. Last year the draught was not followed up by much of any rain. In fact, there was a scarcity of water all winter. There was little fever last fall and winter. But this year the drought was followed by excessive rains and the accumulated filth of the two years was washed into the ground. It was then transmitted to the water and the result was the epidemic of typhoid fever. Dr. Didama said he had inquired of other physicians as to their patients, and in nearly every case the illness had come to families who used well water and not city water. Some of the patients have city water in their homes, but have drank well water at the factories where they work. The wells on the east side of the city are more likely to be impure than those on the west side, as the drainage is that way, and it is a note worthy fact that nearly all the illness is east of Main-st. There are few cases on the west side. Dr. Didama thinks that the city water is pure and free from all germs. He advises boiling all well water before using. It would be advisable too, to occasionally use a disinfectant in privy vaults, where there are no sewer connections. The doctor called attention to the carelessness of many people in the matter of the care of decaying vegetables. If these are put upon ash piles the ashes should be frequently removed before the process of decay of the vegetable matter has had a chance to progress far. Dr. Didama noted the fact, in closing, that here is always very little typhoid fever after a wet summer, and much more after a dry one.

   Dr. E. B. Nash saw that the whole cause of the typhoid epidemic is the long drought followed by the heavy rains. The decaying vegetable matter washed into wells produces it. Boil the water was his laconic advice.

   Dr. H. P. Johnson said that he did not feel at all sure as to the cause of the fever. He thought it proceeded previously from the drought and the heavy rains, but there are four cases north of Little York, where it seems as though the water should be pure, and more of it also in Truxton.

   Dr. H. T. Dana is of the opinion that the typhoid in Cortland comes through the use of well water. The most of the cases have occurred since the beginning of the heavy rains, when the water level was extraordinarily low. When the rainfall came it seemed to bear water laden with fever germs down into the soil. So far as he knew, persons using city water are free from the disease. All the cases he has treated have drank well water.

   Dr. C. D. VerNooy was of the same idea as to the causes of the disease here. He stated that the germs had been collecting all through the dry season and that these went in solution into the soil, and so into the wells. This theory he thought was the most feasible, as the majority of cases were in families which used well water.

   Dr. E. M. Santee stated that he had had but one case that gave the appearance of typhoid. This he had quickly broken up.

 

TYPHOID FEVER.

"Physician" Urges the Board of Health to Prevent It.

   To the Editor of The Standard:

   SIR—Typhoid fever may now safely be said to be one of the preventable diseases. It cannot be cured when once contracted, but the time has come when to have typhoid fever in a community is a disgrace. The individual affected is not to blame, for the cause is so insidious that no one can surely protest himself when the disease is prevalent. It is only by concerted action that we can rid ourselves of such a pest.

   There are now within our city limits thirty-two cases of typhoid fever under physicians' care. With a slightly larger per cent we shall resemble an army camp of the Spanish war. It affects people in the prime of life, the workers. When a death from it occurs some family is left bereft of support. If recovery occurs the loss of time and money is a very important item. What more important affair could interest us than to trace out the cause of so much sickness and remove it?

   This is what health boards are for and the value of this kind of work has been repeatedly demonstrated. In almost every case the cause has been found to be an infection of water supply. Frequently the milk becomes infected by washing the cans in such infected water, since milk is a medium in which the typhoid germs can rapidly multiply. The patient himself can communicate the disease only by the passages from the bowels. Others may get the disease from him if the bed linen is not properly and immediately disinfected by boiling, and the fecal discharges properly disposed of.

   The problem of investigating these few items and stamping out this infection is certainly a simple one, but still a very important one and I may add, one that our present health board does nothing at all about.

   It seems to me that we as citizens, for our own self-protection should request of them at least this much: That they should notify those using well water of its dangers, at least without boiling it all; that they should examine each dairy supplying milk to the city and order the supply stopped whenever the milk has become infected; that they should issue plain directions for the care of each patient with reference to the further spread of the disease; that they should see to it that by no possibility the city water becomes infected.

   This much we certainly have a right to ask, if typhoid fever is a preventable disease, but preventable only by general action. PHYSICIAN.

 

Ferdinand E. Smith.

SCIENCE OF EDUCATION.

Instructive and Highly Interesting Talk by Supt. F. E. Smith.

   Before a full meeting of the Science club last Saturday night Superintendent F. E. Smith gave a well prepared and very interesting, as well as instructive talk on the "Science of Education."

   He began by saying that the history of education was as old as man, but that the science of education is the work of the present century, in fact, of the last twenty-five years. Every science is made up of the philosophy of the world's greatest thinkers. He stated that he did not propose in the time given him, to trace education from primitive man, but merely to speak of the historical side insofar as it was necessary to throw light on the present science of education.

   First, it is well to enquire what is meant by the science of education, and if there is such a science. There are two kinds of practical knowledge, empirical and scientific. In early times most acknowledge was empirical, to-day it is largely scientific. The question is, are we teaching from an empirical or from a scientific standpoint?

   The practice in education is less advanced than the conceptions of its philosophers. This is true in medicine, in law, in ethics, and in every department of science,

   Comperaye says, "The science of education is no longer an empty term, an object of vague aspirations for philosophers, or easy ridicule for wits. It is not a readily established science, but philosophers are constructing a science on rational lines."

   The science of education has been closely allied with the science of psychology, but we are constructing a science on much broader lines. To say now just where the science of education begins, or where it ends, is a very difficult matter. According to the speaker's views, the science of education should be as broad as the subject of which it is the science, namely education. Therefore he would construct the science of education on the broadest basis possible.

   A very small part of the knowledge which we gain is through the teacher. Self and nature are our greatest teachers. There should be a science of education for the learner as well as a science of pedagogics for the teacher. He also advanced the theory that there should be a science of education for the parents, or those in parental relations.

   It has been customary to think of education as beginning when the child enters school. Education undoubtedly begins with the race. The laws heredity would be interesting to discuss, but it would be doing well to begin with the infant mind in the discussion.

   A scientific observation of children is becoming more common, and is known as the science of [?]. The result of this science is the order of the development of the sciences: first, taste; second, smell; third touch; fourth, hearing; fifth, sight; the feeling of temperature, the emotion of fear, astonishment and anger; the intellect and the will, language and self consciousness. Temperament is the chief thing to observe in the child. These old classes are important: First, sanguine; second, choleric; third, melancholy; and fourth, phlegmatic. Each temperament requires a different treatment and much care. Preyer says, ''There is in the first period of life too little physical instruction, and in the later period, far too much un-psychological."

   Play is a very important factor in the education of a child. The children of the rich suffer as much from the multiplicity of playthings, as the children of the few, to the lack of them.

   Our destinies are largely determined by the will. The origin of the will is first noticed by muscular movements of the child; second by the child's attempts at imitations, and then by successful imitations, hence the importance of allowing infants freedom and opportunity to express their sensations, perceptions and ideas, and to practice imitation.

   The fundamental rules are: Spare the organs of senses and exercise them properly. Talk sensibly with a child that is learning to speak.

   The subject of the kindergarten was next taken up, as given by Froebel. The objects and ends of the kindergarten were admirably pointed out.

   The speaker stated that psychology would form an important part of the subject, but as Dr. Cheney had already well covered that part, he would omit that part.

   The public schools, secondary schools and universities were taken up in order of the courses of studies prescribed.

   It was said that the kindergarten completes the first cycle of the child's education, and the grades the second cycle or to the adolescence period. There is a great effort to complete the scientific, university and technical education before the student reaches the age of twenty-one. It was also said that in secondary education the Regents' syllables, as to subject matter, seemed to be quite complete, but as to corollary, incomplete.

   The German, French and English systems were taken up and compared with the American. The Greek language, as to educational value and culture, was also well discussed. He closed with a discussion of manual training and child study.

 

BREVITIES.

   —Wish you a Happy New Year.

   —To-day is the last day of the year and the century.

   —The Ladies' Literary club will meet Wednesday afternoon at 3:30 o'clock with Mrs. J. L. Watrous, 20 Clinton-ave.

   —The funeral of Mr. Lawson E. McKee will be held Wednesday at 1:30 o'clock at the home of his brother Mr. T. C. McKee, 22 Owego-st.

   —To-morrow being New Year's day and a holiday no paper will be issued from this office. Full particulars of the two days' news on Wednesday.

   —Watch night services will be held at the Free Methodist church this evening beginning at 8 o'clock. Several ministers will be present and assist.

   —The Woman's Foreign Missionary society of the First M. E. church will meet at the home of Mrs. S. K. Jones, 27 Charles-st., on Wednesday at 8 o'clock.

   —The Fortnightly club will meet Wednesday afternoon at 3:30 o'clock with Miss Carrie Day Halbert instead of with Mrs. W. R. Cole as announced at the last meeting.

   —Midnight mass will be celebrated in St. Mary's church to-night, thus ushering in the new century. The choir will repeat the Christmas music on this rare but solemn occasion.

   —Cortland Commandery, No. 50, K. T., will this year make its annual good will offering on New Year's day to the  poor of the city through the medium of the King's Daughters.

   —New display advertisements to-day are—M. A. Case, Clearing sale, page 4; City Cycle Co., Bicycle repairing, page 8; Palmer & Co., Three days sale, page 4; Opera House, "Quo Vadis," page 5.

   —To-morrow being New Year's day, the postoffice will be open from 7 to 10 in the morning, and from 6 to 7 at night. There will be one complete delivery by the carriers. Money order office is closed for the day.

   —The annual sunrise prayer-meeting of the Congregational church will be held in the lecture room of the church New Year's morning at 8 o'clock. Entering upon a new century, it is hoped to make this meeting of more than ordinary interest and helpfulness.

   —The Sunday-school teachers of the First M. E. church meet this evening at the parsonage at 6:30. Supper will be served by members of Mr. Homer L. Hayes' class, and the lesson for next Sunday will be taken up and discussed around the board.

   —Watch night services will be held at the First M. E. church to-night beginning at 8:30 o'clock with a praise and prayer-meeting. The Homer-ave. M. E. church will unite with First church in these services, and Rev. H. L. Rixon will preach the sermon at 9 o'clock.

   —The STANDARD'S carriers will to-morrow morning take to the subscribers who receive papers by carrier the calendars for the new year. The boys will no doubt appreciate any little mark of remembrance which may be offered to them. Mail subscribers will receive their calendars by mail.

 

ALGER DEFENDS EAGAN, TWENTIETH CENTURY MOTIVE POWER, COMMON COUNCIL, CHARITY BALL, AND DEATH OF ROBERT PURVIS

 

Commanding General Nelson Miles.

Russel A. Alger.

Commissary General Charles Eagan.

Cortland Evening Standard, Saturday, December 29, 1900.

ALGER DEFENDS EAGAN.

Inside History of the "Embalmed Beef" Scandal.

GEN. MILES BITTERLY ASSAILED.

Former Secretary of War Says Charges Made by Miles Were Not Based on Fact And Caused the Removal of an Honest, Capable Official.

   NEW YORK, Dec. 29.—The North American Review in its next issue will contain an article on "The Food of the Army During the Spanish War," by Former Secretary of War Russell A. Alger. The article says in part:

   "The commission appointed by the president at my request to investigate the conduct of the war department in the war with Spain, commonly known as commission, met on the 29th day of December, 1898. On the 21st day of December the major general commanding the army of the United States appeared before the commission.

   "General Miles refused to be sworn or affirmed as every other of the 495 witnesses had been, declaring in substance that he 'would make his statements without being sworn and was responsible for what he said.'

   ''Although the commission had been sitting for nearly three months the charges with respect to canned and refrigerated beef were now made for the first time; and stranger and more inexcusable and more unsoldierly still, during all those months, with this pretended knowledge of facts which, if they existed, should have been made known to the secretary of war for the protection of the army—General Miles never mentioned the subject. Nor did I ever hear a rumor of chemically-treated beef being purchased for the army until the general's testimony was given before the commission.

   "Upon Commissary General Charles P. Eagan the charges fell with the suddenness and sharpness of a blow from an assassin's knife out of the dark.

   "The allegation that I had inspired or had any knowledge of General Eagan's intended attack upon the statement of General Miles is absolutely untrue.

   "The language of General Eagan could not be overlooked. He was tried by court martial for conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman and for conduct to the prejudice of good order and military discipline. Of these charges and specifications, he was found guilty and recommended to be dismissed from the service. The sentence of the court, however, was commuted to suspension from rank and duty for six years until his retirement.

   "The suspension of General Eagan from the functions of his office until his retirement stripped the service of an honest and able officer. His court martial was not the outcome of General Miles' charges, but the result of intemperate and unmilitary language conceived in an indignation pardonable, perhaps, in its existence, but unpardonable in its mode of expression.

   "The allegations of General Miles that canned fresh beef was not a part of the army ration and that it was issued as the 'pretense of an experiment' were not only contrary to fact, but were made absolutely without a particle of evidence or excuse.

Not Even Honest In Making Charges.

   "If we are to believe written evidence to the contrary, it does not appear that General Miles was even honest in making his dilatory charges that the tinned beef was issued as the pretense of an experiment and that it was not a part of the ration.

   "On the 17th of June, 1898, his most confidential staff officer signed a letter by 'direction of the major general commanding the army' instructing the depot commissary at Tampa to furnish to General Nunez 10,644 pounds of canned roast beef, to be issued from the 'subsistence stores of the army.' If we are to accept the reading of this letter as correct, it proves that General Miles knew that canned fresh beef was a part of the ration; that he knew there was a large quantity of it at Tampa for issue to the troops, and that he so far approved of its use as to direct that the ration be furnished in large quantities to our allies.

   "It was never intended by the commissary department that canned beef should be used other than as an emergency or travel ration.

   "Fresh canned beef was preferable over corned canned beef because of the fact that the salt in the latter produced a thirst, a decided objection in a tropical country; but the tinned beef should have been used only when cooked with vegetables and properly seasoned. In this statement lies the secret of the source of complaint against canned fresh beef.

   "The ration was not used to any great extent in the camps in the United States, but only on the transports to Cuba and Porto Rico and for a short time in Cuba by part of Shafter's army in the trenches, where objection to its use could also be raised on account of the inability to cook and serve it suitably. A few issues were also made in Porto Rico. And yet, despite the improper preparation of the food, owing to unavoidable circumstances resulting from military necessity, no complaint of its unpalatability reached the war department.

   "After the charges made by General Miles, the most expert and scientific men in the country were therefore employed by the government to further the investigation.

   "The court of inquiry visited several of the large packing houses, accompanied by Dr. Bigelow. The results of personal examinations and of the investigations of the experts employed, conclusively showed that there was not one jot or title of evidence or excuse for the statement that canned fresh beef was the pulp after the beef extract had been removed.

   "The imputation with respect to canned fresh beef were most carefully and thoroughly examined and reported upon by two impartial tribunals, one being composed of eminent citizens, ex-soldiers and a distinguished general officer of the regular army (I refer to the war investigation commission); the other, the court of inquiry, consisting wholly of officers of the regular army of high rank and unimpeachable integrity, especially assembled to investigate this question. There was no subject to which the Dodge commission devoted more time or more thoroughly investigated than the assertions of the senior major general of the army.

Charges Without Foundation.

   "What did these tribunals find? That there was no foundation for the charge that canned fresh beef was not a part of the ration or that it had been furnished as the pretense of experiment or that it was the pulp from beef.

   "General Miles arrived at Tampa on June 1 for the purpose of rendering such assistance to the commanding general of the Santiago expedition as his military experience and high rank could give. If General Miles did not look into the question of food for the Santiago expedition he was as culpable as though he had failed to inspect all other important matters. Besides finding that canned fresh beef was unsuitable when not cooked with vegetables the court of inquiry also expressed the opinion that the purchase of 7,000,000 rations by the commissary general during the first two months of the war with Spain, was a 'colossal error' for which there is no palliation. This, of course, is a question for judgment as between the court of inquiry and General Eagan.

   "General Miles' charges with respect to refrigerated beef were much more serious than his imputations regarding canned beef. His allegations, in substance, were that the beef furnished the army had been artificially preserved by injecting into it chemicals which were injurious to health; that he had overwhelming proof that this 'embalmed beef' had been treated with chemicals.

   "As a matter of fact, the inventor of the Powell process of treating meat swore that the beef exhibited by him at Tampa was treated by fumigation, and that neither boric nor salicylic acid was used at all in the operation. Dr. Daly made himself further ridiculous in his letter to General Miles by referring to the taste and smell of decomposed boric acid in the meat condemned by the board on the 'Panama.' Scientific evidence was submitted to the effect that boric acid does not decompose when used as a meat preservative and that it has neither taste nor odor.

   "The allegation that the food furnished the army was the cause of much sickness seems to have been as little investigated or to have had as little warrant for its utterance as the other disproved charges."

   In conclusion, ex-Secretary Alger says:

   "While the allegations of General Miles were not based upon fact and were conclusively disproven by two separate tribunals unimpeachable in their composition and methods of investigation, the irreparable damage had been done. A brave, honest and faithful officer, suffering under the lash of such cruel, unwarranted and unjustified imputations, while exonerated from the heavy odium of those charges was, as a result of them, sacrificed on the altar of his own passion, righteous in its existence, but inexcusable in its expression. Besides this, a false impression had been created throughout the country as to the food furnished the army which may never be removed. The charges of General Miles, twice proven false in spirit and substance, are therefore the more heinous in their effect. Yet the present congress promoted General Miles to be lieutenant general and has thus far failed to give to General Shafter the rank of major general to retire upon in his old age and this, after his magnificent campaign at Santiago, as well as his former distinguished services."

 

VERDICT AGAINST NURSES.

Jury Finds Hilliard's Death Was Due to Injuries Received at Bellevue.

   NEW YORK, Dec. 29.-The jury in the inquest into the cause of the death of Louis H. Hilliard last night rendered a verdict declaring that he had come to his death from asphyxiation and fractured ribs, caused by Jessie R. Davis, Edward O. Dean and Clinton L. Marshall.

   The jury also censured the Bellevue hospital authorities for laxity of methods.

   Despite the protests of Assistant District Attorney McIntyre, Davis, Dean and Marshall were released in $5,000 bail each.

 

PAGE FOUR—EDITORIALS.

Twentieth Century Motive Power.

   What will be the motive power of the twentieth century is one of the questions being asked at this time, when we are passing the century mark. So marvelous have been the developments in steam and electricity during the past 100 years that we may look for still more marvelous developments in the next hundred. No one can foretell to what extent human ingenuity may compel the forces of nature to do the work of man. Wave power and sun power are forces which may yet be utilized in turning the wheels of industry and supplying the propulsive energy of commerce.

   The wave power inventor is at work and seems almost to have solved the problem of making the sea do the world's work.

   Some day this great invention is likely to be perfected, and then it will be in order to see a transformation of our seashores into continuous machine shops. There is no doubt that power derived from such a source would be much cheaper than that derived from fuel. The fuel problem is not yet pressing, but if industries multiply in the coming century at the ratio that has prevailed during the closing century the generation of 100 years hence may sorely feel the pressure of this need. Increased use of cataract water power, such as at Niagara, has served somewhat to check the development of this crisis, and doubtless in the course of a few decades the water power will be utilized to the limit now dreamed of by enterprising promoters.

   The sun power inventor is also at work, hoping to transform the sun's energy into a mundane motive force. In the light of past developments no one need marvel if the sun and the sea shall furnish the motive power of the twentieth century.

 

Edwin H. Conger.

Conger to Resign.

   WASHINGTON, Dec. 29— Friends of Minister Conger intimate that he will shortly resign his position as the diplomatic representative of the United States at the Chinese capital. They say he feels acutely the criticisms that have been made by the state department regarding his conduct of the negotiations during the preparation of the note containing the demands of the powers upon China.

 

Death of Prof. Tyler.

   Prof. Moses Coit Tyler, head of the department of American history in Cornell university, died at his home in Ithaca yesterday after an illness of some weeks from cystitis. His age was 65 years. Prof. Tyler has several times preached in the Grace church in Cortland and was well known here. His death will be a great loss to the educational world.

 

Samuel N. Holden.

COMMON COUNCIL

Holds a Brief Meeting—Audits Bills and Accepts Bonds of Constables.

   A regular meeting of the common council of the city of Cortland, N. Y., was held at the office of the city clerk of said city on the 28th day of Dec., 1900, at 7:30 P. M. There were present, Samuel N. Holden, Mayor, and A. E. Buck, Wm. G. McKinney and E. D. Wood, aldermen.

   On motion of Mr. Buck, seconded by Mr. Wood and declared carried:

   Resolved, That the clerk of this board have authority and direction to draw further orders on the chamberlain of this city in the aggregate amount of $229.16 pursuant to and in favor of the respective persons and in the respective amount specified and certified by the board of supervisors of Cortland county to this board on Dec. 12, 1900, duly filed, being this city's share and portion of accounts against the former town of Cortlandville, as shown by schedule thereto annexed, and being in addition to the sum of $2,622.08, heretofore audited, and that the same be drawn on the general city fund by order dated Dec. 20, 1900, and payable on or after Feb. 20, 1901.

   The following bills were allowed and ordered paid:

   Day Baker, expenses to Syracuse $4.89

   Clark & Angell, poor audit, 4.82

   Police payroll, 185.00 [monthly]

   The official bonds of A. Goldsmith and Jas. E. Edwards, city constables, each in the penal sum of $1,000, with C. W. Stoker and Henry A. Dickinson as sureties on the former, and John Miller and R. Bruce Smith on the latter, were presented, and, on motion of Mr. McKinney, seconded by Mr. Wood, and declared carried:

   Resolved, That each of the same be approved by this board and placed on file.

   On motion, the meeting adjourned.

   Approved Dec. 28, 1900, SAMUEL N. HOLDEN, Mayor.

 

The Dog Helped Out.

   Late yesterday afternoon a stranger was leading a very tired cow along Main-st., Cortland, when about opposite Clayton-ave. the animal slipped and fell. She seemed not at all anxious to regain her footing, so the large crowd of men who gathered about took a hand in helping her up. The efforts, however, were not appreciated by the animal, and so were without avail and she was left alone in the street. Very soon a small dog ventured out toward her, and the cow arose, much to the satisfaction of the owner.

 

To Move to Cuyler.

   Mr. Mills G. Frisbie has purchased from Whitmarsh Bros. of Cuyler the mill property at that place owned by them and will take possession Feb. 1. Mr. Frisbie will move his family to Cuyler about the 1st of March and will give his personal attention to the business of the mill. He has rented his farm in Scott, where he now lives, to Mr. Clarence Patchen of Homer, who will take possession March 1.

 

THE CHARITY BALL.

GRAND SUCCESS AND BRILLIANT SOCIETY EVENT.

Taylor Hall was Filled with Dancers—Floor was Perfect—Beautiful Display of Costumes—Handsome Decorations—Excellent Music—Those Who Were There.

   The charity ball for the benefit of the Cortland hospital, which from every point of view was expected to be the most brilliant society function of the winter, occurred last night in Taylor hall, and was a most enjoyable as well as successful affair. There were perhaps not as many dancers as had been anticipated, but the floor was comfortably full, probably about eighty taking part in some of the dances, while many holders of floor tickets sat as spectators either in the seats reserved for them along the walls or in the gallery. A considerable number of tickets were purchased by those who were unable to attend, but who wanted to help the good cause along. So that altogether the management feels that the ball was a success from the financial point of view.

   The decorations were very beautiful and made the bare old hall look highly attractive. Flags formed a leading feature and these were arranged in artistic manner, while holly gave a suggestion as to the season. The stage upon which was seated Daniels' orchestra of eight pieces was heavily banked with palms. Incandescent lights of the red, white and blue colors added materially to the pretty effect. The wiring for the electric lighting was all done by Harold Gillette and Hugh Duffey, Jr., who proved very efficient in their assistance to the committee on decorations.

   The new floor recently put down by Mr. Mallory was tried for the first time and when waxed proved a delight to all the dancers. It was as nearly perfect as a floor could well be.

   The music was the best that Daniels' full orchestra could provide, and was eminently satisfactory to all. This well known leader has many admirers all through this vicinity who think that his assistance is the one thing needful to make a dance a success. Mr. Daniels contributed his services to the hospital absolutely free and nearly all of his men gave half of their services for the benefit of the cause.

   About 9 o'clock the people began to assemble and soon after that hour the orchestra began its preliminary concert. It was about 9:30 when the opening two-step was begun and the graceful dancers began to fill the floor. There were sixteen dances upon the program, of which seven were two-steps and five waltzes. Many of these were encored and repeated, and eight extras were also added to the program, so that altogether it was 3 o'clock before the ball was over.

   At about midnight a fine supper was served at the Candy Kitchen by Rood & Co.

   [A long list of those in costumes and their identities, as well as identities of those who purchased tickets, was not copied from this publication—CC ed.]

 

Growth of Syracuse University.

   Syracuse university has 1,704 students registered in its various departments. The university was opened in 1871 with forty-one students in its one department. Now it has five departments with an increase of 1,663. Last year the number registered was 1,402. This is certainly a wonderful growth, and most of it has been accomplished under the management of Chancellor Day.

 

Death of Lawson E. McKee.

   Mr. Lawson E. McKee died at 3 o'clock this afternoon of typhoid fever at the home of his brother Mr. J. L. McKee, 17 Owego-st. Mr. McKee has been living near the brick schoolhouse until a week ago last Wednesday when he moved his family into the city and on the evening of the same day was taken ill at the home of his brother. Arrangements for the funeral have not yet been completed.

 

Death of Robert Purvis.

   Mr. Robert Purvis of 19 Union-st., died at his home last night at the age of 75 years, 2 months and 8 days. He had been ill for several weeks. The funeral will be held at 2 o'clock on Monday afternoon at the house. A more extended obituary notice will be given later.

 

BREVITIES.

   —The Christmas music of the morning at the Presbyterian church will be repeated on Sunday morning.

   —Grover Corps, No. 96, will hold their meeting Monday, Dec. 31, at 2:30 o'clock, instead of on Tuesday, Jan. 1.

   —Edward Colwell, a tramp umbrella mender, was given five days in county jail this morning in police court for public intoxication.

   —Voegel & Deming's minstrels gave a fine entertainment last night, but the audience was small on account of the multiplicity of other attractions.

   —New display advertisements to-day are—Buck & Lane, Plumbing, etc., page 6; Mitchell & Strowbridge, Meats, etc., page 5; C. F. Brown, Right prices, page 8.

   —The band of "The South Before the War" company attracted a crowd today as it paraded at the noon hour. The company plays at the Opera House tonight.

   —Midnight mass will be celebrated in St. Mary's church next Monday night, thus ushering in the new century. The choir will repeat the Christmas music on this rare but solemn occasion.

   —The annual sunrise prayer-meeting of the Congregational church will be held in the lecture room of the church New Year's morning at 8 o'clock. Entering upon a new century, it is hoped to make this meeting of more than ordinary interest and helpfulness.

   —Watch night services will be held at the First M. E. church Monday night beginning at 8:30 o'clock with a praise and prayer-meeting. The Homer-ave. M. E. church will unite with First church in these services, and Rev. H. L. Rixon will preach the sermon at 9 o'clock.

   —All Odd Fellows are requested to meet at the Vesta lodge rooms Sunday at 1 P. M., to attend the funeral of Mr. Wallace Gardner. Prayer will be offered at the house, 12 Cleveland-st., at 2 o'clock and the funeral will be held at 2:30 o'clock at the Universalist church, Rev. U. S. Milburn officiating.

   —On Tuesday evening (New Year's) there will be an organ-piano recital, with vocal and violin solos, given in the Congregational church. In connection with the music a part of the evening will be given over to a social time. The entertainment is free and all are invited to enjoy the evening with us. The program will be published in The STANDARD on Monday evening.