Did a Coal Bunker Fire Sink the USS Maine?

 

Cortland Evening Standard, Wednesday, May 20, 1896.

FIRE ON THE INDIANA.

Big Battleship's Narrow Escape From Destruction.

HER COAL BUNKERS ABLAZE.

Fire Was In the Bunker Adjoining Her Magazines, Where Enough Powder Was Stored to Blow Her to Atoms—No Damage Done.

   NEW YORK, May 20.—A bunkerful of soft coal caught fire by spontaneous combustion in the big battleship Indiana as she lay in the coal dock at the Brooklyn navy yard. Right next to the burning bunker was the magazine for the 8-inch guns, stored with powder enough to blow the great battleship out of the water and wreck half the navy yard beside.

   The crew was called to fire quarters, the few visitors aboard hustled ashore and warned to give the ship a wide berth, and then, with a will and the cool rush of well-trained men, the jack tars got to work upon the fire.

   Its heart was already a glowing mass and was momentarily growing more dangerous.

   While the fire fighters were getting their apparatus ready and battening down the midship hatches a line of men was formed from the 8- inch magazine to the 13-inch on the deck forward, and the canisters of powder were passed rapidly from hand to hand to new quarters remote from the heat and danger.

   The fire itself was fought with water and steam, and after the powder had been removed was speedily extinguished.

 

 

Cortland Contrarian commentary.

 

   During initial sea trials, the Indiana achieved speeds of 15 ½ knots but had trouble with her gun turrets when they came loose and swung across the deck in heavy seas. The ship almost “turtled.” The gun turrets were quickly lashed with heavy lines and the ship returned to port. The Indiana was then retrofitted with a locking system to hold the gun turrets to the bilge keel. The Massachusetts and Oregon had their turrets fitted in the same fashion
   There were additional coal bunker fires on American ships during the 1890’s. Coal bunker fires were considered but rejected as a proximate cause of the Maine explosion by naval boards of inquiry.
   “On February 15, 1898, the American battleship Maine exploded while sitting in Havana harbor, killing two officers and 250 enlisted men. Fourteen of the injured later died, bringing the death total to 266. A naval board of inquiry concluded that the blast was caused by a mine placed outside the ship.” Louis Fisher, April 4, 2009, Destruction of the Maine (1898).
   The quoted sentences above are contained in a five-page report in the Law Library of Congress. The 2009 report was written by Louis Fisher, a specialist in constitutional law. The report summarizes and provides references to the various findings, inquiries and studies on the causative factors of the sinking of the battleship Maine.
   In 1976 Admiral H. G. Rickover, after a study of more than two years, published How the Battleship Maine Was Destroyed. He concluded that the explosion was internal--not caused by a mine or torpedo.
   Because there are conflicting conclusions about the proximate cause of the explosion, the subject becomes one of history’s mysteries. The Cortland Evening Standard front page article on May 20, 1896, about the fire in the coal bunker of the battleship Indiana, clearly demonstrates a potential relationship to the tragic magazine explosion on the Maine.

References:
   1) Five-page report by Louis Fisher: http://loc.gov/law/help/usconlaw/pdf/Maine.1898.pdf
   2) Sinking of the Maine, Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sinking_of_the_Maine
   3) U. S. Navy History: http://www.history.navy.mil/faqs/faq71-1.htm
   4) USS Indiana, Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Indiana_(BB-1)#CITEREFReillyScheina1980

 

USS MAINE NAVAL BOARD OF INQUIRY REPORT

The Cortland Democrat, Friday, April 1, 1898.

NAVAL BOARD REPORTS.

Maine Blown Up by Submarine Mine.

PRAISE FOR SHIP'S CREW.

President McKinley Sends a Brief Message to Congress.

   WASHINGTON, March 29.—The following is the full text of the report of the court of inquiry:

   KEY WEST, Fla., March 24.—After full and mature consideration of all the testimony before it, the court finds as follows:

   1. That the United States battleship Maine arrived in the harbor of Havana, Cuba, on the 25th day of January, 1898, and was taken to buoy No. 4 in from 5 1/2 to 6 fathoms of water by the regular government pilot.

   The United States consul general at Havana had notified the authorities at that place the previous evening of the intended arrival of the Maine.

   The state of discipline on board the Maine was excellent; and all orders and regulations in regard to the care and safety of the ship were strictly carried out. All ammunition was stowed in accordance with prescribed instruction, and proper care was taken whenever ammunition was handled.

   Nothing was stowed in any one of the magazines or shell rooms which was not permitted to be stored there. The magazines and shell rooms were always locked after having been opened, and after the destruction of the Maine the keys were found in their proper place in the captain’s cabin. Everything had been reported secure at 8 P. M.

   The temperature of the magazines and shell rooms were taken daily and reported. The only magazine which had an undo amount of heat was the after 10-inch magazine, and that did not explode at the time the Maine was destroyed.

A CAREFUL WATCH.

All Combustible Material Stowed in Safe Places.

   2. The torpedo war heads were all stowed in the after part of the ship under the wardroom, and neither caused not participated in the destruction of the Maine. The dry gun cotton primers and detonators were stowed in the cabin aft, and remote from the scene of the explosion. Waste was carefully looked after on the Maine to obviate danger. Special orders in regard to this had been given by the commanding officer. Varnishes, dryers, alcohol and other combustibles of this nature were stowed on or above the main deck, and could not have anything to do with the destruction of the Maine.

   The medical stores were stowed aft under the wardroom and remote from the scene of the explosion. No dangerous stores of any kind were stowed below in any of the other storerooms.

   The coal bunkers were inspected daily. Of those bunkers adjacent to the forward magazine and shell rooms, four were empty, namely, B3, B4, B5, and B6. A15 had been in use that day and A16 was full of new river coal,. This coal had been carefully inspected before receiving it on board. The bunker in which it was stowed was accessible on three sides at all times and the fourth side at this time on account of bunker B4 and B6 being empty. This bunker A10 had been inspected that day by the engineer officer on duty.

   The fire alarms in the bunkers were in working order and there had never been a case of spontaneous combustion of coal on board the Maine.

   The two after boilers of the ship were in use at the time of the disaster, but for auxiliary purposes only, with a comparatively low pressure of steam and being tended by a reliable watch. These boilers could not have cause the explosion of the ship. The four forward boilers have been found by the divers and are in fair condition.

   On the night of the night of the destruction of the Maine everything had been reported secure for the night at 8 P. M. by reliable persons through the proper authorities to the commanding officer. At the time the Maine was destroyed the ship was quiet, and therefore least liable to accident caused by movements from those on board.

TWO EXPLOSIONS.

The First Was an External One and Fired the Magazines.

   3. The destruction of the Maine occurred at 9:40 P. M. on the 15th day of February, 1898, in the harbor of Havana, Cuba, she being at the time moored to the same buoy to which she had been taken upon her arrival.

   There were two explosions of a distinctly different character with a very short but distinct interval between them, and the forward part of the ship was lifted to a marked degree at the time of the first explosion. The first explosion was most in the nature of a report like that of a gun, while the second explosion was, in the opinion of the court, caused by the partial explosion of two or more of the forward magazines of the Maine.

   4. The evidence bearing upon this being principally obtained from divers did not enable the court to form a definite conclusion as to the condition of the wreck, although it was established that the after part of the ship was practically intact and sank in that condition a very few minutes after the destruction of the forward part. The following facts in regard to the forward part of the ship are, however, established by the testimony:

   That portion of the port side of the protective deck which extends from about frame 30 to about frame [17] was blown up aft, and over to port. The main deck from about frame [17] was blown up aft and slightly over to starboard, folding the forward part of the middle superstructure over and on top of the after part.

   This was, in the opinion of the court, caused by the partial explosion of two or more of the forward magazines of the Maine.

   5. At frame 17 the outer shell of the ship from a point 11 1/2 feet from the middle line of the ship and 6 feet above the keel when in its normal position has been forced up so as to be now about 4 feet above the surface of the water; therefore about 31 feet above where it would be had the ship sunk uninjured. The outside bottom plating is bent into a reversed V shape, the after wing of which, about 15 feet broad and 30 feet in length from frame [17] to frame 25, is doubled back upon itself against the continuation of the same plating extending forward.

   At frame 18 the vertical keel is broken in two, and the flat keel bent into an angle similar to the angle formed by the outside bottom plating. This break is now about six feet below the surface of the water and about 30 feet above its normal position.

   In the opinion of the court this effect could have been produced only by the explosion of a mine situated under the bottom of the ship at about frame 18 and somewhat on the port side of the ship.

VERDICT OF THE COURT.

Loss of the Ship Not Due to Negligence of Officers or Crew.

   6. The court finds that the loss of the Maine, on the occasion named, was not in any respect due to fault or negligence on the part of any of the officers or members of the crew of said vessel.

   7. In the opinion of the court, the Maine was destroyed by the explosion of a submarine mine, which caused the partial explosion of two or more of her forward magazines.

   8. The court has been unable to obtain evidence fixing the responsibility for the destruction of the Maine upon any person or persons.

   W. T. SAMPSON, Captain, U. S. N., President.

   A. MARIX, Lt. Commander, U. S. N., Judge Advocate.

   The court having finished the inquiry it was ordered to make adjournment at 11 A. M. to await the action of the convening authority.

   W. T. SAMPSON, Captain, U. S. N., President.

   A. MARIX, Lt. Commander, U. S. N., Judge Advocate.

   U. S. Flagship New York, March 22, 1898, off Key West, Fla.

   The proceedings and findings of the court of inquiry in the above case are approved.

   M. SICARD, Rear Admiral, Commander-in-Chief of the United States naval force on the North Atlantic squadron.

William McKinley.

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE.

His Communication to Congress a Recapitulation of the Court of Inquiry Report.

   WASHINGTON, March 29.—The president sent the following message to congress:

   To the Congress of the United States:

   For some time prior to the visit of the Maine to Havana harbor, our consular representatives pointed out the advantages to flow from the visit of national ships to the Cuban waters in accustoming the people to the presence of our flag  as the symbol of good will and our ships in the fulfillment of the mission of protection to American interests, even though no immediate need therefore might exist.

   Accordingly on the 24th of January last, after conference with the Spanish minister in which the renewal of visits of our war vessels was discussed and accepted, the Peninsular authorities at Madrid and Havana were advised of the purpose of this government to resume friendly naval visits at Cuban ports, and that in that view the Maine would forthwith call at the port of Havana.

   This announcement was received by the Spanish government with appreciation of the friendly character of the visit of the Maine, and with notification of intention to return the courtesy by sending Spanish ships to the principal ports of the United States. Meanwhile the Maine entered the port of Havana on the 25th of January, her arrival being met with no special incident besides the exchange of customary salutes and ceremonial visits.

   The Maine continued in the harbor of Havana during the three weeks following her arrival. No appreciable excitement attended her stay; on the contrary, a feeling of relief and confidence followed the resumption of long interrupted friendly intercourse. So noticeable was this immediate effect of her visit that the [U. S.] consul general strongly urged the presence of our ships in Cuban waters should be kept up by retaining the Maine at Havana, or in the event of her recall by sending another vessel there to take her place.

  

THE EXPLOSION.

The Horrible Scenes Following the Blowing Up of the Maine.

   At 40 minutes past 9 on the evening of the 15th of February the Maine was destroyed by an explosion, by which the entire forward part of the ship was utterly wrecked. In this catastrophe two officer and 264 of her crew perished, those who were not killed outright by her explosion being pinned between decks by the tangle of wreckage and drowned by the immediate sinking of the hull.

   Prompt assistance was rendered by neighboring vessels anchored in the harbor, aid being especially given by the boats of the Spanish cruiser Alphonso XII, and the Ward line steamer City of Washington, which lay not far distant.

   The wounded were generously cared for by the authorities of Havana, the hospitals being freely opened to them, while the earliest recovered bodies of the dead were interred by the municipality in a public cemetery in the city. Tributes of grief and sympathy were offered from all official quarters of the island.

   The appalling calamity fell upon the people of our country with crushing force, and for a brief time an intense excitement prevailed which in a community less just and self-controlled than ours might have led to hasty acts of blind resentment. This spirit, however, soon gave way to the calmer processes of reason and to the resolve to investigate the facts and await material proofs before forming a judgment as to the cause, the responsibility, and as the facts warranted, the remedy due.

   This course necessarily recommended itself from the outset to the executive, for only in the light of a dispassionately ascertained certainty could it determine the nature and measure of its full duty in the matter. The usual procedure was followed as to all cases of casualty to a disaster to national vessels of any maritime state. A naval court of inquiry was at once organized, composed of officers well qualified by rank and practical experience to discharge the onerous duty imposed on them.

   Aided by a strong force of wreckers and divers, the court proceeded to make a thorough investigation on the spot, employing every available means for the impartial and exact determination of the causes of the explosion. Its operations have been conducted with the utmost deliberation and judgment and, while independently pursued, no source of information was neglected and the fullest opportunity was allowed for a simultaneous investigation by the Spanish authorities.

   The finding of the court of inquiry was reached after 23 days of continuous labor on the 21st of March, and having been approved on the 22d by the commander-in-chief of the United States naval force on the North Atlantic station, was transmitted to the executive. It is herewith laid before congress, together with the voluminous testimony taken before the court.

  

A SYNOPSIS.

What the Report of the Board Tends to Show.

   Its report is, in brief, as follows:

   "When the Maine arrived at Havana she was conducted by the regular government pilot to buoy No. 4, to which she was moored in from five and a half to six fathoms of water.

   "The state of discipline on board and the condition of her magazines, boilers, coal bunkers and storage departments are passed in review, with the conclusion that excellent order prevailed and that no indication of any cause for an internal explosion existed in any quarter.

   "At 8 o'clock in the evening of February 15 everything had been reported secure, and all was quiet.

   "At forty minutes past nine o'clock the vessel was suddenly destroyed.

   "There were two distinct explosions with a brief interval between them. The first lifted the forward part of the ship very perceptibly; the second, which was more open, prolonged and of greater volume, is attributed by the court to partial explosion of two or more of the forward magazines.

   "The evidence of the divers establishes that the after part of the ship was practically intact, and sank in that condition a very few minutes after the explosion. The forward part was completely demolished."

   Upon the evidence of a concurrent external cause the finding of the court is as follows:

   At frame 17 the outer shell of the ship from a point eleven and one-half feet from the middle line of the ship and six feet above the keel when in its normal position, has been forced up so as to be now about four feet above the surface of the water, therefore about 34 feet above where it would be had the ship sank uninjured.

   The outside bottom plating is bent into a reversed V-shape, the after wing of which, about fifteen feet broad and thirty-two feet in length (frame 17 to 25) is doubled back upon itself against the continuation of the same plating extended forward.

   At frame 18 the vertical keel is broken in two and the flat keel bent into an angle similar to the angle formed by the outside bottom plate. This break is now about six feet below the surface of the water and about thirty feet above its normal position.

   In the opinion of the court the…could have been produced only by the explosion of a mine situated under the bottom of the ship at about frame 18, and somewhat on the…side of the ship.

   The conclusions of the court are:

   That the loss of the Maine was not in any respect due to the fault or negligence on the part of any of the officers or members of her crew.

   That the ship was destroyed by an explosion of a submarine mine, which caused the partial explosion of two or more of her forward magazines; and

   That no evidence has been obtainable fixing the responsibility for the destruction of the Maine upon any person or persons.

   I have directed the findings of the court of inquiry and the views of this government thereon be communicated to the government of her majesty, Queen Regent,  and do not permit myself to doubt that the…of justice of the Spanish nation will dictate a course of action suggested by honor and the friendly relations of the two governments.

   It will be the duty of the executive to advise the congress of the [results] and in the meantime [deliberative consideration] is involved.

   WILLIAM MCKINLEY.

   Executive Mansion, March 28, 1898.

HERE AND THERE.

   The public schools have a vacation this week.

   Look out for April fools and other fools to-day.

   The local [Cortland] branch of the Order of United American Machinists celebrated their fifth anniversary Wednesday evening.

   Bingham Bros. & Miller on Wednesday night moved to their new store, one door north of their old stand.

   Beginning next Sunday church services will begin at 7:30 Sunday evenings and continue through the summer.

   On our third page will be found a sectional cut of the battleship Maine which gives an accurate view of her makeup.

   There has been a small quantity of maple sugar made this season, and the prospects are that the harvest is at an end.

   John L. Sullivan makes his Initial visit to the Cortland opera house, Friday, April 22, in the musical farce, ''A Trip Across the Ocean.''

   Richard Halloran, who has been the D. L. & W. R. R. flagman on Clinton-ave. for many years, died at his home Monday evening, aged 68 years.

   Miss Jennie May Phelps of Blodgett Mills, formerly of McGrawville, was brought to the Cortland Hospital Monday for treatment.

   The Cortland City band have reorganized and are now practicing under Mr. Frank Goddard as leader. They are open for engagements.

   James Keenan died at his home on Sunday at the age of 75 years. The funeral was held Tuesday morning from the house and St. Mary's church.

   The eastern end of the track of the E. & C. N. Y. R. R. is daily nearing Cincinnatus.  Tracklaying has been resumed and an excursion to Cincinnatus will soon be in order.

   The Ellis Omnibus & Cab company shipped Monday a coach to Mechanicsville, N. Y., an Omnibus to Montrose, Pa., and a coach to Swanton, Vt. The shops of this company started up with a good force last week.

   Editor R. R. Davis of the Tully Times has our congratulations on his appointment as postmaster of that place. He has long deserved recognition from his party and a large circle of friends will rejoice that he has at last received it.

   The Y. M. C. A. basketball team have elected W. H. Mills captain of first squad and William Chamberlain captain second squad. The baseball team have chosen W. C. Reynolds captain and Secretary Armstrong manager.

   On April 23 the Whitney Point Reporter will issue a special number on the subject of the disastrous fire which so nearly wiped out the town, with cuts and descriptions of the place before and after. This is in line with the enterprise previously shown by that paper.

   Mr. Samuel Parsons, who is compiling a new directory of Cortland, Homer Marathon and McGrawville, has nearly completed the business part of the town. He will not take up the residence portion till the spring moving is over and residents again become permanent.

   Mrs. Sarah M. Freer, relict of the late Stephen D. Freer, passed away last Saturday morning at her home on Port Watson-st. She is survived by one daughter, Miss Mary Freer and by three sons, Stephen D., Joseph and William. The funeral was held Monday afternoon from the house at 3 o'clock, and was attended by a large number of relatives and friends.

   Professor Charles L Crandall has installed a private electric plant, operated by a windmill by means of which he illuminates his residence on West Hill. The capacity of the apparatus is about 30 lights. It has been in operation several weeks and is said to give great satisfaction. A feature of the plant is a storage battery which can supply a current for a week so that in the event of a calm there would be no intermission in the service. The plant cost about $500 complete and was put in by J. L. Marshall.—Ithaca Journal.

   Dr. C. D Ver Nooy, whom we mentioned several weeks ago as coming to Cortland, is now located at No. 58 Port Watson-st , the office of the late Dr. White. Dr. Ver Nooy succeeded Dr. White at Enfield when the latter moved to Homer some six years ago and now succeeds him here. During his practice there he has been very successful, particularly in chronic diseases. His office hours are from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 P. M. He resides at No. 84 Port Watson-st.

 

ALLEGED SPANISH TREACHERY, NEFARIOUS ELECTION SCHEME AND BY RAILROAD TO SOLON

Cortland Semi-Weekly Standard, Friday, March 4, 1898.

SPANISH TREACHERY.

Submarine Mine Laid Near the Maine’s Anchorage.

FIRED FROM THE SHORE.

Public Opinion in Havana Charge the Spaniards with Doing the Deed.

   HAVANA, via Key West, March 3.—Without adding unnecessarily to the flood of surmise, conjecture and prophecy concerning the finding of the [USS Maine] court of inquiry, most of the naval officers here incline to the opinion that the court will find that the disaster to the Maine was caused by a floating submarine mine under the port side of the ship, forward of amidships.

   Opinions differ as to whether this mine was made of high explosives, such as wet and dry guncotton, or ordinary gunpowder. Opinions concur, not only to the existence of mines in the harbor, but also that this one was laid purposely near the buoy where foreign vessels were directed to moor, and was fired by a flash from an electric battery on shore.

   It is believed barely possible that the explosion of the mine was the result of the carelessness or ignorance of Spanish officers in charge of the mine station keys, when testing the circuit, but the latter supposition is not felt to be probable. It is further regarded as settled by the evidence before the court that the port side of the hull forward was completely blown to pieces and that the only explosion on the Maine, except of isolated cases of fixed ammunition, was that of 3,000 pounds of saluting powder, stored forward and of which no trace can be found.

   These views are gathered from officers who talk with great reserve and only upon the assurance that their identity will never be revealed. The fact remains that only the members of the court of inquiry know all the testimony elicited; and no one is authorized to make public the opinion of members in advance of the final judgment.

   A good deal of surprise was expressed by Americans here at learning that Spanish divers were to be permitted to make an examination of the wreck of the Maine, especially as it was also said that the American naval officers here would, give such divers all consistent facilities and would throw no obstacles in the way of thorough submarine inspection.

   It was not at first understood, as it came to be later, that the Spanish search was to be entirely independent, and that while it was being made the American investigation would proceed under Captain Sigsbee’s supervision. As understood here, the Spanish request made immediately after the disaster for a joint investigation was promptly refused at Washington, but after a cabinet consultation it was agreed that the Spaniards had a moral and international right to discover the cause of the wreck for themselves if possible. Therefore permission for an independent examination was granted on the ground, as understood here, that it could not be refused to a friendly power in her own harbor. That the permission was not accorded until after the court of inquiry had finished its work and gone to Key West is regarded as significant. It opens a wide field for speculation.

   Some assert that the court now has no objection to a Spanish inquiry for one of two reasons: Either the court has sufficient evidence already of accident or malice, evidence that cannot be controvered [sic] by the Spaniards or, after a diligent search, the mystery remains as deep as ever, and the court does not think the Spanish will reach a conclusion where the Americans have failed.

   Of course, all this refers principally to inspection of parts of the ship other than the hull. Until the guns, decks, engines and debris of all kinds have been removed and the mud has been pumped from the hull, it cannot be examined thoroughly by anyone. That any important testimony before the court has found its way to the public is very unlikely.

   Probably the court knew before it left Havana for Key West whether the 10-inch magazine on the starboard forward did or did not explode, but the members gave no sign and the divers who talk at all contradict each other.

   While criticizing the naval divers for their slowness, it must be remembered that theirs is grim, dangerous and difficult work. In muddy, foul water, through a mass of riven steel, bent iron, shattered gratings and ladders, over upturned hatches, heaped up coal, scattered ammunition, guns, chests, machinery and electric wires, they must make or cut their intricate way. They must exercise great care lest the air tube be severed by sharp projections. Already many have had falls, in the uncertain light and difficult passages.

   The question is frequently asked: “Are Americans in danger in Havana? The only truthful answer ever given, by a well informed resident or American, official or layman is: “We think not; we don’t know.” Of course Spanish officials who will talk on the subject deprecate any idea of danger, but they are as much in the dark as the rest.

   A well informed Cuban of high social position and on good terms with the government, said to the correspondent: “Of course in the low dives and saloons there are constant boasts by irresponsible persons as to what they intend to do to the Americans, but these people are only dangerous in case riotous demonstrations come from other quarters such, for instance, as the volunteers.”

NO INFORMATION WITHHELD.

Secretary Alger Says Everything Is Given Out In Full.

   WASHINGTON, March 3.—The Washington Post this morning prints the following interview with Secretary of War Alger:

   “The statement of Secretary Long that Spain’s official participation in the disaster to the Maine had been practically eliminated, was merely an expression of personal opinion on his part. It is an in justice to him, as well as to the administration, to give an official significance to his expression, when he was particular at the time to emphasize the fact that he was speaking simply as an individual.

   “In the absence of official facts—and I can repeat what has been said heretofore, that the public is equally as well informed as the government—no member of the administration can, of course, make an official declaration touching Spain’s responsibility, moral or otherwise.

   “There is not an iota of information as to the cause or origin or the explosion upon which the government can, at this time, form a conclusion or base a decision. The verdict of the court of inquiry on that point must patiently be awaited.”

   Beyond this Secretary Alger would not be quoted, but he authorized The Post to state most positively that no official information was being withheld from the public.

Mahan's Music Store, Court Street, Cortland, N. Y.

MAHAN’S MUSIC FESTIVAL

To be Held May 23 to 27—List of Prominent Artists.

   Arrangements are rapidly being closed up for the music festival which will this season be held May 23 to 27—a little earlier than usual, but the date was necessary in order to secure some of the attractions. Of course Dr. H. R. Palmer of New York is to be the director. He has been in charge of the festivals so long that it would seem strange indeed to see another than he holding the baton.

   The familiar face of Mrs. Martha Dana Shepard will be missed this year, and this fact will no doubt be a source of deep regret to the chorus with whom, as well as with all the audiences, she was a great favorite not only on account of her splendid playing, and her fine accompaniments, but on account of her magnetic presence and personality and her genial and kindly disposition. Mr. Mahan tried to secure her again, but she is out of the range of possibilities now. She wrote him that she had retired from all festival work, except occasional local work near her home in Boston. He has, however, secured Miss Alice Walker Bates of New York, who has a very high reputation for excellent work at festivals and who has been with Dr. Palmer on many such occasions. She will undoubtedly keep the accompaniments fully up to the high standard set by Mrs. Shepard.

   Among the other attractions are Miss Frances Mosby, soprano; Miss Edith J. Miller, contralto; Dr. Ion A. Jackson, tenor; and Henri Marteau, violin. The last mentioned gentleman was one of the artists here in 1894. He simply delighted every one at the time, and it is said that his playing now is far finer than four years ago. Several other artists are under consideration and will probably be engaged, and there is every reason to believe that the festival this year will be one of the very best in the long series.

AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Annual Meeting Held Wednesday—Fair to be Held August 23, 24, 25 and 26.

   The annual meeting of the stockholders of the Cortland County Agricultural society was held in Fireman’s hall Wednesday afternoon with President Geo. H. Hyde in the chair. Of the eighty-one shares in the society, forty-seven were represented.

   On motion of T. H. Wickwire, seconded by O. U. Kellogg, the society proceeded to the election of four directors for three years. C. F. Brown and W. L. Baker were appointed tellers, and the following were chosen directors to succeed themselves: J. R. Hathaway, Hugh Duffey, T. H. Wickwire and A. P. Rowley. Treasurer C. F. Brown then read his report, and a committee consisting of I. H. Palmer, D. K. Cutler and F. H. Sears was appointed to examine the same together with the vouchers. The report showed the following receipts for the year: Gate, $1,580.54; rents, $203.75; privileges, $105.50; entry premiums, $35.45; race entries, $324; state appropriation, $1,239.90; bank overdraft, $259.93; total, $3,749.07. Also the following disbursements: Permanent improvements, $1,349.12; office assistants and gatekeepers, $54; police, $170.98; judges, $25.20; helpers, $283.50; race purses, $677; premiums, $1,189.18; total, $3,749.07.

   On motion, the date for the sixtieth annual fair was set for Aug. 23, 24, 25 and 26, 1898.

   The board of directors of the Cortland County Agricultural society Wednesday afternoon elected the following officers for the year:

   President—George H. Hyde of South Cortland.

   Vice-President—D. K. Cutler of Scott.

   Secretary—George J. Maycumber of Cortland.

   Treasurer—Charles F. Brown of Cortland.

   General Superintendent—W. L. Baker of Cortland.

PAGE FOUR—EDITORIALS.

A Nefarious Election Scheme.

   The Bryan Democratic legislature of Kentucky is putting through one of the most infamous election laws that ever found a place on the statute books of any state. Its purpose is to assure the control of that state hereafter to the Democracy, no matter what the sentiment of the people may be or what number of Republican votes may be polled.

   This measure places the absolute control of elections in the hands of three commissioners to be elected by the present Bryan-Blackburn legislature. These three men are to appoint the election officers in the counties and, in addition to that, will be canvassing and returning board of the state. There is no pretense of fairness or consideration for the rights of voters in the entire scheme. Having the power, should the bill become law, the three commissioners will appoint election officers who will do their bidding, but should the returns not be to their liking they will, as a canvassing and returning board, fix them to suit their purposes. The Republicans of the state who, at the election of 1896, were in a majority, will practically be disenfranchised.

   This bill is so nefarious in its character that many Democrats are denouncing it as vigorously as the Republicans. The Louisville Courier-Journal, which will not be a party to a fraud and dishonor, has the following about the Goebel bill:

   It is safe to say that the annals of free government will be sought in vain for anything approaching it in shameless effrontery and unconcealed deformity. The records of reconstruction furnish nothing to compare to it. The Brownlow despotism of Tennessee was considered tolerably reckless and tolerably thorough in its day. But the Brownlow despotism at its worst ventured upon nothing so boldly, wholly bad as this…Kentucky is to become the subject of a triumvirate, which is to decide who shall hold office and who shall not. Nominally, the people are to be permitted still to go through the form of elections. They are to be permitted still to vote. The ballot-box is not actually abolished. But the triumvirate is in each and every case to cast up the returns and determine the result…There is a limit even to the fury of factional passion. There are bounds set upon the prosperous rapacity of sectional leadership. The people cannot have gone completely and incurable mad. There is yet some grace left in the manhood of Kentucky to rise in its might and to say to this wicked attempt to steal its birthright of freedom in open day and before its very eyes, “I forbid!”

   Fortunately Kentucky at present has in Governor Bradley a Republican executive who will veto this bill when it comes before him; but the unscrupulous conspirators against honest government are boasting that they will pass it over his veto. It is doubtful, however, if that can be done. As it passed the house there were but 57 in its favor against 42 opposed, or a total of 99 votes. Two-thirds of that number are 66, or 9 in excess of the affirmative vote. If the public sentiment of Kentucky is not utterly debased it will make life a burden to the author and supporters of the Goebel bill.

Historic Hathaway House, Solon, N. Y.

BY RAILROAD TO SOLON.

Mrs. Kate E. Jones and Others Visit the Hathaway House.

   To the Editor of The STANDARD:

   Sir—I had a delightful surprise while visiting Cortland recently in meeting an old friend, Mr. N. A. Bundy, general manager of the Erie & Central New York railroad who invited myself and the trio of friends with me to a ride by railroad to Solon. We accepted instantly and in special car over the smooth track, soon arrived at Solon depot, where we alighted and made a call at the Hathaway manor.

   Miss Hathaway, the owner of this picturesque old mansion, received us most graciously and entertained us in delightful conversation, and a view of her valuable collection of rare old paintings, ancient mosaics, and tiles centuries old, curios from many lands, and most exquisite sculpture. To find in a home hid away in the country such rare work s of art, priceless gems of Rubens, Rembrandt, Vernet and Claude, to behold immense cabinets of curiosities, libraries of old volumes and tables piled with the late authors and current magazines, to breathe the fragrance of tropical plants, hidden away in the mullioned windows with trailing vines was indeed a rare and delightful surprise. We enjoyed the call and were returned in Miss Hathaway’s sleigh to our waiting train.

   Returning, riding along through that country so newly opened up to railroad facilities and knowing in earlier years of the richness of its agricultural products and the great advantages that must accrue to all the towns adjacent to this projected air line railroad from Buffalo to New York, we marveled greatly that the inhabitants along the way had not sooner awakened to the vast opportunities hidden in this railroad.

   Hearing the history of Cortland’s “faithful few” who had for twenty-seven years struggled with discouragements and delay, and knowing too of the stern patience, rugged perseverance and self-sacrifice of Mr. Bundy, the general manager, we could not but exclaim, truly railroads like nations are not born in a day!

   Returning home via Syracuse, and reading in the morning paper an article on this new railroad to be extended from Cortland to Syracuse, we congratulate the people of Cortland and vicinity that business men elsewhere are waking up to the possibilities of the Erie & Central New York R. R. and we shall expect next time we visit Cortland to go by railroad, not only to Solon but to Deposit, and thence to the great metropolis.

   K. E. J., Ilion, N. Y., Feb. 26, 1898.

[Cortland] Hospital Report for January, 1898.

   Patients remaining Jan. 1, 6; patients admitted during January, 2; patients discharged during January, 4; number of deaths during January, 1; number of operations performed, 1; number remaining in house Jan. 31, 3.

BREVITIES.

   —The dates for the Dryden fair have been fixed for Sept. 20, 21, and 22.

   —At the meeting of Grover Relief corps, No. 96, Tuesday afternoon, Mrs. Ellen A. Palmer was elected treasurer.

   —In Justice Kelley’s court Wednesday a judgment of non-suit was entered in the case of C. T. Peck against Mattie E. Bowdish.

   —Every Republican in the village of Cortland should read the editorial from the Troy Times which we publish on our fourth page. It is as full of good sense as an egg is full of meat.

   —Mr. Z. Lowe, whose farm house was recently burned in the town of Virgil, has had his insurance satisfactorily adjusted by the Patrons of Husbandry, in which the property was insured.

   —John Garrity, a 12-year-old boy, was yesterday sent to the Rochester Industrial school for skipping school. He had been before the police justice on a previous occasion on the same charge.

   —Dr. L. T. White has moved his dental parlors from the Samson building to the Moore building, corner of Main and Orchard-sts. He has a suite of four rooms on the second floor, the offices formerly occupied by W. C. Crombie.

   —Mrs. Celia M. Sanders died at 4 o’clock Thursday morning at the home of her son, Mr. Charles E. Johnson, 89 Tompkins-st. at the age of 77 years. The funeral is to be held from the house Saturday at 2 o’clock P. M. and burial is to be made in the Cortland Rural cemetery.