New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-12-28
CARING FOR TRANSMITS.

An interesting question Of moral, legal anu
other responsibility has arisen in the heighpor-
ing suburban town Of Cortland. That town
forms the northwestern corner of Westminster
County. and includes region Of picturesque
beauty. historic interest and general charm'
Incidentally II also includes the lower reach
of the Croton River and the spot at WHICH thc
gigantic Cornell or Quaker Bridge, dam Is De-
ing built for the purpose of increasing ana I'M
proying the water supply of New-York CITY anu
rendering far worse than needless the Ramapo
scheme Of public plumber for private gain. but
Ramapo is another story. The present theme
is the Cornell dam and the builders Thereon.
That stupendous work still far from compile
ton. has called into the town of Cortland ana
into \ part Of II remote from the schools
churches and other institutions Of sweetness ana
light for which that town is justly famed. II
large colony of labOring men and their families.
They are transient residents, available only for
purposes Of dammng and voting. but for those
suprcmely valuable. As rule. they are OF
Italian origin, with a mastcrful and paramount
modicum of Irish. and they are almost unall-
mously of the Roman Catholic faith
Now. whether or not the adults among these
transient residents are to enjoy church, library
children. who are enthusiastically numerous
ought 70 have school facilities Their parehs
NAV be nothing but transients in Cortland. but
all OF them are permanent residents vi u'e
United States of America, and most Of them no
doubt of Ncw-York State. 1t is TO the interest
Of the State. therefore not to mention other rea
sons. that these children should he educated
NJ least so far rs the common schools are able
rlnra lie N
school near the colony. There is one down
toward Sing Sing and one nt Mount Airy. but TO
reach either the children would have To tramp
far in a region where the gospel of good roads
Is not yet vital and triumphant force More
over If they did 60 10 either Of those schools
they would find II already overcrowded They
need. and they are worthy Of school for Their
special benefit.
The question is Who is to provide 1t? Who
Is responsible for these transient residents OF
Cortland? One might answer. the contractors
who brought them thlthcr; but they are not
school supporting body. They can scarcely be
required 10 provide schools for the children as
we'll as to pay wages to the parents. We might
say the town of Cortland. ON IN" legal Ihce
~ II we supposc II is responsible for the wcl-
fare Of the strangers within lis gates rs well
rs ~ the Oldest Inhabitant But on the ground
Of moral equity II would seem pretty rough on
Cortland 10 make II pay for the care OF rh"S'
who not only bring no benefit to 1t, but actua1'y
cause II a serious loss. The engineering opera
tions NJ Cornell nrc not for the good or 'ort-
land They WILL IN fact. considerably injurc
tbot town Nor 10 these transient residents
bring any profit 10 IT, In trade or otherwise. II
there be any corporate body short OF the S'a''
Itself then. that Is morally responsible for thein'
II would seem 10 he the city Of Now-lorH' TOT
whose sole benefit they have been imported w
and are translcntly dwelling In cortland W.
do not know that there Is the slightest legal Cd
legation resting upon Ncw-Nork. We do not
know that this city would even have the legal
right TO do anything FOR these forlorn colonSts.
Yet the moral responsibility does seem to rest
here. And However that may be. this Is GER
tain. that I'm some way or other these people
ought 10 he cared for.