Page 102

98
Sunnyside 3-7-1898

To make a cinder path a bed of broken stone first
then fine stone with cinders on top made in a trench 6 in. deep
rounded very slightly at centre.
Upon inquiry it was found that only one misguided
housekeeper allows her cook a regualalr afternoon out each
week all the other giving an afternoon occasionally when it
suits. If any one has to call a cook in the mornings they
were not willing to confess it and no answer was forthcoming.
Clay was considered the best floor for stable and wagon shed.
The most interesting question of the evening was to find the
individual opinions of the cause of the explosion of the
"Maine" and what we would all do about it.
Only one or two thought it was an accident from
within the ship, all others present thinking a Spaniards' hand
was in the matter whether with or without the consent of
Spanish government. The answers of "what we would do
about it" were more varied. Some advocating
peace under all circumstances while others [illegible] as much
opposed to war felt that our country should not take every
insult and outrage too meekly but fight if forced into it.
Both Repub. and Dem. present admired McKinley's actions in the
matter. One member said that in his opinion what we need
is a navy as large as England's and it would be a peace measure
if we had it. Mr. Haviland advocates peace and when asked what he
would do if a war vessel came up the [illegible] calmly
answered that he would run the mill! It was suggested if he ran
the mill the mill would run and we trust would get him to a placeof safety. Following this came the question of how we like
the new telephone rules and w\"what we will do about it?"
Decided to try it faithfully for a month and report