Bound Volumes

January 16, 2025

185 YEARS AGO

Federalism—This once honored and honorable term seems to have become a word of reproach, its friends as well as its enemies repudiating the name. How fallen—none so poor as to do it reverence; none so poor as to own it as their cognomen. The self-styled Whig Party seems anxious to rid themselves of this, to them, appropriate name; and they strive to hide the obnoxious features of their creed with the cloak of Equal Rights; endeavoring, by filching from democracy her good name, to palm themselves on the people as the exclusive friends of popular freedom. But they will find their efforts futile – no long success will attend their shifts and disguises, for their practices and principles will shine forth to contradict the oft-repeated assertion. On the intelligence of the people the Democrat relies, knowing that they are disposed to act for the best interests of the country, and knowing that their intelligence will always rebuke “old enemies under new disguise.

January 20, 1840

135 YEARS AGO

In the Town of Otsego it is a very unusual thing to find a Democrat a candidate willing to accept the nomination for the important office of Supervisor—an unfortunate fact. And for a few years past the Republicans—holding well together themselves—have been able to detach some Democratic votes from the head of our ticket on account of a wholly non-partisan contest over Railroad Commissioner. We think the Democrats have got rather tired of that one-sided “give-away game,” and have this year made up their minds to have an old-fashioned political contest for a political office. But in a close town, as has been demonstrated, a few disaffected Democrats may throw success into the hands of their opponents—who in turn laugh at their folly and crow over “Republican success.” It is hoped there will be a large caucus this year, harmonious action, and a Democratic victory. It is high time there was a change.

January 17, 1890

60 YEARS AGO

Otsego Lake went into the deep freeze in a hurry this year. The lake was completely closed by ice early Friday morning after a cloudless night which saw temperatures here drop to 15 below zero. As late as Thursday afternoon, wide expanses of open water remained on the lake, with ice coverage at the southern end only as far north as the Cooperstown Country Club. At the northern end, only small patches along the lakeshore existed. Old-timers said they could not remember the lake closing as quickly as it did last year. There never has been a year since records were started in 1849 that the lake hasn’t frozen over completely.

January 20, 1965

35 YEARS AGO

Hours for the skating rink at the bottom of Fish Road alongside Lakefront Park are 3 to 9 p.m., Monday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, weather permitting. The rink will be closed weekdays from 6 to 7 p.m. Hockey playing will be permitted only from 4:30 to 6 p.m. for children and 8 to 9 p.m. for adults. On weekends, children’s hockey hours will be from Noon to 1 p.m. and 5 to 6 p.m. Hockey sticks and pucks will be permitted on the ice only during hockey periods. Helmets are required.

January 17, 1990

20 YEARS AGO

Bassett Research Institute scientists are investigating whether overweight people who have overweight dogs might be able to partner with their pets in a healthy program of diet and exercise in order to lose weight. “Project Friend” will test whether people with overweight dogs can lose more weight than those that do not collaborate with their pet. All volunteers will receive a small financial reward, and those with dogs will also receive a 6-month supply of dog food.

January 14, 2005