19th century Ti — Win friends and keep partisan influence out of local government

This is the first in an occasional series of posts about news reported in 19th century weekly issues of the Ticonderoga Sentinel.

It’s phrased differently, but the gist is the same as one of Dale Carnegie’s rules, decades later, about how to win friends and influence people.

“That man is a boor who insists on talking about himself when you wish to talk about yourself,” the Ticonderoga Sentinel advised in its “Items of Interest” column on Feb. 21, 1874.

The “Spring Fashion Notes” column advised, “Striped materials are foretold among spring offerings in the shops.”

An editorial, which still rings true today, advises against allowing partisan politics to influence local government.

“It seems to us that there is no reason for basing our local elections on national issues. It would amount to the practical banishment of one party or the other from all participation in affairs of government, and would also permit good men, fit for the position, from holding office,” the editorial advised. “We think the idea of being so firmly bound to a party as to lose one’s own independence and individuality, being obliged to support unfit nominations, is unworthy of intelligent citizens.”

It had been a good week in Old Ti.

The cotton factory produced 35,000 yards of cloth, and work commenced on the foundation of the new DeLano and Ives block.

Mr. Burt, a “ubiquitous reporter” for the Rutland Globe was visiting Ticonderoga for a few days “making notes” about local manufacturers.

“He is a good quill driver.”

Work resumed on construction of the new Congregational Church, and the old Congregational Church was set to host a concert the following week by Ball’s Orchestra of Boston.

“It will prove a rare musical treat.”

The sixth annual meeting of the Ticonderoga Trotting Association races on Lake George closed “in a most satisfactory manner” despite the cancellation of racing one day because of unsafe ice conditions.

“The success of this ice meeting is perhaps due to the excellent management of the gentlemanly president W.G. Baldwin. We desire to return thanks to President Baldwin for his most courteous treatment.”

The Sentinel had picked up 50 new subscribers in the past two weeks.