davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1897-03-12
PRISON LABOR.

The Indiana legislature has abolished
contract labor in prisons. and provided
for the use Of prlson-made goods by the
state Institutions. In a carefully prepared
article on prison labor Commissioner
Carroll D. Wright says; THE contract
system is the most profitable one which
can be applied to prison labor. but the
necessary presence of the contractor and
his men in the prisons and among the
convicts has been found to work dis
advantageousIy when reformatory meas
ures were being carried along at the
same time The piece-price plan was
thought to be remedy for the evils Of
the contract system, but the prisoners
themselves soon learned that their labor
was being exploited for the profit of
private contractor and that the state was
getting only the minimum results. The
public-a account system was then resorted
to, under which the institution carries on
the business of manufacturing like a
private individual or firm. buying raw
materials and converting them into man
ufactured articles, which are sold In the
best market A few years ago many Ia
Dor refof1ners insisted upon the adoption
of this public account system, on the
ground that al profits would then accrue
to the state and the irritation resulting
from the contract or the piece-price syS-
tenn would be avoided. The contrary
proved to be true. Under the public-ac
count system the state or the county sold
goods in the open market; but the state
could not fail, and therefore it was not
necessary at all times to dispose of the
goods even at cost. The private con-
tractor. in order to preserve his solvency,
was obliged to get back at least the cost
of his goods. The state was not under
such necessity. The irritation coming
from competition. therefore, was increas-
ed. and the publlc-account system found
to be inadequate from an economic point
of view, although 1t had some advantages
from the ethical standpoint, for whatever
profit was derived from labor under it
was for the benefit Of the public treas
ury. The lease system, now going out
of vogue, played no part in the ethical
question involved. but it was a most
profitable system to the states which en-
ployed it, The abuses under 1t have
brought It into disrepute. There is now
a system of la bor which is advocated very
largely and which has been adopted in
the state Of New York as an experiment,
with the motive behind it of removing
competition. Under this modified pub
lic-account system now being used i'll
that state goods are made for the use
Of the state itself in its various institu-
tions. The new method will probably be
a solution of the economic problems in
volved.
Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1897-03-12
FACTS AND FIGURES.

The most extensive. cemetery in the
world is that at Rome, in which over g.
100000 human beings have been Inferred.
1t rains on an average 208 days in the
year In Ireland, about 100 in England, at
Kozan a bout ninety days, and in Siberia
only sixty days.
The most dangerous waters in the
world for the passage of ships lie off the
east coast of England, Cape Ushant, in
France, and Cape Finisterre,7in Spain.
The British secretary of state for war
has issued a circular to the various COM
manding generals of the army calling
upon them to enforce the queens regu-
lations requiring officers to grow mus
tacheS.
Stockport England boasts one of the
largest Sunday schools in the world. the
total number of schools 1t present on the
books is no fewer than 4S34 while there
are 23S male and 1876 female teachers-a
grand army of over 5000.
The returns of causes for insanity in
England show that in every 100 cases
twenty-four are hereditary, twenty-four
may be attributed to drink, twelve to
business and money troubles, eleven to
loss of friends. ten to sickness, and eleven
to various causes.
Spain has D, 995 elementary schools, but
only Al per cent. of the children receive
even the rudiments of an education. The
teachers receive only $25 to $1,000 per year,
and most of them are unable to collect
that. In 1893 there was owing to Spa nish
teachers 1000 900. .
The late G. Jerome Cary, of Milwaukee,
directed that his body should be burned,
that the ashes should be used TO nourish
certain rosebush, and that the BIOS
SONS should be distributed among his
friends His wishes were carried out.
Prof. Moses Colt Tyler, of Cornell, said
the other evening in a lecture that while
Washington's reputation as a soldier and
statesman was safe, he was in real dan
gerffrom the humorst of the future. This
was owing to the fact that Washington,
|. the real man, had never been very we'll
l'known. and is now almost forgotten. hav-
ing been replaced in the popular mind by
a myth type almost equally compounded
of the heroic, the priggish and the stat
Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1897-03-12
NEW SUPERSTITION.
The Great New York Millionaires Afraid
to Build Costly Mansions.

The Great New York Millionaires Afraid
to Build Costly Mansions.
Letter in Philadelphia Press.
Since Cornelius Vanderbiit's costly
city dwelling upon Fifth avenue, just
south of the plaza, was completed no
propositions for costly and conspicuous
private mansions have been offered to
the architects.
There is reluctance. due in part to
superstition not frankly acknowledged,
to spend great sums in building city
Benedicts million-dollar country seat
erected upon the site of Tweed's Ameri-
Gus club house is conspicuous as an eX-
ception.
There are melancholy reoollections that
may in part explain this superstition. On
lower Fifth avenue the costly mansions
erected not many years ago for August
Belmont and Marshall O. Roberts and
Edwards Pierrepont and James Gordon
Bennett are deserted and are to be de-
livered over to trade.
The elder Bennett had beautiful
country place at the farther northern
point of Manhattan Island. but had not
many years enjoyment on it, nor did
Charles OConnor. who was his neighbor
in this then country retreat, find that he
had bought much else there than i'll
health. which drove him to Nantucket
Island to pass his declining years.
G. p. Huntington is said to have a SUI
perstition lat i'll fortune will attend him
If he occupies the granite mansion he
built upon Fifth avenue, nearly opposite
the Vanderbilt house.
Yet it may be that he is merely calling
to mind the experience of some of his
friends. Charles J. Osborn, the broker
built a costly home just out of the city
only to die in it, and the neighboring
mansion Of the millionaire Flagler. was
closed in mourning soon after he occu-
pied IL.
j. b. Bostwicks charming place at
Mamaroneck was his to enjoy not very
long. Aspinwall met with misfortune
soon after he built his famous place at
Tarrytown, and not long after William
Rockefeller enlarged and improved 1t his
son was brought almost to Deaths door.
Elliot f. Sherard died even before the
great mansion he was building at larry
town was copleted, and A. T. Stewart
was barely settled in the marble palace
which he built on Fifth avenue, when
death called him.
William H. vanderbilts first stroke of
paralysis came soon after his new home
on Fifth avenue was completed and
there, few Yeas later. came with the
swiftness of the lightning's stroke the
fatal attack. The marble house in which
Villa m X. Vanderbilt expected to main
tain conspicuous social festivity became
of such gloomy associa ton by reason of
domestic troubles that he abandoned 1t.
while Cornelius Vanderbilt had been in
all only few months in his new man
sion when his active powers were shat
tered, and so the list could be extended.
There is no reed to do that to show tina
, Mr.. Huntingtons fear may be due to a
!! pardonabl superstition or that there are
other reasons than reluctance to spend
money that explains why it is that the
building of costly private mansions is the
only investment in real estate from which
the greater capitalists seem to shrink
Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1897-03-12

town, picturesquely situated on the sides
of a beautifully wooded gully running
down to the bay
Here in an older part of the church
yard, visible from the road that leads
up to the ancient gateway of the ruins
that surmount the cliff. is the stone that
marks the last resting place of the gen.
tlest and least assertive of three gifted
sisters Anne Bronte. the authorizes of
two novels. Agnes Grey and THE
Tenant of Wildfell Hail." also poetess
though many of her poems are unpub-
lished-was born at Thornton. near Brad
ford, in 1878, and was taken a little baby
to the noted Haworth parsonage where
she spent her life with little knowledge
of the outer world.
She was the only one of that fated
family who was not carried for her
burial through the rough door separat-
ing the garden from the Haworth church,
yard which, as we are told. was re-
served for the passage of the dead" The
awful sorrow that within year fell upon
the parsonage home by the death from
consumption of the only brother and her
sister Emily caused Charlotte. the eid
est, when she saw Anne slowly drifting
the sam way, to bring her to Scarbor-
ough. in the hope that sea air and change
from the gloomy moors might avert for al
time the dread blow That hope was
unfulfilled.
In a few days the patient spirit Of
Anne was at rest She died happy be-
cause, as had been told of her short
time previously, she looked beyond this
life. and rega rded her home and rest as
elsewhere than on earth The plain
upright stone bears this record
HERE LIES THE REMAINS OF THE
BODY OF ANNE BRONTE.
DAUGHTER OF THE REV. p BRONTE
INCUMBENT OF HAWoRTH,
YORKSHIRE.
SHE DIED, AGED rs. MAY 2STH. 1S49.
Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1897-03-12

side 1t appears that Turkey Is in the
hands of six receivers.-St Louis Globe
Democrat. Rep.
If Cleveland has any eulogists now is
the time for them TO make themselves
heard. Never has he needed eulogy so
much as he needs itshow that the record
of his administration is made up.-Rich-
mond Dispatch, Dem.
All the experience of investigating
committees shows that when man asso-
ciates himself with a trust he quickly
learns to forget all about its most i'm
portant transactions. If you don't be-
lieve it just read the testimony-New
York Mail and Express. Rep.
Spain must change her policy. and do it
soon. The life and liberty of American
citizens abroad will be protected at any
cost. The American people can be--and
they will be-as vehement on that point
as Spain gives them occasion to be-
New York World, Dem.
Greece has right on her side, and If the
powers are medtsating a. cowardly at
tack upon her we shall see more changes
than the ACKNOWLEDGMENT of the Sultan's
empire. We shall see European govern
ments torn TO shredS as they have not
been torn since the time of Napoleon
New York Press. Rep.
There have been no doubt some greater
statesmen in the executive chair in the
past, and several who were more suave
and adroit in the manipulation of the
other leaders of their party, but there
has not been, we think, at any time in
the history of the nation, president who
has brought to the office a mere consci-
entiots sense of his. public duty, higher
courage in dischargfng 1t or greater fidel-
ity to the principles of his party and the
fa,f
Observation-Disclosures Sun, Dem.
There is an island Just south of us that
is engaged in a like struggle 10 throw off
the yoke of still more distant Madrid;
and Ii Is noteworthy that this very Pc
culiar resolution. commencing the inter
vention of Greece was offered by Mr.
Cameron, who drew up the resolution
acknowledging Cuban independence, not
yet passed Remembering that fact. his
later resolution almost suggests a covert
rebuke to our own government for not
doing at least q. 1.-THE for Cuba of what
Greece does for Crete. Or, If that was
not in mind. at all events it suggests
that the senate-is prompt and hearty
in praisng Greece. for conduct which
1t does not even remotely imitate.-New
York Sun, Dem.
Our government cannot insist too soon
or too strongly that American citizens
who chance to be imprisoned in Cuba
shall be accorded the right of full, fair
trial 1t is because there is so general a
belief in this country that Spanish au-
thority is not to be trusted to grant this
right unless insisted upon, that the re-
port of the deliberate murder of DR.. Ruiz
in prison aroused such general indigna-
ton. IL charges of faithlessness and cru
city are unwarranted, the Spanish au-
thorlties in Cuba should be prompt to.
court inquiry. But failure on the part
of Spain to realize this only makes more
emphati tic the duty OF our government to
jealousy safeguard the rights of her
imperiled citizens In Cuba-Boston Post,
Dem.
Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1897-03-12
TWO WOMEN IN THE CASE

Detroit Free Press
~ There are two brothers in Detroit who
now look the other way when they pass
bye This is all the more to be noticed
because two boys more affectionatc to-
ward each other never grew up together.
IT Is not very long since there was a
double wedding in which they participant
ed as principals. They did not take the
same wedding trip, and did not see much
of each other till each was settled under
his own vine and fig tree.
Prince" said Charley when they made
their first visits as benediets. 81 con-
graduate you with all my heart. Y GU
have a charming little wife,
That's right, old man. Same to you.
I'm in great luck, getting the sweetest,
prettiest, smartest woman in the world"
fI'll acknowledge that she'sea good
second in the race, Prince. splendid
second. But the superlatives you have
used belong to my wife. Shehas shade
or two the best of any other woman on
earth'' "a
''All right You lseep-right on thinking
that way. But in figure, feature. mind
and all the graces Other sex. married
| the nonpareil. I'm not trying to dispel
any CT your delusions but facts are
facts"
F'Nyer make me weary, know score
OF women mat will compare very favora-
Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1897-03-12
ANENT INVENTIONS.

A new razor strop rolls up on a spring
drum when not in use, and can be screwed
to the other side of a shelf or stand out
of the way
The first attempt at an estimate of
bacteria lin butter was made in Munich
in 1891 1t was found that there are
about 100000 in grain.
The latest attachment for opera or
field glasses consists OF an eye shield
similar to that iria stereoscope to steady
the glass and shade the eyes.
A novel mail bag lock has number Of
pins fastened to a sliding bar to engage
the staples at 1.-THE mouth of the flap in
stead of the old manner of fastening
with the strap. The bar is locked in
position by lock concealed within the
flap of the bag.
Atrecently patented device for inspect
ing the bottoms of streams has heavy
metallic tube, the lower end of which is
closed with plate glass. an auxiliary lube
c. ntaining a lamp and reflector and
means fer supplying air to the fame of
the lamp.
To drain tile floors a new device has
the bottom of the tiles arched so as to
leave room for the water to flow benea tn
the sections into a drain pipe. the edges
of the tiles being fitted with small groveso
through which the water percolates to
the arched passage beneath.
The total number of patents granted
to residents of Connecticut for 1896 was
S33 for mechanical devices and 107 for
new and original designs, a total of $40
patents for the year This is one patent
for every 1893 inha bitants OF the state, in
Guiding women and children.
More than a quarter Of a century ago
Clark 7. Edwards seems to have had a
premonition of the X-ray In February.
1870. few years before his deaf when
he was deyoting much time to the study
of optics, he expressed the opinion that
there might be unknown rays that could
produce in the brain visual sensa ton
without the interventio nof the lenses
or even of the optic nerve.
Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1897-03-12
A STORY OF YOUNG MR.. CRISP.
How He Tested Judge Culberson's store
of Biblical Wisdom.


of Biblical Wisdom.
Young Mr., Crisp is a general favorite
among the democratic members of the
house and room is always made for
him whenever a little coterie of con-
genial spirits are gathered about the
open fireplace in the democratic cloak
room. The old friendship that existed
between Judge Culberson and Judge
Crisp has been continued with the lat
ters son, says the Washington Post. And
that is why the younger man can make
mild jokes at the expense of his old
friend without fear of giving offensc.
Judge" said Mr.. Crisp. as the Texas
statesman came into the cloakroom yes
terday morning, I'VE want you to settle
little dispute for u.s. Z.
The judge was all attention in a mo-
mcnt.
May a man in Texas" proceeded Mr..
Crisp, marry his deceased widows sis
ter?" 44a> fsst
Certainly he may" averred the Texas
member of the Judiciary committee,
without moments hesitation. 1T is
only over in England that they raise any
question about that"
But, judge persisted the young Geor-
g:all, "stop and think minute. How
can altman marry his Widows sister?. .
And even If the judge had desired to
make ar explanation 1t could not have
Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1897-03-12
AMERICAN CITIZENS MUST BE PRO
TECTED,


1t Is to be hoped, says the New Orleans
Times. that Mr.. Mckinley will pursue
an entirely different policy in Cuba for
the protection of American citizens there
from that which characterized the last
few weeks of the Cleveland administ.a-
ton. Nothing. perhaps, brought greater
discredit on Mr.. Cleveland than the
weakness he exhibited in this matter. A
vigorous policy, the declaration that he
would allow the ill-treatment of no
American citizen, and that the United
States was prepared to send its entire
navy to Havana if necessary to protect
one American, would have gone a long
way toward redeeming Mr. Clevelan in
the popular eye, and would have ex-
cused his many mistakes and errors; but
he was limp at the moment when cour-
age and determination were needed, and
seemed not to realize the Importance of
prompt, vigorous and determined ac-
ton in order to bring Spain to terms.
Mr.. Mckinley must see the mistake of
his predecessor in this matter and realize
how much it discredited his administra-
ton, and how much harm it has done
If he looked at it merely from the selfish
standpoint of the credit it would bring
to his administration he would act differ
emily from Cleveland but we believe that
patriotism will also urge him to do II in
his power to protect American citizens
from ill-treatment butchery or murder
by foreign governments. The popular
sentiment is too outspoken on this sub
ject for Mr.. Mckinley to have any doubt
is to what the people demand
They are not crying for war, and want
trouble with no nation, but they do in
Sist that no matter what the cost, no
matter whether it leads us into war
or not. American citizens abroad must
be protected-and particularly in Cuba,
where it is notorious that they are ILL
treated, tortured and murdered-even If
every vessel has to be sent to Cuba to
protect one man.
If President Mckinley assumes a bold
front now, if he gives notice to Spain of
his intention to punish it for any i'll
trea tment of Americans, it will bring
that country to its senses at once and
ment and brutality 1t is to be feared
that the attitude of Mr.. Cleveland and his
lack of vigor in this matter have filled
Spain with the idea that it can bulldoze
and ill-treat Americans with impunity
A very emphatic utterance, or still more
emphatic action, is needed to dsabuse
the Dons" of this idea and to assure tn
So fety and protection of Americans in
Cuba. The country looks to Mr. McKin-
ley to speak or act a once before another
life is sacrificed. like that of DR.. Ruiz, tt
Spanish ba rbarfty.
Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1897-03-12
been heard for the laughter that fol-

lowed.
1t was while the judge was still very
much fiustered at the foregoing, al
though the crowd had resumed their So
Der faces, that his tornenter began
again:
81 have always heard, Judge. that you
were an authority on biblical matters.
Now, my friend from Missouri here and
L were arguing a point in Bible geneal-
oSy, perhaps you can settle it for US.
Who was the father of Zebedee's child
ren?"
This time the judge looked with sus-
picion upon the twinkling eyes that en-
circled him. and declined to commit him.
self
well, was always told Zebedee was
the man." said Mr.. Crisp.
This time Judge Culbertson really look
ed panied, and he turned and walked
away as if in deep thought.
Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1897-03-12

The United States have been shipping
cotton, corn, wheat, cattle and various
kinds of manufactured articles to for
eign countries for years, and 1t is taken
as a matter of course and no surprise
is expressed. Now that Birmingham Is
shipping iron across the water, great
wonder is expressed. But the same adj
vantages that enable US to ship the first,
also enable us to ship the latter. These
advantages are the wealth of natural re-
sources and the skill and economy of
labor
Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1897-03-12

bly, with your wife, and I'll give you the
whole human family in which to find one
like mine"
Il don't care to find one like her. For
tunately for me, 1 have the pick of the
flock now. Some men have no sense,
anyhow, where there is a woman con-
cerned."
Then the argument descended into the
calling of names. the saying of much
more than was meant, and a final agree
ment that they were eternally done with
each other. After while the wives will
come out of the clouds and make it up
Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1897-03-12

Gen. Russell ~ Alger was induced by
a firm of Chattanooga real estate agents
to investigate $4,000 acres of mineral
land. He sent down an agent. This
agent was offered part of the profits
If he would make favorable report.
The agent reported favorably, and Gen.
Alger paid 100000 for the tract He dis
covered that he had paid 81 an acre for
land worth "a, and. further. that his
agent had betrayed his confidence. He
sued for recovery. on the ground of
fraud, and the court rendered decree
in his favor. He will get his money
back
Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1897-03-12

Gen. T. s. Clarllson. national COM
ma nder Of the Grand Army of the Re-
public was made to feel yesterday tina
he had struck the heart of southern chiv-
airy and true Anericanism. Old federal
soldiers and confederates alike Wed with
each other in welcoming him TO Bfrming-
ham, and opened wide the doors of hos
pitality
Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1897-03-12

The governors of several states have
recently appointed senators after the
legislatures failed to elect. The senate
decided On one occasion that 1t would
not receive such appointees. The con-
stitution makes ii the duty of the leg
islature to esct a senator. The reasons
multiply for electing senators by popular
vote
Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1897-03-12
ANNE BRoNTE's GRAVE.

Resting Place of One Of the Famous
Sisters.
On one side of the steep cliff separating
the two bays at Scarborough, England,
is an old church surrounded by grave
stones that thickly cover the slope al
lotted to their use. says the Philadelphia
Press. 1t overlooks the south part of the
Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1897-03-12

The Atlanta Constitution publishes a
description of a newspaper printed by the
inmates of an insane asylum. II is sur
prisdng what an excellent paper lunatics
can get out. We commend the article to
the careful consideration of the Mont
gomery Advertiser.
Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1897-03-12

Spain contends that there is no war
in progress in Cuba. If she is taken at
her word, then there can be no harm
done in shipping arms and ammunition
to Cuba. The laws of neutrality only
prohibit the sale of arms in time of war.
Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1897-03-12

Birmingham has unbounded ambition
and an equal amount of energy. She
has celebrated her second Mardi Gras
carnival, and a great success it was.
New Orleans md Mobile will have to look
to their raurels, or they may have to play
second fiddle.-Greenville Advocate.