davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1898-12-23
WHY ALGER HATES MILES

From the New York Journal.
The Washington correspondent of the
Journal gives authentic reasons for Secre-
grew out of the secretary's desire to make
political capital for himself. His plan was
to acquire a personal reputation in the con-
duct of the war. He selected General Scho-
field as his military adviser. The veteran
was expected to efface himself. and work
for the glory of Alger, but he quietly with
drew.
In his dilemma Alger had to send for
Miles. He needed his advice. The general of
the army was expected to plan military
campaigns, to be fathered by Alger. Being
a man of spirit General Miles declined to
subordinate himself to an flcompetent civil
ian
Adjutant General Corbin was next sought
He eagerly accepted the post of military
secretary to Alger, and between them they
shared the bluders of the campaign.
Gneral Miles independence embittered
in the selection of Alger, In suppressing
Miles kilograms to the department, and in
ignoring him In every way.
This petty, muddling politician remains at
the head of the war department. He earned
his appointment by political services rem
dered the president. He has been rewarded
with a place in which his incompetency has
proved ruinously costly to the country, and
has brought needless suffering and disaster
upon our troops.
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1898-12-23
ATLANTA's JUBILEE

From the Mobile News.
A citizen of Atlanta wrote a letter to the
Journal, in which he complained of the
mistakes of management and the mishaps
OF the great jubilee. He criticised the re-
ception of the president on his arrival at
the passenger station; 1t was cold and chill
ly, "a blizzard of dampness and gloom that
would have been a tribute to the memory
of the president had the reception been
the occasion of the arrival of his corpse"
At the state capitol the president was per-
mitted to lose himself in the crowd and
lost his overcoat, and "it was almost neces-
sary for the detectives and police officers to
drag him through the ropes, as is the GUS
tom in the prize ring when a pugilist is
being worsted by his opponent" At the
opera house the people exhibited bad man
ners; instead of remaining seated until
Mrs. Mckinley could withdraw, they made
a spontaneous rush for the exits. The cor
respondent complains of other mistakes,
and then turns his attention to the treat
ment of the Alabama legislature. The
Georgia legislature has already apologized,
but, not having heard the full story of trib-
ulations, we give the story from the
Georgia standpoint:
And the poor Alabama legislature! Its
visit was pathetic, to be sure. In a special
train came the members of the house and
senate, headed by the speaker of the house
and the president of the senate, marching
two by two in all the glory of Office and
the esteem of the public eye. They
marched In triumph to the capitol. buttoned
their coats and Strengthened out their hair
smoothed out the wrinkles in their trousers
hafr oil tl,n
president of the senate raped on the DOOR
There was an echo. Not a soul responded
to the knock Then the door was slowly
pushed open. Not soul inside. With cold
perspiration standing on their Roman
brows the solons of Alabama marched to
the house chamber. The room was empty.
The dust was dancing in the rays of the
sunlight, the speakers desk was deserted
and the chair backs, like cemetery stones.
were cold and Indifferent to the gaze of
the panicstricken guests of the Georgia
legislature
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1898-12-23
THE DEFENDANT
TAKES THE STAND
Mrs. Botkin Denies Testimony of
Several Witnesses.
DID NOT PURCHASE CANDY
Told of Her Acquaintance With Dun
ming, and Refuted Many of His
Statements-The Defense
Has an Inning.

San Francisco, December 22.-The de-
der of Mrs. John p. Dunning opened today
but the progress made in the breaking down
of the case of the prosecution was very
slight. DIR. G. M. Tyrell was the principal
witness for the defense today. Tyrell. how
ever, was so uncertain in his testimony. and
contradicted himself SO often that did the
defense very little good. He testified that
he visited Mrs. Botkin on Sunday after
noon. July 81. between the hours of and 5
o'clock and treated her for headache. This
is the time and date sworn by Misses Henry
and Dilmarr, of Haas candy store, when
they sold Mrs. Botkin a box of chocolate
bon bons. DR.. Tyrell, for some reason made
no entry in his visit book and rendered no
bill for services to Mrs. Botlxin. He could
not specify the time of his visit better than
between and o'clock in the afternoon"
Thomas ]. Ford, of the San Francisco
postoffice, testified that the package Of
candy was not packed according to the
rules, and that 1t was remarkable that the
box should have reached Delaware in good
order. He identified the postmarks on the
anonymous letters as being those of the
San Francisco office and described the
methods employed in postmarking letters
for the mail.
John p. Dunning was recalled by permits
sion and asked IL he had told Mrs. Botkin
that his wife and daughter had taken up
their residence In Dover Del. He replied
that he had mentioned the fact several
times.
w. L. Roberts, of Humboldt county,
brother-in-law of the accused, stated that
Mrs. Botkin had been in the vicinity of
Eureka between the End of June until the
end of the month. The prosecution adj
mitted his residence 1t will be remem-
bered that one of the anonymous letters
was dated about the middle of June but
the prosecution will prove that mail bag
was placed on the wharf at Eureka on
steamer days and that letters dropped in
1t were not pos%marked until the steamer
reached this city.
Mrs. Botkin was called to the stand at
late hour this afternoon. She told of her
acquaintance with Dunning. denying many
of his statements. She also denied most
of the testimony of Mrs. Lizzie Livernash,
a reporter, who testified to the hysterical
condition of Mrs. Botkin when informed
of Mrs. Cummings death and of several
discriminating admissions made by Mrs.
Botkin in interviews with her. She denied
ever having purchased candy of Haas or
that she ever purchased a handkerchief OF
the City of Paris store.
She will continue her testimony tomor-
row,
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1898-12-23
PECULIAR SHOOTING.
Dead Body of Robber Found in House
at Quincy, Mass.

Quincy, Mass, December 22.-The most
peculiar shooting ARRAY which has ever
been brought to the attention of the police
of this city occurred early this morning at
the winter home of John Shaw, in this city.
where a robber who had plundered the
house, lost his life. The whole affair is
very mysterious, as the occupants of Mr..
Shaw's house declare that they heard no
shot fired and did not know that their home
had been entered until the body of the man
was found by servant who was the first
in the house to arise this morning The
body was directly in front of the window,
which was open. The dead man wore new
suit, in the pocket of which gold watch,
diamond pin and two pairs of eye glasses
belonging to members of the Shaw family
were found. A piece of paper marked
james Emerson, Green street, Jamaica
Plain" was also found. The man was
probably 80 years of age.
The police are working on the theory that
the robber was shot by pal who was
watching outside and who may have mis-
taken the robber for the owner of the
house, just as his companion came toward
the window.
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1898-12-23
is IT A BLUFF :?
|. Mnntgnmerv Journal

From the Montgomery Journal.
The Birmingham Ledger predicts dire re-
suits from the investigation which has
been ordered by the governor of the ac-
counts of the county commissioners of JEFF
ferson. The Ledger thinks there will be
affidavits and counter affidavits and that
wool will fly. The Ledger is going to be
sorely disappointed If the commissioners
have been remiss in their duty, been mis-
In any way betrayed the trusts confided
to them by the people, and this fact is
shown by the examination which has been
ordered, the fate of the commissioners
court of Jefferson may be counted as set
tied. The legislature of Alabama has
shown that it will stand by honest officials,
whether they be popuists or democrats.
and it has shown that it will-set deua on
thosc who have not been faithful to their
trusts. The Journal knows nothing about
the alleged faithfulness or unfaithfulness
of the county commissioners of Jefferson;
they may have been faithful and they may
not have been. If faithful, the governor
and the legislature will stand by them. If
unfaithful, neither the governor nor the
legislature will stand by them. They will
have to go. The governor is not to be
overawed by threats in the discharge OF
iiis duty. He has heard it thunder before
He met with some sort of obstacles in his
efforts to unearth incompetency, unfitness
and dishonesty, in the office of that good
and honest old man, Tax Collector Lott, of
Mobile" The governor called that bluff.
He will call the hand of the Birmingham
crowd now.
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1898-12-23
All Favor the Treaty.

The country owes William ]. Bryan more
than mere thanks for his successful efforts
among the democratic senators in favor OF
the prompt ratification of the Paris treaty.
1t is thought that his eloquence and
straight public sense have brought nearly
every democratic senator into line, except,
of course, Mr.. Caffery. who represents only
himself, and possibly Mr.. German, who has
a presidential bee in his bonnet. Mr.. Hoar
has also come over, and it begins to look
as if Senator Eugene Hale and Senator
Dominick Caffery would soon be the only
irreconcilables in the senate. This means
that the treaty will be speedily ratified
after congress meets on the fourth of next
month. For this quick result the country
will be especially indebted to Colonel Bryan,
who has harmonized all factions and
schools of sentiment among the minority.
The government of the new possessions
will then become American questions only.
The ratification of the treaty will shut out
Spain and all the powers that wanted to
put finegr in the pie This is what Colo
mel Bryan contended for-nothing more.
The entire question of government in each
of the conquered islands will come up as
any American question comes up, and it
will be settled in accordance with the will
of the people. The education of the people
can now safely proceed. for the treaty will
be ratified in January just as surely as the
sun will rise in that month. Colonel
Bryans days of patriotic labor in Washing
ton have rendered that much certain.
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1898-12-23
LETTER FROM GILLETT.
Fugitive Cattle King Offers to Return
to Kansas City.

Kansas City, No., December 22-Frank
Cooper, of the firm of Gilmore & Cooper.
live stock merchants, today displayed for
comparison of the signature the letter
alleged to have been received yesterday
from Grant C. Gillett the Kansas City
cattle plunger, expressing a willingness to
return from Mexico and facing his credi-
tors.
A comparison of the signature attached
to the letter and the known signature of
Gillett's paper show them to be Identical
While refusing to make public the actual
contents OF the letter, Mr.. Cooper said that
Gillett declared in 1t that he Is only the
scapegoat of others who participated in
Inc gigantic cattle frauds, and If Seymour
& Cooper will say the word he will be In
Kansas City in forty-eight hours and will
furnish evidence that will uncover a great
conspiracy. The letter covers both sides
of more than dozen large sheets of
paper, gives lists of transactions aggregat-
ing nearly s2,OO0,OOo, and, according to Mr.
Cooper, makes direct accusations of fraud
against several live stock dealers. The let
ter is postmarked San Antonio, Tex. Mr..
Cooper says an effort to get Gillett to re-
turn will be made.
Mr.. Cooper declares that the letter is au-
thentic and contains information that
would be valuable Strengthening out Gill
letts affairs. He showed a portion of the
letter, which read:
81 am reading the Kansas City papers
every day and I see that those people are
talking great deal about fraud and forg-
cry. 1 want to say right here that I can
show who has committed forgery and If
you say the word will come back inside
of forty-eight hours. Just publish in the
papers that you want me to come back
and 1 will come. 1 had about $500 before
I left and spent it all for lawyers fees
except about $3.50. You say the word and
I will come back.
81 do not feel at liberty to make them
known the further contents of the letter."
said Mr.. Cooper. II want Gillett to come
back. believe If he will go on the witness
stand to tell what he says In his letters
some of his associates will find themselves
In very tight quarters"
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1898-12-23

bered. The soil of sovereign state has
been desecrated by drunken outlaws, and
the state should take steps to avenge the
wrong.
It win suffice, perhaps, If through re-
wards and detectives. the murderer or MUIR
derers of the child at Eutaw can be appre-
hended. and brought back to this state for
punishment. The cowardly wretches took
good care not to fight among themselves.
They preferred to attack those who could
not strike back. The state of Alabama
owes 1t to her dignity to leave no stone
unturned in its hunt for the brutes whose
ride through the state was one continuous
outrage.
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1898-12-23
Keep Up the Coal Output.

The New Orleans papers state that the
Tennessee Coal and Iron Company is filling
some of its orders with Pittsburg coal. The
Age-Herald calls the attention of the min
ers of this district to this fact. The work.
ers upon this paper do not get an hour of
appeal in all consistency to the miners of
this district to shorten their holidays. One
day should do this year. instead of the GUS
tomary recess of ten days or two weeks.
Orders lie in all the coal producers offices
untitled and Pittsburg is thus regaining
markets that II should be driven out of.
out thus securing for themselves steady
and even additional employment, and they
can well afford to let one day, all told, of
relaxation answer this year. 1t is very i'm
portant alike to the producer and the miner
that orders should be filled, and all possible
territory supplied. Pittsburg coal should
be driven out of the lower Mississippi. II
should be driven out of Arkansas and
Texas, and Louisiana, and Mississippi, and
all Gulf ports
This movement can be powerfully pro-
NOTED by large outputs of coal in this dis
trict. Let every miner know that every ton
he mines now Is a blow in favor of the coal
of this district. Every such ton will dis
place a ton of Pittsburg coal, and when
enough Pittsburg tons have been displaced
the Pennsylvania town will surrender g
trade that is geographically out of its prop.
er range.
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1898-12-23
NEW ENGLAND SOCIETY.
Senator Hoar of Massachusetts Was the
Principal Speaker.

Charleston, Dec. 22-The seventy-ninth
annual banquet of the New England society
was given at the Charleston hotel here to-
night. The leading speakers of the evening
were Senator George f. Hoar of Massa-
chusetts, who responded to "Forefathers'
Day." Senator John McLaurin of South
Carolina, who responded to "Our Country
and the Hon. JOS. B. Cumming of Georgia,
who responded to 1.-THE Mayhower." he
banquet was an elaborate and brilliant
function and there were seated at the
tables one hundred guests. Senator Hoar's
address was largely of an historical nature
and touched but lightly upon the issues of
the present day.
Messrs. McLaurin and Cumming howev-
err, took occasion to declare in more or less
pronounced terms against the theory of exc
pansion.
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1898-12-23
Didn't Wait for the Convention.

"If for no other reason, all others being
left out of consideration" says the Athens
Courier. 1.-THE people of Alabama should
favor a new constitution that will give us
longer and better schools Put tax on
every man to support ten months school
In every township and surround the selec-
ton of a teacher with such means that none
but first-class, and that implies great
deal, person can be selected. This means
untold prosperity for Alabama"
This is all very well, but there can be
terms of five or six months under the limi-
tations of the present constitution, and If
the Courier will promote. as 1t most pow
erfully can, the signing of petitions In
favor of such schools, such schools will be
speedily secured to the 100000 children of the
state. The Courier's help in this matter
is greatly needed.
It is mistake to trust wholly to the
constitutional convention. That convention
will not meet until August, $780, 1t will sit,
perhaps, two months its work must then
be ratified; legislature must be elected;
the legislative session will consume weeks,
and even months; its tax legislation under
the new constitution will be applied in the
counties, and tax collected and turned
into the treasury. When all this is done,
two years at least will have been consumed.
Shall two years of educational neglect be
put upon the 100000 children of the state
for the sake of waiting upon the constitu-
tional convention, when the scope of the
present constitution is broad enough to
furnish school terms for five or six months
in length?
The convention is needed. and is coming
along sure and soon enough. but in the
| meanwhile the school system should be
thoroughly reformed, and school appropria-
lions should be expended to the limit. The
Couriers help in this matter is greatly
needed. Let none of us favor the taking OF
two years of school opportunities out of the
lives of the bright-faced children of the
state. Let us start petitions that will start
the legislature into favorable and decisive
action. If the petition presented yesterday
in The Age-Herald be not acceptable, write
a new one, but be sure to ask for longer
| terms and better schools for the children of
the state who have no educational pTiv.-
leges in sight outside of the public schools.
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1898-12-23
wEALrH AND pOYERrY

New York letter in the Pittsburg Dispatch.
Wall street people who like big figures
estimate that the recent advance in security
market values has added not less than $685.
900 900 to the personal fortune of William
X. Vanderbilt Another rumor has 1t that
he will soon squander a few thousand on
an entertainment that will take the edge
off all that has gone before.
1t having reached the ears of old friends
among the millionaires of Wall street that
A. Oakley Halls widow is penniless, they
Clipped in and raised just $3,325. OF course,
that sum will bring little sunshine, but
1t also forces the conclusion that charity
isn't Wall streets long suit.
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1898-12-23
PORTER REPORTS
RESULT OF VISIT
As Special Commissioner toCuba
and Porto Rico.
MACHINERY OF GOVERNMENT
By Military Authorities is Running
With Fair Degree of Smoothness
Streets of Santiago No
Longer Used as Sewers

Washington, December 22.-Robert p.
States to Cuba and Porto Rico, has return
ed from Santiago and has submitted his re-
port to the secretary of the treasury.
While in Porto Rico Mr.. Porter held public
welfare of the island were invited to sub
init statements and give oral testimony.
The chamber of commerce. representing the
commercial and Industrial interests of tho
province, responded. The machinery of the
military government, Mr. Porter says, Is
running with a fair degree of smoothness,
and the men responsible for 1t understand
their business thoroughly. The disagreea-
Bile smells of the typical Cuban city, the re-
port says, were pronounced in Santiago, but
whitewash, lime wash. fresh paint and all
sorts of disinfectants have deodorized tho
surrounding atmosphere and made the old
town quite habitable.
The streets are no longer used as sewers.
and the unhappy individual who violats the
law and escapes the lash of the sanitary
commissioners whip is compelled to work
on the streets for thirty days. This official,
Mayor Barbour, with f26 men and thirty
two mule teams and carts has dug out from
the streets of Santiago the filth of ages and
is now able to keep them absolutely clean.
The work of sanitation is not confined to
the streets. but extends to the dwelling
houses, shops and buildings of all kinds.
The law courts, which were abolished
when General Shafter took the city, have
been recognized. The supreme court, the
report continues, is composed of carefully
selected Cuban judges, nominated from the
best talent obtaniable.
In the same manner local government
has been restored and native mayors and
officials appointed. the only requirement
being that persons accepting such offices
shall take the oath of the military occupa-
ton by the United States, but in no way
committing them to any future form OF
government.
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1898-12-23
AIqerism in Alabama,

The passage of the mustered-out members
of a Mississippi regiment through Alabama
on Wednesday was primarily due to Alger-
ism. There Is no reason why these men
should not have been paid Off and mustered
out in their own state--none. except the
are easier than prudent and correct actions.
Instead of being paid off In their own state
and near their own homes. these men were
literally supplied with money in Columbia
vlc!ously drunk through this state. dis
tributing wounds. oaths and general beast
Illness from Chattanooga to Meridian.
The killing of child at Eutaw should be
Followed up at all hazards. and the MUIR
derer brought back to this state for trial.
The reward offered by Governor Johnston
should be raised to $500. the limit permitted
by the law on that subject, and detectives
should be put at work. Because the ruff
fans are in Mississippi all efforts looking to
their detection and punishment need not be
stopped. Mississippi does not knowingly
shelter men who institute a reign of terror
in q neighboring state. The line of the
Alabama Great Southern was temporarily
paralyzed by the passage of the train. The
miscreants who fired Into the station build
angs, reckless Of life as we'll as of property,
should be apprehended. A lesson should be
taught In this case that will be long remem-
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1898-12-23
A BOOMING TOWN
From the Pratt city Sun.

From the Pratt CITY sun.
Pratt City has brighter prospects today
than she has ever had. The boom in the
Birmingham district is too far gone to be
checked. Everywhere we see undsputable
evidence of a great business revival. Pratt
City is one of the most important points
in the coal, iron and steel district and en-
joys large portion of the trade. 1T has
been said time and again that the re-
sources of our mining and manufacturing
district are superior to that of any other
section in the country, and that with the
necessary equipments we can surpass the
world as a manufacturing center. If so,
the Birmingham district will in the, course
of few short years be a "land of milk
and honey" The signs of the times were
never more indicative of "a great day
coming"
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1898-12-23
RAILROAD BOOKKEEPING

Il IUIu tIlt CHICdBU fttCUIu.
The motive power department of a rail-
way keeps an accurate double-entry ac-
count with every locomotive and every
car, so that the manager or master me-
chanic can tell in an instant how much
1t has cost to maintain and repair 1t, how
many miles it has travelled. ana how
many cars or tons It has hauled. sim
liar account is kept with every freight and
passenger car. The Pullman company. for
example, can tell you any morning the ex-
act earnings of every sleeper or parlor car
in service. how much each cost originally
and how much has been expended in equip
ment, maintenance, and repairs.