davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Mena star., 1899-04-27
HELP THE ACADErY FUND.

We feel that too much cannot be said at this time about the very liberal offer and plans proposed for the erection of the academy at this place, and the necessity for prompt action to the end, that the work may commence at once. This comes as a free gift to Mena, the only favors asked in any sense being that those who are able in- vest in a few town lots, taking their choice of any the company ownes, at regular list prices. These are offered for one third down, one-third in one year and one-third in two years, and in order that the management may have the money to complete the building with the company agrees to take all the notes and hold them, while placing equal amounts of money into the build ing fund for immediate use.
 There are those who subscribed llberally to the original propo sition, as started by Mrs. Gurus, in the form of scholarships, but Mrs. Gurus having relinquished all her claims in the premises in favor of Mir. Miller and the Hen- dirk College he represents, has abandoned her enterprise, conse- quently these will not be called on for their subscriptions and they can we'll afford to assist in the manner now proposed.
 The management now propos- ing to establish the school is en- tirely responsible and there need be no question about it's successful management, or that it will not redouned greatly to the benefit of Mena.
The Mena star., 1899-04-27
THAT STATE HOUSE BILL.

If, as Mir. Alley say the bill providing for the erection of a new state house provides for a building commission of seven to draw $5 a day each during the construction of the building, we do not hesitate to say that it should never be carried into effect no matter how much we need a new state house.
 It would seem that it is almost impossible to secure the enact mcnt of a measure of benifit to a state that does not carry with it provisions to supply lot of broken down politicians or polili- cal pets with sinecure positions that enable them to draw big pay for very little real service.
 The erection of a million dollar state house will take from five to ten years of time and when settled in their places these seven commissioners will have q fat job, one that they will not care to push to an early closing Then again they will have their secretaries, and stenographers to do the work, and of course to be paid by the people.
 We see no good reason why a state, when contemplating making public improvements should not use the same business sagacity or economy that private corpor- ation would, and where is the ln- dividual or private corporation who would employ commission of seven to superintend such a job? !? Three should be enough under any circumstances, and the people should hold a party responsible for providing for so lavish an ex- penditure of their money.
 The following is the list of com missioners appointed, Governor Jones being the seventh member, he drawing no salary as such.
 J. M. Levesque, of Cross coun- ty; Charles c. Newman, of Jeffer- son county; A. H. Carrigan, of Hampstead county; George w. Murphy, of Pulaski county; G. W. Donaghey, of Faulkner county; k. M. Hancock, of Baxter county.
The Mena star., 1899-04-27
HELPING POOR TO BUY HOMES.

That there is strong sentiment taking possession of the minds of the people in all civilized countries to help better the condition of the poor by helping them to help themselves is quite apparent to the observer of current events.
 Conservatives decry and de- nounce these efforts as being pa ternalistic and socialistlc, the principles involved continue to grow and in one form or another are being put in practice at various places.
 The Chicago Post of recent date has an article on the above named topic from which we quote as follows:
 1t is no longer needful to em- phasize the socialistic or paterna- listic character of much of the British Legislation of the day. Ii is now generally known that measures which in the United
The Mena star., 1899-04-27

The Jackson Drug Co. is the place to buy everything that can be found in first class, up to date drug store. Here will be found brushes, paints and oils of all kinds, perfumes of the best make and all manner of toilet articles, blank books and stationery and wall paper in every shade and pattern and all the latest styles. Our stock of wall paper is complete and always in quan- tty to supply all who call. Jackson Drug Co 2-tf
The Mena star., 1899-04-27
THE HIT DOG ALWAYS YELps,

Last Thursday the house adopt ed resolution censuring Hon. J. E. Wood, of Lee county, for language used in speech before the business mems convention. Such action was a disgrace to the legislature and q reflection on the intelligence of the men who voted for it. The hit dog always yelps, and in censuring Mir. Wood those members who gave way to passion and prejudice only made known to the public the fact that they felt the force of his speech at Glen wood Park. Magnolia Journal.
The Mena star., 1899-04-27

States, even out-and- out Populists would shrink from advocating, because of their radical nature, are calmly proposed and passed by the most conservative party in Great Britain, the Tory. We re- ferred the other day to the naturalization of the telephone service accepted as inevitable in England, but the government has laid a bill before parliment for which even the superficial plea of general necessity cannot be made. We allude to the Chamberlain bill empowering local authorities to loan money to workingmen and others to enable them to acquire the small houses in which they reside.
 The bill is not compulsory. The owners are not required to sell, and the local authorities are not required to loan money to the tenants, but the importance of the measure is in recognizing the principal that the government owes it to the poor men to enable them to acquire homes. Many municipalities will early avail themselves of tho authority con- ferrcd upon them, and if the measure should prove imperative we know from past experience that the next step will be to make it compulsory instead of voluntary.
 By its terms the bill applies only to houses of S1, ,500 or less. Tenants can borrow four -fifths of the purchase price, and we do not understand that any interest is to be charged Cat least the Eng fish papers do not mention this feature). The property may be transferred, and forfeiture is to follow failure to pay or to keep it in proper condition.
 There is much to be said in favor of homo ownership. As the Lon don Spectator puts it, ''the poli- tical advantages that flow from the magic of property" are manifest and great. The economic benefits of freehold possession are also very considerable"
 The scheme outlined above is an advanced step in the interest of good government, and for the welfare of the poor, and tends to emphasize the fact that while our government has for many years been loaning banking corporations money to do business on, prac- tically free of interest, the British government takes up the same paternalistic idea by proposing to provide money free of interest to enable her poor people to secure homes.
 The rich are generally supposed to be able to care for themselves and surely the government that proposes to help her poor to be- como self sustaining by securing homes comes very near doing the riUhf thip0
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-03-10
North Carolina viii Be Lonely.

1t Is fortunate that this state took steps
of the two names that stood between that
of this state and the foot of the list has
been rudely and forever withdrawn. There
remains only North Carolina now, a state
a state, too that will continue to hold it
unless she takes steps. as Alabama has
done, to move her name up the list.
New Mexico did stand below Alabama,
but In the new census that territory will
rank high up in the tables. She has long
had people enough to form a basis for a
state, but in congress the charge has here
tofore prevailed that her people were unfit
for statehood, because she held under tie
census of 1890 tho unrivaled percentage of
65 in the lists of illiterates. She went de-
liberately at work to develop her school
system. saying very little about 1t, and the
best estimates of today go to show that
since 1890 she has reduced her illiterates to
Is per cent. When the nature of the popu-
a remarkable result. Half-breeds and all
kinds of breeds except straight breeds con-
stitute so per cent. of her population. and
yet this population promises to be well fit
ted for the duties of citizenship.
The work that the census of next year
will prove beyond cavil has been ACCOM-
pllshed in New Mexico can be and will be
repeated In Alabama In the next ten years.
A million dollars each year will lift up 7Oo,-
600 children, fitting them for self-govern-
mont, for the duties of life, and for work
that will rebound to the prosperity and glo-
ry of the state 1t is not much per capita,
but 1t will do especially when Superintend-
ent Abercrombie's hands are strengthened
by law that weeds out incompetent coun-
ty superintendent and takes from politics
such guardians of the children.
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-03-10
Mobile Has An Organ.

The Age-Herald acknowledges the receipt
of a copy of the Commercial Record,
well-printed, well-flled monthly of sixteen
pages, issued by the Commercial club of
Mobile. Every page is filled with facts
that relate to Mobile-its railroad facilities,
its school system, its advantages as a gulf
port, its imports and exports, and hun
dred other subjects of interest in the great
outlet of Alabama. Secretary Kennedy
has charge of the Record, and The Age
Herald is proud of his work.
The people of Mobile should give the
Record ample and assured support in order
that 1t may be held up to the standard of
the two initial numbers. There is assured
ly no better way to make town. All ex-
perience goes to show that such publica-
ton is better In attracting both capital and
population than any other plan of like ex-
pense that can be devised. The people Of
Mobile will be very short-sighted If they
let the light that Secretary Kennedy has
started go out, or even become DIM 1t is a
light that should not be hid
One plain intention of the Record is to
show that Mobile is the true jumping off
place for those who seek for one purpose
or another our new possessions. There
is Spanish on the first page of the number
before US, and there are facts and figures
scattered all through its pages showing
the desire of the merchants of Mobile for
a Cuban trade 1t points with pride to the
fact that Mobile has shipped more mer-
chandise into Cuba since the close of the
war than all the other gulf ports COM
bined. May the old town keep it up. 1t as
suredy will when the Warrior becomes a
slackwater arm of the sea, and its bold
mariners are enabled to empty the treasures
Of the mountains in the old seaport's lap,
or words to that effect.
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-03-10
ARMoK FOR THE wARsaIPs.
Government Can Buy Harvey Plates at Price
Fixed by Congress.


From the Baltimore Sun.
Washington, March 6.-The provision In
the naval appropriation bill STIMULATING
that the price of armor shall not exceed
300 ton will not operate to delay the
battleships Alabama, Illinois and Wiscon-
sin, now well advanced at the Cramps,
Newport News and San Francisco. The
price paid for armor for the Kearsarge
and Kentucky was $500 ton, and the fac
tories will furnish all the Harvey variety
the government may wish at this price
The latter ships are now nearly ready for
their ordnance, and the Alabama, Illinois
and Wisconsin are half completed and
In condition to take the armor for their
protection early this autumn.
While the ordnance officers are disap-
pointed that congress did not authorize
the purchase of the new Krupp armoc
which could be secured at about S545 a ton,
1t is thought by them more advisable TO
proceed to purchase the Harvey plates aud
complete the ships than to depend on flu
ture action by congress, which might re-
suit In delaying the vessels Indefinitely
The money that would have to be paid for
demurrage and caring for the ships while
waiting for the armor would amount to a
large sum. and the ships would also sur
fer by not being put In commission
promptly.
Captain O'Neill will probably recommend
to the secretary that contracts be awarded
for the Harvey plates and tho work of
completing the three battleships be con-
tinued, regardless of the fact that he be-
lieves the Krupp type of armor infinitely
superior. Figures furnished the ordnance
bureau show that for this armor the Rus
sian government is paying s625 ton, and
the Cramps s575 for that which will be used
on the Russian battleship and armored
cruiser now being built at Philadelphia.
In anticipation that congress would pro-
vide literally for the navy in the number
of battleships and armored cruisers author
lied, the construction bureau has made
considerable progress on the designs and
plans for these vessels, and will begin soon
to prepare plans for three 6,500-ton unpro-
tected cruisers also included as a part of
the programme. Admiral Hichborn, the
chief constructor, intends to proceed care
fully in designing the new ships and to
make no effort to have the plans ready
before congress again meets. In his opin-
ion, no battleships plans should be drawn
under year, if that vessel is to be on de-
signs entirely new and somewhat radical
In comparison to those of similar ships of
their class already built.
The law provides three battleships Of
800 tons each and three armored cruisers
of $500 tons displacement each, the latter
vessels to be almost equal in fighting power
to some first-class battleships. In appear
ance and design it is proposed by Admiral
Hichborn to have all the vessels strictly
of the American type of ships, and not to
follow lines and plans for vessels of their
class built in foreign countries. At the
next meeting of the construction board
consideration will be given the general
lines on which the ships shall be built. as
well as to the batteries and other important
parts.
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-03-10
The Boss Asserts Himself.

The official Montgomery Journal Is
busily engaged in lacking up the county
press and conducting che Birmingham
city election. But the former is proving
fun job. and 1t Is receiving very close and
full attention.
The Union Springs Herald Is especially
given corrective treatment. The Journal lis
panied to say 1t found no defense of the
governor in the Heralds editorial COL
umns, and 1t proceeds to read our Union
Springs contemporary a gentle lecture on
account of It's lack of spontaniety In be-
half "of the governor"
The Pine Belt News Is also lacked up, but
in no gentle manner. 1t is "gratuitous:"
1t has named O need-"of the governor
that does not exist; 1t is altogether blind
and stupid. And this official outburst Is
over this innocent little paragraph:
Governor Johnston needs an official
organ Here is thankless job for some
newspaper"
So much outcry over SO email a hurt Is
doubtless a warning to other pa
pers. Comment is hereafter expected to
be wholly and unqualifedly favorable, IL
the maledictions of the official organ and
''of the governor" much the same thing,
are to be escaped
The Eufala Times escapes easily, because
come OF its comment could be utilized by
the Journal in Its new campaign against
a well-known leader of democracy; but the
Union Springs Herald is "in for it"at every
turn of the official columns. The Herald
simply warned. and the warning is evi-
IDENTIFY meant for all other county papers
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-03-10
The DreYfus Case.

As piece of politics perhaps Premier
Dupuy succeeded In forcing through tho
senate bill transferring the appeal Of
Captain Dreyfus from the criminal section
OF the court of cessation to the entire
court, which consists of three sections, In
which forty-nine judges sit. Tho great
court has taken up the case, and In accord
ance with Its practice It has appointed M
Ballot de Beaupre to report upon the ap-
plication for a revision of the trial.
Captain Dreyfus' fate Is undoubtedly to a
great extent in the hands of M. Beaupre.
He 10 veteran on the bench, having
years. He stands SO high as a jurist in
France that he was quickly made presi-
dent of the civil division of the court when
M. Beaurepaire abruptly left that post in
the hope of becoming the leader of the
anti-Dreyfusites and OF a great popular
movement. The hopes of NJ. Beaurepaire
were blasted even before the sudden death
of President Faure, and that event has
crushed the judicial demagogue. NJ. Beau
pre- will examine all the documents in the
Dreyfus case, and report to the full court
his views of it. He is regarded in France
as an upright and clear-headed Judge. In
the Dreyfus case he Is believed to be with
out bias
No one now believes that the application
,.,t1ll
after the report of M. Beaupre is handed
IN, decide to set aside the sentence, and
order the unfortunate officer before an
other court-martial for retrial. The gen.
eral staff would beyond doubt organize a
court-martial that would convict, although
they could not hope to do this on evidence
kept from the prisoner. All evidence will
have to be disclosed to the prisoners coun-
sci in case he is retired by court-martial.
The court will not order him to be tried
unless they find some probable grounds
for believing him guilty 1t may. and prob
ably. will hear new testimony.
After all the witnesses are examined and
all the papers are heard that the court de-
sires to hear. 1t may find him wholly in
nocent; and II 1t does SO consider him, the
court has power to nullily the court
martial, and to at once set the prisoner
free.
All French opinion is divided between a
new court-martial and complete freedom.
There are no Intelligent French people who
now believe that the court will declare that
4
Captain Dreyfus was both legally and
justly condemned The court of cessation
has, it will be understood both law and
equity powers. To some extent 1t is both
Judge and jury, and M. -Beaupre is ather
more than chief judge and foreman of the
jury. He stands SO high that the court
will largely be governed by his opinion,
which may not be rendered until several
weeks have elapsed
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-03-10
THE SENATORIAL DELEGATE
From the Selma Times.

From the Selma Times.
Dr. R. M. Cunningham president of the
state senate, is a candidate for delegate to
the constitutional convention from the
state at large from the senatorial district
of jefferson, which he so ably represented
in the senate. President Cunningham was
turned down by the governor on the JEFF
ferson commissionership question, and he
is probably going before his people as u
vindication of his course. As yet he has
no opposition, and it don't seem that he
will have. If he does he can sit in his seat
and circulate his own speech and the able,
fair, exhaustive report that Senator Tom
Sowell made on that subject, and he will
be elected. The Times hopes he will be, for
DIR. Cunningham is one of the great men
of Alabama.
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-03-10
LIEUT.. HOBsON's PROFITS


When 1t comes to prices. the mere men
of letters who only know HON to write are
hopelessly distanced nowadays by the men
Of action. Naval Constructor Hobson Pc
ceiyed $1,000 for his articles on the sinking
of the Merrimac published in the Century,
and the profits on his book are yet to be
counted. He could well afford to decline
$4,000 for a lecture tour. Admiral Dewey,
according to the London Academy, declined
$1,000 offered for single magazine article
on the Philippines, with the curt reply
Thanks, but I'm too busy" And General
Kitchener, when offered $25 900 for anything
in the shape of a book with his name signed
to it. replied: No, thank you, I shall re-
main soldier" 1t must be said that none
of our warriors, however they may emulate
the military fame of Julius Caesar, have
yet shown signs of possessing his literary
gifts-always excepting General U. s.
Grant.
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-03-10
NEGROES IN COAL MINES

From the New York Press,
The pay rolls Of an enormous coal mining
concern in the south shows a remarkable
difference in the results of negro and
white labor engaged at the same work, at
the same wage rate, In the same mines. In
month of working days fifteen white men
mine 1,945 tons of coal. The fifteen men
lose twenty-five days out of a working
month. The average coal mined by the
white man Is 100 tons. Fifteen negroes lose
101 days out of a working month-an aver
age of 6.7 days to a man. The fifteen men
mine S28 tons-an average of 55.A tons to
the man. The average money earned by
the negro is $25; the average of the white
man about $65.
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-03-10
DWARF BEASTS OF THE ORIENT
Some Midget Animals That Live in Our
New Philippine Possessions.

From the Washington Evening Star.
Another freak beast which will excite GU
riosity in our geological gardens is the tam
arau, dwarf buffalo found in the forests
of Mindoro of the Philippine group. 1t Is a
stunted form of the Old World buffalo, not
of the American bison. 1t sometimes oc-
ours high up In the mountains. 1t tunnels
pathways through the thick bamboo under
growth covering the mountain sides above
5000 feet. Hunters must go upon hands and
knees to follow these trails. The aborigines
never hunt this little beast, being deathly
afraid of it.
The midget Philippine squirrel Is another
odd creature. 1t is about the size of
mouse, has legs longer in proportion than
those of the ordinary squirrel, larger eyes
and rounded ears. A large brown rat. gray
underneath and with a squirrel-like head
and eyes, but black, cord-like TAIL Is of still
greater interest from an evolutionary point
of view. 1t Is discovered to be the last link
long needed to complete the chain of rela-
tionship between the true rat and the wa
ter rats. A wild pig, dignified by the name
of 'Sus celebensis Philippinensis" Is found
throughout the whole Philippine group
1t is exceedingly exclusive during the day
when it hides in the forest. but sallies gaily
forth during the night into the native maize
and rice fields, where 1t does much damage.
The natives call this badly beloved pig pa
bui."
The Philippines will also contribute n
giant fruit-eating bat. All American bats.
of course, subsist entirely upon insects
and are provided with sharp teeth with
which to nip them. The fruit-eating bat of
these Islands is larger than rat, has a
long head and blunt teeth. 1t makes night
ly tnroads upon the banana plantations
and other fruit preserves. During the day
1t sleeps hanging head downward from a
tree
In Bataan, of the Philippine group, is
found chevretain, or mouse deer"
tiny little pigmy cunning as fox and
when shared feigns death until freed, when
it leaps up like a lightning flash and takes
to the forest, leaving the inexperienced
trapper in great surprise. The Philippines
also contain civets. wildcats, porcupines,
lizards, snakes and alligators The
"chacon," one variety of alligator Is priced
| by the natives as affording immunity
against death by earthquake shocks
Professor Dean c. Worcester, lately ap-
| pointed a member OF the Philippine COM
| mission, has submitted to the Smithsonian
an extensive report upon the ornithology of
| those islands, where he recently counted
no less than 256 different species of BIRDS
Notable among these are some beautiful
| little parakeets, cockatoos. mound builders.
hornbills and jungle fowls. The last named
are the principal game birds of the Group
The natives tame the hornbills and keep
them as pets The only important food
fishes of the fresh waters of the Philippines
are species of catfish and carp.