davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-05-07
Manufacturing Progress in the South.

Here in tine mineral district of Alabama
all are SO accustomed to yards full of pig
iron, to trains stained with red ore, to
smoking, faring coke ovens, That they are
led to think that present conditions have
existed a very long time almost to time
out OF mind. And yet all this development
is the growth of a brief lifetime. In 1899
Alabama produced only 77,19O tons of iron;
this year the production of the state will
reach 100000 tons, and may so to 100000
-tons And so it is in the matter of coal.
The mines of Alabama yielded in 1880 just
322 1874 tons. This years production prom
Uses to exceed 100000 tons.
Alabama is today producing three times
more iron than the entire south made in
1885, and twenty per cent more coal than
the ten coal states of the south yielded in
that year. 1t is estimated that the coal
product of the ten southern states and of
Texas and Indian Territory will in the GEN.
sus year be 5O,OoOo0O tons; in 1880 it was
6427 ,97S tons.
Cotton milling has sprung up in the same
period OF time to great proportions, and
when actual accomplishments since 1850 are
set down in black and white there is no
occasion for regrets over southern prog
ress. The upward march of manufacturing
is fully as great and rapid as it should be
for the good OF all concerned, for the people
of the agricultural south have much to
learn as they go along the road that leads
to industrial wealth. 1t is well to make
haste slowly when the job for Transforming
agricultural into Industrial communities is
on hand Every county and community
should make a start, and then they can let
time and experience do the rest. One mill
in a community will, ifit be well managed,
lead to other mills, and the aggregate in
| ten-year periods is surprising. The census
periods are the true tests of growth. The
momentum acquired since 1880 will certainly
work wonderful changes in the south be-
fore the census of 1920 is made.
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-05-07
NED BRACE TALKS OF POLITICS,
BUSINESS, AND CITY AFFAIRS

The past has been a tension week in Ala
ter of the stage. The week opened with
the constitutional convention fight in the
legislature. 1t was bitter and venomous.
The politicians fought like cats and dogs.
A majority of the politicians in the legis-
lature assumed to act for the people in
stead of allowing them to act for them
selves. The governors lientenants led the
fight to repeal the constitutional conven-
ton bill in the house, and won 1t by the
aid of populist votes.
1t looks as if the democratic party in
Alabama is split. 1t looks as If there will
hereafter be two white mems parties in
Alabama, and that there will be a con-
tinuation of bitter contests.
Governor Johnston, if his closest friends
are to be believed, is a candidate for the
United States senate to succeed John L.
Morgan. Morgan is likewise candidate to
succeed himself, and the indications are
that John H. Bankhead will also be can
didate The race promises to be warm
Senator Morgan has announced that he
will begin a campaign of the state on the
25th in advocacy of a constitutional con-
vention. Morgan is a power with the peo-
pie, and 1 look for hot times In Alabama
during the next year.
Only one thing is certain, and that is
that everybody is now for the Chicago
platform, and everybody is for William J.
Bryan as the next democratic nominee
Even men who are the most pronounced
70. tlo
for Bryan. Such men as John Knox,
Frank OBrien, General Oates, and, in
decd, all of the men who were most bitter
against Mr.. Bryan's nomination four years
ago, now say that he is evidently the
choice of the people, and. good demo-
Gratis, they are for him.
This sentiment is pervading the entire
country. Even Richard Croker, the Tam
many leader in New York, now comes out
and says that Tammany will enthusiastic
ally support whatever the next democratic
convention does and will be as enthusiastic
for Mr.. Bryan as any organization in the
south or the west. Mr.. Croker makes this
statement through the Verdict, a weekly
illustrated newspaper printed in New York
by Alfred Henry Lewis, and owned by
Oliver H. p. Belmont.
By the way, Lewis is making this publ
cation one of the most interesting in
America. Lewis has a habit of saying
what he thinks, and of saying it well. In
speaking of the two dinners in New York
recently he says:
do you recall the dollar-dinners in
New York city? They were notable for
the superior sort of those who came.
No gathering, for any purpose, of finer
mental edge or purer feather ever oc-
Cured the Island of Manhattan
since the 20-breeches day of Hendrick
Hudson! And there were no negroes
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-05-07
The Johnston Banner.

The Johnston movement has reached the
1t as an emblem that shines with mama.
This is somewhat puzzling as is indeed
much of Browning and other truly great
poets. Its mistiness may but indicate I'M
known depths of meaning. There was man
ma in the wilderness beyond the Red Sea,
but of course the mama referred to relates
TO the Johnston movement in modern
times. 1t must therefore be the mama
that is described as a mild laxative, for
there is no other kind of mama mentioned
in the books.
The bard proceeds to describe the john
ston banner in detail:
1t glows and sparkles brighter
When hurled into the air,
And all our burdens lighter
Joe Johnston's flag to bear.
Our enemies now can scarcely wag
And Huntsville boys abhor,
As they gaze upon Joe Johnstons flag
That bears a silver star.
Converting with the bravest men
Democracy,s name to thus defend
And conquer every Zoe.
Our enemies love to brag,
Our rights they would debar,
Or trample down Joe Johnston's flag
That bears a silver star.
Joe Johnstons men should never lag,
But fall right into line.
And rally around that glorious flag
With acts that are sublime.
-
This inspiring song first appeared in the
columns of the semi-official Montgomery
Journal, and the fair presumption is.
it is to become the rallying and enthusing
song of the Johnston campaign. Each
great movement has evoked in the past a
great song. The French sing the Mar
settles; the Germans keep step to the
"Wateh on the Rhine" and "God Save tho
Queen" lends courage and inspiration to
our English cousins. The Johnston hosts
populists, heelers and repubhears-will
march to victory -.,5;s3r the thrilling strains
of the ne-eoutburst of love and admiration,
Hoist High the Johnston Banner" This
great madrgal has not been copyrighted
and therefore common property.
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-05-07
2es57taea1
AN EXTRA.
The Age-HeraId Gets Here Mt 3 O'Clock on
Special Train

From the Montgomery Advertiser of the I'd.
The Birmingham Age-Herald got out an
extra yesterday afternoon containing let
ters from Senator Morgan, making strong
arguments against repeal and for eonven-
ton, and got their paper in here on spe-
cial train by O'Clock, coming through in
an hour and forty minutes.
They brought their own newsboys along,
and the papers went like hot cakes, but
right there was the trouble. The local
newsboys did not take very kindly to an
invasion of their territory by outsiders, and
they were up in arms and declared that
the birmingham geese should not sell
papers on these streets. The police had
to be called in, and the boys soon were
at It,
Mr.. Haggard. the managing editor of The
Age-Herald, came along with the train,
and he was pretty well used up, being
bruised severely from the rough and rapid
riding 1t was a stroke of enterprise for
which the paper deserves credit.
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-05-07

present.; not one. None were invited,
none sought to come. It was lie
built to hurt Bryan in the south. If the
south has an appetite for falsehood, it
will feed on it; if not, it will reject and
cast it aside. There was never a negro
at either dinner Of the dollar
The story of how Lewis happened to
commence the publication of the Verdict
is an interesting one. Lewis was the prize
writer Of the New York Journal for year
or more after Hearst bought it. His salary
was $4,000 year. But sbewis is a man of
his own opinions, and 1t would seem that
no salary, however large, could interfere
with them. He and Hearst failed to agree
upon some question of policy and Lewis
announced that he would quit the paper
unless his views were adopted. Lewis quit.
A few weeks after severing his connection
with the Journal he happened to be in
Delmonico's cafe with party of his friends
when Oliver H. p. Belmont joined them.
Lewis was expressing his opinions frankly
and freely upon men and measures. Among
others he commented upon was Perry Bel
mont. At this stage Oliver Belmont spoke
up and said:
"Why Is it that Perry Belmont is known
throughout this entire country, while 1,
though 1 am worth many millions, am in no
manner famous?''
"That's simple enough" responded Lewis,
''mfionaires are more common in New
York than negroes. I can take you out
on the street now, and of all the people
that will pass us in an hour there will be
five millionaires to one negro. Millionaires
are too common to be noticed in New
York If you want to be famous you should
own a newspaper"
'Where can l get one?" asked Belmont.
ST will arrange that for you," said Lewis.
you sign contract to pay me 5000 week
for five years as editor of your paper, then
you agree to pay all the expenses until the
paper is put on a money making basis and
l will start the warmest paper in this coun-
try. But remember / am to edit it. I am
to express my own views; say just what 1
think and you are to pay the bills. I think
from what you have said that our views
coincide on all the great questions and es-
pecially on the subject of some very con-
spicuous men in this country
The two discussed the matter for an hour
or more. Belmont signed the contract; the
Verdict blossomed forth, and every week
of it's publication 1t is getting better and
better, and though but twenty-one numbers
have been issued it is already one of the
most widely read publications in America.
Birmingham's new chief of police is at
the helm. He seems to be there to do
business. He has announced against the
Sunday barrooms and he proposes to do
immediate business with the gamblers.
The latter will be hard job, but he will
undoubtedly succeed in Kidding the town
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-05-07

of professional gambling rooms, where
young men are led astray and robbed.
Chief Austin has much work before him
and to judge from the way he has started
at it, be will de it well.
1 understand the board of aldermen is to
allow him ten more policemen and that
the residence portions of the city are to be
protected. Austin is a good man and he
wiz do good work.
I am glad to see disposition in Bir-
mingham to put aside politics for enjoy
ment of the May festivities. The music
festival has been a big success. Several
thousand people came from different Sec
lions of this and other states to be present,
and many thousands more will be here
Monday and Tuesday to the carnival and
floral parade. Birmingham is doing every
thing in good style, and is rapidly becom-
ing metropolitan.
The kickers and dissatisfied people are
no longer any more than camp followers.
Nobody has time to listen to their troubles.
1 hear that pools and combines are grow
ing so rapidly that a scheme is on foot,
with the prospect of being put through in
a short while, by which all the iron fur
naces in this district Will be combined I'M
der one head. There are evidently thous-
ands who believe this. Activity in real es-
tate in Birmingham is phenomenal. Three
trades are about consummated which will
mean much to Birmingham. I understand
a new hotel is to be erected ON a site just
for hot hull
is to cost not less than $25O,0O0, and is to
be from eight to ten stories high. Another
piece of property on a prominent corner
has just been bought for 100000. and
$z00;900 office building ten stories high is to
be erected thereon. And SO things go on
ward and upward.
Mayor Drennen, you are starting out
well in bringing about needed reforms.
There is a nuisance in town, however, that
you have overlooked. 1t is the street
fakir. These fakirs occupy nearly every
prominent street corner in the city. They
have crowds congregated around them to
such extent that pedestrians cannot
pass without showing through dense
masses of men, and vehicles get by them
with difficulty The street fakir has no
more right to block the streets of Bir-
mingham than has the merchant to build
a shed in the middle of the street for the
display and sale of his goods. These fa1xirs
should be driven off the streets. Let them
go into vacant stores, if there are any,
or on vacant lots, but they have no right to
the streets as stands for the sale of their
wares. Drive them off, Mr. Mayor. So
say thousands of citizens and
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-05-07
The United States is Shut Out.

The more the bare fact of an English
Russian treaty is studied-for the treaty
Itself is withheld-the firmer becomes the
conviction that England has practically
abandoned the open-door contention, re-
sorting to spheres of influence as a SUBJ
stitute. The firmer, too, becomes the con-
viction that China has actually been par
titioned-that the effete worm-eaten coun-
try no longer really exists, except in the
sense that Indian provinces and princes
exist. China, like the East Indian poten-
tates, will exist by sufferance Indepen-
dent China went down in the disasters of
the Japanese war.
The new treaty pretty much exhausts the
chooria and Mongolia back to the western
limit goes to Russia. England takes over
the rich central valley of the Yangtse
river, and the hinterland back to the Rus
sian line. In between lies the Hoang-Ho
valley which is presumably left to Ger
many The control of South China is not
so clear. France will claim it, but Eng
land holds Hong Kong. and Italy wants
slice. South China affairs may demand
another treaty, but the weight of popula-
tien and wealth and trade possibilities are
already determined by the EnglishRus-
sian treaty. England gets the lions share,
and Russia comes out next best, and Ger
many third.
What does the United States get? The
Mckinley high-tariff policy and general
supineness have beyond a doubt shut us
out of the best market in the world, ex
cept by sufferance, which may be termin-
ated at any time The opportunity of dip
lomacy was not utilized, and our trade
rights in China are to be of an uncertain
= nature They may not, after aNwhile, ex-
ist at all. Niew-Chang, which has been
great market for American cottons, is with
in the Russian sphere of influence. and 1t
may be closed against us at any time.
In discussing this subject the Boston
Herald regretfully says: ''Opportu-
mites such as those which we
have recently had are only given once in
the life of a nation. and, If advantage is
not taken of them, the loss is one from
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-05-07
SUBSCRIPTION RATES.
Water Problem on the NOrth Side.

The control of the water company has
been transferred to Pittsburg parties or
rather to a company that is controlled in
Pfttsburg The new owners will be well
coined to this field. They are to handle an
article that pertains to the health and
cleanliness of this city-an article upon
which all else may be said to rest. No
prejudice on account of non-residcnee shall
go out from this city to them or their sue
cessors. They will be heartily welcomed
here.
But a suggestion surely will not be con-
sidered unkind. The new owners can, in a
simple and inexpensive manner, win the
confidence of their present patrons, and lay
basis for acquiring many new patrons.
They already pump water from one deep
well in North birmingham, and if they will
sink more wells of thar sort not a word
of complaint will be heard ON account of
the North Birmingham supply.
There is no need of discussing the ma
ture of Five-Nle creek from which much
water is now pumped for use on the North
side. 1t is small stream in a valley thick
~ populated, and at it's best it is not over
cleanly. The smaller the stream the great
er the danger of contamination, as all
know; and one case of typhoid fever in
that valley might not only be disastrous
to life in this city, but to the business of
the water company.
It is not necessary to e. Gate City or
any other point in ordeY|to drive down deep
Us Wells that great pumps cannot ex-
naust can be bored as we'll in North Bir-
mingham as in Gate City rim the neigh
borhood of Brooklyn, or in the valley of the
Thames. The extent of water supplies
from deep wells is not generally under
stood. A good share of mighty London is
supplied with water from deep wells, and
so 1t is in Brooklyn, and so it is in scores
of other towns much larger than Birming-
ham. The cost of pumping is little more,
but in locality where steam coal is almost
given away the cost of pumping is not.
great or forbidding.
The water company can not only render
source of supply Five-AIfle creek, but it
can largely promote its own business.
Twenty deep wells on as many acres, all
linked together, would meet the case ex-
ceently and satisfactorily. The new COM
parry should investigate and act.
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-05-07

which there can be no recovery. A broad
policy Of enlightened imperialism. the ex-
tension OF American influence and trade to
all available parts of the world. Is some
thing which, when fairly presented and de-
veloped could not fail to command the en-
the American people. A policy of half
hearted Imperialism, which grasps at
shadows and lets the substance of things
escape it, which is Apologize when it
should be assertive, feeble when it should
be strong, is not one which will command
either confidence at home or respect
abroad
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-05-07
THE BIG SCOOP

From the Alexander City Outlook
Editor Barrett is giving Alabama real
touch of progressive journalism nowadays.
The Carnival Edition of The Age-Herall,
with it's thirty-six pages teeming with
"Greater Birmingham on last Sunday.
followed up ON Monday with the greatest
SCOOP" of the season, when it issued a
special edition containing Senator Morgan's
famous letter, and sent an extra flyer to
Montgomery with 5000 copies and a dozen
"newsies" ON board, gave evidence of
great push. The copy was handed in at
The Age-Herald office by II o'clock a. M,
and at O'Clock p. m. the boys were selling
Age-Heralds on the streets of Montgomery.
This stroke of newspaper enterprise was
new wrinkle" in Alabama, and woke tho
natives up.
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-05-07
FIRST TO GIVE THE NEWS

From the Warrior Breeze.
The Age-Herald extra on Monday, con-
tanning Senator John #. Morgans opinion
on the constitutional convention, was sent
to Montgomery on a special car, and made
the distance in remarkably short time.
The Age-Herald is always first to give the
news, and is one of the best dailies in the
south.
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-05-07

ure In music after Beethoven's day. lie,
like Beethoven. was creative-constructiv
He was at once a revolutionist and a re-
former. Arriving at the conclusion that
Beethoven had left nothing to be done IN
the symphony form, he struck out new
lines, and founded, in certain sense at
least a new school. He is best known by
his music-dramas, which are in the roman
tic realm matchless. Wagner loved melo-
dy and he wrote melody, but from his mel
odic themes he worked out the most schol-
arly harmonies. His theory was that the
composer of the muslc-drama should be ais
own librettist; that everybody connected
with the production or presentation of ne
music-drama. from the stage carpenter and
scene painter to the musicians, including
orchestra, soloists and chorus should have
an intelligent conception of the text and
music, and enter into the spirit of both.
Nearly all of the master composers were
men of good general education. Beethoven
did not spend much time al grammar school
or college, but he was a reader, and well
versed in history, mythology and philoso-
ply. Wagner was a finely educated man,
and while not pre-eminent in verse or 1T
erature, he wrote strong librettos. and his
essays belong to belle letters.
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-05-07

fering. But to every form of pain shall
come in the fullness of time all-heal. There
Shall be Observation-Disclosures!
But whatever the individual conditions,
sunshine will come into every life that will
receive it, Not perhaps upon the full
rounded divine notes of the divinest ora
torio, nor yet upon tinkling of the TESTERS
bells; but it shall come to him that asketh.
1t depends upon sympathy, assoclatio
the comfort of others. One may not live
alone or apart in spirit or otherwise. We
must needs know and in some degree love
each other. There needs must be a spirit
of companionableness. No man can live
within himself or without others.
The crow doth sing as sweetly as the lark,
When neither is attended; and, think,
The nightingale, If she should sing by day
When every goose is cackling would be
thought
No better a musician than the wren.
Friends and associates are socially and
morally essential. Every man is RESPONSE
BILE to his kind for the deeds, the conduct of
his own life. He cannot be independent OF
his felow-men, however much he might
desire to be; and there is something radi-
cally wrong about one who has any desire
to be a law and life unto himself. AS to
friends: week ago there was some thing
said here about Browning's funeral, the
reference being brought about by Elizabeth
Barrett Browning's famous famous lines
under the title, HE Giveth His Beloved
Sleep" The graphite pencil had rested at
Browning's name as memory took me back
to that gray day at Westminster abbey
when the master was given his little six
feet of earth. AT that precise moment
when the pencil paused, a friend entered
and seated himself by the workbench.
do you read Browning much nowadays?"
ne asked The paper was passed to him,
showing what had been written of the
poet. The coincidence was startling But
was it coincidence? Or was it the power
OF kindred thought that had brought my
friend mile to speak about whom I was
writing? He knew 1 WAS thinking OF
Browning; knew it in some indefinable way
before he left home How did he know it?
Had my mind sent message to his MIND
and the two had agreed? Had bond OF
friendship to do with it? Or was it purely
intellectual? WasAit my friends other self
here in the office? Or was it himself in
the first person?
Friendship is not an empty sound it is
not charm that lulls to sleep: it is not
a shade that follows wealth or fame and
leaves the wretch to weep! 1t is the one
supreme dividing line between mankind and
the beasts of the fields Mankind may pos
sibly be "a damned rascal" as the gentle
Emerson's friend insisted; but he would be
a beast IL it were not for his friendships
Bother his loves! Everything loves. But
trust no man who is without friends, and
trust none whose friends are evil men. To
your own friends be true, and then You
cannot well be false to yourself. AS for
you, my friend, love you, love you, love
,.o,,, rIE NIITR NfITRE2
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-05-07
THE DEMOCRATIC BURDEN

From the Florence Herald.
The repcalists are getting great deal of
clap-trap praise from Che republicans and
populites-who are only laughing in their
sleeves at the picnic they're going to have.
But see If the burden of meeting the foe
and fighting it back and down don't fall to
the lot OF the democrat
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-05-07
THE EXTRA AGE-uERALD

From the Dadeville Herald.
Sundays Age-Herald was whopper--
thirty six pages with the best cartoon rep
resentation of Johnston with his whip in
hand flourishing 1t over the heads of tha
Alabama Legislature. that possibly conld
have been gotten up. ,.
The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-05-07

Americas representatives will reach The
Hague in good season, prepared to explain
that the war with Spain was in the inter-
est of permanent peace.