davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The age-herald., 1900-02-07
>THE ONLY Duly NEWSPAPER a ALABAMA
Failures in Business.

f "A commercial agency has attempted to t1iscover and classify uhe causes of busi- mess failures in the year just ended. There were 109iS failures all tod in tais country and Canada last year. In round numbers e3 per cent had each less than s5,000 eapi- fal: five per cent. had over 5000 and less Allan s20 GOO capital, leaving about two per cent that kad a capital exceeding S2O,OOO each.
 < Leaving Canada out, we find there were 9642 failures in this country alone. One third of these were due to lack of capital. s'Ineompet eapcy'' is charged with 16.5 per cent, and 'Tnexperience'' with 6 per cent. nhese- three classes aggregate 57 per cent of the whole number. The remaining 43 per cent is charged against great variety of causes, such as "outslde speculation ''un- wise credits" "extrava gance," neglect of business and the like Speculation did mot create very many failures in number, but it led to heavy losses to creditors. In one case the excess of liabilities over as- sets was sS 100000, and in another case it was $1,7O00O0.
 Fraudulent failures have also been count ed and listed. There were 1,113 of them fn 1899, against 1895 in the previous year. In fact, no year of late has had so small "a percentage of fraudulent failures. In the failures of this sort last year uhe liabili- tics exceeded the assets by $7,665,oO0. This  is good round sum, and swfndlers took that amount last year from the pockets of honest men, or at least from pockets pre- sumaroy honest
The age-herald., 1900-02-07
the Phiiadelpbia Press,

From the Philadelphia Press.
 The young daughter of a former Phila- delrnian is a schoolmate of little Wu, the son of the Chinese ambassador at Wash ington. During recent visit here she often talked about the little Celestial, and told tales about him that seemed to indi- cate that little Wu at times gently guys his Christian schOolmates "He is awful " cute" she said, "and speaks very cor rect English. He's just my age. yet he's ahead of me. What he likes best to eat he says, Is milh That is young mice, dipued in honey and swallowed raw. A horrible thing. isn't It? But Wu says that nilhi aren't half so -squashy and slimy as raw oysters. His mothers feet are so tiny that she hardly walk at all. She is pushed about in wheeled chair. I asked Wu once if he didn't think it was cruel to torture the Chinese ladies' feet like that He said: Virginia, my papa says that whenever any person asks me that question
The age-herald., 1900-02-07
Frec Mail Deliveries

Il1e national board of trade is in favor o,f reducing the postage rate on first-class matter from to 1 cent a pound. The mem- bers of this body think that such a reduc- tion would be an immense benefit to the business of the country, and that if the abuse of the ,second-class mail provisions can oe stopped, as proposed by legislation, it VIII be possible fer the government to undertake ito reduce tine first-class rate to cent without mourning a deficiency. It is not probable however, that congress will look favorably upon the proposed re- ducticn at this time. There is too much interest now in the question of rural de- livery. The United States is the only mem Der CT .lae International Postal union that does not deliver every letter to the person to whom addressed. Only cities of -10,0O0 inhabitants or those whose gross receipts from the sale of postage stamps aggregate SIC, ,0G0 a year enjoy free delivery, save in a few eases in several states where the ex- pertinent of rural delivery is being made. As a prominent member of congress put it: "The great cities of the country now have from five to nine mail deliveries in of the country districts have to go to the postofices for their mail. It occurs to me that until we can deliver mail ito every in- habitant of the country it would be unfair to reduce the postal ties, for that would indefinitely postpone free delivery through out tine natioq."
The age-herald., 1900-02-07
RHODEs' HANDIwORK

From Ainslee's Magazine.
 The deals of Cecil Rhodes are generally profitable, and, though investors are still waiting for their dividends from the Char tered Company, that concern has rich a Aourlshing colony. Where once the Kaffir kings had their "p,ace of killing a beautiful town now stands. MT. Rhodes dream has come true When cglided with embarkinS on such a massive undertaking, he replied quietly: Tn fancy l see people, !" pointing toward Lobengula's camp walk ing through shady avenues"
 Not only does Bulawayo have shady ave- nues, but wide streets, beautiful buildings. tramways, a government house. handsome stores, race course, fine clubhouse and in every respect is a modern city of per- haps 4,0O0 inhabitants. A railroad and tele- graph connect it with Cape Town. Both are now being pushed into Central Africa. In the near future another road will open the way 10 Bevia on the east coast
 Where Kaffir hordes once lived in slug glsh indo,ence or else fought to extermina te one another towns are now springing up. trees growing, steam ploughs turning up tine soil. A class of human beings dwells here now that H. M. Stanley characterized as the pick of Piccadily in South African costume" Everywhere you see signs of Rhodes handiwork. He pays for essperi- ment in forestry, gardening and irrigation. He hopes 'by example to teach the native AarGcan fow to develope the land.
The age-herald., 1900-02-07
TOO MARROW ALroGErHER

From the Galveston News.
 It is said that some Alabamians oppose the return of Senator Morgan to the sen- ate because the republicans, though in control, retained him as chairman of the comimttee on ilterocean canals, a commit tee outranlxing now in importance nearly, if not all, the committees. They think this indicates too great friendiiness with the enemy But it is simply the recognition of the ability of the senator who has broad views, who recognizes that an isthmian canal, while benetiting all the states, will be of the greater benefit to the south and will give opportunities for which the south has long and patiently waited. The near-sigheed and narrow-minded partisan who stands out against man of his vtwn party merely because he, by his great abil- ity, comoels recognition. as Senator Morgan has done, is an ignorant clansman who Was never built for peaceful pursuits.
The age-herald., 1900-02-07
EXPECT COTTON MONEY

From the Macon Telegraph.
 The Hardaway estate expects to get $1,- O00,00O from the government for cotton con fscated in 1865. They claim that MT Harda way lost 1.500 bales at the hands of the federal soldiers at that time, and that the staple at that time was worth 40 cents a pound. Tplis amount, plus per cent. dn- terest, they figure, would make total of $1 100000 One of the heirs stated to a Tele- graph reporter yesterday that he had re- ceived every assurance from @ firm of lawyers who practice before the court of claims that tine bill to pay for cotton of this kind would be passed, and that every body holding such claims would be settled with. The heirs feel very hopeful.
The age-herald., 1900-02-07
New Cabinet Officers.

The senate committee on commerce has practically determined to report bill es- tablishing a new cabinet office, to be known as the department of commerce and industries. The bureaus which will be trans ferred to this new department are the life saving service, the lighthouse. board, the marine hospital service. the bureau of steam inspection, the bureau of navigation (treasury), the United States shipping com- missioner, the bureau of emigration, the coast and geodetic survey, bureau of sta- tistics of the treasury and state depart ment of labor, the consular bureau of the state department and all consular offices, including consuls-general. consuls, con1mer- cia1 agents. their deputies, and all officers of the government resident in foreign coun- tries charged with the duty of facilitating and promoting commerce..
 The consuls will still report to the sec- retary of state when they have diplomatic or political business in hand but when they transact commercial business they will, under the proposed bill, be under the supervision of the new secretary of com merce.
 It will be observed that the interstate commerce commission is not mentioned, although the new department is to have charge of internal commerce, except so far as relates to the, collection of revenues and the administration of customs and rev. enue. laws. At present the interstate com- merce is attached to no department It is an anomalous institution, unrepresented In the cabinet. and going along almost as. an excrescenee in governmental work. If there is to be a department of commerce, certainly the interestate commerce should become a part of it. The various depart ments are complaining over the taking away of one branch of patronage or an- other, but no department can complain if the interstate commission is placed under the new secretary.
The age-herald., 1900-02-07
Contest in Russell County.

The disgraceful features of the primary in Girard beat were small scale, com paratively speaking, but they were as shameless as anything that occurred in tine Montana senatorial contest. Repeating and illegal voting, and trafiicking Of all sorts were indulged in; and all this has led through action by local candidates, to a contest that points the way to more con tests, and possibly 10 two conventions.
 Beyond a reasonable doubt the present battle against the democratic organization means the organization of another party, and no one should be pulled into feeling of security by tCle fact that such move ment cannot be carried out. It certainly can be, and very likely we shall see two sets of delegates put before the people.
 The sooner the people of the state wake up to the fact that the entire movement is a movement against the democratic party and its regular organization, the sooner they will see the situation as it exists I, may not split the party in all countless but no stone will be left unturned to get sup port enough to jutify second ticlze, and a second alleged democratic party in the state. This is exactly what the fierce de- nanciations of the regular democracy . nean. This is the plain goal to which all efforts of the anti-Morgan people tend.
 Girard beats can be worked up in a number of counties. A horde of Georgians wifi not be alt hand for ballot box stufilng purposes, but men can always and every where be found who will attemp, to defeat tne will of the people The Girard case should be closely studied. It Is a warning
The age-herald., 1900-02-07
All Obstacles Removed

Another and perhaps the last stumbling block to the immediate beginning of the construction of the Nicaragua canal has been removed. The Cfayton- Bulwer treaty under the terms of which this country agreed not to acquire exclusive rights in new Hay-PauncefCte treaty. The new treaty has been signed, and it goes at once to the senate for ratification. The crown in England acts on treaties before signature. In fact, the treaty bound England as soon as it was signed by Lord Pauncefote at Washington. Its ratification by the senate is, of course, mere formality.
 The full text of the treaty has not been published, but England has shown her friendliness for this country, very much as she did throughout the war with Spain, by coneeding that the Clayton -Bulwer treaty had become imperative through changes in conditions, and she therefore, with Cana da's consent, valves all voice in an isthmian canal built by the United States. This
  words of the press report.
 This diplomatic victory must be very gratifying to Senator Morgan; for the op- ponents of the canal can no longer say that the work of construction should be delayed until the Clayton Bulwer treaty can be ne- gotfated out of existence. It is out of the way, and no reason now exists for non action on the part of congress. The Age Herald expresses the belief that Senator Morgan will soon return to>Alabama crown , ed with the laurels of the first great step Tn the largest engineering work of the time a work full of firmness for Alabama ana her chief products-her lumber and cotton and coal and iron and steel. While certain men are engaged in abusing Senator Nor gan at home, he is working early and late in his place to advance the prosperity or the state.
The age-herald., 1900-02-07
=.ef
Freproof Cloths

Consul Iiefeld, at Frieburg, Germany, dn a recert letter to the state department, tells of the establishment of a new indus fry in u.!at city-the treatment of cottons, linens, wooden goods, and such materials, or any article Of fibrous or textile nature, by a chemical toroce5s which renders them freLproof. Mr. L.eield is impressed with rfe importance of this new industry, and says:
 "Wnen we consider tine amount of prop erty which has been destroyed by fire, and the thousands of lives that have been lost in flames, we can readily imagine the great benefits and advantages that come from sucn a discovery. Many a hotel would not have been destroyed if the lace curtains had not caught fire, and many home would estiu be standing if the carpets had been ffre-proof The terrible holocaust at the tsa11ty bazaar in Paris few years ago could rot have occurred had the cur tains, bunting and decorations been made of fire-proof goods: and lt- is even possi- ole that many of the telfOrtlinate victims would Haave escaped ll.Inurt had their cloth ing been fire-proef."
 The new process by which articles can be made fire-pro3f, according to Mir. Lie field, is cheap and it does not act on the fibre. so ule goods lose ncth-llg of their strength.
The age-herald., 1900-02-07
THE WISE LARK
From the Galveston News.

From the Galveston News
 Talladega, Ala, little town of about three thousand population, has two cotton mills and Is now moving to establish third. Every cent of the money in the two mills now in operation is home capital. This is another demonstration of the moral of the story of the lark whose nest was in the wheat field. Her young became greatly dis tressed when they heard that the owner of the field was going to get his neighbors to help him cut his wheat, which would de- stroy their home and endanger their lives The old bird was wise and assured them that there was no danger so long as ne de- pended on his neighbors. The same thing was told them when the landlord sad he would get his kinsmen to assist him. When he was unable to get either his neigh b DTS er his kinsmen to help him and ann bounced that he would harvest it himself, the old lark took her young and got out of the way. This is a hint to the Texas towns that are making energetic effortsato build cotton mills. It is not good policy 10 de- pend to much on thers. If outside capital can be induced to come in and invest and enjoy with them the prosperity and pIc- gress of grand old Texas, well and good; but the determination of the citiens to nave mill, if they have to hmld it then,@elvc is the best indication that 1t will be built AS with individuals, with cities and towns, self-reliance, determination and pluck are what 1t takes to win.
The age-herald., 1900-02-07

to the people of Alabama 1t points to rocks and shoals that may stay the pros perity of the state. Every Feature of the case should be closely studied. The con- test has been adjourned to February 2l, when the questions raised will be determ- ined, with a possibility. even a probability, that new primaries under the Pettus law Will be held. Anything less than that would be apt to lead to local divisions and demoraliza ton.
The age-herald., 1900-02-07
KEFLECTIONs OF A BACHELoR

From the New York Press.
 The longer man is married the less he knows and the moreihe tells
 The main reason why most women are so down on the Mormons is because they think the men have too good a time, anyway
 Fashion will not be complete success till the women get so they won't wear the same nightgown more than once in the same week
 The instinct that teaches the bird to came back to the same nest the next summer is probably the same that tell a woman exactly where to find the pin that is stick ing into baby.
 When a minister gets into trouble-there are always some women in the church who go around saying that they never listened to his sermons without thinking ofsa sound E ing brass and a tnkling cymbal.
The age-herald., 1900-02-07
The Battleship Alabama

The present year will see four splendid battleshfps placed in active service in our navy. The Kearsarge will be commissioned on February 2Oth; the Kentucky, about April 1st the Alabama, in May, and the Wisconsin, about September list The first three will be assigned to the North Att lan'tic squadron, and Itihe Wisconsin to the Pacific squadron. These battleships will make our navy far more formidable and should prove spiendtd peace makars-
The age-herald., 1900-02-07
WHERE BOEK BULLETS STRIKE I

From the London Mail.
 In what part of the body are our soldiers mostly hit by the Boer rifle fire
 The answer to this question is supplied by surgical writer at the front in the fol- lowing analysis of the wounds of twenty four officers and 2S5 non-commissioned of- ficers and men at the battle of the Tugela on December 15: Head, 19; face, T; neck, 8; back and spine, 20; upper extremity, 76; lower extremity, 11S; other wounds, G. The wounds in the lower extremity thus great ly predominated.
 Only eight out of the 309 were returned as shell wounds, the rest being, without ex- ception, caused by Mauser bullets. These bullet wounds are described as humane in the extreme," and "hemorrhage was con- sp,cuous by its absence"
The age-herald., 1900-02-07
WHY PEOPLE ARE KlGHT-nANDED

From the Chicago Chronicle.
 A professor who has made study of children says he has discovered why the majority of people are Tight-handed. h. fants use both hands until they eegin to speak. The motor speech function controls the right side of the body and tne first right-handed motions, tending to help out speech. As speech grows so grows right handedness.
The age-herald., 1900-02-07
Admiral Dewey to Tour the States

Admiral Dewey is in a mood to accept invitations to visit the cities of the country. On Tuesday he agreed to go to Memphis this spring to attend a celebration in his honor. He goes to New York and Brook lyn early in February, and to Wheeling, w. Va, on Washington's birthday annl- versary. On March 20 he is to go to Savan- nah, Ga, and thence to Macon, Ga' on May he is to celebrate the battle or Ma nila in Chicago, and from Chicago he goes to St. Louis, then to Memphis, and then to Cincinnati, with possible stopping oil at Nashville, provided the citiens of that city invite him. He also expects to visit Blr- mingham-
The age-herald., 1900-02-07

I. must make the following reply: .It Is not more cruel than for American ladies to torture their waists in steel seorset until their noses are beet red and their shapes like an hour glass Then he gave q loud laugh and walked away with his little hands in the pockets of his baggy brocade trousers. He looks awfully grave and funny"
The age-herald., 1900-02-07
Comp r,in II4Aana

Havana, February 6.--Samue Gompers, president of the American Federation of Labor, who arrived here recently from New York, was today given reception by the Havana working men at their headquar- ters. MT. Gompers, it is said, intends to explain to the Cuban workingmen the methods employed by the worklngmen of the United States and to aid in obtaining laws looking to the protection of lives of employees, the sanitary inspection of work shops and factories and the prohibition of child labor.
The age-herald., 1900-02-07
wAsHINGToN,s BIRTHDAY

From the Washington Times.
 Senator Morgan believes it possible to have the Nicaragua canal bill signed and a law within the next month. This is a pleasant prospect, but it would be all the better if it were true that the measure could be pushed through in time for MT. Mckinley to approve it on Washington's birthday. That would be celebration worth talking about!
The age-herald., 1900-02-07
Cooper BiII Fnvornbly. Kenorted

Washington, February 6.-The house com mittee on claims today favorably reported the Cooper bill for the payment of the southern cotton claims The bill involves an expenditure of $10 00O,0OO
 FROM "FH is CITY OF DRE4 DRUL NIGHT~ James Thomson.
 The chambers of the mansions of my heart In every one whereof thine image dwelIs. Are black with grief eternal for thy sake. The inmost oratory of my soul Wherein thou ever dwellest quick or dead, Is black with grief eternal for thy sake. I kneel beside three and clasp the cross. With eyes forever fixed upon that face, So beautiful and dreadful in its calm I kneel here patient as thou Hest there; As patient as a statue. carved in stone Of adoration and eternal grief. While thous dost moi, awake cannot move; And something tells thou wilt never
 wake,
 And 1 alive feel turning into stone.
The age-herald., 1900-02-07
The Demand for Houses

From the Southern Democrat
 Since the first house was built in one onta about twelve years ago there has never been a time that there was not one or more buildings in the course of coGlstruc- ton within the town. It has been building all the time, and still continues to- build. But, with all this, the supply of houses is mot equal to the demand. The demand Chas been so great that houses had to be constructed hastily and very few fine houses have been built.
The age-herald., 1900-02-07
NEWS COMMENTS FROM
 THE NATIONAL CAPITAL
BY ALBERT HALsrEAD

Washington, February 6.-1Speeial.)- Naturally there will be considerable disap- pointment throughout the country because of the decision of the house committee on rivers and harbors not to report bill at this session of congress. However. when the reasons for this decision are known it will appear that the committee has acted with good Judgment. The United States engin- eers are really swamped with work The war with Spain, with the new responsibili- ties in the Philippines, Cuba and Puerto Rico. has made an exceptional demand up- on the engineers. so that the force that can be put to work on river and harbor im- provements is necessarily considerably re- duced. For this reason many improve ments provided for by the late congress have not been touched, and there is no i'm mediate prospect that they can be.
 As an example of the baekwardness of the work of the engineers it can be stated that of the appropriations for river and harbor work made by the late congress the sum of $29. 409, 557. .O6 remains unexpended. It will take a long time to use that money Then for the continuing contracts provided for some years ago the Sundry clVl Dill tnlS session will have to appropriate Sl5,OO00OO. That will give the immense sum of 45432- 1874 to be expended in the remainder of this and all of next fiscal year. If the United States engineers are able to use up all that sum in that period they will do very well.
 The projects for river and harbor improve ments already outlined before the rivers and harbors committee and which would be included in the river and harbor bill if it were reported at the present session will require the expenditure of $61,3O00O0, of which S15,00O 900 would be for minor pro- jects. Now, if congress makes no appro- priations this year the work on the pro- posed Improvements will not be delayed in the least. The committee proposes to hold hearings throughout the present session, and would be glad to have delegations ask ing for improvements appear before it for hearing as early as possible, that the work of framing a bill may be expedited. The purpose is to get that bill ready at the present session and to report it-favorably the beginning of next session. This will permit the Dill to be taken up very early and insure its passage.
The age-herald., 1900-02-07
Marriage in Morgan County

From the Alabama Enquirer.
 MT. N. E.. Tuell and Miss Nettie Hartsell were united in marriage at the home of Dr. and Mrs. D. W. Day last Tuesday night Though the exact date of the happy at all unexpected. The bride is one of our most excellent young ladies, daughter of J. C. Haitsel, a prosperous merclrant of this place. The groom is the falulIful and efficient prescriptionist at D. w. Days drug store, and a worthy young man.