davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-07-17
Local Legislation.
ouisville Evening Post.

Louisville Evening Post.
 There is a movement in the Ala bama Constitutional Convention to re- strict the pernicious activity of the legislature, that might be followed with profit in other States. The constitu- tion-makers are sharpening their axes for that species of the legislative evil known as local legislation, which is so often ecloak for all sorts of jobs. A section has been proposed for the new Constitution enumerating the cases in which the legislature shall not pass a special. private or local law. Thirty five cases are mentioned, including granting divorce and relieving disabil- ities;. changing names of persons, as- sociations or corporations; incorporat- ing towns or cities, or granting char ters to individuals, associations or cor porations; exempting any person or corporation from the operation of a general law; regulating the rate of in terest. or granting any exclusive fran chise or immunity whatever; regulat- ing the assessment or collection of taxes; legalizing the act of any officer or giving effect to any invalid instru- ment.
 All of these things, and others. con- corning which the legislature is to be prohibited from passing a special or local law. are to be regulated by gen. eral laws. In support of this proposed section, it is urged that the power of unrestricted local and special legisla- ton causes the degeneration of the legislative work into the mere distri- button of special favors. and that it opens the doors for jobs that would not be possible under general legisla- tion. The time, of the legislature is consumed with the local bills, and the State put to unnecessary expense.
 Former Governor oates, in a speech in favor of this section, said that a recent legislature in Alabama enacted forty eight general laws and 949 local laws. The expense of passing these To- cal bills ranged from $50 to $100 each
 Under the proposed plan, the work of the legislature would be greatly re- stricted and the opportunities for dam age by meddlesome and corrupt legis- lators would be greatly curtailed The redeeming feature of the Kentucky Constitution is this prohibition of spe- cial legislation.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-07-17
The Lesson of the Strike.

Richmond Times.
 It is said that the machinists' strike in Virginia collapsed because the men were not sustained by the national or ganization which ordered the strike. It seems to us that there is lesson in this strike and its collapse for the working men of Virginia. Imperialism in this State won't do. The funda- mental principle of Democracy is local self-government, and all Virginians be- lieve in 1t. Our forefathers recognized this principle when they laid the foun- dations of the republic. They adopted Constitution, which is only sympo- sium of fundamentals, but they left each and every community free to reg ulate It's own affairs.
 But, as we understand it, this na- tional labor organization undertakes to make rules for it's members every where and requires that these rules be enforced everywhere, regardless of local conditions When a strike Is or dered the men everywhere must go out, although the men in this commu- nifty and that may be unwilling to strike. We have heard that the ma chinists in Richmond were satisfied with conditions here and would never have struck had it been left to them to take the initiative. But when the or der to strike was given the men were loyal to their organization and went out whether or not. We cannot believe that this sort of imperialism is relished by independent Virginians.
 We are glad that the strike is over, and We are glad that it was conducted in so orderly manner. The men have maintained their own self-respect, and they command the respect of the com munity by their, excellent behavior.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-07-17

claimed. by reason of the fact that the Government is now required to pay five times as much for AmericaU forg- ings as the same kind of articles cost in England. The price now paid for crank shafting bought by the Govern ment is s2.26 per pound, while the same is sold in England for 4s cents a pound. This amounts to large item when considered in connection with the large number of vessels now being con- structed and the great quantity of crank shafting used There are in this country but two plants-those of the Midvale Steel Company and the Beth lehem Iron Company-where this pro- duct Is turned out. and the contractors building vessels are complaining to the Navy Department of the excessive charges made by these concerns. Be- cause the law prohibits the use of any foreign material in the vessels, these companies, which are in the trust. are enabled to charge whatsoever they wish to for crank shafting,
The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-07-17
SLAVERY IN suLu.

While so much is being said about slavery in Sulu it might be considered an absurd statement if we should say that slavery can legally exist in any State of the American Union today. so Tar as any power now exists in the Federal Government to prohibit it. some of the States may have laws which would make it illegal, but if they have not there is nothing to prevent a man holding slaves in Alabama. for ex- ample, just as was done forty years ago.
 We know that the 18th amendment of the Constitution of the United States says that neither slavery nor involun- tsry servitrde. except as punishment for crime. whereof the party shall have bene duly convicted, shall exist within the United States or any place subject to their jurisdiction" and we know that our own State has similar Con- stitutional prohibition, but we also know that the same 18th amendment distinctly says that Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation"
 Now. this 18th amendment cannot enforce itself, and if Congress has ever made or enacted any Appropriate legislation" to enforce the prohibitory clause we are not aware of 1t. Neither are we aware of any State law which would make it illegal in Alabama. Of course no one in Alabama would un- dertake to re-establish slavery. and if it could be done in any of the States or Territories Congress would at once enact such laws as would put a stop to it, but while we are criticising the administration for not abolishing slav- cry in sulu we would better point to some statute under which it can be done
The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-07-17
SAM JoNrs rs CORRECT.

It is not very frequently the case that we can fully endorse the language or position of Sam Jones, but there are sentiments in recent letter of his to The Atlanta Journal that we heartily approve. Here is part of it:
 I believe a dozen men or a thousand men or a million men have a perfect right 10 strike whenever they gentlemanly please work, and right there and right then they have done everything that they have a right to do by human and divine law. and when they do any more they outlaw themselves and ruin their cause Capital has perfect right to discharge labor whenever 1t gentlemanly pieases, but when capital goes beyond that point and says, T will not employ you. ana n9 has outIawed itself and damaged Its cause. Capital has as much right to run around to the employers Of lapor Tn tnls country and beat up or cuss down any, body that will employ their discnarSe9 men as labor men have to hang around the shops and mines from which they have been discharged or voluntarily sew cred their connection. with sticks ana work for you, and nobody else shall work for you"
 That is the correct and only tenaple position to take, and the only one which can be sustained on the princi- pie of right and justice. An employe can quit work when he pleases. if he violates no contract. An employer can dispense with the services of his men when he sees proper to do so. if he violates no contract. In either case both are clearly within their rights, but when they go beyond that they are not entitled to sympathy or aid.
 Suppose, for example, Andrew Car negie should discharge all the em- ployes at any one. of his works and should then go to all the other con- tractors and forbid, or try by force to prevent them from employing the men he had discharged: would not the whole country ring with denunciations of his injustice and intolerance? Most assuredly, and his denunciators would be right. Suppose, on the other hand, all the employees at one of his works should quit work and then forbid and try to prevent him from employing other hands-where would be the diff ference in the two cases? The princi- pie would be exactly the same and we agree with MT. Jones in his conten- tion that capital and labor have pre- cisely the same rights in this respect.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-07-17

"Mr. Herbert has no intention of giv- ing aid and comfort to the Republicans or of joining the Republican Party" remarks the Savannah News Dem.) ''He simply aims to get the Democratic Party in a position to win in 1904. He recognizes the fact that there is very strong sentiment in the Demo- cratic party against conducting the next National campaign on exactly the same declarations as those in which the last National campaign was con- ducted. He is not, of course, in har- mony with Mir. Bryan, and it is safe statement that the number of Demo- crats who are unwilling to follow MT. Bryan any further is becoming larger every day"
The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-07-17
Defence of the Black Belt.
Marion Standard.


 The Age Herald could not have made a graver charge nor one more false than to accuse this section as beina opposed to better public schools" This Is indeed the Mecca of schools. and there is not county in the State nor State or Territory in the Union where pedagogue cannot be found whose all ma mater is not some college in the Black Belt of this State. And we will go farther and say that more than nine-tenths Of those, regardless of sex, who have lent luster and reputation to Alabama on the rostrum. in the pulpits and in the professions and trades. as well as those whose prose and poetic pens have attracted the attention of the students of science and quickened the heartbeats of a nation to revere the chivalric and generous Southerner. owe their success in life to the educa- tional and social training of the cul- tured and refined people of the Black Belt.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-07-17

A strong argument against present tariff exactions is furnished by the fact that the Navy Department is seriously considering the question of asking Con- gress at it's next session to repeal the law which prohibits the use of for eign material in the construction of warships for the navy, and request that certain forgings of steel he ad- mitted free of duty for use in the building of men-of-war. The need for such action is made apparent, 1t Is
The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-07-17
Editor Grant Answers.

Clarke county Democrat.
 Which would be better-to disregard an unwise, unnecessary party resolu- tion. or to violate positive oath taken under the most serious and solemn circumstances? No one of the Press Association who supported the resolu- tions adopted at the late meeting asked any one of the Constitutional Conven- tion to disregard any obligation to the Democratic party, nor desired that such should be done. But 1t was de- sired to indicate to any members who might feel themselves hampered by any resolution of the Democratic State Convention, that we would sustain them in an honest and conscientious discharge of duty and seek to have the Constitution ratified by the people of Alabama, even though it should fail to come up to every political requirement., some of us esteeming oath of office and duty to State and country of as much importance as childish and uncalled- for party resolutions, put in with the hope of catching votes and simply for that purpose.
 It was understood that some good and wise members of the Constitu- tional Convention felt trammelled to some extent by the action of the Dem- ocratic State Convention, and we sought to give such members all pos sible moral encouragement in the dis charge of their sworn obligations to the State and Federal Government. "Only this and nothing more."
 The Selma Times intimates that Brother Grants" age may have caused him to vote as he did on the Jackson's Lake resolutions. It is we'll if age has brought us to a proper au- preciation of duty and action thereon. There may be hope for others later on.
 Our understanding of the Jackson s Lake resolutions was a desire to strengthen the State Convention in its work of framing an honest and con- ScientiOus Constitution,
The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-07-17
The San Francisco Chronicle tRep

The San Francisco Chronicle (Rep. the Alabama Constitutional Convention as Gan effort to deal fairly with an acknowledged evil" and The Indianap- olis Journal Rep.) admits that If the leading features of the Alabama suf- frage proposition could be made a part of the Constitution of every State. or that of the United States, a Govern ment would be on 8 safer basis than 1t now Is. and suffrage would attain a new dignity. Then. to complete his cit- izenship, the individual would qualify himself to vote."
The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-07-17

The Charleston Post devotes we'll written editorial to the dispensaries of that city, in the course of which occurs this sentence:
 For the dispensary law as a measure we have no regard, but as a statute we insist upon it's enforcement by the people of this community.
 That is sound doctrine. and capable of wide appliation. The dispensary system may or may not be good one, and good people will differ on the question, but 1t is the law and fl, should be strictly enforced. If it is a good measure it should be enforced for the good 1t will accomplish. and if it is a bad one its strict enforcement will more quickly lead to it's repeal. While 1t remains the law. let it be executed.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-07-17

enter the arena, however. and was re- gently elected a member of Congress once more.
 General Hooker" remarked MT. Randle, was a gallant Confederate officer. At vicksburg a cannon ball cut off his left arm. and at the same time blew off the head of his servant who was kneeling by his side. A Union officer In the same battle, who shall be nameless. lost his right arm during the same siege. In after years the two officers became close friends. As one of them lost the right arm and the other the left one. they send each oth- CT the odd glove every time either purchase a pair of gloves"
The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-07-17
THEIR EYES OPENED.

people that walked in darkness have seen a great light" and if 1t is not amiss to speak of sacred and profane things in like terms. we might say that the Democrats of Ohio have also 'seen a great light" It has been less than two years since Democratic Conven- ton of that State unanimously adopt ed this plank as part of the platform: We heartily reaffirm the entire Chicago platform of 1896, and we especially ern- phasize the financial plank therein, and we continue to demand the free and un- limited coinage of silver and gold as equal primary money at the ratio of Is to l, in- dependent of all other nations in the world. The Hon. William J. Bryan still retains our entire confidence, and we de- mand his renomination in 1900.
 The Advertiser and all other papers of any importance published the plat form adopted at their State Conven- tion a few days ago by the Ohio Dem 1t. but all must be struck by the fact that the two platforms bear almost no resemblance to each other. The Dem ocrats have had their eyes opened so widely that we doubt if thy could shut them to the light, even if they so de- sired. Experience keeps dear school but fools will learn in no other" Poor Richard tells us, and it proper to add politicians to the class of students in that expensive institution of learning.
 One thing always noticeable about Ohio politicians is their indisposition to stick to dead issues. They are as quick as any people on earth to see when they have had enough, and then they do not allow any questions of false pride. consistency or anything else to stand in the way of reversing the ma chine and taking new start. One de- feat caused by Bryanism was a jolter, soon as they could get back their breath the Ohio Democrats put them selves as nearly on sound Demo- ocratic platform as could reasonably be expected of men who had so lately been run over and flattened out by a political band wagon. There are some things in their last platform which might well have been left out. but it
 Is such a decided improvement over that of 1899, and 1t looks almost per- feet by contrast.
 We do not agree with The Memphis Appeal in its contention that the Dem- ocrats of Ohio were rather insincere than ungrateful, and that at heart they never endorsed MT. Bryan. Their en- dorsement of him when they thought him invincible was just as sincere as the action of politicians ever is. They considered him winner and for that reason were sincere in their endorse ment. They were as sincere then in taking up him and his theories as they now are in repudiating both. Then they regarded him as a leader to vic- tory and cheerfully and bosterously followed him. Now they regard him as an impossibility and repudiate him. That is politics. especially ohio poli- tics.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-07-17

The Norfolk Virginian-Pilot. in the simplicity of its rural heart, affects not to know what Bryanism is, after hav- ing been enveloped in it for as long as Jacob served for Rachel or Leah. And then it adds that ''Mr. Bryan did not write the Chicago platform, nor did he nominate himself" Oh, did he not? If the platforms adopted at Chi cago and Kansas City were not die tated by him, and if he did not force his nomination on the party in both instances, there has been no truth in any of the newspapers for several years,
The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-07-17

The charge Is made and is being urged with much persistency, that Ag- uinaldo was bribed to surrender. In other words, that he was bought, and we suppose there will be numerous and perhaps acrid charges and counter charges in connection with the affair before it is settled, if it ever is. If the charge is true there was the most elaborate and deliberate means used that we have ever read of in connec- tion with a case of the kind. We shall expect to hear from General Fun ston in a few days.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-07-17
Too Many Dead Heads.
Troy Messenger.


 The Mississippi Press Association has had to abandon it's regular tolfr on account of the Illinois Central cutting them off from the use of passes. They found a number of dead-heads who didn't belong to any newspaper and had no right to passes. thus the real editors with the rest were knocked out of the trip. This is the way the Ala bama Press Association is going to find itself before long as there are more dead-heads than editors on every trip. It is an imposition on not only the railroads. but also on the press of Ala bama and the people along the route who entertain them.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-07-17
If They Had the Power.

Union Springs Herald.
 If Mir. Bryan had the power to name the Republican nominee for the Pres idency for the next national campaign he would name MT. Hanna. If MT. Hanna had the power to name the Democratic candidate for the Presioen- tial nominee he would name Mr. Bryan. There would be- if such a thing could happen, a clear case of two deals of direct personal favor for which neither could make any trade or repay the oth- er-unless Hanna could agree 10 vote for Bryan, and Bryan should agree to vote for Hanna
The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-07-17

Ex-Senator Butler of North Carolina Chairman of the Populist Legislative Committee, tells The Seattle Post h. telligencer that the Populists will nom- mate an independent ticket next time, and that the money question will not figure on the platform. The question in his view. is eliminated for the pres- ent because of the abundance of cur rercy.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-07-17
A Club Held Over Trade.
Portland Oregonian.

The Dingley law stands like a club over foreign trade at every port under the American flag. Whether it is Ger man sugar or French wines or India
 silks or Chinese tea or Japanese mat ting, we put penalty upon every man who would like to do business with us and part with the proceeds of his labor to us that he may be fed with our wheat and warmed with our cotton and wool and carried on our To- comotiveS and bicycles. It is we from whom the offense comes, and if we want trade with Europe or Asia or south America we must open our ports to fairer trade or else we have no moral right to complain of renrisaIs.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-07-17
Found a Hotter Place.

GreensbOro Watchman.
 You probably think it is hot in tfis country. You should go to Tuscon (pronounced Tuson) Arizona. where the thermometer registers 120 degrees ahoye zero at midnight. The suns rays actu- ally burned people the day we were there. We don't see how human be- ings can stand such a climate, and yet Tuscon is a populous city and claims to be health resort, especially for consumptives.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-07-17
FOR HEALTH OR PLEASURE VISIT
sT. CIAIR SPRINGS.

The Baden-Baden of Alabama, will ha opened as a first-class Health and Sum mer Resort on June the lSt 1901, by the undersigned. We have built a large din- ing-room, bath house and pavilion and have fitted up a number of cottages with all the comforts of modern hotels. Our service, cuisine and accommodations will be perfect. our prices moderate St. Clair Springs is the best family resort of the tion write us either directly to St. CIair Springs, postoffice Cornela, St. Clair County, Alabama, or care our city address,.
 the new Metropolitan Hotel. Birmingham
 Ala. Lesser & Gilardoni. su-wd-ff
The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-07-17
Protection as a War Maker.

Protection is a most vicious war maker. It makes us enemies and will in the end lose to us a large share of foreign trade which we might have for the asking in return for fair deal ing. The truth is becoming manifest In spite of all the trust-masters. pro- tected pets and market owners are able to do to keep up the old deception. The tariff question is to be taken up with out Celay and fearlessly discussed in the light of recent occurrences in an octopus ridden world.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-07-17
One Pair for Two Men.
Washington Post.

Mir. A F. Randle of Congress Heights visited the district commis
 sioners yesterday. escorting General Charles F. Hooker of Mississippi. The call was in reference to certain dis trict appointments. General Hooker served in Congress a number of years and then retired to private life. He was forced by his constituents to re-
The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-07-17
Swells With Pride.

Pickens County News.
 The State of Alabama should justly feel proud of her sons. When we con- template the vast number of men ca- pable of delivering Fourth of July o:a- tions, not only in Alabama. but throughout the Union. our heart swells with pride when it becomes the will of Tammany to come to our beloved State, to the same little city, two years in succession, for its orator at their grand celebration.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-07-17
A Crusade Generally Approved.
Kansas City Times.

hdHSdS CUy 1lmeS.
 Enlightened men everywhere-Repub- licans as we'll as Democrats-wilI ap- prove the crusade now in progress in Philadelphia. The time has come for a new declaration of independence not only for Philadelphia. but for every State and city in the land-a declara- tion that government must be efficient and must be administered by men of integrity, strictly in the interest of the public. There should be no toleration anywhere for men who seek office to enrich themselves.