davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The age-herald., 1901-05-23
BIG DEMAND FOR SEATS.

A remarkable scene was witnessed on Broadway this morning when the sale of seats for Nat Goodwin's three perform ances in the Merchant of Venice" was opened. At least 1000 persons were in line at 8 o'clock, and two score messen- ger boys spent the night on stools. in the interest of Knickerbocker Theater patrons. The ubiquitous speculator was. of course, on hand, and 1t is feared that a fair-sized block of seats for the three performances has been acquired by these gentry. More apparent interest is mani fested in the Goodwin engagement than lin advance sale opened at the Garden Theatre.
The age-herald., 1901-05-23

Washington. May 22.-senator Car mack of Tennessee. who is In the city, has poor opinion of the southern people being won over to the Republican party. Ho says:
 "The idea that the south Is about to make tumultuous rush for the Repub- lican party Is pure nonsense. Those who are trying to promote such a movement are ignorant of the southern people. If there Is any tendency in that direction it cannot be promoted. The southern peo- pie do not like to be treated as children who are induced to learn their lesson by flattery and promise of cake"
 What has been the effect of the Pres ident's attitude toward the south; has 1t tended to bring about reconciliation between the sections?"
 "I feel about that a good deal as Dr. Johnston did with respect to the gratui- tous patronage of Lord Chesterfield had 1t been early 1t had been kind.' When we most needed the cheering word and the helping hand we got nothing from MT. Mckinley and his party but the curse and the clenched fist. So long as they could make party capital by way ing the bloody shirt and by teaching the north to hate and distrust the south they did so and the Republican conception of all that was vile in human nature was summed up in the words Confederate Brigadier.' This brigadier was forbidden by law to draw sword for the Union, and it was not until the sword was needed in the war with Spain that the law was re- pealed. We rejoice that the time of sec tional hatred has passed, or is passing, but we do not forget that 1t might have passed many years ago If MT. Mckinley and other Republican leaders had de- sired 1t to pass"
 Twill the elimination of the negro as a political factor by the various election laws of the southern states tend to bring about division of the white vote?"
 'In the first place. there has been no elimination of the negro as political factor. Even where he has been disquali- fled as a voter at the polls he is still om- nipotent in the party convention, or, at least. the politicians who control him
The age-herald., 1901-05-23
connressman Rankhead.

Congressman John H. Bankhead of the Sixth District arrived in Birmingham from the South at noon yesterday and proceeded at once to his home at Fayette. Congressman Bankhead will probably come to Birmingham from Fayette next Tuesday and on Wednesday morning pro- ceeded to Washington to join his col leagues of the Congressional rivers and harbors committee on their official tour of inspection of the Gulf and the Pacific ports of the United States, which will re- quire several weeks of the committees time. The distinguished Congressman may delay his journey eastward at Greenville, S. C.. in order to visit his daughtd-, Mrs. Perry, at the Governor Perry mansion. Sans Souci. near that city.
The age-herald., 1901-05-23
Great for Birmingham.

Birmingham third annual Music Festi- val was a financial success. as will be seen by an official statement in The Age Herald today.
 That there was no deficit is feature in Birmingham's cap," said one of the festival guarantors. Music is luxury and is not often heard on a large scale without considerable financial loss. Bir- mingham's festival of 1899 was held with out a deficit, but 1t was comparatively inexpensive. This years festival, with the Thomas Orchestra, cost nearly $500 more than last years festival and $500 more than the first festival
 Cincinnati has great festivals bi-en- nially, but there is nearly always heavy deficit Chicago, in order to maintain the Thomas Orchestra. makes up large de- felt every year. One year the deficit was over $50.OOo. The guarantors of the Thomas Orchestra are rich men and lay down the money cheerfully for the sake of high art music. When Birmingham can have a festival with Theodore Thomas and his orchestra and pay all the bills without calling on the guaran- tors. it is something to be proud of in deed n
The age-herald., 1901-05-23
"corolIa. ,o1."

"Corolla '01," the ninth annual issue, of the University of Alabama, Is out and it is an exquisite volume of some three hun dred pages, bound In cloth and profusely Illustrated, giving portraits of the mem- bers of all the classes, together with oth- CT illustrations, including some remark ably clever comic drawings. The art work Is done by J. Roby Kennedy and Peter B. Searcy, both of Tuscaloosa, and it Is astonishing clever. Assuredly those young men have career in art if they care to pursue 1t.
 The book contains many bright stories, poems and anecdotes. Mortimer Harvle Jordan of Birmingham has some dialect verses that suggest Whitcomb Riley, though they are original. MT. Jordan's s paper, Revolt Of the Men of Kadet," re- lates in Oriental diction and most ad- mirable wit the University troubles" of the past college year, and 1t is seldom nowadays that one sees anything quite so good. The continued wit and logic are of high order and Mr. Jordan merits unre- served praise.
The age-herald., 1901-05-23
Texas Oil Belt.

The truth and the whole truth is not always sent from Beaumont over the wires, but the careful reader who knows fact from fiction as soon as he sees statements in print, has no diffi- culty in arriving at the truth.
 In all, but nine wells have been sunk to the deep underlying rock that is oil-bearing These pliocene rockp lie from 1900 to 1500 feet from the sur face. More wells would have been drilled, but drilling outfits do not grow on trees in Texas, and the want of them has limited the number of wells to nine. Six of these have been "gush ers," three of them clusters" and il Is believed four more will be clusters for they have been sunk to nearly the required depth, and no oil has been seen in them. The "gushers" and the "dusters" are not far apart, and it is as yet impossible to say what the size and value of the Texas field is.
 The six "gushers" are about six miles to the northwest of the oil pool in the gulf. and the theory has been that belt stretches from that pool to the field near Corsicana. The gush CTS are in line extending from the wells at Sour Lake to Corsicana, 114 miles distant to the northwest. The continuity of this line has not beer established. Nothing has been estab lished, except that there are about 30t small wells near Corsicana, and si, "gushers" near Beaumont.
 There is plenty of oil at any rate 1T Texas, for the six "gushers" alone en sure that, and the public curiosity re lates more to the probable size of the field than to supply and demand. | the "gushers" are multiplied, as they probably will be, Texas will simply have the greatest oil field in the world
The age-herald., 1901-05-23
OPEN DOOR IN CHINA.

From the New York Herald.
 The powers are making much of the in- demnity which China is to pay, but the indemnity is. after all matter of small consequence. A lump sum divided among the nations Is one thing, but the oppor- tunity of trade with China, which will last for generations, Is an altogether dif- ferent affair. The open door is worth more than an indemnity three times the amount of the present one. China will, if properly handled, furnish market for our goods, and that will be benefit to all concerned. This indemnity is merely a picayune project, but a profitable mar ket is thousand times better. with China on her feet, not over-burdened with taxes, the whole western world will have an opportunity so large that 1t must be left to the imagination. Russia has seen that from the start, and America has seen 1t, and if the other nations fail to see 1t, so much the worse for them.
The age-herald., 1901-05-23
East End of a Pacific Line.

Birmingham will soon be the east end of a trunk line to the Pacific shorter by many miles than any exist. ing line. Two short gaps remain to be filled Dy purchase or construction, the one in Texas, and the other in Mexico. The Mexican Central now extends to Colima, the capital of the coast prov ince in which Manzanillo is situated. and the distance from Colima to deep water at Manzanillo is but seventy five miles. Manzanillo is on the lati- tude of Mexico City, and it is perhaps the best harbor south of San Fran cisco, deep and land-locked.
 But how long will the Pierce syndi- cate be content with Birmingham as the eastern end ol line that proposes to handle trade to and from Asia and the islands of the Pacific? Not long, we may be sure. It must have line | tO tuc OthOi oCd, but WhOiO, AOW VI when remains to be seen.
 The eastern development of the line is perhaps its most interesting feature to this district. W.-l 1t pull the Bruns- wick and Birmingham up to reality and possibility? Or will it build to the Seaboard or the Plant System, or will 1t build an airline to Charleston?
 All the changes in the ownership of the Memphis and Birmingham Rail- road are now explained. This road is to be a link in the long chain that stretches from sea to sea-from Man zanillo to New York and the rest of mankind, and back again to the Orient. The acquisition of the Mexican Inter- national will very nearly complete the line to Birmingham, leaving the east ern end to be acquired or built after wards.
The age-herald., 1901-05-23
The conventIon's Problem.
n the Montgomery Journal.

From the Montgomery Journal.
 In its effort to solve the suffrage ques- tion, the Constitutional Convention will necessarily be moro or less embarrassed by the pledges of the party to the people and also by the Federal Constitution But the convention has met here to solve the problem. and the people are not going to be satisfied with a half and half hearted solution of it. They know the advocates of the call for convention contended that this was the purpose of the convention. and it's chief purpose; and whether this be true or no, the peo- pie were made to believe so, and now they are going to demand that it be done done bravely, courageously and right eously. They know that the black belt had grown tired of the methods it has been forced to practice in the past to keep the local governments in the hands of the white people; they know that the black counties have been denounced for pursuing these methods until it has be- come sore point with them, till they have become desperate under the unxind criticism of their methods, by their brothers of the white counties. and now they, in their helplessness, appeal to the white counties to take away every temp
The age-herald., 1901-05-23
GLOOMY VIEW.
Increased Vigilance Urged By Minis-
 ter of Foreign Affairs.

Vienna, May 22.-Count Goluchowski the imperial minister of foreign affairs In a speech to the foreign affairs commit tee of the delegations today, took a some what gloomy view of the international outlook. In regard to China he seemed to hold opposite opinions to those of Lord Landsdowne, the British foreign minister, saying it was in the highest degree de- sirable that the payment of the indemni- ty be made in one sum and that a suita- ble guarantee ought to be immediately sought for the necessary large loan, as in regard to Europe, in view of the condi- tions fin the Balkana, it was impossible to say how long quiet would be maintained.
 Even the fortunate agreement between Austria Hungary and Russia in regard to the Balkans would not prove a pam acea against all surprises. There were certain disagreeablo symptoms. notably the Bulgarian agitation in connection with Macedonia. He enjoined increased vigilance to guard against situation which would not be accepted.
The age-herald., 1901-05-23
Veteran Hero FaIn.

Another Confederate veteran, who, like Robert Hasson, is invincible. is MT. T. J. Fain of Dale, for many years as- sistant doorkeeper of the House, and who was today elected assistant door, keeper of the Constitutional Convention. Whereas, MT. Hasson has but one leg, Mir. Fain has but one arm. There they stand watch and ward over the delib- erations of the lawmakers of Alabama, two brave heroes of a heroic past with but three arms and three legs between them!
 MT. Fain is just as kind and gentle, courteous and firm as MT. Hasson, and so they work together in that genial comradeship that found its inception in battle nearly forty years ago. Both are fine types of the old Confederates, and probably as long as they live they will be on guard at the door of the House of Representatives of Alabama, though they deserve much higher reward for their long and honorable service.
 Here's to you both, good heroes here's to you both, from the old legisla- tive reporter! May you live long and prosper
The age-herald., 1901-05-23
About Persons.

Manager R. A. Mitchell of the great Dwight Cotton Mills, Alabama City, was In Birmingham yesterday.
 Wilson R. Brown returned to town from Montgomery last night and pro- ceeded to Sheffield on private business.
 Frank Nelson, Jr, of Anniston was in Birmingham yesterday.
 Hon. William T. Northington and Mrs. Northington and Daniel Pratt of Pratt vile are at the Morris,
 Hon. Hugh D. Merrill of Edwardsvillc was in Birmingham yesterday.
 Roswell Howell Cobbs of Anniston Is at the Morris.
 H. L. Dinkelspiel of New York is at the Morris.
The age-herald., 1901-05-23
Brave Old Robert Hasson.

Mir. Chairman, I nominate for door keeper of the House MT. Robert Hasson of the County of Etowah, said the Hon. Willis Brewer in the Democratic caucus of the House of Representatives in Mont gomery, in November, 1s9O
 !" MT, Robert Hasson of Etowah Is placed in nomination. responded the chairman of the caucus.
 "All that I remember as distinctly as if I had heard it last night said an old legislative reporter yesterday.
 ''Mr. Brewer was a member from Lowndes in the House or the Senate for many consecutive years, and in finance and taxation was ever the leading mem- Der. He remained in the Legislature until he was elected to Congress In 1896, serv- ing two terms at Washington, and he is now enjoying his books and his agri- cultural pursuits upon his princely es- tates in Lowndes; man of books, of learning, of well-earned wealth and re- pose.
 But, as to MT. Hasson. He is one legged Confederate Veteran. Colonel Brewer, Confederate Veteran, cham pioned the cause of the battered veteran from Etowah some dozen years ago, and the way the Lowndes leader did it Is not to be forgotten by the reporter who re- ported it. Mir. Hasson won, and he has been winning in every Legislature since. Today he was elected doorkeeper of the Constitutional Convention.
 Few figures in Alabama public life are more familiar, none is more respect ed, than Robert Hasson His patience at the door, his unfailing courtesy and kind by good humor are proverbial, and every man in Alabama who has visited the Legislature In the past ten years is ia miliar with the old veterans sharp, yet gentle admonition:
 "'Sience In the lobby!
 May 1t be long, long time before brave old Robert Hasson's voice is si- fenced in the lobby of lfef'
The age-herald., 1901-05-23
THE ONLY DAILY NEWSPAPER IN ALABAMA
I will about 1t; better three hours too soon, than a minute late.
 Merry Wives of Windsor.
Don't Overload the Constitution.

Every voter" says the Bessemer Weekly. should assist in the mainte- nance of the government. Some sac rifice, if such 1t may be called, should be made by him for the benefit of the whole. A poll or head tax should be exacted from every one as prereqJi- site to the right to vote. If he does not help maintain the government, he should have no voice in selecting those to administer it; and the payment of this tax should be at least one year prior to the exercise of votingi so as to avoid the temptation of general brib- cry"
 This is all very good. but the Weekly wants an addition to this an intelligent or educational qualification. Why de- mand so much if the poll-tax prece- dent will dc the work of securing to the State an intelligent electorate? :? The poll-tax plan serves Georgia well. It also answers all purposes in Ten nessee. It sifts out the worthless in Mississippi. The famous intelligence" clause is not resorted to. No one is asked in that State to read and cor rectly construe any section of the States constitution, simply because the poll tax, prepaid, confines the vot- ing to an intelligent class. These three States adjoin Alabama. and their conditions are practically those that exist in this State. What is good in them would be good here. Why then add conditions that would interfere with the liberty of the citizen, that would absolutely shut out many white voters, and that would invite criticism elsewhere, and perhaps lead to trouble later on in a progressive century? The poll tax plan, as the Weekly shows, is beyond criticism, and 1t Is altogether sufficient. Under it negro, who, through thrift and intelligence, be- comes a good citizen can vote. Under it any one can vote who does his duty as a citizen.
The age-herald., 1901-05-23
Brother of the King Master Mason.

''The Grand Lodge of England is ar- ranging an elaborate ceremonial for the installation of His Royal Highness the Duke of Connaught, Most worshipful Grand Master-elect, or, as the English say, Grand Master designate," said a past-master in the lobby yesterday.
 The ceremony is to take place on the 17th of July in Albert Hall. Each blue lodge in England is to be represented in the Masonic procession by five brethren appointed by the worshipful master. and as there are 200O lodges there will be 10000 craftsmen in line. When King Ed ward, as the Prince of Wales, was in- stalled Grand Master In 1875 there were only about HOO lodges in England The great numerical increase is accounted for, in measure at least to the popu- larity of Albert Edward and the active interest His Royal Highness took fin the Masonic fraternity.
 "It Is noteworthy fact that Masonry in England, while it meets upon the level and parts upon the square, in a gen. eral way, just as is the case in this coun- try, its lodges are organized on class lines. seemingly contrary to Masonic theory.
 'But the class system works with ap- parent satisfaction fin the mother country. Every profession and trade has it's own lodge. composed entirely of Masons of that particular calling. For example. the lawyers are In lodge to themselves. the corn merchants have their own lodge, the machinists have their own lodge. and so on. These lodges are much like the old guilds. No Mason visits lodge other : than his own except by special invita- tion. But on the occasion of the installa-
The age-herald., 1901-05-23
The Question of Suffrage.

From the Selma Journal
 The Constitutional Convention will meet in Montgomery tomorrow. Dele gates have been assembling for several days and their actions will be watched with the greatest interest. The one great question is that of suffrage. The cleo tion of the convention was provided for by an act of the last General Assembly. Under the act the court house can not be moved from Montgomery. It forbids any change in the basis of representation in the General Assembly. It forbids it from raising the limit of taxation. It forbids 1t from making any change in the present exemption law The act makes it incumbent upon the convention to submit 1t to the people for ratifica- tion
The age-herald., 1901-05-23
Suggested Reforms.
he Marion Standard.

From the Marion Standard.
 There seems to exist fear even in the minds of some of our leading men that there Is very great possibility that the action of the constitutional convention soon to assemble will not be ratified by the people, and few have gone so far as to recommend that the convention simply regulate the the franchise and adjourn.
 As has been we'll said by one writer, there are many and sundry reforms nec- essary. and reforms the people will be as eager to endorse as they will the fran chise.
 Among some of these reforms may be mentioned the following:
 Restricting and checking local legisla- ton.
 Allowing the people to elect their off, cers from Governor to bailiff.
 Reducing the appointive power of the chief executive.
 Limiting the creating of new offices.
 Divest the Governor of the pardoning power and place it in the hands of a non- partisan pardoning board.
 Taxation for revenue only for the gov- ernment and the government economical ly administered should be embodied in the organic law, and a maximum rate abso- lutely fixed therein, and open not the flood gates to any cause, however noble.
 The above are only few of the many equally as good changes needed, and which the people will be only anxious to ratify. It is all petty policy on the part of some to fear the people. Dare to do right and fear to do wrong should be the slogan of every member of that important body and with the concentration of in- tellect that will be assembled the new law can be so changed as to give credit and honor to the makers and place our great and growing State In the forefront among the most progressive States in the union
 To simply regulate the franchise could easily have been accomplished by amend nent. The people declared by their vote they did not want an amendment, but a regulation of the entire old instrument wherein the best interest of the people and state could be better subserved, and let stand unmolested that which is good and wholesome The wish of the voter is plain. The duty of those who have the task. we acknowledge. is arduous, but for this work the people believe they se- lected from among their best and most competent men. and will not be satisfied with anything short of a complete and satisfactory instrument that they can honestly endorse and uphold.
The age-herald., 1901-05-23
INFORMATION SOUGHT.
Alabamian Wants to Return a Sword
 Captured In 1864.

Columbus. O., May 22.-Adjutant- Gen eral Gyger has received a letter asking for information concerning an Ohio off, cer named McCord, who was captured by the captain of an Alabama company in 1864. The Confederate captain, 1t is said, wishes to return to the Ohio officer the sword taken from him. The records show that George R. McCord. first lieu tenant in the One Hundred and Eleventh Ohio was captured in action at Cedar Bluff. Ala, October 25. 1884 When last heard from McCord was living at Mar shalltown, Iowa.
The age-herald., 1901-05-23
A GRAY DAY.
William Vaughn Moody.

By William Vaughn Moody. Gray drizzling mists the mooriand.
 drape.
 Rain whitens the dead sea, From headland dim to sullen cape
 Gray sails creep wearily. I know not how that merchantmen Has found the heart; but 'tis her plan Seaward her endless course to shape. Unreal as insects that appall
 A drunkard's peevish brain, Der tho gray deep the dories twain:
 Four-legged. with rowers twain; Midgets and minims of the earth, Across old ocean's vasty girth Toiling-heroic, comical I wonder how that merchants crew
 Have ever found the will wonder what the fishers do T To keep them toiling still! I wonder how the heart of man Has patience to live out its span, Or wait until its dreams come trua
The age-herald., 1901-05-23
King vIotor's Narrow Escape.

Rome,-May 22.-King Victor Emmanuel had narrow escape yesterday. He en- tered tho elevator to reach his apart ments on the second story of the palace, and an inexperienced servant set the in- dicator for the third story Arriving at the second story, the King was on the point of stepping out as the elevator con- tinued to ascend, but jumped back in the nick of time and thus escaped being crushed.