davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The age-herald., 1901-05-17
lIIiteracY and the MormOns.

A general conference of the Mor- mons or Latter Day Saints was recent Iy held in Atlanta, and in the course of 1t the fact was disclosed that BOA Nor mon elders are at work in fourteen conferences in Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, Florida, North Car olina, South Carolina, Mississippi and Ohio Including Alabama most of these States support two conferences each. Two elders are at work in Atlanta dis tributing literature and holding street meetings. Fourteen converts were re- ported in that city.
 It will be noticed that the Mormon elders confine their work to the South except in Ohio, and in Ohio they hug the Ohio river. They do not organize stations and conferences in Iowa or Massachusetts To be plain, they seek the illiterate. They seek the illiterate in Ohio. Illiteracy is the basis of all
 
 their work, although they parade the number of dodgers and tracts and books they have distributed. As a matter of fact they appeal to those who cannot read any of them.
 Elder Rich of Salt Lake is at the head of the Southern missions. He lives in Chattanooga, and he is con- sidered shining light in Mormondom. He is proselyter and controversialist of the first rank. He is a ready writer of pamphlets and tracts, but he is not at all inclined to conduct missionary campaign in a district that has long had public schools and other educa- tional opportunities. He crowds the "back" districts full of walking elders. He seeks the mountain counties. He may for appearances sake send an elder or two to Atlanta or some other town, but nearly all of his band of BOA preachers are kept at work in se- questered districts. He shuns the pub lic schools.
The age-herald., 1901-05-17
School Fund Discrimination.

The proposition of Chairman John V. Smith to introduce the color line into the public school system scarcely needs discussion; but the remarks of the Nashville Banner are very perti- nent to the case, and we therefore re- produce them:
 "There has been a great deal of tom foolery indulged in by the Alabama politicians in their platforms and stump speeches for the purpose of arousing interest in the new constitu- tion movement, but all of this should be dropped in the constitutional con vention. That body is called to do permanent work, one that may long outlive the men who do it and one that marks an epoch not only in the history of Alabama, but of the South. It should be done with wisdom, soberness and discretion. If the members of the Ala bama convention are wise they will be conservative and avoid any sem blance of conflict with the federal con- stitution. They can disfranchise illit- crates as Massachusetts has done; they may make exceptions to this dis franchlsement, as Louisiana has done, but it would be folloy to attempt any open discrimination on account of race The Birmingham News rightly argues that discrimination in the distribu- ton of the school fund according to race would lead to a like discrimina- ton on account of creed, and the use fitness of the public school system would in that way be destroyed, to say nothing # the probable invalidity of the constitution because of it's conflict with the fundamental law of the fed eral union. Such a provision as that MT. Smith proposes in the new Ala bama constitution would have the ap- pearance not only of disfranchising ne- gro illiterates, but of imposing upon the race conditions of permanent illit- eracy. It would be certain to rouse resentments and awaken criticism of the constitution that the document would not otherwise incur"
The age-herald., 1901-05-17
4 RUSH OF SPIRITS TO
 GREET THE MEDIUMS

are trying to cheat and murder me-" she cried out in a frenzy of excitement.
 Pointing to richly dressed woman in one of the side seats, the medium ex- claimed:
 T see the spirit of man. He touches you. He says. tell her that distance meant nothing when my spirit left my body. He says something about Canada and telegram that reached you too late. Yes, he passed away in Canada, and they buried him before you could get there"
 Here the woman began to sob.
 "Is that right, madam? Yes, thought so. He says he wishes he could reach out and tell you all, and to tell you that John Somerset says so.
 Here is another spirit. His name is Eddie. He has gone down the aisle look ing for somebody before he told me his other name Come back, Eddie, and tell me your full name. It is Moore. Yes, Eddie Moore. He is for you, madame" pointing to a quiet looking woman, who at once began to weep.
 Mrs. Helen Temple Brigham, another medium, recited an inspirational poem Her achievement stirred the gathering deeply. Several persons in the convention at her request suggested themes. One said flowing Kindness" another "The Web of Life" third 'I Know My Re- deemer Liveth," & fourth Press On."
 Starting right in the medium improvised a couple of verses on each theme. weav- ing the whole into one connecte poem. It was claimed that she had made no prepa- ration, and knew nothing in advance of the themes that were suggested.
The age-herald., 1901-05-17
JOHN V. SMITH ANSWERS
 GEN. WILLIAM c. OATES

Age-Herald Bureau, Clancey's Hotel, Montgomery, May 16.-(Special )-Hon. John V. Smith. president of the Alabama Railroad Commission, has furnished reply to General W. c. Oates criticism of the card written by MT. Smith a few days ago in which the latter expressed some personal views as to the work of the coming constitutional convention. MT. Smith reiterates his former position and criticises with some emphasis the intelligence clause" suggested by Gov ernor Oates MT. Smith says:
 Having simply expressed my individu- al views upon the question of a constitu- tional convention, and having specifically disclaimed any intention to force these views upon the delegates, I am some what surprised that General Oates should have taken the matter so seriously and criticised me personally, as well as the management of the campaign. It is true that do not concur with him in many of his views, I have followed General Oates and been his ardent supporter for many years, but cannot endorse his present position. If I am demoralized my de- moralization is founded upon what con ceive to be the welfare of the State and the Democratic party. The platform, unanimously adopted, declared that it was the sense of the convention that no white man be disfranchised except for crime I am in favor of keeping that pledge.
 '"To apply the test favored by General Oates that one must be able to read in- telligently or understand when read to him any section of the constitution,
The age-herald., 1901-05-17

thus placing the power in the hands of pleases would be repudiation of the platform, and result in the dfsfranchise- ment of a very large number of honest and worthy white men, some of whom followed the gallant Oates to battle in the cause of liberty. If I were in com mand, with the power to order fire up- on these men, then with a trembling heart, and with all the earnestness of my soul my command would. be lay down your arms for the liberty of this class of men to exercise the elective franchise must be forever preserved I am more than ever pursuaded that the poll tax clause with good primary election law, will give the desired relief
 'I do not agree with the general that the people sullked and staid at home be- cause of the course of the campaign committed The platform was scattered all over the State. speakers. including General Oates himself, were sent every where possible in the short time allowed, and much good was done and much fear allayed. In my judgment many white people failed to vote because of a fear that their right of suffrage would be re- stricted their exemption laws destroyed. their taxes made heavier and their pres ent judiciary system radically changed, all of which fears, as I before stated, were without any real foundation. Whatever the cause, the convention has been called and I again reiterate the confidence have in the wisdom and in- tegrity of the delegates, among whom General Oates Is one of the ablest and truest." B. B. K
The age-herald., 1901-05-17
Dr. Cunninqham's Plan.

Dr. Cunningham presents an intri- cate plan for reforming the suffrage These are to vote when his plan is adopted:
 Any male citizen 21 years old and over, who can read and write. and who pays taxes on $500 worth of property, or who can read and write and has paid a poll tax of s3 annually for the two years preceding any election In this State, or who is an honorably discharged soldier who served in the revolutionary war the war of 1872. the war with Mexico the war between the states or the war with Spain, or who is decendent of any sol dier who served in any of the above wars, and who pays a poll tax of s3 per an- mum for two years next preceding any election in this State.
 The plan boldly brings in the grand father" plan of Louisiana, which must yet be tested in the Supreme Court. Assuming that it will be held to be constitutional, does it not involve frauds in the making of registration lists? It may not invite fraud by the wholesale as ''the intelligence and character" plan does, but unless writ ten or record evidence be required fraudulent registrations will be made If man, for example, be permitted to state or to swear that he is an honor ably discharged soldier or the descend ant of one, there will be plenty of room for fraudulent voting or registration.
 The truth is, there is a disposition to distrust the people. They are to be offered the grandfather" clause, when an adverse decision of the Su- preme Court may knock it out, or else they are to be offered the 'intelli- gence" clause, which involves fraudu- lent.registrations on its very face. Why offer either when neiIher is needed in this State? Why not say straightout that no man should be permitted to nave a voice in the control of the State who does not pay something to- wards it's support-a poll tax at least? Deal fairly and squarely in this mat ter, for poll tax does not disfranchise any man except with his consent. If a man pays threedollar poll tax two years hefora election he should not he compelled to present warlike pedi- gree. The presentation of poll-tax receipt should suffice. There is no need of putting the citizen to further trouble, There isno. .needin this State
The age-herald., 1901-05-17
About Persons.

Dr. I. D. Morgan of Eutaw, a noted Confederate veteran and one of the most honored of the western Alabamians, is at the Morris hotel.
 Hon. Thomas l.. Bulger of Tallapoosa was in Birmingham yesterday.
 Judge N. H. Hairston and MT. John R. Smith, distinguished attorneys of Mar tinsvlle, Va, are in Birmingham.
 MT. J. G. Allan of Montgomery is at the Morris.
 Judge D, c. Blackwell and Mir. William A. Davis of Anniston were in Birming- ham yesterday.
 Hon, Jacob w. Weiss of Mobile, the presiding officer of the third house of the general assembly of Alabama, is at the Morris,
 Haywood S. Wrinkle and G. G. Brftton of Anniston are at the Metropolitan.
 F. l.. Ligon of Spring Valley is at the Metropolitan.
 MT. Edward c. Osborne of Loveman, Joseph & Loeb was summoned last night to the bedside of his mother, Mrs. Os- borne, in Sweetwater. Tenn. Mrs. Os- borne Is believed to be fatally ill.
 Hon. Robert R. Poole, State Commis- sioner of Agriculture. will arrive in Btr- ningham today, and will remain here
The age-herald., 1901-05-17
FARMER MURDERED.
Body of William Pattison Found in a
 Creek With Skull Crushed.

New Decatur, May 16.-(Special.) )-The body of William Patterson, a farmer was found in valhermosa Springs Creek today with his skull crushed and badly shattered.
 Last week Patterson cut Caro- Luckett with a razor during quarrel, and it Is alleged Luckett swore he would get even with him next day. Patterson was blow ing when Luckett came up, accompanied by his uncle, Pete Draper and Sam Baine. Patterson left his horse with a boy and went to the woods skirting the creek. This was the last seen of Patterson until today, when his dead body was found.
 Several persons claim to have seen the three men follow him. Luckett cannot be found, but a warrant has been issued for his arrest, charging him with the crime
The age-herald., 1901-05-17
IAN ENGLISH WOMAN'S LOVE
 LETTERS."
From the New York World.

From the New York World.
 London-Laurence Housman is the au- thor of An English Woman's Love Let ters. He strenuously denied the au- thorship before. as the mystery enhanced the sale of the book. but he now is offer ing another book to the publishers, de- scribing himself as the author of the Love Letters.''
 Housman, who is 34 years old, has been a prolific writer of short stories and poems His brother and sister also write and paint. They are nephews and niece of the late Dante Gabriel Rossetti, the pioneer poet and artist of the aesthetic movement in England. Housman, who hitherto has had struggling existence, already has cleared quarter million dol- lars on "An English Womans Love Letters''
The age-herald., 1901-05-17
MT. SchWab on the Tariff.

The million-dollar president of bill lion-dollar trust very naturally told the industrial commission that he did not desire to have the McKinley-Dingley tariff changed in any respect. He added that it was very satisfactory to him as it stood. He wants no Babcock changes.
 If he gave any reasons why the tariff should stand as it is in every respect the press report does not include them. His country is selling products to other countries, thereby competing in open markets with all the world, and it is difficult to understand why it needs a tariff in order to protect itself at home, except that it desires opportunity to work the domestic consumer for all he is worth.
 MT. Schwab frankly admitted before the industrial commission that the steel trust sells many of it's products at a lower price in foreign markets than at home. He added that this prac- tice is followed in order ito hold the markets" The scheme of the iron and steel schedule then is to charge double prices at home in order that it may sell abroad at a reasonable profit. This is very good scheme-for the steel trust. How long consumers at home will stand it remains to be seen.
 This is not all, however. The steel trust makes about 75 per cent. of the steel products of the country, and it owns 80 per cent. of the iron ore of the | northwest. It asks the country to tax other furnaces on all ores imported in order that it may reap double ad- vantage from an adequate home SUD- ply He wants in other words extra profits from his ore, and a chance to exploit the home consumer at pleasure. | It is a very nice scheme on gigantic scale, but it is much too monopolistic to last long. The people will see the situation in time, for as Abraham Lin | coin once said, one cannot fool all the | people all the time, although one can | fool some of them some of the time.
The age-herald., 1901-05-17
ABOUT JOE BAILEY.

From the New York Telegraph.
 Although a new man in the upper house. Bailey is by no means a freshman in the halls of legislation. He came to congress eight years ago, big, tall, awk- ward youth, dressed in typical Texas fashion, baggy trousers made out of whole bolt of cloth, a huge broad-brim- med, Undiscovered slouch hat and col ored shirt
 But he had head full of brains, and he hadn't been in with the venerable old graybeards long before he showed his mental capacity. His knowledge of the constitution was marvellous and his in terpretations of constitutional law were rarely in error. Like wine, he has inn proved with age, until now he is one of the ablest men In Congress.
The age-herald., 1901-05-17

of a complicated chain of suffrage con- ditions. Let all poll-tax or property tax payers vote, on the ground that they are contributing to the support of the State. Dr. Cunningham asks too much. He wants an electorate that is almost Utopian. He presents an admirable scheme, but it is unneces- sarily exacting. A poll tax, paid two years before election, will do the work, especially if the primary system be recognized. But even if the primary system be left out of the new consti- tuition, it will be enforced by the peo- pie, and all members of party will be permitted to vote in tne selection of nominees, and the poll-tax payers would in practice, simply ratify the action of the primaries. This is all the State needs, as the experience and practice in Georgia and Tennessee plainly demonstrate. What is suf1- cient and satisfactory in those two States would be sufficient and satisfac- tory in this State also. Why attempt more?
 The grandfather clause is not needed in order to ensure ratification of the constitution Trust the people. Do not offer them the grandfather clause when you expect the Supreme Court to kill 1t, leaving the poll-tax qualification to stand by itself.
The age-herald., 1901-05-17
ATHENS.
Annual Commencement Is Now In
 Progress-Oil Hunters.

Athens, May 16.-(Special.)-The first evenings entertainment at the Athens Female College for the sixtieth annual commencement took place this evening and was greatly enjoyed by an immense audience It was the Tennyson-Chapin evening under the direction of Mrs. Rawls and Miss Alexander and reflected great credit on both as teachers. The com mencement exercises is on in full blast and are being largely attended.
 A number of oil and gas experts are here and think that they have located gas and oil both, and are busy taking leases on the available lands for the purpose of sinking wells These gentlemen are from the gas and oil belt of Indiana, and say that they are satisfied to try this place. They propose having one or more wells sunk by the early fall Several splendid properties has already been leased.
 A very distressing accident occurred at Lapington's mill in this place yesterday afternoon that came near costing young Paul McCulley his life. He was off-bear- ing lumber when he allowed plank that he was carrying to come in contact with the saw, which caused 1t to fly up, and striking him In the face, crushed his cheek bone and knocked him senseless. He was given prompt medical attention and will recover.
The age-herald., 1901-05-17

for several days, personally directing the preparation of the mineral district ex- hibit for the Buffalo fair.
 Arthur c. Crowder of Columbus. Miss, Miss. who has been spending few days with his Birmingham friends, proceeded to Montgomery yesterday.
 Hon. H. F. Behrens of Wheeling, W. Va, Is the guest of his brother, D. c. Behrens, in Birmingham.
 Former Attorney General William Coch- rane Fitts, Dr. Aston Fitts and Capt. A. B. McEachin of Tuscaloosa were in Birmingham yesterday.
The age-herald., 1901-05-17
IN HOTEL LOBBIES
 AND ELSEWHERE

Astrologer Raphael's prophecies TOT this day. Friday, May IT, 1901;
 Ask favors. and deal with care before l o'clock in the afternoon.
 Success will attend thy efforts and thy money and business will increase this being thy birthday; thy year will be a successful one"
 "A son born on this day will be gen. orally fortunate, and will marry a good wife,
The age-herald., 1901-05-17
Race Suffraue in Alabama.

Said J. W. DuBose yesterday, who had read Dr. Cunnipgham's letter in The Age Herald:
 'I agree to the main proposition-dis- franchisement of the negro. But I care nothing for halfway ground. If ten ne- groes are left to cast the ballot they will cast 1t as negroes They cannot be in- corporated into society as capable mem bers. They cannot inter-marry with the ruling race, or stop at the same hotels, or attend the same schools or churches. They will remain distinct subjects of government and of society. Therefore, l say if ten or ten thousand negroes are left to vote they will vote as negroes, in solid phalanx. They so vote in Ohio and Massachusetts and so will they vote here. Public questions are nothing to negroes because they are forced by race inter- ests to vote as a race regardless of pub lie questions.
 If beat 25, in Beauregard county for example, contains one-fourth negro voters under the new constitution, that beat will remain solid for white su- premacy as the paramount issue. White parties cannot be formed in that beat be- cause one white party or the other will adopt Black Belt methods of today in order to control or count the solid negro vote as it is now controlled or counted.
 Let us face the question squarely. If we fear the fourteenth and fifteenth amendments, our fears need not control us. Those enactments will necessarily become invalid and obsolete as soon as the North finds the Republican party does not need them in the South for its purposes
 "Take them out of the way by non usage, as they do in England, in ana logous cases. and if non-usage of them favors the Republican party in the South, as would be the case, then no obstacle exists to the diminution of the negro race from the suffrage in Alabama" :"
The age-herald., 1901-05-17
LOcH kATRiNE.
By Sir Walter Scott.

By Sir Walter Scott. From the Lady of the Lake. The summers dawn reflected hue To purple changed Loch Katrine blue; Mildly and soft the western breeze Just kissed the lake, just stirred the
 trees,
 And the pleased lake, like maiden coy, Trembled, but dimpled not for joy; The mountain-shadows on her breast Were neither broken nor at rest; In bright uncertainty they lie, Like Future joys to Fancys eye. The water-lily to the light Her chalice reared of silver bright: The doe awoke, and to the lawn, Begemmed with dewdrops. led her fawng | .-e grey mist left the mountain side. The torrent showed its glistening ride: Invisible in flecked sky. The lark sent down her revelry; The blackbird and the speckled thrush Good-morrow gave from brake and bushi In answer cooed the cushat dove, Her notes of peace, and rest ad lovet
The age-herald., 1901-05-17
Improvements contempIated.

Huntsville. May 16.-(Special )-The Southern Railroad contemplates making many improvements in the freight and passenger facilities in this city during the next few months. A car shed will be erected at the passenger depot as soon as material arrives. Superintendent Hutchenson of the Memphis division spent yesterday in the city looking over suggested improvements
The age-herald., 1901-05-17
THEY SHoUD DROP IT.
he Chattanooga Times.

From the Chattanooga Times.
 Frye and Hanna, we are told, will com- pletely remodel their subsidy scheme. Has Frye or Hanna forgotten that the bill in Congress during the last session was odious to a majority of Republican members? If they remember that, do they imagine that MT. Morgan's opera tons have tended to make Re- publicans more friendly to subsidy jobs for rich steamship companies? Frye and Hanna had better drop that thing.
The age-herald., 1901-05-17
Huntsville Library Association

Huntsville, May 16.-(Special. .)-The members of the Huntsville Library As sociation held their annual meeting yes- terday and selected the following officers: Mrs. John R. Connor, president; Miss Edna Rodgers, vice president; Miss Annie Bradshaw, secretary and treasurer; Mrs. H. B. billiard, librarian. The directors are Paul Speake, Thomas Jones, Mrs. Leo Marchlitz Mrs. W. I. Wellman, Mrs
 Cornelis Hall and Miss Emelie KarthauA
The age-herald., 1901-05-17
REFLECTIONS OF A BACHELOR.

From the New York Press
 A woman's conscience is generally more than half cunning.
 When a baby is at a certain age 1t gets collie whenever you look at it.
 There is no fool like the old fool who thinks he knows young fool when he sees one.
 When everything else fails a man can generally make a woman love him by making her suffer.
 An ideal dressmaker Is one that can make a woman look either fat or thin vhsxe she has no business tes
The age-herald., 1901-05-17
M'LAURIN'S GOLD BRICK.

From the Atlanta Journal.
 Northern Republicans who have in- vested in the great McLaurin Southern white Republican scheme will discover very soon that they have been caught by one of the brassiest "gold bricks that was ever put on the market,