davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-12-20
In the Hands Of Thuns.

The wayfarer in this town after
nightfall may be held up even within
the glare of the lights of the city
hall. No man, no store and no resi-
dence has any assurance of safety
from the depredations of burglars and
highwaymen. The gang or gangs
that are working this city are as
much at home in the streets as high
waymen as they are in buildings as
burglars.
The police seem to be unable TO
cope with these thugs, and tho citi-
zen who is compelled to be in the
streets after dark may as well get
ready to protect himself. This In
wolves, however, a condition OF an
archy, and it is not creditable to us
as a community to have every house
turned into. fortress and every late
conner into a walking arsenal.
II this condition lasts He1ch longer
a vigilance committee may indeed be
needed-one of the sort formed in the
early days of California.
The situation is distressing and ii
cannot much longer be permitted to
exist. Something must be done, and
that, too, speedily and thoroughly.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-12-20
Pay Rolls.

"The pay rolls of the Birmingham dis
trict for November are putting d large
amount of money in circulation this
month than usual" said a banker.
81 think the amount that will be paid
out between now and Christmas win not
be less than s2,550.00O The year just
closing has been the most prosperous in
the history of Birmingham. Everybody
has worked hard and honestly and every
man has been paid well for his work
We carnSt forecast what the new year
has in store, but the prospects are bright.
l feel confident that the first six months
of 1908 viii be months Of plenty, and I'M
less crops should fail next summer. the
last half of the year will be marked by
business activity and high prices"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-12-20
Insurance Rates.

Birmingham fire insurance rates will
not be advanced" said a prominent
agent. "The city has increased the fire
department and the Water Works COM
pany has promised to put in larger mains
wherever needed.
1.-The insurance companies always pre-
fer improved fire protection to higher
rates. When the present plans for better
protection arc carried out the only thing
that will be needed to make a good in
smance city win be the inspection of
electric wiring. The insurance companies
will insist on having electric wires in
spected. Without official inspection many
business houses are subjected to great
risks
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-12-20
economy IN Canal construcIIon.


Senator Morgan began none too
soon when he raided in congress the
looters who are gathering to scram-
bic over the pic1ings Of the isthmian
canal. He exposed the Walker COM
mission, each member of which has
been drawing one thousand dollars a
month. and he proposes to limit the
pay Of a commissioner hereafter to
S. 900 year.
He takes this step in order to noti-
fy the eorruptionists to keep away.
He desires them to know that their
acts will be closely scrutinized and
that a repitition of the French ex-
travagances ana scandals will not be
permitted. The french took vast
sum from prudent and optimistic
French people, and squandered it in
the utmost extravagant and corrupt
manner. There is little to show for
the 5000 100000, more or less, that
tho Dc Lesseps company expended.
Senator Morgan hopes to warn the
corruptionists away by beginning
early upon the commission itself He
evidently wants a working commits
sion who will not live riotously He
wants men who will not indulge In
extravagances of any sort, and who
will not permit waste in any direc-
ton
The task that our senior senator
has undertaken is not a light one, but
if scandals in Connection with the con-
struction Of an isthmian canal are to
be averted, now is the time to be-
gin the work of defence and prepare
tion against them. Senator Morgan
has taken up the task none too early
and none too vigorously May he re-
tain his strength to fight down cor
ruption until the canal is completed.
It is a struggle tat should fall on
younger shoulders are not forthcom-
Ing and Senator Morgan will doubt
less have to lead the battle for econ
omy and honesty from beginning to
end
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-12-20
IN HOTEL LoBBIEs.
The EruIt sand.

nc run RAAAA@ee
1.-THE movement against the fruit stands
seems to have received solar plexus
blow IN the decision Of City Attorney
Smith that the fruit stands had right
to stay on the sidewalks" said citizen
yesterday.
This opinion was that the city had
authority to rent. out three feet Of the
sidewalks. and I suppose they can rent
it to any other legitimate business as
well as fruit stands The latter seem to
be the only kind of business that can
get along with SO little space unless it
be the bootblaek stands in the alleys,
As matter of fact I don't suppose there
is any native born American who would
put up with the long hours of work and
the exposure to the weather that these
Greeks endure. Their stands being open
on the street naturally have to be watch
ed at al moments Of the day or night.
Their business during the night too is
much greater ,han is usually thought.
There are many night hawks in Birmlng-
ham and the number Of night workers in
every large city is constantly on the in
erase.
Personally, I hope the fruit stands will
win IN the fight and that they viii not
have to move. They don't obstruct travel
and the rows Of fruit attraetvoly dis
played makes a very pretty sight. a
marked contrast to the ugly brick build
ings adjoining them. Nothing is prett!er
than good fruit except flowers, and a
fruit dealer who has any taste can with
the aid of his pinoapplos, oranges. grapes
and apples make an artistic display Of
his goods
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-12-20
THE EMERSON CENTENNIAL.

From the Chicago Tribune.
The question has been raised among
Harvard college alumni: Shall the col
lege officially celebrate the Tooth ami
versary of the birth of Ralph Waldo EN-
erson as probably the most universally
known and distinguished in long list of
notable alumni?" There is little doubt
what the answer of the college authorities
to this question will be. In honoring the
memory of the Concord philosopher Har-
ward will honor itself If 1t were to de-
cline to honor his memory it would dis
honor itself to the extent of neglecting
to recognize in public manner the birth
day of one of Its alumni who not only has
added to the fame Of his alma meter, but
has enriched the world. So on May 25,
1903. 1t may be assumed. Harvard will
pay due respect to the gentlost and sam
est Of philosophers.
The published works Of Emerson oc-
cupy small room upon the library shelves,
but large and growing space in the at
tention of the thinking world. OF all
that remarkable galaxy of literary men
which conferred about Concord, Cam
bridge, and Boston. Emerson was pecu-
liarly 1.-THE plain liver and high thinker
lie was not widely esteemed in his time,
for the time was not ready for him. In
religion he was considered even more
dangerous than an agnostic, aae many
would have liked to call him what they
thought him to bean in1ldel. Some even
regarded him a much more dangerous
man in the pulpit than Theodore Parker.
The theological line at that tina in New
England where closely drawn, and he who
was not Orthodox in the New England
sense was outside the pale. But Emer-
son lived nearer than Parker did TO the
time when his critics caught UP, and
came so near to him as to acknowledge
that most of his views were half truths
and many of them whole ones.
This is one of the revenges of time and
compensations of progress, even though
the victim himself may not live to enjoy
them Emersons philosophy of life, his
saying of many old Hlings in a new way
and his enunciation of some new prin-
ciples which he thought might make hui
man training easier and human life bet
ter, were at first stgmatized as tran
scendentalism. and as having no pract-
cal value, but he lived long enough to see
the world recognize his essays at their
true value and appreciate their real
meaning of simple and sane suggestions
for the guidance of Individual life. the
emancipation of human thought. and the
progress of the race toward higher and
better things. When Harvard shall cele-
brate his centennial we may look to that
venerable institution to present fifty MS
life work and crown II with the laurels
which are due to him. Harvards scholars
need not look farther than Mature" and
| Conduct of Life aptly to characterize
his philosophy, nor beyond the Concord
Hymn and "Rhodora' to fix his poetic.
| status.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-12-20
4 Will nousE sAlE.
The Old Furniture and Some Historic
China to Go.


The probabilities are, SAYS the Wash
ington Pest. that on the arrival of the
new Roosevelt set" ethe wedgwood
pottery: there VIII be a sale Of White
House property, at which large number
of pieces Of the Lincoln, Grant and Hays
sets win be sold. Collectors. bargain
hunters ana society people are on the
qui vive of expectancy. looking forward
to an official announcement of the aue-
ton, which probably will take place the
latter part of next February or early IN
March. The sale will include the old
White House china. furniture. carpets
and all manner of interior furnishings.
The Roosevelt set Is the first service
of official queensware that has been or
dered since 1876. It win be used not as
the everyday service of the president and
his family, but only for state dinners.
banquets and occasions Of ceremony. The
last official china service purchased was
the famous Ifayes set, which was made
by the Havilands Of Limoges France
Since then the steward of the White
House at state dinners has been obliged
to draw upon the remnants of the Lin
coin, Grant and Hayes sets to complete
the requirements Of the table.
Colonel Theodore A. Bingham. custo-
dian of the White House in his report Ok
the care and maintenance of the presi-
Dental mansion for 1901. says that at the
end of that year there were 1d9 pieces of
the Lincoln. 1g5 pieces Of the Grant, 81
of the Hayes, 30 Of the Arthur, LIS of the
Cleveland. 495 of the Harrison and 921 of
the Mckinley sets remaining in the
White House. Although the first lady OF
the land is powerless to give away a SIN
gle piece of official china, she neverthe-
less has the power to order thing sold
If It fails to suit her taste. Curtains and
rugs that have cost hundreds of thou
sands of dollars have more than once
been put up at auction because the color
failed to satisfy the taste of the mistress
of the White House. Mrs. Mckinley was
quite fastidious in this respect
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-12-20
JEST FORE CHRISTMAS.

By Eugene Filed.
Will:
Mother calls me Willie, but the fellers
call me Bill:
Mighty glad l amt girl-ruther be
boy.
Without them sashes, curls an things
that's worn by Fauntleroy!
Love to chawnk green apples an go
swmmin' in the lake
Hate to take the castor-ile they give for
belly-ache!
Most ali the time the whole year round,
there amt no flies on me-
But jest fore Christmas I'm as good as
l kin be.
Got a yeller cog named Sport, sick him
on the cat;
First thing she knows she doesn't know
where's she's at!
Got a clipper sled, an when us kids so
out to slide
Long comes the grocery cart an we all
hook ride!
But sometimes when the grocery man is
worried an cross
He reaches at us with his whip an lar
rups up his boss;
An then laff an boiler: "Oh We never
teched mel'
But jest fore Christmas I'm as good as
kin bel
Grammar says she hope that when I git
to be man.
I'll be a missionarer like her eldest broth
or Dan,
AS was ct up b. the cannibals that lives
on Ceylons Isle
Where every prospeck pleaseS an only
man is vile;
But grandmar she has never been to SEQ
a Wild West show.
Nor read the life of Daniel Boone, or else
I guess she'd know
That Bufflo Bill and COWBOYS IS good
enough for mel
But Jest fore Christmas I'm as good as
l kim he!
An then old Sport he hangs around as
solmen like an STILL
His eyes they seem a-sayin': whats the
- matter, Little Bill?" " rf
The old cat sneaks down off her perch an
wonders what become
| OF them two enemies Of hern that used
to make things hum
But I'm so perlite and tend so earnestly
to biz
That mother says to father: "How i'm
proved our Willie isl"
But father, havin' been boy himself,
| When jest fore Christmas I'm as good
as I kin bel
For Christmas. with its lots and lots OF
candy. cakes and toys.
Was made. they say. for proper kids an
| not for naughty boys;
| So wash yer face and brush yer hair an
mind yer p's an as,
| An don't bust out yer pantaloons an
| don't wear out yer shoes; Z
Say .'yessum' to the ladies ana "yesFur'
| to the men, u
An when there's company don't pass
| your plate fer pie again.; x
| But thinlkin of the things yer's like to
| Sc upan that tree.
| Jest fore Christmas be as good as yer
kin bel
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-12-20
About Persons.

John B. Knox of Admission is in Biz
mingham.
President j. NJ Carmichae, of the state
convict bureau was in Birmingham yes
terday.
j. b. Graham of Talladega is registered
at the Metropolitan.
f. j. McAdams of Montgomery was in
Birmingham yesterday en- route home
from Chicago.
Gen. George p. Harrison Of opelilSa was
a visitor to Birmingham yesterday.
E. NJ. Pinckard of Clanton is at the
Metropolitan.
Col. Wade Mcbride of Montgomery is
a guest of his sister, Mrs. Frank p.
O'Brien
President ]. NJ. Egan of the Central OF
Georgia Railway company is in the city.
r. II. Cobb Of Admission is at the Morris
J. L. Hunter of Roanoke is the Morris
II. B. Crawford Of columbis, Ga, is
registered at the Norris
Frank Nelson of Montgomery is at tho
Morris.
w. C. Carpenter of Montgomery is at
the Morris.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-12-20

belt, until the political teachers and
the political county superintendents
are driven ont. Until this is done the
public schools cannot be materially
bettered.
A great many excellent people are
unaware of the manner in which
school moneys are handled in some of
the counties of this. state Such
moneys are handled as slush funds
are handled. and the legislature would
do well indeed to investigate such
acts. The people of each county can
however control such matters by
electing county superintendent like
A. M. spessard OF Perry county.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-12-20
Reform in The Schools.

The county superintendent of edu-
cation in Perry has notified the teach
ers of that county that hereafter they
must draw their own salaries-that no
money will be paid unless their re-
ports, signed by themselves, are cor
rect-that they must attend insti-
tutes and aid in building up the pub
lie schools.
The Marion Standard heartily COM
mends these orders, and it goes on to
say: "The time has passed when the
position of teacher is to be a politi-
cal appointment, and the salaries di-
yided like the loaves and fishes. The
, time has also passed when incompe.
tent teachers are to be employed sim.
Aply on personal grounds that they
nay draw the salary. The county SUI
erintendent has sounded the right
ksin plainly and pertly: "A teacher
not be needed in Perry county
after who is not interested in his
b., and it is as plainly implied
10 incompetent teacher will be
is encoul raging and, the the
aid trust} the good work will
9th in 4 pd out of the black
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-12-20
The LATEST MERGER.
the Plttshurg Dispatch.

From the Pittsburg Dispatch
The absorption by the United States
Steel corporation of the recently united
Union and Sharon steel companies re-
moved one of its most dangerous competi-
tors. While the price to be paid is con-
sidered high the end achieved was deemed
worth it. The possibility of Mr.. Frick s
active return to the manufacturing field
was not to be viewed with complacence
by the steel corporation. In addition to
ayerting this possibility for the present
Judge Gary and his colleagues obtain
valuable ore deposits and an equipment
which viii be an important enlargement
of the corporations plants. The value of
ore in the ground has long been debat-
able, President Schwab fixing 1t at 81 a
ton when the ore properties were figured
in the valuation of the sreeI corporation.
The present deal places 1t at a much
lower figure.
Viewed from a Pittsburg standpoint the
consolidation will rob this district of the
proposed railroad to Elk Harbor and the
projected rail mill, unless, IN the latter
case, the steel corporation enlarges its
Edgar Thomson plant. Fortunately the
transportation loss will be offset by the
construction of the Jones & Laughfins
road to the same point which is to be adj
vanced vigorously While the change of
ownership deprives Pittsburg of an indie
pendent company it enlarges the inter-
ests of the greater corporation in this
territory, so that there will be no loss
in the operation of existing plants. The
chief detriment viii be the prevention of
the plans for enlargements and improve
ments that would have been inevitable
had the absorbed companies remained. in
dependent.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-12-20
SCIENTIFIC Sinking.

From American Kitchen Magazine.
The woman who does her own work
should learn how to shrink scientifically.
This does not mean that she should neg
leet work which should by rights be done,
or that she should do 1t IN a slovenly
way. But there are times when every
hoesekeeper must choose what shall be
crowded out, her rest her chesnce to
read little. to keep in touch with what
is going on IN the world. or the labor
ious and unnecessarily thorough accom-
plishment of an insignificant task. In that
case she should unhesltatingly decide
that the latter Is Of less importance and
let It go to the wall.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-12-20
SLEIGH BELLS RING IN GOTHAM.

New York letter in Plttsburg Dispatch
The jingle of sleigh bells snppianted
the chug Of the automobile along the
boulevards and in Central park today,
Not within the memory Of the Oldest In
habitant had there been such brilliant
procession of fast nags and magnificent
gleighs. The season for this sort of thing
in New York Is, at best brief and I'M
certain. Sunday riding, usually tabooed
by ultra-fashionable families, was in
dulged in freely today. apparently by
everybody. Where the thousand-odd turn
outs sprang from must have been mys-
terry to many.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-12-20
REFLECTIONS OF A BACHELOR.

From the New York Press.
Man is wild animal and woman a wild
animal tanner
There is no insurance that anybody can
take out on innocence.
Financiering is keeping from finding
out what you haven't got.
Man stokes the furnace by day and
the devil puts it out in the night.
The best way for W 80 to make
her husband not afraid \ SSne other
woman is for her to ma =. >'.fraid Of
her.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-12-20
4 Patient Parent.

From the Cleveland Plain Dealer.
Janet Ainslie comes back from the
mountains unmarried. l see.-'
Yep. 1t was her last chance, too. Her
father waited on her account six weeks
before he went into bankruptcy
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-12-20

The regular old-school doctors begin
to suspect DR.. Adolph Lorenz is but
an osteopath after all. They do not
propose to give up the carving bust
ness without a struggle.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-12-20

Mr.. Carnegies desire to die without
disgrace should lead him to look to-
wards Venezuela.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-12-20

In Germany good plays are adver-
tised on white paper, and naughty
plays on red paper.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-12-20

President Castro says that, given
plenty of sharpshooters, he can also
stagger humanity a trifie.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-12-20

The Venezuelan navy was even an
easier proposition than Admiral Ger
vera's fleet.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-12-20

War is by no means new thing in
Venezuela. but peaceful blockade is
something she does not admire.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-12-20

The constitution should be amended
so that we could impress DR.. Lorenz
into the Presidency. For he is the
man who sets crooked things right.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-12-20

George AIDE says his reported en-
gagement to Charlotte Astor is some
body else's fable.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-12-20

Senator Gallinger is willing that DR.
Keen should be vivisected.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-12-20

The art of illustration has been rap
idly advanced, but the Christmas pic
lures do not present any step forward
in that respect.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-12-20

President Jim Hill has diagnosed
the material situation, and he says we
are sliding down from the summit His
particular merger creased the track.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-12-20

President Castro's Indian blood may
prove to be as good as President
Diaz's.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-12-20

The Wylam pressed steel car plant
promises to crystalline next year.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-12-20

The citizen who brings in holdup
artist, dead CT alive, is entitled to a
full stocking On Christmas day.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-12-20

The sugar beet lobby at Washington
is beginning to rejuvenate itself, TO
borrow word from Mr. Clevesnd.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-12-20

Some of our best fighting ships, in
Guiding the Alabama. will rendezvous
next week at Trinidad, which is al
most within sight of Venezuela
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-12-20

Dingleylsm is also oozing out. The
house has passed Philippine bin that
cuts its rates down % per cent. This
is a starter.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-12-20

The real Christmas present combines
beauty with usefulness.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-12-20

Minister Bowen is a diplomat Pooh
Bah. He is the minister of America,
Great Britain, Germany, Italy and Hol-
land.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-12-20

Venezuela would no doubt whack
up if she could,
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-12-20

Up north It does not look like
green Chriefmas.
st. Louis viii feel lonesome without
boodlers.