davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-11-03

third set townships or smaller divis- ions. There is no counting done, merely estimates are called for.
 The census bureau on the other hand asks for no estimates, but for actual figures of bales pressed by about 30,O00 ginneries. Cards have been sent to every ginnery, and if all respond we will know next week just how many bales of the new crop were turned out up to September 26.
 It is plain that the ginnery plan is much the more definite and satisfac- tory. Many ginners are however farmers, and it may be that they will not cooperate in this effort of the census bureau to count the bales. All the farmers associations that have spoken cling to the plan of the depart ment of agriculture, which has here tofore been wide of the mark at least a million bales. The departments es- inmates are always underestimates.
 If the ginneries will cooperate promptly and accurately the bales can be counted from time to time, and all uncertainty taken out of the case. The Age Herald believes 1t Is best for all that the truth be known. This would take the wind out of MT. Bus tons sails, and enable all to have the best information as to the crop that can be gathered-in other words, ac- tual counts of It.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-11-03
TENNESSEE COAL 6 IRON.
m the Wall street Journal.

From the Wall street Journal
 The statement of earnings of Tennes- see Coal and Iron for the nine months of the current year ended September 30, shows that S319027 were set aside for de- preciation. The question has been raised as to whether this amount is sufficient We are told by an authority that this sum represents the depreciation of coal and ore properties only. In regard to the depreciation of the steel and iron proper ties it is the practice of the company to follow the custom of the leading iron and steel concerns in the country by charging off a specific amount on every ton of iron and steel produced. The sum set aside in this way is charged to oper- ating expenses. The amount charged off per ton varies with the different com panies. Tennessee coal diverts to the de- preciation fund 50 cents per ton on all steel produced and 30 cents per ton on all pig iron, which, is we understand considerably more than Is allowed for this purpose by the average steel and iron corncern.
 In addition, it is pointed out that the expenditures for repairs and renewals during the nine months, all of which has been charged to operating expenses amounts to approximately $400,00
 In regard to the surplus for the nine months, amounting to $S25, 900, has been decided by the directors to appropriate practically the whole amount to pay for new construction. Ordinarily this amount would be applicable to dividends, but it is the policy of the management to use surplus earnings for a good while to come for improvement purposes.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-11-03
Immlnratlon is Growing.

The immigration of the year ended June 30, 1902, aggregated 64s,743-a number never exceeded in the coun- trys history except in the years 1881 and 1882. The latter holds the re- cord, its immigrants numbering 1884, 992. As immigration is now proceed ing 1t Is believed the current year will produce figures exceeding those of 1882. In other words, officials are anticipating a human tide this year that will rise to S00,000 souls.
 In the year ended last June two thirds of the arrivals came from Italy, Austria Hungary and Russia. Italy alone sent here 178,375 persons, or nearly as many as Rome itself holds more than Venice contains. The Ital- ian tide is distinctly rising year by year. From Austria-Hungary came 171,9S9 immigrants last year, and from Russia 107,347. The increased immigration comes from these three countries, and the standard of these immigrants Is not as high as of those from Germany, Scandinavia or the British isles. For example, 162,1S8 of last years arrivals could not read and write. The illiterates came in good part from Italy, Hungary and Russia.
 If MT. Underwood's educational test were applied to immigrants the stan- dard would be raised at once, and many difficult problems in the larger cities of this country would be either solved or softened. Sooner or later MT. Underwood's plan will be adopted. It's adoption at once would work no harm to any state or section, although some selfish employers of labor might thereby be compelled to pay living wages.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-11-03
Germs by Telephone.

The doctors are convinced that the transmitters and receivers of the tele- phone are the means of communicat- ing diseases, particularly consumption and diptheria, and ln New York at least the cleaning of telephone trans miLGers a given number of times a week has been made compulsory. Every transmitter and receiver should be cleaned with chemicals at regular intervals.
 I1r. Allen of Louisville says he has pc, sonally observed persons coughing when using the telephone, and that lips are placed in contact with the transmitter Dr. Reynolds, health commissioner of Chicago, says the tel ephone directions of his city have been changed, so that persons using the telephone are now requested to place the lips one-half inch from the transmitter. Dr. Good, president of the health board of Philadelphia, con Biders consumption the most likely disease to be carried by gems fom tel ephone instruments. Dr. Kohuke, health officer of New Orleans, thinks the transmitter is the means of spreading respiratory diseases, and the receiver of skin diseases. Dr. Firdler, bacteriologist to the health board of Milwaukee, states that patho- genie bacteria, particularly those of diptheria and consumption, can be ob- tained from the mouthpiece of trans mitters.
 The testimony runs one way. No doctor or bacteriologist dissents from the prevailing opinion. As the tele- phone has come to stay, it remains as public duty to make it hygenic, and this can be done by care in it's use, and by frequent scrubbings of the ex- terior rims of both received and trans hitter.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-11-03
NEGRO EDUCATION.

From the Nashville American.
 There are intelligent southern men who hold the opinion that the education of the negro is mistake-that negro education is of no substantial benefit to either the blacks or whites, but Is rath- CT an injury to both. We do not think so. The education of the negro is not only a benefit to him, but benefit to the white man also. If the negroes were slaves, as was the case. it might be ad- vsable to keep their minds in bondage. But the policy which would keep the mind of a free citizen steeped in ignor- ance cannot be a wise policy. Negro educaton is not to be considered from the standpoint of race prejudice, con- scious or unconscious. Nor Is it to be regarded a failure because many ne- groes seek education with the idea that it will enable them to live without work. Many whites seek learning with the same view. A little education has made many trifling negroes. But to hold that ne- gro education is failure on this account is to take a wholly superficial view.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-11-03
A NEW WAY TO LYNCH.

From the New Orleans Times-Democrat.
 "One of the most singular lynchings 1 ever saw" said a visitor from an ad- joining state, happened number Of years ago, and I suppose there are but few persons alive now who recall the strange fact of the case Burning ne- groes was not in vogue then. It was even a rare thing to hear of first class hanging. Of course, men had the habit then, as they have now, of putting black men out of the way when they resorted to shocking violence, but they went about 1t in different way. Coming to my story, I suppose it is the only instance in the history of the country when such a unique method of disposing of a negro
 was employed. The crime with which
 the negro was charged was heinous- of that kind which is said to justify sum-
 mary punishment It was committed near a bank of river. There was no question about the negro's guilt. He made a complete confession and said he deserved death for the awful crime he had been guilty of. For while the mob did not know just how to proceed. It 
 who surrounded the negro could make up their minds as to the best method of procedure. Hanging was suggested. Shoot him. said another member of the group. Burn him. cried another, and so on 1t went. Finally some fellow made a suggestion which met with the ap- proval of the mob. It was to chain the negro in large boiler, weigh it down so it would gradually sink and cast him adrift on the river. This plan was fol- dead hour of the night when they float ed out to the middle of the stream with the negro and the boiler and the weights which would sink 1t. He was carefully chained in the boiler so there was no possible chance of escape. Then the | weights were piled in and the poor l wretch was cast adrift on the waters. Nothing could be heard but the screams of the manacled negro, and the dip and splash of the oars as the lynchers made | they had embarked on the grewsome mission. As the skin showed its bow into | the muddy bank and the pulled-in oars | rattled over its sides. a wild gurgling | shriek was heard adown the stream and | then a sad. listless silence spread over
 the waters, and the only sound to be heard was the muffled crunch of the ] lynchers' feet as they tugged up the | drowning embankment."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-11-03
MExIco,s NEXT PRESIDENT.

s. Glen Andrus in National Magazine.
 Unless there is a change in present plans, Jose Ives Limantour. minister of finance. will be the next president of the republic. It is openly stated in offi- cial circles that Gen. Bernardo Reyes, secretary of war, has withdrawn his candidacy, If such 1t might be called In favor of Senor Limantour. Since Diaz's gradual -effacement began Liman- tour has undoubtedly been the brains of the republic; and where two years ago the army was probably to a man with General Reyes, 1t is now with Linn antour. despite the fact that he is not a soldier. While in the city of Mexico re- gently I had the honor and pleasure of an interview with the minister of fin- ance and secured from him an author ized statement regarding many public questions. I found him to be a man of great magnetic power, short of stature, small of frame and very slender. The secretary speaks seven different lam guages fuently. In conversation about the United States he is likely to make you feel ashamed of your lack of inti- mate knowledge which he possesses of about Mexico and he expects you to be as conversant with the affairs of his country as he is with those of your own.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-11-03
IomorroM's Elections.

Three states, Maine, Vermont and Oregon, have elected congressman; the other forty-two states will elect Representatives tomorrow, and these elections are interesting because they will determine the control of the house of representatives in the next two years.
 At the same time twenty-two of the forty-two states will elect governors and other state officers; eleven will elect judges, and nine congressman only. Legislatures are to be elected on Tuesday that will In turn name twenty-five United States senators.
 The most interesting contests will take place in New York, where Gov ernor Odell is a candidate for re-elec- ton, and is opposed by Bird s. Coler where the rural counties will en- deavor to outvote the urban counties, and vice versa; in Pennsylvania, where the machine candidate for gov ernor, Judge Pennypacker, is faced by Robert Pattison, twice governor of the state, although an unfiinching democrat; in Ohio, where Tom John son and Mark Hanna have been stumping; in Wisconsin, where Gov ernor La Toilette is opposed by David s. Rose; in Michigan, where Aaron T. Bliss, republican, is running against Lorenzo T. Durand, and in Delaware where Addicks is fighting his fourth battle. There are some also who think the result in Connecticut is doubtful, and in New Jersey there may be democratic gains. Outside of the states mentioned the elections are either unimportant or lack the ele- ment of doubt.
 In many of the states irregular tick cts have been placed in nomination notably by the prohibitionists and so cialists. The latter are gaining strength year by year, but neither they nor the prohibitionists are strong enough to carry state.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-11-03
Use of Cement.

''The use of cement in buildings Is but in it's infancy in this country" said an architect yesterday, ''but in France and Germany it has been carried to much greater lengths. One reason of this is because steel work is done quicker and cheaper here, but the use of cement IS growing all the time.
 "In Buffalo there is an apartment build ing called the Berkeley, which is known as the Mud Flats It Is built entirely of cement and in architects slang cement is known as mud This build ing is six-stories high, fifty feet wide and sixty -four feet long. There is not steel beam or girder in the building, every one being of cement. These cement gir- ders have small steel rods running through them, the rods not being de- signed to bear the tension but simply to hold the cement together, it being known that cement has a much greater adhesive power in contact with steel than otherwise European architects are doing wonderful things with cement which Is reinforced with steel wires or netting. They are building bridges of all kinds, factory buildings chimneys reservoirs and their supports, water mains and pretty much everything in the building line.
 "One or two steel wires add wonder fully to the adhesive strength of the cement and have a tendency to resist the strain from whatever direction. It is something similar to the French sys- tenn of constructing brick houses with wires running through the bricks to the roof of the building. Eight wires pass through each brick, four on each side, so that whether the wall is inclined to bend inward or outward the resistance to tension is the same. By the use of these wires the French are able to build five and six-story factory buildings de- signed to hold the heaviest kind of ma chinery with walls only five inches thick, whereas in America the ordinances of most cities would requare the walls of a building this high to be at least two feet thick at the base"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-11-03
THE WEIGHT OF INNOCENCE.
After Negro's Unsupported Plea the
 Jury Wouldn't Convict.

From the St. Louis Republic.
 Ben Boyd. a tall negro miner from the Indian Territory, was before the circuit of attempting to murder his comrade, William Turner. Both worked in the Central Coal and Coke company's col- lieries at Ardmore. Boyd was without money and friends. The court appointed a lawyer to defend him, as he insisted he was not guilty
 After conferring with the defendant and several negro miners, the prisoners s counsel came back in the court room and said:
 Your honor I don't care about de- lending this man. he says he's innocent, but he hasn't got any witnesses, and all the negroes down there tell me it was a most unprovoked case of attempted murder. I have suggested that he plead guilty and throw himself on the mercy of the court, but he won't do it'
 The court told Boyd that was the best thing for him to do as the jury might give him ten years.
 T wants a trial. I does" said Boyd.
 But you haven't got any witnesses" remarked his attorney.
 Don't make any difference wants to tell my story
 Witness after witness was introduced by the state yesterday afternoon, and every one made the case black against the prisoner. They said he had got mad at Turner for nothing and hit him crushing blow with a pick on the head when Turner's back was turned and while he was moving away, It was late at night when the prisoners time came to tell his story. He got up from the chair and gave a dramatic illustration of his fight with the prosecuting wit ness.
 "Gem'mens of de jury" he said, q wouldn't hit dat man if he let me alone, but he got mad cause I didn't say please and he come at me with his eyes sparkling like a snake and callin' me all dem names done tole you about He told me he was goin' ter kill me and grabbed fer dat pick, but beat him to 1t and tapped him on de side O de head and he fell like sick boss. I could a killed him if I wanted to when he lay dere, but didn't do it. Desc niggers dat come on here agin me has got 1t In fer me and wan to sen me up; da made it all 'mong themselves. Dat man would a killed me eff I hadn't hit i'm, and dat s all dere is to it."
 During the speech the negro waved his hands like an orator and became so earnest that he cried. It was practically all the defense made. The jury wrestled with the problem last night and all fore noon today and finally reported they could not agree.
 Then the negro offered to plead guilty to common assault and take twenty days in jail It was a striking vindication of an untutored mans elf-consciousness of innocence
The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-11-03

cents, Is able to be out and will return home thls week.
 L. H. McMurtrie of New York is at the Hillman.
 A. P. Macauley. Thomas Shaw and Sam Graz of Pittsburg are at the Metro politan.
 E. L. Williamson and wife of New York are at the Metropolitan.
 United States District Attorney Roul- hae is at the Metropolitan.
 Charles Pearson and family of Raleigh, N. C., are at the Morris.
 F. K. Bunkley of wetumpka is at the Morris.
 c. A. DeLaussure of Memphis is at the Morris
The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-11-03

with the shifting sand dunes for hills. In one place, on the right bank of the Tarim, a shain of long lakes bordered by sterile sands has been formed, which are continued between dunes some times more than a hundred yards high by series of depressions, each covered by a clay and absolutely barren. This tendency to shift its bed becomes more pronounced as the river approaches the region where it perishes among the de- sert sands, and the Tarim, instead of emptying itself into the ancient Lake of Lob Nor, goes on past it and forms the Lake of Kara -Koshum, further to the south"
 The position of the former has been a matter of dispute, which Dr. Sven Hedin has set at rest. The ancient lake has now completely dried up,b but on its north ern shore he found ruins of towns, settle ments and temples, as we'll as manu- scripts and tablets of tamarisk wood in Chinese characters, dating from the third to the fifth century of the present era, together with indubitable traces of an encient caravan road. His former jour ney was rewarded by similar archaeolog- ical discoveries further west in Turkes- tan so that evidently the region was much more fourishing some fifteen eer- turtles ago. Partly this has been the work of man but perhaps it is still more due to a cnange In climate. A very large portion of Central Asia, not only in the region east of the Thian-shan, but even in that to the west of this chain, seems to be gradually drying up. but what may be the cause of the desccation no one can venture to declare positively.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-11-03
The Dust Devil.

For the past three days .he Dust Devil has been rampant" remarked a man in the lobby. During the past sum mer since the city has been doing it's own sprinlSling the dust has not been as bad as formerly, but with the ad- vent of the autumnal gusts of wind in connection with the long drought we have had the dust is now become intol- erable. The few watering carts are lost in the haze, for when weather conditions are as at present a few watering carts more or less really have little effect. Birmingham covers a vast area of terri tory and the soil here is light and in clined to be dusty. It would require a thousand water carts to sprinkle the en- tire city, so when the dust devil becomes rampant the only thing 10 do is to pray for rain.
 If the city would be induced to sprinkle the unpaved streets with oil I think it would prove very satisfactory. Summer before last this was tried on one square of Fifth avenue, and while very little oil was used, 1t was very marked how free this square was from dust. The wo- men living on it were delighted with the experiment. There was practically no odor and all the disagreeable results predicted at the time to follow the use of oil were conspicuous by their absence.
 q wish the matter would be again agitated, but I fear 1t is like the leak ing roof to the turkey buzzard's home Every time 1t rained he swore he was going to fix 1t as soon as it stopped, and as soon as it stopped raining there was no need to fix it."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-11-03
EDUCATING THE FILlPINOS

From the Boston Journal.
 It is now a little more than a year since there was witnessed what was, seriously considered, one of the most impressive spectacles of modern civiliza- American men and women, graduates of American colleges and teachers in Amer lean schools, for the Philippines, to in- augurate on large scale the work of educating the F'ilipinos.
 The system had to be established de novo by Dr. Atkinson, the general su- perintendent of public instruction in the islands, and his assistants The Ameri- can teachers spend four hours a day teaching the native children, and give one hour of instruction daily to the na- tive teachers. They also instruct night schools; in which governors of provinces. presidents of towns and all classes are found enrolled. The efforts of the de- partment have been chiefly devoted to primary schools, but one grammar or high school has begun it's work at Manila and others are planned in various provin- cial capitals. There is to be some man. ual training in every school, and agricul- tural schools also are planned It is, of course, too soon to report in detail upon results. But although the benefits and the characteristics of a free public school system are as yet imperfectly under stood by the people. there Is a gratify- ing increase in the enrolment, and Dr. Atkinson finds the Filipino children un- occasionally quicker at the .'uptake, T
 as the Scotch would say, than American children, which is attributable in part to their maturing so much earlier. Alto. gether the system has a good start, ant considering the brief time since it's es tablishment has already accomplished 6 great deal for popular enlightenment.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-11-03
A DEED AND A WORD.

By Charles Mackey. little stream had lost It's way
 Amid the grass and fern; passing stranger scooped a we'll
 Where weary men might turn; He walled 1t in, and hung with care A ladle at the brink; He thought not of the deed he did,
 But judged that all might drink He passed again, and To! the well, i By summer never dried, Had cooled ten thousand parching tongue And saved life beside. A nameless man, amid a crowd
 That thronged the daily mart, Let fall a word of hope and love,
 Unstudied, from the heart; A whisper on the tumult thrown,
 A transitory breath It raised a brother from the dust, It saved soul from death. O germ! o fount! O word of love!
 o thought at random cast! Ye were but little at the first. But mighty, at the last
The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-11-03
Countino the Cotton Crop.

The census bureau and the depart ment of agriculture are both engaged at present in measuring the cotton crop, and the rival figures will next week be before the public, when the merits and demerits of the two plans can be more intelligently canvassed.
 The department of agriculture en- lists the services of three sets of esti- nlators, one set covering a state, an other set particular counties, and the