davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-03-11
Wet Weather and the crnns.

All winter long rain has fallen in the cotton belt, and there seems to be no end to the precipitation. This rain fall is hurtful in the south, because it delays and lessens planting operations. and already 1t is declared that the crop will be backward ana proportionately reduced. The land has not been pre- pared to the extent that it would have been if the fall of moisture had been less persistent, and great acreage in cotton has become well-nigh impossi- ble. Especially Is this the case in Texas, where early planting is resorted to as remedy against the boil weevil.
 With the best of weather hereafter. the crop will be started under unfavor- able conditions. It will be late and the preparations for the seed will not be as thorough as they would have been If there had been plenty of dry weather in which ploughing could have been done. The best Judges of the situation say these conditions will lessen the acreage materially, and one correspondent puts the loss to the crop in Texas at ten per cent.
 However, there is much time yet left in which cotton may be planted, and the high prices prevailing will be apt to put increased energy in all farmers, and 1t Is possible that the loss in work on account of wet weather will be to some extent overcome, except in Texas where the boil weevil is a growing danger. Altogether it must be said that the prospect for a great crop is not exceedingly bright. An average crop is still, however, a possibility.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-03-11
New Immigration Law.

The law enacted by the last congress applies not only to the mainland, but to the new possessions also. Every immigrant must hereafter pay a head tax of $2, and epileptics, the insane, professional beggars, and anarchists cannot gain entrance on any terms. By the word anarchists" are meant all who believe in or advocate the over throw of government, including the assassination of government officials All such may De deported within two years, if they succeed in coming in.
 Alien contract laborers cannot come in, and the new law is much more comprehensive in this respect than the old law. Any one who comes in pur- suance of any offer or solicitation may be excluded. Any skilled labor may come in "if labor, of like kind, unem- ployed, cannot be found in this coun- try" This clause Is, however, impera- tive, and smacks strongly of the dema- goglsm that put it in the bill. The provision as to contract labor does not apply to actors, singers and the like, but it does apply to the skilled me- chanic, the common laborer, and the ditch digger, none of whom can come in under contracts made abroad.
 Vessels that bring a contagious dis ease are to be fined, and no immi grant can land until he or she has been ex- amined by surgeons of the marine hos pital service. This should ensure the sending back of the insane that Euro pean governments make 8 practice of sending to this country. The bill pro vides for a commissioner general of immigration who is to have charge of all other immigration officials, and no conflict can hereafter arise between customs and immigration officers. The business is hereafter to be put in con- trol of the commissioner general of immigration.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-03-11
COLLEGES ON WHEELS.

From the Boston Globe.
 The Emperor William is about to place the great medical men of his empire on wheels and put them where they will do the most good. Such word-renowned spe- eialists as Professors Lasspr. Bergman and Rumpf will be fitted cut with ] great medicine chest and laboratory and sent into the country. This is so that small country doctors who seldom come to town, can have an opportunity to come to the nearest city in their province for week or two once year and hear the leaders of their profession explain the latest processes for treatment or see celebrated surgeons operate. The gov efnment will pay all the bills. while tho most difficult cases of surgery on the road will be gathered up for practice. The college on wheels is a good idea. It can be made to serve good turn in times of war. 4
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-03-11
SHOULD IT BE IS OR ARE2
The Question of Singular and Plural
 Interestingly Discussed.

From the New York Commercial
 Writers have noticed the growing in- cllnation to drop the plural verb when ever possible with such subjects as "com- mittee,' "John Smith & Co.," and so on, and use only the singular verb. Lovers of correct usage are often puzzled as to which is correct, and in the big news paper offices varying styles" are de- manded. the singular prevailing
 That those authorities on English, the instructors of youth in the universities, might contribute to the direction of those desirous of being correct inquiry was de- livered to Harvard Columbia and Johns Hopkins Questions were put as foliows
 Please inform me whether this sen- tence is correct J. P. Moran & Co.,, is going to move April l. Can J. P. Nor gan &s Go. be called a collective noun? When is the singular verb to be used and when the plural verb?
 Johns Hopkins university replied to the questions as follows:
 Both forms are correct If you use J. P. Morgan & Co., as equivalent to the firm doing business under the style of J. P. M. & Co., it is a sin~ular noun.
 "If you have in mind the several per- sons composing the firm, it is plural.
 ''In such a phrase as J. Smith & Co.,. is one of the strongest houses li. the trade the singular would be positively indicated.
 "On the other hand, J. Smith & Co. are as honorable men as you can find anywhere should be plural
 Harvard makes this reply "Whatever logic there may be in calling J. P. Nor gan and Company a collective noun, good 1 use-so far as can judge-is wholly on the side of a plural verb for such com- bination. The question when to use a plural verb is, with such subject, deli- cate. We may say The committee are of one mind" when we think of the mem bers individually as coming to the same conclusion; we may say The committee Is of the same opinion, when we think of the committee as a unit and nothing else. Similarly there are occasions for saying The United States are and occasions for saying The United States is.' Personal ly I do not object to a man saying either The committee is of the opinion or The committee are of the opinion,' if he is careful to make his pronouns consistent with his verbs"
 The instructor of English at Columbia university replies, Yes" to the ques- tion, 'Is the sentence, J. P. .Aorgan & Co. is going to move April l. correct?"
 "Yes," is also the answer to the ques- ton, ''Can J. P Morgan & Co., be called collective noun?'
 To the question, ''When Is the singu- lar verb to be used and when the plural verb?" he replies:
 When the subject is, or Is considered as, one person or thing or collective of persons or things; the plural verb could possibly also be used in this instance but it would imply that the writer thought of the members of J. P. Morgan & Co. as individuals"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-03-11
Govarnor LonuIno's CandIdacY.

Governor Longino cannot be re-eleet- ed governor, the constitution of Mis- sissippi prohibiting second terms, and he must therefore seek a seat in con gross, or go out of political life. He has decided to be a candidate for the seat now filled by Senator Money, and the race between the two will be very warm.
 In Mississippi, a state of advanced and progressive political ideas, every candidate for office from a national senator to a beat constable must first be accepted by popular vote in a pri- mary The next state primary will be held in Mississippi in August, although the legislature will not meet until next January. Governor Longlno has al ready issued an address to the people, and he is now engaged in stumping the state and no doubt Senator Money will do likewise as soon as the senate ad- iourns. The factions in Mississippi are somewhat split up, and it is difficult at this distance to say which of the two men has the better chance.
 Governor Longino says in his ad- dress:
 The voters of Mississippi are supreme in the matter of making nominations for all offiees-from constable to United States senator. The primary election law, which 1 had the honor to recommend in each biennial message which have sub mitted to the legislature, and which be- came a law by my approval and sigma ture, despite much adverse criticism, puts each elector of the state on equal foot ing, leaving him free to voice his indivld- ual sentiment at the polls, and 1t Is to them that I commit my cause in this, my new ambition, feeling that their yer diet at the polls will be just. whatever the result may be.
 Alabama is well-nigh surrounded by states that have adopted the primary system in all cases, from senator to onstable-Georgia on the east, Flor ida on the south and Mississippi on the west But Alabama herself has not come up to the standard, for she has not as yet selected United States sena- tors by popular vote. The rule should be extended to senators, and in 1907 every candidate should be compelled to appeal to the people, who are the best and truest sources of political power in this or any other country. The convention system has been abol- ished in this state, and the primary system commends itself at every turn, and 1t should be extended to every office in the state from senator to con Etabln Dpev Fra rd
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-03-11
TO FIND THE LIFE GERM.
pr. Jacques Loeb Confident It Can Be
 Done.

San Francisco, March S.-Dr. Jacques Loeb, head of the new department of physiology in the University of Caiifor- mia. delivered hrs first lecture there, under the management of the Harvey club. He chose for his subject "Is a Complete Scientific Explanation of Life Phenomena Possible?'
 pr. Loeb explains that he did not now hold the secret of artificial life but he was satisfied that a scientific explanation of life phenomena would be developed in the future. as, reasoning from avail able premises resulting from scientific re- search up to the present, the problem was not beyond the possibility of solution in the domain of chemistry and physics.
 The logic of science must rest on the assumption that life phenomenon had been explained completely as soon as it was possible to control it unequivocably by physical or chemical means or to re- peat it in all detail on inanlmate material.
 ''We cannot admit" said the professor. that there is any obstacle to our com plete control and. in consequence, our knowledge of life phenomena. Every one, I believe, who recognizes the control of life phenomena to be the great problem of scientific investigation will come to the same conclusion."-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-03-11
LONG TRIPS FOR POWER.
A Transmission Circuit of 21e Miles In,
 California.

From the New York World.
 The longest ower-transmission circuit on the Atlantic seaboard, according to Thomas commerford Martin, writing in the Review of Reviews. is that from shawinigin Falls. eighty-four miles, to Montreal Soon the same force will be available in Quebec, ninety miles away. In California. however. there Is circuit of 216 miles from the Sierras to San Fran cisco.
 Shawinigin Falls can develop 100000 horsepower. Besides supplying Montre al and Quebec 1t will furnish unlimited energy to local industries. The made to-order" town of Shawinigin has grown 5000 in few years.
 The wires are made from aluminium ex- tracted from the neighborhood soil; they are borne on 5000 poles cut from the for est just at hand.
 The falls of Tivoli, in Italy, are only seventeen miles from Rome, but the fact that there Augustus sat in judgment Hadrian built his villa and later Roman emperors played with the cascades plan ming grottoes that still remain, makes the development of the power to run trolley cars and electric lights in Rome rather interesting.
 There would not be much left of the problems of heating and lighting if power could be transmitted without loss, and stored without too great expense. No bother with furnaces and smutty coal. no building fires, no matches, no lamps! Turn button and everything is ready, from a steak broiler to a pair of curling tongs.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-03-11
IN HOTEL LoBBIES.
Mr. Bradshaw h the City.


 Caldwell Bradshaw, who has been In Los Angeles. Cal, with his family TOT several months arrived in Birmingham yesterday afternoon and will remain about week or ten days, after which time he will return to his family at Los Angeles
 His visit at the present time is purely of business nature, but he talked ln- terestingly yesterday evening or Los Angeles and the impression it made on him.
 "Of course Los Angeles depends larse- ly for business on tourists who visit the place in large numbers from all parts or the country" said MT. Bradshaw. And 1t really is delightful place to live, but it has its disadvantages as well as It's good points. One of the most remark able things to me is the source or it's water supply. The Los Angeles river Is about 150 yards wide and all the water one can see in it is a little stream in the middle that would easily run through a a-inch pipe. There is some sort of sub terranean stream that runs along under the gravel of the river bed, but it is en- tirely invisible
 'The town of Redlands shows Califor- mia at it's best. It Is beautifully laid off. and the landscape gardening is exquisite. Roses and flowers grow everywhere. The Redlands orange also brings the highest price in the market"
 MT. Bradshaw said he didn't have his mind down to business yet and did not care to talk of his plans while in the city. He reports that his family is well and that he himself has improved in health since going west and that he has entirely recovered from the effects of the injuries received in the runaway last summer.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-03-11
Lent and Theatre-Golnn.

"The great rush for seats for the Mans field performance at the Jefferson when the box office opened this morning was a commentary on the way people keep Lent" said a citizen.
 q have been patron of the theatre for many years, but I do not recall a time when so many good church people were as clamorous to see play as they are to see Julius Caesar next Friday night. It Is a great drama-according to my taste the most masterful of all of Shakespeare's historic plays. Therefore 1 readily understand why pepople of cul- ture are eager to see the performance, I am only commenting on the religious men and women who were brought up with the idea of observing the season of Lent"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-03-11
THE ONLY DAILY NEWSPAPER " ALABAMA
Aufidlus, though 1 cannot make true
 wars, I'll frame convenient peace. -CorioIanus.
Fries Cotton NH Meroer.

The Textile Excelsior says the work of the Southern Textile company that MT. Fries and his associates are form ing will be confined to the smaller mills, averaging about 1000 spindles each, located chiefly in the Carolinas. The number to be taken in is said to be about sixty-f1ve, although one hun I dred may in the end be absorbed by tahe new trust. The Textile Excelsior says in relation to its
 ssIf it be true, as reports have stated, That tfis combination will be made up of smaller and, in most instances, less pros porous mills, the south may welcome it as an advantage to such. some of which through a lack of capital, proper man agement and various causes. are unable at present to secure 8 remunerative pro- duction, an obstacle which, through the combination. will be relieved. as 1t Is re- ported there will be no lack of funds, which means under the prevailing mar ket conditions an assured spurt in the production and machinery and equipment interests of the southern textile field"
 This aspect of the case is very en- couraging. The big mills will stand on their own bottoms, and the small mills will be combined for mutual aid and protection. If this be the plan no one can reasonably object to the Fries scheme. The smaller mills need all the help they can get, and the merger is short and comprehensive road to sIlcb aid
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-03-11
About Persons.

John NJ. Sully and John B. Lagarde of Anniston are registered at the Morris. J. B. Ryan of Patton Is at the Hillman. Robert Sprunt, Jr., of Boston is stopping at the Morris.
 w. J. Weldon of Wilsonville Is at the Metropolitan.
 L. A. Msison of San Francisco is reg istered at the 1Iillman.i
 Ralph G. Richard of Mobile Is at the Morris.
 W. T. Yeatman of Dora is stopping at the Metropolitan.
 E. D. Reynolds of Boston is at the Hll- man.
 w. B. Neece of Huntsville Is at the Morris.
 William Johnson of Montgomery is reg istered at the Metropolitan.
 pr. Charles Drennen will return today from Orlando, Fla
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-03-11
Wall streets new idol is Aldrich.
CHRISTIAN SCIENTISTS WIN.

Raleigh, N C., March 10.-Christian Scientists won their fight before the gen. eral assembly of North Carolina yester- day, when the law to define the practice of medicine and surgery which would make illegal the practice of their faith in North Carolina was amended to read:
 Provided, That this act does not apply to any person who ministers or cures the sick or afflicted by spiritual means only-prayer to Almighty God-without the use of drugs or any material means
 The amendment was worded by Miss Mary Hatch Harrison of the Christian Science publication committee for North Carolina. The bill passed it's final reading in the senate without a dissenting vote
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-03-11
Inclined Elevators.

In stores and hotels, and on elevated railroads and subways, in the large cities of the country, the inclined ele- vator is supplanting the vertical con trivance that occasionally drops with out warning, and makes all nervous that use it. The new elevator is thus described:
 The moving incline consists of series of hard wood slats or treads of special form, attached to an endless chain, rotat- ed by sprocket wheel. These slats have fastened to them series of rubber coy cred longitudinal ridges, each being three quarters of an inch in width and one inch high. These serve as a comfortable foot ing for the passengers and also insure a practically smooth and safe landing at the upper end of the machine.
 The endless tread chain. besides passing over the sprocket wheel at the upper end of the machine, also passes over an idler sprocket wheel at the lower end. Attach ed to the shaft of the upper wheels is {, direct connecting electric motor. The speed of the motor. $50 r. P. m., is thus reduced to about IA r. D. m.. at the driv- ing sprocket, which gives the moving incline a speed of 90 feet per minute In order to steady the passenger in his as- cent and descent on the machine, a nov Ing hand rail is provided.
 These elevators are popular because they are absolutely safe, and they are never crowded There is always an- other step for the person waiting to go up higher. The operation of the
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-03-11
FABLE.

By Ralph Waldo Emerson. The mountain and the squirrel Had a quarrel;
 And the former called the latter Little
 Prig."
 Bun replied, .'You are doubtless very big; But all sorts of things and weather Must be taken in together, To make up a year And a sphere.
 And I think it no disgrace -- To occupy my place.
 If I'm not so large as you, You are not so small as 1. And not half so spry. I'll not deny you make A very pretty squirrel track; Talents differ; all is well and wisely put; If I cannot carry forests on my back. Naither can you crack nllt-'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-03-11

republican ticket. Alabama is absolutely certain to give her electoral votes to the democratic ticket. Which state is likely to have the greater influence in the next republican national convention? What could the party promise itself at the polls by permitting delegations from demo- cratic states to write it's platform and name it's candidates? When we hear about the hostility of the lily whites to the President and their purpose to bowl him over next year, 1t is to laugh.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-03-11
Top Story Reached

''Workmen have now reached the top story of the Title Guarantee steel frame building with the brick work" said a professional man yesterday. Now that the structure has taken definite form, l can see where it is a great advantage to have it narrow. The way that building is arranged every office in 1t will have a window, which is something rare for one containing so many rooms.
 Tt ought to make ideal offices for law yers. The abundance of light and the close proximity to the courthouse, will make it favorite among members of that profession
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-03-11

entire machine is noiseless. The hand rail has the speed of the rising steps, and it has a comfortable surface for passengers to steady themselves by. Altogether the vertical elevator has seen its best days except in tall build ings, where long flights cannot be eco nomically made on the inclined plan on account of the value of space.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-03-11
REFLECTIONS OF A BACHELOR.

From the New York Press
 It takes imagination to fall in love, and fortitude to stay there.
 When a man can't find any other trou- ble to get into he win begin to build a house.
 After a college graduate wears off some of his knowledge he has a chance to learn how to make something
 Two inalienable privileges of free born man are to growl at his breakfast and. kick against the goyernment.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-03-11
Georgia Peach Buds Killed.

Georgia peaches will doubtless be scarce this year." said fruit broker yes- terday. "E. J. Willlngham, one of the largest and most successful growers in Georgia, went through his orchard near Marshallville last week and after mak- ing a careful examination of his peach of the buds had been killed He says, however, that if no further freeze cuts off the 35 per cent left there will be a good yield, and the fruit will be of very fine quality.
 'Mr. Willingham states that the plum trees escaped any injury from the cold wave that killed the peach buds, ana there is promise of a big crop"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-03-11
MICHIGAN AND ALABAMA.

From the Washington Star.
 The republicans of Michigan declare for MT. Roosevelt and want him to succeed himself in the White House The repub- licans of Alabama, or a portion of them at least are opposed to him, and are can- vassing the subject of another candidate for President Michigan is reasonably certain to eiva her alanrarai votes to the
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-03-11

Miss Helen Kellar is no longer dumb, and if indeed one can be made to see without eyes, as an European scientist asserts, let us hope she may yet be- hold the beauties of nature. There is nothing too good for this Alabama rirl
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-03-11

If Chief Justice Fuller lives up to current Washington gossip he will re- tire within a year, and let President Roosevelt put republican in his nlacp
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-03-11

Wall street may be pannicky, but seats in the stock exchange are not, for the last one sold brought 2,OOO, a record-breaking price.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-03-11

This is the time in the year when Sir Thomas Lipton is sanguine to a degree.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-03-11

Senator Reed Shoots plurality of wives has not diminished his popular fty
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-03-11

On Grover Cleveland's lightning rod is engraved, "The tariff and the trusts"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-03-11

Mrs. catt is campaigning in New Hampshire in favor of woman suffrage, and the catt fight will be determined this week.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-03-11

Senator Clarke of Arkansas starts out handicapped with several non speaking-terms senators.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-03-11

The Wabash injunction and Judge Adams are under the limelight and neither is standing it well.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-03-11

Senator Alice is simply Addicks advance agent.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-03-11

Senator Morgan is not filibustering- he is simply argufying at length.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-03-11

Arthur Pue German is an instance of the saying You cannot keep a good man down."