davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-07

MT. Cleveland left the White House. No one has shown that any grafting took place in the postofiee department until after the democrats went out of office, but it was begun soon after wards, and 1t went on continuously until General Bristow began to investi- gate the various branches of the serv- ice He found plenty of rottenness in every direction. The entire service was permeated with it.
 The problem now Is, what will the republicans do towards rendering such rascality impossible hereafter? This is the real essence and inWardness of the situation. If no steps of proven tion are taken, all will know that a revival of grating is but a matter of time. What is needed is a thorough change in methods, and a thorough sitting of all contracts. There are no gratis in army contracts, and there need be none in postoffice contracts if the needful reforms are instituted. General Bristow has rendered the coun- try excellent service. He has been unsparing and alert, and his work should be followed up with regulations
  or laws that will keep the grafter out of the postoffice department hereafter. Thus far nothing in that direction has been done, and the gains to the public interest are therefore temporary. There Is no assurance that contracts next year will not go by favor. They as- suredly will unless the methods in the department are radically changed The country expects reforms of a perma- nent and preventive nature, and thus far nothing of lne kind has been pre- sented.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-07
THE SOLITARY REAPER.
By Wordsworth.

 Behold her. single in the field,
 Ton solitary Highland lass Reaping and singing by herself;
 Stop here, or gently pass! Alone she cuts and binds the grain, And sings melancholy strain: O, listen! for the vale profound Is overfiowing with the sound. No nightingale did ever chant
 More welcome notes to weary hands Of travellers in some snady haunt
 Among Arabian sands; A voice so thrilling ne'er was heard In springtime from the cakoo bird, Breaking the silence of the seas Among the farthest Hebrides. Will no one tell me what she sings?
 Perhaps the plaintive numbers flow For old, unhappy. far off things.
 And battles long ago; Or is it some more humble ray, Familiar matter of today? Some natural sorrow, loss, or pain, That has been and may be againf Whate'er the theme the maiden sang
 As if her song could have no endinBs I saw her singing at her work,
 And o'er the sickle bending I listened motionless and still; And. as I mounted up the hill.$ The music in my heart I bore. Long after 1t was heard no mors.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-07
A Ticket to the Show.

q saw a pathetic incident on a street corner this evening"" said gentleman at one of the hotels yesterday" A meanly dressed girl was vending her way home after the days work was over at nearby laundry. There was little pros pect that she would attend the theatre that night and her thoughts were prob ably far away when she caught sight of an envelope lying on the sidewalk. Pick ing it up she found within d reserved seat ticket for a performance at one of the theatres. I was standing close by and noticed the joy that lighted up her face. But her elation was transient and coulc readily see that she was pondering wheth- CT to keep the ticket or inquire for its owner.
 "The little struggle was soon over, how ever and she ran after a lady who was walking down the street a short distance ahead. This was evidently the owner of the ticket, for I saw her look at the girl in surprise make a nasty search in her purse, and then glance at the seat num- ber The woman hesitated a moment and then gave the ticket back to the girl, who skipped away with a smile of thanks That night I saw her occupying parquet seat at the Jefferson near the front. Her shabby clothes and dreary life was for gotten. Judging from her face 1t was the happiest evening she had spent in many months"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-07
Committee Assiunments.

Alabama need not feel dissatisfied with the minority assignments to com mittee service, while MT. Underwood and MT. Taylor are on the appropria- tions committee, MT. Bankhead on the rivers and harbors committee, MT. Clayton on the judiciary committee, and MT. Thompson on the banking and currency committee. These are lead ing committees, not outranked by any save the ways and means and the rules committees. Minority service on the two last-named committees are very empty honors. Messrs. Underwood, Taylor and Bankhead are placed where they can serve Alabama to the best possible advantage. MT. Bowie repre- sents an agricultural district, and his assignment to the agriculture commit tee will enable him to fight the battles of the farmers, whether the battle re- late to the boil weevil or to any other question relating to the leading indus tfy of the state. MT. Burnett is as- signed to three committees, including the public lands committee. MT. Wiley will be at home on the militia commit tee, which is one of new and added importance. Judge Richardson is a member of the interstate and foreign commerce committed
 Alabama has no right to complain of her assignments in the house. MT. Underwood is a member of the import ant irrigation and arid lands commit tee but his service to Alabama will be largely confined to the all-important appropriations committee. No other state has two members on that com mittee Alabama will hereafter stand for the flag and all the appropriations that Alessrs. Underwood and Taylor can secure.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-07
coNQUERlNG CONSUMPTION.

From the New York World.
 The opening of the new dining hall for the citys consumptive patients still fur ther increases the usefulness to the com munity of the wonderful little village of Good Hope which within the past five years has sprung up on Blackwell's Isl- and
 Here in the heart of New York cures as remarkable are accomplished as any claimed for the health resorts of the Ad- irondacks and by the same means-the rigid vigorous and never-resting enforce ment of the open-air rule. The new din- ing hall can be opened wide in summer; in winter transoms high above the win dows admit abundant air. The tent hos pitals are so arranged that an ignorant or obstinate patient cannot possibly stop the draughts." This insistence upon pure air. with the scientific diet-the famous "eight little meals day. system-are all the cure.
 The direct value of the treatment of some 15O0 people in a year is great, but patient returning to his home is an evan gel of the gospel of fresh air. And it is needed.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-07
THt ONLY DAILY NEWSPAPER IN ALABAMA
PItehy night.
 -AlPs We'll That Ends We'll.
General Woods Rapid Promotion.

It is scarcely possible that all the charges that have been brought out before the senate committee on mili- tary affairs are true. The charges re- ] late to General Wood, both as man and an officer. It is asserted that he corruptly favored the jai alai gambling concern; that his intimate friend and associate was Bellairs, an ex-convict; that he attempted to enrich his wife's relatives through paving contracts, and so on to the end of the chapter Gen. eral Brooke reinforces such personal attacks with charges that touch his standing as a soldier and an officer. It is scarcely reasonable to assume that all these charges are true, and it is certainly best that General Wood should be recalled to refute them.
 But the truth or falsity of the pend- ing charges do not go to the morrow of the case, namely, why was an assist ant surgeon jumped over the heads of scores of experienced and faithful off cers to a nomination for major gen. eral? Such a speedy rise was an in- justice to every one of the officers he jumped. If he were a great soldier or a great administrator such a promotion might be excused, but even then it would not be fully justified in times of peace In war rapid promotions occur, but there is no parallel or precedent for the Wood case in days of profound peace General Wood is by no means a great man. He is man of fair abil- ity. whose military experience has been very limited. It is simply impos sible to render President Roosevelt's promotion of General Wood proper, just and reasonable. It is the very re- verse of all these, independent of the current charges that have been re- hearsed before Senator Proctor's com mittee. The real objection lies not so much in General Woods record as to President Roosevelt's rapid and undue promotion of Rough Rider favorite.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-07
Dowie should draw on Australia.
ONLY ONE THING.

From Life.
 will you forgive mel"
 The young and beautiful girl buried her face in her hands.
 Alas" she murmured, when I told you last night that I loved you and when allowed you to press your attentions upon me, fear that was not conscien- tious enough. The truth is that the beau- ty of the night and the influence of the full moon-all the surroundings, had such a sentimental influence upon me as to make me lose myself. Will you forgive me?"
 The man she addressed, overcome by the sad truth. was for a time too much moved to answer. But, stihing his emo ton, at last by a supreme effort he mur- mured: And is there no hope? Can nothing be done7"
 Nothing she sobbed. "Nothing-ex- cept to walt for another night like that"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-07
Let Us Gef Together.

The Montgomery Advertiser practi- cally accepts MT. Cleyeland's with drawal as final, although 1t adds: "The pendulum is swinging back to his views and it is within the bounds of possi- bility that the next six or seven months may so unify and concentrate demo cratic sentiment in that direction that he will be nominated without dissent. In that case he would accept ahs be elected" But still the Advertiser thinks the suggested contingency is improbable, and it proceeds to select a successor, as follows:
 Tt may be Parker or Shepard or Ol- mentioned. but he will be a man whose democracy is without flaw. There will be no more experiments and no more po- 1itcal pyrotechnic. The convention will choose a man and build a platform with a view to securing the support of all the thinking, conservative people of the coun- try, and for that result we may largely give credit to MT. Cleveland"
 Our esteenied contemporary thus rules out Arthur Pue German, the trusted leader of democratic senators, the man who fought down and out the Force bill, the statesman who stands for white supremacy. The Advertiser might at least have placed MT. German at the tail of it's eligible list but this it refused to do, and MT. German must submit as best he can to suppression on the part of the Advertiser. He is not even placed by our esteemed con temporary among those who "also ran" !"
 After all, is it best in these piping times of peace and absence of bitter partisanship to bar out in such a ruth less manner a democrat whom demo- cratic senators and democratic lead CTS confide in and earnestly seek? If his judgment be good in the senate why would it not be equally good at the other end of the Avenue? MT Bryan and MT. Cleveland are out of the race, and now is the time for demo- crats to drop favorite sons and earnest ly seek for a man who can solidify the democratic vote and roll up majorities in doubtful states. regardless of post offices, preconceived notions or other triies.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-07
Pure Food Law.

"I hope that our next legislature will enact pure food law" said prominent citizen last night. To give you an ex- ample of how badly this legislation is needed I will give an incident that came under my personal observation. Last sum- mer a well dressed young man walked n- to one of the leading grocery stores of Birmingham and purchased barrel of chemical vinegar at ten cents a gallon. A few minutes afterwards he returned with an old wagon with a mule to match that he had rented from a backwoods farmer. The young man had doned the clothes of typical backwoodsman and had as- sumed the drawl peculiar to one accustom- ed to peddling. He drove around to the small merchants of the district and re" tailed this vinegar out to them at thirty cents a gallon. In this way he disposed of three barrels during the day. l was informed afterwards that this shrewd young man has worked the majority of the cities in our states where there is no pure food law.
 "Others reasons why Alabama should enact a pure food law is that all these limitations are made in other states and shipped here, hence 1t wouldn't injure any of our industries. A majority of the states have this law and the expenses of living in them are no more than they are in Alabama"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-07
Churches on Fifth Avenue.

With the completion of the First Chris tian church there will be four handsome church buildings on Fifth avenue" said minister yesterday morning. "This at tractlve edifce will be ready for occupan- cy within the next few weeks. It is To- cated on the corner of Fifth avenue and Twenty-irst street and is one of the most impressive buildings of Birmingham.
 The other churches along Fifth avenue are the First Cumberland Presbyterian church. Temple Emanuel and the Central Presbyterian church. The first and last named are located on Eighteenth street and Fifth avenue, while the Temple is located on Seventeenth street, facing West End park
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-07
From the New York Sun.

From the New York Sun.
 N o American citizen has ever re. 0l jected the presidential nomina- tion of the convention of great political party.
 The vice presidency has been declined. Silas Wright of New York was nominat- ed for the vice presidency by the dem ocratic national convention in 1S44, but he declined the honor, which thereupon was conferred upon George M. Dallas of Penn- sylvania.
 It will be remembered that Horatio Sey- mour in 1868 presided over the democratic national convention, which was held in New York city. That is post which MT. Seymour never would have occupied had he supposed that his name would be brought forward in the convention as candidate for the office of chief magis- trate. When a first move was made in that direction he solemnly told the con vention: "Your candidate I cannot be-" When, nevertheless, the convention was stampeded for him, he withdrew in great agitation from the hall and only with ex- treme reluctance consented to accept the nomination. In the end, however, he did accept it, because he believed 1t to be his duty.
 On another occasion, namely, at the republican national convention held at Chicago in 1880, a nomination for the presidency was conferred against the will of the recipient. Senator Hoar 1t will be remembered, presided over that conven- ton. From his account of the transaction in his recently published autobiography 1t
 is evident that he has no doubt of Gar fields good faith. The latter not only made the speech nominating John Sher- man, but faithfully supported him on every ballot. At the close of the thirty fourth ballot, when Garfield received 17 votes, he rose to question of order, and challenged the correctness of the an- nouncement. 'oThe announcement" he said, contains votes for me. No man has a right, without the consent of the person voted for, to announce that per- sons name and vote for him in this con- yention Such consent I have not given" He was about to say more, when MT. Hoar, who, as we have mentioned, was in the chair. interrupted him. 'The gen. tleman from Ohio is not stating a ques- ton of order. He will resume his seat. No person having received a majority of the votes cast. another ballot will be taken. The clerk will call the roll'' Mr. Hoar's comment on the incident in his autobiography is: 'I was terribly afraid that he would say something that would make his nomination impossible. I do not believe it ever happened before that anybody who attempted to decline the presidency of the United States was prevented by a point of order, or that such a thing will ever happen again.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-07
Presidential Politics.

In little party of patriots assembled by chance in one of the hotel Hobbies last night the probabilities and chances for 1904 were discussed In the party were Roosevelt republicans and anti-Roosevelt republicans; eastern democrats and west ern democrats. The prevailing opinion on the republican side was that Roosevelt was not as strong with his party as he was six months ago but that he would probably be nominated.
 '1t is mistake to think that Roose- welt has a walkover for the nomination" said one of the republicans. He may have make him the standard bearer, but if so. he will have to fight hard for the honor. There is now stronger sentiment for Hanna than ever before. Roosevelt can not possibly get the nomination by accla- nation"
 One of the democrats present in this pow WOW was George Cortelyou of New York He is an ardent partisan of Mir Hearst, Since Mir Cleveland's declina- can carry New York. He can do that easily, l think. And Hearst is strong in many of the double states. The republi- cans are very doubtful about carrying Illinois. Mir. Hearst or any other strong democratic candidate could win Illinois '
 Three or four democrats in the party spoke up and protested that German was the best man to nominate. He, they said. would be a sure winner.
 commit Q a meets in Washington next Friday to fix time and place for the national conven' tion. Chicago is almost certain to get the convention.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-07
The Seaboard.

"The passenger department of the Sea- board Air Line made a great record last season and it will make even greater this winter" said w B. Clements of At lanta travelling passenger agent. "Our New York and Florida Limited made a great hit by running on time. During the entire Florida season this train was late only three times and only once was it more than 30 minutes late in reaching its Florida terminus.
 People who travel for pleasure these days are in a terrible hurry. It is fun n.y. as we railway men say, for there is no earthly reason why tourists with time hanging on their hands should bother about fast schedules. But it is a fact that these pleasure seekers are always looking up fast schedules. The Seaboard is enabled to make time by limiting the size of its trains. We ran only five cars to train last winter-we will run six this season, but owing to our excellent Transportation service we will have no difficulty in making a record"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-07
Against Her Principles.
WOMAN'S DANGER.
New York World.

From the New York World
 When Dr. Dix deplores "the steady de- cline of womanhood from it's old ideals" and fits deterioration through copying the ways and invading the sphere of mem the first impulse of every man, re- calling the noble women of his own &C., quaintance, is to resent the imputation. But when we put personal feeling aside and look over the whole field as disclosed in the current news and in un-impeacha- ble statistics 1t is impossible to resist the, conviction that the rector of Trinity Is right. American women of the classes with which he deals have deteriorated from the old ideals of womanhood
 Would it have been possible fifty or even twenty years ago for two divorced per sons in fashionable society to have a wedding the very day of the womans di- vorce decree, at which five of the ten guests had been themselves divorced?
 In 1900 the census takers found 114,677 di- vorced women in the United States. and the statistician in charge warns us that this is an underestimate, since many divorcees describe themselves as single.
 The American woman is threatened with ruin from megalomania. Her head has been turned by adulation, and in her worship of self she forgets duty to hus- band, family and country. She becomes unpatriotic. bartering her republican birthright for foreign titles. She becomes extravagant, shallow and vain. She is forgetting how to manage home. She frsu r1la nlaaS- ure, and often from husband to husband. Man has placed her upon pedestal, but such stern yet needful demonition as that of Dr. Dix proves that 1t is oegin- ming to topple from her own acts.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-07
Railroad Experiences.

S. A. Allen of Nashville, one of the most popular conductors on the Louis7 vile and Nashville railroad is at the Florence. Mir. Allen is chairman of the executive committee of the conductors of the Louisville and Nashville system. which will hold a meeting in Birming- ham this week. He has been running on the Louisville and Nashville for twen- ty-five years. In relating some of his ex- periences he said:
 'I nave been remarkably fortunate dur ing my service on the road. have been in many wrecks and have had many nar- row escapes, but have never been in
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-07
IN HOTEL LOBBIES
captain Ward Mentioned.

A prominent lawyer from the Black Belt said yesterday. referring to the su- preme court bench: "I hear a good deal of talk here and In my section of Capt W. c. Ward in that connection, and I am glad of it. l believe if he consents to run, that he will very likely get the solid support of this, his home county; and I think he would easily get Dallas, Perry and Hall counties where he is well known and popular, and probably several other middle Alabama counties to start with"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-07
Graftinu in the Postoifice.

The public is interested not so much in the conviction of the thirteen graft CTS of the postoffice department who have been indicted, as they are in the taking of steps that will prevent rep etition of corrupt contracts for post office supplies as soon as public ob- servation is withdrawn from the rake offs that have been going on ever since
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-07
PRESIDENCY DESIRED
 ABOVE ALL POSITIONS

We repeat that never has nomination for the presidency been refused, when rendered by a great political party speak ing through its national convention.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-07

Mark Hanna's ship subsidy scheme has been postponed to the Fifty-ninth congress, when a democratic house will crush the he out of 1t.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-07

The long pre-Presidential session of congress will pc begun today, and both sides in it will work with an eye single to next November.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-07

The Congressional Record is full of jokes, and it may yet join the colored supplement brigade.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-07

The anti-microbe brigade has de- clared that handkerchiefs are full of peril and should be abolished.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-07

Race suicide does not prevail in the St. Louis family which has just wei comed. so to speak, it's fifth pair of twins.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-07

Bro. Dowie is now sorry, no doubt, that he talked so wildly and savagely against the newspapers.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-07

Birmingham is fast becoming an educational center. We still need, how ever, a technological school for whites.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-07

Prof. Langley declines to fly while the ice crop lasts. Water is much softer to butt into than ice.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-07

Cleveland's unalterable intentions are not considered conclusive by the Montgomery Advertiser.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-07

Threatened men live long, and the threats of libel suits against General Bristow will never materialize.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-07

The Panama canal treaty will be fully ripe in the seante when the long session is opened.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-07

Mir. Rockefeller is billed to act as Santa Claus for Dr. Harper's aggrega- tion of Chicago professors.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-07

The Dowie followers are afraid Eli lah will slip away to Australia and never come back.