davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-11-23
THE ONLY DAILY NEWSPAPER IN ALABAMA
Thanksuivinq Day.

The agitation now in progress In some sections of the country in favor of changing Thanksgiving day from Thursday to Monday will hardly im- press the chief executive of the nation who fixes the date of this holiday by an annual proclamation. For long time the last Thursday in November has been observed as the festival of Thanksgiving, and a custom that has tradition on its side will hold as an unwritten law.
 Those who favor change point out the fact that holiday coming on Thursday breaks into the busy mans week and makes the Friday and Sat urday following practically a vacation period. If the festival came on Mon- day, office men and wage workers would then have two entire days of rest together without unsettling the regular order of business. Labor day, they say, was fixed on Monday with that idea in view.
 But little interruption in the com mercial world does not cause loss or trouble to any interest in the long run The banks and exchanges observe number of holidays in the course oi the year, and no inconvenience worth considering arises from this fact. The United States has followed the old world in the matter of frequent holi- days until it has come to have as many festive days as any country in Europe.
 AS to holidays in general there is no national holiday in the United States-not even the Fourth of July. This fact is often printed in the news papers, but the statement never ceases to cause surprise, and frequent ly there are persons who are so sure all the older holidays observed throughout the country are legal na- tional holidays that they offer to put up wagers that such Is the case.
 Legal holidays are created by state legislatures. The Presidents procla nation for Thanksgiving makes tha' day a legal holiday in the District o Columbia, but it would not be lega holiday in any of the states without a statute. The Fifty-third congress passed an act making Labor Day a holiday In the District of Columbia but with that exception there Is no general statue on the subject of holi. days,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-11-23
Streets of Birminuham.

While Birmingham has improved many of it's streets in the business section much remains to be done in this direction, and as for the streets in the residence sections of the city they are greatly neglected Many miles of cement sidewalk have been laid within the past two years, and for this the municipal administration Is duly commended. But slow progress has been made in improving the city's road beds.
 Taken altogether Birmingham is a city of poor streets. There Is no ex- cuse for this. The property owners are assessed for the cost of paving streets and the city's finances, there fore, are not affected.
 Visitors form their impression of the thrift and character of a city largely by the condition of it's streets. Few features of a town make such favora- ble impressions as good sidewalks and well paved road beds. Residents of the Highlands who keep a horse and carriage would naturally be eager to take pleasure drives in the afternoon, but few streets in their neighborhood are fit for drives. Not many of them are as good as the country roads of Jefferson county.
 Repair work is done at the city's expense, but there Is no excuse fcr holes and ruts not being filled up. City carts should be kept busy all the year round hauling chert. Birmingham has first-class street commissioner. He earns every cent of his salary, for he attends to his duties intelligently and honestly, but he is limited in his operations for want of sufficient funds.
 Let the administration inaugurate a vigorous street improvement policy, and keep at it until every street in the center of the city is put in prime con- dition, and every driveway in outlying sections Is as smooth and solid as ap- proved modern methods makes possi- ble. Such a policy would give won- derful impetus to Birmingham values.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-11-23
Seaboard Air Line.

Expressions of qualification at the success of President John Skelton Williams in making arrangements to pay off the floating debt of the Sea board Air Line, and providing means with which to complete the extension of the road to Birmingham continues to appear in the southern papers. There has never been any question as to the high regard in which Mir Will lams is held by the public or as the high estimate which was placed in him as a factor in southern develop. ment. His integrity, pluck and public has been fully appreciated by the he took charge of the Seaboard busi- ness and began to weld various roads into a great system. It is gratifying revei theless to find the southern press unanimous in their words of comraen- dation al this time.
 Harry Walters, chairman of tbe board of directors of the Atlantic Coast Line. in sressing the other day of the new and strcre financial interests that NJ. Williams had brought into the Seaboard said: 'Tt Is a very impor- tant tL.ng u at he has done. It in sures stability for a long time 10 cone." MT. Walters denied emphati- cally that tte Ryan-B -Blair-Seab ,ard deal was in the interest of the South ern, tho J. P:erpont Morgan or the Atlantic Coast Line. "Mr. Williams" :" continued Mr Walters, "has always been friendly to the Coast Line, and there W. ot TO change in our rela- tions." MT. Ryan and Blair & Go are not alone iI inc deal, but I am not at li,erty to tell who the others arc. know them all, and they are good pco. ula"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-11-23
CRUSADE AGAINST USE
 OF TOO MUCH SCENERY

bare walls if he hau been educated to rich mise en scene? Would the ground ling of Shakespeare Globe have been content with a placard to mark Arden 8 forest if he had been accustomed to see Rosalind among the very trees? Having put his hand to the plough of scenic per lection, the manager cannot look back. If it be a Frankenstein he has created. he has no option but to feed the monster the food he demands.
 Yet MT. Yeats is right as to what may be construed to be the heart of his pro- test. It is, indeed, time to cease consid- ering those who move and speak on the stage, and what they do and say, as but accessory to the scenery. True, not long ago, through the attractiveness of novel; ty mechanics ruled the profession, and managers had a right to believe that in- genulty of effects and richness of mount ing alone spelt sesame to success. Stage carpenter, actor, playwright-such was the diminuendo order in which the dram attic elements were listed. But pyramids will not forever stand on their apices. Now, more than at any time within the generation, the plays the thing, with the interpreter Of almost equal 1mpor- tance, while the carpenter, although still an essential factor and deserving of due honor-howbeit the fruit of his toll, like decent apparel in polite society, is taken as a matter of course--brings up respect full rear. If close observers are not mis- taken, failure to recognize that scenic. mechanical, and property perfection alone is no longer enough to satisfy popu- lar taste explains the lean and fiaccid aspect of some of this seasons box-of- fcps
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-11-23
GOODELL AND PULLMAN.

From the New York Commercial
 A conspicuous figure In the railway world back in the ffties passed out of 1t forever when Colonel Roswell Eaton Goodell died out In Denver, Colorado, on October 2l. He was seventy-seven years old Early in the second half of the last century Colonel Goodell was su- perintendent of the Chicago and Alton railroad and 1t was he who executed, on behalf of the railroad company, the first contract ever made with George NJ. Pull man for sleeping cars. 1t was largely through Colonel Goodelrs influence and sagacity that his first recognition of the Pullman sleeping cars was made which gave the Alton the distinction of being the pioneer sleeping car line"
 There were three different makes of sleeping cars originally submitted to Col onel Goodell for his choice and after ex- amning all patterns the choice fell to MT. Pullman himself. Colonel Goodeil took Mir. Pullman to Bloomington, at which point the Chicago and Alton erect ed shops, where they are now located, and from two Chicago and Alton passenger coaches the first Pullmans were con- structed. The first contract provided that the e. & A." was to furnish the cars and keep up the outside. and that Mir Pullman was to furnish and keep up the inside. While Mir. Pullman provided the drawings and patterns for his first cars Colonel Goodells recommendations as the cars were under construction. were ex- ceedingly valuable, and the friendship between the two men, formed at that time, continued until Mr. Pullman's death
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-11-23
Located.
THE CASE OF SENATOR DIETRICH.

From the New York World.
 The charges of trafficking in postofficc appointments which have been brought against Senator Dietrich of Nebraska are so extraordinary that they have arrested the attention of the country and should receive the consideration and compel the action of the senate
 We have had in the crowded century and more of the country's history weak senators and bad senator's There have been men who, because of all-night gam ing bouts. had scant wherewithal to pay their debts; men who came nearer than was fit to being drunkards and bullies but yet held their own code of honor. In later days we have had senators suspect ed of buying and selling stocks upon ad- vance information of government action on public matters. and senators charged with buying their seats by corruption through agents of the electorate. But until Charles II. Dietrich sat in the sen- ate for Nebraska no member of that au- gust body had been branded with the petty retail crime of personally selling appointments to postoffices in his own state and in his own town.
 Unless this charge, which has just been found a true bill for trial by grand jury of his townsmen shall be disproved MT. Dietrich will have the unique fame of adding a new smirch to the civil service. which honorable men have for years been trying to lift out of the mire of 'favor'' and of 'infuence.' In justice to himself and to the postal service the charges should be promptly pressed. And it is the duty of the senate. whose honor is involved with that of MT. Dietrich, to in- vestigate upon its own account these grave charges against member which affect the reputation of that body.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-11-23
Wall Street.

Henry Clews in his Saturday circular says; Dependency is gradually disap- bearing in Wall street and a more conf dent tone Is taking it's place. This is be- cause heavy forced liquidation is over. and unfavorable developments have been so thoroughly discounted that bear oper- ations are becoming less profitable and increasingly dangerous as evidences null tiply that values are down as low, If not lower, than intrinsic conditions warrant.
 Some of our very best securities are now selling on to 51s per cent basis, and their market value has shrunk fully one-third or more within a few short months, while their dividend capacity, be 1t noted, remains unlmpaired. Even if from 6 to or from to per cent, which Is not at all likely, the declines would still be greater than security reductions could justify, simply because recent prices rep resent emergency or panic sales. Un- doubtedly the strong have been protecting themselves at the expense of the weak; hence the late decline has been not only abnormally rapid but abnormally steep; and it naturally follows that as soon as the crisis is passed a recovery to the nor nal will be in order
 One of the most favorable influences to- wards recovery will be the forthcoming improved financial situation then good stocks will look very cheap at present prices.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-11-23
The Presidential Term.

"The resolution of Congressman Gaines of Tennessee providing for an amendment to the constitution fixing the term of the President to six years and making him ineligible for reelection leads the Louis vile Courier-Journal to say that any change in our organic law is improbable, at least for many years to come" said a prominent lawyer. "The Courier-Jour- nal recalls the late Senator Summers res- olution on the same line as that introduc- ed by Gaines. Sumner declared that 1t was impossible to consider the ordinary course of affairs in the United States without perceiving that the desire to be reelected dominates the thoughts of the President; that all the policy of his ad- ministration tends to this point; that his best movements are subordinated to this object, and that in proportion as the moment of crisis approaches, individ' ua1 interest substitutes itself in his min l for the general interest.
 Even intelligent democrats who ad-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-11-23
About Persons.

Charles E. Hicks of New York is reg istered at the Hillman.
 
 W. T. Henderson of Mobile spent Sun day at the Morris.
 The Rev. Marvin Hefiin, one of the most prominent young Methodist divines in the Birmingham district. leaves today for Tuscumbia to stand his examination before a committee of the North Alabama paid more than his salary for this year and yesterday one of his members pre- scented him with a gold watch.
 W. c. Tunstal Jr., one of Anniston' 5 prominent young lawyers, is stopping at the Metropolitan.
 A. S. Johnson of Louisville Is stopping at the Morris.
 Prof. R. A. Lambert of Annlston passed through the city last night en route to Anniston from Wilcox county. He re- ports everything in a fiourshing condition in the Black belt.
 G. A. Woods of Cincinnati is stopping at the Hillman.
 J. w Smith of Cleveland, Tenn, was one of the Morris arrivals last night.
 
 A. J. Jordan of Five Points stopped at the Metropolitan last night enroute from Gadsden to his home at Five Points. MT. Jordan is one of Chambers county's most prominent citizen. He said, "notwith- standing the shortness of our cotton crops, the other crops are turning out well. The people are not kicking, and merchants are having good returns. Poli- tics in Chambers are already beginning g to warm up. It seems that Chambers will enjoy the distinction of having two candidates for the supreme court"
 F. H. Hearden of New York was one of the St. Nicholas arrivals last night.
 J. E. Ellington, a prominent planter of Gold Hill, is at the Metropolitan.
 w. L. Mccormick spent yesterday at the Hillman.
 Walter N. Smith, a prominent attorney of Vernon, Is stopping at the Metropoli- tan.
 The Hon. Phares Coleman of Montgom- cry is in the city.
 J. Rall Johnson sheriff of Dallas coun- ty. Texas, is at the Metropolitan.
 A. p. Jordan of Gadsden, clerk of the probate court of Etowah county. Is at the Metropolitan. He says: "Gadsden Is progressing industriA ally and otherwise. All plants are in full blast. Work on the new steel plant Is progressing. Gadsden, situated as it Is midway between Birmingham and Chattanooga, with an abundance of wa- ter and natural resources, is destined to be one of the south's greatest cities" Dr. Alfred Eubank has returned from a business trip to Washington.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-11-23
RusslA's IcE-FREE PORT.

From the Baltimore Sun.
 From one point of view Russia's strug- gle to secure an ice-free port on the Pa cific is pathetic. She first got a footing at Vladivostok, where she expended many millions to deepen the harbor, construct wharves and docks, and otherwise make the city A suitable terminus for the great Trans-Siberian railway. The utility of the railway, which cost, first and last. about half billion, depends very largely on the openness in all sorts of weather of the port at it's eastern end Vladivos- tok was frozen up, it was found, large portion of the year. and, by rather ques- tionabie means, Talienwan-recently cbristened "Dalny''-was obtained from China for an ice-free port. The Trans Siberian railway was extended southward across Manchuria at enormous expense to connect with Dalny, which, in turn. was converted into a great port and city at large cost Dalny. with its miles or streets. fine public buildings and harbors and breakwater, has become one or the new marvels of the east. Where the breakwater calms the water thick ice makes the harbor useless in winter Hence the. need of still another terminus further south. somewhere along the southern end of Korea, where warships and merchant vessels and merchant ships may find open water at all seasons. But if seizing Dainy and Port Arthur, with Manchuria, which lies back of both, has made political trouble for Russia, as re- spects the United States and other pow CTS. the effort to get port in Korea, near Japan. is sure to bring on war if persist ed in. Japan will fight rather than have a Russian naval station on her flank and in such position as to obstruct Japanese predominance in Korea. Russias quest of an ice-free port is at the bottom of the eastern squabbles of the last few years.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-11-23

mire and honor the great virtue of An drew Jackson must concede that he used the office of President. not only for his own reelection. but for the election of Van Buren as his successor Jackson re- alized. however, the danger resulting from such an opportunity to prostitute public power to personal ends. and in two messages to congress he strongly urged the one-term principle, in order to secure the independence of each department of the government and promote the equita- ble and healthful administration of all the rusts which 1t has created because the agent most likely to contravene this design of the constitution is the chief magistrate"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-11-23
COMMENTS ON MEN AND
 MATTERS OF THE WORLD

are amused at the idea of being annexed to the United States, but in the light of recent developments on the isthmus they may we'll be pardoned for feeling dubi- ous about the intentions of Uncle Sam. This country may not intend to become a colonial power, but we are making very good progress and If Colombia should take a notion to coeree Panama or even declare war on the United States 1t is rather hard to say just what this govern ment would do. As for Cuba, there is no danger that the island will be taken over by Uncle Sam for many years to come, although the trick could be accomplished without any trouble.
 Mine disasters continue to garner harvest of dead which shows no diminu- tion. It does seem that ordinary precau- ton would be able to protect the lives of men who work beneath the ground but persons most directly interested are the very ones who display the most criminal carelessness. Sometimes accidents can not be helped but many of them could be prevented. However. such things are never considered until it is too late and miners families are deprived of their bread winners. Just now the Colorado coal fields present interesting complica- tions. It seems that the miners are rather hard to please out there ana nave already twice rejected the terms Of the operators However, it will be a long time before this country has another strike to equal in importance that Of the anthracite workers in Pennsylvania When the hard coal supply is cut off vulnerable spot in the country's indus try is touched and people are not slow to feel its effects.
 It is now about time for some musician of real talent to write a popular song Although we have surfeit of mediocre composition doled out every year, 1t Is seldom that a composer touches real chord and stamps his genius on the life of the day. There is certainly no lach of inspiring themes but music writers seem slow to seize upon the material or fered It is hard to imagine anyone writ- ing song now like "Suwanee River' or America Nowadays the people seem to want a tumble of nonsense and Jan gle of notes and they have their wish ann ply gratifed Things have now become so bad that few persons can even remem- Der a tune long enough to whistle 1t af- terwards
 The national day of thanksgiving is drawing on apace, filling the people with eladness. Thanksgiving is healthy cus- tom of our forefathers, which it Is to be hoped will long continue In this re- srect we are somewhat unique among the nations of the world. In spite of strikes and troubles of various kinds Uncle Sam has much to be thankful for this year, so that he will no doubt be able to say grace over his bird with clear con- science and a firm conviction that ne IS not exaggerating his gratitude.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-11-23
Raptists Increasina.

The Rev. Dr. w. P. Harvey of Louis vile, president of the Baptist Book Con- cern, publishers of the Western Record. is at the St. Nicholas. Dr. Harvey is one of the most prominent Baptist di- vines in the south. He has shown his confidence in Birmingham by making considerable investment in its real estate. He said: 'I have just returned from Georgia, where I attended the session of the Baptist state convention. The Bap- lists of the state, as well as in the south generally, are making rapid strides" He looked upon Birmingham as a great city and had unbounded faith in it's future. Dr. Harvey leaves for his home tomor- row.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-11-23

make him sulk if his fayorite failed to receive the nomination. But in recent years the republican party has not been altogether harmonious in presi- dential campaigns. It's old time cohe- siveness was certainly lacking in 1892.
 When President Roosevelt is nomi- hated next year there will be many disaffected republicans. Those who re- gard MT. Roosevelt as an unsafe ex- ecutive and those who want no more of the Dingley tariff will ether Ego fishing" or vote the democartic ticket.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-11-23
Electoral Votes.

The republicans who accept Con gressman Grosvenor's canvass of the electoral vote for 1904 are almost cer- tain to be disappointed when the re- turns are in. Grosvenor comedies New York with it's 3s electoral votes to the democrats, but figures out 26S votes from "surely republican states-24 more than a majority-leaving 62 votes in the doubtful column. But in the list that the Ohio congressman makes up as surely republican he has Californias 10 votes, which the demo- crats carried in 1892 by a plurality of 470; Connecticut, 2 votes, which the democrats carried by 5367; Illinois, 27 votes, which the democarts carried by 26,993; Indiana, 15 votes, which the democrats carried by 64S2; New Jer- sey, 12 votes, which the democrats car ried by 14,s74; West Virginia, votes, which the democrats carried by 552; and Wisconsin, 13 votes, which the democrats carried by 6470. These states give total of 91 votes. If the democrats make a platform and nomi- nate a candidate in 1904 acceptable to the business interests as well as the agricultural interests of the country, there is every reason to believe that the democrats would do as well as they did in 1892. They would certain ly carry several of the states that Con- gressman Grosvenor sets down in the republican column.
 At one time the republican party was exceptional for it's effective dis cipline. Every republican boasted of his loyalty to his party. No factional feud prior to the convention could drive into the opposition ranks or