The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-08-26

- forth a storm of criticism from the gentlemen maligned as gamblers and from their sympathizers. Senator Butler seems to be the most highly wrought-up defendant of the 'corner' D but the discussion has become widespread over all the south and wherever the fieecy staple plays an important part in com merce. The old question of whether a cot ton broker or stock market speculator Is gambler has been debated so long and often that 1t would seem time for people to become weary of the matter As long as there is a possibility of mak- Ing fortune out of the ticker there will always be plenty of men willing to risk their money on a turn of the market whether it is considered gambling by pious persons or not. man who is a successful operator Is seldom called up on to defend his course. His wealth puts a quietus upon all criticism. A few har- dened old sinners come boldly out and say in SO many words that stock market speculation is gambling, they are aware of the fact, and do not care who knows that they dabble in futures every day. In spite of protests from the pulpit and abuse from other sources 1t Is evident from the present condition of affairs in this country that the woes of the bulls and bears are having very little effect outside of Wall street. If the lambs are foolish enough to put themselves in peril of course they must expect to be feeced but the gentlemen who do the fieecing seem to be most in trouble now. To re- turn to the question of cotton corners. 1t remains to be seen whether the specula- tors are injuring the farmers. If the high prices now in force continue until the staple is thrown on the market by the planters they will not be apt to abuse Mir. Brown or anybody else for .squeez- ing"
 The Missouri mule is in sore straits just at present. First they talked of su- preceding him by the "zebrula," a weird and wonderful animal who is said to possess so many useful qualities that the poor old mule with his bray, his kick. and his other picturesque characteristics, would look like selling plater." Now 1t Is proposed to import the goat. This animal Is not so useful or so ornamental as the zebrula, but he Is very insistent in his ways and will be an unpleasant neighbor. The scheme has been found practicable and the uninviting hill lands of the state are believed to be just the -Io Fo~ ti,a iaJ, for any other purpose but the rugged diet which their scrubby bushes and tough grass afford fattens a goat when 1t would prove fatal to any other animal. A herd of 1000 angoras will be imported from Mexico and the gentlemen interested think the scheme will prove veritable gold mine.
 Now 1t comes to light that one of the most picturesque details which accompa- nied the death of Pope Leo, and one that was heralded abroad by the correspond ents, did not happen at all. Cardinal Oreglia denies that he struck three times on the forehead of the dead pontiff, ac cording to ancient custom. This solemn rite was employed in an admirable man. ner by the correspondents to feature" their stories and added to the solemnity of the death scene. It Is also hinted that there were several other interesting cere- monies which took place only in the minds of the newspaper men, but then their accounts of events in Rom were so we'll written and handled in such an interesting manner that we should he willing to forgive them for a little 'falS- ink when news was scarce and they were compelled to turn out something.
 The great and boundless west continues to be a Mecca for the poor man in search of wealth. The tide of Immigration is