davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-05-03
Human Life in Jefferson County.

In discussing a recent case before a court, Solicitor Heflin said:
 Human life is the cheapest article you have in Jefferson county, and they take lives because they think no jury will hang white man If he is at all respecta- ble, and if our juries keep thls up every good citizen will have to take care of himself and not rely on the law"
 J'his was not the random, ill-consid- cred utterance of a lawyer without re- sponsihility save to his client, but of a public official acting and speaking for the people of Jefferson county. And he did not exaggerate the situation a particle-an iota--a scintilla.
 After all, petit juries do but speak public sentiment, and the state of things, demoralizing and disastrous as it is, is due to an unsound condition of public sentiment. Carried to It's logi- cal limit it means anarchy, as Solicitor Heflin courageously points out. But MT HeAin should not put the primary fault upon the juries, for jurors are part and parcel of public sentiment, and when they go into the jury box they twist and distort the law and the facts to meet the crooked senti- ment of the community of which they are part Once let public sentiment as to crime be put on a just and equal basis, and there will be no trouble in procuring juries that will act justly and impartially.
 It is difficult to say how the present condition of public sentiment was brought about Perhaps the causes are complex, but the chief cause can no doubt be traced to the rottenness of the ballot box and the general de- moralization springing from it under the operations of the old constitution. Nearly all the meanness in the state was promoted at least by that old con stitution. And it is not easy to get back to better social conditions now that the old constitution has been re- pealed and the electorate and the bal lot have become without fault or stain A general effort all along the line, to- gether with special efforts on the part of all public teachers, including the courts, will work a reformation, al though the process may be somewhat long and tedious. The fact that the situation is known to and recognized by the prosecuting officials of the courts is encouraging, and the fact that Solicitor Heflin had the cour- age to speak his convictions is further cause for congratulation. All honor to Solicitor Heflin for telling the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. It clears the air and gives promise of something better.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-05-03
NED BRACE TALKS ABOUT THE DEMOCRATIC
 PRESIDENTIAL SITUATION AND OTHER THINGS

and which would be in the convention. It mated; and then question whether he could be elected. He would be taking chances; and chances of an apparently desperate nature to a man who has oc- cupied his position which are not pleas ant to take.
 Mir Cleveland out of it, the contest judging from newspaper stories and dis cussion is three cornered. There are in 1t German of Maryland Parker of New York and Dave Francis of Missouri Starting with the latter, there is the St. Louis exposition behind him; and with 1t, lots of personal magnetism and west ern enthusiasm. He is a good fellow and a strong man of the western sort.
 Then comes Parker-a man not known, but apparently with a set of fool friends booming him who are sending to news papers throughout the land advertise ments of the virtues of the man, through regular advertising agencies who handle such things as Peruna, Paine's, celery compound, Pierce's Pleasant Pellets and Prickly Ash Bitters, at so much per line, less the usual discount to regular ad- vertising agencies. It rather strikes me that presidential aspirants and Priekly Ash Bitters are not exactly to be classed alike. although I am frank to say that Prickly Ash Bitters are possibly very good for the system. Maybe Judge Parker might be good for the system of these United States, but Presidents and pre- scriptions have not heretofore been classed alike in the columns of news- papers.
 The public wants patent medicines and it must have presidents, but it prefers separation. In other words, the patent medicine method of securing a presiden- tlal nomination is not attractive to the public which must have confidence in it's government. The man to be President must be broad enough to be known and appreciated without the necessity of a so much per line advertising boom.
 % % <
 I like German, because for many years past he has been the conservative, wise mainstay of the democratic party in na- tional legislation and political leadership. He has made no mistakes which have worked injury to the party. The men whom the people have selected to repre- sent them in democratic legislative halls are almost unanimous for him. They be- lieve In him. in his leadership. in his Judgment and In his wisdom. He is the man of men of the democratic party. He has the confidence of the business world and the rank and file of the people. He Is the chosen leader of the local leaders of democratic sections-I mean by this of the democratic senators and represen- tatives in congress Unless, therefore, the people over turn those who now rep resent them locally, 1t would appear to me that German would be the chosen man to oppose the present republican President in the next national election.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-05-03
The Monetary situation.

The Financial Age of yesterdays date says: Although monetary considerations have played an unimportant part In shaping the course of the stock market during the past fewGveeks, they are again assuming their old position of dominant factor in the future of the situation. Too much stress cannot be laid on the fact that the next six months will tax the re- sources of the banks to an unusual de gree; the heavy disbursements incident to the Panama payment and the Notation of various bond issues the maintenance of trust company services and the large crops have already been discussed in these columns. The expenditures necessitated thereby may or may not be exaggerated, but the fact remains that the resources of financial institutions are being forti- fled to a greater extent than is usual at this season.
 Bankers are unit against general extension of credits during the coming summer months and stock market specu- lation cannot therefore assume the pro- portions that it did last August, when despite the entrance of the crop moving periou'fll was permitted to pass peyonu the control of those who fostered the movement. Bankers and specuators alike have learned lesson from the resultant depression of the fall and winter months and it is not likely that conservative in- terests will again be compelled to mete out the severe punishment thatNwas in- fiicted upon the leaders of the ilfstimed bull campaign which ended so disastrous. Iv"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-05-03
Suffrage Regulation.

It is the opinion of all, both lay men and lawyers, that the decision of the Supreme court in the Giles case has reunited the whole matter in con troversy to the esteemed MT Crum- packer and the people for final action.
 It is also the opinion of the best political judges that public sentiment has been so changed in the north in relation to negro suffrage that the re- publican leaders from President Roosevelt down will not permit race issue, disturbing alike to business and to patriotism, to be forced upon the people before the presidential cleo tion. No such issue will arise spon- taneously, and the Crumpackers in congress will not be permitted to lug one in very soon. The New York Times thus expresses the prevailing sentiment in the north touching this problem:
 Against this deliberate attempt to evade the constitution of the United States the Supreme court says that it is powerless 10 protect those oppressed by it. It seems a monstrous denial of justice and humiliatlng admission of helpless ness by the court. It is, nevertheless, the law, made so by the interpretation of the court and it is well that the court has decided as it has. The court is not a fit agency for the fighting of the wrong that exists The thing to be changed is polit- teal and the instrument for the change must be political. The simple fact Is that on the morrow of the war we undertook to do more than we could do with the reg ulation of the suffrage, and our efforts have been nullifled. We might possibly, by the use of the powers given to con gress by the fourteenth amendment, bring the southern states to modify their course, but it is doubtful whether we could. It is still more doubtful whether the attempt will be made The relation of the negroes to the commonwealths in which they re- side must in the long run depend on the public sentiment of the people there and not elsewhere. Until we can change that we can do little"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-05-03
About Persons.

The Hon. Charles G. Brown leaves to- day for the gulf coast to spend two weeks for his heath. He Is just recover fng from the grip.
 Al S. Johnston of Meridian Is stopping at the Hillman.
 II. c. Slater of New York Is at the Morris.
 E. F. Cheatam of Nashville is regis tered at the St. Nicholas.
 O. Leon of Chicago is at the Hillman. James H. Hillman of Blosshurg is at the Morris.
 R. G. Killingsworth of New York is registered at the St. Nicholas.
 William Schulz of New Orleans is stop ping at the Metropolitan.
 Charles F. Lusch of New York is at the Hillman.
 J. Brown and wife of Montgomery are at the Morris
 w. Madison Scott of Richmond is reg istered at the Morris.
 A. Goldsmith of Milwaukee is in the city
 Mrs. N. H. sewall and daughter left
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-05-03

unjust taxes, and study of their statutes would furnish. no doubt, a remedy for the. inequalities that exist among counties in this state. Three state officials, with an addition of $100 each to their salaries, would give the state an excellent equalization board one that would name the aggregate valuation of each county, naming, per haps, the average value per acre of it's lands They would in time, at any rate, equalize the aggregate valuations of the counties, thus making each one pay it's share of state taxation. So far as county taxation is concerned no one outside of the county has any thing to do with that A state board of equalization would simply apportion state taxation to the counties in just and equal manner.
 A legislator who desires to attach his name to a useful and valuable piece of legislation should study the equalization laws of the various states, particularly of Ohio and New York, and bring in a measure that fits Ala bama, remedying known and grow ing evil and putting an end to a sys- tenn that is really vicious and crim- inal, although disguised under legal forms, involving s-,old perjury and demoralization in all ranks of society.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-05-03

So I should say that either German or Cleveland will be. from present indica- tions, the democratic candidate next time.
 Roosevelt remains in republican as- cendancy. Hanna wants the republican nomination. The contest is between the two men.
 Be 1t Roosevelt or Hanna, Cleveland or German, the contest next year prom ises to be an interesting one.
 saw Senator Joe Bailey of Texas in New York last week and was glad to learn that the newspaper story of his $20OO0 fee in the Texas lumber company deal was correct. The case involved sev- eral million dollars and Bailey earned his fee. Of course, it was big case and the fee was contingent upon success.
 Senator Bailey Is yet a young mana Mississippian by birth, who moved to Texas when in his twenties; elected 10 congress before he was thirty and to the senate at thirty-five. He is now under forty He values his own abilities high and the public does likewise.
 So it is with the world at large. The man who is timid and values himself low has public value placed upon him on like basis. The man who places a pre- mium upon his own ability and has the brain and energy to mainstay it causes public confidence in his own. quotation of value.
 Few other known legal fees to a single attorney have been so great as that paid to MT. Bailey of Texas. The largest known legal fees in the country were these: John E. Parsons got $250,000 for organizing the Sugar Trust, and Judge W. G. Moore was reported to have gotten over 100000 for creating the Tin Trust. but this was largely stock. According to the newspapers c. c. Calhoun got $1s20oO for collecting a claim of $1.3o0OOO for the state of Kentucky from the United States government. The lawyers who settled the recent Fair estate are said to have gotten $400, GOO; and Joseph D. Reddinga is said to have been paid $500, GOO for obtain ing $6,0O00OO for the Princess HatzleltAs from the c. P. Huntington estate. Itiis also said that James B. Dill got S1, ,0O0e00 for settling the case of Henry c. Prick against Andrew Carnegie.
 Yet know lawyers. whose legal ability equals any of these above, who have in fifty years of practice never earned. all told, fees in the aggregate amounting to two hundred thousand dollars. In the field where there is much money in- volved in cases shrewd commercial law yers charge and get enormous sums, but MT. Bailey of Texas, up to date, has proven himself the only southern attor- new who knows how to earn, put in and get fee bill of mammoth proportions.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-05-03
CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY FUND.
Pope to Be Asked to Order Collection
 Throughout America to Start 1t.

From the New York Sun.
 Monsignor Dennis O'Connell. rector of the Catholic University of America, will re- turn to Rome on June 1 and will ask Pope Leo XIII. in the name of the American archbishops to call for general collec- ton in all of the Catholic churches in this country for the benefit of the university. The fund thus raised will be used to les tablish scholarships, erect new buildings and improve the tone of the university.
 Such a collection would result In the amassing of a large sum. There are 1q6S9 churches in the United States which would average $10O0 each
 Monsignor o'Connell will return to the United States In the fall to take charge of the university. There will be no vics- rector,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-05-03
Equality of Taxation.

The Pine Belt News says every con ceivable plan has been tried to secure equal taxation, all without success. It insists that the rental value of land is the true test-the Henry George theory. in fact.
 Other states have by means of equalization boards prevented coun- ties from loading other counties with
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-05-03
A Remarkable Case.

From Tit-Bits.
 ..I have a little boy at home''-
 They interrupted him after much the usual form. to-wit:
 Pardon me. old man; must be going along. Sorry can't wait, but I'm due at the office" etc.
 eJust minute" he urged. buttonhol- ing the two nearest '1t won't take me a minute"
 They sighed and resigned themselves
 "All I want to say" he went on, lis that I have a little boy at home who never said a bright thing in his life''
 They grasped his hand with a thankful- ness that could find no expression In words. And then he added:
 Hes too small. He can't talk yet"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-05-03
STUART ROBSON'S LIFE
 HAD PATHETIC ENDING
,zas3 5',ems,4

ing. He was taken to the Savoy and the family was summoned. The actor rallied and plans were made to remove him 10 his beautiful summer home, Waterwitch, or the Highlands of Navesink, whose broad piazza commands a fine view of the Narrows.
 MT. Robson'ss condition became worse yesterday afternoon, and his physicians resorted to hypodermic injections to sus- tain vitality The patient sank rapidly and died at 7:15 o'clock.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-05-03


 W itics has developed in the last
 T week. Contrary to my expecta- lions, 1t appears that Grover Cleveland is featured in the situation. Cleveland has had all the honors that is supposed to exist in American citizenship. He has been President of these United States twice. No man has been more Yet C1eve- land is an ambitious man. It begins to appear that he would be more than any other man has ever been in the history of this country. He has been the only demo- cratic President since the civil war He has been twice President with an interim between the terms. Since his last oc- cupancy of the executive mansion there have been two republican Presidents, and Mir. Cleveland has been supposed to be out of politics for the balance of his natural life Yet within a few weeks past there has appeared upon the horizon of democratic politics the face of the former democratic President surrounded by halo of political boomers who have in the past been exceedingly influential in successful democratic politics. A literary bureau has been established, newspaper matter has been sent out in delicate, though decidedly suggestive, form.
 And now St. Clair McKelway, the editor of the Brooklyn Eagle. and one of the old time advisors of the democratic party, comes out editorially in his own paper and in interviews in the New York. Chi- cago and western papers, declaring MT. Cleveland to be the only man who could surely be elected President upon the dem ocratic ticket next year.
 It begins to appear that MT. Cleveland is not averse to the boom for him which has been instigated and is beginning to be inflated by his old-time political friends and enthusiasts. The Man from Princeton has seen fit to accept all in- vitatons for speeches throughout the list which has been extended to him recently. He has spoken of the negro question, in the south in manner which has pleased the south and has caused the north to view the matter in a practical light.
 Judging the matter as a whole, from recent occurrences, there seems to be symptoms of presidential fever In the composition of the former President. Yet we all know that levers are susceptible to the influence of quinlne in the system; and that sometimes they are quickly cured and the patient becomes normal.
 Ambition is sometimes like unto fever It is a question for MT. Cleveland to consider whether he has reached the highest point upon the mountain of am bition which the American citizen can reach or whether another contest, even though 1t be successful. would eventually be more gratifying to himself In life and his family and descendants in history
 It would be a speculation.
 Undoubtedly MT. Cleveland would make A strong candidate, regardless of oppo- sition within the party which has been,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-05-03
IN HOTEL LoBBIEs.
Congressman Rankhead.

Congressman J. H. Bankhead of the Sixth district is at the Morris. He said he was here on private business and would return to his home in Fayette to- morrow. Asked for political interview, Congressman Bankhead said he had noth- ing in that line to give out" just now.
 When Congressman James D. Richard son of Tennessee retires Colonel Bank head will be the oldest democrat in the house of representatives. He is serving his ninth term. There are only eight republicans in the house as old in point of service as Colonel Bankhead.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-05-03
THE ETERNAL sPRINc.-

From Milton's Paradise Lost" The birds their quire apply; airs. vernal
 airs, Breathing the smell of field and grove.
 attune The trembling leaves. while universal
 Pan. Knit with the Graces and the Hours in
 dance, Led on the eternal spring Not that fair Of Enna. where Proserpin gathering
 flowers, Herself a fairer flower. by gloomy Dis Was gathered-which cost Ceres all that
 pain To seek her through the world-nor that
 sweet grove Of Daphne, by Orontes and the inspired Castalian spring, might with this Para
 disc Of Eden strive
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-05-03
Off for Annanolls.

William W. Hicks, one of the brightest hoys of Birmingham, left last night for Annapolis, where he will stand an exami- nation for entrance into the Naval acad- emy. He was accompanied by his father, R. c. Hicks, commercial agent of the Seaboard Air Line. The youth is IT years of age and has been studying hard for several weeks past to prepare himself for the academy. He feels confident ot being able to pass the examination. He gets his appointment through Congress- man Underwood.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-05-03
REFLECTIONS OF A BACHELOR.

From the New York Press.
 It Is called pin money because it is the man who gets stuck.
 There is some chance of keeping a boy from smoking until you forbid him to do it.
 A woman figures that a cash allowance is something to run up bills on and then get her husband to pay them.
 A woman will haggie over scent over charge in the grocery so as to be able to bear with complacency $50 overcharge hv her dressmaker.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-05-03
Capitalists Pleased.

''The party of capitalists who are in- terested in the properties of the Bir- mingham Railway Light and Power company seemed greatly impressed by business conditions In Birmingham" said a gentleman who met them.
 "The party included the Messrs. Guen- ness, one of whom Is from Dublin Ire- land, and the other from New York They are both members of the firm of Laudenburg. Thalmann & Go. J. K. New man of New Orleans and A. H. Ford of New York, both of whom are well-known here, were also in the party"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-05-03
Music at the Hlllman.

Calmans orchestra will render the fol- lowing programme at the Hotel Hillman tonight:
 March. "The Trumpeter"; overture, "The NH on the Cliff''; selection, "Sul- tan of Sulu"; intermezzo "Qulnta''; se- lection, Faust; Marceau charact. "The Caress'; waltz, Blue Danube; selec- ton. Wang; concert piece, Petite Causere"; medley. Whitney Warner Gems; selection. Maid Marion; over ture, Light Cavalry; request pieces.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-05-03

last night to spend few days with MT. sewall, who Is at work on the Hymelia crevasse MT. Sewall has written that they are making excellent progress in closing the crevasse and that the dyke they have built has so far stood the strain admirably.
 O. A. Field of St. Louis president Of the Jesse French Piano and Organ com pany, spent yesterday in the city.
 B. Harris Mcqueen, formerly in the general freight office of the Louisville and Nashville at Montgomery. has been transferred to the office of the general agent here as rate clerk.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-05-03

Little girls under ten years of age can no longer be employed in South Carolina cotton mills. This shuts the babies out at any rate.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-05-03

President Wos y Gil is now ruling santo Domingo in peace. His name drove all revolutionary ideas out of his opponents heads.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-05-03

The liabilities ol the Earl of Tar mouth have not been scheduled, but the Thaw family will soon be as tamil far with them as the Goulds are with the CastelIane debts.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-05-03

If Congressman Hepburn will talk the Iowa idea, glad audiences will welcome him In Alabama.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-05-03

A true Teutonic alliance United States, Great Britain and Germany could rule the world and preserve peace.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-05-03

A writ of attachment for debt went with the Yarmouth-Thaw wedding. Amount due, $300
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-05-03

The truth in most divorce cases Is not only stranger than fiction, but much nastier.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-05-03

Why are not the millionaire direc- tors of the baking powder trust iI- dicted and brought to trial?
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-05-03

The merged Cedric bears two Cae- sars-J. P. and Andrew.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-05-03

Major General Chaffee talks right back to General Miles who will be his superior officer three months longer.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-05-03

President Wos Gil will not reach fame's topmost round until he attaches his name to a breakfast food.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-05-03

Al Adams the policy king, is now No. 129 at Sing Sing, whereas in all con science he should have been No. All Al
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-05-03

General Miles seems to be looming up as the prohibition candidate for president.