davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-01-15

In an article in the January number of the New England magazine on the results and possibilities of irrigation, MT. Day Allen Wiley writes as follows:
 Such vast region is thirsting for wa ter though mile after mile of canals and great artificial lakes have been made here and there only a few million acres have been reclaimed How differently the western farmer regards space The hum dred or two hundred acres that may make a man wealthy In New England or New York, are merely a single field to the grower whose corn perhaps covers a thousand acres and who employs scores of laborers to gather his wheat at harvest time. About S0O0,000 acres are traversed by the canals, big and little, of which 50,0Oo miles have been dug. The grain fields of all New England contain but 35O GOO acres. Adding the rich valleys and plains of New York gives less than 5000 900 acres. The corn, wheat and oats grown in New England and New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware could be grown in the irrigated territory, which is as large as Nebraska and Iowa, the two greatest corn fields on the globe, but there is a world yet to be conquered stretching away over hill and plain and valley thousand miles from north to south and 15oO miles from east to west. Not all, of course, is a waste but the surveyor has travelled throughout it's length and breadth, and has carefully mapped out the country, which, as yet, is no mans, merely for the lack of nourishment
 "Over a hundred million-to be exact, 120, 900, GOO acres-can be made to blossom, not as the rose but can be converted into into a land of plenty when overspread by the waters above and beneath it. Other great regions will be forever parehed with drought as neither lake nor river is near enough to moisten them. But the future spectacle which this expanse may pre- sent is bewildering It startles one to contemplate the possible changes in the United States when the silence of deso- lation which here prevail gives place to the call of the plowboy, the song of the
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-01-15
HEAP OF TROUBLE IN GEORGIA

From the Kansas City World.
 There is a peck of trouble O., down in Georgia. That great state is noted for something besides cotton and water melons.
 It is one of the greatest colonel-produc- ing countries in the land. Down there the young man expects his title with his first visit to the barber.
 It is a good thing. Call plain Jabez Smith "Colonel" Smith few times and right soon he'll begin trying to live up to the title He'll spruce up in his dress and manners, work harder 70 present an appearance of prosperity. and be a better citizen.
 Now, a new full dress uniform has been adopted in Georgia. The cost comes to $l91.25, which is a pretty fair bunch of money to anybody outside the Carnegie class.
 The outfit is wonder, it Is stated. Old Solomon never had in his clothes closet a robe that was marker for the full dress Sl91.25 outfit of a Georgia colonel.
 Bunched they would look like field of varigated roses in full bloom, and the garments would set off the manly beauty for which Georgia colonels are noted like the kaleidoscope border on a Christmas calendar.
 The price looks like blow at personal liberty, an assault on the prerogatives of some gallant gentlemen.
 The Georgia colonels should take heart. Fart Roberts refused title a few days ago because of expense. He wouldn't be held up. He made precedent, and it only remains for these Georgia colonels to defy the tailor, resist the allurements of the sll9.25 dress suits, and go gunning for the authority who has dared to put price on military glory.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-01-15
"40o" IS NOW "60o."
Mrs. Astor Widens the Portals of
 Society.

Special to the Times-Democrat
 There was widening of society's por- tals when Mrs Astor's ball, the greatest function of the New York season, was held in her home on Fifth avenue last week. The days of Four Hundred have passed and a gallant Six Hundred Is reigning. Invitations to that number were issued, and those who failed to declare their allegiance to the acknowledged lead CT of New York society by their presence were few
 The ball was brilliant. Mrs. Astor's s big house and that of her son. Col. John Jacob Astor, next door, were crowded, the first guests not arriving until after Il o'clock, but from that hour on the stream of carriages was continuous and Fifth avenue was alive with the flashing of lights and the chatter of hurrying horses
 Mrs. Astor received her guests In the drawing room. which was decorated With American Beauty roses and oHchids, which almost buried the mantels, tables and cabinets on which they were placed. From here the guests passed through the main corridor, which was ieseooneu "'h roses and pink azalaeas to the picture gallery. which had been transformed into . ballroom. The entrance was through an arch of azaleas, and the same flower soheps was carried out in the decorations throuphout the house. Informal dancing was enjoyed until supper, which was served about 12:3O o'clock by Sherry at small tables arranged In the dining rooms of both houses and through the spacious corridors.
 Dancing was resumed after supper, when the cotillon began. It was led by Elisha Dyer, Jr., and Harry 8. Lehr, dancing with Mrs. John Jacob Astor and Mrs M Orme Wilson.
 Harry Lehr is said to have been the new ward McAllister on whose discern ment and discretion Mrs. Astor relied in drawing up her latest list of society. Miss Alice Roosevelt was among the guests.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-01-15

meeting of the Birmingham Realty com nany of which he is vice president left last night. He visits this city two or three times year. and has great number of personal friends here. MT. Halls said yes- terday that every time he came to Birm- ingham he was impressed with the strides 1t was making.
 Congressman Sydney J. Bowie of Annis- ton was registered at the Metropolitan yesterday.
 Tod Atkins of Selma is at the Morris. G. w. Stephens of Chattanooga is at the Metropolitan.
 G. w. Nichols of Columbia, Tenn. is at the Morris.
 w. T. Hand of Jemison is at the Metro politan.
 W. A Davis of Anniston is at the Morris. Metropolitan.
 w. E. Moses, Jr., of Montgomery is at the Morris.
 A. whelfelder of Montgomery is at the Metropolitan.
 L. Hair of Augusta, Ga, is at the Nor ris.
 Joseph A. Magnus of Cincinnati Is a; the IIillman.
 E. B. Kelly of Anniston is in the city.
 Joseph Markstein of Anniston Is in Bir- mingham.
 R. S. Sloan of New Orleans is at the Hillman.
 R. B. Reynolds of Montevallo is at the Hlllman.
 John P. Roberts of Nashville is at the Hillman. L. T. Beecher of New York, secretary treasurer of the Tennessee Coal, Iron and Railroad company, is at the Hillman.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-01-15
The Late General Thomas.

Gen. Samuel Thomas, who died of heart disease last Sunday night at his home in New York, was identified, first and last with a number of southern enter prises," said a man who had business re- lations with him. "The deceased achieved a reputation as a promoter on large scale. As the New York Post remarked, his work was remarkable for its compre- hensiveness. At the time of his death he was director in twenty-six companies, including the Alabama Consolidated Coal and Iron company, and president of eight of them. lie was a member or the New York Stock Exchange, and had lived a busy life for sixty-two years.
 General Thomas was born at South Point, Ohio. on October 27, 1S4O, and was educated at Marietta, Ohio. At the age of F he went to work for the Keystone Iron company as junior clerk. He was known as the boy politician and became in early life a member of the county repub- lican committee, treasurer of the state committee, and member of the state and national republican conventions. In 1861 he enlisted with one hundred comrades, most of whom had occupied positions un- der his control in the iron works, and was elected first lieutenant of the company. When he quit fighting, in 1865 he was a brigadier general by brevet. He then be- gan his business career again with Gen. M. Churchill, who was extensively en- gagged in the iron industry in zanesvile, Ohio.
 He was one of the originators and con structors of the Nickel Plate road. He built other railroads in Indiana, Ohio, H. linois, Nebraska, Tennessee Georgia and Alabama. For dozen years he was presi- dent of the East Tennessee Virginia and Georgia Railway company and director of the Memphis and Charleston railroad, the Richmond and Danville. the Lake Erie and Western, the Duluth, South Shore and Atlantic railway, and the Mar quette Houghton and Ontonagan roads. He became at this time the leading con- tractor Croton aqueduct."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-01-15
ArcOIa's Hiqher Law.

When the best citizens of the little town of Arcola, in Illinois, found a train of sixteen cars loaded with coal crippled ''in their midst" they pro- ceeded at once to take steps to have 1t commandeered, and unloaded and put in their empty bins. Every bit of 1t was weighed, the preachers, bankers and merchants of the coalless town experimenting the operation. They stand ready to pay for the coal, but not to deliver a bit of 1t.
 Self-preservation is the first law of nature, and Arcola is located on the prairies of Illinois, where there are no forests, and where there are no
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-01-15
Text Books Before the Legislature.

The legislature will not find the school book question difficult if they will study the uniformity laws of Ten nessee, North Carolina, Louisiana and Texas. The children in all four states enjoy the benefits of state uniformity low prices, and text books alike in all counties.
 If they consult the book trust and certain teachers and county superin- tendents, the result will be county uni- formity, which is either sixty-six kinds of uniformity, or one kind brought about by the book trust at book trust rates. Be there sixty-six or one, trust prices will prevail, and the 100000 children of the state will pay the freight.
 Which shall 1t be? Shall we have legislation that will benefit 100000 children, or legislation that will benefit the book trust and please certain teachers and county superintendents? Which shall it be?
 The members from counties along the Tennessee line can explain to their fellows what the operation of the Ten ressee text book law is. It cuts down prices from 30 to 50 per cent. It gives all uniform text books, and cranky teachers cannot introduce new text books each year. The law is so popu- lar, says Governor McMillin, it has be- come a party tenet, having to itself plank in the state democratic platform. No one desires it's repeal-that is to say, no one who buys school books.
 Instead of listening to interested and selfish interests, or at least to cranky persons, why not give the con- sumers a chance? Why not listen to the parents of 100000 children? What 100000 children want should appeal, it would seem, to an Alabama legislator rather more strongly than what the book trust wants even when 1t Is re- inforced by a lot of teachers and county superintendents.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-01-15
WHARF.-THE WORK WILL BE
 OF8TWENTIETH CENTURY

pleading before juries. They will save their clients from need of judge or jury. In every civilized nation the lawyers must be the lawgivers. The sword has given place to the green bag. The demand of the twentieth century will be that the statutes coincide with equity. This con- ditlon educated lawyers can bring about.
 In politics the demand for serious ser vice must grow. As we have to do with wise men and clean men, statesmen, in- stead of vote manipulators, we shall feel more and more the need for them. We shalf demand not only men who can lead in action, but men who can prevent un- wise action. Often the policy which seems most attractive to the majority Is full of danger for the future. We need men who can face popular opinion and if need be to face it down.
 The need of the teacher will not grow less as the century goes on. The history of the future is written in the schools of today, and the reform which gives us bet ter schools is the greatest of reform. Free should the scholar be-free and brave, and to such as these the twentieth cen- tury will bring the reward of the scholar.
 The twentieth century will mark an epoch in the history of religion. Some say idly that religion is losing her hold in these strenuous days. But she is not. She is simply changing her grip. The religion of this century will be more prac- tical, more real It will deal with the days of the week as well as with the Sab bath. It will be as potent in the markets of trade as in the walls of a cathedral, for mans religion is his working hypothe- sis of life, not of life in some future world, but of life right here today, the only day we have in which to build life
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-01-15
BLOW, BLOW, THOU WINTER
 WINDS.

By William Shakespeare. Blow, blow, thou winter wina Thou are not so unkind
 As mans ingratitude; Thy tooth is not so keen, Because thou art not seen, Although thy breath be rude. Neigh hol Sing neigh ho! unto the green
 holly Most friendship Is feigning. most loving
 mere folly. Then neigh ho, the hollyl This life is most jolly. Freeze. freeze, thou bitter sky, That does not bite so nigh
 As benefits forgot, Though thou the waters warp Thy sting Is not so sharp
 As friends remembered not. Neigh ho! Sing neigh ho! unto the green
 holly; Most freindship Is feigning, most loving
 mere folly. Then neigh ho. the hollyi This life is most jolly.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-01-15
Governor Ielks' Biennial Message.

The message of Governor Jelks, read yesterday in the legislature, Is not long as mssages go, but it is meaty, and no subject of broad importance is neg lected. Much light IS thrown upon nearly every question of deep and abiding public interest.
 After congratulation upon the com ing of honest elections, and condemna- tions of all who attempt hereafter to commit frauds at the ballot box, he calls attention to the need of a new and better primary election law, and of an election law that will admit of representation at every poll of every party.
 But Governor Jelks Is most at home when he discusses the states finances, making plain the states financial con dition, present and prospective. The Age Herald asks every one of its read CTS to read this section of the mes sage, no matter if other duties are pressing, for a more compact and ex- plicit statement has not been laid be- fore the public.
 Governor Jelks urges the Legislature to give the common schools of the state preference over the colleges and
  normal and agricultural schools. The schools that serve, to use Governor Jelks' phrase, the humber homes should be the states first and dearest care.
 When the governor takes up the sub ject of lynching he talks with the bark off. He makes very plain his in- tention to suppress anarchy in this state, and if the devotees of lynching desire to know what they will be up against during the next four years, they should read and reread what Gov ernor Jelks has to say about their fa- vorite scheme. They will simply be up against the penitentiary.
 After scoring the jails of the state, which are almost as wretched as the school houses of the state, the gov ernor passes on to the pistol toting habit, and he takes occasion to com pliment Judge Feagin as the one judge who will not let pistol toter who has money pay his way out of jail. The pistol toter should read Governor Jell1s' opinion, and at the same time read what his fate will soon be.
 The message as whole is hopeful, but unsparing. Faith in Alabama shines out in every page, but that faith is not permitted to conceal imperfec- tions that the present generation, even the present legislature, should mend and better. If the legislature works up to the message, it will do very well indeed, thus giving the state new impetus under the new constitution, and bringing 1t Tn line with the most advanced commonwealths.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-01-15
Parislan NanDYke.

''The Partisan Yandyke, a style of beard being affected In this country, Is becom- ing to some men, but the number is ex- ceedingly limited" said barber yester- day. ''Mustache, pointed chin whiskers rather short and beard on the rest of the face, clipped to the shortness of ten days growth-this combination makes the Parisian Vandyl1e.
 "Only an exceptionally well-shaped race can stand this style And even man with the right features must have a brown beard if he would look all right Men with gray hairs on their face, or with red or black beard, never look well in Parisian Vandyke whiskers"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-01-15
ARKANSAS CRIME.
Carefully Selected Statistics Which
 Relate to Lynching.
From the Arkansas Democrat.

From the Arkansas Democrat.
 The tide of crime in Arkansas ebbs and flows within a narrow radius, as shown by the fact that the number Of homicides in the state for the year 1902 IS only three short of the average of 199 for the last five years. During the period in which the Arkansas Democrat has kept a record of criminology in the state the low tide was reached in 1898, when only 149 homcides were recorded, and the high water mark was in 1899, with 255. Last years suicides are also just three short of the five-year average of A. The number of lynchings is the same as last year, which was four more than for the three preceding years combined. From care fully kept data the following statement for the last five years is prepared:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-01-15
THE NEW GOVERNOR.

From the Boston Herald.
 The democratic governors-elect Of Ne vada and of Oregon are yet to be inaugn- rated. After they have assumed office, they, with the democratic governor of Rhode Island will together enjoy the dis tinction of being the only democratic chief executive magistrates elected last fall north of Mason and Dixon's line. The case of Oregon deserves to be excepted from the strictly democratic category, inas- much as the state went republican on the general ticket by a large majority, but elected the democratic candidate for gov ernor on account of personal dissatisfac- tion with the republican candidate. Ne vada is the only northern state that has a democratic governor and democratic legislature. Down south the democrats fare better They will control all the state governments down there, excepting only that of West Virginia. Taking all the forty-five states together, the republicans have twenty-seven governors and the democrats eighteen.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-01-15

David Starr Jordan, President of Leland
 Stanford University. in the Washing
 ton Times.
 A HE twentieth century will be stren- \CH uous, complex, and democratic.
 Strenuous 1t must be, as we can all see, and we have to thank our young man of the twentieth century who gave us the watchword of "The Strenuous Life" Our century has host of things to do, bold things. noble things, tedious things, difficult things, enduring things.
 More than any of the others, the twen- tieth century will be democratic The greatest discovery of the nineteenth cen tury was that of the reality of external things. That of the twentieth century will be this axiom in geometry "The straightest line is the shortest distance between two points," If something needs doing, do it. The more plainly, directly, the better.
 Democracy does not mean equality just the reverse of that. It means indi- vidual responsibility, equality before the law, of course, equality of opportunity, but no other equality save that won by faithful service. That social system that bids men rise must also let them fall if they cannot maintain themselves. To choose the right man means the dismissal of the wrong.
 The weak, the incompetent the untrain- ed, the dissipated find no growing well come in the century which is coming It will have no place for the unskilled labor CTS. bucket of water and basket of coal will do all that the unskilled laborer can do if we have skilled men for their direction. The unskilled laborer is no product of democracy. He exists in spite of democracy.
 The lawyers of the future will not be
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-01-15
The Library and Reading Room.

Attendance at the free reading rooms of the public library recently opened in the city hall, Is increasing every day as the people learn of the comforts and ad- vantages afforded them in the institu- tion," said prominent man who appre- ciates good literature
 ''Dr. J. H. Phillips, superintendent of the schools, who has general charge of the library. has plans for charging it's scope and usefulness. One of his cher ished ideas Is to have ten men of Bir- mingham become the life patrons of the library by subscribing to its funds $500 each. Each man giving $500 will have the privilege of bestowing on his young friends who are over 21 years of age, life memberships to the number of twenty, valued at $25 each. This idea has not yet been acted on by the board of education, but plan is already on foot to issue quite a large number of life memberships at S25 each to citizens designated by the board.
 "In order to raise a fund for expenses and new books, pr. Phillips favors pop ular lecture course which can be attend ed by the school children and the pub lie generally. He wants to popularize the library and will soon begin an active campaign to that end.
 Included in the money recently re- ceived by the library was something like $100 from the last State fair resulting from the plan of General Manager Me- Knight to have the school children at tend at reduced rates, and turn over a portion of the sum realized on school tickets to the library fund. With this money and some received afterwards much good will be accomplished. Dr. Phillips hopes to arrange soon to keep the library open until 10 o'clock p. m., and to introduce many other important inn provements there.
 "The library is certainly worthy of be- ing maintained on a large scale and men of means should esteem it a privilege to contribute to the fund which is to be raised"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-01-15
IN HOTEL LOBBIES.
Prices of Pia Iron.

When the price of pig iron reached S2t a few years ago it did not hold at that quotation long, but dropped as rapidly as it had advanced" remarked business man. Many persons thought at that time that iron would never sec s20 again. Spot iron brought s22 to S25 last fall, and iron for future delivey is selling new for over $2O
 ''The demand for iron is very active and the market will remain strong Tor some time to come; certainly until next summer. If we should have another big crop year, there will be no softenins or prices this side of 1904. It will be no sur prise if quick delivery iron IS selling TOT s27 next fall: and some men figure it out that iron may bring $50 before 1g]5 IS gone"