davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-18
QUALIFICATIONS OF cLEReYMEN.
Letter in New York Sun.

Letter in New York Sun.
 We hear a great deal of stress laid upon the intellectual preparation of the present day clergyman: yet even a casual glance over the list of prize men in our theolog- teal semisaries will reveal the fact that these are not by any means the most efficient pastors or successful leaders in the religious world.
 We need, first of all, men of common sense, broad humanity and deep spiritual ity
 There are many educated fools in the ministry. If the authorities gave as much heed to these personal qualities as they do to the scholastic attainments of the candidate for the ministry, there would be fewer church, fueds, a reduced army of non-employed clergy and an increase in the power of the church
 Another fact: After reaching this schol- astic height, what is the compensation of- fered? These phenomena of intellectual, moral physical and spiritual attainment receive salaries lower than the wage of good mechanic; they are subject to the whim and caprice of every gouty trustee and soured spinster in the parish; when the bloom of youth is passed, they may solicit life insurance or enroll in that vast company of supplies
 Before any great reform is attempted in the matte< of intellectual preparation for the ministry, it would be far more to the point to better the condition of that band of heroic men who today. against a thous- and odds. are battling to improve higher type of character in the world
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-18
SALARIES AND SAVING.
m the New York World.

From the New York World.
 A physician whose name was better known to New Workers than that of most specialists, and was much in de- mand for medical articles in the period icals and the Sunday press, and who alto gether enjoyed publicity which to one of his profession should have been highly remunerative, left an estate of only S4O00 on bis death recently.
 Was his an individual case of undue extravaganza of expenditure, or was it only typical as showing the demands made on an income of even large size in a city in which temptations to a spend thrift life assail from all quarters as no- where else?
 In the Jewell divorce case Justice Scott said that he did not think that a man with an income of s7O0o a year would save much. if anything" Dr. Edson's income was doubtless larger than that; opportu- mites were offered him of trebling it. It may have been thought sufficient to al- low an ample margin for investment.
 Yet the demands on such salary in the way of higher rents, the more lavish household expenses called for by social position dearer clothes. a more general indulgence in luxuries and the numberless minor draughts on the family funds which life in New York now entails, might with out economy readily diminish this mar gin to small proportions.
 It is therefore probably the exception when any substantial saving is made from a salary once deemed generous one.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-18
Republican Politics.

President Roosevelt will have no oppo- sition for the repubublican nomination, according to J. O. Thompson, Charles H. Scott and W. r. Aldrich, who have just returned from Washington. They are the Presidents referees in Alabama
 MT. Thompson says that Senator Han na will not be candidate for the nomi- nation. and on the other hand will be an ardent supporter of Mr. Roosevelt. He says, in discussing the situation in Ala bama, the position of the friends of the administration is so strong that even if the opposition was disposed to send a contested delegation 1t would not have strength enough to make the effort eff fectual"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-18
From Comfort.

@ ARISING a. '"o'' ass of si s's'''' of
 marked the professor from an academy in Boston. "the greatest of them all is this new metal, radium, which gives off heat and light for years and never loses its strength, besides doing a lot of other things. It was discovered by Frenchman and his wife, named Curie, and they are about the only people who have yet been able to make it. It comes from uranium ore found In Bohemia. but is supposed to exist more or less in the earth everywhere. Just what it is mo- body knows yet but they do know that 1t is so scarce that in all the world there is only about one tablespoonful of 1t, about one ounce and a third. but that small quantity is worth about s65,oOO, or three times as much os gold. There is about one-thlrd of an ounce of it in the United States, and it is guarded more keep it in small glass tube and only show it on special occasions.
 What's the good of it? Nothing much yet but it will work wonders after they get it in sufficient quantities to make practical use of it. For instance, it will cure disease like cancer and old sores They just pass it over the affected part several times in the tube, letting the rays of radium heal up. At the same time, if the rays are turned for any time on a well part, the skin, after nine or ten days peels off and a sore comes which remains for weeks. If left too long, death will result, and mice, rabbits and other small animals have been killed, simply hanging the radium tube up in their cages and leaving it there for few days. Nobody seems to know how it affects them, but their hair comes off, they go blind and die.
 But if mild doses of radium are applied they will thrive, and the hair will grow strongly. It will retard the growth of the larvae of insects keeping them in that state while others of the same age will have become moths and died long before. Just as if it were applied to a boy of IS, it would hold him at that age, while his twin, if he lived ordinarily would be over 200 years old. What this may mean in the years to come no one can tell now. On eggs, too, it has a strange effect, and on tadpoles. changing them into monsters and making an entirely different kind of animal. And it has the same strange effect on plant life.
 Ut will penetrate any substance with it's light, and if one places a tube of radium to his temples and shuts his eyes, its effects on the optic nerve are such that the light of 1t may be seen. What this means for future use in eye diseases no man can tell. It gives it's strange power to other substances also. and they may be used for a short time as the radium is. They retain the quality, however, for only a short time, while 1t is estimated that radium itself will only lose one-millionth part of it's bulk in thousand million years Everything else we know of in the world. wears away, but radium goes on giving heat and light forever. Not much heat and not much light but of such a pe- culiar penetrating kind that may not be measured yet. It is also an absolute test
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-18

and purpose. One person in law-the Northern Securities company-controls today both lines, if directors direct, as they certainly do when a merger se- lects them. The two sets of directors have power to destroy competition, and in thousand sly ways they will proceed to do it.
 The Northern Securities company does not deny the existence of the power. but it contends that he law is directed only against an improper use of the power. It contends that no im- proper use of the power has been shown, and the decision of the Su- preme court will turn on this point.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-18
THE GRAND JURY.

From the Milwaukee Sentinel. Now beware. ye festive boodlers-sidestep
 nimbly day and night, Watch the little old grand jury as it
 moves itself aright They are deep in consultations; they are
 planning on your ruin, And you may wake up some morning and
 discover something doin. Pack your tiny little grips. Get your mileage for your trips, And prepare to leave the city for
 awhile;
 There are rumors in the air And the jury's on a tear, And. besides. these Christmas junkets
 are in style. There is trouble in the Balkans, as you
 probably have read, But 'tis Sunday school diversion, measur-
 ed with the grief ahead For you thrifty. nifty gentlemen who cov-
 cred not your tracks Who frisked around the city with your
 hands behind your backs, Buy your Christmas presents now. For the laurels from your brow May be yanked before another week
 goes by; You had better plant your spells Ere they get you in the tois- And the jury has heap of fisb to fry.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-18
THE ALABAMA PRESS.


 Roanoke Leader: We continue to read of "quiet marriages" occurring in all parts of the country. It is gratifying to note that these interesting events are al lowed to pass off quietly rather than be- ing celebrated by the firing of guns and the screaming of women and children
 Jasper Mountain Eagle: Another appro- priation has been asked that Attorney General Knox may bust some more trusts. This way of breeding trusts to lust and then failing to bust them, is get ting tiresome to the people who have to administer to their enormous appetites.
 Montgomery Advertiser: The idea that the English sparrows may exterminate the boil weeyil pest is in, the nature of forlorn hope, unless the weey< can be trained to stay around houses and gar dens, or the birds trained to stay in the cotton fields. Just at present we don't see how either is to be done. Both are "sot in their ways"
 Talladega Mountain Hsme: Senator Hoar, as well as Senator Morgan, has in- tAOdAich iCSOluiiOuS III tilt otiidlt Neiihiih for papers, facts and correspondence look ing to giving publicity to the devious methods of the state department in the Panama transaction. The people are in a receptive mood for the secret history and facts in the case.
 Mobile Item: Senator Hanna wants Gen. eral Leonard Wood to come back and an- swer certain charges, among which is that of spending money belonging to the government without authority. This ia another one of the schemes of the willy old manipulation to knock the plans of Teddy into a cooked hat. If Wood comes back and explains it will be "worse and worse' for the President.
 Mobile Register: MT. Bryan in a top hat is not the MT Bryan we have long known and loved. Birmingham Age Herald. It is probable that if MT. Bryan were to wear a top hat in Birmingham he would be thought to be affecting fashion unsuitable to a man belonging to the people. Abroad however, he finds that men of his own rank in life wear top hats, and that wearing such a hat is not considered affectation. He conforms to the fashion of the country he is visiting. It is hypercritical to blame him for do- ing so.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-18
TEA CULTURE IN THE SOUTH.
Government Reports on Experiments
 In South Carolina.

Washington, December 16.-Some inter- esting facts concerning the present and future of the tea industry in the United States are contained in the annual report of Professor B. T. Galloway, chief of the bureau of plant industry of the agricul- tural department.
 The government plantation at Summer vile, s. C., last year produced over 5000 pounds of tea, most of 1t of high grade, and this year, with the increased acreage planted, the crop is expected to be much larger Recently, 100 acres Of good land at Mackay, Wharton county. Tex, were planted in tea, and it is believ- ed that the plant will become easily ac- clmated in that section and can be profit ably grown.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-18
COMMENTS ON MEN AND
 MATTERS OF THE WORLD

is much older, on account of Uncle Sams recently developed propensity for taking things, but whether the Dons of Spain will have anything to do with it remains to be seen. In the meantime the legacy is deposited in the Bank of Spain, where it bids fair to accumulate a handsome interest before it is claimed by some doughty warrior who can succeed in tweaking the chin whiskers of Uncle Sam. This little story illustrates the fact that Spain's great love for this country is not altogether unanimous and there are yet few Dons who think they have been held up by a stronger government.
 A certain Yale student feels that hig memory has played him mean trick. This young man recently wroten an article for his college magazine which was ex- ceptionally bright and assured him of the fact that he would receive much com mendation for his cleverness. The com position was really a credit to a man of his years and sure enough after the ap- pearance of the magazine he was over whelmed with the plaudits of his friends. It was something of a shock to him to find out that Maurice Hewlett in his "Earthworks Out of Tuscany" had treat ed the same subject in the same happy style and in almost Identical language. Now the report is noised abroad that memory was to blame. The student sim ply read MT. Hewletts article several years ago and forgot about 1t. When the ideas there imbibed flashed into his mind again after a period of forgetfulness he thought they were entirely new and had been born in his own fertile brain Simil- arly class orators and others who are called upon to make a display in public frequently make a similar blunder It would be uncharitable to say that there is no so much forgetfulness about such mistakes as the victims would have one to suppose. It is better to say that this is merely a freak of a psychology that should be investigated by the scientists.
 The case of General Wood seems to be a mystery of mysteries. While his friends are assigning to him all the virtues an ordinary mortal can possibly possess his
 
 committed about all the crimes a man of his station could be guilty of. Under these conditions it is not to be wondered at that the senate investigation commit tee finds difficulty in re2ching a eonclu-. sion. In the meantime General Wood cer- tainly does not advance in rank and MT. Roosevelt will have to wait before ex- periencing the pleasure of having his chum pushed up another peg in station. General Wood seems to be taking things very quietly in the Philippines, where he amuses himself with keeping the natives quiet, and he has at least been wise enough to remain altogether out of print. In spit of the noise over his administra- tion in Cuba and his alleged connection with Jai Alai that interesting Cuban game of chance is little known in this country and the frequency with which it is misspelled is appalling. There was talk at one time that an extensive gam bling establishment would be set up in New York where Jai Alai could be played but nothing has been heard from the movement lately. P. c.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-18
About Persons.

The Hon. l. w. Hill, superintendent of education, was in the city a few hours last night en route from Montgomery to Jackson where he goes to attend a teach CTS institute today. He is in good health and spirits and speaks interestingly of Alabama's educational progress. He said {: We had a most important gathering today in Montgomery of the trustees of the nine agricultural schools of the state Each of the schools were represented by two members of their board. The pur- pose of meeting was to place all the schools under one board. This. I think, will do much to advance the cause of ed ucation in these schools.
 Under the new law the schools will continue the work they have been doing. The subject of agriculture is one of the most important brahches of learning. It is one that will increase in popularity" W. T. l.. Cofer of Cullman. a member of the constitutional convention and a candidate for congress in the Sixth dis trict, is at the Morris.
 S. W. Riddle of Gadsden is at the Met ropolitan.
 D. M. Andrews of Montgomery was one of the Hillmans arrivals last night
 
 MT. and Mrs. c. E. Morris and MT. and Mrs. A A. Mabson of Tuscaloosa are at the Morris.
 Major W. A. Handley of Roanoke, one of Alabamas well known citizens, is at the Metropolitan.
 E. c. Poole, young medical student of Eutaw, is at the Florence.
 J. W. Moore of Coal City is registered at the St Nicholas man.
 J. A. Baugh of LaGrange. Ga. is stop ping at the Morris. lis are at the Hilman.
 P. Strauss, a travelling salesman of Gin cinnati is at the Florence.
 N. D. Bentley of Rockford J. N. But Ter of Troy and R. R. ,Perryman of Heflin are at the Metropolitan.
 
 Ed. Hammer of Astalla is at the Flor ence.
 The Hon. John B. Knox of Annistor is registered at Sthe Hillman.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-18
IN HOTEL LOBBIES
Cut Flowers.

Cuf FlOWSFS.
 We expect to have just about as much business as we can possibly attend to-" said a florist yesterday in discussing the holidays Birmingham is always a good cut flower market but during the holi- days we do an exceptionally large busi- ness. For the past two weeks we have been taking orders for cut flowers to be delivered either on Christmas day or the day before.
 "Colored flowers, such as carnations and roses will be greatly in demand. And there may be an increase in the prices asked for them. While we expect to sell all of the white flowers we can secure yet the demand for these will not be so great"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-18

ucts will lave that much advantage over British or Spanish products. This will assuredly help southern trade, and the gulf ports will feel the change ma terially. The treaty expires in five years, but if it works favorably it will no doubt be extended.
 It is the first infraction of Dingley- ism, and let us hope it will open the way to many more of like sort. We cannot have too many infractions of that scheme for robbing the many for the benefit of the few-that sum of all villainles-that compound of burden some taxation which goes chiefly into private pockets.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-18
Democratic Outlook Rrlaht.

The Hon. John B. Knox of Anniston, spent yesterday in Birmingham. In speak ing Of Presidential politics, MT. Knox said: 'It looked some time ago as if the republicans would be easy winners in 1904, but now the outlook is encouraging for the democrats. If the democrats drop free silver and adopt a sound money plat form they will have a fine chance to carry off the victory. It looks as if President Roosevelt is sure to be nominated. The democrats could not ask for anything bet ter"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-18
REFLECTIONS OF A BACHELOR.

From the New York Press.
 It's terribly disappointing to hear bad news of a friend and then to learn it was a false report.
 The fun of being bald-headed is you can sit in the front row without surprising your friends.
 Women are always very much worried for fear they will not be dressed so as to be A credit to their husbands.
 The curious thing about women Is that their greatest weaknesses with them selves seem to be their greatest strength with men.
 When a woman dreams that her four year-old boy is governor of his state she goes and buys another gown so as to be suitably dressed when 1t happens
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-18
REMARKABLE FEATURES
 OF THE METAL RADIJJM

of the purity of diamonds, the real gems giving off wonderful brilliance under it's influence, and the sham stones remaining dull.
 At present only one-third of an ounce can be worked out of eight tons of ore, after months of careful handling. and the cost is so great that it is only labora- tory curiosity, but Improvements are being made all the time, and no doubt the day will come when radium for practical use can be had, and then what will be the re- suit, we must wait and see"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-18
Genuine Article.

From the Chicago News.
 simkins-And you really consider her q great vocalist, do you?
 Timkins-Sure thing Why, she can ac- tually sing Home Sweet Home so that nobody can tell what it is without look ing al the programme.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-18
Not Successful.

From the Philadelphia Press.
 Towne-You say it's impossible for a woman to keep a secret?
 Browne-Yes.
 Towne-How about her age?
 Browne-She doesn't keep that secret She merely tries to.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-18

w Bourke Cochran will soon be seated in congress, where he will find plenty of opportunity for his eloquence and mental activities. The republicans need stirring up.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-18
A BIT OF A LAUGH
Retort Courteous.

From the Chicago News
 Sir said the angry poet, who had missed another opportunity to break into print, T will be remembered when you are forgotten
 "Oh, very likely" rejoined the man be- hind the blue pencil T always pay cash for my groceries
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-18

Now that MT. Loomis has told just how everything happened on the isth- mus and what a courageous thing Pres ident Roosevelt did when he helped hold up Colombia for one of her prov inces, the country can rest contented that everything is all right.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-18

The theatres in New York complain of poor business, quite overlooking the fact that high prices and weak plays weakly played are factors in the case.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-18

Carroll D. Wright's discussion of the wage question is attracting unusual at tention. He wants every employe to become and to be considered an in vestor.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-18
No Need for Joking.
From Judg'

From Judge. Mrs. Farmer-Will you saw a little wood to pay for that meal? Hardened Hobbs-Please don t joke wil me, ma am, after such q meal ez dat.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-18

The sisters who are camping on the trail of Apostle and Senator Reed
 Shoot are to be gratifed with a sena- torial investigation from top to bottom.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-18

Czar Nicholas recently had a poem published in a paper that was not afraid to turn him down, and his majesty is feeling very much compll- mented.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-18

The tail of the republican ticket will not be settled until after June 2l. There are many who are willin'.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-18

That Panama treaty is in Washing even the keys are in the box, all beauti- fully beribboned, but no senate ribbon has yet been added to the decorations of the box.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-18

Messrs. Conrad and Bonaparte have added an interesting chapter to the rec ord on republican corruption and mis- rule.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-18

The Father of His Country has been dead 104 years, but the country he established goes right on serving as his best memorial.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-18

When Carroll D. Wright wants higher wages for the employe, he de- mands for them "the esthetic possibili- ties of his service"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-18

The Tallapoosa county convict lease contract is under fire at present, and it promises to develop into a state sensa. tion.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-18

The Northern Securities case in the supreme court does not excite public interest either in or out of Wall street.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-18

Tn the last analysis it will be found that 1t was Oscar w. Underwood who lighted the clock on the government building.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-18
Appreciation.
From Pnck.

From Puck
 Yes" said the sharper, who has just succeeded in obtaining change for bad s10 bill from a guileless old clergyman, If there's anything l like it's pastoral simplicity"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-18

Atlanta is ambitious enough to want another ship named after her, and yet Birmingham is furnishing the freight.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-18

The United States have bought the church's lands in Luzon, thus render ing the former master of all it sur veys.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-18
Virtues of Watered Milk.

From the Louisville Courier-Journal.
 In the absence of a chemical engine and an adequate supply of water a Crum Lynne, Pa, milkman rushed in and put out fire with can of milk. The pure milk movement has not yet reached Crum Lynne.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-18

Senator Platt prefers to have the papers discuss his political fall rather than his physical disabilities.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-18

Tn some towns they are forming unions to bar out neckties as Christ mas presents.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-18

The children have begun to count the intervening days.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-18

Mir. Bryan was simply trying to do as the Romans do.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-18

Bourke Cochran is said to be billed by Tammany to fill Mayor-elect Me Clellan's seat.