davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-08-29
Promotion Strikes Consumers.

The Wall Street Journal explains at considerable length the case of the Virginia-C Carolina Chemical company as a typical one of the promotion pe- riod. When the slump came it could market no more securities, and it had not sufficient working capital, if 1t had any at all It needed, in short, $6,000,000 as working capital. It got it, but in the getting O. it it had to pay for years use of the sum, per cent as interest, 21a per cent to the banks that organized the loaning syn dicate, and 10 per cent as commission to the syndicate itself In other words, it pays 1872 per cent for the use of the money for one year. Hard as the terms were it had to accept them.
 Who pays this rate of IS per cent? Do the holders of the securities, amounting to 1000 900, or the fertil- izer and oil mill company pay 1t? No, indeed. Every dollar of it will come from the consumers. The farmers of the south will pay it, and their bur dens are already pretty heavy. They are not unaccustomed to high rates of interest at home, but they have no appetite for more of the same sort levied in Wall street.
 The lack of working capital, the payment of dividends on the common stock of the company, and excess cap italization all had hand in compell- ing the Virginia Carolina to go into Wall street and borrow six million dollars at the rate of IS per cent. The Wall Street Journal draws therefrom an useful lesson as to future corpora tions, but it does not show how con- sumers in the south can escape the penalty of the mistakes of the fertil- izer company, although they had no hend in them and were wholly inno- cent and even ignorant throughout.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-08-29
THAT OLD HAT TAX.

From the N. Y. Commercial
 Persons whose collecting craze takes the harmless, if peculiar, form of curios- ities in hats may be recommended to go over to London and inspect an interest ing relic of the past now exhibited in the window of a wardour street curio deal CT. This is a beaver of the time when George the Third was king, in excellent condition, and-most interesting of all in these days when the reimposition of old taxes is "in the air"-it has a revenue certificate pasted in the crown to show that the hat tax had been duly paid. In the reign of George III tax of Sd was levied on every hat that did not exceed 4s in value; for one not exceeding l2s a duty of Is was payable, while all hats exceeding this figure were dutiabe at a rate of 2s. Paper tickets stamped with the several duties hereby imposed were obtainable from the commissioners of stamps, and had to be securely pasted or affixed in the lining or the crown of such hats under a penalty of a10 for every omission.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-08-29
Mental Anaulsh Suits.

In speaking of suits against telegraph companies for damages for mental an- guish" caused by reason of the non-deliv- cry of telegraphic messages, prominent corporation lawyer said:
 'The Texas Doctrine as 1t is known among lawyers which has allowed recov- cry for mental suffering through the non- delivery of telegrams, mas caused much perplexity to both bench and bar.
 There is no doubt but that there are certain cases in which such non-deiivery, If negligent, is a proper gfound for sub egram is not delivered and thereby son Is deprived of reaching the bedside of a parent until after death .has come, there is such mental suffering resulting as would entitle the son to recovery as against the company.
 '"rhe difficult thing Is to dete, mine just where the line should be drawn. re- cent Texas case (Western Union Telo- graph company vs. Wilson, 75 Southwest ern Reporter 4S2), seems, however, to be going little too far In his case an un- cle sues to recover because on account of delay in the delivery of the message he was deprived of the consolati ,n @ of at. tending the funeral of his niece.
 Ut is wonderful what heartless villains corporations are, when 1t comes to mak- ing them defendants in damage suits for personal injuries"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-08-29
couniinn Bales Next Year.

The census office has sent out final instructions to it's field agents in rela- tion to the counting of the new crop of cotton as the bales roll from the gins, and Director North is confident that almost every bale will in the new cotton year be accounted for.
 The count will be made by 626 field agents, and each ginner has been sup piled with a ginner's record book, This book contains blank forms which will enable the ginner to record the name of each customer for whom cot ton is ginned, the number of pounds of seed cotton ginned for each GUS toner daily, the number of pounds of lit obtained, the number of pounds of seed, and the actual weight of each bale of cotton ginned.
 If the ginners will cooperate in this work the cotton bales can be accurate ly counted, and the experts or guess CT can be eliminated It is time in- deed that the wild and irresponsible forecasters were driven out--men whose guesses often went wild" two million bales. No guess of the cotton crop is worth the time expended in listening to it.
 Each field agent hes list of gins in his territory, and he is instructed to hunt for others, especially for private gins He is to make five reports in the cotton season. The first on Sep tember 21 will include cotton grown last year. as well as of the new crop.
 The second will include all cotton ginned up to October IS. The third re- port will include cotton ginned up to November IS, and the fourth report all cotton ginned up to December 13. The fifth and final report will appear early in March.
 Every ginner should lend a helping hand to this work. Counts are better than guesses, far better, and the gin ners can by united action give us the certainty and sure foundation of ac- tual enumerations.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-08-29
Friction Versus Harmony.

The Ashville Aegis pleads for a con- tinuance of the primary plan for mak- ing nominations. St. Clair is afflicted with two bitter factions, and the pri- mary is the only plan that restraints faction managers either from cutting eacll others throats, or from combin- ing to fleece. the people unmercifully. In the primary, says the Aegis, the democracy of St.. Clair placed itself beyond the control of factions, putting "all fusions, combinations and strange devices out of the question"
 What Is deeply felt in St. Clair Is more or less felt in every other coun- ty in this state Tho primary Is so commanding, so authoritative, so sweeping and final, that no one dares disobey its behests. All bow before it. and accept it's decisions, as indaed they ssoYld This, as the A9gis well states, puts an end to factions, and this, of course, means harmony in the party, and its continuous solidarity. ic party of this state is all important in this state in the next ten years, when the constitution of 1901 is to be carried to it's logi cal limits, and the ru' of the best men in the state is to be rendered enduring. The new electorate Is to be enthrofed, or rather installed, in the next ten years, and harmony in the democratic party is essential Only the primary can se- cure this.
 But as the lav stands, how does the Aegis know thal the faction leaders in its county will adopt next year the primary plan? They may discard it, especially If they can with an eye to plunder, agree among themselves. The Aegis should join the movement which calls for new primary law that would deprive the cliques and bosses of the power to rob the electorate of their right to name their own nominees-to govern themselves, tn . word. Such a law is not only needed in St. Clair, but it is needed ln every county in the state, and the
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-08-29
WHISKY AND SODA.
From the Lancet.

From the Lancet.
 However the fact may be deplored, whisky mixed with soda water Is a very popular drink. In Pickwickian times the favorite stimulant was brandy and wa- ter; later 1t was whisky and water. and now plain water is very generally replaced by aerated water. The popularization of aerated waters has undoubtedly had much to do with encouraging the drinking Of whisky. There are many persons who cannot drink plain whisky and water who will drink, perhaps with indiscreet relish, the same spirit mixed with spark ling water.
 The Scotchman, or the connoisseur of whisky not necessarily synonymous terms, on the other hand, invariably pre- fers plain water with the spirit and re- gards the admixture of soda water as a means of spelling the esthetic qualities of the whisky. But in the one case flavor is sought after while in the other merely an agreeably stimulatnf fluid is desired. Some persons believe that soda water re- duces the intoxicating effect of the spirit but probably an effervescing alcoholic liquid, judging from champagne. is more easily dffusible than a still liquid. It is well known at any rate, that very often when plain whisky and water dis agree, and sometimes give rise to feel ing of sickness, the substitution of ef- fervescent water has a qu.,e different effect
 There seems to be little doubt that some explanation of this is afforded by the fact that alcohol will dissolve three times as much carbonic acid gas as water will dissolve. Alcohol would thus convey more gas to the stomach and carbonic acid gas in solution admittedly promotes the chemical processes of digestion and acts as a sedative in the stomach. Cham pagne Is well known to be useful in sick ness in allaying irritability of the stom- ach by virtue of the carbonic acid gas it contains.
 Apart therefore, from the pleasing, sparkling qualities of aerated water and its sharp agreeable taste, there would appear to be a sound physiological reason why whisky with soda water Is preferred by the many to whisky with plain water.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-08-29

fenreid of Greensboro are registered at the Metropolitan.
 A. J. Lamb of Nashville is stopping at the Morris.
 John W. Cook of Eutaw Is at the St. Nicholas
 ". L. King of AnnIston is registered at the Metropolitan.
 Oscar Fuighum of Selma is stopping at the Morris.
 J. E. Penhall of Carbon Hill Is register ed at the. St. Nicholas.
 George T. Price of Louisville is stop ping at the Hillman.
 D. c. McMillan of San Francisco is at the Metropolitan.
 W. A. Glover of Talledega is at the Morris.
 ". E. Love, Jr., of Chattanooga is reg istered at the Hillman.
 J. H. Burton of Goodwater is stopping at the Morris.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-08-29
pr. Briggs RomeWard.

"The Rev Dr. c. A. Briggs, formerly a divine of the Presbyterian church and a distinguished professor in Union The ological seminary, now a clergyman of the Protestant Episcopal church, has been little in the public eye for the past few years,'' said one of his former ad- mirers but he Is now attracting atten- tion again by an article from his pen in the American Journal of Theology. It is regarded as significant from its Rome ward leaning. The title of the article Is 'Catholic-The Nane and the Thing
 "The author proves by the historical argument that the name Catholic always stood for three essential things: u) the vital unity of the church in Christ; @ the geographical unity of the church ex- tending throughout the world; (3) the historical unity of the church in apos- tolic tradition. The conclusion is. they who would have a just claim to this title must possess this triple unity.'
 We find such passages as the follow ing scattered through the article: It is mere perversity not to return to Rome if the conscience is convinced that Rome IS rlgnt Tn all her great controversies with Protestantism. He Is referring to the Ritualists. There can be no doubt that at the close of the third Christian century Roman and Catholic were so closely allied that they were practically identical' There can be no doubt that the Roman Catholic church of our day is the heir by unbroken descent to the Roman Catholic church of the second century. and that it is justified In using the name Catholic as the name of the church as we'll as the name Roman If we would be Catholic. we cannot become Catholic by merely calling ourselves by that name. Unless name corresponds with the thing it is a sham and it Is a shame
 What sensation it would make if Dr. Briggs were to join the Roman Catholic church. He had to quit the Presbyterian church because he was not regarded as sound on the question of plenary inspira- ton. If he goes to Rome he will certainly have to say unequivocally that he believes in the inspiration of the Bible from begin- ming to end"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-08-29

~HE burial of Menotti Garibaldi, (lCu celebrated more as the son of the
 Italian liberator than for his own exploits has attracted renewed attention to what may be called the Garibaldi le- gend. Menotti was the son of Giuseppe Garibaidi by Anita, his South American wife. a woman whose remarkable hero- ism and noble devotion to her husband should have bred-in her sons the qualities of greatness. These two sons. indeed, Menotti and Riciotti, inherit at least the fighting qualities of their parents Menotti, the elder, bore a rather more prominent part in the raid upon the papal dominions in 1867 than did his father.
 After the elder chieftain had been ar rested by Victor Emanuers officials at Si- enna and sent back to Caprera. the com mand of the raiders was committed. to and forced the intervention of the French. and forced the intervention of the Trench. The Garibaldis had demonstrated that nothing but the power of foreign invad- CT could avail to keep the papal throne from falling, and thus had really pointed the way to the completion of the unifica- ton of Italy.
 Again, In 1871, when Giuseppe Garibaldi internationally came to the aid of the French republic against the Germans. Me- notti had another chance to do valiant service for a cause which he regarded as that of the people against their oppress- CTS. He shared. and rightfully. in the honors which were his fathers. Alone he would doubtless never have attained distinction. But he wore an honored name with credit.
 It is a remarkable story. this true Gari- baldi legend. It illustrates the tremen- dous personal and organizing power which is always cropping out in the Ital- ian peasantry. for Garibaldi sprang from that Ligurian sea-faring peasantry which gave the world Columbus, and was a true expression of the capabilities, true exponent of the ideals. of the Italian common people. A man of many person. al weaknesses, and often quite headstrong and deaf to good counsel he was never theless a man of extraordinary power. He was of the race of men who believe that things can be done because they are the right things to do.
 His indomitable will translated itself into the deliverance of Italy from des- potism and darkness; for 1t is doubtful if
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-08-29
LEGEND OF GARIBALDI
 IS ONCE MORE RECALLED.

the unifying purposes of Victor Emanuel and of Cavour would ever have realized themselves if Garibaldfs audacity had not proved that Italy was still peopled, to it's remotest corner, by men who could do and dare.
 The young Italian king has done well to acknowledge anew. at the burial of the liberator's son. the obligation of his house hal ldi
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-08-29
THE OLD MAN DREAMS.
Oliver Wendell Holmes

By Oliver Wendell Holmes. 'Oh, for one hour of youthful joy! Give back my twentieth springl I'd rather laugh, bright-hair'd boy Than reign a gray-beard king! "Off with the spells of wrinkled age! Away with learning's crown, Tear out life's wisdom-written page, And ash its trophies down! "One moment let my life blood stream From boyhood's fount of flame! Give me one giddy, reeling dream Of life all love and fame!" My listening angel heard the prayer. And calmly smiling, said. eff I but touch thy silver'd hair,
 Thy nasty wish hath sped But is there nothing in thy track
 To bid thee fondly stay, While the swift seasons hurry back To find the wish'd-for day?" "Ah! truest soul of womankind!
 Without thee what were life? One bliss I cannot leave behind:
 I'll take-my-precious- The angel took a sapphire pen
 And wrote in rainbow dew, "The man would be boy again. And be a husband. too!' And is there nothing yet unsaid Before the change appears? Remember. all their gifts have fiec With those dissolving years!" "Why, yes; for memory would recall My fond paternal Joys I could not bear to leave them all: I'll take-my-g1rl-and-b The smiling angel droppd his pen
 Why. this will never do; The man would be a boy again,
 And be a father. toor' And so I laughd- laughter woke The household with its noise And wrote my dream. when morniI
 broke.
 To please the gray-hair'd boya.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-08-29
REFLECTIONS OF A BACHELOR

From the New York Press,
 A woman had as lief handle a tarantula as an unopened telegram
 The woman who knows when not to blush has a genius for being attractive
 What a girl likes about being on yacht Is that it proves how we'll she can hold her temper when she is hating everybody for the way her complexion Is burning up
 The proudest day of woman's life is when her son joins the church, and the next when he gets his name in the news papers for being present at swell we'd ding.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-08-29

best and bravest legislature the state has had since the war will assuredly meet the expectations of the people In this all-important respect
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-08-29

Admiral Cotton has been ordered to acquire the Russian war habit, and to speed away to Beirut ready to bom- bard the life out of it If the sultan does not apologize and pay for the murder of our vice-consul
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-08-29

The Memphians should study the life of Sir Thomas Lipton in defeat. He never quits, nor does he throw the ball over the spinnaker.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-08-29

Jefferson's consolidated court al lows for growth by the addition of judges, but where will our pretty court house be when it keeps pace with the county The prisoners in the jail may have to move.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-08-29

King Peter should seize the first op- portunity to Blnd hi5 army officers into the darkest Balkan war cloud aLd ask them to sta.' there.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-08-29

In some towns pistol would not stop motor-nan, and such towns should be supplied with Calling guns.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-08-29
Eleven spanlards Drowned.

Gibraltar. August 2s.-Eleven spaniards who were engaged in salvage work on the wreck of the Spanish steamer Irurak- Bat. near Tarifa, Spain, were drowned today during a sudden squalL
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-08-29

Judge Parker's Georgia tour has taken all political ambition out of him. He is content now to stay on the bench.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-08-29

A New York surgeon recently op- erated on Princess Rupprecht of Ba- varia for appendicitis, thus getting into good society at one cut.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-08-29

Secretary Hitchcock is trying to weed grating out of the orchards of the Indian Territory.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-08-29

Lese majeste is the enemy of cam- paign ginger in Germany. The whole truth cannot safely be told.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-08-29

The ringing of the first cuffew bell is always mistaken by the small boy as fire alarm.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-08-29

Reliance has sail area of about one-third of an acre, and she needs every bit of it in the light airs of Au- gust
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-08-29

Mr. Pulitzer's school of journalism Is at any rate furnishing subjects for editorials and paragraphs.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-08-29
A BIT OF A LAUGH
Forbidden Luxury.

From the Chicago Tribune
 Maria suddenly announced MT. Will jams, 'I may as we'll tell you have lost $50.0o0 in steel stocks within the last few weeks \
 'I suppose that settles it," moaned Mrs. Wiljams. T can't have the hay fever this year."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-08-29

Arthur Pue German, Jr., has begun to climb up the political ladder. He is a candidate for state senator in Mary land.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-08-29

December cotton is selling at ten cents, with a good margin thrown in against slumps.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-08-29

The United States navy is invinci ble at the select summer resorts.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-08-29

Judge JOnn MOOre HnnOuHceS lHdl he will stand for reelection to the judge shipj in the Fourth judicial district. 1 It is reported that a we'll of natural l gas has been discovered on the place oi John J. King, mayor of Consul. The Catholic Orphans home at Bat ties was blessed yesterday morning by the Right Reverend Bishop Allen and dedicated under the title of "our Lady of Victory by the Bay"
 There is a warm time imminent among l the Etowah republicans over the rumor I that an effort is being made to make the Alabama City and Attalla postoffices subdivisions of the Gadsden office. A Gadsden paper suggests a novel cru sade against the practice of plasterine over the walls of business houses with posters and recommends that the city council give the matter its consideration.
 Reports from all parts of Alabama show that the farmers will reap an abundant harvest this year. The mer- chants who do an advancing business are looking forward to-a prosperous season.
 Governor Jelks has revoked the com mission of J. c. McLendon as justice of the peace at Luverne. This action was the result of an investigation made of charges made by H. Y. Brooke, editor of the Crenshaw County Critic.
 
 The recent courthouse fight in Coffee county seems to have been settled in favor of Elba The county seat will re- main at that town for the present, ai- though the citizens continue to be stir red up over the question.
 Since the negro university has been captured by Birmingham the disappoint- ed towns of the state that were trying for the institution will now make a bid for the Presbyterian Snyodicai college. Both Anniston and Selma are in the field.
 It Is estimated that every county in the state is preparing to introduce local bills in the legislature during the ap- preaching session and the lawmakers will no doubt have hard time a getting through with a majority of these meas ures.
 Over at Anniston the Holiness sect is causing the citizens lots of trouble. Three divines were arrested recently on charges of disturbing the peace, but the warn ing has had little effect. Property own CTS complain that the preachers are a nuisance.
 The report of the state board of pen- sion examiners shows that there are 1892 persons in this state who are entitled to assistance under the Confederate pen sion act. Jefferson heads the list of counties with ninety-eight pensioners, and Sumpter has only one.
 In the interstate rife shoot held at Savannah the second and third places were won by the first and second teams from the First infantry Alabama Na- unteers were first with a score of 407 out of possible 300 at 200 yards.
 It is reported that English sparrows have almost disappeared from the streets of Montgomery and 1t is questioned whether the appearance of the cotton worm has had any thing to do with their migration. If the sparrows could be in- duced to make war upon the destructive pest 1t would be a battle royal with the sparrows certain winners and the noisy bird would then be esteemed in Alabama if nowhere else.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-08-29
The Crucial Point.

From Judge.
 Cholly-Don't worry. Pet; know all about the water around here. We can touch bottom anywhere.
 Ethel-Y-yes; but how far will we have to sink to do 1t?
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-08-29

The Aldrich finance bill for the re. lief of Wall street promoters has been sidetracked.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-08-29
About Persons.

II. H. Totten of Boston is stopping at the Hillman.
 R. M. Foster of Marion and Ed deGraf-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-08-29

MT. Iselin is a winner this year, in- cluding prize in the race suicide con. test.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-08-29

MT. Bristow of the postoffice de partment is also spectacular.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-08-29

Professor Langley is ready to shake hands with David B. Hill over spectac- ulGrism.