davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-28
DAME PARTLETTE SHUT
 OUT FROM FANEUII HAIL

crease the gate receipts of any fair, and Light Brahma rooster who had dwelt in Faneuil Hall would on account of his added "side,' fetch more than an ordi- nary price. And if, instead of Light Brahmas, the exhibition were to be of Plymouth Rocks. who can calculate inc added value? Webster when he boasted that he was a Whig, "a Massachusetts Whlg a Revolutionary Whig, a FaneuiI Hall Whig," could not claim for himself the pre-eminence among his kind that would belong to the hen who clucked: ..I am Plymouth Rock. a Massachusetts Plymouth Rock, Faneuil Hall Ply- mouth Rock
 It might be argued that it is well thus to popularize sacred things and bring them into the life of people who might not otherwise see them or know their story. But after all, the way to cultivate reverence for anything is to keep it sacred. The distinction between reverence and curiosity or sensationaism is too often forgotten. We see a great deal of exploitation of historic events and objects. It is certain that it always shows re- spect for them and results in an increas- ed disposition to illustrate in our lives the virtues which they taughte
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-28
Railroad BuiIdinu This Year.

The Railway Age shows that 5,723 miles of railroad track were laid in the present year, or 39 miles more than were laid in 1902. This is an excellent result, all things considered. During this entire year the financial skies were clouded. Bonds of new railroads were sold with difficulty, and yet the mileage was carried to satisfactory figures.
 In Alabama IF miles of track were Record says 169 miles were built in this state this year. but the Chances are that the truth lies between the two. Twenty-four miles were laid from Sellersville to Lockhart, Ala. from Hanceville to Tyson's Station, 81a miles; Hollines, Hefflin and Syla- cauga, 12 miles; near Riverside, 3 miles; Opp to Florala, 231a miles; Cain Creek branch, 12 miles; Stockdale branch, 20 miles; Altoona to Attala, 151a miles; Rock Run branch 1 miles; Spring Garden branch Az miles; spur at Daley, miles; Soapstone Creek to selma,F miles-total, 1S9 miles This is probably pretty near the Alabama aggr9gate, as it will be ascertained lateTion.
 <>Nearly half of the new mileage was laid in the southwest The Gulf and Mississippi states secured nearly a thousand miles, and the South Atlantic states nearly six hundred miles, while in the New England states but twenty three miles have been laid this year, and less than three hundred miles in the Middle states. This years mile age carries the total mileage of the country to 209, ,S55 miles-an aggregate not approached in any other country this world.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-28
War May Become Necessary.

The only power interested in South American affairs that hesitated to re- cognize the republic of Panama was Great Britain, and her recognition has at last been accorded, although she desired first to secure from Panama some pledge that a due proportion of the foreign debt of Colombia would be assumed by the new republic. The question involved is not a serious one. and no doubt the debt will be paid soon on an amicable basis.
 But recognition by foreign nations will not secure freedom and indepen- dence to Panama. because Colombia is gathering, if not marching, troops across the mountains to her old prov inee. Colombia cannot send troops by water while the ships of the United States object, and she therefore pro poses to march them over the noun tains and through almost painless jun gles to the isthmus. ColomDia at any
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-28
About Eetsons.

 c. N. Mitcham. professor of geology and technic Institute, is stopping at the Flor ence.
  Metropolitan
 C. M Marks, a business man of Mont gomery. is stopping at the Morris. Ivey Adams. formerly of Birmingham but now traveling saleman for the Heinz Pickle company with headquarters at Nashville, returned to his home last night after spending Christmas with relatives in the city.
 Prof. H. C. Gunnells of Montgomery. chief clerk in the department of educa- ton, is at the Metropolitan.
 
 Charles Ellis of Montgomery was an ar rival of the St. Nicholas last night. S. D. Logan of Centerville is registered at the Hillman.
 Prof W. H. Bowen superintendent of the Ensley public schools, and Peyton Eu- bank, cashier of the First National bank of Ensley. returned last night from a visit to Montgomery.
 pr. J. c. Smith of Union has returned home after a visit to relatives in this city.
 Frank Gray and R. L. Gray of Elkmont spent Sunday at the St. Nicholas. O. M. Stegall of Abbeville spent Sunday at the Hillman
 Wilbur Ward, a civil engineer of Clay ton, Ga is visiting relatives in the city. Louis Reese, the manager of the Ala bama hotel at Anniston. is stopping at the Florence
 The Rev J. o. Coley, the pastor of the West End Baptist church, leaves today for week $ visit to relatives in Verbena. A B. Griffin, a livery stable man and live stock dealer of Opelika, is stopping at the Metropolitan.
 A. w. Moore of Marion. B. NJ. Smith of Annistcn, N. F. Walker of Alexander City and W. H. Knight of Greensboro are at the Metropolitan.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-28
Week of Railroad Wrecks.

No previous week in the history of American railroading," said Arthur s. Hust formerly railroad and commercial tefegrapher of fifteen years experience, ''can compare with last weeks casualty list including the number of maimed
 "The different reasons assigned sound very plausible to the average reader, but to any one with a Knowledge of railroad ing, seem very improbable and oftimes are entirely discredited. l mean by this. quoting from the dispatches in the Age Herald of recent date, that no careless ness or mistake on the part of an em- ploye but the wreck was caused by the extinguishing of the semaphore signal by a blizzard must be in error.
 Ask any railroad man in any depart ment. and he will tell you that ,assen- ger train must first see fixed signal of red and has no right to run by this signal without it turning to white indicating no orders Should no signal al all be dis played. the train must be stopped and ascertain the reason, leaving only with a clearance order from the division dis patcher. The government of trains by telegraph and signal orders is adjusted by the representative roads al stated pe- riods in convention.
 "Of course official explanation is de- manded of all wrecks but the most unique is the one laid to the shipper of a car load of lumber, This sort of cargo is only accepted by railroads after an inspection as to weight, height and curity of sde-stages holding the con signment."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-28
IN HOTEL LoBBIES
Roosevelt OWES Him Much.

William McAdoo. who will be the next police commissioner Of New York. is san to he responsible for the fact that Pres ident Roosevelt now occupies his present position in the White House According to a story in the Cincinnati Enquirer this state Of affairs came about as follows
 When President Mckinley was inaugu- rated John D. Long was his Secretary of the Navy. The First Assistant Secretary of the Navy under the Cleveland admin stration was Mir. McAdoo, and he had made d great reputation for efficiency So greatly was he przed by the new ad- ministration that MT. Long asked hm 10 continue under the new administration as his first assistant.
 '''I am man well along in years, the secretary said and you are young and full of energy and know the depart ment from top to bottom, probably better than any man in the country. l wish you would stay and help me out
 MT. MeAdoo replied that he would like to accommodate MT Long, but he thought 1t would not be best for both. He was democrat and as first assistant would, in lhe absence or the secretary, olleH nave u be acting secretary He was afraid the people in the party would hardly care to give him their confidence under the clr- cumstanees.
 Henry Cabot Lodge, now Senator from Massachusetts, knew that Mr. McAdoo was unwilling to continue in office and was anxious to have Mr Roosevelt. the police commissioner in New York ap- pointed to the place According to the story he suggested Roosevelts name to Secretary Long. The latter would have nothing to do with the propistion to name Roosevelt.
 Too impulsive, too hasty; will get me into all sorts of scrapes he declared
 But he is the personiication of en- ergy and has great executive ability in- sisted Mr Lodge.
 ""Wen, I'll ask McAdoo about it and see what he thinks. Secretary Long de- clared
 "McAdoo was consulted and at once fa- yored Mr Roosevelts appointment. He did more than merely favor il, he worked for it and succeeded in removing Secre- tary Longs obtions. and Roosevelt be- came first assistant secretary of the navy.
 Had he not been appointed Roosevelt would have continued as police eommls- sioner. and might never have reached his present high office"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-28
From the New York Tribune.


 ss'ps' % "l h1-' % ha s'sss saso T'sas sna
 that was Irish, too," might never have penned such reflection upon the sons of Erin if he had known Mayor Pat rick Collins of Boston. Mir. Collins veins are filled with good, rich Irish blood. and he is proud of it. So far we have ob- served, he does not pretend to any superb ority over the rest of the race, or attempt to trace his ancestry to Plymouth Rock with only temporary sojourn on the way at Blarney Castle. He was not educated at Harvard and his grandfather did net fight at Lexington. His reverence for the sacred codfish and the other traditions of Boston is not natural, but acquired. Yet this Irishman not only keeps the pig out of the parlor. but the chicken out of Fa- neuil Hall.
 The surprising thing is that it should have been reserved for him to save Fa- neul Hall from being turned into hem house. Where were Concord and Lexing- ton and Bunker Hn? Where were the blue bloods of the Back Bay? Where were all the ancents and honorables to whom Boston Common is so sacred that they will not even turn it over to the Park Commission to be properly protected2 The New England Light Brahma club wanted to hold a poultry show in Boston. Who compose the New England Light Brahma club we do not know. We suppose. how ever that they are mostly Sons of the f,,1I equal to their pure blooded fowls. No body but New England Brahmins would be the patrons of the Brahma rooster. Inasmuch as the welfare of the Brahma rooster was for the moment the cause dearest to their hearts since the cry for Philippine independence had lost interest. it was perhaps characteristic for them to think that a little growing under their auspices in Faneuil Hall would be quite as appropriate as some of the praying with which they have honored that his- torc edifice.
 At any rate they decided that Faneun Hall was the proper place for the poultry show, secured from the Board of Alder men a permit for the exhibition, and were about to put the hens to cakle where of old the eagle screamed, when New Eng land traditions in the person of the Irish man from Fermoy stepped in with veto. Perhaps 1t was recollection or the schoolby days of an Irish lad in land of wonder and opportunity. and-a a keener sense of the value of those impressions than comes to others who take their de- scent from the Puritans as tribute to their own worth, which led him to speak of such use of Faneuil Hall as illesiti- mate and substantially proclamation. Good for Mayor Collins! Good for all those who in harmony with him or in- spired by his example, inculcate reverence for the great deeds great places and great men in our history The turning of Faneuil Hall over to a poultry club is not much different from sending the Liberty Bell junketing about the country on flatcars an advertisement for fairs. l The Liberty Bell would undoubtedly in-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-28

cola. He then walked over to the floral department and purchased dozen Amer fean Beauty roses at s20 a dozen Next came the society girl, who quietly bought a bottle of toilet water and some sachet powders By this time the panorama was getting interesting.
 Next came a literary man, who looked over all the magazines and papers but bought nothing. In a free look of half an hour he had secured enough informa- ton to talk on whole day. The next customer was an old man with emaciated features and uncertain step. He was evidently a dope fend. After leaning against the counter for moment he bought 9 cents worth of opium and a copy of the Montgomery Advertiser.
 The hard-working married man was the next specimen. I knew this by his purchase He secured a baby's nipple, some quinine and small bottle of Wins lows soothing syrup An old maid pick cd her way deliberately through the crowd and after complaining about the draughts bought red flannel chest pro- tector and caught car
 "A prosperous coal and iron man was the next purchaser. He walked up to the cigar counter and without saying a word laid 50 cents on the glass case. The clerk handed him five Havana cigars of a certain brand and after lowing to an acquaintance he brisky walked out to the street. The corner drug store is the best place to study human nature have eyer seen"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-28
OLD TIME MANNE FRS.
"Yes, Sir" and "Yes, Ma'am" Said to
 be Old Fogy and Out of Date.

From the Chicago Inter-Ocean.
 Mrs. Martha Foote Crow, dean of wo- men at Northwestern University is re- ported to have informed the young ladies under her direction that she does not ap- prove the phrases Yes. sir' and Yes, Ma'am," because they are ''oId-fash- ioned.
 With reference to Yes, ma am" Mrs. Crows condemnation will be generally approved. It is merely an impolitely slip shod rendering of Yes, madam" and never was in good taste or fashion, old or new. And doubtless Mrs. Crow is cor rect in eondemning Yes, sir" and Yes, madam" as "old-fashioned
 Yet few who remember the old-style manners as practiced by those to the manner born can regard verdict which records the passing away of those phrases without natural sigh of pensive regret.
 There was something in the tone in which a gentleman of the old school said 'Yes, sir" or Yes, madam" whose place in social intercourse those who remember it can hardly believe will be supplied ad- equately by any other forms.
 In his utterance of these words such gentleman recorded a conviction of the equality of all gentlemen, regardless of the accidents of wealth or station, and of the difference due to all women, sim ply because they were women, so simple, natural and instnctive that no explana- ton or argument was needed to support or defend it.
 In his use of those words he recorded his instnetive conviction that poiteness, whether to equals, superiors or interiors, was neither a tribute of respect to power nor condescension to weakness, but was made necessary by sef-respect in him self, and was a just tribute to the self respect of others.
 Standing thus upon the broad foundation of mutual self-respect. the old-style man. ners smoothed the path of life because they implied a real equality between all well-bred men, and a real deference of such men to all women that is not appar- ent when the name of the person address ed is substituted. and that vanishes alto- gether when the plain Yes" and ..No'' are used
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-28
Birmingham Audiences.

Birmingham is the best city in the world of it's size said Otis Harlan yes terday. "I have been to every city in this country. and l have never seen one which could compare with Birmingham, specially for a show man.
 "All over the world the theatrical man dreads the week before Christmas. Ere quently he will give no performance on Christmas eve. There are never any crowds, and this is the first place l have ever seen where this rule was broken
 "All last week the Wells-Dunne- Harlan company played to immense audiences. and in fact broke all records of the Wells circuit The receipts for the week were 5000 larger than ever before. It shows that Birmingham Is the greatest show town in this part of the world The Christmas night crowd at the Bijou was the biggest l have ever seen. It was regular sea of faces and there was not an inch of space in the house not occu- pied"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-28
PineappIe's Christmas FroIic.

A desire for excitement and blood was plainly at the bottom of the dis dressing and absolutely inexcusable lynching and confagration that occur red at Pineapple on Christmas evening Even the mob did not claim that their victim killed young Melton, who was shot as a result of crap playing with negroes They simply knew that a negro had been arrested who had per haps participated in the game of craps. They did not investigate; they did not even desire to investigate. They want ed blood, and they got it in barbaric manner, with a confagration thrown in that nearly destroyed the town.
 This case amply illustrates the beau ties of lynch law. It demonstrates the dangers of anarchy. It is warning to all the state, and it is warning that should not ulheeded.
 If the authorities do not obey public sentiment in Pineapple itself, and pub, lie decency and the intelligence of the state, then more of the same sort may be expected in this state. Pine apple and Scottsboro furnished the two lynchings of the year in this state, and ;,, oocb oaca nunici,n,ant cbo,ttc ha meted out to fit the crin1.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-28
RirmInaham is Orderly.

Ut seems to me- said an observant citizen last night, that Birmingham has cause to be proud of the general good order which is being observed during these holidays Of course there have been some drunks. but not so many as usual In fact 1 do not believe any city of like size in this country has been more orderly. 1 have seen very few men under the influence of liquor on the streets And today Csunday) is notably quiet and orderly. Perhaps the vigilance of the police force has much to do with this happy condition
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-28
SHERIFF AGGRIEVED.
Postmstress of Red Dog Handles
 Armament Flippantly.

From the New York Tribune.
 The Sheriff of Red Dog Tex, who has been asking the postoffice department at Waschington to tone down some" the local postmistross for enforcing her idea of etiquette with pistol, has written again urgently. He says:
 There an't no inspector showed up in these parts yet, and we'd like to know if one is coming. When l wrote you last week things wasn't exactly calm and peaceful and since then the situation has sure become acute and unsatisfac- tory. This lady postmaster here found out in some way-we am't yet decided how-that the mayor and me and the other leading citizens of this town was some vexed and annoyed with her. and since then tie postoffice aint done any business to speak of. If it was man dealing out stamps and handing over our mail you can rest easy we wouldn't have to bother you. But we aint mak- ing war on women, including this one, which can handle her armament quite casual and nippant, so we want you to do something.
 This town respectfully protests to you against the way in which this accredited postmistress is urging her views on poiteness; this town respectfully pro- tests that it ain't got time to leave its hat outside the door when getting it's mail this town respectfully protests that it's duly elected mayor is important in the eyes of it's citizens and that there ain't no call for him to act humble when he's getting his mail
 This mayor aint felt right since he skipped out of the postoflice last week. some undignifed and frisky, owing 10 the fact he forgot to take off his hat snd bow, and he's going to resign if some thing ain't done Please attend to it. for we are getting snippish and fretful in our tempers and are liable to do some thing we might regret. Tell the inspec tor he'd better come to see me first. She heard he's coming and there ain't no use of his being rash and careless.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-28
vindication of Captain Dreyfus.

The council of the French war of flee has practically decided to order q revision" of the findings in the Drey- fus case, and to restore Captain Drey- fus to the service with the rank he would have held if conspiracy had not been formed against him.
 The case is one of the most remark able in the history of any nation. The facts briefly are these: in 1894 Cap tain Dreyfus, then a captain on the gen. of having sold information concerning the defences of Paris to a foreign power, ostensbly to Germany. The charge was based on the bordereau or letter which Dreyfus was suspected of writing He was tried in December, 1894, was convicted, degraded, and sen fenced to Imprisonment on Devils ls- land, off the coast of French Guiana, where he was treated with almost bar barrie severity. He left behind warm friends, notably Emile Zoa and Scheurer-Kestnerw who is a senator, and his brother Matthieu Dreyfus and his wife, Madame Dreyfus. Four years later Lieutenant Colonel Henry con fessed to the forging of certain evi- dence against Dreyfus, and then com mitted suicide. Esterhazy, major in the French army, was implicated in the foreries. These developments ena- bled Madame Dreyfus to secure a new trial. He was again found guilty, but was set at liberty by President Loubet. This was in 1899.
 And now his friends demand his full exoneration and reinstatement in the army, and no doubt their demands will be needed, and thus at length a deep and vile conspiracy will be frustrated. Not only the friends of Captain Drey- fus, but all intelligent critics in France, acquit him of wrong doing, holding that he was the victim of lot of forgers and conspirators. Count Esterhazy is accounted the worst of his accusers.
 The French republio has shown cour- age handling thIs case in the face of strong public sentiment adverse to the unfortunate officer. This sentiment has however largely disappeared, and no doubt full justice will be done, and the heroic efforts of Madame Dreyfus will be fully rewarded
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-28

rate does not recognize Panama, and will not and in order to uphold the little republic it will be necessary to send troops as well as ships there This is the situation in brief, and it will continue to be the situation while Colombia is able to fight at all.
 Will not this involve war with Go. lombia? Will not a war with Colom- bia, tull of mountains, be long and ex- pensive? These are questions that congress should consider. The senate should consider these questions before it ratifes the treaty now before it.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-28
MarhurY Johnston.

Said one who knows the officer. Lieu tenant Commander Marbury Johnston who has just been ordered to carry the torpedo boat destroyers from Kew West to Panama, is a Georgia boy, having been appointed to the naval academy from the Second Georgia district late in the 70s. He was a class mate at Ann apolis of Tom B. Smith of Birmingham. Johnston has risen rapidly in the naval service. He was given a very important assignment by Admiral Dewey some time ago in which he did distinguished service"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-28
TWO PICTURES.

By Annie D. Green. An old farm house with meadows wide, And sweet with clover on each side; A bright-eyed boy who looks from out The door with woodbine wreathed about. 70, if l could but fly away
 From this dull spot. the world to sec, How happy, happy. happy,
 How happy I should be!' Amid the city's constant din, A man who round the world has been, Who, mid the tumult and the throng Is thinking, thinking all day long:
 70. could l only tread once more The held-path to the farm house door,
 The old. green meadow could l see. How happy, happy, happy,
 How happy -Na,'id hep'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-28
Something to Be Considered.

From the Chicago Tribune
 "Throggins, are you going to have a Christmas tree this year?'
 "We haven't decided yet. whyo"
 Nothing, only I'm the agent of the company that carries the risk on the flat you're living in and the insurance expires next week. Thought I'd inquire-that's all'