The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-09-09
COMMENTS ON MEN AND
 MATTERS OF THE WORLD

be rewarded when the time comes for them to give way to their successors The new pope has begun his reign in a wise way and moderate way that has compelled the respect of all interested It is prob able that he will be equally as popular as the lamented Leo.
 The Investigation instituted by secre- tary Hitchcock relative to the Indian land scandals has already begun to bring results. Three indictments have been found and two officials have disappeared In order to escape unpleasant complca- tions If the good work continues we ex- pect to see the wards of Uncle Sam re- lieved of the scheming rascals who have defrauded them for so long. As 1t is 8 case of robbing the Indian instead of the public, patriotic citizens are not so highly incensed over the recent disclosures as they were when the postoffice graft sys- tenn was aired by the diligent Bristow.
 According to the publishers the best selling book of the past week was James Lane Aliens "The Mettle of the Pasture.'' The next on the list was 'Gordon Keith,' by Thomas Nelson Page. As was to be expected, the two best known authors were first in public favor. ''Lovey Mary" by Alice Caldwell Hogan, held the fourth place. This latest work by the author of Mrs. Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch" does not seem to be having the remarkable sale that characterized her first book. It Is usually the case that one such pub lication from the pen of an author Is about all the public wants. MT. Aliens new book is meeting a favorable recep- tion by lovers of literature and is one of the strongest publications of the year. His wonderful prose poems on nature in her varying moods are the most attrac- tive feature of his writings, although he also knows how to tell an admirable story. At intervals some one wakes up with the announcement that suicide clubs are far more prevalent in this country than most people suppose Cases are frequent where men and women end their lives without having the slightest apparent req son for doing so. Then the theory is at once advanced that the suicide club has
 
 doubt that such gruesome organizations exist in this country, with a membership composed of demented persons, who know of no better way in which to de- monstrate their insanity. It has been said that Robert Louis Stevenson's story of "The Suicide Club" has done more to foster the growth of organizations than any other cause. This is at best a highly imaginative theory, for there is certainly nothing attractive in his tale to any oth- CT than morbid minds destined sooner or later to bring their owners into some kind of trouble.
 The new Globe Express company will no doubt prove a strong factor in the tai of 5000, 900 and Gould backing the corporation has no reason to apprehend a failure The Globe will succeed to the business of the Denver and Rio Grande and the Western Express company and will proceed at once to make contracts with the railroads It has been demon strated before that not more than three large express companies can do a success full business in any one section of the country. The Well-F Fargo lines already have an enormous patronage throughout the west and central west but there will be splendid opening for the new com- pany. The Pacific Express company is hardly strong enough to cause serious uneasiness, while the minor companies will not be important factors. P. c.