davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-02-08
Collection from Venezuela With
 BayOnet is Unpopular
GOSSIP FROM OUR COUSINS
Joe Chamberlain Has Made Triumpha' Entry Into South Africa and All Are Pleased-Good Revolution
 Story by Labouchere.
BY HENRY pEVEREAux.

London, February S.-(Special.)-our
 most noisy jingoes did not relish the at
 tempt our government is making in en- deavoring to collect at the point of the
 bayonet unpaid bonds for Venezuela loans. We ought rather to have proposed arbitration. There certainly Is no reason
 why the British taxpayer should be. called upon to enforce payment of loans made by citizens who we're attracted to those loans by high rates of interest. When it comes to a direct violation of interna- tfonal law or injury to property of British residents, destroyed in civil way, if arbi- tration fails it is then time to use force We have had enough of war and all that 1t means. The most significant part Of the Venezuelan business is our joint ac- tion with Germany. The government finds little support from the people at large in this so-called alliance. Germany evidently has a claim that is very much larger than ours. but no one knows the amount of her claim nor the amount of ours. The German claim may be bad and our claim may be good; but the people at large see no reason why we should have united with Germany to destroy Venezne- Ian ships, bombardcd Venezuelan for tresses and blockade Venezuelan ports. It is generally believed in this city that we might have secured without cost, by arbitration. all that is due to us but as 1t is we have been dragged in to pull the chestnuts. out of the fire for Germany, and probably all we will secure will be the loss of our trade winch will now go to the United States.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-02-08
Is 102 Years Old.

From a New York Letter.
 In an old mansion that dates back all most to Colonial times Miss Rachel Mar tense, the oldest woman in Brooklyn, sat today receiving the congratulations of her friends upon her one hundred and sec ond birthday.
 Aunt Racher' is well known and loved throughout the neighborhood on account of her kindness to the poor and suffering, and many such were among the callers. The dress she wore was of faded silk and had been hers for sixty years. The pin in her neckerchief was an old family heirloom, and the lace shawl around her shoulders once belonged to her grand mother. Her hair was dressed in the fashion of fifty years ago.
 The aged spinsters life has been a quiet one. Born In 1901. in the house where she now lives. at Flatbush and Lincoln avenues. her parents soon moved down to their country place. Church Lane farm, and there she spent the first half Of her life. As a girl she travelled ex- tensively for those days, going as far as Boston on one occasion and Niagara Falls on another Both journeys were made by stage and she still remembers the fatigue of the long rides.
 In spite of her 102 years and the de- fleets of sight, hearing and memory which old age brings. Miss Martense still takes an active interest in all tha is going on around her She says she car give no reason for her long life. unles' 1t is that she comes of a long-lived fam fly. Her father, Adrian I. Martense o an old Dutch family that settled on Lons Island 250 years ago, her mother and he sister all died at the age of 90.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-02-08
Sentry Is Valuable.

The value of a sentry to do police work is clearly shown by an incident that oc- cured the other day at Windsor. sen try on duty at the back of Victoria Bar racks, saw a man coming from the dlreo- ton of the canteen with something under his arm, which from the sequel would seem to have been the canteen till AL most as soon as he was observed' the man boted up a neighboring passage, and the sentry. being afraid that he might get into trouble if he left his post 10 puraue the man or raise an alarm, did nothing til he was relieved, when he reported what he had seen. 1t then turned out that the canteen had been robbed but othing could be found of the thief The sentry WE s accordingly put in the re rort" which means oonfincinent to bar racks and exclusion from the eanteer,
 fnd he seems likely to end his service Ill tfat condition, for when l heard of the case, it had been ordered that he should remain so unti. the tbief was discovered.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-02-08
Good Old Joe in Africa.

Our good old Joe' is having a lively time in South Afica. He has been work ing up boom for himself, and it would seem, has spent a world of money in engineering it. He Is certainly enjoying himself immensely, and receiving albums and boquets of flowers al railway sta tions as though he were a Prince or Wales. Considering the expense Is being borne by the suffering British taxpayer, the Hon. Joseph Chamberlain will dis cover on his return that the wonderful re- ports being daily printed in the press are creating a feeling quite opposite to that which is intended. The question gener- ally asked Is what good will come from this expense and from this princely visit? London Is full of young men who have returned from the Transvaal declaring declaring that there are no openings and no opportunities, labor of kinds being ab- sorbed by the slave system, while the clerical positions are held by those who are shipped from London by men having influence either in the government or In the various companies.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-02-08
Oysters Are All RiuIt,

Oyster lovers who can manage to ofer- come the fear of typhoid infection will be glad to learn that scientific research con- firms the general opinion as to the dietetlc value of their favorite dainty. The Lam oet, in making an elaborate investigation of the subject not only confirms the pop ular impression, but further gives par ticulars of the soluulrty of the oyster in various liquids, apparently with the view of setting every ones mind at rest as to what to drink when bidden to an oyster feast. Thus Sir Wilfred Lawson, for in- stance may take cold water with his oysters without danger of a consequent attack of indigestion. The gourmet may sip chablis with his natives. confident that he is doing himself well' in every sense of the phrase and the washer woman may indulge ir the luscious blue points, assured that the two of gin' with which she washes them down only adds to their digestibilHy. In cnly one fn- stance does the popular belief prove to be at fault. Oysters appear to be quite in- soluble in stout.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-02-08
Grand Exalted Rulers Visit.

Captain Frank P. O'Brien, who was i'll Monday upon the occasion of the visit to the Birmingham lodge of George P. Cronk, grand exalted ruler of the Benevo- lent and Protective Order of Elks, was not forgotten by the highest officer in the order. Captain OBrien was on the programme of the reception for a speech. Mir. Cronk expressed a desire to call on him, and in company with a number of brother Elks went to his home on the South Highlands. There he remained for half an hour, cheering up his afflicted brother and wishing him a speedy re- storation to health.
 The visit of the grand exalted ruler was an event of great interest to the Birming- ham Elks. The address of MT. Cronk on the order was enthusiastically received. He spoke of the work the Elks had in view, of the aspirations of the order, of its progress and outlook for the future. Among the remarks he made was this, ''I could claim no higher honor than to be known as a true Elk
 He said that he found the southern lodges in fourishing condition, that he was impressed with the Tact that every one of them was steadily increasing in numbers, their membership being of the best element of society. and that the lodges were equipped with every conven- fence.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-02-08
The Autocrat of All the Russians.

No one can grasp the fundamental state of things in Russia without realiz- ing that there the will of the czar is as the will of God. His land and his sub jects are his, to dispose of as he may. In a Russian battle not so long ago the artillery, imperatively needed in front was stopped by a deep ditch. The sol diers flung themselves in until the ditch was full, and the artillery galloped over their bodies.
 In the world of business it is quite the same A Russian administrator was dis cussing with Sir Henry Norman the mill itary capabilities of the Trans-Siberian railway, and Norman said:
 "There wouldn't be rolling stock enough to convey masses of troops in a short time"
 Every engine and carriage in Russia would be put there if necessary" was the answer.
 But that would disorganze the whole
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-02-08
Labouchere Tells Good Story.

Henry Labouohere tells the following amusing story: 'I was for sometime In Mexico nearly fifty years ago It has improved since then, but when l was there a revolution seemed to take place every six months. In one of them a friend of mine commanded the govern nent troops. and he invited me to accom- pany him and see m rout the enemy. We started with lot of troops. But when we came up with the revolutionary forces, we came to the conclusion that they were stronger than ours. So my friend invited the general of L.. opposing army with his staff to dinner. We had all an excellent dinner, played at monte for a few hours, ard then agreed to join forces and to turn out the president. We marched back to Mexico. turned him out, and installed another man in his place, end no one except ourselves and our late enemies seemed to trouble themselves the least about what was happening, but con tinued their usual avccatiors.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-02-08
Did Not Want Terms Extended.

J. P. Stiles, probate judge of Jefferson county. attended meeting of probate judges held at Montgomery during the past week. Just before the meeting, Judge Stiles heard it rumored that a leg islator was going to present a bill to have the terms for which the probate judges are elected six years, extended to eight years. The object, it was stated, was to avoid an election next year for probate judges, and to make 1t come with the regular state election two years from that time.
 Judge Stiles was opposed to such pro- posed legislation and at the meeting of the Probate judges introduced a resolu- tion to the effect that they opposed such action The resolution was adopted unan- imously. Judge Stiles explains that he thought it would be wrong to extend the terms, and that 1t would be against the spirit of the constitution, which provides for the length of the terms.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-02-08
A Comparison.

The comparisons usually drawn be- tween the economic condition Of this country and that of the United States are obviously fallacious, whether or not Sir Vincent Caillard has fallen into the current fallacy. The first mistake made is in comparing aggregate values of for eign trade without taking into considera- ton the size and population of the coun- tries compared. It stands to reason. fkat ether conditions being equal. the aggre- gate output of nation of 10.0 .00O must exceed the aggregate output of a popuia- ton of 40. 100000. But in the case of the United States other conditions are not equal. The natural resources of the United States are vastly superior, even though as yet but partially developed, to those of the United Kingdom. Moreover, the area of the United Kingdom in which industrial production is in operation on a large scale is only fraction of the count try, and, by comparison with the corres- bonding area of the United States. utter
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-02-08
Birmlneham's Court Officials.

Birmingham is fortunate in many re- spects." said a lawyer the other day, and from a professional point of view, think she is particularly so in having such accommodating and courteous court officials
 The attorney was eminentiy correct. The gentlemen who compose the court forces of the city are at all times oblig- ing. In many cities, as a rule, court off cials are cross and oft-times seem indif- ferent when questioned. Indeed, so pre- valent is the rule that exceptions are quickly noted
 The court officials of Birmingham, from judge to the youngest clerk, seem to be eager, to be helpful. and their manners are not in the T am doing you the great est favor" strain.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-02-08

ly insignificant. For the purpose of such a comparison Ireland may be dismissed altogether, and so may whole counties Of England, Wales and Scotland. It is ob- viously inevitable that as the population of the United States increases, and the material resources of it's vast territory are more and more developed, the aggre- gate output and wealth or the country must increase out of all proportion to that of the United Kirgdom and to sup pose that this result can be prevented by any systom of protect tion, CT any other expedient that human ingenuity can de- wise. is childish. The wonder is that in these days when the development or new countries proceeds SD rapidly and the population of America Is growing so enormously, our aggregate production should compare as favorably as It still does with that of the United States, and that we should even now be able to ex7 port out If our surplus products a far gre ater amount than that country. That we should be in this position In spite Of the enormous advantage of America in population and resources affords the strongest prior argument in favor of our commercial system and against any at tempt to interfere with it.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-02-08
pohbin's piminuendo.

From the Sioux City Journal.
 The most pitiful fate of any dumb crea- ture is that of the horse. He graduates down from the carriage to the lumber Wa gon. then into the hands of the horse trader, then on to the peddler's cart, his last remaining atom of strength whaled out of him till he falls dead in the har- ness If he were only recognized as 1t for food. this would not be so.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-02-08
GOSSIP HERE AND THERE
 w THE PUBLIC. BUILDINGS
BY HOWARD S. WILLIAMS.

considerably, since he went to Washing ton the first of last month. The genial collector has a heavy beard growth on his face, and many friends in calling on him, remarked that they "were not sure but that 1t improved his looks While in. Washington, the collector was ill with smallpox for several weeks. When he returned home last week, he received the hand of welcome.
 The collector is again at his desk in his office in the government building. He has made many friends since coming to Birmingham. and every caller gets a hearty hand-shake that makes him feel at ease. A collector of internal revenue comes in contact with a great many men and it is always a pleasure to have in office a gentleman who can be easily ap- preached by the humblest citizen and made to feel at home. It is said that the office of internal revenue for Alabama has been filled all along by gentlemen ot marked courtesy and amiability.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-02-08
commerce of the country and bring tens

commerce of the country and bring tens of thousands to ruin"
 You don't understand" said the offi- cial .'If the czar gave the word to take every railway carriage in Russia and run it across the Siberian railway and throw it into the China sea at the end, who should prevent him?'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-02-08
Collector of internal Revenue.

The personal appearance of Mir. J. O. Thompson collector of internal revenue for the district of Alabama, has changed
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-02-08
Political Rambles.

"I feel like a young fellow does when he has asked a girl to marry him and she has consented to do SOL thus spoke a candidate for office the other day. He explained the feeling by saying that after entering the race for the office he sought he was fin for it, and it meant some hard campaigning, just as it does for a fellow who is engaged and feels the ne- cessity for getting funds together on which to be married.
 A bright little Birmingham girl was greatly interested in the cartoons of Art ist Blackman of the Age-Herald, on Roosevelt and the negroes. After study ing one for a few minutes she asked her mother this riddle, Mamma, why Is Roosevelt called the art President ?' The mother could not answer. Why, don't you know, because he believes in mixing colors," quickly spoke up the little child
 Many expressions of regret are being heard in the public, buildings that Captain Frank P. OBrien was compelled by ill., ness to withdraw from the race for mayor of Birmingham. The other candidates for the same office were as surprised as any one else when the announcement was made In the Age-Herald that he would not be candidate before the primary. Captain OBrien is one of the veteran citizens of Birmingham, and has long been one of the foremost in promoting the interests of the district.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-02-08

1000 copies 50 cent Sheet Music at 5 cents per copy Monday only. T. Williams, 20O7 Second Avenue.
New-York tribune., 1903-01-19
REPORT OF PRISON COMMISSION.

Albany Jan. 1s-The annual report of the State
Prison Commission made public tonight. supple
ments the report of the Superintendent of Prisons,
puhshed a week ago, and includes figures showing
a notable decrease in the total prison population in
the last few years TIE report again calls the
attention of the legislature to the contention that
il is absolutely essential to the success of the
nresent prison plan Of convict employment that
there should be legislative exemptions from the
provisions Of the prison law. l. says
transfer of the men engaged in the making of that
product to other industry. One class of labor
is benefited at the expense Of another class. which
is unfair to the. latter. Such action by the legis-
fat1re favoriug some particular industry furnishes
a inst basis for similar demands by those in
terested in other industries. Such a course II
adonted would result in the exemption. one by
one Of ali the industries. and the present plan Of
employing convicts which is conceded to be the
most favorable to free labor of in operation In
anv state or nation would be broken down.
New-York tribune., 1903-01-19
SHOULD CONSIDER PUBLIC MORE.
Commissioners Tell Legislature that Rail-
roads Should Give Increased Facilities.

Albany Ian. Is (SpeciaD--The State Railroad
Commissioners in their annual report TO the legis
Iature. to be submitted tomorrow night, after
speaking of the satisfactory financial and physical
conditions of the steam. street and elevated rail-
roads in this State add
Tie public has received increased facilities from
c9yeG S bene OF That the pube haS Received The
increased facilities to which they are entitled lin
view Of the source from which the franchises are
derived and in view of the fact that the public is
the only source IRON "nifn n tnt income OF the
be expected ncr would it be sound policy, that
railroad managers would consider the public to the
exclusion from their consideration of Stockhod-
(even under less prosperous conditions) railroad
managers will use more diligence in anticipating
in the usual service rendered than tney~hava in
many cases heretofore
That part of the report dealing with street rail-
roads says
State including those carried on the elevated rail
roads in Brooklyn and on horse railroads. and also
90 1902 2os, so 5a9 Increase over the
ended Jun 50 iS2l OF i9UosZ2, TO f. me hHmner car
New-York City, Including transfers., was $685..
1886. .446 but the number Of transfers decreased
26 65466 the figures show an Increase IN the number
number of passengers carried on the street surface
1865 days. 1907 935 during the year. The number
carried in the Borough of Brooklyn inGludns t M
waited railroads Gnc'uding those carried in the Bor-
n5 9n5a tR q, and Queens COUNTY ra4ays
which number iI2i39o) was S57. SO 435. an in
crease 1901 of 1Q,1a524 there was, however. a
decrease of 4940562 in the number of transfers.
Ieav wing a gain $3.50. .0S5 paying passengers.
compared with 1901. The average per day 1855 days.
was $50 $50.
The commissioners state that the gross earnings
from the operation of the steam railroad com
panies reporting to this state for the year ended
lime 70 1902 were S293,3i453 06. an increase over
1901 of sl66l 35l IS. The operating expenses were
s204 ia 365 ~ and net earnings SSS,512Os7 So only
e. 81 Gn5 o. more than in 1901. Earnings a pas
seneer a mile decreased. but expenses did also
aving profit a passenger mile OF ,os cents
more than In 1901. Earnings ton of freight
mile increased but expenses increased in greater
nrnnortion leaving the profit -Oo5 cents less than
isst vear The companies advancing
FREIGHT rates somewhat. saying that the profit
" hich thev receive for the work done is not
sufficient.
Respecting accidents the steam railroads, the
report says
The number of persons killed was 7s2; injured.
s6S in 1902 (these figures including those not pas
New-York tribune., 1903-01-19
SARGENT HERE TO PAINT ROOSEVELT.
The Duke and Duchess of Manchester Also
Come on the Lucania.

The r,aszergers on the Lucania and the other
steamers that arrived yesterday. expressed consid
srable sympathy for those who had been the
II Louis ON the Lucania a number Of
prominent people. among them John s Sargent,
-be srt,st. Bernard Quaritch the bbliophie: Harry
6e Winit and the Duke and Duchess Of Man
chester Mr. de Windt recently completed his
overland trip around the world.
Mr De windt went the Imperial He will stay
IN inc city three days, and Will afterward make a
lecture tour. Regarding his plan to build an all
land railroad from Paris to NeWYork- going under
meath Rehrng Strait by tunnel. he said last
night that he had interested capital in the scheme
England and France. He added that he was not
liberty give the Of the capitalists, but
that they were men Of prominence.
Nj Sargent has not been in New-York for about
tfre Years TIc Is now here superintend placing
III the Boston Public Library his pictures, on which
he has been working for long time He has
received commissions paint the portrait Of
President Roosevelt and several others which viii
Leep him On this side for some time. He viii go to
Washington as soon as possible but says he does
rot know when the President will be able to sit
Bernard Quaritch comes on his annual visit He
lroach1 with him collection of rare books and
ono Of them written and pT,LIleo, 5E MldllalI ,
Penn manuscript OF 1870, . -hastel de Lar
e'llian @9 I1l5aFE f Tmh ThsckersT and scott
has also nolosta ol 11aIiiD' -ll-
3erar,e Discovery Of Virginia 1872: Hupbard's
ook on Amsriean In llds9s 1ss ''' and Scott Gov
Americans" said Mr. Quaritch. are now the
hook cailcctors Of the world The rich men are
6rsUjn2 The art and literary gems from Europe
The public libraries. with the exception OF the
Boston Public Library, are not making the PEST
or thej~ onrorfurities They in more for scien-
nc and modern books, and not Tor the treasures
~ the book world.
Y Z; Won Glehn. young English artist, another
passenger il TO visit this country for the first
zine He is TO open a studio here,
Arthur Collins. manager Of the Drury L L2ne
E1ie F2eard Then he is TO to Washington TO
So how .he other Drury Lane spectacle. Beauty
and the Beast" doing: Later he and Mrs. Col
lnS arc Ia go to California 10 visit her relatives
The Duke and Duchess Of Manchester are on
hair way to Cincinnati with their infant daugh-
-rr Tadv Mary Nontagu. They were met on the
pier hv Eugene Zimmerman the countess-s 1ather-