davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-01-28
THE TARIFF BoUReoNs.

From the Philadelphia Ledger.
 Out in the northwest there is growing revolt against the persistent bourbonism of eastern protectionists. and Senator Deliver gave an unpleasant shock to some of his republican associates in ut tering some truths about the Dingley tariff and about what he called the "stolid' attitude of the senate toward reciprocity. MT. Delivers argument was that the reciprocity treaties are essential to the existence of the tariff. The schedules, he declared, were designedly
 put up for the express purpose of hav- ing them traded down. a statement which deeply scandalized Senator Ald- rich, and he spoke of the reproach to congress that not line of the wisdom of James G. Blaine remained on the statute books, and mot a step has been taken to fulfill the purpose and spirit of the last Buffalo address of President Me- Kinley."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-01-28

the stamp on the record of the trans action will cost s5; the interest will be $110." A stamp tax that Is regu- lated by the amount of the principal should also bo graduated as to the time the principal of the note is to be used. Any other rule would be doubly unjust, as well as very crude.
 If Governor Jelks would proceed to refund the state debt, and the legisla- ture would proceed to confine expendi- lures to the absolute necessities of the state, the constitutional limitation of taxation would be altogether sufficient, and the addition of an objectionable stamp tax would be wholly uncalled- for. Economy instead of stamp tax is the need of the state.
 If vexatious and unjust tax be i'm posed by the present legislature, it must stand four years, and the Sowell plan thus becomes a very serious prop. osition. The legislature should hesi- tate long before 1t adopts the plan. A stamp tax upon notes does not exist in any other state, and the federal government made haste to repeal the stamp taxes that two previous wars brought into existence, and Alabama is not in strained condition that justifies resort to unusual and unpre- cedented taxation.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-01-28
DECIDED SUCCESS OF
 THE RELIGIOUS DRAMA

exceedingly artificial It is two plays in one-a secular drama of striking episodes leading to the chariot race, which is it's climax. and which Is as artificial as any pretentious thing ever put on the stage. and a simple but impressive religious subject. beautifully worked out in the three scenes of the last act. These clos ing scenes are by far the best parts of the play.
 Yet both art and religion may be ad- vanced in time by this compromise, through which the regular theatregoers are still attracted and the more or less radical opponents of the theatre are will ing to make exceptions to their rule As a result of the favor in which these works have been regarded, the playhouse should be a gainer. It is only step from the religious play to the ethical drama, and 1t may be conceived that the interest created by witnessing the one will lead many who have not been frequenters of the theatre to go to the other. It is also only step from the present mixed drama of religion and secularism to works of purely religious import, such as Ben Hur" might have been if the stage yer sion had dealt only with the final scenes of the story. an it is certain that such works, If written and acted in an exalted spirit, would continue to attract a large portion of the regular theatregoing public.
 The theatre is broad enough to cover the field of human interest. Tastes vary, and what pleases some does not please others, but managers are ever ready to give the public what 1t is willing to make profitable There is no reason why the subject of religion should be left out If 1t can be presented with discretion, and there is no reason why those who are willing to support the religious drama should not also give their encouragement ,, to the higher ethical plays. If they do they will become a great power in remov- ing those clements that have made the stage objectionable to them, and there will be more encouragement for dra- matists, managers and players to aim for the higher forms of theatrical representa- ton.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-01-28
Guilty ot Hiqh Treason.

Way back in Jeffersons term Aaron Burr was tried for treason, but he was not convicted. In 1S4S William Smith O'Brien, an Irish leader, was tried in England, and he was sentenced to be drawn and quartered, but the sentence was never carried out. Captain Drey- fus was tried and sentenced, but public sentiment demanded pardon, and one was granted The crime is out of fash ion, neither the nineteenth nor the twentieth centuries furnishing an ex- ample of traitor drawn and quar- tered. The crime and the times are out of joint.
 But Colonel Lynch's case was excep- tional. He not only joined the Boers, as many other Irishmen did, but he refused to keep quiet about it. He ran in Galway on his war record" for member of parliament, and he came home to take seat ostensibly in par lament. The government refused to submit to such daring impudence, and so Colonel Lynch was haled to court. where his trial took place, and convic- tion became a certainty. Acquittal was in fact impossible, for his natural ization as Boer was, in the light of the Galway election. very thin de- fense.
 But Colonel Lynch will not be drawn and quartered. He will be drawn to some prison and quartered there A short time, when no doubt he will be pardoned. The English government does not propose to turn him into a martyr. If he were an Englishman the sentence might be carried out, but as an 1rishman he will not suffer heavy punishment He will be used to impress lesson and a warning upon the volatile, but in the long run he will go free, and the case will be for gotten.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-01-28

deficiency, or loss of revenue, be made good by a stamp tax on notes, mort gages etc, which must be paid by the borrower and the poor?. The money 1end- CT does not pay the cost of executing notes, mortgages, etc, and recording the same These expenses are paid by the borrower. and the stamp tax will also have to be paid by him. It Is the uni- versal rule of all money lenders, almost without exception. to charge all such ex- penses up to the borrower or make him pay them in advance, hence this stamp tax of 10 cents on the $100 or fractional part thereof on all notes, mortgages, etc. is but another burden upon the borrower and the poor. The money lender is in a position to make the borrower pay for the stamp, and he must do 1t or fail to get the loan. Besides, our banks, business men and money lenders in cities and towns will be annoyed In stamping notes, mortgages, etc., and in trying to keep supply of stamps on hand; while our country people will be put to still greater inconvenience in many instances by not having the stamps on hand at time when they need them.
 Now In conclusion. I wish to state frankly that I am loyal supporter of our present state administration, and sup ported it in the recent primary. I do not impugn or question the motives of our most excellent governor. auditor and at- torney general. but honestly believe that the stamp tax in the revenue bill, if en- acted into. law, will be heavy burden upon our people which, perhaps. they did not foresee from the borrowers stand point. I fear, too. that 1t would make their administration unpopular with the masses of our people if enacted into law.
 Yours truly, G. s. LlVlNGSTON.
 Prattville, Ala, January 26, 1903
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-01-28
THE CAPITOL.

From the Enterprise Weekly.
 We see a bill has been introduced to enlarge and otherwise improve the capi- tol building We hope and believe the bill will and ought to pass. Citizens of the state from the interior and who, perhaps, have not seen the capitols of other states, visiting Montgomery and looking up Dexter avenue think our cap itol beauty and amply sufficient to meet all demands. We want a capitol such as will be admired by foreigners visiting our Capital City. Let 1t be a matter of pride to our home folks all over the state of Alabama. We would not have our grand old state house torn down and a new one. be 1t ever so beautiful and modern, substituted; nor would we have 1t so modified as to loose its identity. We love the old structure for its past history its sacred walls and the memories of the ilustrious dead, whose eloquence in days gone by, thrilled the hearts of the populace and martaled the heroes of bat tie; or lulled the war storm into the calm ness of a midsummer's eve. The past suggests the improvement, the present, we believe, will sustain 1t and the future loudly demands 1t. "So let CT roll"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-01-28
fEE ONLY DAILY aEWspAPEi II A!AsiHA
do not ask you much, beg cold com fort.
 king Richard II.
Reelection ot General pettus.

Today Edmund Winston Pettus will be reelected United States senator, to serve until March 1, 1909. He was born on July 6, 1921, and when lN' second term expires he will be nearly four score and ten years old. This certainly illustrates the virility and steadfastness of Alabama manhood. It shows not only that long life is possi- ble in this state, but that efficiency and strength go with 1t to an almost unprecedented degree.
 Not only is the election of today unique in point of age, but it points anew to the fact that General Pettus began a senatorial career when he was 75 years old, and today he holds an enviable place in our House of Lords. He is widely known, widely respected and widely consulted. No one consid- ciS 4liu lOO Oiu TUT huy dCl1f6 S0ud- toria1 service. He is ever at hand when the senate meets, and he is ever at hand in debate and in the service of his constituents. No one in the sen ate can more clearly or pointedly pre- sent subject, and few senators in- deed have such command of dry humor. His popularity in other words Is as great as his influence. No one doubts his physical strength. Barring accident, he will certainly live to com plete his new term.
 Let us hope not vote will be cast today against the man of so many honorable years-against the soldier who fought In the civil strife, not a single battle, but who, to use his own words, was in many pattles"-against the citizen that all should delight to honor so long as he lives.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-01-28
A Run and a Walk.

"Oue of the papers recently had an article on the difference between a run and a walk" said an observing man yes terday.
 "The article stated that in running both feet were not on the ground at the same time. while in walking one foot is not raised from the ground until the other Is set squarely on terra firma. This is not the essential difference. In the rules for athletic contests it is stipulated that in a walking race the contestants must snap their legs straight at the knee at every step. That characterizes a walk. In run ming the leg is always bent at the knee, while in walking the leg is always straight at the beginning of each new step"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-01-28
Crude and Unnecessary

The Sowell revenue bill increases taxes when the new constitution told the people taxation should be reduced to 65 cents on each one hundred dol lars of valuation for taxation purposes. Instead of standing by this reduction thus offered to the people of the state Auditor Sowell asks the first legisla- ture under the new constitution to re- store taxation to It's old maximum. In so doing he is travelling wholly outside the spirit of the new constitution.
 Nor is this all. His proposition is very crude indeed. MT. Davis in the Mobile Register sufficiently presents It's crudity when he says: Tt frequent ly happens that man borrows money tor one day. If the amount be vb000.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-01-28
STATE NEWS ITEMS.


 An eight-per cent dividend was declared at the Bank of Guntersville on the 9th of January.
 Howard Gaillard, the adjutant of the First regiment, A. N. G., rendered his resignation last week to Col R. B. duMont, to the regret of the entire staff. MT. Gaillard has been connected with this regiment for ten years, first with the Wilcox rifles, and afterwards with the Mobile cadets.
 
 Scottsbcro Progressive Age; People of the Scottsboro precinct had a meeting at the courthouse Monday night, January 19, which was attended by a goody number of representative men living in the pre- cinct. also men from other portions of tke county. The object of the meeting was to urge our senator and the members of the legislature to procure some legis- lation for Jackson county on the subject of fence law, to change the law in re- ! gard to what should constitute lawful fence.
 Mobile Register: As the successful cul- imitation of three months of correspond ence with the navy department, the chair man of the Alabama battleship commis- sion this afternoon at $40 o'clock received the following telegram from Congressman Taylor:
 Washington, January 26. - Max Ham, burger, Jr., Mobile: Battleship Alabama ordered to Mobile waters on January 20 to remain one week. A cruiser is also dered to Mobile during the Mardi Gras festivities. GEORGE W. TAYLOR.
 Mir. Hamburger was appointed by the carnival committee to take mp the matter of securing a cruiser for Mardi Gras whether the Alabama could or could not come.
 Mobile Register: A telephone message from Daphne, Ala, states that two chil- dren of George Austin, living four miles east of that place, were murdered Mon day night. The message gives no particu- lars of the crime, and does not give the color, age or sex of the victims. People familiar with the locality recall several negroes. but no whites, by the name of Austin. The crime ls said to have been committed by white man and a negro. They were tracked to the bay shore, where they stole small boat, and it is believed they will land at some point in Mobile county. The white man Is described as being about 40 years of age and as hay ing lump on his back. Information of the landing of such a couple will be well comed by he police or the sheriff.
 Scottsboro Progressive Age: Last Fri day Captain McDermott, the well known cotton buyer crossed the river at Sec ton ferry with a livery team from his place and Ed Newell as driver When the boat reached s side Captain Me Dermott walked up the bank and left the driver and team in the boat As the driver started out the boat lunged and one of the horses, Jennie, fell out over the side of the boat, the other horse, Frank. and the buggy following, the driver just having time to jump and save himself. The horses swan down the river for about half mile and were seen to sink. The following morning they were seen floating down the yer near Lang ston and the buggy and harness recov- cred. The horses belonged to Harris livery stable and were the most valu- able horses he had. The ferryman was Tom Barnes.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-01-28
Election and Primary LAWS.

The Banlhead bill is a bill that pre- vents, whether so intended or not, a secret ballot. For every voters ballot is to be numbered to correspond with the poll list, and the ballot can there fore be identified, and several persons can at least know how any particular man voted This may be a wise pro- vision in this state, but 1t Is a pro- vision that assuredly destroys the se- crecy of the ballot. True, the bill says it is to be misdemeanor in any per son to compare the number on a bal lot with the like number on the poll list, except in contested election cases, but this provision will not suffice to retain and maintain the secrecy of tho ballot.
 The legislature will have to decide whether the proposed numbering of ballots is necessary and essential in this state possessing now select cleo torate It would not seem to be neces- sary, but perhaps in some districts 1t may be in order to ensure honest cleo tions and honest counts.
 If it is not necessary for this pur- pose, then indeed the provision should be stricken out, for no man has right to know how another man voted. The right of secrecy Is in very many cases the right to vote without intimidation of any sort, and the privilege Is a very dear one to the weak and defenseless. Before this section of the Bankhead bill Is adopted, 1t should be well dis cussed and considered. The state needs both honest votes and secret votes, and if it is possible to secure both, the legislature should find the way.
 Other states have absolutely secret ballots, and also honest ballots, and 1t is strange indeed if this cannot be accomplished in Alabama. The other provisions of the Bankhead bill are admirable, especially the provision re. lating to representation of each party at the polls. An excellent election law together with a comprehensive and up-to-date primary law, Is perhaps the most important duty that the pres ent legislature has before it.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-01-28
Walter Damroseh.

'Walter Damrosch's Wagner lectures are more popular this season than ever before" said a New York man now in Birmingham. This Is attributed by the knowing ones to the fact that he now has illustrations sung by well known singers, and it Is whispered that many go to the lectures just to hear the music. But this is the way with all illustrated musical lectures. One lecturer was obliged not long ago to beg the audience to stop encoring the illustrations so that he could get a chance to go on with his talk.
 An old attendant at the Damrosch lec- lures says that the real reason why they are more attractive now than ever be- fore Is not because singers appear, but because 1t Is no longer necessary for Damrosch to sing"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-01-28
Children Not Wanted.

A good story is told of a stranger who recently came to Birmingham from an- other city to locate. He came in advance of his family which consisted of his wife and a little girl of eight. He wanted to board, but none of the housekeepers where he applied wanted to take couple with child, and the poor mans visits from house to house were entirely un- successful.
 It's no use,' he said to a friend, mo body but the good Lord wants children in Birmingham. !" Soon afterward he gave up bis effort to move to this city and re- turned to the city whence he came.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-01-28
A TENNESSEE MEMORY.

Minna Irving in Leslie's Weekly. When I am sad and lonely
 My thoughts go .traveling back To a sunny little hamlet
 On .memorys beaten track. l see the old black nanny
 Who nursed me on her knee And sang me into sfumber,
 Far off in Tennessee. 70 rock-a-by-a-baby,"
 heard her softly croon, When. late and long the shadows Obscured the afternoon, And down a drowsy valley
 To countries fair and, free. I dropped away to dreamland.
 Long since in Tennessee. My steps are growing feeble.
 My locks are thin and white. And when to earthly mansions
 I say my last goodnight. Sing me to sleep forever
 With the tune she sung to me. Among the purple mountains
 Of dear old Tennessee.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-01-28
TO BE SOLD AT AUCTION.
Rome Cotton Factory Will Be Forced
 to Go on the Block.

Rome, Ga, January 27.-It Is an- nounced that the Rome cotton factory in this city will be sold here to the highest bidder on February 3. It is said that the sale has been caused by the indebtedness of the company.
 The plant originally cost $125,000 and the sale will also include the dis posal of twelve cottages on the prop erty
 The factory is equipped with 5100 spindles and 112 looms, and has man. ufactured principally ducking and sheeting.
 The real estate was formerly owned by Samuel Mckenzie, Emma McKen- zie and Catherine Marchman, and is not encountered by mortgage.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-01-28
From the Kansas citv Star.

H HE extraordinary success of '.Ben \O Hur" on the stage Is significant.
 It can be accounted for only on the ground that the religious drama has found a place in the theatre and that the old attitude of the churches toward the playhouse has undergone considerable modification. Because of It's spectacular features and It's exciting chariot race, Ben Hur', would have been a great sue cess, even if its theme had been purely secular; but 1t could not have gone from city to city and played two-weeks' en- agreements at advanced prices and to full houses but for the support of some ele- ment not usually attracted
 But Ben Hur'' is only one of num- Der of religious plays that have been conspicuously successful in recent years The Sign of the Cross, "The Christian. D and Quo yadis" are the most strilxina examples in the way of modern plays, the revival of the old medlaeval morality play, "Everyman," which has found great favor in England and in two or three of the Eastern cities of this country. This old symbol play, which represents the most primitive forms of the drama, has awed the audiences of the Twentieth cen tury by It's simple, religious impressive ness. It Is devoid of any of the theatric devices known to the modern stage. II has no thrilling episodes. Its thesis Is religion, and 1t depends for Its success merely on the truthful and earnest ex- position of It's theme.
 The so-called modern religious plays are not pure examples of their class. They have been constructed for money making purposes first of all. They com bine spectacular realism, heightened dramatic effect and religious sentiment. They are sort af composite of the modern ethical drama, the meiodrama and Christian doctrine Considered as plays-that is, considered by the art standards applied to other representative works of the stage-not one of them is high class. Ben Hur," for example is
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-01-28
THE STAMP TAX.

From the Tuscaloosa Times-Gazette.N
 The argument that the proposition in the revenue bill to tax merchandise at 75 per cent of its insured value is unjust because real estate is not taxed the same way is not strong one. Real estate Is supposed to be assessed at Its full value, and that it Is given in at such small valu- ation is a reflection on the property owner, and not on the law. Let taxes be paid at full valuation and then reduce the rate rather than encourage people to under-rate their property.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-01-28
Woman's Exchange Today,

Today will be Hilman Hospital day at the Woman's exchange, and the en- tire receipts will be devoted to the fund which is being raised for the completion and equipment of the hospital.
 The Woman's exchange has long since become famous for its lunches and is always filled during the early afternoon hours with the business men of Br- mingham. In order to accommodate the unusual numbers on this occasion the serving of lunches will begin at noon and continue until o'clock
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-01-28
HIS ENGLISH CRITICISED.

A Woman's Letter in the New York Sun.
 Is it not unfortunate that in the brief writing which is more likely to be of historical interest than anything else he has ever written or done, namely, his wireless message to King Edward, the President should "extend most cordial greetings"?
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-01-28
REFLECTIONS OF A BACHELOR

From the New York Press.
 No man tells all he knows; every woman tells more than she knows.
 There Is no age at which woman ceases to see herself beautiful unless she becomes blind.
 A womar's idea of a mans being good to her is when he agrees with her when she knows she is wrong. At forty woman is as scared about her complexion az a man is about his pocket book in a dark alley.