davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1903-03-04
Street Car Switching.

IT notice Birmingham has superior
street car system" said a Boston man
on loop car yesterday.
"But there is one thing that causes
passengers to lose quite a little time on.
trips, and that is the method of throwing
switches You are getting such net
work of tracks downtown that great
many switches are necessary, and each
time the motorman must stop the car,
take his key and go ont In front of the
car and throw the switch, rarely falling
to take at least a minute in so doing.
I'm many of our northern cities there
is a much more satisfactory system. We
have what are called electric switches
Theyoare so arranged that when the car
reaches a certain portion of the track the
motorman makes an electrical connection
by means of a small lever In front of
him and the switch is turned automatic
ally by electricity.
II suppose the system is more expensive,
for switch specially adapted to the pur-
pose is required; but 1t is a great time
saver. With them the switch can be
turned while the car Is in notion
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1903-03-04
Lvnchinu In GeorUia.

Governor Jelks has fairly put an end
TO lynching in Alabama. and Governor
Longino promises to do likewise in
Mississippi through the punishment of
the members of the cruel and cowardly
mob in Alfalfa county. They are in
jail, and bail has been refused They
must stay in jail until their trials
come on, and public sentiment is dis.
tinctly against them. Every one of
them may be sent to the penitentiary,
although they are spending every cent
they have or can command to avert
such a result.
At present Georgia is the lynching
state of the union, bul Governor Ter
rell is endeavoring to break up the
brutalizing practice. He is endeavor-
ing to punish the perpetrators of two
crimes in Coffee and Spalding coun-
ties. In Coffee county a mob fired into
a negro dance, killing two and wound
ing nine others. In Spalding county
another mob fired into the house of
Will Fambro. negro. Fambro had
been tried for an offense, had been
found guilty, had been fined, and had
paid the fine. In the house were Fam
bro, his wife and three children, when
a mob surrounded it, and he was shot
to death.
Governor Terrell has offered re.
ward of $3.50 for the arrest and deliv-
cry to the authorities of each and
every person connected with these
mobs. But these offers of rewards will
prove unavailing-they always have
been powerless and wholly useless.
They are simply grandstand plays.
They alarm no one, and they do no
good whatever. They do evil because
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1903-03-04
Tax on Mortgages.

All mortgages. whether of the realty
or personally sort, are to pay after the
first day of October next, tax of 10
cents on each 500 of the principal
sum named in them. They can neither
be recorded nor become valid unless
this tax be paid But such evidence of
Indebtedness shall not otherwise be
taxed
Beyond all doubt this law will prove
itself in practice a good revenue pro-
ducer and popular measure. The
money lenders will support it, because
it frees their evidences of indebted
ness from all taxation except the 10
cents per 800, which they will make
the borrower pay In most instances.
The tax imposed Is light--less than
one-sixth of l per cent-but it will
prove to be more than has heretofore
been collected from such papers.
The new plan at any rate takes away
the possibility of double taxation-the
possibility that the land or the mules
may be taxed and also the mortgages
given upon them. After October l. the
mortgages cannot be taxed beyond the
stamp tax of 10 cents for each 500
named in them. This simplifles the
tax problem In the case of mortgages,
and it will prove in practice valuable
measure.
No estimate has yet been published
of the revenue that the mortgage tax
will produce, but 1t will assuredly go
to considerable figures. A tax of one
dollar and fifty cents on each $1,000
named in all mortgages, upon either
real estate or personal property will
beyond a question bring in handsome
revenue, besides keeping track of the
course of indebtedness in this state.
AS the tax receipts fall or rise it will
be seen whether as a community we
are prosperous or otherwise, energetic
and enterprising or slothful and care
less. ec0s
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1903-03-04
WORLDS RICHEST MAN.
From Leslle's Weekly.

From Leslie's Weekly.
The late Cecil Rhodes cut so colossal a
figure In the affairs Of South Africa that
he quite overshadowed In public atten-
ton his partner in great enterprise that
made both of them immensely wealthy.
This obscure man was Alfred Belt, who
was connected with Rhodes In the work.
Ing of the fabulously rich diamond mines
of Kimberley, which have yielded 0,0o0,-
900 a year. Mr.. Belt, who has been dan
gerously i'll at johannesburg, with an
apoplectic attack, from which, it is be-
lieved, he will entirely recover, Is thought
by many to be the richest man in the
world. His wealth Is estimated as highs as
nearly a billion dollars, while even a
conservative reckoning makes 1t at least
$500, 900. He owns most of the Kimber-
ley diamond fields. controls the cutting
industry in Hamburg, and is interested
in many other enterprises paying large
profits He Is the most successful pro-
moter in the Old World. While Rhodes
was the forceful and aggressive partner,
Belt was always careful and touched no
investment that did not bring In good
returns. Though a quieter and less osten-
tatious man than Rhodes, he had greater
influence in South Africa than the "Colos-
sus." Born in Hamburg forty-eight years
ago. Mr. Belt first went to Africa at the
age of %. He worked long enough in the
diamond field to see his opportunity, and
then returned home and got his father
to aid him in buying mines Rhodes,
backed by the Rothschilds, contested
tnrffh ~
finally made peace and Joined forces Mr..
Belt has a magnificent palace in London,
but he is unmarried and has shown no
desire to enter society.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1903-03-04
Johnston Text Book Bill.

It becomes a matter of interest as
to when the Johnston bill will go into
effect. The bill simply provides that
the text book commission shall "im-
mediatey after the passage of this
act" meet and organize, the governor
being the president of the commission,
and the superintendent of education
being its secretary and executive Off.
GER. Exactly what the words "execu-
tive officer" mean it is difficult to say.
Not later than thirty days after the
organization of the commission it is
to advertise for bids from the pub
fishers of school text books for furnish
ing books to the public schools In the
state of Alabama, through agencies
established by said publishers in the
several counties, and places in coun-
ties, in the state" But in the mean
while sub-commissloa consisting OF
five teachers has been appointed by
the text book commission, and to this
sub-commission go samples upon which
the bids are based. This sub-oomms-
sion is advisory simply, and it is ex-
pected to consider in particular the
merits of the samples submitted as
practical working text books in the
public schools of the state 1t may
consider anything and everything per-
tanning to them except their prices,
and that is left to the consideration of
the text book commission itself. The
sub-commission is paid for it's services,
and the chief commission is not.
When the text book commission has
determined what books are adapted to
use in the public schools, it shall en-
ter into contracts with the publishers
of them for term of five years. AS
soon as the contracts are signed and
are complete the governor is to issue
~ OCldludtlOu announcing the IactS
to the people of the state, and every
school that draws any public money
must then use the books selected and
no other books whatsoever. 1t is rea-
sonable to say that the proclamation
OF the governor will not be sisued be-
fore midsummer, and that the change
in text books will not take place until
the assembling of the schools in the
fall or winter season.
The retail contract price is to be
printed in each book, and the agencies
established for the sale of such books
must in no case ask a greater price
The new law does not effect existing
contracts made by county boards of
education; but such boards are forbid
den to make new contracts, and as
fast and as far as such contracts en-
pire the Johnston law shall go into
effect
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1903-03-04

they operate to render mobs holder
and more numerous.
What Governor Terrell should do is
what Governor Longino is doing in
Attala county, and Governor Jelks has
had the courage to do in this state,
namely, to compel solicitors and sher-
ifs to do their duty by arresting the
persons that make up mobs. 1t is idle
to say that the solicitor and sheriff in
either Georgia county cannot ascertain
who were in the mob. They probably
know. II not, they can readily ascsr-
tain their names, and they should be
compelled by the governor of the state
to do their duty. If they refuse, let
them either be removed or held up to
public scorn. This is the way to stop
lynching, and there is no other effect.
i've way.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1903-03-04
QUALIFYING FOR SUFFRAGE.

From the Richmond Times Dispatch.
Colored people of Richmond are buying
more real estate in and around Rich
mond than for many years, If ever before
in their lives.
The fact is, that for some years past
the colored people have been losing their
property, having gone In debt to buy II
and grown careless about borrowing
money on 1t where they could. The en-
tire face of things has changed. Where
as before the adoption of the new con-
stitution, negroes were Indifferent about
real estate sales. and rarely, If ever. at
tended one unless 1t was their own house
which was offered.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1903-03-04
IN HOTEL LoBBIES.
Annual Press Trip.

.'The members of the Alabama Press
association are beginning to talk of next
summers trip said member OF the as
ISOLATION last night. "and several sug-
gestions have been made. One is that the
association this year take a trip 10
Canada via Chicago, including the famous
Thousand Islands, Montreal and other
places of equal interest
In this connection the gentleman re-
marked; Il think this trip would be an
exceptionally fine one. Thu executive
committee always decides plans Tor the
annual outing, and it will meet next
month to discuss the matter. In the mean
time / expect many suggestions IN regard
to the trip will be offered"
The association will have its annual
meeting in Admission on the 2lst and End
of May.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1903-03-04
GENERAL BOOTH MAKES
PUNGENT OBSERVATIONS.

From the New York Tribune.
After twenty weeks of travel and speech
making in fifty-two cities, General Booth,
of the Salvation Army, closed the evan
gelistic feature of his visit to this coun-
try Sunday by speaking at three meet
ings in the morning, afternoon and
evening, at the Academy Of Music, Four
teenth street and Irving Place. The
morning meeting opened with music by
the band OF the Salvation Army head
quarters. One hundred division officers
were seated on the platform, and in the
empty orchestra Enclosure was, draped
In red, the mercy seat The steps and
platform were also draped in red, and
over them passed twenty-eight sinners
and backsliders, on their way to the
''mercy seat" and q dozen missionaries
in the New York corps of the army
Soon after beginning his address the
general attacked tho sin of overeating."
Il have discovered that some people
here eat as many as seven times a day."
he said. "All that Is Unnecessary. 1t
means pressure on an overstocked stom-
ach, and the Spirit don't get a chance.
Fast one day. and take only bread and
a little water. told the people in the
little village where l live once that the
reason they had difficulty to rise up and
shout for joy in their salvation was be-
cause 1t was a serious affair with
shoulder of mutton and a pork pie on
their stomachs.
People come to the quarters of the
army and see our sisters and brothers
dancing; they are shocked Is this re-
ligion? they ask Certainly. Why should
the devil have all the dancing, I'd like
to know? I expect to so on dancing
through all eternity. 1t is a great deal
better than to go and sit IN place like a
lot of mummies in pyramid In Egypt"
Then he told of the Imprisonment of ST.
mon and Paul In a dungeon. AS he ex-
pressed it, he was putting little flesh
and blood on the bones" He said:
ut 10 about II o'clock at night when
Paul wakes up from doze.
-" Simon he says. how do you feel?
" 1 feel as If the spirit of the Lord was
rising In me- says Simon.
" Good" replied Paul. Lets sing
And they sing until the Almighty looks
down on them and answers with an amen
and an earthquake.
1.-THE tailer gets into his pants quicker
than he ever did before in his life,
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1903-03-04
Rirmlnnham,s Piano Trade.

"This promises to be an exceptionally
good year in the plano business saio
the manager of a piano company
Birmingham is getting to be great
distributing point for instruments in the
south and the business is growing eV-
cry day. We opened our Birmingham
store just nine months ago, and although
we have had all the work of introducing
our goods, we have sold during that time
225 pianos. We shall be disappointed II
we don's double that number during the
next niae months
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1903-03-04
Drove Out Yellow Jack.

American methods drove Yellow Jack
out of Cuba" remarked a physician.
But Mexico is still suffering from that
disease, as well as from the bubonlc
plague. Several cases of yellow fever APP
peared recently in Vera Cruz
1.-THE Diaz administration has shown
great deal of energy in many ways.
Why does 1t not follow the plans which
were carried out so successfully under
General Leonard Wood in the entire ter
ritory of the queen of the Antilles? Yell
low fever can be extirpated in Mexico
as 1t was extirpated in Cuba
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1903-03-04
THE NEW Two-cENT STAMP.
New York Times.

From the New York Times
The decision OF the postoffiee depart
ment authorities to retire the foolish new
two-cent postage stamp and substitute
for it something less like a caricature is
of piece with its action in adopting
the design in the first instance. There is
no objection to the retirement of stamp
which offends the good taste of every
citizen and tends to bring the federal
government into ridicule but if there
was good reason for adopting the de-
sign at all, a better reason for retiring
1t should be required than that certain
ribald persons have assumed to believe
that the portrait intended for Wash
ington is really that of Mr.. Dooley in
continental masquerade.
There is evidently some one In Wash
ington who assumes to exercise judgment
in the matter of philatelic art without
having any Judgment to exercise. THIS
becomes a serious matter when the work
of his prentice hand costs as much as
the plates for an issue of postage stamps
necessarily represent. His education In
such matters could be effected on very
much more moderate terms of tuition.
Meanwhile, there are a great many quail
flied people who could advise him WISE
~ in matters of portraiture, design. and
engraving, and in view of this threat to
try again, we urge his official superior,
whoever he may be. to place judicious
restraint upon his indscreet zeal in the
matter of stamp deslgns-unless, indeed,
the object in view Is to increase the
revenues of the postoffice department by
multiplying impraeticable stamps for
sale to collectors all over the world This
would be rather small business for the
United States government
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1903-03-04
About Persona

]. NJ. Falkner Of Montgomery is at the
Hilman.
A. A. MADISON of Tuscaloosa is regis
tered at the Morris.
j. S. Shannon and John r. Pill Of Car
bon Hill are at the Metropolitan.
George T. Rosson of Mobile is stopping
at the Hillman.
]. r. williams of Montgomery is at
the Morris.
II. B. Mckinley and A. ]. McLane of
Nashville are at the Metropolitan.
NJ. H. Lane of Kalamazoo is at the
Morris.
w, A. Meglemery of Louisville is regis
tered at the Metropolitan.
F. Baldwin of Memphis is at the Morris.
A. NJ. Tunstall Of Greensboro is stop
ping at the Metropolitan.
Joseph Saks of Admission is at the Metro
politan.
c. A. Low of New York. cousin of Mayor
Seth Low, left Birmingham yesterday for
Savannah after stay here of several
days. He was accompanied by Mrs. Low
and Miss Thompson. Mr.. Low has been
large stockholder in the Sloss-Sheffield
Steel and Iron company since its organi-
cation and is also a stakeholder in the
new Sheffield company. While in this dis
trict he looked over the Sloss-Sheffield
properties.
John B. Knox of Admission. Is at the
Hillman. He is in the city on legal bust
ness.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1903-03-04
A Clever Device.

white lines are painted across all
windows In third-class cars in Japan as
a check upon the impulse OF occupants
to thrust their heads through Them said
a man who has visited the far east.
"Window glass is an article with which
the people are not familiar in daily life,
and since passengers commonly suppose
that sashes are merely spaces for air, the
bill for glazing was one or the largest
petty items In the monthly accounts for
all the companies until the white line
was invented"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1903-03-04
THE MIsTLEToE BoUGH.

BY Bayly.
The mistletoe hung in the castle hall,
The holly branch shone on the old oak
wall;
And the baron's retainers were blithe and
gay.
And keeping their Christmas holiday.
The baron beheld, with n fathers PRIDE
His beautiful child. young Lovelrs bride;
While she, with her bright eyes, seemed
to be
The star of the goodly company.
I'm weary of dancing now" she cried;
Here, tarry a moment, I'll hide - I'll
hide!
And, Lowell, be sure thou'rt first to trace
The clue to my secret lurking place"
Away she ran-and her friends began
Each tower to search ana each nook to
scan;
And young Lowell cried. "Oh, where dost
thou hide?
I'm lonesome without thee, my own dear
BRIDE
They sought her that night, and they
sought her next day.
And they sought her, in vain. ill a week
passed away;
In the highest--thc lowest--the ionellest
spot.
Young Lowell sought wildly, but found her
not.
Aud years flew by, and their acief at last
Was told as a sorrowful tale long past;
And when Lowell appeared the children
cried.
Sec! the old man weops Cor his fairy
BRIDE"
At length an oak chest that had long
lain hid.
Was found in the castle = they raised the
lid
And a skeleton form lay Wondering there
In the bridal wreath of that lady fair.
oh! sad was her fate!-in sportive Jest
She hid from her lord in the old oak
chest
1t closed with a spring.-and. dreadful
doom,
The bride lay clasped in her living tomb!
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1903-03-04
SEAL OF THE CONFEDERAcY.

From the New York Press.
The Great Seal of the Confederacy is
supposed to be in the office of the secre-
tary of state of South Carolina. The orig
inal design called for an equestrian poI-
trait of Washington in the center, after
the statute which surmounts his monu-
ment in the Capitol square in Richmond,
and no doubt that design was executed
by Joseph S. Wyon, chief engraver OF her
majesty's seals, No B7 Regent street,
London. His charge for the work was
R122. Somebody issued proofs of the
"Great Seal" which had Washington
Great Seal" which had Washington
SLOUGH hat Who has the die from which
they were struck? 1t should be worth a
handsome sum as a curiosity.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1903-03-04
Richard Mansfield Coming.

The Atlanta Journal announces that
Richard Mansfield will conine his south
ern trip to Richmond, Atlanta, Montgom-
cry, Mobile and New orleans. inc es-
teemed Journal is mistaken IN one re-
spect, for Richard Mansfield and his
Julius Caesar" company Will appear at
the Jefferson in Birmingham on Maroh
13 There will be no matinee.
The Bostonlans will appear at the JET
ferson on March r. probably in maunee'
certainly at night On March 81 the Rog-
ers Brothers will produce here their new
Harvard musical comedy, and the sea-
son at the Jefferson will be closed shortly
afterwards.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1903-03-04

saw the well of the Metropolitan Oil
company COME, and were pleased with
the sight, which was new to many of
them.
Mobile Item Yesterday evening large
crowds visited the Luzon and were
cordially received by the officers and
crew, who took great interest in show
ing the visitors about the ship and ex-
planning the manner of operating the
guns as well IS relating many interest
ing incidents connected with the sink
ing and raising of the historic vessel.
One of the most interesting objects on
board was a large wood carving, well
executed. showing the Luzon as she lay
half submerged, at the time Hobson ar
rived and commenced the task of rails
ing her The carving was the work of a
Chinese artist, and was made from a
drawing. This interesting object is Sc
curely fastened on one side of the STAR
board gangway.
Gadsden Times-News: 1t is reported in
Gadsden that the Louisville and Nash
vile railroad has put corps of engineers
in the field at Altoona and that they
VIII survey route lor the extension OF
the Birmingham Mineral division to the
N, G. and st. l.. tracks at Carlisle. The
trains, in event that this route is adopt
ed, would come into Gadsden over the
N, G. and st. L. line. 1t is said that the
Louisville and Nashville would simply
build side tracks to the Greasy Cove
ore fields If the extension is made to
Carlisle. The route through Greasy Cove
to Altoona has not been abandoned, how
ever and it Is probable that several
routes Will be surveyed before one is
adopted.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1903-03-04
kRAG-JoRGENsEN GUNS.
Springfield Muskets to Be Replaced BY
More Modern Arms.

Washington, March 3.--General Crozier.
chief of ordnance, has made preliminary
arrangements for arming the entire or
ganized militia of the United States with
the Krag-Jorgensen musket of the regu-
lar service, in accordance with the pro-
visions of the new militia law.
He already has collected about GO, 600
of these arms at the government arsenals
at Augusta, Ga, Benicia California, Rock
Island, ILL.,, and San Antonio Tex, and
more will be shipped to those points from
the armory at Springfield Mass. as need
ed.
These arms will replace the Spring.
field muskets, which are to be returned
to the government.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1903-03-04
REFLECTIONS OF A BACHELOR.

From the New York Press.
Most people borrow trouble; Mormons
marry II.
The divorce court is the clearing house
of matrimonial gambling.
There is nothing so exasperatlng as
never to get chance to fee from tempta-
ton.
When a man gets the grip he can drink
a quart of whisky to cure 1t, but all a
woman can do is to cry because blowing
her nose makes II red.
No matter how late man goes home at
night. he ought to have too much consid-
Grafton for his wife to argue with her
about what time it is.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1903-03-04
Quarantine Is Lifted,

Austin, Tex, March 3-State Health
Officer Labor was today officially noti-
fed by the marine hospital attachce at
Torreon, Mexico, that investigation dis
closed no cases of plague at that point.
This was confirmed by DR.. A. III. Evans
of Eagle Pass, who has been at Tor
reon making an investigation. The quar-
antine established yesterday has been
lifted as a result of these reports.