davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-21
Occupation of Panama.

In the absence of more stirring news the Washington newsgathers inform waiting country that the Southern and other railroads have been requested to furnish the war department with bids for the transportation of five regiments to southern ports The general staff is getting ready, it is stated, for any emergency.
 In fact, we are told that our new and very alert general staff has prepared plans for an isthmian campaign, and the Colombians will be welcomed with hospitable hands to hospitable grave, or words to that effect. It is not cer- tain that Colombia will attempt to force back the seeding province of Panama, and it is scarcely probable that troops will be sent to the isthmus before the Panama treaty is ratified. This may not soon be done. In the meanwhile marines may be landed, but it is scarce ly reasonable to think that five regi- ments, or even one regiment, will be sent there. Such action would be be- yond international law, and all justice.
 At least thousand marines will be close to the isthmus, and pending ac- ton upon the treaty the landing of them will probably suffice. In case the treaty is ratified, the administration may decide to occupy the ceded ten mile strip, as it will have right to do under the terms of the treaty. All these things are, however. dependent upon ratification of the treaty, an event that may not soon take place-an event that may never take place, and that certainly will not take place be- fore spring.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-21

It would seem as if the home consumer should share In the advantages that attend cuts in home wages and home railroad rates.
 The truth Is, the Dingley tariff puts manufacturing on an artificial basis. In the case of the Steel trust it oper- ates to benefit the foreign consumer, and it does not protect the workingman at home or the home railroad. No other home interests are benefited. The home consumer does not secure steel at lower prices, the home workmen re- ceive less wages, and the home rail- roads are asked to carry goods at rates that yield little or no net profits. The Steel trust itself may thrive, but noth- ing else will in the land that fosters a system that taxes the many for the benefit of the few.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-21
The Holiday Period.

"An expensive item in the accounts of all large business firms is the New Year calendar" said a travelling man. Now that January 1 Is fast approaching nearly all orders have been filled by the print ing establishments that turn out these artistic novelties and before 1904 Is well
 begun the country will be literally flooded with all kinds and shapes of cal endars.
 Some of these souvenirs are exceedingly handsome. and costly in the bargain, so that when one considers that thousands are sent out gratuitously it can readily be seen that they represent no inconsid- erable expenditure.
 This has become such an extravagant age that a calendar by itself will not do at all and it has now become necessary to make each a work of art and ire quently a complete series is issued that would look well in any home.
 Tt is probable that the breweries and distilling houses get out the handsomest calendars. Both branches of the great liquor traffic spend large sums every year for advertising purposes Costly oil paintings are frequently seen bearing the brand of some well known whisky or beer"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-21
Theater Ushers.

q notice that the Bijou ushers are now clad in neat. grey coats with the word "Bijou' in gold braid on the left side of the breast" said a theatre patron yester- day, and I think this is a pleasing inno- vation
 "The only objection to the Bijou uni form is the fact that the boys are permit ted to wear black trousers. This gives the appearance of cadets who have worn holes in their uniform trousers. If the ushers were clad in full cadet regimentals the effect would be particularly smart and 1 hope Manager Williams will act on the suggestion.
 "As yet the Jefferson has not seen fit to clothe it's employees in distinctive garb. But I cannot but think how plasing a uniform of maroon and gold would be and how it would delight the patrons of this popular theatre.
 While passing 1t would not be amiss to compliment the two Birmingham thea , tres on the polteness of their ushers. Although it is true they are paid to be polite this question of pay is not apparent in their services, as a rule.
 However. if people would cease to troop into theatres after the beginning of a performance, disturbing and annoying everyone in the immediate vicinity of their seats. the public would not worry over the question of ushers."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-21
Maneuvers of the Steel Trust.

The Steel trust has cut down the wages of 90 per cent of its employees, thereby saving sS,S0o,OO0 year. It intends to save $S,OOO,OOO more in sealing down the pay of officials and other employees. Concessions in freight rates will effect a further saving of $5,000,O00 in the expenses of the huge concern.
 Thus equipped against hard times at home it proposes, it is stated to fight for a foreign trade as it has never fought before. It proposes to under bid all foreign rivals.
 Every cut in wages or in transporta- ton rates reduces the cost of products to consumers, and the Steel trust pro- poses that foreign consumers shall get the benefit of home cuts in wages and freight rates. This will not seem wholly just to the mar whose wages have been sealed down or to the rail roads that are asked to grant low rates upon iron and steel and their products.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-21
Baseball Next Year.

The time has come to look ahead, dis missing the past to baseball history There is room tor all ahead, and each team in the Southern league will hence forward begin to get ready for next seasons sport This sport has been enlarged to 40 games, thus following the example set by the major leagues. Heretofore it has been confined td 126 games.
 Alabama, the Age-Herald is glad to say, is to have two teams As pro- posed, Tennessee would have had three teams and that state would have dom mated the league. Montgomery is to have a team, and if care be taken in making 1t up the national game will command there a sufficient patronage, and all doubts and troubles will disap- pear A winning or first-division team will pay in any town, and Montgomery needs team or that sort. At any rate Montgomery is securely lodged in the league, and the Birmingham friends of the game are glad of it.
 Altogether the new season has been placed on a good basis, so far as the league can do the work, and 1t is now up to each team to put itself in good condition to meet it's competitors for honor, and to satisfy all lovers of out door sport in the eight cities of the league. The teams have the burden now, and the manner in which they meet it .Sdll determine the nature of the coming seasons sport.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-21
IN HOTEL LoBBIEs
Good Time for canvassIna.

Monday morning is the time the candi. dates for the various offices in Jefferson county work the hardest" said a deputy clerk of one of the county courts. Every Monday morning the two divis- ions of the city court, the two divisions of the criminal court, and the circuit court organize juries for the week. sev- eral hundred citizens of the county are summoned Monday for jury duty. They come from all sections of the county and as a general rule every one of them Is ready and willing to discuss politics, just at this time especially
 "As the electors enter the doors of the court house, some candidate or his friends buttonhole him, and ask for his support.
 They are telling of a practical joke on one of the candidates. Last Monday morning a friend of the candidate was stationed at the Third avenue door of the court house, and as each citizen en- tered the building, he handed out the cam paign card of his friend. friend of the rival candidate observed this and quickly securing some cards slipped them into the overcoat pocket of the man standing at the door. For half hour the distributor of cards was handing out the cards of his friends opponent"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-21
HANNA'S CIRCULAR.
Two Replies to Admirers Show the Use
 of a Formula.

From the New York Sun.
 According to a dispatch to the New York Herald from Birmingham. Ala, an admirer of Senator Hanna in that town wrote to him about two weeks ago on the subject of the Presidency and received the following reply:
 T have read with interest your kind letter of the 4th inst, and assure you of my sincere appreciation of the sentiments expressed and of your regard and confi- dence in me. Such suggestions as you make with reference to next year are, of course, highly complimentary but my position on this subject is well defined and well known. I have no personal ann bition to serve, and can not be considered in any sense a candidate for the Presi- dential nomination. My only desire is to serve my party to the extent of my abil- ity. M. A HANNA"
 Yesterday morning, another admirer of Senator Hannas in Elizabeth, N. J., Gen eral J. Madison Drake, received and gave out for publication the subjoined com. munication on the same subject from the same distinguished republican statesman:
 My Dear General: I have read with interest your kind letter of the Sth inst, and assure you of my sincere apprecia- ton of the sentiments expressed in the same and of your regard and confidence in me. Such suggestions as you make with reference to next year are, of course. highly complimentary, but my position on the subject is well defined and well known. I have no personal ambition to serve, and can not be considered in any sense a candidate for the Presidential nomination. My only desire is to serve my party to the extent of my ability. Again thanking you for your kindness, 1 remain yours truly, M A. HANNA"
 A careful examination of these two let ters from Mir. Hanna of two admirers so widely separated in the geographical sense. but so nearly unanimous in their admiration and hope that he will run for President in 1904 convinces us that the senator's replies are equally apt in phraseology, equally decorous in senti- ment and equally creditably to his pa- trotism.
 statesman is not without honor when he is compelled to use a formula CT oc- casions like these
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-21

IT is reported from New York that
 General Lew Wallace is in that city ! taking the X-ray treatment under an eminent specialist for a cancerous con dition of the nose. The noted writer and warrior has long been a sufferer from this complaint and has tried the X-ray often before, with apparent success. His gener- al health continues good. however. and it is to be hoped that Gen, Wallace will not be prevented from giving to the world several more of his delightful narratives before he reaches the end of his career. Ther is no living man of letters today who has a better command of vivid language and a more graphic style than the author of Ben Hur" and "The Fair God" AL though the former work is much better known the latter is no mean effort and if more widely read would take first rank among the great books of the day So long as print is read "Ben Hur" will continue to sway book lovers by its matchless style and stirring theme and now that the story has been given wider publicity by the elaborate manner in which 1t has been staged it's fame IS rem dered even more permanent than before. The task of staging Ben Hur" was for long time considered an impossibility but money and ingenuity solved the prob lem. so that now no more inspiring pro- duction has ever drawn vast audiences to theatres wherever it was presented. 1t is also said that the production Of Ben Hur' being given this season is even grander and more stnpendous than its predecessor, which was something in the nature of a seven days wonder when first put on the stage. "The Fair God" is a tale that is little known but is intensely interesting and even more vivid than Ben Hur" The scenes are laid in Mex leo during the rule of the last Montezuma and powerful story is woven about the conquest of the land by Cortez.
 All over the land Salvation Army posts are preparing to give their annual Christi mas dinners to the poor and the move ment should receive the substantial sup port of all who believe in true charity. These repasts are not sumptuous but they are good and satisfying to thousands of
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-21
Going to Colombia.

Earl G. McLin of Birmingham will leave on Wednesday for Mobile, from which point he will sail on the next day for the United States of Colombia. Mr. McLin has been unwell for about one year, and has been advised to go to a tropical eli- mate. He will be absent for at least a year.
 For many years MT. McLin was on the editorial staff of the Nashville American, and since residing in Birmingham he has done some newspaper work for that and other Tennessee newspapers.
 During his stay in Colombia, Mir Me Lin will serve as correspondent for sey- eral southern journals.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-21
Animal Instinct.

"The animal instinct of the association of home" said travelling man yester- day, was clearly demonstrated by the fire on Second avenue week ago in which many horses lost their lives.
 You know that almost every horse will quicken it's pace when turned towards it's stable. The stall to him is synonymous with peace. rest and food. Here at least it is not urged or beaten or worked, but is allowed more or less contentment and repose
 ITO the horse the stable is a haven of safety where he is free from the noise and hustle which plays such part in his career. What wonder then that when danger threatens the horse following its inborn instinct refuses to leave it's home or after being forced away will rush back if given the opportunity. even though to do so means death itself?'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-21
COMMENTS ON MEN AND
 MATTERS OF THE WORLD

unfortunates who would otherwise go hungry on the greatest of all days in the year. On street corners the contribution boxes can be found in all the cities of the land and many coins find their way into them. Of course Christmas dinners and other entertainments for the poor will be on a much more elaborate scale in such places as New York, Boston, Phil adelphia and Chicago than in lesser cities, but all will bring good cheer and he who is in a liberal frame of mind could give his money to no better purpose than the Salvation Army dinners.
 The Umbria had stormy time on her last trip from Liverpool to New York. Although the great steamer is capable of making 800 knots in one day of ordi- nary weather she was able to make but 5S5 knots in three days on this coyage. The constant heaving and tossing stirred up a panic among the steerage passen- gers and it is quite likely that every person on board was only too glad when land was reached at last. Yet there was practically no danger, although the dis comfort may have been very great, and the seagoing qualities of the Umbria have been so well tested that fear of disaster was groundless. The Umbria is not new vessel but her huge bulk prac- tically precludes all danger save that from fire or collision. It is comforting to be on board such a vessel during a storm at sea, for in spite of the preva- lent notion that the ocean is a danger ous place disaster was not more immi- nent in this case than it would have been on land.
 Now that the wintry winds are blowing, tramp camps in certain parts of the coun- try are giving much annoyance to resi- dents. The ''hobos' congregate in cho- sen spots where they while away the time in comparativeA comfort and ..
 by predatory excursions in the neighbor- hood. Woe to the unprotected hen-roost. or the barnyard. where young shoats are to be found. for those nimble fingered gentry are almost as proficient in lifting things as they are in avoiding work AL though police and rural constabulary make vigorous efforts to disperse these tramp communities. they continue to flourish along certain of the principal rail- way lines and the question of getting rid of them is rather hard one. How ever, Alabama and Georgia haze no fear of visit since the vagrancy laws have gone into effect P. c.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-21
FOR ALL THESE

By Juliet Wilbor Tompkins thank thee, Lord, that I am straight ana
 strong With wit to work and hope to keen me
 brave; That two score years. unfathomed, still
 belong To the allotted life thy bounty gave. thank thee that the sight of sunlit lands and dipping hills, the breath of evening
 grass, That wet. dark rocks and flowers in my
 hands Can give me daily gladness as I pass. I thank thee that I love the things of
 earth Ripe fruits and laughter lying down to
 sleep. The shine of lighted towns, the graver
 worth Of beating human hearts that laugh and
 weep. I thank thee that as yet need not know. Yet need not fear. the mystery of the
 end: But more than all, and thongh all these
 should go- Dear Lord. this on my knees.-I thank
 thee for my friend
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-21
Business Prosperity.

Henry Clews circular letter of Satur- days date says;
 General business is fairly active for the season. Clearing house returns and railroad earnings show only slight reac- tionary tendencies, generally explained in the first case by lessened speculation and in the latter by smaller iron ship ments.
 "The west seems to be enjoying unin- terrupted prosperity and the south Is par ticularly exuberant over the high price of cotton and the consequent prosperity of planters. The burden of dear cotton falls with special severity upon the mills, some of which may be forced into temporary curtalment. but the south as whole is likely to have more money to spend in ere 4 than ever before."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-21
INcREAoED- DEMAND FOR BOOKS
From the Outlook.

From the Outlook.
 The demand for something to read comes from millions, formerly from a few thousand. They demand reading suited to their capacities and tastes, and the supply comes forth. The billboard, the penny paper and the five-cent dread ful, these are their third and fourth readers, their literary primers, their in- troductions to better things. In reading them they are teaching themselves and improving themselves. and in almost the best possible way. They get what they wish, they read with interest and pleas ure, they take profit therefrom. More overland this is the other weighty fact in the case-they steadily improve in their choice. The chronicle of the growth of clean and wholesome journals, daily, weekly and monthly. in the past two de- cades is just as wonderful in it's way as that of the growth of those papers which make us cringe.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-21
REFLECTIONS OF A BACHELOR.
rom the New York Press.

From the New York Press.
 Some men are so tactful they smoke the cigars their wives buy them for presents.
 Women tell jokes the way children play button, button, who has got the button to see if anybody can find it.
 woman likes to be suspicious of her husband so she can feel happy when he convinces her she oughtn't to be.
 A financier, is man who handles other peoples money for them and lets them stand the losses if they lose and take the profits if they win.
 The meanest thing that can happen to a woman is when her new gown comes home to have it storm all day so she can't put it on and call on every woman she knows who hasn't got n&w one.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-21
ProtectIna the Water Supply.

Senator Simmons is pressing a bill to appropriate $1O,0OO,O00 for the pur pose of purchasing three million acres along the Blue Ridge, beginning in Vir- ginia and terminating in Alabama, the purchased land to become a national reservation or park. If this is to be done it were well it should be done quickly for the lumberman is pressing hard upon the forests even along the summits of the Appalachian range.
 Such a reserve would preserve to all future generations a vast body of for ests, and these forests would go far towards maintaining the flow of the streams of the Atlantic slope, thus maintaining the water supply, and in many cases the water powers. of sev- eral broad states. Only good can come from the establishment of the proposed reserve, and our men at Washington should give the bill that Senator Sim mons of North Carolina is pressing warm support. Other sections are se- curing reservations at the hands of the general government, and the south is justly entitled to one along the Blue Ridge. It should be of ample propor- tions, continuous, and covering the sources. of streams which traverse the plains that lie between the Blue Ridge and the sea-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-21
Commercial Travellers.

"One of the pecuiiarites of some drum- mers," said Captain Baker of the Gerst Brewing company, yesterday. ''is that they always want the same room at the different hotels that they stop at and the same place at the table
 "I have been travelling this southern territory for six years and, taking the Battle House at Mobile as an example. I have not missed getting the same room
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-21
About ps,sons.

About rs' sons.
 After spending several weeks in the Birmingham district, George B. squires of Washington, second vice president of the International Retail Clerks Protective association, will return home on Tuesday. MT. Squires was sent to Alabama by the national organization to look after the welfare of several local clerks unions in the state.
 The Hon. Charles w. Thompson. the popular representative of the Fifth con gressiona1 district, is at the Hillman. He will be in Birmingham until Tuesday looking after business interests.
 J. c. Smith and P E. Gwinn, students of the Mobile Medical college, are spend ing the holidays with relatives in the city.
 Victor Friedman a prominent business man of Tuscaloosa was one of the Nor ris' arrivals last night
 The Hon. W. w. Lavender of Center vile, county solicitor of Bibb county, is registered at the Metropolitan.
 W. A. Williams of Atlanta spent Sun day at the Hillman.
 
 George ". Duncan of Auburn was one of the Hillman's arrivals last night. w. A. Battle of Anniston spent Sun day at the Florence
 Horace Hood, Jr.. of Montgomery, is in Birmingham.
 The Hon. A M. Tunstall the speaker of the house of representatives, came up from Greensboro last night, and is stop ping at the Metropolitan.
 W. A. Spruell of Brookwood, last years famous captain and center fielder on the Howard college basketball team. is in the city.
 w. T. East of West Point, Miss, is at the Morris.
 William S. Peebles of Athens and j. A. Cambell of Anniston spent Sunday at the Hillman.
 Charles W. Gray of Union Springs is stopping at the Morris.
 J. S. Beason, a prosperous planter of Attalla. was one of tRe Florence's ar- rivals last night. Herbert starnes of Nashville and T. W. Reed of Washington are at the Hillman. J. A. Ogden of Childersburg is at the Metropolitan.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-21

Senator Pettus uttered a deep truth when he said in the senate, Whenever the nation gets too large to be just it will be too large to be respected by its own citizens" It is unnecessary to say that he was discussing Panama.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-21

When Mir. Cleveland cheerfully and racily discusses duck shooting, we may be sure he is out of politics flor good" No one wants politics in his'n when he can enjoy duck shooting as MT. Cleve- land does. ,s
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-21
HOW IT WORKS.

From the New Orleans Times-Democrat
 There is no doubt that the woman who loves you forgives you too much. while the woman whom you love forgives you too little
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-21

Sir Thomas Liptol says he will try again for the Americas cup. People in this country are willing enough to give yachting trophy is an entirely different matter.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-21

The season is rapidly approaching when sweet charity will be given op. portunity to demonstrate the earnest ness of her intentions.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-21

The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children has sat down upon Manager Conrieds scheme to have boy choir in "Parsifal."