davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-01-31

retired because he was no longer a democrat MT. Jones of Arkansas lost his seat to MT. Clarke. The other twenty-five senators were reelected, except in two or three cases where party control had been changed.
 This is surprising record, and 1t goes to show that the people are com ing to consider a senatorship high position. Whether this view of our House of Lords is good for the coun- try is a problem. There are certain cases, of course, where repeated re- elections are highly desirable, but it Is perhaps well not to have the idea be- come too chronic or firmly established, for 1t is foreign to our notions of gov ernment. About a third of each house of representatives consists of new men, and a biennial infusion of new senators would not be hurtful. Life senators would be step towards im- perialism.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-01-31
PRATT CITY.
c. A. Nolan Mining companys Lease
 Expires Today.

Pratt City January 3o.-(Speeial)-The c. A. Nolan Mining company has held a lease on No. 6 mine from the Tennes- see company for several years which will expire tomorrow and the Nolan Mining companv will cease to exist in Pratt City. However the Tennessee company will put on an extra night shift in No. 5 mine and care for all the coal miners in the employ of the Nolan company.
 Mrs. James Meagher was the charming hostess this afternoon of the Woman's 8 club at their monthly social meeting. There was a full attendance of the mem bers and the following visitors were present: Mrs j. F. Watson, Miss Flor ence Abbott of Gentucky, and Mrs. Col burn of Mt Pleasant, Tenn. Miss Minnie Kidd read an interesting paper on the French revolution. after which guess ing contest was engaged in which proved quite interesting. The prize, a pretty vase. was awarded to Mrs. J. F. Wat son.
 The house was tastefully decorated in the club colors, heliotrope and white, and dainty refreshments were served. The club will meet next month with Mrs. Frank Jeffries.
 | No. hose company of the volunteer | fire department met last night and elect l ed the following officers: President, William Gould; secretary, John Meagh- CT; treasurer, H. W. Going; captain, c. D. Comstock; first lieutenant, James Meagher; second lieutenant, H. W. Go- ing; committeeman, am Foley James Meagher and Roll Culverhouse.
 At a call meeting of the Knights and Ladies of Honor last evening MT. L. l.. Allison was elected delegate to the grand lodge which convenes at Selma.
 Ezra Evans, who for several years has been bookkeeper for the Pratt City Lum- Der company, has resigned and accepted similar position with the Standard oil company in Birmingham, and will take | charge of his new work on Monday. MT, w c. Mcdonald will succeed MT. Evans with the Pratt City Lumber company.
 P. L. Dryer will leave tomorrow to take charge of his new work with the Empire | Coal company. His family will leave the first of next week.
 W. S. Herman has purchased the resi- dence of MT. James Donaldson. Mir. and Mrs Donaldson will board with MT. and Mrs A. H. Daniels.
 Miss Belle Thaxton left a few days snce for Montevallo where she will at- tend school.
 News has reached the city from Prof P. M. McNiel who is at the bedside of his father at Kennedy. He states that his fathers condition Is precarious.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-01-31
Tobacco in Perry.

Congressman Underwood urged the house in a speech delivered last Satur- day to grant an increase of the appro- priation for soil surveys to $190,000 It stood this year at $1S0,O00, and MT. Underwood thinks more money should be put into soil surveys, believing, as he does, that nothing is of more bene- fit to the farmers than a development of the new service.
 MT. Underwood desires the agricul- tural department to have money enough to prosecute the valuable work in a systematic manner, and not by jumping from one county to a distant county, thus rendering all the work of a helter-skelter nature. He evidently thinks there is belt extending from South Carolina to Texas in which to- bacco, having the Cuban aroma, can be grown--tobacco that will compete with the Sumatra wrapper leaf. If this can be demonstrated, the benefit to the south and to the rest of the coun- try would be very great, and such an investigation is one of the things Mr Underwood desires the bureau of soils to undertake.
 The entire case is presented in Pro lessor Whitney's letter to MT. Under. wood, and The Age-Herald reprints it in order that all may see what may be in store for Perry and other coun, ties of this state. The subject is q very broad one, and MT. Underwood showed that the increased expenditure he asked for would be much more beneficial than any other expenditures that congress makes at every session
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-01-31
Lend the eye terrible aspect.
 -f King Henry ".
Piu Iron Production.

The Iron Age puts the December production of this district at 142,28l tons. This is at the rate of 100000 tons a year. The gains of this district since September are remarkable. In October we produced 116,337 tons, in November 137, ,289 tons, and in Decem- Der 142,2o1 tons. Of the coke furnaces of the district, 40 in number, 34 were in blast on January 1, and so were all of the charcoal furnaces, five in num- Der. A district that has 39 stacks in operation is a district of considerable activity. It is scarcely probable that this district can do better than 1t did in December until the new stacks in course of operation are ready for sery- ice. During the present year four new stacks will probably be made ready for the torch, and when they are ready a D6LLer TPCOTu Ludu LildI Oi AoSt month may be made. The production of the district should be carried to 2,000,000 tons year.
 The Iron Age states the home con- sumption of 1902 at 18,500,000 tons, or about 750,000 tons more than the country produced The Iron Age is inclined to think that in the summer months the country will be able to meet home requirements, but that talk ing the year as a whole this will not be possible.
 On January 1 there were BIO stacks in blast, and their weekly capacity was 35s,164 tons, new record. If such a rate of production could .be maintained production would overtake consumption, but it cannot be. There are too many obstacles in the way and iron will be apt to be in sharp de mand at least until the last three months of the year.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-01-31
Life Senators.

The tendency towards the reelection
 of senators Is very marked this year. Of the thirty elected or to be elected before March 4, thus far only five have been changed where no change in
 party control occurred. The five ex- ceptional cases prove the rule. MT. Stone succeeds MT. Vest simply be, cause the latter's health is no longer equal to senatorial work. If his health had been sufficient, he would have been reelected without a dissenting vote in his party. Senator Mason gives place to Congressman Hopkins in the mercurial state of Illinois. MT. Mason and his party did not pull well to- gether, and change became inevit- able. Mir. Simon of Oregon was accl- dentally elected in the course of long contest He was black horse. and it is believed he will not be reelected. Mr. McLaurin of South Carolina was
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-01-31

From the New York Tribune.
 In the navy yard in Brooklyn hard by the commandant's office. is a rude struc= ture of massive timbers extending to the waters edge which is one of the most in- teresting pieces of construction in the city. It is the bottom part of the ways on which Is to be reared the battleship Con- necticut. which will be the largest ves- sel in the navy. and will have a displace- ment of 16,000 tons. Her length, which is the length of the ways. is to be 45o feet. Longer ships have been launched in this country. but the launching weight of the Connecticut will probably be greater than that of any other ship ever launched in the United States.
 For this reason the ways now being constructed are probably the most suo- stantial in the country. Over three thou sand piles have been sunk for the foun- dation, and thousands of feet of yellow pine and live oak have been used The work that Is to go on them Is on the larg- est scale ever attempted by the navy de- partment,, and will therefore. be NdtcHeu Nllh tHe hScncot pletreSt.
 There is an erroneous impression among laymen that the ways for a vessel must be completed before work on the ship is begun, As a matter of fact the ways in- clude all of the superstructure that goes up as the boat itself grows. and no ways are complete until the vessel Is ready to be launched. That part of the ways no" ready consists Of the building blocks, the forward criobing and the keel blocks, and the work of laying the keel of the battle ship could be started today. The first keel plate, however, will not be laid on the blocks until April, when the big canti- lever. traveling crane will be finished, as it would be a waste of energy to attempt to assemble the steel frame by ordinary
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-01-31
TUSCALOOSA.
John Bestor, Wanted for Shooting Mel
 viIle Wyatt, Is Arrested.

Tuscaloosa, January 3o.-(special.)- John Bestor. the negro wanted for the shooting of Melville Wyatt, was arrest ed yesterday afternoon near Fanelle sta tion on the Mobile and Ohio by Officer Ryan. Bestor says that he shot Wyatt in self-defense, that he CWyatt had been drinking and assaulted him with razor. When Wyatt was found there was no ra- zor on his person. Bestor, who is about 32 years of age, Is now in jail charged with assault with intent to murder.
 A. M. Pitts, manager of the university baseball team, has engaged the services of Coach Stouch, who did such effective work here last season. He will arrive on March 1 to take charge of the team. As soon as the examinations are over how ever. the regular afternoon practice will begin. The following is the schedule which has been arranged up to this time: April ?. 8, 4. University of Alabama vs Vanderbilt, on campus; April 15, 1T, IS, University of Alabama vs University of Tennessee, in Knoxville, Tenn; April 2l. 22, 23 University of Alabama vs Sewanee, ! on campus; May 1, ?, University of Ala bama vs Alabama Polytechnic Institute, in Selma; May T. 8, 9, University of Ala bama vs Southern University or Central college of Kentucky, on campus.
 The recital given by Miss Stella Harris at her new studio on Twenty-second ave- nue last evening proved a most delight full occasion to the music loving people of this city. She was assisted by double quartette, consisting of Mrs. James Hood. Miss Adele Forster, Miss Nan Neblett. Miss Annie Searey, Messrs. Edwin P. Peterson, Mat T, Maxwell, Cornelius Townsend. A B. McEachin, Jr.
 Mrs. John M. Francis, who formerly resided here as Miss Evie Harris has arrived from Detroit, Mich, with her three children, and Is the guest of her mother, Mrs. George D. Johnston.
 Miss Margret Miller. the postmaster, has announced that in a short while the free delivery district will'~be enlarged. The additional section extending on the east to MT. George A. Searcy's residence on Queen City avenue and on the south and west to the Mobile and Ohio depot.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-01-31
Old Men in the Senate.

The Chicago Record-Herald consid- CTS the career of Senator Pettus unique alike as to his age as to his long post ponement of political activity. So far as age is concerned Senator Pettus Is by no means alone, for there are twelve senators who have passed the three score years and ten allotted to man, as follows:
 1821-Pettus of Alabama.
 1824-Morgan of Alabama.
 1S26-Hoar of Massachusetts, Flaw ley of Connecticut.
 1S27-Platt of Connecticut, Stewart of Nevada.
 1S29-Cullom of Illinois, Allison of Iowa.
 1S30-Jones of Nevada, Teller of Col orado, Vest of Missouri.
 1SS1-Proctor of Vermont, Frye of Maine.
 Nearly all of these old men are old officeholders, and at least half of them have been in the senate almost gen. eration, but our Alabama Nestor laid down his arms when the civil war ended and remained a private citizen over forty years, and at the age of 75 was elected senator, thus beginning a senatorial career that promises to be wholly exceptional and memorable MT. Pettus Is not, however. the oldest man who has been elected senator, for the Vermont legislature gave MT. Nor Till a new term when he was 86 years old. MT. Pettus will not be 83 years old until next July. In order to eclipse Senator Morrills record he would have to be given third term.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-01-31
BAY ANNETTE.
Young Man Resorts to Shrewd Method
 to Get Married.

Bay Minette. January 30. = (Speciai) = One of the most novel marriages ever heard of in this county occurred at the probate judges office here yesterday. Robert Cox young man between 20 and 21 years old. came to the probate judge and applied for license to marry Miss Rhoda Minchew. The young man said his father and mother were both dead, and thereupon the judge told him no ll- cense could be issued. Young Cox applied to lawyer. who fixed up guardian pa- pers, and had ]. M. Armstrong, sherifr, appointed guardian. The guardian then gave his written consent to the marriage and the happy couple were married by the probate judge.
 Today there was runaway marriage at the courthouse, Henderson Still of Conecuh county and Miss Mcleod of Mis- sissippi They both claimed to be of the proper age, and parental objection was assigned as their reason for running away. The couple left today for the home of the groom
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-01-31
LIEUT.. GOVERNORS POSITION.

From the Mobile Register.
 Lieutenant Governor Cunningham's def milton of his official position seems to bc that as lieutenant governor he is the pre- siding officer of the senate and that he has no part in its organization, in the machinery it adopts to carry on its work or In It's deliberations. He Is an executive officer who will succeed to the office of governor in case of the governors death or disability, who holds by virtue of his office the position of presiding officer of the senate. This view having been con f1rmed by the senate. the member of the senate who Is the real head of that body appoints it's committees and may take part in its deliberations, Is President. Pro tempore Goldsby of Mobile, Senator John- ston said in debate Tuesday that the peo pie of Alabama would resent the dis courtesy to the presiding officer, whether intended or not, but there are no signs of such resentment. MT. Cunningham says he does not feel bad about 1t; in fact, the senate but confirmed his own views of his powers. Mir. Goldsby says he and Mir Cunningham are in perfect accord on the subject The people at large ought to be satisfied No doubt they are satisfied
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-01-31
Flight of Birds.

Interesting facts as to flight of oiros have resulted from a long series Of op- servations. whose general results nave recently been published" said man who takes an interest in ornithology.
 "An eagle was observed by Hergessell of strausburg to fly at a height of 9OoO feet. A lark was detected at an altitude of 1000 feet. Aeronauts have encountered crows as high as 42OO feet from the earth. These, however, are exceptional attitudes for birds to attain. As rule, 1900 Feet seems to be the limit.
 'orhe German ornithological society has been conducting experiments with pigeons and finds thta when liberated at height of 5000 feet down to as little as 27OO feet they drop rapidly to a much lower region of the atmosphere"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-01-31
College Degrees.

While the president of Columbia uni- versity is advising the shortening of the term of study required for the degree of bachelor of arts, there are other edu- cators who assert loudly that A. B. Is too easy to get. and ought to imply much more thorough training" remarked college-bred business man.
 "one educator for example. contends that the standard for the baccalaureate trying to get more and more students, the colleges too often lower their require ments. to the injury of education. The final examinations says this educat or. will have to be more thorough and care- full, in which plenty of time shall he shall be attacked in various ways. It is often said that examinations do not re- veal what a man knows. This Is partly true of short and superficial examinations on a limited part of subject. But will anyone assert that a man can pass cred itably an examination in a German uni versity unless he knows lis subject well?
 Some criticism is made of the presen. management of colleges. as being too much for the convenience and interest of the teachers, too much given to routine and too little concerned in the advantage and economy of time and money of the student The Chicago university's plan of keeping the university open for busi- ness all the year round Is commended. If says the critic mentioned. the stu dent can take his instruction when he pleases and can come up for his examina- tion when he gets ready for it. we shall have emerged, in part, at least, from our present transitional stage. Our uni versailles will have become true univer- sities, and the smaller colleges without adequately equipped and thoroughly en- downed professional schools will become in name and reality feeders to the uni versailles.
 '"rhe time Is past when collegiate educa- tion can be regarded as the privilege oi the rich only or as an easy-going prepa- ration for the law, medicine or the church. Its aim nowadays is very largely to prepare men to earn a living in dozens of professions unknown hundred years ago. It is in one sense preparation fol business, and should be directed in q somewhat more busine ssliks spirit"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-01-31
Corner. Look Better.

The street corners certainly do iook better without the fruit stands" said man who is on the streets a great deal.
 'I notice that several of the more prom inent corners have been vacated, ana that proprietors of fruit stth1s are con- densing their stocks so that they take up less than half the room they 1sed to- and L s a great Improvement. The cor ners where the stands nave been re- moved entirely are much less con5es'eo than formerly and I think lt is better, when everything Is considered, to make the stands vacate the sidewalks entirely
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-01-31
PROGRESS OF WORK ON
 NAVY'S GREATEST SHIP

derricks. This must not be taken to mean, however, that there is any delay in the construction of the boat. The steel work is all being made ready in the shops. and will rise with great rapidity after the first keel plate is in place.
 Some difficulties were found in con- structing the foundation of the ways on account of the nature of the soil, 1t being largely soft made land. These have all been overcome. and the ways. which are to be permanent, and on which other ves- sels will probably be built, are as staunch as any in the country In driving the piles two sunken vessels were discovered, one an old schooner, near the waters edge, the other what 1t was thought might be the remains of the old prison
 'hin Jersey of Revolutionary war in- fanny. The latter point was not settled, as the rotting hulk was not unearthed.
 The decision to have a battleship built at a navy yard was made by congress at the last session. after a fight of many years. It was provided that the cost should not exceed s45OO,0oo, and that the ship should be ready for commission forty-two months after beginning work. The Connecticut will probably be launched two years from the coming spring. Un- usual difficulties will be presented then. according to the antieipations of the naval constructors, as the pillng will have to be built out into the river for con- siderable distance.
 Only four other war vessels have ever been built by the navy department itself the battieships Texas and Maine. of about eSso tons each and the cruisers Raleigh and Cincinnati of 31SS. The Maine and the Cincinnati were built at the Brooklyn navy yard and the two others at the Norfolk yard The Maine was launched in 1890 from ways which were about one l hundred feet from the present ways.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-01-31
THE KNIGHT IN THE WOOD.

By Lord De Tabley The thing itself was rough and crudeIy
 done, Cut in coarse stone, spitefully placed
 aside, As merest lumber, where the light was
 worst, On back staircase. Overlooked it lay In great Roman palace crammed with
 art. It had no number in the list of gems, Needed away long since. pushed out asd
 banished Before insipid Guides, oversweet, And Doces rare sensationalities, And curly ehirping angels spruce as birds And yet the motive~of this thing i'll hewn And hardly seen did touch me- O, indeed. The skill-less and that carved it had be-
 longed To most yearning and bewildered heart, There was such desolation In its work; And through it's utter failure the thing
 spoke With more of human message. heart to
 heart, Than all these faultless, smirking, skin
 deep saints; In artificial troubles picturesque, And martyred sweetly not one curl awry. Listen; a clumsy knight who rode alone Upon a stumbling jade in great wood Related The poor beast with head low
 bowed Shutting the treacherous ground. The
 rider, leant Forward to sound the marish with his
 lance. You saw the place was deadly; that
 doomed pair, The wretched rider and the hidebound
 steed. Feared to advance, feared to return that's a1
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-01-31
Salary of the Governor.

By an overwhelming vote the house voted to raise the governors salary to $5,000 the present salary being $3,000. It is hoped that the senate will vote in like manner, thus prompt ly increasing a salary that is well earned. Ordinarily such a bill would not apply to the present term, but the constitution expressly permits such an application, and the bill will be- come operative as soon as 1t becomes a law.
 Salaries of governors range all the way from $1O,00O, the sum paid in New York New Jersey and Pennsyl- vania, down to $1,500, the sum paid in Oregon. Eighteen states pay $5000 or more, and nine states pay $4,O00 The governor of Louisiana Is paid $5,000 a year; the governor of Kentucky, s6,5O0; ethe governor of Virginia, $5,- 900. As rule the states that have new constitutions pay large salaries to the chief executive.
 Alabama needs good governors, and good salaries should be paid The state is no longer poverty stricken; the prostration that followed war and reconstruction is ended, and there is no reason in the world why an ade- quate salary should not be paid to the head of the state.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-01-31
General Thomas Will.


 As General Samuel Thomas, the noted railroad man, who died in New York re- gently, was interested in many southern enterprises including one or two in Ala bama, and was known personally to q number of southern men, his will will prove of interest here" said a man who knew the deceased.
 "The will was filed for probate in the Westchester County Surrogate's court The instrument was executed on July aO 1900. The value of the estate is not given but 1t Is estimated to be S10,00O0O0. The executors are to invest s100000 and pay the income to his son, Harold Edgell Thomas, a resident of Chicago, for his maintenance and support. In making this provision In his will General Thomas said: I make no further provision for my son Harold because his condition. mentally and physically, Is such that he is incapable of managing his own affairs !"
 The executors are directed to invest enough of the residue of tn estate to pro- duce a net income of $1OO,0OO year and to pay it to his widow during her life time. The remainder of the estate is to be divided into two equal parts, and each part invested, the income of which is to be paid to Edward Russell Thomas and Eleanor Nancy Thomas, son and daugh- ter, and at their deaths to be distributed to their issue.
 General Thomas started In life poor. He
 
 suffering humanity. In these days of gen. erous giving 1t seems somewhat strange that a man worth s1OOOO,0oo should die without bequeathing little share of his wealth to a hospital or an institution of learning"