The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-09-19
COMMENTS ON MEN AND
 MATTERS OF THE WORLD

he has perfected machine which will
 revolutlonize the old method of picking
 cotton. Every year or two some one
 comes forward with a new scheme for doing away with the old-time plantation
 pickers but their plans failed to ma
 terialize. We all remember the story.
 whether true or not, of monkeys being introduced in the south for the purpose
 of supplanting the darkies. The new invention will do it's work by means of air suction. It will be drown along
 through a cotton field by a team Of horses and at every few yards 2. stop will be made Men will then manipulate the suction pipes by holding them near the pods, thus drawing the cotton off with great rapidity. At every stop all the stalks within radius of eight or ten rows will be cleaned from the stalks
 On it's face the new machine seems plaus- ible. but we will await the practical test before passing judgment. It is extremely difficult to improve upon the human hand for some varieties of work, and cotton picking is one of them. The plan- tation negroes may have no fears just
 
 time before mechanical labor will force them to seek occupation else where than in the f1eecy fields of cotton.
 The schools and colleges are begin ming to open in full swing all over the country, and prospects for the ensuing year are being anxlously discussed. It is noticeable that there is a large percent age of students from other countries matriculated this year. From Cuba, es- pecially. the number of young men who came to America seeking an education is steadily growing larger. The advant- ages of our universities are being recog- nized by Uncle Sam's wards and many lesser institutions of learning At the Alabama Polytechnic institute there have been several young men matriculated from Cuba, and the same is true in the other states. A technical education seems most in favor, although young Japanese, Chinese, Philippines and Gu bans have made excellent records in the classics. The son of President Palma of Cuban is now in this country for the purpose of completing his studies, and brought back with him this year about twenty-one companions. As a rule these young fellows are quiet studious, and apt. They make very desirable additions to the student body of any college or university.
 Now that Sir Thomas Lipton has suc- cumbed to American hospitality, observ- CTS who have watched the gallant knights movements since he reached our shores are congratulating- him that he to bear up so bravely against what is fondly styled 'the best in the land" The yachtman got along finely until he was beguiled into paying the Adirondacks a visit While there he was feasted on venison stew and green corn. ted, as it were, to this new dainty was unable to bear the shock and as re- suit the distinguished visitor was count ed out by his physicians. Of course Sir Thomas had tasted venison many a time and oft, but not in the form of an Adirondack stew, while the green corn was an entirely new proposition for his digestive organs. Since his illness has now developed into an acute attack of appendicitis the time for joking is past. always serious matter, the skill of our surgeons has become so great in treating this very prevalent form of disease that the results of an operation are not greatly to be feared While appendicitis is holding him down 1t would be a wise thing for the bsronet to have the needed operation performed and be forever relieved of the fear of a returning attack. p q