davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-08-05
LONDON IS EXTENSIVE.

From London Truth.
 The ordinary price for dinner at Lon- don hotel in six shillings; at a French hotel six francs, or four shillings nine and a half pence. Yet the Paris dinner Is at least as good. and in my opinion. gener- ally better, though it costs 20 per cent less Look at the prices at Doney's restaurant at Florence-four francs for lunch, five frances for dinner. There is no place In the United Kingdom where such good and well cooked food can be obtained for double the money Yet everything in Florence is heavily taxed. exen down to the salad
 At the same time English innkeepers and restaurateurs tell me that if it were not for the profits on wine their business would not pay. So far does this go that l, who am teetotaler. have often been charged one shilling extra in lieu of wine at London restaurant. On the other hand. foreign restaurants, generally speaking, make very moderate profit on wine. I have often discussed with Amer jeans the cost of living in various parts of Europe. They are unanimous in say ing that for visitor-not necessarily for a resident-London is far and away the most expensive city in Europe.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-08-05
County Officers Commended.

The examination by the state exam iners of public accounts of the books of Sheriff Burgin, Probate Judge Stiles, Tax Collector Francis, Tax Assessor Mclaughlin and Clerks Bradley and McAdory, is very gratifying both to the officials named and to the imperial county itself. Everything was found in apple-pie order, and the triaing errors detected were astonishingly few in such vast volume of business.
 When 1t is remembered that the officials of Jefferson do the work of forty average counties in this state, the wonder becomes the greater that everything was found in good condi- tion by the three state examiners who, with trained eyes, searched two weeks for errors. Probate Judge Stiles office is declared to be "a model of business methods" Circuit Clerk Nc Adory's books "are correctly kept" and so are the books of Criminal Clerk Bradley. Tax Assessor Mclaughlin Keeps the business 0 nls office in fine conditlon"; Tax Collector Francis office Is certified as "in excellent con- dition," and of Sheriff Burgin Exam iner Rutledge said: When the heavy volume of business transacted by this officer Is taken into consideration, think the above is favorable showing for the efficiency of the sheriff and his capable assistants"
 The reports of the state examiners will be duly relished by the people, who know what a vast tide of busi- ness flows through the public offices of Jefferson county-a tide that annu- ally rises as the population increases. The criminal business of this county is today equal to the business of that nature of fully half of the state, ex- cluding from the half the two cities of Mobile and Montgomery. It is simply immense, and each year adds to it's immensity.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-08-05

plague which afflicts all persons. The state is the c.'z proper custodian of conyicts, and Alabama has an excellent prison board.
 Governor JellSs is ex-oficio, president of this board, and he has the power to carry into effect his policy. He has done many wise things for the state, but none in which his humanity has been so mannes. as in the matter of the care of conyicts. If the prison stockades could talk, they would tell stories of petty bosses that would shock the honest souls of Alabama,i and no doubt Governor Jelks knows the nature of the system he proposes to change. He proposes to change it, too, not by amendment, but by tearing it up root and branch. As long as the state cannot afford to keep its convicts in it's own buildings, the plan proposed by Governor Jelks and partially put in operation , the most humane that can be devised. It is not only humane, but it is also the best from a business point of view. Let it be carried out to the letter and to the last convict.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-08-05
IS THIS ooRMAN's opPoRTUMITYY

From the Philadelphia Inquirer.
 A somewhat animated boom for C1eve- land following a speech in the west has been sidetracked somewhere. at least for the present. Judge Parker is a good man. no doubt-perhaps too good. Anyhow, his name is not one to conjure with. Judge Gray Is too far above the ordinary democratic shouter for the latter to grow enthusiastic over. There Is left--Gorman. And for German the democrat who runs with the machine has a liking.
 When Congress assemblies German will be in command of the democratic forces. He will steer his party. and 1t may be expected that everything that the demo- crats do next fall and winter will be done solely for effect in the coming presiden- tial campaign and under his direction. It is to be game of politics, and Cor man will play his cards as shrewdly as the conditions will admit. You will not find him talking of his chances for secur- ing the democratic nomination. but you will find him working quietly while his lieutenants are rounding up a sentiment favorable to him.
 Senator German has been a candidate before. but never with brilliant prospects. Is this his opportunity? Is he to be given the nomination at last? In any event. interest in democratic politics will increase with him pacing the deck once more
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-08-05
Biu and Little Panics.

The great panics of the country oc- cured in 1887, 1857, 1873 ,and 1893. AS rule they were twenty years apart and another is not due, if there be merit in the twenty-year rule, until 1913.
 But little collapses in values occur oftener, one at least between the peri ods of great prices. The small col lapses do -ot as a rule touch general trade or the manufacturing com munity. Such collapse occurred in 1884. Shrinkages in Wall street were even more strenuous than those we have recently witnessed, and many dis asters among banks and stock ex- change houses in Wa. Street were re- corded, and yet the following year. 1885. was one of general prosperity, and so were subsequent years down to 1S93 lC was in 1884 that the Grant & Ward affair shocked the country, and speculation in railroad stocks ran rampant. An unstable currency con tributed to the disasters of that year. and yet those disasters did not extend to trade or to industries, and the gen. eraI prosperity of the country was not materially checked.
 There is wide belief that the story of 1884 is about to repeat itself. The viciousness of overcapitalization has been to considerable extent elimi- mated, and yet so sound and strong is the country at large, that general trade vii not be materially affected. Prices may be eased off. In many instances they should be. The country will be all the better if they are. Prices of goods have been too high. The cost of living is too high. All abnormality will perhaps be corrected, and the great business of the country, held up and made strong by fine crops, will move on without serious check.
 Close observers see in 1884 type of the present collapse in Wall street, a. if they be correct the country is to be congratulated upon what has occurred. The drunken orgie of the promoters and spectators is ended, a- it has come to an end without in1uring the permanent and valuable interests cf the country.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-08-05
ARBITRATION WINS AGAIN.
From the Washington Post.

From the Washington Post.
 Something like 12,OOO Alabama miners, who have been on a strike, have returned to work upon the assurance that the diff ferences existing between them and their employers shall be submitted to board of arbitration of which Judge Gray of Delaware is to be a member. The mat ters In dispute are somewhat complicated, and a long-drawn contest was considered inevitable, until Judge Gray announced his willingness to become member of the board of arbitration. Both parties to the controversy had refused to agree to any plan of settlement without Judge Gray's services, thus bestowing about as high compliment as can be paid to abil- ity, integrity and experience.
 While the action of the miners and their employers is a distinct tribute to Judge Gray, it marks at the same time another step toward the time when labor difficult ties will be amicably adjusted through arbitration boards and along the lines laid down by the Anthracite Coal Strike com mission appointed by the President to deal with the strike situation in Pennsylvania last winter. Judge Gray was a member of that commission and has been given chief credit for outlining the plan of agreement which has proved highly sat isfactory to both workmen and employ CTS Other labor troubles, in New York, Chicago and other large cities, have been settled along the lines of the anthracite commissions plans, and strong and growing sentiment has been created in the country in favor of this method of ending labor disputes. It Is noticeable that there have been fewer instances of violence in the labor troubles that have come up this year, intelligent labor lead CTS showing a disposition to meet their employers on common ground. using req son instead of passion in accomplishing their purposes The Alabama case fur nishes another triumph for the principles of arbitration.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-08-05
Pope Pius X.

As popes go the new pope is not an told man. He was 6s years old in June. He has been patriarch of Venice for ten years and a cardinal like time.
 Not very much is known in this country concerning Cardinal Sarto save that he is man of exceptionally high culture and agreeable manners. He is well-liked wherever he is known. His years have not diminished his physical strength, or his native kind- ness of heart. In many respects he resembles the dead and gone Leo, and no doubt he will succeed in winning some of the popularity that met his predecessor at every turn. He has certainly served his patriarchial prov ince acceptaply.
 It is plain beyond this that he was elected as compromise candidate. He was highly esteemed by Leo XIII, and he was presented in Venice to the king and queen of Italy. This fact does not mean that he was at all un- faithful to the policy of the church as to temporal power, but it does mean that he may be considered liberal man of broad view, one who may possibly find way out of the tangle extent alternating forty millions of ItaI- ian Catholics.
 It is difficult to say where the new choice leaves Cardinal Rampolla, but it undoubtedly deprives him, not only of power as secretary of state, but also of dominating influence in the Vatican councils. But it cannot be said that Rampolla's open enemies and bitter opponents have won signal and decisive victory. It is a compro- mise selection, and so far as informa- tlOu Ut uduu BOSS lI IS du e4CelleuL compromise, one that will strengthen the great church. No interests will be necessarily antagonized, and perhaps some of the old wounds will be healed, notably the differences that have arisen between the Holy See and the Kingdom of Italy.
 Another living question which the new pope will have to deal with relates to the concordat by which the church was re-established in France in 1881. Some regard 1t as contract binding on both sides, but the extreme republi- cans are much inclined to dispute it's terms. It may have to be redrawn, but il is scarcely probable at this time that it will be altogether abrogated. It is less probable that Plus x will do any thing to increase the strain that exists in the relations between France and the Vatican.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-08-05
RuIaer,s Baseball Stories.

T have been very much impressed" said ". II. Ferguson, a former newspaper man, with the great amount of interest being taken by the general public in Birmingham and all through the state where The Age-Herald cireulates, in the hot-air baseball stories of Bozeman Bull ger, describing the great contests be- tween The Age-Herald. News and Ledger teams. Ills regular work is bright and attractive, but his special essays show a flow of ready wit which puts him in the foremost ranks of southern humorists."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-08-05
Insurance Against Legal Proceedings.

Did you ever think of it." ,said one of The Age-Herald's insurance friends. that employees liability insurance is now getting to be almost altogether protection against lawyers? It's fact, for when a man gets hurt no matter how small the injury. there seems to be an ever present lawyer waiting to urge the injured party to bring suit against somebody. It's sad commentary on the legal professions per haps, when lawyers solicit business so &C., lively but on the other hand 1t makes the public recognize the great advantage of employs liability insurance Many of the smaller manufacturers and operators in this district would find 1t hard to keep out of the lawyers hands. body and soul. were 1t not for the protection furnished them by the big casualty insurance com panies."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-08-05
THE PRoFLloATE AMERICANS.

From the New Orleans Picayune.
 But for the enormous sales of our pro- ducts abroad the United States could not support the immense drain of money into foreign countries. Nearly all of our 100000 miles of railway in the United States were built with money borrowed abroad, all of which must be returned with interest. Other immense undertak- ings in this country have been financed from abroad. which also creates a heavy debt Many thousands of wealthy Amer jeans are constantly travelling for pleas ure in European countries, and many of them dwell abroad from choice. All this creates a heavy drain of money to Europe. Add to these causes of outflow the thousand million dollars sent out last year for foreign products, not less than one-thlrd of which sum was for articles of luxury and not of necessary use, and 1t is easy to see that this great produc- tive country the richest in natural re- sources on the globe. could not endure the drain but for this enormous amount of its exports. Some of the most power full and populous countries of Europe cannot feed their people and must im- port food which we furnish. Our chief exports are cotton, grain, meats. petro- leum and timber. These are what save us from bankruptcy. Already the Am erican debt abroad Is so great that Euro peon financiers are expressing uneaslness lest the extravagant and extraordinary business speculations and profigacy of the American people should bring on a financial panic and commercial and in- dustrial depression
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-08-05
A Great Trip.

''The grand lodge of Elks held in Balti- more last month. which I together with many other members of Birmingham Lodge No. 79 attended, was the biggest affair in the history of the order" said Pete Houffert, who returned from the east few days ago. Our party travel ed between Atlanta and Norfolk by the Seaboard Air Line and we were elegant ly cared for both going and coming. The Seaboard has a splendid train service. From Norfolk to Baltimore we travelled on a magnificent steamer and the trip down the Chesapeake Bay was charm ing.
 Baltimore is the soul of. hospitality and the visiting Elks will never forget the good time they had there. The next grand lodge meeting will be held in Cincinnati."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-08-05
Ahont Paaons.

Judge T. H. Davidson 2 of Blonnt county was in the city last night.
 Capt. W. T. Northington was in Bir- mingham yesterday.
 Murray Cannon and wife of oakman are at the Morris
 ". H. Wordsworth of St. Louis is stop ping at the Hillman
 C. E. conkling of Pittsburg is stopping at the Metropolitan.
 R. F. Favourite and wife of Pensacola are stopping at the Morris
 " L. Murfee of Marion Is registered at the Hillman.
 A. J. Battle, Jr., of New York is at the Metropolitan.
 T Gaston of Winfield is stopping at the Norris
 L. E. Blunt of Chicago Is registered at the Hillman.
 E. S. Gatchell of Selma is stopping at the Metropolitan.
 Charles c. Trabue of Nashville is at the Morris
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-08-05
SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT.

From the Chicago News.
 ''Who are those two beautiful girls on the promenade deck7" asked the globe trotter
 ''The fair-haired one" replied the cap tain of the ocean greyhound, lis Cir cassian whose parents are going to sell her to wealthy Turk, and the brunette maid is an American heiress whose par ents are going to purchase an Italian count for her."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-08-05
SENATOR GORMAN TALKS
 OF NATIONAL POLITICS.

T am to be considered as one who thinks and acts only for the good of the party. think the country will be better off If there is a change. And think the election of a democratic administration is desirable. And. of course. I will do all that can toward it''
 Senator. suppose Grover Cleveland should be nominated. would your old quar- rel with him affect your position?'
 We don't quarrel-we never quarrel We only differ" And then the Mary land statesman declared. that the past tense should apply as regards MT. Cleve- land.
 "ro what extent will Bryanism affect next years campaign"
 "Oh, I can't say. It's too far away. And besides, one cannot tell what is going to happen"
 Senator, since you went away Judge Parker visited Georgia. The Georgians declare him able enough but too legal And only yesterday Congressman John II. Bankhead declared that Alabama was for you. It would surely seem that there is some sentiment for you"
 Senator German looked out of the promenade deck window toward the home of his old colleague. ex-Senator Smith of New Jersey appeared not displeased, and then said: You never can tell. We must consider the good of the party. am but a soldier in the ranks"
 Do you think President Roosevelts policy toward the negroes in the south will serve to injure him next year-will it not help to further solidify the Solid South?"
 It was suggested that the south was
 solid enough" Then the senator said:
 "Ths negro question is not political It has got beyond that It shouldn't be considered in that way. The negro prob lem is a great one. When we hear of these terrible outrages 1t becomes more manifest. Thinking northern people re- aIize that the question is more than po- Itical issue, by far"
 "Then 1t cannot be said to have bear ing on the struggle next year?"
 Not in the strict political sense. As said it is a thing that is bigger than a political issue. It cannot have much of a bearing in political way-it shouldn't"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-08-05
Mosquitoes in Yellow Stone Park.

There are more mosquitoes in the northwestern states this year than ever before,' said E. Lesser. who has just re- turned from an extended trip through that section of the country.
 At Yellowstone park they make life almost unbearable. This is the first year that the particular kind of mosquito that is so preva,ent now has ever been known to come south of Puget Sound. They have always fiourished in Alaska and the arctic regions but never in the United States.
 .'They are very small animals and re-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-08-05
German the Man.

State politics are remarkably quiet this year, said Congressman Charles w. Thompson of the Fifth district, who Is spending a few days in Birmingham, but democrats throughout Alabama are be- ginning to take lively interest In Presi- dential politics. Judge Gray has many friends who will push him for the demo- cratic nomination. MT. Cleveland is a candidate, and If he could only be nomi- mated he could be elected; but he cannot get the nomination. Senator German Is the man the democrats are most likely to agree on. He will make an ideal candi- date, and will arouse great enthusiasm in the east as well as in the south"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-08-05
IN HOTEL LoBBIES.
Police and eamhlIno.

"A great many people have the wrong impression of the present police admins tration." said a man who is familiar with things at police headquarters. Recently there have appeared articles in the pa pers stating that men caught in gaming rooms had pleaded guilty and the pro- prietors of the places paid the fines.
 That is true, but some seem to think that it is in accordance with an arrange ment between the chief of police and the gamblers. Such a thing as an arrange ment of this kind would be impossible. even if Chief wier were not a man of too high character to do such a thing.
 'Inse every case of the raiding of gam ing house under Chief Wier the police have had absolute evidence that gaming was being carried on, and they were in position to prove it in court. In two in- stances there had been policemen in citi- zens' clothing in the room before the raid was made. and they had watched the game and were able to testify as to who was playing and not playing.
 Knowing they were caught, the men in the rooms have pleaded guilty at the advice of their attorneys and the house paid the fines, as is the unwritten rule in all gaming houses when the people who visit 1t are arrested. A house guaran- tees people who go there protection from the police as far as possible, and agree to pay the fine in case they are arrested.
 "As every one knows, Chief Wier is a Christian man and has too much charac- ter to enter into an unlawful agreement. He has been on the force for sixteen years. and it is not probable that he would now do things which he has never been known to do in the past"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-08-05
From the New York Times.

From the New York Times.
 C ENAToR ARTHUR P. GoRMAN NN of Maryland on arriving from - Europe on the American Line steamship New York, declared the veal of the democratic party to be more im- portant than the aspirations of any man within it. and that. therefore. he was not and had not been thinking of his nomination for the presidency or of the nomination of anybody else.
 T haven't been considering any in- dividrai for the democratic nomination, and that includes myself" he said.
 Three or four men are before the pub lie as likely democratic nominees. and one of them Is Senator Gorman." was re- marked.
 At that the Maryland senator said:
 "One can't tell anything about it. The convention Is almost year away. It is the party that must be considered, not the men"
 "Do you think the democratic party is in good shape for the struggle of next year? Is 1t getting back to it's good old state?"
 Well. we seem to be getting away from a number of false ideas that the party has been chasing around after in the past few years.''
 What do you regard as the paramount issues for next year, Senator?"
 ''There's the reformation of the tariff for one thing. Economy for another. Hon esty-honesty in public places. I should say as the other."
 "wiI not the post office scandal in- jure the republican party greatly next year?'
 "One can't tell. There's no telling what the people may do. They may remember it and they may not. You remember what a stir there used to be when congress ap- propriated during it's session fifty to a hundred million. and more, and what a howl there was whenever the congress appropriating unheard-of sums was men toned That's done and past now. Peo- pie don't think of it again. Why. we can have a 'billion-dollar congress these days, and you never hear a word"
 Well. hasn't the scandal came up suffi- cientiy ahead of the campaign of next year to allow the President to clean 1t all up and then bury 1t so as to almost preclude its arising to plague his party?'
 "Again say. one cannot tell. The peo- pie may remember 1t and maybe they won't bother their heads about 1t at all
 .'The democrats will make it an issue next year. of course. and will make it into strong campaign document, will they not?'
 '.Oh. suppose something will be made of it.' Then there was a pause, which was succeeded by Perhaps the republi- cans may make capital of it themselves and point how they detected it and wiped 1t out.'
 How does the present scandal compare with the 'star-route' frauds-can a com parison be drawn?' Senator German said that he was not very familiar with the details of the pres ent scandal.
 There Is a great amount of Cleveland sentiment. Have you paid any attention to it?'
 "As said.I have no. been thinking of anybody in the light of nominee" Then even yourself cannot be consider ed as receptive candia