davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-05-06
THE HERO IN POLITICS.

From the New Orleans Times-D Democrat
 The returns from the Sixth congression- al district of Alabama show that Capt. Richmond Pearson Hobson, after a gal- lant fight, has been defeated for the dem ocratie nomination by Congressman Bankhead, the present representative from that district. The race was much closer than was expected by observers at dis tance, however. Captain Hobson has thus made a showing of which he has no reason to be ashamed. after a canvass which was surprise both to his friends and his opponents.
 The race possessed a particular interest for the general public because of the personality of MT. Bankheads opponent and also because of the fact that the country at large was solicitious to know how popular hero would fare in the hard game of politics. We use the term, be 1t understood, with none of the ironical flavor frequently attaching to it. Capt. Hobson's record during the late war was such as to entitle him to all the praise that he received. If the people insisted on having a hero, surely no one was more fitted than he to answer to the designation. But, although the heroes have lacked not the sweets of popular ap- plause, of recent years they have lament ably failed to distinguish themselves in the field of politics. Dewey came back from Manila not indeed, to tarnish his record, but to make an unfortunate spec tacle of himself by permitting his name to be seriously mentioned in connection with high office that common sense might have taught him he could never att tain. General Miles, who is hero in the eyes of certain people no doubt ap- pears for time foolishy to have thought that the glamor of his achievements might start a tidal wave in his direction. Hob son was another hero who was going to put it to the touch. and people felt a real desire to find whether he would fare even as the others.
 Hobson had a substratum of common sense that the others appear to have lacked. He did not rely on the dazzle of his reputation to blind the public eve to everything else and to permit him to float along easily and luxuriously into the berth he wished. In fact during the whole campaign he made no allusion whatever to his record in the navy. He got right down to hard canvassing and made his opporent look to his laureIs The result shows that his enrgetic stump ing or the district bore goodly fruit, only the growth was not quite sufficient to give him the extra zoo votes he needed to turn the scales in his favor He suc- cessfully rebutted the presumption of a good many people that a popular hero Is necessarily an incompetent egotist Leav- Ing aside his war record of which he may well be proud he met his opponent on the cold, stern basis of give and take and acquitted himself well. In one instance, at least, popular hero of this later day-in other days, of course. it was different-has shown that he can come near being successful in politics
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-05-06
Deficit and Surnl,Js.

A deficit in the treasury sense does not, at least immediately, imply an empty treasury. It merely means that expenditures are outrunning receipts. Looked at in thl, way there was a de- felt in April of $J,5OO,57S, bringing the net surplus of the ten months of the fiscal year down to little less than s2,5OO, 900.
 This does H.. mean that the treas ury is pushed for funds, so to speak. Even after fifty millions have been paid out on account of the Panama canal there will remain $160, ,00O, ,0O0 of free or unpledged money on hand Present deficits do not therfore mean that the government will have to re- sort to loans in order to meet run hing expenses. The federal purse is well filled.
 But the question of receipts and ex- penditures in the current fiscal year is an interesting one. The govern ment expects snrpluses in May and June, amounting to eleven or twelve million dollars, and if this expectation is met the years surplus will be about $14000,O00, which sum was the treas ury department estimate before the fiscal year was entered upon.
 The deficit in April was due in part to a shrinkage in customs receipts. Tn the ten months ot the fisoai year GUS toms co,lectionsNkave fallen off $21,- Q0c,5O0. Internal revenue receipts have been increased, and so have mis- cellaneous receipts, but these in creases have not made good the losses in the custom houses.
 Rising expenditures have. however, had more to do in creating the April deficit than anything else In the ten months the expenditures exceed those of the like period in the previous fiscal year by $1o,000, ,000. In April alone there was an increase of about S6,000,- 900 in expenditures. The extrava- gance of the republican party is lead ing straight on to deficits, and if it is not checked the serious impairment of the treasury balance, or increased tax ation, will become inevitable. The republican Aldriches are really seek ing an excuse for maintaining the Dingley schedules.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-05-06
Indiana's Vote in November.

On Wednesday of next week the Indiana democratic convention will be held, and at this writing it is uncertain whom the delegates from that state will support. The delegation is thirty strong, but beyond It's numerical strength is the fact that the democrat ic party should endeavor to meet the just expectations of the Indiana dem- ocrats.
 Indiana has ~-1 been a pol ftical bat tlefield, and it will be so in November next. The state did give it's electoral votes twice to Mckinley, but circum- stances are so changed tkat all close observers consider that the democrats have fighting chance againS in the
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-05-06
From the New York Mail.

From the New York Mail
 @HE proper weight for an elephant (0 jockey, a brand new profession
 which came to light today m United States Commissioner Shields or flee, is 200 pounds The premier elephant jockey of America, Thomas Edwards, said so himself when the commissioher questioned him about his past perform ances.
 Edwards, with an alias or two anu satchelful of counterfeit haif doiiars which the secret service men alleged ne was responsible for was about to be bound over under 5000 bail for turtner hearing when Commissioner Shieds set tied back in his chair. looked quizzical- ly at the prisoner and asked;
 Your face seems familiar to me- Haven't seen you before?'
 ..Doubtless, doubtless; many know me. you see. MT. Commissioner. am a jockey"
 Mir. Shields looked at the solemn face of moon proportions and gazed at the 200 pounds of body and said:
 "A jockey? What kind of races do you rider
 Without a suggestion of a smile Ed wards replied:
 "Oh, I'm an elephant jockey, the pre- mier elephant jockey in America"
 Everybody Tn the room smiled, includ- ing Marshal Henkel. who recognized in Edwards a man convicted in April, 1902, under the name of William Moore and sentenced in the federal courts to ten months imprisonment. Today Edwards and Martin Ray were charged with hav- ing passed quantities O, counterfeit half dollars upon the unsyspecting populace
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-05-06
Hotel Business.

"The hotel business of Birmingham has been remarkably good this spring" said the proprietor of one of the popular ho- tels, and we are not likely to have dull days until August. The educational conference brought a great crowd of visitors that taxed the capacity of the leading hotels. Then came the grand lodge of Knights of Pythias, and now we have the T. P. As. Every conven- ton, no matter how small makes busi- ness for the hotels.
 "The general conference of the Metho- dist Episcopal church, South, will bring an immense crowd to Birmingham, but 1t does not meet until May, 1906. It re- mains In session, I am told. about a month."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-05-06
COMMENTS ON MEN AND
 MATTERS OF THE WORLD

In Country Life we'll known man who owns race horses has come to the COT elusion that profane abuse from stab4e men spells the temper or a good horse and he has therefore given orders that there shall be no more swearing in the presence of his horses. This act was not prompted by moral suasion. for even if the thoroughbreds could appreciate good round oath they would never be able to swear one, but is merely an effort to make the ostlers more courteous to the petted beauties of the race track.
 It Is reported that 5000 'hoboes" and ''yeggmen' from the slums of New York. have gone to St. Louis. whether they go merely as visitors or with a view to se- curing employment Is rather hard to de- eide but 1t Is probable that they will compromise by committing petty crimes while the city is overrun by people These gentry will certainly be accorded very frigid welcome at St. Louis but they are only part Of an army of ad- venturers and tramps that is now on the march to the exposition.
 The extreme limit in funerals was reached the other day when a Pennsyl- yania man was borne to his grave while a band discoursed "Bedelia' at the head of the procession. Many people have, longed for death when the first notes of this song smote upon their ears. but 1t Is believed that the Pennsylvania man is the first to appropriate 1t as a fitting hymn to usher him into another world Perhaps it was merely his purpose to show just how careless he could be in such an important matter and to illus, trate his supreme contempt for all things earthly he choose 'Bedelia.'
 It Is noted with great satisfaction by the baseball fans that the gates of the exposition at St. Louis were closed Sum day, thereby permitting everybody to at terd the ball game. Aside from the ques- tion of Sabbath observance, it was very fortunate that no one was suffered to let his attention from the baseball game be distracted by the fair NO earnest fanatic would permit the exposition to interfere with his chosen sport for minutes but all people are not so strong minded in temptation and few might have strayed off to the exposition. had such a thing been possible.
 MT. Mansfield is accused of inspiring much of the friendship for Japan in this country by his realistic portrayal of Ivan the Terrible. While the character of the Russians has greatly changed since the time of that despot a great many people in this country do not think so, and per- haps after all Mr. Mansfield's play may have a small share in fomenting enmity for Russia In the present war.
 It Is reported that s5o0,000 has been raised for the statue of Mckinley and plans for the memorial will soon be decid- ed upon by the association. The men and women at the head of this movement have the sympathy and support of the entire country It is very gratifying to know that such a substantial sum has been raised, for with that amount it should be possible to erect a monument that will do honor to the martyred President.
 PC.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-05-06
CANE GROWERS MEET.
Officers Are Elected for the Coming
 Year at Jacksonville Gathering.

Jacksonville, Fla, May 5-The second Growers association was concluded this evening. The following officers were elected:
 Presidential. G. Purse of Savannah.
 First Vice-President-B. E. Rose of Tallahassee.
 Second Vice-Presidents-C. c. Aber- cromble for Alabama, c. K. McQuarrie for Florida, w. D. Roddenberry for Geor- gia John Dymond for Louisiana, H. H. Oyerstreet for Mississippi, J. A. Hoffman for Florida, and John Lawton for South Carolina.
 During the day addresses were made by State Chemist Rose of Florida, M. " Richards of the Southern railway, and w. B. Roddenberry of Georgia.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-05-06
A zoo FOR BIRMINGHAM.

From the Talladega Mountain Home.
 The demands of Birmingham are in satiable. By cheek, pluck and enterprise in the brief years of her history sne has become the populous metropolis or Alabama. With the immeasurable wealth of her coal fields and exhaustiess peos of iron ore, with other favoring condi- tions, the magic city fixes the commer- cial price of iron and steel for the world ''and the balance of mankind"
 This should satisfy less ambitious metropolis. But now Birmingham wants a geological garden. And as if the mat ter were not of sufficient importance to engage the serious attention of her busi- ness men, the boys have been organized to acquire an elephant as modest be- ginning. And the Birmingham boys will get the zoo.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-05-06
JOCKEY IS A
 BRAND NEW PROFESSION

of Peekskill. They were arrested by the Peekskill police, and in a satchel which they threw away. were found as many counterfeit half donars as the premier elephant jockey had pounds averidupoise.
 Edwards declined today to tell upon what tracks he had directed his elephant- inc gallops or whether he rode selling platter elephants or nothing but handicap winners. He closed his remarks about himself with the statement that elephant jockeys, trained down to riding weight, should tip the scales at 200. More than this weight is bad for the elephant and bad for the jockey.
 The premier and his fellow prisoner, in default of bail, were sent to Ludlow Street jail to await further examina- tiOu.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-05-06
Tobacco Culture.

Tobacco is one of the most interesting of all farm crops, said a Virginian. Tt must have your undivided attention from the time you put the seed in the ground, which is in January until it Is ready for market in September. Of all the farm products tobacco requires the most at tertion. There is little rest for the farm CT who raises the weed. He has to work his crop all the summer, and when it natures 1t requires a great deal of labor to harvest it. It is impossible for any one but the farmer who cultivates tobac- co to form any idea of the amount Of work that is required on it.
 Machinery has been invented for cul- tivating and harvesting most crops, but no one has been able to make device that Is of any advantage in harvesting a crop of tobacco.
 When 1t comes to cutting and housing the weed there Is nothing to be done but use your hands, and the old knife cur forefathers invented years ago."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-05-06
ABOUT BIRMINGHAM

Anniston Hot Blast: The burned build- ings in Birmingham are to be Duiit up better than ever. This Is the way south ern cities move on to greatness.
 LaFayette Sun: Birmingham's zoo will be a more valuable lesson in natural history to her children than all the text books the publishers can furnish.
 Talladega Mountain Home Blrming- ham is to have a new United States cruiser named for her. Suppose they make 1t of Birmingham Iron and steel.
 Roanoke Leader: The Ogden party of northern educators and phi1anthopists created no small stir in Birmingham last week. We can stand such invasions as that.
 Collinsyille Courier: The boys and girls of Birmingham are to have a geological garden with real live elephant bought by themselves. We wonder what Bir- mingham will want next.
 Jasper Mountain Eagle: The children of Birmingham will establish a zoo. A organization for that purpose has been perfected and it's officers and members are all under IS years of age. An elephant will be among the first animals secured.
 Ozark Southern Star: Birmingham got a scorching to the tune of $110,000 Sat urday night. But her enterprising citi- zens will apply A1adin's lamp to the ashes, and behold in the morning new houses will stand on the ruins of the old.
 Tuscaloosa Times Gazette: We are glad to note that at least one Birming- ham man has arrived at St. Louis and Is going to stay and see the entire show without getting "broke." His name Is MT. Vulcan and he has very big iron trunk, which wds not even checked in going. Here's good luck and a happy sojourn for MT. Vulcan, the grand old man at the fair.
 Guntersville Democrat The St. Louis fair with It's marvellous aggregation of wonders In human achievement. was of- ficially opened on Saturday. In addition to Vulcan, the iron man, there will prob- ably be the man with the iron jaw, the man with the iron heart, the fakir, the confidence man, the baseball hero, the Filipino dog eater and the modern dude. The boys of Birmingham may be able to complete their collection for the pro- jected zoo, if they are on hand.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-05-06
jD)As' As' 's
HANGERS of department stores
 in Chicago have announced that

V in Chicago have announced that
 the pompadour when worn on the heads of their various shopgiris must be forever abolished. The reasons for this startling decree are given most willingly, for 1t seems that the merchants of the Windy City have a we'll developed griev- ance against the pompadour which they have been nourishing for some time. It is claimed that a girl who wears her hair in this fashion is extremely negligent of her duties. The ratio seems to be the big ger her pompadour the less work she can do. She is unable to use both hands Is displaying goods to customers because one hand must always be employed in fixing up" her hair and preventing 1t from breaking her neck by falling over her eyes. If she should happen to stoop over the whole fabric falls into disarray, and through necessity she Is forced to hold her head tilted high in the air in most disdalnful way that frequently off, fends patrons of the stores where the pompadour girl Is employed. But the man. agers have undertaken a daring reform, and the result of their efforts to crush the pompadour literally and figuratively will be awaited with marked interest by the country at large.
 General Viljoen, formerly a leader in the Boer army, has written a novel of the war in the Transvaal. No doubt the book Is interesting and thrilling enough, for there were really some stirring scenes in the struggle of the Boers against Great Britain, but that a valiant warrior for lost cause should venture into fiction with the hope of converting the tribula tions of his countrymen into literature for barter and sale is too much. Had he confined himself to history the public would have condoned with him, but as a novelist his reception ia at least doubt full. The possibility of novels about the Russian and Japanese war Is too inymi- nent for people to welcome books on a similar but posterior subject with any great degree of enthusiasm.
 The theory that appendicitis Is superin- duced by riding on trolley cars has been knocked into a cooked hat by the an- nouncement of an extensive traveller in Norway who says that appendicitis is quite common in Christiana and yet the people there are famous walkers. They think nothing of taking a little jaunt before breakfast that would lay a New Yorker up in a hospital for week. Therefore the problem now confronts science to tell the world once more just why it is so susceptible to appendicitis.
 Birmingham is undergoing the unique experience of having a carnival without rubber balls, confetti or tin horns. To one accustomed to such nuisances the festivities appear at first glance to be somewhat repressed but it does not take him long to feel grateful for the change. Confetti has lost much of its former pop ularity as an adjunct to street fairs and carnivals and is now becoming indis- pensible for all swell weddings. In fact 1t Is quite the thing Tor the blushing bride to depart in a shower of the many colored bits of paper.
 According to a story recently published
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-05-06
REFLECTIONS OF A BACHELOR.

From the New York Press.
 A man is cinch for girl when he is afraid he might break her heart.
 A college professor is a wise man who can teach people to do things he cant.
 The joy a woman gets out of bitter dis appointment is making people believe it is her greatest happiness.
 It makes a woman very uncomfortab ble to think of her husbands money being in the bank when the shops need it so much more.
 A woman has an idea that every man knows how to sail boat. just as a man has that every woman knows how to make pop-oVers.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-05-06
KILLED IN COLLISION.
Conductor and Fireman Lose Lives In
 Texas.

Palestine, Texas, May 5.-In a head on collision on the International and Great Northern, between Phelps and Dodge, this morning, two trainmen were killed and others seriously hurt The dead:
 Conductor Frank Austin.
 Fireman Armstrong.
 The injured are Engineer Will Meyers, Brakeman John Bryant and Conductor Joe Wolf. All the men reside here, and their bodies have been brought to this point
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-05-06
Texas Town Has Bid Fire.

Paris, Texas May 5.-rhe business por- tion of Deport, twenty miles southeast of Paris near the line of Red River county, was destroyed by fire today The fire started in J. w. Registers store and con- sumed eighteen buildings all the business portion except the Deport Bargain store and the First National bank being de- stroyed. The telephone was cut off and To further particulars are ootainable. The loss will approximate $50,000
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-05-06
nr. Herran Will Return.

Washington, May 5.-Through Mir An drews. the Colombian consul general in New York. the state department has learned that pr. Herran, the Colombian charge, who formally withdrew from Washington about two months ago, will soon return to this city in the same ca indicating a complete restoration ,f friendly relations between the United States and Colombia.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-05-06
Unioue Advertisinu Scheme.

A big searchlight has been stationed on the roof of the First National Bank building, and has been lighting up the city every night for several days. The light is a very strong one and has at tracted much attention. Many people could be seen standing on the streets and watching it last night. The light is some times a binding white, and is at other times colored red or green. It gives a de- cidedly bizarre effect when flashed across the furnace fires or down dark alley ways.
 The searchlight is being operated to ad- vertise a well-known brand of whisky. The light is thrown across a scientific kite, called an aeroplane, which bears the advertisement printed in large black let ters. As an advertising scheme 1t is a great success and Is merely another H. lustration of the hustling business meth ods that now prevail.
 The searchlignt and kite have been shown in many cities in the south where they have never failed to impress the na- tives. A number of good stories are told of darkies being caught on their knees rraying for mercy because they thought the mysterious light an omen of evil As vet 1t is not believed that Birmingham people have been frightened very badly.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-05-06
Tornado in Oklahoma.

Oklahoma City. o. T., May 5.--A spe- cial from Bridgeport says tornado pass ed three miles west of that place this evening, proceeding northward. It is also reported that Cordel was visited by a tornado, and that much property was de- stroyed, but wires are down west of Bridgeport and rumors cannot yet be verified. No loss of life has been re- pOrted.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-05-06
Bottled.

The Czar had just been informed of three hulks sunk at the entrance of Port Arthur.
 Above all things" he wrote to the commander of the fleet, "Areserve our ships
 Ships we'll preserved" came the re- ply. 'Japs have Us in a bottle"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-05-06

General Kuropatkin should try his prentice hands on the Japs by first driving them into the Yalu letting the sea come along later as the scene of his blood-curd.ing exploits.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-05-06
Bankers, Association.

The Bankers association of Alabama will hold it's annual meeting in Montgom- cry next week. It will be in session two days, Wednesday and Thursday. Col T. o. Smith of Birmingham is president of the association, but as the officers serve only one term he will probably be suc- ceeded by Vice President J. B. Farley of the Merchants and Planters Farley Na- tional bank of Montgomery.
 The association is composed of able and progressive men, and the discussions re- lating to finance and banking are always practical and timely. One of the features of the meeting at Montgomery will be an old-fashioned barbecue at Jackson s lake.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-05-06

The Congressional Record has gone on another vacation. It is missed from our midst. It was the one paper that did not have correspondent on the firing line in the Far East.