The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-12-25

IL
(CD articles by Ray Stannard Baker,
entitled What Is Lynching? A
Study of Mob Justice North and South"
appears in-the latest issue OF Mcclure
magazine. Mr.. Baker is a brilliant stan
writer for McClure's, and It will be re-
called that he visited Huntsville shortly
after the Horace Naples lynchins in
search of material for a study Of lynch-
ing in all its phases. To judge from the
first installment of Mr.. Bakers article,
it will be vastly interesting not only %
southern people, but to people In all parts
of the United States The most impor-
tant conclusion reached by Mr.. Baker is
that lynching is not sectional 1t is
neither a southern crime nor northern
crime; it is an American crime, for which
the whole country must hold itself re-
sponsible. Moreover, Mr.. Baker says that
he found the '1ynching towns of States
boro and Huntsville much like other
healthy American communities. the
church bells ring Sunday morning, there
are fraternal societies, womens clubs ard
newspapers; the people talk politics;
there is the same local pride" and the
sane municipal rivalry. and there were
no barbarians in sight. Both Statesboro
and Huntsville are prosperous, progress
sive towns with a population that COM
pares favorably with the residents found
in other prts of the country. In fact, it
is hard to realize that lynchlng could
occur, with revolving details, in such
model communities. These statements
will no doubt come as a revelation to
our eastern critics of the New York Post
persuasion who seem to think that
beetle-browed villains. wearing hugej
black hats and top boots, and 1ourishing
s.x-shooters. parade the streets of south
ern towns looking for the black brother
whom they may devour.
The "Monocle Maid is the very latest
wrinkle in maids, and she is novel enough
to cause talk. While the monocle has
long been associated with English
docks" and stage lords, it has never
been received with favor by men on this
side the water, and the fact that few
very few, women have dared to adopt it
is both surprising and unexpected.
new fad will improve her looks or make
her more interesting is a question that
the monocle maid alone can answer, but
the chances are that the fad will not be-
come general. A monocle is just a trife
too bizarre for the average woman to
attempt.
Complaints are made that balls at state
and national functions are not only obso-
lete but little conducive to those higher
qualities of manhood, virtue and intellec-
tuality, deemed the bone and sinew of
the nation. It can readily DO seen that
the approaching inaugural ball at Wash
ington inspired a pessimist to speak 1t
Is granted that balls are frivolous, need
les and useless especially in Washington,
whore there Is no room to dance, but
human nature demands an opportunity
now and then to preen it's feathers, pa
rade In peacock fnery and display itself
for the benefit of the multitude. The
more furs and feathers, the more sue
cessful is the ball and from present
indications the inaugural ball at Wash
ington next year will be up TO the
standard established in the past.
Senator Chauncey M. Depew states In a
magazine contribution that humor is ia
tai. The senator is of course quail
fled to speak as regards bumor. while
Governor Odell is striving valorously to
make him an example of its fatal effects.
Every now and then some one rises
with the statement that he has discover
ed the ''meanest man." but there is no
meanest man. No human being can be
perfectly good and none is altogether
bad. While a great many individuals have
claims to the title of the ''meanest man."
it is unnecessary to create rivalry by des-
ignating any one of them as first in
pusillanimity. It is very comforting to
reflect that no matter how despicable we
may be, there are others in the same
boat with us. while 1t would also be very
beneficial = of the stiff-necked IL they
could learn that no matter how admi-
rable person may get to be. there are
others equally deserving and less pre-
sumptious.
An Ohio woman has discovered that
1t is much more convenient to carry her
baby In a telescope when travelling
than 1t is to stagger about with the in
FAINT in her arms. Right her is a tip
that may prove invaluable. In course
of time properly constructed baby
cases." with provisions for ventilation.
may be as common as the dress suit
case of today. There would be no ex-
posure to draughts or sudden changes of
temperature. no pulling and hauling
about, no splitting of infants and more
general comfort all around. At first
glance the receptacle for travelling ba-