davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-04-22
ceIerIty Is never more admlr'd Than by the negligent.
 Antony and Cleopatra.
Republican Extravauance.

Representative Rice Pierce of the committee on appropriations estimates that the total appropriations of the present congress covering the fiscal year beginning on July 1 will be fully 700,000,000, and may even exceed that enormous sum. As the estimated Income of the government in the mex: fiscal year is but $7O4,000, 900, the chances of a deficit are more than probable.
 The army expenses have been quadrupled since the Cleveland ad- ministration, and the naval expenses more than trebled. Every branch of the government has been carried by the republicans to extravagant figures, and the best the republicans can now do with a presidential campaign com. ing on is to cut expenditures to seven hundred million dollars.
 MT. Pierce urges the democratic party to make economy in the admins. tration of the government the leading issue in the presidential campaign. He believes that if the extravagance and corruption of the republicans could be explained in these quiet times to every voter, the result in November would be a surprise to the men who have indulged in reckless expendi. lures. Even if the tariff and the monopolies become the leading issue, the republican party should be held to account for such expenditures. The people will now listen to the facts, and they will be very apt to condemn the men who have squandered the peo- ple's money.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-04-22
IN HOTEL LOBBIES
Birmingham as shoppIna Center.


 Tt is no vain boast to say that Birming- ham is not only the most attrac- tive shopping center in Alabama, but one of the most attractive in the south,e said prominent retail mer- chant. 'In very few cities of the south are such large and rich stocks carried as are found in the stores of Birming- ham, and anyone who says that prices are not as low here as elsewhere is talking without knowledge.
 This is an age of sharp competition. We must sell here as low as the mer- chants of other towns or we could not hold our large out-of-town trade. This should go without saying.
 One pays the same for Dunlap hat In Birmingham that he pays in New York or New Orleans; no more, no less. And so 1t is with all standard goods. Certainly no city in the country, north, south, east or west, has better mercantile service than Birmingham
 Tt is a gratifying fact that hundreds of the best people from Alabama towns and the rural districts nave acquired the habit of coming to Birmingham at least once year. and many of them every spring and fall to lay in their supplies. The number will increase. customer once made here is sure to be held. l have never heard A. complaint, but on the con- trary have heard many compliments. But after all, the fact that out-of-town peo- pie do their shopping here is sufficient proof of the advantages that are of. fered :"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-04-22
 Another Voice for Instructions.

The Montgomery Advertiser reviews the action of the New York democrats, bringing out a result in accordance with it's own desires and plans, as fol- lows:
 with the democracy of the great state and the great city working in thorough harmony, there can be no reason to doubt that the state will go for him as 1t went for Cleveland in 1892. The unity of New York democracy will have a good effect on other doubtful states and as- sure their votes for the ticket. It means that the democracy of the country has now such an opportunity to unite on a good man as would be sinful to disre- gard. It means that every democrat in this broad land of ours who wants suc- cess on right lines will fall into line for Alton Brooks Parker"
 This picture of the New York situ- ation is wholly imaginative. The up- state delegates at Albany, coming largely from republican counties, ran roughshod over Tammany, and the latter fought for It's rights up to the final ballot, and went home full of dis content. No one says the instructions of the convention in favor of Parker represent the democracy of New York city proper. That vote was rammed down the throats of the Tammany democracy by tie upstate delegates. whose counties are immovably repub- lican. What Tammany will do here after remains to be seen, but that 1t will support David Bennett Hill with enthusiasm is exceedingly improbable and contrary to human nature. The Advertiser should get down to facts. It should not substitute its own wishes for them.
 What the Advertiser really demands Is an instructed delegation from Ala bama. Such delegation would vio- late innumerable pledges made to the people. The people selected men pledged to send to St. Louis an un- instructed delegation.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-04-22
Sale of School Bonds.

Call money, as 1t is called, is freely offered in New York at one and one quarter per cent. That is the interest rate it is loaned at, and in these dull times in Wall street 1t may not be called In this year. Times loans are dull, and they bear from 21a to Az per cent interest. The city of Birming- ham offers $200000 of school bonds at par, to draw interest at rate not exceeding per cent. It is unreason- able to assume that a city of Birming- hams prospects cannot place that amount of school bonds when money at large financial centers is seeking investment at lower rates.
 MT. Steiner is no doubt correct when he says taxable values in this city should be increased above 25 per cent of market values. When each man is his own assessor he is much in- clined to cling to the basis of 1896, especially when he sees that his neigh bors do likewise. In other words, the unearned increment has not been add ed to the tax rolls. MT Steiner sug- gests that the city appoint it's own board of apprasal-its own assessors cutting loose from the county and state system of taxation.
 This, however, cannot be done until 1907, for legislative authority is lack ing. And if city assessments are based on full values, under the pres. ent system of taxation, this city would pay a still larger part of the taxes of rural counties, and it is paying too much now on account of other coun- ties. Some counties in this state get back in school moneys as much, or nearly as much, as they pay into the treasury, and such an unfair state of things is made possible by the heavy payments of the counties like lief son by the constitution of 1901, and by unequal assessments. The leg islature rejects all propositions look ing to equalization of assessments in the counties. The rural legislator is in the saddle.
 But the investor looks below the surface, and when his agent comes to Birmingham he will see the situa- tion, and he will report that school bonds In Birmingham are safe and sound-that both interest and prin- cipal will be met-that wealth is accommodating here as 1t is nowhere else in this state, and that repudiation of any sort would be repellant to the people of this city.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-04-22

in the city visiting friends on his return trip from the state council session.
 R. L. Lodge of Tuscaloosa is at the St. Nicholas.
 A. D. Holdt of Atlanta was among the late arrivals at the St. Nicholas last night. Morton Kirk Moore is in the city.
 Mir W. R. Jackson of Helena was in the city last night
 George Stiefelmeyer was registered at the Hillman yesterday.
 D. r. Constantine. prominent business man of Anniston, was at the Hillman yes- terday.
 W B. willingham of Montgomery is at the Hillman.
 T. W. Bethea of Talladega was at the Hillman last night
 A. G. Story. one of Talladegas leading merchants, is at the Hillman.
 c. P. Jackson. private secretary to Gov ernor Jelks, was a. late arrival at the Hillman last night
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-04-22
About Vulcan.


 MT. McWane, president of the Birming- ham Steel and Iron company. said yes terday:
 Another casting of portion of Vul- can was made today at the foundry on First avenue and Fifteenth street. It was successful There will be still an- other casting Friday and that will leave but three or four more small pieces to be cast.
 "The casting today was a portion of the left arm and shoulder and it required only about 5000 pounds of metal. This completes the left arm, and now there is nothing remaining but the right arm and the hammer to be cast.
 "The second car, containing the waist, the breast and the shoulders of Vulcan will be shipped tomorrow. The first car will probably arrive in St. Louis today. as 1t left Monday and the Frisco sys- tenn promised to rush it through"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-04-22
Doors Cause Trouble.

Several of those new revolving doors, which operate like turnstile, have re- gently been placed in some of our public buildings" said a man who lives in a small Alabama town, "and they have caused the natives a vast amount of trou- ble As you know, the only way to get through one of these doors is to assume a bold front if you have 1t not, turn to the right and then push with all the strength of which you are capable. If you attempt to go to the left you will regret it immediately and there are al- ways a number of interested individuals who stand around and smile in a su- perior way when they see what fix you are in. They have been there be- fore and are therefore able to appreciate the situation with much unction.
 While these doors certainly keep out cold draughts and let no current of warm air escape. I cannot help think ing that they are something of null sance. They are more trouble than they are worth, and In addition are the worst fire traps ever devised. Tn some large cities they have already been tabood by the authorities. In case of a panic not five persons could escape from burning building equipped with these revolving doors. It requires care to get through them when in normal state of mind and it is frightful to think what would become of a frightened crowd trying to crush through. dozens at time. I nope that they will never come into general use in our public buildings. Since the Iroquois fire there is no danger of their ever being used in theatres"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-04-22
ALLisoN'S SKILLED LABoRER.
rom the Washington Post.

From the Washington Post.
 Imagine Senator Allison, many years chairman of the influential committee on appropriations, in a long struggle to se- cure the appointment of a skilled laborer to help him in his duties around the cap itol! Then you have a picture of the astute Iowan as he described himself yesterday to his colleagues.
 During debate regarding the extension of the capitol building, MT. Allison be- came reminiscent about the growth in the amount of public business that sem ators must attend to. He said that when he first came to the senate thirty years ago, senators had no clerks or others to help them.
 "several years passed" said Mir Allison gravely, and still I had no assistant. Finally I succeeded In securing the ap- pointment of man as skilled labor CT, who helped me in my clerical work. !"
 A smile went round the senate cham Der at this description, for nowadays every senator has at least clerk and a messenger.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-04-22
WHAT THE COUNTRY NEEDS.

Washington correspondent of New York
 Times
 q want to say emphatically," said the venerable Senator Morgan. that l like the New York platform. It is plain and clear No one can fail to understand what it means. It Is concise and 1t goes back to old-time ideas, which Is especial ly pleasing to me. l would not put any thing into a national platform If l could help 1t but the old principles which made the party great before the war There is great danger in the framing of party platform with the intense desire Of mere politicians to catch every element of opin. ion, and the result is too often a catch all composition, which in actual trial fails to command any confidence or to give the party coherence and organic strength. Let's go back to the platforms before the war for our principles and then stand by them bravely and faithfully That is what the country needs just now"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-04-22
GOVERNOR JELks.
He Bore Fatigue of Journey Well.
 pr. Mangum Returns.

From the Mobile Herald.
 Dr. W. w. Mangum arrived in Mobile this morning from Montgomery, to be present at the session of the State Medi- cal association. Dr. Mangum is just back from Las Vegas, N. NJ, where he &C., companied Governor w. D. Jelks and family. The party reached Las Vegas Saturday and the doctor started on the return trip the following day.
 When asked as to Governor Jelks. his journey and conditions on leaving Las Vegas, Dr. Mangum said:
 'The governor bore the fatigue of the trip better, perhaps, than any member of the party. He reached there in good health and spirits, and was very much pleased with conditions as he found them. The day of his arrival continual hotel. Everybody at Las Vegas appeared to take keen interest in the distinguish ed visitor.
 Now as to the health of the governor. He has slight tubercular affection which is only bad in it's possibilities. So far as his present condition is concerned it need give no alarm to any of his friends. Governor Jelks will remain at Las Vegas until he has completely recovered from the effects of the journey and has become accustomed to the climate and conditions in New Mexico. After that he will go to the ranch of J. D. Hand, which is six miles from Las Vegas. MT. Hand Is well known lumberman, who formerly lived in Baldwin county. His ranch Is said to be one of the best stocked and best appointed in New Mexico As soon as he learned that the governor was coming to New Mexico. MT. Hand, who has been a close personal friend to Gov ernor Jelks for several years, sent him an urgent invitation to stay at his ranch during his recreation trip to New Mex ico. This invitation the governor has accepted. He will probably spend sev- eral weeks roughing 1t in the outdoor air at MT Hands ranch"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-04-22
WATCHES THE PLoueHINe.
Judge Parker Not Disturbed By the
 Battle at Albany.

Special to the New York World.
 Esopus-There was peace all day in the home of Judge Parker. Whatever struggle might have been going on in or out of the convention hall in Albany, sixty miles away. no news disturbed the quiet of Rosemount. The platform to be proposed in the convention has been shown to the judge and, save that 1t was scarcely as short as he had wished. 1t almost con- formed to his idea that all matters save commanding and general notes of policy should be left to the national convention at St. Louis.
 He spent the day working on his judi cial opinions, answering correspondence, directing the spring ploughing in one of his stubble fields and looking oyer his be- loved herd of red poll cattle. Before noon he was tramping on the rocky hillsides and picking wild flowers for Mrs. Parker. In the afternoon he romped for a while with his little grandson. Presently he was out again on the farm inspecting the work of a blow team of oxen. The only rye and oats for. sowing and to express his surprise that seed rye cost s1.40 a bushel
 A friend called at Rosemount In the afternoon and Judge Parker read to him from the life and times of Thomas Jef- ferson a description of the battle between North Carolina patriots and Governor Tryon's troops four years before the Yankee minute-men faced Pitcairn's mus kets at Lexington. There was no note of politics in Judge Parker's day. He did not show the slightest inclination to know what was being done in the convention which presented him to the nation as a candidate for President.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-04-22
A Man and His ReIiqion.

Remember, that as a rule. we do not get something for nothing,' said a min ister of the gospel. "A man gets out of his religion, as well as his business, about what he puts in. The business and re- ligion which costs nothing are worth less. Until we put ourselves in our business ard religion we get little return for the investment
 Bargain counters are usually places where we spend good money for poor goods. We should make in exchange; should seek the profitable, for 1t is wis dom to do so; but it Is selfishness to gain at the hurt of others
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-04-22

M I'VE hundred Texans and many T others are now hot on the trail
 of the boil weevil but as yet the odds seem to be in favor of the pest although scientists and cranks are be- stirring themselves as never before. How ever, the present activity among manu- lecturers of insect destroyers Is not alto- gether inspired by a laudable desire to benefit humanity and the cotton crop. The reward of $50,0O0 offered by the governor of Texas is proving quite a strong incen- tive In the meantime great fame awaits the man who succeeds in discovering a remedy. His name will be held in high es- teem by all those who have an interest in the great staple of the southland, and even the spectators will look upon him with respect.
 At periodic intervals a wave of gal lantry sweeps over the land, and editorial paragraphers exert themselves in prais- ing the American girl as she is found in their particular localities. It Is surprising to be confronted by a glowing eulogy of some angelic creature, who is afterwards QlSCONtl6Q lO Dc d WOlildilp III lllG tOluinllS of sedate old paper that never dared tackle any subject more lively than cur rency statistics or the democratic plat form. Yet these hoary sheets wax won 6erfuly eloquent. They give free scope to the latent poetry that has been bot tied up in their musty editorial rooms for months, and burst forth In a most TO- mantle vein. It is noticeable that these attacks usually come along in the spring.
 There Is a tendency among English uni versity men to dispense with the super flous ''Mr." in addressing friends and ac- quaintances. The averase collegian will call you sir or else will use no prefix at all If it ever became fully established such a custom would be vastly more con- vcnient than using "Mr." all tho time. The prefix is difficult for the average tongue to enunciate clearly, and when used In conjunction with a proper name containing the same consonants is nearly always slurred. The only trouble is in getting everybody to drop the prefix with one accord, thing that will be very hard to do.
 The prize rat story of the year has just leaked out woman lost a diamond ring about two years ago which was re- stored to her the other day through the medium of a cat The cat caught the rat and the rat was wearing the ring about its neck. How the ring got there and whether 1t was due to vanity on the part of the rat or was merely an accident is not explained Such matters are not usually very clear in these marvellous tales. However, that is the story and it may be allowed to rest on it's merits.
 It Is some consolation to know that there is now no doubt concerning the heroic feat of Marcus Gurus of Rome who rode his horse into yawning chasm in the Forum because several bogus pro- phets "faked up story about the chasm remaining there until the chief wealth or strength of Rome was offered
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-04-22
One Hundred Thousand Stronu.

In the general primary 96,07S votes were cast tor president of the railroad commission. It is reasonable to say that about 4,0O0 more men voted, over looking either by intention or neglect the office mentioned. In other words, the primary attracted to the polls one hundred thousand Alabama sovereigns, } permitting them to select without die :. tation or undue persuasion their off cials, alike of county, district and state.
 This is a wonderful tribute to the primary system. The power hereto fore exercised by the politicians at
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-04-22
IN ABSENCE.

By James Russell Lowell. These rugged, wintry days scarce
 could bear, Did I not know, that. in the early spring When wild March winds upon their er- rands sing. Thou wouldst return, bursting on this
 still afr. Like those same winds, when startled
 from their lair, They hunt up violets, and free swift
 brook From icy cares; even as thy clear looks Bid my heart bloom, and sing and break
 all care; When drops with welcome rain the
 April day. My flowers shall find their April In thine Save there the rain in dreamy clouds
 doth stay, As 10th to fall out of those happy skies; Yet sure, my love. thou art like most
 to May, That comes with steady sun when April
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-04-22
New York correspondent San Francisco

I(pb new S200,000 gymnasium has just been finished
 When the wife of Colonel Astor takes her place in the new athletic club Tor women, which has just had It's inception' she will be no novice at any of the sports and exercises in which women may in dulge. Her clubmates in this newest club of the Five Hundred and Fifty Will find her an adept at swimming and driv- ing, at fencing and swinging light h. dian clubs, at squash, tennis and golf.
 Already up at Ferncliffe the regal As- tor estate near Rhinebeck-on-the-Hu Hudson, Mrs. Astor is taking regular and syste- matic exercises In the great gymnasium which the architects have now turned over to her after two years work.
 Technically they call 1t the "tennis house." Tn reality beneath the roof or the new structure is everything that could delight the hearts of those who love sport for sports sake. And, more, It is so ar ranged that, no matter the weatehr, any game save golf may be played indoors as easily as under the roof of the sky. Within this house of stucco and stone 
 ones than in any ordinary city dwelling. Two wings stretch away to the east and | west In the eastern end is the great marble plunge, where Mrs. Astor may swim and dive to her hearts content. Stretching back from the center toward the south is the great indoor tennis court l all arched and girdered with steel and roofed with plate glass.
 You step out back of the room and come upon the balcony that looks out on the tennis court. This is no halfway court where one may only play at the game. It is scientifically built, and as weh adapted for keen play as the best Of the outdoor courts. It Is two stroies high and 125 feet long by 75 feet wide. The roof rises in graceful arch, and huge skylights let in the light of day. Steel girders support the rounded roof and sides. which are built of fireproof brick laid diagonally
 There, laid out below, you are privileged to behold the finest indoor tennis court in the world The flooring is of beaten clay marked out with whitewash. Two sturdy posts nolu up tne inen-hesheu net. On either side are big benches for the players Spectators keep to the bal cony. Windows let in light at the sides and back sufficient to keep up play while the sun shines, but flood of more light pours down through the skylights Huge shades of white cheesecloth are arranged to keep out the sun when 1t beats down on the court at midday
 To build this luxurious place for Mrs. Astor cost Colonel Astor s20o,0oo. Had he been compelled to pay for the land 1t
 would have been more. Everything in the | way of accessories is of the best that money can buy. Where stone Is used il is always marble; where there is wood it
 is either heavily enameled white wood | or else oak or mahogany. All the metal | work isAof the heaviest French gilt Door knobs and bathroom fixtures are all of cut glass. The plumbing is silver plated | All the fioorings are laid in parquet work The tennis courts walls and roof are braced with steel beams.
 Here. too. will be installed room for l fencing and another room where there | will be dumb-bells and Indian clubs. chesi
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-04-22
New Skyscraper.

q am not at liberty to give particulars, but Birmingham is about 10 have its fourth steel frame building" said the president of a big corporation last night and a representative of large northern capital
 "The preliminary plans have been made for an eighteen-story structure, but the negotiations for the site have not been closed and that is why cannot be more definite. It will be located either on first or second avenue'