The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-11-13

T is announced that T. Taggart is still
 optimistic. Now the time for opti- mism has passed. It passed last Tues day, and while prior to that time demo- cratic politicians might have been justi. fed in wearing a smile that would not come off, Just at present an air of mourn ing would be more seemly. Why should MT. Taggart carry on the play any longer? The curtain has gone down and the show is over Possibly the democratic campaign manager so accustomed him self to smiling all the time that he can not readily adjust his face to sadness. but the usefulness of the Taggart smile as winner of votes has departed. Until the next "battle of ballots" rolls around, four years hence. 1t might be taken off and kept in good repair for the cam paign of l90s At present the democrats will be excused for indulging in bit of l chagrin.
 Captain Baldwin has sent ''The Arrow" home and the now famous California airship will no longer give exhibitions Of aerial navigation at the St. Louis fair. It is rumored that there was a misun- derstanding. Whether there was or not. | Captain Baldwin announces that he will withdraw his airship and make some improvements on it before he again comes out for a public trial. The tests made at St. Louis show that The Arrow comes nearer to solving the problem Of aerial flight than any craft yet devised in this country and the progress of Captain 1 Baldwin will be watched with interest | In the dearth of plays which now pre- vails and sometimes brings theatrical managers to the verge of despair heavy inroads have been made on the composi- ton of French authors. A great many adaptations have been made, among them The Marriage of Kitty" which was re- gently seen in Birmingham. Many of the adaptations are clever and have won popularity on this side the water but the French dramatists idea of what con- stitutes an interesting play of contem- porary life in Paris differs slightly from the ideas of propriety prevailing in this country. Hence, 1t Is frequently neces- sary to "deodorize" a French drama especially ! comedy drama, before 1t will prove palatable to an American audience. A case in point is "The Marriage of Kitty" Those who saw the play here agreed that it was a delightful piece of work, but If the French original of "The Marriage of Kitty" which is La Pas serelle," should be presented at the Jeff ferson bad Birmingham would be scan- dalized for many day. The French are queer people. They can enjoy a produc- ton of pruriency that would bring a blush to American cheeks.
 The cabinet officers from Alabama will probably be able to attend to their usual affairs until the tocsin again calls them into battle for political supremacy and old ambitions are once more awakened. It is very cruel for a southern man to be elevated in the air by hints that he is sure to be secretary of this or that when the democratic candidate is elected and then be overwhelmed by republican landslide. The Alabama members of the cabinet would fill their positions with dignity, no doubt, but the time is not yet ripe for southern men to preponderate fin the management of the government
 The efforts of certain ''progressive'' women to abolish the legend of Santa Claus" have been renewed They say that Santa Claus is a myth, and the