davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-04-15
Ownership of Isle of Pines.

The treaty with Cuba, ceding to that republic the Isle of Pines, has been held up in the senate by some of the interests that never fail to find means of reaching our capitalistic upper house. The hold-up gentry are trying to compel Cuba to do this, that or the other, and the exact nature of the combination is not known. All that is known Is that the treaty is to go over to next winter.
 In the meanwhile a suit has been brought involving the duty on forty boxes of cigars imported from the Isle of Pines to New York. This suit raises the question of ownership. Does the Isle of Pines belong to Cuba, Spain or the United States? The island was not specifically mentioned in the treaty of Paris. It Is a comparatively small island, lying close to the south shore Ol OuDd, dDOut lOTly mlleS IOHS, anu within sight of Cuba. The United States has maintained that it was ceded to the United States by Spain as one of the conquests of the war, and that Cuba has no claim to it. As the island is unhealthy and largely un- occupied. it Is not burning issue, but still it's disposition is attracting some attention, especially in view of de cision of the Supreme court as to the ownership of the island. The United States owns so many islands no one can keep up with all of them. In fact, the islands in the Philippines have never been counted. We own thou sand, more or less, in that quarter oi the globe. The Isle of Pines is but an incident in our new scheme of i'm perialism.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-04-15
IN HOTEL LoBBIES
Work on the seaboard.

"It is very interesting to watch the progress of the work on the Seaboard Air Llne being constructed Into Birmingham along Avenue A." remarked a citizen yes- terday. More work will have to be done by the Seaboard to bring their line into the city, than was necessary to bring the lines of the old roads in. The con- struction on Avenue A from Twenty third to Twentieth streets, must be very expensive. Large forces of men have been worked and every labor-saving devise practicable brought into service, so that notwithstanding the several deep cuts be- tween Avondale and Twentieth street, and the concrete walls built on each side of the track along parts of the way, good progress has been made.
 T have been particularly impressed with the concrete mixing machines and the steam shovels used in the excavation. large machine does the work of many men and horses, filling with few scoops and ordinary coal car, and loading whole train of cars in a very short time. These machines have revolutionized this kind of work. Doubtless they will cut considerable figure in digging the Panama canal.
 ''rhe Seaboard Air Line has spent great deal of money to get their line into the Birmingham district, and this fact is a good pointer as to the way corporate wealth looks to this district"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-04-15
HI oHlY pAlLY NEWSPAPER IN ALABAMA
State Control of Convicts.

The report of President Carmichael of the state convict board shows that the fixed policy of Governor Jelks is steadily adhered to, and that all the convicts of the state will in good season be in the direct control of the state. All stocKades will soon be state stockades. The convicts employed by the Vinegar Bend Lumber company are now in the hands of the state, and a warden has been appointed, and he has charge of the Vinegar Bend saw mill camps. This change has al eady put an end to the troubles that flowed in th) past from Vinegar Benn in an intending stream. Presi- dent Carmichael says in his report that no convicts in this state are better cared for than are those at Vinegar Pend at present. The death rate in all the camps is low, and some prog ress has been made looking toward reforms among the conyicts in morals and religion. Tho entire system Is no longer a disgrace to the state.
 These beneticent changes have not lessened the net earnings of the con victs. They are larger than ever be- fore. The convicts, about eighteen hundred in number, earned in the quar- ter ended March 31 over one hundred and thirty-eight thousand dollars, of which sum 4r ninety-seven thou sand dollars w; net income to the state. President Carmichael antici- pates a fine showing at the end of the fiscal year.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-04-15
MaIek Must Be Great.

When the critics and the public agree on the merits of a stage celebrity" said a local music lover, 1t is a pretty good measure of such celebritys ability The critics practically agree that Malek is great. and wherever he has appeared in this country the public has given him unstnted praise. It is agreed that he makes clear the meaning of the com poser; that he sets the blood in motion by the marvellous sympathy of his rendi- tions; that he reaches the souls of those who have never before been moved by concord of sweet sounds; that he Is a prophet of the power and the grace of the piano. All these things are maln- tained by his friends, and his rivals do not gainsay them.
 T would not miss hearing Malek for many times the price of ticket, and heartily thank the Commercial club for bringing him to Birmingham. I wish the whole city might feel as l do about the Malek recital.p
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-04-15
Reed Miller.

Birmingham has turned out number of excellent musicians but 1t is safe to say that few of them were ever more In the public eye than Reed Miller the tenor, formerly a member ol the solo quartette at the Church of the Advent of Birming- ham but now a resident of New York MT. Miller arrived in Birmingham yester- day and was cordially received by his old friends. He is on his way to New Or leans where he is engaged to sing try ing parts in oratorio at the festival to be take place next month under the direc- ton of Theodore Thomas.
 MT Miller is in great demand and this week he has signed contracts for en- agreements at Ocean Grove in June; Chattanooga and Narragansett Pier in August He says that while he lives iil New York, he still calls himself a "Birm- ingham boy" He will give recital to- night at Pollock Stephens and will leave tomorrow for New Orleans.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-04-15
AFTER THE sAsY,s TRADE.

From London Truth.
 A gentleman who recently advertised the birth of daughter tells me that he has received in consequence almost enough stuff to stock a general shop. The outcome of his advertisement in- cludes samples of dozen or more diff ferent foods and preparations of milk, several consignments of different soaps, samples of well-known brands of tea, and other well-advertised goods, not to mention specimen photographs from suli- dry firms. desiring to depict the features G the little stranger. He mentions that the only article that would be really use full in his household under the circum- stances not received up to the present date is a baby carriage.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-04-15

is tribute alike to the constitution of 1901 and to the primary system. The suffrage article of the new con stitution stands vindicated.
 If any one knows of any rascality at the polls they should make it known at once to the end that it may be in- yestigated before public interest in the subject is lacking. No greater service can be rendered the people of Ala bama than to expose ballot box rascal ity which strikes at the peoples dear est and most valued right-a public right that unGerlies all other rights. Thus far no charge of rascality has been made.
 It is difficult to see how republicans who are willing to say upon their honor that they will support demo- cratic nominees, can be kept from voting in democratic primaries. The subject is one that deserves close at tention. It should be discussed by press and people. and out of the dis cussion perhaps some plan can be evolved that will settle the vexed problem. Opponents never credit sud den political conversions at the pri- maries. They say such voting is fraudulent. No doubt it is in some cases, but in other cases 1t is not, and all parties desire recruits. It is a problem that ohould be treated on an individual basis, but individual treat ment of it Is difficult and probably inn practicable. No one seems to know where the line should be drawn, and the subject goe5 over to be tried in the fires of actual experience.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-04-15
Business Improving.

"In January the railroad company with which 1 happened to be familiar decided not to expend any money on the improve ments until the year progressed and the business outlook frightened" said a prominent citizen.
 "A few days ago the board of directors of this same company met and gave a contract to the Tennesse Coal, Iron and Railroad company for about $l10,00O worth of heavy rails for the purpose of relay ing 30 miles of road. A part of these bet terments will be In Alabama and part in Georgia. In addition to new rails the board ordered important work that will cost probably something like $200,OOO; all this in addition to the ordinary repairs. This action on the part of railroad is but one of the many evidences that busi- ness is improving in this section of the country
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-04-15
IN APRIL.

By E. Matheson. Do you ever think, as I think, when the
 April sunshine falls In flood of yellow splendor on the gray
 old city street, Lighting up the narrow houses, with their
 smoke-discolored walls, And the pavement ever grimy from the
 tread of many feet Do you think of leafy woodlands where
 the hidden cuckoo calls, And the primroses gleam faintly, and
 the hyacinths are sweet? Do you ever hear, as hear, mid the hu5-
 bub of the town,
 Soft music made by siIvery waves upon
 a quiet shore Or the laughter of glad winds that rush
 across the open down To dry the fearful blossoms when an
 April shower is o'er? Do you ever know, as I know, how these
 undertones can drown All the strident sounds of labor and the
 traffic's ceaseless roar? Do you ever long, as I long, for a
 glimpse of wide blue skies, Which no creeping fog will darken. where no steep roofs intervene? But the snowy clouds part softly as the home-bound swallow flies Through their drifting sunlit heeces,
 with the azure space between Do you ever long, as 1 long. with mist before the eyes, And prayer that trembles on the lips Lord. keep such memories green.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-04-15
Politics Uncertain.

q had had some political experience before and thought I could count on winning" said one of the county can didates defeated in Mondays primary. Hundreds of democrats told me in per son that they would certainly vote for me and thousands pledged their support to me through friends. But the votes l had right to expect did not materiallze. I suppose l was one of the most dis appointed men in Jefferson county, but 1 will soon forget my defeat and try again some other time.
 "It is a psychologist question why so many people promise to vote for this or that candidate when they have no idea of keeping their word. They prob ably think 1t better to make fellow feel good for the time being, than to come right out and say they are going to sup port the other man. But l would rather see voters frank.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-04-15
Acceptance of the Primary.

Captain Hobson says he accepts the adverse verdict without complaint, " and he adds that he will give MT. Bankhead his hearty support in the campaign. John V. Smith says the people have spoken and he bows gracefully to their sovereign will" Neither demand recount, or an in vestigation, and neither has a word tS say against the conduct of the states first general primary
 Here and there complaints may arise as to the voting of republicans, put thus far not word has been uttered against the honesty of tic primary officials. No ballot box has been stuffed. no return falsified. This
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-04-15

HIST now the Congo Free State is
 n0I occupying a conspicuous place " in the public eye on account or the alleged atrocities which have been perpetrated against the blacks in that part of Africa by minions of the Belgian government. Many lurid and appalling tales have been sent out, all of which have been promptly denied by King Leo- pold's government and the protests Of missionaries have gone unheeded.
 In view of the fact that the Congo Free State is Isolated from the world to marked degree and the news we receive from it's remote districts Is apt to be ex- aggerated or entirely false, 1t Is rather difficult to decide where the realm or truth ends and the boundaries of hctoh hepin. However. 1t is hardly probable that Belgian officers and their lnsolehe native servants are inclined to show any great consideration for the blacks, es- neciallv when there is wealth to be ob- tained for the mere trouble of extortion.
 King Leopold affects profound ignor- arce of conditions in the Congo Free State and it may be possible that he IS really in the dark as regards the msde- meanors of his representatives there but he makes no denial of the fact that he re- ceives a handsome revenue from his rub her interests which does much to sootn
 his royal conscience.
 The Congo Free State is an area In cen tral Africa which embraces large part
 of the Congo river basin. It's population is estimated at something like SoooooVo
 people, or one-third the population or the United States, and its area is placed al eooooO square miles. This Is in reality an enormous expanse of country, nearly
 one-twelfth of all Africa, and Is so large that only a small part of 1t has ever been visited by white people. The state was constituted and defined under the name of the Congo Free State in 1885 by the International Congo conference at Ser lin and was placed under the rule of the King of Belgium, although he ceded ms rights to the Belgian people who reserved the right of the annexing of the country after 1900.
 In A general way the state may be said to extend along the lower Congo from the coast anu is ihSiuNeo AA s'-S
 hasin of a single river. The climate IS of course tropical, but the country is varied in aspect and of wonderful re- sources Civilized control extends but short distance up the river and In other parts of the country numerous wild tribes exist who are practically independent. IL is in these remote districts that the depredations of the slave hunters are re-
 ported to have taken place and where
 unmentionable barbarities were practiceo by the natives upon each other.
 l It is rather interesting to note that the | chief purpose of the original organiza- I ton of the Congo Free State was to abolish slavery According to some au- | thorities this has been accomplished 1 largely as a result of the vigilance Of British. German, French and Portuguese territories that surround the state on every side except the north.
 The central government is at Brussels and is vested in the hands of King Leo bold. and the heads of the various de- partments. including the ministers of for eign affairs and justice. of finnance and
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-04-15
ELECTION AFTERMATH.
Memphis Commercial Appeal: Alabama breathes again.

Memphis Commercial Appeal: Alabama breathes again.
 Montgomery Times: The Age-Herald sets us a noble example in the lessons of campaign forgetfulness. It has dismissed the subject of the late primaries and com menced publishing fish stories.
 Huntsville Democrat: It Is a source of some qualification that now we may be able to cull some news from our ex- changes, and possibly Inject an idea oc- casionally that does not bear upon the primary. The most one sees, outside of war news in the dailies, Is an argument in favor of Hon. Get Thar, or a mild stream of mud directed at Hon. Doin' Mybest We hope for better things in the future.
 Coosa Democrat: The election passed of quietly Monday and every thing was done good humoredly. The primary is the plan It knocks the convention manipulatol. and triekster out. They are back number. and the voter is the power behind the throne.
 Columbus, Ga., Enquirer-Sun: For real red hot political campaigns, Alabama easily takes the lead of the other states The others, 1t is true, have warm cam paigns, but when it comes to the real thing. Alabama is 1t by a large majority
 Talladega Mountain Home: The home has heard six of the ten delegates elect ed to the democratic state convection from Talladega county express themselves in favor of the nomination of Judge Par ker for President.
 Marion County Democrat: We see no reason why the democrats will not win iii November if they get together and We see no sensible reason to prevent them from getting together.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-04-15
Condition of Winter Wheat.

It will be remembered that one year ago winter wheat was in almost per feet coreit:oAA It's average condition on Api.s was put by the agricultural depayshent as s7.s, whereas the con ditioS of the growing crop is but 76.o. The verage condition of the crop on Apra in the last ten years has been s4.l H will thus be seen that the lH{on thig year has poor start. It 6Id lot come through the severe win
 IT n good condition.
 t the acreage is lhrge-oyer thir- f<p millsen acres--snd it is much fo esziy toIsay that the outcome will be unsatiss sactoFy. A good average crop is still possible, but not a record breaking yield. The report was in terpreted ia the New York produce exchange as bullish, and prices of wheas were slightly advsnced.
 Crop experts disag'ee, however, over the nal ve Of the government re- port. soms say t points to crop well up to tour Hundred and fifty mil lion bushels whiie others say crop of four tandred million bushels is all that caTl reasonably be expected. The w'Ater wheat crop is two-thirds of the entire wheat croo of the country, and it's aggregate therefore touches not only railway incomes, but exports and the general condition. The report is construed both ways In Wall street, but the general opinion is expressed that the May report of the agricultural department will be better index of the crop than the report for April. The season is backward. The hope Is that favorable weather hereafter will carry the yield per acre high enough to make good any losses incurred on account of the freezing out of the germinating seed.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-04-15
SUGAR RATE SETTLED.
Traffic Officials Are at Work Checking
 According to Schedule.

Chicago, April 14.-At q meeting of western traffic officials today settlement of the sugar rate was brought about and the work of checking in the rates ac cording to the schedule is in progress.
 The basis of settlement Is the one pro- posed in the conference held in New York last week, and established a differential of Il cents in favor of New Orleans over New York to the upper Missouri river points. The basis of settlement is a con- cession by the gulf lines which have raised their rates on sugar from New Or leans
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-04-15
COMMENTS ON MEN AND
 MATTERS OF THE WORLD

wonderful properties of the new metal are fully classified The only danger ap- prehended is that the price of carolinium may remove it from the reach of all but the most ultra plutocrats, therefore mak- ing 1t unpopular in a country of pure de- mocracy.
 No bulletins have yet been received from the bug-killing expedition sent down to Panama and the first news is anxious ly awaited Sufficient time has elapsed for the expedition to have landed and we are to suppose that the scientists are waiting for a decisive battle before mak- ing a report. Of course our patriotism demands that we cheer the invaders but it Is hard to see what moral right party of uncommunicative scientists have to invade pleasant land like Panama and dspossess the mosquitoes and other pests that have fiourished there from the time of Attilla- The expedition will endeavor to clear the ten mile trip through which the canal is projected, so that the chances of man meeting his death may be re- duced to something like half and half, instead of 10 to 1 as is now the case.
 For the benefit of a public that should know better the lady managers of tho Kansas exhibit at the St. Louis fair want it distinctly understood that there will be no beauty shown in their department of the big show Not because there is no beauty in Kansas, understand, but simply because the very idea is abhorrent to us, and we do not intend to countenancs such disgraceful proceedings. So theref At bottom, beauty shows are very pleas ant affairs, and it is astonishing how wrought up the Kansas ladies have be- come over the matter. Had an exhibit of healthy Kansas cyclones been mentioned they could not have become more ex- cited.
 Those who have an idea that Marconi is a one-talent man are badly mistaken. The distinguished Italian not only in- vents wireless telegraphs and other things but he sings. Moreover 1t Is said that he sings unusually well for an amd- teur and has tenor voice of surpassing sweetness. He has been chosen to sing ona 
 'grhe Universal Judgment" composed by the Sistine chapel master at Rome. It is said that the pope would like to hear Marconi sing but the latter does not want to sing in a church, and his holiness has been denied the pleasure. Marconi should indulge his talent more when In this country so that he could be more of an ornament to metropolitan drawing rooms.
 Little Lolita Armour and her parents. MT and Mrs. J. Ogden Armour, have sailed on the Kaiser Wilhelm II for Eu- rope on their way to Vienna, where the little girl will again be placed under the care of pr. Lorenz for the final stage of the treatment begun year ago by pr. Lorenz in this country. It is hoped that the cure will be complete. That is the wish expressed by everyone in this coun- try who has kept in touch with this most interesting case F. U.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-04-15
AREA IS LARGER.
India Has 17,s7o,5es Acres of Land In
 Cotton.

Washington, April 14.-The government or India has issued the final general mera- orandum on the cotton crop of British h. dia for 19O3-Of, showing that the area un . der cotton of 17S7O,599 acres is over a mil lion acres larger than the corrected area of last year, which was then the highest returned.
 yield Is 2,S73,393 bales. The estimated total yield for this season excluding returns from Assam and Mysore, which did not report last year, is approximately the same as for last season.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-04-15
Jack Munroe Is Defeated.

St. Paul. April 14-Jaek Munroe, the heavy weight pugilist, was defeated in a wrestling bout with Jim McAuley of St. Paul tonight. McAuey won the first fall in 111s minutes MuToe took the sec- ond in F minutes while the local man took the deciding fall in 8 minutes. Nun roe was in splendid physical condition but was apparently novice at wrestling.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-04-15
REFLECTIONS OF A BACHELOR.

From the New York Press.
 woman is never too old to think some people don't suspect 1t.
 When a woman doesn't nag her hus- band it is a sign she hasn't married him yet
 All that anybody needs to break into socitey is gold drill with a diamond point.
 Generally mans savings bank account stands in the name of his wife's dress maker.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-04-15
About Persons,

G. II. Wilson of New York is registered at the St. Nicholas.
 Charles Sparks of Shelby is at the Nor ris.
 F B. Herren of Chicago is stopping at the Hillman. city.
 w. J. Dillard of Florence is at the St. Nicholas.
 w. R. womble of Tuscumbia Is stop ping at the Morris.
 Col. L. Y. Dean of Eufaula is register ed at the Hillman.
 J. B. Wiley of Atlanta is in the city H. T. Gill of New Decatur is at the Morris.
 w. J. Porter of Russellville is at the Hillman.
 E. E. Ragsdale of Meridian is in the city.
 H. Burgess of New York is at the Hillman.
 E. H. %ehelman of Cincinnati is at the Colonial.
 N. E. Barker, formerly president of the First National bank of Birmingham, but now vice president of the Continental Rank of Chicago, was among the late arrivals at the Hillman last night