davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-09-24
IroubIe in the lsthmus

Here is more war. This time it is on the much discussed Isthmus of Panama. As President Roosevelt de- lights in war and the things that per tain thereto he has something in this trouble to interest him. This partic. ular war Is not with the Panamans. It Is not with Columbia And the Panamans and Columbia are to be congratulated that they are not in it..
 The war this time is in the adminis- tration's own family, and a family row is the worst kind of warfare. The trouble is between Minister Barrett at Panama and Rear Admiral Walker, chairman of the Isthmian Canal Con- mission. It has reached such point that the minister is coming to Wash ington and tell the President all about it in person.
 Rear Admiral Walker does not seem disposed to waste time in diplomacy, but wants to settle matters between Washingon and Panama in his own good way. Minister Barrett desires to apply diplomacy in adjusting all matters of difference. Now comes the pinch. Whose authority shall be up- ermost?
 MT. Barrett was in conference with the President just before his depart ure for the isthmus, and it is ore. sumed that he received full instruc. tions how to act in the premises. It is perfectly natural for American statesmen and heroes to stand up squarely for their prerogatives, and it is not unlikely that the strenuous man in ile White House will give Min. ister Barrett and Rear Admiral Walk. CT each a large size stick and tell them to settle the matter between themselves. The American people are much inclined to the belief that Pres ident Roosevelt is built that way"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-09-24
Army Marriages.

General Corbin comes in conflict with President Roosevelt in one par ticular at least, and that Is on the subject of marriage.
 Of course it Is understood that Pres ident Roosevelt is opposed to celibacy when he expresses an admiration for the father of many children and fear of Trace suicide" in this country. Of course he means that young men and young women shall be encouraged by his administration to join themselves in the holy bonds of wedlock
 But now comes General Corbin and recommends to the war department that no officer of the army be permit ted'' to marry until he has satisfied the secretary of war that he has an income sufficient for the adequate support of a family and received off cial permission to do so. General Cor bins remark that "our army IS over married" is 6 new phrase that must prove quite offensive to married off cers and their wives and make him qr.te unpopular with the belle who acores the brass-buttoned beaux of the Narmy, whom she declares to be ..,,,to
 The age of the young American off cer when his fancy lightly turns to thoughts of love" and when Cupid so deeply entertains him is at a time when he occupies relatively low rank, hence small pay. For instance, second lieutenants fresh from West Point or rom citizen life must serve from five to ten years at from $1,4OO to s1,500 per annum, according to whether they are mounted or un. mounted. First lieutenants from $1,650 to s1.7o0. Cartains from s1,92O to s2,20o, and even colonels only re- \, ,ceiye maximum pay of s4,boo. The
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-09-24
Where Will It End?

Because the Chinese merchants have begun to increase their pur- chases of cottoa goods, and because they reduced heir purchases year before the Japanese-Russo war, know ing that the war was inevitable, a cotton mill man" of North Carolina, passing his judgment on the prophetic power of the Chinese merchants, tells us that the war in the far east is soon to come to an end.
 It is the wish of the civil ana com mercial world that such prediction shall be verified, but really there is little hope afforded for early peace be- tween Russia and Japan from reports received.
 The popular sympathy for the Jap anese and admiration for their gal lantry may lead Us to expect too much of those people. True they are fero- cious fighters, but the slaughter of their troops have been very great, and some of the highest military authority in the world is now warning Japan that she Is in danger of losing too much blood in the storming of forts.
 Baron Hayashi Japanese minister at London, after explaining that form CT demands of Russia would not satis- fly his government today, says that hostilities are to continue throughout the winter; that Eve have given up the plan of taking Port Arthur by as- sault," etc. Even if Port Arthur should be taken it seems entirely safe to set it down that the war cannot be ended immediately by continuous des- perate fighting and enormous losses.
 The Russians are preparing for Q trying winter campaign. They are not whipped yet. The resources of the empire are enormous. The eagerness of the Japanese soldier to die for his country is proverbial. Port Arthur may fall before the onslaught of the brave little Japs, and they may win Tie Pass, and say even take Vladivos- tol, but even those successes will not mean an end to the conflict. If an end be near it seems 1t must como about by an intervention of other na- tions as peacemakers, or by internal disturbances in one or the other, coun- tries that may deride and destroy power.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-09-24
Chronic Theatrical critics.

'It Is remarkable,' said theatre-goer last night. "the amount of ignorance shown by some persons who go to the- atres concerning the merits of the per- formers. There is a certain class of these so-called critics who will sit during per- formance and annoy the persons sitting next to them by making remarks as to how poorly the singers or dancers on the stage perform. These people always begin by telling the spectators next to them of what they have seen elsewhere and what salary some other singer is get ting They will add that the singer at the performance they are witnessing can never expect to get such a salary, and that it is shame to have to pay money to hear such stuff. These so-called crit ics probably have no conception of what a good performance Is and simply want to display knowledge they do not have.
 "They will tell you how bad the per- formance is and at the same time they will be very careful not to miss a single line. No matter how good or how bad may be the-performers they will have the same criticism. They evidently take de- light in displaying their transformation and prove very annoying to persons who are trying to enjoy the show. Frequently the person next to these chronic critics knows more In a minute than these so- called experienced men know in an hour. At the same time they are prevented from enjoying the performance by long winded explanations of why the perform ance is not up to the standard If the show is not good the man who spends his money will know it, and the chronic critics need not tell him."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-09-24

IN "The Georgians" Will N. Harbin has
 probably achieved his best work. The ! novel is a wonderfully vivid study of the North Georgia folk with whom we have become familiar through the me- dium of "Abner Daniel.' The sunny old philosopher also plays a prominent part in the new book. His humor, his kindli- ness and his shrewd perception of men and things are indispensable to the thorough enjoyment of the story. all though it is one of the most graceful and tender love idyls of the year.
 Primarily '"The Georgians" is protest against the efforts of certain philanthropy ists to elevate" the negro while neglect ing the poor white children of the south. There Is no mistaking the authors attitude toward race equality. All through the story he tells of the machinations of an interruptions ''shyster'' from Tennessee who is apparently trying to induce wealthy southern man, Henry Vaughn, to erect a school for negroes, but is real ly playing a game to get possession of the old mans money But the villain finds stout antagonist in Abner Daniel who finally brings him down in defeat recon ciles the erring philantropist to his son, the hero of the book, who had been ois- inherited, and unites the boy with the girl he loves. Through 1t all Abner Dan iel Is the good Samaritan, rugged son of the soil who nevertheless has heart of the right temper.
 But Abner Daniel Is already known to those who have read MT. Harbins earlier books. He has aptly been called the David Harum of the south. While he Is not quite so pronounced type as the horse trader of MT westcott, he is never theless so true to life that every south erner has met him somewhere.
 "The Georgians" is a finished work The story is marked by a simplicity and di- rectness that compels attention and the characters are all wildly drawn, especi- ally that of Warren Eric Vaughn. the son of Henry Vaughn, and one or two minor characters. The girl, that all-important parsonage in successful novel, is not intended to be painted with bold strokes Only once or twice does she come prom inently into view but then she is ad- mirable. There are few passenges more tender or more beautiful than the descrip- tion of the scene in Eric's mansion when
 Marie decked herself in the a finery of other days and instead of a meanly clad Cinderella stepped forth queen, or the reconciliation of Eric and Marie over the grave of her father. It is such a love story that one delights to finger over. safe in the belief that all will be well In the end.
 Life in a small southern town is de- picted by master hand and the results that MT. Harbin has attained show the intimate knowledge he has of the people of whom he writes One character in the book, Tom P. Smith, a noted whirlwind evangelist strikes one instantly as a prototype of the Rev. Sam P Jones and
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-09-24
The uampaIan Crank.

From the Baltimore Herald.
 Better evidence that the campaign Is well under way could not be afforded than the appearance at Oyster Bay o. the cam paign crank. All sorts of Utopians have called upon the President at his summer home and engaged in the harmless em- ployment of painting the petals of the lily, but it remained for the visitor pro- fessing to be from Baltimore to hitch the presidential chariot to an automobile.
 Assurances of success from man who has been campaigning in ''red devir' between heaven and earth ought to be rp- to-date enough to satisfy even the party of expedition and progress. but, unfortun- ately, the celestial inhabitants did not register at the republican primaries, so that the adventurous individual who pro- nounced them solid for Roosevelt was treated like any ordinary crank
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-09-24
Let not hls smoothing words eewItch your hearts; be wise and Cir
 --Henry VI.
NeuIectfuI LeuIsTators.

The last legislature of Alabama bids fair to go down in history as a neg lectful body.
 dust to what extent that neglect has been harmful to the interests Of the people of this state cannot be de- termined until the supreme court acts upon the Lusk act effecting the judiciary, and the proposed impeach- ment proceedings at Huntsville find g legal course of action.
 The Jefferson county consolidated court flasco has already exhibited carelessness on part of our legislators, and the concensus of opinion among lawyers seems to be that the Lusk proposition will expose blunder just as gross as the other.
 And now that a bold and fearless grand jury in the county of Madison, after diligent and persistent inquiry, has deemed 1t good for the state that impeachment proceedings should be instituted against certain officials 1t is discovered that the legislature omitted to provide laws by which the constitutional provisions concerning lmpeachments could be put into ac- ton. The constitution of 1901 very wisely and literally provides that the legislature shall prescribe laws for i'm peachment trial. Overlooking this duty that body failed to pass any law covering suc1 cases; and now if any thing be done in the premises 1t must pc done on the constitutional stipula- ton under such rule as the Supreme court may prescribe. In other words, pur Supreme court is to resolve itself into kind of legislative body to per form service for tae state which the members of supposed representative legislative body failed to do.
 This forces double duty on our high est court. Its labors in untangling or undoing the blunders of the legisla- ture are quite onerous, and it seems pity that the neglect of that body should make necessary so much extra service for the Supreme court
 It is not putting it too hard to say that the legislators of Alabama, with plain fundamental law to guide their deliberations, have "done those things wLich they should not have done and left undone those things which they should have done"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-09-24

record shows that the grade of colonel has seldom been reached before the age of ffty-nve, and it is hardly prob able that an old bachelor of fifty-five would feel inclined to embark on the sea of matrimony.
 The question is shall celibacy be a rule of the American army and the soldier spirit inculcated at West Point die out with each generation, or shall the pay of our young officers be made sufficient to permit them to assume the happiness and the duties of we'd ded bliss?
 The question is before the country.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-09-24
IN HOTEL LoBBIEs
Loss of Horse Flesh.

The burning of the twenty-one maie' a' the stable of the Standard oil company suggests the thought that the peopio or Birmingham lose about s15o.Oo per aay in horse and mule flesh" said street Commissioner Mccarten last night our garbage force hauls out an average or one carcass every day in the year. some, times many more. The average value oi these animals is s150 each
 The causes of death are numerous Some of course, die of disease but many from hard service, nails in their rect and bad treatment. know of no reiheos in the premesis, but it does seem to me that the losses are greater than they should be. Of course, do not reter 'o the unavoidable loss of the mules at the oil works"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-09-24
French Vote Lost.

From the New York Post.
 However triumphantly the president may be carrying rrance, he has lost the French vote in the United States. So at least we are told by the Courier des Etats Unls, which is heartily supporting "MM Parker ct Davis" To make the matter more serious, it says that when 1t speaks of the "electeurs de langue francaise," 1t includes 'Alsaciens-Lor- rains Canadiens-Francais, les Belges, les sulsses ct les Luxemburgeois." This en- tire terrific array. affirms the Courier is against Roosevelt. All that we can say is that Bunau- varilla should at once be sent for to come and labor with the ungrateful Franco-Americans. He can savs the situation if any man can; and he should go back to Paris to boast that he alone won the election for Roosevelt, as well as stole canal for him.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-09-24
Captain Booker.

Capt. E. W. Booker of Elmore is at the Metropolitan and will spend couple of days in the city. Captain Booker is one of the best known political charac- ters In the state, having served the dem- ocratic party for a number of years hn positions of honor and trust. and he has made one of the best officers that the state has had. At present he is living on his farm in Elmore county and he Is en- thusiastic over the crop prospects. He anticipates a much better crop than he gathered last year.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-09-24
Plain Words for Lynchers.

From the Brooklyn Eagle.
 All honor to the members of the grand jury which, assembled at Huntsville, In the state of Alabama, speaks plainly to tbe lvnchers who took a criminal from iail and killed him in defiance Of the law. The jury indicted a number of men all legged to be responsible for the lynohing. If also recommends the impeachment of inc mayor, sheriff and chief of police for neglect of duty. Whether any result worth while follows indictment or the recommendation to impeaoh remains to be seen.
 The grand jury had done It's whole duty, and those who afterward do less are accountable only to their own con sciences and to the conscience of the state they disgrace. ''The issue presented to us,v says the jury. "is clear cut We have reached crisis. The question Is whether we shall be ruled by mob or by the law; whether an armed or unrea- soning rabble whose worst passions have been infiamed and prejudies aroused shall be permitted to trample our statutes uIueT lOOt anu oPSiiiS SoAaiiiie iiiSSs atrocious crimes merely because they hap pen to have brute force at their command, or whether we shall say the law is su- preme. it is the only safeguard of our property. our liberty and our lives, 1t shall be upheld respected and enforced
 There Is hope for law in the south when juries of southerners speak thus em- phatically and with out fear. The lynch ing of Horace Hapes was nothing less than a manifestation of a mob's desire for an orgie of blood. Theree was no rea- son to suppose that the man could have escaped the penalty which the law would have imposed for his crime. Therefore not the shadow of an excuse existed for taking him from the prison and causing him to suffer a needlessly cruel death All southerners with sense of honor and justice must unite with the Hunts vile grand jury in conforming the of ficials who. by neglecting to take obvious ly necessary precautions, deliberately in- yited the commission of the outrage.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-09-24
NATIONAL POLITICS.
Two Great Additions.
Lhe shreveport Tlmes.

From the Shreveport Times.
 The republicans have made two great acquisitions to their ranks in the past few days. One Is the ex-populist senator from Kansas. William A. 4oeffer, who was famous because of his long whiskers, as Jerry Simpson was famous because of his aversion to socks. The other is Robert Treat Paine of Massachusetts, who was twice honored with the democratic nomi- nation for governor of the Bay state. MT Paine, however. Is unique in his reason for joining the Roosevelt cohorts. He says 1t Is because of MT. Roosevelt's democ- raey in dining Booker Washington MT Paine says he has dined with Washington and would consider 1t an honor to do SC again. The democratic party is well rid of such as he.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-09-24
Amusements in Rirmlnaham.

Birmingham is never without amuse- -ments for the people," remarked man who likes the good and lively things of this earth. "To.ao-row closes the se- ries of our ball games and the heros of the bat and ball then hie themselves to their respective homes, some quite far away. But we shall nave ball again next summer"
 Now comes the football games, that manly sport which causes so much fun' bruised faces and broken bones. If to this outdoor sport we could only add genuine horse racing we could keep the outdoor amusement field in full oper- ation.
 'Then too, the theatrical season is upon us once again, and I am pleased to learn that some of the attraction : are unusu- ally good, and this means full houses in Birmingham this fall and winter"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-09-24
Conditions Are Favorable.
, Inc Washington Star

From the Washington Star.
 Conditions seem to be favorable at Huntsville. Alabama for yindicating the law The authorities are moving against the members of the mob which recently took a negro Ly force from the jail there and hanged him. Indictments have been returned against officials who neglected their duty as we'll as against those who did the man to death. and early trials are promised. The judge on the bench talks in a tone of dignity and resolution. and the governor of the state is showing due concern in the premises. All or tnis is promising and worthy of praise.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-09-24
WIll Hold Their Cotton.

We Chiffon county farmers are gong to protect ourselves against cotton spec ulators as far as possible this season. remarked Moses Robinson, president oi the Chiffon county Farmers Alliance.
 We believe the cotton crop Will pc short in comparison with the estimate of 60 days ago caused by excessive ram and rust; and have arranged to carry our crop ourselves. withholding sale nn- til February or March next.
 Alabama bank - and merchants are now in position to aid us in this effort for self-preservation and they will do it. Ne are bound to get full value for our cotton, if we will only exercise econ omy and be patient"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-09-24
1.-THE GEORGIANS" HARBIN'S
 LATEST AND BEST BOOK
BY PAUL COOK.

the part he plays in the book shows very clearly that MT. Harbin does not ap- preciate MT. Jones' picturesque methods of spreading the gospel. Tom Smith re- ceives a crushing defeat at the hands of Abner Daniel In the presence of the con- gregation which he had just stirred to enthusiasm by his oratory.
 There Is also another evangelist who is equally striking in his personality, but does not believe in calling backslider hound, and he receives better treatment at the hands of the writer.
 MT. Harbin is southern novelist who is not only popular in the south but in all parts of the country where good fic- tion is appreciated. He is a conscientious painter of southern life and 1t Is to be hoped that he will give us more books like "The Georgians."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-09-24
REFLECTIONS OF A BACHELOR.

From the New York Press.
 Ambition for what we haven't is dis satisfaction with what we have.
 A girl hardly ever wants you to kiss her if she has to let you do it,
 It is human nature for the starving city folk to be sorry for the hardships of the farmer who is getting rich.
 The way to make woman admire you is to tell her she understands things she knows no woman is able to understand.
 When a woman is unhappily married she goes for sympathy to one at whom she jeers for never having caught a husband.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-09-24
Frank N. Julian.

Frank N. Julian of Tuscumbia is spend- ing few days in Birmingham. He is returning from a visit to Atlanta, where he had been to purchasee an entire printing outfit for the North Alabamian, an old Tuscumbia paper that was estab- lished by the late A. H. Keller. Mr. Julian is one oI .--e best known young men In all Alabama, having served two terms as clerk of the Alabama house of representatives. He has before edited the Alabamian and under his control 1t will again take front rank among the weekly press of the state.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-09-24
Talk Parker.

c. N. Avery, the we'll known insurance man, has returned from a two weeks visit to St. Louis and points in the north Every wnere I went" he said, T heard the people discussing Parker. From the expression of people in St. Louis from all parts of the country, Parker seems to be the ideal candidate for the east, south and north and west. The masses, in my opinion, are with democ- racy in this fight"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-09-24
MAKES SHARP ADVANCE.
Wheat Takes Jump of 3H Gents In
 Chicago.

Chicago. September 2s-An advance of 3l2 cents in the price of wheat for De- cember delivery occurred here today. Ac- tive covering by shorts who became alarmed at the bullish news from abroad, claiming requirements of importing coun- tries this season would be the heaviest on record, being responsible for the sharp advance. The market closed almost at the highest point of the day with December to 11194Q1111s>and May at 114as6114La.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-09-24
Capt. John White Retlres.

Captain and Mrs. John White have gone to "Warrick Crest" in Shades mountain, the home of their son, c. F. White. where they will spend several months. Captain White after a success full practice of lew for fifty-five years has retired from work.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-09-24

It is believed by some cranks that Rockefeller might be able to cure his indigestion by eating grass, but the oil king is wise in not wishing to be a second NeLuchadnezzar
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-09-24
about Persons.

J. H. Cannon of Atlanta, is at the St. Nicholas.
 J. M. Hause of Jasper, is registered at the St. Nicholas.
 J. NJ Buckner of Chicago. is at the St. Nicholas
 The Rev. pr. W. B. Crumpton, state secretary of missions of the Alabama Baptist convention, is at the Mirris. John S. Turner of Anniston is at the Morris.
 c. D. Chapman of Chicago is at the Morris