davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-08-31
From Harper's Weekly.


 3H HE Press calls us to task for not \o ing the fact that the leading inde-
 pendent newspapers which sup ported MT. Mckinley now advocate the election of Judge Parker and, while not denying the truth of the statement, ques- tions the motives actuating the journals referred to. Some of the very newspapers enumerated by Harper's Weekly" it says, ''are regarded by the public as prima facie evidence that there Is danger to it In what those papers advocate. The in- dorsement of Judge Parker by the Stand ard oil trust directly, as well as by its agents and servants might as reas- onab bly be advanced as an indication that public sentiment favored Judge Parker. Among the strongest reasons which the public finds for voting for President Roosevelt is the kind of influence which is opposing him and the kind which is giv- ing its aid to Judge Parker And one of the most powerful factors in warning the public away from Judge Parker is cer- tain brand of newspaper In this com- munity which denounces MT. Roosevelt as a menace to the country which he has served so loyalty and fearlessly, though to the bitter hatred of the corporate pow ers."
 Let us. see about this The newspapers to which we referred are the Herald, the World the Times, the Evening Post, the Staats- Zeitung, and the Brooklyn Eagle. Does the Press really believe that the pol icies of these journals are dictated by 'corporate influences?" Will 1t seriously declare a sincere conviction that MT. Ben- nett is not the sole director of the Her aid? Or MT. Pulitzer of the World? Or MT. Ochs of the Times? Or MT. Rider of the Staats-Zeitung? Or MT. Willard of the Evening Post? Or MT. McKelway of the Brooklyn Eagle? What has any one of these newspapers ever done to indicate the contrary? We had no subtle purpose in declaring that "the leading independent newspapers are lining up for the judge" We simply noted a very interesting fact
 If, however. in common with the pub lie, we have mistaken their true charac- ter and they are not independent or out side influences which the Press regards as pernicious, we should like to know it. Unless the Press can and does substan- tiate its serious charge forthwith, it must stand before the public as a wilful and malicious maligner of its contemporaries and unworthy of consideration in honor- able journalism. We confess humpiy 10 having declared thoughtlessly that 'of all the big newspapers here in New fork' the Tribune alone supports the colonel; but that was mere lnadvertence We should have been glad to mention the Press. but for the fact that temporarily we forgot it's existence. As further evil dence of our intent to be fair, we now direct particular attention to the fact that since we wrote that paragraph another big newspaper here in New York has come out Tor Mir Roosevelt. We mean of course. the Sun.
 While it is about it. we wonder if the Press could inform us whether the news papers outside of New York which are in the same category as those mentioned are also contaminated. Here are the names of few which opposed Bryan and support Parker; Boston Herald. Provi-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-08-31
NEWSPAPER PLACEMENTS
 FOR THE CANDIDATES

dence Journal. Hartford Telegram. Ban- gor Commercial, Bridgeport Telegram, Detroit Free Press. Davenport Leader, Davenport Democrat, Schenectady Ga. zette, Lexington Herald. Evansville Dem- ocrat, Milwaukee Journal. Springfield Re- publican, Fort Wayne Free Press Hast ings (Neb.) Republican, Hartford Times, Bridgeport Post, Manchester Union. Man. chester News, Troy Press. Des Moines Journal. Sioux City Tribune. Baltimore Herald, Madison Democrat, St. Paul Globe. Louisville Anzeiger
 Is the trail of the serpent over these also? Will the Press kindly inform us Incidentally. too, will 1t not very partic- ularly obige us by telling us the story of its own life? Was it not founded by ra-protectionists for the sole purpose of championing their cause and safe guarding their interests--i. e., the inter ests of moneyed class? And has 1t ever done or is 1t now doing anything else?
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-08-31
TERRIBLE ELECTION BET.
St. Louis Man Will Forfeit His Life If
 Roosevelt Is Defeated.

l From the Chicago Record-Herald. 1 MT. Amere Bates of St. Louis has sol emnly pledged himself to commit suicide by jumping from the Eads bridge in case Roosevelt is not elected The pledge is ! given to all who may see the announce ment of his intention, but more particu- larly to one of his political acquaintances who undertakes to add s5 to Bates for tune If his life is saved by the votes of his countrymen.
 This is truly a novelty In election bets. and it invites some curious inquiries. Why should Mr. Bates suppose that all to whom these presents may come will hold his promise like a consideration in contract? There will be no general satis- faction in demanding his life. The only pexson who has a selfish interest in the matter is his colored brother who staked the S5. He might look with some degree of complacency on the corpse as he re- covered possession of his capital, or might resent the continued existence of his ad- versary as a reminder of his losses. But the great world cares naught for his emo- tions. It does not even know whether Mir. Bates life is worth $5 or cents.
 But perhaps he did not intend to stun the world with the sense of a possible ca lamity. He may have desiref merely to express the certainty of convi tons
 in a striking way. We hale e. known men in the pride of opinion to wager their valued heads against a lump of dirt on this or that proposition. This, however. is a vainglorious proceeding and lacking in real honesty because it is always based upon what is supposed to be an absolute ly sure thing.
 There is another possibility. and that is that the bet came from feeling that life would not be worth living without Roosevelt in the White House. This brings us to the genuine enthusiasm of your true partisan and hero worshiper, some- thing that is beautiful to see fer very limited periods.
 How pleasant is the thought that the country is not put to the strain of w.t. messing the spectacle continuously. nor is this thought disturbed by Mir. Bates ex- tolerance. If we were betting lives or heads we should feel quite safe to take a chance on that gentleman, no Saatter what the result of the elections may be.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-08-31
Piano Practice.

"A young woman of Peoria, H., is set- ting an example worthy of imitation by the -practicing dlsturbers of the peace of quiet neighborhoods," said an anti-pianoist She has taken her plano to the solitude of the forests of her state, two miles from the nearest human habi- tation. and there she practices fully eight hours every day Her idea Is to ob- tain inspiration from the birds the trees and the brooks. Her belief is that to be- come a great musician she must get out of the hearing of all artificial sound and listen to natures music Blessed thought! What relief to towns-people from the nerve-destroying -tum-tum, two-three-four, of the beginner on the piano forte"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-08-31
Another Hearst Boom.

From the Nashville News.
 The very latest tip from New York Is that there Is movement to put William R. Hearst at the head of the democratic state ticket. We take little stock in this report. In the first place, the same forces which fought MT. Hearst's presi- dential candidacy would be against him for any political office in New York. Tammany has 1t in for Hearst. too, be- cause the Hearst boom got In the way of the Mcclellan boom. As for the report that the gubernatorial nomination would be given Hearst as a price for his vigor- ous support of Parker. neither the char acter of Parker nor of Hearst Is in keep ing with its truth. Judfe Parker would no more buy Hearst than Hearst would be bought.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-08-31
Mr. HllHs Retirement.

From the New York World.
 An interesting statement elsewhere printed announces as with authority that MT. David B. Hill will at the end of the campaign retire from active participation in politics; that he will accept no ap- pointive office from MT. Parker in the event of his election. and that he will never again seek elective office. No one can criticize Mir. Hills decision. Retirement in the manner described would be a graceful ending Of a long political career But if .Mr. Hill shall during the campaign make many more such blunders as the Woodward nomination ana as the seriously proposed nominations of Stanch- field for governor and Herrick for chief judge impatient democrats and independ- ents may exclaim, Why wait until after the campaign?'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-08-31
The Theatrical Seasnn.

From present indications Birming- ham will be permitted to witness the best productions of the winter theatri- cal season, with possibly one or two exceptions. Indeed, the prospects are bright for those people whose chief de- light is the playhouse. Birmingham is fortunate in being in the pathway of all large theatrical organizations, and as this town iY recognized as profit able stand" few companies of merit that come south pass us by.
 News comes from the east that pretty girls and gorgeous scenic in- yestiutre will be much in order this winter and some very elaborate ef fects have been prepared. Of course,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-08-31
IN HOTEL LOBBIES
Easy on Stray Dogs.

The indications are that the dogs of Blr- mingham will not be inconvenienced in the least this summer by the municipal au- thorities It has been customary for sev- eral years past to employ man to op- crate the dog wagon during the month of August for the purpose of picking up strolling CUTS. but so far this summer the wagon has failed to make It's appearance.
 Mayor Drennen said yesterday after noon Tt is more than probable that the city will not operate the dog wagon this year Very few complaints have been made about stray dogs. and as the dog days are about over now. the matter will not be taken up. The mayor of Birming- ham has many perplexing propositions to deal with, but of all things I think the dog pound is the most troublesome"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-08-31
MIssissippl's Way,

Said a Yazoo man at the Morris: "The republicans are making prominent the fact that John Sharp Williams was elect ed to Congress by a vote or only 143s. That was about one-eighth of the demo- cratic vote of the district, and in the ab- sence of any opposition the other seven- eighths remained at home and picked cot- ton. If the republicans would like to test the matter of the popular sterngth of the Mississippi leader they could easily shake the bushes by putting up an op- position candidate. Then they would see"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-08-31
Do Ii Riuht.

It is pleasing Io dll Aldpdua uoni ocrats to know that the state has number of able young men who have answered the call of their party for volunteer speakers to go to the politi- cal battle-ground in the doubtful states and do service for their party.
 It has been ever the custom of Ala bamians to respond to calls of their country in times of war, and there is no diminution of their zeal and patrl- otism at this season. J. Thomas lief lin, whose gift of oratory has oftenss times electrified his audiences, and John H. Wallace, the earnest and thoughtful student and exponent of genuine democracy, are prominent in the list of those who have been booked for speeches in the east and middle west; and there is no doubt in the minds of their friends at home that these young democrats will do good service and reflect honor upon them selves, their state and their section.
 It is hardly necessary to warn these representative men of the necessity for eschewing anything that appears "gushy" In their utterances. They. know full well that the position of the democracy must necessarily be az gressive and not defensive. Especially is this true of southern democracy. The party has no apologies to make. We are all Americans, and shall so remain forever. Nearly forty years ago the last gun of the civil war was fired, an | those guns have been beaten into plowshares. The birds are nest ing in the cannon that lie rusting on the wayside. Let there be no more beseeching the north to bury the hatchet, nor to shake hands across the bloody chasm. If the enemies of peace and good government still desire to wave the bloody shirt, to hold in their l grip the hatchet, for heavens sake let them continue the waving and the strong-grip.
 The south lets by-gones be by-gones, The war of 1872, the Mexican war and the civil war settled great ques- tions, and by the arbitrament of the sword those questions were settled i forever. Let our speakers turn to the living issues of the day. with their ammunition aimed at the corruption of the republican party, and its bur densome effect upon the people. Un- enough to employ every hour of every speaker from now until the Sth day of November.
 The race question is not sectional, but national issue, today, more strongly than it was in the days of Lincoln and Douglass. Let it thus be treated
 Southern speakers called to the north are expected to say something that means something, and must stand upon the high ground of American citizens of American states. This Is no time for gushing sentimentality. It is time for thought and action on liv- ing questions.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-08-31

musical comedy will be in evidence. This is style of entertainment that has proven immensely popular in all parts of the land, and Birmingham has not escaped the infection. AS re- suit of the demand for musical com edy managers have so bestirred them selves that the coming season prom ises to be notable for productions of this class
 Opera will also be much in vogue It can be stated authoritatiyely that the Savage Grand Opera company will pay Birmingham a visit this winter. This company is conceded to be the strongest English opera company pro- 1ected for the season of 19o4O5. It will render an English version Of .Parsifal" Tn addition, there will be other opera companies and comic op- eras of merit
 Birmingham people are liberal pa irons of our two theatres-the Jeffer- son and the Bijou. No matter what kind of season we have, good houses are nearly always in order, although 1t is to be regretted that some of the most capable players who visited us last year were neglected for ubiquitous musical comedy.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-08-31
Pocket of Turpentine Found.

covington, August 90 = (special IA A pocket of turpentne has been found near this place that is something of a mystery. It was in swamp. the pool being ten by fourteen feet and contain ing several barrels of the liquid. The presumption is that some one undertook to take the turpentne some time in the past from government land and was scared off by the officers. hiding his pro- duct with view of returning for if
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-08-31
CRADLE OF THE czAREvIrcH.

From the Boston Herald.
 The cradle in which the czarevitch will receive the homage of the nobility of the empire is superb affair of precious wood inlaid with jewels.
 It stands on a golden frame and the imperial crown of Russia surmounts a graceful branch from which hang lace curtains of great price. Hygienically speaking, the infant would do better to sleep in a plain brass crib
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-08-31
Rumor Is Denied.

From the Arkansas Gazette
 oyster Bay grabs the end of the tele- graph wire to tell the country most en- phatcally that MT. Roosevelt did not invite some German student duelists to cut and slash each other in The Presiden- tial Presence. Theodore the Strenuous has in the past busted bronchos, shot buf- falo, payed- single stick with General Wood, taken boxing and wrestling lessons and investigated jiu jitsu, but he Is run ming for President now, and is denying himself his dearest delights.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-08-31
COMMENTS ON MEN AND
 MATTERS OF THE WORLD

I is no chance of the pubiic's son being in- volved. After all football is a healthy sport although too rough for little Clar- ence. and 1t is some consolation to know that if the youth of the land were not risking their necks in wild dashes with l the pigskin they would be doing some thing else perhaps more dangerous.
 According to reports brought from St. Louis the first race of aerial jockeys at ] the fair seems to have bordered some what on a ''hzzle," Indeed the aeronauts would probably have done very well If they had had no wind to contend with, but that Is precisely what an airship navigator should be prepared to over come and thus far only one or two of them have succeeded to any extent. It is perfectly natural to suppose that we will never be able to eliminate atmos- pheric disturbances from the heavens and so long as we are to have wind 1t be- hooves aeronauts to construct craft that will not be daunted by old Boreas, even when he Is in his most sullen mood While S5000 is not very large prize in such a contest, 1t Is worth trying for and several gentlemen of scientific pro- clivities have already seen fit to risk their lives in an effort to win 1t over equally anxious competitors.
 It really seems that Champion Jeffries will not be able to find a foe worthy of his prowess and just now Is the finest time in the world for him to retire with his honors. Like operators in the cotton market or lucky players at the roulette wheel prize fighters often make the mis- take of staying in the ring too long in hopes of further renown and riches. Poor old Sullivan dallied along until he found a Corbett and If Champion Jefferies de- lays he may also meet his match. If he were to retire now he could fulfill his fathers wish that he enter the ministry, where the chances are that he would make the Rev. Sam P. Jones sing small and no backslider would dare to back slide in his presence.
 The Hon. Tom Watson Is being widely felicitated on the pleasant position which he now holds as populist candidate for the presidency. It Is pointed out that the Hon. Tom has the pleasure of travel ing about the country and advertising his literary wares without having a par- : ticle of responsibility attached to his junketings. The country respects MT Watson's literary attainments and all agree that he Is bright fellow but as a presidential candidate he is considered joke
 The late Carlyle Mckinley, who was for twenty years associate editor and leading editorial writer on the Charleston News and Courier. while not wide ly known in the literary world, on account of his position as an anonymous editorial writer. was nevertheless a man who was appreciated in his chosen field of labor. The press of the country has paid a deserved tribute to his qualities as an editor and writer. Many of Mr McKinley's poems were widely quoted and he was the author of one book, An Appeal to Pharaoh" advocating the de- portation of the negroes, that attracted widespread attention. P C.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-08-31
The Quick Step,

Tt pleases me much to notice that the men, women and children of Birmingham have at last adopted the metropolitan quick step in getting off and on the street cars" remarked a business man. For long time they were too slow. and proved great hindrance to men who were anxious to hurry to and from their business, by delaying the movements of the cars. The quick-step Is increasing street car travel. Just watch it."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-08-31

NNF late years children have come
 O to occupy prominent position
 on the stage and at the begin ming of the winter theatrical season 1t is announced that they will be conspicuous in the coming plays. While the public seems to demand juvenile parts in even the strongest dramas. u is seldom indeed that children lend dignity or impressive ness to a scene in play When they appear the audience straightway begins to wonder if they will make mistakes if they will say their lines correctly while the female part of the audience Is lost in mute admiration of the "cpte little darlings.' Although these children are industrious workers and attend strictly to business. the general public finds 1t hard to look upon them as professional players. and while they hold the stage the expression on the face of the average theater-goer is precisely that which he wears at childrens amateur entertain ment' when his own hopeful is playing star part. One of the chief defects in nearly all children's parts on the stage IS the strained, unnatural tone of voice that a child is forced to adopt to be heard. Fortunately a great many play Wrlgnts conf1ne their juvenile passages entirely to comedy. where children appear to much greater advantage than in a tragedy or melodrama. Of couse the reference is entirely to children who have lines to deliver. Miniature playfolk are indispensable in many spectacular nro- auctions. but child actors lack the mower to impress that Is given their elders. This Is but natural. The audience views the passions of man and child on the stage just as 1t views them in real life.
 A dispatch from Athens states that the Alabama mule Is becoming so vindlctive in that part of the state that no man s life Is safe behind his heels It Is not known whether this festive or mischiev- ous spirit Is due to the importance with which the democratic donkey Is looming up on the horizon of national politics. or is merely the well known Satanic humor of the beast again asserting itself. Suf- flee 1t to say, that the lowly mule has let fly his heels so often round about Athens in the past few days that he has forced the community to show him healthy re- spect. No doubt the citizens of Athens and vicinity have logged along so easily with their mules for months and years without accidents that they forgot they were sleeping on a volcano, or rather, were standing behind o:e, and became care less. The result is that twea.prominent farmers are dead and several other per- sons have been seriously injured. Ad- vice to avoid the business end of a mule has been often vouchsafed without extra cost, but people continue to run the risk
 The football season is drawing on apace and husky youths will soon begin the pleasant diversion of doing violence to their fellows. Just at present the pros poets of hundreds of "elevens" are being discussed with bated breath. So long as there is no apparent diminution in the supply of arnica and doctors are being turned out every year in large numbers the public can afford to watch prepara- tions for the annual slaughter with some degree of continuity, especially if there
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-08-31
NATIONAL POLITICS.
Then and Now.

From the Boston Herald.
 When President Roosevelt. in writing of frontier life. said Bands of horse and cattle thieves have been regularly hunted down and destroyed in pitched fights by parties of armed cowboys. and as a consequence, most of our territory is perfectly law-abiding.n he did not then know that he would later on be a candidate for President at time when lynching and lynch law would be deemed much more hefhous than it apparently seemed to him when he wrote the fore going. His earlier and later expressions regarding lynch law do not hang to- gether
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-08-31
The Reason Why,

From the Louisville Courier-Journa
 'I have never met a man." Secretary Taft went all the way to Vermont to say. 'who was so willing to sacrifice a prev iously formed opinion as the present Pres ident of the United States" Especially If by sacrificing his previously formed opin- ions he thinks he can help himself to an- other term as President of the United States
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-08-31
old Military comoanv

Mobile. August So.-(speciai)-rhe Mo- bile Rifles had a good time one niebt re- gently and the record of the comnanv wac discussed from its way-hack inaugura- tion. It was organized February ? 1sss
 and has had an enviahle record ap s,ong
 A loving cnp recently WOE in a comnet,,sve drill was chriatened with q a,,srt os champaign. all present taking part. "