The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-12-14

N NEW YORK gentleman of
 PO color and dignity objects to an editorial in the Times which in- sinuates that the negro is about the most successful chicken stealer that his- tory has yet recorded. Now the negro in question resents the allegation-ln most courteous and scholarly diction, however that his race deserves this implied dis tinction. He would show by reference to the bible and to Prof. Huxley's Lay Sermons Critidues ana Addresses" that the association of the negro with the hen roost is without historical foundation and is not entitled to be deemed a race char acteristic. It matters little whether the admirable but widely divergent works of the Hebrew writers and Prof Huxley support the claims of the ruffled gentle man of color. Those people who know the negro in his native element will still contend that he has a marked predilec- tion for chicken, both on the roost and in the pie.
 It is not surprising that Dr. Dowie. he of the beard and apostolic fame, has denounced the Santa Claus legend as a shameful lie that is "sapping the veracity of the infant minds of the nation." All ''thls Santa Claus business Is a mass of wretched lying" ct cetera. The doctor will himself be the Santa Claus for Zion but there will be no mystery about the affair and he will not have to wear a beard of tow. He has the real article. r. is remarkable what strong stand Dr. Dowie takes against the flies" about Santa Claus when he Is himself such a successful fakir It would seem that he ought to have more reverence for leg ends, especially of harmless character, since he has fed the devoted followers generously
 It now appears that the color line will be drawn at the inauguration of Presi- dent Roosevelt and the decision is already causing trouble for the various com mittees. Of course there are colored members of the executive committee, the inaugural committee and Chairman Weller of the public comfort committee announces that he will appoint negroes on his comittee but they are to look after the members of their own race and will be segregated. Now this Is displeasing to certain of the enthusiastic Darktown ad- mirers of President Roosevelt so they are trying to create a disturbance and threaten to make complaint to Chairman Cortelyou of the republican national com mittee. They also assert that they will hold an inaugural ball of their own if they are not shown more distinguished consideration. All of which goes to show that President Roosevelt and the colored contingent are still causing talk
 Professor Crooks of the Northwestern university has again come into promi- hence by announcing that he is actually to be married. It will be recalled that the professor became famous about three years ago as a man who had reached maturity without ever being kissed. Whether he has relented and has per mitted a woman to kiss him since that time is not stated, but at any rate the professor now anticipates entering the "holy bonds of matrimony," where he will be able to kiss as much as he pleases without causing talk Crooks Is a professor of geology and mineralogy, so that 1t is not surprising that in the pursuit of his studies he came near to being himself a fossil.
 Over in Columbus, Miss, 1t Is reported