davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-09-03
Reform in Penal Systems.

Massachusetts is boasting of a re- form in her penal system, and really it is a reform worthy of the hnmani- tarian seirit of the Puritans of the Bay state. The thought however, was net original with Massachusetts. It is copied from one of the southern states, state which has been prominent in leadership for half a century or more, and that state is Mississippi.
 The Massachusetts late reform movement is in the establishment of convict farm. The new enterprise Is undertaken by the state itself and is intended to exercise a reformatory function. No experienced or hardened sinners are to be taken to that farm, but the minor offenders, and the fel- lows who commit crime while under the influence of mean liquor, are the ones who are to breath the country at luoSpltIc, tdhe nOlu Ol lHe plOW handles and wielc the hoe in the fields of Massachusetts. Room is to be made at once for one hundred such convicts.
 This is all very good, but Massa- chusetts is rot in the lead Mississippi stands ahead of all the states in the matter of a penal system. She has about 1900 convicts at work on farms owned by the state, about 1000 of whom are black and 300 white None of her convict; are farmed out to con tractors for profit. The state man ages absolutely every man that .wears it's penitentiary stripes-feeds them bathes them, doctors them, works them, and reaps immense profits from their labor.
 The most hardened criminal, the life time man, ana all others convicted of crime, can be found on the state farms of Mississippi, and the air, sun, whole some food and a measure of freedom, for the usual gloom of dungeon walls, idleness and lack of care shows beneh- cent results, not merely in the bodily strength of the prisoner, but in his morals.
 Mississippi tried the old time plan of prison wal lor many years. Power | ty-stricllen by the results of the war.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-09-03

range from s1o to 5000, At the last distribution he gave his faithful treas. urer a purse of s2oou, On Christmas he never forgets a single one of his employees, from the highest to the lowest rank, He has organized sick benefit association Into which each employe pays s5 cents every quarter. This iH a sick and burial fund,
 Thus Mir, Hammond keeps in close touch with Ais force of working peo. pie. He associates with them, takes them driving in his carriage, asks sug. gestions of them as to the conduct of his business anu makes them partners indeed.
 Posted in conspicuous places in his buildings is the following list of Virtues" which his employees are asked to cultivate;
 1. Punetuailty,
 AhaaShAs
 B. Quantity of work.
 4. Quality of work.
 5. Zeal and good will.
 6. Cleanliness (which Is next to Godli- ness) of person, bench, tools, etc.
 '. Courtesy.
 8. sobriety dncluding temperance mod eration).
 g. Patience
 10. Suggestions of any kind.
 Il. Improvements, which must be val uable and clearly stated in writing.
 12. Inventions.
 The plan of James B. Hammond Is worthy of emulation by heads of other industrial concerns. It would settle all wars between capital and labor.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-09-03
USE OF SNAKEWOOD BY
 THE NATIVES OF INDIA.

toxifera, the juice of which is the basis of the celebrated wourali poison of Guiana. This poison had long been used by the American Indianse for tipping their arrows It destroys life rapidly when applied to wound, but may be taken into the stomach in doses of several grains without producing any i'll effects. It may be added that the Javanese use the poison of upas tiente for tipping their ar rows just the same way as the Guiana natives used wourali.
 Strychnos colubrina Is known among the natives as naga-musadi and motira kanniram. It is a climbing shrub with a steam of great size, often from eight to twelve inches in diameter. The wood is knotty and crooked. The berries are globose, pulpy and many seeded, as large as oranges, with a yellowish rind. The flowers are small, and of a greenish yell low. The bark is ash-colored and resen- bles that of the nux vomica tree In gen. eral structure. A-
 The wood of the tree and the root are reported to be highly efficacious for cobra bite poisoning, being prayed for the pur- pose in rice water and given in small doses internally, besides being applied ex- ternally. The wood Is also used as an in- gredient in a remedy prescribed for inter- mitent levers It goes without saying that as the tree contains strychnia, much cau- tion is needed in its employment.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-09-03
RooseyeIt,s Accurate Pronhesy.

It appears now that while Judge Parker has been studying constitu- tional law and questions of peace and order in this country, President Roose- welt has more deeply interested him. self in a study of the war in the far east If this be true, Senator Bailey did I ot miss 1t far when he expressed willingness for Roosevelt to lead as soldier, but a preference for Parker for president of the United States.
 There is nothing like fitness, inclina- tion and ability in all departments of government and of life; therefore Sen. ator Bailey made graceful reference to MT. Roosevelt.
 It is given out that for three months the President has had before him a map of Manchuria, which he has been studying with deepest interest and with his usual strenuosity And, won- derful tc relate, the result of this study has given the President the title of prophet. MT. Roosevelt exhibited the map to members of his cabinet some time ago, and predicted that the climax of the campaign in Manchuria would be reached with Kuropatkin shut up in Laio Yang and in great danger of capture and annihilation.
 Thus 1t is shown that the war glasses and the prophetic finger of the strenuous Rough Rider in matters of war fit him for strategy ani spells" in sanguinary conflicts to which his taste so much inclines; but his ad- ministration of the affairs of the greatest, most peaceful and most pow erful nation on earth has as yet placed no laure,s upon his official brow
 MT. Roosevelt should prepare for a trip after March next to wherever the war-god reigns, that he may ''-- use the advantage of his power, And lay the summer dust with showers
 of blood"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-09-03
NATIONAL POLITICS.
HlII Rsoevers skIll.
, ihe Baltlmora Herald,

From the Baltimore Herald.
 Some persons arc tempted to recall the sensational injunction which was once smuggiad Into the Albany Journal in aon- nsetlon with the political retirement of pavid B. Hill, md to thank Jonah for voluntarily stepping oyerboard. It is, in- deed, true that the sage of Wolferts Roost has been more serviceahle to the re- pnblieans as bugahoo recently than he has been as democratic aide7de-camp. His uneouth attack on Roosevelt was bad blunder, and t was condemned as freely by hls party associates as by his political associates. Ills famous social istlo coal plank was fasco that his critics delight to recall. His reputation for peanut politics is perhaps deserved.
 Nevertheless David B, Hill does not al- ways blunder, nor does he always display lack of finesse. His retirement announce mert is both sagaelous and skilful. It de- prives the republicans of one of their chief sources of campaign argument.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-09-03
The Manassas Encampment.

"The members of the Alabama National Guard from this place who leave Satur- day morning for the seat of the military maneuvers at Manassas are anticipating a pleasant outing" remarked a man last night who takes an interest in military affairs. While the boys realize they will have to perform the same onerous tasks imposed on the United States reg ulars, they also look forward to many pleasures in connection with the camp life.
 "The impression prevails among some of the guardsmen that they will march from Manassas to Washington, and the question is asked each other: Can we stand in line for the entire way? The distance is approximately thirty-five time of war-and if the march is made I hardy think many of them will fall by the wayside. Doubtless a number of the volunteers would enjoy marching upon the capital.
 "The local companies are formed large ly of young men engaged in various bus mess pursuits in the city. and some of them have found it difficult to secure leave of absence. But those who take part in the maneuyers will learn more of the duties of a soldier, and of mill tary tactics and regulations than they can ever learn outside of regular war fare
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-09-03
Trying Days for Roosevelt.

From the New York Post.
 Trying days these must be for Theodore Roosevelt. The field of Manassas Is shak- ing with the tread of thousands of armed warriors. Bands are playing. flags waving, cannon booming; there is the crack of rifles, the hum and roar of machine guns; commanders are shouting orders, aids are galloping across the slopes, troops are charging and retreating. The war is almost as real as that in Cuba Yet the President of the United States is not there, not watching the inspiring spectacle on horseback, not declaring his conviction that 1t Is bully
 Now, while the others are 1ghting their
 battles,
 Each at his post doing all that he can" Theodore Roosevelt's powers are contract ed by pent-up Oyster bay. When he would like nothing better than to be in the thick of it, he must sit in his peaceful study and polish the periods of a 12000-word let ter of acceptance. But what are periods, what are 12.o00 words, when there Is a chance to gaze on the bright face of dan ger? We live in deeds, not words.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-09-03
SEABOARD AIR LINE.
Former Stockholders of the Roao Are
 Buying Again.

From the Wall Street Journal.
 The dominant financial interests in Sea- board Air Line attribute the advance in the stock on the curb largely to the fact that since the holdings of the Williams Middendorf interests were acquired re- gently a great many persons who were formerly stockholders and sold out on the decline have been buying back their stock
 The impression is becoming general that the banking interests that now control the property have gone into the company for the purpose of rehablitating it and placing it in a strong financial position. It is admitted that to accomplish this will require considerable time and patience, but at the present time such is the pro- gramme.
 Thos who now hold control of the prop erty believe that it can be built up to a proint where it will compare favorably with any of the other southern roads. When the Williams Middendorf stock was purchased at 15 for the common ani 9 for the preferred the purchasers. 1t is stated were fully convinced that the stock was easily worth the money and could be made more valuable, especially if the road were ably managed. As surance is given that no pains will be spared In developing the read in the interest of the stockholders. It can be said that the property will be operated independently of any of the other south ern roads. is pointed out that the laws of the southern states would be violated in attempting to merge with either the Southern Railway or the Atlantic Coast Line, and the report taht has beeen cir culated from time to time, to the effect, that one of these roads and the Seaboard
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-09-03
Labor Problem.

One of the most successful and wealthiest of New York manufacture ers is James B. Hammond. He seems to have solved the labor problem. With MT Hammond there are DO strikes or other labor troubles, and he is never molested by the walking del egate.
 His immense plant is worked on the 'co-operatiye l4~a, and at the end of every year he distributes 10 per cent of the profits among his employees. This is not all. Ho makes free gifts for meritorious service These gifts
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-09-03
Maine Farmers Queer Purchase.

From the Lewiston Journal
 Woolwich farmer made a curious in- vestment He purchased in Massachu- setts a second hand hearse and had 1t shipped to his farm across the river, where he stored 1t 1T, shed with the in- tention of converting the body of the hearse into a potato bin and the run ming gear into soroe farm vehicle.
 The neighborhood boys. however, op- tected to the near presence of this wagon of death and one night hauled it from its resting ace out ito a field and made of it q picturesque bon fire, much to the agricultural speculator's displeasure.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-09-03
The Farmers Cabinet Member.

Secretary of Agriculture Wilson is another one of the cabinet officers who finds time, at the expense of this gov- ernment and at the behest of his mas !. ter, to go forth as a "spellbinder" to teach New Englanders the doctrine of Rooseveltism.
 Secretary Wilson has always claimed to be practical farmer and it would seem that he would respect his .brother farmers in all parts of the country, but in his speeches he seeks to iniect the sectional issue into the campaign by throwing slurs at the farmers of the south He asks the New Englanders whether they want the crossroads leaders In the south to decide the fate of their manufactur- ing industries. Most of them, the sec retary remarks, never saw a factory, and bemeanin5ly asks what does the southern farmer know about industrial matters?
 What will the Iowa and the other great western agricultural states say to this kind of talk by a representa- tive of the administration, whose duty it is to foster and encourage agricul-  ture and to treat that branch of ln- dustry as of far more reaching im- portanee, value and magnitude than sail others.
 MT. Wilson cannot overlook the fact that the south, so largely depend ,ent upon the farmer for sustenance,
 rength and prosperity, spends over le billion dollars per year in buying he products of northern manufactur- CTS, which is about three times the value of the nations exports of man. ufactured articles.
 Suppose New England should be de- prived of the south's great trade. Would not that close the doors of more eastern workshops than all re- publican high-tariff legislation could open? Reciprocity with the southern farmer is surely of greater importance and value b New England than reel procity with any other section of this or any other nation.
 The farmer member of the cabinet from the prairie lands of Iowa is want l ing in political wisdom and a sense of justice when he offers insults to the agriculturalists oa the south at the bid ding of his master in the White House.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-09-03
PEACE TO HER AsHEsl
Luverne Journal.

From the Luverne Journal
 After hard struggle with the icy-hand- ed demon of death, she died. Homeless, pennyless, friendless and without a de- cent burial, the old lady was cast out into the swamp to be devoured by the vultures. This was the fate of the old family mother cat of F. c MoDonald The cause of her death was supposed to be first shortness of rations and then shortness of breath Peace to her bones and may her good traits of rat catching long be remembersd. She was the mother cat or Luverne. with headquarters at McDonalds store.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-09-03
COMMENTS ON MEN AND
 MATTERS OF THE WORLD

grin and bear this penalty of great ness" although 1t must go hard with him to witness the spoliation of his cherished lawn. Of course the picnic parties should know better than to invade a mans pri- vate demesnes and leave behind trash wagon load of greasy paper, egg shells and similar picnic debris, but the mas ses are conspicuous for such thought lessness and Judge Parker will have to endure 1t as best he may. If he were to run any one off his grounds just now there would be such howl as was never before heard amid the historic environ ment of Esopus.
 The International Congress of Advanced Thinkers will convene at St. Louis in October. Certain frivolous newspapers have designated this the "Cranks Con gress," but such levity is unseemly and far be 1t from us to manufacture ribald jests at the expense of the august indi- viduals who will attend this congress. The array of subjects to be discussed includes everything from the gospel of evolution in place of Christianity to na- tural ethics as a substitute for ecclesi- astical dogma. It will be great day for St. Louis and the fair when these ad- vanced thinkers put their thinking ap- parati at work, but the average Ameri- can is so constituted that there Is little danger of this stupendous array of knowledge and profound wisdom hurting business along the Pike.
 An attractive supply of campaign ma terial has been furnished by the visit of 1000 colored picnickers to Oyster Bay and the failure of a part of them to pay their respects to the President. It Is related that several of MT. Roosevelt's enthus- iastic admirers who were in the party I leaped from the moving train and made bee line for his house. but when they arrived MT. Roosevelet was out and there was nothing doing. Now it is hinted that the executive gave the Darktown delegation the slip. Is 1t possible that l the colored brother will not be given a welcome at Sagamore Hill until the cam paign is over? It really appears that Mir. Roosevelt has sacrificed some of his admirable disregard for public opinion at the suggestion of wiser heads Just now he is trying to act as any other l President would do and vaudeville has been eliminated for the time being.
 l Out In Texas the limit In lynchings has been reached by a mob that entered jail and strung up a negro in his cell, and not soul knows how 1t happened The remarkable success of lynching parties is enough to arouse the envy of ordinary criminals who have to work hard for l living while festive mobs are merely out for pleasure. Think how pleasant it would be if robbers and thieves could ply their trade in broad daylight without masks and the officers of the law could not see them at all. Such a state of af- l fairs would be a veritable picnic but 1t | is probable that the average mob down south has the magic power of often rem dering itself invisible to the officers and other persons who might be called on to testify. P. c.e
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-09-03
The War Spirit.
Ie Springfield Republican.

From the Springfield Republican.
 MT. Roosevelts supporters might as well eoneede that he Is not easily classed among the simon pure lovers of peace. One does not need to be a professor of psychology to discern the real tempera- mental attitude of the man toward war. It Is the simple truth that MT. Roosevelt Is ohe of those men who are naturally fascinated by the profession of arms. and who are instinctively adherents of those principles of politics which readily and quickly make room for military force in settling international conflicts Ills speeches have been as full of the war spirit as an egg Is full of meat. and he has done more to cultivate a militarist conception of our national destiny than any other American of our time.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-09-03
The New York Primaries.

From the Washington Star.
 McCarren floored Tammany and Tam many hoored Devery The result was not unexpected and 1t is not of very great moment. McCarren will claim that Parker gains in Brooklyn, and Tammany that he gains in Manhattan. It is question: The effort to follow Gotham politics never succeeds. and in many quarters the effort is no longer made. This much, however, is beyond dispute: The democracy depends on New York, and Judge Parker looks to McCarren and Murphy to carry the state. McCarren says that his fight against Tammany is il the interest of decent life for Brook lyn, and Leader Murphy, speaking for Tanmany, says that if the record were made public McCarren would become a resident of Canada The public is in- clined to acee. both statements, and there you are.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-09-03
Unconscious Wit.

Speaking of prisoners laughing in the court room," said a lawyer last night, T will never forget an unconscious joke pulled off by Policeman Martin Eagan in the police court some time ago. The clerk called the case of sixteen negroes who had been arrested for crap-shooting, and then called the only witness, Martin Eagan.
 '4---. you make the raid entirely alone?' asked Judge Feagin.
 did, replied the officer. The judge, in surprised tone of voice, asked him how he effected their capture.
 "Eagan, in matter-of-fact voice, replied, Your honor, I surrounded them
 Every one in the room broke out in a hearty laugh while Eagan looked around to catch the joke"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-09-03

she found 1t impossible to maintain her convicts under that plan' The state then farmed them out, for time actually paying the contractors a goodly price for their care the said contractors reaping rich profits from the labor besides.
 Finally the state purchased large tracts of land the larger body being tho rich virgin swamp lands Of the uelta, cleared them up and drained them with the oonyicts, built upon them comfortable and secure prisons with e view to perfect sanitation. placed over them experienced white farmers, a physician a. each quarter, and a perfect guare system,
 On those farms the prisoners are well fed, we'll slept and well employed in a sphere to which they are accus- toned by nature and by training. In this work ene conyiets do not come in competition with skilled mechanical labor. No man or set of men ever fear competition or over-production of cotton or corn or meat on the lands of the southern states. There is land enough for all and market demand for every pouna and every bushel that can be produced.
 Mississippi hes profted 33 1-3 per cent per annum on her convict farms, and this is an immense source of rev enue to the state; and then, too, the convict is taught system and activity and acquires liking for the care of live stock and an intelligent and in- dustrious cultivation of the soil.
 Massachusetts does well to follow the example of Mississippi
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-09-03
MT. Morgan at sasamore HI.

From the New York World.
 MT. J. Pierpont Morgan has been to Sagamore Hill to see the president, and undoubtedly the president was delighted although MT. Morgan and MT. Roosevelt have never been regarded as congenial souls.
 It Is safe to assume that It was a visit of business, and not of pleasure. As a prudent financier Mir Morgan could not be expected to give his unqualified sup port to a candidate for president until he knew what the attitude of the ad- minstration would be toward his varied and important interests. A mission of such moment could not be wisely in- trusted to a subordinate. and MT. Morgan may be pardone-. for insisting on receiv- ing his assurances at first hand.
 He cannot be ignorant of the practical value of his support in certain quarters, or censured, in view of past relations, for proceeding on the principle of mo tickee, no washee." Only a reckless speculator would take chances in such an affair, and MT. Morgan is not reck- less speeulator.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-09-03
About Persons.

Lomax " Smith of Jasper is at the Metropolitan. The Rev. Dr. w. c. Hearn of Talladega chaplain of the Third Alabama regiment is at the Metropolitan. G. T. Elliott of Coal City is at the St. Nicholas.
 F. J. Klnerson of St. Louis is at the Colcnial.
 John c. Bohllng of New York is at the St. Nicholas. Edward Ashcraft of Florence is stop ping at the Morris. Dr. F. l.. Whitman formerly professor in the dental department of Vanderbilt university has removed to Birmingham and opened dental parlors in the First National Bank building. Dr. Whitman is an Alabama boy. his home being at Aub- urn. He has a large number of friends in Birmingham who will be pleased to hear that he has located permanently in this city.
 J. R. Watkins of Alexander City Is at the Morris.
 w. II. Dyer of Memphis is at the Hill man.
 J. P. III of Carbon Hill is at the Nor ris.
 
  Dr. R. B. Walker of Guntersville Is at the Metropolitan. John Patterson of New York is at the Hiluan