davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-03-14
STATUE OF FREDERICK IS
 CAUSING EMBARRASSMENT

From the New York Sun.
 T was a pertinent question that was
 asked on March g in the senate by Mir Bacon of Georgia He inquired whether the proposed appropriation of $l500O for absolutely necessary expen- ses' of the War College included an item for the cost of erecting a pedestal and dedicating a statue of Frederick the Great. Senator Proctor. who had charge of the bill, replied in the negative, but he did not deny that the statue offered by Emperor William II. had been accept ed by President Roosevelt, and that it's erection In the grounds of the War Col lege was contemplated by the executive. Thereupon both Senator Bacon and Sen ator Teller pointed out that congress had never sanctioned the erection Of the statue. and that while a president might possibly have the right to accept proyis- ionally such a gift in the name of the American people, such acceptance should be solely for the purpose of bringing the matter before congress.
 MT. Roosevelt ought to know that the acceptance of the statue of Frederick the Great would not meet with the approval of the American people, ard therefore ought not to be ratified by the federal legislature. At the time when an intima- tion of Emperor Williams intention was conveyed to the state department the ground on which the gift was to be made was scrutinized by the American press. and was shown to be uttely illusory We were told on the highest authority that the purpose of erecting d statue of Fred erick the Great in Washngton-whe statue of General Rochambeau had just been dedcated-was to commemorate the sympathy expressed and the services rem dered by the Prussian sovereign to the United States during their struggle for in- dependence About the services rendered by Rochambeau there had never been any dispute there is not a schoolboy in the country that cannot name them in detail. On the other hand. as to the alleged ser vices of Frederick the Great. there was universal ignorance on this side of the Atlantic. and to requests for information no satisfactory answer was vouchsafed
 It was. indeed, pretended that during the revolutionary war a sword bearing complimentary inscription was presented to Washington by Frederick the Great. Had such an incident occurred. it is ob- vious that some record of 1t would have been made in the country of the donor. No such record exists in Germany. It is equally plain that had such token of appreciation been received by the com mander of the continental army from the man then recognized as the greatest of European soldiers. the story would have been familiar to every man. woman and child in the United States. The proofs of the reception of the gift would have been innumerable and incontroyertible, and the sword itself would have been treasured in a national museum As matter of fact. searching inquiry has failed to unearth an atom of trustworthy evidence to support tine legend of the sword. The tale is a myth.
 It is true that Frederick the Great de- nounced some of the minor German princes for selling 5000 of their subjects to George III. for service in the American
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-03-14
Good That May Come from War.

From Lesie's Weekly
 Such good as may come from the war. such compensatlons as may follow in it's ing and uplifting effects of the contest upon the countries where it is waged, and whose possession and control constitute the real casus bell So far as the bene- fits to be derived from modern civilza- ton are concerned. there can be no doubt that Manchuria will be far better off un- der either Russian or Japanese rule than under Chinese, as this region still is nom- inally. Manchuria has already benefit ted greatly by Russian administration of her finances, her railroads, and her local government. and these gains will be con- firmed and extended when Manchuria passes completely under the control of more highly civilized power.
 But to Korea most of all will the war be practically certain to bring a large measure of advantage. no matter which party to the contest may claim her as the spoil of victory. Korea. which remained up to a few years ago the hermit na- ton of the east is still in benighted condition, with government and peo- pie but few grades above savagery. The country has no educational system what ever and the masses are still in the low est depths of ignorance and superstition. Industrial enterprise and development are rendered impossible by the national preju- dice which forbids innovations of any kind as being disrespectful to the ances tral relations of the people. The existing government as administered by all. from the emperor down to the lowest village officer is crude. grossly inefficient. and corrupt to d degree hardly appreciable by an Occidental mind. The country is filled with officials who do nothing but draw their salaries, and whose maintenance. en- forced as it is by every species of laborng casses. Justice as administered by the To- cal magistrates is worse than a farce. since decisions go almost entirely as matter of favor or in return for bribes.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-03-14
Work in Old Ane.

The death of MT Whitney at the age of of GA, four years after his retirement from business, seems to justify the remark that the retired, like the good, die early. Leisure is the hardest kind of work after all, and the busy man is as a rule the happier and therefore the longer-lived.
 Lord Palmerston remained in office until he was S5 years old, and Clad stone was an active political leader when he waa past S3 Russell Sage kept his place in the business world until after he was four score years old. and almost every locality has a veteran who is working and carrying heavy responsibilities at like age.
 The truth there is no rule on the subject of mans competence for work in old lge. Some -len are as young at so as others are at GO, and so OF Ill dlOuS tHe line, NIGH ulueF, ana each should regulate his tasks to his own strength ane endurance.
 Inoiscreet selfconfidence is as un- wise as too much haste in throwing off the urdens of life. Perhaps the best rule is to keep at work while the recu. perative powers remai., reasonably good. When elasticity is lacking the time has come for man to put aside heavy obligatory tasks, if long life be desired. One cannot safely work when the system has lost it's power to re- gain strength in rest and sleep. Fatigue is not test for all may and should become fatigued but recupera- tive from fatigue is the primal and sure test of ones capacity for work in age. Without recuperatiye powers one cannot long work, simply because the wearing-our process goes on un- checked.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-03-14
Lnnn Terms Desirable.

Both of the Maine senators, Messrs. Hale and Frye, have completed thirty three years of service in congress. Each served a long time in the house, and each was promoted to the senate, where each will be kept while health and strength remain. MT Hale is 6S years old, and Mr Frye is five years older Both are vigorous, and they promise to keep their respective seats ten years longer.
 Herein can b9 read the secret of Maine's disproportionate influence Tn politics and in federal matters. MT Frye ct least has appointees even in Alabama. Maine men are found in all parts of the public service, and Maine ideas and ideals are forced into gov ernmental measures. There are but four congressional districts in Maine, but her four members of the house and two senators are match in many respects for delegations four times larger
 A service of 33 years on the part of her two senators explains all, The longer the service the more useful and influential the representative or sena- tor. Alabama has kept Senator Nor gan in the senate since 1877, and he outranks in fame and influence nearly all his colleagues. If Alabama is 10 have in the national capitol the utmost strength and influence, sne must, as q rule, do as Maine has consistently done-she must extend to her senators and representatives long terms of ser vice. Georgia has adopted that rule, and Leader Williams of Mississippi is serving his twelfth year. Short terms in Washington are uninfuential, while long terms bring both honors and power. Speaker Cannon has himself been in congress thirty years.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-03-14
THE APPLE CURE.
St. Louis Man Warrants 1t to Cure To.
 bacco and Liquor Habits.

St. Louis, Mo.-Apples are a sure cure for the drink and tobacco habits and for the low morals which lead to crime. says John T. Stenson, director of pomo- logy at the worlds fair. Pamphlets set ting forth the efficiency of apples as a cure of bad habits will be distributed with 100000 apples on Apple Day, Sep tember 27 In order to work sure cure by means of the apple diet Professor Stenson advises that when one has a craving for smoke an apple be substi- tuted; if a drink of liquor is desired, take an apple in it's place; if there is a ten dency to do something desperate, sit down and quietly eat an apple and reflect over 1t.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-03-14
Unofficial Primogeniture.

The Vanderbilt wills giving the larger share to the eldest or favorite son have been followed by similar will from the hands of the late Mir. Whitney. One-half of the Whitney estate goes to the elder son, and the other half is divided among the other children and other legatees.
 This policy of fo1Iding families runs coun to American practice covering two full centuries, and it is today out ..f harmony with American sentiment
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-03-14
Steel Frames in General.

The collapse of the steel frame in the Darlington hotel, which was in course of construction in New York, is leading to much comment upon modern buildings It was a case of overlooking a frame, partly erected, with beams that were to go into the upper stories of it. So far as can be seen the steel frame in question had strength enough to carry all that would Le placed upon it after comple- tion, but it did not have strength enough to carry the beams, when massed, of the upper half of the struc- ture. The building was to be sixteen stories high, and about half of the frame had been placed, and the beams of the other half were piled on the floors that were in place.
 The building inspector saw the sit uaIion, and he objected to it orally, but no attention was paid to his ob- jections, and denial is now made that and objections were ever made. This shows the futility of oral objections, and it also demonstrates the lack of power in the city during the erection of building. A city should have power to compel the observance of needtul regul' ions in construction at any time-before, during or after, and all warnings should be delivered in writing. The disaster points out the effects of helplessness in municipal supervision.
 There does not seem to be any warn ing in the disaster against the use of steel frames. 1t does show, however, that they can be overloaded. Some people had cone to think that steel columns and beams could hold up all that could be placed upon them, but that has proven a mistake Steel has it's limitations, as well as other build ing material. But it's resistance pow CTS are very great, and if anything like good judgment is exercised it will carry it's load indefinitely.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-03-14

From the New York Tribune.
 Kemble, the artist, was sketching in the mountains of Georgia recently, when he fell in with a particularly angular crack err The man posed for him in various positions, spending over an hour, and when Kemble asked, What do I owe you for your trouble?" the mountaineer answered, q reckon dimell be about right, suh.' The artist showed him the sketches and asked what he thought of them. Wall" was the drawing reply seems to me it's mighty pudding busi- ness for a man to lie in, but you must be makln' suthin'ou of it or you couldn't afford to throw away money like this for jest gettn' a man to stand around dOin' nothin'' '
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-03-14
The Observance of Lent.

From Harper's Weekly
 The Parsees had five set fasts In the year Confucianism provided for one great fast and several minor ones The Brahmans confined the severe lasts to their own caste. requiring only minor observances of the laity. The Jews were commanded to "afflict their souls on the tenth day of the seventh month. while the priest made an atonement for the sins of the Children of Israel The com mand, as is usual with the Jews, was definite and obligatory, and was fol- lowed by a threat, whatsoever soul shall not be afflicted in that same day. he shall be cut off from among his peo- pie"
 The definite observance of Lent as season of fasting and penance in the early church was not fixed until after Tertullian, and it's tendency from that time on to the time of the Reformation was to grow constantly more rigid and strict. The English church clung to al- most all the Catholic observance, moder- ating only in the direction of individual liberty and choice. Some of the Protest ant sects did away entirely with any ob- servance of the season, on the high moral ground that all life ought to be a Lent and every Sunday an Easter; the only flaw in this conception being that if takes too little account of the frailty of human nature. Presbyterianism proclaims lasts from time 10 time, when special blessings are being prayed for, thereby admitting the fundamental principle of asceticism that we renounce one thing to attain an- other.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-03-14
MARCH BIRDS.

By Ellsworth.
 Though blasts of March are roaring high. And clouds run races through the sky, And Weathercocks are vexed to know Which way to point the winds that blow, And in the snowdrift on the hill Winter is hid in ambush still, Thou, little bird, with faithful wing, Hast staked thy life upon a spring Hast come so full of faith possessed Winds ruffe but thine outer breast. Perched on the gardens tallest pear Because thy last years nest was there, Thy song is of a quiet June. My life has many gusty sigh To blow the clouds of memory, And my poor brain is vexed to know Which way my feet had better go, And in a vesture white and chill Sorrow is hid in ambush still; But still my heart shall strive to sing. And stake it's life upon spring. My heart, with constant faith possessed. Shall keep a quiet inner breast. In seasons haunts. though blown and
 bare
 Because its last years love was there, My heart shall sing a quiet tune Unto the halcyon days of June.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-03-14
Anti-Lynching Sentiment Growing.

From Leslie's Weekly
 The growth of anti-lynching sentiment in the south has recently found practical expression not only in the prompt and resolute action of Governor Montague of Virginia in the Roanoke affair, but in the still more recent and equally deter mined movement set on foot in Missls- sippi to suppress lynching in that state by special legislation, and also by the pressure of aroused public sentiment. In introducing a resolution in the Missis- sippi legislature the other day, aimed at the lynching crime, the introducer made a special point of the fact that summary punishment in now meted out not only for the crime on account of which it or ignated, but also in cases of homicide and robbery in connection with which inno- cent persons are frequently the victims of mobs. A recognition of the fact that lawlessness begets lawlessness. that the lynching passion grows by whot it feeds upon, is truth which needs to be clear ly and forcibly stated as against the plausible excuses advanced in various quarters for lynching as a punishment for certain crimes. It is easy to start this fire, but, once started, who shall say where or when it's ravages shall cease?
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-03-14

Leslie's Weekly contains a picture of Congressman Underwood, and an article commenting his position on the salary grab Mr Bristow and Political Adviser Payne seem to have attracted the atten- tion of congress. The late tour of Mme Patti was the real sure enough, cross-your-heart. fare well article. Birminghams iron man will be sue cess at the fair. even though he Is not on the Pike
  Gen. Kouropatkin should secure a re- turn ticket both for himself and his milk white horse Lieut.. Totten has come to life again, and he predicts the end of the world in 1919. The negroes of Ohio begin to feel that they would be safe in Mississippi or Geor- gia. The best I.ormon seems to be the one who has the most wives and is not found out
  The widest-open thing in the country Is a secret session of the senate.
  All things are going up, even the big rivers in the central valley.
 -o---- MT. Cleveland starts in rather late to bag a thirty-thrd degree.
  Women vote in Utah, but voting can not cope with revelation.
  A tissue of lies is aften woven from strings of compliment.
  Chief Apostle Smith has five wives, and is absolutely fearless. The crocus is a Yellow Peril this year to light purses. Mormonism Is experiencing busy days at present
  Race suicide will never occur in Utah.
  Springfield is the Pineapple of Ohio.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-03-14

liquor dealer and salesman of Mobile is in the city.
 Otis BagIey of Atlanta is in the city.
 Fred Morris of Cincinnati is stoping at the St Nicholas.
 w. A. Dean of Savannah is in the city.
 NJ A. Mcclendon of Andulsia Is regis tered at the Morris.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-03-14
REFLECTIONS OF A BACHELOR.

From the New York Press.
 Spanking has made more great men than genius.
 A man with a big voice takes himself as seriously as a little man with a tall hat.
 Women go out and pay money to hear lectures. but men get theirs at home for nothing. ' When womans bank account is over drawn and she has to make 1t up she acts just the way she does when she says the grocer charges her for things, she never bought
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-03-14

N cCoRDING to predictions the days NPV of negro roustabouts on Missis-
 sippi steamboats are numbered. The packets in and out of St. Louis are now employing white men as rousta- bouts and the Memphis boats will prob ably follow suit. This action has been taken on account of the stubborness of the negroes, who have been tying up traffic at will for several years past. In old days a negro roustabout did not dare to think of striking. on account of the danger of being kicked off the boat by strenuous mate. but times have changed and the roustabout has discover ed that he Is a more important man than he at first supposed. The result is that he tries to show his power by going on a strike for the most trival reasons At Mobile and New Orleans dock laborers. roustabouts and the men employed in loading and unloading ships. have caused much trouble during the past winter.
 Mississippi rivermen have become weary of the roustabout and his de- mands. and have determined to employ white men instead. The plan has already been tried and is working admirably. White men are more reliable than ne- gres; are not quite so lazy, and plenty of them can be found strong enough to do the work which is about the hardest in the world. The Lee line of Memphis will use white roustabouts on it's packets and the prospects are that the innovation will spread rapidly in favor among steam boat companies along the Mississippi.
 It is merely another striking example of the changes wrought in steamboat life since the early ffties that the picture sque roustabout is at last to be partially ulslodged. For long time 1t was sup posed that no one but a .'nigger" could do river work, and the black rousta ho,t became so convinced of the fact that his arrogance resulted in his downfall ye. IL IS mistake to suppose that the negro roustabout is thing of the past. He VIII perhaps always be a figure on steam- boats so long as steamboats exist.
 houstabouts receive salaries and board ranging from $6O to $125 per month. and the labor requires no skill at all. hut js so heavy that white men will not he attracted to it in very large numbers aI- though there may be great many more white roustabouts on the Mississippi now than formerly.
 King Leopold of Belgium is in very pad odor in the United States and his brother monarch in Europe who have be- haYed themselves better than he are very much inclined raise their hands when the rascally old king is mentioned Leo pold has long been known as 4 friend or the profligate and a right hand man at all gay functions which are denied to many of his less fortunate subjects hut little complaint is made on account of his immortality and debauchery. But the treatment of his family by Leopold has caused him to be roundly criticised nm both sides of the water and his interest in the company which is now despoiIing the Congo Free State is said to larqelv account for the apathy with which he regards the atrocities committed on the savages by it's agents. The greedy old king is also engaged just now in irving to rob his daughters of their mothers inheritance and is having lively suit In
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-03-14
About Persons.

E. S. Smith of Sylacauga is at the Nor ris.
 A s. Billings of Omaha is registered at the St. Nicholas
 State Senator Fred l.. Blackburn is at the Morris.
 A. D. Buckingham of Chicago is in the city
 Harry Blair of Cincinnati is at the St. Nicholas.
 Harry Brown of New York is in the city.
 II. P. Mccrudy of Lowndesboro is at the Morris.
 J. w. Wise, the well known wholesale
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-03-14

The United States supreme court may be unable to gain precedence at public dinners, but it names without dietation the Monday that merger decisions will be handed down.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-03-14

It is trange that congressman who do not know the ropes in Washington can always walk q chalk line better than those who do.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-03-14

MT. watterson seems destined. between MT. Hearst and MT. Cleveland, to have a strenuous summer, one that will call out all his rhetoric
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-03-14

There are many Springfields in this country but It took place at MT. For akers Springfield. and in no other.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-03-14

Japan should rot let the playful war she Is waging with Russia interfere with pub lie interest in the game of baseball.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-03-14

Patti became dissatisfied with the Am erican box office, and went back to her home in the Old World.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-03-14

number of parachutes will have to be provided for presidential candidates at the St. Louis convention, so that when balloons are delated the aerinauts will be able to descend in comparative safety.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-03-14

Chief Apostle Smith is sure of the sym pathy of five wives and forty-two chil- dren, and that is sympathizing some.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-03-14

Seventeen-cent cotton is all right, but still it has an unfamiliar sound.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-03-14

The sultan has hung up a sign on the Dardanelles. 'No Thoroughfare"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-03-14

The late tour of Mme. Patti was the real. sure enough, cross-your heart, fare well article.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-03-14

Bigamy is not blgamy at all in Utah. In Alabam. for example. 1t is different.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-03-14

Mr Bristow and Political Adviser Payne seem to have attracted the atten- ton of congress.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-03-14

The Balkan war is popular in Russia, presumably because it would be fought beyond the range of Japanese ships.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-03-14

There is a feeling abroad that this is the year in which the Coal Barons will distinguish themselves.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-03-14

Adlai Stevenson is relic of democracy who cannot be furbished up to serve in another campaign.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-03-14

Grover Cleveland should not adopt at his time of life into the lodge habit
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-03-14

When 1t comes to an enumeration of descendants Chief Apostle Smith and the autocrat of the pasture are in one class
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-03-14

Lesie's Weekly contains picture of Congressman Underwood, and an article commenting his position on the salary grab