davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-12-20
Pratt Goal S Coke Company
 in the Field SOME LIVELY LEGAL TILTS
Boards Right to Reject Any and All Propositions Provoked Much Con- tention-After the Long Ses-
 sion Attorneys Talk.

After two or three hours of a session which at times grew acorimonious, the board of revenue by vote of three to two decided yesterday to reopen the bids for county convicts and will allow the several corporations operating mines in Jefferson county until December 9 to file new propositions.
 The advertisement which will appear to- day or tomorrow will also call upon the bidders to make propositions for working county convicts under the old plan and under the new state plan, which has worked successfully since the beginning of the administ1 ation of Governor Jelks. This new plan contemplates the leasing of mines and putting coal on the tip- pies for a specified amount per ton. 1t IS claimed that the state under this plan made more than four times as much as did the county under the old plan of hiring conviets under cotract.
 Three-cornered Fight.
 The session of the board yesterday morn- ing developed into three cornered fight, or rather a two cornered fight with the Tennessee Coal, Iron and Railroad com- pany on one side and the Sloss-Shef- field and the Pratt Coal and Coke com pany- on the other.
 The bids were opened on the 10th of December and 1t was found that the Ten nessee company had made the highest bid.
 Attorneys and officials of the several corporations assembled yesterday morn t,,er 4t,, U tract and trouble began brewing when D. K. Campbell, attorney for the Pratt Coal and Coke company asked that the matter be reopened that his company might present a bid. Thereupon, figura- lively speaking, the fur blew thick and fast.
 The Sloss-s Sheffield company. through MT. Bradley, it's attorney, made prop osition similar to that of the Pratt com pany, by which he said that the county would derive $25,OOO more from it's four year contracts than would be possible under the offer of the Tennessee com pany.
 Bone of Contention.
 The advertisement asking for bids which were to be opened on December 15, contained a clause which gave the board the right to reject any and all propositions and this little sentence prov ed the main bone of contention and the final decision was based on such a res ervation.
 When the bids were opened it was found that only two bids had been sub mitted, one from the Tennessee com pany and one from the Sloss-Shefield company.
 :. The Tennessee Coal, Iron and Railroad company bid $16 per month for all con- victs whose sentence is one year and over; S12 per month for-convicts whose sentence is six months and over; $10 per month for convicts whose sentences less than six months, and 450 for all boys under 16 years of age.
 The Sloss-Sheffield company bid SIPS for all male convicts over 16 years of age. for convicts whose sentence is not less than year. $12 per month; convicts
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-12-20
BRANDON LIGHT ARTILLERY.
courtmartiaI to Try Men Charged
 With Failing to Attend Muster.

The courtmartial for the ten or twelve members of the Brandon Light Artillery. who are charged with failing to attend the regular muster and drill of the bat tery, will be held tonight at 8 o'clock in the armory at the city hall It is under stood that a number of witnesses have been summoned to appear to testify in behalf of the national guardsmen. In each case the first sergeant of the bat tery will be the prosecuting witness
 The laws of the state of Alabama pre- scribe that the second officer in command of military courtmartial shall consti- ute the court. On account of the absence from the city of Capt. Edward D. Smith. Firest Lieut.. J. Quincy Smith will pros ecute and Second Lieut.. O. H. Rucker will constitute the court.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-12-20
UNSECURED
 WITH ECZEMA
Under Physicians Five Months. Went from
 Bad to Worse.
CURED RYcUrICURA
Wonderful Change in One Night. In a Month Face Mas
 Clean as Ever.

"I was troubled with eczema on the face for five months during which time I was in the care of physicians. My face was in such a condition that I could not go out. It was goias from bad to worse and I gave up sil hope, when a friend of mine highly recom- rnended Cuticura Remedies. The first night after I washed my faoe with Ou- ticura Soap and used Cusicura0 0zntfnent and Cuticnra Resotyeat It changed won derfully. aud contissang the tkeasnent it removed all scales and sosbs. fr0w that day YVES abio to go out, and b a month my face was as clean sssoverss THOMAS J. SoTH, SIT 3tagg St.,
 Brooklyn, N. Y.
 The above latter was received iu 1898 and he again writes ns Feb. 10, 1908, II have -ot oesn troubled with eczema since"
 Tho agorizing itching and horsing of the skie as in eczsns; the fraEhsfui sealing, sa in psoriasis; the loss of hair and crusting Of scslS. as in sesaisd head; the facial disagvremen% as in pimples aad rizgwerm; tae awful snf- fering of infanss, sad ssr5sty of worn- out parents, as ia Iniik 7sslst, tstter and salt rheum - all dsmsaa remedy of almost supsrhunsR vistnes to success fully oopo with them. 1'ast Cntscurs Soap, Ointment and Rssolvent are such stands proven beyopd all doubt. No statement Is made regsrsany them that is not justified by the strongest evi' dence. The purity and sweetness, tho power to afford immediate relief, tho certainty of speedy and perusnent cure, the absolute safety md great economy have made them tho standard skin cures of the civilized world.
 Sold throughout ths world. Qutiepn nasslvent soc. Qn ferm of chosolas Coa1edrins. c per val of eol houss S. pIs.i. Rae es ls fesss s3ssc9 la Ssisn
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-12-20
Bids Will Not Be Opened Until Mon
 day, January 2.

Bids for the Father o'Reilly monu- ment are not to be opened until Monday, January ?, at which time the sub-eom- mittee of four from the executive com 1nittee will be called to meet
 The committee was to meet today but it has decided that owing to the run of holiday trade, it would be best to post pone the opening bids until after New Year.
 The committee which is to decide on the bids consists of Rufus N. Rhodes, chair man; W. M. Drennen Sterling A. Wood and John W. O'Neill. A number of excel lent designs have been drawn and will be submitted. The advertisements for the opening of bids stated that they must be in today, but the postponement will give more time for the prospective bidders to complete designs.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-12-20

whose sentence is sixty days and over, $6 50 per month; convicts whose sentence is less than sixty days $2.5o per month.
 The Sloss-S Sheffield company submitted another bid in which it offered to pay 50 cents per capita in excess of the bids offered by the Tennessee company, the Pratt Coal and Coke company or the Woodward Iron company.
 Just after this announcement and when MT. Campbell proposed that the matter be re-opened the fun began. The room was packed with attorneys, high corpor- ation officials and other interested in the mining of coal. As MT. Campbell un- rolled his bid and laid the new proposi- tion before the board every neck was craned to see what effect it would have on the members. In a moment it was ob- served that challenge had been thrown and quick as flash MT. Percy of the Ten nessee company accepted it. Oratory then followed for two hours spiced with sarcasm. satire and partially yelled charges of conspiracy and unfair deal ings.
 The foundation for the stormy proceed ing can be found in the following amend ed bids, the first of which was submit ted by Mir. Campbell for the Pratt Coal and Coke company and the second by MT. Bradley, attorney for the Sloss-Sheffield cononopv.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-12-20
To Fix License Schedule.

The miscellaneous and finance commit tees of the city council will meet to- morrow afternoon at o'clock in the city hall, for the purpose of completing the license schedule of the city of Birming- ham for the year 1905. Very few changes over the present schedule will probably be made.
 The new schedule will be presented to the city council for adoption at the reg. ular semi-monthly meeting tomorrow night.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-12-20

All persons who were candidates for office in the municipal primary elections held in Jefferson county in November are required to certify to Judge s. E. Greene of the probate court the amount of their election expenses before o'clock this afternoon.
 When the probate court closed last night only four candidates had handed in their accounts. These were:
 Noah B. Feagin, candidate for judge of
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-12-20
oPELIkA TELEPHONE QUESTION.
Mayor Drennen Gives His Opinion Concerning Additional Company.

The mayor of opelika has addressed a communication to Mayor Drennen asking his opinion with reference to granting franchises for new telephone company. Mayor Drennen addressed long letter to the Opelika executive yesterday after noon giving his opinion in the matter. the substance of which was that if the prices of the present company are reasonable he would not recommend another ex- change. #,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-12-20
BUILDING PERMITS ISSUED.

Building Inspector Julian Kendriek has issued a permit to c. c. Beverly to erect a one-story frame dwelling on Seven teenth street between Seventh and Eighth avenues, the same to cost when com pleted s900
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-12-20
BOARD OF REVENUE DECIDES TO
 REOPEN BIDS FORTHE CONNECTS
CANDIDATES CERTIFYING
 TO ELECTION EXPENSES

Birmingham police court. $62.5o.
 D. F. sugg. candidate for chief of po- lice of Ensley, s205.
 N. ". Scott, candidate for mayor of Ensley. ss25.
 Lucien c. Brown. candidate for police commissioner. k4aes.
 Candidates who fail to file their cer- tihcates of election expenses with Judge Greene before o'clock this afternoon will be guilty of niisdemeanor.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-12-20
Weather Conditions.

Birmingham Monday, December 19.
 Since Saturday aesnowstorm of consid- erab1e intensity has moved across the northern tier of states, and is now over the lower lakes. Snow was still falling this morning from Ohio to New Eng land. Clear and cold weather prevails west of the Mississippi river except in Montana and the Dakotas. The bareme- ter is high from Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas westward to the Pacific, and this wave of cold air is expected to move east ward and cause a continuance of clear and cold weather in this state tonight and Tuesday.
 The only precipitation in the south was trace of rain at New Orleans and a trace of snow at Knoxville.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-12-20
RECORDS OF COURTS.

In the first division of the city court. Judge senn presiding these cases were yesterday continued: D. W Mccall and others. administrators. against the Bir- mingham Southern railway; John NJ. Moran against the Alabama Great South ern railroad company, and T 0. Melton against B. D. Anguish and Alabama Ma tional bank.
 The suit of Marshall II. Motion against the Birmingham Railway. Light and Power company was settled yesterday in the first division of the city court Judge Senn presiding by judgement in favor of the plaintiff for s6oo
 A judgment of s14665 by default in favor of the plaintiff was recorded yester- day in the second division of the city court. Judge Ferguson presiding, in the case of Gray X. Dudley Hardgare com pany against T. r. Wood
 The suit of Thomas Poole against Mary r. Coughlan and John r. Donahue was dismissed for want of prosecution in the second division of the city court yester- day The same disposition for the same reason was made of the suit of T. 0. Stewart against W. L. Stewart. In the second division of the city court. Judge Ferguson presiding, these cases went over yesterday: J. W. MeLain against J. C. Nelsoni John F. Baldwin against Rosella F. Brent; S. F. Bowser S Go. against L. Walton; the Peoples raiiors against the Southern Railway company; c. s. Miller against J. T. Fenn and Will McGowan against A. c. Sor- rell.
 The suit of ". II. Crawford against R. L. Ivey and others was dimssed yester- day upon payment of costs by the de- fendants in the second division of the city court.
 The suits of the Galloway Coal conn pany against c. Herbert Ellerbe and Abe Rich against the Louisville and Nashville railroad are in process of set tlement.
 R. A. s. Freeman's suit for $20. 900 dam ages against the Central Railway of Geor- gin held the attention of the circuit court yesterday. Judge Goldman presiding. The day was given up almost entirely to arguments made by counsel regarding l the law in the case.
 Adam Potter. alias Frank Smith. col ored, was bound over in the amount of s15o on a charge of grand larceny by Judge Feagin in the police court yester- l day.
 Mary Abernathy. alias Mary Shuford colored, charged with robbing white man at her home on Second avenue. was bound over in the amount of $500 in the police court yesterday by Judge Feagin.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-12-20
THE WEATHER.

Washington, December 19.-Following is the forecast for Alabama: Fair Tues day; Wednesday rain, light variable winds. becoming fresh southerly
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-12-20
Weathe. Report.

Temperature and precipitation as report ed by the weather bureau for selected southern stations during 24 hours ending a. m. Precip-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-12-20

The suit of Marshall II. Notion against the Birmingham Railway, Light and Power company was settled yesterday in the first division of the city court. Judge senn presiding. by judgement in favor of the plaintiff for $500.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-12-20

OPEN A BANK ACCOQNI with us and watch 1t grow. A dollar or more starts an account No matter what your position in life may be, a Bank Account is a handy thing to have. Our methods of making your money grow will be fclly explained if you will make inquiries.
 Don't forget that we pay 4 per cent interest per annum compounded twice year.
 AMERICAN TRUST 6 SAVINGS
 BANK,
 i,s4 BIRMINGHAM. ALA Tyt9 'fl 1923-1st.Ave-- 'slflAi
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-12-20
Pratt company's Bid.

BlfmlnSnam, Ala, December l9 lyO4. The Honorable Board of Revenue of Jeff ferson county, Alabama
 Gentlemen-If you will reopen bids for the hire of eonvicts of Jefferson county for the next four years, we hereby bind ourselves to bid at the relettlng not less than the following prices:
 For first class men, M750 per month. For second class men, $14.50 per month. For third class men, $500 per montht. For fourth class men, $500 per month. For boys and women, $3.50 per month. Or, for males Is years old and over whose sentence for crime is two years, $1650 per month.
 For males 16 years old and over whose sentence for crime is one year or more, or under two years, $15.50 per month. For all other males IS years old and over, regardless of length of sentence, S10.00 per month.
 For boys under IS years, s5,25 per month.
 For females. A.75 per month.
 Or, we will guarantee that either of the above bids will equal S13.50 per month for convicts without regard to sentence, sex or condition, and will so bid. We will pay from January 1 next, for all convicts assigned to us and pay for their maintenance in jail until we have had time, not exceeding four weeks. to Dullu d SulldDie pTlSOnt II you VIII peIiull us to do this in the relettingo -4f We have no desire to have our bid con sidered without allowing all the others who want to do so, to bid at such re- letting. Yours respectfully,
 PRATT COAL AND COKE CO,
 By H. E. Mccormack.
 Sloss Company's Amended Bill.
 Birmingham, Ala, Dec. 10, 1904. The Honorable Board of Revenue, Jeffer- son county, Alabama:
 Gentlemen: In submitting our former bid for county conviets, the writer did not understand that all convicts were to be hired necessarily to one bidder. nor that you contemplated hiring the con yicts for so long a term. We did under stand that you reserved the right to re- ject all bids and did not, therefore, think that the bids submitted were necessarily final. We were perhaps somewhat re- miss in no more fully informing ourselves in advance, and we are, therefore, willing
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-12-20
At the Express Office.

The Southern Express office has opened temporary quarters in the large building on the corner of Nineteenth street and Morris avenue, where a large force Of clerks has been put to work receiving packages.
 The license inspector has already issued some licenses for selling fireworks on the streets of the city during the week. A numbr of stands will be open for busi- ness tonight. The license fee is S6 for the week. The city of Birmingham has pro- hlbited the exploding of fireworks in the fire limits, which constitutes practically the business district.
 It has always been the custom for the banks, postoffice and public buildings to observe Monday following as Christmas day, when the 25th day of December comes on Sunday. The local theatres have announced in their bills of coming attractions Monday as Christmas day.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-12-20

A judgment of s14s.65 by default in favor of the plaintiff was recorded yester- day in the second division of the city court Judge Ferguson presiding, in the case of Gray X. Dudley Hardgare com pany against T. r. Wood.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-12-20
CHRISTMAS TRADE
 IS AT ITS HEIGHT Birmingham Stores Were Crowded All Day Yesterday BIG VOLUME OF BUSINESS Many Out of Town Shoppers Here. All Accommodation Trains Taxed
 to Full capacity-Postoffice
 and Express Office.
BIG VOLUME OF BUSINESS

Christmas shopping has begun in earn est in Birmingham. From early morning yesterday until late in the afternoon the streets were crowded with happy holi- day buyers. All of the retail stores were threnged and the merchants report a very large business. The rush will con- tinue until late Christmas eve.
 The accommodation trains arriving in Birmingham on all of the roads were crowded yesterday morning and will be crowded every day this week. Railroad officials, however, will provide for the in- creased travel and extra coaches will be added to all of the trains where neces- sary. The union passenger station pre- scented a eongested condition yesterday afternoon between the hours of and , o'clock. The departing crowds were han dled satisfactorily, however, by the sta ton officials
 In Birmingham the holiday stocks are varied and attractive. Some merchants will tell you that a fine carriage or a piano will make an acceptable present for mother sister, wife or sweetheart, while others say a handbag, a comb or a brooch is the real present for the fem
 
 mine sex. For men, everything from a $500 diamond stud to a cheap scarf pin isAshown in the stores of Birmingham.
 At the Postoffce.
 The postoffiee Is prepared for the holi- day rush. Beginning today a clerk will be placed in the lobby for the purpose of weighing packages and selling stamps. There will be an extra clerk on duty to assist in the registration and sell stamps. The registration fee is cents in addition to the regular postage, and Postmaster Hughes urges the registration of oil let ters and packages containing money or | articles of value, as 1t insures loeiivery, the government being responsible for reg | istered mail matter.
 Four additional clerks will do duts in the registration department, making nine in all and the postmaster states that if necessary, others will be assigned to that department, which he considers the most l important connected with the postoffice.
 A letter or package that has been reg istered and with a special delivery stamp attached, insures It's prompt delivery upon arrival at the place of destination. II is suggested that all ehristmas presents be mailed immediately, as every branch of the postoffiee department in the Uni- ted States. especially in the large cities, will be overtaxed
 q anticipate that the Birmingham post office will do this Christmas the heaviest business that has been done in the his tory of the establishment of the office, , | said tho nosfrnaster sarbis of co11rsa Is brought about by the increas.d popua- ton of Birmingham and the district, and the general prosperity of the entire coun- 1 try"
 At the Express Office.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-12-20
MT. HefIin,s Position.

''He may be-" replied MT. Hefin. "He
 is a physician. And I am solicitor of the
 county. I care not who gets this con
 tract, as I want the county to get as
 much money for convicts as possible.
 We are just now learning what they are
 worth As matter of fact I understand
 there is a third party who will offer more
 than either the Pratt company or the Sloss company
 "Name him. name him." said MT. Percy.
 T don't know who the man is," re- piled MT. Hefin," but I am told there is such proposition ready All the speakers having concluded, the board adjourned until o'clock. On reconvening Catpain Crook of the board arose and said that h. was in favor of awarding the contract to the
 Tennessee company, as he felt that the board was morally bound to do so. A vote was thereupon taken upon the question of reopening the matter and allowing new bids. Captain Crook and MT. Reed voted against the proposition, MT. McGeever, MT. Dickey and MT. Co., ing voting in favor of 1t. The proposi- ton to reopen the matter was declared carried.
 It was decided to give the bidders until --~-~--------------------
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-12-20
Solicitor HefIin.

MT. Hehin, county solicitor, was the last speaker to address the board, and he urged the board to accept the highest bid and get as much money into the fine and forfeiture fund as possible. He told how witnesses had to come here to court and did not receive over ten cents on the dollar for their service certificate. He said that he had frequently issued attaehmets for witnesses who were un- able to come to court because they had not money with which to pay their ex- penses.
 Let me ask you question:" interrupt cd MT. Percy.
 Certainly" re piled MT. Heflin. What Is it?"
 "I do not mean to say that you are acting under any motives other than public ones," said MT. Percy. but you know I am an outspoken man.
 At this MT. Hefiin turned around and faced MT. Percy. waiting for him to con- tinue.
 "Is your brother surgeon for the Sloss- Sheffield company?'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-12-20

Surprise wife, daughter, sister, with a beautiful piano for Xmas. We will deliver same to suit purchaser. Jesse French Piano and Organ Ce.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-12-20

The suit of Thomas Poole against Mary F. Coughan and John F. Donahue was dismissed for want of prosecution in the second division of the city court yester- day The same disposition. for the same reason, was made of the suit of T. O. Stewart against w l.. Stewart.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-12-20

ss sD1ld sasa ssslusela sa3 szed7
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-12-20

(continued on Tenth -Page.)
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-12-20
Temperature. ita- H4s nHa t41-
FATHER o'RElLLY MONUMENT.

w. A. MITCHELL. ObserVer.
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1904-03-28
Difficulties In the Home.

1t Is not essential, of course, that a
woman should be culinary chef or a
distinguished expert In any department
Of the care of house, but that she
should know, and take pride and
pleasure in knowing, how to do every
kind Of domestic work well enough to
lend hand whenever necessary it is
only right to expect, says the Indianap-
oils Journal. Then she should reflect
that as she looks to her husband to
bear the brunt of the battle with the
outside world and bring her only the
fruits thereof, so she should be ready
to bear the brunt Of the difficulties in
the home and try to keep 1t during the
few hours of his active occupancy a
place Of peace and rest, which all day
long he will have in mind. as the storm
tossed sailor thinks of the smiling har
Dor toward which his ship is headed.
Let the husband continue as devoted as
ever, say we, but let the wife return
measure for measure, and we shall
hear less Of marital troubles among
the young.
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1904-03-28

each month. Visiting brothers cordi-
ally invited. C. R. Powell, Secretary.
Geo. B. moore, w. NJ.