davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-02-01
The Postoffice Clock.

When the faces on a tower clock dis agree what is a man to do?' asked a night watchman. When the postoffice timepiece was lighted up we of the owl brigade congratulated ourselves that a brighter future was in store. but our jublation was soon turned to woe. Glanc- ing upward at the north face one is startled to find that he has let about twenty minutes mysteriously slip away from him, and he hastens to keep an engagement that is already delayed. But if he happens to glance at the east face he will be consoled to find that his call culations were correct at first and that he is not late, but just on time In two words, one face is anywhere from 10 to 20 minutes ahead of the other. state of affairs that is destined to cause painful complications for residents, as well as amusement for strangers
 T suppose all the faces belong to the same clock. If not 1t is comparatively easy to explain the diversity of time registered. for we remember the old say ing that it Is impossible to make several clocks keep the same time. But If the dials all do duty for the same mechanism 1t is rather funny that they don't keep the same time"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-02-01
Direct Selection Possible.

Chairman Mallory of the state demo- cratic executive committee thus ex plains the resolution of the sub-com- mittee in relation to the appointment of various party committees:
 This provision for the election of exec utive committees for circuits divisions and districts by the delegates to the state convention from such subdivisions was not intended to interfere with the right to elect these committees by direct vote in the primary. It's purpose was to pro- vide convenient method in cases where such committees were not elected at the primary.
 "The present circuit division and dis trict executive committees have the un- doubted authority to order the election of the new committees by direct vote. but in event of omission to elect such com mittees, this provision of the sub-com- mittee authorizes the election of any such committee by the delegates to the state convention from the particular sub-divis- ion.''
 This is wholly satisfactory, and the promptness of the explanation is high ly so, for it will leave the various ex- ecutive committees named free to act as they deem best If they prefer di- rect selection by the people, they will so state in their calls for primaries if on the other hand they distrust the people, they will let the selection of succeeding committees go to Mont gomery where the politicians do the work to the queens taste.
 Chairman Mallory explains that the business is in the hands of the present executive committees, and those com mittees are to decide between the peo- pie and the politicians.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-02-01
A PETTY GRAB.
from the Boston Herald.

From the bOStOn ffeTaiu.
 Representative Underwood of Alabama has announced that he will make objec- ton to the payment of mileage to mem- bers of congress for the current regular session. His ground for this stand is that few, if any, members went home be- tween the special and the regular ses- sions and, therefore, the drawing of dou- ble mileage would not be legitimate. Ad- mittedly, this is a rather petty matter for the members of congress, but we believe that it has been the custom in the past to draw additional mileage whenever a special session has been held. It would be ridiculous to claim that the construc- tive recess which the administration arr gues existed between 12 o'clock noon, when the special session of congress came to an end. and l2 o'clock noon of the same day, when the regular session was called to order permitted of members going to and from their homes. Congressmen ob- tain a liberal mileage allowance, and the total for one session, according to MT. Underwood, amounts to $l45'000. Not a very large sum. in proportion to the total expenditures of Uncle Sam. and yet an amount we'll worth saving when 1t is possible to do so without in any way being unjust to the members This is probably one of those appropriations that, if it could be slipped through without attract ing any marked attention, would receive the support of the maojrity of those in congress But it is doubtful if many con- gressmen will care to defend such meas ure on the floor of the house, or to vote for 1t on an open roll call. Therefore, it may be expected that, If Mir. Underwood sticks to his decision to object to this item tn the urgent deficiency bill. he will be able to accomplish it's defeat. and thus save to the treasury almost $150,000 which would otherwise slip into the pockets of the members of congress as little extra compensation.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-02-01
Cost of the Panama Strip.

The cost of the ten-mile strip at Panama, including the scratching and digging that the French company has done there, is to be $50,000,00 Ac- customed as the country has become under trust rule to big figures, no one seems shocked by the proposed pay ment--no one seems to consider it too much to pay for strip forty-fiye miles long and ten miles wide. And yet 1t is two million dollars more than we maid for the Louisiana Purchase, for Florida, for Alaska and the Philip pines. We paid $15,O00,O0O for the em- pire that we bought from France; less than s6,000,000 for Florida; $7.200000 for Alaska, and $20,0O0,0O0 for the Philippines-a total of $47000 000. This sum purchased 1,6S7,00O square miles. doubling at least the size of the country. Now we are asked to pay $50, 0,OOo,ooo for strip ten miles wide across narrow isthmus.
 If. however, two-fifths of the work
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-02-01
IN HOTEL LoBBIES
New Postage Stamps.

Have you noticed the new postage stamps. series of 1902" asked business man. "The new design strikes me as be- ing something of an improvement over previous designs and is about the pret- tiest 2-cent stamp this country has ever issued. If you have observed the new stamp you probably noticed that it coat of-arms bearing the picture Of George Washington, the series, denomination in wreaths on each side of the engraving, and the usual border.
 This series must have been rather slow in reaching us. for I bought my first lot only week or two ago. Perhaps the local office was plentifully supplied with stamps of an older issue.
 Tt seems to be an extremely difficult matter to design a new postage stamp that is both artistic, neat and business like and the disturbance caused by the efforts of the government to get out new design last summer is easily remem- bered. Of all things stamps and money require very careful treatment Care must be taken to prevent offense to patriotlsm' good taste, or ideas of utility. This dlf- ficulty is evidenced by the fact that gem eral designs are very seldom changed
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-02-01
Wild Goose vs. Wild Turkey.

While some sportsmen may not agree with me l am convinced that a wild goose has keener intellect than wild turkey rod last night. You will readily see that this opens a wide field of discussion but I stand ready to defend my position at any time. If anybody feels a deep enough interest in the matter to have a practical demonstration I am ready to pick up my gun and go with him at any time
 ''It Is true that a turkey has a very keen eyesight and if one comes within seventy-five yards of you and sees you blink your eye he is gone like a shot In the goose case unless you are securely hidden behind a blind you couldn't get a wild goose to come within 300 yards of you in night or day. Before approaching a blind they will usually wait in the edge of the water for several hours and if the every goose within a half mile distance will immediately take to flight.
 Another reason why believe a goose Is the .wisest' is that you can call tur- key within shooting distance and you can walk under tree In which they are roosting at night. With goose it is diff ferent. In night time they are just as wary as in the day and it's is practically impossible to call one to you. The only way to kill a goose Is to hide in blind on some small island and wait there. some times for several hours, until the drove of geese come on shore to feed. One of the
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-02-01
Alkali Plains.

"We sometimes hear people complain- ing about the dust encountered while riding on passenger trains in this part of the connIry during summer time but they would never raise another com- plaint about dust here if they once en- countered the alkali plains of the west, where for hours and hours the trains whirl through a sthing cloud that pene- trates the coaches in spite of every pre- caution and nearly stifles the occupants, :" remarked a travelling man. "The fine, penetrating dust is far more disagreea- ble than ordinary dust or sand, on ac- count of its astringent qualities, and it Is impossible to escape getting the sys- tenn we'll permeated.
 While following the more southerly routes in the west one has to endure sand, and this is not much better than alkali dust On the long run over the Southern Pacific from Fl Paso to Los Angeles a desert waste of sand is tra- versed for many hours. and when the weary traveller finally rolls into the beau- tiful City of Angels with it's flowers and bearing orange trees his first thought is to get the grit out of his eyes, nose and mouth.
 "On some of the western roads the ex- pertinent of sprinklng the track with crude oil has been successfully tried, but although this keeps down dust very eff fectually, it entails some expense and trouble on the part of the railroads Probably for this reason 1t has never been widely introduced"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-02-01
HE ONLY DAILY NEWSPAPER IN ALABAMA
He Is a knight, dubbed with unhack- ed rapier, and on carpet consideration.
 Twelfth Night.
Defeat of the Mileage Grab.

The back salary grab of 1873 went through, but, owing largely to Repre- sentative Underwood's opposition, the mileage grab of 1904 was cut out of the urgent deficiency bill, and is as dead as a doornail. MT. Underwood's raid against it saved to the txpayers $145 ,000, no inconsiderable item even in these days of millions. In the final vote, when tellers were demanded, all voted against the grab, and MT Un- derwood's victory was complete, des- pite a favorable report from the re- publicans of the appropriations com mittee. If our own representative had not vigorously assaulted the proposi- tion it would undoubtedly have been voted through.
 Mr. Underwood began his attack upon the mileage item when 1t came up before the appropriations commit tee. He was voted down there. He next attacked it when the urgent de- ficiency bill was considered in commit tee of the whole. All the time of the opposition was given to MT. Under wood, and for sixty minutes he poured a merciless round of shots into the infinitesimal or constructive recess,
 
 citing precedents in the history of the government, and tearing away the ground from under the President and his supporters in congress. He was frequently interrupted, but when he got through all knew precedent stood solid against the proposed mileage grab.
 On Saturday the bill was reported back to the house, and MT. Underwood at once moved to strike out the mile age item, fortifying his motion with points against constructive recess that the administration supporters could not satisfactorily meet MT. Un- derwood's motion was unanimously yet about forty republicans remained in their seats and did not vote. The house was full of members, and the debate was exciting throughout.
 Much more than $l45,000 was in volved in MT. Underwood's motion. Its adoption by the house means that the house says there was no constructive recess between the hour of noon when the special session ended, and the hour of noon on the same day when the regular session was begun-that the one was merged without recess into the other. The house in other words voted that the recess promotion of General Wood and Collector Crum were illegal, because there was no re- cess in which they could have been appointed Between the saving of s145,000 and the committal of the house against a constructive recess MT. Underwood won signal victory, and Ae was warmly congratulated on the floor of the house because of his raid against the grab, and particularly because of his statement that he would not, if the item were voted through, accept from the treasury a dollar of the money Every other Alabama member supported him in his contention.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-02-01

I steamer. When that day arrives distance will indeed be annihilated and it is safe to predict that the passenger traffic busi- ness will decrease. The long distance tel ephone has already wrought great changes and the only thing now to be desired is some way by which loved faces may be viewed by wire But it is hardly probable that osculation by wire will ever be suc- eessfully introduced and the young man will never be convinced that a long dis tanee eourtshlp is as satisfactory as love- making at close quarters.
 William o'Brien, whose professional name was William Webb, the oldest art ists' model in New York, was found dead in his bed few days ago o'Brien was strange character and no one ever knew snything about his private affairs. He came and went as a striking figure, mind ing his own business strictly and having little to do with his few aequaintances. Although in his eightieth year O'Brien carried himself erect and was remarkably well preserved He took good care of his health and there was hardly wrinkle on his smooth, handsome face. O'Brien was six feet two inches in his stocking feet. His commanding figure and patriarchal beard made him much in demand at the studios and at the time of his death he was actively engaged in posing for artists
 New York artists models are a strange class of people who are removed from the world about them. Although many suffer hardships and some times the pangs of hunger, they seem to live in an atmosphere of unreality and romance, strangely at odds with everyday life. They don't seem to be very happy peo- pie unless they are ehorous girls out of an engagement and they certainly have little to look forward to in life. As a rule they are paid just enough to live in comparative comfort and that is all they can ever expect It may be the result of reportorial ina gination or the halo of unreality and romance which surrounds them, but the majority of artists models seem to be persons with a history who are wrecked on the shoals of time.
 New York continues to slip, slide, and make remarks that are not good form in 
 den' as a fall on the ice.
 The "coffee line is now a feature of metropolitan life. Everyday lone line of unfortunates accept charity to which they are driven by poverty and freezing weather A pretty story is told of a man who was given a suit of clothes. The garments were almost new and could easily have been sold at a secondhand store, but because they were too small for him, he brought them back, saying that he wanted some other unfortunate to have the suit.
 It is a pitiable array of humanitys wrecks which can be viewed in the cof- fee line, and often there are men well dressed, who look strangely out of place in the misery which surrounds them. New York may have her faults and vices but if it were not for her abundant char ity thousands of poor people would meet a wretched death every year. PC
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-02-01
A anne.

"It has been said that Anthony Hope has the ugllest name in literature,' said a librarian yesterday who was discuss ing books land yet most people think his name exceedingly attractive. The point is that he never uses his full name, for the simple reason that it Is ludicrously homely and harsh sounding for a man to bear who writes such charming TO- mances. When Anthony Hope Hawkins first began to blossom out in literature ne had no intention of dropping his surname, but on the advice of friend decided that Anthony Hope would look better on his books than "A. II. Hawkins, or Anthony Hope Hawkins.
 There Is something in name after all, and it offends all our aestheticism to learn that a man who writes lifting verses Is named Scruggs or that our favorite novelist has a name more befittng costermonger than weaver of romances. We have a notion that poets authors and musicians should all have romantic names that chime harmoniously with their cali- ings. For instance, they should all be blessed with such pleasing patronymics as those of Bliss Carmen, Carmen Sylva and several other fortunate worshppers of the muses who were not compelled to adopt a pseudonym in order 10 escape the penalties of being inappropi named.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-02-01
PEOPLE TALKED ABOUT

c. F. Watts, R. A., has finished his statue of Tennyson, which will be erect ed in the city of Lincoln. The figure is 1C feet high and represents the poet in a characteristic attitude with a hound by his side.
 Prof. John K. Payne head of the musi- cal department at Harvard, is now en- gagged in composing the music for the Worlds fair hymn, which will be sung at the opening of the exposition next May. The words were written by Edmund Clarence Stedman.
 Mrs. Mary Tredway, who was friend and companion of Queen Victoria, is dead at her home in Chester, N. J. Mrs. Tredway was 94 years old and her father was royal physician to the family of George ". and to Victoria after her ac- cession to the throne.
 There is now some question as to wheth- CT the manuscript of Byron's "Corsair, ' recently purchased by J. Pierpont Nor gan, is the original. John Murray, pub fisher whose grandfather was Byron s publisher. says that he possesses the ori- ginal manuscript of "Corsalr," which is entirely in the poets handwriting. Byron sometimes made rough drafts of his poems and 1t may be one of these that was sold to MT. Morgan.
 Speaker Cannon has furnished newspa- per men with some good stories since he has been in public life. One of the latest illustrates the speakers absentmindness in a striking manner. MT. Cannon, seated himself in a chair at his barber shop the other day. To his surprise the ''ton- sorial artist" asked him if he had not bet ter take off his collar. Mir. Cannon was certain that he had taken off his collar and hung it on a peg. but to satisfy him. self he looked over at the rack and sure enough, there was his linen just where he had put 1t. But there was the collar around his neck to be accounted for and the speaker finally came to the conclusion that he had performed the remarkable feat of putting on two collars and nc cravat
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-02-01
REFLECTIONS OF A BACHELOR

From the New York Press
 Mostly always you can get a girls mother to like you if you can't get the girl to.
 It is better to have laughed and had the laugh turned on you than never to have laughed at all.
 When a man goes away on business trip his wife has an idea something dread ful will happen to him unless she puts her photograph in his travelling bag.
 One of the hardest things for a man to do when he has come home late from the club and tried to go to bed without taking off his collar is to explain to his wife he heard 1t was good cure for sore throat
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-02-01

geese always stands guard with his head high in the air while the others feed. At the slightest rustic of the bushes this leader gives the alarm and the drove is gone. Sometimes they do not return for a week or more.'
 MT. Odom is eager to hear discussion of the turkey side of the question by some well informed hunter and he will then be ready to continue his argument Several interesting articles are exepected. on this all important question.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-02-01
COMMENTS ON MEN AND
 MATTERS OF THE WORLD

MA IKE the Confederate veteran and ES the old time darkey the gentle
 - man of the old school" is rapidly disappearing. The ranks Of ante-bellum cavaliers are sadly depleted now and be- fore many more years they will live only In memory or on the printed pages of southern novels At frequent intervals the newspapers chronicle the death of one of these picturesque characters, whose best recommendation to the esteem of his friends was that he was a gentleman of the old school. The new south has pro- duced a few such men but they are some what different from their predecessors and their chivalry has a different flavor. ting ed with commercialism and expediency Although the modern business man, with his suave and polished air, his cool, call culating mind, and his energetic resolu- ton is more progressive than the old knights and is also a better business man, one cannot but have a sort of reverence for the old fellows who danced attendance upon our grandmothers and devoted a large part of their time to their hospital ity.
 Perhaps 1t is the best that gentlemen of the old school give place to those of the modern school. for they are out of place now. Their courtlly manners and elabo- rate airs are merely smiled at by the new generation, which forgets in it's presump- ton that the objects of their amusement are the southland's best and most typical representatives. The south of today is different land from the south of sixty years ago. It has advanced. historians tell us, and has become distinctly modern ized so that the man who was noble type in that day is mere relic today. And yet 1t would be good for the south If many of the old time courtly fashions could be retained 1t is a treat to hear war veterans discussing events prior to and during the great struggle, and while most of them are too stiff to salaam as of yore their tongues are still suave and they never fail to conclude with some tribute to "the ladies'
 Wall streets hoary bulls and bears have welcomed another business cub into their ranks He is young Freddy" Alexander who has just issued from the academic halls of Princeton to enter the world of finance It will be noticed that he is "cub" and not a lamb" for which the youthful operator should feel grateful.
 The Pilgrim dinners given simultan- eously on both sides of the Atlantic fur ish a striking example of what modern science can accomplish While the guests In London were seated about the board a similar gathering assembled in New York and by means of the Commercial cable uninterrupted intercourse was kept up for one hour. Mutual good wishes and congratulations were exchanged with a heartiness which several thousand miles of salt water could not diminish and all though it was impossible te shake hands across the pond the Pilgrims came so near it as to almost take ones breath away What is coming next? If the pre- sent rate of advancement is kept up we may soon be able to see and converse with our friends at a distance without making long trips on railway train or
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-02-01

Before his suicide Whitaker Wright made a very contemptuous remark about English justice" which is appreciated in this country by many manipulators who remain at large.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-02-01

New Yorlk's subway is to be opened to ordinary people by the first day of July. when miliionaires will have to fall into line with the rest
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-02-01

Circus parades have been abolished, a gentlemen's agreement having been made by the various companies to that effect.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-02-01

J. Adam Bede is the latest humorist of the house. His popularity is certain for
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-02-01

Mr. Cleveland is in favor of giving Mr. Bryan all tie rope he wants with the evident knowledge that the Nebras- kan will eventually tangle himself up and get a hard fall
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-02-01

The steamer Alert is now plying the Warrior river from Tuscaloosa to Mo bile.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-02-01

T. A Hightower was instantly killed and Milt Asabrook fatally wounded in a shooting affray which took place be- tween the two men at Double Springs, in C1eburne county.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-02-01

Definite plans have been projected for securing the location in Montgomery of the Alabama Presbyterian college for men.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-02-01

King Peter's head continues to main tain connection with his shoulders. in spite of rumors of impending trouble.