davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-12-07
COINS ARE THROWN
 AMONG PANAMANS
Supplemental Agreement is
 Signed Up by Taft
FREE BEER IS DIS TRlBU1ED
Secretary of War Makes Speech in Which He AaES,lts He Made a Mistake In Putting Ding
 ley Tariff in Force.

Panama, December GA supplemental agreement signed this morning between War Secretary Taft and President Am ador and Foreign Minister Gardia, pro- vides that after December 12. no cargoes can be landed at the canal ports, except on presenting Panamanian consular cer- tiicates.
 A popular demonstration In the public square, in celebration of the ratification of the agreement, was carried out last night. Secretary Taft made speech during which he congratulated the peo- pie in selecting the distinguished physi- elan, Dr. Amador for president, and a leading New York jurist as vice president thus indicating the desire of the people that the civil authorities should be su- perior to the military and that the army should be only an instrument for the sup port of the civil government. The secre- tary criticized the order which he said he had issued. that putting in force the Dingley tariff between the canal zone and the isthmus as being a mistake The friction between the two governments undoubtedly was caused by that order It was fair to say that the order was made against the recommendation of Governor Davis. He felt sure that the agreement would satisfy every impartial person that the United States had no de- sire to acquire property in the isthmus except that necessary to build, maintain and protect the canal. Pablo Arosemena, the liberal leader expressed satisfaction with the agreement. and added that 1t was gratifying to the administration.
 Fireworks. music and distribution of free beer followed during which coins were thrown into the crowds from the balconies
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-12-07
Political Influence Will Not Do
 in the Navy
StC'Y MORTON ISSUES LETTER.
Department VIII Be Governed In Ap- polntments Entirely by Recom- mendatlons of Rear Ad-
 mral Converse.

Washington. December 6.-Merit and non-poltical influence of official prestige should alone determine assignments to duties in the navy. Is the opinion of Sec retary Morton. The secretary today ad- dressed a note to Superintendent Brown son of the naval academy and in 1t made emphatic disapproval of the efforts to influence the department in the assign ment of midshpmen from the class soon to be graduated to certain ships. The let ter reads
 ''The department has been approached in various ways directly and indirectly by influences seeking to control the as- signment of midshipmen singly or in groups from the classes to be graduated from the naval academy to certain ships which they or their friends have been pleased to specify. The department does not hesitate to express it's disapproval Of the spirit thus raised before even the be- ginning of an active capacity In the ser vice which seeks to secure duty in ac- cordance with the individual preferences. rather than the good of the service, as lu' terpreted by the departments order
 .rhe department is of the opinion that the young gentlemen referred to are not fully aware of the gravity of the at tack made by such requests upon the principle involved--that the individual ex- ists for the good of the service. ana not the service for the ndividual-and they should be warned that the depart ment will regard with disfavor the bringing of any influence official, politi- cal or social, seeking to control or divert in their behalf its order to duty. The secretary has repeatedly refused 1 to intervene in the regular assignment 1 of officers by Rear Admiral Converse. chief of the bureau of navigation. and this. he declares. will continue to be his policy. The department has the full Support of the President in its position
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-12-07
NAN PATTERSON Is
 YET VERY HOPEFUL
As Seventh Juror Is Chosen She Tells Her Father She VIII Be
 Home for Christmas.

New York, December C-Within the last half hour before adjournment today the sixth and seventh jurors for the trial of Nan Patterson. on the charge of mur- dering Caesar Young. took their places in the jury box in the criminal branch of the supreme court before Justice Yer non M. Davis.
 Six of the seven men chosen are well past middle age. Up to the last half the trial had proceeded slowly, only two of them being accepted
 Miss Patterson expressed herself as greatly pleased when the seventh juror took his seat, and turning to her father. said:
 Pop. I'll be horne with you for Christ mas. sure.' erence to the statement made by Mr. Beckwith in Oberlln late last night.
 Were you ever in Oberlin. Ohio?" was asked
 ''Yes.r answered MT Powers
 Were you there with Mrs. Chadwick"
 Yes"
 Do you know MT Beckwith?''
 "Yes, I know all Of these people"
 Are you the New York lawyer referred to in this statement?"
 NO"
 ''Did you ever see the note for $500, ,OO0 said to be signed Andrew Carnegie?
 ''I decline to answer"
 Have you seen MT. Reynolds?"
 No; but I expect to see him today. I still believe and know Mrs Chadwick to be an honest woman. All of her bills will be paid in full"
 Has she a million dollars?"
 'Yes; and more than million"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-12-07
CENSUS REPORTS
 DO MUCH DAMAGE
Charleston Cotton Exchange Petitions for Return to Former Method
 of Issuing Bulletins.

Charleston, S. C., December 6.-The Charleston cotton exchange today adopt ed the following resolution, and sent a copy to the chief statistician for the manufacturers census bureau
 Resolved. That it is the sense of this exchange that the methods adopted this year by the census bureau in issuing the report of cotton ginned in install- ment, instead of in sum total. as done by said bureau in previous years, has been a serious detriment to the cotton trade this season, unsettling the market values of spot cotton, and creating err roneous impressions as to the final out come of the cotton ginned. And it is fur ther,
 Resolved, That the chief statistician of the census bureau be respectfully asked and requested to issue all future reports of the cotton ginned in a monthly form in its entirety, as was his man. ner of doing same in the previous season.
 "THADDEUS STREET,
 Secretary Board of Directors"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-12-07
THE SENATE.

The senate was in session for more than two hours today, and in addition to lis tening to the reading of the President s message, received a preliminary report from the merchant marine commission witnessed the induction of Senators Knox and Crane Into officeA and in executive session referred the presidential nomina- tions to the proper committees. The ses- sion was characterized by a continuation of yesterdays greetings among the sena- tors.
 The reading of the commissions of the two new senators attracted more atten- tion than usual in such cases on account of their prominence, and senators gen. orally did not fall to note the peculiar wording of Governor Pennypacker's com munication, wherein he conferred the office of senator upon Mir. Knox, empow- ering him to hold it with all it's emolu- ments and privileges until the next meet ing of the legislature of the state If he shall so long behave himself well.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-12-07
VESSELS PREPARE
 ID MOVE OUTSIDE
Fire from 203 Metre Hill is
 Too Warm
RUSSIANS iARt CoNFlDEN I
Believe That laps Will Be Unable to Hold Hill Because of Fire from Antz and
 Etz Forts.

St. Petersburg, December 7.-(2:25 a. m.)-Although the war office and the ad- miralty are still without direct news from Port Arthur, confidence in the abil- ity of the fortress to hold out continues to be expressed.
 The reports from Tokio of the smelling of the battleships, and of heavy losses by the Russians in an ineffective att tempt to recapture 203 Metre hill, are considered misleading. According to a high officer of the general staff, the warships would be able to seek shelter from the fire of 203 Metre hill by an- choring behind the Tigers Tall penin- sua. Reports that the Russians arc clearing the mine fields outside the har- bor are regarded as the best indication that the squadron is preparing to move out to this anchorage, where 1t will be secure under the protection of the shore batteries.
 An artillery officer who knows Port Arthur thoroughly, expresses the belief that the Japanese will be unable to hold the summit of 20S Metre hill on account of the fire of the Antz and Etz forts. which are less than two miles distant
 This officer declares that it will be impossible for the Japanese to mount guns at the top of 2J3 Meter hill, until the ammunition of the Antz and Etz forts are exhausted.
 The Tokio estimate that the Russians lost 5000 men In the attempt to recapture 203 Meter hill, Is declared to be absurd, and 1t is pointed out that such loss would imply the virtual crippling of the resistence, yet the reports from Tokio admit that General Stoessel continues to make counter attacks
 Emperor Nicholas will start on Decem- Der IA on a ten days trip to Minsk. the Caucasus, and the Don, to bid farewell to troops ordered to the far east.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-12-07
PRESBYTERY VOTES
 AGAINST THE UNION
pr. Steele of Birmingham Loses Fight in Which He Was Leader
 at Montgomery.

Montgomery. December 6.-(Special J. The Cumberland Presbyterian presby- tery voted against union with the north ern Presbyterian church today. The vote was thirteen to fifteen.
 The fight for union was led by D-. I. D. Steele of Birmingham and against by Rev. w. M. Crawford of Montgomery Commissioners to the general assembly at Fresno, California, next May were elected as follows: Rev. w. M. Crawford Montgomery; Rev. w. T. Swain Selma; W M. Cosby, Birmingham; W. H. Duke. Refuge
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-12-07
THOUSANDS ATTEND
 GILBERT FUNERAL
Floral Offerings Sent by Every Com pany Playing in New
 York City.

New York, December G-Three thou- sand persons including many of the best known members of the theatrical pro- fession, attended the funeral of Mrs. George Henry Gilbert. the actress, in the Bloomingsale Reformed church to- day. Hundreds were unable to secure ad- mittance to the church. The Rev. William C. Stimson delivered a brief eulosy.
 Nearly every theatrical company play ing in this city and many elsewhere sent flowers One big standard of flowers from Mrs. Glberts company bore the name Of her last character. Granny. The hon orary pallbearers were Francis Wilson Clyde Fitch John Drew, Nat Goodwin, George Gould. Sir Charles Wyndham A. NJ Palmer, Daniel Frohman, Former Jus tice J. r. Daly, Frank F. Aiken, Dalrd Pisham and James Van Amringe. The in- terment was in Greenwood
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-12-07
Tariff Was Ignored.

Politicians are wondering why the President struck out of his message to congress a. sentence in the advance copies in which he stated that he would later communicate with congress on the tariff subject
 The tariff is ignored in the message. 1t is understood that the President reach ed the conclusion that he would not discuss the tariff until he ascertained tne views of the republican leaders on the subject thus postponing his recommends lions until the beginning of the session At which it is proposed to revise. He therefore conclude to make no reference to a future message.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-12-07
HOTEL BUSINESS EXEMPT.
Court Decides It Does Not Come un-
 der Bankruptcy Law.

Cincinnati, O., December 6.-The provisions of the national bankruptcy law do not apply to the hotel business, according to a decision filed here to- day in the United States court of appeals.
 The case Is brought by N. J. Nyles and others to declare the United States Hotel company of Cleveland bankrupt, and the lower court held that the bankruptcy law applied, but tho court of appeals holds that the hotel business is not one which comes under the federal law, and the deci- sion of the lower court is reversed
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-12-07
Alabama at Departments.

Washington, December 6.-(Spe- cial. .)-Jesse o. Talleson appointed regular, Silas E. Tolleson substitute rural carrier for route No. at lief lin.
 Patents issued: William A. Bryant and E. c. Fain, Wetumpka, disk cul- tivator; Charles E. Dittrich, Birming- ham, grate attachment; Daniel W. Troy, Montgomery, apparatus for wireless transmitting electrical en- ergy.
 Application by l.. E. Burford, J. H. Hodges, J. R. Afford, J. J. Hughes and l.. M. Bashinsky to organize the First National bank of Hartford, with $30,- 900 capital, approved. by the comp troller of the currency.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-12-07
VIII Introduce Bill to Reduce
 Representation
THINKS II OUGHT 10 PASS
Little Was Done In Senate and House Yesterday Other Than to Hear Reading of the PresI-
 dent's Message.

Washington, December 6-(SpeciaL)- Senator Platt of New York, announced this morning that he would tomorrow introduce a bill cutting down the elec- toral votes of certain states. This is the first suggestion of Crumpackerizing which has bobbed up in the senate since the Lodge force bill was before the body It is therefore important as indicating that the republicans of the upper branch of congress are becoming imbued with the spirit of many members in the house in the matter of the reduction of the souths electoral vote.
 Senator Platt says his bill will be aimed at all states which have restricted the franch.-a, that it is not aimed at the south in particular. It is well known. however. that were Massachusetts to lose one or two members by such legislation the south would lose sixteen, the figure said to be agreed upon by the Platt bill.
 It may be mere coincidence, but short ly before it was learned that Senator Platt had joined the ranks of the Daiters of the south, the senator was in confer SilSS Wiln lHO Ac6tO OiShOPSt 1DiShOP Derrick of New York, and Bishop Scott of Washington, who were accompanied by the minister from San Domingo. They remained with the seator for some time.
 Senator Platt said he did not care to discuss his proposed measure in ad- vance of it's introduction.
 Says 1t Ought to Pass.
 T wlll,p said he. introduce this bill tomorrow and may give with it a state ment explaining it's scope. The bill cer- tainly ought to pass" It Is understood that Senator Platt introduced his bill largely through the initiative of the New York republican club, which has on sev- eral occasions bitterly protested against the elimination of illiterates in the south and once went so far as to draw up bill which 1t is presumed is very much on the order of Senator Platt's measure.
 There was a good deal of surprise mani- fested in the senate over the proposed action of the New York senator. He has never taken prominent part of legisla ton coming before the body, spending nearly all of his time in the distribution of patronage. Since the triumph of Odell in New York even this senatorial per quiste has been greatly curtailed, and Senator Platt is very much on the out side of the breastworks Odell has wrest- ed from him the state machine and will send Black to the senate to succeed Depew. Platt himself cannot be re-elect- ed unless Odell says so The senator Is therefore In a rather uncomfortable posi- tion and working on the idea that misery loves company doubtlessly wants to put the south in the worst straits possible.
 Representative Crumpacker, the leader of the reduction movement in the house. saw the President today, but declined to discuss the results of his visits.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-12-07
Hard to Reconcile.

The President today sent to the senate the nomination of the negro w. D. Crum for the Charleston, S. C., eollectorship. The nomination will probably be con firmed at an early date, the democratic senators seeing the futility of continued. protests against it.
 The democratic senators say it is very hard to reconcile this appointment with the following extract from the Presidents recent letter to Col. John s. Mosby: T am half a southerner myself, and I can say with all possible sincerity that the interests of the south are exactly as dear to me as the interests of the north"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-12-07
Bank Cashier Is Short.

Macon, Ga., December 6.-Marion w. Potter, a young man who is cash fer of banks at Davisboro, Glenwood and Helena, Ga, has mysteriously dis appeared, and his books, which have been checked up by an expert, show a shortage of something like s15,00O. It is said that the amount may exceed s20, ,000 upon further examination.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-12-07
Warner Is Candidate for Senate.

Kansas City, Mo, December 6.-Maj. William Warner of this city and United States district attorney for Western Mis- souri, in despatch from Washington to- day, announced his candidacy for the off, flee of United States senator to succeed Senator F. M. Cockrell Major Warner 2 friends here will begin active work at once to advance his candidacy A public meeting will open his campaign.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-12-07
Hopeful for Settlement.

Strenuous efforts on the part of all concerned are being made to settle the case. 1his was made immediately after the arrival of Messrs Frank Lyons, re- ceiver of the Citizens National bank of Oberlin, Judge F. F. Oldham representing the comptroller of the currency, MT. Squire, who represents Iri Reynolds of the Wade Park banking company and Di- rector Whitney of the defunct Citizens bank.
 Throughout the day many conferences were held, but these came to an end when Judge Oldham went to Washing ton late In the day.
 The representatives of the various in- terests appeared hopeful of a settlement tonight, though no one would give any fnkling of how this would be accomplished
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-12-07
Attempt on Kuropatkin's Life.

St Petersburg. December GA very curious dispatch has been received from a. correspondent at General Kuropatkin's beadouarters about the arrest of China man who was found in possession Of 300 feet of fuse used In detonating high ex- plosives. The telegram speaks of the ne- cessity of providing a larger body guard for General Kuropatkin. The wording of the dispatch generally leads to the infer ence that an attempt made upon the commander-in-ch chiefs life has been foied. No confirmation of the report is obtain able here.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-12-07
cnntractor Is Bankrupt.

Richmond, Va, December 6.-J. Clement Shafer, contractor for the government river and harbor work in the James river here, today filed a voluntary petition in bankruptcy in the United States districr court The liabilities are given as $S5,344 and the assets $360.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-12-07
RattleshIp Is Disabled.

Tokio December 7-G1 a. m..)-As a result of the continuous bombardment by the Japanese, of Port Arthur. the be- seigers, by using 203 Meter hill as an observation point, has discovered that one of the Russian battleships in the harbor has a heavy list. Owing to the fog the vessel Is not clearly discernible, but it could be seen that the damaged warship was battleship.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-12-07
THE HOUSE.

After listening to the reading of the Presidents annual message to congress the house adjourned until tomorrow.
 During the first ten minutes of the session two minor routine matters were disposed of, but no other business was transacted.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-12-07
No Prospect of Big Battle.

Mukden, December 6-Everything now indicates that the prospect of an fmme- diate encounter on 8 large scale has passed During the fight below Tsinkhet- chen, the Russian loss was twenty-five killed and thirteen wounded, including two officers. Seventeen Japanese pris- oners were taken, one of whom commit ted suicide
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-12-07
King Peter Rules Wisely.

'T was impresseu most favorably with King Peter. He is ruling Servia wisely. In fact whilst he has not turned out the regicides, he has not advanced them in rank This is considered the best policy because it at least prevents them hatch ing further plots against the Servian dynasty. However I am positive King Peter will retire the regicides as soon as he is certain of the support of other strong parties"
 MT Stead says that Colonel Machin and others of the regicides are physical wrecks from remorse, and that they do not associate with other military officers or civil officials.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-12-07
Russian Admiralty Eager to
 Send t to Orient
WOULD VIOLATE THE TREATY
Dispatch from Mukden Indicates That an Attempt Has Been Made on the Life of General
 kuropatkln. 3 q

St Petersburg, December 6.-The ag1- tation raised in the newspapers on the question of sending the Black sea fleet through the Dardenelles to join Admiral Rojestvensky's squadron has been in spired by a faction of the admiralty which is anxious to see the second Pa ciic squadron reinforced to point which will insure victory, but there is not yet the slightest evidence that Russia is se- riously considering such step. The sub-s ject is a popular one in Russia, where there has always existed much irrita- tion against the manner in which the Black sea fleet is bottled up, but Rus sian diplomats recognize the difficulties surrounding the vexed question of the Dardanelles, and the Associated Press is assured that the present, discussion is without significance.
 The present treaties covering the Dar- danelles, 1t Is pointed out, do not provide for their denunciation. The only regular way to obtain their modification or ab- rogation, would be by a congress of the powers signatory to the treaties, similar to that of London in 1871, which legalized the maintenance by Russia of a fleet in the Black sea. The other alternative is for Russia to simply announce her re- fusal to be any longer bound by the treaties. in which event the powers would be compelled to adopt measures which might seem proper. Although egress from the Black sea might prejudice the posi- tion of the Mediterranean powers, 1t is not believed that any of them except Great Britain, would act with the view to continuing what Russia has always contended to be an unnatural situation.
 Great Britaln's Attitude.
 lGreat Britain, however, would base her action upon the theory that the Japanese alliance compeled her to prevent the abrogation Of treaties which insure ad- vantage to the enemy of her ally. In this connection, a despatch to the Novoe Vremya. from London revfves the story of the existence of secret clauses in the Japanese-British alliance one of which, the correspondent claims binds Great Britain to keep the Black sea locked up, in return for which Japan agrees not to send Japanese ships to European wa ters. The Novoe Vremya's argument that ic Is only necessary for Russia to arrange with Turkey in order to liberate the Black sea fleet, is pronounced by the foreign office to be absurd, 1t being pointed out, that if true. Great Britain or any other power could negotiate with Turkey for the ingress of the fleets with out the consent of other signatories
 Instead of sending the Black sea fleet to join Admiral Rojestvensky' squadron some of the papers urge the immediate preparation and dispatch of another di- vision of the second Pacific squadron.
 That Great Britain does not consider the present agitation serious, is shown by the fact that Ambassador Hardinge has not even made unofficial inquiries on the subject atglhe foreign office.