davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Valentine Democrat. (Valentine, Neb.) 1900-1930, 1904-12-01

reports that conditions are good, and
that he will be able to hold out for
months to come. Rumors, neverthe-
less. persist that he has Informed the
Gar that unless he can be supplied
with food and ammunition the end of
his power Of resistance will soon
come The general has himself been
wounded in the head. but not seriously
enough to prevent his continuing to
exercise the command.
Artillery duels along the Shakhe
River seem to be increasing in sever
fly. The Russians attacked Oku on
the west of the line early in the week,
and later Kuroki made an attack on
the east. Neither attack was on
large scale. Winter weather mas now
set in, introducing entirely new condi-
tons for fighting
4 Shanghai correspondent says q
steamer which has arrived from Che
foo reports that three other Russian
torpedo boat destroyers left Port
Arthur with the RastorOpny, which
was sunk by its commander in Chefoo
harbor The Japanese caught two OF
them, but the other escaped and has
not been heard from Since.
An official report received at Toxic
states that as a result Of the success
of the japanese in blowing up Song
ehushan fort the occupation OF the
"outer embankment' Of Port Arthur
became complete.
Another official report says that
shell from a Japanese naval gun eX-
ploded a powder magazine on Satur-
day, near the arsenal at Port Arthur.
The words "out.r embankment' in
the first official report are believed
here to mean that the Japanese at last
have succeeded in capturing the hahn
of forts constituting the fortified
eastern ridge" including the forts on
Songshushan, Erlung and keekwan
mountains.
It is declared at st. Petersburg that
there is every Indication that Field
Marshal Oyama is gradually develop
inc big movement with the object Of
occupying Mukden.
Dysentery and typhoid fever have
appeared at the fortress, and the
deaths from these diseases average
ten daily. 1t is stated also that the
dissatisfaction among Gen. Stoessefs
gubordinates is increasing.
Short News Notes.
Gov. Odell Of New York, according to
she New York Times. has been offered
the presidency of the Pacific Mail Steam
ship Company and Will accept after re-
firing from Office as Governor.
At the Russian embassy in Rome the
belief is expressed that the Russian sec
ond Pacific squadron will 60 from Suez
direct to Jibutil. as Massowa and Assab,
the ports of Erythrea, lack provisions,
coal and dockyards; but, if necessary for
urgent reasons. there is nothing to pre-
vent them from landing there If they re-
snec, ItaIiap and neutrality laws.
Valentine Democrat. (Valentine, Neb.) 1900-1930, 1904-12-01

John Hay, who will continue in the
cabinet as Secretary of State, was born
at Salem, Ind, Oct. 8, 1888, was gradu-
ated from Brown University in 1853, and
later was admitted to the Illinois bar.
Mr.. Hay served as one of the private
secretaries of President Lincoln. He
also was a colonel of volunteers and as
sistant adjutant general. He has been
secretary of legation at Paris, Madrid
and Vienna, and in 1878 was ambas-
sador to England previous to which time
he held the office of first assistant Sec
rotary of State. He has been Secretary
Of State of the United States since 1898.
Valentine Democrat. (Valentine, Neb.) 1900-1930, 1904-12-01
Seventy-five Years Ago.

General Bolivars attempt to estab
lish monarchy and place a crown on
his own head was frustrated by the
VeneZuelanS.
Prince Leopold, of Sake Coburg, was
chosen for the throne of Greece.
Adrianople was evacuated by the
Russians.
\ prize of $3.50 was awarded an
American by the Paris Industrial So
ciety for the invention of machine
to remove fur from skins.
\ grand ball was given by the
French ambassador ut COnstantinOple,
all of the Sultan's court and repre-
sentativeS of foreign powers being
present.
The city of Camden, S. c., was al
most entirely destroyed by fire.
Valentine Democrat. (Valentine, Neb.) 1900-1930, 1904-12-01
Fifty Years AGO.

Mr. .SOule. American minister to
Spain, left Bordeaux for Madrid
Thirty-fve ships belonging to Ed
ward Oliver, Of Liverpool, were sold at
auction.
The fire of the allies on SevastOpOl
was almost entirely suspended.
Domingo Elias gave battle to the
Peruvian general, Moran. OF Elias
100 troops, 100 were either killed
or wounded.
General Espartero offered his resig-
nation, with that of his ministry, to
the Queen of Spain, but she refused
TO accept it.
Advices from Constantinople an
nOunced an entire change of ministry
in Turkey.
Valentine Democrat. (Valentine, Neb.) 1900-1930, 1904-12-01

Taft will be appointed by the President
to the vacancy on the Supreme bench
Chief Justice Fuller will be - years old
on Feb. II, 1905, and will then be en-
titled to retire from the bench and enjoy
a salary of $4,000 year as long as he
lives. No chief justice Of the Supreme
Court has ever resigned. All have died
on the bench Chief Justice Fuller has
administered the oath of office to four
Presidents, Harrison, Cleveland and Nc
kinley twice. lie was appointed April
80, 1883.
Valentine Democrat. (Valentine, Neb.) 1900-1930, 1904-12-01
Twenty Years AGO.

At the third plenuary council at Bal
timore Bishop O'Farrell, of Trenton.
n. j., denounced divorce as worse than
MormOnsm.
There was much feeling in Washing
ton, D. c., over the pardon of Flem-
ming and Loring, of Fund W. fraud
fame.
The Illinois State Board of Health
adopted measures to prevent Asiatic
cholera from infesting the State
Valentine Democrat. (Valentine, Neb.) 1900-1930, 1904-12-01
Marvellous EscaDe from Injury

Joseph Schmidt of Edwardsville, Mo-,
recently had a thrilling experience while
at work for the Edwardsville Pressed
Brick Company. He was caught by a
pulley belt raised to the ceiling, jerked
and whirled around and beaten against
the wall, until nearly all his clothing was
torn from him, and then hurled fifteen
feet through door. He alighted on the
ground and when he picked himself up
found that he was not injured in the
least.
Valentine Democrat. (Valentine, Neb.) 1900-1930, 1904-12-01
FULLER MAY RESIGN.
Chief Justice Slated to Quit His Office
After March 5.

Chief Justice Melville W. Fuller of the
Supreme Court Of the United States
plans, it is said. to resign his office on
March 5, 1905, the day after he has adj
ministered the oath of office to Presi-
dent Theodore Roosevelt. In this event
it is conceded that Secretary OF War
Valentine Democrat. (Valentine, Neb.) 1900-1930, 1904-12-01
WAR FOR THE WEEK.
little IMPORTATION FROM THE
FAR EAST.

Great Port Arthur Fortress Remains
Unconqucred SappinG and Mining
Now Taking Place of Direct Assaults
-Stocsscl Believed TO BE in Distress.
Valentine Democrat. (Valentine, Neb.) 1900-1930, 1904-12-01
~%~~~%~~N~

Unlike European monarchs, who
usually have private chaplain and
special place of worship as a part Of
the Estate church," the President Of
the United States selects his own place
Of worship in Washington, much as
would any other person who went
there to live, and attends it's services
without ostentation Of any sort. Since
regular public receptions at the White
House have been discontinued, the
Presidents church is generally overrun
with sightseers. Mr.. Roosevelt at
tends Grace Reformed Church. Its
new edifice, completed since he be-
came President, seats about five hum
bred persons; before that he worshiped
with the society in chapel less than
half as commodious. Presidents
Grant, Hayes and Mckinley attended
Methodist churches; General Garfield,
during his long Congressional career,
as we'll as after his elevation to the
presidency, was identified with the
Disciples" or "Christians." Their
present church, one Of the strongest in
the city, is called the Garfield Memo
rial" President Arthur was an Epis-
copalian. and attended st. Johns, just
across Lafayette Park, which is but a
few steps from the White House. Ben
jamin Harrison, as q prominent Pres
byterian, found his religious home at
the Church Of the Covenant.
The Fifty-eighth Congress will ex-
pire amid the excitement Of the inau-
guration ceremonies at noon of March
4. The short session Of an expiring
Congress is usually full of accomplish
ment. Things move more rapidly
than in the longer session Of the pre-
ceding year. Young members have
now all had a winters experience. The
House Of Representatives passes its
appropriation bills more speedily in a
second year, since the questions in dis
pute are naturally fought OUT the
first time they come before its mem
berS. Legislative measures which
have made progress, but have not
reached enactment will be taken up
where they were left last spring. Com
mittees which had been directed to
make special inquiries will report on
the opening day of the session. All
bills which are not passed by March 4
will be lost, and must be introduced
again in the next Congress. A treaty
does not expire at the end Of a Con-
gress, since it is for the Senate alone
to consider. It may be taken up where
1t was left the year before, regardless
Of whether there is a new Congress
that has come in. or merely another
session Of an old one.
Valentine Democrat. (Valentine, Neb.) 1900-1930, 1904-12-01

It Is said that Immediately upon the
Inauguration Of President Roosevelt
on March 4 there will be a shake-up
that will overshadow that made by
Mr.. Mckinley when the Republicans
gained power after the Cleveland adj
ministration. Very few Of the old Nc
Kinley appointees are to be retained
in Office Mr.. Roosevelt wants his own
administration to be one of his own
personal selection. The official chop
ping is to be begun in the cabinet,
and will extend down to consular po-
sitons Of comparatively minor import
ance. It will include hundreds of
postmasters, internal revenue collec-
tors. customs collectors, commissioners
of immigration, consuls, diplomatic
agents, and in fact official positions in
every branch Of the government SER
vice.
The United States mails carry in
year $500, 100000 pieces Of matter at
cost Of S15O00O,O00, and if the rural
delivery service, which now serves
one-seventh Of our people at an ex-
pense Of S22,OOO,OOO, were eliminated,
the postoffice would be self-supporting.
The postof1ice was not established to
make money, but even without any re-
trenchment it would make money,
probably, If the cheap parcel post were
introduced here as it exists in other
progressive countries.
When the President attends church
he is allowed to leave the building at
the close of the service, before the rest
Of the congregation leave their pews.
The ushers see that this rule is re-
spected. Considering the country's
unfortunate experience with assassins,
1t Is very simple precaution. Two
secret service men are also in attend
ance. President Roosevelt almost In
variably walks to his church, which
is less than a mile from the White
House.
Valentine Democrat. (Valentine, Neb.) 1900-1930, 1904-12-01

An important opinion, which will set
a precedent Of great interest to all
Federal officials who are appointed by
the President. has been rendered by
the comptroller of the treasury. The
decision establishes the title of officials
to draw pay until their successors
qualify. The point was raised bs
Melvin Grigsby, of South Dakota, who
was district attorney for the Nome.
Alaska, district. Mr. Grigsby resigned
and his resignation, to take effect June
80 last, was accepted. His successor
was appointed, but he failed to quail
ify until July 90. Mr.. Grigsby, who
had been occupying the district attor-
ney's Office between the time of his
resignation and the qualification of his
successor, contended that he was en-
titled to twenty nine days pay, al
though his resignation had been ac-
cepted and he was considered out Of
Office. The comptroller decides that
Mr.. Grigsby's claim is proper.
Valentine Democrat. (Valentine, Neb.) 1900-1930, 1904-12-01

Old papers for sale at this Office.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-07-05
Sport at Buzzard's Bay.

Special to the New York Sun.
 Ex-President Cleveland found the fish ing very good under the lee of Wings Neck yesetrday afternoon, and was ready to continue the sport this morning but the wind was blowing half a gale, so he was obliged to remain on board the Onei- da- Later in the day 1t was MT. Cleve- lands intention to go down the bay with Dr. Bryant, but it was uncomfertaby rough, so he landed at Gray Gables and later went to make a call upon his old friend Joseph Jefferson.
 The two fishermen talked over the plans for a trouting expedition at Sand wich for Monday or Tuesday. It is said to be Mr.SC1eveland's intention to remain here at least a week and then join his family.
 The Hon. Richard Olney Is at his sum mer home in Falmouth, not great dis- tanee from here, and 1t is more than prob- able that he will be playing tennis when his name is presented to the St. Louis convention next week MT. Olney is as fond of tennis as his old chief Is of fish ing.
 No special telephone or telegraph wires have been strung to MT. Olneys summer home and, so far as can be learned, he is not manifesting any great interest in the coming gathering of democrats. Some of the Massachusetts democratic leaders who were booming Mir Olney for the nom- ination have not seen him for weeks. MT. olney would be glad to see Mir. Cleveland nominated.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-07-05
End of the Fiscal Year.

By deducting the payments on ac- count of the Panama canal, $50,O00, 900, and the loan to the St. Louis fair, S4,600,000, Secretary of the Treasury Shaw is able to show a forced balance of receipts over expeditures at the end of June amounting to $13,247,674. He had estimated the years surplus at $14000,00O, and he therefore points with pride to his forecast.
 During the fiscal year the exports were increased and the imports were decreased, and the foreign trade bal ance in favor of the United States will aggregate about $475,000, 900, and yet in the face of the vast figures more gold was exported by fifty million dol lars than was sent out in the previous year. A balance of trade is a queer thing. The larger it becomes the more gold must be sent out to settle our foreign indebtedness. We have to pay so much money to foreign ships for carrying our goods, and there are so many other leakages that no amount of trade balance seems to be sufficient to call gold this way. In dividends and interest on our stocks and bonds held abroad we send away a good deal of money. ine leakages are numerous. The amount carried away by tourists is estimated at one hundred millions year, and certainly immigrants send back home as much more. It will thus be seen that big trade balance does not necessarily mean imports of gold
 The home features of the fiscal year were not satisfactory. Railroad earn ings and bank clearings were dc
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-07-05
THINKS PARKER WILL WIN.

Thomas T. Taggert national committee
 man from Indiana, in the New York
 World.
 St. Louis, July 2.-It is our duty as dem ocrats and as men of intelligence to give the voters of the United States a safe and sane platform, and one upon which all the democrats of the country can stand. That this convention will do It's full duty in this connection I have not the slightest doubt
 The platform and the candidate must Ee conservative If we expect to win in this campaign. I am in favor of an ultra conservative platform, one without the isms of the pasta good, oldfashoned democratic platform.
 The platform should in my judgment, declare for a reduction of the tariff but not for radical revision. It should con- tain a plank giving self-government to the Filpinos and a straightout anti trust plank.
 There should be and there will oe-no evasion in the platform. It will declare fully and frankly exactly what the party stands for It will say what 1t means in IldlH EnSllsu anu WltnOut diiy dttelupI lo confuse
 With a proper platform I am convinced that Judge Parker can be elected. 1 be- lieve he will be nominated on either the first or second ballot. The second ballot may not be necessary, for 1t is my belief that the state delegations, seeing the trend of events, will change their votes before the first call is completed.
 The favorite-son vote of certain states may make a second roll call necessary, but doubt it. From the sentiment have found here, from talks with democrats from other states, I am convinced there Is nothing to 1t but Judge Parker. I cannot see how any combination Of all opposing forces can delay his nomination longer than the second ballot.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-07-05
Lack of Flags.

1T believe that Birmingham is In ad- vance of any of the southern cities in the celebration of the Glorious Fourth ex- cept in the display of flags" said a travelling man. "I was surprised today to find that all the business houses had suspended for the day, but finding this a fact, was then equally surprised that there were so few flags in evidence. It is unusual to find southern city where business is entirely suspended for the Fourth, but 1t Is not unusual to find a creditable display of the Stars and Stripes. In Birmingham there were perhaps a dozen large flags flying from the various buildings in the business district, and there were but few of the firms who un- dertook a patriotic display.
 T do not believe that this failure on the part of the Birmingham people to make flag displays is attributable to a lack of loyalty to the flag, for the city is too cosmopolitan for that, but there Is no mistaking the fact that a fine flag dis play makes us all feel more loyal to the nation and enter better into the celebra- tion of the day."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-07-05
Crop Prospects and the Mills.

Sellers and buyers in the cotton goods market are far apart. Spot goods and quick deliveries constitute the business at present, but at sea- son when sales for fall delivery are customarily made the mill men and the buyers cannot agree. The mill men in the south say the crop will not exceed 100000 bales, and that no sales should be based on cotton at less than ten cents. The northern buyer on ths other hand expects a fabulous crop. and he says sales should be based on S1a-cent cotton.
 It is not possible to convince the buyers, or even the jobbers, conyerters and printers. All are expecting a great crop and lower prices, but the close and experienced observers say the re- ported increase in acreage Is mislead- ing. The home talent agrees in say ing that the crop is too late for full production; the stand is too poor to admit of an unprecedented crop. Every field is spotted--good spots and poor spots--and the plants on red lands are small-so small that they cannot make weed enough to bear great crop.
 A favorable July and August may give us a yield up to eleven million bales, but yield running to twelve million bales .s deemed impossible by all who have studied the growing crop on the spot.
 The men who study the cror thous- and miles rom the cotton belt do not hesitate to put the crop at fourteen million bales, or some other preposter- ous aggregate. No observer of expert ence in the south anticipates crop that will exceed eleven million bales, and in order to make that amount there must be favorable weather as rule in July and August.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-07-05
A Governors Mansion.

The capitol commission has $150,000 at it's disposal and it is considering a plan for the application of a part of the fund to the building of a gov. ernor's mansion. The commission is authorized to do this by the capitol improvement act.
 Much depends upon the cost of the needed lots on the south side of capi- tol square. The owners of the lots may demand high prices, but if they ask more than the lots are worth the capitol commission is authorized to utilize condemnation proceedings.
 The salary of Alabama's governor is ridiculously small, and perhaps the best way to increase the compensation consists in the building of an execu- tive mansion. The subject certainly deserves consideration, and the capitol commission should be encouraged to continue their present line of thought and investigation. Georgia has long had home for its governor, and per haps half of the other states have done likewise, and Alabama would not re- gret the building of governors man. sion.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-07-05
PraIeing what Is lost Makes the remembrance dear.
 --AlFs Well That Ends We'll.
Abolish inc City Chain Gangs.

MT. J. H. Crawford of Jasper writes concerning the chaingang system, as follows:
 "Your editorial reminds me of Aesop' s fable in which a large family of rats sought to protect themselves from the ravages of a certain cat whose distruc- live visits threatened the annlhilation of the entire rodent family. After much time spent in 'deliberation, some wise rat proposed that they annex bell to the cat and that it's tintinnabulations would warn them of the cats approach, and they could escape to place Of safety. It is not necessary to conclude the story by saying that no one was found who would undertake the job of belling the cat. quite readily admit the injustice you refer to- and am anxious to hear what remedy you propose"
 As ch2ingangs are l5e1 in about dozen cities only, 1t is plain the other cities of the land, in numbers perhaps five hundred, have plans that are alike efficient and economical. Outside of about a dozen southern towns, no American city works convicts in it's streets wearing shackles and controlled ey an armed guard.
 Nearly all business men like MT. Crawford visit the chief commercial city of the country at least once a year. What one of them ever saw a convict in New York, to say nothing A1f- -plftfio and prolonged employment cf them in it's streets? Conyicts as a rule are for humanity and decency's 8 sake kept out ol sight, and there is no reason why Birmingham and few other towns should brutalize and harden it's children with such sights.
 The city convicts that have more than thirty days to serve could be farmed out, and thoce that have lesser terms to serve could no doubt be util- .ed by the county road workers. Many of them could be employed in the city without wearing shackles riv- tied on them. The use of shackles in city streets filled with children should at any rate be ended.
 Perhaps the best remedy consists In bringing down the number of arrests for trivial offenses to figures approach ing those of otnor cities other than Atlanta. The Atlanta plan has been followed in Birmingham altogether too closely. The louisville percentage of arrests Is much better. By getting out of the Atlanta rut and by devising methods of employment away from city streets for unruly convicts, the city chairgang plar can soon be abol- ished, much to the relief of all sensi- tive and humane passers-by.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-07-05
River Towns.

"I have never been able to understand why it Is that the Alabama cities To- cated on the banks of the navigable riv- CTS have not advertised their advantages nore," said a commercial man yesterday. "Take Montgomery for instance. It IS one of the best commercial cities in the south and it Is made so without the world Knowing that it is located upon the banks of a stream that Is navigable the year through. Montgomerians know that they pers there to get water rates over tine railroads, but 1t has always appeared to me that if the river advantages were ad- yertised to the outside world 1t would ma- terially help that city to get some mucf needed manufacturing industries to sup ply good pay rools during the summer months when there is nothing coming in from the agricultural interests. The same Is true of Sheffield, Decatur, Gads- den and other smaller towns.
 q am at a loss to explain why this lack of interest In the waterways except that the citizens of those towns have not vantages, but are satisfied that they get the little advantages in freight rates. Just suppose that we had the Alabama river running through Birmingham in ten years there would not be a city in the south to equal us in population"