davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-12-04
Museum for the Public Schools.

The Birmingham public school sys- tenn is to have a scientific museum superior to any south of the Smith sonian institution. This great aid to the study of Americas animal life gen erally was made possible by the phi lanthropic act of George Griffin in pre- senting to the schools, in memory of his little daughter, magnificent col lection of stuffed birds and animals. Birmingham is to be congratulated OF having such a public-spirited citizen.
 Judge N. B. Feagin, who has gained wide reputation for his unselfish< devo. tion to the cause of humanity and the advancement of economic ideas, Is the prime mover in this great project
 While on a visit to this worlds fair he saw.t this great collection and the more he studied them the more anxious was he to have them as a nucleus for a great public school museum. Return ing to Birmingham, he laid the matter before A. o. Lane, president of the board of education, and Dr. Phillips,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-12-04

financial condition of the farmer as is indicated expressly by the bank depos- it's in several states. He shows that in Iowa individual deposits in national
 banks have increased 137 per cent; in state and private banks, 215 per cent. In Kansas. a purely agricultural state, the percentage of increased deposits since 1896 have been PIP per cent in state and private banks, 227 and 2l9 in savings banks; and in the southern state of Mississippi still greater, to wit.
 The individual deposits in national banks have increased 2s6 per cent, in state and private banks 906 per cent and in savings banks sO1 per cent, while the increase at large has been 92 per cent in national. 1855 per cent in state and 9 per cent in savings banks.
 "A similar comparison favorable to the agricultural states may be made in re- gard to the number of depositors," con- tinues the secretary, which have in- creased 145 per cent in Massachusetts, IF per cent in New York. 25s per cent in Kansas, 26S per cent in Mississippi and in corresponding degree in the other agri- cultural states. The farmers rate of financial progress, as evidenced by the foregoing statement, need fear no com parison with that of any other class of producers. The farmer may not become a millionaire but he is surer than mill lionaire to retain his wealth and have in living"
 It is shown by the secretary that with this years corn crop alone the farmers of this country can pay the entire national debt and the interest thereon for one year, and then have money enough left to pay the expenses of the national government for a large part of the year.
 It will be pleasing to southern farm CTS to notice that Secretary Wilson is particularly interested in promoting the prosperity of this section and in his report deyotes much attention to the south.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-12-04
IS PANAMA INDEPENDENT

From the Jacksonville Times Union.
 Outside of the canal zone and entirely independent of the United States is the republic of Panama. which has just been welcomed into the fellowship of nations on our initiative. Since the relations be- tween Panama and Columbia are still unsettled. why did the former find it ad- visable to reduce her army to a peace footing of twenty-five men with two cities to keep In order? If standing army Is necessary to the preservation of law and order even fin state of profound peace why should a threatened country open herself to attack from declared enemy at the threshold? If Columbia marched to the attack or declared war must we defend this baby nation "out- side the canal zone as we'll as within fl? :? In that case. where is the pretense that Panama is independent? Where Is the showing that she is able to maintain a government? The lack of money cannot be the plea advanced for we have fur nished that.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-12-04
THAT BOY OF YOURS.

From the Milwaukee Journal
 We chaperon our girls and carefully guard them against unworthy boys, but we leave the boy to choose for himself his associates and his achievements.
 Girls are naturally winsome, gentle, communicable. They win their way in homes and hearts. But the boy, noisy, awkward, mischievous, is invited into few homes, and feels none too much at home in his own-
 About the only door that swings with sure welcome to the boy, about the only chair that is showed near the fire espe- cially for the boy, about the only place where he Is sure of cordial greeting-is where he ought not to go.
 It is one of the hardest things in the world to get hold of a boy-to get sure grip on him.
 He is hungry for companionship and he will have 1t. You can't chain him away from 1t. He wants the compan- ionship of boys, and nothing will take it's place.
 If the rine of selfishness has so in- cased your heart that the boys ana hopes of your boy cannot enter it, the boy is to be pitied, but so are you
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-12-04

superintendent of public schools, and thus the museum began to assume form. The matter was presented to MT. Griffin. and he agreed to purchase the collection and present 1t to the pupils of the public schools.
 MT. Lane. Dr. Phillips and Judge Feagin, in addition to this, have SC cured other collections and have made arrangements for the purchase of some valuable additions, provided the neces- sary 5000 can be raised.
 The Age-Herald earnestly hopes that this money and more will be sub scribed. If this is done, the new high school building can rear its head above all universities of the south in the proud possession of a magnificent scientific museum.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-12-04
NED BRACE TALKS ABOUT A DESERVING
 CHARITY AND OTHER LOCAL MATTERS

public nature, w6 of Birmingham give 1ibera1ly. We are advertisers. We are generous. But we do not always stop to think of the people who might be suf- fering, who don't know how or where to ask for aid or who are too proud to beg for those necessaries for the main- tainance of health and at least a partial degree of comfort It is not due to a lack of generosity because there are hun dreds of people in Birmingham who would give in such cases if they but knew how to do so. Few people know of the in- stitution that has saved the lives of so many orphan children and raised them to a point where they were able to care for themselves, or to the age where they could be placed into good hands for fu- ture rearing and training.
 Christmas charity to these little ones will be a charity indeed.
 Poor old Vulcan has a rocky road to travel. He is far away from home. He owes money at home. He is broke and he can't get back. His draft has gone to protest, and he seems to have but few friends who are willing to send him money. They want him back in Bir- mingham. but as 1t will take two or more special cars to bring him, nobody seems willing to pay his fare. Consequently the great public of the Commercial Club which has a title to him out with a claim attached to his legs, held by an iron moulder, doesn't seem able to pay his debts and bring him home. As it Is, they have decided to send him out to the Portland, Oregon, show, If the said show will pay his fare to Portland from St. Louis and put him up on a pedestal to do service out there as a freak and a figure to advertise the Birmingham district to the great west.
 The next question Is, how shall we ever be able to get him back from far off Oregon Already San Francisco wants to place him upon the great rock at the Golden Gate as an evidence of the in- dustry of this country. With Liberty En- Tightening the World at the gateway of the east, it may be well to have Vulcan, the figure of industry, energy and strength, at the western gate. We shall think about it.
 It is well that we are to celebrate the
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-12-04
"Parslfal" Not Cominu.

Conrieds Metropon.an Opera House company of New York. which is planning a Parsifal tour for next year will prob ably not come south. At any rate the company will not come to Birmingham. Mir. Conried, who Is a personal friend of Mir. Damn Petersen of Birmingham. has written to that gentleman that 1t would not be feasible for the company to come this way. While no reasons were given for the abandonment of this section 1t is believed that in arranging with the railroads for a routing it was found im- practicable to take in Birmingham.
 A letter from C.. Schlotterbeck, who visited Birmingham recently In the in- terest of the Metropolitan Opera House company writes to friend here as fol- lows:
 ';Conditions beyond our control have made it necessary. 1 fear, to change the southern itinerary to such an extent that we cannot visit Birmingham, as original ly planned. I regret this sincerely as am quite positive your aggressive city would respond liberally to our perform ance.
 kindly accept hearty thanks for your courteous and sympathetic interest in our undertaking"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-12-04
Wealth of the Farmer.

Secretary of Agriculture Wilson says the value of the American crops this year is s3.5S3, ,3S9.6 .6O9, of which s1 ,OOo,. Ooo,O00 is represented by the coru crop, s60o,OoO.OOO by cotton, s217,ooO.. 900 by mules, to say nothing of the small grain, hay, cattle, hogs and eggs.
 The secretary shows the American farmer in a most favorable light. He says:
 While the farmers have been increas- ing their annual products of wealth since 1899 from great proportions to still great CT ones, the value of thier farm prop erty has gone on increasing. Ratios of increase from the last three oensuses in- dicate that since 1900 the farm land with improvements, including buildings. has increased in value s1,75O O,OOO; the imple- ments and machinery over S100 900; the principal classes of live stock $2400O .0o0. .'
 The secretary calls attention to the
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-12-04
IN HOTEL LOBBIES
Happy. We'll and DOIns Nicely"

1appy, We'll ana Oo'"s "Ny
 'I met three men today from the coun- try who came to town to get some or the little negroes that Judge Feagln Iarms out under his system of propation' said a gentleman at the Morris
 You know these colored children are given into the care Of these farmers by the judge instead of being sent to jail for year. The three men l met had taken some of these negro miscreants before Judge Feagn was asking them how the little fellows were getting along. All three men reported that the negroes were well and happy and doing nicely. Whereupon Judge Feagin asked them if they had ever heard Dr. Samuel Johnson's story of the dog
 'The men hadn't heard 1t. Well, said the judge. pr Johnson was at dinner one night when guest arrived very late. The belated gentleman explained that while on his way to join the company he had been attacked by dog who caught hold of his coattals, pulled him down in the gutter and so 5olled his trousers that he had to go back home and put
 
 tleman had finished hls apology. Dr. Johnson said he would like to hear the dogs side of the story" 2" Now I have no doubt continued the judge, that stranger listening to what you gentlemen say about your charges would be inclined to want to hear the dogs side of the story; but I do not want to hear it. From present knowledge l am convinced that all the negroes sent by this court into the country on proba- tion are satisfied with their condition and are improving mentally, physically and morally
 When the judge began" said the gen. tleman at the Morris, T didn't know how he would end, but he let the three men down easy. For a time, though, 1t looked as if he was going to throw a scare into them"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-12-04
WHEN WILL THE WAR END2

From Harper's Weekly.
 We repeat what we have formerly said, that until Port Arthur has fallen, and until one of the two armies now facing each other on the Sha river shall have been decisively beaten-we might now add until the Baltic fleet shall have been captured or destroyed-the talk of bring ing about a peace between the belliger- ents Is idle. Not even in irresponsible newspapers is the word mediation" heard any longer. When peace arrives, it will come through the direct applica- ton of one combatant to the other. If, before the close of the present winter. Japan should be everywhere the victor, and should herself propose magnanimous and liberal terms. which should leave Russian honor intact. it is possible that the peace party in St. Petersburg might contrive tq bring about their acceptance It will be observed that the hypothesis rests upon long chain of ifs" Mean while, the fact should be borne in mind that Japan seems to be nearing the end of her financial resources.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-12-04
Game Plentiful.

''1n spite of the stringent game laws en- forced In many state birds have been plentiful in the market this fall" said a produce merchant. Large shipments come from Tennessee and the birds bring good prices.
 Tn former years commission merchants received the greater part of their quail consignments in the shape of live birds It was exceedingly troublesome to handle quail on foot. We could not handle them as we did turkeys, but the public had an idea that birds a-foot were better than dead ones. and we naturally humored our customers the best we could. Today, how ever customers no longer demand live birds, recognizing the fact that bird two or three days dead tastes better than the freshly killed game"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-12-04
CUBA CANNOT GIVE VALID
 TITLE TO ILL-FATED MAINE
'2ae56acsze~

priation for the purpose, it will maintain it's prerogative and indicate It's will at the time of the passage of the bill.
 Early action in the premises would seem to be imperatively demanded, as the Cuban government is apparently la boring under the impression that our au- thorities have relinquished all claim to the wreck, and that in consequence it's Ownership has been transferred to that government.
 When the hull is finally raised it would seem to be but just to all concerned that naval inquest-not alone of Americans should be held on the vessel to ascertain by official demonstration the exact cause of the sinking of the battleship. If the explosion originated internally the truth should be known.
 The indifference of our government has given color to the suspicion that it fears the revelation of an internal cause on account of the heavy possible damages it will have to face. It Is hardly conceiv able that this is true. but in any case the facts ought to be brought to light.
 Moreover, a consideration even higher than fixing the responsibility for the ex- plosion Is the reclamation of the remains of our slain sailors lying entombed in the wreck at the bottom of the harbor. It would seem to be absolutely incredible that this task should have been so long neglected The indifference of our goy- ernment in the case presents the most disgraceful chapter in it's history. As an American, proud of the name, and on be- half of the relatives and friends of the men who sank with the ship, l urge speedy action by congress, that the mor- tai remains of our dead may be rescued from their present ignoble sepulchre and inferred by loving hands, wish due hon. ors in kindred soil.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-12-04

opening of the seaboard. This system has done a great work in building into Bir- mingham. It has spent several million dollars to come here It has built well in coming Into the city. making its work permanent and but little interfering with ordinary street traffic. Its management is composed of progressive people who must, of necessity, strive for the upbuild- Ing of Birmingham in order to make bus mess for itself Great things are expect ed of the seaboard here. and the welcome given it will be repeated when the Ilii- nois Central and other western systems come to Birmingham as they must do In the very near future
 President Roosevelt Is not bad fellow. The man is honest, able, brilliant, well meaning energetic and impulsive.' He does what he conceives to be the right. He does wrong things at times, but he has a great big heart as well as big brain, and though he makes mistakes. he has made fewer than even his best friends who know him anticipated. But for his few foolish acts relative to cer- tain negro cases. over which he lost his temper. he would have been considered by all parties as almost a great man.
 That was an impulsive. generous and very wise act he performed the other day in appointing the grandson of Stone- wall Jackson as a cadet to West Point. Neither the father of the boy nor his grandmother had ever dreamed of such thing. No congressman had thought of 1t. The young fellow was a student at simple little military academy over in Georgia near Atlanta, where his father had recently moved from Virginia to ac- cept an Assistant General Passenger Agents position with railroad. Roose- welt found him out through the principal of this school and without hesitation gave the boy one of the very few ap- pointments which belonged to the Presi- dent.
 Of course it will make Roosevelt lots of friends in the south, but I don't believe the President did 1t with any political or personal motive in view. It was simply the generous act of Roosevelt, the man.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-12-04
Congress This Week.

The second session of the Fifty eighth congress will be called to order at high noon tomorrow, and if the general custom is followed, the Presi- dents message will be read. However, it Is stated that out of respect to the late Senators Hoar of Massachusetts and Quay of Pennsylvania the senate will immediately after assuming order adjourn and the message lay over until Tuesday
 The congress is confronted with a vast amount of worl-enough, it is said, to keep 1t busy for twelve months, but it is thought that during the three months to March 5, 1905, there will be time only for considers tion and passage of the regular appro- priation bills. Tariff and reciprocity subjects will have to wait.
 Speaker Cannon and other majority leaders seem to have been suddenly seized by a spirit of retrenchment, and it is given out that the seekers after appropriations must not expect much this season. As a post-campaign an nouncement it is given out by the speaker of the house that there is "a gap of about $30,0OO,000 between the vest and the pants" of the national treasury, for which the republican ma Jorlty Is of course responsible.
 Let us see just where we do stand financially. At the close of business last Wednesday the national debt less cash in the treasury amounted to $9S9,240,917, of which amount s895,- 157,470 is nterest-bearing and these are the exact figures which the con gross has to consider. To any one who considers the vast resources of this country, its rapid increase in popula- tion, wealth and production these fig ures are not alarming, for the ways and means seem to be in evidence.
 Republican leaders are hardly ever accused of a lack of tact and political chicanery or of overlooking opportuni. ties which mean a strengthening of their party lines, and it now appears that their sound of alarm and plea of poverty Is the forerunner of positive refusal to accede to the democratic de- man for revision of the tariff. The political card Is being shrewdly hand led, and there seems to be no hope for any relief on this line There Is hope, however, for liberal appropria. tions for river and harbor improve- ments, and President Roosevelt will no doubt call for enormous sums for his much hoped for greater navy.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-12-04
A MATCH.

By Algernon Charles Swinburne If love were what the rose is.
 And I were like the leaf, Our lives would grow together In sad or singing weather. Blown fields or Powerful closes. Green pastures or gray grief; If love were what the rose iss
 And I were like the leaf. ( If were what the words are And love were like the tune' With double sound and single Delight our lips would mingle. With kisses glad as birds are'
 That get sweet rain at noon; If were what the words are
 And love were like the tune. If you were Aprirs lady,
 And I were lord in May, We'd throw with leaves for hours And draw for days with flowers Till day, like night. were shady. And night were bright like day; If you were Aprils lady,
 And I were lord in May. If you were queen of pleasure And I were king of pain. Wed hunt down love together. Pluck out his flying feather, And each his feet a measure
 And find his mouth a rein; # If you were queen of pleasure And I were king of pain. s,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-12-04

Birmingham's progress. prosperity
 and plenty, which is evidenced on all sides and which manifests itself in the improvement going on in each and every section, the needy and the suffer ing should not be neglected. Pleasant weather has prevailed up to the present time, but cold weather is coming and there will be suffering. Those who have made much should not neglect the needy; and, with all there is in Birmingham, 1t should be seen that those who really need help should have 1t during the cold period.
 In this connection, there is one charity in Birmingham which is indeed char ity. It is the Creche branch of the Mercy Home on Twenty-first street and Eleventh avenue, North. Tn this little building, maintained by the private do- nations of a few good women in Bir- mingham, there are some fifty or more orphan children ranging from few days old to nine or ten years. Some of them are waifs others are orphans. Some l have been left at the ages of one, two and three years by parents who have died or have been killed In accidents. They have nothing; nobody to look after them: neither relatives nor friends, and have been taken in by the good matron of this institution, or sent there by po- licemeh or officers who have found them in destitute condition, or have picked up little .waifs or foundlings on the streets.
 The institution Is barely existing. It needs help and 1t needs 1t badly. With out help there will be starving children in Brmingham-chiidren and babes who need tender care. and warm room which can be given them by this institu- tion if properly maintained.
 hope that the good women who have been interested in this institution and who have endeavored to raise subscrip- tions for 1t, will receive generous wei come and good donations from everyone upon whom they call. Those who do not see them, can send what they would give to the president of the Creche, Mrs A. T. London, 2024 Highland avenue or to | the Creche fund. care of the Age-H Herald
 For colleges and schools, and churches, and state fairs, and conventions and all manner of things of a public or quasi
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-12-04
THE SUBWAY FEELING.
rom Harper's Weekly.

From Harper's Weekly.
 sThe originality of some of your ex- pressions is very very refreshing" said John Morley, the visiting English states man, in speaking of his observations. "As I was standing at one of the entrances to your new Subway in New York. man passed me. who apparently had gone being part of a jostling. energetic crowd. His companion asked him. Well. how do you feel now. after going through the tunnel?
 T feel as the porker must feel an- swered the man, pushing a few dents out of his hat, who has just been forced through a sausage skin.'"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-12-04
POLITICAL AMENITIES.

From Exchange.
 It is told that while John Sharp Will Hams was speaking In Mississippi man in the audience cried: i've been robbed by pickpocketsl"
 T did not suspect there were any re- publicans present. said MT Williams, amid great laughter.
 s'There ain't." cried the victim. I'm the only oHel