davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-01-25
RUSSIAN REVOLUTION AS
IT MIGHT EFFECT EUROPE

1t is admitted by the great landlords
themselves, who are promoting the move
ment of the zemJtvos toward greater lib
erty, that one at least of their motives
is dread of an agrarian revolution as
sanguinary as that of 1898 in France.
We do not imagine that the government
would actively aid that revolution, though
It must be remembered that whole classes
of the esmaller proprietors were ruined
at a stroke by a decree of emancipation;
but it is not impossible they would re-
member that their soldiers are peasants,
and would passively watch revolt that
would end in a Russia composed of an
absolute Ger and millions of small free
holders The middle classes in Russia
have no physical force with which to re-
slst either the army or the peasants.
There is no proof or their control over
the opinions of the Masses and terrible
and successful jacquerie is at least a
conceivable alternative to a political rev.
olution. If Louis XVI had been a man
with the great qualities of the earlier
Rourbons, the French revolution also
might have ended in that way. The army
than 1t hated che throne, and the enamel
pated peasantry would soon have fur
nished the monarch, as it has repeatedly
done since that time. with the force to
hold down Paris. Besides, there is no
Paris in Russia. no city which by itself
Is capable of overturning a dynasty that
has ruled and has expanded Russia al
most without a pause for nearly three
hundred years.
But supposing that real revolution
breaks out-which is possible, of course,
as a result of weakness and indeeision
at the centre, and of the shock of angry
surprise with which Russians recognize
the fact that their government can be
beaten In war by a foe they had de-
spised-where is the ground for thinking
as a number of persons without doubt
secretly think, that an emancipated Rus
STA would be either weak or unambitious?
She might, on the contrary, prove terri
bly, strong. Russian liberals obviously
believe that the newly enfranchised peo-
pie would be Jealous of their prestige
even in the far east. and many of them
suggest that the war with Japan would
be carried on with a new energy if the
people were but enfranehised. Even If
that were not the case, owing to a GER
tain horror of the yellow devils" which
has sprung up among the Russian
masses, Russia, boiling with excitement,
with all ambitions set free and her men
of genius. of whom she has many, at
last relieved from the heavy weight above
them-at present they are like frogs under
a fagstone-might find a conquest the
readiest outlet for her energies, and by
a grand war say for constantinople,
might rouse to crusading height the en-
thusfasm of her masses.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-01-25
From the London speetator

FROM the London Spectator Of Jan. Il.
Il HE internal condition Of Russia.
Wy as produced or exasperated by
the war, is by far the most in
teresting question now discussed in Eu-
rope and the one which presses most
closely on all diplomatists It is clear
that the struggle in the far east, though
1t is not yet over, has developed unrest
In Russia of a dangerous kind, and all
instructed western men are watching the
direction which the danger may take
with anticipations at once eager and per-
picked. There are SO many conditions
to the problem that it seems almost in
soluble by human intelligence and yet
OF its solution the immediate future will
almost certainly depend It is not only
the future of Asia which Is at stake but
much of the future of Europe We are
not talking of the yellow peril" which
may be real or imaginary, but of the
changes within Europe itself which any
radical change in Russia would involve.
paralysis of that great empire which
for more than a century has hung like
a heavy cloud on the eastern frontiers
of the really civilized sections of the
world, would, for example, leave Ger
many mistress of the continent 1t might
shatter the Austrian empire to pieces,
for her Slav majority would no longer
have to fear being buried in the Rus
sian morass.7 1t would intensity In a
high degree the quarrel always smou1-
dering between the Ottomans and the
remnant of their Christian subjects-a
result of which Europe already per-
ceives signs in the new arrogance which
the Divan is displaying in the Balkans.
The Turkish ministers have already ap-
pointed to high commands in Macedonia
officers whose one idea of order is to
keep down recalcitrant subjects by mas
sacres so wide as to suggest an intention
of extirpation. French society would be
shaken to It's heart by a new liability to
Invasion, and with 1t a fresh proclivity
to panic. Even Great Britain, though
still "encompassed by her inviolate sea-
would feel the influence of the great
change. for India would be as safe from
invasion as herself and being safe, would
be apt to indulge in dreams of large am
bition. 1t is not only natural, therefore,
but inevitable, that the world, though it
IL getting weary of the war considered
as a drama, should watch the course Of
events upon the Sha-ho with fascinated
eagerness.
While, however, We perceive this
clearly, we do not understand so well
why so many thoughtful men believe
that the progress of the unrest will be
fatal to the autocracy. or why they are
Sc possessed with the notion that if that
cataclasm occurs Russra will be weaker
for it's occurrence. AS yet all the symp-
toms point rather to a vast jacquerie
than to what is commonly known as a
revolution.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-01-25
Mr.. Niedringhaus Of Missouri.

The stringent laws of Missouri rem
der the Niedringhaus case exceptional,
He received from the big breweries
of st. Louis S21, 900 for campaign pur-
poses, ana he never mentioned the
money or the business at all in his Of
fetal report. He was chairman of the
republican state committee, and the
laws of Missouri required him as such
chairman to report to designated Of
fetal what contributions had come
into his hands, stating the amount of
each and the names of the contri-
butors. The laws of Missouri also for
bid the reception of campaign contri-
buttons from corporations.
All of those laws were flagrantS
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-01-25

IGNORED nv Thomas K. Niedringhaus.
He was himself a candidate for the
United States Senate, and he was
chairman of the republican state
committee. It is established that he re-
ceiyed s21 900 from the brewing cor
porations to be expended BY him for
party purposes. He took the money
and expended it, and disregarded the
plain letter of the law in not report
ing 1t.
The matter was Investigated by
each body of the Missouri legislature,
the house generating him, while the
senate did the reverse. Mr.. Niedring
haus' defense is indeed lame. He says
he took the money expecting to get a
like sum from the republican national
committee, when he would return it
to the rich brewing corporations. 1t
does uOb appear lhaI ho iOIui ASu IhS
money to the breweries. He at any
rate received the money unlawfully,
made no report concerning it, and
trampled upon the statutes of his
state in a manner the reverse of law
abiding citizenship.
Missourians seem to think such a
man should not become their repre-
sentative in the United States Sen
ate, and he is losing votes day by day.
The Legislature of Missouri promises
to be as fruitful in scandals and to
be as firmly deadlocked as the more
notorious one in little Delaware.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-01-25
THE MASTER OF MUSIC.

Henry Van Dyke in the Outlook
In Memoriam Theodore Thomas.
Power of architect, power of painter, and
sculptor, and bard
Living forever In temple, and picture,
and statue. and song.
Look how the world with the lights that
we lit is engirdled and starred;
Brief was the flame of your life but the
lamps of your art burn long
Where is the master of music, and how
has he vanished away?
Where are the works that he wrought
in the air as a palace OF dreams?
Gone-all gone-like the light -on the
clouds at the close of the dayi
Darkness enfolds him and silence de-
scends on the fields and the streams
Once at the wave of his wand, all the
pillows of musical sound
Followed his will. as the sea was ruled
by the prophet of old;
Now that his hand is relaxed and the rod
has dropped to the gorund
Lo, how still are the shores where the
mystical harmonies rolled.
Nay, hut not still are the hearts that were
filled with that marvellous sea:
Purer and deeper forever the tides of
their being shall roll.
Sounding with echoes of joy, and OF
thanks. o Master, to thee
Music immortal endures in the depths
Of the human soul.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-01-25
TONGUES IN CHICAGO,
Arybody's Magazine.

From Everybodys Magazine
New York city which nurses the illu-
sion that she is the most cosmopolitan"
city in the United States, must yield the
palm to Chicago. Here is the census of
the languages other than English, and
the speakers Thereof in the western Babel:
German, one-half million; Polish. 125 900;
Swedish, 100000; Bohemian, 100000 Nor
wegian, $4,000; Yiddish. $4,000; Dutch. %.
go; Italian 25.0OO; Danish, 10000; French,
$1,000; Croatian and Servian, 10000; Slo-
vakian, 10000; Lithuanian, 10000; Russian,
1000; Hungarian, 5000; Greek 1000; Tristan,
Rormanlan. Slovian and Flemish, 1000 to
200O; Chinese and Spanish. 1000; Finnish
Scotch and Gaelic, so; Arabic, $50; Ar
ntinian, Manx. Icelandic, Albanian 100;
less than 100. Basque Portuguese, Turk
sh What a school of languagesl Yet,
with ample daily opportunities. how few
Americans in Chicago and New York
speak any languages than English A
walter who speaks seven or eight lam
guages is no curiosity Few Americans
master even one foreign speech.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-01-25
Scope Of the Russian Conflict.

Let no one make the mistake o.
thinking that the discomfort and un-
rest in Russia is confined to its two
chief cities. AS a matter of fact, 1t
has become manifest in every part of
the empire, but the outcroppings at
the distant and lesser points have as
rule been kept from the outside
world. Enough has, however, leaked
out to show that all the provincial
towns act and feel as the people do
in st. Petersburg and Moscow. In
many of the provinces the zemstvos
have spoken, and in some of them
there have been actual outbreaks,
especially against CONSUMPTION.
The labor troubles in Russia are not
by any means worse than in Germany
or in any other European country.
The country is not overcrowded. Lily
ing expenses are not high. The work
men are organized, however, and no
other class in the empire is in that
condition. The peasants are not. The
students are closely watched. The
merchants are selfish. The Jews feel
the iron hand on their threats. In
dustrial Russia became the country's
last and only resort, and it is respond
ing with rare altruism.
No doubt the war with Japan had
much to do with the present uprising.
for II demonstrated the utter ineffi-
cheney Of the bureaucrats and of the
entire system of absolutism. Cork
the novelist, who lives in st. Peters
burg. said on Sunday last: To-day in
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-01-25

protection. to the entire city as we would
Ike to do. Then the question comes up
why should we not operate the city af-
fairs as we would our own. namely, do
the best we could with what we had
and thoroughly protect a certain district
and as our financial condition improved
gradually widen this circle until we were
able to give proper protection to all the
property within our city limits. The idea
that appeals to me, is tbs: To furnish
proper equipment to place the congested
or business portion of Birmingham on Il
hrst-class basis. the district to be bound
ed by certain streets and avenues and
then outside of this district, have an
other district which would be placed on
the. second-class fire insurance basis. At
ter the city had recovered from the ex-
penditure in placing the specified district
on first-elass basis and were in posi-
ton to enlarge this circle by improving
our fire departments she should do So
"A few days afterwards, I think it was
on the 18th following, I also noticed a
communication on the same subject in
which the writer gives credit to another
for the suggestion to put the congested
district-where the greatest values are
on a hrst-class basis l am also of the
impression that at council meeting Mr..
London was given credit for the PROPOSE
ton.
AS Mr.. Mayberrys article was the
first suggestion through the press as to
exactly how Birmingham could work out
the insurance question, I think it but
right. if there be credit IN such a plan,
that Mr.. MaybeTy should receive it.
II believe this proposition is a solution
to the difficulty, and If followed out will
gradually work the city onto first-class
insurance basis
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-01-25
What the Russian Movement Is.

Count Cassini, the Russian ambas-
sador, says the present movement in
Russia is not of a revolutionary ma
ture. If it be not a revolution, then
a revolution would be something
dreadful in Russia, for the present up
rising confessedly creates a reign Of
terror wherever it breaks out.
In backward Russia conditions are
wholly different than they are in pro-
gressive countries, and especially in
countries in which all, or nearly all,
can read and write In Russia no or
ganization exists c.; can be formed that
surpasses for revolutionary purposes
the trades union. This is why the
revolution, first at st. Petersburg, now
at Moscow, and tomorrow perhaps Mt
some other city, utilizes the trade or
ganizations. No other organizations
exist The spy system of the bureau
Gratis has permitted no other secret or
ganization to gain a foothold. The So
cialists have perfect organization in
Germany and in other countries; not
SO in Russia. Hence the use at the
outset of the trades union.
The present movement as it has
been developed has small relation to
questions OF wages or hours of work
1t is essentially political. Briefly
stated, the masses do not want to be
sent to the far east to become food
for powder in order that bureaucrats
may have more territory to exploit
and they do want a constitutional gov
eminent. They know that under CON
stitutional RUE they can obtain their
rights. Now they have no voice, nc
vote, no influence in anything. They
are serfs practically speaking, and
they are striking more for freedom
tnan for an eight-hour day and better
wages.
Count Cassini is part of the sys'
tenn in Russia. He is as bureaucratic
as the rest of the machine that led
Russia into a deplorable war, and that
keeps her well filled with corruption
and inefflciency. The bureaucrats have
not the brain force to fight any con
siderable power successfully, and the
masses feel that the time has come
for reorganization, and they propose
to begin at the top. If the st. Peters
burg papers do as they threaten to do
then we will be told the whole truth
but at present only that is told thai
the government is willing to print.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-01-25

augurated revolution in Russia. The
Emperors prestige will be irrevocably
shattered by the shedding of innocent
blood He has alienated himself for
ever from the people. Gopon laugh:
the workmen to believe that an appeal
direct to the Little Father would be
Needed They have been undeeeiyed
Gopon is now convinced that peaceful
means have failed and that the only
remedy is force. The first blood has
been shed, but more will follow. 1t
is now the people against the OPP
pressors. and the battle will be fought
to the bitter end"
This is undoubtedly a statement Of
the real situation. Cork on the spot
must see what is before his country.
He is not an outlaw He is simply
Russian who desires constitutional
and honest government.
Two questions will determine the
meaning and depth of the present
/. How far will It spread
among the provinces? 2. How loyal
will the army remain to the autoc-
racy? When these two questions are
answered ten days from now, we will
all be able to measure and define the
present conflict in Russia.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-01-25
Birmingham Is Great.

birmingham Is great city," said e.
Lesser, proprietor of the Metropolitan
hotel. to lobby fun of travelling men last
night. II never go away from this city.
but what l return convinced that we have
the best town in the country.
II tell you said the genial hotel man,
bringing his fist down on the register,
this city is unexcelled. Show me anoth-
er city in the whole South that has not
been affected by the recent slump IN cot
ton Show me another town In the United
States that is enjoying such an era of
prosperity.
with all, our advantages there is one
thing that we lack-that is the habit of
talking up Birmingham. Our people do
not boost our city enough. We have been
inclined to let the facts speak for them
selves. We need some training along
these lines. We should all pull for Bir-
mingham, both when at home and when
abroad"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-01-25
THOSE CONFEDERATE BONDS.

From the Philadelphia Inquirer
Britain over the payment of the Con-
federate bonds, and the price has slightly
risen. 1t is claimed that there are $780,
900. 900 of these In London, and that hope
Is still entertained that there will be
some sort of a settlement This, as we
on this side of the water know, Is alb
surd but the ludicrous part of the stu
alton comes from the request of London
newspaper that the United States repeal
that portion of the fourteenth amend
ment which prohibits the payment of
this debt, as 1t believes that the southern
states are anxious to make settlement.
If there were such a disposition the
United States would never permit It, but
we are certain that there Is nowhere the
slightest desire to do anything in the line
of payment. The southern states are
not particularly rich as commonwealth,
many of them have large debts, and a
number have repudiated a considerable
portion of their bonds which do not come
under the constitutional provision. II
there is to be any settlement at all. it
Is certain that these bonds will be first
considered. Some of these are the result
OF carpet-bag governments, but many of
them ante-date the war. There is no
prospect that they will ever be paid. and
If they were the original investors would
get nothing out of this "act of honor"
AS to the Confederate bonds. thew are
as dead as Hector, as dead as the Con-
federacy itself. Those who purchased
them knew exactly the risk they were
taking and have not even moral claim
for repayment 1t Is ridiculous to sup
pose such plan would ever be adoptee
In the face of the almost uniform action
OF civilized states under similar condi-
tions. We are sorry that any man lost
money through the rebellion. sorry that
the rebellion took place, or rather. that
1t was ever necessary to more firmly
cement the Union but 1t is madness to
expect that those who in full knowledge
bought the bonds should be repaid. IT
would be as we'll to expect the brokers
to pay every man who lost money on
speculation.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-01-25
ludue Swayne's Trial.

Speaker Cannon has appointed four
republicans and three democrats man.
ayers for the House in the impeach-
ment proceedings against Judge
Swyane before the bar of the Senate.
All seven are said to be good lawyers,
five of the number being members of
the judiciary committee. Representa-
tive Clayton is one of the House man
ayers, and if the other six men are
each as efficient, Judge Swayne will
feel the weight of the prosecution.
The House prosecutes and the Senate
tries the case.
1t is not yet fully settled when the
Senate Will try the impeachment, but
the weight Of legal opinion seems to
be adverse to a postponement OF an
Impeachment to next winter or to any
other winter than the present one. No
precedent sustains any such action on
the part of the Senate, and the opin-
ion prevails that Judge Swayne will
be tried before March 4, or immedi-
ately afterwards in an extra session.
Five of the House managers are
familiar with every phase of the case,
and they are undoubtedly ready to
proceed with the trial at once. The
Senate will soon determine when it
will take cognizance of the action of
tho HOuSp
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-01-25
Origin of an Idea.

AS an interested citizen and reader 1
have given considerable attention to ar
guments and suggestions as 10 Inc proper
adjustment of insurance rates, said
citizen. I'm The Age-Herald of Decem-
Der I noticed the suggestion of Mr.. H.
II. Mayberry of the Citizens Savings
Bank and Trust company. which appealed
10 me very forcibly, in which he said:
The point I wish TO bring out is, that
the city of Birmingham is growing very
fast and like all new cities-especially
progressive ones-we haven't the cash to
give proper fire protection, or even police
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-01-25
About Persons.

W. A. Moore of Atlanta is at the Morris
A. D. York of Memphis is stopping at
the Morris.
]. E. Reese of Baltimore is at the
Morris.
C. B. Fitzpatrick of Nashville is at the
Morris.
w N. Turpin of Atlanta is at the St.
Nicholas.
Lake Smith of Atlanta is at the st.
Nicholas.
f. A. Maddox of New Orleans is at the
Hillman.
Colonel L. Y. Dean of Memphis is at
the Hillman.
J. NJ. Scott of ST. Louis is at the Hill
man.
j. P. Baker of Memphis is at the Colo
NAL.
E. NJ. seay of Llttleton is at the Metro
politan.
L. K. Moss of Brookwood is at the Met
ropolitan.
H. e. Collins of Collinsville is at the
Metropolitan.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-01-25
COLLEGE LIFE is HELPFUL.
Other Good Things Besides lnteIlec
tual Training Are Within Reach.

E. s. Martin in the Metropolitan Maya
zine.
A big college is microcosm, and MANY
men of many minds are seeking various
good things there. There are some
other good things to be had there, as the
Oxford correspondent says besides the
intellectual training. These other good
things are much more likely to be added
to the good scolars than to the poor ones.
but it would be a pity If the good scholars
monopolized them all. 1 don't think they
do In a big college like Harvard one
considerable class of students are work.
ing for their immediate bread and but
ter. IL they do we'll enough in their
studies, they get scholarships while they
are in college, and find good chances to
earn their livings as soon as they get
out. With this group, already facing the
serious work of life, the motive for i'm
mediate exertion is somewhat stronger
than with the other large group whose
circumstances are easier. II the pooer
youths are apt to beat most of the richer
ones In marks, 1t is because they need
to- and because they are exposed to fewer
and less alluring distractions On the
social side of college life the richer youths
have rather the better chance to acquire
some things that are valuable. | suppose
1t really pays some Harvard Undergrad
yates to divert time and strength from
scolastic duties to the Sisyphusian task
of gaining ground against Yale or try
ing to provide-against experience that
Harvard boat shall be more swiftly
propelled down the Thames river than a
similar boat from New Haven. And the
social opportunities, the chance to live
the life of the place, to like am be liked,
to gossip. to invite ones SOUL surely they
are valuable, too.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-01-25
GOVERNOR DOUGLAS Is
TO KEEP HIS PROMISES

II per cent. In 1903 about $2500O0, 900 was
paid in wages to about 900 workers
in Massachusetts,. The average earning
capacity then, was about $471. % a year.
or $9O6 week. Now, then, If our manu-
facturers could save $71,O00 600 on mate
rails they could pay $71O0O,0OO more in
wages and manufacture goods at the same
cost as at present That is, they could
afford to raise wages about 80 per cent
and not make the goods cost any more
than at present"