davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-12-11

phasis placed upon the deficit in our na- tional finances. This has occurred in spite of our large and increasing revenue. and is to be attributed solely to national ex- travaganee. The only way for adjustment lies in some form of retrenchment, for no increased form of taxation is to be thought of; and the increases of revenue from tariff and internal sources, due to national prosperity cannot be expected to continue indefinitely.
 "Once more the stock market has been almost entirely dominated by monetary conditions The tension which has been repeatedly anticipated in these adviees is still on. and is likely to remain with us more or less until after the first week in January. While funds have been re- ceived from other parts which had to be satisfied. Tn both the west and the south there are unusual demands for money arising from business activity and the return movement is being deferred until after the holidays because of unusual ac- tivity in the holiday retail trade"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-12-11
Breathes Easier.

Henry Clews in his Wall street letter of Saturdays date, says:
 Congress has opened and Wall street breathes easier. Usually the beginning of a new session is an event of more or less concern in financial circles; but Presi- dent Roosevelts treatment of the ques- tions connected with railroads and cor porations was so rational and temperate as to allay rather than excite distrust. It is quite evident that no radical legislation will be put through during this session of Congress affecting either railroads cor porations or the tariff A vast number of hills will be introduced on these subjects hut their volume and complexity alone will be quite sufficient to prevent radical action. In all probability the attempt to
 fix the rate will fail; but this does not mean that some more rigid supervision of railroad and corporation affairs will moi he secured; action in this direction heinz really desirable, not only as a mat ter of public interest but equally as a matter of self-protection to the railroads themselves. The most unpleasant feature in connection with the reassembling of the national legislature was the renewed em-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-12-11
Gen. Stephen D. Lee Speaks.

Seven years ago." says President Roosevelt in his annual message, my lamented predecessor, President Me Kinley, stated that the time had come for the nation to care for the graves of the Confederate dead. I recommend that the Congress take action towards this end" Gen. Stephen D. Lee. con- mander of the United Confederate Vet erans, hastens to thank the President for his recommendation declaring that it is exceedingly gratifying to him per sonally.
 It should be gratifying to all, for 1t means that all Americans who fought In all honesty for their convictions in . civil war are to be treated in the long run justly and equitably by a common GlEernment The passions
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-12-11

and prejudices of war are fading out. and there is now, at the end of forty years, no reason in the world why the graves of those who fell in that war should not be cared for from the com mon purse. That purse is kept filled by the descendants of those who fell on both sides. No money that comes from such descendants is considered tainted, and the sons of the two sides meet and mingle in all the walks of hfe. The veterans do likewise
 The Presidents recommendation is a step towards fuller reconciliation and fraternizatlon, and as such it should be adopted. In a common country war bitterness should have no place. The men of forty years ago did their duty as they saw it, and when the war was ended, and peace came, it became the duty of both sides to get together. ne ueClSlOn Ol tue SWOTu was harsh but still harsher have been the uncalled for retention of issues that the war had forever settled. We are all, however, fast becoming more sensible. and the Presidents recom- mendation is in line with sound policy and justice and the general good.
 bill appropriating $2O0,OO0 for placing headstones at the graves of Confederates who died in northern camps was considered about a year ago, but the House finally reduced the amount to $2O,000. wholly inadequate sum. The bill was passed bearing that sum. President Roosevelts recommendation will perhaps lead 10 the voting of a proper sum and the identification of the graves of all DTS oners of war who died in northern camps. This would be a good begin ming of the new movement.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-12-11
Admiral Teqo is Cominu.

No visitor to western waters next year will rank up to Admiral Togo, the hero of the battle of the Sea of Japan. He is to bring a fleet through the Suez canal his purpose being to visit both England and the United States. He comes, we are glad to say, full of peace and curiosity only, and both countries will welcome him as few men have been welcomed before. It was he who made Japan mistress of the eastern seas, and that fact alone determined the conflict He it was who annihilated the Russian fleets, who at the outset far outnumbered both in vessels and guns his own. In the end there was no Russian feet and no prospect of one.
 The masterly manner in which he attacked Rojestvensky almost took the worlds breath away and when all the facts were digested it was clearly seen that a new power and a new worlds force had sprung into being Togo, more than any other man, did it, and he stands out today as the Lord Nel- son of today. His achievements far outrank those of any other living naval commander, and it may well be doubt ed whether any previous naval hero accomplished as much as Togo did in the transformation and evolution of the world.
 But no one will compare his achieve ments with those of any one else. for all will be glad to see and to welcome the patient but invincible commander, and he will be honored beyond any visitor of the entire year.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-12-11
THE BARKING CAT.
From the Philadelphia Bulletin.

From the fnllduelphist ouheeh''
 physicians" said one of them, "are not mercenary. They could make oceans Of money if they cared to stoop little; but they remain upright. Look at the case of the barking cat.'
 'The barking cat?''
 "Yes. Delarmers barking cat. You know Delarmel, the French laryngologistf No?
 Well Delarmel, to prove a certain allegation of his, operated on cats vocal cords and larynx in such way as to cause the animal to bark like dog. The singular freak attracted no great attention among scientists, but showmen from all parts of the world pesiegeo Delarmel. imploring him to make bark ing cats for them.
 "A cat furiously and hoarsely barking would be a strange, attractive sight, and one that would prove splendid drawing card for showmen. These men according lv offered Delarmel sums from slo up to 5000 for barking cats. He could have sold undoubtedly one thousand of them at s2Oo aDiece. For the rest of his life he could have kept profitably employed at this work. buying ordinary cats for dime ar so and turning them out bankers as valuable as horses.
 ..Delarmel, though, would not stoop. He only made one barking cat. and that has been dead now for two years"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-12-11
PROGRESS OF THE SOUTH.

From the Florida Times-Union.
 The south is gaining more rapidly In wealth than any other section, ana 'he gain is from the bottom upward, rather than from the top downward. The pros perity of the south is not that of the few' but of the many. and this fact not only makes it more desirable, but more sup stantial as well.
 The south has Jagged behind the north in many respects. The reason is not dif- f,cult to find. Is the north had started with nothing forty years ago it would not have made a better race than the south has made.
 The gan is being rapidly closed. Agri- culture is fiourishing. land is advancing rapidly in value, manufactories are spring ing up everywhere, transportation lines are being extended. commerce is expand ing. Before the half century shall have elapsed after the oblteration of property values in the south the south will have attained an average of wealth as great al
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-12-11
PHILoM FLA.

By Matthew Arnold. Hark ah. the nightingale The tawny-throated! Hark. from the moonlit cedar what .
 burstI What triumph! hark!-what pain! o wanderer from a Grecian shore, Still, after many years, in distant lands, Still nourishing in thy hewilderd brain That wild, unquench'd, deep-sunken, old.
 world pain Say, will it never heal? And can this fragant lawn With its cool trees and night, And the sweet, tranquil Thames, And nloonshine, and the dew, To thy rac'd heart and brain Afford no balm? Dost thou tonight behold, Here. through the moonlight on this Eng-
 fish grass, The unfriendly palace in the Tracian wild? Dost thou again peruse With hot cheeks and sear'd eyes The too clear web, and thy dumb sisters
 shame? Dost thou once more essay Thy flight, and feel come over thee, Poor fugitive. the feathery change Once more. and once more seem to make
 resound With love and hate. triumph and agony, Lone Daulis. and the high Cephissian vale? Listen, Eugenia-- HOW thick the bursts come crowding
 through the leaves. Again-thou nearest? Eternal passion! Eternal pain!
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-12-11
Passing of Corea,

The publication of the treaty be- tween Japan and Corea shows plainly that the latter has ceased to exist to the outside world. It. has been stricken from the map, having become as much part of Japan as a conquered district in Hindustan has long been in posses. sion of England's king.
 Japan takes over all of Corea's ex. ternal relations and affairs, and this country was the first to withdraw from Seoul legation. Alert as Uncle Sam was, he was none too wide-awake, for only Japanese residents, controlled by a Japanese resident general, will be received in Corea hereafter.
 True, the treaty provides that the plan thus outlined shall cease when it is recognized that Corea has at tained national strength" but no one is green enough to imagine even that any such time will ever arrive. The conical-hat statesmen have simply been bowed out
 The absorption and assimilation of twelve million decadent Orientals will now go on apace, hindered only by the ignorance and backwardness of the Coreans themselves. They cannot readily be lifted to a higher level, but Japanese skill and patience will in the end bring results.
 At any rate the Coreans are in Ian. anese hands. and there they will stay, and there is no one in this world to offer even a suggestion to the plucky people who have conquered at last control of the Far East. It is simply another instance of the ease with which success succeeds. The success full in the Far East shoot too straight to invite opposition of any sort. It is a walkoyer to them hereafter.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-12-11
IN HOTEL, LOBBIEs
He Was Crazy,

T was standing in the passenger sta ton at Anniston last night waiting Tor my train when I observed man of strik- ing appearance who was talking to group of men as if his life depended upon making them see a question from hls point of view remarked a drummer at the Hillman. "A friend shortly after ward introduced me to the talkative indl- vidual and he immediately launched forth on d discourse which touched many sub jects, but first reached the goal of so many itinerant orators-the evils of too much wealth and the menace of the Rock efeller millions.
 The stranger white-haired and dls- tinguished seemed to have great store of information and a crowd of loafers hung upon his words. He assailed John D. Rockefeller in heated terms, he count ed up the dollars that flowed into the coffers of the Standard oil king every minute of his life and abused Carnegie roundly for his hypocritical attitude to- ward libraries He hated to say it, but four or five men virtually ran the gov ernment These men could pass any laws they saw fit and the spread of the money power was growing more alarming every day.
 Tt was but step from Standard Oil to mules, thence to the value Of farm lands in Kentucky, thence to state poll tics and ballot box corruption On these and many other subjects the voluole man seemed to be exceptionally well informed. His circle of uncouth listeners was charmed l was interested myself and when the gentleman finally bowed him self out with q grand asweep of his arm' l remarked upon his versatility.
 Yes said my friend, with smile. he Is crazy"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-12-11
HARD LIFE LED BY THE
 RAILROAD CONDUCTOR

a baby if it squalls, to put up a window that sticks and to know at what time the Podunk stage leaves West Poduhk for skunkville Hollow. He joins omnipotence with omniscience. We feel sure that kings and queens ought to feel honored to ride with him. Why should he not be selected occasionally to represent us at their courts?
 In truth, however. fl Is very seldom that the adaptabilty of railroad conductors to general employment of dignity and im- portance is recognized. On the contrary, there is tendency to leave them in their train jobs until they fall into hopeless decay Nothing can be more pathetic than the spectacle of a passenger conductor who has grown old in his position. Instead of waiting on the station platform until his train has started, and then gracefully swinging upon the car step by one hand, he hastcns stiffly to get aboard as soon as he has given his signal. The spec tacles on his nose rob him of the appear ance of hawl1-eyed vigilance appropriate to a conductor The swaying of the car pounces him pitifully from side to side. Instead of impressng his trainload of passengers with sense of awe. he be- gins to excite smile of faint and won- derng half-derision. Unless he is work ing for road that retires it's conductors on half pay at the age of say, b. 1t must be a serious thing for man in the prime of life to accept the post of con- ductor on a railroad.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-12-11
OLD DRINKERS AND SMOKERS.
he Baltimore Herald.

From the Baltimore Herald.
 Mark Twain's speech was comforting to the old smokers and drinkers, the fel- lows who have lived 100 years or So and haven't been killed by bad habits, But the old chap will note that Mark was tough when he started If he had begun life in the twentieth century when the pace Is faster than m the days before the forty miners, he might have fallen before he reached 70. He was probably proof against spirits and nicotine before he fell upon the days of aduteration.
 Mark may have more sins to answer for than he will care to face in the next thirty years if his speech leads the sickly youth of the present day to experiment. rashly with present day to experiment rashly with paper cigarettes and the liquor Dr. Wiley has put under the ban.
 Boys, don't initiate Mark. His nose for years has been a seasoned chimney. and his stomach is copper-bottomed.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-12-11
Republicans in Full Control.

Congress has a calendar of big meas ures, the list already including the following:
 1. Railway rate legislation.
 2. Federal supervision of corpora tions.
 3. Control of life insurance.
 4 The tariff.
 B. The currency.
 6. Subsidies for the merchant ma rine.
 2. Panama canal.
 s. Relief for the Philippines.
 9. Santo Domingo and the Monroe doctrine.
 10. Quarantine.
 mere is republican majority in the Senate of 26, and of IA in the House, and already in the House rules have been adopted that will render the big party majority efficient, if not tyrannous. The republican party Will be held fully responsible for the out come of the session, and the leaders of that party know full well that they must build this winter against a dem ocratic House in the Sixtieth Congress, and the election of democratic Pres ident in 1908.
 Already it is plain there are dem ocrats enough left in Congress to keep the republicans on their mettle. There is dissatisfaction over Panama canal matters, and dozen other subjects of equal unpleasantness may bob up to vex and plague the majority. The fact that the entire administration is trying to dodge action on the tariff will alone furnish hope to the minority, and that hope will no doubt be built up in every possible direction. An &C., tive and wide-awake session seems probable despite the heavy republican majorities in both houses.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-12-11
COL. HENRY LEE WAS
 A TYPICAL BOSTONlAN

though it involves certain amount of repetition.
 Expeditions come most often with the mention of the old Boston that Colonel Lee loved the Boston that antedated not only subways and electric cars, but even horse cars. The men that can recall that beautiful town must be getting close to 60 now, and Colonel Lees boyish remem- brances were of thirty years earlier still. Picture after picture of the old town, when it was really Trimountain and Bos- ton Neck had meaning, he draws with fond regrets. His memory was strong enough to keep the Boston of his boy hood and man hood alive. in spite of the changes that have destroyed it.
 It is hard to think of Harvard college ceremonials without Henry Lee. For near ly half a century at commencement and on other state occasions he was present usually as chief marshal. A procession or a college dinner without the comic mask of his face could not be imagined, and the sly droop of his eye whenever he rose to make his speech prepared his audience for the fun that was to come. And with his humor there was always bit of plain speaking that made those in high places uncomfortable. For that half century Colonel Lee was the milch COW of Har- yard college; whenever it was in need 1t went to him and he gave. How much mo- body knows nor will know till some an- tiquary gains access to the secret books of the Harvard treasurer. In the list or donations appended to President Eliots reports for thirty years Colonel Lees name appears annually again and again, but just as often he is disguised as ''an anonymous donor," and even the college authorities did not know of more chart- able gifts to individuals. MT. Morse tells an interesting story of the colleges sharp practice with Colonel Lee in the matter of the Memorial hall fund; the colonel's loyalty to his college survived it.
 Colonel Lee had the good British habit of writing to the newspapers whenever he got angry and when his friends died A selection from his writings is appended. His recollections of Governor Andrew and his speech in behalf of the state house are extremely interesting. Some of the other papers are good too The obituaries, however, seem selected rather for the eial rank of the subject than for their merit They form sort of golden book of departed Bostonians, whose families will be glad to preserve Colonel Lees appreciation. There are two capital life- like pictures of his jovial face, and other illustrations. It is a pleasant memorial of thorough gentleman.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-12-11
Owl Street Cars.

sI know of no other city in the south which needs an owl car service as badly as Birmingham" said man who works rather late every night. T meet scores of men down town every night who would be glad to avail themselves of an all night street car service and believe that the service would pay.
 "If nothing else was done l believe that 1t would pay at first to start car on the North and South Highlands iine' one going east and one car going west. That would cover the main points Of the compass and people who do not live di- rectly on one of these four lines would have a much shorter walk home.
 "The last cars leave the city at 2:oO o'clock going in several directions, and freouently there are twenty or thirty people who would like to catch a car at 30 O clock or 2:3O o'clock and go home.
 "The conditions here differ from those in many other cities in that there is such large number of night workers here. The railroads employ many men who work at night, the furnaces and rolling mills employ night workmen' and there are other places where men toll while others sleep"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-12-11
SENDING MESSAGES IN PARIS.

From Harper's Weekly.
 The telephone system of Paris leaves considerable to be desired and meets with constant complaint on the part Of the subscribers. One of the latter endeavored to test the speed of the various means or communication of the city, sending mes sages in different ways from his rooms In the Rue Richelieu, in the center of the city, to friend on the Avenue de la Grande Armee, near the Bois de Boulogne. He found that a bicycle messenger had made the trip in il minutes and 10 sec- onds, as compared with % minutes for Q cab A message sent via the Metropolitan railway required 31 minutes, by omnibus 3t minutes, telegram B minutes, mes sage by the pneumatic tube three. hours, while the message sent by telephone did not arrive at all
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-12-11
From the New York Mail.


 O FAR from the appointment of NN passenger conductor as railroad - commissioner of this state being a proper matter for surprise, we should say that the surprising fact is that con ductors are not regularly made governors, senators and amba ssadors as a matter of easy and natural promotion. Fitness to wield power generally comes, like all other kinds of fitness, with some experi- fence in the exercise of it. And where is the class of men that yields power with and minutely tireless aplomb and distinc- ton, as the railroad passenger conductor? Who so calm under conditions that rattle ordinary men as he? Who so sane and safe person to lean upon as he? And in what employment does any one gain so wide an experience of human nature as in his?
 No one could deny that 1t takes man of first-rate natural abilities to be good railroad conductor. His qualities are a combination of those of the military com- mander, the sea captain, the civil engi- neer, the mechanical engineer, the judge on the bench, the police officer, the court interpreter, the business man, the floor walker, the rubber-neck wagon ''spleler' and the accountant. He is expected not only to be able to bear wisely, coolly and expertly the responsibility of hundreds of human lives, but to be able to quiet
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-12-11
SUBSTITUTES FOR TOBACCO.
,m the Philadelphia Bulletin

From the Philadelphia Bulletin.
 Sailors on long cruises sometimes ex haust their tobacco. Thence untold mis- cry and many ingenious efforts to create a tobacco substitute.
 Tea and coffee make the best tobacco substitutes. They smoke freely in pipe or cigarette. and their taste and aroma are not unpleasant. But they burn the mouth and rack the nerves.
 Rope-yarn-the untwisted parts of rope and oakum-ls smoked by sailors as a last resort. Bark peeled from the hoops of salt beef and pork barrels is also smoked when the limit is reached
 These things smoke aboninably and the black fumes that they give forth from the sailors mouths are always ac- companied by oaths and imprecations. Yet many a desperate sailor has smoked them in the hope of appeasing his to- bacco hunger
The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-12-11
WORLDLY WISDOM.
from Harper's Weekly.

From Harper's Weekly.
 There is young minister in Philadei- phia who has been remarkably successful in paying off the debts of the verious churches to which he has been assigned from time to time. A brother minister who was laboring earnestly by means of bazars, fairs and other affairs to accom- plsh like happy result at his own church went to him and inquired the se- cret of his success.
 And l observe that you never have to resort to my present methods" he con- cluded.
 The successful one smiled.
 "No," he replied. You see, when we need money some good sister suggests a bazar. Then I call on the husbands of the married ladies of the membership and explain to them that fin order to raise a certain sum we are finding it necessary to hold a bazar. We have never had to actually bring the affair off,