davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-02-27
Our Rivers and Harbers.

The Manufacturers Record urges a radical change in the matter of im- proving the country's waterways. The increase in population is rapidly mak- ing the improvement of our rivers and harbors public needs. Instead, says the Record, of depending upon the un- certain element of comparatively scant appropriations by Congress for carry ing out far-reachila designs for the improvement of rivers and harbors in somewhat haphazard fashion, let the government issue bonds to large amount and use the proceeds to push to speedy completion the improve ments upon a harmonious and compre- hensive plan. This is what a corpora tion or an individual would do, and there Is no real reason why the govern ment should not do the work in a busi- ness way.
 But the proposition encounters much opposition. The Congressman whose district does not embrace a river or harbor refuses to take broad view of the subject, preferring to stay in a position to bargain for something when pork barrel is opened. Others prefer increased appropriations to a bond issue, but still the proposition finds many supporters, and it gains strength the more it is considered, especially among manufacturers and merchants. Congressman Underwood, with an eye perhaps to an Open Warrior, writes to the Record, as follows:
 "As general rule, I am opposed to the issuance of government bonds. But l have read the article in the Manufactur- CTS Record that you refer to, and must say that l approve the same most heart 1 fly. I do not believe there Is any one 1 thing that will be of as great benefit to 1 the people of the United States as the improvement of the rivers and harbors of the country. Transportation is the key | that unlocks the gates of commerce. A cheap transportation to the markets of l the world necessarily means the develop ment of our foreign commerce. In many communities the cheapest transportation that we can possibly receive will be ob- tained by river and harbor work. There fore I think 1t is folly for us to allow this great work to be delayed for decades when it could all be accomplished in Q short time, to the great benefit and enrichment of the masses of the people of our country. l heartily favor the sug- gestions you make"
 Mir. Underwood fairly presents the views of the supporters of the propo- sition, and it will be strange indeed if the digging of the Panama canal does not lead to wonderful development of the rivers and harbors of this coun- try. Such work should be considered national rather than local
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-02-27
Prominent Survivor.

Among the distinguished survivors of the Confederaoy in Congress is Col. John Goode, of Virginia" said a well known veteran After the war Colonel Goode represented the Norfolk district in the United States Congress twelve years. He was on the special committee of Con- gress that waited on Samuel J. Tilden to ascertain that stateman's views with regard to the electoral commission. 1 heard Mir Goode relate the substance of the committees interview with Mir. Til- den. The democratic President-elect re- ceived the committee in New York city. He intimated to the congressman that 1t would be better to let the majority on the commission have its way and seat MT. Hayes, than to plunge the country into war. MT. Tilden pointed to the tow ering buildings in the Wall street district, and said in his quiet, whispering way: See all that property! The business in- terests of this nation should not be un- settled on my account or on account of the great party I represent Do nothing that will precipitate sectional strife
 ''Colonel Goode was prominent in the Virginia constitutional convention held in 1903. He has lived in Washington, D. C., for a number of years. He practices law there, and when I last saw him two years ago, he was in excellent health. He is S3 years old, but might pass for only TO-"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-02-27
An Open Winter.

''I believe this has been the mildest winters I have ever known in Birming- ham," said an old resident yesterday. Tn fact 1 am certain this city has not enjoyed as fine winter weather as we have had this year for many years.
 Already the trees are beginning to show signs of budding. I have seen a number of peach trees which were be- ginning to bud, and this is at least a month earlier than they usually bud in Birmingham. I am afraid the sap has risen much too early this year and that we will have a cold snap about Easter time, and kill most of the fruit. How ever, if the spring is as mild as the win ter has been, especially the past four or five weeks, fruit trees will be in full bloom much earlier than usual"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-02-27
SOME NEGRO GRAMMAR.

Washington Special to the New York
 World
 John Sharp Williams, the democratic leader of the House, came down the corridor from the minority room chuck ling.
 What is itg" asked Representative South Trimble of Kentucky.
 Why" said John Sharp, "I was amused by the remark of one of the messengers up here at a committee room door. He was dsputing with another negro, and in the most heated part of the argu- ment said, That don't cut no signify.
 'I think" MT. Williams continued, that there never was a more ungrammatical expression than that except one. A man I knew went into a restaurant in Mobile and asked the waiter to bring him some underdone roast beef. The waiter came back with a piece that was pretty we'll done and the man protested.
 Best we got mister,' said the waiter. We ain't got none that's no under doner' i"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-02-27
VALUABLE BOOK.
0. o. stealey's "Twenty Years In the
 Press Gallery"

Twenty Years in the Press Gallery" is the title of an exceptionally interest ing and instructive volume, recently is- sued from the press of the Publishers Printing company of New York. The au- thor is O. o. stealey, the well known Washington correspondent of the Louis vile Courier-Journal and a veteran of the craft. who has had a wide acquaint- ance with the public life of the cap ital
 MT. Stealey's book is a history of events from the Forty-eighth to the Fifty eighth Congress, with the part played by the leading men of that period, incl dents gathered in a long newspaper ca reer in Washington and impressions of official and political life there. Some of the most absorbing chapters are devoted to "The Washington Correspond ent," "The Member of Congress" "The Work and Play of a Congressman" "At the White House." "The Private Secre- tary.' 'grhe City of Washington" "The Battle of the Quorum" and "The Dingley Tariff Bill"
 Part II of the book Is devoted to sev- enty-six character sketches of men most prominent in the present epoch of the country's political life. These sketches have an added value by the fact that they were written by that brilliant coterie of men who compose the colony of news paper correspondents in Washington. The contributors were intimate with the sub- jects of their sketches and many of the biographers are singularly human in their treatment. Among the best known cor respondents at present stationed at the capital who have contributed articles to this series are Walter Wellman, R. M Moorman, Savoyard, Watterson Stealey Fred Starek, P. V. DeGraw. Alfred Hen " Lewis and c. Arthur Williams. Robert J. Wynne, former correspondent, after ward Postmaster General, and now consul general at London, is also among the contributors.
 Henry Watterson contributes an intro duction to Twenty Years in the Press Gallery" written in his own inimitable style and the book is illustrated by Cliff ford K. Bergman, cartoonist of the Washington Post.
 Mir. Stealey's work not only repre- sents arduous toll on the part of the author. but is book that could not well be written by any other than a person who has kept in close touch with af- fairs at Washington for many years. It is an invaluable history, dealing with sub iects that are especially in need of his torical preservation but have been to a certain extent neglected.
 Twenty Years in the Press Gallery will be desired by old public men for the sake of it's "reminiscences and by young congressman who want to trace the course of American politics in the last two decades.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-02-27
Monuments and Memorials.

The extravaganza and imperialism of the. federal government is leading to wide variety of schemes. For ex- ample the Senate committee on the library has favorably reported monu- ment and memorial bills, as follows:
 For a statue of John Paul Jones in Washington. D. C. s5O.oOO; of Gen. James Miller, at Petersboro, N, H., s5OOO; for monument or memorial at Point Pleas ant, w. Va, to commemorate the battle of the Revolution fought there, S1o,0O0; equestrian statue of Maj. Gen. John Stark at Manchester, N. H., S4O,0OO; as a part contribution toward the erection of a monument at Provincetown. Mass, in commemoration of the first landing of the Pilgrims at Capt Cod, SiO0O0; to aid in erecting a monument on the battlefield of Princeton, N. J., ss0,OOO; for the prep aration of a site and erection of pedestal in Washington, D. C., for a statue of Henry Wadsworth longfellow, s40O0, and a joint resolution for the erection of monument to Dorothea Lynde Dix at Hampden, Me, slO0O0.
 It would be difficult indeed to say under what clause of the constitution these sums are to be taken from the treasury. but no doubt they will be distracted to be applied as stated. If no other clause of the constitution can be made to serve the monumentalists, the general welfare clause will be re. sorted to once more. The republicans always stand ready to promote the general welfare by applying in the states they control sums collected from all the states. The pork barrel must be opened early and often.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-02-27
COMMENTS ON MEN AND
 MATTERS OF THE TIMES

T HE strongest objection to offer k0 against regular attendance at the
 theatre is that 1t eventually de- stroys the romance and idealism which is the chief mission of the drama. A per- son of vivid imagination and poetic tenn perament who limits his indulgence in theatrical entertainment to a few good plays during the year can sit in his seat and transport himself to another world entirely. For him the play becomes, for the time being, the most intense reality; he forgets that the men and women on the stage are acting. To him they are the characters which they portray and his enjoyment of the play is ten-fold greater than that of the blase theatregoer who studies the efforts of the players simply as art The unsophisticated play goer has the delightful sensation of feel ing that the heroine loves the hero with all the ardor of her soul and that the hero surmounts the most stupendous ob- stacles because of innate courage and nobleness. The blase theatregoer says in his mind" that scene was neatly done-the heroine has dramatic power-the hero is a finished actor" Not for moment can he lose himself in the play. It is the penalty of knowing too much.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-02-27
From the Washington Post.

T AOih tiiO NNuoiili1 hOh OoNs
 N gather from the press ac- ARV counts of Prof. Montgomerys
 w latest experiment with his aeroplane that the Pacific slope has much to learn from this part of the country in the matter of aerial navigation. As the story reads, the gentleman who un- dertook to illustrate Prof. Montgomery's method of flying came within an ace of sudden death, while the machine itself was busted into smlthereens.
 The ascent was quite successful, it ap- pears. A good, big, husky balloon lifted the aeroplane and It's passenger to the desired altitude without the slightest diff ficulty. This shows that flying machines can rise to almost any height if only they have something to lift them. But Awhen the aeroplane was released In mid air, the manner of it's return to earth was so very eccentric as to fill the spec tators with alarm and the aeronaut with special discomfort. It didn't float in those Hong. graceful, majestic and deliberate sweeps" so feelingly described by our own Prof. Langley in speaking of his YdlQoQ lnVe1IOIl. u utSC6llucu, UT IalhSl shot downward, in dizzy. zigzag, and preciptous plunges, fighting itself occa- sionally but never at any time behav- ing with the least approach to dignified deliberation. Fortunately it's last pause was accomplished within a few feet of the ground, so that the aeronaut didn't have so very far to fall, and, in fact. x.,;tb 1nlx pltt paratus itself, as we have already ex- plained, was effectually wrecked.
 We manage these things better in the nelghborhood of Washington. On the two occasions upon which Prof. Langley gave a public exhibition of his aeroplane-or was it an aerodrome? 1.-the thing was launched over the Potomac river. It was not lifted to a. great height, either. but given to the elements at an elevation of about twenty feet. Thus, when claim ed by its native and particular element
 -as 1t was immediately--the fall into the water was not at all violent or in- furious, and the passenger, an accom- plished swimmer. was quickly rescued by the life-saving contingent all ready for the feat. Prof. Montgomery's aeronaut therefore, might have been hurt where as Prof. Langley's was at no time in serious danger. Prof. Graham Bells box kite is even preferable to the Langley bird in the matter of risk to human life, for he doesn't send anybody up in his machines--just turns them loose quite empty and watches their performances with untroubled scientific eye. We are discussing passenger-carrying machines, however, so Prof. Graham Bell Finyen- ton calls, at this time for no more than the passing tribute of our admiration.
 What we feel moved to say, after care fully observing the various experiments with aeroplanes. aerodromes, and box kites, is that we rather think the Chi nese plan is the best, after all. The Chi nese make really beautiful things, and with the aid of a coil of good. stout twine they fly them with the utmost ease and grace. When it comes to car
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-02-27
LATE DEVELOPMENTS IN
 AERONAUTIC SPORTS

rying passengers, we strongly recom- mend the plain, ordinary ballon. This product of human skill may always be depended on to go up, and we know that 1t frequently comes down again without hurting anybody or anything. Profs. Montgomery Langley and Bell are, of course, eminent scientists, who have un- selfishly devoted their lives to the up- lifting of other people. They deserve the utmost praise. It occurs to us, however, that if they were required, on the oc- casion of any further experiment with flying machines, to uplift themselves, the human race would be materially benefited and safeguarded.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-02-27

esting one in the Armstrong report, and it is probably the one that will be most seriously contested by the three big companies. The proposition in- cludes a graded scale applying to all New York companies. but practically il would affect but the big three. How much it would affect them is shown in the following figures covering their business in 1904:
 Insurance Written during
 fin force. the year. New York Life. .s1 800 965,199 $44315,66o Equitable ...k..... l. 4O9, ,9lS. 742 303, 3,37S,Ss4 Mutual ............ 1,477,873,546 279,146,56 If the three big companies are to be restricted to s15O,OOO,OO0 a year in new business, their agency forces will have to be cut down from one.half to two thirds.
 The wasteful and expensive rush for new business should be checked, and public sentiment strongly favors some limitation, but let no one think for moment that the three big companies or Wall street will let the proposition go through unopposed. Wall street speculation Is fed by the stream of in- surance money flowing into New York, and the strong interests centered there will fight the proposed limitation at Albany to the full extent of their abil- ity, if not their resources. The propo- sition is far from enactment into law.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-02-27
ALABAMA PRESS

New Decatur Advertiser: Washington's birthday was enthusiastically celebrated by our banks and the postmaster.
 Decatur News: The editor of the Bull lock County Breeze, one of our Black Belt exchanges, sells real estate, excursion tickets, hay presses. etc. He ought to be rich now as the cotton country has landed on the plane of prosperity.
 Huntsville Mercury: The Age-Herald well says, all railroads should be well cemed and as far as possible accommo- dated, for we cannot have too many of them. They made the possibility of the present Birmingham the magnificent reality it presents today and the greater 1t will be in the near future.
 Canebrake Herald: This way some pa- pers have of waiting to see who the public, or the "slate makers" will en- dorse, is a self-admisison that such pa- pers are too insignificant to wield any influence in favor of their own eonvic- tions; or too pusillanimous to attempt the advocacy of their favorite public measure or political candidate, for fear they may get on the losing side; thus they are willing to sacrifice their own honest CD convictions likewise their best friends, for the empty honors of being on the winning side when the smoke of battle is lifted from the field.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-02-27
GOAT WANTED.

From the Bessemer Journal.
 WANTED-By the editor of this pas per, female goat of good character, not wanted for butter, but no ob- jection to her giving milk. No otsec-- ton to the color. race or on account of any previous condition of servitude May be named Nancy, Juliet. or Jezebel, just so she comes when called. She may be an Angora, Cashmere, Merno or plain goat. One with an appetite for news. and that can digest newspapers and con- vert them into meat and milk preferred We will give one years subscription to the Journal for such a goat, or cast If it is insisted upon.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-02-27
About Persons.

Joseph I. Williams of Albertville is at the Birmingham.
 J.L. Conaway of New Orleans is reg istered at the Birmingham
 w. A. Percy of Memphis is at the Hill man.
 Richard N Jackson of Laurel, Miss. is at the Hillman.
 S. E. Gates of Cincinnati is at the Hill- man.
 w. H. whaley of New Orleans is at the Hollenden.
 c. J. Augustin and H. H. Mayburn of Baton Rouge, La, are at the Colonial. MT. and Mrs. J. E. Chandler of Fay cite are at the Metropolitan
 J. E. Lacy of Jasper is'at the Metro politan.
 W. c. Longshore of opelika is at the Metropolitan.
 H. T. Gilbert and R. H. Williams of Mobile are at the St. Nicholas.
 J. NJ. Browne of Louisville is register ed at the St. Nicholas
 Frank s. Moody of Tuscaloosa is at the Morris.
 w. E. Brinkerhoff of Lynn Is at the Morris.
 w. H. Fletcher and Alfred Moore of Huntsville are at the Morris.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-02-27
Larqer Cotton Crop.

'I believe that much more cotton Will be planted this year than there was last year." said a railroad man yesterday ''There are several reasons for this, one of the most important being the fertll- izer movement now is much larger than it was at this time last year and that the railroads are making arrangements to handle a much larger fertilizer busi- ness in 1906
 The fertilizer movement is generally pretty good index to the cotton area planted. and I would say from the size of the fertilizer movement and the fact that 1t has commenced a little earlier than usual that we will have a larger acreage"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-02-27
REFLECTIONS OF A BACHELOR.

From the New York Press.
 They way girl makes love to man is to pretend he Is doing it.
 A boy wants to shave so as to look older and a man so as not to look so old.
 1t is hard enough to admit the truth about yourself to yourself, much less to tell 1t to another.
 Good judgment is what you think about an act after you have done directly the opposite thing.
 After a man gets to be sixty he often has very good sense. but it Is of no use to anybody. because all those who would know 1t are dead
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-02-27
MARRIAGE IS LEGAL.
Contract Is Binding Without Either
 Church or Civil Ceremony.

London, February 26.-The divorce court today held that a marriage "by habit and repute" contracted at St. Paul, Minn., without either church or civil ceremony must be considered legal in England. A question arose regarding the legitimacy of the son of Alfred and Ida Newman, who lived as man and wife at St. Paul from 1880 to 1890, when Newman, who is a baronets son. brought his wife to Eng land.
 His family insisted on the necessity for in 1894. the couple being respectively de- scribed as a bachelor and spinster. This false declaration led to the question of legitimacy of the son, and his right to succeed to his parents property.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-02-27
TO CELIA.
By B. Jonson

Drink to me only with thine eyes. And I will pledge with mine: Or leave kiss but in the cup And I'll not look for wine. The thirst that from the soul doth rise Doth ask a drink divine; But might I of Jobs nectar sup, would not change for thine. l sent thee late a rosy wreath. Not so much honouring thee As giving it a hope that there
 It could not witherd be; But thou thereon, didst only breathe And sent'st it back to me; Since when 1t grows, and smells. svsa, Not of itself but theei
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-02-27
Pittsburs Leader Changes Hands.

Pittsburg, February 26.-The Pittsburg Leader was issued today under a new management consisting of A. P Moore, newspaper men. The paper was recently sold for $1,2o0,00o, but the purchasers were unknown until announced officially today through the Leader. With the change of management the paper was reduced from two cents to one cent. The statement is made in todays issue that the paper will be as heretofore. independent, and the organ of no political faction
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-02-27
EFFORTS THAT COUNT.

From the Selma Journal.
 Chief Wier of the Birmingham police force is making active war on gambling. He sends squads where gambling Is sus- pected and prosecutes vigorously each case. Efforts of this kind kept up un- tiringly and with patience will ultimately break the evil Spasmodc efforts do no good
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-02-27
GRAY ON THE PRESS.

From the Bessemer Workman.
 Henry B. Gray struck responsive chord in his speech at the banquet on Wednesday night No wonder the news paper boys of the big city swear by him. for his eulogy of the craft was one of the most eloauent speeches of the affair
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-02-27
IN HOTEL LOBBIES
Next Governor.

Walter D. Seed of Tuscaloosa, eandl- date for state treasurer, passed through Birmingham last night en route to MO bile.
 'I had the honor of riding up on the train from Tuscaloosa to Birmingham with the next governor of Alabama sald MT. Seed, and he hastened to add that MT. Conner and Dr. Cunningham were both on the train. They took supper together on the diner and were in me spirits. Mir. Conner will speak in west Alabama this week.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-02-27
A GIRLS WAY.

From the Detroit Free Press.
 Have you noticed that when a girl has short skirts she is always teasing to have them lower, and the very day she gets them lowered she starts to hold them up?
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-02-27
Extend Irritation Laws.

Washington, February 26.-The House committee on irrigation of arid lands de- cided today to make favorable report on the Smith bill extending national irri- satinn laws of Texas.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-02-27
WILL STOP AT NOTHING.

From the Kansas City Star.
 E. H. Hartman seems determined to get President Fish out of the Illinois Central, even if he has to amend the game laws.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-02-27
SECRET OF SUCCESS.

The Mayor of a city wished To hammer down the lid And all the yellow journals gave The news of what he did. They made so large racket that The people said, "Forsooth, We must provide an office for This energetic youth" They ran him for the Senate and He got there in a walk.
 MORAL. It pays the politicians to Provoke newspaper talk