davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-04-02
HEBREWS HAVE BEEN IN
 CHINA FOR 2OOO YEARS

in China do reverence our ancestors. Thii is Rebecca, with her sons Jacob and Esau but as to the other picture. who make obeisance to only four sons of Jacob were there not 12?''
 Returning to the former apartment mus tual explanations followed and an unfore- seen solution ensued. The stranger was a Hebrew, Nagai by name, who had come to Picking from Kaifenfgu to procure lite- rary honors. He stated that in his city there were some 12 families of Isralites, with fair synagogue. in which they preserved a roll of the law more than 400 years old, and in Hangchow the capital of Chekiang, there were many more families, also with a synagogue.
 Scattered over the length and breadth of China there were others of his sect but these were gradually being lost, from having no meeting place. When shown a Bible in Hebrew he confessed his ina bility to read it. though he recognized the characters. He said that his prefer ence for Gentle literature subjected him to many reproaches from the chief of the synagogue. Father Ricci was able to test tHc tiuln OI tnese statements ana ulS- patched some Chinese Christian messen- gers to Kaifengfu for purposes of investi- gation' and soon received visits from other native Hebrews.
 The condition of the Chinese Hebrews has been declining very fast since that time. A missionary in 1866 found them In an impoverished condition. They had been obliged to tear down part of their synagogue to sell 1t. Finally, some 90 years later, a. society for the rescue of these people was established, and, in re- sponse to an urgent invitation, eight Chinese Hebrews left Kaifengfu for Shanghai. They arrived in that city In March, 1902, where they were cordially received by the Hebrew colony. Ques- tioned as to their observance of their ancient religion, these Hebrews admitted that their faith was rapidly declining. At present they do not observe any of the ordinances of the Hebrew religion, nor do they observe the idolatrous prac- tices of the heather. Many of them have been scattered. but there still remain to the seven clans about 140 adults. Their condition is so deplorable that they have no leader. no synagogue and no school for their children.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-04-02
WHEELER AND sEcTIoNALlsM.

From the Philadelphia Inquirer.
 The Atlanta Constitution is giving a notable and rather humorous exhibition of the persistency of temperament and heredity in politics. The Gate City has for two days been turned over to mem- orial exercises in honor of General Joseph Wheeler. in which the ex-federal soldiers have joined. headed by the commander in-chief of the Grand Army of the Re- public. The Constitution very properly devotes much space to showing the mar velous manner In which war issues have died away and the country has be- come united. That is condition we can ell praise
 Without the slightest attempt at humor or even consciousness of its peculiar posi- tion, the Constitution also devotes the greater part of page to showing that the republican party is the only sec tional party that ever existed' and that every effort to perpetuate its power must be beaten down. Let us see about that. We believe General Wheeler was com, missioned major general of volunteers an later in the regular army by Presidei Mckinley. who was, we think. (pretH good republican. We might mentiois--y case of General Fitz Hugh Lee and othef similar ones, which indicate that the re- publican party Is not very sectional fin fact as it certainly is not in principle.
 The south has never had such prosz perity as in the last nine years of re- publican rule This is not merely our statement. The south boasts of it with proper pride. We have no objection to the people of the south adhering to the democratic party if they prefer to do SO, but they fought to make their profes- slons square with the facts. We do not believe the bulk of the leading dem ocrats of the south really want to sec a democratic administratioh. with all the woes certain to come in It's train.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-04-02
PROFANITY AND THE DRAMA.

From the New Orleans Times-Democrat.
 Those who have visited the theatres with some regularity of recent years have doubtless been struck with the growth of profanity in the modern drama. Not many years ago the exclamatioh damn" from one of the actors woulo throw all the young women or an au- dience into a spasm of hilarity. Ihal word was supposed to afford all the humor which the playwright was unaoie to supply otherwise. It was iapor- saving process that, of exciting the risi- bilitiea of an audience without cudgeling the brain for wit which was non-existent |, that brain. Like the slap stick and the seltzer sphon. the word always brought down the house, but unfortunate ly the public outgrew the intense humor in that word and stronger terms had to be supplied to fill the want. Hence profanity of all degrees has found place on the boards, to the delight or those whose sense of humor is so acute that it Is actuated by what does not appeal to the graver mind
 There are ldWS d6diiiSt t'AS o'~ - F@~ fane language in public, but these laws are observed rather in the breach than in the observance. It would seem that if an attempt is to be made to check the practice the theatres would be the first place In which to begin, but serious iouestion Is involved. Are we to suppress the humor of the drama as 1t is until our playwrights are in a position to supply better quality? Besides. profanity may after a time take the place of putridity in the drama. One or the other seems to be demanded by the public taste, and 1t is public taste to which the theatrical managers are catering, of course. If the law stands in the way. so much the worse for the law. apparently. From fiambuoyant profanity we may go to the language of the fishwife, for such things are progressive, and condiments must be made sharper and sharper to appeal to the "educated' taste.
 The hope for the drama is, of course' that writers of ability may enter that field. but that hope is rather smil one at present. But there is no law against the use of the slap stick and the siphon, and this species of humor should be insisted upon by the authori- ties in lieu of the law-breaking pro fanity. which has become so prevalent on the stage as to be nuisance. to say nothing of the shock which 1t gives even to profane men when used in mixed audiences If we are to have profanity let us return to the conventional damn - and drop the more illuminated profanity which is rapidly taking the place of that word.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-04-02
ABOUT BIRMINGHAM

Florida Times Union: The Age Herald claims that Birmingham should and pro- bably will become the cement center Of the south We have long known that Bir- mingham was a badly stuck up place
 Leighton News: Birmingham is at a loss to know what to do with her iron statue of Vulcan, which towers some fifty odd feet In height. The proposal to place the statue in one of the popular parks has raised a storm of protest, some going so far as to declare that the "iron man will be dynamted if set up therein.
 Bloeton Union Webster; Great things are expected for the Birmingham mineral district as a result of the extended visit of the great Chicago fnancier and mill lionaire magnate, John W. Gates, and party. Birmingham, Ensley and Besse- mer just now are in somewhat of a re- captive state, waiting to sec what great industrial move will be made. Unfor- tunantely for us poor Bloctonians, we are a little too far out over the line. Bloc ton will continue on in it's dead march of inactivity, while the larger places are keeping step in this amazing march of progress Poor old Blocton stands still and watches the world move. Surely Blocton may have another day yet.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-04-02
Public Deposits.

At present tte public funds are de- posted in favored banks, and not a cent of Interest is paid upon all the millions thus placed. Ten million dol lays was recently deposited in that .<way. But until recently bonds of the national government were demanded as collateral against such deposits. Secretary Shaw has of late disre- garded the law by accepting col lateral other than government bonds. No money will be lost through the Shaw rule, but it is outside the law.
 Chairman Fowler of the House com mittee on banking and currency pro- poses to change the law by doing away with the requirement. for collateral the banks to pay 2 per cent interest on the amount deposited. He simply proposes to place Uncle Sam among ordinary depositors, for any depositoi  who has millions to place can secure 2 per cent interest. There is another plan before Congress known as the Aldrich plan which calls for no in terest, but enables the favored banks to deposit a wide variety of state city and railroad bonds.
 The Aldrich plan has not been ia vorably received, and the Fowler plan will not fare any better The Shaw license is unfavorably discussed. Uncle Sam is entitled to excellent collateral if he shovels out money to the banks without demanding the payment of in- terest upon 1t.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-04-02
 SOUVENIR OF MARK TWAIN.

From the New York Press.
 A young woman photographer, Miss Jes- sic Beals, recently went to photograph Mark Twain for a publication. As she was pinning on her hat to depart after the operation MT. Clemens took note of her action, and remarked: Here one hatpin isn't enough for any woman. Miss Lyan'-to his secretary-"go and get her one of those hatpins."
 Miss Lyan returned bearing new style hatpin-one of those with corkscrew pin and a gun metal head.
 "I took some stock in hatpin factory lately" said MT, Clemens. and they un- loaded some of their product on me. So Pm trying to work 1t of on my friends
 No envious Flatron building gale will eyer wrench out Miss Bears gun metal hatpn She keeps 1t laid away in cot ton wool for souvenir.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-04-02
Standing of Teams.

Tt is a pretty safe prediction to say that Atlanta, Birmingham and Little Rock will hold the first three positions in the standing of baseball clubs at the close of the coming season." said fan last night.
 'It Is always a hard proposition to figure out the standing of the teams at this time of the year, but from the pres ent indications the cities named should all be good for one. two, three. It is difficult to say who will be in first place, as the fight between the three antici- pated leaders will be close.
 Birmingham is strong in the outfleld and in the box, and unless the unfor- seen happens will run the others a good race zlmmer has corralled a good bunch over in Little Rock and Atlanta seems to be strong. It is encouraging for the fans In these three cities. all of whom have deserved pennants before now. to note that Nashville, Memphis and New Orleans, who have held the rag for sev- eral seasons past, have little hope for that honor this year.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-04-02
Mistaken Identity.

"The Age-Herald could fill many a column were all the men who have been under temporary suspicion of the police to relate their experience" remarked Martin J. Downs of Cole Brothers shows last night. Continuing this well-known snowman said:
 "A number of years ago l was general agent of an overland show. We were touring New England and I kept about fifteen days ahead of the troupe, driving over the road with a buckskin horse and a light buggy. One day in Clinton. Mass, when about to step into my rig prepara- tory to going to the next town, con stable approached and hailed me. In one hand he held card which he was scruti- nizing closely, at the same time keeping an eye upon me.
 No cross-examiner never quizzed a witness more than this limb of the law did me. He asked my name, age, height, weight, color of my hair, eyes and com plexion, where my home was who owned the horse, as well as it's age, height color and weight Thinking to provide little harmless amusement for the bystanders and myself, I began to chaff the officer. Laughs at the expense of the fellow were numerous for time, but when he de- clared in & loud voice that he arrested me for horse stealing my tune quickly changed As I had never been in the town before that day, 1 knew no one in timately. In fact my acquaintance ex- tended only to the men with whom l did business for the show.
 "The constable refused to accept let ters and telegrams 1 had In my pockets as Identification, but insisted upon lock ing me up. Calling upon an aide to take my rig to a livery stable he invited me to accompany him to the 'ealaboose. Re- luctantly I stepped from the buggy and started down the street with my cap tor. Fortunately We had proceeded only a short distance when we met the cashier of the local bank He had that morning cashed a draft my employer sent me and before paying out the money had made me identify myself
 Thanks to his timely appearance and intervention, l was released from cus- tody Later l learned that officers all through that section were upon the look out for a stolen horse which answered the description of the one l drove
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-04-02
From the Cleveland Leader.

From the Cleveland Leader.
 "Ao more than 2o00 years there O has been a colony of Jews es- tabIished at Kaifengfu. China. The exact date of their entrance into the country Is not known. but it is sup posed from a tablet found in their sym agogues at the place that they must have appeared there about 800 B. C.. although Ii may have been as late as 5s A. D. Ii is not until the third or fourth century that they are mentioned in Chinese annals, when thelr synagogue is referred to by a Chinese writer as ''heaven spirit monas- tery." Western Persia. is given as their starting point, by which Persia is prob ably meant because of the number of Persian words which are used by the Chinese Hebrews
 Mir. Ezra, who is an authority on the subject thinks that there is no good req son for the theory that the Chinese He- brews are descended from the 10 tribes. There are many references to these He- brews from the year SIS. An Arabian writer mentions them as one of the sects that perished in a general massacre at Khanfu, but in 956 and 95S there are records of the Chinese district officials comforting honors on Hebrews, and in 116s the erection of synagogue was be- gun in Kaifengfu
 Hebrews were invited to PelSin to join the imperial army. In the fifteenth cen tury there were many Hebrew communi- ties in China. The best information we have about these communities comes through the Jesuits who entered Peking at the end of the sixteenth century.
 The discovery of the Chinese Hebrews was made by Father Ricci, one of the first Jesuits to enter China.
 Early in the seventeenth century one summer day in Peking visitor prompted by rumors of the arrival of certain for eigners who worshipped a single God and yet were not Mohammedans, called on Father Ricci. The missionary, noticing the difference of features from the or dinary Chinese. led him to the oratory and knelt on his knees before a picture of the Virgin with the infant Jesus and St. John the Baptist. Near by was an other picture representing four of the apostles.
 The visitor knelt also, remarl1ing: We
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-04-02
IN HOTEL LOBBIEs
Common Sense Explanation.

Judge \. B. Feagin tells this story;
 Several years ago two men occuped adjoining farms in North Georgia. One of them sold his place. moved to the city and became wealthy enough to re gently give 5000 to a worthy charity while the other one remained on the farm. The two old neighbors met short time ago and were discussing old times when one of them said to the other
 Bill, when you and I used to live over in Georgia 1 had five mules and good farm and you cultivated a small place with a steer, and now you are rich enough to give 5000 In a lump to a singie charity, while still have nothing but five mules and the same farm, tell me what formed the basis of our change in for tunes"
 The rich man looked at his old neigh bor a moment and simply said:
 Judgment, John, judgment
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-04-02
Modern WarshIps.

Vhe modern battleship is to have
 % tons displacement, and is to Pflc'dtted with turbine machinery, and to burn under her boilers oil fuel
 new English battleships are to be kipplied with turbines, and four of the older battleships are to become oil-using ships.
 The rest of the world is apt to model its war vessels after those of England and the reciprocating engine seems doomed to go. The turbine will show, it is believed, in the Dread nought economy in coal consumption, and on liners it is already known that the turbines show a saving in fuel of about 30 per cent. So import ant a saving involving no drawbacks mustN result in the equipment of all naval \as we'll as commercial ships with turbines, sailing vessels alone excepted.
 But the use of oil as fuel is a diff ferent matter Russia and the Uni ted States practically produce the oil of the world. England has plenty of coal, but she produces no oil ex- cept possibly In Burmah, which is far away from the home country. If, however, all war fleets are to consume oil, great oil tanks will soon become a feature of all ports, for vast quan- & titles of the fluid would have to be -.ored against contingencies.
 It becomes a question, too, whether there is enough oil in the world to meet all sea demands This is a ques- tion that the Standard Oil would be delighted to handle, and it certainly begins to look as if John D. RoclSe- feler and H. H. Rogers would soon become world figures in sea and bat tie matters, for if battles hereafter are to be fought at sea it follows that the oil princes would become masters of the situation. This would give them grip upon the rest of the world, and make them bigger men than the Kaiser or our wielder of the Big Stick.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-04-02
REFLECTIONS OF A BACHELOR.

From the New York Press.
 Girls are always afraid that they are not going to be married and men that they are.
 The only man who really likes farming is the one who has a lot of money to lose at it.
 Most peoples idea of saving money is to buy bakers bread instead of wasting 1t on flour.
 It takes woman to know her hus- bands faults and not believe it when somebody else does
 No matter how much you can see of a woman she always thinks it is modest If you see 1t through open work
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-04-02
in the Coal Fields.

The widespread soft coal field will find relief-possibly total relief-in the determination of the miners to per init acceptance of the scale of 1905 by independent action on the part of mining copanies. Any operator who will agree to pay that scale can con tract with miners on that basis, and the contract is to stand two years, and is to be ratified by the district skioerz of the miners organization.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-04-02
The Stock Market.

Henry Clews in his Wall street letter of Saturdays date says:
 'Uncertainty regarding monetary con- dtions and the coal strike exerted a decidedly retarding effect on the Stock Exchange. Prospects of the coal crisis are very much mixed. Conditions seem unfavorable for the miners. inasmuch as there is large stock of coal on hand. and it is asserted that as class they are already much better of than usual, and that trade conditions do not warrant a further advance in wages The dispute. however, Is still in critical state, and
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-04-02
Six Bio Bills in rtsunie.

The two houses of Congress are dis agreed over no less than six import ant bills, or rather the controlling re- publican majorities in the two houses are split over at least six big bills, as follows:
 Railroad rate bill.
 Pure food bill.
 Shipping bill.
 Philippine tariff bill.
 Consular reform bill.
 Statehood bill
 A world of secret intrigue is going on in relation to some of these bills.
 Some of them offer opportunities for secret influence of one sort or another, and the action in each case is unset tied, uncertain and not bit open and aboveboard.
 So runs republican legislation now adays, and the people have but to wait and accept the result of the tus- sle below the surface.
 The Big Six are tied up, some in one house, some in another, and one at least, the statehood bill is in con. ference-in both houses, in other words. It is a lottery, and no one knows what the drawing will be in any one of the six.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-04-02
The Coal Trade.

Direct interest in Birmingham in the differences between the anthracite coal operators and miners is really limited to the bakeries" said J. F. Slater yester- day.
 Anthracite coal here brings from s10 to s1l per ton, or about twice as much as 1t costs in the east. Alabama fuel supplies practically every one in this section, except the bakers, who use an- thracite to minimize the smoke.
 Extensive inquiries have already been received from Illinois and other states, and if the strike should be prolonged Alabama coal would be in demand. The only effect the big strike could have on this district would be a possible increase in prices"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-04-02
SKATING SOME.

From the Florida Time Union.
 A Birmingham couple skated into what was termed a skating auditorium and were married on skates. After the ceremony followed by their attendants. they led what was termed Q grand march, but should have been termed a grand skate. This. though the most conspicuous. was not necessarily the biggest skate the bridegroom had ever been on.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-04-02
Latest for Atlanta.

William A. Dearng. 1910, was aIf en- try made on the St. Nicholas register last night.
 What does that men?'' Night Clerk E. c. Tanksley was asked.
 What does that mean?" Night Clerk E.. That's the latest for Atlanta
 People from Atlanta have quit regis terlng any other way. The idea is of course, to advertise the 1910 exposition. You will recall. said MT. Tanksley, what wild rage the order of Buffaloes was a few years ago, well that thing was start ed by the publicity department of the Buffalo exposition. Hereafter 1910 will be the pass word of all Georgians and will be found on every hotel register from the Gulf to the Lakes, for those peanut people are wonderful movers. About Persons. The following Alabama visitors are stepping at the Metropolitan: L. R. Rob inson of Wetumpka, J. E. Daniel of Tus- caloosa and J. M. Robinson of Talla- dega. H. Tannenbaum of Mobile is at the Morris.
 slney T. Hitler of Sylacauga is register. ed at the Hillman. Spring Smith of Dadeville is at the Bir' niingham. Wilfred McNeill of University is stop ping at the St. Nicholas. J. S. McCants, Jr. of Taliadega is registered at the Colonial, c. Holt Smith of Montgomery is at the Morris. R. H. Barclift of Anniston is stopping l at the Hillman.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-04-02

Mayor Ward and Street Commits sioner McCartin are determined that Birmingham shall be clean city. The community at large should be quick to co-operate.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-04-02

Blocton as well as all the other reap substantial benefits from the Tennessee company's development work. Ye Blocton editor, cheer up.