davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-28
THE PRESIDENT
 ACCEPTS PICTURE

Washington, December T.-(Special.)- An old wartime photograph of the late Irving s. Bullock, navigating officer or the battleship Alabama during the CIVIL war, and brother of President Roose- velt's mother, has just been presented to the President by Miss Fannie Leigh Gait of this city.
 President Roosevelt, before his depart ure for Virginia, wrote Miss Gait per- sonal letter of acceptance and appreela- ton of the gift, which was given nm in the nature of a Christmas surprise. The photograph has for nearly half a cen tury been in possession of Dr. Frank l.. Galt, Miss Galts brother, who was rank ing surgeon on the Alabama, and 1t was during one of these cruises that the pie ture was taken. Officer Bullock was in full Confederate uniform at the time. Dr. Galt and MT Bullock were close friends, and the picture was later given to the former.
 Mss Gait, as was the Presidents s mother, is a native of Georgia, and when she suggested that the photograph might be cherished by the President, Dr. qalt agreed that 1t should be rendered him, The Presidents acceptance followed, and the historic photograph was formally de- livered. officer Bullock was with the Alabama when she sunk, and he and Dr.. Galt swan to shore together. The final cruise of the noted ship is referred to by the President in acknowledging the picture of his uncle.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-28

cers should have a free hand in the discipline and direction of all the men serving on hospital ships, but when it comes to actual command only line officer to the manner" trained should be assigned to that responsible posi- tion. Surgeons are not required to know anything of navigation; and as a matter of fact that science is wholly outside of their sphere. Furthermore, staff officers have had no experience in managing crews, and for that req son they would be practically helpless in time of danger at sea.
 But in this particular case at issue, the President, being the commander in-chief, had the constitutional right to place the surgeon general in com mand f the Relief, and Admiral Brownson, for the very sake of dis cipline, should have accepted the sit ud1iOiJ lOl tnC bliuC DClu6 oI lCdoI, anu let the public hold the President re- sponsible in the event of wreck or other disaster which might possibly result from executive action. How ever foolish and un-American squaD- bles and jealousies in the navy may be, everybody can see that in a matter of this sort the line officer has the best of the argument Nevertheless, it is a of the argument.
 The President should lose no time in recalling his order placing Rixey in command of the Relief. By so doing he would lose nothing in point of off cial dignity; but, on the other hand, would restore good feeling in the navy and bring about the old-time respect for naval law.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-28
AMERICAN ASSOCIATION
 HOLDS IMPORTANT MEETING

Chicago, December H.-The anticipated meeting of the American Baseball asso- citation will be held in Chicago tomorrow and Sunday The proposed transfer of one of the clubs of the circuit to Chicago will be the principal business to come be- fore the meeting. according to current gossip. Club owners are said to be primed for a thorough discussion of the in- vasion proposition, and it is predicted that the sessions will be lively.
 It was unoffcially given out that the chief meeting will not take place until Sunday. Informal gatherings and con- ferences are expected to be the order for tomorrow. President O'Bren was the first representative from out-of-town cities to arrive. He was asked for the latest war news" but declared, There Is no war;
 we would like to establish a club in Chicago" he continued, but war is out of the question. If I can read the tempers of the majority of the club owners in the league" Both Callahan and Cantil- lion, Chicago representatives of the war faction. admitted that the chances of club being established in Chicago this year were very slight.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-28
CUTTING BIGGEST DIAMOND.

From the London Express.
 Although the final arrangements are now being made for polishing the Cullinan diamond, the birthday gift to the King from the Transvaal, it may not be given into the care of the diamond cutters until March.
 Until then it will remain at Scotland Yard, where the sealed safe in which 1t is locked up is guarded day and night by relays of detectives.
 It has been decided to cut series of gems from the Cullinan, which is in it's present rough state more than 20 times larger than the Koh-i-noor.
 A magnificent brilliant of 800 carats, which will be the largest and finest dia- mond known, will first be cut. A series of smaller stones, all of remarkable weights, will then be- secured from the fragments of the giant.
 The Cullinan diamond at present re- sembles nothing so much as an irregular lump of gum arabic, the size of two fists. It appears to the unskilled eye to be about as valuable as a piece of soda.
 It will only be after long months of weary cutting and polishing that its hid den fires will be revealed
 Only the most skilled craftsmen will be allowed to handle the gem, for single false touch might cost a fortune.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-28
Holiday Pardons for Conyicts

The holiday pardon comes down to lis from the effete monarchies or the old world, and Governor Folk of Mis- souri declined at Christmas time to regard it in any manner. He refused to issue any holiday pardons, although Missouri executives had long been In inc habit of handing out pardons Of that nature.
 Governor Campbell of Texas LOOK inc other end of the line, for he set free. absolutely free, 50 of the pig states long-term penitentiary convicts. He did this believing that the 50 will cease to lead criminal lives, preferring to become good citizens. They should do this out of gratitude for their re- lease if nothing else.
 The experiment made by Governor Campbell will be watched, and the out come noted. The 50 pardoned men can, If they will, work reform in our pun ishment system, but the chances are that some of them will go back to their old ways. and the net result will be apt to leave the prison problem about where it stands at present.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-28
MRS. EDDY WILL
 FOUND A SCHOOL

Boston, December N.-Details of the plans of Mrs. Mary Baker G. Eddy, head of the Christian Science church, in rela- ton to the charitable institution which she is to found are contained in an edl- torial by Archibald Mcclellan, in the current issue of the Christian Science.
 The editorial says in part: -
 Mrs. Eddy has consented that the in- stitution which she proposes to found will bear her name therefore 1t will be known as Mary Baker G. Eddy's charit- able fund.-
 'The board of directors will be To- cated in Boston, the recognized head quarters of the church, and in plan and scope this fund will be an educational in- stitution in which will be taught gratui- tously the science of Christ healing as practlced by Jesus and as made known through the writings of Mrs. Eddy,
 'The sum of s1,o0o,000 will be devoted to this sole purpose.
 Mrs. Eddy's benevolence will be open to all those individuals who are genuinely interested in Christian Science for its truths sake, and who shall present to the board of directors of the fund suffi- cient certification of their indigence, their religious views and their moral char acter. The students of Christian Science will be maintained by this fund until such time as the board of directors shall have pronounced them good headers of the sick and deliver to them certificates to this effect The beneficiaries of this fund and the families of those who have fami- lies are to be-supported from the income of the fund and the number of students and their families to be supported will depend upon the amount of this income.
 Mrs Eddy has turned this matter over to a prospective board of directors for them to work out the details of the char ity''
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-28
The Brewnson-Rixey Affair

Rear Admiral Brownson's retirement from the bureau of navigation, of which he was chief, because he ob- iected to the Presidents action in placing Surgeon General Rixey in com mand of a medical ship creates great stir in naval circles if not in federal cficialdom generally. There has been A notable absence of friction between line and staff in the army, but the same cannot be said of the line and str of the navy. While army officers are close observers of punctilio, clash between quartermaster or surgeon or paymaster and an officer Of the line never occurs. In social etiquette and ceremonial precedence all branches of the army, line and staff, are, and have always been, on an absolutely equal footing. The staff officer, therefore, has been satisfied with his position and has never "agitated" for change.
 Tn the navy it has been different. There was a time when the naval sur geon was not by right on even a social footing with the line officer command ing. On board ship he could only sit at an officers table by special in- yitation. Line and staff acted as if they belonged to separate orders. Staff officers have often complained of what they regarded as an unreasonable dis tinction. There is less friction of this k now, but the line officer is today as quick to resent any encroachment on his prerogatives as in years past.
 The President has made grave mis- take in placing Surgeon General Rixey 4r. command of the Relief. Medical on.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-28
A SPEEDY TRIAL
 WILL BE GIVEN

St. Petersburg, December 27.-The eff forts being made in the United States in behalf of Nicholas Tschaixovosky and Mime. Breshlaovskaya have attracted the attention of the highest circles here to M. Tschiakovosky, whose arrest up to the present time has been known only to a comparatively few persons in Russia. The American petition pleading for the liberation of these two Russian patriots, who were arrested recently for complicity in the Russian revolutionary movement, has been received by Premier Stolypin. It is signed by a group of prominent Americans to represent the sentiments of thousands of citizens of New York, Chi cago and Boston.
 Upon receipt of the petition, Premier Stolypin inquired personally into the case and this afternoon he informed the rep resentative of the Associated Press that the petition would receive due considera- ton In the coming proceedings against Tschiakovosky. He regretted his inabili- ty to reveal the details of the accusa- tion against the prisoner as the prelim- mary investigation had not yet been fin- ished nor had any indictment been formu- ulated
 ''The American public can rest assured, however" the Premier said, that every thing will be done to avoid delay In the inquiry and to give T. N. Tschiakov- osky fair trial before a competent court as soon as possible"
 Another official, discussing what he termed the misapprehension in America regarding imprisonment in Russian fort ress, said that In reality this was far less severe than confinement in the pris- ons, and It was so considered in pro- nouncing sentence. The myth that prison CTS in the fortress of St. Peter and St. Paul were confined in gloomy cells below the level of the river Is without founda- tion. The easements are in the cells well lighted and the prisoners have daily opportunity to take exercise.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-28
Atlanta and the Water Wagon

Birmingham will not be the only city that will mount the water wagon next Wednesday, There is Atlanta, for example. At present the town of an exaggerated Ego has in full blast S6 whisky saloons, 23 beer saloons, 21 wholesale liquor houses and two whole sale heer houses-total 1892, and the 132 paid the city this year $131,112 in license fees.
 The 132 will cease to exist next Wednesday, and the entire city, which is bigger than all outdoors in it's own estimation. will chamber onto the water wagon. The act in many individual cases will be compulsory, but 1t will be none the less efficient, but 1t will not be ephemeral. That water wagon is a state vehicle, and it will come on Wednesday to stay.
 Atlanta is not altogether inconsol- able, although US pest estihe'e9 "iO that a round million in capital will be withdrawn from the city because of the coming of prohibition, to be re- invested in Chattanooga, Jacksonville and other wet" cities. But Raleigh, N C., went "dry" on Thursday, and the prospect is that the movement will enter every city. Once it's stronghold was in the rural districts but now it conuuers a city as readily as 1t does an agricultural district.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-28
Confidence Coming Back

It was the banks and Wall street that harbored lack of confidence, not the industrial or business interests. The latter have never lacked confi- dence in the future. They have quiet ly awaited a readjustment, a check to extravaganza and imitation, and as the new year comes in they are getting ready to renew the production and sale of goods on a sensible basis. The in dications are that the factories in the varied lines of the national industry will pursue a conservative policy dur ing the remainder of the winter, ex- pecting to get back in the spring to full time and a full degree of demand and activity.
 Why not? The farmers have great crops. When the farmers are rich business must perforce be good. The factories must continue to be operated, and trade and transportation interests must move steadily on. Read these figures for 1907, and cease to be a 1onhtar.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-28
Dog Subject of Larceny.

"The article in The Age-Herald some days ago." declared a gentleman yes- terday, stating that in the new criminal code to be issued in the spring a dog would be the subject of larceny, was the means of causing qualification to many people in the state of Alabama.
 Tn the eyes of God 1t is as great a sin to steal mans dog as 1t Is to steal his horse. It seems unjust, therefore, that in the eyes of the law to steal d mans dog was no crime or misdemeanor.
 Ut so happens that a man sometimes values his dog very highly, as much, in deed, as his horse. The value attached to dog is not so much a monetary ap- preciation as a sentimental one. A man learns to love his dog, because his dog loves him, and is generally the most faith full creature about a household. Why, orators throughout all ages have grown eloquent when the dog is referred to-, and there Is a famous oration in the books by the delivery of which Senator Vest convicted man for killing dog. The new law is a good one. If 1t is a crime to steal 1t is crime to steal a dog"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-28
BRIDGE COLLAPSES.
One Man Is Killed and Nine Others l Are Seriously Injured.

Philadelphia, December N.-One man was killed and nine others were injured, two of them seriously, by the collapse to- day of portion of false work support ing a new concrete bridge over the Wis sahickoa creek, in the northwest section of the city. Martin Simpson, aged 30 years was crushed to death by the fall ing mass. Bernard Mears, aged 30 years. and Joseph Layton, aged 29 were se- rously injured. Seven other workmen were cut and bruised by the falling framework.
 The bridge, which is the largest con- crete structure in the country, and the only one of it's kind in the world. has just been completed. It is known as the Walnut Lane bridge, and was, built by the city at a cost of s30O,000 to connect Germantown and Peterborough, suburban sections. Workmen were removing false work from one of the spans when the rest of the framework under the span collapsed.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-28
Can't Assign Any One Cause.

Many reasons have been assigned for the Wall street furry of last October and for the money stringency which followed, but in the opinion of financiersa and business men of ripe experience the trouble must be traced to combination of causes; certainly to no one cause" said mer- chant.
 My idea Is that we should drop the discussion of all complex matters now behind us, or at least turn them over to financiers and sages, and put our shoulder to the wheel with minds set on the present and the future. We all know that confidence is being restored If we will all do our part in working up new business the New Year will start off with bright promise. This Is no time for croakers. One optimist now is worth a dozen men without backbone"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-28
Pipes On Street Cars.

w. M. Drennen, former mayor, said last night: 'I am of the opinion that there should be special laws prohibiting men from smoking pipes on street cars. Today 1t has so happened that I was seated near a strong pipe, one of the strongest in the state, l dare say. l was nearly fioored. and noticed that several ladies near me suffered even more acute ly. People are ever ready to knock the street car company, but in many eases the knockers could aid in general movement for improvement by simply de- sisting from practices that annoy and disgust"
 A man who heard these remarks de- clared: You were in a position, once upon a time, to stop smoking on street cars, weren't you?"
 Yes" laughingly replied MT. Drennen, but pipes were not as strong then as now and tobacco was not so cheap"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-28
May Get Securities.

San Diego, Cal, December 27.-Julius x. Pease, the attorney who came to San Diego to see If he could recover any of the securities which it is tn ought William Walker, wrecker of the New Britain. Ct. bank, has hidden in this city, left today on the steamer Ensenada. It Is alleged that the officers of the bank are more anxious to ob- tain these securities than they are to see Walker punished and, 1t Is stated that if Walker will tell about the se- curities, he may never be extradited. Of the s565, ,000 taken by Walker, much was in the form of negotiable se- curities. They are of no value to any one except the real owners. Walker could not dispose of them. It is ho\ ed he may be induced to reveal the hid ing place of the securities if the proper measures are taken.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-28
DOOLEY ON CONGRESS

From the American Magazine.
 q see be tn pa-apers that tn govern ment has put up a sumchuse palace fir tn comfort iv tn nations lawgivers, as Hogan calls thim. It's mansion where they will have all tn comforts iv home an nanny that are not homeike, but betther. Ivry congressman will have a room to himself. decorated in mahogany, inlaid with pearls, where he can put his feet on an ebony desk an throw his peanut shells an apple cores into myriad lapus lazuly cuspydors. Adjinin' each room there will be bath, which a congressman can take or leave, as tn mood seizes him. Beside each tub there will be specific government experts, fr tn use iv tn bath in case iv necessity. Insert plug firmly in bottom iv tub; turn faucet at Iight. Congressmen are respectfully requested to remove shoes before entherlng.' An so on. Down. stairs there will be a Turkish bath, where congressman can be invigorated after set tin up all night discussin' tn river an harbor bills with tn head waiter On tn desk iv each member tn pa-aper says there will be a tillyantysehope. a con- thrivance be which, when tn mimber is previnted be work or fatigue firm attin- din tn session, he can hear what's goin in tn House, an thin hang up tn re- ceiver an remark: Cy Lumley is still gassin about tn tariff. How nanny cards?"
 "Th on'y raison Congress goes on an nobody cares is that 1t niver dales with subjicks that amy wan else iyer talks about onless they are in dhrink. Who iver heerd iv two sensible men diseussin' tn river an harbor bill-or wan sensible woman? Did you an ye'er wife iver set down at night an debate tn pension sys- tenn or free rural delivery, great subjicks that ivry day fir three months will sind Congress to tn flure? No, sir. That's tn reason why we can put up with gov ernmlnts, because thy're always kept busy attindin to matters iv no importance need attindenee I'll niver pass over to d collection ly lawyers firm the rural dis thricks. Whin ye see me with me face convulsed in passion an anger gleamin fir m me eye 'tis not about tn railroad situation I'm thinkin, but about me tight shoes. Whin ye see me with me head bowed in thought it's not wondherin about tn treasury surplus l am but medi- tatin' on how l m goin' to raise tn money fir tn monthly rent"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-28
EDITORS FIGHT.
BonfiIs Is Arrested On Warrant Sworn
 Out By Patterson.

Denver, Colo. December 27.-Fred G. Bonfls. one of the proprietors of the Denver Post was arrested today on a warrant sworn out by Thomas M Pat terson, former United States senator and principal owner of the Rocky Mountain News and Denver Times. charging him with assault and battery. MT Bonils was taken before Justice of the Peace Thomas Carlon who issued the warrant and furn- ished bond for his appearance for trial
 The assault was committed on Patter- son while he was walking from his home to his office. Mir. Bonfils knocked MT. Patterson down and struck him repeated ly. infiicting painful injuries. In card published in the Post today. MT. Bonils states that the reason for his action was the publication of an article in MT. Pat terson's newspapers. ''villifying" him and declares he will call the senator to ac- count every time they meet if similar pub -liee&iens anntinna t~ he maSA
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-28
IN HOTEL LOBBIES
Piu Iron Prices.

"If all the furnace companies of the United States would decide to hold pig Iron at a reasonable price, say for south ern s14 Birmingham, there would be no difficulty in maintaining the market at figures on that basis" said man former ly, but not now, in the iron business.
 T believe consumers would come into the market and buy actively at $l4, if they felt that there would be no shading or cutting of prices. In this district a gentleman's agreement has never been strictly adhered to. There are always some who refuse to be other than inde- pendent, while here and there, some who seem to favor concert of action, never quite reach the point of feeling bound to any given price. The concensus of opinion seems to be that Birmingham iron should not be sold for the first quarter of 1908 at less than s14 on No. ? basis"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-28
The Toy Industry.

Tt Is estimated that three-fourths of the toys which Santa Claus distributes to good boys and girls every Christmas are broken to pieces before New Years, said toy dealer. There is no criticism to be made on the toy smashing habit. These Christmas articles are intended to amuse the child only for day or two and then pass to the scrap pile.
 By the way. 1t Is an interesting fact that Santa Claus no sooner gets through with his good mission on Christmas Eve than he sets his toy factories to work turning out products for the next holiday season. Before the spring of the year manufacturers of Christmas goods in every part of the world will have packed their product for shipment. By summer the jobber begins to ship toys to the retail trade. There is scarcely any in- dustry that gets busy so far in advance of the season as that which provides stocks for old Santa.'