davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-21
Control of the Police

Justice Anderson, speaking for the Alabama supreme court, read between the lines in the Birmingham police commission act, and found there evl- dence that it was not a general act at all He there ascertained that it was a local act masquerading in general clothes, and no notice had been given of it's enactment. Speaking for the court, he declared it unconstitutional, and that is the end of it, and of the commission it brought into existence.
 This brings back to power Chairman Hal. J. Copeland's commission, which will soon take charge of the city's po- lice department, and the quicker they are installed in power the better. An interregnum in Che police department is not desirable, and the voice of the supreme court ia final. It has spoken, and that, too, decisively, and it is the duty of all to accept it's decision and the situation until the people have an opportunity to act anew at the polls. An appeal to the people at the polls is always in order, but until an appeal of that nature can be acted on it is the duty of every one to obey the Ala bama supreme court.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-21
American Fleet and Japan

From the Foreign Minister Viscount Hayashi and Admiral Togo hnd the minister of the navy, and all the way down the list to the editors of the op- position papers and yellow journals in Japan come friendly words. All unite in inviting the fleet to visit Japanese ports. The leader of the opposition party, Count Okuma goes so far as to say that nothing short of a visit by Admiral Evans to Japan would stop "the ridiculous talk of war or unfriend- Illness on the part of the Japanese"
 These expressions from the Japan ese statesmen and leaders of public opinion render visit of the fleet to Japan almost imperative because it would no doubt restore to the fullest extent friendly relations between the two great countries lying on the Pa cific ocean.
 It might lead, too, to more satis. factory understanding concerning i'm. migration and possibly after while to treaty that would lift from our shoulders the white elephant that Dewey gave Us when he steamed into Manila harbor on an eyentful morning in May.
 The interviews gathered by the As sociated Press put behind us all the dreary drivel about 8 war present or future with Japan. Japan wants no war with anybody. Like Germany, she is cultivating trade and commerce. She is trying to become a rich nation. She is now poor, but smart, and she is smart enough to keep out of war. Admiral Evans fleet should be sent to Japan if for no other purpose than to demonstrate beyond question the friendly feeling that exists between the two countries.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-21
Alabama Is Well Placed

The Senators of Alabama are we'll placed when the newness of their serv- ice is considered. Senator Banllhead is a veteran legislator, but the Senate does not take into consideration serv- ice in another body. He has, however, been placed on the committees on post offices and postroads and privileges and election, both desirable assign ments. Senator Johnston had not served a term in either house, and yet he was placed on the committee on the Dis trict of Columbia, and on the commit tees on Indian affairs, interoceanic affairs and the Philippines. Both of our Senators are well-started in sena- torial service.
 In the House Alabama has a repre- sentative on nine important commit tees, to say nothing about representa- ton on the lesser committees. Here IS JHe ilSL. OnutlNDOu, ways "hu means; Clayton, judiciary; Taylor, rivers and harbors; Richardson, inter- state and foreign commerce.; Wiley, military affairs and militia; Hefin, agriculture; Hobson, naval affairs; Burnett, public buildings and grounds and immigration and naturalization; Craig, public lands.
 Surely, Alabama has no reason to complain over these assignments. This section is doubly fortunate in the re- turn of Theodore E. Burton to his old post as chairman of the rivers and har- bors committee and the assignment of George W. Taylor to that committee. What these two men cannot do toward the opening of the Warrior cannot be accomplished by anybody. Alabama never was more fortunate in securing desirable assignments, and every mem- Der of the delegation seems to be con tent with the work placed in his hands.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-21
Distinguished Enaineer Dead.

Coi. W. b. Cutshaw, for 3f years city engineer of Richmond, died there Thurs day night. He ranked as one of the fore most municipal engineers in the United States. A member of Birmingham's Vir- ginia colony who knew him well. said last night: Colonel Cutshaw was one of Richmond's most distinguished citi- zens He was trained in military school and served in the Confederate artillery with great valor, losing a leg in one of the bloody battles around Petersburg.
 "As a civil engineer Colonel Cutshaw belonged to that class of virginians in which Major Temple Major Myers, Colo mel Talcott were conspicuous. Richmond is naturally beautiful, but Colonel Cut 8, 2w had aesthetic taste as we'll as sci ettihc knowledge, and in his engineering scheme combined artistic treatment with practical--results. He terraced Churchill and the hillside to the east of Chm- berazo Park, he beautified the old parks scattered through the city and created Reservoir park of nearly 300 acres and made it one of the most attractive places in all the south.
 "The people of Richmond will erect a fitting granite shaft to the memory of Colonel Cutshaw. No single individual ing of the Confederate capital as he"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-21
THE DRINK HABIT.
From the Portland Oregonian.
 Per cent of men who drink, S5.

From the Portland Oregonian.
 Per cent of men who drink, S5.
 Per cent who drink to excess, 30.
 Per cent who are inebriated, 12.
 Per cent who are jncurable, z.
 Per cent of women who drink, 65.
 The man who is responsible for these figures is Dr. w. L. Lawrence of Min neapolis.
 Fifteen per cent of the adult males in this country are teetotalers," said Dr. Lawrence to the Des Moines correspond ent of the Clinton Herald, while 55 per cent are what may be termed privilege drinkers-that is, men who claim the right to take drink as 1t pleases them, but who do not drink to excess.
 Thirty per cent are diseased through the use of drugs. These statistics relate to the use of drugs as well as the use of liquor. They are inebriates and have acquired the habit, which is beyond their control. Of these 12 per cent Fare sub- merged.
 "They are dipsomaniacs and require the attention of the public, aid of benevolent societies, organizations, Seven per cent are hopeless, and it is useless to ex- pend funds on them except to isolate and detain them humanely and at work if possible"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-21
Santa Claus' Substitutes

The children who sit down with pen in hand to indite letters to the patron saint of the Christmas season will not be addressing a routine and matter-of- fact clerk in the dead letter office provided any kind-hearted person asks for the delivery of the letters. In nearly every city some person has come forward to take over the letters of the little ones with a view to the gratifying of the wishes expressed up to the bounds of reason and the purse of the person who has kindly con- scented to act as Santa Claus in answer ing letters, many of which are no doubt from those who would otherwise be shut out from the general joy of the season.
 The artless letters from the little ones who fully believe in Santa Claus should not go wholly unanswered in this town, and now is the time to see the postmaster with view to extend ing the festival of childhood to those who have no natural protectors that can or will bring to them the pleas ures that should not be denied to little folks in this season of the year.
 Whoever takes over the letters ad- dressed to Kriss Kringle or Santa Cl1.a will take over noTpbligation ex- ic t'.c ral one of the Christmas
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-21
 THEATRE AND STAGE MOTHS.

From the Philadelphia Inquirer.
 The theatre Is an institution of great importance in the world. It serves to many thousands, although like many another good institution, it has it's darker side. It would be a sad day if the the atre should be removed from our life, but it is no less than the truth that those who make for the enjoyment of others are not always themselves happy. There are many good and true men and women of ability on the stage. The average is as high as in almost any other pro- fession, and its work is the hardest of all. The terrible law of the survival of the Attest drags down hundreds every year, and even the most successful have much with which to, contend.
 The young girls who become stage struck should remember all this. They ought to know that the glitter disappears the moment they enter the stage door, and that what they get out of the pro- fesson may be a poor compensation for the excitement, the work and the worry. Those who want to go on the stage should prepare for it as Tar any other work in life and enter it without illusions. The man who attempts to play upon the inn agination of girls and lure them to ruin by making false promises of a future on the stage Is a dastard for whom no punishment is too great.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-21
THE WAITER EXPLAINS.

From the Columbus Dispatch.
 He was one of the very few commercial travellers who cannot adapt themselves to their surroundings, and as a chronic hotel grumbler he is known from east to west. The waiter was possessed of an optimism unusual for one weighted with the responsibilities of his position and served the soup. fish. and roast with equanimity and boise. At the dessert the travelling man waxed irritable and sar- castle.
 Look here' he said. This pudding is on the bill of fare as ice cream pud- din' and there isn't any ice. nor is there any cream In it."
 The waiter in a tone of great patience replied:
 That's all right sir. There's nothing in names. If we serve you with Wash ington pie, it's no sign there's picture of the capitol on every piece. and when we bring you college fritters there isn't terms tuition in advance thrown in. Any cheese with your pie. sir?''
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-21

mingham yesterday morning after spending several days hunting in Flor ida
  J. B. Bell of Prattville is at the New Morris hotel.
  James Darlington of Anniston is at the New Morris. New Morris. Charles Sparks of shelby is at the New Morris.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-21
THERE, LITTLE GIRL, DON'T CRY.
Ry James Whitcomb Riley.

By James Whitcomb Riley. There, Little girl: don't cry! They have broken your doll l know,
 And your tea set blua
 And you playhouse, too. Are things of the long ago; But childish troubles will soon pass by There! Little girl; don't cry' There, Little girl; don't cry, They have broken your slate, l know;
 And the glad, wild ways
 Of your schoolgirl days Are things of their long ago. But life and love will soon come by There. Little girl; don't cry' There! Little girl: don't cry' They have broken your heart, know;
 And the rainbow gleams
 Of your youthful dreams Are things of the long ago; But Heaven holds all for which you
 sigh There! Little girl; dog't cry!
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-21
( MAN IS HUMAN CRAB.

New Brunswick Cor Detroit Free Press.
 Paul Guevarra, who says he is a de- scendant of Christopher Columbus, is in jail for begging.
 Paul is native of Trinidad, and was at Martinique when Mont Pelee blew up. He did not dare turn his back to the volcano, he says, and walked backward until 1t became a habit.
 He walked backward from door to door at Metuchen, asking for handouts. until arrested.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-21
A MODEST MULTtMILLIoNAIRE.

From the Louisville Courier-Journal
 America is the wonderland of the world. She has produced, among other things, many remarkable men, But up to now her history holds no record of anything so rare as the unostentatious, modest, retiring, silent multimllionaire, married real German Countess 10 years ago because he was in love with her, and who didn't mention 1t until the other day because he did not like publicity.
 Through the recording of a deed of transfer by which a large Philadelphia brewery goes to one of the sons of Mir. Betz, 1t became known that he was married. Upon being cornered by an inquisitive reporter, he admitted that the marriage had taken place 10 years ago, and that the present Mrs. Betz was q Countess The only explanation of his secrecy. according to the Phila- delphia Inquirer, Is that he is 'habtual- ly retioent concerning all things"
 MT. Betz met the Countess Anna Helena at a card party in Berlin. He was GO, slightly deaf, lonely, enormously rich, and "a widowless man" She was 2s, beautiful, and alone in the world They married came to America to live told the rest of the Betz family, and said nothing to the public. Mrs. Betz is described as a home-loving woman who has no social inclinations that lead her beyond the home circle. After $ while Miss Frances Betz, and then Johann, appeared in the home of the i,, Ir,.a, became of school age and was sent to Temple college, but nobody suspected that she was the daughter of the null timillionaire and the Countess "We sim ply wish to be let alone" said Mrs. Betz sweetly, when the secret of the marriage became ho longer a secret. we are con tent to live quietly
 Modesty, even when 1t amounts to eccentricity, Is a beautiful thing to be- hold. The average American million aire is a bird much more closely re- sembing the peacock than the dove, and the American who marrses title usually grows blatant. It is satisfying to our national pride--often, and griev- ously, wounded by the shafts Of derision sped by our cousins across the sea-to know that we have one mutimillionaire who was as modest as if he had owed money, and who did not seize a mega phone to blow about it when he made a distinguished match The only fly in our ointment is the fact that MT. Betz is merely a GermanAAmeriean, and per- haps it is because the German in him predominates that he is so radically diff ferent from other grossly rich Americans.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-21
AROUND THE COUNTRY

Atlanta Constitution: Hartman has the women working for him. (Goodby, FishD
 Norfolk Virglnian- -PHot If currency were as common as currency plans there would be no need of currency reform. Washington Post: A musical comedy entitled 'Noah's Ark has gone under be- cause the manager found himself getting into deep water.
 Richmond Times Dispatch: George Washington and Abraham Lincoln could not fill the position of President today says the Rev. Dr. Macarthur of New York. No, indeed. Nowadays it takes real 6O-H. P. statesman like William Loeb, Jr.
 Houston Post: John Temple Graves ad- vses MT. Bryan to follow MT. Roose- velt's example and decline the nomination next year. MT. Bryan will eventually be forced to index the advice Colonel Graves has given up or lose trace of it alto- gether.
  Anti-saloon league adopting the sugges- ton of the Philadelphia Record that the eleventh commandment might very well be Mind your own business" Anyhow, the bootleggers have the eleventh one in Don't get caught
 Charleston News and Courier: Having deliberately given Princeton the money to construct an artificial lake, Mir Car negie has now donated money to build a bridge over it. This plan indicates that MT. Carnegie Is really in earnest in his purpose to die poor
 Washington Herald: A great many peo- pie are inclined to feel sorry for the poor, downtrodden Kickapoo Indians, whose lands have been taken from them unlaw- fully and without their consent. The pale face brother has always managed to conceal his sorrow in this regard, how ever, until too late to be of any prac- tcal good to poor Lo.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-21

While we are sending ships to the Pacific Japan is sending goods into China and Korea in big lots. The Japs are seeking trade as earnestly as they oncessought war.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-21
THE PROPER FEE.

From the Baltimore American.
 What do I get for this stunt?' asked the vain, but execrable amateur.
 If I were a police magistrate an- swered the manager, you would get 30 days. but as I'm not, you'll simply get out"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-21
ADRIFT WITH THE TIMES
UNCLE EPH,s OPINION.

o@NSA<A1 OG1N1ON. Is powerful po,' but never kin be sad, [, Since l got inter de habit ob feelin' glad. When things go wrong, l lif' up CT song, An it ain't much mo- en CT minnit an
 CT half, Fore dis or nigger am ready tr laffl And whuts mo, ehillern, I never kin
 frown- When everybody else is goln' down An growlin so, Wid dey sperits low, jes keeps de Paradise lam in sight An I says ter mysef', "Itl1 all come
 rightl'' Oar aint no use fur CT nigger ter sigh, Dat ain't de way to please de Lord, say l. Eff yer down an out, Whut yer talkin' bout? Amt yer had huff fun on de money yer
 spen' Ter stan CT little trouble, sont now
 an den?
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-21
REFLECTIONS OF A BACHELOR.
Erom the New York Press.

From the New York Press.
 An engagement goes on in grand opera, marriage in ragtirne.
 The reason a girl likes to have a chap eron is so it won't be her mother.
 A woman gets much more comfort out of talking about her furs than wearing them.
 A man would have tp be mighty smart to make fortune without having other people to make it forIhim.
 What a girl likes about secret en- gagement is how marE more people she can tell about 1t thtn If 1t were an- nounced.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-21
A TEST.

From the Philadelphia Ledger.
 The briEands threatened to pull the teeth of their prisoner.
 Go ahead.'' he told them calmly: sbut I won't know whether you are real brig- ands or not until you prsssnt thsstiiL"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-21
To Maintain Wages.

It is understood that the inactivity in the iron and steel trade will not cause the United States Steel corporation to cut wages" said a business man. T read in northern trade journal that several of the larger iron producing con- cerns in the north would be able to main tain the prosperity scale It is on the be- lief that business will revive early in the new year, and that the way to main- tain prices of manufactured products is to keep up wages. If this turns out to be true, it will make things cheerful in the Birmingham district and especial ly around Ensley.
 This from the Iron Trade Reviews editorial department will be read with pleasure by many: While formal an nouncements have not been made by the leading steel interests there is good rason to believe that there will be no general wage reductions on January 1. The pros- pect amounts to practical certainty with respect to wages in the Councils vile regions, as were reduction con- templated by the leading interest the fact would. in the ordinary course of events, have become public property be- fore this. A few small reductions have been made by minor independents. and they seem to constitute the exception which tests the rule. At the blast fur naces steel works and rolling mills in the central west it is pretty well tabished that there is no immediate in- tention of reducing wages.
 "'The policy of the iron and steel trade of not making general reduction in wages at this time is in keeping with the avowed intention of holding prices at practically the present level. There is better basis for the effort to maintain prices, if wages are not reduced. than there would be if Q general wage re- duction were made. Then, it must be remembered, that there has been no great wage advance in the iron and steel trade proper. The wages are, in the main, on reasonable level and if there has been any complaint 1t has been chiefly that wage costs based on com mon labor have been high, and that has been a function of low efficiency rather than high rates
 Aho.t Pareone
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-21

Governor Cummins keeps one eye on the Senate and one on the White House. He lives, you know. in the great hog state.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-21

The Christmas of 1907 promises to dispel all thoughts of panic or hard time. It promises to be a record breaker in unselfishness and general cladneSS.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-21

Watchdog Tawney sees nothing but deficits ahead, but that is what he should see in his new capacity.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-21

Dick Crpker is in Egypt, where no doubt he will get in touch with the Sphynx after having been it's under study many years.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-21

The numerous mine disasters are almost invariably caused by careless ness in the form of windy shots.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-21

"The interests" are flushing Wash ington with copies of Chancellor Days new book, The Raid on Prosperity" The Standard Oil may have taken the entire edition, for no one else wants it.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-21

It is now too late to avoid the rush, unless you utilize the early morning hour.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-21

These are the shortest days, and you should make the most of them, for they are fieeting.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-21

Our 16 Dreadnaughts are hastening to Trinidad to celebrate Christmas, for every jacky believes in Santa Claus.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-21

The next President, good friends, will he nominated at Denver, and his first name will be Bill for short.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-21
WESTWARD Ho.

From the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. The Bryan nomination continues to move steadily west
 1s96-Chicago.
 190o-Kansas City. 190e-Denver.
 lol2-Prohably San Francisco A1ef6-- ss Honolulu. 1seO- Manila
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-21

Santa Claus is preparing to send his reindeer fleet to all Christian homes in the world.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-21

MT. Bryan remains indifferent to the efforts of the republicans to get out of tne presidential race.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-21

The Rev. Billy" Sunday converted 3759 people in Muscatine, Ia., and now the task is at hand in that town to make them stay converted.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-21

old Neptune will make up as Santa Claus when the fleet drops anchor at Trinidad.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-21
The Steel City

"Ensley is more than holding its own, l" said N. W. Scott, ex-mayor of the Steel City. While other industrial towns are affected by the dullness in the iron mar ket Ensley is as busy as ever. We all appreciate the fact that the Steel cor poration was in position to come to the rescue of the Tennessee Company and acquire these splendid properties. The action of the United States Steel, as explained and ably defended by Colonel Shook, should be applauded by everybody in the Birmingham district .
 "The Tennessee company is making new high records at the steel plant and 1t is a anatter for rejoicing hereabouts that this is so The future of the district is now better assured than even"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-21

No yards were manned when the Pacific fleet steamed past the Presi- dent, for there were none on board.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-21

Passes surely will be missed when 1t comes time to go mp to Denver next summer.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-21

The artistic gold pieces are good enough to be stored away in big dark vaults.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-21
THE CHRISTMAS SPIRIT.

sIt is fine to see everybody in a cheeful mood" said the Kind Old Gen. tleman. But it's a pity we can't carry our Yuletide charity with us through all the year. The meanest man has in- tervals of goodness and nothing is easier than to wear smile once every twelve months A Society for the Promulgation of Brotherly Love at Other Times Than Christmas would, think, be move in the right direction. Kindliness is infec- tious; you will observe how grabbed dispositions melt before the present reign of good feeling. Therefore, all that is necessary for us to do it to furnish the shining examples. Other people will gradually follow suit and the world will be perpetually wreathed in smiles!"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-21

Our own fleet is going to everybody's s ocean, and that is all there Is of 1t.