davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-07-17
ALABAMA AT V1CKSBURG.

In another part of The Advertiser will be found the strong appeal Of Gen. stephen D. Lee and his associate commissioners, to the Alabama Legis- lature, in behalf of an appropriation to mark the spots where Alabama sol diers reflected so much credit on the State in the campaign in and around Vicksburg.
 The United States Government has made a great national park of the fighting ground of that historic locality and has spent s775,OOO towards its i'm movement The, beloved commanding general of the Unifed Confederate Vet erans. Gen. stephen D. Lee. Is one of the commissioners having the work in charge. and no Confederate will feel like turning a deaf ear to his appeals Alabamians particularly should feel an interest in that great battle ground for nineteen separate commands from this State participated in the bloody and perflous scenes there enacted, and General Lee is proud of the fact that they were under his! immdiate com mand. It should be remembered that while there were four general officers of the Confederate Army killed in the battles around Vicksburg. two of them. Isham w. Garrott and Gen. Edward D, Tracy, were from Alabama
 Mississippi is the only Southern State that has made any provision for doing honor to her sons who were engaged in that great contest. while magnih- cent shafts stand to the honor and memory of the soldiers of the Western and Eastern States, The aggregate contributed hy thirteen States is $772,- GOO. or nearly s3.OOO for each command that was engaged. Surely Alabama can give $5O,OO0 to show to future gen erations that we honor and revere our heroes of the nineteen commands that participated on those fatal and fated fields. We sincerely hope that the Legislature will make an appropriation commensurate to the cause.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-07-17

The inadequacy of the existing law is ses forth. By 1t the age limit for the employ msnt of children is twelve years. but thers or~han or has . widowed mother" or . diaabisd father. In such eases the child may work. althoush t De not more s,t than A,n svads the 12-yssr limit by fraudulent pro. fession is very great. but even . 17-year,oid child is too young to bs worked ns cnM dren are worked in many of the mills. says ~ The limit ssould be raised. Fourteen years is the limit Mir Murphy would prsief d night work for children under sixteen ousnS to be abolished altogether. There snouId be provisions for school ,,1e r1iena ana .nforcee ment of the law. Without inspection the law is inadequate as 1t is in its provisions
 The hours should be shortened. Little children are working in our Alabama mills eleven hours a day. six days in the week |; holiday. they must make up this lost time and work twelve hours a day for five days: and six hours on Saturday. Think or tnat! Little children. who love to play. who long for freedom. whose. very nature is opposed "a to monotony-these little ones confinfd all day. day after day. is 1t not hears1ren3,ms s %mr phy says he has been begged to be modef- ate, but he cries out:
 ''Gentlsmen. l cannot be mooerate. nsvs SEEN these children. I have photograpneo them not an intruder but with !ne con sent of kuperintendents who themselves de tested this evil and desired tfg mitigation But witnesses are not necessary. The very proposition that children of tender yeefs should be permitted to labor in a factory TOT eleven or twelve hours per day-that prop osition in itself without argument or wit. ness. in the naked simplicity of it's own words and hanging by tho sruesome weight of its own unnatural terms must sink iik0 lead in the clear currents of all piausiols and righteous thinking. It cannot sup- port its own weight. Even though there were not . fact to challenge 1t or witness to oppose 1t. 1t could not maintain itself: its cruel absurdity-to all our normal human thinking and feeling-is self-evident." Shall we not instantly agree with MT Murphy in declaring that 'the industry which demands the right to maintain such condition in this state is-by virtue of that demand-at enmiity with it's own welfarc as we'll a with the best interests of Ala bama?"
 How can we refuse to hear this appeal? How can any LeRisiator who Is the father of children be deaf to 1t?
 The condition is not denied: 1t Is defena- ed, however, on the ground that the chil- dren are benefited by employment in the mills: but we think the world will rather believe Mir. Nurphy's statement that
 "A situation which permits the working Of children as young as ten years of age for twelve hours per day and which permits tho working of children as young as thir- teen ALL NIGHT. Is . situation which will be immcderate enough to call indefsn- sible; 50 thoroughly indefensble at the bar of the average opinion of our country. that the industry which insists upon the mainte- nance of such standards cannot, in the long run. be anything but a reproach to its pro motors and an injury and discreon 10 the Gtata whfCh tOleratoB 1t.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-07-17
Alabana Lemon Crop
 as Handed Out by the Governor.

of the pople. through the policy of tax
 That is the pig lemon Governor Co., mer h handing the people of Alabama That is the difference between his prom ise as . candidate and his work ss an executive. There are no ad5ectives Tn this statement, no denunctation. Isn't 1t presentation of the bare. cold facts? F s-.,,
 If this is the Kind of businsss ad. mintstration the State Is to haver 1t had best emulate the example of the Texas town and so into the hands of | receiver for self protection.
 Taxation Is the most difncult prob lem the government has to handle. and when 1t becomes excessive, the people rebel--that Is. they assert their rights over the arbitrary edtct of . power that grtnds down and expresses.
 The administration that increa1es the rate of taxation, direct and tndi- rect. whether 1t be in the assessment ot tax for public Improvements or in raising the tariff on necessities. with- out comp ehsating return to the pso-- pie. is placing Itself in a position to he criticized if not repudiated.
 If these charges against Governor Corners administration be true. he has much to answer for.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-07-17
Time For q Halt.

Decatur News.
 We call especial attention to the edi- torial from The Montgomery Advertis- CT, with reference to Governor Co- mer's administration. It Is simply presentation of the cold facts. and calm, dispassionate appeal to the peo- pie of Alabama to save themselves from further blunders of an extremist executive. Starting with the state ment of the Governor that the people were paying. 9s the result of railroad oppression, an indirect tax of more than two million dollars that :hey should not pay, and holding out the promise that if he and consonant leg islature were elected that the peopl should be relieved of this incubus, he goes into office with a legislature be- perious bidding. And with what re- suit? In six months time. instead Of relieving the people of Alabama of the oppressive tuxation. he has imposed up on them additional taxes. and created Q State Tax Commission to enforce their payment! Nor does the mischief end there. In fact. that's only the be- ginning. He. with his radical ideas, impetuuus intolerance and a passionate will that knows no brooking short Of the courts of the land, has incurred the hostility of the railroads of the State, antagonized corporate interests within her border and frightened away capital seeking investment among us. Besides. laws have been enacted. which men skilled in legal science say would not stand test in the courts long enough to annul them and the State has been retarded in her onward pro- gress at least five years It Is Ii 6 to call halt.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-07-17
NOT ENOUGH TIME.

Tho Legislature ought to have more time in which to finish its business. There are only ten moro days in which to perfect laws. some of which are en- titled to at least a weeks considera- tion. The expedient of adjourning for three days at . time ana considering matters in committee is the wisest course to pursue. if 1t is found that 70 longer time will be allowed. but the consumption of time that way and the expense is just as great as if an extra session for two or three weeks was called. &-t
 If the Legislature could consider and get in shape for passage all the meas .ures that will not require great con- sumption of time. fhs unexpired por- ton of time will be taken up. to say nothing of such measures as adoption of the new code, the municipal bill and several other measures. of vital i'm portance. It Is true that if an extra session Is called. all matters will have to begin de povo. but at the end of the third day each house could pass a great many good measures that may have failed in the present session. and at the end of five days they can be ready for the approval by the Governor. be- cause they will have been read the required number of times and on re- quired days in the two houses.
 It is better to take the time now for the necessary legislation than to let it go over for four years. There need be no fear of an extra session under such conditions as now exist.
 The Legislature would do well 70 adopt the Governors suggestion Of submitting a constitutional amendment changing sessions of the Legislature from quadrennial to biennial
The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-07-17
Peaceful Town Creek.

AnnlSton StdT.
 Town Creek Alabama, little town Tn the Tennessee valley. neaf which IS located the country home and estates of the late Gen. Joseph Wheeler. has leaped into fame of a new and more startling character than that which tofore Town Creek has been enjoying a local fame only. and that by reason of its peaceful. quiet and simple rustic surroundings. There live the men who own the farms of that portion of the valley of great richness Around the little village are broad acres or fertil- ity Ante bellum customs in meas ure stln prevail around Town Creek The negroes cling to the homes of their fathers. and are loyal servants of the sons of their fathers masters. They till the soil and live peaceful. happy lives. In the homes of the landlords of Town Creek there are all the evil Gences of old time Southern culture. wealth and refinement without osten. tation. The people of the town and the country thereabouts have been con tent to live quietly. They have not
The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-07-17
Letters to The Editor
Dothan and Her Schoels.
 Dothan. July 16.

Editor Advertiser:
 Many of Dothun's best citizens feel that some of the comments Of tne state press are doing the town of Do towns financial affairs, since the clos regards the public school system which has heretofore been supported from the profits of the dispeDsary-i" schools of Dotnan is necessary. to an understanding of the situation.
 The school was and is operated as a free school to an pupils who wish to attend from any part of the county Everything in the way of books and school stationery was and is supplied to all students, free of cost smal! to grade, was all the cost to any stu dent, from any where, for attending the school The enrolment for the school year ending in June, past nearly reached eight hundred; hundred ahs There were .
 Mayor Young when interviewed 10. day in regard to the matter, says that the school trustees have already ID sight enough funds and some to spare just as it has formerly been run. larger enrolment than last year Is ex- pecfed and preparations are being made accordingly. dents the privileges of the school. and the furnishing of books and supplies to students free, will, after another year. probably be two of the expense items which will be abolished. That will decrease the number of teachers a little, and with a little more retrench' ment and a small percentage of advelo. rem, and specific taxes turned to the public school fund. will be subcient 10 run the schools on just as though there had never. been any funds de- rived from the sales of the dispensarv
 The idea that the purses of prf-' vate citizens will have to hold up tho school, is deeply resented.
 Dothan.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-07-17

Little Rock DemoctAt
 Alabama is not in the tropical fruit belt. but 1t ts complAfning of . lemon crop at the hands of Governor Conner that Is a whopper.
 The Montgomery Advertiser takes . fall out of him for two columns of double measure, and while dealing in no personal abuse or spleen, handles facts and figures in a way that should pake the recalcitrant governor don either sack-cloth and ashes or . suit of chain armor and . gatling gnn.
 The arrangement of Governor C0mes shows that 1t Is very easy indeed for the chief executive of State to r' conduct its affairs that he will bring down the greatest storms of condemna- tion on his head, and he deserves all he gets if even one count in this news paper indictment Is true:
 t'irst Not cent of reduction In promised freight rates during a long period of litigation. # ever.
 Gecond-An increase of from 100 10 800 per cent in freight rates on some of the roads.
 Thirt-An increase of about two mil lions per year in all forms of direct taxation, state, city and county.
 Fourth--An increase of at least ono million per year in the interest account
The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-07-17

Ledger. Under our present registra- tion laws nearly 100000 white men have enrolled their names. without this registration no man can vote. and it Is . crying shame that many thous- ands have not yet availed themselves of the great privilege. There is no need for any to stand back on the score of inability to meet requirements for there are but few in Alabama who can not do so. It Is. therefore. the fault of the individual and not of the law if any are debarred from voting for lack of registration. Upon the basis of 40 per cent. being exempt from poll tax. because of passing the age limit of 45. and estimating oo.oo0 white men there ought to be at least 12o.o0o exempt from poll tax and there fore subject only to the registration re- quirement. In addition to this there are several thousand exempt from poll tax because of connection with mili- tary, volunteer fremen. school town ship trustees. etc. The exempts ought to amouAt to at least N135,0o0, leaving 165,00O subject both to poll tax and registration. It Is evident. however. that there Is as great proportion of non-registered men who are exempt from poll tax as of those who are sub ject. This shows almost criminal negligence and all good men should do their utmost to obtain a full regis tration before another election.
 We desire to call the attention Of the Legislature to the necessity of so changing the law as to registration as to permit registration before primary elections. The law as to payment Of poll tax before February 1st of each year gives proper time to qualify in that regard. but the primaries as rule are held before the registration books open. This could be remedied and thus men who pay poll tax before February 1st and had not registered could attend to the latter duty also and be qualified voters in the pri- mary.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-07-17
WEDNESDAY, JULY IT, 1907.
The Montgomery Advertiser suggest

The Montgomery Advertiser suggests an eficacious plan for bursting the meat trust. The Advertiser suggests the use of elephant meat. It would do the work all right. There is no doubt about that. We are inclined to favor our esteemed contempoi..s plan of putting the meat trust out of business. But before endorsing it unuualifedly we would like to have some idea as to the cost of an elephant ham and the color of the gravy.-Lineville Head light.
 Well, now, not having been accus- toned to butchering and selling ele- phants we do not feel competent to de- eide on the question of the cost of ele- phantine hams. They might be expen- sive. as all luxuries are, but just think of cutting off slices the size of an or dinary table cloth. or even larger. and one will see that 1t might be cheap meat after all. As to the gravy, we imagine 1t would be of a silver grey, or even a golden hue. considering the probable present cost of the meat.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-07-17
sJO, 900 FOR LAWYERS.

Tho UsiSecessary Appropriation Asked
 for by the Governor.
 Editor The Advertiser:
 The pending bill to appropriate s5o.- the enforcement of the recent drastic Legislation enacted to regulate rail- roads is something unusual and cer- tainly an innovation in the politics and has an Attorney General at good sal ary. he Is a trained, able and expe- rienced lawyer. the equal of any attor- ney in legal ability who has been es- pecialIy employed by ., the ..,stHnt Governor. It torney General. is also wei! trained: skilled and able lawyer. Either of these gentlemen is amply able to take care of the States interest in the pend ing litigation and yet the Governor the other especially employed attor- neys. with no greater skill and ability. more money fdr services to be rendered in this one case than the combined Assistant will amount to during their four years of administration.
 Why the necessity for this? and what Is the real question at issue between the State and the railroads? It is a plain, simple proposition. ana one ,,, wnaGn solved by the master in chancery. ana not one lawyer for the State will be able to shed Single ray of light" on the subject, for 1t Is no reflection upon them to say that they know nothing on earth about 1t, viz, the rates which the railroads charge.
 What Is the question? It is simply this: Do the present rates yleid the railroads more than fair ana just re- turn upon the real. not fictitious. value of the railroads. their appurtenances ond souipments? If not, then the re- d0ced rates fixed by the Legislature must fali; if they yield more than fair return then the reduced rates must stand. How is this to be deter mined? The learned lawyers employed can only tell the court what the law is. and this Is now so well known that even an ordinary layman knows the law on the subject. It, therefore. rol- lows that the court must. through a special master. learn the facts, ana upon that predicate his opinion. The value of the railroads. appurtenances and equipments, second. the operating .exnenses. and third. gross earnings. deduct one from the other and find what is left. He will then report his findings to the court. and the court will render his opinion on the facts. as found by the master If the result shows that earnings are excessive, the new acts will be sustained. otherwise the new acts will be Suspended.
 Then why all this pQmp and show? Why make the people bear the burden of this heavy expense? If the Cover nor is determined to reward some of his lawyer friends. then let the Attor- ney General and his assistant at least share "in the plum.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-07-17
Transforming Servants.

selma Journal
 Representative Maner of Montgom- cry has introduced b!ll placing ser wants of Confederate soldiers and sail ors upon the fourth class list. This will enable them to draw yearly pension of s30.00. The bill has met with the approval of all who have dis cussed 1t and will doubtless become a law. There are not very many of the servants who followed their masters to the war left in the state and tha small amount that would go to them would hardly be felt by the treasury. At the same time it would be recogni-. ton by the state of a class of men who were most faithful to duty and who in many instances exhibited real hero ism.
 Anyone who has read "Marse Chan or who has heard some old veteran tell with tear dimmed eye of the faithful ness of his negro servant during the stirring days of the war will be glad to see the state recognize them. They belong to class among their people that are too rapidly disappearing and whose good example will be missed when thev are gone.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-07-17
Peanut RefOrmcrs.

Greenville AdVOCate
 The Republican leaders of Massachu sets sternly demand the abolition of the tariff duty on peanuts. Thus is the great protective system crumbling through peanut politics In its verN cradle Give us free peanuts, and tax all else as the trust may desire! say the Republicans. As to clothing. sew ing machines. watches, steel rails, wire, cotton goods, wooden goods. car pets. rugs, chemicals. coal lumber, etc, let them all be taxed: but give us peanuts free of duty. Truly. a Re- publican Is a peanut reformer.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-07-17
OUR ELECTORATE.'

The Ledger has always advocated and approved our election laws relating to registration of voters and voting and naviner of poIl taxes. Whenever we have an election we get out fairly good vote in size but it is an intelli- gent vote.
 Aiabama's voting laws are the best in the world, and they should not be changed. If men are not willing to give sI.5o a year to the schools they are not fit to vote. Wages are high and work is plentiful. There Is no Kind of excuse for a mans not paying his pol tax and being voter. Our laws insure a good and intelligent vote. Those who stay out voluntarily know that they are not fit to be voters.
 The above is from The Birmingham
The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-07-17

''The Fairbanks cocktail will not aown," says The Boston Globe. Now what sort of a cocktail was that? We have heard from those who profess to be experts that a properly made cock tail is the easiest thing to down" that man ever encountered. Besides, if we have kept the record straight. all this hullabelloo about the Fairbanks din- ner resulted from the statement that too many of the cocktails went down.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-07-17
Citizen.
Good Corn.
Evergreen Record.

Evergreen Record.
 MT. W. M. Newton of Bellville. Ala. has two acres of corn that his neigh bors predict will produce 100 bushels per acre It has been estimated that there are over 20.Ov0 stalks of corn on the two acres. If 100 good ears will shell out a bushel. two ears per stalk will turn out 200 bushels per acre. one ear per stalk will yield 100 bushels per acre, and one half ear per stalk will yield fifty bushels per acre which is five times as much as the average is in this State. 255 bushels per acre Is the highest yield on roc. ord and 1t can be made again. MT. Newton has cultivated this plot of corn according to plans submitted by the United States Superintendent of Az riculture.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-07-17
If any person has allowed the suspi-

If any person has allowed the suspi- cion to grow up that Montgomery Is not building and spreading that person would do well to circulate about town q little. The continued and widespread sound of saw and hammer is good mu- sic to those who take pride in the growth of the city. It not only shows that there's money to invest but also indicates confidence in the future of the city. which is a strong point