davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-01-27

laborers that probably prompted the com
mission last August to issue proposals
to furnish $500 Chinese coolie laborers for
a period of not less than two years, with
the privilege Of increasing their number
to 1900 1t is stated that two OF the
bids which have been under consideration
since August provides that these Chinese
cooie laborers shall be given from to IL
cents per hour. dependent upon the actual
number allowed.
Here is at least a straightforward state
ment that the government Is negotiating
for the employment of Chinese coolle
labor on the canal, proposition which
will not meet with the appreciation Of the
American people.
AS the report asserts that sanitary con-
ditions have been so improved that white
people can now engage in labor in the
canal zone with safety, 1t would seem to
be the duty OF the government to offer
free laborers first-class pay to perform
the digging and not to award the con-
tracts TO men who will fill the isthmus,
now American soil, with thousands Of
cheap coolie workers. The canal Is to
cost so many millions that it Is proper
that white laborers should receive fair re-
Enumeration.
President Roosevelt takes the position
that Chinese coolie laborerS must help,
and says 1t has been decided to "employ
few thousand When the contracts
are awarded, however, the government
cannot prevent nearly all the laborers
from being of that class.
The recent action of the commission in
inviting proposals to complete the con-
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-01-27
NEW YORK AND EMPORIA

rrT LILLIAN Allen White, the famous
w zss:s. editor d. n: sss n s.s'se
Emporia-with New York city in the
January number of the American Maya
zine. He tells how funerals and we'd
aings are conducted in both places. He
talks about the New York rich and the
rcut. glass, circles in Emporia. He says
that New York is 1.-THE eatingest place on
HE continent" and that there are no 3
Iclock jobs in Emporia." The article
reveals Mr.. Whites wonderful powers of
observation and whimsical expression bet
Ter than any piece of writing he has ever
lone. As is his custom. Mr.. White con-
dudes:
I'VE are all fairly close to the throne
n Kansas-and in the west generally. The
high priests of politics do not impress
rs. Two United States senators were in
Emporia last fall, and both went wagging
lcross the town to the depot, carrying
heir own valises. We refuse to get out
The Second Regiment band for anything
less than cabinet officer. We are gen.
nemen unafraid' and a few years ago,
rhen a vice-President came through town
making speeches at the end OF railroad
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-01-27

train, he pumped in vain for applause by
mentioning two of the towns dgnitaries.
He couldn't fool us; we knew them both.
The town gave one a beautiful funeral,
and would be happy to do the same serv-
Ice for the other at any time reason
ably soon. For although we live among
elm trees, on wide, velvet lawns, in
paved streets, and although we have
three free public libraries in town, and
although we have one four-story sky
scraper, the gentlemen who fifty years
ago debated the slavery question through
the brush of eastern Kansas, with Colt s
Ready Reckoner as their parliamentary
guide, are still able to bring in con-
siderable minority report. And while
murder is regarded as such bad form
that there has been no crime of violence
in the town for over half decade, a
holly contested primary in the Fourth
ward furnishes all the sportive excitement
required by any full-blooded able-bodied
man whose appetite for fun has not been
surfeited by a plethora of actual homi-
eide. For the first primary or two a
President of the United States living in
Emporia might have his way in a Fourth
ward primary. but at the third, If he
got behind the wrong candidate for
sheriff, the President would have to take
his chances, and nothing would afford
Way and Cagney and Clark and Peach
and Mccoy and the Haynes boys more
joy than to bounce President In poll
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-01-27
WORK ON PANAMA CANAL

/ and 1877 in the auditing and disbursing
offices.
OF the 1900 men, about 300 were on
the gold rolls, virtually all white Ameri-
cans, and 1890 on the silver rolls, mainly
aliens This number does not include
1000 people employed on the Panama
railroad.
The above number represents the ap-
proximate number that was actually on
the pay rolls for the end of November,
1906, and does not include large number
of men-especially West Indian laborers
who for various reasons are continually
employed by the commission, but who
possibly work a few months each year
and who are nevertheless under the juris-
diction, of the commission as far as quar-
tering, police and sanitation are concern
ed. Including these men, there are in
round numbers about 5000 under the di-
rect Jurisdiction of the Isthmian canal
commission and Panama railroad COM
pany.
1t is not surprising to learn that the
blacks are inefficient laborers, and that
the majority OF them will only work long
enough to obtain money to supply their
actual bodily necessities, with the re-
suit that while over 10000 of these people
! are housed and fed. the daily effective
force is many thousand less.
1t was the condition among the black
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-01-27

1.-THE effect is terrible, horrible, cruel,
indescribable. Morphine to the dope art
st is as sour wine to the confirmed
drunkard. 1t is weak, and does not pun
ISL us cruelty enough.
Cocaine is easy Of access. Three drug
gists of this city take advantage of our
degenerated condition. They will take
our nickel for four grains of morphine.
and our dime for four of cocaine. From
other places some friend buys for u.s.
This friend Is usually equipped with a
prescription. The city does not prescribe
the sale of morphine, choral, or laude-
num- 1t strikes at cocaine and gum
opium; poor little gum opium, stronger
than which morphine Is from six to
eight times The city deals sweetly with
the druggist. The ordinance has a clause
that proprietary medicines known to con-
tain cocaine are not prescribed. Berney' s
Catarrh remedy, for instance, Is sold at
retail over the counters of all drug
stores This preparation, according to
the label which the pure food bill de-
mands, contains cocaine in large
amounts and still the city, strong and
powerful, weakly declares:
Provided however, that preparations
known as proprietary medicines contain
ing cocaine or opium, are not included in
this section
The kid thought a moment
There are seven fiends in Birming-
ham with whom I am acquainted. We
are down and out. The bon-ton fiend
uses nothing but the 'hypo. / have mine
here. / always carry it with me. | have
just used it.
mo that is a fallacy," he replied in
answer to a question. THE prick of the
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-01-27

mingham's one In some places shops
advertise the sale of cocaine. In certain
towns In Alabama no restrictions are
made on the sale of opiates. DR.. Love-
ladys bill will be effective tenfold in
these towns. Oh /, myself, will get the
DOPE but an honest restriction will save
the would-be."
He dismissed the subject with wave
of his arm, and then wrinkling his fore
head, electrified his interviewers.
DO you know" he cried, 81 have
solved 1t! Hamlet was not mad, nor did
he feign madness. He was helpless
victim, a dope flend."
This miserable being knew Shakespeare
and his man, Hamlet.
az cannot stand still. A long, green,
writhing, Kissing serpent crawls from my
shoes, and would stretch his Shiny body
to my throat Ten thousand knotted,
mouth, and try to squeeze their too
large bodies through my eyes. God! The
world is filled with horrors Two har-
pies feed upon my vitals, and rend them
furiously Demons, red, blue. fiendishly
ply separate the molecules Of my brain.
An oak tree springs within my chest,
grows larger. larger still, until the Frame
work gives way, and the foliage hangs
out to the wind.
IAN hundred headed hydra follows be-
hind on lightning feet. ! must escape.
The pursuit. l walk. He follows.
quicken my step, but cannot leave him
behind The serpents hiss through my
ears until | am mad frenZied, craZed.
break into run, but behind still comes
the hydra. 1 fly, l fly! Startled people
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-01-27

teal blanket at some primary, when
his heart was set on handling the delega-
ton to the convention-if they suspected
he was merely playing the game.
But probably this is only the spirit
OF rs; it is the American spirit. That
spirit of independence-that intense in
dividualism-is the bond that binds this
American nation together; it runs through
the townships, the counties. the states,
and is dominant in the nation. 1t is in
New York. just as it is in Emporia And
it is tempered In all men through all
the nation by that kindness that comes
to men who have known the world in the
rough at first hand, the real gentility
that is bred in those who by the sweat
of their brows eat their bread, and know
how hard thing life is when one faces
it alone. Hence our institutions for mu-
tGal help in the cities-our great benev-
client societies, distributing Gods mercy
upon the poor; hence in the country, In
Emporia, the social sympathy, the touch
of nature always found among neighbors
OF every class and clique that makes
us wondrous kind
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-01-27

From the Boston Globe.
I'M HE Presidents message and the re-
port of the Isthman canal commits
sion have furnished the country
with the first really authentic Informal
ton concerning the details incident to the
construction of this great engineering
project.
The work on the canal thus far has
been preparatory, although the engineer
ing force has not been idle, for 100000
cubic yards of dirt and rock have been
excavated, as compared with 742, 600 yards
last year In October alone Of this year,
$4,000 cubic yards were removed.
The most interesting feature of the re-
port relates to the employment Of labor
and on this subject we have at least some
accurate data The report states that the
force employed on the Ishmus on Nov. /.
1906 was as follows:
In November, 1905, the commissions
employees numbered approximately 1900,
and in November, 1906, the number was
practically the same. OF these, 1852 were
under the department of construction and
engineering; 1929 under the division Of
material and supplies; 2,291 under the de-
partment Of government and sanitation,
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-01-27
What Was Matter With Him.

From Harper's Weekly.
Richmond man has in his employ q
colored man of advanced age, who, by
reason of his thrifty habits, had accu-
mulated enough money to defray the cost
of his sons tuition at a negro college in
Alabama.
When the darkys boy returned to Rich
mond after the completion of his course,
he proceeded. much 10 his parents dis
gust, to air his opinions on various sub
jects In a more or less diffuse and fiorid
style of speech.
One day the old man took him aside and
addressed him as follows:
Richard Thompson Jenkins. Use been
listenin' to yo' seberal days, an it's my
opinyun dat yo' talk, an talk. an talk.
Yo' doan reach into de stomick of yo'
subjeck; but yo jes' argufy, an argufy.
Yo' doan locate. Richard Thompson Jen-
kins. yo' doan locate.'
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-01-27

him who cares not 1 will even tell you
how by whom, and under what circum-
stances, the iend procures his DOPE"
The kid" was honest, and serious and
earnest.
Know, then, that with the fiend it is
always from the stem to the needle We
smoke, and in doing. so. have dreams de-
lightful, fantastic, picturesque Then
morphine displaces the STEM and we
experience the soothing, healing influence
of that drug. Then something cries for
the strongest of all, the veriest master
of this slavery-cocaine. And when we
have become slaves to this, the most po-
tent, We are doomed. Forget that lie
that cocaine conjures up dreams of riches
and vast possession.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-01-27


stand aside to let rae pass I hear this
fool laugh, and forgive him. He knows
nothing; he cannot think. I recklessly
run against q street car grinding, graf
ing upon its tracks. I dash by a saloon
with brilliant lights, where men are gay.
1ovial. / hear some drunken being break
into lewd song, and this echo follows
me throughout my maddened course.
For miles and milesl The race never
reaches an end 1 fall exhausted upon
some stone on the outskirts of the city.
! cannot breathe. l cannot feel the
moisture that long for on the brow. The
hydra pursues He overtakes me. l am
doomed.
more dope, more dope! I must have
1t. Again the needle plies under my tan
ming flesh. There Is a gurgling sound,
and the body gently heaves forward UNI
I'll the forehead touches the earth. Then
again the serpents crawl over me, and
leave their Shiny trail. l spring to my
feet. As far as ! can see snakes are
piled upon each other. | must escape.
My hair stands upon ends separate. My
blood will not move. | try to wade
through the snaky bodies, and pass them
knee deep. All night the chase contin-
ues. and the miserable pursuit. With the
rising sun fall across the garnet couch,
and sleep Terrible dreams horrifyl |
wake fevered and unrefreshed. Again 1t
Is the needle that prompts itself, and the
same horrors again loom up. The chase
is eternal. Godl Perpetual!'
kid" Jackson's voice had risen to
high, scriekish pitch. He was nervous.
He was frightened. He moved his seat
| dozen times, and his glance followed
| itself from the floor to the selling. With
| out the least cause he raised his foot
from the floor, and gazed down Mortified.
Tr1,o - puiraa fnTl 40
crawling, He desired to escape. Ho
wanted freedom, air. He spoke ILL
| humored, distracted, disconnectedly.
| without word, he walked rapidly away,
his hat planted on the rear of the head,
his eyes staring far far In the distance.
The cocaine was running him mad His
tongue licked his parched, unhealthy lips.
His face was horrible with haunted.
| hunted expression.
Down Second avenue dashed the mad
dened fellow, head erect as IL some great
hand gripped his little neck. Like fren-
Zied pendulums swung his arms beside
his rigid body.
Onward dashed the kid" faster STILL
He was maddened, wild with fear.
Frightened women stood frozen. The
young blood of children trickled coldly.
An hilarious drunkard stopped aghast
and sobered. A blatant FOOLS Earring
laughter grated horribly.
Onward, the KID pursued his brain
less course. Down Eighteenth street he
broke into a run. He turned First ave-
nue. and there some horrd creature
evoked a scream and made him turn his
course. Out of the city he continued.
and those who would have followed wers
left standing silent. looking blankly at
each other.
But who can say that kid" Jackson
is more a pervert than the snobbish poll
troon who mocks his misery? Who can
hot lie Ia II
brain thinks of prayer, will not sooner
bring an answer than that of him who
is thankful only that he Is not such as
! one of these?
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-01-27

struction of the canal upon a percentage
basis is I'm accordance with the prevail
ing practice of awarding large contracts.
1t is necessary, however. that there shall
be the closest estimates made as to the
probable cost, and more particularly a
reasonable time limit imposed Even then.
II the later condition is violated, there is
no way of estimating how many years
would be consumed before the canal was
completed. Contracts let out on the per-
centage basis sometimes run for such an
INDEFINITE period that the original estimate
or cost IS exceeded by very large Amounts
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-01-27
Busy High Art.
From Puck.

From PUCK
Friend-what? You're not going back
to the stage this season?
Great Artist-No. have so many cash
orders ahead for testimonials for piano
players, hair tonics, bath soaps. massage
creams. hair bleach, headache dope,
champagne safety razors, cigarettes, life
insurance and chewing gum that can't
find time for less important things.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-01-27

the long, angular, attenuated neck, the
ever opening and closing fingers that tap
the counter and toy with the napkin ada
their several and respective chapters.
The kid is a fiend in spite of what
sympathy will do.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-01-27

"Oh. yes, I will tell you everything.
how 1 started and what 1 was. what !
am today. | am no longer foolishly SEN
sitive. | know the effect of all opiates,
how the one differs from the other.
will tell you of the hope that rises on the
ashes of other hopes. l will describe the
imaginative horrors that drive me
through the streets Of Birmingham,
making the blood of children run cold
and drawing out a horrid laughter from
The Washington times., 1907-12-27
Popular in Florida.

His appointment 10 the Senate came
to him at the hands OF Governor Brow
ard, whom Mr.. Bryan helped win the
executive office Of the State. Although
an extremely young man at the time,
ais prosecution OF the beef and fee
trusts IN Jacksonville gained him wide
popularity. His first important work IN
the interests OF the State was as So
licltOT OF Duval county, during which
time no compelled the strict enforce
ment OF the laws requiring saloons 70
be closed Sundays
When asked today concerning his pol
itics. Mr. Bryan said;
What can man say about his
ideals" he replied. with his frank smile.
except that he intends 20 devote the
best that is IN him 10 upholding the
right and % give all the powers with
which God has endowed him toward
making the United States the greatest.
best governed country in the WOTid2
hope TO contribute something toward
relieving the country from the abuse OF
special privilege, striving TO do full
justice TO all.
I realize that in the Senate I shall
be one Of the representatives OF all the
people. and shall try 10 30 perform my
duty in this responsible position that
all OF the people, whether rich or poor,
The Washington times., 1907-12-27
YOUNG FLORIDA SENATOR
INTENDS STAYING FOR LIFE
Governors Reasons
for Naming Bryan

Here are the reasons assigned by
Governor Broward OF Florida for
the appointment Of William James
Bryan. the thirty-two-year-old law
yer. as Senator;
First-I1is intense patriotism.
Second - his exceedingly clear
grasp Nof the great political problems
OF then day.
Third--The great ability that he
has shown as preserving attorney
In Jacksonville by successfully
prosecuting the Ice Trust. and by
his vigorous enforcement OF all Of
the laws9 Of the State that It has
been his sduty 70 enforce, ne being
man OF great industry. OF tireless
energy. and OF strong belief that
every public Official should do his
full dutytin whatever position he oc-
euDies.
His devotion 70 the cause OF the
people at this early age is appreci-
Rted very markedly by the people OF
Florida, and I believe that he will
be OF great service TO the people OF
the whole country as he has every
quality that fits aiman for the great
service 10 which he has been ap-
pointed
The Washington times., 1907-12-27
Educated at Mount Holyoke College, and Now
Head of School at Home, Daughter of
Mkado'S Land Comes Back to
America Despite Warnings

Native japanese women have come to
regard san Francisco as a dangerous
place. and manifestly fear for those OF
their countrymen who contemplate Wis
iting the city. This was made plain in
the warnings which they gave 10 Miss
Yoshi Kajiro. a charming Japanese
woman who had just come to Washing
ton. after a two months visit to friends
on the Pacific coast.
Miss Kajiro left Japan about nine
months ago on her way TO the United
States to study certain phases OF the
school system In this country.
Disregarded Warnings.
Before 1 left home" she said. "ev-
erybody begged me not TO 90 TO San
Francisco. do not go there they said;
ii is dangerous to go there but 1 did
not heed their warnings because 1 want
ed to see for myself just what the con-
ditions were. was not sent for this
purpose, but I had become interested
In the reports which had reached US in
Japan, and I was very anxious TO see
for myself.
And II was perfectly lovely" Miss
Kajiro said with a smile OF apprecia-
tion and surprise. mo one did any
thing to me. and I spent two months
out there visiting my Japanese friends
on the coast. The reports have been
much exaggerated. and I shall take
great pleasure in telling the people all
about II when I go home"
Miss Ka1rO is head OF the SanyO
Girls School in Okayama. Japan, not
a great distance from Kobe. There are
more than three hundred students in
the school, although II is a private in
stitution.
visit to the United States, for I spent
four years here at Mount H)lyoke Col
lege, and shall spend the remaining
days of my visit in this country with
some OF my classmates around Boston
and New York.
The Washington times., 1907-12-27

whether they occupy prominent places
or toll In obscurity for daily bread, will
believe that I have done my whole duty.
Believer in States Rights.
II believe Congress should devise
some means OF preventing financial
Panic at times when the country ig
prosperous. the need Of which f. so ap-
parent now. I think the tariff should
be so revised as % meet new conditions
and not foster predatory trusts and
combinations I believe in preserving
the sovereignty Of the several States,
and I shall oppose any measure which
ends 10 weaken that sovereignty
You are charged with being very
young"
Yes, I understand that I am the
youngest member Some day I VIII be
the Oldest 1 am going 70 make the
people Of my State the best Senator
any State ever haC. and Il viii take
many years TO do that. I intend 70 de-
vote every energy and power OF mind
and body and soul 20 this task. my life
work"
The Washington times., 1907-12-27
JUMPS FROM BRIDGE
TO WORK, NOT DEATH

There was no suicide in the Eastern
Branch last night, although Conductor
Baldwin. Of the Anacostia car line
thought so.
Last night Baldwin reported to the
police that he saw a man jump over
. The railing Of the AnacOstia bridge
about 10 o'clock and land with a splash
in the water below.
Investigation by the crew OF the har-
bOr boat disclosed the fact that Samuel
Fones. a watchman for the company
dredging a channel near the new bridge,
. had leaped over the railing in order to
get on the dredge. and his act was
mistaken for that of a suicide
FOnes. who lives in Alexandria, said
he was late for work last night. and
did not have time 20 get a boat and
row out 20 the dredge, so he ran across
TIE bridge to a point above the dredge
and jumped down. landing safely and
dryly on The dredge.