davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-08-03
Reforming the Constitution

Among the big measures of the leg islature stands the bill of Representa- tive Samuel Will John to put before the people constitutional proposition making payment of poll tax collect lble by law, thus removing the cumu- lative feature which has disfranchised 900 white men.
 The bill is not at hand, but the pre- sumption is that it removes the dis rranchising features that have accu- mulated in this state. Possibly all past.due poll taxes would be collected by law, and that alone would restore vast number to full citizenship, be- sides adding handsomely to the school fund.
 The cumulative poll tax is not needed It promotes discontent oy It's disfranchising feature. True, the dsfranchising may be at fault, but no law should offer a money premium for neglect of the duties of a citizen. The cumulative feature of the poll tax does exactly that, and each additional year aggrayates the situation. Unless the proposition presented by MT John is adopted the state will soon be ln the hands of old men, and the men below 45 years of age will have no more voice in Alabama affairs than they have in affairs of the moon.
 It is a pity that a biennial-session proposition cannot be submitted 1t the same time. The adoption of the two would render the constitution of 1903 endurable. It has other defects, but the others are not so galling or obstructive.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-08-03
Sixth District Politics.

'-rhe Sixth Is coming to be quite as important in present day politics as the celebrated Fourth of other days" said a prominent republican.
 Tomorrow there is to be a meeting of the republicans of the Sixth at Jas per. It promises to be very important. The issues between the two wings-ad- ministration and nti-administration-ar to come up. I expect quite large at tendance in a mass meeting.
 It is understood that resolutions en- dorsinS Roosevelt for a third term will be offered at this meetin.
 ''The most striking innovation in poli- tics in either of the parties Is that these resolutions seek to endorse Pope Long as a leader
 If the republicans of the Sixth are not asleep they will resent such action of this self-constituted committee A com mit-tee-accent on the tee-is one person or institution appointed to take charge of the person and administer the analrs of person of unsound mind or who Is not mentally able to conduct his pus- mess or direct his affairs"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-08-03
SOUTHERN RAILWAY SYSTEM.
Net Earnings for Fiscal Year Show
 Decrease of About $2,ooo0o0.

From the New York Herald
 Earnings of the Southern Railway com pany for the year ended June 30 show an increase in gross receipts of S. 6,555. Op- erating expenses and taxes increased &,- 926,143, leaving a decrease in net earnings of $1 ,9O9, 5S7. The ratio of operating eX- penses to earnings was 7S.s9 per cent, as compared with 74.15 per cent in 1906.
 Higher operating cost has caused de- crease in the net earnings of the Gin cnnati, New Orleans and Texas Pacific Railway company for the year ended June 30. although the gross receipts were $325,- $50 higher than during the previous year.
 Cross receipts amounted to sS,77s,S47, eX- penses and taxes were $7,OS1, ,436, and net earnings S1,747.410, a decrease of s314,S14. The percentage of operating expenses to earnings was S009, as compared with 75.6O in 1906.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-08-03
Secretary of State Julian Acts

Secretary of State Julian has for feited the Alabama license of the Southern railway, and if his action be lawful that road is operating without license. MT. Julians action was taken under the recent act of the leg islature forbidding the transfer of case from the state to the federal courts. A case was thus transferred in Talladega county by the Southern railway, and as soon as the secretary of state became officially aware of the fact he at once declared the license of the offending company forfeited under the outlaw act" Nor does this action seem to put the secretary Of state in contempt of the federal court, for the injunction issued by Judge Jones runs against the railroad commission and Attorney General Garber. The secretary of state can say indeed that 1t never touched him. But the employe of the Southern, in moving a car or in selling ticket In Alabama, may be indicted under the penalty clause of the anti-railroad laws of last winter, and Governor Conner may then say as did Governor Glenn in a similar case, that federal injunction cannot be fitted to crimi- nal prosecution arising in the state. In this way the outlaw act may per haps be tested.
 But why should the Southern rail road, operating nearly 2000 miles of track in this state, get into legal and political snarl here? It can reap noth- ing but friction and irritation. It can but confirm existing opposition. In such a course the Southern has much to lose and nothing to gain. It should at once do here what 1t already has done In North Carolina-it should ac- cept the laws of Alabama frankly and openly while 1t Is ascertaining In the courts the validity of those laws. This is what it should do In Alabama. 1t has adopted exactly this policy in North Carolina, and it would be in vidious and inconsistent to do other wise in this state. This should be done for the good of the Southern railroad, the peace of the common wealth and the general welfare of two millions of honest people.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-08-03
From the London Daily Mall.

From the London Daily Mall
 %HE robbery of the famous regalia (U of "the most illustrous Order of
 St. Patrick from Dublin Castle has many clements of surprise for the general public, who have not the slightest Idea of the immense value of the badges and collars of many of the more famous orders of chivalry worn by the King.
 The badges of orders were originally of gold, enameled with designs in what are known in heraldry as proper" col ors. In the case, however, of a sovereign who is the head of all orders of his own country, badges and stars were 1eweled Later this fashion spread to less eminent knights, and not only the royal family but many great noblemen and eminent men are the owners of splendidly jeweled badges. Badges and collars of chivalry are. on the death of knight given up to the grand master of the order, but where the 'Jewer' Is of historical inter est it is returned to the family.
 Among the decores of the world, King Edward VII holds pride of place and of number, for he has nearly a hundred or ders of chivalry, many of which are exquisite examples of the goldsmith's s and enameler's arts, while others, being set with the finest of matched stones, are of immense value When the King Is travelling abroad as a sovereign, the necessity of carrying in his baggage tho orders of the various countries through which he will pass forms considerable responsibility.
 Where the King has arranged to meet representatives of countries, the orders are duly set out in an apartment adjoin- ing the reception room, and are changed before the entrance of the different guests. Etiquette, however permits the King to retain in every instance the great orders of his own kingdom, merely adding to them the collar or badge of the foreign order. At the same time,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-08-03
ALABAMA PRESS

Montgomery Times: Maybelle Gilman Corey says she has left the stage for good. Theatre patrons will no doubt agree with her that It is all for good.
 Mobile Herald: LaFollette / is being boomed as a vegetarian candidate for president. It won't do. He is too fond of the bone of contention.
 Montgomery Advertiser: Let Common Sense Prevail" is the heading of an edi- toral in a contemporary. The sugges- ton is a good one, but this would be a dull old world If the idea could be uni versally adopted and carried out.
 Franklin Times: The much talked of child labor bill has been at last passed by the legislature The new law says no cn.4~- under 12 years of age shall be work ed In 8 cotton mill, but as the law stands is a very poor excuse. It says the mill owner cannot be found guilty of an offense unless it can be proven that he knew that the child in question was under P years of age. What a delusion and snare.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-08-03
PRESS POINTS


 Florida Times Union: A Florida under taker advertises that he has just added new live stock. Humph!
 Nashville Banner: The Japanese Admi- ral Ijuin says. We love the Americans" Oh, this is so sudden.
 Memphis Commercial-Appea1:N there is to be war between Nicarauga and Sal vador This calls for another receiver ship.
 Dallas News: Another advantage in call ing the newly invented cocktail the Fair banks is that 1t excuses the bartender for making 1t mostly of ice.
 Hamilton Sun: An eminent poet once wrote: "What is so rare as a day in June?" In these days the question is pertinent: What is so rare as the day that has no railroad wreck?''
 Washington Herald. An automobile horn with twenty eight varieties of "honk' has been invented And still there are peo- pie who labor under the impression that the automobile horror has already reached the limit
 Washington Post: Says a woman writer in the Chicago Journal; 'The matron Is happier than the maid. and widow is happier than either" Especially, we pre- sume, if her husband had his life insured to the limit.
 v0r q. oF ha try are rushing forward to defend the kiss, which is not only distinctly en- couraging sign but is proof that the man behind the bus has been attend ing to business.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-08-03

rural districts. Mir. Williams carried nearly all the towns of the state, but in the more secluded counties his op- ponent boiled the larger vote. At this writing it is not possible to say how large John Sharp Williams ma jorlty will be, but it is at any rate large enough to be decisive. The legislature will be elected in Novem- Der. and next winter the leader of the party in the House will become Mis- sissippl's Senator-elect. J
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-08-03
FAMOUS BRITISH ORDERS

l when at his own court the King does not wear any foreign orders, excepting only on such occasions as state visits from other soverelgns or from special mission sent by an important ruler whom his majesty particularly wishes to honor.
 The most important of all King Ed wards orders is that of the Garter at once the most ancient, splendid, and en- viable decoration. The velvet garter of full blue velvet, edged and buckled with gold, and bearing the famous motto, is the badge of the order which oommeno- rates the quaint old story. The magnih- cent star Is eight pointed, and is in- tended to initiate the round table, of Arthurlan times. The Kings order is. set with wonderful brilliants, and is of great value
 The Order of the Thistle. which Is two centuries younger than the Garter, also furnishes tho King with a beautiful badge. the twelve points of the glory" being thickly jeweled, and the figure of St. Andrew in the center of the star being enameled. The star of the Order of St. Patrick owned by the King is d blaze of diamonds the cross being in ru- bies and the trefoil in emeralds. Of this order the ruling viceroy of Ireland is great master, under the sovereign.
 Other British orders are those of the Bath. the Star of India. St. Michael and St. George, and the Indian Empire, The Star of India and the St. Michael and St. George badges are extremely beautiful The former is fine cameo carved from onyx with the effigy of Queen Victoria, who founded the order The latter claims to be the most perfect of all the stars" The George" as it is generally called, has fourteen points, and is one solid mass of diamonds. The George now worn by the King belonged to the late Duke Cambridge, who left 1t to his majesty. It Is not only a most valuable jewel but possesses consider able family interest.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-08-03
Prohibition and Beefsteak.

''I was discussing the subject of prohibit tion with distinguished Baptist minister of my state" said Mississppian. 'IIe, of course, said he was in favor of the proposition and allowed the use of his name signed to a call for the organiza- tion of a prohibition party
 He asked me how l stood on the sub ject, and I answered: Well doctor, if you will make the thing sweeping by jailing any man who manufactures, sells, gives away, brings it into the state in any jug, bottle demijohn or In his stom- ach for any purpose whatever, I will vote for it.
 '''I object to such drastic provisions added the preacher, because that would mean no beefsteak for my breakfast
 What has the drasticity of my sug- gestion to do with beeksteak?' asked the good man.
 Well, It's like this: Aunt Mandy my good old negro cook, suffers nearly every morning with apparent attack of tooth ache, and when she knocks at our door at an early morning hour, with tears stream ing from her eyes, and her hand claspcd closely to one side of her jaw and an nounces she cannot get breakfast with such pains In my jaw" my good wife gently rises from her couch, goes to the sldeboard, pours out small glass of whis- ky, hands it to Aunt Mandy, and in thirty minutes thereafter we enjoy the best broiled steak in all Mississippi. No, sir, while l am a prohibitionist, l think that Just enough of the vile stuff should be permitted for medicinal purposes, to save dental bills and to insure well served beefsteak,' remarked by friend the good preacher"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-08-03
F. M. FINCH DEAD.
Was Dean of the Cornell Law School
 and Poet.

Ithaca, N Y-Francis Miles Finch died here, aged 80 years. He was born in Ithaca in 1927, and was graduated from Yale university in 1S49. He practiced law in Ithaca, and during President Grant s first term he was appointed collector of internal revenue for the Twenty-sixth district of New York. In 1880 he was appointed by Governor Cornell to the New York court of appeals, where he served as associate judge until 1S96 advancing age induced Judge Finch to leave the active practice of the law, and he accepted the position of dean of Cornell law school. He also gave a course on the history and evolution of law.
 Judge Finch wrote many articles and poems and all his works, especially those on legal subjects, are highly estimated. Of his poems, "The Blue and the Gray" is the best known. It tells of the peace that dwells over the graves of the dead after the civil war The following is the last stanza:
 No more shall the war-cry sever,
 Or the winding rivers be red
 They baniSh our anger forever
 When they laurel the graves of our
 dead,
 Uider the sod and the dew,
 Waiting the Judgment day;
 Love and tears for the Blue
 Tears and love for the Gray. Judge Finch received an honorary IL. D. from Hamilton college in 1880, and one from Yale in 1889. He was president of the New York State Bar association in 1890. and an honorary member of the Army of the Potomac.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-08-03
The First Buggy.

Speaking of automobiles becoming so numerous in this city," remarked MT. John Cox, freight agent of the Louis vile and Nashville railroad, "the inoya- ton in transportation vehicles does not surpass in interest that of 1871, when the first buggy came to Birmingham. I was the owner of that buggy and with it's coat of paint it attracted much atten- tion, and incurred some damage to the numerous OK carts and wagons which ploughed through the muddy streets of the embryo town. There were numerous run aways caused by oxen and mules be- coming frightened at the new vehicle.
 "The next man to follow my suit was the late Dr. Mortimer Jordan, and his new buggy was still more attractive than mine; then another and another citi- zen caught the infection and buggies soon became as numerous as are automobiles today.
 "Yes, was the first man to introduce a buggy in Birmingham"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-08-03
PETTUS DIED OF GRIEF.

Washington Dispatch to the New York
 Times.
 That Senator Edmund W. Pettus of Ala bama died of grief over the death of his colleague, Senator John T. Morgan, is the story brought to Washington v Ala bamians. Of course, it was not tlV alone. If General Pettus had been younger man he could have outlived many shocks of that kind The truth is that he had been ailing and aging for long time, but he had been utterly devoted to his octc- genarian colleague. and the sudden shock of Senator Morgan's death was too much for him.
 All last winter men expected Pettus to die; yet he suddenly rallied, and dls-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-08-03
Economy in Government.

Economy in government, national state and municipal has been a study in this country for years, if not the prr,,- tice," remarked an economist
 There have been some extraordinary suggestions in this direction, and I recall one of impressive and ludricrous tendency I was in the city of New York many years ago, when 1t was proposed in the City Council of the metropolis to pur- chase and place gondolas in the beautiful lakes of Central park Some member wanted to purchase dozen or so. others fewer number, and the most economical member arose and said: MT. Chairman, move that the committee be instructed to purchase two gondalas, male and a fe- male. and I am sure that within few years the lakes will be fully supplied
 There are more gondalas today than two in Central park of New York;
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-08-03
TALLADEGA MARBLES FAME.

From the Talladega Mountain Home.
 There was unveiled in Birmingham Sun day a monument to Father O OReiliy, a lamented and beloved Catholic priest.
 Apart from the interest centered in the occasion on account of the prominence of the man honored, Talladega is doubly ln- terested, In that the monument, a heroic figure, was made of Talladega marble and the artist who executed the work Is Sgnor G. Moretti whose studio Is lo- cated three miles south of the city.
 The marble industry is bringing new fame to Talladega
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-08-03

played once again the strength that had always been so astonishing in man oyer 80 years of age. At the time of Pettus' weakness Morgan appeared to be stronger than usual; yet, after the adjournment Of Congress the latter failed so rapidly that men who saw him within a few weeks were heart-broken at the change in him.
 When Morgan passed away the fading old veteran lost all interest in life These things sound unbelievable, but Morgan and Pettus did not belong to a modem time. They were relics of an older age.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-08-03
THE WAY OF THE WORLD.

By Frank L. Stanton. It's the way of the world, my masters,
 From the bloomln' spring to the fall; When the toiler dies by the roadside
 They give him a grave-thats all! There, in the dusty silence:
 Well he fell, as the leaves must fallt" Dead, on the worlds great highway.
 They gave him grave-that's all! Ne that have fed on the honey
 Who gave him only the gall, When the toiler dies by the roadside
 Ye give him grave-that's allt
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-08-03
REFLECTIONS OF A BACHELOR.

From the New York Press.
 A woman admires her husband from a sense of duty.
 An awful nice thing about curly hair or girl is when 1t Is resting on your shoulder.
 A girl IS prouder of being engaged than she ever will be afterward of being mar ried
 A bachelor can become very fond of spending his nights al the club by getting married.
 A chaperon can be very useful to young people If she has anybody to fiirt with harxalf.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-08-03
IN sHADoWLAND

IN Sf1ADU WLAND. Iris hard for a toiler to struggle on When the lift and the thrill and the zest
 are gone And only the dull. dead grind remains. With it's small rewards and greater pains. Oh, doubly hard when hope dies out And shapes of fear and future doubt Drive all the sun in life away And the dawn that dawns is cold and
 gray. Iris then that the test of man is made, To prove him weak if he be afraid, Or to mark him blest with a courage rare And a heart bowed down that still must
 dare.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-08-03

The coal trust has 200 years to op- crate in, and then 1t must go into some other line of business, for 1t has been ascertained there will be no coal In this country after the year 2107.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-08-03

The Kentucky republicans have re- pudiated Fairbanks for the purpose of standing by Taft. Not even the cocktail issue could hold them in the Fairbanks line.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-08-03
A VACATION BALLAD.

He went for a ride in a tallyho, Ho ho ho, ho, in a tallyhol He went for ride In a tallyho
 With maid he liked quite well. He held her fast when the wagon bumped And the maiden timorously jumped, He held her fast when the wagon bumped
 And I'm sure the moon won't tell
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-08-03

North Carolina admits the authority of the United States supreme court. but its contempt for the double back. action injunction is deep and immov- able
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-08-03

It is said that Thomas W. Lawson reads his Bible. However, 1t is hardly reasonable to suppose that he reads it when there Is any live news on the stock ticker.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-08-03

Automobiles turn turtle when they strike a COW, but the COW does not She goes on cropping grass as if noth- ing had happened.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-08-03

A Boston jokesmith says that old home weekers may have their teeth pulled free. The same remark doesn't apply to their legs.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-08-03

A Baltimore man who was assaulted on the street wants $1,000,000. He will do we'll to get $10.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-08-03

It was not difficult to depose the Emperor of Korea. but no way to turn out Corey or Tom Platt or Chauncey Depew has been discovered.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-08-03

The Idaho republican machine will now attempt to show that Harry Orchard did not commit the crimes he says he did.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-08-03

The governor of South Carolina does not appear to be anxious to get into the limelight. The trouble is he had a mollycoddle legislature.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-08-03

"Just listen to the cotton laughing when the rain strikes it." says the Columbia State How does the cotton laugh?
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-08-03

Governor Hughes Is promoting his boom by making a good governor. He is travelling the best route to the White House.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-08-03
catastrophes or petty woes
OUT OF REAs SON.

Tt is now claimed that the photograph was invented by a woman."
 T don't believe any woman would have started such powerful competition"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-08-03

THE HUMAN CLAM You meet his dull, inquiring eye ,hen mortal measures go awry, The man who murmurs with sigh,
 That's singular" He never lets himself get mad, Altho the case be pretty bad, These words are all he'll say, egad,
 That's singular" Catastrophes or petty woes, No matter how the old world goes, One hackneyed phrase is all he knows
 That's singular"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-08-03

The names of Governor Glenn and William D. Haywood have been added by the force of events to the list of presidential possibilities.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-08-03

It should be kept in mind that Mrs. Lieutenant Colonel Ayres has not been put on the retired list and cannot be.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-08-03

The Taft papers say the water was covered with bubbles for many yards around where Foraker and Dick went down.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-08-03

If Orchard Is not diabolical mur- derer he Is a spectacular liar, and no punishment is too severe to fit him
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-08-03

Thomasville, N. G. claims to make one million chairs year. That is good place to go way back and sit down
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-08-03

St. Louis has pie trust, but the sale of watermelons Is not restricted
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-08-03

The railroads soon discovered that Governor Glenn Is not one of those who are quoted high at six for a quar- ter.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-08-03

These algefacient days are an un- mixed blessing. Accept them as such and enjoy them.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-08-03

Virginia is warming Up to the states rights issue and to Governor Glenn, who was born & son of light and lib- erty.