davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-03-02
IN HOTEL LOBBIES
Ancient NEWSPAPER.

Those who think the newspaper is a
modern institution should read up on
that subject, as I have been doing re-
Gently" said man yesterday who has
been perusing the encyclopedias and
other sources of information on news
papers.
The first Roman journal. as it was
called, was published over 1000 years ago,
and appeared only once year. This pa
per, intended to be read by the public
at large, was known by the title of An
males Maximus' The editor of this jour-
nal was Pontlfe Maximus, whose duty
1t was to chronicle all the important
events of the year. This news was writ
ten on white wooden tablets and hung
on the outside of the residences of the
citizens. 1t must have been a curious
sight to see the old Romans crowding
around these tablets to get look at the
latest news, some of it being perhaps
a year old.
But the thirst after knowledge and
the curiosity of the people grew rapidly
and in such a measure that the gov
eminent, the only publisher of a journal.
found it necessary to issue a daily. The
name of what is supposed to have been
the first daily journal was Aeti Populi
Romani Diurni, From the lack of ma
terial political articles were, perhaps,
fortunately not to be had.
1T would be interesting to read a
verbal translation from the Oldest journal
extant, supposed to have been issued 16s
years before the birth of Christ. The
ltreal translation reads: Consul Cicin-
ius was the acting judge today. There
was i heavy thunderstorm, and the light
ming split an oak at the foot of the
hills at Yea In the hosiery at the
foot hills of Janus there was a fight
in which the landlord was badly wounded.
Titinius punished some butchers on ac-
count of their selling meat which had
not been inspected, the money thus paid
being used to erect a chapel to the
goddess Layerna. The broker Ausidus fled
from town today, taking with him money
belonging to other people. He was caught
and had to refund the money. The bri-
gand, Demiphon, who was captured by
Officer Nerva, has been crucified today
The fctlla from Asia arrived today
I'VE see from this that it was in olden
times pretty much as it is today. We
haven't got very much on them. We only
wish that our officials would treat our
butchers after the manner Titinius dealt
with those of his time. And then they
had a runaway banker, just as we have
them. No doubt Banker Ausidus hit a
no. trail for lands beyond the Tiber just
as dishonest bankers do for those be-
yond the Atlantic nowadays, but a sharp
Roman detective went after him, caught
him, and forced him to refund the poor
peoples money. They don't do that to-
day. times have changed.
1T is also interesting to note that julius
Caesar, the greatest of all Romans, saw
the necessity Of instructing the people in
regard to current matters and for this
reason spent much time in his attention
to journalism"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-03-02
About CIGAR Bands.

''You would be surprised to know how
many people are collecting cigar bands"
said a young man at one of the cigar
stands last night. 1.-The band fiend is as
keen now as the boys who make a spe-
cialty of tobacco tags, though the end in
view Is not so material. The boy who
collects tags generally desires some prem
ium the tngs are exchanged for, but the
cigar bands are used to decorate orna-
mental jardiners.
II have seen a number of handsome
jars decorated with bands. The effect is
artistic and extremely novel. Usually a
small jar is selected, painted with gold
enamel and the various bands are pasted
on. A number Of handsome band cigars
are on the market now, and large as
sortment can be obtained. No two bands
have duplicate trade marks. You have
no idea how beautiful an ornament an
artistic person can make from the little
bands. The owner can feel assured no
one will have anything just like 1t. 1t is
an impossibility to make two alike. You
would be surprised to know, too, how
much money the bands on an ordinary
souvenir Jar represent. Just figure the
bands as worth 10 to Is cents and you
will have It,"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-03-02
War BASED on Bonds

The Diario de la Marina of Havana
etsys Tomas Estrada Palma induced
tie United States Congress to declare
war against Spain by distributing
among American Senator's vast lot of
Cuban bonds redeemable when Cuba
should become independent. The Ha-
yana newspaper puts the amount thus
distributed at s37,OOO,O0o, but those
bonds fell heavily in 1899, and the
Diario de la Marina says a new con-
tract was made between Palma and the
American Senators. War was declared,
and Cuba was wrested from Spain.
The statements are not idle rumors.
The Havana newspaper is strong and
well+known, and at Madrid there is a
demand for the fullest possible inform
alton, and the Associated Press sends
by cable story of the Madrid sensa-
ton.
There have been rumors of war
bonds before, and the name of Palma
was connected with them. The ex-
President lived in this country before
war was declared with Spain. He lives
now in Cuba. 1t ought not to be diff
cult to ascertain the truth or falsity of
the story that the Havana newspaper
has spread before the world. The rep
utation of American Senators is in
volved, and through them the fair name
of America itself. Let the matter be
well sifted.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-03-02
STREAMS OUT OF BANKS.
sos Inches Rainfall at Meridlan-Rail-
roads Heavy Sufferers.

Meridian, Miss March 1.-(Special.)-
Meridian has just experienced one of
its heaviest rainfalls, total of DOS
inches having fallen up to o'clock to-
night. The downpour was accompanied
by severe lightning displays, but COM
paratively little or no damage was done.
Reports from the country tonight in
dictate that the rain was general and all
the streams hereabouts are badly swollen.
Souwashee creek, the largest. which is
on the lower boundary of the county,
is out of its banks, approaching half
mile wide near the railroad shops. So far
no damage has been reported as a re-
suit All the railroads are heavy suf-
ferers, the roadbed having been washed
away or tracks inundated. disarranging
schedules.
A report from Philadelphia, forty miles
northwest of here, tonight, states that
tornado struck the place last night do
ing considerable damage to small build
ings and the outlying timber No lives
were lost. Heavy rain followed the wind
and all the streams are reported RAM
pant Newton and Forest. both west. re-
port the same rain conditions. Near New
York. above this city, wash-out oc-
CURED on the Alabama Great Southern
road and a Southern freight train ran
into it. but no damage resulted. The
break has been repaired.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-03-02
Oyer Enumeration OF Immiurants

Instead of getting a million of i'm
migrants, more or less, year it now
appears that we do not get much over
one. half of that number. By the word
I'VE" the entire country is meant. Com
missioner Watchorn puts the net in
rrease in foreignborn population in the
last seventeen years at 100000 year.
This great coming down In national
immigration figures is due to the dis
ooyery that about 40 per cent-certain-
" 80 per cent-of all immigrants re-
turn to their native land either for
visits or to remain. If they return to
this country they are counted twice.
and they are recounted as often as
they go back home to return unless
indeed they become rich enough to be-
come cabin passengers. AS long as
they come in the Storage they are in
spected and counted at Ellis Island or
ut some other port in this country.
The weekly steerage sailings in New
York, especially near the Christmas
holidays, have~long been observed, bur
until recently there has been no organ
ICED movement to measure the back
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-03-02
Monthly Statement of the Public Debt

Washington, March 1.-The monthly
statement OF the public debt, issued to-
day, shows that at the close of busi-
ness February %, 1907, the debt, less cash
in the treasury, amounted to 1920 GA So 4.
which Is decrease of $6,797, 352 as COM
pared with February l. This decrease is
accounted for by the increase In the
amount in the cash on hand. The debt is
recapitulated as follows:
Interest bearing debt, 1920, o99, 150
Dept on which interest has ceased since
maturity, s1095,695
Debt bearing no interest, SS99, 6O4,3O2
Total, 81 800, 799. sos.
This amount, however, does not include
81 ,124, 460,S69 In certificates. and by notes
outstanding which are offset by an equal
amount of cash on hand, which is held
for their redemption.
The cash in the treasury is classified as
follows:
Gold reserve s15o,000, 900.
Trust funds, 81, 124 460, $50.
General funds, s207. 114.S2S.
National bank depositaries. $50 4S6, 235.
In Philippine treasury, SO, 422, SOL.
Total, 81, 635. 4S4, ass.
Against which there are demand liabil-
tiles outstanding amounting to 81 ,235. $780,
$50, which leaves a cash balance on hand
of $500 154, 654
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-03-02
The Southern.

IT am pretty far from base and do
not profess to know as much about rail
reading as some of the higher officials
who operate big lines, but I believe that
there Is a way that the Southern could
clean up and put itself In good shape
again." said a railroad man last night
III the company would issue an en-
barge on everything at every point, re-
fuse to receive any shipment of any
kind and divert all its motive power into
cleaning up the loaded cars now on it's
tracks, l believe that it would not take
many days to get that system in pretty
fair condition.
Things could hardly be any worse than
they are on the Southern There are thou
sands of loaded cars on the yards of
the system, and there is no power to
move them. The yards are congested, the
shippers are complaining on all sides and
there seems no relief in sight.
IF the Southern could clean up once
l believe 1t could about hold It's own in
the future. With clean yards, its motive
power in better condition and its crippled
cars repaired, the Southern could handle
an enormous amount of business every
day and keep things moving right along"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-03-02
WILL INSPECT RIVERS.
House Committee Accepts Invitation
to Meet In New Orleans.

Washington, March 1.-The House
committee on rivers and harbors de-
cided to accept an invitation from the
Louisiana delegation in Congress to
inspect the rivers of Louisiana, and on
March 25 the committee will assemble
at New Orleans.
From New Orleans the party will go
to the mouth of the Mississippi river
and examine the locks from the river
into the Bayou La Fourchre and Bayou
Plaquemine, going thence to the mouth
of the Red river. The Atchafalaya
river will then be visited and the COM
mittee will sail down this stream to
the gulf.
The party will next go to Shreve-
port and sail down the Red river from
there to New Orleans. A visit will also
be made to. southwestern Louisiana
for the purpose of inspecting the salt
mines, oil fields and the extensive rice
cultivation and sugar plantations.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-03-02
HARTMAN TAKES
ASHY ATROOSEYELT

New York, March 2.-The World in an
interview with q. H. Hartman, printed
this morning, says:
ut is too bad that a man with such
great mind as President Roosevelt has
should not have subjected himself to
more discipline" said Edward H. Harri-
man during an interval in his cross-exam-
ination before the interstate commerce
commission.
1t was the day when announcement
had been made of another change in
canal affairs by order of the President.
"Why don't you build the canal?' Mr..
Hartman was asked
II would If had a chance" he replied.
1.-THE whole trouble in Panama is lack
of an executive. How can you expect
engineers to carry on work efficiently
when 1t Is impossible to get any decision
or important points from headquarters
under three or four weeks"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-03-02
There was speech in their dumbness.
Winters Tale.
Five Out of Seven

President Roosevelt has "whang-
doodled" William j. Oliver out of an
opportunity to build the Panama canal,
but has not lost faith in all southern
men, for in recognizing the canal
commission he proposes TO appoint
five southern men out of seven. The
southern me are: Maj. William
Luther Sibert, born and reared in
Gadsden Major David Dubose Gail
lard, born in and appointed to West
Point from South Carolina; Col. Will
liam C. Gorgas, assistant surgeon gen
eral, of Alabama; Senator J. C. S.
Blackburn of Kentucky, and Jackson
Smith, born in South Carolina, where
he was a railway official. The re-
naming two members are Rear Admi-
raj Endicott of Massachusetts, who is
retained because the law calls for a
naval engineer, and Maj. G. w. Goeth-
ais, born in New York, but who was
long connected with the construction
of the Muscle Shoals canal.
These commissioners bid fair to dig
the canal, and five out of seven are
southern bosn men. The south, hurt
OVpr the Oliver incident pan find CO.
lace in the fact that the President was
compelled at last to turn to southern
men. The commission will be reor-
gained by request for several resig-
nations, and the men named will then
be appointed. When that is done the
south will not be in a position to de-
clare that it has been Disseminated
against at Panama, for the canal will
then be in southern hands.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-03-02
Trust Money for Campaign Purposes

In 1904 George w. Perkins, then
vice-president of the New York Life
Insurance company, became a cam
paign contributor. 1t will be remem-
bered that Perkins individually paid
into the Cortelyou slush fund $4,000,
and was afterwards reimbursed from
the funds of which he was trustee.
He was indicted, and an appeal was
taken to the court of appeals, the
highest court in the state of New York.
The bench of that court consists OF
seven judges, four of whom held that
Perkins did not commit larceny, while
three of the judges held that he did.
The four said that Perkins did not
commit larceny because there was no
criminal intent in the diversion OF
trust funds in question. The three dis
senting judges, however, said that lar
ceny consists in the taking of property
of others even for what the taker con-
siders a commendable purpose. There
is no room for compromise here, and
the question is too broad and impor-
tant to be settled by a four by-three
decision.
1t is really a dangerous proposition
to say that trust funds may be. d.
verted to any purpose provided the
man who did it is not beneficiary.
To some extent he was beneficiary.
He got what he wanted for his own
ends and purposes-a republican VIC
tory, but because none of the money
went directly into his own pockets four
members of the court said he did not
commit larceny. Under that decision
trust funds may be diverted in thou
sand ways without mourning the ban
of the law, always provided none Of
those funds go into the pockets of the
man OF 1ueI WuO ulNSll tHc hiohSy' IL
the case before the court the money
belonging to widows and orphans was
turned to swell a huge political fund,
and yet the court says the man who
did it was innocent of wrong doing
and should not therefore be punished.
This four-by-three decision In New
York does not prevent the bringing of
a civil suit for the recovery of the
insurance money that was handed over
by Perkins to the politicians, and
Governor Hughes will be very apt to
order such a suit to be brought. He
knows all about the circumstances OF
the case, and he can compel the In
surance companies TO seek recovery
of the money that was wrongfully di-
verified from their funds to uses wholly
foreign to those for which it was paid
in by the holders of policies. The in
dividual policy holder may not be in
a position to act, but Governor Hughes
is, and the country considers the lat
ter man of integrity.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-03-02
He Waited an Hour.

1T Is often very annoying waiting for
trains in Birmingham said travelling
man last night. After waiting at the
station for an hour, I see the Louisville
and Nashville coming. l was kept fast,
too, for the hour was consumed in con-
tinuous markings of five and ten min
utes each. had telephoned from the
hotel, and was informed that the train
was on time I reached the station and
found that it was five minutes late. Then
1t was ten minutes late. Then, after ten
minutes had elapsed the train was given
fifteen minutes more to arrive. This pro-
cess continued until the hour was con-
sumed. l didn't have time to step around
the corner and attend to any business.
| was afraid, during the entire hour.
to move a step away from the stati,::1
lest the train come and leave me. Now.
the train was a whole hour late. 1t seems
to me that this information could have
been sent ahead. Then | could have at
tended to several little duties that were
waiting"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-03-02
SONGS UNSUNG.
By Richard Henry Stoddard.

BY Richard Henry Stoddard.
Let no poet, great or small,
Say that he will sing a song;
For song cometh, il at all,
Not because we WOO it long,
But because it suits it's will,
Tired at last of being still.
Every song that has been sung
Was before it took a voice,
Waiting since the world was young,
For the poet of his choice.
O, if any waiting be,
May they come today to mel
| am ready to repeat
Whatsoever they impart:
Sorrows sent by them are sweet,
They know how to heal the heart:
Ay, and in the llghtest strain
Something serious doth remain.
What are my white hairs, forsooth.
And the wrinkles on my brow?
| have still the soul of youth.
Try me, merry Muses., now.
4 can still with numbers fleet
Fill the world with dancing feet.
No, | am no longer young.
Old am | this many a year;
But my songs will yet be sung,
Though / shall not live to hear.
O. my son that is to be. 8
Sing my songs. and think of mel
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-03-02
Tax Equalization

1t goes without saying that one
county should not overload another
county with state taxation. 1t is equally
plain that that is what several of them
are doing year in and year out. The
equalization bill that the House has
passed proposes to remedy this evil by
means of commission of three which
is to sit in each county each year for
the purpose of equalizing assessed
values.
of equalization, and in that complex
state the board does not deal with an
individual or corporation assessment
at all 1t simply says to Smith or Jones
county "your aggregate assessed value
for state taxation purposes shall be
S20,000,000, and you may distribute It
in your county as you see fit" The
equalization board in New York has
been doing this at least twenty five
years, and the general result seems to
be satisfactory. Every year the aggre-
gates of counties are moved up or
down, and In that way equalization is
at least Appropriated.
The bill now before the Senate in
this state is based on assessments by
a state board Of particular properties
in sixty seven counties. In other words,
the board would have to revise the
lists OF an entire county in four, or at
the most Ave, days, for there are sixty
seven counties in the state, and but $40
working days in the year.
Is the plan feasible? 1t may be bet
ter than the present plan of undercut-
ting by the counties. It may be better
than the present plan which Is really
no plan at all. But il the proposed
commission covers the field and ac-
complishes the task entrusted to 1t, 1t
will have to work harder than officials
had ever been known to work In this
or any other state.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-03-02
DECISION WITHOUT PREJUDICE.
Public Interest Demands Maintenance
of Joint and Through Rates.

Washington, March 1.-The interstate
Commerce commission today, in an opin-
ion by Commissioner Prouty, announced
it's decision in the case of the Cattlerals-
ers' association of Texas against the
Galveston, Harrisburg and San Antonio
Railroad company, and others, in favor
of the complainant on allegation OF faii-
ure of the defendants to establish through
route and joint rate on beef cattle from
points on the international ana preal
Northern railway in Texas to New Or
leans. The commission rules that the
public interest demands maintenance OF
through route and joint through rates,
and that the route and former joint rates
should be re-esta blished. The. decision is
without prejudice TO the determination OF
reasonableness which may be involved In
another proceeding now pending.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-03-02
THREE KILLED ON
TROOPERS TRAIN

Waterbury, Conn, March 2.-Three per-
sons are known to have been killed in
collision early this morning on the New
York. New Haven and Hartford railroad,
a mile and half below this city between
the midnight passenger train and spe-
cial train bearing Company f of the
Second regiment, Connecticut National
Guard, which had been attending ban
quet in this city as guests OF company
A of the same regiment. The death list
may be increased.
The number of injured has not yet been
learned
Governor Woodruff was on the special
which was bearing the militia back to
New Haven, but it is reported that he
was not injured.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-03-02
Cecil Rhodes Students.

White to Cecil Rhodes scholarships"
said resident of Montgomery yesterday,
reminds me that | have Just heard very
complimentary things about James H.
Kirkpatrick who received the appoint
ment last year lie has passed all the eX-
aminations of this term, and made an
exceptionally high mark. Kirkpatrick was
a very bright boy. indeed, one of the
brightest that Montgomery claims. He
was graduated at the University of Ala
bama in 1903, and after taking a post
graduate course, competed for the Rhodes
scholarship and won II. He was the first
Alabamian to receive an appointment.
Addison White, too, is student of the
University of Alabama. From what
can gather he will be another splendid
representative Of this state
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-03-02
To investigated Hot Springs

Washington, March 1.-Senator Clarke
of Arkansas presented resolution today
authorizing the appointment by the Vice
President of three senator's to visit Hot
Springs. Ark, during the recess of Con-
gross and investigate the government
administration of the Hot Springs sani-
tarium. The resolution went to the COM
mittee to audit and control of the con-
tingent fund of the Senate.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-03-02
REFLECTIONS OF A BACHELOR.

From the New York Press.
The most fun in going To Europe Is
that most of your friends can't.
The one thing woman can't under
stand about a man is the way he will
throw away money on useful things.
One of the meanest things about hav-
ing money is the way everybody worries
for fear you will keep on having 1t.
If a girl drops her glove and man
picks IL up for her she tells how he made
II happen so he could try to f1irt wltls
her.
When you hear a man bawlins at the
top Of the lungs he Will try to tell you
afterward that he was listening to po-
utical arzuulant
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-03-02
Verdict of Not Guilty.

Lyons, Ga, March 1.-The jury in
the case of ". T. Gilpin, charged with
the murder of w. w. Mcdonald. a
prominent attorney of Douglas, Ca to-
night brought in verdict of not guilty
Gilpin shot Mcdonald in his wifes
room in Vdalia one night last Octo-
ber He had concealed himself in the
closet of the room. Gilpin pleaded the
''unwritten law" in his defense. Mrs.
Gilpin was also under indictment, but
tonight the case against her was mol
pressed.