davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-08-18
Economy of viaducts.

"Railroads are supposed to be operated on principles of true economy and bus mess, said a real estate man last night
 but certainly they do not apply those principles to grade crossings. Take the crossings at Twenty-eghth and Twenty seventh streets and First avenue, for ex- amples. Here the traffic of the steam roads is certainly interrupted to allow the passage of trolley cars and the ser vice of the electric line is hampered by having to wait for clear tracks. The loss of time in the course of the year must run up into thousands of dollars. This of itself would indicate the economic necessity for the construction of a via duct; but that's the minor chord of the argument. I am of the opinion that the transportation companies have already paid out. in settlement of damage suits flor deaths and injuries occasioned by collisions at those crossings, enough money to have bouaht every of right-o necessary for the approaches to a vladuct l recall one instance in which single/life cost the company at fault sl60oo in cash to say nothing Of
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-08-18
The Greater

The term, Greater Birmingham, has been a popular phrase for months past, and it will be until the city limits are extended by vote under the King law. After that consummation Greater Bir- mingham will include Ensley, Wylam, Bessemer, Jonesboro and other thriv- ing neighbors on the line of the Bir- mingham Railway, Light and Power company.
 New York city includes the Brooklyn and other populous boroughs, and yet in common parlance those boroughs are designated as Greater New York. It was mistake to continue what was an intelligible and convenient term be- fore the limits were extended but what should now mean the outlying popula- tion. The Greater" should always apply to that which lies beyond and which will sometime in the future be annexed. It is so with regard to Lon. don. The London metropolitan district, with defined boundary lines, is what Is generally known as the town of London. It contains a population of nearly S,000,000. Greater London is the outlying territory. with a popula- tion of million or more. In course of time the London boundary will be again extended so as to include what is now outside; and so on, from decade to decade.
 Birmingham should start right in its definition of Greater and not make New York's mistake, which is decid- edly misleading.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-08-18
Brain Drill Wanted

Intricate questions are not always readily understood, even by those who are accustomed to give such matters their close attention, and much more difficult must it be to make the thoughtless comprehend them. A lengthy and patient course of instruc- tion is often necessary to enlighten the mind, and the mind itself must be calm and attentive.
 The presidential election which is fast approaching promises to present to the American people some very mo- lnentous questions and these questions must be debated. Every day we hear the names of candidates mentioned, but little or nothing is said of what these candidates stand for.
 It is likely that the next presiden- tial campaign will be fought out on some of the lines to which slight and merely passing reference has been made, but if the intelligence of the country is to dcide these questions, some information should be supplied. The man who casts an unintelligent vote is a danger to the nation but how can he know if he is not told.
 How many voters among the gen. eral public today are there who are capable of giving a good reason for their act when they mark ballot for Or against trusts or tariff? If states or interstates' rights were to be the question submitted to the people would one per cent of the voters be competent to justify their position. If one candidate advocates the owner ship and another the control of public utilities, is it prejudice, passion or partiality that prompts a choice?
 These questions are likely to arise, and upon these questions the public will seek information. Advocates of these issues should instruct by facts and not attempt to influence by fiction. argument, not oratory, is in demand.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-08-18
A CRUEL OLD CITY.
From the Chicago News.

From the Cn1caRO NoWS,
 Wonderful discoveries have been made in the ruins of the ancient city of Gezer in Palestine. Prof. Stewart Macalister, who is now at work on the site has dIs- covered the ruins in eight cities or peri ods of building there, going back to an- cient cave dwellers 5000 years B. c. The remains, therefore, of 5000 years of ap- parently almost continuous human life are seen on this little hill. When dwelling fell down or was destroyed the newcomer did not clear away the rubbish but rear ed a fresh structure on the ruins of the old and digging now deep down through these ruins the explorer of today has dis covered the untouched cremated remains of a cave-dwelling race not acquainted with metal, also the undsturbed dead of Canaanite tribe with bronze weapons; also of a Canaanite Thigh place." with the bones of newly born infants, sacrificed, apparently, to some unknown deity, or bones of infants buried under the corners of house walls.
 These human sacrifices were 1t is beliey- ed, the ''abominations" of the Ammo mites denounced in the Old Testament.
 
 the commencement of undertakings, and 1t has been shown that the breaking of a bottle of wine at the naming of ship is but the survival of the ancient abom- inable custom. So also. the innocent looking Maypole Is simply a relic of a pole found in old pagan temples-traces of one having been found in the high place or temple of Gezer. Various state ments In the Bible are amply confirmed by discoveries made by the explorers of the society.
 Developments of Gezer make it possible to understand more clearly how Samson pulled down the pillars of the temple. These pillars were of wood, and merely rested on "stumps of stone" The strong man, therefore, had but to draw the wood en supports together and off the stone and down came the temple, crashing about the Phlistines' ears.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-08-18
PRESS POINTS

Baltimore News: John D. Rockefeller among his other troubles seems to have become a mark for interview fakers.
 New York Mail: In politics life Is not all cakes and ale. It's largely an affair of buttermlk now, as any loyal Hoosier will tell you
 
 Washington Herald: Speaking of war scares, what Is the matter with Governor Glenn and Governor Corners attitude to- ward the United States?
 Florida Times Union: Oyster Bay must be waiting for month with an "R" in it, to judge from the death-like sil- ence that prevails there.
 Nashville Banner: Georgia will have a Homecoming week next year Bbu- lous ome-comers will be expected to bring supply of their favorite bever- ages with them.
 Houston Post: A Cincinnati preacher declares that true innocence is now rare ly found among men The good brother has evidently had limited opportunities to observe the vast multitude of by standers
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-08-18
Boys Club

Of the many humane and benevolent organizations in Birmingham that de- pend on the public for financial aid few appeal more readily to generous hearted people than the Boys club. This is one of the younger of our philanthropic institutions and it is one of the most helpful. It is well di- rected. It has a good record and it is just such an institution as every large city needs, especially city of Bir- mingham's character-busy, feverish, cosmopolitan.
 It is in this club that the morals of homeless and neglected boys are safe guarded and toned. The members are taught to be manly, selfrespecting, orderly and clean of speech, as well Bs clean of body. Every urchin who comes under the influence of the Boys club is almost sure to develop into a good citizen.
 The club needs funds and the appeal which the advisory board makes at this time should meet with a prompt and hearty response.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-08-18

ing in Latin, Greek and the human ities" generally and he will be all the better able to hold his own in the battle of life; and to the end of his days he will feel refining uplift from bis college training that nothing else could well supply.
 The colleges of Alabama were well attended last year and the attendance will be even larger this fall. Many of our institutions are enlarging their faculties and are preparing to make college work more attractive than ever. The time will soon come when the leading colleges of the south will compare most favorably with the wealthier institutions of the north. As it Is today they are a high credit to the country and in many respects are superior to the largely endowed uni versailles.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-08-18
 DlCkENS' DAYS TASK.
m the Washington Times.

From the Washington Times
 Most of us do our work stolfdly. Yes terday's task is forgotten in today's need. Yet if we do our best with our work we shall be unconsciously preparing for bet ter things.
 An exhibition now being held in Lon don Illustrates this admirably. It is de- scribed as 'unexampled" and wonder full" Yet it has to do with a single book a book written as a task, but done as well as Charles Dickens could do it. ''Pickwick Papers, Low and cheap" the authors friends termed the first mum bers But Dickens did his best with it-as we may do our best with other tasks that are Tow and cheap"-and the serial which began with 400 copies grew In its fiftieth number to 10000
 Two rooms In a gallery and much space In basement are required for this dis play. It comprises early and late edl- tions of the work, translations, drama tlzatlons, plagiarisms, illustrations, with out number, and a museum of knick knacks, furniture, articles of every sort named out of the papers" Of course these are only the outward signs of an Inward impression vastly greater No one in his senses would measure the sphere of novel by such gauges. The mental and sentimental influence of Answer quick. Pickwick.' makes 1t one of the humorous classics of all tongues
 So much did "a rather impecunious young man, who lived in humble lodg- ings" with his days task.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-08-18
Cahalan Monument.

"signor Moretti is progressing nicely with the Mary A Cahalan monument" said Isadore Shapiro, secretary of the Cahalan Memorial association yesterday He has already completed the cast, and a party who has just returned from the Moretti quarry says that it is an ex- cellent likeness of the beloved teacher He will soon begin cutting and shaping the marble.
 The statue will be life size and it will be very beautiful and artistic A drink ing fountain will be attached to the statue which will be most beneficial to the pub lie. The statue will be completed and unveiled on the second anniversary of Miss Cahalans death, which is next April"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-08-18
BOOM FOR WRIGHT.

From the Manila Cable-NeWS.
 Taft and Wright! Are they to be the opposing candidates the next election?
 It is not improbable. Taft has an ex- oellent chance for the Republican nomi- nation. Wright is now coming forward prominently among Democrats.
 His is a name to conjure with The Philippines never held an honester, abler man. Seorning all trickery all chicanery, all catering to ignorance, he set his eyes on the goal of actual achievement and strode straightway in the path leading to it.
 He writhed under the bonds of the poli- ticians at Washington. He longed to break the strings between his desk and the War Department He hated double-dealng He believed in speaking softly, with the big stick poised for the blow if needed, He wanted peace here, and if unhlndered from the Capital would have made peace firmly and for long.
 Luke E. Wright has the finest attri- butes of the cultured Southerner.
 Though modest, on his unembarrassed brow.
 Nature has ten-'Gentleman."
 As a leader of the Unterrified party of the common people he would be ideal. He has the chlvalrous personality which calls forth loyalty from every fiber Of his adherents and friends. With an unblom- ished record, a career marked by dis tingushed gallantry, unfaltering courage. and unwavering determination. he has clung-to ideals as high as those held by any man in public life.
 In 1878 when his native city of Memphis was scourged by yellow fever, and men fled from it like rats from a sinking ship, Luke Wright stayed and led in the nursing of the stricken ones and in the fight to conquer the disease.
 His has ever been ,t fife of lofty thinking, of generous action, and self sacrifice.
 If he should be elected President of the United States our interests, our fate could not be in safer, better hands.
 A keen student of affairs here, one or the best lawyers in the United States. learned, logical and fearless, we could count ourselves fortunate indeed II Wright were chief of the American na- ton.
 We of the Philippines, who next to his own kin of Tennessee, know him> best, love him for what he was here, and what he is now.
 And most of all we love him for the enemies he made in the Philippines.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-08-18
Or .a Resolutions

The world "do' move whether the sun does or not. There was time when prohibition ran rampant In the Puritan states, but it's losses in those states are now made good in the Cava- Her states Throughout the entire south runs a prohibition wave, and even Kentucky has S7 dry" counties. She has over 300 distilleries, but this fact does not stay the course of the prohibition wave within her limits.
 Nor is this all. In the good old days befo' the war, and even in those after the war, no democratic platform was complete that did not contain a whack at "sumptuary Legislation" and also one in favor of our "splendid iso- lation." Old Sumptuary is dead, and all our isolation has gone where the woodbine twineth. The democratic states are foremost now in passing sumptuary laws, and we have more island provinces than we can count. Thus passes away the old time politi- cal nonsense, and it is really time the platform went with 1.-the platform of promises that are never kept. No ether country has the platform. No other country cultivates formal blasts of hot air, and with the passing of the convention should go the platform, and. parties should be judged in this country by their acts and the known positionns of leaders, as they are in all other countries.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-08-18
THE souTH's NEW MORALITY.

From the Prlnadelphia North American,
 True leaders of southern thought know that they have two race questions, not one, to contend with. Before and after the civil war there has been bitter hatred be- tween the negro and the poor white" The vicious elements of t.ose two classes are to blame for the majority of the lynching outrages sand the offenses that furnished the excuse for mad murders. The crackers" the .'.wool-hats," the red -necks," the "hill-bilies' elect the Vardamans and Tillmans and Davises and Taylors to office, and those demagogues fan the worst sentiment O. the worst ele- ments of the community into viruent race hatred. which is unknown among the intelligent whites The increase of railroad building and lumber camps has lured the negroes from the plantations by their love for excitement and com pany and a cash weekly wage, rather than substantial yearly profit in share farm
 ing. wandering, irresponsible class of labor thus has been created. that is supplemented by the idlers who throng the slums of the cities. From these come the crimes, barbarously avenged by their tribal enemies-the poor whites" But the chief enemy of both these clements, and through them, of society, has been whisky The Atlanta crimes and the con sequent riots were born in the Atlanta dives. And the same Is true of nearly all crimes and harmful disorder. Sobriety stands for the salvation of the south's labor and the south's public walfare. That Is the economic side of the new morality. It Is an impressive example of Americans rising above their personal beliefs to benefit the public veal.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-08-18
LIFE OF NOTED GAMBLER

Chicago then. It is at about that point the weight of the resident population begins to assert itself in demands for stricted enforcement of law in protection of property right and interest. Always, at such times and places, the thorough bred sport adjusts himself to the new situation, realizes and recognizes the ne- cessity if not the justice of the change, employs his business abilities in other lines or finds new fields for his games of chance
 Mcdonald stayed in Chicago and in- vested his money in more than one of her business activities. On one occasion, speaking of the Chicago lid, he said: I've don't need lid on a jackpot, but we do on the one we cook our dinner in." The man had a mind capable of clear seeing, a bright fancy, and a lambent wit and some lines in his face showed, that un- der higher environments he could have won distinction in the professional or literary world. He never felt a physical fear but he was afraid to deny beggar In the street. A stranger man and one of many contradictions; one, too, to make us feel as we see how the life lines crossed and were tangled In him, the truth of Shakespeare's thought that there are more things In heaven and earth than are dreamed of in our narrow philosophy. For in him was the strength to vanquish strength and the weakness to be vanquished by weakness. Which side of this strange character was really the strongest, or the weakest Is the pug gle in the case.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-08-18
THE TRACTS OF THE WEST.

By James Oppenheim. We have the makings of hundred em-
 pires- Between the sunshine and the soil shall
 sweep The rolling tides of Man: bluer the skies And kindlier, than the heaven of Italy. The vault of Spain. Young men, stlu
 track the West! Go hlaze vour trail with blows that break
 the plain. With drills that gouge the ore from gold-
 en pockets, With herds that browse alfalfa on the
 hills With thrift, with home sweet nestled in .
 valley, Set on an upland or commanding skies From some great peak that flags the
 flying stars! Then love your Earth, making the days
 work rich With all the strength and heart and iiv-
 ing soul Your will can force into eternal toll! Then shall you bless the Fate that led
 you here To this small rolling sphere or sun-
 warmed Earth That rolls so many millions, age by age, From Birth to Death--far from the cry
 of slums, Far from the skyless office and the desk. O citizen of skies and the broad Earth, Keeper of the antiquity of hills Whose rocks gaze on us with million
 years, comrade of woodfolk and the mullein'd
 fields, The winds. the storm, the kindly souls at
 home, Close to Earths heart that throbs for
 ever-Godl
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-08-18
PREPARATION.

From the Chicago Journal.
 "Oh. let me see," said the distinguished arrival as the tug bearing the representa- lives of the press was discerned down the bay to meet his vessel '1Iave I got my interview pat?"
 'It is easy, your highness," said tho private secretary. You must remember to say three things"
 "Ah. yes. One is, T am delighted to re- alze my ambition to see your wonderful country"
 And don't forget to say My nation is in perfect accord with yours. I deprecate any hint of war"
 ''Yes, yes. And the third is consider American women charming Bring on your scribes
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-08-18

the heavy legal expenses incidental to defending the suit. The companies can not evade the possibility of killing and maiming score of people at one fell swoop, and as human life comes high when Jefferson county juries are asked to value it. the expense of such an ac- cident would go a long way toward de- fraying the construction of the vladuct That viaduct must be built sooner or later and delay means the frittering away of so much money. Consequently, I am surprised by the inaetIon of the com panies"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-08-18

From the St. Louis Globe Democrat. XN NE of the strangest men who C ever interested a student of
 character has just died in Chi cago. Michael c. Mcdonald, politician, boss gambler, bon vivant, rounder, fi- nancier, millionaire, and dead game sport has found the end of a broken, pathetic, and successful career. The immediate cause of death was reaction following the success of a long continued effort for the release on bond of his imprisoned wife, charged with the murder of a par amour. His second venture in matrlmony being as unfortunate as his first Me Donald was as true to and as tender of his second as he was of his first wife. This sentiment, which might not improperly be called a weakness, never appeared to be such in Mcdonald. It was one of the complex traits of his com plex individuality He was an easy mark for all the weak whom he knew to be weak but where was there ever strong man who encountered him and found him so?
 In politics, in his palmiest days, he was the incarnation of force rather than of craft, and one might say of brute force, without exaggeraton or injustice.
 In the years when his South Clark street establishment was at highest tide Chicago was passing through that peri cd of evolution which comes to every American municipality destined for great growth The half-million mark in popu- fation usually limits such wide open and flarng sport as that which ragged in
The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-08-18
Violin Teachers,

Tt was by the merest accident that Maude Powell, America's greatest violin ist, became a pupil of Joachim, the em- inent virtuoso," Said a music lover. Miss Powell was a protege of the late Theo- dore Thomas. Mir. Thomas did her the kindness to listen to her play when she was IA years of age. and without hesita- ton advised her to go to Europe and study with a view of becoming an artist
 T knew the gifted young lady in the eaTly days of her study work In Europe she had been a pupil of Dencla and of Schradeick, the latter then of Lelpsic. but now of Brooklyn. She was about to return to America when she was commanded to play before British roy atty at Kensington palace. There she met Joachim. He appreciated her talent and invited her to accompany him to Ser lin and be his pupil for a year. The young violinist cabled her parents in Washington, D. c. Permission was ob- tained to stay over; and for a season Miss Powell worked on the Mendelssohn Concerto the Beethoven Concerto and Beethoven's Krentzer sonata under Joa- chim's guidance.
 Joachim had little of the art of the pedagogue,' Miss Powell said to me. but he played the great compositions for me and I played them for him in turn. We worked together with singular sympathy and while I could never play Beethoven like the great master vsollnist, I felt that my sojourn in Berlin with Joachim was of incalculable value to me. When it comes to downright good teaching what we call edasogy-Schradeick prob ably heads the list but Joachim was tho worlds most luminous violinist' 7"