davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-16
IN HOTEL LOBBIES
Eufaula Prosperous.

The Rev. Father Sweeney, pastor of the Catholic church at Eufaula, came to Birmingham yesterday and attended the lecture of the Rev Father Daly in the Lyeeum course at the High school audi torinm last night. He was assistant pas tor at St. Paul's church iN Birmingham several years ago but was transferred to St Miehaefs. Pensacola, where he re- mained until Bishop Allen appointed him pastor of the Eufaula church about a year ago. While resident in Birmingham Father Sweeney made many friends, espe- eially among the young men. non-Cath- ollie as we'll as Catholic. He was a pop ular exponent of muscular Christianity and by taking part with the boys of St. Pauls congregation in athletics and all manner of clean and wholesome sport helped to make the parish gymnasium a permanent and attractive institution. In speaking of Eufana Father Sweeney said: It Is a refined and substantial community. Compared with hustling Bir- minghain Eufaula is a very quiet town, but it is prosperous and no place of it's size is more solid from a business point of view
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-16
Panama Canal Secrets Again

The United States paid $4O,000, ,O00 ostensibly to the French owners, old and new, of the Panama canal and $10,000,000 to the republic of Panama. The payment of these sums put us in a position to dig the canal and build the Gatun dam. But all along there has been desire to know the names of the persons who actually got the money, and when the late Senator Nor gan tried to meet and satisfy this de- sire he was met at every point with S1enials of information, especially when he questioned the impudent William Nelson Cromwell, who managed the business for those who sold rights to this government.
 The Presidents special message, published this morning, relates to this subject which will not down. In form xhe message is just what it should not
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-16
Senator Bankhead'S Successor

The legislature that meets in Jan Gary 1911, will elect United States Senator, or rather it will confirm the primary election of the previous year. The Montgomery correspondent of the Atlanta Constitution intimates that Governor Conner will be a candidate before the people and the legislature, believing no doubt whoever Alabama should elect Senator would be seated by the Senate
 No doubt the United States Senate, controlled as it is at present, would be glad to trample the Alabama con stitution underfoot, but the people of ton are not ready to treat the instru- ment of 1901 in any such manner. This instrument solemnly declares that "the governor shall not be eligible to cleo uvn or appointment to any office un- der the state, or to the Senate of the United States during his term and within one year after the expiration thereof" Every member of the legis- lature of 1911, every citizen in the pri- mary of 1910, will be sworn to support that constitution, and 1t would be per Jury by the wholesale to elect Governor Conner Senator before January, 1912 It will not be done. The people of Alabama will respect their constitu- ton, even if the Aldriches and Hales In the Senate have no respect for it.
 Regardless of men and personal am- bition, it is important to preserve the fundamental law of the state unim- paired. If it can be broken by one Individual it may be broken by another. If one clause can be ignored, then any other clause can be- Until it is regu- larly amended or changed it should be pbeyed. and there is really no room for doubt on that point.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-16
CASTRO IS NOT
 SUFFERING MUCH

Berlin, December 15.-Dr. Israel made a physical examination of President Cas- tro this afternoon. This occupied an hour and it is understood no decision was reached as to whether or not an operation will be necessary. Probably a week will elapse before this Is de- cided.
 The members of Castro's suite profess to have no concern regarding the seizures of Venezuelan ships by the Dutch war ships and they say that reports of out breaks are of too frequent occurrence to cause alarm.
 There was no sign in the Presidents outward appearance that he had under gone a serious examination during the course of the afternoon. He seemed bright and gay and walked with brisk steps.
 The Venezuelan President received no one during the day except representa- tive Of the foreign office and his own immediate suite. He was busiiy occupied in disposing of his voluminous core spondence and answering many ois. patches There was large number or callers but Castro declined to see tneh' The members of his suite displayed an air of mystery and decline to discuss the Presidents doings and plaA.
 Castro apparently is not sunerins greatly from his malady and in the even ing he entertained two O" speciai guests.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-16
BRIEF HEARING
 IN RAILWAY CASE

Atlanta, December 15.-After a brief hearing in Atlanta today before Ex- aminer Drayton, representing the inter- state commerce commission in the case of the Virginia Carolina Chemical com pany against the St. Louis and South western Railway company, in regard to freight rates on fertilizers from Shreveport, La., to Arkansas points, an adjournment was taken until early in January. The hearing will be con tinued in Washington.
 The hearing is on complaint that the freight rates on fertilizers be- tween the points named are too high.
 One of the most important witnesses on the stand during the hearing was J. P. Park, general freight agent of the St. Louis andS Southwestern Rail way companY.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-16
Mr. Gray Returns.

Henry B. Gray, lieutenant governor re- turned yesterday from Washington, where he attended the meeting of the waterways and conservation congresses.
 Mir. Gray stated that at these meetings much valuable work was done and that steps were taken which in the future would result in much good to the na- tion.
 In the east" stated MT Gray "I found the people most optimistic concerning business conditions. Things are improv- ing rapidly. and business transactions on a large scale are predicted"
 As to whether or not there would be an extra session of the Alabama legis- lature in the spring MT. Gray did not express an opinion.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-16
THE STAR GAZER.

By Stephen Chalmers. No sage in learning, I; Yet in the nights, When earth Is dark and twinkling lights
 afar. rt Bespeak the city lost, From out the blankness of forgotten self A shadowy being steals, And the mind reels among the swaying
 stars! Then. from this speck of star-dust. hung
 athwart The great incomprehensible abyss Where tn alternate seasons move like
 ghosts Between the spheres The far-hnug being of the mind drifts Asking of worlds the secret of the world. And evermore they point On!-on through ordered chaos, where
 the calm The mighty, breathing calm Seems like the desert, full of whisper
 ings Infinity, And then ?-Infinity, Where the mind reels among the swaying
 stars And sinks ta earth and this miraculous
 self, Baffled and impotent!
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-16
HOUSE RULES ARE
 NOT TO BE REVISED

Washington, December 15.-The hopes of the so-called insurgents in the House of Representatives for revision in the rules of that body were dissipated. for the time being, at least, when MT. Gard ner of Massachusetts failed to obtain the passage of an amendment to reso- lution calling for the appointment of eight members to consider the subject and report the changes they deem neces- sary.
 By a substantial majority the House voted to take away from the committee on foreign affairs consideration of the
 resolution which. in its original form. sim ply called for information from the Sec retary of State regarding what the Brit ish House of Commons had done in that regard A ruling by the speaker that the amendment of MT Gardner changed the character of the resolution in such way as to not make it privileged. was sus- tained. and the resolution then was laid on the table,
 After passing some bills relating to the District of Columbia the remainder or the day wes taken up with the Dill to revise the penal laws of the United States. which was considered at length during the last session.
 At 5:03 D. m. the House adjourned.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-16
Length of the Extra Session

When the new President convenes an extra session of the Sixty-first Con- gress in March he cannot say what it shall or shall not consider. Power over special session is vested in an Alabama governor, but not in the eoun- fry's chief executive. The new Presi- dent may in March call the attention of the special session to this or that measure, but Congress when once con Sened will be free to act for itself. and it is believed much general legis- iation will be enacted.
 Called to revise the tariff and to overcome deficits, it bids fair to con sider many important measures, and to sit perhaps all summer. The longer 1t sits in special session the shorter perhaps would the following long ses. sion be, and the members in the members in the spring of 1910 will be glad to get home early in order to at. tend to their political fences.
 The situation, by and large, seems to call for long session beginning in March, and the President-elect seems to think it may last well into tha month of August for he declines to accept any invitations in that month That would call him away from Wash. 1ngton.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-16
Music and Flowers.

Everybody seems to be well impressed with the idea of having a floral parade on the opening day of the music festival May g." said J. B. Babb. Tt is safe to say that no flower pageant was ever seen in this country quite so beautiful as that which we had here during the confeder- ate reunion last June. Hugh Martin was chairman of the flower parade commit tee, and with the assistance of able and active associates and the cooperation of the people in general, the event was a magnificent success.
 The floral parade can be made a great annual affair and nothing would be more fitting than to incorporate it in the plan of the May music festival.
 Plans for the music festival are pro- gressing satisfactorily and there is every promise that immense crowds will visit Birmingham on that occasion
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-16
Working for the Community.

Speaking of public spirit, those citi- zens who contribute of their means in reasonable measure to all movements in- tended for the advancement of the com munity and for increasing the communi- tvs reputation, deserve the appreciation of the public, and have it as a rule, while those who not only give their money but their time. should be doubly honored,'' v said pioneer.
 There was always a feeling of public spirit on the part of individuals here in Birmingham, but unless recently there was lack of cooperation. Now we have hearty cooperation and the Birmingham spirit Is fast becoming proverbial. It is public spirit that makes Atlanta, and public spirit will henceforth be in full evidence in this town"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-16
Holiday Trade Brisk.

NJ. V. Joseph, who returned recently from an eastern trip. says he found bus mess quite brisk in New York. "I visit ed New York in October and remained there until after the election" said MT. Joseph. Prior to the election trade was extremely dull but on November 4, the day after the presidential contest was settled, there was buoyant feeling and business has been improving ever since.
 "on my last visit to New York l found the merchants busy. The holiday trade in the east is very good indeed, and it is good in Birmingham"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-16
HANS JURY HAS
 BEEN SELECTED

l Flushing, N. Y, December 15.--A jury ton J. Halns. story writer, as prin- eipal in the killing of William E. Annis.
 publisher, who was shot to death by Capt. Peter Hains at the Bayside Yacht | club last summer. and tomorrow the state
 will present it's case against the author. 1 Six jurors were chosen today, the | twelfth taking his seat shortly before 6 o'clock tonight. when an adjournment was taken until tomorrow. | One hundred and seventeen talesmen
 were examined before the jury box was | filled. Thornton Hains expressed himself as pleased with the makeup of the jury that would pass upon the evidence in the case.
 The expedition with which the jury was
 chosen, taking only four sessions of court, is considered unusual in view of the wide spread knowledge of the case in question
 in Queens county.
 by District Attorney Darrin, and it is expected that the examination of wit
 nesses by both sides will consume at least two or three days.
 Shooting Reproduced. feature of the trial will be tank of water and model float and catboat in
 miniature replica of the scene of the
 shooting, which will be placed on table in front of the witness stand. Iron ma1ilSins, representing the princi- pals in the affair, will be moved around in
 this marine theatre to illustrate actions
 and positions taken in the tragedy by
 Hains and the witnesses. The jury, members of which will be
 permitted 10 return to their homes at the
 conclusion of each day of the trial, is made up as follows:
 1. William Hill, foreman. g. Thomas Walsh, builder. 8. Henry Heeker. shipping clerk. 4. Samuel W. Johnson, supply dealer.
 5. John Bepkam, stableman. 6. Frederick Lee Richmond, cashier. T. Alexander Jardin, plumber. 8. Hugh McCullagh milk dealer g. Lewis New, carpenter. 1O William McClean, stage mechani- | clan.
 I II. Patrick Ahearn, retired farmer. 12. Henry Boenig, foreman. Mrs. Annis Will Testify. {. Mrs. William E. Annis, widow of the
 man Captain Hains killed. held con-
  ! today before court convened Mrs. An his will be one of the principal wit nesses for the state and an eye wit
 ness of the shooting, telling what trans pired from the time of the arrival of
 the Hains brothers at the yacht club l to the shooting at the waters edge. ] Much interest was caused when 1t de- veloped that William Hecker, the third | juror in the case, was selected by Thornton Hains in opposition to the l judgment of his counsel. Justice Crane announced at the open- ing of the court that he received from
 the county iuoge a certificate announce l ing the appointment of Elmer Wright
 and James Dayton as special prose
 cutors. In spite of opposition by coun- | sel for the defense. Justice Crane d- rected that the appearance of the two special prosecutors he noted and
 the order of the county judge carried out. MT. Mcintyre said he would ask
 the county judge to have the order | vacated. The examination of talesmen | was then resumed and Mir. White, as special prosecutor, undertook the ques- | tioning.
 Of the six talesmen first called some
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-16
State Prohibition Near At Hand

The state prohibition law goes into operation on January 1, but Jefferson county will not feel the change. This county discounted the state law, and the process of readjustment here has been accomplished. This process must be worked out in Montgomery and Mo bile and in several other cities of the state. because the counties in which they are situated did not act under the local option law as Jefferson county did. The law will be promptly recog- nized in Montgomery and generally throughout all parts of the state that had net become "dry" through affirma- tive local option votes.
 Some of the Montgomery and Mobile dealers are preparing to transfer their bueiness to Pensacola, and real estate owners in the two Alabama cities are looking for new tenants. In a word, the experience of Birmingham is being re-enacted on other stages, probably with like results. Readjustment will take place. It may not be speedy, but it will come, and state prohibition will be given a full and fair trial before the legislature meets in January, 1911.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-16
INVESTIGATION IS
 TO BE CARRIED OUT

Washington, December 15-While ad- hitting that the Presidents message on the Panama canal purchase read in Con- gress today, dsposes of some of the fea- lures of the case, Representative Rainey of Illinois, author of the resolution call iag upon the House to investigate the purchase. expressed his intention to pur- sue his search for information further
 'The message of the President" said MT. Rainey, after he had listened to it's reading, establishes beyond question the validity of the transfer. but 1t does not clear up the question as to whether the government had been the victim of Wall street jobbing operations
 He added that he would continue his efforts to obtain information on the sub ject and said that the matter would come up in some form after the holidays
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-16
Needs Attention.

q noticed some time ago in one of tho daily papers an interview with a lady who was complaining of the fact that there was no rest room at the court house for women who might be summoned to court" said pr. John s. Gillespie, clerk of the city court.
 '1 have heard this matter drummed on around the court house more than any other single question. For years it has been a question much talked of and yet matters are even worse now than they have ever been owing to the fact that the courts are buster and naturally more women are summoned to court.
 ''The matter is one which certainly needs attention. To one who stays around the court house the urgent need of a rest room for women Is easily appreciated. It seems to me that space for -sach a room might surely be found and the cost of fixing it up would not amount to much. The matter needs immediate attention"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-16
REFLECTIONS OF A BACHELOR

From the New York Press.
 A squall never sounds as sweet from any others baby.
 The thing 9 woman likes about scandal Is how she can pretend she doesn't like.
 Being generous is the way man treats himself and tries. to make people believe he does 1t to others.
 The reason woman wants to have her husband name in the papers is so that she can ask him for new dress and get it.
 The difference between a man and a wo- man being heroic is lie makes loud noise but Is.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-16

The poet Swinburne was not in the in the eyes of the Norwegians so ideal istic as that philosopher at Jena, Ger many. Imaginative literature is judged queerly in Norway.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-16
Visit By Men of Fleet.

Panama. December 15.-Many men or the Pacific feet were given shore leave today No disorders occurred Early Tn the morning Rear Admiral Swinborne' the commander of the fleet, sent an ofn- cer ashore and arranged with the Pan anna authorities for the policing or tne city, These arrangements were approved by President Obaldia. If necessary the admiral will disembark guard or ma rines.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-16

Do your shopping in the morning. when nobody has grouch and the stocks are well arranged. You have nine mornings left.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-16

Our battleships are coming home for repairs. They will have buffeted the Seven Seas, and every buffet meant repairs.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-16

MT. Bryan says the corruptible and the timid joined the republicans, and the combination was too strong for the opposition to overcome.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-16

J. P Morgan was no straphanger when he paid $1742 for a special train to take him back to New York one hour ahead of the regular time.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-16

The stores with Christmas bargains yawn for you this morning, and all mornings up to the day itself.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-16

It is nearly time to begin to write out your New Years resolutions. It will not be necessary to commit them to memory.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-16

We had almost a surfeit of near Miltonie poetry, but another centenary will not come again soon.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-16

Congress will be permitted to larrup the President if it is willing to revise the tariff.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-16
THE MALcoNTENTs

The world is full of people who
 Are never satisfied; Possessed of autos swift as thought, In airships they would ride, As rich as any wights should be,
 They want little more; The prize they win is not the prize On which they set great store, But something else way out of reach Is what they'd like to own; So, following d futile quest
 With hasty sigh and moan, They come at last to lay them down Somewhere in Shadowland. Still with a heart unsatisfied,
 Still with a grasping hand.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-16
INCONSISTENT.

q am strongly in favor of husbanding our timber resources"
 well. if that's the case, for heavens sake, stop chewing toothpicksr
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-16

"Pa, what is bromidic conversation?" 'The kind that is devoted chiefly to ideas."
 A PARAGON. 2 The gladdest man I ever saw Possessed wife Who didn't jaw. She sweetly let Him have his way And seldom had A word to say. Each morning when He waved goodbye. She wept and breathed A little sigh. Nor did she pose As hard to please, And for large sums Of money tease, Or "do" the clubs And papers read On what the suf- Fragettes most need. She stayed at home And smiled and smiled, And tenderly His cares beguiled. If all wives were Like her, 'tis said That bachelors Would blithely wed And not play games Of chance at night And live in rooms That are a sight!
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-16

America is permitted to gaze upon Nobel prizes from afar They are more enchanting that way.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-16

had fixed and definite opinions of the case; one had a prejudice against the carrying of firearms and another failed to compreh end the character of coun- sells questions, then pleaded illness.
 The seventh talesman examined, Alexander Jardin, a plumber of Long Island city, was selected as the seventh juror in the case. Up to few years ago he lived in Texas and is said to have Indian blood in his veins. Hans appeared delighted with Jardins se- lection.
 One ta1esman, Herman Berger, a butcher, had hardly been seated when he announced that he was opposed to capital punishment.
 Tt is strange so many people in Queens county are opposed to death," said Justice Crane. Have you any respect for a court or law?"
 ''Yes," said Berger
 Well, the next time you come into court take that chewing gum out of your mouth Now go," said Justice Crane. and Berger hurried out of court, his face flaming with color
 Seventeen talesmen had been under examination up to 11:45 o'clock and only one juror, Alexander Jardin, the seventh to enter the box, had been se lected.
 Hugh McCullagh, a milk dealer of Laurel Hill, the twentieth talesman examined today, proved acceptable to both sides and took his seat in the jury box as the eighth juror.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-16
last two fiscal years {;

From customs. .$SS2. 100000 $2s6o oO0,ooo From int'al revenue. 269 0OO0O0 25200O, GOO From postal service 1S3O00.OO0 1910O0, GOO
 The current fiscal year promises to show a much larger deficit than 1908 did. Unless Congress acts the deficit of the present fiscal year will be fully $114,00O,000. It already ex-. eeeds $60, 100000, and only five and half months of the fiscal year have ex- pired.
 The duty of making good rests upon the Sixtieth Congress, and any attempt to shove the matter off to the Sixty first Congress would be discreditable. What will it do?
 Pending a revision of the tariff, which does not promise much addi- tional income because the standpatters l representing special interests will con- tend for prohibitive duties, the only cHdnce TOT overcoming tne ueHCll heo 1 in new taxes-in either an income tax or in duties on tea and coffee. The 1 President is said to favor an income tax, and the President is looking to the right source for relief in this emer- gency. An income tax would overcome the deficit and place the government on a sound basis again The canal could be dug and there need not be another issue of bonds. But will the Aldriches and Hales in Congress per- init the passage of an income tax? We shall see.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-16

General Simon will. if he be wise. keep a map and tug close at hand.