davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-09
Under Red Mountain

The suggestion of Hugh McGeever, member of the Board of Revenue. be- fore the Board of Trade relative to a tunnel through Red mountain deserves careful consideration. The linking to- gether of Jones and Shades valleys by broad road of easy grade and trolley cars would really be valuable addi- tion to Greater Birmingham. It would be worth much more to the city than it would cost. AS MT. McGeever says, a ravine on the Shades valley side would shorten the tunnel, and labor at pres ent is plentiful and cheap. Now is the time to undertake the task.
 The city and county could work to- gether in the construction of the tun- nel. The proposed project is feasible, desirable, and, considering it's value, comparatively inexpensive. It would almost double the available area of Greater Birmingham, bringing into convenient use a beautiful residence district.
 The tunnel will be built, and selec- ton of the line of it's building is all that is before the people and the au- thorities. The need of it and the value of it will scarcely be questioned. MT. McGeever thinks this indispensable work should be done now because it can now be done economically, and the cost of the proposed tunnel must nec- essarily be taken into consideration.
 When Jones valley is fianked on the one side by Village Creek valley and on the other side by Shades valley, and both are filled with people, it's position will indeed be central, and to it vast population can go and return with small loss of time and at small expense. The nickel fare would bring in or take out a vast population in the long run. Let us have the tunnel be- cause it would give Jones valley cen trality and geographical balance. It would make Greater Birmingham still greater and handsomely promote the wealth of both city and county.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-09
east even. His nomination is simply

least even. His nomination is simply assured.
 His election? Well, American his- tory will have to be reversed if he is to be defeated. The editor of Harpers Weekly says there are 100000 voters out of employment, and the number will not be materially changed before November. Will these men act differ ently at the polls than their predeees- sors did in 1896? The panic they kept in mind occurred three years previous, while the one that will come before the voters in November will be but one year old. Either MT. Bryan will be elected, or else the people will cease to hold a party in power responsible for the occurrence of a panic and all of it's manifold distress and suffering.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-09
A CONNECTS RIGHT TO DIE.

From the Philadelphia Inquirer.
 Probably no question in the whole realm of ethics is so interesting and so novel as that of Harry Orchard, who confessed to murder in the case of Gov ernor Steunenberg of Idaho. and who was necessarily condemned to death He admitted the charge, went on to the stand and told the whole details, with the result that his two chief accomplices were acquitted and he alone stands in the shadow of the gallows. He is con- demned to death and insists that he be executed, a most wonderful and almost incredible situation. At the same time the judge who sentenced him and the district attorney who appeared for the state have asked for a pardon. or at least a mitigation of the sentence. Orchard insists that he be hanged, feeling that he has nothing to gain by life in a jail and apparently assuming that he would rather die than be released.
 Ane situation is a psychological won der. It is not at all certain that the man is perfectly normal and that he is morally anxious to expiate his crime on the gallows. He may be mentally un- sound or he may have a sense of retribu- tive justice and desires to pay the pen atty It is a curious fact that he is work ing against the authorities who want to save his life, and it is a curious fact that he has no redress, as he expresses it, if the governor pardons him or com mutes his sentence to a moderate term of imprisonment
 The situation is interesting because it is so different from the ordinary. Most men under the shadow of death will sac rifice anything for the life that is in them They have been known to perjure them selves, to send innocent persons to the Gallows and to lie and cheat and create revolution rather than that they should lose their own lives. And the interest ing question arises as to what control man has or ought to have over his own destiny Is he his own architect and may he use the laws of society to achieve the end which he desires?
 Apparently not.
 Society is made up of a mass of in- dividuals, but it includes the whole sense of the masses of people and what they want as a whole must be the highest law. Much of injustice is done by people as a whole and we have not reached millennial state, but no better system of government than government by major ities, all things considered, has yet been found
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-09
MT. Bryan At Denver

Gov. John Albert Johnson has opened campaign bureau in Chicago, and Judge Gray has developed another in Washington, but these by-plays in poll tics should mislead no one. Beyond all reasonable doubt MT. Bryan will be nominated on the first ballot at Den- yer, even if 100 bureaus are opened against him. Public sentiment in the democratic party is progressive and MT. Bryan is it's most conspicuous ex- ponent.
 The fact should not be overlooked that no democrat who had mustered a majority of convention was ever de- feated by the two-thirds rule. Organ. ization and hard work cannot deprive MT. Bryan of majority of the dele gates, and his nomination is merely a matter of waiting until July. His friends say he will secure at the out set 657 delegates from Alabama, Ar kansas, Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Hi. nois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Okla homa, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Vermont Virginia, Wash ington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyo- ming, Arizona, District of Columbia, Hawaii, the Philippine Islands and New Mexico.
 This leaves POT delegates to be se- lected from states that Johnson or Gray can control, besides IA delegates who will go from states that prefer to send uninstructed delegates. Mir. Bryan's chance of getting, a good s,iare of the uncommitted delegates is at
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-09
No Publicity of Campaign Funds

Congress has been in session over four months, and up to this hour it has evaded all efforts made in it to pass a campaign publicity bill. The House committee on election of President, Vice-President and Representatives in Congress broke a quorum on Tuesday in order to evade the issue, and it is plain that the republicans controlling all committees and both houses intend to do nothing to put stop to the pur- chase of elections.
 As soon as Congress adjourns the managers of that party will begin to look, no doubt, for another Thomas Fortune Ryan syndicate, and even if they cannot find another they know they can collect millions from the beneficiaries of the Dingley tariff. Those beneficiaries are we'll scared up, and conditions are ripe for the collec- tion of millions. If possible the Hanna slush funds will be exceeded. Money enough will be secured at any rate to carry doubtful and closely-balanced states, and the work of corruption and demoralization will go on unless the plain people rise up in their might to smite the conspiracy of plutocratism and republicanism for the control of elections.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-09
Mr. Tait's Opponents

At the end of last week Secretary Taft had secured 166 uncontested dele gates. while the field had 70, and there were 2S uninstructed delegates. The action of the Chicago convention on the first ballot is still doubtful. MT. Taft has two months in which to se- cure over 300 additional delegates, and he would not be able to get that many if he were deprived of the power of patronage, which will probably give him nearly a solid vote in the states that never cast a republican electoral vote. None of the opponents of the War Secretary are relaxing efforts to secure delegates, and New YorA and Pennsylvania will soon act. No Taft delegates will be chosen in either, and both are big states.
 In just about 50 days the Chicago convention will meet, and then the campaign will become pretty plain. The only matter in doubt relates to the selection of a nominee by the repub. Hcans, and the extent of lodging they will do on the tariff question. All else is well settled now. MT Taft is the probable nominee, but there is just enough doubt in the case to arouse interest and speculation.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-09
REeeARs, NEW TRICKS,

From the New York Globe.
 To be ans up-to-date beggar requires a lot of ingenuity and one would think that the same amount of thought along different lines would produce something more worth while. The latest scheme in New York is to stop the passer-by and ask for money enough to have prescrip- ton filled, and show the paper.
 ''I just got out of the hospital. and the doctors told me I must take this reg ular,'' the beggar will say, and usually he wins, for no one cares to feel that he may have sent a poor devil away without the medicine required to keep him alive There is another chap running about the city. He carries loaf of bread, or which he munches hungrily. All he asks is a nickel to get cup of coffee to finish off his meager fare.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-09
IN HOTEL LOBBlES
coat-nf-Arns on Floor.

1T am very much pleased with your remarkable city, said member of the Corey party who is a native of Birming- ham. Eng. q was passing down one of your leading thoroughfares, Second avenue, when I was attracted by the pattern of a tile floor in a cafe which I recognized us the eoat-of-arms of my own city. It impressed me so much that 1 was compelled to return and enjoyed a fine dinner, so much better served than even in your New York cafes that I wondered why your eolored servants are oensured rather than praised, l inquired but was unable to learn under what man. agement the cafe was conducted-some Englishman, l suppose
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-09
Prosperous Cities.

"If crowded hotels indicate prosperous times a visitor would come quickly to the conclusion that Birmingham was very busy center at this time" said s. H. Lloyd of St. Louis. T have been here two days and have been struck with the anil mated scenes in the lobbies of the hotels. In looking over the registers l find that visitors are here from every part of the union.
 My home town is as prosperous as IT there had never been a panic; but in other cities I find business somewhat dull. Birmingham, however, like St. Lotus, seems to have held its own well and to be going right ahead
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-09
Rusiness. .lmnrovina.

William Woodward of New York, vice president of the Hanover National bank, who came to this city to attend the an- nual meeting of the Birmingham Really company, returned home last night. He visits Birmingham frequently and takes a deep interest in the progress of the city. When asked yesterday about the busi- ness outlook, MT. Woodward said:
 There is a gradual improvement. Peo- pie are adjusting themselves to new con- dtions and wholesome economy is being practiced all along the line. It is felt that business will show a marked inn provement after the presidential election, and the indications are very bright for 190s.'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-09
AROUND THE COUNTRY

Atlanta Georgian; The bald-headed man nov faces the fly peril.
 Memphis Commercial AppY1: The pau per princes of France ought to syndicate Anna Gould
 Springfield Union: So far the bomb industry does not seem to have been eornered by trust
 Chattanooga Star: man never fully knows the joy of living until he finds that he is about to croak.
 Spokane Review: Money talks and in some of these big divorce cases it has a mighty scandalous monologue.
 Dallas News: A New York inventor has built a home in which everything goes by electricity except the cook, who goes by contraries.
 Florida Times-Union: Protoplasmic hum ger? Huh! In this case the shorter word sounds better Love is far sweeter than that protoplasmic thing.
 Washington Post: 4 play 2oo0 years old has just made a hit in Paris. And no doubt some people in the audience were thoughtless enough to call for the au- thor.
 Houston Post: MT. Taft's candidacy does not grow upon the southern ne- groes. although all his pictures make him l,a mai of pound watermelons.
 Washington Herald: A New Jersey man claims to have trained clam to catch rats by laying in wait for them and clamping down on their tails with it's shell. Mir President!
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-09
PREPARATIONS FOR
 MERIDIAN FAIR

Meridian, Miss, April S.-(Special )-The stock subscribers met tonight and entered into temporary organization of the Meri- dian Fair association by the election of K. Threefoot. president; s. H. Floyd. vice. president; E. Calm, treasurer. Cliff Will jams, Sam Greenwald, J. A. Gibson, A. B. Patterson and s. A. Neville and the off, cers constitute the board of directors. Other committees were appointed and the association starts off on basis that guar antees success. A site to consist of 40 acres will be advertised for at once.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-09
Swedenborq Reburied.

Dartmouth, Eng, April S.-The remains of Emanuel Swedenborg, mystic and au- thor. which were exhumed yesterday in London, where they had lain since 1772, were embarked here today on board the Swedish cruiser Fylgia for conveyance to Sweden for final burial. There was an imposing procession from the railroad sta tion to the water front, the coffin being escorted by delegations of Swedish and British naval officers and blue jackets and deputations from Swedenborgian churches and Swedish societies The band of the F'ylgia played funeral marches.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-09
Retail Trade In Birmingham.

The retail trade on Third avenue IS improving as spring advances said Oli- yer Chalifoux, "and I believe summer business will be very good. We cannot ex- pect every year to be as crowded with busi- ness as the high record years of 1906 and 1907, but from the way things look now 1908 will be one of marked prosperity in the Birmingham district.
 "The magnitude of the development at the Tennessee company's steel plant at Ensley strengthens values here, and is sure to be felt in stimulating way in every branch of business
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-09
Chorus Rehearsal IonIaht.

Philip Menoli will conduct chorus reh earsal tonight for the festival to be given in May under the direction of F. N. Innes. The festival will consist of five concerts and the net profits will tc applied to the Confederate reunion fund. MT Memoli invites all choir singers who can read music to join the chorus The reh hearsals take place every Monday and Thursday at p. 10. at Cable hall.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-09
charqed With Murder.

St. Louis, April S.-Dr Englehardt Wooster, Jr., former chief physician at the prominent physicians in the city, was ar rested late tonight charged with the kill- ing of Rees Bell IT years of age, early Sunday morning. Dr. Voester's father was coroner of St. Louis county for three terms. Bell was killed while escorting a woman and two of her daughters from party
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-09
Automobile vs. Buggy.

'In accordance with my instructions from the City Council said Chief Ben nett of the fire department yesterday, T have begun an investigation of the use of automobile chiefs buggies in other cities.
 .I today received a. letter from C. E. Singley chief of the St. Louis fire de- partment, in which he says that he has anuwered fires and covered 5000 miles with his machine. He uses gasoline propelled car and considers it as reliable as a horse. To the question of cost he states that the car is considerably cheap CT, and in reciting the advantages of the car he says he can get to fire much quicker and make the rounds of the de- partment in one-fourth the time
 q expect other letters on this subject in a few days The question that is up seems to be whether to buy car or a horse for the fire department. The mat ter was referred to the finance and fire committees"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-09
Venezuelan Question Passed

Washington, April S.-The Venezuelan situation was not considered today by the Senate committee on foreign relations, al- though Secretary Root and Solicitor Scott of the state department were both pres ent. The general understanding is that the subject will be taken up when all treaties negotiated at The Hague are out of the way.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-09
North eirminoham Bond Issue.

''The proposed bond election to be held in North Birmingham, if the court does not decide otherwise said City Attor- ney E. D. Smith, lis, in my opinion, a very unfortunate issue at this time. l do not consider it the proper way to go about the settlement of our water troubles
 If the citizens of North Birmingham would stop to consider what an enor- nous proposition they are going up against and how necessary to its suc- cess is the united effort of the whole of Greater Birmingham they would cer- tainly vote it down.
 Five millions in bonds by the city of North Birmingham could hardly be sold, and would merely complicate matters when the time for action really arrives. However, leaving that out of the consid- eration, this bond issue is not proper, and I hope it will not pass
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-09
REFLECTIONS OF A BACHELOR.

FfODl tHe NGW I UfK FftSS-
 A mean thing about swearing off is unless you do it every day or so. he'd better not ask them to do anything for him.
 girl likes to have man not make say he did.
 The average man can take tremendous interest iii most anything if it is of no consequence.
 A woman brags about the money her husband makes so that their being poor won't seem so bad,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-09
Society of Cincinnati.

Charleston, s. C., April S.-The General Society of Cincinnati met in it's annual session here, with Winslow Warren of Massachusetts in the chair. There are about 90 delegates and alternates present, representing the B original states. The programme for the three days session n- cludes a number of entertainments, as we'll as the transaction of business.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-09
Havana Railway,s Earninas.

Havana, April s.--The earnings of the United Streets Railways of Havana for the month of March were $55000 less than for the same month of 1907. The falling off for the fiscal year is nearly $1,0OO,0O0 as compared with the fiscal year of 19o6- o. This is attributable chiefly to the short sugar crop. although the general depression also has influenced the de- crease.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-09
eirminoham Roads All Right.

'The statement to the effect that Blr- mingham does not keep up her roads con meeting with the county trunk lines is not correct" said Street Commissioner John McCartin yesterday It might be of interest to. the public that the street department has put all the roads leading out of the city, save the mountain roads, in perfect condition since the first of the year, and we are preparing to work the mountain roads right away.
 Tenth avenue has been connected with the Mt Pinson road. Eighth avenue has been rebuilt to connect with the Ensley road, Avenue F has been connected with the Avondale road as well as the Elm wood cemetery road. In fact. we have been especially careful tor keep these streets in good condition.
 Right now Second avenue is being graded and rebuilt to connect with the west end suburbs, First and Third ave nues having already been overhauled. The complaint that the county roads, on reaching municipalities fall into ruts, may apply to outside towns, but cannot be spoken of Birmingham
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-09

The railroads have too many cars just at present, but they will not have enough if the outturns of wheat, corn, cotton and oats next fall are heavy. The country is growing as well as its crops.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-09

THRILLING THINGS. A happy man is he, forsooth, Who never had an aching tooth. Thrice blessed the hour he was born Who never suffered with a corn. We bravely breast the worlds turmoil And then surrender to a boil. Who cares a rap for wrong or right, Or heaven, when his shoes are tight? Who can retain a temper sweet When he's a-hungercd and would eat7 Who thinks about the ship of state When he's been told his train is late? What mortal wight has never sworn When he beheld his trousers torn? Iris petty woes that make Us gray And drive the pleasant smiles away.
 DISTRESSING PLIGHT. We're rushing on to June.
 And 'tis cheering thought. But we'd be more Tn tune
 If that spring suit were bought.
 REPLIES
 The latest circulation per capita is $s5 .s5. We'd like to know who has ours. MT Puck, the Toledo lumber magnet who was fined the other day probably felt like repeating What fools these mortals bel''
 Admiral Evans says Paso Robles Is nearer hades than he has ever been be- fore. What does he care, so long as he is getting better?
 A woman never realizes the power of the press until the society column makes a mistake in describing her dinner gown, Who is anxious?9 queries a contem- porary. Well, we might mention Helie and the Duke of the Abruzzi, not to speak of the presidential candidates
 Merry Widow hats will save many lives this summer. When thrown into the water merry widows can climb aboard their hats and float ashore.
 The New York Herald opines that Chat tanooga is dry when toute le mcnde- everybody-knows that Chattanooga is the principal life-saving station for Bir- mingham and Georgia. PAUL COOK.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-09

Chancellor Day has been vindicated and all Methodists up north are now free to calumniate the President to their hearts content.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-09
THE MESSAGE OF THE MUSIC.

Frank L. Stanton in Uncle Remus' Mag Whats that the fiddle's sayin' which the
 others never hear? Somethin that's a-hoverin' betwixt e
 smile an tear! Somethin of the past time-the shadow
 an the beam An I hear it for the last time in a
 dream--in a dreaml ''Th old lads are weary Youth must have a chance; Too old to dance now Too old to dance!' On merry nights hear it from my chim-
 ney corner place; Rosy cheeks aroun me, with the dimples
 in race! An I seem to feel their freshness-a
 breath of golden curls.> As movin' to the music they swing the
 sweet-heart-girls! '"The old lads are lonesome Youth must have chance;s z Too old to dance now Too old to dancer! That's how the hddle's singin in a tune,
 to them unknown A sort of farewell message to the heart of
 me alone! You've reaped the youth-time roses-
 you've had your day and time; The twilight round you closes, where bellg
 of Memry chime. "Fhe old lads are>lonesome- Youth must Nave a chance; Too old to dance now Too old to dance
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-09

Ambassador Hill is too poor to get into a game of bridge whist-an inter national game-unless the stakes are made low to suit his lean purse.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-09

The interurban systems are being extended regardless of the depression, and pretty soon they will form net work that will cover the country.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-09
About Persons.

R. E.. Ryan, candidate for tax collector in Cullman county, was in Birmingham yesterday MT. Ryan reports the straw berry crop in fine condition, with pros- poets of a bumper yield. The first pri- mary will be held April 25 and MT. Ryan reports that several close contests are being made for nominations
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-09

Reginald Vanderbilt's valet is Mrs. vanderbilts chief witness in her suit for absolute divorce. She seems to have a good case Beware of valets.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-04-09

Secretary Taft thinks we should in ten years have an army 250000 strong. A war secretary soon learns to advc- cate a big army.