davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-17
NEW CENSUS NEAR.
Authorities Have Begun To Prepare
 For Taking Census of 1910.

From Golfers Weekly.
 It was with a certain shock that persons past the first bloom of youth read the intimation in the Presidents message that it was time to make ready for taking the next United States census. The census or 1900 still seems & very recent affair, and already we must begin looking forward to the census of 1910. So fast do the decades gallop away in the lives or na- tions, and even of men. But the Presi- dent was right, and bills to carry out his recommendations have been introduced in both houses of Congress.
 The census of the United States is the oldest institution of its kind in the world. The next decennial enumeration will be the thirteenth in unbroken succession. The first was taken when George III was King of England Louis XVI King or France and Napoleon a starving young of icer of 20. There was still kingdom of Poland and a holy Roman empire The map of every continent has been remod- eled since our census takers began their work.
 The thirteenth census ought to be by far the best we have ever had, for it will be the first to be taken by trained or ganization. Formerly the enumerations were made by United States marshals. Then we took the step in advance of cre- ating a special impromptu organization for each census. Now we have perma- nent census bureau, which is doing statis- tical work all the time and needs merely to he expanded to handle the decennial enumeration.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-17
Disqust and Tainted Money

North Carolina furnishes an example of reform so fantastic as to excite the disabilities of the innocent by-stander at any rate. Many years ago a MT Roebling became famous as a bridge engineer-a suspension bridge builder. His sons and grandsons made cables and like material for use in bridges, af>1d they became very wealthy. They live at sTrenton, N J., but one of them built mSrgnifcent country home near the vanderbisvt estate in North Caro- lina
 All went well ufl l-.il North Carolina went dry" and then& the North Caro- ina hoephng oecame so disgusted he declared he would notf stay longer in that state. He coulds not conscien- tiously, so he said, holdf propertv in or encourage in any mann te7. a state thai would go "dry" So he tpave bis North Caroiina nome uo the Presbyterians for church purposes. Hkut tbe presbv- terians would not hava it hacapse m doubt they considered X Hoeblins a Wall streeter who dealt in std.cks and honds It was tainted. In dhe meanwhile Roeblings disgust over North caro- lina's anti-rum moVenrent became deeper, and in his desperation he tben gave his me nome uo the Episcopa- Hans. That solved the broblem. The Episcopalians of North Carolina nav m attention to liquor lefislation or all legged taints, and they at once accented the home. and are pfeparing to con duct In it girls School.
 The Roebling cident is bv far inc most ridlcuious anair that this age of reform has brought, to inc surface and 1t is difficult to say which is the P fe ridiculous, Roeblihg or the Ill terian home missiSn board. R-eoods Cir Iy overleaped itself in botL.. Fnfances and the Episcogalians got the unearned increment b; simply sawin' wood and sayin' nothln'.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-17
Canal and War Debt

Secretary Taft recommends that the width of the Panama canal be 110 feet instead of 100 feet, as at present planned. No doubt this recommenda- tion made to the President will be adopted. It need not necessarily be referred to Congress, although it un- doubtedly will be because the change in width calls for an expenditure of $5,000,000 more on the locks, thus bringing their cost up to $57,000,000, and it calls for $5,O00, 900 more in the cost of general construction. The en- tire cost of the canal would then prob ably be $200,000,000, and the probabil- ity runs in favor of still larger figures in the final outcome.
 The country is, however, big and rich. It's interest-bearing debt is but sS9S ,00O, ,000, and it has cash balance of $270,000,000. Of our bonded debt $64 100000 bearing 8 per cent interest is due next August, and it will either be retired or refunded in per cents. A 4-per-cent loan amounting to $120,- GOO, 900 is not due until 1916. The re- mainder of our interest-bearing debt bears but ? per cent interest, and it is needed by the banks as security for circulation.
 It is barely possible that the con- struction of the canal will swell our interest-bearing debt to s1 900, ,000 900, but it will not carry it beyond that round amount, and the new bonds will earn but 2 per cent
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-17
BURIAL OF A YlDDISH POET,

From the New York Times.
 Not since all Italy publicly mourned the loss of Carducci has a poet had such a funeral as that of Abraham Goldfaben. There are, perhaps, one or two English poets still living who may count on having great funerals semble to do honor to great names, and the proportion of real sympathy in the general feeling will be comparatively small.
 The dense Jewish population on the low CT east side of Manhattan shows in it's appreciation of it's own humble Yiddish poetry and the drama much the same spirit that controlled the rough audiences of the EliZabethan theatre. There. as in London of the 18th century, is a veritable intellectual renascence The awakening mind of a long-oppressed people finds inspiration and encouragement in the simple works of it's own playwrights and poets.
 prophet Many in the vast crowd that thronged the street may have been im- pelled only by curiosity, but there was more evidence of genuine sympathy with and admiration for the man and his work than is likely to be manifested at the funeral of any poet now writing In the English language in this country.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-17

mals beside him. for his use in the Land of Flowers" funeral services for Lee Guy were conducted at the shop of Gou Whong, 346 Pennsylvania avenue.
 Joss sticks were lighted over the body and were not allowed to go out until the coffin was placed in the heafse. During this period nearly all the Chinamen in the city visited the house and placed paper houses and furnishings beside the body. Just before the taking of the body to cemetery these were burned, so he would have a home in the next world. According to tradition, every Chinaman who was acquainted with Guy had to spend a certain length of time by the coffin, sorrowing. Those who lived with him spent the entire four days in the house.
 It is also considered period of feasting, and many choice Chinese dishes were of- fered to visitors.
 No religious services were held over the body. as the Chinese do not believe it proper
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-17
A LIFE CONTRACT.

From the New York World.
 Senator Johnston of Alabama owns a beautiful home in Birmingham and takes great delight in donning a pair of overalls and a split hickory hat and working in the garden. One day, shortly after the expiration of his last term as governor. fashionably dressed woman, who had resided in Birmingham only a short time and had never seen Johnston. called on his wife. No one answered the bell, so she walk ed out among the flower beds where the ex-governor was hoeing some ge- raniums. He bowed and she asked him how long he had worked for the John stones.
 A good many years, madam" he replied.
 Do they pay you well?"
 About all I get out of it is my clothes and keep"
 Why, come and work for me" she said. 'Tll do that and pay you so much a month besides"
 T thank you, madam" he replied, lowing very low. but I signed up with Mrs. Johnston for life"
 Why, no such contract is binding. That is peonage."
 Some may call it that, but have always called 1t marriage"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-17
THE DAYS OF MY YOUTH.

By Herman Da Costa. I remember my boyhood days. They were
 passed by a warming sea Where the gray sharks lay through the
 dozing day, and the winds blew wide
 and free. l remember the pearl-lined shells, and
 the starfish sprawling out, And the land crabs wise with their star
 ing eyes that watched as I went
 about
 And the wharves lapped by the sea, and
 the sun that famed at noon, And the sky at night, and a sea of light,
 and the thorn face in the moon, 1 was bred in an ancient faith, but that
 misty face on high. With its tender smile did my hate be-
 guile as it's meekness made me sigh. I remember the driftwood black that the
 waves rolled on the sand, And the cocoanuts, and the fishers huts,
 and the hot and dusty land. And the storm that roared one day-how
 the great waves rolled ashore And the sea weed rare, like my mother g
 hair, that the trees the next day How the fish lay on the sand when the
 waves rode down the bay, And the shells, and floats, and the tossing
 boats, and the wildness of that day! I remember the bench-set school, and the
 rabbi's praying shawl And the lattice high and my mothers eye,
 and my father strong and tall  And the prayer for those who died-I can
 hear it surging now,
 refrain, and the mourners' heads
 that bow.
 that opened wide, And my pride and shame as they called
 my name and faced that dread in-
 side.
 remember the whitened road, and the
 glarIng tropic sky, And the Sabbath calms, and the way
 ing palms, as the peaceful day Jagged by. And a voice sghs in the wind from the years I left behind. ''The boyhood days are joyhood days. but the eyes of youth are blind" The waves still fret the sand, and the tropic night drops down, But, ah! For the truth of my vanished youth and the lights of Boyhood Town
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-17
Payment of Poll Taxes

If all would remember that poll taxes go directly to the support of the public schools when payment is made perhaps more would this month pay poll taxes. More would go to the court house to pay in $1.50. There is no citizen who should not even in these times contribute that much toward the support of the schools in which thou sands of children gain an education that fits them for the duties of life.
 A payment of poll tax on or before February 1 would enable the citizen to participate in the city, county state and federal elections of this political year. The selection of mayor and the selection of a President are cer- tainly matters of interest, and if any one desires to have a vote in either race he must pay the poll tax assessed against him on or before February 1. Do not forget the date, and do not for get the public schools or your own electoral privilege.
 The Commercial club and the board of education of Ensley are acting vigor- ously in this matter, and what the peo- pie of Ensley are doing the people in other parts of Jones valley should do. Ten thousand poll taxes should be paid in Jefferson county in the remain ing days of this month.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-17
BUNGLE'S BAD BREAK.

From the January Bohemian.
 MT. Bungle always takes a deep and sympathetic interest in the welfare of his fellowman. While out fer stroll one day, he met friend who seemed in a great hurry.
 Hold on, Jones'" said Bungle. grab- ping his friends arm, why this rush? ?''
 "Bungle.' said Jones, removing his hat and wipng his brow, I'm hot-footing 1t to a specialist; | believe my brain is affected"
 MT. Bungle, to allay the fears of his friend and show the customary commits eration, said Jovially:
 "Pshaw, Jones, you shouldn't worry about such little thing as that"
 "Wh-hat?"
 'I mean you shouldn't let such a lit- tie thing as your brain-that is, Mir. Jones. you shouldn't get so excited over nothing-of course-ah good day, Mr. Jones!'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-17

has been told in Russia. in Austria Hungary and in Italy, and the totals of immigration in 1908 will be small indeed
 No one thought a year ago that emi- grafton in 1908 would exceed immigra- tion. but that is the prospect today. Good crops may revive general trade and put in motion wide variety of industrial plants, but it is not believed that this will occur until a good part of the calendar year has passed by A dull immigration year is therefore probable. and the congested cities in the northeast will not regret in all respects the change However, would be immigrants to this country will await news of better times, and the tide may he all the stronger when it is reinaugurated.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-17

Washington Dispatch to New York
 Herald.
 TT would be difficult thing to roll
 stone down Pennsylvania avenue on a x fine afternoon without having it bump the toes of some ambitious politician whose aim in life Is to be the Mark Hanna of 1908.
 There is a fine string of candidates for the republican nomination for the presi- dency located here In Washington, giv- ing dinners and lodging labor leaders. At last count there were seven of them or was it eight? Each of these aspirants for the easy job of MT. Roosevelt has a manager. Some of them have half dozen managers. Some of them manage their managers, and some of them would like to. There is one stout and jovial gentleman who has been so fortunate as to find a job for his principal manager that will keep him out of Washington, and this has made a fine opening that at least a dozen budding journalists are seek ing to fill
 But each of these candidates has one principal manager on whom things can be blamed-a sort of William Loeb, Jr., don't you see?-and each of these man. agers has to take all the cursing for all the mistakes that the candidate makes and all the sly efforts to invade the pre- cincts of ''favorite sons" that are dis covered.
 Now the late Senator Hanna was one of the greatest political managers ever known in this country, and it Is almost an insult to his memory to compare his work with that of any of the embryo Warwicks now rustling around seeking to make king. He laid his plans for the nomination of William Mckinley long before any one else thought of the na- tional convention to be held in 1SS6 He was himself the organizer of great en- terprises. He had broad view. He had grown up with the middle west, and he
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-17
Secretary CorteIyou's Re:i,natior


 Beyond reasonable doubt Secretary Cortelyou and President Roosevelt are about to part. although the former and the moneys he gathered gave the lat ter his second term. It is case in which ingratitude and vaulting ambi- tion play about equal roles. President Roosevelt decided to make Taft his successor. and MT. Cortelyou started to upset the Taft boom while the pom derous Secretary of War was absent arranging distant problems in the Philippines and in Japan.
 It will be remembered that this out break on Cortelyous part is what sent Frank Hitchcock through the south to round Up delegates. This is what kept the pie counter in a dazed and nervous condition. This is what led to hot words and finally to Mr. Cortelyou's angry card of withdrawal from the presidential race
 About this time the treasury secre- tary was kept at home by an attack of grip, and when he recovered he dis covered that incompatibility had arisen between him and the President. He is therefore to leave the cabinet short ly to become the president of the Knick- erbocker Trust company in New York city. This will take him out of poli- tics, and the entire weight of the ad- ministration will now be thrown to William Howard Taft
 If the Taft scheme goes through a precedent will have been set that the republic may yet deeply regret Here tofore Presidents have not named their successors. Possibly Andrew Jackson did dictate the nomination of Martin Van Buren, but outside of that one case the people have been left free in this republic of ours to choose their Presidents. The present attempt is all the more reprehensible because 1t is to be largely based on pie-counter dele gates from states that never cast re- publican electoral votes.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-17
REFLECTIONS OF A BAcHELAR.

From the New York Press.
 The hand that makes the coffee rules the temper of the world.
 The trouble with income is 1t becomes outgo before you get it.
 A man would object to playing poker If it was in the Ten Commandments.
 When a man will make love to his wife she can almost forgive him for doing 1t to some other woman.
 One of the most mortifying things is to kiss a girl in the dark and when you see her in the light wish you hadn't.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-17

stated that he found time from his of hcial duties to write the editorials in the Montgomery Journal, of which paper he has for many years been the able editor.
 B. C. Bynum. the well known contrae- tor, left Birmingham yesterday for Mont gomery. MT. Bynum stated that the Montgomery county jail, which he is building, Is practically completed, and Is now being used by the sheriff. The remaining work will require but a short time. MT. Bynum stated that Montgom- cry was lively. more active in fact, than in many years.
 Malyen F. Jones, son of Capt. P. Sid Jones, division passenger agent of the Louisville and Nashville is in the city. Mir. Jones, in his absence, has been lo- cated at Bisbee, Ariz., and Fl Paso, Tex. He is in the employe of the Southern Pacific railroad.
 Virgil c. Griffin. trave1ing freight agent of the Louisville and Nashville, with headquarters in Montgomery, was
 
 formerly secretary of the Alabama rail- road commission, and Is considered the best posted rate man in the state. He re- ports business showing gradual improve ment.
 C. B. White, a salesman of sporting goods was in Birmingham yesterday. Mr. White stated that while recently in Mo bile, he was amazed at the baseball enthusiasm prevalent in that city since Mobiles entrance into the Southern league. He stated that the petition to the council in the interest of Sunday baseball bore 23oo signatures
 D. c. Herndon, city passenger agent of the Louisville and Nashville, located in Birmingham, is on a business trip to his old home in West Point, Miss.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-17
Southern Cities.

Andrew J. Gray. a prominent business man of Richmond, was in Birmingham yesterday on his way to Jackson, Miss. After a short stay in Jackson he will proceed to Texas and will go from that state to Oklahoma. returning to Virginia in the spring MT. Gray is frequent visitor to Birmingham and few men keep in closer touch with the business interests of this section than he.
 Richmond is one of the few cities that went through the panic of last fall on a cash basis" said MT. Gray. "The banks issued no scrip, but on the other hand loaned money to New York When left home last Monday business in all commercial lines was normal One hears no talk there of dull times Coming along through the south found a business recession in some states, but on the whole trade is in good shape and people are cheerful and hopeful of industrial and commer- cial activity in the spring.
 T am glad to know that Birming- ham is to come into the next census with population of upwards of 100- 900. This city has grown rapidly within the past few years. It has caught up with Atlanta sooner than l expected. If Ensley votes itself into Birmingham by 1910. the next census will put this city third in population If not second, in the south. As New Orleans has been growing steadily. and from now on will increase rapidly, it will lead for many years to come
 Memphis will probably outrank Bir- 1920 their position with regard to size will be reversed
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-17
THEY WOULD BE WARWlCKS

knew that the country did not end at the Allegheny mountains and that it was a mistake to believe that there was noth- ing worth consulting beyond the Mississip- pi river He did not do things on a small scale. While the bosses in the eastern states were planning whether they should all be for Thomas B. Reed or whether some of them should be for favorite sons, Mir. Hanna was at work placing men in each of their states to undermine them and get the delegates for Major Mckinley.
 He touched one wire and Proctor, in Vermont, declared for Mckinley, to the amazement of the conservatives, who had planned that all New England should go for Reed. He touched another, and the Mckinley league sprang Into life in New York, and Mckinley got 1T dele gates from that state. He touched an- other. and Illinois, which was claimed for Cullom, swung into line for McKin- ley, instructed. So 1t went in the good old days of 1896. When the senatorial bosses went south to get help from the negro brother they found that Hanna had been there six months before, and, for wonder, the negro brother stayed" bought. Morton did get ae delegate or two from Florida Right under the nose of the Reed men he stole the late Jo- seph Manley, chairman of the Maine del- egation away from his allegiance, and in duced Warner Miller. who was under in structions for Governor Morton of New York, to introduce a Mckinley resolution in the New York delegation. Such high pressure politics was never known before in this country, and before 1t was all over MT Hanna was voted the most suc- cessful manipulator of delegates that had appeared to make trouble for state ma chimes.
 Will he have his counterpart in the present canvass? There would seem to be a great opportunity. There are many seeking to profit by his example.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-17
About Persons.

Virgil c. Griffin of Montgomery is at the New Morris hotel.
 B. E. Lee of Vance is at the New Morris hotel.
 M. B. Oliver of Tuscaloosa is at the New Morris
 M. T. Ormond of Tuscaloosa is at the New Morris.
 D. D. Shelby of Monte Sand is at the New Morris.
 John R. Pill of Carbon Hill is at the New Morris.
 State Senators Fred Blackmon of Cal houn, and Charles Teasley of Montgom- cry left yesterday for their respective homes Both participated in the Seibles- Dawson wedding of Wednesday night.
 Alto V. Lee, Jr., member of the legisla- ture from Etowah. was visitor to Birmingham yesterday He reported con ditions improve all over the state
 Mir Lee was the last commandant Of the Alabama corps of cadets at the Uni- versity of Alabama. During his adminis- tration, the military system was abolished.
 Horace Hood, Sr., sheriff of Montgom- cry county. whose arrival was mentioned in The Age Herald yesterday morning, returned to Montgomery yesterday. MT. Hood was appointed to the position of sheriff by Governor Conner. Mir. Hood
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-17
Will Be Named LeedY.

"Berea, a station on the Illinois cen traIs Birmingham division, a few miles this side of Corinth. Miss. will be changed 10 Leedy, in compliment to W B. Leedy3 said a representative of the H. llnois Central
 Chief Engineer A. S. Baldwin has ad- Hlsed MT. Leedy of the proposed change in the name of the station. The latter. in speaking of the matter to a friend re- marked jocularly that he would accept the compliment rendered by Mir. Baldwin and would gladly stand sponsor for tile town, provided it was in the dry column"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-17
The Iron Market.

While the iron market may not be as active as furnace operators would like to see it. there has been more pig metal sold here within the past two weeks than in any like period since last May" re- marked broker.
 Some sellers have closed some trades for large tonnage and many sales have been made under the 10O0-ton mark that go to swell the total. Meters will be in the market for some weeks to come and we will probably have very brisk sell ing through the month of February
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-17

Eastern people think southern people are barbarians because colored brother is strung up now and then by mobs. Yet press agents for bedraggled musical com edies circulate freely in our midst and never meet the punishment they deserve