davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-03-14

asthma is evidenced by the enormous sale or specifics-many of them excel lent.
 recall the fact that back in the slXtles the world asthma was not used In the section where I lived. There were only three or four cases in the place where I lived-a city of 5000 or fooo-and the physicians could do lit- tle for the relief of these few sui terers Everybody. including the doc tors, called the disease ph hthisic-the same as phthisis. Children had the word phthisic pat, but aslittle boy or slrl who could spell 1t was a prodigy. goes back through the Greek to Sanscrit; but 1t never came Into gen eral use until was grown up.
 Many practicing physicians today prescribe potash for asthma but com paratively few of them pretend that they can make a permanent cure. The proprietary preparations in the form of smoke stuff began to make their ap pearance about 1870. Jamestown weed dried and smoked, was known to darkies of ante-bellum days and it is a good remedy today. The smoke must be inh aled Not few of the smoke specifics contain Jamestown-usually pronounced Jimson- weed If I were to make a rough guess at the number of asthmatlcs in America I wounl say close on to milion.'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-03-14
IN WAsHINeToN's TIME.

From the New York Globe and Conner
 cial Advertiser.
 What did this same Washington say as to things in his day? He declared that he was almost driven to despair by what he called "the dearth of public spirit - "the want of virtue" the dirty. mer- cenary spirit" 'the stock -jobbing" (sic), the speculation (slc again., peculation, expressing, and forestallihg'' of our revo- lutionary sres. Washington, as Dr.. Parkhurst points out was not given to nasty judgment or extreme speech In his letters to his wife Abigail, John Adams, who secured Washington's ap- pointment, spoke of 'the venal spirit and the universal idolatry to the mammon of unrighteousness"
 The sainted and haloed times of the fathers did not seem particularly good to those that lived in them A large per- centage of the heroic soldiers jumped bounties, fortunes were made by specu- lating in the necessities of the country, the army contractor was keen for graft and did not trouble to see that 1t was of the honest kind. pr. Parkhurst may be right in denying an aureole to the present, but he will hardly succeed in creating one for our granthers-especially those of New York. many of whom were whig or tory. according as American or British fortunes seemed in ascendant.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-03-14
South Carolina Aroused

When South Carolina repealed it's dispensary law, remitting the subject of liquor regulation to each county, the state dispensary commission had on hand $S00,000 deposited in thirty odd banks throughout the state.
 The liquor dealers with whom the state had dealt went at once to work to get their hands son this leftover sum, and they naturally turned to a United States circuit judge-Judge Pritchard-for help. Judge Pritchard as naturally granted an injunction re. straining the thirty-odd banks from paying over the money to the state.
 This money belongs to the state of South Carolina and any order concern ing it or suit about it is an order or suit against a state, and the federal constitution says state cannot be sued. Then, too, the regulation of the liquor traffic has been held to be a part of the police power of the state, but If Judge Pritchard is to regulate it in South Carolina that state has lost a part of its police power and is in a fair way to lose the remainder.
 Judge Pritchard seems to care very
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-03-14
Demand the Home Label.

"If the people of Birmingham thorough ly realize the full import of the Home Label proposition. there is no doubt about the success of the movement said Rob- ert w. Ewing yesterday afternoon. Steel plants and furnaces advertise city, bu, it Is the many small business concerns in town that speak for it's prosperity and growth There are great many con- cerns in Birmingham with pay rolls in the neighborhood of 5000 per week, and this money Is spent right here in Birming- ham. A demand for the Home Label will mean an increase in the output of these plants, the establishment of more small industries and the employment of more people, The furnace employs most ly negroes, while in these small indus tries nearly all of the force are white men, large number of whom are skilled. Demanding the Home Label all things, of course, being equal, signifies civic pride. and with it's general demand watch the town grow
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-03-14
Lavish Exnosltlon Pro feet.

Music is to be one of the leading at fractions at the Yukon-P Pacific exposition te be held at Seattle in 1909," said Br- mingham musician. F. N. Innes has been appointed director-in-chief of the music and backed by generous man agement he will make it worth while for any lover of the divine art to journey to Seattle to listen to some of the pro- grammes. even if the exposition in gen. eral did not attract But from all ac- counts the exhibits will be extensive and varied and many of them unique.
 Seattle is the only city that has ever undertaken a large exposition without financial alt from the government. The business concerns of the sections directly interested have subscribed literally and the exposition fund amounts already to several million dollars Seattle will spend more on music alone than was expended for this feature at Chicago, St. Louis and all the other expostions combined.
 ''Innes will have his band there, as a matter of course, and he will have Sousa Creatore and six or seven other well known bands of this country and at least a dozen famous bands from Europe. All or these will be concert organizations and in addition to their music, symphonies will be heard by the Theodore Thomas orchestra of Chicago and the Damrosch orchestra of New York. Those who ap- preciate classic music will have it and those who want only popular band music will be satisfied. There will be enough variety for all classes of music lovers to take their choice"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-03-14
University Buildings

The building of a greater and finer university, based on the generous ap- propriations of the legislature, Is pro gressing finely. The new engineering building, now greatly needed, is to be completed by October 1, 1908, and the iologcal-geology building by April l., 1909. The university will, therefore, come into the use of both buildings before commencement day.
 The two new buildings are to be solid and enduring structures, and plans for additional buildings will be speedily made. The University of Ala bama will soon be made ready to en- roll thousand students, and its equip ment will be a credit and a benefit to the state. The appropriations of the legislature, together with the rich en- dowment of the university in coal lands, will give this state an educa- tional institution that will rank among the best. This has long been the dream of the alumni and of the nu- merous friends of the university, and it is a dream that is 'to come true, '' and that, too, at no very distant day.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-03-14
conuressman LIIIey's Charges

The Lilley investigation affords an opportunity to expose the lobbying done by "the interests" at Washington.
 The scope of the inquiry should be broadened instead of narrowed until the length and breadth of lobby work at Washington stands fully exposed. So far as the contract for subma- rines is concerned the testimony Of Congressman Hobson is enough to con vince anyone in this state, for no one questions for a moment Captain Hoo- sons absolute integrity. An attempt was made. it is alleged, by a lobby agent to turn MT. Hobson over to the uses of the Electric Boat company by inducing him to believe that the con- panv could and would have him placed on the naval committee. The scheme was not needed by MT. Hobson, but the fact that an effort was made to tempt Captain Hobson shows what 's being done in the cases of other meri- bers. Captain Hobsons testimony was frankly given, and it will prove con- vincing in this state, whatever may be it's effects on the minds of the com- mittee.
 Much depends upon the course of the investigation committee. If it throws down the bars so far as lobby ing is concerned a great service will be rendered to the people, but if by technicalities it endeavors to hide the guilty not much will be accomplished. 1ne course of the committee will be keenly watched.
 All "the interests" that maintain lobbyists at Washington have been campaign subscribers in the past, and are expected to be again. Another huge slush fund will undoubtedly be needed by the republican party, and the fear is that that party will have an eye more to another slush fund than to the uncovering of the work of the lobbyists and grafters at Washington. MT. Lilley is wholly justified in all he has done, but it remains to be seen low much real evidence he will be able to bring out before a committee that is inclined to be more hostile to him than to the lobbyists.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-03-14
JoURNALIsM's FIVE STAGES.
High Authority Defines Them and Dis
 tinction of Each.

Gen. Charles H. Taylor. Editor Boston
 Globe, in March Appleton's.
 Here are what I regard as the stages of American journalism, and it's principal distinction at each stage 1. A mere abstract of European news papers.
 2. Employed by the agitators of the Revolution Aor printing appeals to the people
 g. The puppet of the politicians in the first years of fierce party conflict under the new government. and usually edited by imported adventures who had worn out their welcome everywhere else in the world; often men of flashing wit, but never men of sober purpose.
 f. The vehicle of an editors oracular and often eccentric opinions on politics. The press was now emancipated from the control of politicians; it was free, cour- ageous, and influential, but was narrow in its field. and intolerant. It was not yet newspaper, and it still excluded from its support and interest seven-tenths of the people, including all the women and young people. To them the newspaper of 1s15-S5 was as forbidding as any polit- lCdl lIdcl IS iOudy lO WOiIlSH ana Cnil- dren.
 D. At last the newspaper. It gives the news for the first time; it has vindicated and illustra ted it's name; 1t is more edu- cational than ever, though less dogmat- ic it is freer than ever, because it has become too vast concern to be the mere instrument of any single personality or any single clique, however powerful; it has become a property instead of play thing; it is devoted to the public in- terest and is more clearly the representa- tive of the public, because it Is too great to live on the favor of a few, as it once did; 1t is more independent and farer in jolitics, because to attain the first rank 1t must have the respect of people of all parties No mere organ of any party Is leader among the newspapers of any city today. The press is more scrupulous and conservative in all respects than ever before because an immense capital is always at stake It is more influential than ever before, not only because it is more widely read and more varied in it's interests, but also because it's opinions carry the weight of business sagacity and success, as well as intellectual acu- men.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-03-14
THE SADDEST OF ALL,

From the Louisville Courier-Journal,
 One woe does surely tread upon an- others heels, so fast they follow.
 It is the way of nature The moral ists contend that it is wise way, since by trying mems souls it strengthens the individual. and, through the individual, the race.
 Possibly the moralists are right It is a good thing to pluck some theo- retc comfort from distress, and 1t is a good thing to discover a certain de- gree of justification for the visitation upon mankind of much trouble and sor- row.
 Sometimes, though 1t would seem as if the most skillful moralist would find it difficult, If not impossible, to discern a grain of consolation in a particular woe. A terrible prospect Is even now threaten ing the American people which we defy the astutest optimist and sermonizer to treat with joy or deck with a moral And this is the imminent woe to which aliu- sion was made at the outset, when woe was described as following so fast upon other woes as to tread upon their heels
 Evelyn Nesbit Thaw's attorney has jus. announced that his client is to become a writer.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-03-14
What a sweep of vanity comes this way. Titus Andronicus.
From Ocean to Ocean

The Chicago News thinks "the llli- nois Central should benefit by possess ing an outlet to the Atlantic. AS liar rinan ,r A great shipowner on the two oceans and the gulf, he can now carry freight to any American saltwater port"
 The New York Journal of Com merce, on the other hand, says 'the Illinois Central makes a connection with the Union Pacific at Omaha and with the Southern Pacific at New Or leans. and these two lines, as is well known, dominate the transportation systems to the Pacific coast south of the Great Northern and Northern Pa cific territory. If the combination is effected it will establish the first ocean to ocean line and may have some ad- vantage in the southern field, but it Is not likely that the overweening mag nate will be content with an Atlantic terminal at Savannah"
 The Journal of Commerce proceeds to combat the scheme, plainly showing in this way New York's jealousy of southern terminal. It first argues that consolidation of the Central of Georgia with the Illinois Central cannot be con summated, and then it goes on to ar- gue that if it can be it means that it would lead to the consolidation of all through lines and their important con nections in the hands of one clique of magnates.
 New York may not like the scheme, but nevertheless the Central of Geor- gia and the Illinois Central will prac- tically be linked together in this city next month, and freight will be trans ported to and from Savannah via Bir- mingham wholly regardless of what New York says or thinks. This coun- try is good deal larger than any city in it, and New York is up against this very fact
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-03-14
Second Avenue Clear.

"A few minutes after o'clock tonight the roadway on Second avenue rom Eigh- teenth street to Twenty-frst street was as barren of traffic as a country graveyard at midnight" said a man last night. Both sidewalks were crowded with pedestrians but the roadway bore funeral ouietness. This lasted for fully a minute, and then as If by magic the street was filled with traffic. During this quiet minute not street car bicycle. automobile or any kind of vehicle was to be seen in the roadway This was strange occurrence, one that have never noticed before, and one which 1 will be willing to wager won't occur on a dry day during business hours within year.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-03-14
The Iron Market.

The Birmingham pig iron market is holding it's own on prices ranging from s125O to SIS on a No. basis, but sales have been in only small tonnage this week.
 Some of the eastern papers continue to refer to independent concerns cutting prices, meaning by Independent those fur mace companies that were outside of the so-called "gentlemen's agreement" sup posed to have been made in January, be- tween the larger producers to maintain the price of pig at s13.50 Birmingham. That agreement, if such it could be called, was only for 30 days Certain it is that today all the makers of iron, from the United States Steel corporation down, are free to sell at any price they may see fit.
 Matthew Addy & Co.'S Cincinnati report for the current week says: "As the sea- son advances the feeling in the iron trade grows more and more hopeful No one is expecting a big year, but all are hoping that there will be enough business to keep fairly busy. There is gradual re- sumption of activity ale along the line. There is one thing sure, and that is with prices of pig iron lower than they have been since 1903, and in that year they re- bounded almost immediately from the low level struck when the boom of 1902 col lapsed, it Is a good time to make inn provements man today can get more for his money than has been the case for a long time past. Of course, the sticking point is that he has to have the money. But the situation in that respect is clear ing up rapidly"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-03-14
THE SOLITARY REAPER.

By William Wordsworth. Behold her, single in the field.
 You solitary Highland lass Reaping and singing by herself;
 Stop here, or gently pass! Alone she cuts and binds the grain, And sings a melancholy strain; {, O listen for the vale profound Is overflowing with the sound. No nightingale did ever chant
 More welcome notes to weary bands Of travellers in some shady haunt,
 Among Arabian sands; A voice so thrilling ne'er was heard In springtime from the cuckoo bird, Breaking the silence of the seas Among the farthest Hebrides. Will no one tell me what she sings? s
 Perhaps the plantive numbers flow For old, unhappy. far off things,
 And battles long ago;
 Or Is it some more humble lay, Familiar matter of today? Some natural sorrow, loss or pain That has been and may be again? Whate'er the theme the maiden sang
 As if her song could have no ending; I saw her singing at her work,
 And OCT the sickle bending I listen'd motionless and still; And. as I mounted up the hill. The music in my heart I bore Long after it was heard no more.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-03-14
Pays to Look Around.

''Apropos of the discussion on the in- creased cost of living in Birmingham now being conducted by The Age-Herald, l will relate an experience I had with local transfer companies today" said a suburb anite yesterday.
 'The price given me for moving my household goods half a mile was $6 per load and s2 extra for the piano. This ap- peared rather steep and I called up an other transfer company over the phone and without any mention of having se- cured prices from any other concern stat ed the location of the moving points and asked for the price per load for the trans fer. It was promptly given me at $50 and s1 extra for the piano.
 If the latter price is reasonable, and it appears to me to be certainly large enough, the first charge is absurdly ex- eessive. The experience has at least con- vinced me that 1t pays to look around a little before closing a deal with any body for service in Birmingham"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-03-14
MERIT DECIDES
 ALL CONTESTS

Washington, March 13-"As a member of the national committee I can say. that the committee will hear all contests and will decide each case on its merits. sus- taining justice and party regularity, with no thought as to the preference of the contestants for any candidate or candi- dates"
 This in part is the answer that Harry s. New, chairman of the republican na- tional committee, makes to recently pub lished assertions that the committee will be controlled" by one candidate or com bination of candidates and that therefore the presidential nomination to be made at Chicago will be determined practically by the national committee.
 When Chairman New visited Washing ton short time ago he had conferences with members of the national commit tee at which the participants pledged themselves not to permit their personal preferences as to candidates to enter into the consideration of the claims of any man to scat in the convention as q delegate. In enforcing this agreement, they stated frankly that they were look ing beyond the nomination in June to the election in November In an author ized statement given to the Associated Press Chairman New outlines the definite position of the national committee.
 From time to time in the last few weeks the statement has been made, in private conversation and in print, that this or that candidate or combination of candidates for the republican nomina- ton for the presidency is in control of the national committee, the inference evil denty intended to be drawn being that the committee through such control will act only in the interest of the eandi- date or candidates with reference only to the personal preferences of its men- bers and without impartial regard for the interests of the republican party and the people.
 .'As a member of the national commit, tee, I can say that the committee will hear all contests and will decide each case on it's merits, sustaining justice and party regularity with no thought as to the preference of the contestants for any candidate or candidates. I speak not alone for myself. but for members of the committee, who have expressed themselves to me on the subject. l have no hesitancy in declaring that the spirit I have indicated will constitute the only control in the committee.
 All contests will be heard by the full committed No subcommittee will be named to pass on such questions and there will be no division of the labor or of the responsibility. Every man claim ing the right to a seat in the conven- ton will be afforded an opportunity to present his claim to the entire commit tee and the consideration of each case will be restricted only by such rules and regulations as may be necessary to expe- dite the hearings and to reach fair and impartial conclusion