davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-05-24
A GAMBLERS CAREER.
Good and Bad Traits of Wickedest
 Man in New York.

From the Brooklyn Standard-Union
 Perhaps the greatest gambler that this country has ever produced passed away when Theodore Allen died. Certainly no man now living has spent the time at the business that he did or attained the mo- toriety that resulted from incessant clashing with the authorities, whom he fought with dogged persistence and re- markable success. Allen continued to run the pool rooms despite repeated ef forts of the police. whom he is said to have steadily refused to bribe. There might be some truth in this statement, but very likely he bought immunity at times the same as other gamblers have done.
 While the ''pool room king earned the distinction of being the "wickedest man in New York" he had some virtues of heart and mind that shone brightly and which endeared him to a great many peo- ple He was far from being entirely sor- did or callous, and a warm and generous heart beat in his breast, notwithstanding the fact that his calling was calculated to make him indifferent to the wants and sufferings of others. He gave his money freely to the poor, and to his everlasting credit it can be said that ne paid the funeral expenses of some 400 penniless people In addition to this he adopted five children and aided his wife, who was very religious woman, and practical Christian worker.
 The son of Methodist minister, Allen path, from which he never branched off. His leading characteristic was determin- ation, and once having arrived at the conclusion that the world was against him because of his gambling habits, he decided he would fight it alone rather than retreat, virtue which, put to a bet ter use, would have made him man ad- mired and respected. Strangely inconsist- ent with his whole career, The made two campaign contributions, one to elect Abraham Lincoln and the other to help Jerome to victory. The Jerome con- tribution was made a couple of years ago, about which time Allen gave up gambling; otherwise it could not have been understood. By reason of his bust ness of selling pools on horse racing the deceased was an enemy of the Percy Gray law, contending that it was unjust to permit gambling at the tracks and make it a felony elsewhere.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-05-24
The mula5le, rank-scented many.
 -Cymbellne.
Talt or Roosevelt At Chicago

The Chicago convention is but two weeks and two days away. All dele gates have been selected, and the re- suit would be but sum in arithmetic were 1t not for the fact that about 200 congressional districts have elected duplicate delegates. Some states have done likewise, and Alabama is one of the number.
 Julius Caesar Burrows has been designated as the temporary chairman of the convention, and he is outspoken in his opposition to Taft. This has embeldened the opponents of Taft, and they are insisting that it would be suicidal to nominate Taft when the party demands Roosevelt.
 Upon tue national committee rests the responsibility for compiling a temporary roll of the convention. Charles H. Scott is Alabama's repre- sentative in the republican national committee, and doubtless his state ments will go long ways in determ- ming who shall go on the temporary roll to represent at the outset Alabama republicans.
 Then will come the contests over the filling of the 200 seats permanent ly. These contests will be deter mined by the convention itself, and a battle royal will take place over them, and while that Sattle is going on the men who think Roosevelt is the only republican who can muster a majority of votes in November will be very busy among the 9So delegates and their friends. It is still race between Taft and Roosevelt, but Taft will be nominated.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-05-24
BiTmingham'S Progress

The annual meeting of the Conner cial club held Friday night was full of interest and cheer The retiring presi- dent, Sterling A. Wood, in his report, outlined in a general way what had been accomplished by the club and offered timely suggestions for future consideration, while the address of John L. Kaul, the new president, was at once practical and felicitous
 The important work of the year was set forth in detail by Secretary J. B. Babb. This energetic and well equip ped official presented large variety of facts about Birmingham and the Birmingham district and every one of these facts indicated material progress and development. Take the matter of building. MT. Babb reported that dur ing the past 12 months in the terri tory included in the Greater Birming ham bill 1713 houses had been built at cost of $2,995,595 and that In the environs outside of Greater Birming- ham 1402 houses had been erected at cost of $1,054, ,5S0. making total of 3115 houses costing $4,O5O,175.
 The secretary's report showed that on extraordinary Improvements, such as opening and equipping mines, ex- tending manufacturing plants, the principal corporations operating here abouts had recently expended total of $8,461, ,163 Add to this large sum the amount expended by railroads and other concerns for expansion, capital stock of new corporations, increase of capital of old concerns and the s4,O50,- 175 expended on the erection of houses, and a grand total of s27, 63,135 is ob- tained.
 Figures are often dry, but in this case they are eloquent and illuminat- ing. No wonder, then, that the read ing of MT. Babb's report aroused en- thusiasm. But Birmingham is yet in its infancy. Next years report will present even larger figures; and prog | ress will be marked by an increasing ratio as the years come and go.
 The Commercial club as a center of in t1uence and developer of public spirit is now more than ever appreciated by the people of Birmingham Its mem- 5ership should show large gain this year. The roll, indeed, should contain the name of every merchant, manufac- turer and professional man in Birming- ham. That would mean such concert of action as would make the clubs field of usefulness well-nigh bound less.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-05-24
INDEPENDENT sLATE-wRITINe.r
Astonishing Results Secured Under
 Satisfactory Conditions.

From the June Everybody's.
 'T went with Mrs. Rose, one of our members, to sit for independent slate- writing'-that is to say, writing on the inner surfaces of closed slates. I took my own slates-the ordinary hinged school slates-but whether they were my own or not made no difference, really, for the final test that I demanded was such that any prepared slates were useless While sitting at the table with both Mrs Roses hand and my own resting upon the states, I dictated certain lines to be drawn upon the inside of the states, and this was done.
 Draw a crooked line, said L Draw a zgzag-lille a stroke of lightning. Draw it in yellow. Draw a circle with a line across it. She said nothing, but became silent and we waited without change of position Remember that I was holding the slate during all this talk. It did not leave my hands.
 ''It was about ? o'clock of an after noon, and we sat in the bay window of the parlor. It was perfectly light, and the psychic sat opposite us, with her hands in her lap. leaning back in a thoughtful pose. She seemed to be a spectator like ourselves and very little concerned about results. At last a tap ping came upon the slate, and she frightened up: It is donen she called ex- ultingly. I opened the slates, and there, drawn in yellow crayon, was small circle with a zigzag yellow line crossing it exactly as I had dictated. and under Mrs. Rose's hands in the corner of tbe slate was drawn a gaily colored bunch of pansies. There were messages. also; I some of them in colored cravOn, but paid very little attention to them. The production of that circle under my own conditions overshadowed everything else"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-05-24
United Commercial Travellers

Birmingham had as it's guests Fri day and yesterday the United Conner cial Travellers of Alabama and a more substantial body of men never gath cred here. The travelling salesman has long been recognized as one of the prime factors in modern mercantile life, but his standing morally and com mercially was never so high as it is today. The commercial travellers oc- cupation is not only one of honor and great usefulness, but the essentials necessary to the making of success full alesman-brains, energy, and characteristic those that will win in every walk of life.
 The United Commercial Travellers association has it's social and fraternal side and the spirit of comradeship re- vealed on this occasion has made the sessions distinetively notable. The organization Is comparatively young, but it is already strong numerically. while in intelligence, pluck and esprit de corps it is unsurpassed. Birming-4 ham has greatly enjoyed the visit of the out-of-town members and will look forward eagerly to another state meet ing here.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-05-24
Tomatoes Past and Present

The reader of modern newspaper with it's equipment and means for gathering news from every county in the country is apt to accept the con olusion that tornadoes are increasing ill number, and that the present year is one of the worst in that respect.
 These conclusions have, however, nothing to rest upon. The United States signal service has endeavored to get list of known tornadoes from the year 1794 to the present time, and it concludes that there were as many tornadoes 100 years ago as there are today.
 More deaths occur in these later years because the country is more populous, and is filled with fiimsy buildings. Strong buildings do not suffer in tornado to the extent that weak buildings do, and steel frame buildings proved in St. Louis to be strong enough to withstand them. Whoever builds strong building from foundation to peak has an insurance against damage from tornadoes.
 Statistics show that June in the av-
 2 4oIs on account of dangerous winds, fol- lowed in order by July, May and April. But the worst storm the country has any record of occurred in February, 1884, when violent winds crossed the country from Illinois to South Caro- lima, killing 800 persons, injuring 2500 and destroying 10000 buildings.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-05-24
Johnson at University.

"Gov. John A. Johnson of Minnesota, candidate for, the democratic presiden- tial nomination, will deliver the com mencement address at the University of Alabama next Tuesday, and I feel sure the people of Alabama would like to meet this distinguished citizen, governor of one of our largest states, and man who today ranks as one of the half dozen most conspicuous citizens of the United States said Robert Jemison, Jr.
 Tt is reported that the railroads will run a special train to Tuscaloosa next Tuesday morning, leaving Birmingham about S:30 o'clock ahd returning late in the afternoon, to afford Birmingham peo- pie an opportunity to hear Governor Johnson, who is an eloquent and forceful speaker. If the railroads do so, I am confident there will be trainload of peo- pie who will go to Tuscaloosa. There are always special rates in effect for commencements, and this year will not be an exception. The trip could be made at small expense and it would be very en- joyable to all.'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-05-24
Getting Ready for the Census

Memphis and Atlanta are squirming to secure more population against the count of noses in 1910. Both are mak- Ing faces at Birmingham, and yet both are trying to emulate it's example. Here is what the Memphis Conner cial-Appeal recently said concerning Birmingham and Atlanta:
 The Alabama city has converted it's shape into a storm-beaten wreck of bat tleship. with sprawling rudder, extended towsprit, masts and fighting tops and tulging turrets. This. however, is a trifle better than what Atlanta proposes to do with it's shape. The Georgia city is des- perately put to 1t to gather in population but population it must have; so, with pnique ingenuity, it uncoils. its limits III he similitude of rope, twisting here md there and throwing a coil around tvery dozen or more houses it can find ppon its twisted course"
 And yet the same Commercial-Ap- Deal urges the, people of it's city to an- tax 13 square miles of territory. What
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-05-24
TOOK THE TIP.

From June Youngs Magazine.
 Otis Skinner. appearing in ''The Hon our of the Family was watching the ex- cited politicians around the Victoria re- gently
 ..It reminds me of a man I know, said MT. Skinner, "a clever criminal lawyer. He. appeared before dignified old judge one day with case and the judge de- manded: ts
 ..'Young man, I know your father very we'll. will you tell me why you insist on practicing criminal law?
 .s .Iror fun. I like it. said my friend.
 Jewell, said the old judge, anyone who practices criminal law for fun would go to he'll for pleasire.' ~,
 And" concludeds Mir Skinner, 'he took the tip. Next time heard of him he was in politics.!
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-05-24
The Hotel Business.

Among the classes here that have had no cause to complain of dull times, are the hotel proprietors," said a man about town. And as a matter of fact the hotel men have not complained but on the contrary have spoken gratefully of the way things were running in their line q
 Even in the quiet weeks early in the year the hotel registers show fairly good business and since the first of March every week has found the hotels well filled. Frequently since the first of May arrivals on late trains have had difficulty in securing lodging. Birmingham is a popular convention city and crowds of visitors are here almost continuously. It is the wise thing for persons who intend to visit Birmingham to secure hotel reser- vations in advance. All experienced men do that. but it frequently happens that some persons take it for granted that the hotels are not overcrowded nowadays. Make no mistake about Birmingham"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-05-24

bound after eight years service to se- lect and install his own successor.
 This is a wide departure from the custom Of the republic that Washing ton established, but it is handy, con venient, and it would provide the sue cession without putting 15,OO000O voters to the trouble of spending day or at least a part oi one at the polls. The saving of time and energy would of course inure to the resources of the republic. It would go to make us richer, happier and freer from care and annoyance.
 The election of MT. Taft would mean. in all logic, that the popular se- lection of a president had been abol- ished, and all good republicans harll- ing back to Theodore Roosevelt would be expected to abstain from voting in order that they might show their ap- proyal of the president selected in pur- suance of the new method In this way all campaign efforts and even funds would be abolished, and Treas urer Bliss and Chairman Cortelyou would thus become men without a spe- cial mission in Wall street
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-05-24
Modern Presidential Succession

President" Bryan would not, it is plain, accept the precedent that Pres ident Roosevelt is setting, namely. that a retiring president shall name his successor. When revolutions do not occur this is the custom in Latin America. The Latin presidents not only name their successors-generally themselves-but they also proceed to count them in. Succession thus be- comes easy in countries where all la Dor is irksome.
 President" Taft would no doubt feel under obligations to follow the Roose- veltian rula Having been selected and forced through by predecessor. he would no doubt consider himself
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-05-24
LOOKING FORWARD.

LOOhlNd fOIN <AIeD. we'll shuffle off the loads we bear In fifty years from now. The least of us will conquer care
 In fifty years from now. The world will show a great advance, Al, earthly virtues will enhance, The devils imps will cease to prance- In fifty years from now. The anarchist will wear smile
 In fifty years from now, Fraternity will be the style In fifty years from now. There'll be a most tremendous chanse Tn palace. mart and lowly grange, Around the town and on the range In fifty years from now. Old common sense will rule the roost
 In fifty years from now, Wen all lift up a cheer and ooost
 In fifty years from now There'H be no scrappng sulrase''es' No "also-rans" with vain regrets, No noodle dogs maintained as pets In fifty years from now Two bones will buy woman's hat
 Tn fifty years from now, And hubby will be glad of that
 In fifty years from now. The neighbors all will be just right Therell be no burglars round at night And all our taxes will be light
 In fifty years from now. If does no harm to dream dream
 Of fifty years from now And tell how heaven shall redeem US fifty years from now, Though, truthfully, I'm fain to say Tomorrow will be yesterday And things will wag the same old way
 In fifty years from now.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-05-24
A Live City.

T have been most favorably impressed with the signs of prosperity I see in Bir- mingham, said R. J. Hopkins of Detroit. T had read in some of the papers pub lished in the northwest that things were at a standstill in the Birmingham dis triet. One of the papers presented an exceptionally gloomy picture of condi- tions here. 1 do not know what motive caused the writer of the article to which L have reference to grossly misrepresent the facts. I find that Birmingham is in far better shape than any city Of it's size l have visited.
 Tn many large towns in the north stores are for rent in every block, or rather were a month ago. Here the vacant store is rare exception. Business seems to be improving everywhere, and Birmingham, from all appearances, will take the lead in the south. To a casual observer the panic of last fall seems to have had little or no effect whatever on business here"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-05-24
Professor Henry,s Defeat.

'It has been suggested by several persons that Professor Henry. who made such close race for the Board of Rev. enue, might be appointed to some position by the new board" said a well known business man.
 While all the successful candidates for the board are excellent men, so far as I can learn, general regret is expressed that Professor Henry, who seemed winner, should have just missed it. Re calling the fact that this gentleman was once the popular choice for high office in the county, but failed to secure it. sympathy for him naturally crystalizes' now when his hopes were raised, but when he was fairly defeated by four votes There are few men in. Jefferson county who are personally so popular as Professor Henry"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-05-24
lesG,ves-,

not spit into each others eyes or talk into each others mouths"
 FASHION NOTES. Miss Fluffy had last winter
 Bold suitors by the score, But styles have changed, so Fluffy Can't ruffle any more.
 REPLIES
 The daintiest dog we ever saw trotted down Nineteenth street yesterday with a rose in his mouth. Even in Heavenly Houston the dogs never do that. The sporting editor of The Age-IIerald doesn't get that much, but he is earning S1OOO week. Look at the team he has to write about
 Miss Libby to fetire?" queries the Louisville Courier-Jouna1 When you do, Laura, pull down the shades
 It is quite probable that women will insist on getting off arships backward Any woman on the shady side of forty who spells her name Mae" deserves to be put in jail. PAUL COOK.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-05-24
REPRESENTATIVE TAYLOR.

From the Washington Herald.
 Representative Taylor. with the historic name of George Washington Taylor, comes from Alabama The residents of the First district of Alabama point at him with pride, saying he is their George Washington (Taylor). He was born in the state in 1s49. was educated in the South Carolina university, Columbia, s. c.
 When 15 years old young Taylor, filled with martial spirit, entered the Confed- crate army, while stili student at col- lege. He served few weeks with the South Carolina state troops, and then en- listed as private in Company D, First regiment, South Carolina cavalry, serv- ing as courier until the war closed.
 After graduating from the university, he taught school for a number of years. studying law at the same time, graduat- ing in that profession and being admitted to the bar at Mobile in 1871.
 Seven years later Mir Taylor was elect ed to the lower house of the Alabama general assembly, and served one term. In 1880 he was elected state solicitor for the First judicial circuit of Alabama;was reelected for the second term, but de- clined a third term. These offices proved Lut stepping stone to further political preferment, and he was elected to tho Fffty-fifth Congress. &
 In that body, as in the other offices he had filled, he made good, with the result that he has been reelected each succeed ing Congress. Representative Taylor IS on but one committee, rivers and harbors, but that one can spend enough money, en- tailing upon the representative the neces- sity of seeing that the streams in Ala hama are taken care or.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-05-24
Popular Organization.

''The grand council of Alabama of the Order of United Commercial Travellers, of which w. T. Atkins of Selma is grand commander, has had pleasant and sue cessful meeting in Birmingham said c. Holt Smith, grand secretary. This order has membership in the United States of 4S,500. In Alabama there are seven subordinate councils with mem bership of 614 in this grand Jurisdiction.
 ''The order, independent of commercial ism, has the usual benefit features known among fraternal organizations. It also has an insurance feature which carries with it accident benefits. The benevo- lent feature provides for the widows and orphans of members. The emblem of this order, embracing the letters U. c. T., con- stitutes the most interesting and the most particularly correct expressions of all fraternal sooieties-unity, charity and temperance.
 Birmingham Council No. 172, the first local organized in this jurisdiction, has certainly done itself proud in giving us a series of notable and brilliant enter tainments, among the most notable ever rendered to a grand council in the south ern states. The ball at the Hotel Hill man Friday night was a distinct social success, and was largely attended
 "On Saturday morning the members and guests visited the steel plant at Ems ley and were shown through that great exemplication of the industrial Birming- ham district. The barbecue at the Coun- try club Saturday afternoon was heartily enjoyed, and after the barbecue there was a delightful dance. Yes, the U. c. Ts have had a grand time." srsH
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-05-24
< MIsUNpERsrANDlNo.
.a pbilinnines Gossln.

From the Philippines Gossip.
 A Manila mother-in-law had stayed go often with her daughter as to cause a quarrel with the husband ana one day. when she again came to stay she roucd her daughter in tears on the door. step.
 "l suppose George has left you,' sh3 sniffed
 .'Yes''-sob.
 ..rhen there's woman in the case?" she asked her eyes lighting up expect antly.
 ''Yes''-sob. n
 "who is it?" she demanded ssses
 ''You"-sob. ,,+4s.s~ s. .sGraciousir exclaimed the mother-h- law. T am sure l never gave hun any encoiragement"