davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-24
Athens Prosperous.

R. H. Walker editor of the Athens Democrat was in Birmingham yesterday to hear MT. Bryan and attend the Board of Trade banquet. In speaking of Athens and conditions in Limestone, Mir Walker said that the recent panic had not affect ed values in his section, and but for the fact that buying was somewhat curtailed no one would have known that a panic was in existence. Both of our banks said Mir. Walker, paid out currency right along, and there was no trouble whatever about paying cash for it by the banks
 We are expecting a prosperous year during 1908. as agricultural products are what we depend on, and in addition to that we will have about $125,O00 to spend in road building during the coming spring and summer We are still hoping to get a new court house in the not far distant future"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-24
CHECKING AT THE MINT.

From the Philadelphia Record.
 One of the most interesting things about the system of management at the United States mint is the plan of double-check- ing, which attends every ounce of pre- cious metal from the time it is received at the mint until it is delivered as coin by the superintendent to the treasury department When the bullion is received it is very carefully weighed. and the re- ceipt blank contains the double sigma ture of two weghers It is then passed to the refining department, and both when received and passed on it's exact weight is certified to by two experts. Again in passing to and from the stamping room it is weighed and checked off by two attaches, and when the coin. in stamped bags, is sent to the adjusting room it is again checked off by two clerks. In this way the superintendent has double record at all times of every ounce of metal in the mint, and the chance of any mistake is reduced to an infnitesimal minimum.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-24

law does not apply to the Pennsylvania railroad because it renders passenger traffic which should be considered in- dependently unproftable on some of it's branch lines. This was declared to be an injustice.
 The law stands, but it does not fit the Pennsylvania railroad. The four judges of the court may refuse to fit it to other railroads of their state, and yet three of the judges of the court are very indignant over the decision of their associates. Justice Potter shows in his opinion that the 2-cent rate is not conflscatory because the road earned 111a per cent on it's cap italization. Justice Stewart said the railroad had not shown it had not earned just compensation. Justice Mestrezat said all rates should be con sidered together in determinining wether given rate is reason able or not But the chief justice and three associate justices thought other- wise, and the Pennsylvania is now free to restore it's former passenger rates. This, however, it may not do because low rates tend 10 increase business, and they may in the end prove the more profitable.
 Alabama is fortunate in securing largely through the Southern railroad a just settlement of the rate problem, to become effective April 1. This set clement is based on 21a-cent intra- state rate, but it admits of 2-cent rate when mileage books are pur- chased. and this is certainly a reason able settlement in a state that is large ly agricultural and that contains few large towns.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-24
Danger In Small Theatres.

"I think some action toward remedying the condition which now exist among the moving picture shows in the city should promptly be taken up with the city officials for the public safety" said W. E. Sparks, the stone contractor.
 "There are at least dozen or more of these nickel theatres scattered about the city which hundreds of women and children visit daily, finding amusement for small cost for an hour or more. These miniature theatres are frequently crowded during the afternoon and well into the evening. An empty store room is usually selected for these theatres with a stage or platform built in the rear while in front are rows upon rows of seats. Not only are all these seats filled but often it happens that all the standing room in the rear of the seats and even the aisles are packed with women and children. As rule there are few men in the audience during the afternoon performances.
 "The exists are often obscure, there is only one entrance to each theatre, that being in the front from the street, and all persons must enter and leave through the one entrance. The operator and his machine are above the entrance and if fire got a good headway in one of these theatres there is no telling how many people would be imprisoned in the building The loss of life would no doubt be enormous. It is almost mir acle that some such catastrophe has not already occurred.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-24
o shame! where is thy blush?
 Hamlet.
General Grcsvenor's Latest Figures

General Grosvenor, who was retired from Congress by his own constituents, and who has no chance to regain their favor. is still, however, keeping his pencil busy in making estimates or guesses of popular results. His latest estimate relates to MT. Bryan whose nomination will be followed, he admits, by the casting of 166 electoral votes for him in southern states. And then he proceeds to do bit of jockeying, as follows:
 Now. then, it appears that to be sue cessful, therefore. the democratic candl- date must have 166 votes that arep laced in column here and then he must have 76 more votes and they must be gotten from the following states: Connecticut. Delaware, Indiana. Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Rhode Island and Wiscon- out of that 137 the democratic candidate must have 76''
 Why did he leave Nebraska, Colo rado, Utah and West Virginia-casting 2S votes-out of the contested list ? Add 29 to 137 and we have 16O votes, out of which MT. Bryan must get 76, or less than half.
 The trouble with MT. Grosvenor's s whole scheme is, it does not take into consideration the nature of the times. He refuses to weigh panic that came at the opening of a presidential cam paign, for which there is no precedent in our history. There is scarcely a state in his list of "sure" states that he can depend upon under such cir cumstances. He is groping in the dark ness of troublous times in which tens of thousands of men are without em. ployment. Neither he nor any one else can say for example, how Illinois on the one hand or Massachusetts on the other will vote, simply because he does not know how the unemployed will vote when their choice is confined to Bryan and Taft, as it probably will be-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-24
IN HOTEL LOBBIES
Foundation Estimates.

According to the estimated popula- tion of cities as furnished by mayors to the World Almanac for 1908 Atlanta appears with 10000" said an observer. The figures are too high. In the cen- sus of June, 1s0o Atlanta's population was S9.s72. Its growth since then has been probably at the rate of 25o0 a year; 5000 a year would be a large allowance. Taking the latter estimate as the basis Atanta's population today would be about 112 2,000. Atlanta will probably extend it's limits before 1910, but 5000 or 1000 will cover the popula- tion of the suburbs. Atlanta is a solid city and everybody recognizes it's splen- did public spirit and it's wonderful push. But it will do well to get in the next census with 10000. I do not see the sense in exaggerating population fig ures. when only the government emu mera tion is accepted as reliable.
 Tn the World Almanac table some of the estimates appear to be reason able. New Orleans is given at S5O,o00; Louisville at 27O,o00; Memphis at l75;- GOO Ctoo high); Nashville at 125,eoo; Chattanooga at Ss.OOO; San Antonio at 90, ,o0o; Houston at SO,Ooo; Richmond at 2.50o; New York at 42S5, 4S5; Chica- go at 2,4S3.641; Philadelphia at l,s9l,- 161; Pittsburg, at 100000; Boston at s07 ,0oo. Baltimore at 567Oo0; St. Louis at 75OO00; Cleveland at 526.o0o and Cincinnati at 425,000.
 AS Birmingham's extended limits oo not become effective until October l. 1909, the greater city will not appear in the list, even with an estimate oe- fore January. 1910. In the next cen sus Birmingham will be found With about 12o,O0O, and that without Ems ley. It is likely that Ensley will vote itself in before June, 1910, and in that event Birminghams population woul1 be increa sed to 135, ,000."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-24
Sousa's Proqramme.

Lovers of artistic music are pointing out the excellence of Sousas programmes which will be rendered at the Jefferson this afternoon.
 'f always enjoy a fine band, such as Sousas, but the bills do not always in- terest me- said a well known amateur. "Sousca's programmes for Friday, how ever, are gems. They include good deal or music of a high order, but it is not the sort that overtaxes-~ the intellectuals. Liszt's Le Prelude, which opens the matt nee programme, for example, is one of the most beautiful and popular works writ ten for the grand orchestra Wagner's Ride of the Valkyres' is another popular thing that Sousa plays. The Kaiser overture will be heard here for the first time and then we will hear many dainty, artistic, light pieces that will tickle alike the ear of the real music lover and the general public"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-24
PennsyIvania's Tws-cent Law

The Pennsylvania railroad promptly put in force the 2-cent law of 1907, and then it began a suit in the state courts to test 1t. The suit has just been heard by the supreme court of that state, and the decision runs in favor of the con- testing railroad.
 And yet the decision is but three by-four decision, and it does not de- clare the act of 1907 unconstitutional. The section of the constitution of Pennsylvania which authorizes railroad regulation says that the power shall not be exercised in manner to do ''injustice" to corporator. Here is where the four members of the highest ERTt of the state found something to
 ' their decision on. They said the
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-24
ApE FOR FAIRBANKS.

From the Washington Post.
 George Ade. humorist, playwright and farmer, is playing a new role. He made his debut as a politician in Washington last night MT Ade who is registered from Brooks, Ind, came to Washington to attend the dinner given by Vice Pres ident Fairbanks
 Now. I am not a politician by profess slon,' said MT. Ade last night at the New Willard. ''but they asked me out in In- dana if I would accept an election as delegate to the republican national con- vention. and, like any good farmer who Is offered an office, said. of co;irse would. Then they asked me for whom l would vote if I were elected a delegate, and, of course again. I replied that l would vote for an Indiana man.
 It is to be inferred, therefore. that MT. Ade is a Fairbanks man. and this infer ence is strengthened by the fact that tho humorlst- -playwrisht-fa politician was one of the last of Vice President Fair banks guests to say good night at tine dinner last night.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-24
From the Wall Street Journal

From the WalI SLfeeL
 JANUARY 16 saw the continuation of foU an important stage of the great O project being worked out by Henry M. Flagler. when the new railroad from Miami to Knights Key is opened. This line is the longest part of the am bilious extension of the Florida East Coast railway, by which the roads ter minus will be moved from Homestead, Fla, to Key West, 12s miles further south.
 Construction work on the extension was begun on May l. 1905, and the frequent en- gineering problems met with each step solved. Stretching it's way from key tu key over intervening lanes of water vary ing In depth from few inches to 30 feet, the new line when completed will have been built for "A miles on land, 20 miles through swamps and 9 miles over water. It has been appropriately nicknamed the "seagoing railroad" On the entire route 50 keys are crossed and the delay accom- panying the procuring of material for the connecting concrete viaducts has prevent ed earlier completion of the new section.
 Included i'm the 15o miles from Miami are nearly six miles of concrete viaduct and 80 miles of embankment, rising 31 feet above the water, to protect the track from storms. The line has 10 bridges, two Of them drawbridges, with 40-foot clear open ings on each side of the pier and one with a clear opening of 100 feet on each side. The longest viaduct, from Key West to Conch Key, is 105Oo feet built in the
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-24
About Persons.

Mayor Crabtree and H. G. Hood, a prominent attorney of Chattanooga, both Bryan men, spent yesterday in the city. The various state officials will return to Montgomery this morning. The early Louisville and Nashville will carry from Birmingham Governor Conner, Treasurer Seed, Auditor Brandon, Secretary of State Julian, Superintendent of Education Gun nels, Secretary of the Supreme Court Nc Cord, Official Stenographer McGauley, President of the Railroad Commission Henderson, Associate Railroad Commis- sioner Nesbitt, Judge Weakley, Judge w. H. Wilkerson and numerous others
 McIane Triton, of Pell City, cashier of the Bank of St. Clair County, spent yes terday in Birmingham. Mir. Triton IS candidate for delegate from the Seventh district to the national convention, and there is every assurance that he will De elected.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-24
iNASM

By Edwin Markham. Wild tempest swirled on Moscow's castled
 height; Wild sleet shot slanting down the wind
 of night; Quick snaring mouths from out the dark
 ness sprang To strike you in the face with tooth and
 fang, Javelins of ice hung on the roofs of all; The very stones were aching in the wall. Where Ivan stood, @ watchman on his
 hour, Guarding the Kremlin by the northern
 tower, t When lot a half-bare beggar tottered past, Shrunk up and stiffened in the bitter
 blast, A heap of misery, he drifted by. And from the heap came out broken At this the watchman strengthened with
 start; An old dear sorrow rushed upon his
 heart. The thought of his dead father, bent and
 old, And lying lonesome in the ground so cold. Then quick the watchman cried out at his
 post: Little father. this Is yours; you need it
 most" A And tearing off his hairy coat he ran And wrapped 1t warmly round the peg
 garman That night the piling snows began to
 fall, And the good watchman died beside the
 wall. But waking in that better land that lies Under the greater stars that are Gods
 eyes, Behold! the Lord came out to greet
 him home, Wearing the coat he gave by Moscows
 dome By Moscow's tower before he felt the
 gravel And Ivan, by the old earth-memory
 stirred, Cried softly with a wonder in his word, And where, dear Lord, found You this
 coat of mine A thing unfit for glory such as Thine?' Then the Lord answered with look of
 light This coat, my son, you gave to me last nisht:''
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-24
MANHATTAN,s HANGING GARDEN

From the New York World.
 When Nebuchadnezzar's queen com plained of the hatness of Babylon, remem- bering the hills of her native Media, the king built for her the Hanging Gardens It is perhaps in response to somebody s feeling of a dead level of elaboration in the white-light district that plans have been drawn for an elevated lake and summer garden on Broadway. Standing in Long Acre Square, when this dream is fulfilled, one shall look upward to see real trees and real shrubbery growing from truly messy banks high in air.
 Being a strictly modern Babylon, how ever, New York will not terrace it's hang ing garden. Instead, it will place under heath a gorgeous dining hall to eclipse every existing restaurant and to seat S00O persons That Is the rest of the dream There are cynical persons who, given the first part of this proposition, would have said at once: Scratch the garden and find a new lobster palace"
 Over this newly planned resort the epi- cures will express no pleasure. These sensitive persons tell us that evolution has gone backward with New York in re- spect of its dining and supping; that we have become 6 voracious city, but a. city without taste, fond of garish displays. indulging not according to our palates but our purses. The garden block in Broad way will cost a few millions. We spend now--we and our yisitors-almost $4, 0000O0 a day for food and drink. But who can buy at any price the fine judgment and appreciation which are the wealth of the table connoisseur?
 Nevertheless, it will be cool and fascin- ating up by the elevated Long Acre lake, while down with the lights and the band below the latest improved Babylon will not much hasten to it's fall as accelerate its dyspepsia.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-24

tolerable burden upon the people and at the same time without creating heavy deficit. The president should be not only a business man, but one who has made a success in managing his own affairs. And, above all, he should be as fearless as he should be resourceful
 In view therefore, of conditions that confront us, it behooyes the citizens of Birmingham to choose wisely and we'll This is a critical time in the city's history and the people simply cannot afford to be indifferent Or so make mistake.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-24
AROUND THE COUNTRY

Dallas News Some nighty statesmen carry all their ballast under their waist bands
 Memphis Commercial Appeal: Already some people are referring to her as the Lost Atlanta.
 Youngstown Telegram: One of the most strenuous of jobs is an attempt to wear out the grip.
 Newark Star: Professor Jaggers has found two new volcanoes. He can keep 'em for all we care.
 Richmond Journal: Scratch an Indianian and you will catch a novelist and then be sorry you scratched
 Kansas City Star: The Sob Squad may not think so, but the really pathetic figure in the Thaw trial is not Little Evelyn, but Mrs William Thaw.
 Portland Telegram: In a number of southern localities there is a good deal of the extra dry this year, which does not mean champagne by g jugfull.
 Louisville Coufler-j oufnal. What IS the unpardonable sin? is being hotly discussed in the peoples column of an eastern journal How about hot mince at midnight?
 New York Telegram: This is a free country, but any time you feel like talk ing to yourself with twitching mouth and blank. shiny eyes, stay indoors, or the alienist man will get you. Florida Times-Union: The Buffalo Times must take our naval heroes for coffee kids. It says the fleet has taken Rio. Next Java. And then Mocha '" Thought it was Japanese tea it was to down.
 Washington Herald: And now the barb CTS threaten to raise the price of a shave, because so many men use safety razors these days. There it goes again. The innocent bystander always pays the freight
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-24
A HElNE OLD WOMAN.n

From Journals of Sir George Smart"
 During the evening a gentleman came to Mrs. Siddons and said: Madam, I beg your pardon for asking so rude a question. but in consequence of a wager allow me to ask your age"
 She replied: "Seventy-eight years old
 'Damme,'' said he. ''I have lost" and he abruptly went away
 Mrs. Sddons immediately said ''Puppy!' Every true" I observed, but why did you tell him you were so old?''
 She replied: Whenever lady of an uncertain age. as it is termed. is asked how old she is she had better add ten or more years to her age, for then the inquirer goes away saying What me old woman"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-24
EASY MARKS.

From the Wall Street Journal
 A firm of Wall street bankers have had a swindlsr arrested for obtaining s1oo from the firm for advertising in publication which did not exist.
 It is one of the extraordinary traits of human nature that men who in the ordi- nary conduct of their business will exer- else even unnecessary vigilance in the placing of their advertisements in reput- able publications are the first to fall vic- tins to swindles of this character.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-24
REFLECTIONS OF A BACHELOR.

From the New York Press.
 woman treasures q lot of old photo graphs even after she can't remember who they are.
 When a man doesn't get mad over his politics it's because he happens to know what he's talking about.
 The man who gives his wife a bunch of yiolets once in Q while is better husband than if he supplies her with square meals every day.
 The trouble with the opportunity that knocks at the door of everybody Is it calls before the average man is out of bed in the morning.
 The average business man has such q keen business sense that when anybody does s-cent favor for him he gives him a cigar worth a quarter of dollar.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-24
A REMARKABLE RAILROAD

most substantial way. In places concrete work on the railway has cost more than $o00,o0O per mile. The road is, of course, single track. with 7o-pound rails, and is an excellent piece of construction work. For the extensive grading necessary 400o men were employed last winter.
 The completion of the road is expected to make wonderful change in the devel- opment of Key West. With railroad fa- cilities this city should take a position as port entry par with Galveston, Mo- bile and New Orleans. Key West will ob- viously be the port of Cuban traffic, be- ing but a little more than four hours distant from Havana, and will be the nearest rail connection for Haiti, Santo Domingo and the Panama canal. From the opening of tie canal a large amount of profitable business is expected to origi- nate, while the winter tourist traffic is a sure source of considerable passenger revenue. Property and real estate in Key West have advanced by leaps since the coming of the railroad was made certain. The city's harbor is expected to provide wharfage space for 40 deep-sea vessels, with wharves 500 feet long. The harbor has been filled in for an area of S00x1500 feet by pumping mad from the bay, and upon this newly made land will be built the terminal. There will also be erected here another F1agler hotel
 Completion of the last section of 46 miles to Key West will be pushed, but will not be accomplished for many months.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-24
Bryan's Popularity.

MT. Bryan was always popular in Ala bama, but his popularity increases with the years,s remarked man about town last night He draws better than any attraction offered here. Crowds came to- day from surrounding towns and I have not seen as many men on the streets in a long while as l saw this afternoon, when Bryan finished speaking at the Bijou. Every one who heard the great demo- cratic leader said it was the finest speech of all '"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-24
DEAR MoTHER-IN-LAW.

From February Transatlantic Tales.
 He-Your mother is becoming more and more a balloon, but less and less dirigible!
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-24

Newfoundland has secured a ship load of reindeer and it proposes to keep the continent well balanced in that respect Alaska has an American monopoly in the big animals.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-24

The late Edmund Clarence Stedman, banker and poet, made two comfort able fortunes in Wall street, but, strangest of all, he lost but one of them there.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-24

The fleet always steams away on schedule time, anarchists or no an- archists.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-24

The fleet no doubt carried away from Rio good supply of Java and Mocha coffee, both of which are grown in the back districts of Brazil.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-24

Count Baszlo Szchenyi says he meant no attack on the American press when he was impelled to strike newspaper photographer.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-24

Steerage travel out of New York ex- ceeds the incoming travel of that sort three to one. The steerage has De- come a barometer of our national con dition.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-24

Admiral Bob Evans has sailed away with one foot in sling. Heres to his good health at Punta Arenas.