davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-10-17
BLACK BELT LANDS.
Suitable to Alfalfa, Says DemODOlis Farm

Suitable to Alfalfa, Says DemOpoIs Farm Selma Journal
 Winter forage, and the diversification of crops being an issue of vital interest and importance to farmers of the Black firm from MT. ]. c. Webb, of Demopolis. detailing the virtues and profits of alfalfa will be of interest.
 According to the letter. attention to the crop will bring about a production of ten tons of hay to the acre, which. selling at a price of S20 a ton. prove very profitable crop The letter of MT. Webb is as follows:
 Demopolis. Ala. 1o-1A. 'os. I have been raising alfalfa ever since 1871 and have never been without 1t since I think all the Canebrake lands will make good alfalfa, provided they are properly drained I consider that the first prerequi site and without 1t, you are wasting time. labor, seed and throwing away the use of tbe land The best time to SOW alfalfa Is about the middle of February. The richer and more fertilizer you put on 1t the better tho crop. have ten acres near my compress hare that I have cut over ten tons to the acre on this year. and sold my alfalfa hay as fast as I could get it out and pack at SEQ per ton. The field. of alfalfa is now green and several inches high and will cut 1t again. Have already cut 1t six times. l never expect to be without it. and think It is the greatest money maker that grows. but a man must be prepared to cure it properly to get big prices for it. would be glad to answer any specific questions further than above. l do not know the names of any parties who are raising much alfalfa. except J l. Thornton, Watsonia' and MT Frank Inge, Watsonla, Ala.
 Yours truly,
 John c. webb.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-10-17
WHO PAYS THE COST OF wARq
Distributed 0veFl the World and No Nation
 Can Eaeana

Distributed OveF the World and No Nation
 Can Escape.
 Wall Street Journal.
 The war cloud that now hangs over East ern Europe looks very black indeed It Is fooishness to deny the seriousness of the situation Logically. 1t points at the dis membcrment of the Turkish empire and the practically wIping out of Turkey in Eu- rope; and such development as this. dis turbinR the international balance of power. is well calculated to bring on a conflict of awful proportions. There is in the present political situation in Europe the possibility of the greatest world history that has been made in fifty years
 But while the possibility exists, it IS well to remember that the chances always favor peace Under modern conditions 1t Is dif- 5ficult to bring on war. and this is one of the greatest gains which has been made in the relations of the nations by the advance of civilization. There was a time when the changes always favored war whenever an international complication arose. but with the development of modern means of communication. and with the tremendous expansion of commerce the beginning of of the financial markets, which are always opposed to such a catastrophe. The pOwer of money in tho long run generally wins against the power of military ambition.
 There should be no mistalzing the econom- ic meaning of war. It can be summed up in the one word waste" Temporarily 1t may produce imitation and speculation. and for certain commodities higher prices. and thus make the fortunes of some people. but It Is the sinking of capital in unproduetlvs work. The money that is needed to fi- nance war is money diverted from lsgiti- mate enterprise.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-10-17
would stiii be many and fat offices in sight. Mir. chafin is on the wrong track ss phophet.
SCHOOL BOOKS.

SCnOOL bOOnS.
 Down at Montgomery some of the politicians are wrought up on the subject of the new school books. Some Montgomery men. are dIspleased Joseph and Loeb, got the contract for the books. ands some are displeased that the publishers have not put the ts books in on the date. dates named ned Also ttss so said. For instance The Montgom- cry Advertiser prints the following ar- ticle on the school books as Mont
 "It fs reported on reliable authority now that the schools can get all the books they want which have been pub known the commission adopted in manuscript form, in fact, before the context was finally composed. This book, 1t is said. will not be accessible until a month or so hence"
 Thereby hangs a tale. It Is rumored that one of the books was contracted for if 1t should be written down to date In 2 satisfactory way to some alluded to here.
 As the rumor Is passing through the. state in unwritten form. it will probably get into print when some body can get witness willing to tes- tify in the public print. The Adver- tiser has said enough to bring out the state wants 1t. It is the next interest ing decision. What was 1t and what is 1t to contain ain2-Birmingham Ledger.
 An investigation since the publica- tion of the above editorial has devel- oped the fact that The Ledger had more inside information on the school book adoption than The Advertiser. As The Ledger doubtless knows each number of the large Text Book Com mission, headed by the Governor. was bound to secrecy. In other words the school books were adopted much after the manner by which the now famous Code was passed.
 But now and then a morsel of in- formation Is dropped. In one particu- lar. The Ledger is correct. The new School History of Alabama was adopt ed in manuscript form. The first advance copies have just come from the hands of the publisher. The Advertiser is not prepared to say that 1t was adopted with the proviso that "it should be written down to date in a satisfactory way to some- body" But certain changes were sug- gested by members of the Commits | sion and the suggestions. it is said, were adopted.
 It Is known that the manuscript did contain a chapter. or part of a chapter devoted to the present state | administration. And The Advertiser feels the same interest in reading that | chapter as The Ledger, now that the book is out.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-10-17
MORNING THOUGHT
BY ;. MARVIN NICHOLS.
v |.

False stand The sreatss.
 ards statesman this produced said: If I work In marble. n time 1t will crum- ble; if work with brass aftera. while 1t will corrode; but 1T l work with the mind. work with Lat which will grow brighter through all etern- ity." This was an anticipation Of the great English philosophers statement: "On earth there is nothing great but mind" Webster once declared that there Is always room at the top. That trtte saying Is true. Yet, 100 many young men plunge into the world un- ftted for it's desperate struggles. Some men have succeeded without the best mental equipment. but in the near fu- ture years there shall be t few wha can thus stem the tide. Our greatest menace now. Is the amassing of for tunes. He who builds a fortune is counted a success. As a rule. the moro gold one piles up the less he becomes T public good. The tendency of wealth cify himself on his cross of gold. There Is no greater bondage than the slavery to money. The worst vassal in the world Is the man owned by his fort une. An English tourist returned with this idea of the American: "The Amer leans ideal Is the millionaire. 1T such be our ideal. how low-how infinitely low! It is said that Gladstone died comparatively poor because he was too busy to make money. Got the trick to see that point? In tears, Henry Clay spoke of h.s disadvantages be- cause of the lack of thorough train ing. George Washington was self made" man. but in the preparation of his state papers he sought out Alex ander Hamilton. a distinguished grad nate of old Columbia University. This Is no time for fiinching-no time tor whining. Our forefathers never dreamed of the sky line tIat marks the line of vision for the youth Of this day. The world has a niche of honor for every worthy young man. Goethe declared that one must be young to do great things. Men in the prime of life have ruled the world and always will. The young man who makes every thing converge on fortune building has established an ideal that will feed like cancer on his finer virtues. In the upper levels of manhood there is that which money can neither buy nor ere- ate.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-10-17
THE YOUNG MANS FIRST VOTE.

The young men of Alabama who can on November B.. cast their first vote in a Presidential election may be num- bered by the thousands. For the pro. lection of the purity of the ballot in Alabama certain restrictions have been thrown around the electorate, and the young man. before he Is clothed with the full authority of voter must dis charge certain duties to qualify and equip himself.
 He must first register as a voter and he must pay his poll tax if he owes any. These obligations are not bur- densome. Each young man, coming of age should discharge them cheer fully. He should esteem his electoral privilege as proof of his manhood and his citizenship. He should understand that he does not attain the full height of citizenship until he Is a qualified voter. It should be his pride that no omission or neglect of his. shall im- pair his title to full citizenship.
 He will have the opportunity to register on Friday and Saturday pre- ceding election day. By all means he should avail himself of that oppor- tunity. If he owes any back poll tax he should pay 1t at once. Let him start life right. as citizen and a veter. Let him keep his record clear
The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-10-17
POLITICAL POINTERS
DeubtfuI states, East and West.

Doubtful States, East and West. Washington Herald.
 An impartial summary of the politi- cal situation today discloses condi- tions that may. well incite Republican
 Taking the results of the national elections of 1904 and 1900 as a basis, 1t Is next to impossible to figure out trsmendons aSM ndSa RepHSiea1 Si 70 maJorifies and secure the larger share of electoral
 But conservative writers. who have West, agree that while on the face of things Taft ought to win. 1t Is by no means certain that he Is going to win; West. Republicans are to be found who make no secret of their intention to vote for Bryan. Fully nine-tenths 1896 and 1900 are now in line to sup port his candidacy.
 Summary of the Field. is Tas rssardaS sSti' tha as Ss DpoeS bSt ground are given below, with fair appraisement of the existing outlook:
 onio-Torn by Republican dssssn- ployment or working on half time. ne- many localities. Republican party han dicapped by a weak State ticket. party lines broken as they were never be- fore, Democrats more united than they have been since 1B92, when Cleveland secured one electoral vote, the outcome In November Is exceedingly doubtful.
 Indiana--Democrats practically sure to elect their candidate for Governor: Legislature, which is to have the choice of a United states Senator to succeed Remenway likely to be close, with present prospects favoring the Demo- crats; ;S Taft generally admitted to be thousands of votes stronger th"~ Wat son, the Republican candidate for Gov ernor; Bryan also admitted to. be races.
 Illinois-Republican weaker than In many years on account of party feuds the State for Taft by a greatly reduced
 Wisconsin-Admitted full of un- certainties, with a decided trend to- ward Bryan throughout the otate and
 eaval as a result of e4"te and national issues.
 Minnesota-Re-el of Governor John A. Johnson, Democrat. regarded as as practically rs assured; but stato evil
 Dakotas-Both Republican in all probability, in spite of aggressive cnm- gaign now being conducted by the
 Montana-Claimed by both parties but probably Democratic.
 colorado-Neither party absolutely sanguine; situation said to be more favorable to the Democrats now than
 Nebraska-More likely to be found in the Democratic column than in the Republican; regarded by Bryan him stiff as safe by at least 15.00o major
 Kansas-Republican. but By decreas-
 Iowa-Same as Kansas.
 Missouri-Safely Democratic.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-10-17
This Is My 57th Birthday
 Thomas F. Ryan.

Thomas F. Ryan. finaneier and street railway magnate, was born in Nelson county, Va, on October IT, 1851, and there received a limited education. In 1868 he went to Baltimore to seek his fortune and obtained a position in dry goods commission house. After a short time he found a position in bank and after two years he went to New York, where he formed a partner shipwith a stock broker. He prosper ed So well that in 1874 he was able to buy a seat on the Stock EXchanEss' In 1886 Mir Ryan, together with Wn- liam c. Whitney began the undertak ing of purchasing and consolidating the various surface street railway lines of New York and since then ne has been conspicuous as developer of street railway and lighting systems and as a promoter of steam railroads and various industrial enterprises He was the original promoter or the Metropolitan Street Railway and or ganized the Consolidated Traction Company of New Jersey. He was a prominent member of the syndicate which organized the Chicago union Traction Company. MT. Ryan is also extensively interested in the Seaboard and Roanoke Railroad and various other south ern railroads. He was married in 1878 and has five sons.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-10-17

The wife of a brother of the Duke of Abruzzi. and who is also sister to the Queen of Portugal is not dis posed to welcome the marriage of her brother-in-law to Miss Elkins. and de- clares in the most positive terms that she will never. no never. recognize an American sister-in-law. We don't know why she Is so stuck up about it. for We suspect Miss Elkins is fully as good as any of the family she would be marrying into. But if the Duke wants to act the part of good busi- ness man and a man of sense he will cast off all the trappings of royalty, come across and marry the Elkins girl and the Elkins millions and settle down to have a good time as an Ameri- can citizen. That would be more sen eible than to lose girl and money and be only a hanger-on around royal courts.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-10-17

presumed that Major Sibert Is on his way to Washington to report to the President and the War Department the progress being made on the canal work. He generally comes to Gads- den for a quiet rest with his aged father and mother and in his home town, at least no attempt Is even made to interview him by newspapers. His connection with the army forbidR in- terviews anyhow and Major Sibert and Colonel Goethals and Major Gaillard, the other engineers of the commits sion. unusually go about the country without talking.
 Major Sibert is known as the rubber boots" man on the big ditch. which means that he ia man who makes the dirt fly, Hcand his associate officers. Colonel Goethals be- ing at the head of the commission. are succeeding beyond the countrys most sanguine expectations and com potent authorities practically agree that the canal will be trown open to commerce during 1915.
 1t is not known just how long Major sibert will remain in Gadsden'
The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-10-17

Denying seems to be the long suit of some people these days and the El- kins family have got it good. Daugh- ter Elkins denies that she has broken off her engagement to the young Duke; Mama Elkins denies that there was ever any engagement between the young people. and now Papa Elkins denies that his wife has ever made such denial as that attribute to her. If the reporters have been correctly quoted the whole Elklns family Is in the denying business for keeps.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-10-17
This Date in History
nrtnhRr IT


 17S1-Richard M. Johnson. ninth vice president of the United States, was born in Bryant's Station. Ky. Died in Frankfort. ky. November 19. iS4s-Frederic Francois Chopin, the composer, died. Born March l. 1909. lS54-The bombardment of Sevasto- pol began.
 Boston.
 i86S-The Oregon legislature with drew its assent to the fourteenth con stitutional amendment.
 lS93-Marshal MacMahon. ex-presi- dent of the French Republic. died. Born July IS, 1908.
 1s96-The dispute over the Catholic is6smThe W. c. T. us worlds con- gress assembled in Boston.
 1907-The first regular wireless dis patch for commercial purposes was sent over the Atlantic ocean.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-10-17
SATURDAY., OCTOBER 1T. 1908.
DEMOCRATS SHOULD

HELP THE PAHTH' The Advertiser appeals earnestly 70 4he Democrats of Alabama to come to the aid of the party's Campaign Fund Other States are responding Hberally. If every Democrat in the State would give s1 1t would help nightly. The Advertiser pledges Itself to work un- ceasingly to secure the money. It IS less than three weeks to election day If you are going to contribute do so at once.
 Let every beat in the State organ ize. Every white man in every beat should be solicited. The Advertiser will receive the money and forward 1t to the National Committee.
 The campaign fund received by The Advertiser to date Is as follows: W. L. Sears. Hope Hull ;......S 1.oo Rreviously Acknowledged. ...... 644.6O
 Money should be sent to Champaign Fund. care The Advertiser" All con- frabutions will be acknowledged in the paper daily.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-10-17
Incidents and Opinions
 Throwing Light on
 The National Contest
Kentucky--same as Missouri.

Kentucky--Same as Missouri.
 Maryland-Business interests hos- tile to Bryan, but labor supporting him in larger numbers than ever before. giving the Democrats perhaps more than an even chance to carry the State.
 Delaware--Eyidently Repub 1lcan. al- though Republicans have local trou- bles which are menace to the electo- ral vote.
 New Jersey-Rrobably Republican by the smallest majority In recent years.
 New York-Registration puzzling: business interests showing marked ln- difference to national contest; Chanler generally expected to defeat Hughes, and if his majority should number any thing like as large as is now indi- cated. will endanger Taft's success.
 South--Solid as heretofore with q probably increased Republican vote in Tennessee North Carolina and e few other States.
 General sttuation-Democrati or- ganization better than at any time since 1892: Republican organization weaker than at any time since 1892: Taft handicapped in conservative quar- ters by Roosevelt's championship of him; Bryan greatly strength ened throughout the West by radicalism built up by Roosevelt; conditions mix ed and unsuai in every quarter no basis for wholly reliable prediction anywhere save for landslide through out the West; Bryan must have New York in order to wtnj an upheaval may give him number of sWestern States and stin permit Taft to win if Taft carries New York.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-10-17

That word "tote." of which we wrote some days ago. Is attracting a good deal of attention. An Atlanta reader sends this brief sentence: "Tote is of English origin. like 'rasher.' and other old-time words used by the negroes" The word rasher. as ap- piled to a thin slice of meat, especially bacon. cut off for frying or broiling, is good English. The use of the word. by the way, Is not confined to the negroes, by any means.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-10-17
,,S:r. strSyv Votes piseonsertins.

Des Molnes tIoWa) Special
 One of the things that is making a good many Republicans nervous in thls show a heavy drift to Bryan. For in- stance polls were taken lately of the three newspaper offices in West Des Moines the largest section of the city.
 TWO Of these papers are Republican and one Independent. They show Taft. Taft. land, and one s for .Hisgen; Fifteen number will vote for Bryan. A Re- publican State official who returned from Nebraska, wh ere he went to reg ister for the opening of the Rosebud reservation, reports polls of three trains that he helped to take.
 One train was ,polled at Fremont contained Nebraska people. Thirty six were for Bryan and fourteen for Taft. Another train filled with peo- pie from Iowa, Missouri and Nebraska. and bound for the Rosebud opening. was boiled outside of Omaha. It show ed out of 4e2 that 227 were for Bryan. for Hisgen., Another, trainload of persons in the land rush was polled at West Point, Neb., showing 800 for Bryan and 1S0 for Taft. Polls in one of the theatres here have showed much Bryan strength. That too much sleni- ficance should not be attached to these reports of polls and straw votes. how cent straw vote on a Northwestern passenger train near here showed twenty five votes for Taft and one for Bryan. Another train polled on the l same road showed thirty-two for Taft and thirty-seven for Bryan.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-10-17

CTS whose industry contributed to the wealth of the State. Night riderism of the Kentucky variety in the cotton States would be deplorable. It can not exist If the State authorities do their duty; and there is occasion for exercise of State authority in Alabama when the insurance companies have commenced cancellation of policies on threatened cotton gins
The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-10-17
MAJOR ". L. sIRERT

Distinguished Engineer Visiting Ills
 Parents In Gadsden.
 Gadsden Times-News,
 limited States army engineers ap- pointed by President Roosevelt 70 dig the Panama canal,' arrived m Gadsden Thursday morning to pay visit to his father and mother, Major and Mrs. W. J. Sibert. on Forest eve
 The distinguished engineer who is aiding in doing the most stupenduous knew. landed on his native soil un- heralded and only Q few even know that he Is fin the United States- It ts
The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-10-17
ALABAMA DEMOCRATS.
Have Done We'll in the Way of Con- tributiOnB.
 Oct IA 1enS

Editor The Advertiser:
 Please allow me. through your col umns. to thank the Democrats of Ala bama for their generous contributions to the National campaign fund: Ala bama has done well ,,
 We are all working hard at head quarters. l think we have the pest organization the Democratic party ever had in any campaign We have ep. rolled at 1Sa U1rb s atcias aames eo@ mitteenen and precinct chairmen so that our headauarter!ss are in ha,odt direct ct touch with every, voting precinct ID
 l know that the Democrats Of Ala bama will turn out and roll up big popular vote, and trust that the news papers of the State-weeklies as well as dailies-will urge every, Democrat of Alabama to go to the polls on cleo ton day, so that We may have the largest Democratic vote ever polled in
 Jno ". Tomlinson,
 National Committeeman from Alabama.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-10-17

The news dispatches tell us that a wild lion was recently killed in New Jersey and two wild monkeys in Rhode Island. We also hear that blind tigers are killed over in Georgia. Seems to be a great season for sport.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-10-17

The Columbia State springs another new contemporary on us when 1t credits an article to The Richmond Times-Democrat. Is 1t Richmond or New Orleans that should kick7
The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-10-17
where Are the EggsT

Union Springs Herald. .rs oD tb,, market; and fresh pork will De common when the weather gets suit. able. But where are the eggs? What has become of the hens? If things do moi change Christmas eggs will be conspicuously absent.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-10-17
swopx crRcuLArION.

The Montgomery Advertiser guaratn.seSes sSs itE adyertisera (and makes It a part ot i sns oontract when reduested) that It's oaIly Sn cuiation is larger than that of any mo'ssns ssa, newspaper printed in Alabama-ah1 ..,ise . : its sunday edition has the largest circuls xlou of any edition of any newspaper pE'n~ ed in Alabama without exception.
 The figures for September printeo ps1oM represent the actual net circnIatAon' @AA " turns having been deducted.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-10-17

Judge Taft. we are informed. feels real certain that he will carry Ohio in November. That helps some for his aide ,
The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-10-17
CostlInean of NIght RIdInR.

The lawlessness in Kentucky has cost that State an enormous sum dur ing the past year and has driven away to other States tobacco plant