davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-07-12

The electoral vote of the country IS 4S3 and the successful ticket must therefore command PAP. The states of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Geor- gia. Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas cast 164 votes, and scarcely any one doubts for a moment how all these votes will be cast. Take 164 from PAP and we have left 7S. That is the number of votes that MT. Bryan needs in addition to his sure vote.
 It is widely believed that he is en- tertaining no day dreams about the state that holds Wall street and MT. Hearst. He is veteran campaigner, and he knows every state. He is no doubt looking to the middle west and to some extent to the far west. He can reasonably hope to carry Della ware. Colorado, Indiana, Nebraska and Wisconsin. and those states cast 39 votes. He still needs 39 votes. A bat tie must be fought for those votes in Illinois. Nebraska and Rhode Island, which cast just 39 votes. Who can say that in these times and under present circumstances Illinois, Nebraska and Rhode Island are hopelessly tied to the party that is filling the land With special privileges and private monop- olies? AS a matter of fact, no one knows how California, Idaho, Montana, woming and even Kansas will vote this year.
 Ii will be observed that all these figures rest upon the assumption that New York's 39 votes will be cast for the Taft ticket, and it Is safer and saner to assume that they will be. The best friends of MT. Bryan think he can be elected without the vote Of New York, and the campaign promises to he based on that opinion. MT Cleve- land did not need the vote of New York in 1892, and Mir. Bryan may not get 1t or need it in 1908.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-07-12
To Tax Bachelors In Germany

The German Emperor has certainly stolen a march on our American poli- tical reformers in his advocacy of tax on bachelors. He has outdone even Theodore Roosevelt, who had held the championship of the world in the matter of race suicide and the child. Thus far the details of the Elm peror's plan have not been made pub lie, but the German newspapers in dis cussing it generally think it will take the form of an income tax. The Ger man bachelor, in other words, will be taxed in proportion to his income, the object of the tax being both govern ment revenue and the melting of the bachelor to become a useful member of society by the matrimonial route. The Berlin Tageblatt is inclined to consider the proposed measure class legislation. Germany is, however, ac- customed to class legislation and she will undoubtedly accept any tax that has a tendency to drive bachelors to the customary duties of life.
 The New fork Evening Post thinks the proposed tax In Germany will con- mand the approval of economists in all countries. and that MT. Roosevelt will be very apt to link 1t with old age pensions, and make his appeal for reelection In 1912 on tax of bache- lors for the benefit of the aged.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-07-12
Georeia Banks Organized

Eighteen Georgia national banks, in- cluding those of Atlanta and Augusta and those in Athens, Gainesville, Car rollton, Columbus, Forsyth, Gaines vile. Griffin, Jackson, Marietta, Rome and Toccoa, have formed currency association under the terms of the Aldrich-Vreeland act. These eighteen banks have a capital of -$6 ,203,0 900 and a surplus of $5,616,000. Atlanta was
 made the headquarters of the associ-
 ation, and the entire affair was close ly modelled after the one recently or
 ganized in New York.
 This is the first currency association organized in the south. No doubt there will be other associations formed in this part of the country. States in other sections are being covered by such associations, but as no need Is felt for them at this time, no effort IS being made to organize in Alabama. ] There would not bs room for more
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-07-12
Campaign Contributions

George R. Sheldon, the new treas urer of the republican national com mittee. is a friend and pupil of Corne- Illus N. Bliss, and he served in the Hughes campaign of 1906 as a slush gatherer. He was successful slusher, and the laurels he won in 1906 have doubtless led to his promotion in the Hitchcock regime.
 Treasurer Sheldon has some respect at least for public opinion relative to the publicity of campaign funds, which is more than the republican national convention had. MT. Sheldon says he will be guided solely by the campaign publicity law, meaning, of course, the New York law, for the republicans in Congress refused to pass any publicity bill whatever.
 The New York law forbids contribu- tons by corporations, but as corpora. lions have long been in the habit of
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-07-12

putting up gold for campaign expenses in individual names the New York law will not prove seriously embarrassing. It will call for little more persuasion perhaps. and an additional clerk or two.
 The most that can be said in favor of the Sheldon acceptance of the New York law is that it is a recognition of the state of public sentiment on that subject. The Chicago convention was mum on that subject, and the practices of the republican party in the purchase of elections are known to all but the blind, deaf and mute. The democratic platform, on the other hand, is dis tinct and definite when it says, We pledge the democratic party to the en77 actment of a law preventing any cor poration contributing to a campaign fund and any individual from con- tributing an amount above a reason able minimum, and providing for the publication before election of all such contributions"
 In this connection it is we'll to keep in mind not only MT. Sheldon's prom ises, but his record also. He comes direct from the trusts. He reorganized the shipbuilding trust, and he has been connected with many other trusts. His record shows why he was made treas urer of the republican national com mittee. He knows where to look for campaign subscriptions, and how to get them. He said as much in a recent interview.
 It is absurd to say that law of New York can legally be fitted to campaign subscriptions made, for example, In Pittsburg or Philadelphia. It was not intended to cover a national campaign, certainly not subscriptions for it made in other states. Whatever is done must be voluntarily done, and that little will consist, no doubt, in prom ises and finely worded campaign state ments.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-07-12
IN HOTEL HOBBIES
o'BrIen for Mayor.

Registration officials tell me that Of those who have registered for the ap- preaching primary a very large majority are for Capt. Frank P. O'Brlen for may or" said Ross c. Smith. Tt is my pre- diction that o'Brlen will come out winner three to one, and this seems to be the prevailing idea.
 Captain O'Brien is not only one of our pioneer citizens, but he has been one or our most public spirited men all these years. He has filled with honor and abil- ity every office to which he has been elected, and as mayor he would safe guard every interest of this community and handle in a most satisfactory man. ner all the difficult pi )lems of the Great CT Birmingham.
 "A particularly strong point in O'Brien favor is the fact that not being engaged actively In business, he would devote his entire time to the city's service; ana while he would give especial attention to sanitation and to the matter of keeping the streets clean, and while he would urge street improvement, he would act justly and not allow Improvements to be made where such work would mean con- fiscation of property. In short, he would make a model mayor"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-07-12
A WOMAN WITH A CAREER.
m the New York World

From the New York World.
 Isabella Gordon Gray is dead In Manhat- tan, aged 52. For particulars of her life in America-she was Scotch by birth one might search in vain through Who's Who" and the directories of women's clubs Nevertheless she was a woman with a career.
 Miss Gray died at the home of Gilliat Schroeder, in East Seventysecond street She had been employed in the family for 8. years. First she brought up the Schroeder children; then she turned her attention Loyalty to the grandchildren, who also rose up to call her blessed.
 It was not for Miss Gray to be of the fortunate army of mothers counselled by a paternal President. Is 1t matter of less reward that she was faithful to two generations of the children of other peo- pie?
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-07-12
Interest. In Good Roads.

'I am delighted to know that an asso- ciation to promote the Tennessee-to-the Gulf highway is being organized said Commissioner of Agriculture J. A. Will knson. T will be glad to become a charter member of such an organization which is to creat a sentiment for the building of a state highway. Nothing would add more to rural development of good roads.
 T am in full accord with the idea that the great highways or thoroughfares should be built and that all county roads should connect with such highways Fur ther, the government should be encour- aged to contribute to the improvement of all post roads No section of the country will prosper and advance in the scale of civilization until it is put in touch with the mighty trend of good road building, which is to result in connect ing the rural districts with the centers of industry and commerce. l believe that good roads will build up our coun- try faster than any other thing that could be done"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-07-12
okIahoma's Prosperity.

Judge Preslie B. Cole of McAlister, Okla, spent yesterday in Birmingham He was on his way to his old home at Turin, Ga., and was accompanied by his little daughter. He Is judge of the Fourth district, or circuit, of Okla homa, and is making fine record.
 When he was a candidate the cor porations were against him, but from all accounts his decisions have been so just and so free from bias that all classes are now friendly to him. Since going on the bench at the time Okla homa was erected into state, Judge Cole has tried 800 cases.
 T was blow boy in Georgia" said Judge Cole, 'but when I went to Okla homa I read law and was admitted to the bar. I practiced for some years but. went from bad to worse. finally reaching the bench.
 "Oklahoma Is a great state. When I settled ther 1t had population of less than 900. Its population now, ac- cording to the governments count is 1,400,0 900. It Is rich in natural re- sources. It Is greater oil state than Pennsylvania. It has valuable coal mines, and in agriculture 1t is wonder fully productive.
 New corners are settling in Okla homa every day and the population will soon reach the 2,0O0,O00 mark. We have many Alabamians in Oklah oma Our chief justice R. l.. Williams, is from Alabama, and State Senator w. N Redwine of McAlister is an AIabamian. Not one of the old southern states, in | fact, is more largely represented In | Oklah oma than Alabama; and none has sent us higher class of men. "Oklahoma will give Bryan and Kern | 30,000 to 10000 majority. MT. Bryan was, in my opinion, the logical can I didate. He Is stronger now than ever,
 and I think his chances for election are l good"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-07-12
A NEW OCCUPATION.

From the Chicago News.
 Good looking young women have found in Paris a new calling, playing the cured patient" Visitors who find time hanging heavily on their hands in a doctors waiting room are drawn into conversation The good looking woman, who is evidently in the pink of health, tells the visitor how Ill she was. Neuritis, rheumatism, gout, dyspepsia, and vertigo were combined in her case with appendi- citis and Authorization. Several physi- clans treated her expensively and left her worse. She went in despair to the present doctor, who cured her in three weeks. She has come today merely to thank him. The cured patient charges 8 a day, but doctors find that the money is not thrown away.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-07-12
Jefferson County Soil Survey.

q do not wish to appropriate honors to myself which are due to others" said State Senator N. L. Miller yesterday.
 Tn an interview published in this morn ing's paper I am made to say that the bill providing for the state of Alabama to assist the federal government in survey ing the soils of the state was introduced by me. It had been introduced by someone else, but had been referred to the com mittee of which I had the hopor to be chairman. Sufficient interest had not been aroused for the bill to secure favorable consideration by the committee until at my instance and pursuant to an arrange ment made me by Prof. F. E. Bonsteel of the bureau of soils, United States depart ment of agriculture, at Washington, and Hon. O. w. Underwood came to Mont gomery and appeared before the commit tee and clearly presented the advantages to be derived from the surveys. I per. sonally urged and secured favorable re- bort on the bill and 1t was passed, and think I can falrly claim that but for my efforts the bill would have died in the committee.
 By reason of the progress already made by the federal government in the Ninth congressional district the cost to the state of the survey of this district will be less than the survey of any other congress sional district. Our enterprise should be rewarded rather than punished by the postponement of our survey.
 The work of the department of soil survey necessarily precedes the work of the department of soil utilization All kinds of farming will find these depart ments useful, but diversified farming, such as truck gardening and fruit growing, will find them more useful than will the grow ing of staple crops. such as corn and cot ton. Jefferson county has more truck farms than any other county in the state
 'The state should hasten to do the work which will be most useful
 Jefferson countys enterprise made the states part in the work possible, and it should be the first county to be surveyed It is not right for our state agricultural department to postpone us"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-07-12
Iuke Wright In the Cabinet

One has to go back to the days befo' the war to find a southern man in the war office. It was formerly the favor ite cabinet appointment of southern Headers. and Jefferson Davis once held the portfolio.
 Tn all the days from Lincoln's ac- cession to the presidency in 1861, period of 47 years, very few men from the cotton states have served as cab met officers. L. o. c. Lamar of Mis- sissippi and A. H. Garland of Arkan- sas did hold places in MT. Cleveland's first cabinet, while Hoke Smith of Georgia and Hilary A. Herbert of Ala hama served in his second cabinet. Be- sides these General Grant did make Amos T. Alderman of Georgia attor- ney general; MT. Hayes made David M. Key of Tennessee postmaster gen. eral. and MT. Garfield conferred upon William H. Hunt of Louisiana the ap- pointment to the naval portfolio. Key, Ackerman and Hunt were appointed as republicans, but Gen. Luke Wright enjoys the distinction of being called AS a democrat to a cabinet of repub- lican president. No one claims that General Wright has changed his politi- cal convictions. The appointment is one of those eccentricities that belong to the Roosevelt regime.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-07-12

than one in this state, but Georgia has one association eentered at Atlanta, and by joining the Savannah and Brunswick banks with some banks in the interior of the state and In South Carolina a second currency association is said to be possible. In the South Atlantic Currency association there are 23 banks, and some Florida banks will probably be included in order to carry the joint capitalization to s5,Q00,- 900.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-07-12
THE AFFAIR IN THE GARDEN
IN THE NEoL1THIc AGE.

IN THE NEOLITHIC AGE. Earth dwellers had few worries in the
 Neolithic age And life was lived on rather simple
 lines; For when no gllded luxuries his idle
 thoughts engage Iris seldom that a mortal ever pines. Enough to eat, some skins to wear, per-
 haps a spark of fire, A place of refuge in a mountain cave Brought sweet content into the breast Of
 evry ancient sire Who slew the mighty mammoth and was
 brave. The merry game of politics was not in-
 vented then, The bill collector hadn't started round; The vain pursuit of riches didn't tax the
 minds of men And plunge their wives in misery pro-
 found. In trolley cars they didn't ride, or hang
 upon strap, The chauffeur hadn't come upon the
 scene, Nor was there any octopus to make the
 people scrap Der bread and meat and coal and gaso-
 line. The suffragette was quite unknown-a fe-
 male some despise- Race suicide in those days was a joke There wasn't any "Bag-o'-Gas," pretend
 ing to be wise, Who got a fancy price each time he
 spoke. Two-thirds of all the problems that we
 struggle with today, Der which we lose our tempers and
 our hair, Had never pumped themselves upon the
 neolithic way, To drive weak men and women to de-
 spair. It wasn't such a fearful risk to have a familee- There weren't so many costly things
 to buy, And father didn't send his son to mako
 the Varsitee And mother and the girls were not so
 fly. Both ends were often known to meet-they seldom do it now There wasn't so much question bout the wage. Oh. life was rather pleasant, am ready to avow. Az lived back in the Neolithic age! THROBBING. "A girl was gathering flowers on the
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-07-12
Platitudes and Truth.

''The great presidential candidates and the other campaign spellbinders will give voice to many platitudes between now and November, but they should not be criticised for that" said an old lawyer.
 Tt is quite the fashion for conven- tional critics and carping persons to speak disparagingly of campaign oratory They arc in the habit of calling all great truths platitudes. But as the late Joel Chandler Harris said. in concluding an article on Faith" which appears in the July number of Uncle Remus' Magazine: These statements are platitudes, of course, but 1t is well once in a while to shake live and wiggling platitude in the face of the public, If only to reassure some of the hopeless ones that God is in His world. and that all is we'll |"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-07-12
REFLECTIONS OF A BACHELOR.

From the New York Press.
 When a man has to support an affinity she isn't
 Like champagne, all the bubbles como out of a romance when 1t Is uncorked. anything themselves is they can tell every body else how to do it.
 What . woman likes about going away for the summer is she can afterward call hotel.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-07-12

brink of precipice several hundred feet high" "Yes" Suddenly, a well-dressed man, who had an evil face, appeared" Yes" ''He spoke to her. she wheeled round and turned deadly pale.'' Yes" What! You here? she cried. Leave me at oncer The man seized her by the throat" ''Yeh!' Back and forth they swayed, while ceath waited below" "Yehl' Nearer and nearer they draw to the precipice. Horrorsi Both are fallingr "Yehr" "No! Just at this moment another man rushes out, takes the girl in his arms end hurls the first man over the cliff." "Great!' And they got six curtain calls' 'Aw, shucksP'
 LIFEs MORNING.
 You were not so tall
 So worldly-wise.
 Back there in the past
 When you made mud pies.
 You were not so proud,
 And still and cold
 When we said we would wed
 In the days of old.
 For I kissed you then
 And dried your tears,
 But haven't done that
 In years and years!
 EASY "She could make a monkey out of me- q wouldn't consider that an all-day job"
 ALL OF LIFE.
 A little while
 Some task to try;
 A tear, smile
 And then--"Goodbye'
 ANOTHER MATTER. .My wife handed me stin punch last night" "Gracious! I didn't know your quarrels ever went that farl"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-07-12
AT THE CLOSE OF DAY.

AT THE CLOSE OF DAY. Just a little song at twilight, When the shadows softly creep And wandring wind in the tree tops Rocks the fedgeling birds to sleep; When the firo-fy g1eams are glancing And the timid stars appear, And the window panes are shining With ray of humble cheer. Just a little song at twilight, When the dreamfu1 roses nod And the soul of the dying lily Goes up to its waiting God: When the cricket bands are chirping And the night bird softly calls, And the spell of purple evening Over man and nature falls. Just little song at twilight With quaint, yet tender air, With the note of world-old sadness That a chastened heart must bear; Just a song to cool the anguish And to drive away the pain One that tells of home and mother. Else simple love refrain.
 PAUL COOK.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-07-12
TO EACH HIS sUFFERINos.

By Thomas Grdy TO each his sufferings: all are men,
 Condemn'd alike to groan; The tender for mothers pain,
 The unfeeling for his own. Yet. al1! why should they know their Since sorrow never comes too late,
 And happiness too swiftly flies? E {
 Thought would destroy their para9, No more; where ignorance is blisa
 Iris folly to be v-a-> A
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-07-12

In Newport proceedings have been started to make dilatory millionaires pay their grocery bills. Even in New port there Is no escape from the pay ment of bills.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-07-12

Senator Brandigee was the Fourth of July orator at the states big peni- tentiary, and he must have held his audience spellbound. for none of them got Up and went home.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-07-12

The leftover vice-presidential aspi- rants may seek revenge in the prohibit tion convention that is to be held this week in Columbus, o.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-07-12
Campaign Figures and Prospects

We give below a compact form of the results of the three last presiden- tial elections so far as the candidates of the two big parties were concerned, as follows:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-07-12

The Duke of the Abruzzi proposes, it is said, to be an October bride groom, and this means that Steve Elk ins and royalty will soon become as two cherries on one stem.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-07-12

The two candidates for president have expansive smiles, but Taft out does his opponent in the width of chairs.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-07-12
WHILE AWAY FROM HOME.

Birmingham people who are leaving home for the summer should have The Aee-Herald follow them, and thus keep Informed about what Is taking place in the city and state during their absence. The Aue-Herald will be sent to them at any address at the regular price, and the address will be" changed as often as desired.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-07-12

The candidate for president of the socialist labor party has decided that he can get along without front porch campaign.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-07-12

Texas begins to want to know if MT. Taft is wearing at Hot Springs those justly celebrated mohair trous- CTS.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-07-12

The case of Bryan vs. Taft will not be submitted to the jury of their coun- trymen.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-07-12

As a yearling Oklahoma is playing an active part in affairs as they come along.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-07-12

The big conventions are ended and baseball stands ready to resume it's place at the head of amusements.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-07-12

Some fear that Pennsylvania will go republican this fall because Guffey was bounced at Denver.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-07-12

All democrats are cordially support ing the ticket except Colonel Guffey, who stands true to Standard oil.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-07-12

The convention adopted a platform, selected an excellent running mate, and went home hopeful and happy.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-07-12

Hot Springs and Lincoln now out rank Oyster Bay and Esopus.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-07-12

When Rockefeller passed his 69th birthday he got, alas, no souvenir pos tai card from Ida Tarbell.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-07-12

Orchard may fear that if he Is not hanged he may be nominated for the presidency in 1912
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-07-12

Guffey can still pose in a picturesque attitude with an oil tank for the back ground.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-07-12

The democrats cannot carry New York while Chauncey M. Depew re- mains placid and full of anecdotes.