davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-11-18
IN HOTEL LOBBlES
Restoration of Confidence.

The most marked improvement in the business situation since the election is based on the complete restoration of con- fidenee," said c. II. Hathaway of St. Louis. There had been a gradual return of confidence for several months past, and slow but sure improvement in bus mess based on the big crops, but the feel ing that conditions were ready for normal commercial and industrial activity came only with the election.
 Business throughout the west and in most. sections of the south is now good, and the best of it is, everybody feels sure that the country will enter upon a new era of high prosperity early in 1909.
 Years ago financial panics were fol- lowed by long periods of depression, but financiers and business men in general predicted early in the present year that owing to the enormous productive ca- pacity of this country and the increasing demand for our products there would be an industrial revival inside of 12 months. Those persons of a pessimistic nature said that all roseate predictions amounted to nothing more than hot air All must admit now that the prophets of an early return to normal business were right.
 Should we have bumper crops again in 1909 next year will be an easy record breaker in prosperity. With only average crops business will flourish Nothing but a crop failure could cause anything like business depression a year hence."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-11-18
Growth of PeminlSm In China

No woman can really succeed to the throne in China, but plenty of women have in the long history of China become powerful. The late Re- gent and Empress Dowager was by no means the only example of women who had risen in Chinese history to places of distinction.
 The occasional career is, however, of less moment than the determined and successful movement begun in 1891, which has led to the rise of women throughout all China. The movement was begun to take from wome Is feet the historic bandages, but it dld, not stop there. Among all other reforms in an age of change ln China it went on from step to- step until Chinese women are now free to choose their own husbands, disregard ing, If need be, the orders of their parents. They began, too, to take an interest in politics. The lot of child less widows and divorced wives has teen mitigatcd, and the compulsory education of girls is now as rigidly enforced as that of boys.
 This growth of femininism in China is leading to the translation Of books Ike Bellamy's Looking Backward. ' Native talent is beginpfng to produce books that present old customs in an unenviable light. The native romance writers do not hesitate to deal with marriage questions on modern lines. The new China is marching on to mar vicious changes, and the growth of feminiLism is ,ust about at the head of the procession.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-11-18
Alabama Marble.

"At last Alabama marble is coming to be recognized and brought into use in the state," said an enthusiastic Ala banlian.
 "The Woodward building has just been finished In a complete overhaul ing. The ten floors have had the halls re1aid in Alabama marble, with white marble wainscoting that cost 90 cents per square foot. The contract for this work called for $1S,O00. I understand that the annex of the Brown Marx is to be done in the same beautiful finish at a cost of $5o,O0O. When all the work in the office buildings now under way is completed Talladega mar ble will have contributed much to the modern architecture and beauty of this History city.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-11-18
SANTA CLAUS OF BRAZIL.
From the Boston Post.

From the Boston Post.
 Capt James ". Balano of the good ship Margaret Thomas has for the past IT years been official Santa Claus, by ac- olamation, to Rio de Janeiro. Every year. while his four-masted vessel lies at her dock at Mystic wharf he is busily en- gagged in making purchases to take to his friends and his friends friends in far-off Rio.
 Captain Balano is the master of the only vessel sailing between Boston and Rio de Janeiro, therefore his proud title of the American Santa Claus is in no dan ger of being usurped
 From Boston to Rio de Janeiro the Mar garet Thomas covers 1000 miles, arriving there, as a rule, about 40 days from the time that Boston Light is passed. The cargo carried by the Thomas is mostly composed of apples, which are sold at the very substantial price of $26 to $50 barrel upon reaching their destination.
 This shopping business Is to me a most pleasant diversion and source of mulch pleasure after a long, tiresome cruise" said the captain T have every thing for the ladies as well as for the men and children I think that the only thing that I am not taking back with me is a sheath gown"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-11-18
BATH TUB FOR TEDDY, JR.
Upset Tin Basin He 6athed In and
 Soaked a Rug.
,,,., to +he Now work world.

Sneeial to the New York World.
 snringfeld. Mass.-''These bath fixtures are for Theodore Roosevelt, Jr., ana will be installed by us in his apartments in Thompsonville."
 The information is more or less artis- tcally conveyed by large placard in the window of Harrison avenue plumbing esta blishment. attracted an all-day crowd that gave rise to the impression that bargain sale was in progress In the nor mally quiet thoroughfare.
 From unquestionable sources it was learned that the Presidents son has found taking his .matutinal bath in a large tin basin serious discomfort in learning the carpet business from the top to bottom. The limit came the other morning when Theodore, Jr.. fell over the basin, thereby precipitating deluge, which played havoc with the only really high-class rug in Thompsonville.
 The news of the Harrison avenue dis play was telephoned to Thompsonville this afternoon and a delegation of en- thusiastic townspeople came to Spring field on the first trolley car to view the immaculate enamel equipment, which is fitted with the latest push button appliances.
 The only discordant note in the yer dict of unanimous approval was the comment of an incorrigible youth of IA: Gee! They'll have to build a new house to go with Teddy, Jr.'s. tub"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-11-18
EytTadlti0n In IndiapaDOIlS

Former Gov. W. S. Taylor and former Secretary of State William Finley have been sheltered in Indianapolis against extradition writs from Kentucky by repu lfcan governors ever since Gov ernor-elect Goebel was shot down from the state house at Frankfort. This state of things may not be continued much longer.
 Kentucky now has a republican gov ernor, and Indiana will soon have a democratic governor, and the two gov ernors may conclude that the time has come for Taylor and Finley to stand trial.
 But will Governor Wilson of Ken lucky, a republican, demand from Gov ernor Marshall of Indiana the surren- der of the fugitives? The former has already pardoned Caleb Powers anu Jim" Howard, who had been con 1icted O. complicity in the Goebel mur- der. Possibly he will demand the sur render of Taylor and Finley; that they will be tried and convicted, and that he will then pardon them both, thus bringing to an end an old political feud. If so, no one will be punished on ac- count of one of the worst political crimes ever committed in this country.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-11-18
First Visit Since the Mar.

Mr. and Mrs. W. W. Childs of Brook lyn, New York, are the guests of their son-in-law, MT George G. Crawford, at Capt. Jack Johnsons. Mr Childs is not an old man, but he is a scared vet eran of the Confederacy. He entered the Confederate army as youth and during the war was in the hospital at Demopolis, under the care of the late Dr. Browder, the father-in-law of Dr. Charles Whelan of this city.
 Asked yesterday if this was his first visit to Birmingham, MT. Childs laughed and said that he was here about A years ago-several years before Birming- ham was started off. T marched along through this valley as Confederate sol dier," remarked he, and I observe that Birmingham has grown considerably since then"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-11-18
Hioh-CIass Music.

"One of the largest audiences assem- bled in Birmingham this season was that at the high school auditorium week be- fore last on the occasion of a lyceum concert given by the International Sym phony club, composed chiefly of men who had been distinguished members of the Boston Symphony orchestral said a well known music lover. 'The entertain ment was of an exceptionally high order in musical art, and no such virtuosity will be heard here again from a cham ber band, until the Knezel quartet comes in the spring. And yet few of Birminghams prominent musicians or music lovers attended the International Symphony clubs concerts. have met many of our musical set who usually turn out when first-class attractions are here, but they said they missed the In ternational because they were not aware of its high reputation. They are now ex-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-11-18
Country Life Commission
call

The President has added to his up- lift commission a farmer, or rather an cx-farmer, in the person of Charles S. Barrett, national president of the Farm CTS union, an organization that boasts 2,5OO,00e members. Mr. Barrett lives at Union City, town unknown to fame, in Campbell county, Georgia, within the suburban belt that sur rounds Atlanta. The other addition is William Bead of Sacramento, Cal. Very little farming is done in Sacra- mento.
 MT Barrett is theonly direct repre- sentative of the farmers on the com which has been appointed to tell the farmers what they can do to help themselves and to tell the gov ernment confdentially or otherwise what it can do to help them. The other six members of the commission are academic farmers, while MT. Bar rett is eiLher an atual farmer or else an ex-farmer, who has accumulated new duties pertaining to farming. The of MT. Barrett is an ex- cellent one. There should be one prac- tical man among the academicians.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-11-18
Consolidated Vote Of the State

The boxes of the recent election were at length returned to their re- spective county seats, and the county canvassers made their reports to the secretary of state, and the state vote was duly consolidated last Monday in accordance with law. The hope is that the next legislature will require boxes to be returned to the county seat with in A hours after the close of the polls, and the canvassing of the county vote should take place in the next 2l hours. There is no occasion for de- lay of 12 days in this work, for every county in this state has a railroad and primitive. conditions no longer exist in any of them. Every hour of unneces- sary delay invites suspicious if not actual frauds.
 The consolidated vote of the state iiscloses no remarkable changes. Par ker polled four years ago 7s,S57 votes, and Bryan's vote this year was 74,374. Roosevelt's vote four years ago was 22,472, while Taft's vote this year was 26.2s3. These small changes are due to little more than the fact that the total vote fell from 108,233 in 1904 to 104,7s4 in this months election. About 40oO 10 5000 democrats did not go to the polls.
 Out of the 105.o0o citizens that voted 9o.600 expressed in the ballot boxes their views on good roads. Nearly two thirds of those that voted on the propo- sition said that they wanted good roads, the majority in favor of the Oyerton amendment being 19,9SS.
 Some claim that the terms of the constitution of 1901 render it uncertain whether the Overton amendment need ed for its confirmation a majority of 1U4,lS4 VOleS UT iuaJoiity VI io'ooV' It did not receive a majority of 104, ,794, it's total affirmative vote being but 45,- 794 instead of 52.39s. The question is one that will undoubtedly go to the supreme court for final decision. We give telow the provision of the con etitution;
 .-In all elections upon such proposed amendments, the votes cast thereat shall be canvassed and tabulated, and returns thereof be made to the secretary of state and counted, in the same manner as in elections for representatives to the legs- lature; and if it shall thereupon appear that a majority of the qualified electors who voted at such election upon the pro- posed amendments voted in favor of the same. such amendments shall be valid to all intents and purposes as parts of this constitution.
 A straight, plain, old-fashioned con- struction of the words hereinbefore presented would call for majority of 70,6o0, but the judges must decide, and they sometimes construe the English language in a surprising manner.
 The vote on the new-counties amend ment outran that on good roads or bi-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-11-18
Stricker a Real Hero,

Many persons have expressed the view that forts on the part of daring automobile racers to establish and tances, mean nothing except to stamp the drivers as foolish or death daring" said William Pickens last night to a group discussing the death of Emile Stricker.
 'It is a fact that the marvellous de- velopment of the automobile industry and wonderful state of perfection of the gasoline motor is due almost entirely to speed contests. No prominent auto mobile factory can be mentioned that cannot trace it's rise to racing and Stricker was one of the most positive supporters of this fact.
 "Stricker went to France three years ago and as mechanical director of small and comparatively unknown con cern, built and raced mighty cars in the big road events, soon placing his ma chine in the front rank. It is racing that shows the defects of tires and ma oh inery and demands a speedy remedy in all cases. The motor car of today is no toy and if people would stop dreaming of aerial travel, become prac- tical and construct roads that would guarantee the safety of speedy cars, the transportation problem would be solved more quickly.
 No one realizes more polgnantly the sad blow caused by the deaths of rac- ing drivers than do. Six of my friends have been victims of accidents during races, and Strickers death was the hardest blow of all. He was just the sort of 8 <allow that was brave and worth loving as man. But his life was not wasted. Many of the great cars of today owe their perfect con- struction to things he learned while racing and he realized fully the chances he was taking. But he would be the last to admit that it was all in vain. Many have been sacrificed on the altar of less worthy cause.
 Marcel Renault, the great automo- bile designer and founder of the car which caused Stricker's death, was himself killed in the Paris Madrid race several years ago. Renault was the pioneer constructor of France and had 1t not been for experiences gained as a racing driver would never have been able to produce a car capable of main- taining speed of 55 miles an hour for "A hours. Great mechanical problems cannot be solved without de- manding tribute of human life, and among automobile racing men the sor- row caused bV the death Of a friend is assuaged by the thought that the unfortunate fellow was real hero to a cause he considered worth the chance of loss of life. They are all good, game fellows, filled with the same rich red blood which courses through the veins of her oes of warfare"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-11-18
RESPECT FOR ROYALTY.
From Human Life.

From Human lhIe
 Nothing in modern history affords any parallel to the position in which King Edward stands toward his people. To find the like of it you must search back to the days of tribal chieftians and the kings that were also priests. Ne is more than a chief magistrate, more than a leader of the nation, more than ruler in the ordinary sense, more than the chief source of government, moro than the inheritor and symbol of ancient re- nown, more than the head of a church and state. It is with a felling hardly to be described short of g. passion of adora- ton that the average Englishman thinks of his King. The greatness and glory of his King is reflected upon all kings, and royalty takes on new dignity therefrom lin the mind of the loyal Englishman.
 It is difficult to make this understand able to the alien mind. You must get out of the democratic swing and out of this century to assmilate the truth about it. but few facts not currently noted, but still most significant, will help to show how matters stand. Thus, for in stance, no English periodical or news paper, comic or otherwise. ever brings the King into cartoon or comic pie ture.
 Again, among the boasted and perhaps overboasted liberties Of Great Britain Is the liberty of the press. Yet no English newspaper would dare to print any per sonar criticism of King Edward. There is no law in England to forbid or punish such comments and there is no law to compel the universal laudaton that in- cessantly the British press hymns about the British sovereign, but the force of the compulsion is not the less strong for that.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-11-18

pressing regrets that they failed to hear what all who were present declared was a rare treat.
 "Another high class attraction is am nounced by the Music Study club for Thursday afternoon at Gable hall Frank Croxton, basso. and Eleanor Stark Stanley, pianist. Mir. Croxton is not simply a signer with a fine voice but he is a musician. He gave a recital at Cable hall last season before small audience, but the few persons who were present felt more than repaid. It was a charming recital. The pianist who comes with MT. croxton this time en- Handley, who heard Eleanor stark-Stan- Handley, who heard Eleanor Stark Stan ley in NeM York, writes in most com plimentary terms about her playing"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-11-18
The Iron Market,

The demand for pig iron increases, and the market was more active yesterday than at any time since May. Some of the large furnace interests are restricting their sales at the present price-$l3 on a No. 2basis-while others are selling quite freely.
 No one is trying to push up the price of iron, but it is going up in natural, healthy way" said a broker last night. With a brisk buying movement such as We are having now, it would be strange indeed if the price did not advance. The market is almost sure to harden this week at s1S.5O, and next week it will probably reach a14n
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-11-18
AMERICAN WOMAN LATEST.

From the New York American.
 My opinion is that the American wom- an is the lazest woman on the face of the earth, and she teaches her children to be the same. If she has to go two blocks, she must take car. and the mothers of this city fume and fret If their children are called upon to walk five blocks to school. There is healthful exercise in the schools, but not enough of it. Mothers should interest their chil- dren and induce them to take the same kind of exercise morning and evening"
 The above criticism by Dr. William H. Maxwell, superintendent of public schools, made in an address before the Mothers club of F1atbush, was received with hearty applause by the large audience gathered in Public school No. S9, at New kirk avenue and East Thirty-first street, Brooklyn, and was widely discussed.
 'When I was a boy in Ireland I had to walk five miles to school and five miles home again. It is due to the beneficial effects of that exercise that I am able to stand the strain of my duties today.
 'It is the fashion of the American mothers to pamper and spoil their chill dren by both management and example. The work of the teacher is impaired if the parent neglects his duty to the child. The pupils progress depends upon his good condition. If the boy is in poor health he wastes his time and the time of others as well. One of the most i'm portant things Is to see that the child gets sufficient sleep.
 ''The school system at present can do no more than notify parents of the de- fects in their children, but I hope the time will come when the school authori ties shall have power to compel parents to give medical and surgical attention to their children"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-11-18
REFLECTIONS OF A BACHELOR.

From the New York Press.
 woman prays to get into heaven, but she fights to get into society.
 The more you tell girl you love her the still more she thinks you ought to if you really do.
 Most people are so satisfied with their morality that they go to church chiefly to show 1t off.
 It's awful hard for a girl to be Chris tian and have cold that makes her nose red at the same time.
 The reason a woman believes a man when he tells her how pretty she looks Is she knows it wouldn't be true if he said t to somebody else she Is jealous of.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-11-18
GOLF NOT A RICH MANS GAME.

From the Philadelphia Inquirer.
 President-elect Taft announces that he hopes to make golf popular in the next few years and wants people to know that 1t is not simply rich mans game nor one for youth and old people exclusive ly. Golf hasn't been an institution in the United States much more than 20 years, but it is already so popular that there are more than a thousand links in the country and they are growing rapidly in favor and deservedly so. There is no better game for all ages, none which bet ter combines all the elements of healthful sport.
 In this city there are a number of golf links and just outside the limits many more. In some of them there is no en- trance fee and the annual dues are only s25 The equipment can easily be pur- chased for s10. Many persons start out with less, as they begin with few clubs and buy most of them at second hand through friends. Balls, when new, cost from 50 to 75 cents each, but the beginner can secure secondhand balls for 10 or 15 cents, which are good enough for all purposes. The caddie charge is 15 cents an hour, but after one has played few weeks and has gotten used to his clubs he may dispense with a cad die, although 1t Is much better to use one.
 The time required is a great factor. Some persons are so confined at busi- ness that they can only get on the links on Saturday afternoons or on Sunday. Many will not in any event play on the latter day. But the man who is feeling a bit tired will find more enjoyment for the money in playing golf Saturday after noon than in anything elsehe may under take. It requires self-control, skill and physical strength properly directed to become good golfer, but most persons can get enjoyment from the Very first day.
 The game of golf ought to be played by everyone who has any chance to get to the soil. You can't worry and play good golf and you can't help enjoying the many things 1t brings to you.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-11-18

It IS not every emperor that has highly capable aunt. Germany has one that needs a regiment at least of such relatives about this time
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-11-18

Congressman Oscar Underwood boiled total vote of II, ,2SS, the highest in the list, and S. H. Dent, Jr., came next, with Congressman Clayton third.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-11-18
JUDGE THE WORLD WITH ME-"

Robin Hood to Maid Marian in Teuny- sons poetic play. Sit here, my queen, and judge the world
 with me. Doubtless like judges of another bench However wise, we must at times have
 wrought Some great injustice. yet. far as we
 knew, We never robbed one friend of the true King. We robb'd the traitors that were leagued
 with John; We robb'd the lawyer that went against
 the law; We spared the craftsman, chapman, all
 that live By their own hands, the labourer the poor
 priest We spoil'd the prior, friar, abbot, monk. For playing upside down with Holy Writ. "Sell all thou hast and give it to the
 poor;'' Take all they have and give it to myself! Then after we haze eased them of their
 coins It is our forest custom they should reveI Along with Robin.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-11-18

Presidential aspirants have nearly four full years in which to bring their vocal chords up to maximum capacity and endurance.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-11-18

Pretty soon the Outlook will contain some articles that will make Stock holder Stillman sit up and take notice.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-11-18

Pittsburg fears to expose itself to the enticements of Salome. It is posing at present on high moral pedestal.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-11-18

.Mr Root simply says he will not re- sist tidal wave if one comes along to sweep him into the Senate.