davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-12
Changins the House Rules

Speaker Cannon will be Speaker Cannon in the next Congress. This is well assured, but it is just as well assured that Congressman Murdock of Kansas, and Congressman Gardner of Massachusetts, will put up good fight to reduce the arbitrary power of the Speaker.
 The power has been carried so far it has become un-American. There is nothing like it in all the parliament tary bodies of the world, for disguise the matter as we may the Speaker has the power to suppress any bill he does not like, and to initiate any meas ure he may favor He does not per init any bill he dislikes to be even uo- bated. He kills it in committee. It never sees daylight. It never has a chance at all. This is autocracy in Legislation and legislation is govern ment
 Tie press of the country Is almost united in demanding change in the rules that will bring every measure before the House for a vote. The power to pigeon-hole bills should be taken away, and the republican papers are as earnest In demanding this as the democratic papers.
 Congressman Gardner asks the in- surgents to go into the party caucus when a speaker is selected, but to leave the caucus before the rules are voted on. This would leave each in- surgent free to act as to the rules as he deems best. The party action would not bind him. The democrats are in favor of change in the rules, and a handful of insurgents can therefore secure a change by refusing to be bound by the action of the caucus.
 Whatever course is adopted it is plain the trend is against the reten- tion of the present rules unchanged. Cannonism is unpopular. The House is now automatically governed. It is not a deliberative body. The progress sives are confident of success, and some changes in the rules will cer- tainly be made.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-12
From the Washington Post.

From the WaShlnStOn fost
 T HE Pullman porter has found his
 lCD apologist. A Cleveland editor
 asks the interstate commerce commission 10 take into account the poor wages he is paid by the railroads when 1t investigates his iniquities. The cham pion of the knights of the whisk broom would have the railroads abolish Pull man conductors. as being about as use ful as a fifth wheel to a wagon, and pay their wages to the over-worked porters
 It may be well to remind both the DOT ters and their apologist that the interstate commerce commission cannot dictate to the railroads the manner in which they shall employ their men or what wages these men shall be paid. Nor is 1t con cerned with the tips that passengers give to porters fer services received. But what it may concern itself with is the manner in which tips are extorted from passengers who, having paid the railroad for service and fare, do not choose to swell wheeling Epthiopian's pocket. Has the knight of the parlor car the right, in his efforts to collect a dubious fee, to neglect, affront or broWDeat passeh- ger? Has he the right ot hide his bag gage, smash his valise, or slit open his shoes? Not all disappointed porters have been guilty of these practices, but there are men addicted to riding in Pullman cars who can testify that some of them do.
 It is quite likely that the porters do not receive enough wages. It is even pos sible that tho Pullman company expects
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-12
TIPS FOR THE PORTER

they will get part of their pay in tips from the public. But if the interstate commerce commission has the power to abolish .he practice of giving and re- ce1ving tips on trains, and exercises its power, the company will not any more indulge in such expectations. And con- seouently. the porters will either receive more money or look for other jobs
 In any case the public should not be expected to pay twice for service. It does this when 1t pays the company the price charged for transportation and is then held up for an extra quarter or dollar at the point Of whisk broom which It never asked for and doesn't want. The whole matter of tipping is wrong. The man who is compelled to give is mulcted and the man who is asked to receive IS insuted, whether he knows it or not. 1t may never be, possible to correct the evil of tipping by legislative enactments, but 1t can be curtailed by individual habit. The sentiment against 1t is growing. Peo- pie wlh continue to make small pres- ents to faithful servants as long as some men are born to serve and some to be served but the time is coming when they will do so only through choice and not from eompulsion. <The porter, like the waiter and the barber and the haekman, has been led to look upon the tip as his right, and one to play or fight for. In the rez4llsion of feeling which has come over the public because of the growing demands for tips on the part of the serv- ing classes. the porter must suffer with his fellows. [
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-12
Miss Morrlson,s Story.

Rosabel Morrison, who is appearing at the Jefferson theatre in Faust" tells this story:
 There is a business man of Cleveland who is excessively methodical in the man. ncr of conducting both his business and his domestic affairs. This Clevelander recently married young woman living in town net far away. On the evening of the ceremony the prospective bride groom, being detained by an unexpected and important matter, missed the train he had intended to take in order that he might reach the abode of his bride at o'clock, the hour set for the wedding.
 True to his instinct, the careful Cleve- lander immediately repaired to the tele- graph office, from which he dispatched to the lady this message: ''Don't marry till I come"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-12
Charoed With Murder.

Raleigh, December 11-There was much excitement in Durham today, caused by the arrest there of Reuben Barbee aged fl years, wealthy citizen of that place, charged with the assassination of En- gineer Fred Holt of Spencer, shooting him in his cab on the Southern railway last week. Barbes will be given preliminary hearing tomorrow. The arrest was made by Special Detective w. J. Ashburn of Salisbury. A number of engineers, con- ductors and ether employees left for Dur ham this afternoon. While feeling against Barbee runs high, it is not believed there will be any violence
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-12
ABE ATTELL IS
 BADLY BEATEN

Ringside. Los Angeles, Cal, December 11.-Ad Wolgast of Milwaukee out fought Abe Attell, the featherweight champion, before the Pacific Athletic club here tonight. The fight went 10 rounds with no official decision per- mitted under the law.
 Wolgast rushed the fighting in every round, backing Attel1 all around the ring and landing frequently heavy swings to the jaw and stomach that shook the champion severely.
 The men weighed in at 6 o'clock at l22 poan3s.
 Charley Eyton was referee.
 The general opinion was that Attell did not half try to do his best and he was roundly hooted after the fight for his poor showing.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-12
THE HOUSE BY THE SIDE OF THE
 ROAD.

By Sam Walter Foss. C'He was a friend to man, and he lived in a house by the side of the road"- Homer.) There are hermit souls that live with
 drawn
 In the place of their self content; There are souls, like stars, that dwell
 apart,
 In fellowless Armament; There are pioreer souls that blaze their
 paths
 Where the highways never ran But let me live by the side of the road And be a friend to man. Let me live in house by the side of the.
 road,
 Where the race of men go by The men who are good and the men who
 are pad, As good and as bad as I. I would not sit in the scorner's seat Or hurl the cynic's ban Let me live in a house by the side of the
 road
 And be d friend to man. l see from my house by the side of the
 road
 By the side of the highway of life The men who press with the ardor of
 hope,
 The men who are faint with the strife. But turn not away from their smiles
 nor lheir tears Both parts of an infinite plan Let me live in my house by the side of
 the road And be a friend to man. I know there are brook-gladden meadows
 ahead And mountains of wearsome height That the road passes on through the long
 afternoon kltI And str stches away to the night. But sllll I rejoice when the travellers res
 joice,
 And weep with the strangers that moan, Nor live in my house by the side of the
 road IF Like a man who dwells alone Let me live in my house by the side
 of the road Where the race of men go by They are good, they are bad, they arc
 weak, they are strong, Wise, foolish-so am l. Then why should I sit in the scorners seat
 Ar hurl the cynics ban? Let me live in my house by the side of the road
 And be a friend to man.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-12
Women Elect Officers.

Washington. December 11.-At the final session today of the Womens National Rivers and Harbors' congress officers were elected as follows: President. Mrs. Hoyle Tomkins, Shreveport, La; vice president, Mrs. Lydia A. William, Wash ington, D. C.; recording secretary, Mrs. A. B. Avery, Shreveport; corresponding secretary, Mrs. Frances Shuttleworth, Shreveport, La; treasurer, Mrs. J. F. Ellison, Cincinnati auditor, Mrs. John L. Matthews, Boston.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-12
GIRL KILLED BY
 BOY WITH GUN

Norfolk, December n.-Elizabeth Keller Merrick, the 11-year-old daughter of MT. and Mrs, Moses Merriek, was shot and instantly killed by Luther Andrews, 14 years of age. late this afternoon.
 Andrews and a boy named Jones pointed their guns at several girls with the usual childish threat to shoot.
 Andrews weapon was discharged, the contents lodging under the right shoulder of Elizabeth Merrick, penetrating her lungs.
 Andrews was held in $500 bond after a coroner's jury had declared the tragedy was the result of gross carelessness.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-12
DAYS RECORD IN
 COUNTY COURTS

Yesterday was rather busy day in the Jefferson county courts. all divisions being engaged with the exception of the first division of the criminal court and the chancery court, in which there is no docket set for trial.
 In the first division of the city court the case of w. ]. Milner vs. w. T.. Massey Is still on trial.
 In the second division of the city court, Judge Sharpe presiding, the case of Clara Barron vs. Birmingham Railway, Light and Power company is on trial The jury In the case of Mrs. Sallie A. Graves vs Isaac Townes and his wife yesterday morning returned a verdict for 1 cent damages against one of the defendants and a verdict for the defendant in the case against the other.
 The case of J. F. Pennington vs. South ern Railway company is still on trial in the third division of the city court.
 In Judge Coleman's division of the circuit court the following cases were disposed of yesterday: Jeff Freeman ys. Birmingham Railway, Light and Power company, verdict for the defendant Charles Passmore & Sons vs. G. Cara vello, consent judgment for $10745; Max Karpeles vs. B. M. Payeff dismissed by plaintiff; Hugh Faulkner, pro. ami, vs M. A. Copeland, consent judgment for $100; E. T. Falkner vs. M. A. Copeland consent judgment for $1OO; Kepley & company vs. Mrs. Lyles Thompson, set tied and dismissed.
 Judge Lane is engaged in the trial of the case of Alice Nelson, administratrix vs. Louisville and Nashville railroad. The case of the B. F. Pool Investment com pany vs. Sloss- Sheffield Steel and Iron company is in the hands of the jury.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-12
REFLECTIONS OF A BACHELOR.

From the New York Press.
 There's hardly anything people can take more pride in than thinking they have insomnia
 The more friends a man has the more they think he ought to feel Aonored to rob his family by spending his money on them.
 If a man reads joke in funny paper he wants to make an after-dinner speech two hours long so as to get 1t orr In the middle of it.
 The first thing a man believes he ought to do when he starts on a trip is to make cab drivers, sleeping car porters, and walters think he is millionaire.
 The hardest thing about losing lot or money on a sure investment Is how much you have to give your wife on top or It to preserve her faith in your business judgment.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-12
Advertising Birmingham.

'"The enterprise of the Birmingham Rail- way, Light and Power company in is- suing for general distribution the best folder and the handsomest booklet pre- senting facts about Birmingham and pie lures of Birmingham including the most complete bird s-eye view of the city and district, is being commented on most fav- orably," sald travelling man. ''It does me good to see how well Birmingham Is being advertised and boosted.
 ''Brmingnam is going ahead so rapidly that one must be alert to keep up with the many notable features of the city. Among the recent things to be proud of are the most beautiful passenger station
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-12
Chicaco For Headouarters.

Chicago, December 11.-At a confer, ence today between Secretary Hayward of the republican national committee and Fred w. Upton, assistant treasur- CT. it was decided to open permanent headquarters of the committee in Chi cago. It is planned to keep the records and other matters up to date to the end that all may be in readiness when the campaign opens four years hence. Later it is said branch headquarters will be opened in Washington.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-12
The Music Festival.

"The plan for making music festival one of Birnlipgbams annual attractions is meeting with great favor," said J. B. Shelby, formerly manager of the Cable company '-rhe movement is now well under way, and judging from the fact that every business man who has been approached has subscribed for stock in the Birmingham Musical Festival asso- citation the outlook for great festival next spring and every spring thereafter for at least four years is certainly bright"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-12
coIIIer's Weekly Denounced.

Jackson Miss, December 11.-(Special9 Jackson lodge of Elks No. 416 held a largely attended meeting tonight and adopted resolutions denouncing Golfers Weekly in bitterest terms because of its seurrilous articles about the women of the south, and called on all Elks' lodges in the United States as well as Elks everywhere to cut Golfers from their lists. The people of Jackson indorse heartily what the Elks have done, in fact many of them have already stopped the paper coming to their houses.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-12
Deeper Bar Inlet Is Desired.

Stuart, Fla, December 11.-A large number of representative citizens today met with a board of United States en- gineers to urge the deepening of Gilbert s Bar inlet so ocean-going vessels can enter Congressman Frank Clark was present and spoke favorably of the project. Lumber, turpentine, pineapple, vegetable and other interests were repre- sented, all desiring deeper water and consequent cheaper freight rates. The en- gineers left tonight for Washington, and it is hoped will report favorably on the proposed deepening of the channel to IS feet.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-12
ptomaine Poison Kills Two,

Westchester, Pa, December Hive members of the family of George Van horne of Mendenhall, Chester county, are dead and three others are ill as the re. suit of ptomaine poisoning. caused by eating sausage procured from local gro- cerV- store John VanhoIne, years or age died yesterday, and his sister Mabel, 16 years of age, passed away last night. Both suffered intense agony.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-12
Warm Bout at Savannah.

Savannah, December 1.-Bennie Reilly of Baltimore met his match in Jimmy Dashler in a fast and bloody 15-round bout before the Southern Athletic club. Referee Jenkins called the match draw after Dashler had carried the fight to Reilly from the first. Reilly was far the favorite in the betting.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-12
Boulevard Is Proposed.

Washington, December n.-Representa- tive Pearre of Maryland today introduced in the House of Representatives a bill appropriating s4,OoO,OOO for the construc- tion of a. boulevard 100 feet wide from the District of Columbia to the Gettys- burg battlefield, Pennsylvania via the battlefield at Antietam, Md, in memory of Abrahom Lincoln.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-12

ia the south. the largest office building south of Chicago and west of Pittsburg (so0 rooms). and under construction the most admirably appointed Chamber of Commerce building in the United States.
 The last-named edifce will be in its ex- terior of artistic design. and it's appoint ments will he up-to-date and complete"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-12

The downward course of pugilists is well known, but none have taken a swifter plunge than Battling Nelson who is trying to break into the Chica- go council chamber.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-12
Peruvian Congress to Meet.

Lima, Peru, December n.-President Leguia has called a second extraordinary session of congress for the purpose of securing a private budget. The relations between the cabinet and congress are somewhat strained, though public opin- ion sides with the governments attempt to effect reconciliationS.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-12
Chilean Strike Ended.

Valparaiso, Chile, December 11-The strike that broke out at the Collahuaso coal mines a week ago came to an end today and work has been resumed. The movement was put down by troops, who overawed the rioters and arrested their leaders.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-12

The President proposes to leave the country immediately after March 4, and the issues raised in the Ananias club cannot therefore be tried out on the square.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-12
Taft,s Glass Honored.

Washington, December 1.-The inaug- ural committee on civic organizations has announced that the right of line in the parade of civic organizations on the day of President-elect Taft's inauguration shall be given to the members of the class of IFS of Yale university of which Mir. Taft was a member.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-12

The Washington Sunday afternoon paper and the Congressional Record come together, two interesting de- partures in journalism.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-12

Uncle Sam's census is to cost $14,- 900 ,000, and the net result will be the discontinue of various towns through the overthrow of the city directory and school censuses.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-12
Enhancement Announced.

London, December 1.-The betrothal of Hon. Ronald Lindsay, son of the Earl of Crawford, to Miss Martha, daughter of J. Donald Cameron, late United States sen ator from Pennsylvania, is announced nere.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-12

Castro is said to have $6o,O00 900 ill Europe. and it is believed he can meet any bills that specialists may present to him.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-12

The President should keep his feet dry in Africa and forget the Ananias club or else he will be forced to be- come a quinine eater.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-12

A camel can go nine days without q drink, and some of the human species go longer than that in the dry" dis tricts.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-12

Elihu Root will no doubt have Sen ator Tom Platt's toga fumigated be- fore he dons it.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-12

The duty on hides should be con sidered by MT. Roosevelt before he loads his gun in Africa.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-12

The spicy little Congressional Rec ord has resumed publication with an undiminished list of subscribers.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-12

The Lord is on the side of the pis gest battalions in Hayti, where Simon says thumbs up.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-12

John Milton, our English Dante, has just been the occasion of a high-toned tercentenary.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-12

The Payne-Dalzell power of subpoe- na may scatter free rides over will ing country.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-12

The prices of wheat and Christmas trees are going up.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-12

The President may yet claim that he is the only truthful person in the country.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-12

The Kaiser is a William the Silent in spite of himself.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-12

Our cold waves are choppy little af- fairs not warranted to stay long.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-12

The Emperor Pu-Yi refuses to adopt a policy of silence.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-12

Senator Tom Platt's armed chair has nearly completed it's official tours.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-12

President Roosevelt is not convinced that what you see in The Sun is so.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-12

William Dudley Foulke is clipping bureau full of mischievous intent.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-12

 The President should keep his feet dry in Africa and forget the Ananias club or else he will be forced to be- come a quinine eater A camel can go nine days without q drink, and some of the human species go longer than that in the dry" dis triets.
  Castro is said to have $6o,000 900 ill Europe. and it is believed he can meet any bills that specialists may present to him.
 8---- The spicy little Congressional Rec ord has resumed publication with an undiminished list of subscribers.
  The duty on hides should be con sidered by MT. Roosevelt before he loads his gun in Africa. The Lord is on the side of the pls- gest battalions in Hayti, where Simon says thumbs up.
 John Milton, our English Dante, has just been the occasion of high-toned tercentenary.
 The Payne-Dalzell power of subpoe- na may scatter free rides over a will ing country.
 The President may yet claim that he is the only truthful person in the country.
 Senator Tom Platt's armed chair has nearly completed it's official tours. President Roosevelt is not convinced that what you see in The Sun is so.
  William Dudley Foulke is clipping bureau full of mischievous intent.
 
 Our cold waves are choppy little af- fairs not warranted to stay long. The Kaiser is a William the Silent in spite of himself.
 The prices of wheat and Christmas trees are going up.
 The Emperor Pu-Yi refuses to adopt a policy of silence.