davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-28
------------'s --'s'------------ LICKING THE EDITOR.

From the Lordsburg (N. M) Liberal
 In some portions of the United States it has always been a favorite pastime, when man was not satisfied with what appeared in the local paper, to go and lick the edtor. Some unwise guy im- ported the scheme into the southwest re- gently. It was tried in Fl Paso, and the editor is still doing business, while the man who wanted to lick him Is buried m Oklahoma. Last week an Albuquerque policeman tried it. He was six inches taller and weighed 50 pounds more tha,i the editor. The policeman was taken 10 the hospital in an ambulance and when he recovered consciousness the nurse gave him message from the mayor ar- nouncing that he was fired from the po- lice force. It Is probable that the editor of the LihAsee and Col. Max Frost of the New Mexican, are about the only edi- tors in the territory whom 1t would be safe for an ordinary man to try to lick.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-28
IN HOTEL LOBBlES
Tanqible Returns From Reunion.

Birmingham people do not and cannot we received from the Confederate re- union,'' said Sidney F. Lazarus. People far and wide are talking about Birming- ham, her hospitality. her resources and the splendid manner in which she ham died the crowds a few weeks ago. l have just returned from trip through East ern Mississippi and Western Alabama, and it would do our citizens good to hear what people are saying about us In all the Mississippi towns I visited all of my customers seemed to be proud to intro duce me to their friends as a citizen of Birmingham. Farmers, merchants, pro fessional men, women, children, both black and white, think that Birmingham has carried off the honors in entertaining the veterans, and it made me feel good to hear the good things said about us. l have called on a certain man in a certain town in Mississippi for years, and have never sold him dollars worth of goods;
 in fact, he very seldom looked at my samples. He bought a Memphis line, and would not change.
 "This year he greeted me warmly. He came, he saw, and was conquered He talked Birmingham to me, he talked steel plants, he talked Highland avenue, he talked sidewalks and streets and hum dreds of other things which attracted his attention. Finally, I managed to get him away from Birmingham long enough to talk Birmingham goods. I had easy sail ing He told me frankly that town which could handle people as we did-a town which had the hustle and life we had certainly would not have factory which did not make first-class goods. l showed him my samples, my prices were right and I sold him a solid car of goods to- be shipped in August and another to be shipped in October. That is what the reunion has done for me. Every one of us should be proud of Birmingham. We should consider ourselves under many ob- Iigatlons to the men who worked so hard and faithfully to make the reunion sue cess, and who put the word Birmingham in the mouths of people who did not know that Birmingham was on the map a year ago."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-28
EDglald'S Old Age Pensions

The house of commons has ad- vanced the old age pensions bill and the prospect of its passage through both houses is excellent. It is an administration measure, both the old premier and the present one being committed to its support.
 The present bill may yet be amend ed, but as it stands it proposes to pro- vide pensions for all persons, male and female, residing in the United King dom and Ireland who have reached the age of 70 years. Pensions are limited to 915, or about $75, year. Married couples are to receive but 99 15s each. All persons who have an income ex- ceeding 10 shillings week and all married couples having an income of 15 shillings a week are not to be rec ognized as state pensioners.
 Applications for pensions are to be made on blanks furnished by the post office, and these applications are re- ferred to the pension officers. If the application be granted the applicant receives a book of weekly or monthly coupons, which he can cash at the postoffice. The coupons are exempt from attachment or execution.
 There are 1,254,2S persons in Great Britain and Ireland who are 70 years old, and it is estimated that 937000 will come under the provisions of the pensions bill. The administration of the law would involve an annual ex- penditure of just about S30,000,000
 The labor party does not like the measure because the age limit is high. They prefer to have it placed at 60 years. But the age limit will not be lowered at present, and the Asquith ministry promises to score a victory when the first old age pension bill is passed.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-28
THE "GENTLEMAN- IN ENGLAND.

From the New York Christian Advocate
 young woman in England who failed in breach of promise case in the course of her testimony gave a definition of what constitutes high position in life She said she did not consider 9S00 year in itself a high position for man, but it would be if he did not have to earn the income London Truth says many people have this idea. In fact, Tit is generally understood that the man who does nothing for G5OO a year Is gentle man. while the man who works for 95Oo a year is something else. The editor of London Truth, commenting on this says: What I do not understand, however, is why the idle man should be considered more eligible as a husband than the working man. The wife of the latter has her husbands position and money to en- joy all day, without the encumbrance of his society. One would think that this would be an advantage" And then he adds: It is certainly so regarded in America" The criticisms of foreigners on our country are sometimes to the point and they are always worth read ing, as are the criticisms of Americans upon European customs and ideas
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-28
Income Said to Have Been About
 $1oooo a Year

Washington special to the Louisville
 Courier-Journal.
 There are conflicting stories here as to what MT. Cleveland left to his lam fly. Some say that they are amply pro- vided for, and others that he left but little, if anything. Among the latter IS the Washington Star, which says today:
 Contrary to the general belief, MT. Cleveland was a poor man. For some reason which does not appear, the opinion was generally held that he was possessed of a considerable estate, and that he would leave his family well off when he died Inquiries made yesterday developed the fact that MT. Cleveland, far from being well off, was poor and left to his family, unless his close personal friends are entirely mistaken, practically nothing but the house at Princeton and the place at Buzzard's Bay"
 When MT. Cleveland left the White House the last time, and for many years thereafter" said one of his intlmates yes terday, The had, together with his wife, about s100O0 a year. His income often worried him exceedingly, especially as he saw his family growing up about him and knew their future was not as well pro- vided fer he could wish He would not accept anything from his friends. He was extremely proud on that score, but those who knew him best knew that his cir cumstances worried him not a lttle
 He did not live in New York for the sole reason that he could not live there as cheapy as he could in New Jersey and maintain the style he felt would be demanded of him. When he became one of the trustees of the Equitable Life his in come was added to somewhat. I think he obtained something like $5OCO for that work. He was the only member of the board of three who was paid, but, unlike the others, he gave nearly his entire time to the work of the insurance company.
 Had he lived a little longer his cir cumstances would have been much inn proved. All his friends rejoiced when he became the head of the Association of Life Insurance Presidents with a sal ary of $25,0O0 year, for they knew his circumstances. However, he held that place for only a year, so that although there had been an improvement it was not sufficient to make great deal Of dlffer- ence.
 'I know a good deal about MT. Cleve- lands affairs, and my belief is it will be found that he left little, if anything to his family outside of the house at Princeton and the furnishings in it and the place at Buzzards Bay. He had some money in addition, but I don't believe it was very mueh My recoIlaotion ia that he had 1t on deposit in the Knickerbocker Trust company. That fact came out at the time that company closed its doors"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-28
Great Industrial Activity.

'"The steady resumption of industrial plants in the Birmingham district since May 1 has given a wonderfully brig ht aspect to business hereabouts," said a banker. 'In Jefferson county 15 blast furnaces are now in operation. The Re- public Iron and Steel company announces that it will start up its third furnace at Thomas on or about July 1, and the Will Hanson furnace is to be blown in, it is said, some time in July. This will make IT furnaces in operation in Jefferson county. Since there are only 27 stacks 'n the county, F is a large percentage to be in blast, as there must always be few out for repairs. This time last year, when everything was humming, only IT furnaces In Jefferson county were run ming.
 "The steel works at Ensley nave been more than doubled within the past 12 months, and the operations at that plant are, therefore, more extensive now than ever before And when iron and steel production is in evidence great many other industries are sure to be busy. The pipe plants and scores of smaller plants are in operation. The rolling mills are still idle, but as business in every direc- tion is improving it can be only short time before they, too, will start up.
 ''The bumper crops will fairly swamp the railroads with traffic, and it is safe to say that by August 1 industrial life in the Birmingham district will be fully normal After the July pay days, money will be in circulation very freely, and by August the pay rolls will mean even a larger distribution of the coin of the realm If the summer of 1908 is not a record breaking season in Birmingham trade, it will be marked by genuine pros perty."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-28
Signs of Good Timas

The Illinois Central is filling it's shops with men. Five thousand men are to be put at work In them next month. Full time is to be restored At the same time the Southern rail- way is to put wages back to the level that existed before the 10 per cent cut was made.
 These steps are evidence that the railroad managers see activity accom- Ing. They are signs of restoration of normal business conditions. They are based no doubt on the speedy harvesting of great crops. and A bus. mess revival that will attend them.
 Few appreciate how rapidly the great crops are coming on. The win. ter wheat of Oklahoma is already harvested, and Southern Texas has all ready marketed the first bale of the cotton crop of 1908. All the great crops of the country are practically assured. Not one of them is unpromis. lng-not one, not even a fruit cron It Is to be a bumper year, and this is why the Illinois Central Is getting it's entire equipment ready, and the South. ern feels justified in increasing the pay of it's employees.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-28
Work of thr Moon Today

This morning pieces of smoked glass will be in demand, for an eclipse of the sun will be visible from S:16 o'clock to 11:30 o'clock. The height of the eclipse will be visible at 9:44 o'clock, when the moon will obscure 7S per cent of the suns diameter.
 This is to be a ring or annular eclipse. The sun is too near and the moon too far away to permit the lat ter to blanket the former, and the re- suit will be ring eclipse. There will be dark center with a ring of light around it. That is the way our fa- mil1ar heavenly bodies will appear at Tampa, and the City of Mexico. Here In Alabama a crescent form will be seen instead of the ring-shaped appear ance that will be presented at Tampa.
 The last great eclipse of the sun oc- cured in 1900. That one was very nearly total in this city. No total eclipse of the sun will be visible in this country until 1918, when the line of totality will extend from Oregon to Florida. The event of this morning Will, in the absence of clouds. be A striking spectacle, resulting as it will In a diminution of light and even in a slight fall in temperature. The lat ter will be welcomed.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-28
THE ORIGIN OF EGYPT"

From the Albion Journal
 The year 1924 was very wet. Heavy rains fell frequently Corn on fiat lands was a total failure This year the weevll destroyed the wheat after it was har- vested The next year, 1895, there was~1 remarkable growth of thistles on the branch bottoms. The winter of lSSo-3l was known as the winter of deep snow The snow was of depth of from two and half to three feet on a level It drifted much and was very destructive to fruit trees. The weather was intensely hot. Both in 1881 and 1892 the early frosts so injured the corn as to entirely render 1t worthless for almost any purpose.
 During the years between and including ,S24-32, so nearly corresponding to the years of famine In the days of Pharaoh and hls ruler, as he made Joseph to be- the people of Illinois, dependent upon the southern part of the state for so much grain, particularly corn, that people in re- membrance of the Bible story began to call the part of the state which had been so helpful in time of need Egypt.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-28
UNAMERLCAN WASHINGTON

for instance, prescribes calls as the first of social duties and calling Is indulged in by the Washingtonians on a scale that puts Londoners and Parisians, who pay their calls not in person but by post, hopelessly to shame
 That, too, is sign of society that has not yet found itself, that is attempt ing the impossible, and that has not yet learned to limit and regulate it's activi- ties. But time and experience are teach ing it order and self-restraint
 Just as the tumult of the White House has been reduced to dignity, just as the old type of Presidential receptions at which all were welcome who chose to come is giving way before the principle of selection, so Washington in time will abandon its indiscriminate calling habits and will reproduce one by one the out ward forms and customs and ways of do- ing things that distinguish the monarch ial and aristocratic societies of the Old Worldn
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-28
A TOAST.

Francis Lyman Windolph. Today and Other Poems" Ye have drunk, o my friends, to the vic-
 tors,
 Ye have toasted the valiant and strongl To the great of the earth ye have drunk in your mirth, To the wise ye have lifted your song. It is well-they are worthy, my brothers, As aught that the Armament spans, But I pledge you health to the others A health to the 'also rans" To the men who went down in the strug-
 gle
 To the runners who finished unplaced, To the weak and the young, the un-
 known, the unsung, The depraved the oppressed, the dis
 graced. Ye are blooded, developed completed They were bred without stamina class; Iris to them, the surpassed, the de-
 feated,
 l bow as I drain my glass. Who are ye that should dare to reject
 them?
 Do ye know what the handicaps
 weighed? Did ye suffer the pain, run the race,
 stand the strain, That ye scoff at the pace that they
 made? It may be that they ran overweighted, It may be that they were left at the
 post Far or near, 'tis to them, the ill-fated, l bow as I drink my toast. They have lost they are ill., they are
 weary;
 Ye have won, ye are well, ye are
 strong. By the drops that they bled, by the tears
 that they shed, By your mirth by your wine, by your
 song, By all that has e'er helped to sweeten Your lives, by your hopes, by your
 plans. I pledge you the health of the beaten, The health of the ''also rans."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-28
REPLIES.

hlHTllfJ5. Gin rhymes with sin.
 The "poison squad" is enjoying a much needed rest.
 That grating noise you hear Is Georgia going back on Bryan.
 Time in the jungle Is now reckoned Before Roosevelt"
 In Missouri an up-to-date catfish had a watch in its stomach. It is much more pleasant to be snapped by a camera than 1t is by dog. Some people achieve fame by writing books; others go into the pickle business. ''Is oratory a drawbackr' asks a con- temporary. It has been known to have a considerable comeback. The Charleston News and Courier pub fishes an editorial entitled. About 'Go- ing to He'll" Don't mention 1t. A bright yellow motor car, with cane body and yellow trimmings, a chauffeur in full livery and a footman to matchi Who said Mrs. Leslie Carter was broker
 PAUL COOK.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-28
SLANG IN HIGH PLACES.

From the New York Evening Post.
 Asked whether it Is true that he intend ed to resign, Chancellor Day of Syra- cuse university replied That was pipe dream" Our special correspondent in- forms us that when President Eliot was asked whether he thought Taft would be nominated he announced, Say it's a cinch!' and President Butler, in reply to a question as to what he thought of Bryans chances, expectorated through the window, and said, "Nuthin' doin'. See ?''
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-28
Another Chapter of CaStrOiSm

The death of Grover Cleveland came almost to a day with the withdrawal from Venezuela of the United States diplomatic representatives The two events recall to the public mind the forcing by the departed president of the hand of Lord Salisbury, then at the head of the British government. This was in 1895. On account of a boundary dispute between Venezuela and British Guinea England proposed to take forcible possession of the ter ritory in dispute President Cleve- land and Secretary of State Olney possessing keen sense of the Monroe doctrine, told England that she must first arbitrate the matter, and England at once accepted the situation. The Monroe doctrine was vindicated, and the first real solid step was taken towards making the United States a power that must be considered in American affairs.
 The step was not taken by MT. Cleveland out of regard for Venezu- ella, for President Castro was then, as now. an insolent annoyance, but 1t was taken simply to assert the priority of this country in American matters, and lt settled that point for all time no loubt.
 Our present troublek with venezu- Ila grow out of the refSea of Castro
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-28
AN ABSENT FRIEND.

AN ABSENT FRIEND. He was hopeful fellow
 Who simply did his best, In any sort of weather,
 And left to God the rest. No tempest could alright him, Because he always knew, Behind the storm clouds tossing The sky was fair and blue. He didn't make much money, But found a world of love And cheered himself by thinking That heaven lay above. An ordinary fellow
 Not talented or bright He walked the vale contented And dreamed sweet dreams at night. His life no easy matter,
 He sometimes found the thorn, But quite forgot his troubles At the rosy blush of morn. An. would we had more like him To make the years worth while! His words were words of comfort, He knew the way to smile.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-28
For the Orphans.

The annual barbecue for the benefit of the East Lake orphanage will be held next Saturday, the 4th of July, at the State Fair Grounds. It will be a grand event, and the management hopes to clear fully s200O. In addition to the barbecue and the usual amusement features, there will be an exceptionally attractive horse racing programme.
 The Orphans home cares for about 100 children, and it is maintained chiefly by private contributions. Last years bar becue netted about s1500
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-28
Our Criminal System.

q witnessed an incident today that, to my mind, does not reflect much credit on the present court system in Alabama" said local contractor yes terday.
 q was coming into Birmingham on a train when, at wayside station, an officer in charge of several convict1 on the way to the mines came aboard 1 got in conversation with the officer and his charges and was attracted by the good appearance offene of the con :. jets.
 "I learned that he was of good Virginia family and was on his way to accept a place near Houston, Tex when he was pulled from a train at a small Alabama town and tried on a charge of trespassing. He was found guilty and fined s10 and costs. The cost bfll amounted to s2750. He had s32.5o. but as this amount would not settle the score he was sentenced to the coal mines for, I believe, three months.
 From the time of his arrest to his being sent to the mines was two days. I cannot understand the reason for such a cost bill.
 "This man was making an effort to get to job where he would no doubt have made an honest citizen. He had enough money to pay reasonable fine but he was stuck for more than the court might have known he had and is branded as a criminal.
 q may be wrong, but it appears. to me that system of justice that brands men as criminals because they cannot pay court costs Is bad"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-28
INTERESTING CARTOON,

From the Ope1ika Post
 An interesting cartoon appeared in the Birmingham Age-Herald Tuesday depict ing the narrow escapes Judge Taft re- gently had in two railway disasters, and a scene showing Bryan landslide, sug- gesting the finish of the judge.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-28
REFLECTIONS OF A BACHELOR.

From the New York Press.
 A good thing about hot weather is how you can appreciate winter till you get it.
 When a woman is well dressed 1t Is sign that her husband is useful to pay for 1t.
 Being cheerful is having a genius for fooling yourself into the belief that you are contented.
 The way to think the theatre party you give a woman doesn't cost much is for her not to be your wife.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-28
FAR FROM IT.

From July Smart Set
 Williamson thought that Bixby was going to retire gracefully from politics. see he has joined the prohibitionists
 Henderson-Well don't you call that re- tiring from politics?
 "Yes, but not graceful"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-28

Prince Helie prnHcses to get a grip on Count Bonfs oId meal ticket on July 4. This will be celebration enough for him.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-28

The Brunswick trains will begin to come to and go from the old station in Twentieth street on September l. This will be Birmingham's ninth rail. road
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-28

The delegates to Denver are all elected except those in deadlocked North Carolina. The deadlock relates to the governorship, not to the dele. gates.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-28

The shah of Persia is a cheap tin copy of the Czar of Russia. Both want parliaments that will not be stubborn and industrious.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-28

A street car company in Lincoln has built special line to Bryan's home. thus forecasting the result of next weeks vote in Denver.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-28

The Emperor William is preparing to push tax on bachelors tbrouob parliament, and the German bachelor begins to think this is the time to pi opose.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-28

The Shah may have Joe Cannon in his Congress to deal with, and this may be why he shot the parliament building full of holes.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-28

Pent-up Utica once had in Horatio Seymour presidential candidate, and 1t will not go crazy over a mere vice presidential one.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-28

Roosevelt and Taft have no monon. oly on exercise. The president of France rises regularly at o'clock and walks seven miles with his secre. tary. The joke is on the secretary
The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-28

It becomes palmer as the days go on that Cincinnati and Oyster Bay are geographically at any rate rivals for the public eye.