davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-09-16
Popular Atlanta Man.

M. NJ. Smith. who Is connected with the circulation department of the Atlanta Journal. spent the last two days in Bir- mingham. enjoying himself among host of friends. He Is thoroughly imbued with the Atlanta boosting spirit but lets 1t out with such grace that 1t truly pleas urc to listen at it bubbling out.
 Atlanta is preparing for great things this fall in an automobile way and were expecting to see a lot of you Birming- ham folks over there The people in the Gate City have gone wild on the subject of automobile racing and with their usual public spirit are going for the best to be found.
 Business in Atlanta is exceptionally good at this time and every one is wear ing a happy smile. As for prohibition Well, CT"
 Here Mr. Smith winked his left eye, quit talking and began to grin. He departed for Atlanta last night, much to the regret of his friends here.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-09-16
People vs. the Legislature.

Several advocates of the constitutional amendment have honestly confessed that their real object is to keep prohibition in the hands of the people," said D. B. Grace.
 If the amendment is adopted, it will require two-thirds of the legislature to submit the question of repeal. This two- thirds will not be obtained in several years, if ever.
 "Thus the question is one of the people vs. the legislature. Those who favor the amendment believe that a majority of the people are more apt to favor prohibit tion than a majority of the legislature. This Is the matter In a nutshell, and it in- wolves a fundamental principle of our government Our government is not an absolute democracy, in which majorities rule, but representative form of govern ment. The tendency of the times seems to be away from the representative form, and it is time to. harken back to first principles The founders of our govern ment discussed the adoption of the pure democratic and representative forms and decided on the latter. Their wisdom has been justified by the history of our coun- try Any movement toward an overturn- ing of this foundation stone should be rebuked and will be rebuked when the people thoroughly understand the prin- ciple involved. Calhoun and other states men of the past pointed out the danger of majority rule. Calhoun said:
 GA perfect government is the govern ment of the majority acting through a representative body; the tendency of all governments based upon the will of an absolute majority, without constitutional check or limitation of power, is to fac tion, corruption, anarchy and despotism.'
 "The people are always right in the end, but very often they are swept away by passion and prejudice and the ap- peals of demagogues. This is illustrated by the free silver craze that swept the south and west. The people now see the error of their way, and bave turned on the leaders who misled them. But for men like Lamar, who in legislative halls and under oath of office combated this error, the country would have suffered fearful financial cataclysm.
 "The populist party is largely responsi' sponsible for the erroneous idea that this is a pure democracy Their declaration in favor of the initiative and referendum is a declaration in favor of majority rule and the ignoring of legislative bodies created for the purpose of enacting laws Even MT. Bryan seems to have failed tc grasp the fact that this is represen' tative form of government. The amend ments to the federal constitution tend tt curb the rule of the majority. All gov ernments based on absolute democracy l such as the Grecian states, have passed away Majority rule inevitably results | in the rule of faction.
 'Why should the advocates Of th' l amendment fear the legislature? Int
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-09-16
WOMAN SHOT AND
 KILLED BY NIECE

Brewton, September 15- (Special.) = News reached here of the killing of Mrs. Will Rowling by Mrs Henry Rowling at Pollard this afternoon about o'clock
 From information received it seems that the younger woman, Mrs. Henry Rowling. who is niece by marriage of the woman killed. had forbade. the use of small house on her place for the storage Of some of the effects of Mrs. Will Rowling. threatening to kill her if she did so It is said that Mrs. Rowling used shotgun in carrying out her threat, shooting her victim through the heart death being instantaneous.
 The woman who did the shooting escaped presumably into Florida, the killing taking place two and half miles from Pollard and close to the Florida line. When notified of the killing Sheriff Fountain issued orders to have the bridge over Conecuh river guarded until he could reach the scene.
 The deceased is sister of Martin Lindsey, the former ownr of the large mills at Pollard, but who recently moved to Mobile.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-09-16
Another Comet Coming Into View

Wy back in 1882 MT. Haley, as- tronomer royal of England, concluded that the comet seen in that year had been seen in the heavens in 1907 and in 1531. He predicted it would be seen again in 175S, and so it was. It returned in 1885. It is due again in 1910, and astronomers are today scan- ming the sky for the first appearance of Halley's comet, although it may not be seen until near the close of 1910.
 It should be remembered that all comets are not afflicted with wander lust-mere wanderers through space. Some are of that nature, going hither and yon through the universe, but some have an orbit as regular and well defined as that of a planet. Halley's comet belongs to our solar system, and it's orbit is as well understood as is that of Jupiter or even Mars, our next-door neighbor. After 1885 it was 3S years in rounding tbe orbit of Nep- tune, and then it turned and it has been coming this way ever since 1t will soon be spectacle in our own bit of blue.
 But let no one become afraid it will  hit us. If it did it is far from certain that it would discommode us in the least. The earth passed through the tail of comet in 1861, and no i'll er- feet was felt It was a war year, and the war went on regardless of it. So if this pretty solid earth should butt into Halley's comet, there ought to be a shower of dust-possibly a rain of boulders-but the chances are the To- cal atmosphere would keep us from harm. Halley's comet will do us no
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-09-16
WITH UNANIMOUS VOICE SPEAKERS
 URGE PEOPLE TO ASSERT RIGHTS
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 21


 Rerie Foreman, St. Clair county; George H. Parker, Cullman county; J. A. Will son. Franklin county; J. W. Maxwell, Winston county.
 Eighth District-John B. Talley, Jack son county: s. s. Fletcher. Madison coun- ty; Charles M. sherrod. Lawrence coun- ty: W. H. Long. Jr., Morgan county; A. A. Berger, Lauderdale county; Joseph H. Nathan, Colbert county; H. c. Thatch. Limestone county.
 Ninth District-W. A. Weaver, Blount county; Ed D. Smith. Jefferson county; Burke Johnson, Perry county; J. G. Oakley. Bibb county.
 8. We recommend that the chairman of this committee shall be she temporary chairman of the executive committee and he is hereby requested to call meet ing of the executive committee herein l.amed to meet in the city of Montgomery on Tuesday, September 21. 1909, for the purpose of permanent organization, se- lecting campaign committee and such
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-09-16
Important Convention

A good roads convention under the auspices of the Alabama Good Roads association will be held in Birming- ham October 14 and 15. The judges of probate. road and county commis- sioners and mayors and aldermen of cities have been appointed delegates and have been requested in turn to ap- point additional delegates. The gov ernors of several southern states, two cabinet officers and number of other distinguished men, including Govern or Johnson of Minnesota and William Jennings Bryan, have been invited to deliver addresses, and no effort will be spared to make the meeting at tractive from every point of view. There is every promise, indeed, that this convention will be the most i'm portant of its kind ever held in the south.
 
 was started about 20 years ago. but it did> not begin to make. appreciable headway until several years later, when the government took a practical interest in it and Congress gave it's support to the road-building plans of the agricultural department.
 A campaign of education was need cd. It might seem strange that there should have been any lack of co-opera- ton on the part of the farmers of the United States or any lack of popular interest in good roads. But a great deal of campaigning was necessary. Everybody was ready to say that good roads would be exceedingly desirable and would greatly enhance the value of farm lands. All felt that bad roads had handicapped farmers in every part of the country; and to the mis- erable condition of county highways in the south was attributed most of the backwardness in southern rural com munities.
 But at first glance the work of trans forming the dirt roads in agricultural districts into macadam bikes seemed so difficult and costly, really so stu pendous, that all who advocated such an enterprise were regarded as merely dreamers. The movement did require systematic and vigorous campaign of education, but no educational work has shown in a comparatively short time better results.
 It has now beens demonstrated that good road building not only has no in surmountable obstacles, but that it is not so costly as many people had sup posed. All that was really needed to give the good roads movement fair start was cooperation and enthusiasm on the part of those directly con- cerned- After the good roads nio-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-09-16
Splendid Gathering

If harmony and determination in 2 righteous cause count, the anti-amend ment conference at Montgomery marks the turning point in Alabama's unhappy condition. A great gathering of resolute men was expected. but il numbers, representative character, en 1 thusiasm and spontaneous eloquence il far exceeded the most hopeful fore casts
 The Old Guard was there. Of Ala bama's five living ex-governors, three answered the roll call. A fourth. United States Judge Thomas G. Jones was in the throng with his heart fully In the anti-amendment movement, but having in mind the proprieties, did not occupy a seat on the platform. The fifth of the ex-governors has been abroad for some time on an extended tour
 Every honorable calling was repre- sented at Montgomery. Prominent business men, hard-worbng mechan- ics, farmers large and small and dis tinguished lawyers participated in the conference. Confederate veterans from many camps were in attendance, and from every corner of the state came freemen, young and old, ready to do their part in defeating wicked prop osition that self-seeking politicians are endeavoring to have adopted at the polls.
 Montgomery, long familiar with stir ring and patriotic scenes, never wit messed a more impressive body than assembled yesterday. And with one single exception. perhaps, no such rep resentative gathering ever before met and it will pass into the history of the state as of epoch-making importance, for with the defeat of constitutional prohibition will come Alabama's de- liverance from a reign of unparalleled fanaticism and intolerance.
 Thousands of honest and well-mean- ing men there are in the ranks of the constitutional prohibitionists; but it is well nigh inconceivable how they can be led to believe that they will help the cause of temperance by vot- ing for the amendment. Many who now intend to vote that way will change their minds and stand on the side of Alabama's liberty-loving sons before the 29th of November comes. The voters of this state who prize 1 freedom and who will be ever ready to die for it are surely rising in their might The Montgomery gathering tells the story. No scheming politi- clans or so-called reformers can pre- vail against the Old Guard.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-09-16
Excursions to Birminqham.

'T am glad to see the railroads Eun- ming excursions into Birmingham said a business man. For many years ex- cursions have been run but it has always seemed that they were run from Birming- ham instead of to Birmingham. In other words they carried money away from the city instead of bringing it in.
 ''Take the excursions from Atlanta this week. for instance. They brought only a few hundred people but the merchants are bound to feel the good effects of this number of absolute strangers turned into the city. Probably people came on those cheap excursions from interior Georgia towns who had never before been to Bir- mingham. I have always ma intained that a man has to see Birmingham in order to appreciate the city thoroughly and the more people we can get to visit us who have never been here before the better it will be for us. It Is a fine means of ad- vertising and I hope the railroads will keep it up.'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-09-16
Ed Graves, the "kid Sheriff"

Another member of the Bolunt county delegation was Ed Graves, the kid sheriff of that county. Graves is another who }harbors little love for the admin istration and it's policies.
 'The old soldiers" he says, are not the only sufferers from the miserable condition of the state treasury l don t know about the sheriffs of big counties, but we little fellows are getting little money. For removal of prisoners and for feeding them I have not received re- muneration in some time. l have card in my pocket now on which it is stated that there is no money in the treasury and that I cannot be paid my fees until De- tober l. I might not get the amount then.'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-09-16
Quail Not So Plentiful.

Quail will not be so plentiful this year in North Alabama said John B. Rosenstihl. game warden for this dis trict. "I do not expect to find as many as last year for during June the young birds were nearly all drowned out.
 q understand that they came through all right further south, and the shooting in that section will be fine. Of course, we will have a supply of young birds from the second hatch. but I do not expect anything like the ordinary.
 Deer are getting plentiful around Muscle shoals, and I hear that wild tur- keys will be abundant. 1o1a protection which has been given this game for the past few years is beginning to show good results
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-09-16
HIS CHOICE.

 She has a world of winning ways. She smiles on me
 Entrancingly,
 AS sweet as ever maid could be- But wisdom says, Beware, beware Go slow, go slow, take care, take care. A broken heart is bound to hurt. No woman's born who wouldn't firt' She has pair of honest eyes, In which you'd think the love-light lies; And while philosophers do say That truth Is found In eyes of gray, She's false as all the day is long AS false as fair, that's going strong. And so I'll just content myself To drink her health
 And wish her wealth.
 I'll 1ove-it needn't be by stealth The maid who'll tell me how I stand, Not rule me with a hckle hand:, And if alas, I stand no show Will straigntway up and tell me SO!
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-09-16
HUMAN LIFE.

from "The Cobbler of Hagenau." Our ingress into the world
 Was naked and bare; Our progress through the world Is trouble and care; Our egress from the world
 Will be nobody knows where; But if we do well here
 We shall do well there: And I could tell you no more, Should I preach a whole yearl
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-09-16
Cpeninu of University.

Greensboro, September 15.-(Special)- The Southern university will open hero tomorrow and judging from tbe number of students that have already arrived, it will have a fine opening. Special ex- ercises will be held, as this is the f1ftieth session of the school. Professors Smith and Jack, the recently elected members of the faculty are here ready to take up their work. Prof. Jack will have charge of the recently organized department oi history.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-09-16
John B. Knox oreets Friends.

Attending the convention were a great many members of the constitu- tional convention of 1901. John B. Knox, president of that convention, was here, and as is known took an active part in the preparation to snow under the pet measure of the administration and to bring about the abdication of H. R. H. Brooke Lawrence.
 Maj. Jere Williams, formerly chan cellor, and during the war a magnifi- cent soldier of the lost cause, was a prominent figure. He Is the father of J. s. Williams, one of Barbour's rep resentatives. Both declare the amend- ment dead already in southeast Ala bama.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-09-16
Sentiment in Wilcox.

Dan Cook of Wilcox clerk of house committed, says the preachers are op- posing the amendment in his county
 ..W. D. Ramsey" he says, president of the Pine Barron Baptist association, Il most excellent man and most intelligent man, has come out boldly as opposing the amendment. He is doing certain service in aiding in its defeat
 w. N. Huckleby, another Baptist pas tor of the county is also opposing the amendment.
 T figure the vote will be pretty close in my county However, these two min isters, having come out on the proper side, will do much towards turning the tide The gentlemen are not simply sit- ting down with hands folded saying We are against the amendment but are hust- ling for its defeat"
 MT. Cook, after attending the conven- tion in Montgomery today left for Bir- mingham, where he will attend the con- vention of the pro-amendment faction to- morrow.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-09-16
REFLECTIONS OF A BACHELOR

From the New York Press.
 The easiest thing to see is why a woman thinks she has pretty ankles.
 A man can get wildly excited over a political question, unless he understands it.
 If man happens to know who wrote Yankee Doodle" he thinks he's musical.
 One good thing about a college educa- ton Is boy gets 1t before he is too old to mend.
 The reason girls always follow their mothers advice about men is they say they do. especially when it isn't Nue.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-09-16
Charles Rattray of Cherokee.

Charles Rattray, long a representative of Cherokee county, and now candi- date for the senate from Cherokee and Dekalb counties. attended the convention. There are few characters in public life in Alabama more interesting. He was born In British Columbia, moved to Illinois when he was years of age, lived there F years, served in the Union army TOUT years (entering a private and coming out a coloneD, then moved to Alabama. He became a member of the legislature In 1888.
 Colonel Rattray is advancing in years, but is vigorous still in body and mind. He speaks right out in meetin'," too, and no man can offer the excuse that he knows not where he stands.
 The colonel did not vote for Conner. But he was put on Corners pet committee. that of commerce and common carriers. He voted for all the railroad legislation because as he states. the railroads were given the privilege of reviewing their cases before the higher courts. But when he returned for the extra session he round that the railroads were to be deprived or this privilege, and broke the Conner spell.
 In the extraordinary session he voted against everything the administration wanted, and was one of the 20 who op- posed submitting the constitutional amendment to the vote of the people.
 q haven't been over the county of Cher okee in some time" stated Colonel Rat tray, but the town beats will go against the amendment by about to l. We nave had prohibition in Cherokee for 20 years. A score of years ago an ignorant 1eilow was elected by the wool hats or Chero- kee and he introduced special bill to prohibit the sale Of lquor Tn our couhly' The bill carried.
 "selling whisky in Cherokee, however, has made several persons rich. There was not very long ago fellow who carried the United States mall as a sideline ana booze as a staple. Soon. instead of walk ing he drove cart, and a little later A carriage One day the carriage was so full of booze that one Of it's axles was broken in front of my house. Again, load of whisky was so heavy that hls two horses could not pull a buggy from mud hole. and 1t became necessary TOT him to procure the services of third
 "Some time ago a deacon of one Of the churches urged me to vote for stateWlue prohibition. Telling the gentleman that was a local optionist, I gave him to un- derstand that I could not do his bldoins. He became furious. At that time the steamboats plying up the river were dolng an immense business in the way Of de- liverfng whisky to purchasers The deacon in question, soon after our conversation, gave the captain of one of the boats an order to deliver a fve-gallon demijohn at his gin. But the captain forgot the whereabouts of the gin and delivered it in more public place. The story leaked out on this account and I have had no further trouble from the deacon"
 Colonel Rattray Is known from one sec tion of Alabama to the other. He is mak- ing the race for the senate and has no opposition to date. He 1ntroduceo ana fathered the Thigh school bill.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-09-16
FOUR FORMER
 GOVERNORS ARE
 AT CONFERENCE
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1)


 Butler county attended the convention at the head of about 40 delegates. An unusual characteristic of the Butler delegation was the fact that more than 80 of the total of 40 voted for prohi- bition when that agitation some months ago was playing havoc throughout the width and breadth of this good state.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-09-16

members of the legisla ture. as rule, are above the average in ability, honesty and integrity of purpose. They act under oath of office, and the responsibility rest ing upon them is supposed to give them a calm and dispassionate view of public uuestionsa
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-09-16
Funeral of John w, Castles.

New York, September 15.-John w. Castles, president of the Union Trust company, who committed suicide Mon- day at the Grand Union hotel, was buried today in Woodlawn cemetery. The funeral services, which were held at his home on Park avenue, were quiet.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-09-16

injury. It will simply be a big object in our sky at night, and the para graphers would soon begin to crack jokes at it's expense. But it will not mind the paragraphers and their harm less squibs
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-09-16

The political situation in Alabama presents some complex questions, but certain phases of it are simple enough. All those who favor Governor Conner for United States senator and Judge Weakley for the governorship will vote for the amendment.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-09-16

Chauncey NJ. Depew is said to be greatly annoyed" over the report that he is going to leave New York. Perhaps what annoys him more is the sneaking suspicion that he wouldn't be missed if he did
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-09-16
FUN FOR THE EDITOR.

There is a new game out called Tickle the Editor" Take an ordinary sheet of writing paper, on which you pen few lines suitable for the occasion. Next you fold It carefully, inclosing in the fold a bank note sufficiently large to pay all ar rearages, and a year in advance, and hand it to the editor. Keep eye on him and if a smile adorns his face the trick works fine. It can be played by mail. Now is the time to play a joke on us. Wire Grass Siftings.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-09-16

Birmingham citizens returning from Montgomery last night say that in point of earnestness and enthusiasm nothing equal to the conference has been seen in Alabama in many a day.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-09-16

An Indiana man smoked all the time he was being married. It may have been to show how cool he was, or 1t may have been to quiet his nerves.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-09-16

If Peary isn't careful, his colored lieutenant, Matt" Hensen, will be the more popular of the two Matt is at least keeping his mouth shut.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-09-16

picture. When the dispensary was oper- ated the grand jury never returned mord than 20 true bills. Now the number aver ages 70, and the majority are based on charges of violating the prohibition laws and perjury. The young men of the fam lilies leave home to make wild cat whisky, and things are In an awful stew. But we must settle down and beat this amendment. Then other reforms will come"