davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-01-07
Congress and the Secret Service

When Congress in it's last sundry civil bill restricted the functions of the secret service it aroused the in- dignation of the President. and he has not hesitated to express his opinions thereat. A controversy between Con- gress and the President has arisen, and the Presidents recent special mes- sage but adds fuel to the flame. The members of the House who are in- volved in the controversy will certainly answer the Presidents statements when the matter comes up.
 The truth is, the President is right when he opposes any restriction of the secret service. The executive officers of the government know where and when the secret service detectives can be used to advantage, and the custom of recent years should not be inter- fered with. Originally created to look after counterfeiters the detectives have been variously employed, even to shadow some Congressman engaged in stealing timbered lands.
 When the President objected in his annual message to a restriction of the use of detectives the House called upon the President for evidence supporting his statements, and he supplies plenty of it when he answers the request of the House. He explains the need of detectives in the various branches of the government service.
 force of secret police seems incon- sistent with free government. It is too suggestive of Russia. All should re- member, however, how wide our sys- tenn of administration has become. and how many rascals are encountered in it. In Oregon a United States Senator and a member of the House, engaged in stealing timbered lands, were de- tected and convicted on evidence ob- tained by the members of the secret service. Detectives are no doubt needed, and the proposition to put them in charge of the department of l justice is probably the best disposition of the subject that can be devised.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-01-07
Direct Primary Favored.

Albany N. Y., January G.-Direct pri- mary nomination and further strengthen ing of the laws for the protection of the purity of elections are chief among the recommendations in the annual message of Governor Hughes. presented to the leg isature today. The governor has been constant advocate of direct primaries and the so-called Massachusetts ballot system since his inauguration two years ago. both in his messages to the legislature and in public addresses. Previous legisla- lures have failed to enact the legsa- tion suggested and it is predicted that the proposed measures will result in a legislative struggle this year which may equal in point of bitterness the conflict over the anti-race track gambling bill.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-01-07
More Corn and Less Cotton

Eight-cent cotton is inducing many farmers to devote more acres to corn raising and fewer to cotton growing. Many cotton fields are already green with wheat, oats or rye, and in the coming months corn will be freely planted in every southern state. In the districts afflicted with boil weevil this policy is almost imperative. and in all other districts it is desirable.
 "The man." says the Cotton Journal, "who grows an abundance of grain, hay, chickens, eggs, pigs and other things to eat, and with which he can supply his own wants and that of his local market, is the man who is at all times independent of the price of cot ton to sustain him. Nobody ever heard of the creditor, or the sheriff making life miserable to the man who has full smoke house and corn crib Such farmers are not bowed with debts due to the supply merchant or the local bank. Such men do not feel the de- pressing influences of hard times, low prices or panics. They sleep well at nights. meet the whole world with a smile of peaceful contentment and are always ready with hearty hand shake and with the latchstring on the outside of their hospitable homes. They feel the powerful and fascinating influences of perfect contentment at all times and are what you would truly typify as in dependent husbandmen. The man who depends wholly on cotton aud the credit system to carry him from year to year will always have hard and rocky road to travel. There are hun dreds of thousands in the south who each year travel this road, and they fall into line and live at home, instead of on the supply merchant and the credit system. Pick out the independ- ent and successful farmers in any cot ton growing country and go upon their premises and the success of their farm ing is soon found in the well filled corn cribs, hay stacks, smoke houses and good gardens"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-01-07
Big Expenses Mean Bonds

The government is spending more than it's income in times of profound peace, and a bond issue to pay ordi- nary governmental expenses seems in- evitable. This is what republicanism has brought us to in the course of 12 : years of full control. The Roosevelt administration has in particular been one of extreme extravagance. Expan- sion has been the policy in the army and navy, in public buildings, in water ways and in conservation All expenses have been vastly increased in 12 years excepting those for the Indians and pensions, both of which have stood still because the Indians and the pensioners are decreasing in numbers.
 The cost of maintaining the navy has been quadrupled. It now costs $11S,- 0O00 year, and the return that this isolated country gets from the expendi- ture is exceedingly questionable. And so it is with the army and in several other directions.
 The trouble is we have no budget
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-01-07
HELEN.

By F. A. U. Valentine She sits within the white oak hail. Hung with the trophies of the chase Helen, a stately maid and tall.
 Dark haired and pale of face; With dropping lids and eyes that brood, Sunk in the depths of some strange
 mood.
 She gazes in the fireplace, where The oozing pine logs snap and Hare, wafting the perfume of their native wood. The wind is whining In the garth. The leaves are at their dervish rounds, The flexible flames upon the hearth Hang out their tongues like panting
 hounds. The fire. I deem, she holds in thrall It's red light lawns as she lets fall Escalloped pine cones, dried and brown, From loose, white hands, till up and
 down
 The colored shadows dye the /dusky wall. The tawny lamp flame tugs it's wick; Upon the landing of the stair The ancient clock is heard to tick In shadows dark as Helens hair; And by gentle accolade
 squire to languid silence made, I lean upon my palms, with eyes Der which a rack of fancy flies, While dreams like gorgeous sunsets flame
 and fade. And as l muse on Helen's. face,
 Within the firelight's ruddy shine, It's beauty takes an oden grace
 Like hers whose fairness was divine; The dying embers leap. and To!
 Troy wavers vaguely all aglow, And in the north wind leashed without hear the conquering Argiyes' shout: And Helen feeds the flames as long aGeI
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-01-07
ERE MURDER CASE
 IN HANDS OF JURY

Media, Pa, January 6.-The fate of Mrs. Catherine Beisel and Mrs. M. Florence Erb, charged with the murder of Capt. J. Clayton Erb at his country home, Red Gables,'' on October 6. hangs n the balance The case was given to the jury at 4:s0 O clock this afternoon and after delibefating for four hours they were locked up for the night.
 When court opened B. Frank Rhodes, of counsel for the defense, began the clos ing address in favor of the defendants. He said that Mrs. Beisel had shot Erb, that her own life and that of her sister might be spared.
 He unmercifully scored the "Philadel- phia gang" as he termed them, for the part the Philadelphia detectives and cor oner's physician took in securing evl- dence and testifying against the accused.
 MT. Rhodes was followed by District At torney McDade for the commonwealth. The latter bitterly resented the "slur cast upon the Philadelphians." When he spread unon the floor of the court room the blue print or the second floor of the Red Cables where Erb was killed every juror left his seat in the box and seemed in- tent upon gaining all information possible from the exhibit. MT. McDade pleaded for a first degree verdict, saying that ..tbe murder was a diabolical plot. con- ceiyed by shrewd, cunning women.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-01-07
IN HOTEL LOBBIES
Project Is Abandoned.

The Fourth avenue property owners and citizens generally will be disappointed to learn that the persons who contem- plated occupying the proposed big fire proof building as a department store on the corner of Fourth avenue and Twenti- eth street have abandoned the idea for some time to come.s said a real estate man yesterday.
 Gen. Louis V. Clark. the owner of the property, in discussing the matter, said:
 T regret the report is about orreet. l told the contractors. Messrs T. C. Thompson & Bros. to go ahead with the temporary two-story affair, with base ment. and enough tenants have already applied to fill the small building twice over, but had hoped for mutually sat isfactory arrangement for a six-story fire proof building on that corner, which will be erected before many years. as the city is fast developing that way"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-01-07
GATES FOLLOWS CARNEGIE.
Millionaire Believes In Free Trade On
 Iron, Coal and Lumber.

Washington, January 6.-John w. Gates has joined the ranks of those who are asking for free trade on iron, coal and lumber. In a letter to Speaker Cannon, which was referred to the committee on ways and means, MT. Gates declares that these articles should be put on the free list and that cut of 50 per cent in the steel schedules would not affect the manufacturers of iron and steel in this country.
 MT. Gates letter is dated at Port Arr thur, Tex, and reads as follows:
 T notice a great deal of evidence is being taken on tariff matters in Wash ington. It seems to me there are three articles that ought to be put upon the free list-iron ore, coal and lumber. have a large portion of my fortune in the steel business, but l say this to you con- scientiously and candidly: A cut of 50 per cent in the schedule would not hurt the manufacturers of iron and steel a par ticle.'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-01-07
Naming the Library.

s'In view of the renewed interest that is being aroused in a public library for Birmingham" said a member of the Con- mercial club, 'I find in discussing the matter with various citizens that there is still considerable opposition to calling upon Carnegie for assistance In erecting A suitable building. As for myself I have no decided views on the subject of where the money shall come from. All I want to see is a library which shall be on a scale to which the people of Birming- ham are entitled. It would undoubtedly give the city great distinction if it could raise enough money to build a hand some library and have it called by some other name than that which is applied to many thousands of libraries in the country.
 "On the other hand it takes so much money that it will be difficult to get enough without a big lift from some phil anthropist Birmingham has many rich men and 1t would be a master stroke if someone who has the money would come forward and give the bulk of the money on condition that it be named after him. self or some member of his family. It would be fine if it could be made a me- morial library. l would much rather see the library named after some local man than after an outsider"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-01-07
Prohibition In Mobile,

Mobile hasn't seemed like Mobile since the first of the year." said H. L. Hun nicutt of that town who arrived in Bir- mnigham yesterday on a business trip. For myself I was rather inclined to have prohibition just to see how it worked, hut the few days experience has changed me. If man wants a drink it is a com paratively easy matter to get it, though the officers are rather strict right now It looks as if everybody had laid in a store of firewater, while a number of men from Birmingham are down there organizing clubs already. It appears that they are not having as easy time get ting their charters as they did up here, though. Public sentiment in Mobile is ap- parently simply an expression of disgust for prohibition
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-01-07
SECRET SERVICE INQUIRY.
Senator Hale Proposes To Be Thor
 ough In the Investigation.

Washington, January 6.-Complying with the request of Senator Hale, as acting chairman of the Senate commit tee on appropriations, which the Senate has instructed to investigate the use Of the secret service force by other depart ments of the government than this year. the President today forwarded to him re- ports from the treasury, interior and war departments. and the departments of jus tice and of commerce and labor. bearing upon this subject.
 The determination by the Senate to have an investigation made grew out of the Presidents discussion of the secret service in his annual message, but Sena- tor Hale has determined that the in- oury shall not be confined to the Presi- dents connection of Congress with the subject.
 MT. Hale stated today that the data from the President was intended ex- clusively for the use of the committee and would not be given to the public unless the committee should so desire.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-01-07
DEATH FROM WHALING GAS.
Congress May investigate Gas Supply
 of Washington.

Washington, January 6.-In recent communication to President Roosevelt Secretary Wilson of the agricultural de- partment, directing attention to the cir cumstances surrounding the death of A. Fall in this city, caused by inhaling air charged with carbon monoxide, said that an examination of the gas supply of Washington made by the bureau of chem istry, disclosed the presence of large percentage of poisonous carbon monoxide and he referred the matter to the Presi- dent for action.
 The President transmitted the letter to Attorney General Bonaparte, who direct ed District Attorney Baker to investigate the circumstances. MT. Baker reported that no action in the premises could be taken by the department of justice. In discussing the situation MT. Bonaparte transmits to the President all the core spondence.
 He points out that the Washington Gas Light company has the sanction of Con- gress for the manufacture of water gas. the only restriction being that it's illumi- hating power shall be of certain candle power.
 "The remedy" says the Attorney Gen. eral, Ties in legislation"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-01-07
POSTAL SAVINGS BANKS.
Bill for Establishment Is Taken Up
 In the Senate.

Washington January 6.-The bill to establish postal savings banks was taken up by the Senate and read for amendment Senator Carter, in charge of the measure, announcing that he would not attempt to get vote on the bill until next week.
 That state banks should be used as government depositories for postal funds was proposed in amendments of fered by Senators Smith of Michigan, Cummins of Iowa and Gore of Okla homa. Senators McCumber, Fulton and others approved such use of state banks, and declared in favor of placing such banks on an exact equality with na- tional banks, as government deposi- tories. MT. Smiths amendment pro- posed the acceptance by the postmaster general of state, county, municipal or United States bonds as securities.
 The bill was laid aside without final action being taken on the proposed amendments, all of which will be voted on at future day.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-01-07
Better Terms With Venezuela.

Washington, January 6.-Daily ad- vices are being received at the staae department from William I. Buchanan, the American special commissioner, who is now in Caracas conducting negotia- tions with the Gomez government, hav- ing in view the reaching of an under
 standing regarding a basis of settle ment of the international questions pending between the United States and Venezuela, as a prerequisite for the re- sumption of diplomatic relations. MT. Buchanans dispatches are hopeful in tenor, but show that no definite con clusions have been yet reached. His instructions are very broad and form the basis on which his negotiations with the Venezuelan government are conducted.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-01-07
FIRST BLIZZARD
 OF THE WINTER

Chicago. January 6.-True to the weather bureaus schedule the first blizzard of the winter swept down upon Chicago from the north. From 45 degrees of yester= day the mercury dropped to below to- day. Telegraph and telephone wires were reported in trouble north of here. Later the telegraph companies admitted the loss of wires in every direction and eonse- quent delay in handling messages.
 A number of accidents due to the cold were recorded. A South Deering electric car, unable to stop on the frosted rails. crashed into an Illinois Central train at a crossing and a number of passengers on the street car were injured. two of them seriously. Twenty-Five guests of the Humboldt Park hotel suffered severely from the cold when they were driven half-clad into the street by a fire which did $1000 damage.
 Professor Garriot, head of the weather bureau said the cold snap had come to stay Today was the eoldest in three years.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-01-07
Greek Editor In Trouble.

Atlanta, January 6.-Chargec with crim- inal libel in connection with rhe publea- tion of criticisms of local Greek priest, and with carrying concealed weapons, Editor B. l. Georgopoulos of the Greek Herald has been lodged in the Fulton county jail. When arrested a few days ago on the charge of libel Georgopoulos gave bond, but when a subsequent charge of carrying concealed weapons was made against him his sureties surrendered him to the authorities To add to the Greek editors troubles his printing plant has been attached to satisfy alleged debts
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-01-07
Special Committee To Report.

Washington, January 6.-The special committee considering the reference to Congress and the secret service in the Presidents annual message is to re- port to the House on Friday. It is ex- pected that there will be considerable doubt on the report of the committee, which will be presented to the House by Representative Perkins of New York, the chairman. Representatives Tawney of Minnesota, Smith of Iowa. F'itzger- aid of New York, and Sherly of Ken lucky, who were referred to by the President in his special message fol- lowing the action of the House in re- senting the objectionable portion of the Presidents message, will take the op- portunity to reply to the President.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-01-07
Catamounts Plentiful.

Wildcats or catamounts appear to be increasing in number,' said Jett Brewer of Avondale, who has just returned from a two weeks hunting trip in the south ern part of the state. ''There were six men in our party and we had about ten days of hunting. The six of us only managed to bag about 90 quail during these ten days but we broke the record in killing catamountss IT of the ugly creatures falling prey to our guns. One man, Henry McAllister, killed eight of them. The farmers we talked to stated that they are puzzled to know what to do about 1t. It seems to be impossible to kill them off,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-01-07
HENRY M. STANLEY'S
 NIECE IS DEAD

Mobile, January 6.-Mrs Mary E. Staats, aged 66 years, niece of Sir Henry M. Stanley, the African explorer, died here this afternoon. She was born in New ark, N. J., and came to this city as a bride at the age of r years. She re- sided here all her life until a few years ago. Her late husband, Maj. G. H. Staats, a Confederate veteran, was the original owner and proprietor of the Southern hotel here in the ante-bellum days Mrs. Staats is survived by two daughters, Mrs, Maude E. Truitt, superintendent of mu- sic in the Mobile public schools, and Mrs. Hainesworth of Arkansas; one son, LamplSin Staats of Dexter, Mo, and other relatives. She was a member of the United Daughters of the Confectionery Her interment will be held privately in this city tomorrow afternoon
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-01-07
BEACH HARGIS IN JAIL.
His Mother Would Not Pay His Fine
 For Getting Drunk.

Jackson, Ky, January Swallowing the refusal of his mother to pay fines total ing ss6, Beach Hargis was today returned to jail to serve out the jail sentences which were imposed as an alternative punishment for shooting on the streets.
 Mrs. Hargis' refusal to pay her sons fines was prompted, it is said, by advice that he would be safer in jail. and there is no prospect of his immediate release.
 Young Hargls on Monday last was re- leased on s250O0 bond, following the fail- ure of trial jury at Irvine to agree as to his guilt or innocence of the murder of his father, Judge James Hargis. Within a few hours after his arrival in Jackson he had been twice arrested-once for shooting in the streets and once for drunkenness.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-01-07
DOUBT ABOUT CUBA.
Congressman Lassiter Believes the
 Republic Is Shaky.

Washington, January 6.-Claiming that a state of anarchy would exist on the island of Cuba in the event that the United States withdraws all of its troops from that island, Representative Lassiter. democrat, of Virginia today introduced a resolution calling upon the Secretary of War to furnish to the House such in- formation IS he may possess that justifies the United States government in assuming that the reeently elected Cuban officials are capable of maintaining q stable gov ernment
 MT. Lassiter has recently visited Cuba. He says that American capital invested in the islands should be protected, and that many capitalists are ready to put their money in Cuba but are afraid that the United States would withdraw It's troops from the island. He claims that the business interest in Cuba desire the protection of the United States.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-01-07
Cotton Men to Meet.

Charlotte, N. C., January 6.--The next annual meeting of the American Cot ton Manufacturers association will be held in Richmond, Va.. instead of New York. This was decided upon by the executive committee in session here to- day. The committee further decided to change the date of the annual meet ings from the third Wednesday to the fourth Tuesday in May. resolution was adopted authorizing the president of the association to join in the call with other associations for the meeting to be held in Indianapolis in the mid dle of February to discuss the matter of tariff revision.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-01-07
TESTIMONY IN
 STANDARD CASE

New York January 6-Testifying today in the suit to dissolve the Standard oil company. George J. L. Wolff. Baltimore manager for the Crewe-Levick company, said the testimony given yesterday by Bruce Robinson, a Standard witness, that the Crewe-Levick company had offered cut prices to the Standards customers was false Mr. Wolff asserted the cut was made by the Eagle Oil company, one of the concerns absorbed by the Standard. The witness said MT. Blaustein, who operated the Eagle oil company, visit the Crewe-Levick companys customers and made proffers of silk dresses. cleo tric fans and other presents to the wives of the oil dealers if they would induce their husbands to buy oil of the Eagle company.
 MT. Wolff said an employe of his com- pany, who was discharged. carried away a lot of books and data from the Crewe- Levicl company, and was employed by Mir. Blaustein. This employe then secured a wagon from the Eagle company, paint ed it in the colors usually employed by the Crewe-Levick company and solicited trade from his former customers, the witness said.
 Referring to pamphlet published by his company counsel for the Standard asked whether or not the Crewe-Levick company owned certain rich oil produc- ing lands," its own pipe lnies, and num- Der of oil and gasoline plants, as stated in the pamphlet. MT. Wolff replied that while he had no personal knowledge of the oil lands or the pipe lines, he could not say that they did not exist.
 MT. Wolff told of the tank wagon drivers he had taken away from the Standard company and MT. Blaustein's Eagle Oil company, each of whom had brought him quite lot of Standard cus- toners.
 q got more customers from the Stand ard than they got of mine,' he said gleefully.