davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-03-06

admittedly one of the best courts in the
 world. and prove that hls claim Is not
 only based on equity and justice. but is moderate in amount. Fsvorably to pass this court he must prove his claim
 to the last degree. yet, although he
 may do this thousand times over, and
 the court decides in his favor. he has really accomplished nothing. The next step is to go to Congress. hire lobby ists. hang around committee rooms, buttonhole Senators and Representa- tives. appealing them. favorably to vote on a matter on which they know noth- ing and care less. Several million dol lars of such just debts against the na- ton have been passed by the court. but many of the original claimants are long since dead, with their claims un- paid, or others are living wretched lives in Washington. hoping against hope that a miracle will happen and that Congress will pass on their claims. Yet the ghastly farce goes on year after year and nothing is done"
 We have often heard and read of the almost interminable delay attend ing the. collection of a claim against the government. It always reminds us of Mark Twains story of "The man who put up at Gaddis'." Briefly, a Kentuckian. in a fine coach and four, with a negro driver. drove to Wash ington to collect bill from the gov- ernment. Stopping before Gaddis' Ho- tel he tefused to have his horses put up, saying he had nothing to do but step over to the Treasury and collect his claim. He didn't get the money, so he had to put up at the hotel till next day. To make the story short, he remained at Gaddis' Hotel as the months dragged on, sold all his horses, his carriage and his driver. and final ly was forced for lack of means to re- turn to Kentucky on foot-and without collecting his claim.
 Of course this Is a bit of fiction. but as The Traveller shows, 1t is not so very wild, after all. Claims against the government sometimes remind one of the poets comparison of "a needless Alexandrine," to use his language, l that like a wounded snake drags its | slow length along," until finally life, | patience and hope are exhausted, and still they are not paid. This may be governmental method of doing busi- ness but it can hardly be called a cred itabie one. When a just claim held by one individual against another is de- layed by and through the courts much complaint is made about the tardiness of justice. but the government itself is far worse. One having a just and valid claim against the government should be paid as soon as the justice of the claim has been established, and not be forced to wait lifetime for what he is entitled to.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-03-06
GREAT BATTLE LOSSES.
Deaths in Italian Earthquake Great,
 Than i'm BOer War.

Deaths i'm Italian Earthquake Greater
 Than i'm BOer War.
 London Chronicle.
 We are assured that the number of deaths from the appalling catastrophe at Messina cannot be less than 200, ,00O but we have little doubt" writes commentator, that Italy has lost as many inhabitants as would be killed mot in a battle, but in a whole cam paign." To this 1t may be remarked that no campaign of recent times has been marked by such an awful crop of ca casualties-on one side at least. In the Franco German war. which lasted six months, the total German loss in life from all causes was only about <2.000 the equivalent of an entire army corps
 On the other hand. our own particu- lar loss in the Boer campaign-which lasted over two and a half years. or five times as long-only amounted to something over S0.000. and of these only 1000 fell in battle. the others dying of disease. which proved far more fatal than bullets and shells.
 Therefore. the Italian people have lost more in thirty minutes of earth quake than we lost in thirty months of war but. then, it was the terrific forces of nature--as deadly as they are beyond human control-that were arr rayeJ against them. For battle parallel to Messina we must go back to Canae. when about 10000 Romans were stretched dead upon the plain.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-03-06
Louisiana Turns From Cotton to Cane. Hl.1A 4 A arln

Louisiana Turns From Cotton to Cane. Baltimore American.
 "In some parts of my State," re- marked Col. J. s. Aubrey, a wealthy cotton grower of Avoyelles parish, La. there is a strong movement among the planters to make a change of crops. Heretofore in my locality the principal product has been cotton but henceforth 1t will be sugar cane. Year after year the farmers have seen much of their cotton destroyed by that will lainous pest, the boil weevll. and they cannot afford to have such heavy losses continue.
 "It will be inconvenient and expen- sive to make the change. but in the end 1t will pay. Eventually we will also put up local refineries. but for the present all the cane will have to be shipped to outside mills. The pros- poets now are that the coming season will mark the biggest production of sugar In the history of Louisiana"
The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-03-06

We think the weather man was real mean, that's what he was. to send such a cold chill to greet the new Presi- dents induction into office He might have given one good day to the per formance. The only consolation about 1t Is that it sent Roosevelt of with a cold nose.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-03-06
Correct English,

Dundee Advertiser
 college professor who prided him self on his correct English heard his wife remark, T intend to call Jane to bring a fresh bucket of water" You doubtless mean a bucket of fresh water" corrected the professor. "I wish you would pay some attention to your rhetoric; your mistakes are curious" few moments later the professor said. My dear. that picture would show to better advantage if you she replied. quietly. you doubtless mean if l were to hang 1t above the clock. If were to hang it over the clock we could not tell the time. wish you would De more careful with your rhetoric, my dear; your mistakes are curious" And the professor all at once became very much interested in the book he was reading.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-03-06

The Chattanooga Times changes the slogan from Long live the President" to Long live the Presidency" It doesn't intend to be premature regard ing MT. Taft.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-03-06
SWORN CIRCULATION.

The Montgomery Advertiser guarantees It's advertisers (and makes 1t a part of the con- tract when requested) that it's daily circuia- ton is larger than that of any morning newspaper printed in Alabama-and that its Sunday edition has the largest circulation Of any edition of any newspaper printed In Alabama without exception.
 The figures for January printed below represent the actual net circulation. all re- turns having been deducted.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-03-06
A Big DirigibIe Airship.
Daily Consular Reports.

Daily COn8uIdT ItepUrtB.
 According to Consul General Rich- ard Guenther. of Frankfort, new dirigible airship will soon be con tion of Professor Schuette, of the Technical High School at Danzig, Prus- sia. The balloon will be BIO feet in length and about f1rty feet in diam composed of aluminium. but of double diagonal wooden ribs. The car or basket is to be about 12O feet long pelfer will be driven by two gas mo- tors of 150-h orsepower each. Tine ay- craze speed is estimated at fifty Eng fish miles an hour. As the carrying capacity is considerably enhanced by substituting wood for aluminium, the new airship will be able to take, be- sides the usual outfit and crew, from 4.o00 to 4,5OO pounds of freight.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-03-06

Two muscular individuals were hammering al each other in the ring.
 Horrible" calculated tender hearted spectator.
 Horrible. nothing" said a regular patron. "If you want to see a real scrap get next to them when they divide the purse."-Philadelphia Led ger.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-03-06

The new President didn't cut it very short, after all, but it might have been several columns worse.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-03-06

We do not know that Mir Roosevelt's trip to Africa will take him to Liberia, but if so he may get mixed up in a scrimmage.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-03-06

No one can tell, We suppose. how much brain Mr. Philander Knox owns but his pictures show him rather short on hair. Stl. abundance of hair is not always evidence of much brain aawax
The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-03-06

Nell-I'm afraid MT. Guzzler had too much drink at the dinner last night
 Belle-What makes you think so?
 Nell-When the charlotte russe was served he tried to blow the froth of -PhiladeIphia Record.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-03-06

While I may not always endorse what the national Democratic plat forms may enunciate. or what the Dem ocratic candidates for President may stand for. it will take something more than proffered offices or appropriations for the South to make me forget what the Republican Party has done to the South during the past forty-nine years.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-03-06
Query.

Macon Telegraph.
 'I am not an out-and-out candi- date" said Mr. Bryan, recently Savannah Press.
 When did be join the 'ins?"
The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-03-06

A correspondent of The Macon Tele- graph. thanking that paper for some of it's utterances about the loose talk of "shattering the solid South," aptly says:
The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-03-06

Velvet Pekins are once more receiving at tention. the stripes alternating with the velvet.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-03-06

c- I Finisan. Circulation Manager of The Montgomery Advertiser. being duly sworn. says:
 The foregoing statement Of The Adver- ttser's circulation for the month of January. 1908. is true and correct, and compiled af- ter all returns from news boys. news agents. spoiled and left-over copies have been de- durted. c. l. FINIQAN.
 Circulation Manager. Sworn to and subscribed before me this 11th day of February. 1909.
 RIGA ALEXANDER, Notary Public.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-03-06

''IIe is a man of few words"
 Yes. and they are: What is there in if far ms?'-Detroit Free Press.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-03-06
This b My 5Ist Birthday SCHUYLER CoLFAx GRAVES.

Schuyler Colfax Graves. a noted physician and surgeon, was born in Kalamazoo Mich the public schools of Grand Rapids and at the University of Michigan. where he re- 1881 Under confusion of major from Pres ident Mckinley, received in 1898 he served during the Spanish American war as chief surgeon Of the First Brigade Third Divis- ion. Fouth Army Corps. and was stationed at Tampa. Florida. and Huntsville Ala bama In the study of medicine and surgery he has travelled extensively in Europe ana in Africa and has been an extensive con trbutor to the leading American medical publications.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-03-06

Two small boys had straysd in the mummy room of a certain museum "WOts these?" said one.
 "rhem's guys wot's bin dead a long time" answered the other.
 And wot's them letters, B. c. l4 over the guy in the corner?"
 Guess that's the number of tho au- tomobile wot run over the poor bloke." Bohemian Magazine.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-03-06

Among the sunshine poets of the Editor of The Montgomery Advertiser. is gaining in prestige and popularity in the front rank. Ills poem, "rhe Oid Organ" which he published in The melodious rythmic swing. and a tender sentiment that cannot be surpassed by Riley or stanton. Demo. crat
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-12-20

Beginning at midnight Saturday, the Connecticut Company spent the balance of Sunday, a day when civil process does not run, in establishing the so-called death trap'' across the sidewalk at Stratford avenue
 Indignation ran high among citi- zens this morning when it became known that the "job" put through by the Lee administration had been fin- ally completed
 There was no need for the company to work in darkness and secrecy, nor on Sunday, however, for the reason that City Attorney Thomas NJ. Gull linan had already advised Mayor Buckingham that the city has no remedy. As the mayor is not addict ed to grandstanding the company had nothing to apprehend and might have laid it's tracks on a week day at a proper season.
 But no effort upon the part of the city to enjoin the work was to be fear ed, because City Atoorney Thomas M. Cullinan, after a most exhaustive in vestigation of the law, had advised Mayor Buckingham that the last Lee. had completely parted with all of the city's rights. He also said that he could not find a tangible ground upon which, in an application for an injunction, he would have any stand ing before a court
 The city's rights in the matter of To- eating tracks are ordinarily few at the best. The company prepares it's plans. The plans are submitted to the Common Council. The Common Coun- cil may refuse its approval. The mat ter may then go before the railroad commissioners This was what &C., tually happened.
 The railroad commissioners, so far as the Stratford avenue crossing was concerned, were powerless to grant the permission. The city owns a piece of land between the sidewalk and the land owned by the company. The rail- road commissioners had no power over this strip.
 But when Mayor Lee and the Coun- cil took the matter out of the hands of the railroad commissioners and granted the company the necessary permission, this ended the contest.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-12-20
CONGRESS- STREET BRIDGE COST IS
 WITHIN ESTIMATE
PRESIDENT MANwARING EX-
 PECTS TO MEET ALL EX- LENSES.
Railroad Has Not Yet Come Across With its Promised $35, ,O0O-Street Department Must Provide for App proaches-

President M. W. Manwaring of the Congress street bridge, commission said this morning that the commission expected to meet all it's expenses out of the s3o5 ooc already allowed for the construction of the bridge. This was In denial tn a story that was afloat to the effect that tine commission was going to ask for an additional s20.0o0 10 finish the bridge
 The New Haven road has not come across the boards with the SS5.000 that 1t. agreed to pay as its share of the cost of constructing the bridge. MT. Manwaring said that he expected that the road would do so in time to make tie final payment to the contractors
 The president said that he expected lthat the run1or was afloat as a result of a risit- h.. paid to the city hall on Saturday last to learn if the comnis- sion would have 'o pay from its ap- proprfation the s1.s50 spent in dredg- ing the channel before the work on the bridge was started. He found that the appropriation was made from the issue Of betterment bonds and was not inc.uded in the regular bridge ap- propriation-
 He said: .It will be pretty close sailing to get through on the regular apprppriation and I think we will be able to do it. as well as pay for some s-ysfas we did not expect There was about Ss 100 spent upon the west abut- inents that we did not look for and now that the city has purchased the Lyons property at the East end of the bridge we have extended the east wall SO that it win require another ex- penditure that we did not. contem- plate"
 The commission expects to have its part of the bridge completed sometime around March l. When they get through 1t will be up to the street de- partment to spend several thousand dollars building a roadbed and side walk for the approaches and the bridge proper as this part of the work was not in the Snare, Triests & Co.,. contract
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-12-20
Noted AstrOnOm:r Says
 That Cook Faxed the Flag
Special from United Press )


 Pittsburg. Dec 20.-That Dr. Fred erick A Cook, admitted to him that he had in one particular 'faked' the pie ture of the American flag at the North Pole, as shown in lectures. is the statement here of Dr.. John A. Brashear. a noted astronomer con- nected with the University of Pitts burg.
 Dr. Brashear declared it had been a matter of discussion among scientists since Cook showed the pictures of the trip to the Pole that this flag. on the top of the world. cast no shadow. At the time Cook says he planted the flag, the sun was eight degrees and should have cast a long shadow, ex- perts say. Dr. Brashear stated that he asked Dr. Cook about the picture and that the doctor declared the flag he photographed was really a minia- ture affair and that he had it enlarged for his picture studies.
 When Cook was here featuring I al- so asked him what sextant he used in making observations, and he replied that he could not remember. This to me is a peculiar mark of forgetful- ness" Dr. Brashear declared.
 Dr. Brashear does not believe that -either0Cook or Commander Peary can prove conclusively that they reached the Pole. but apparently has lost faith in Dr. Cook.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-12-20
TWENTY-EIGHT WANT
 TO BECOME CITIZENS. Interesting Case Scheduled For Hear ing Is That of Syrian Applicant.

There are 2S petitions for natural ization. 16 of whom are from Bridge port, to be heard before Judge Lucien F. Burpee in the Superior Court to- morrow, the applicants to be ques- toned as to their Knowledge of citi- zenship by Assistant District Attorney Orin Moore of Boston Included on the list is the name of Issa Naman of Stamford, the Syrian, whose ap- plication was held up at the last ses- sion Of the court for this purpose. be- cause it was claimed that he was not a white man.
 Naman answered all questions put to him, being we'll versed in the dut- ies of a citizen He is a mechanic at the plant of the Yale & Towne Co., The application was held up pending a decision of the Supreme Court of Ohio. relative to the application of another Syrian, who was testing his case
 Only a few days ago, Attorney Moore and the clerks at the local court received a communication from Richard K- Campbell, chief of the division of naturalization in Washing ton notifying them to disregard any requests by officials of his division regarding the issuing of papers to any white person or persons of Afri- can nativity or descent
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-12-20
INSURGENTS BROWN :
 ON TAFT'S EXTRAS
Especial from United Press )

Washington, Dec. 20.-An effort will be made by certain insurgent Republicans in Congress this. winter to knock out of the executive. legis- lative and judicial appropriation bill, the item of $25.O00 a year for travel ling expenses of the President This item was included in last years bill only after a hot fight on the floor of the House.
 we didn't give the President that extra money to go about the country reading speeches and defending cer- tain members of Congress, so as to re-elect them," said one of the in- surgents today. "I think it will be rather difficult for the President to secure that s25,o0 this time"
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-12-20

City Attorney CullinanN when seen today in regard to the matter of the laying of the spur track across the sidewalk on Stratford avenue said. that the matter had been referred to him by the mayor to see whether there was any legal proceedings by which the company could be prevented from iavlnS the tracks across the sidewalk.
 He added that he had satisfied him self that no legal steps could be taken to prevent the laying of the tracks anc that there was no ground on which to base an application for an injunc- ton.
 He said, ''The city, in the exercise of the legal right which it has to de- termine the location of tracks on tha h:gnways. has, by its Common Coun- ell, adopted a resolution empowering the street railway company to lay the tracks across the sidewalk at this point and in addition a contract has been made between the company and the city by which agreement one Of the privileges or rights given to the company was the authority to Iav these spur tracks on Stratford ave nue. In return for the privileges granted by the city, the company con tracted to do certain things and has in part performed it's part of thk >l1I1- dertaking.
 The, whole matter is the work L,f inc lost Council and is closed so far as there being any legal ground fer this administration to. interfere with Inc carrying out of the work or faz af fording any basis for the issrine Of an injunction by a court-''
 Mayor Buckingham said thtA rnorn ing. ''I am disappointed on tIearni1s- from the city attorney that there is no way of preventing the raflrbad corn Pdhy rom operating @ol9 cars Seross the Stratford avenue Sidewalk as Ieel tney vii pc oansfous and hindrance to traffic The ru9, of +te Connecticut Co.,, to get the tr(sc,<s laid shows that the Connecticut fCo csn expedite work when it is foIl ftS o1s-r benefit. The company found no di<- 4culty m Iusning Inls Work through. l suppose their e1Piahatlon 7s to why that they desired to get it sn,,t s,r +t,,, way when there was little t<.ff5c x,ses sing and there was no possihsIS,.r ~e delaying travel.''
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-12-20
ESTRADA APPEALS TO UNCLE SAM
 AGAINST zELAYA
Especial from United Press.)

Washington. Dec 20.-A formal re- Quest for the recognition of the Nica-- aguan revolutionary government. made by General Estrada is now in the hands of the State Department Es- trada declared he will not accept any executive selected by Zelaya for the congress and the intimation is that he will fight if either Madriz or Irias Is chosen The telegram was dated De- cember IS and was received from Bluefields by way of Colon It is as follows:
 Secretary of State. Washington:
 NO change in the person of Zelaya's chief executive. selected by him or .by the Congress he controls will be ac- cepted by the majority of the Nicara- guan people 1lI{ef to our cause in the struggle for justice Peace in this country can only be assured by the exclusion of Zelaya and his followers. We will continue fighting until th's is secured In the name of liberty and justice on our side we ask you to rec ogniZe our government
 (Signed) ESTRADA
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-12-20
WHITEHEAD TAXES APART HIS BIG
 FLYING MACHINE
Disguised at Lack of Interest in Aerial
 Navigation.
Says He Has Neglected His Wcrk All Summer to Prepare Machine for Flight, and Now He Must Provide for Immediate Wants of His Own Family.

Despondent at the lack of interest shown in his efforts to master the problem of aerial navigation, Gustav Whitehead, the expert machinist and aeroplane constructor, has dismant,ed his latest construction and is prepar- ing to devote his time to preparing his little. home in Tunix Hill road. Fairfield, for the winter
 Whitehead has succeededin securing the cooperation of local men after his demonstration of the machine at the Brooklawn Golf links several weeks ago. But within the last fortnight they have suddenly lost interest He has spent all his money in the pur- chase of materials and in payment for labor to assist him with his machine He had planned to build a monorail upoE which he expected to get his ma chine under sufficient headway to launch it into space. but he found the expense would be more than his mea- gre purse could stand, so abandoned his efforts.
 There is something pathetic in Whitehead's struggle to solve the pro blem of aerial navigation. He is an expert engine builder, and can con- struct engines of probably less weight per horse power more successfully than any other engine builder. He has spent the greater part of his life in experimenting with various types of flying machines. and eight years ago created considerable excitement when he made successful flights in Fair field He ST ends all he makes with his engine building in experiments with new ideas. and he has amassed a wealth of statistics on aeronautics gathered from personal practical ex- pericnce. Yet he is unable to enlist interest enough among men of wealth to enable him to construct a lttle stretch of track upon which he could launch his machine.
 Tt looks like a hard winter ahead" he said to Q Farmer reporter today. ''T'm going to give up trying to fly for tl1t present. and prepare my little home for the winter. I've got to get my own work this summer on my aeroplane and now I've got to stop spending money or I'll have nothing to provide for my family