davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-10-02
4 LAYMAN'S VIEWS
Regrets That So Many Ministers Sub-
 feet Themselves to Criticism.


 The signed editorial in this morn ing's paper" said a distinguished Ala 6Samilan, ,SIii, proves what l have been That the ministers. through the action of some of them, are losing the place they held-the sacred place--in the the church, and church people am sor- ry and ashamed. The question before us is not one of saloons. and most of the people know it. There. never will That day has passed Almost all the people who think are sure of this. It Is not moral question so far as l have been able to reason it out.
 T have been watching things politt- cal very carefully for more than twen- ty-fve years, and l never knew of an litical speaker would dare criticise the preachers. That now is rather com mon. am very sorry, for 1t can do nothing but harm. It will fall upon the church in the future, long after this campaign is over and forgotten. most unhappily and most disastrously. or am no seer. It will fall upon the church with gathering force. am bit
 A week or two ago one preacher in good standing slandered The Montgom- against it-a charge which was proven to be untrue-and so Tar as l know or believe he has not apologized Tor 1t. Such performances can only do harm
 
 quire of him an abject apology in the interest of the church which he serves. Those ministers who have gone on the hustings ought to think r'ore clearly and more charitably. Those who have seen something Of the future and have avoided the frantic attitude of their less thoughtful brethren should lay the matter to heart and use their Influence to quiet the waters and to force back to the pulpit those who are estranged from it. The saloon Is not involYed- positively not involved-but if it was, the harm this campaign will do the great Christian religion is greater than that which would sprlng from the re- establishment of the saloon. This Is no idle statement. There is such thing as zeal without knowledge some of our Christian ministers are proving that they have 1t. From being the pol itician's superior-Standlng on an emi- hence all their own-these misguided and over-zealous men with the sacred robes around them are insisting that the public regard them as 5osf only y9r,dl the tunate descent and voluntary! Arc we to understand that the church is walking down with these persan, "I.et get our bearings. me ones'
The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-10-02

February of this year he will not election. If young man has come of age since October | he can register when the books are orened for regis tration just before .Le election, and cast his vote without payment of poll tax. because the poll lex payable oc- tober l, 1909, can be paid any time prior to February 1, 19N. But no man between 2i and 45 who failed to pay his poll tax which was due oc- tober 1, 1908, can vote, nor can he pay in any way his poll tax between now and the special election.
 This was supposed to be an off year in politics in Alabama ano thousands of voters failed to pay their poll tax. inasmuch, so far as known. there was to be no election. The political lead CTS who forced this election on the people purposely took advantage of this condition, to have the proposed setlltu py as to- tai vote as possible and because they believed that thev had the advantage among those who had already paid their poll tax. The special election will cost approximately sso.ooo. ai- though if 1t should be held during the regular election of next year. 1t would cost practically nothing. Prop ositions to put the amendment cleo ton with the regular election of next year. to save expense and to afford many voters a chance to participate in 1t who cannot do so this year were voted down. both in the House and the Senate.
 The voters who are disfranchised this year should by all means qualify for the elections next year. The next election is a general election in which all State and county officers are to be elected.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-10-02

ter a seething debate in that historic little body of lawmakers. lasting nearly two m9nths ht Preachers natur the leader, MT. Jefferson; In private letters which he wrote his friends in his declining years, this towering est fight that he. ever undertook. but one that gave him great satisfaction and comfort in spite of the calumny that had been heaped upon his honor; him as an atheist and an enemy to all mankind. But you read of the achievement on his own epitaph.
 "The world for hundreds of years" writes one historian. had listened to the clanking of chains and the shrieks of martyrs whilst fire and fagot ira diated the deadly work of religious bigotry. Even the Pilgrims. flying from persecution. having landed on Pill grim's Rock. fallen on their knees and then on the aborigines, no sooner New England than they began to tor ture In the name of God"
 Yes, Thomas Jefferson was de- nounced as an atheist a foe to all his hardest conhict assailed his mem ory to his death. He was sensitive to degree and privately he wrote to pr. Benj Rush. under date of April 21, 1903: "To the corrupttons of Chris tianlty I am indeed opposed. but not to the genuine precepts of Jesus Him. self. I am a Christian in the sense in which He wished anyone to be. sin cerely attached to Ills doctrines In preference to all others, ascribing to Himself every human excellence and believing He never claimed any oth- err"
 To his grandson. Jefferson, almost on his deathbed, gave the monition: Adore God. Love your neigh Dor as yourself and your country more than yourself"
 So, fellow citizens. the opponents Of the amendment In Alabama may be comforted by the knowledge that the litical position in this great contro- versy cannot reduce you in the estima- tion of the righteous people of this fair State, There are thousands of good people who oppose the amendment and would not surrender their convic- tlons even in the face of the calumny and hate that are the modern substf- Iutes of the fire and fagot"
 Hna
The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-10-02
Keen History Straight.

Editor The Advertiser:
 Would you be kind enough to tell me why the speakers for the amend ment twist the facts of history in their that sometimes they may escape cor rection. but I assure them that not al- ways will their hearers remain silent
 Last Saturday at Eclectic Solicitor amendment, attempted to palliate the conduct ot some puipiteers in preach ing politics. He exclaimed. in effect Why. didn't Patrick Henry deliver or give me death. in humble church house in Virginia?"
 When MT. Letcher. of Montgomery. iassee. he took Mir. Thompson to task for distorting the facts of history. He politely asked the audience If they did not know that even If we admit that Patrick Henry used the church for po- ltical ends it was at time before there was separation of church and State in America. Myself and others of the audience were of this opinion. son replied: "Why. I am surprised that the gentleman from Montgomery does not know that twenty years be- fore the, incident of Patrick Henry statute of religious freedom"
 After searching the history of the period In question, l am prepared to reply to MT. Thompson that he seri- rick Henry gave forth his historic plea in a church house. On the con trary. Lossings History of the United States distinctly quotes Patrick Henry as having spoken this noted declama- ton in the Virginia Assembly, March 23. l775.
 But. even If church had been the scene of this memorable speech of the young Burghess. Mir. Thompson must be further corrected for having said the union of church and State had ended twenty years before the decla- nation. An, Mir. Thompson. it would have served your purpose well for such to have been the facts But did you ever read "The Writings of Thomas Jerferson?% Dld ao you eyer read would like to repeat it: Here was buried Thomas Jefferson. author of the Declaration of American Inde- pendence. of the statute of Virginia for religious freedom and father of the University of Virginia
 If Mr. Thompson had taken care to read his history accurately lhe brief est of them would have related that the Virginia statute TOT FelisITus yirai,. Lio- ser1blv in i776 after the most acrimo- nious strife of that period. Mark you, this was eleven years after the speech of Patrick Henry. There was union of church ana state III NiFglnia and elsewhere In the eoiofiies until
 In the light of presented politics it Is interesting to the readers of his tory to recall how furiously was fied a,J'i'', bT the l clergy of his native state
 He led the tremendous fight in the Virginia Assembly for the religions freedom statute It was won only af-
The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-10-02

Just as a matter of curiosity we would be glad to know how the gath erers of statistics can tell. even to a small fraction. the per capita con sumption of wine beer and liquor in any one year. We don't know how it Is done. but they profess to get 1t down to the hundredths of one per cent. Do they go about and induce each citizen, male and female, to tell just how much he or she consumes fin year? If not, how can they get at the average? We only ask for information.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-10-02

Some people, even Senators and Rep Yesentatives in State Legislatures. talk without thinking or considering what they say For instance The Prattville Progress. edited by State Senator Dos ter. says:
 Representative Lee Long, of Butler. is quoted by the papers as saying that this Legislature has about bankrupted the State and is now trying to bank that 90 per cent. of all the money was the Confederate soldiers.
 Now everybody ought to know that the State government cannot be con ducted on 10 per cent. of the States receipts, yet this Is what is gravely asserted in the same paragraph. The State Is face to face with a deficit of huge proportions and it is due to the reckless way in which the State g money was appropriated. even before it reached the State Treasury. Mir. Long made a true statement and the facts bear him out
The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-10-02
AVIATION IN ALABAMA

tion of the amendment Is not moral one It is political; conceived and born In politics and Is now walking hand in hand in that great game. It Is incon- ceivable that high-minded Christian ministers should see or pretend to see such a moral question in the fight as calls upon them to destroy the har- mony of their flocksi to bring .scredit on the sacred desk anu reduce them selves from a Cody eminence to posi- tions of mere groundlings!
 May the Lord God of Hosts take the misguided cloth into His care and fill them with brotherly love and all char itab :eness. For the church's sake. AmAnt'
The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-10-02
DRIFTWOOD

soprty Nephey (Telegraphing) Have eloped with another mans wife. See my folly. What am I to do? Experienced Uncle; (Replying) Play fool comes along and takes her off your hands,
 Mrs Jones: You seem really deprsss- ed dear. what is the trouble? being ruined. My cranky son-in-law come 10 make us a short visit about month ago and hasn't left yet. Mir. Hippo: What have you there, Mrs Hippo: The goggle-eyed hu- mans call it an automobile tire. but ] think it is just the thing for teeth- ing ring.
 Jokesmith: Why don't you take any more of my mother-in-law jokes? Editor: l am married myself now and they don't seem so funny First Pig: What's the matter. old Second Pig: Just found a hair in the slop. l do wish the hired girl would be more carefui'
 "Jones and Brown have started on three months race
 The idiots"
 "Oh, no; they are trying to sss which can grow a beard first.
 People who listen never hear any good of themselves nor of any one else.
 Rebecca: ch. pepper. he takes inte- Mir. Goldstein: At vat interest Re- becca?
 "ollie" Is one the negro janitors in The Advertiser office. What Is Ollie on the paper" re- gently asked a visitor "Oh" returned the staff humorist "he is the colored supplement! About the time a man makes up his mind that girl is the Tight of his life he expects her to spark" in me dark.
 Always count ten before you say anything" advises a contemporary, This advice is superfluous to stutt- eripg man.
 We hear nothing from MT. Roosevelt these days Is 1t possible that he IS cleaning up everything in the jungles and making copy out of 1t?
 A recent investigation is said to disclose the fact that few college stu dents read newspapers. They find time however to glance at the pictures of chorus girls How long should a man wear straw
 hat%
 Is a question both spoke and written. We'd answer him fiat. He may wear his straw hat. Right on till 1t gets frost-bitten!
 
 What Is meant by local-color, paw?' Girls patronizing home drug-stores. my daughter. Now run along ana play with your dolls"
 Spun glass as a substitute for hu- man hair Is now being used In Vlgs. People who live in glass wigs are admonished not to throw stones! See them thers-the ashes on the
 hearth ~, A soft dull gleam a shroud all
 ghostly white. The cold dust of the thing that gave
 them birth The end of the warm flame that shone
 so bright.
 Tn the grey twilight of the dying day see the wraiths of yesteryear hit
 by,
 The sad white face of her I'll love for Oh, Love, the ashes-they can never
 PHIL H ARMSTRONG.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-10-02

The statement that at least twenty nve million dollars will be left In New York by visitors to the Hudson Fulton celebration. plainly shows what a good thing big crowds may be to a city
The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-10-02

We assume. of course, that the hammer with which Peary nailed the Stars and Stripes to the Pole will be presented to some museum. It will never do for such a memento to be neglected.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-10-02
up in Maine they have found a new

Up in Maine sney have found a new name for those newspapers which re- fuse to join in the hypocritical pro hibition craze. Such papers are class ed by the prohibition crusaders as be- longing to "the pro-liquor press" That is a slight variance from "the whiskey interest" term which is rolled as a sweet morsel on the tongues or the Alabama brethren. We suggest that the Amenders adopt 1t.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-10-02

Some of the farmers about Leaven- worth. Kansas. went into the tobac- co raising business this year and 1t is claimed that they have made a de- cided success of it. We believe the use of the weed has not yet been pro- hibited in Kansas.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-10-02

Lord Charles Beresford. English mo- bleman and admiral, argues that this country should unite its naval forces with those of Great Britain to maintain England's supremacy on the seas We are somewhat accustomed to English gall. but that is about the limit
The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-10-02

They are talking abo nss-raising the Maine again; or. rather, t.ey are talk ing again about raising 1t. It would probably be a good thing if some sea monster would tow the old hulk off and lose 1t.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-10-02
The .OId Guard" stands Erect. l.. .a-I0.. 1TinAa-NAWa

The old Guard is composed of vet erans who fought the battles of Ala bama both in war and peace. They were considered Alabama's most dis tinguished sons before the present campaign was inaugurated, and all de- lighted to do them honor. But when that 'thin. gray line" formed once more to fight for the constitutional Integrity of their State. the veterans are maligned and villiied by every ranting politician and half baked
The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-10-02

past comes a newspaper mention of one Joseph Benson Foraker once call. ed by the appropriate sobriquet of "Firealarm Foraker." We thought Joey had gone into a hole.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-10-02
ABOUT POLL TAX.

LeIita. Ala. Sept. 29. 1909 Editor Advertiser: Win you kindly furnish some information as to poll tax qualifications for the election Of November 29? Some of us have paid our poll tax for 1908 and some have not What are the poll tax require ments' Yours truly,
 J w. McCaTty. If man who owed poll tax on Oc- tober l, 1908. failed to pay up befor.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-10-02

Speaking of Governor Corners boast that he has put every club in All abama out of business, The Savannah Morning News considers it "a safe wager of dollars to doughnuts that they've found substitute for clubs In Alabama" Just as they have in Geor- gia?
The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-10-02

They are telling of king snake over in Ansou county, N. C., that swal- lowed a rattlesnake much larger than itself and made a good job of il. Is Anson wet or dry county?
The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-10-02

We don't know how to account for it. but the newspapers of late seem to have forgotten that there is such an individual as Harry Thaw in exis- tence. Surely they haven't lost him.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-10-02

We are told that the presidency Of the United States is busy job, and that Is doubtless true. We may also assume that it is a trying and oner- ous position, but for all that we don't know of any of the big men who would dodge if they should see 1t com ing towards them.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-10-02

Something must be wrong with the North Carolina brethren that they have not given us any new specimens of near poetry of late. Are the bards exhausted.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-10-02

Wonder if the Governor, in his tour of sL eech-making. ever thinks 10 tell his audience how much money he made by working children in his cot ton mills
The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-10-02

The expressions. Heavenly Hous- ton," and "sun-kissed Houston seem to have fallen into innocuous desue- tude, or some other deep hole. so far as the office of The Post Is concerned. Even the red-headed widows appear to have lost their champion in that office. Guess the subject got tiresome. inasmuch as nobody else endorsed it.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-10-02

Why have not the leaders of the con- itituttonal amendment proposition called Carrie Nation to their aid? She might even smell out and smash a blind tiger
The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-10-02
Birmingham, September 2S. 1909
A Prosperous ,y--i,appy People.

Andalusia and covington counties are enjoying an era of prosperity Cashier T F. Henderson. of the First National Bank, was asked about f- nances one evening last week and the editor of The Star received this reply: We've got more ready cash on hand now than for any time within the last two years. There's an abundance of money in Andalusia and Covington counties Fact of the matter is, our cash balance on hand this evening Is about si5O. .OoO." Farmers and nier- chants are paying their bills prompt ly. Everybody is happy and prosper ous in Covlngton county If you are looking for a home. it's a good place .n tnvaeticeto
The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-10-02
This mean insinuation is from Tn Chattanooga Times:

'The weakley. alias the Fuller, law far outstrips the Maine law" mourns The Montgomery Advertiser Too bad, isn't it? It would be interesting to now. We understand they do get IL somehow. Perhaps The Advertiser knows.
 And perhaps The Times knows how they get 1t in Chattanooga, but per haps 1t, like The Advertiser. knows some things it 1t not called on to make public. We leave the spy busi- ness to those who like 1t. and are better qualified for the work.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-10-02

We are told that time stands stiu at the North Pole. which would be might convenient sometimes. There are times when we wish 1t would stand still while we are waiting for q street ear.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-10-02

If Wellman wants to do something. i'm take flight around the earth.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-10-02
SATURDAY, OCTOBER ?, 1909.

hibitton in Maine that we print the following paragraph from The Ban ger News. of that State:
 "Great excitement was caused on Wednesday by the report that a Ban gor bar room had been closed. It was a fact too-the place in question was dark and silent last night, and blank amazement was upon every face along the line. Some said the saloon had been closed in obedience to an or der from the Sturgis deputies but as all the other dispensaries were open the proprietor. has gone fishing, or Cook Peary controversy. Anyway, one bar was closed and the sensational fact is submitted to Q wondering world just to show that the age of miracles is not yet past"
 Maine. you will understand, Is held rp to us as a strict prohibition State. Ranger is one of its principal cities. yet the closing of one saloon by the authorities is looked on as an extra ordinary event No doubt the people pf that dry" city were ready to say. with Shakespeare:
 
 Can such things be And overcome us like a summers cloud Without our special wonder2
The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-10-02

The figures for August printed osiow u.p resent the actual net circulation all Fete'"A' having been deducted. ... The Montgomery Advertiser guarantees ns advertisers (and makes 1t a part or the cvn- tract when requested) that its daily cHcua tion Is larger than that of any mornins pewspaper printed in Alabama-ano that iss sunday edition has the largest crcuiAtion s va any edition of any newspaper printeo " Alabama without exception.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-10-02

Less returns. etc.. ........ s'zse  Net total ,..s1e.022 Net Daily Average. August, 1909 ...1e,t3 Net Sunday Average, August. 1909. .2e,42S c. L Finigan, Circulation Manager of The Montgomery Advertiser, being duly sworn. says:
 The foregoing statement of The Adver- tiser's circulation for the month of August. 1909 is true and correct, and compiled after all returns from news boys, news agents. spoiled and left over copies have been de- ducted. c. I. FINIGAN,
 Circulation Manager. Sworn to and subscribed before me this e0th day of September. 1909.
 RIGA ALEXANDER Notary Public.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-10-02

Can such things be And overcome us like summers clou Without our special wonder7
The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-10-02

Always count ten before you say anything" advises a contemporary, This advice is superfiuous to stutt- sripg man.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-10-02

About the time a man makes up his mind that a girl Is the light of his life he expects her to spark" in the dark.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-10-02

Jokesmfth: Why don't you take any more of my mother-in-law jokes?
 Editor: I am married myself now and they don't seem so funny.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-10-02

Soprty Nephey (Telegraphing) Have eloped with another mans wife. See my folly. What am I to do?
 Experienced Uncle: (Replying) Play the jealous husband until some other fool comes along and takes her off your hands,
The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-10-02

First Pig: What's the matter. old chap. you look sick?
 Second Pig: Just found a hair in the slop, I do wish the hired girl would be more careful!
The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-10-02

We hear nothing from MT. Roosevelt these days Is 1t possible that he IS cleaning up everything in the jungies and making copy out of 1t?
The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-10-02

"Jones and Brown have started on A three months race
 The idiots-'
 "Oh, no: they are trying to see which can grow beard first"
The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-10-02

Mir. Hippo: What have you there, dearest7
 Mrs Hippo: The goggle-eyed hu- mans call it an automobile tire. but think 1t Is just the thing for teeth- ing ring.