davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-06-24
Fees In Illinois.

Alabama is by no means the first state to have troubles with the fee sys- tenn" said a former resident of Illinois "In my old state it has only recently developed that the clerk of the supreme court has been making practically $o0,- 900 a year out of his fees, which is nearly as much as the salaries of the men on the supreme bench combined. Illinois is aweke to the need for action, however. and they have been wading into the fee evil in great style. It will be only a ouestion of a short while until 1t will be thing of the past, although the po- litical rings, as usual, make the most desperate kind of fight to retain their hold on the fat offices.
 Here in Alabama I am glad to see a sentiment developing against the evil and I hope you will be able to do some thing definite even though the fee grab bers seem to have fortified themselves with a provision injected into the state constitution. You never know to what lengths they will go until you get right down to the bottom of the system and find how the offceholders for years have been building their fences and fortifying themselves in power l hope the time has come in Alabama to put curb on them"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-06-24
What Twelve States Can Do

It is reasonably well determined that the corporation tax proposition will be added to the Aldrich bill and will get through conference. It is not so well determined that two-thirds vote can be secured in the Senate for the suD- mission of a constitutional amendment permitting an individual income tax. A two-thirds vote is 62 votes. The Den yer platform should secure 31 demo- cratic votes for the proposed amend ment, leaving 31 more votes to be picked up on the republican side of the Senate. Republican senators rep resent as a rule wealth and special interests, and it is by no means certain that 31 republican senators can be mustered when the vote is taken. Let it, however, be assumed that the constitutional amendment will be forced through Congress, then would follow the deepest and craftiest 
 schemes of bosses and magnates to prevent a ratification by three-fourths of the states. The Springfield Repub- lican says that Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Maryland. New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania Rhode Island, Utah, Idaho and West Virginia would oppose ratification. Twelve states either rich or venal could defeat ratification. There Is at least one error in the Republicans list. Florida would not be controlled by MT F'lagler or any other magnate in such matter, but Vermont stands ready to take Florida's place. The contract between the republican leaders and the Mormons could readily be fitted to Idaho and Utah, and the Republican s is substituted for Florida. Organized wealth can, through political bosses, | cOntrOl the leglSlaJuTeS or the lz states named. True the business would involve the republican party in shame and confusion, but that party never hesitates when great campaign funds can be rolled up. The defeat of the proposed amendment would not be a bit more shameful than Is the revision up in the Aldrich bill, after all the campaign talk and promises, made last summer by republicans from MT. Taft down.
 If Congress really desires to secure the ratification of the proposed amendment it will prescribe the con- vention method of ratification rather than the legislative plan. Congress is left free to name the mode of ratifica- | tiOn
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-06-24
Jud6e Herbert PPeSideS

The court presided over by ex-Sec- retary of the Navy Herbert cannot, t appears, render final verdict with certainty, for under the Erdman act an appeal from it's decision can be taken to the United States court of appeals on errors of law.
 This court is engaged in settling the differences between the white flremen and the lessees of the Georgia railroad. The lessees are the Louisville and Nashville railroad and the Atlantic Coast line. The court is sitting in At lanta, and witnesses are called and ex- amined by lawyers in the customary court manner. As there are few or no precedents concerning testimony be- fore board of arbitration under the .Erdman act, the court is sometimes sorely puzzled by the contending law yers. The Erdman act, however, in rites appeals on errors of law, and this no doubt means that the case of the white f1remen on the Georgia railroad will not be speedily adjusted.
 Thus far the court has accepted all testimony offered, but it has expressed an intention to strike out those DOT tions that are either argumentative or mere hearsay. In the arbitration of the telegraphers against the Texas Pa, cifio railroad the report of the arbitra- tors was set aside because they had accetped irrelevant testimony. The hearings in Atlanta are conducted by
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-06-24
PROHIBITION IN ALABAMA.

From the Louisville Courier Journal.
 Under a Montgomery. Ala, date line we read the following Associated Press telegram
 "In a speech here today, former Chief Justice Samuel D. Weakley of the su preme court counsel for the AntiSa loon league and an especial friend of Governor Conner, outlined the amend ments proposed to make the general prohibition act more effective. These include provisions to make the keeping of whisky on premises unlawful; de- claring it contrabond denying the right of clubhouses to keep intoxicants and revocation of the license of business houses when the proprietors are con victed of violating the prohibition act. At the extra session of the legislature, which it Is believed the governor will call next month, the prohibition law will be the chief subject of debate"
 The wretched programme of fanati cism. used by the-slick politicians for their own purposes where the people can be bamboozled by the hot-gos- pelers religion of fraud and mysteries will be satisfied with nothing less than the complete suppression of personal liberty. To accomplish this the spy system is to become the right-arm of the government. The detective system Is to become the court of last resort. Perjury is to be purged of criminallty and to be made righteous against the demon drink, and all beverages-ex- cept those that buy immunity of cor rupt offlcia1s-are to be barred of the self elected agents of God and morality, who set themselves to rule by star chamber process, neutralizing the spirit if not the actualities of feudal ages, the gibbet and the stake. If Alabama likes it let Alabama go her way. Kentucky will none of it.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-06-24
BLACK HAND BOY
 KILLED BY POLICE

Chicago, June 2s.-Rudolph Berndt, a 14-year-o1d boy was killed by the po- lice here tonight following an alleged att tempt on his part to initiate Black Hand" methods and secure money by threatening letters.
 S. E. Grossfeldt, wealthy wholesale grocer. received a threatening letter signed by the Black Hand in which a demand was made for the merchant to have S15,00O in two packages tonight and to bring them to Desplaines street and Grand avenue. The grocer notified the police and officers were hidden in the vicinity. As Grossfeldt approached a boy stepped out of a doorway and asked:
 ''Is this MT Grossfedt?'
 The grocer replied and the boy snatched the package and fled. Detective Wein- rich, who was across the street, fired two shots. one of which hit the boy and he fell fatally wounded. At the hospital he confessed before he died, im- plicating his cousin. Alfred Hasse. IS years old. in the plot. Hasse was stand Ing near at the time of the shooting. He was arrested.
 Grossfeldt went to the hospital and the dying boy said:
 Please, MT. Grossfeldt. forgive me, and kiss me before die"
 Mir. Grossfeldt complied, and kissed the boy before he died.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-06-24
Business in the Southeast

The confiscatory process on the Louisville and Nashville railroad works curiously, for its gross earnings in the second week of June were $S22,310, an increase of $42,SO0 over the receipts of the corresponding week In 1903. Its receipts in the first two weeks of June were s1,659, ,O95, an increase of $97,510. It's gross receipts since July i 1908, ag- gregate $43,545,S64, an increase of $789,149. Despite rates in Alabama and even lower rates in Georgia, it Is gaining ground weekly.
 The dividend rate has stood since the panic at per cent, but the papers report that the rate Is to be increased to per cent, which was the pre-panic rate.
 There Is scarcely any better index of the increasing prosperity of the southeast than the gross receipts of the Louisville and Nashville railroad. It taps every southeastern state, at least every state below Virginia, and when its gross receipts show weekly increases 1t is beyond question that the entire southeast is again on the up grade.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-06-24
Walks 13o Miles.

Sheffield, June tspecial.)-James Grove, Jr.. aged 19 years, the son of Mai. James R. Grove of this city, ar rived at home Monday night from Nash ville on foot, having tramped the distance alone in four days and eight hours Young Grove was student of Wander bilt university and had arranged with two companions to take the tramp of 1So miles from Nashville to Sheffield after the close of school. The other boys were prevented from engaging in tho adven- ture and young Grove pluckily started out alone, leaving Nashville Thursday morning, June 1T, and arrived at home on the night of June 20. The greatest distance walked in one day was 38 miles When it rained he spent the night ir hotels, but when the weather was good the nights were spent in the open. The young man has been suffering from q slight fever since his return as re- suit of his exertions.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-06-24
SUNNI FER SCHOOL.
Mrs. MatIock Talks on Work of School
 Improvement.

University, June 23.-(Special. )-Mrs. J. D. Matlock, ex-presdent of the Alabama School Improvement association, deliv- cred a forceful address yesterday before the summer school on the work that Is being done by the association.
 After pointing out that S1 per cent of the children of the state were in rural dis tricts Mrs. Matlock said in part: '"The de- plorable condition of the majority of our school houses and grounds is re- fiection on the people of the communities in which they are located and on the teachers who have had charge of the schools In too many instances the young teacher of a country school accepts the position merely for the salary, expect ie to remain only until a position In town can be secured and it is sad to relate that some of the more respon- sible positions are held by persons who prefer to have as little agitation of school questions as possible, lest their own deficiency and incidence be discov- cred" Mrs. Matlock then told of the good that had been accomplished by the School Improvement association, mentioning the work of the Tuscaloosa County associa- ton, which won the s1oeo prize. This coun- ty association has 47 local associations and during the year raised and expended S4.5467S. At the close of her address Mrs. Matlock introduced the succeeding presi- dent of the state association, Mrs. H. C. Gunnels, who made very helpful talk to the teachers, making many valuable suggestions.
 The conference on Secondary education
 Qnd a fnnGa present were J. M. Burnett of Heflin, R. E. Tidwell of Ensley. c. P. Bowman of Ensley, E. eO-~ Sanders of Pratt City, C. A. Brown of Birmingham, A. E. Riley of Hartford, B. B. Broughtou of Cur ley, J. H. TIendley of Lineville, Super intcndent Harmon of Cordova, S. J. Cole of Birmingham, MT. and Mrs. J. D. Mat lock of Birmingham, Superintendent and Mrs. H. c. Gunnels of Montgomery, J: H. Foster of Tuscaloosa, N R. Baker Of EnsIey, Samuel Adams of New Decatur, M. J. Bray of Plantersville, and others.
 At the morning session Prof. D. S. Pugh of the summer school faculty made a very interesting talk on Field of Second ary Eeducation." Supt. E. O. Sanders of Pratt City then took tip the question of "fIow To Hold Pupils Through the First Year of High School Professor Sanders recommended state compulslon of at tendance.
 At the afternoon session FroI. C. A. Brown, principal of the Birmingham high school discussed "The Essentials in Every Secondary School Course of Study" Supt w. H Harrison of Union Springs was called upon to discuss the question, ''1s the Employment of Un- trained Teachers the Cause or the Re- suit of Low salaries?' Superintendent Harrison said fin part: The employment of young teachers is the cause and also the reeu1t of low salaries If we had only good teachers we would have only good salaries Low salaries not cause of few men, but the high standard is the cause"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-06-24
kINSM EN FIGHT.
Beatie Legg Is Shot By Ills Uncle
 Joel Haynle.

Athens. June 23.-(Special. )-Beatie Legg. son of Lovel Legg, of this place, a nephew of the sheriff of the county, Henderson Legg, was shot three times this morning in the northwest part of the county near Gilbertsboro, the shoot ing being done e9 his uncle, a young man about 21 years of age. named Joel Haynie. Haynle fired three balls into the body of young Legg, who is about his own age. One ball entered his face, one his arm and one his right breast. It is not known whether or not the wounds will prove fatal. The trouble was over an old grudge that has been in exist ence for three years. They had not spoken for that time and their friends are not surprised that they had the trou- ple No arrests have been made.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-06-24
HAS CHARMED LIFE.
Negro Is Shot at Repeatedly but Can
 not Be Hit.

Spencer, a bad negro about these parts, was spotted by Policeman King last night in the neighborhood of the railroad shops and was fired on seven times in an attempt to arrest him. This negro Is wanted on the charge of highway rob- bery, grand and petit larceny and several other charges. He seems. however, to bear a charmed life. In every case when he has been discovered he has escapd and been fired on but never hit. Policeman King has twice fired on him, another of ficer of the city fired on him six times a few nights ago and deputy sheriff took six shots at him not long ago, never a shot taking effect, however, and the man Is still at large
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-06-24
ANNISTON WEDDING
 FOR THIS EVENING

Anniston. June 23.-(special.) )-TOne of the most fashionable weddings in the his- tory of Anniston will be. solemnized at the First Presbyterian church here to- morrow evening when MT. A. J. Good win will lead to the altar Miss Viola Farley member of one of tho city $ most prominent and wealthy families. Dr. A. j. Dickinson of Birmingham, Dr. J. H. Foster and Dr. J. c. Anderson of Anniston will officlate in the ceremony.
 large number of festivities in honor of the popular couple came to an end last evening with the cotillon at the Alabama, one of the most pretentious functions ever given at this magnificent hotel.
 The grand march was led by MT. Good win and Miss Farley, who was becoming ly attried in a pink chiffon gown with hand-painted bands of the same color. Mir Arthur Wellborn led the german, intro- ducings many beautiful and original fig ures, and entertaining music was, fur nished by Calmans orchestra of Birming ham.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-06-24
ADRIFT WITH THE TIMES
ENOUGH.

ENOUGH. Iris a rain-swept world where the clouds
 hang low,
 world subdued and drear, And a soft tattoo on the window pane Is all the sound we hear. The hills are wrapped in a veil of mist, The valleys mourning, too, And sad heart signs for glimpse of ~ the sun
 And just one patch of blue. The mock birds song Is hushed in his
 throat
 And the rose is almost drowned. And the lily drops from her proud estate. Though the queen of flowers crowned. The gutters roar and the city's streets Are agleam with silver drops, And while there's beauty in a rain-swept
 world,
 We'll be very glad when it's stops.
 INSTRUCTIVE. ''What good is poetry?' "Its mighty fine for the geography class. Everybody knows that Bingen Is on the Rhine''
 A QUIET DAY IN THE SANCTUM
  little mouse crept up and dined on my
 paste,
 Bold scamp, in the broad light of day; As one at his leisure, disdaining all haste; Quite full, then he rambled away. A reckless intruder, robber. to boot, He didn't get punished alas; From the fact that he paused and in-
 spected my foot, You can imagine how busy l was
 PRACTICE AND THEORY. "who Is the apopletic person Jumping up and down on the corner and biting large holes in the atmosphere2" That's a member of the Don't Worry club waiting for a trolley car.'
 TOO DARNED MUCH. Come. into the garden, Maud, Your lover sighs amain; You'd better wear your rubbers, Maud, We're having lots of rain.
 FEW HUSBANDS CAN. "Juggson is fortunate in being able to see the funny side of married life." ''why so?'
 Because he's married"
 JUST WOULDN'T WORRY. "Oh, we'll" he said. T care not What luck's to pay; In case I have the fare not. I'll beat my way
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-06-24
AFTER THE STANDS.
Soft Drink Places Segregated and
 Licensed $25o.

Decatur. June Especial. )-At a meeting of the New Decatur city coun- .cil last night an ordinance, was passed segregating the soft drink" stands and placing upon them a city license of s25o year. Heretofore they had been paying a city license of but s5 a year.
 These soft drink" stands have been located in almost all parts of New De- catur. Under the new ordinance just passed all of these places will be con fined to Second avenue, the principal business street of New Decatur. The segregation act will necessarily put several of these places out of business as a number of them will be unable to get rooms on Second avenue.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-06-24
REFLECTIONS OF A BACHELOR.

-rrom the New York Press.
 When a woman will eat onions it's a sign she is married.
 After a man builds a house he has a lasting horror of doing any more foolish things.
 The man who sets out to learn how to make money does mighty well to learn how not to lose 1t.
 The thing that interests woman about a wedding is the people the bride g mother said were to be present. but they wouldn't come.
 There's nothing girl likes so much when she Is going to meet the man she s engassd to as to write letter to give
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-06-24
WE HAVE BEEN FRIENDS.

By Caroline Norton. We have been friends together
 In Sunshine and in shade Since first beneath the chestnut tree In infancy we played. But coldness dwells within thy heart. A cloud is on thy brow, We have been friends together.
 Shall light word part us now? We have been friends together.
 We have laughed at little jests, For the fount of hope was gushing Warm and joyous in our breasts. But laughter now hath fled thy life, And sullsn glooms thy brow, We have been gay together,
 Shall a light word part us now? We have been sad together,
 We have wept with bitter tears Der the grass grown graves where slum
 bsred
 The hopes of early years. The voices which are silent there Would bid thee clear thy brow. We have been sad together,
 Shall a light word part us now?
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-06-24
Safe Barometer.

"The strong upward movement of the stock market, after several days of weakness, is but another evidence of the fact that old-time prosperity is well in sight" said a fnancier.
 "The market had been regarded as top-heavy and conservative traders were going slow; but all of sud den the bulls got in the lead again. If business conditions are not normal they are not far from it. look for un- paralleled thrift within the next 12 months"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-06-24
IN HOTEL LOBBIES
Merchants Prosperous.

May brought a large volume of busi- ness to the merchants of Birmingham while trade this month Is abont as brisk as it usually is in June. Sol caheen, of Caheen Brothers, remarked yesterday:
 People who complain of the rain forget that we seldom have dry June. In June of last year we had rain 25 days and in June 1907. there were % days in which it rained.'
 MT. Caheen said that, as he belonged to the optimistic club he took a bright view Of everything. "Yes, our business is good" said MT. Caheen. But my idea is that the trade of Birmingham in general would be greatly improved if the corpora tions would close up their eommissaries. l would certainly like to see the commis- saries discontinued and also d discon- tinuance of convict labor in the mines.
 Hubert A. Drennen, treasurer and man. ager of the Drennen Go. department stores said that he had no complaint about business, but that on the contrary he found trade very good. indeed.
 q am leaving for the north this week. said MT Drennen last night, "and while I am away will visit the Buick automo- bile factory for the purpose of hurrying up our orders for auto ears. We are sell ing the machines faster than we can get them shipped to us. The factory is be- hind with orders. but I think I can ac- complish something by going in person to the factory"
 One of the busiest establishments in Birmingham is steele-Smiths and A. " Smith, the credit man of the store and acting manager this week in the absence of President and Manager A. W.B. John son. said yesterday that their sales were large week in and week out. I've are enjoying a fine trade" said Mir. Smith, and no matter what the experience Of others may be, we feel decided uplift in business in the Birmingham district at this time Birmingham is great shopping center and we are getting our share of the trade"
 J. Burger of the Burger Dry Goods Co.,, said: "I am well satisfied with our trade this month. Our June and July clearance sale is especially satisfactory. It is attracting a great deal of attention and our customers are evidently much pleased with the bargains we offer
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-06-24
NEGROES ACTIVE
 IN CHURCH WORK

Selma, June 2s.-(Special) )-Members of the A. M. E. church in the state of Alabama, led by Bishop A B. Parks, have raised s10.6s7.45 for Christian edu- cation and to foster the Payne univer- sity, their denominational school at Sel- ma, in the chapel of which 100 trustees from all parts of Alabama are holding a meeting this week
 H N. Newcome. president of the Negro Fair association, is in this city and states that the project is a legally established reality and that Congress has been re- quested to appropriate s25O0oo and since the negroes have never made a similar request before they feel that they will get the consideration of Congress this time. Several buildings are being erect ed on their grounds at Mobile.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-06-24
Six Prisoners Escane.

Knoxville, June 23.-A special to the Sentinel from Sevierville, Tenn, says the six prisoners incarcerated in the Sevier county jail made their escape last night. They had outside assistance, as a ladder was placed at a window and, after bend ing back the bars in the cell doors, they were enabled to reach the ladder and thereby escape. The sheriff was in Knox vile and 1t is claimed the jailer was ab- sent from the prison. The men have not been apprehended
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-06-24
Withdraws From Race.

Meridian, Miss, June 23.-(Special.)- Capt E. J. Martin. one of the gentle men who had announced for the office of circuit clerk, made vacant by the death of Gen. w. D. Cameron, last night with drew from the race. He says that owing to the short time before the first primary, which will be a week from today, he would not be able to make a thorough canvass and consequently did not care to continue In the contest. This narrows the race down to five candidates.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-06-24
Neuro Is Lynched./

Atlanta, June 23.-News reached here tonight of the lynching at Talbotton, Ga, last night of William Carroker, negro, who was placed in the Talbot county jail Tuesday, charged with the murder of William Leonard a prominent young white man, Saturday night of last week The mob met with practically no resistance when they appeared at the jail The negro was strung up to a near by tree, where his body was found this morning.