davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-08
Two Federal JudgeS Under Fire

Missouri has two federal judges who rarely fail to issue injunctions at the request of the railroads, and these two men are to be asked to ex- plain why they did so and continue to do so. Their names are Smith Nc Pherson and John F. Philips. They have been pulling together to upset Nissouris 2-cent passenger rate law and her new freight rates. They want to re-establish the Scent rate and une old-time freight rates, and if injunc- tions galore-injunction temporary and permanent-can restore the old rates they will succeed in their un- dertaking.
 Congressman Murphy, from the Ozark mountains, proposes to hale them before Congress for investiga- tion and trial. Not content with the offering of a resolution of censure he proposes to ask the House to lay foundation for bringing in articles of impeachment. Congressman Fucker has joined his colleague, and the House will have to meet the issue. Congressman Murphy says the people of Missouri are wondering why the two judges in question, when they had been appealed to for relief from an injunction, adjourned court and went on a fishing expedition in the private car of a railroad president
 Judge McPherson says this is the first time I ever have heard of any man named Murphy from the state of Missouri" He will be apt to know him much better hereafter, for he is gath ering facts and statements that he will lay before a congressional con- mittee. He claims that the two judges are engaged in the task of obliterat- ing the state of Missouri and espe- cially her courts. He proposes, as a congressman from the Ozarks, to as certain the reason why.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-08
The Neqro Rally.

Not the least interesting feature of the negro educational rally at the Jefferson theatre was the singing" said a promi- nent citizen last night. 'The exercises were little late in beginning and consequently the meeting was. rather late in ending, but listened attentively to the entire pro- gramme and felt well repaid. MT. Gil- reath, Dr. Mccoy, Dr. Walker of Augus- ta, Ga, spoke from the heart and practi- cal wisdom fell from their lips. The speeches made by the colored leaders were sensible and fitting
 very good indeed. A part sung in the minor key-soprano and chorus of Bir- mingham girls-was well rendered. An other exceptionally good musical number was the male chorus from the Birming- ham negro high school.
 "Twenty-five or 30 years ago I heard tobacco factory negroes in Virginia sing their peculiar music; but not in recent years had I listened to negro singing un- til attended the negro rally at the Jeff ferson. I gave all the more attention be- cause it was music read by note.
 'I regretted that the parquet which was reserved for white citizens was not filled. MT. Munger and a few other leading Munger told me that he was glad he at tended. He said he felt that the evening had been well spent"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-08
Depth of the Lower Mississippi

The presence of the battleship Mis- sissippi at a New Orleans wharf re- .casls anew the extraordinary depth of Nhe great river near it's mouth. The battleship is actually anchored at a wharf with at least 100 feet of wa ter under her. While at the south pass there is but 32 feet of water be- cause of the rivers many mouths and great width, yet as soon as the bar is passed 200 feet of water is not uncommon, and for a distance of 300 miles there Is an average depth of 50 feet. The battleship is going up stream as far as Natchez, and exper- fenced river men say any river pilot can steer her there without any risk at all.
 To one who first sees the river at New Orleans it's width is disappoint- ting. It is, however, over mile wide, but a width of five miles would be needed if the depth of the mighty, swift moving current were not so great. We have every reason to be proud of the Mississippi. It is 8 noble river, and when the work on the southwest pass is completed there will be channel 40 feet deep at the mouth of the river. The largest ships can then steam up to New Orleans, or if need be, 200 miles above the Cres cent city.
 When one sees the turbid stream flowing along like race horse-really pushed along by the vast body of wa ter above it-for there is no fall in the lower reaches of the river-ir ,s not easy to think that he looks upon river 200 feet in depth. A river full
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-08
Gators and Hogs In Florida

After a long discussion and still longer agitation the lower house of the Florida legislature has passed a bill allowing the killing of alligators in and near the Oclawaha river and it's tributaries. No Floridian desires to see the sauria killed for their hides, but the legislators had to choose be- tween alligators and hogs. The two are incompatible. The hog is inclined to rest inside the alligator, and the number of alligators must be reduced or else the farmers along the river must go hogless.
 It is a complex problem. The tour ist hastens to the Ocklawaha because he wants to go back well loaded up with stories of long alligators that he has seen. The legislature, therefore, had to choose between a tourist crop and hog crop, and the lower house, at least, preferred hog crop. The senate and the governor have not had a chance to act on the bill.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-08
eooD-gY, PROUD woRLp.

By Ralph Waldo Emerson. Goodby, proud world. I'm going homo. Thou are not my friend, and I'm not
 thine. Long through thy weary crowds I roam. A river ark on the ocean brine, Long I've been tossed like the driven
 foam, But now, proud world, I'm going home. Goodby to fatterys fawning face, To grandeur with his wise grimace, To upstart weath's averted eye, To supple office, low and high; To crowded halls, to court and street; To frozen hearts and hasting feet, To those who go and those who come. Goodby proud worldi Pm going home. I'm going to my own hearthstone, 'Bosomed in yon green hills alone A secret nook in pleasant land, Whose groves the frolic fairies planned Where arches green the livelong day Echo the blackbird's roundelay And vulgar feet have never trod, A spot that is sacred to thought and
 God.
 Oh, when am safe in my sylvan home l tread on the pride of Greece and Rome, And when I am stretched beneath the Where the evening star so holy shines laugh at the lore and the pride of man, At the sophst schools and the learned
 clan;
 For what are they all in their high con-
 ceit
 When man in the bush with God may
 meet?
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-08
sUFFRAGETTEs AND SOCIETY.

From the Washington Star.
 London hostesses are having a hard time, it Is reported. in keeping suffra- gettes from their drawing rooms on oc- casions graced by the presence of mem bers of the British ministry. It seems that lately whenever a suffragette has had reason to believe that one of the members of the government was to at tend function of any kind she would worm her way past the fiunkies and make herself obnoxious by attempting to engage the statesman in a debate upon the burning issue of equal rights. Several decidedly painful scenes have been en- acted in the houses of the leading enter tainers of the British capital. and now a scheme has been devised to prevent recurrence in the future Guests are all to be provided with tickets which they must show at the doors, in the manner of a theatre or a subscription ball. But even this, it is feared, will not abso- lutely put stop to the nuisance of the uninvited suffragette. F1unkies can be bribed and tickets can be initiated. The campaign of the militant women of Eng land for tho ballot has been no molly coddie crusade, Women who have in- sisted upon being sent to jail for ven- turing to speak fin public will not hesi- tate to force their way into the drawing rooms in order to attract attention, espe- cially if 1t Is intimated that they are particularly not wanted. The very pro- vision of a method of barring them is certain to stimulate their determination to get into the picture, This is the funda- mental principle of the agitation. to make as big a row as possible.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-08
The sweetest lady that ever l looked
 on, Much Ado About Nothing.
Arnndale q Part of Birmingham

Almost unanimously the people of Ayondale have come again into Great CT Birmingham, having been busted by the supreme court. They have come back to share in the treats and tri- umphs of the city to the end of time. Mountain Terrace, East Birmingham and Avondale are now parts of the city.
 Any suburb that desires annexation need not wait upon the action of the legislature. The municipal code af- lords ample opportunity to all districts and municipalities that desire to be- come parts of the greater city.
 In eleven short months the census enumerators will begin to make a decennial census, and it would be re- gretted, from a business point of view, if Birmingham should fall into the second division of southern towns, when it is clearly entitled to a place in the first division. Action in near by localities in Jones valley would greatly mitigate such a condition, while it would serve well all con- cerned except, perhaps, a few petty officeholders.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-08
IN HOTEL LOBBIES
Bad Section of County.

'There is an element of lawless negroes in the western part of Jefferson county that should be suppressed by whatever means are necessary" said a citizen of Littleton, who was at the sheriff's office yesterday
 Most of these negroes work about the coal mines and until recently have run things just about as they pleased. Ere quently they run riot, shooting and cut ting one another apparently with the be- lief that they have right to do so, and they resent any interference on the part of officers. It is dangerous for an officer of the law to go into one of the mining camps if he is known. The case of the deputy sheriff of Banner and his negro assistant being shot Thursday night is only an instance of this state of affairs.
 T regret to say that this spirit of law lessness is not absolutely confined to the negroes. There is one family of white boys living near Littleton which has ter rorized the community to such a de- gree that people are afraid to turn states evidence against them.
 ''The matter is one which needs atten- ton and strict attention. It is apparent that conditions are constantly growing worse and steps should be taken to stop the lawless spirit"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-08
ADRIFT WITH THE TIMES
STIrMPED.

STUMPED. "I think I'll write a little verse;" A poet said: Straightway his lips he gan tu purse And scratched his head And showed his feet beneath his desk And looked about, Then cried, "This blooming job is pesk- tout doubt. Then twisted in his chair while. And took a smoke And then, in hopes to win a smile, He wrote q joke; And then he tried again to rhyme, But nothing came; The weather, though twas really prime, He held to blame. Then weary grown, he shut up shop With Diff and bang. And said confound the potry crop, The Muse could hang!
 APPRECIATION. Who losses on bed of pain Will think the world most fair, When he is sound and well again And goes to take the air. There's nothing makes a fellow feel More fain to laugh and joke, Than pulling through a sick spell when He thought he'd surely croak.
 A GEM. Can you quote me a gem of prose?" Easily. I was reading one this morn- ing"
 Indeed? What was it?'' Just three words at the bottom of bill-'Paid In full "
 THE HARD-WORKED BROTHER. He lies beneath an old oak tree, Sprawled out in perfect bliss, To loaf a while and dream, and thinks That nought can equal this. Ere long across the field he hears voice in anger swell. Which bids him come forthwith and
 draw Some water from the well. ' And other chores there are to do He'll get but little rest, Until he sleeps the long, long sleep With lilies on his breast.
 ENOUGH SAID. "Vhat sort of fellow Is hep "He lays his right index finger against his cheek to have his picture taken.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-08
LEcTURING THE QUEEN.

From the New York Sun,
 Queen Victorta's objection to Gladstone's conversational methods when national business was under discussion is well known. She complained that he talked to her as if she were "a public meeting.' But the late Queen could stand a talking to on occasion.
 Once when Thomas Carlyle was her guest she ventured to express her opin- ion on some topic of the day. Carlyle's opinion differed and the Queen was over whelmed by torrent of scornful, con- demnation as the sage of Chelsea poured out his ideas on the matter Certainly the Queen had never been so fatty and entirely contradicted or received such an intellectual drubbing, but she enjoyed it thoroughly and frequently told of it with gusto.
 At Queen Victorfa's dinner parties con- versation was never general. It was governed by the Queen and people spoke when they were spoken to by her. Now dinner parties given by the King or at which the King is present are a very dif- ferent affair.
 Having selected the guests, there is no further social interference from him. Every one talks as he wishes or keeps silent, and no one is expected to sparkle or to be unnaturali but 1t is well known that any one who can amuse the King or tell him good story is very much per soma grata.
 Edward VII can punish an infringe ment. A very wealthy man whose money had been made out of clothing once re- marked to him that he did not intend to join certain house party as the com- pany was so mixed
 Hang it, man." was the Kings reply, what would you have? We can't all be tailors."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-08
WHITE>HoUSE DRAMA.

From the New York Press.
 The White House will never again know the electric thrills, the dramatic tension and the terrific scenes of Theodore Roose- velt's administrator. as France will never again know the volcanic eruptions and lightning flashes of Napoleon. Before whole roomful of great personages Roose- welt one day reached out his cinched fist and shook 1t savagely under the nose of General Miles, the head of the army. As he turned his back on the military chief tains there was a deathlike stiffness in the room, everybody standing aghast. Then, his face working like a raging Ajax, he stalked the floor, glaring at the throng-a cabinet officers, sen ators, generals and admirals. At last he stopped, gave a laugh like a bark, and flung off into the inner room. Roosevelt the terrible.
 Within 48 hours in the same room Presl- dent Roosevelt appeared before practically the same assemblage, except for the brow beaten Miles. At his entrance he spied a newspaper man standing against mantel across the floor from him. Pushing his way through the gathering with his pow erful stride. holding shortly right and left, he reached the side of the corre- spondent without pause and threw his arm with rough affection over the shoul- der of the other. "Gentlemen," he cried, in a high voice. this is Mr. Blank. I trust him absolutely. There is no secret that keep from him. I would trust him with my dearest honor" With jovial laugh, his face all smiling to show his great teeth, he turned to greet personally each of his official callers. Roosevelt the irresistible.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-08
Chance of Administration

Mayor Ward makes room today for Mayor-elect O'Brien. Mayor Ward has served the people efficiently. He has vastly improved the government of the city. The people have confidence that the incoming mayor will follow in his footsteps in that respect.
 The new mayor has the courage of his predecessor, and he has his hon esty, too. His energy is boundless and untiring Much is expected of Mayor O'Brien, and indeed he will have to accomplish great deal in order to keep step with his predeces- so-.
 Comparisons are however, uncailed for. All will welcome the new mayor to his new duties. All will support him in every one of his undertak- ings for the betterment of the city. Let no one anticipate a doncthinS term of office while Frank P. O'Brien is at the helm. He is not one of the do-nothing look-wise sort. He will strive to make a better city, and in his efforts he will need the aid of every good citizen, and at the outset he is entitled to helpful effort and cheering support on the part of every me
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-08
Strawberries of Fine Quality.

'Those persons having a taste for strawberries are certainly having their appetites gratihed," remarked a grocery man yesterday. "The berries this year as a rule are firm and of a delicious flavor while they are abundant enough to make the price very reasonable. There Is also a question I would like to ask in this connection. Why do the restau- rants charge nearly twice as much for a small saucer of strawberries as you can buy a whole box for at store or fruit stand?"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-08
NO SALE OF BOOKS.

From Judge.
 "Yes, Madam" said the agent. with bland smile, as he opened his bag and ex- tracted the volume, 'I am sure that this book will prove of great value and help to you. You have chfldren?"
 Nine" said the lady.
 Exactly" said the agent. "'rhe fact interested me at once. and I resolved to call Here. said l. is a lady who, more than any one else. will find profit and pleasure in Miss Bosbyshells great work. It is called How to Bring Up Children, bound in leather, costing s."
 Tt won't do for me, my dear sir.' re- turned the good woman. None of my children are bound in leather, and there isn't one of them that has cost less than S9. Here, Towzer, she added, turning to the bull dog, show the gentleman the short cut to the highway"
 And the man and dog went out together, only the former led the way
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-08
Ontimistic Eeelinu.

Louisville did not feel the effects of the panic as most cities. did, and within the past five or six weeks business con- ditions there have been unusually satis- factory" said Wilbur Hutchison of that city.
 Recently I have been in Chicago h. dianapolis and Cincinnati. as well as in a number of southern cities and every where I have found an optimistic feeling. It is generally believed that next sum- mer or next fall at the latest this coun- try will start on a new era of genuine prosperity"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-08
MANILA IS MODERN.

From the Washington Post.
 Manila Is a modern city now" said William N. Snyder. an American 'busi- ness man of the Philippines capital, at the New Willard. Ut still has the eheerless, gray, musty appearance of the old days, and the medieval architecture helps this out; but in five years as much 50 years before.
 "The streets are clean and well paved,' continued MT Snyder. One of the best trolley systems in existence anywhere is in operation. An up-to-date fire de- partment, installed by the late Hugh Bonner, is in operation It is the pride not only of Manila but of the entire Orient.
 There is a modern police department. have been developed. The government is building a new harbor system, so that vessels may come right up to the wharves inside the breakwater, and a new busi- ness city will be built with the custom house as the central feature.
 ''The walls of the old city have been punctured and easy egress and ingress Is now afforded. Electric lights are every where. It is a modern city, with ancient settings, and it is as picturesque place as one can find.
 Education in English has so spread that children speak to you in the streets in your own language. Within a year even the modern institution of bootblacks has been established, and it is one of the sights of Manila to see a native getting his old shoes shined. when the money he has to pay for it would help to fill his empty stomach
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-08
WHY HE'S SO GOOD.

"There is little boy in our neigh borhood who never whistles" Most unusual"
 He never beats toy drum, never uses a sling and never throws stones through window panese
 Truly, remarkable child!" Furthermore, he has never been seen to make faces at elderly people, never fights and no matter how many circus parades may be passing from time to time on nearby street, he never runs away from home."
 'I didn't think there was such a boy in the world. should like to see him." "Oh, his good qualities are very easily explained. You see, the boy I'm talking about Is a marble boy and he presides over fountain on MT. Bleeker's lawn"
 DOWN AND OUT. No reason now why Abduls wives
 Should want to call him ''honey.' He's lately lost his job, you know,
 And nearly all his money.
 QUICK CURE. A man who had a dreadful pain
 He didn't know just where Consumed a quart of whisky straight And then he didn't care.
 PAUL COOK.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-08
WiIkerson in City.

Commissioner of Agriculture J. A. VII kerson took luncheon with members of the Chamber of Commerce yesterday, the meeting having been arranged for a discussion of the proposed placement of county exhibits in the new Chamber of Commerce building. The commissioner thought well of the project and will lend his aid in. making these exhibits as per feet as possible
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-08

and flowing of that depth is something the mind does not readily grasp. But it Is fact, and 1t is also a fact that a ship can be tied up at a New Orleans wharf and still have a fab ulous depth of water under her. Amer. ica's greatest river is, indeed, the Father of Waters.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-08
AtIanta's Brilliant Festival.

Atlanta had a brilliant festival" said B. B. Burton, who attended nearly all the performances. There was great ar ray of vocal talent. Some of the foremost operatic celebrities were heard and they were thoroughly enjoyed. The festival chorus, numbering between 400 and 800 voices, did excellent work. As for the Dresden orchestra it did not begin to rival the New York Symphony orchestra con ducted by Walter Damrosch Had Atlanta engaged Damrosch or some other high class conductor the festival would have been the biggest thing of the kind ever att tempted in the south. The individual performers in the Dresden orchestra are doubtless competent musicians but they played under three different conductors ill one evening and not one of these leaders was high-class Mrom a symphonic point of view. The ensemble of the orchestra, therefore, was rough.
 Financially the Atlanta festival was a notable success. It cost a large sum of money but it is understood that after paying all expenses there was a surplus of $1O,OOO. This money will probably be used in buying an organ for the new audi torium.
 "One reason the receipts were so large was because seats sold as high as s3 and general admission was $1. In Birmingham the mistake has been made on several oo- casions of fixing the price of tickets too low. It Is all very well to popularize festivals ana grand opera, but the best of btr1c In ha io pensive and the price of admission should be fixed accordingly. The people of At lanta are proverbially liberal and public spirited. I never heard single complaint about the high price of seats.''
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-08

A Montreal syndicate drew $4,000,. 900 out of Rockefeller's pocket in the course of a Wisconsin Central doai. The Pocantico man is playing too 11uch golf.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-08
A BURST OF CONFIDENCE.

From Success Magazine.
 An elderly farmer up in Maine lost his wife, and his nephew was taking the old man back to the empty farmhouse.
 Well" said the old ,man after long si- fence, "forty-six years. l suppose she was a good wife to me. She was good cook and a good housekeeper, and she kept me well redd up, but. do you know" he added, T never liked her."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-08
REFLECTIONS OF A BACHELOR

From ths New York Press.
 A heap of wisdom in the world would be nonsense if 1t wasn't yours.
 What woman forgives about muddy street crossing Is if she has on pretty stockings,
 A woman reads all the divorce cases to see if some of her best friends have got in one without her suspecting them.
 A woman takes pride in her husbands business by pretending to the neighbors that he is the senior partner. when he is the junior clerk.