davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-12-07
NATIONS EYES IN DANGER.

Boston Post.
 Is modern civilization causing the eyesight of the nation to degenerate? A Boston scientist one of the great est biologists, asserts that the neces- sity for artificial aids to eyesight is greatly increased through the methods of existence of the average American.
 Intermittent electric lights, big cleo tric display signs, strong electric read ing lights, moving pictures. the day night of the big cities, the strain of near work, the rapidity of business -all these are conducive to general Prof. William T. sedgwick. of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
 T have no doubt" says Professor Sedgwiek, that the eyes are greatly injured by the modern conditions.
 We are all suffering from Ameri- canitis-that almost disease which is the bane of this country. Everybody who lives here long enough gets 1t. The languid foreigner, whose life has been spent upon the sands of the Me- apolitan bay, gets a shoe shine parlor, starts out in business, and To. before he Is aware of 1t he has caught and is suffering from Americanitis.
 But it also stands for lot that Is not so desirablef and the long-standing sufferer from Americanitis has to pay for his game. Years of rushing. close application to work. over-exertion, try ing to crowd weeks into days, burning both ends at once. striving to do two things at the same time. laboring not only to get money, but also to spend 1t, attempting to be socially as sue cessful as financially, forgetting all about leisure. trying to make up by two weeks vacation the waste of a year all these things tend to weaken the system.
 "The eyes are delicate organs. They can stand so much and no more. And if the strain on them is too great they must give way. That is the reason why weak eyes are so very common. 1"
The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-12-07

Montgomery in his speech before the National Rivers and Harbors conven- ton. which convenes in washington during the present week.
 Now the direct benefit of all this publicity is due solely to the endeav- ors of few citisens to establish a boat line. It means the attraction of capital. factories. and more inhabi- tants to the city--it means enhanced value of real estate. more demand for homes and business houses: it means more business for the merchants and larger bank deposits.
 Why then should the real estate dealers and owners. the merchants and cotton buyers, the capitalists and bankers, hesitate about lending their financial assistance to an enterprise which is so much for their own good7 The merchants who have already subscribed to this proposition. form the business backbone of the city. They have organized and elected as officers and directors of the boat line. some of the most responsible business men of Montgomery. Their names spell success" to any undertaking to which they will lend their energy. The Commercial Club has joined ho .,t+t, 1f rs1rxz | merce to raise the balance of the funds necessary and let every citizen of Montgomery respond nobiy when committees from either of these worthy organizations call on them to subscribe. not as a donation, but as an investment that means much to them and those dependent upon them. If there is any doubt in your mind on this subject, read the interview published in Sundays Advertiser with Mir. W. P. Lay. of Gadsden, Ala. wherein he shows that with the as- sured development of the co6sa along with the Alabama river. it will make Montgomery to rank among the greatest manufacturing centers in the world"
 Thoughtful men should study this question closer, and not dismiss it with the idea that 1t is only the pass ing remarks of an enthusiast. Mir. avsa atatanoanfa ara ahsad on facts ascertained by the United States government engineers and are in a report to be submitted to Congress at the coming session.
 Some of our citizens are sleeping over acres of diamonds"--and do not know 1t. as
The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-12-07

The advice to do your Christmas shopping early" may have been some what overworked, especially when it is given a general application. but all the same there is much of good in it. There are many good people who cannot have the use of money until about Christmas day. but on the other hand there are many who have the means at all times, and as the holiday goods and toys are plentiful it would be a great help to clerks and other employees If all who can do so would make their purchases at once. Then the shops and stores would not be so crowded in the last days. and those who are forced to shop late will have better opportunity. At least we may urge all who can do so as we'll as not to shop early and avoid the rush.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-12-07
What the State Papers
 Are Spying and Doing
As to sunday Politlcs.

As tc sunday Politics. Marion Standard
 tics. It is more harmful than the bar room.
 Game to the Last. Blount County Journal.
 We didn't get to first base-them antis are the best fielders we ever saw. Never mind we'll play you again if somebody will get up game.
 All In the Family. Y Samson Ledger = We'll, Grandma, you have won! Now you can adjust your speekse and re. sume your knit ttin'se foursdyo ungain will stop cuttin' up for a time, any how.
 An Unuecessary Expense. Huntsville Mercury Banner.
 Think of It's costing the state $50,- oOo, and several times as much for campaign expenses, to say 1t did not like Fuller bills! Let's quit such fool ishness in the future.
 Pay the Poll Tax. Greene County Democrat.
 Friends. pay your. poll tax, Don't ever be caught again. Pay up all back years. get a certificate and De cies that may arise. The constitution does not disfranchise you; you dis franchise yourself if you fail to pay your poll tax
 Ended-RiGht Side Up. Cullman Tribune.
 Thank God it's ended! The slurs that hurt those who uttered them most, the intimidations and threats that were idle, the islanders and the lies, politics on Sunday the miser- ahle scraps And if ever again a moral CD fight Is waged by ballots we trust it will start clcan--and end as did this one. Right side up.
  The Farmers' victory. Pell City Progress.
 The victory was won by the farmer. Whether he can read or write. the average farmer will vote correctly. The wave against the amendment starting on the farm was big enough to sweep the small. towns into line and rushing on made even Imperial Birmingham, the centre of amend ment strength, capitulate. The farm CT Is conservative. He does not ap- prove of drastic legislation, of extra vagant methods. He opposes the att tempt indicated by alliance between union of the church and state as was indicated by the alliance between state and county officials and many ministers. Do not blame the church for this; read religion as it beats in the hearts of the people can do no wrong
The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-12-07
FREE TRADE WITH CANADA.
ottawa plspatch to New York Her.

Ottawa Dispatch to New York Herald. On the question of free trade. which the Canadian press is extensively dis cussing. Canada divides east and west Old Canada--French Quebec and Brit ish Ontario-has its largest hope in manufacturing. New Canada-the west ern provinces, largely peopled by Americans--wearies of paying the high tective tariff, low though 1t Is.
 MT Michael Clark, NJ. P. for Red Deer, Alberta (LberaD, firmly indorses The Heralds advocacy of free trade. If I give you merely my own opin- ion as regards free trade with the Unit ed States, it would be of no particular value," he said, but can tell you that the western provinces are for free trade with the American republic.
 The people of the agricultural prov inces are largely Americans: There are also British with free trade Ideas. They are engrossed in building their homes and in winning a fortune from the that the Canadian tarin obliges them to pay much higher prices for agricul- tural machinery in the United States For wagons, buggies, ana many other manufacturies they must pay more. This creates desire for lowering of the tariff bars. for more favorable ad- mission of the popular manufactures, and for free entry of Canadian grains and other raw materials into the rich American market.
 The United States will not soon be- gin to purchase foodstufrs. It will not be long before our wheat Is wanted south of the border. The free trade sentiment may be counted upon to grow. 1 am not one of those who de- cry the benefits of the British prefer ence. 1 firmly believe that the prefer ence which Canada gives to British goods Is responsible for the firm foot hold our export trade has In the free market of the United Kingdom. That trade has done much to enable us to develop the West. But. as The Herald says. the natural course of trade Is to- ward the United States. Trade sur mounts tariff barriers;
 Tn the eastern part of Canada the manufacturing sentiment fosters sup port of the tariff. Moreover, free trade with the United states Is unpop- ular because of the rebuffs to which Canada was subject years ago. Also in this part of Canada live the descend ants of the united empire loyalists, who left the United States at the time of the revolution"
The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-12-07
TUESDAY. DHcEmBHR :, 1908.
EDITOR GREHR,s SUBTRACTION.


 Perhaps no man in the State deriv- ed more satisfaction from the over whelming defeat of the proposed amendment and It's attendant politi- cal hopes than Editor Charles H. Greer. of The Marion Standard. Ger tainly no man has reason to feel prouder or more satisfied over the re- suit of the campaign.
 MT. Greer. when the present State administration was at the height of its power. when many misguided peo- pie believed that its noise and arr lbifraxsneas was ushering in . new po- 1ltscaI era. with unusual independence nfkacked it's policies and criticised its zneshods. This he did in weekly newspaper published in a com- naanixy and depending for support upon a community. and . county in which the head of the administration had received large majority and where at that time 1t was generally supported by popular favor. The Standard and it's editor were first made to feel the effects of the in- tolerance. which has been accompani- ment of the unfortunate political con- ditions of the past three years.
 when the amendment was launch ed. with all its political hopes. Editor Greer. although he had led the fight for prohibition in Marion. attacked the proposition no less vigorously than he had the State administration. The prohibition sentiment in Marion. a little city of schools and in Perry county was overwhelming and 8 ma jority of the people at the outset viewed the fight as a whiskey and anti-whiskey fight. Intolerance in max and The Standard was made to feel how far that intolerance could be carried. MT. Greer even took the stump in his county against the amendment and devoted himself to a personal fight against the issue in Perry. He is assuredly entitled to his part of the credit for Perrys ma jority against the amendment.
 That time and events have justified his course. that his judgment has been vindicated and his independence en- dorsed. should be compensation for the attacks he has had to bear.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-12-07
ConSlensatlons.

It costs the Methodist Episcopal church about $2S.000000 annually for It's preaching and suT@Tintendence, this including about $500, HO0 that is paid for superannuated ministers.
 great extension of the Siberian railroad is proposed along the river Anlur, and as 1t has met with hearty approval on the part of the passing ministry, it is likely to be constructed It will open up 4O,00O000 acres of corn land.
 It Is predicted by a very modern architect that the house of one large, a small electric kitchen attached and an enormous enclosed porch, with facilities for outdoor sleeping, has come to stay.
 . American manufacturers of we'll drilling machinery have practical monopoly of the business throughout the world.
 The fact that the catch of Holsters along the New England and Canada coast is lessened each year has sug- gested the proposition to supplement the catch by substituting therefor the spiny lobster. So far as taste and quality go. they are Just the same. The spiny lobster lacks the two large claws
The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-12-07
PICKED 200 YEARS.
Rare old Grandfather's Clock Owned
 In This Country.

.EmhS OOuhthSs
 Nashville American.
 In the library at 'Hillsdower." the home of A. G. Swain ten miles out on the Gallatin pike. is an eight-day clock of the grandfather type, that has recorded the hours in the Swain family for nearly 200 years. Purchas- ed from the maker, Dan Kreoden, in in l713 by Captain c. Swain, 1t has re- mained in the family. keeping perfect time until the present.
 In brass trimmed. blackened ma hogany case, 1t stands eight feet high. The mechanism is of brass, as Is the dial, artistically carved, and with hour, minute and second hands. There is also a calendar showing the week days and the days of the month. There are two weights, twenty pounds each. The pendulum rod Is three and one half feet long. At the end of 1t hangs a large brass ball.
 The clock was with the Swain faml- ly on Nantucket Island, where Capt. Swain landed in 1713, until 1874. when Solomon Swain, a grandson of Capt. Swain, moved with his family in wag- ons to New Bedford. From there 1t went to Pittsburg. Pa. from which place it fIoated on a flatboat down the Ohio River to Cincinnati. For a num- Der of years this old clock chimed out the hours In a farmhouse few miles out from Cincinnati On the death of it's owner it came into the possession of Solomon Swain's oldest son, Charles c. Swain, at that time cashier of the Ohio State Bank at Dayton. From him 1t passed to his oldest daughter, Lucretia swain, then to his youngest son. William swain, of New Orleans, and finaVv to his nephew. Andrew C.. Swain, of New Orleans, a son of Capt Frederick c. Swatn. who was, in the 40's, a popular steamboat owner on the Miesissippi Less than two years ago A. c. swain, with his second wife, formerly Miss Lavinia Robertson hlll, Of Nashville, moved from New Or leans to "Hillsdower," where the old clock now stands.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-12-07
CHARGE OF FAvoRITIsM.
Drought AGaInst Those Who Conduct Final Naval and War Academy
 Examinations


 Final Naval and War Academy l Examlnations. Washington Special to New Orleans There is considerable complaint among members of Congress of fa- vorftism in West Point and Annapolis which may he aired in committees or In the House this winter. For a long lime it has been charged that ap- pointees to the academies fail to get fair treatment in many cases after ad- mission. One member of the House today recounted that he had had three to be examined for commissions after they had completed the courses in the academies. They were reflected on grounds of physical deficiency, despite that examination by the greatest spe- cialists in the country indicated in at least one of the cases that there was absolutely no ground for the retec- ton.
 ing a discovery of this kind after a young man has been carried all the way through the course," said this rep- resentative. They are admitted on. examination; they are under constant surveillance in q physical way while in the academies. and 1t is certainly a marvel to me that so large a propor- ton manage to maintain their physi- cal status till the Jay they become eligible for commissions, and then to develop heart trouble that the great est heart experts can't detect It has come to look to me as if they were making 1t business to trump up this kind of charges and throw men out, when for any reason 1t isn't consid- cred by the powers desirable to keep them in.''
 Those who have studied tendencies at the academies consider it remarka- ble that sons and nephews and grand sons of army and navy families seem to be in less danger of being plucked sons of the commonality. It is charg- ed. for instance, that the proportion of sons of army and navy families in the two academies Is constantly increas- ingly large.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-12-07
Mr. William J. Bryan Put on Notice.

Mir. William J. Bryan Put on Notice. Augusta Croncile
 The Charleston News and Courier said much the other day when 1t printed this harmless looking little
 Tt Is Characteristic that just as soon as Mir. Bryan takes strong stand In hSSsa fasSr of bt a boSy sow shs people It is known that for some time, in The Commoner, MT. Bryan has talk en up the prohibition cause and in such significant manner as to create ion to pursue 1t -tor the ena.ntAnd 9ti1s end, with him, means forcing it into the Democratic party This Is the view that is taken by The Washington result in AlabaAma is notice to MT. Bryan that the Democratic mule will not follow him Into the water wagon" and though Mir. Bryan was not a Is black eye to his recent bid for the support of the temperance ele- ment."
 It may also be of interest to know how such papers p,s as The anar,n Post resard Td quote from that paper:
 The reaction against drastic tenn perance laws and their harsh enforce ment has unquestionably set in. The same influence that turned the tide in Alabama are at work in Georgia, Mississippi; South Carolina. and other Southern states where prohibition Is the chief issue. should the temper ance element in those other states go along. His move to weaken Harmon In the South will have failed.
 "One of the actual factors of de- feat vas the ultra-radical stand of Gov. Conner in seeking to put prohibit tion in the state constitution before the people had decided that the ques- tion had passed the probation period. The material fact that closing down the traffic made a big cut in the state revenue and created state debt was viewed with alarm in all quarters, as Is seen in the heavy vote against pro- hibition In the rural districts.
 Above all else 1t was again demon strated that prohibition and party politics are incompatible bedfellows. In Alabama. as in Maine. Iowa. ani Kansas in the past. the alliance has resulted in the downfall of both and the political extinction of the men who thought they saw in politics the ve- hicle that would carry prohibition to a point 1t could not attain by virtue of its own popularity alone"
The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-12-07

And still the good old city of Bos- ton Is being troubled by the cry--and the evidenoe-of fraud and graft fin political and municipal affairs, just like other large cities up North of the line
The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-12-07
when CAristmas Days Are Near.
HatfuI of Cold to Build Church.

Church Family Newspaper.
 One of the most remote churcnes ln Great Britain was re-opened after rs- storation on Thursday last, by the archdeacon of Brecon. It stands tPar- trishow by name) on the southern slopes of the Black Mountains in Ere conshire. The font dates from l06O, and a road screen of singular beauty from about the year 1500.
 There are three stone altars within the old church and a little western chapel built against 1t. while in the churchyard stands a preaching cross. and the remains of a stone ledge or bench run along the south wall of the church. on which the congregation could seat themselves. Out of the stem of an ancient yew tree grows 8 rowan and aPholly tree.
 Tradition bsays the church was orig nallv built by a foreigner who was cured of leprosy by the waters of an adiaceRt yfell and who left "a a hatful offering 4
The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-12-07

Some one tells it that the French look on the eating of cranberry sauce with fowl Or game as "a mild form of barbarism." Well, what if they do? They may call 1t a severe form of barbarism for all we care.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-12-07
Report Incomplete.

Wichita Eagle.
 Tn its trip from St. Louis to Kansas City the United States snagboat re- moved one thousand trees from the river. The captains report Is not com plete He should tell how much corn the crew cut in the river bed and how many fences were torn down to allow the boat to follow the old trail"
The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-12-07

The Coumbia State refers to it as ''measley Nicaragua" but from this distance the disease appears to be something worse than measles. Per haps 1t is appendicitis.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-12-07

Glad our election was pulled off before Congress assembled, else We might not have been able to take mo- tice of that body as 1t deserves and expects. Now we have nothing to do but observe 1t and say things about 1t.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-12-07

The Savannah News suggests that the dinner hour be changed to 5 o'clock. They may change 1t, If they wish, but many of the old-timers will stick to the noon hour.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-12-07

As Mrs. Hartman is reputed to be the richest woman in America. if not in all the world, she could probably have her pick among foreign nobil- ity.
The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-12-07
STATE our OF DEBT.
| PennsyIvanIa Challenges World aa Ex- 1 ample of PrOsperitY.

Philadelphia Public Ledger
 The small amount of State bonds yet outstanding Is more than covered by the sinking fund and could all be re- deemed at once. if available. leaving 9 surplus. Pennsylvania is thus entire ly frse from debt, and with the an- nual revenues exceeding those of any
The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-12-07

4 ~Ws@> ~-R e-.eA -.F
 Overheard.
 "One and L@o-sevcnths husbands run away every day in Jersey City What are you laughing atg' ".Just thinking how funny two . sevenths of a husband would lock running away" ff
 Ain't It sog
 Of all sad words
 To make me dizzy,
 The saddest is Central
 Saying "BusEfsa As@ssg ssSys sss; something wrong with visis.. "How old is she.s wonderT
 She says she has only seen eighteen Gee, whiz--tell her she had better consult an ocuiist.
 aAnd the Amendment---s
 Wife-Why don't you, brace up and ] Husband:-Because you brace up and try to be one. Now I guess I'll go out and get 'bracert''
 sea-wesd.
 And now 1t seems to be .Alabama--- Here We Drink"-Atlanta Constitu- Yes; so much. better than the Fuller slogan--"Aiabarna. Here We RUST"
 
 It is a matter of common comment that Speaker Cannont resembles Abe Lincoln--in looks. But his speech Is so vastly different. E
 Mir Aldrich rises up to remark that he Is well pleased with the country. Glad he likes it-it's his, you know!
 The Appletons.
 Ono reason why the Lysander John Appleton family of. Kansas is so iii- teresting Is no doubt because 1t Is so much like other families. The Atchi- son Globe @ fnronie,ss ,oi,ows one istest news ''Mss. Lysander John Appleton made the boast that Daysey Mayme has had q number of stories accepted by the magazines. Pinned down 10 the facts it is learned that Daysey Mayme has A cookx recipe printed, in the. Presbyterian Cook Book; Whore Is your mother? asked q caller oa morning. She Is giving line party was the reply, and can't be disturb err The caller went away much ins- Sressed with the social importance or a woman who gave line parties. Mon- day morning. and never learned that the line party consisted of Mrs. Lysan- der John hanging the family washing der John Appleton complains of the scratches on the new plano, the brok- en window panes. the candy stuck to the parlor chairs, the chewing gum plastered on the parior carpet. etc, his wife says reproachfully; You don't. Love your children or you would be Glad tn see these Little Marks made by their Precious Hands and Feet. Many a Father whose Babe Lies Cold in Death Would be Glad to find Chew ing Gum on his parlor carpet Then she sobs at the picture she has drawn of father looking in grief at carpet with no chewing gum plas- tered on it. and Lysander John puts on his hat and leaves the house
 When Christmas Days Are Near. When the world is bright an cheer
 full an we all are feelin' good, An the days are gettin' colder which An the children. good as angels
 bring In water. fetch in wood' When the mother greets the father with a warm an lovin' kiss. An all the family's pleasant, cheer-
 full. doin' that or thiS. When bundles wrapped in tissue are
 mysterious chunks of bliss- When the servants are obedient, Se>
 spectful, always hear. When you call 'em: an its mama
 angel darling" "papa dear" It's a certain sign the Christmas dayS
 are really drawin' near. ..
 PHIL H. ARMSTRONG.