davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-04
Congress Again In the Lim8light

Tomorrow the short session of the present Congress will be convened and oa Tuesday the annual message of the President will be sent in and made pub lie. The burning question that the Pres ident will have to decide relates to q revision of the AIdrieh tariff. He can have his tariff board present facts enough for the revision of either the wool or the pulp and paper schedule, or he can postpone revision of either by saying that the tariff board desires more time in which to gather information. Which will he do?
 The duties on meats and other food articles could be taken off without any nvestigation-what will Congress do about this? This relates directly to the cost of living, and surely some action should be had in the present Congress.
 The other burning question relates to the rules of the House. Il will not down The insurgents do not intend it shall Either the committees must be appointed by the speaker or by com mittee-which shall it be?
 Those who think these burning ques- tions will not spring up in the short session have no adequate idea of the game of politics. They certainly will bob up when least expected. The in- surgents will come back full of ginger. and the people stand ready to applaud any one who will attack the tariff-pro- tected monopoly and the high cost of liv- ing. Between what the people want and what the battle of 1912 calls for the ses- sion. short though it be, promises to be tempestuous and stormy from time 10 time as opportunity arises.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-04
BOys' Corn Clubs In the South

We need a thousand Boys Corn clubs where we have one. It is the one kind cf club that cannot be too greatly multi piled Every beat, every school district, should have a score of them. The truth is, every neighborhood should have one.
 The way to increase the number or corn clubs consists in offers of large and handsome premiums In Louisiana the sum of s78oo was raised this year and distributed among the Boys Corn clubs of that state.
 The maximum yields are in some eases marvellous. Near Mount Olive, Miss, one boy raised 214 bushels n the acre, and yields of 100 bushels have been com mon. In Louisiana care is taken to in- duce the boys to eonfne their expendi- lures to 30 cents a bushel and the quail ity of the corn raised is also taken into consideration. In short, the effort Is to make the boys good farmers.
 The Boys Corn clubs are demonstrat- ing the possibilities of southern soil when cultivation is up to standard-when deep ploughing and adequate fertilization are added to careful cultivation.
 
 Let the corn youngsters be organized Tn every neghborhood and in order 10 do this handsome prizes must be hung Boys Corn clubs. It is, in fact, about the only way in which shalloR plough ing and sloyenly cultivation can be over come in this state.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-04
WHAT HAPPENED TO HENRY

From the Popular Magazine.
 They were holding an inquest in a It. tie southern town over the body of a ne- gro named Henry, who had been killed by railroad train. Sam Jones. a darky boy, was questioned by the coroner.
 sam, what do you know about this accident to Henry?" was the first oues- ton.
 Net much" answered Sam
 "Tell us what you know. Sam. in your own way
 Tt wuz dis way" explained Sam. You see boss l wuz standin' on de stashun platfawm wifi Henry, an Numbah Five wuz chalk up kindah late on de bode. l lef Henry an went roun' de stashun foh a lil dram. When I come back, boss Numbah Five done gawn by, an stahted up de track to go home. Artah a li'l ways. I come cross a laig. Den, a lil ways on, I fin another laig. Den I stumble 'g'inst a haid. It wuz IIenrys haid"
 Sam paused, and the coroner asked:
 What did you thing then. Sam?'
 well. boss" replied Sam, T thought well, I sez to mahsef: 'somethin' mus done happen to Henryr
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-04
To climb steep hills Requires slow pace at firsI.
 king Henry VIII.
To the Memory of Dr. Handley

President Ford of the Chamber of Com merce has been requested by representa- live citizens to call mass meeting to take steps 10 erect a monument or statue 10 the memory of the late Rev. Dr. Luman s. Handey He will comply with the request, and the meeting will doubtless be largely attended.
 The lamented pastor was a true Chris tan and his Christianity made his com radeship all the more enjoyable. Rarely was man found so approaehable and yet So devoted to the work to which he had been called. Everybody loved the grand old man, and he permitted no one whom he met to remain a stranger to himself.
 The people of this city, regardless of Aenominational divisions, think Dr. Hand leys memory should be preserved and his lovable career made known to future generations. For the benefit of the living and especially of the children the noble, kindly face and form should be portrayed in bronze or stone and placed in Capitol
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-04
TREATMENT OF JURORS

From the Chicago Journal.
 There are gratifying indications that courts are beginning to recognize the ab- srrdity of some ideas that custom has grafted on our jury system. For instance, there is that ridiculous assumption that a jury must be kept together and abso- lutely secluded in order that criminal may obtain a fair trial. Rigid enforce ment of this rule during protracted trials has resulted in such hardshps that 1t is becoming almost impossible to obtain competent juries in the more important cases. Recently many intelligent judges have taken the responsibility of ordering the rule relaxed in order that jurors might be treated with ordinary humanity. If the interests of justice have suffered by reason of their action, the fact has not been apparent. This policy now has been indorsed by the supreme court of the United States, which has declared that it Is not reversible error in a crimi- nal trial to permit the jurors to separate from each other and to read newspapers. Application of little common sense ought to make it possible for intelligent citizens to serve on juries without being treated as convicts.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-04
Prison Conditions Il Alabama

The addresses of Mrs. Florence E. May brick should serve 10 call public atten- tion to prison conditions in this state. The fee system exists here in all possi- ble breadth and vigor. Men in all parts of this state make their livings by hunt ing down and arresting their fellowmen. Close observers who are in position to know the truth say the system doubles the number of arrests and more than quadruples fines and costs. especially in eases of small misdemeanants. The half has not been told of the barbarites and inhumanities of the fee system.
 And then when, for example, a man who has been caught shooting craps has been fined BIO and s13O costs all of which must be worked out, he is handed over to contractors, or else he is put in the hands of politicians, and never does he come to a competent and trained crim- fnalogist. "The American jail or prison, says Mrs. Maybrick, lis the only insti- tuition where the keepers are not qualified for the work by special training" There is little or no humanity in our jail. and prisons-no training of the crimina for a better life after his term is ended He is sent to jail unjustly as he wei knows, and he comes out worse thar when he went in.
 Is 1t not possible, men of ,he legisla ture, to lift our manner of experiencing and handling offenders above the methods Of mediaeyal persons? Our entire sys-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-04
IN HOTEL LOBBIES
AInbama,s Hest Year

''I have been travelling over Alabama 1 for several years and not in my time
 have I found business so good as now
 said Joseph Beitman, engaged in the ei- gar trade. and known as one of the most active members of the Chamber of Com merce
 'I have just returned home from d 30 days trip which covered practically every section of the state. The farmers of Alabama are in better shape than they have ever been. Not only is the high price of cotton stimulating trade in the smaller towns but the big corn crop and the big hay crop and diversified farming are proving highly profitable and are helping to enrich the whole state. The fact that Alabama s corn crop has been almost doubled this year over last will encourage farmers to make still greateS efforts along the same line next year. And what this will mean in the way of prosperity can hardly be overesu- mated Then, too, more live stock i5 being raised than in former years and this fact itself greatly enhances our agri- cultural wealth.
 Tn the Birmingham district, where millions of dollars are being expended on industrial development and where the coal trade is remarkably brisk, mer-' chants say that their trade would be better than it is if it were not for the commissares. Tn my business l come in contact with the commissary system and my sales are less satisfactory in the mining towns than in the agricultural communities. But since we find condi- ticns throughout Alabama exceptionally thrifty, complaints are certainly not in order from any direction. l. for one, at least, am grateful for the prosperity that is in evidence this year,
 "To change the subject, have received letters from friends in Kansas City, my old home, telling of the splendid vic tory which conservatism won over fanat- icism in Missouri on November s, when constitutional statewide prohibition was defeated by a majority of 2l5,000. One friend writes that all the business men of Missouri were lined up against state wide prohibition and that also a very large percentage of church members were on that side, leaving chiefly fanatics and professional agitators to appeal for votes for the constitutional amendment propo- sfion. Drastic prohibition has been get ting hard blows of late, but Missouri gave it the severests blow yet
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-04
THE .rURKEY TRoT'

San Francisco Dispatch to the New York
 World.
 San Francisco has produced in the .Turkey Trot' dance a novelty in terpsi- chorean art, which is to be exported to Russia, perhaps, to the imperial palace and then it is to be made the basis of a new ballet
 Anna Pavlowa, the delightful Rus sian artist, discovered the Turkey Trot' on the Barbary coast, and was delighted with the novelty. She tried 1t herself on the floor of the dance hall where she saw it. and after learning it declared that it was the best yet, and artistically satisfying.
 'I will take it to Russia" she sald' "and I will introduce 1t throughout Flu rope"
 Pavlowa was on the "coast' as a mem Der of a big party, in which were some local society people. In addition 10 tne celebrated danseuse those who admired the 'trot' were Michael Mordkin, her mariner. Mime. Paztszkaia, Count Seh- tenant. Stanley Sharp, and Iheodore Stier. the orchestra conductor.
 s.What I intend to do with the turkey Trot' is to take it to Russia and develop if have 1t carefully worked out said Paylowa. q will have a great ana peau- tiful ballet made of it." The "T,1rkev Trot'' is a dance recently ordered barred by the police commis- sioner.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-04
LOS aNCEI,Es-II

From the New York World.
 Everybody advertlses to a startling extent in Los Angeles The newspa- pers are huge. It takes at least half page for an advertiser to express his feelings properly
 The beautiful bronze cannon cap tured at Manila are being distributed to the California towns. Los Angeles has one, and two guard Mike de Young s name on the museum tablet at Golden Gate park, San Francisco
 Los Angeles is the center of the citrus belt. The wine tubs are at Fresno and thereabonts. California wine growers never mention their gallons except in terms of millions If any of it is cheap It does not get on the dining cars, where Sl to Sl % a quart seemed to be the prevail ing figure The grapes go to the win cries in steel ears. to be crushed and squeezed by machinery. There is no treading out with the feet, as do the Burgundians upon their hills of gold!
 Little houses are the rule, each with it's palm where possible.
 Gen Harrison Gray Otis informs vis- iting tenderfeet every day at the head of the editorial page in the Times that Los Angeles is pronounced as if spelled Lose Ahng-hayl-las. Try to say it right.
 So eager is the boom splt that the visitor forgets that California is 1000 miles long and has only a few more than 100000 inhabitants. The lusty way in which problems are tackled creates the impression that there must be at least 50000OOO. The million is the com mon unit in finance and prophecy.
 There are more born New Workers vis- ible in Southern California than can readily be found in New York. Boston supplies similar quota. The Cali fornians band themselves into Song and Daughters. To be real elegant the "Daughtersv call their local chapters "Parlors.n
 The trolley cars are half open and half closed, with seats arranged so the scenery can be contemplated without straining ones neck.
 Ladies are called "Fair Angelenas" by the local newspapers.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-04
WHY OUR rARs CUT UP
e Washington Post.

From the Washington Post.
 The rough-house behavior of American sailors in French ports visited by the battleship fleet has another side to it than the uncharitable version first ca bled over. While still to be regarded as a regrettable circumstance, the plea of provocation comes so well supported as to remove the stigma that our bluejack- cts simply ran amuclS and terrorized the populace.
 The French press, which at first crit icized the conduct of the Americans with unsparing warmth, now says the trou- ble was provoked by the shopkeepers and the ruffianly class of Brest and Cherbourg. Our sailors, as 1t is now ad- mtted, were victimized, assaulted, and robbed after fashion experienced in no other ports ever visited. Besides being charged four or five times for every thing they purchased, bad money was thrust upon them in making change. It was in retaliation of the scurvy treat ment they received that the sailors turned on their tormenters and evened the score.
  of unbrided rowdyism and viciousness, Admiral Vreeland, In command of the second division of the fleet, attributes some of the disturbances to clashes be- tween the toughest element among the shore population, but asserts that on the whole the behavior of the Americans has been admirable. This statement finds support in the fact that only the most fattering accounts come from the several ports visited by the three other divisions of the fleet. Received hos pitably and treated on the level, the Yankee tar acquitted himself as cred itably on shore as he Is wont to do when the signal goes up that "the country ex- oects every man to do his duty" Brest and Cherbourg have themselves to thank for the display of that other Yankee characteristic-quck resentment of an injury.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-04
WILLIAMSON AND HIS WHISKY

From the Popular Magaznie
 George Williamson, who mixes drinks fit for the gods at Shoomaker's, where the politicians and diplomats foregather for little nip" now and then, is so polite and urbane that he would make the lamented MT. Chesterfield seem un- couth and coarse. George is also pos sessed of a kind and charitable heart.
 One afternoon, in the rush hour, a well-dressed stranger entered Shoomal1- CTS, and, leaning across the bar, said to George in low tone:
 I'm a little short of money. Would you give me a drink of whisky for 10 cents?"
 Certainly" said Williamson, and put on the bar bottle of his finest.
 The stranger fingered the bottle and the glass for a few moments. Then he said:
 q beg your pardon, but is this 1o-cent whisky?"
 The implied accusation of cheapness against the establishment was too much even for Williamson.
 Did you ever get any 10-cent whisky in this placer" he asked hotly.
 The stranger admitted>he never had.
 And you never will!' concluded Will Hanson, and with that he whisked the bottle off the bar, and the stranger got no drink at all.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-04
CAREER OF A GREAT SINGER

Louis G. Northland in December World
 Today. see4 nF- s4
 A QUARTER of a century ago. or, "A to be correct, 26 years, Christine Nilsson, one of the worlds great est lyrical and dramatic artists, at the zenith of her fame, with the musical world at her feet, retired from the stage and returned to private life When the operatic managers evidenced the desire to use her and her voice and dramatic pow CT as so much merchandise, to institute series of farewell performances stretch ing over a number of years, then the great singer withdrew Her art was more to her than Anere wealth.
 This happened only 26 years ago, and yet, to the great mass of her former American friends and. admirers, she Is only a memory and her present situation unknown.
 Early during the winter of 1909 cable news mentioned that Countesse de Casa M; M;randa-Christine Nilsson-was serious ly ill in the south of France. even her life being despaired of This was fol- lowed at intervals by news of a long struggle between death ana strong con stituton and love of life. After a slow recovery, and as soon as she was able to travel, she left for her summer home in Sweden.
 The news of her illness recalled to the writer many memories of the past, the arrival in New York in 1870 of the fair haired Swedish girl, then little known to the American public, and the furore and enthusiasm in the musical world after her first appearance. Did she remember all this; did she remember her friends m America?
 The writer sent her letter and was much gratified when, some time later' he received her answer in which She writes:
 q thank you very sincerely for all the
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-04
MEDITATION

(The authors last pcem) By Robert Kerr Marsh, who died recent ly at the age of 21. I've travelled East, I've traveled West, I've lived lengthy while at home, But that still voice within my breast Hath tortured me where CT l roam. It cries, 1t pleads 1t curses me,
 And makes of peace mockery. I used to think that money meant
 A refuge from the daily strife; A dollar earned a sacrament Unto the little god of life; But ah! A million dollars more
 Could never open Faiths bright door. The estimated wealth of Kings,
 The untold riches of the sea. And all the tide that con9uest brings Of rich display and majesty Could never heal a sinful mind,
 And smooth the traces left behind A dumb brute destitute of thought Perchance is better off than |, His only care the summers drought,
 His only fear a stormy sky; He lives and breathes; he feeds and ri drinks,
 And man is cursed because he thinks. But do I speak too generally,
 And by my lips misjudge lies throng: Others may live happily,
 And alone am wrong; I'd give my life to make it sc.
 Or cancel one small part of woe. A little child with laughing eyes,
 About the age of seven, Is as near we get to Paradise,
 Or the pearly gates of Heaven 'Twould heal my heart and mind of pain To, be a little child again.
 Birmingham, 1910.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-04
Red Gross Stamp Sale

The Anti-Tuberculpsi association has a camp on Red mountain in which r patients afflicted with the white plague are being cared for, These patients have improved rapidly, and they have voted to stay in the camp all winter rather than in houses at the foot of the hill.
 Money is needed to defray the expenses of the camp, and the ladies in charge of it have procured 2OO.000 Red Cross stamps which they will offer for sale in the holiday season. These stamps are sold at cent each, and if all can be sold the association will receive for the benefit of it's camp on Red mountain S20o0. These stamps are seals to be placed on the backs of letters and packages.
 The hope is that merchants and busi- ness men will take hold of this effort to place 2oO.OOO Red Cross stamps and that when the holiday season is ended the association will have enough money to fight the white plague to the end of a possibly long cold winter. The attention of the charitable and especially of busi- ness men is called to this natter It is popular way of securing mueh-needed funds. Every stamp sold means help for some sufferer either in the camp on Red mountain or wherever a case of the dis ease is found.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-04
A SENSIBLE, LUCKY MoRTALy

From the Brooklyn Eagle.
 She was a tall. impressive looking ma tron, middle aged and well dressed, and she entered the crowded trolley car with as much deliberation as is permissible at transfer station. There were no seats, but an obllging little woman re- linquished the strap to which she was clinging in favor of the newcomer and moved further down the car. The stately rnatron, gave one glance at the line of seated and standing feminity, for it was during shopping hours, and imper- atively ordered the conductor to stop the car, explaining. T prefer to wait for a car where I can get seat have plenty of time and never ride In a troll lev car unless I have a seat"
 "Sensible, lucky mortal" was the com ment of worried looking passenger who held on to strap with one hand and clutched a handbag and four par cels in the other.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-12-04
IfandIey Memorial

While l am heartily in favor of the movement seeking to honor the memory of the Rev. pr. Luman S. Handley, the beloved pastor of the Central Presbyterian church, I would urge that the memorial take the shape of a philanthropic or in stitutonal endowment rather than a statue set up in public park said Rabbi NJ. Newfield "I am not much of a believer in monuments of bronze or marble but I think 1t would be great thing for the people of Birmingham to contribute money for a memorial to pr. Handley that would elevate or benefit humanity.
 T would suggest that the Central Pres byterian be endowed as an institutional church in memory of the dead pastor; either that or the endowment of a Handey ward at St Vincent's hospital"