davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-08-12
A noble life before n long.
 - -CoriOlanus.
Mayor Gaynor'S Assassination

The split bullet that rests in part in Mayor Gaynors neck and in part in the floor of his mouth Is not leading to appre- hensions of a fatal result in the minds of attendant surgeons They plainly an- ticipate his recovery. He is 59 years old, but the miles he has walked each day will stand him in good stead in this emergency. His vitality and good healthy circulation will carry him. it is hoped, safely through all dangers of his wound.
 The city he presides over needs him, for his reform work in it is but fairly to carry it on as the stricken mayor has planned it. Mayor Gaynor is, too, a na- tional figure and many think he is the right man to carry the democratic stand ard in 1912. Many think he could secure the electoral vote of New York beyond all question: Both the great city and the still greater country are therefore watch ing for the daily reports from the room in which the mayor lies stricken by the hands of an assassin.
 This case raises problem relative to our public officials in general. If this country has reached a stage in which all public officers who do their duty are in danger of assassination, they will have to submit to the presence of guards very much as President Taft at present does This would be obnoxious to the officials and an offense in the eyes of the people. It would be a standing disgrace to our institutions and our boasted freedom. It Is indeed serious problem, and no doubt the assassination of Mayor Gaynor will bring it forward for treatment and pub lie attention. Possibly method that would keep at bay all fiends and all luna tics can be devised, but a defense against a mixture of both would indeed be diff fcult.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-08-12
Wider'S Indeterminate Sentence

Erwin J. Wider, the man who stole oeS0,o00 from the Russo Chinese bank agency in New York, was indicted for grand larceny, and was convicted of that offense. The indeterminate sentence is . feature of New York law, and so 1t is of many other states. This law gave the fudge sitting in the case no alternative. Wider was sentenced to confinement in prison for not less than five and not more than ten years. He can, in other words. become a free man in five years if he behaves himself in prison
 Some penologists are now claiming that the indeterminate sentence has operated to cut widers sentence so short it is inadequate-that his punishment does not lt his crime.
 The indeterminate sentence has, how ever, worked well in all states that have adopted it. The plan enables a man who n not confirmed criminal to rehabilitate himself by proving to the authorities
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-08-12
Price of Steel Rails
fcult.

In 1901 the price of steel rails was es- tablished at BPS ton, and that price held good until the Illinois Steel company ac- cepted a contract to furnish 2O,000 tons of rails to western railroad at s2650 a ton. This cut may not, however, affect the price of rails at Pittsburg for delivery to eastern and central territory. The Chi cago contract was rendered necessary in order to keep foreign rail manufacturers from shipping rails by water to San Francisco, and delivering them there at rates little below the old prices of the Illinois Steel company. In other words, prices may be cut to meet foreign com petition at far western points only.
 Steel corporation when the National Rail- road of Mexico wanted 15,0OO tons Water transportation renders competition possi- ble at some points in Mexico and the other countries south of us
 The entire subject does not so much re- late to market conditions as it does to water transportation. Rail transporta- uon is speedy, but it is more expensive than water transportation, and this is what tba Gtaal corporatio ,.,ith ;t, far Hung trade, has to meet.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-08-12
PRISONERS SING IN JAIL

From the Los Angeles Examiner
 The sound of song, long a stranger in the confines of the women's department at the city jail, has found home there since the Golden Rule methods of Chief Matron Gilbert, encouraged by Chief of Police Galloway, have been in operation. Wholesome. healthful work, enough to keep the women's minds free from their troubles and disgrace, and to keep their fingers busy. form the chief matron's idea of Golden Rule methods
 The humming of three sewing ma chimes and the songs of the women told the story of how we'll the matron's theory had taken hold. The sewing room, light and open to sunshine and fresh air. is favorite with the women prisoners. They are making wra appers to wear so they may save their own apparel; undergar- ments, sheeting and pillow slips for the beds
 Those not engaged in sewing and cut ting patterns fill In the working hours in the laundry, where two stationary tubs, two laundry boards and a washing ma. chine keep them busy washing and iron. ing their own apparel and the laundry for the several offices in the jail build ing
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-08-12
Middleton Still Undecided

J. O.. Middleton, the well known attor- ney of Clanton, was in Birmingham yes terday on legal bushes. When asked what he was going to do about his nomi- nation for Congress by the republicans of the Fourth district, he replied:
 "I am so very busy that l have not had time to decide But there is one thing dead sure and that is that if decide to make the race I am going in to win, and the Fourth as well as the Seventh district will have a republican congressman. If I decide to enter the fight I shall challenge MT. Blackmon for a joint discussion and demand that he meet me in joint debate in every precinct in the district.
 MT. Blackmon will not be up against a sham battle and he will not find me as easy as he pretends.
 .'The republican party in Chjton is stronger by far than ever and this is shown by the large vote in our recent primary, it being about double that of the democrats. Judge Louis Reynolds, by reason of his splendid administra- ton and strong personality, is stronger today than ever, and he will easily walk away with his democratic opponent by 300 majority"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-08-12
Alabama'S United Democracy

The meeting at Blount Springs to plan the state campaign of 1910 wisely de- cided to put aside as settled the question of prohibition, and to conduct the cam paign largely on broad national prinei- pies. Jefferson's immortal epigram is to be the keynote: Equal rights for all and special privileges to none.". This covers the ground, meeting every branch of the public service, state or national, adequately and wisely. A better plat form than Jefferson's cannot be written for the democratic party. It antagonizes more particularly Aldrichism and the re- publican party in general.
 The state campaign committee decided to give Congressman Burnett especial support. Candidate Emmet o'Neal and the remainder of the state ticket will sweep the state, but MT. Burnett is threat ened with an opposition, some think, that springs from funds furnished by the tariff magnates in the east. The good people of the Seventh district see, how ever in common with all the rest of the south the effects of the tariff on the cost of living, and it is not probable that they will indorse the policy and the party that drains their pockets at every turn. The state campaign committee should, however, make assurance double sure by conducting a vigorous campaign in the Seventh congressional district.
 In his speech at Blount Springs MT. Bur nett presented the fine record of Ala bama's representatives in Congress, men, tioning Oscar Underwood's in particular. money of monopolies should be able to break the ranks of that delegation in the coming election. Alabama should send ington to make smooth the way for the coming of a democratic administration. Fortunately members of the state cam paign committee appreciate the import ance of the task before them.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-08-12

that he is not hopelessly wicked. Grim inals at heart do not try to avail them selves of 1t. The authorities in a prison are not easily deceived, and the best penologists consider the indeterminate plan humane and wise and salntary. The Wider sentence would be light under its terms, it is true, but five years in prison will probably be sufficient to reform the man who took vast sums of other peo- ple's money to speculate with.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-08-12
THE COUNTERSIGN

From the Washington Herald.
 The following anecdote was told by Col John A. Riker of Philadelphia, veteran of the civil war, at the National
 In the Army of the Cumberland one of the officers whose duty it was to fur nish the guards with password for the night gave the word Potomac A Ger man on guard, not understanding dis tinctly the difference between 'b's' and p's' understood it to be 'Botomac, and this, on being transferred to another, was corrupted to 'Buttermilk.' Soon aft erward the officer who had given the word wished to return through the lines, and, approaching sentinel was ordered to halt, and the word was demanded. He gave Potomac
 'Nicht right. You don't pass init me-
 But this is the word, and I will pass
 No; you stan',' at the same time placing bayonet at his breast in a manner that told MT. Officer that 'Poto- mac didn't pass in Missouri.
 What is the word, then?
 "Buttermilk."
 Well, then, "Buttermilk" yourself all about your pizness.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-08-12
Census Bulletins Backward

The census bulletins are still back made every day. Yesterday was New Ravens turn. According to the cen sus bureau that city has population of 1ss.eo5, gain of 2S.7 per cent over the enumeration of 1900.
 New Haven's claim on the first or January last was stated at 140,OOO and falling off of less than 1000 Is not bad. Grand Rapids, Mich, Is the one city thus far announced whose claim was less than the census figures.
 Birmingham's claim of 125,ooO as of January l was regarded as very con. servative. With the recent school cen sus al a basis the population of Bir- mingham is between 135,O0O and l4o.- 600. Just what the census will do for us remains to be seen, but there is reason to believe that Director Durand will show a population of upward of lSo,OO0. Birmingham has not yet at tained it's fortieth year, but it has reached the stage where the rate Of growth is more rapid than ever It's gain in 10 years, considered from percentage point of view, will put it in a class almost to itself
 Not more than three or four cities have done well since 1900, and the best of 1t is Birmingham's greatest strides are still ahead.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-08-12
TO THE PREsIDENT-ELEcT uss4)

By Edgar w. Nye tBill Nye)
 Dear Sir-The painful duty of turn ing over to you the administration of these United States and the key to the front door Of the White House has been assigned to me. You will find the key hanging inside the storm door. and the cistern-pole up stairs in the hay mow of the barn. I have made a great many suggestions to the outgoing ad- ministration relative to the transfer of the Indian bureau from the department of the interior to that of the sweet by and by The Indian, I may say, has been a great source of annoyance to me, several of the number having jumped one of my most valuable min ing claims on White river. Still, I do not complain of that. This mine, how ever am convinced, would be a good paying property if properly worked, and should you at any time wish to take the regular army and such other help as you may need and recapture 1t from our red brothers, l would be glad to give you a controlling interest in it.
 You will find all papers in their ap- propriate pigeon-holes and small jar of cucumber pickles down cellar which were left over and to which you will be perfectly welcome. The asperity and heart -burnings which were the imme- diate result of hot and unusually bitter campaign are now all buried. Take these pickels and use them as though they were your own. They are none too good for you. You deserve them. We may differ politically, but that need not interfere with our warm personal friendship.
 You will observe on taking posses sion of the administration that the navy is a little bit weather beaten and wormy I would suggest that it be newly painted in the spring. If it had been my good fortune to receive a majority of the suffrages of the peo- pie for the office which you now hold, should have painted the navy red. Still, that need not influence you in the course which you may see fit to adopt.
 There are many affairs of great mo- ment which I have not enumerated in this brief letter because felt some lit tie delicacy and timidity about appear ing to be at all dictatorial or officious about matter wherein the public might charge me with interference.
 I hope you will receive the foregoing in a friendly spirit, and whatever your convictions may be upon great ques- tions of national interest, either for eign or domestic, that you will not un- dertake to blow out the gas on re- tiring, and that you will in other ways reallze the fond anticipations which , ol,o~ f, y,x- |, mighty people whose aggregated eye is now on to you. BILL WYE. P. S.-You will be little surprised no doubt. to find no soap in the laundry or bathrooms. It probably got into the campaign in some way and was ab- | sorbed. B. N
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-08-12
STREET CARS IN GERMANY
They Are Far Ahead of Cars of This
 Country In Comfort and Convenience

Correspondence of the Engineering News In all my street railway riding in Ger | many l have not yet seen crowded street railway car. Only once have I seen passengers standing inside a car. The Germans recognize the necessity of making street railway service flexible, to provide for variations in travel at diff ferent times, and they attach trail cars behind the motor cars. In even such small cities as Heidelberg a train consist ing of a closed motor car hauling an open trail car is regularly run.
 American street railways have pro- vided for increased traffic by putting on
 larger and heavier cars, but the Ger mans have met the same problem by run ming trains of two or three cars. The advantages of the German system to the public are extremely great, and I be- lieve they are almost as great to the street railway. The floors of German street cars are low, like the American street cars of a dozen years ago. They are far easier to get in and out of than our high -hoored American cars, which are designed to accommodate the carbuilders
 rather than the convenience of the trav- cling public.
 The German street cars are clean. They are even cleaner than the Boston street cars; and those who know how high the Boston street railway service stands compared with that of most other American cities will appreciate what a compliment this is. Not only are the cars clean, but they are attractive. They are kept well painted and vanished, and they look, in fact, like an American car just out of the shops
 And not only are the cars clean, but the employees are clean Their uniforms are immaculate, their brass buttons shin ing, and the men themselves are cour- teous to degree that leaves an American dissolved in astonishment.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-08-12
Better Outlook for Iron Market

In view of the present high wages Birmingham iron companies find little profit in pig metal at prevailing quo tations-s11 to s11.5O on a No. foun- dry basis but with a somewhat bet ter tone in the market this week there is ground for hope that September will bring a fairly brisk buying move- ment.
 The iron market has long had a habit of acting suddenly. After heavy buy ing at high prices "a drop comes sud- denly and after period of depression in prices, when they do stand up, they usually jump fast. The crop situation is bright enough to assure good bus . ness in the fall and unless all signs fail pig iron will be in demand at satisfactory prices
 General trade in Birmingham has been in an uncommonly healthy state this summer and as a successful coal and Iron operator remarked the other day, all that is needed to give this city genuine boom is a substantial ad- vance in the price of iron.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-08-12
70 BELLA ETA DE L,Ro-

By Torquato Tasso. lovely age of gold! Not that the rivers rolled With milk, or that the woods dropped
 honey-dew; Not that the ready ground Produced without a wound, Or the mild serpent, had no tooth that
 slew; 't Not that cloudess blue Forever was in sight, Or that the heaven which burns, And now is cold by aturns. Looked out in glad and everlasting light No, nor that even theSinsolent ships from
 far Brought war to no new lands. nor reh"s
 worse than war. But solely that that vain And breath-invented pain, That idol of mistake, that worshipeJ
 cheat, That Honor-since so called By vulgar mouths appalled,. Played not the tyrant with our nature
 yet. It had not come to fret The sweet and happy fold Of gentle human-kind Nor did it's hard law bind Souls nursed in freedom; but that law of That glad and golden law, all free. all fitted. Which Natures own hand wrote-whai pleases Is permitted. Then among streams and flowers, The little winged Powers Went singing carols without torch or bow: The nymphs and shepherds sat Mingling with innocent chat Sports and low whispers; and with whlsl
 CTS low. Kisses that would not go.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-08-12
IN HOTEL LOBBIES
Coolest ToMn In statc

Birmingham Is the coolest town in the sfate," said a well known travel ing man yesterday T have been in every city and country village in Ala bama this summer and many nights 1t has been so hot l could not sleep.
 Why 1t is different in Birmingham, I am unable to figure out although l have tried several times but the Instant came back to this city the fact Is i'm pressed upon me anew. The city lies right in a valley between two noun tains and from her geographical loca- ton everything points to hot, swell tering town. Strange to say 1t is far from it and I am always glad when my work leads me back to the town where I know I can get good nights sleep"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-08-12
A BERNHARDT TRICK

From the August Strand.
 Mime. Sarah Bernhardt, who is sup posed to be somthing of an artist as well as an actress, was recently called upon in one other marvellous creation to enact the role of a sculptor, and to model a certain bust in view of the audience. This fairly electrified the critics, but when going into rhapsodies over the technical skill in handling the clay which Mime. Bernhardt exhibited they showed thatsthey knew little of the artistic tricks of actors and actresses; as a matter of fact, she does nothing of the kind. The bust is modelled and baked, and oyer it is placed damp clay of the same color. This the talented actress merely pulls off, leaving the beautifully modelled head underneath.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-08-12
BILL ME ON THE NEWSPAPER

how to win the affections of the opnos,te sex and eyade a malignant case of breach of promise, the ten commandments. every man his own tooter on the flute croouet. rules of the prize ring, rhetoric. parior magic, callsthenics, botany, poker inter national law. high-low-jack, drawing and painting, faro, vocal music, driving, breaking team. 15-ball pool, how to re- move grease spots from last years pam taloons horsemanship, coupling freight cars, riding onA a rail, riding on a pass. feeding treshing machines, how to wean calf from the parent stem, teaching school, bull whacking, clustering, waltz ing, vaccination. autopsy, how to win the affections of your wife's mother, every man his own washerwoman, or how to wash underclothes so they will not shrink, etc., etc.
 But time forbids anything like a thor cugh list of what a young man should study In order to fully understand all that he may be called upon to express an opinion about in his actual experience as a journalist. There are a thousand, little matters which every editor should know, such, for instance, as the construction of a roller composition. Many newspaper men can write a good editorial on Asiatic cholera, but their roller composition is not fit to eat.
 With the course of study that I have mapped out. the young student would emerge from the college of journalism at the age of 95 or 96 ready to take off his coat and write an article on almost any subject. He would be A little piddy al first and the office boy would have to see that he went to bed at a proper time each night. but aside from that he would be good man to feed waste paper basket.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-08-12
Hunter |. Harmoh Admirer

F. Hunter of Cincinnati a property owner, and prime mover in the srecent prosperity of Jasper, passed through Bir- mingham last night on his way home. after spending several days in the south, looking after his interests in Jasper and Mobile. MT. Hunter Is head of the Amer ioan Carriage company in Cincinnati. He is a partner of Jack Cranford of Jasper and stoclSholder in the American Trust and Savings bank of Birmingham.
 Among other things Mr.-Hunter Is an enthusiastic Harmon man. Governor Harmon" he said last night. Ifs sure of reelection, and I know of no man who would make us a better President He is a clean, honest straightforward fel- low, who never pushes himself forward. and would not be known today but for his own sterling worth.
 ITO know him Is to love him. He Is a great, handsome fellow. with wonderful magnetism. You can find few men in the country so honest as Harmon, and, interesting to say he is a good lawyer, too.
 "I remember when l first met him and he shook hands with me, his hand was as Flarge as two of mine. After we had been introduced held on to his hand and said
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-08-12
ADRIFT WITH THE TIMES
LUCKY BOY.

 The little boy who lives next door
 Just has the bestest time; Most every day for nothin tall
 His pa gives him a dime To spend for candy, an his ma
 She kisses him an says She's goin' to put up jam enough
 To last for days an days. He's got lot of picture books,
 new pearl-handled knife, A real electric motor, too,
 That runs, you bet your life, Nobody ever says to him,
 "Oh. Bobby, be ashamedv When things go wrong around his house He's not the one that's blamed. His sister, who's a sci'ty belle
 And loves a drummer man, She waits on Bobby like a queen
 An does just all she can To make him feel more comfor' ble,
 An says, .I'll read to you It almost makes a fellow wish
 His arm was broken, too.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-08-12
The Iron Market

The local iron market is without spe- cial feature this week, but better prices are expected by September Rogers, Brown & Co.'S Cincinnati circular says:
 There is no marked increase in actual orders being placed for pig iron. There is a very noticeable increase in interest among consumers and the number of in quiries for balance of this year and DOT tions of next As yet these have not materialized into sales.
 There has been some basic buying hereabouts and some of the largest con- sumers are testing the market for both northern and southern foundry iron.
 Efforts on the part of buyers to pur- chase for next year are still without ac- tive response from the furnaces and a recent trial in the Birmingham district resulted in the sale only for this year.
 "There has been some business in fur mace coke for delivery during the last half of this year, but byond this there is little or nothing doing. Production of coke is proceeding about as heretofore and prices are steady without change. A good deal of spot business is being done. as spot prices are. somewhat lower <han future."