davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-04-27
Not for Farmers Only

The Underwood free list bill was primarily designed for the benefit of farmers as a compensation for any losses that Canadian reciprocity might bring upon them. It would, however, benefit all consumers whether they live on or off farms. The duties that would be removed by it extends to boots and shoes, all kinds of meat, to flour and meal, and lumber, and sewing machines, and salt. The agriculturists would be benefited by these items as we'll as the farmers. Instead of calling it "a farmers free list," it should be called "a consumers free list
 The bill will make a substantial re- duction in the cost of living, curbing as it will the meat trust, which needs curbing beyond almost any other trust. The profits of some other trusts would no doubt be reduced, leaving, however, an ample margin, and not single industry would be seriously harmed. The extra tariff profits that the trusts have been pocketing would simply be left in the hands of consumers, and this fact would in the course of a few months be greatly appreciated by the latter.
 No man of any party in either House or Senate who desires a real downward revision of the tariff can conscientiously oppose the free list bill. Leader Mann may present tech nical objections. These will not, however, appeal to the ultimate con- sumer who is looking for results in market prices. If the free list bill be added to the reciprocity bill he will get such results and they will con- stitute complete answer to all the technicalities of the high traiff rep resentatives.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-04-27

of the tower. Then, laughing at them- selves and one another, they scampered away to school, whither they were going when we intercepted them.
 It is in this tower that, among other diableries, the Iron Virgin makes her home. Outside she is type of the Ger man maiden of the twelfth century. She looks demure enough A spring is touched. The hollow figure parts, like the jaws of an alligator, the head lifted. Within are rows of iron teeth. All is as simple as falling off log. The victim was made to take his place. The empty head descended to his neck. The body was ready to Ihose him in. Then, presto, the spring is touched again, and with a bang the jaDs crash together, and! A moment more the floor beneath gapes, and the yet living remains, mangled and bleeding drop into the vault below. Be- fore the condemned met his final end he was properly prepared by being confined a day or two in an iron cage. six by six, which stands convenient to the Virgin.
 Mans inhumanity to man; and Of course, man like, the man must give 1t the outer semblance of a woman! I don't wonder that the girls want to vote. If did not know it would do them more harm than good, I, too, would be suf- fragette.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-04-27

From the New York World.
 In giving London the kind of opera he gave New York, Oscar Hammerstein says that he Is mot there to educate but to in- terest.' Through unusual modesty he does himself injustice. His services hero are not to be so slightingly dismissed. If he does equally we'll by London it will have reason to be grateful
 By his experiment at the Manhattan Opera house MT. Hammerstein both in terested and educated New York. He in- troduced it to a series of modern operas and number of excellent artists whom 1t would not have heard but for his en- terprise. The educational effect of his personal venture upon the Metropolitan management was soon remarked Quite different effect has been produced by bis withdrawal from the local operatic field. New York has not been hearing as much as it desired of the operas he first presented. Chicago is more fortunate.
 The Metropolitan, after buying out it's rival, has not given entire satisfaction to the music-loving public. To fill the place of two opera houses 1t needs to we wide awake, enterprising and supremely high class. Merely to charge more for seats is not to raise the standard of opera II is not the way either to interest or edu- cate New York, in both of which respect Mr Hammerstein was eminently success full
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-04-27
Speaker Cobb on Adjournment

In order to prevent an interregnum of twelve hours Speaker Cobb of Georgia ruled in 1851 that the terms of President and Congress did not expire until noon of March 4, and this has been the unwritten law ever since.
 It is, however, disputed. Henry M. Rose, assistant secretary of the Senate, musters all precedents to sus- tain the theory that unless Congress recesses on March 3 it cannot legally set and do business on March g. The last Congress adjourned for the day on March and assembled. on March as a separate legislative day, set ting on that day until 12 o'clock noon, passing, among other measures, four big appropriation bills. MT. Rose claims that an adjournment in- stead of a recess invalidated all the business the last Congress transacted on March 1.
 MT. Rose cites report made by joint committee of the First Con- gress. This report was adopted by both houses, and it made the terms President as well as Congress ex- -pire at midnight on March 8.
 The Presidents were inaugurated, however, at noon on March 4, and in order to avoid an interregnum Speak CT Cobb ruled as heretofore stated. Since 1851 it has been held that Con- gress and President hold over to noon of March 4, but no authorita- tive decision can be cited either way. The matter has never been brought before the supreme court, and the chances are that Speaker Cobb's law in 1851 will continue to be the law of the republic until the supreme court rules to the contrary. It is a judicial question and the supreme court is the arbiter of all federal things of a judicial nature.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-04-27
MexicO's Provisional President

An Associated Press dispatch from New Orleans states that the peace negotiations in Mexico have stranded large number of soldiers of for tune," who were hurrying to the scene of the insurrection. Some of them had just returned from Hondu- ras. These rowing revolutionists will simply have to look for another field on which to display their patriotism and heroism in case the armistice leads to peace in Mexico. Central America rarely fails to afford them opportunities for the exercise of their peculiar talents and traits.
 These Soldiers of fortune" were no more surprised by the turn of events in Mexico than were the rest of the world. The world did not take Fran cisco I. Madero seriously until Min ister of Finance Limantour returned from Paris declaring that Mexico had been ill-governed and that reforms had become essential. Madero, who as a freak candidate for vice presi- dent, had been imprisoned by Diaz despite the great wealth of his fam fly, had advocated these reforms, and from the time Limantour reappeared in Mexico Madero became real force in the republics affairs-a force much greater than his poorly organ ized forces in Chihuahua and Sonora seemed to justify.
 Out of the temporary peace perma- nent peace will assuredly come large ly because Limantour or the late am- bassador to the United States is in real charge of affairs, and all close students of Mexican affairs are agreed that Diaz, who is over 80 years old, will resign after service of 30 years as soon as he can do so with becoming dignity. Mexico is advancing rapidly and many reforms are needed, and Madero will perhaps come out of the insurrection one of the strong men charged with their accomplishment. It is known that the bashful Madero has become an
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-04-27
- - :. A FAMOUS MARRIAGE

From Strange Stories of the Foreign
 Diplomatic Corps. By Catherine
 Frances Cavanagh in the May Book
 man.
 Whenever an international marriage oc- CUTS in Washington, the old social record CTS begin to talk and write of Count Bodisco and Miss Williams of Georgetown (now part of Washington, with a zest which never seems to lose its delight for romance never dies There is an en- chanting, crooked thoroughfare along Rock creek which bears the century-old name of "Lovers' Lane" Along the re- treat of Lovers Lane the elderly Russian minister paid court to Miss Harriet Beall Williams whenever he was permitted tc be alone in her company And though he was credited with SO years and she with but 16, she listened to him with favor; for, strange as 1t may seem to many, she actually loved him.
 Their wedding was the most brilliant held in the young capital up to that date. So far as conditions permitted. 1t was a court wedding; the entire diplomatic corps attended in full dress, and President Van ouTeU-WHO was dccuSeu Dy HIS eHeIlleS of assuming the airs of royalty, if not actually donning the purple and eEnine- was there, as courtly a man as any in the foreign set: though his sombre citizen suit was In keeping with the dress of the other American statesmen who hon. ored the occasion by their presence; not able among them, Webster, Clay and Buchanan. Henry Clay-whom some have declared too lovable to ever become Pres- ident-was chosen to give the bride away; and James Buchanan walked in solid dignity beside one of the pretty young bridesmaids. The most wonderful feature of this romance Is that the couple who pledged their union before that brilliant company kept their vows better than the average couple having equality of age, station and country; for they lived in perfect amity until, a dozen years after the bridal ceremony, the death of the aged lover took place. The widow soon mar r.ed a young man, but she put charming emphasis on the fact that 1t was only because she was obeying the dying re- quest of the dear old baron whom she loved so dearly.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-04-27
THE LAWS LIMIT
rom the May Lippincott's

TOil tHc Xldy iiPpliiSott
 A big, handsome lawyer from one of the southern states presented himself at the door of the supreme court when there was an important case being argued. He passed by the long line of people waiting patiently for their turn to come, but was suddenly halted at the entrance to the chamber
 Are you member of this barr" asked the doorlSeepcr,
 "Well-er-no, not exactly, but I'm a practicing lawyer"
 'Then you'll have to stand in line back there," was the response.
 The southerner turned away after press ing his point a little longer. There was an old white-haired negro standing near him in the corridor, and to him the law yer said:
 Look here, uncle, this is an outrage! Why, I have practiced law for 90 years, and that fellow won't let me in there.'
 "Well, boss" replied the old darky looking up at him respectfully, "dat's al so, I guess. but you got to be powerful keerful round heah, fo if you git in con- tempt of dat dere cout, dere ain't mo- body left to peal to but Gord-a- Eighty
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-04-27

Dakota, Oregon, Montana, Arkansas and a number of other states which have amended their constitutions in these respects since their admission to the Union; and what is it to do with reference to Oklahoma, whose constitution has met the approval of Congress, of the President, and the court of last resort in that state?
 If the people of Arizona desire the latest forms for bringing the control of government close to the people for putting it directly in their hands-they have a right to have them, and they certainly know bet ter what they want than do the reac- tionaries of the Senate.
 The only proper power that those reactionaries possess is to see that the Arizona constitution does not con- flict with the federal constitution. It is not part of their proper duties to dictate the policy of Arizona, pro- vided it be within the terms of the federal constitution. A recall in Ari- zona is no more in conflict with that instrument than is the recall in Bir- mingham. Neither conflicts with a republican form of government that the federal constitution guarantees to the states.
 If the initiative, referendum and re- call are not republican methods, pray what are they? If the sovereign power resides in the whole body of people, can the senatorial reaction aries conscientiously say that these methods are wholly wrong and that the people of Arizona shall not have them?
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-04-27

travelled through the district tells me that everybody Is talking about the festival One advantage in having Vic tor Herbert and his orchestra as fea- ture of the festival is that the com- poser-conductor is known by reputa- tion in every farm house. Through the medium of the Victor machine Herbert's lighter compositions have gone abroad through the land and are fayorites everywhere.
 -Heink will sing on Mon day night, May 22, and on Tuesday night, May 23. Just what the top
 liners for the third night will be has not yet been determined, but as Vic tor Herbert brings seven or eight high class vocal artists there will be no falling off in the quality of the pro- grammes. There will be three night and two afternoon performances The orchestra will be prominent on each programme, and I suppose the matinees will be chiefly orchestral.
 "trhe festival takes place in the Or pheum. Every seat in that building Is a choice seat, but there are less than '140O of them and Birmingham people who fail to secure tickets within the next week or so will find it well nigh impossible to buy even standing room.
 Enforcing Prohibition
 The present activity of the officials Of the city and county in the attempt to en- force the prohibition law" said an ob- servant citizen, ''has had the effect of driving a number of the so-called tigers into seclusion, although their reputed lair is still in evidence.
 Like all spasmodic movements the ef- feet can only be temporary, and sooner or later a fellow who so desires will be able to get his customary liquid refresh- ments.
 "There Is no town in the United States of the size of Birmingham where man can not get drink if he so desires whether in prohibition states or not, and that condition will soon prevail here.
 q wonder what would happen if the church authorities would tighten down on dancing, card playing and theatre going and other amusements that are generally 'tabooed by the church. and just as generally indulged in by the church members.
 ''I believe campaign against them by all the churches would result in con- siderable curtailment of these pleasures, but I believe that 1t would only be tenn porary, and that society would soon drift back into former conditions.
 "So it Is with the prohibition dream as Walker Percy puts it; 1t probably can be partially enforced for short periods, but 50 years of agitation in Maine has signally failed to prohibit the sale of liquor in that state, and I for one don't believe it can be prohibited here.
 There can be no question but that the tiger was g. popular animal in Bir- mingham, and since he has been chased away and drought of exceeding dryness resulted therefrom, it might be well to import a few camels to our city, for 1t is said they can go for many days with out drink, but as a friend of mine re- marked, Who in h-ll wants to be camel?"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-04-27
The Presidential Question

"The more one sees of the political sit uation this year the more one likens Ii to the situation in 1884," said James T. Rathborne of Buffalo, N. Y. Rather, ] should say the present democratic situa- tion is like that of 1884.
 ''The party has more good presidential material now than in many years past In 1884 for the first time since the war there were many able democrats avail able for presidential candidacy. There was that prince of statesmen-democrats, Thomas F. Bayard, who had thorough ly organized following. There was Gov ernor Pattison of Pennsylvania. There was German of Maryland there was Tilden and there was Grover Cleveland. Cleveland was nominated and elected; but up to the very time of the conven- tion few men would have bet on his nomination. Mir. Tilden, who had been elected but counted out in 1878, declined to be nominated in 1880, but seemed to be flirting a bit in 1884 He was still a recognized leader of the democratic party and while he was not trying to force the nomination of Cleveland nod from him practically settled the matter. Cleveland was a good Tilden man, and as reformer seemed to have been something of the same mold.
 To-day the democratic party is ex- ceptionally rich in presidential timber. Woodrow Wilson. Dix, Harmon, Champ Clark and Governor Marshall of Indiana are all well equipped for the presidency, but as no one could make a bet with any assurance in 1884 so 1t is now, and so it will be in 1912 right up to the conven- tion time.
 .I am not a politician but have always taken a lively interest in national poll tics. I have voted the democratic ticket ever since 1876. My preference for 1912 would be woodrow Wilson. l think he IS one of the greatest men Hlis country nas produced in my day. Whether or not ne could be elected I don't pretent to say, but I believe the democrats have hne show for victory in 1912"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-04-27
SQUARE WATCHES

From the New YOrk PreSs.
 Square watches are new jewelry con- ceit in London, and many have been seen among New York fashionables. Harriet Alexander wears one of the dainty enam- eled novelties. It is a wrist watch. very thin, fastened with straps of pearl gray leather. New 1ocket watches are of the same shape and of quaint and attractive designs. Speaking of lockets, they once more are being sold, some of them beautf- fully wrought in enamel and gems. Ger tain. ones bear such conventional notices as 'For You or Good Luck" raised above the commonplace because the words are traced in diamonds or other ieWelry.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-04-27
Finds Business Good

B. F. Owen of Chicago, an official of the Cable Piano company arrived in Birmingham yesterday. He visits this always greeted by a number of business and social friends. He came to Birming- ham direct from New Orleans
 T find business in the south very sat sfactory," said Mir. Owen. T went from Chicago direct to Charleston, s. C., and from Charleston I moved along to New Orleans. There has been some talk of factory conditions wherever I have been.
 T am familiar with the south and l think l can safely say that this whole section is better off today than it ever was before. In the agricultural districts one never hears of hard times nowadays. In referring to agricultural sections, the outlook for bumper crops this year is certainly fine. If we harvest anything like the big crops that are now coming in sight even untoward conditions can not keep back prosperity. A high degree of prosperity is due in the summer, and l feel sure that the business world will not be disappointed"
 Mir. Owen said that in travelling around through the country he heard a good deal of 1912 politics. Woodrow Wilson he said, seemed to be particularly strong but whether or not he would be the standard bearer next year 1t would be hard for any man to say this far in ad- vance,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-04-27
Arizona's Constitution

As soon as the free list bill has
 been passed by the House it is req sonabiy certain that bills admitting Arizona and New Mexico will be passed and sent to the Senate. The action of the House upon these bills is not a bit doubtful, and all doubt is centered in the action of the Senate. "If," says Senator Chamberlain of Oregon, Congress determines that the constitution adopted by the peo- ple of Arizona is not republican in form because of the provisions in re- gard to the initiative, the referendum and the recall, what does Congress intend to do with reference to South
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-04-27
SHE DIDT GET HER NICKEL BACH
From the Louisville Times.

r TOii tlle l<ouiSNllle Times.
 And 1t happened right in Louisville, too.
 The matinee performance was about half over, when distracted looking wom- an. with curly haired youngster of G., sought out the man in the box office" With great empressment she began to relate her woes.
 There are boxes on your chairs in there," she began, "and they say drop a nickel in and get a box of candy"
 Yes, I see," asserted the man in the box office
 Well" she continued. indignantly, '1 dropped a nickel in for my little girl
 And couldn't you get the candy?' queried the box office man. Wait I'll see if we can't get 1t out"
 "Oh, yes," answered the woman, "I got the candy all right, but I couldn't get the nickel out" And to the ticket man at least this re- mark furnished more dramatic moment than any in the play.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-04-27
IN HOTEL LOBBIES
Important RalIrond contrnct Let


 The Tuscaloosa Mineral Railroad com. pany has awarded a contract for the construction of IS miles of road-Tusca- loosa to Brookwood. It is understood that Dunn & Lallande Bros, of Birmng- ham, get the bulk of the contract.
 This new road will develop a most inn portant mineral section; will reach into the property of the Alabama Consoll- dated and will carry the output of mines to the Warrior. A prominent citizen, familiar with the Tuscaloosa end of the Birmingham district, said yesterday.
 T regard the building of the Tusca- loosa Mineral not only as very signifi- cant enterprise, but as the most stim- ulatlns recently announced. The Tusca- loosa Mineral Railroad company has the strongest sort of backing, and the new road will be pushed. It will probably require a year in building. I have not learned what the amount of the contract in dollars and cents is to be, but it is the largest railroad work provided for in this district in more than year past. |"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-04-27
Hard Work and Long Life Go To-
 gether

! A controversy has arisen between one J. c. Stubbs, a multi-millionaire of the Hartman persuasion, and Thomas A. Edison, the chief wizard of this electric century. Stubbs will be 65 years old next month, and he says all men should retire from ac- tive business at that age. The master electrician says on the contrary that he proposes to die in harness, and that he will for that reason outlive the financial magnate at least fifty years. If Stubbs," he says, "retires he will retire to the cemetery or he'll be back in harness before the end of two years"
 MT. Edison is not the first man to preach the gospel of work. The great est men of all ages have been untir- ing workers to the last possible min ute. The search for pleasure in lieu of expressing work is a delusion to either a young man or an old man. Edison himself is 64 years old, and he delights in working seventeen hours a day, and his work is as en- crossing as work can well be. All in all Edison has the better of the argument and he proposes to demon sstrate his view by living twice as long as Stubbs does after he retires to polo p.=ties and other amusements of the idle rich.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-04-27
MORSE LULLABY

By Eugene flelu. The sky is dark and tho hills are white As the storm king speeds from the north And this is the song the storm-king sings,
 tonight,
 As over the world his cloak he filings;
 "Sleep, sleep, little one, sleep;" He rustles his wings and gruffly sings:
 "Sleep, little one, sleep" On wonder mountain-sde a vine Clings at the foot of. a mother pine; The tree bends over the trembling thing, And only the vine can hear her sing: Sleep, sleep, little one, sleep;" What shall you fear when am here?
 Sleep. little one. sleep.' The king may sing in his bitter flight, The tree may croon to the vine tonight, But the little snowflake at my breast LilSeth the song sing the best
 "Sleep, sleep. little one, sleop;" Weary thou art, a-next my heart
 'Sleep, little one. sleep.'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-04-27
THE ARcHBIsHOP's REPARTEE

From the Ladies' Home Journal.
 Archbishop Ryan of Philadelphia has a kindly wit which some persons have misconstrued as caustic. At dinner party a lady whom he had been chaf- fing drought she saw her opportunity and his dessert.
 "A fig for you. your grace" she re- marked pointedly, passing him plate of figs in their leaves. Her waist was cut very low in the neck.
 The archbishop only smiled politely, and taking a leaf from the plate said: "A fig leaf for you, Mrs. K"