davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-26

many years have the democrats felt so well assured of a sweeping triumph in presidential year as now when they look to 1912. When the democrats were flushed with victory a few months ago it was generally said that the next President would be a democrat if the party lead CTS could only keep their heads level and avoid blunders which often come from too much talking. Up to this time the democrats have made no serious mis- takes The result of the congressional caucus last week was what everybody country desired to see. Champ Clark the logical candidate for speaker, was chosen for that high office. Oscar w Underwood of the Birmingham district, the logical candidate for the chairmanship of the ways and means committee, was chosen unanimously for that responsible place.
 The democratic party is now admirably supplied with presidential timber. Gov ernor Harmon of Ohio, Governor Wilson of New Jersey, Governor Dix of New York and Governor Marshall of Indiana are well equipped men and their democ- racy rings true. Either of them would make a great chief magistrate. Wood row Wilson is in many respects the best equipped man for President in this coun- try. He recalls the old school of ante bellum days, and yet he is modern, and is as aggressive and progressive as any sane democrat could wish. He is proving himself to be a practical man of affairs who can do things and win the applause of the country without playing to the gal lery. He has made no breaks thus far, and the chances are he will go right on in the making of his great democratic rec ord.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-26
PLAYED HIS FATHERS PART From the Kansas City Star.

Between the ages of 15 and IS Edwin mate companion of his father, Junius Brutus Booth the elder. That fathers eccentricties were such as to tax even the devotion of such a son, but Edwins affectionate care never failed. He used to begule the tragedan's time following his arduous performances by playing the violin or singing negro ballads accom- panying himself on the banjo. Many times he attended his father on long walks between midnight and morning. In 1851, on a certain night, the father was booked to appear as Richard III at the National theatre, New York. An hour before the time for the curtain to rise he chose to lock himself in closet at his hotel and refused every persuasion his son could offer to keep his enga cement.
 In despair Edwin rushed to the theatre to explain his fathers absence. The house was already filled. The manager was distracted, and in his excited ques- tioning of the boy accidentally learned that the tragedian had fippantly told Ed win to go and act Richard himself. ''We'n take him at his word," said the manager. And the frightened boy was hastened to the stage and helped into his fathers Gloster costume, several sizes too biz for him. Members of the company gave helpful encouragement.
 The play opened without an explanation to the audience. When Edwin made his entrance for the opening soliloquy the substitution was immediately recognized hut so, also, was the boy, for Edwin had several times appeared in lesser parts, notably that of Tressel in the same play, in which role he made his very first ap- pearance. The audience was kindly toler- ant for time. then interested and finally enthusiastic, for Edwin Booth. although only IS years of age. played Richard worthly, revealing many flashes, of that brilliant genius that afterward made him star of much greater eminence than his father had ever achieveds On the strength <of this success Edwin Booth was soon engaged by the manager of .
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-26


 .arhere's another crossing besides the grade crossing which the Mayor and all dermen of Birmingham might consider said lady who lives outside the busi- ness district, q refer to the muddy street crossing.
 AS a rule I walk into the city every day and walk home again, but on such day as this I am compelled to take car or else blow ankle-deep through mud at every street crossing l come to. often wonder why our city fathers as they are called, don't give some atten- tion to the small matters which tend so much to promote the citizens convent ence and comfort
 "Lest I might be classed among those who are better at finding fault than suggesting a remedy, I wish to say that if a wagon load of chert or small slag was spread across the street it would be quite enough to protect pedestrians rom hiring their shoes and getting their feet wet. This is a vaduct that many women will appreciate and, I am informed, 1t can be done without the assistance of the railroads or the intervention of the law collrts''
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-26

1900 to 1910, it is easily entitled to high consideration at the hands of Uncle Sam.
 MT. Underwood will be able to get an ample opration-something like $l,- coo, ,000-for the new postoffice in the Sixty second Congress. The United States gov ernment in erecting costly buildings con- siders the artistic as wei las the utill- tarian side of the matter. The new post office will be, therefore, modern and solid in every particular, and beautiful as well, and now that this much-needed improve ment is in sight, that other greatly need- ed improvement, s1.000,0OO hotel, should materialize in the near future.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-26
The Police and Civil Service Rules

Among the many meritorious bills that have been presented to the legislature for their consideration, I deem the one offered by Chief Bodeker seeking to put the police department under civil service rules one of the most important" said former member of the force. Tt con- tains many provisions that will greatly benefit the department and will tend to increase the efficiency of the force
 That this branch of municipal govern ment should be put beyond the influence of politics I think no one will question: and that merit and fitness alone should be the determining qualifications of all applicants from the chief down. Then if a man measures up to the standard and does his duty he would be reasonably sure of his position regardless of his political affiliations.
 Then, again, if man joins the force in his prime and devotes his best years to the service of the public some pro- vision should be made for such service for if a man serves, say, twenty-five years as policeman he is practically un- fitted for any other calling.
 "The bill provides for a pension for long and faithful service, which is only right and just. I hope the measure will become law, for I believe 1t will prove of great benefit both to the men and to the public they serve"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-26
THE LATTER DAYS OF T. R.

From the Louisville Courier-J Journal.
 A LAS. alack, and well-a-dayi
 "A The preferment of Mir Barnes of \ New York, as a concrete manifes- tation of the supremacy of that tniqui- tous organization sometimes called "The Old Guard" recalls the strenuous days of brown October, and the subsequent events of blue November But it teaches a salutary, and rather comforting, les son. \ 4aa g1 sls.
 Last autumn, Theodore Roosevelt, by his own modest admission incarnating the sundry virtues that combine-and are rarely combined-to make the ideal man. in public life and representing himself as holding a commission as a general officer in the militia of the Lord of Hosts, set out to flick 'em to a frazzle." The bout was to be preliminary to the reduction of the democratic party in New York to frazzle or something approaching a fraz- gle.
 Existing solely for the accomplishment of. high and altruistic purposes; contain ing within him the worlds supply of truth, at a time in the history of the world when it's inhabitants were made up largely of liars, malicious liars, malicious falsifers, base fabricators, mendacious and deliberate liars, undesirable citizens and jackasses. Colonel Roosevelt saw in his mirror the happy warrior all should wish to be. Horribly stuffed with epi- thets of war;" and honing for the surly music of the distant drums, the Colonel approved of himself thoroughly, and was frank enough to say so off and on.
 Events in November unhorsed the Col onel. The statement is inexact He was not unhorsed, but rudely awakened from an equestrian dream, to find that he had ridden at full tilt toward the dawn, in- stead of being astride an actual flesh and blood charger, paving the earth and smelling the battle anear And now the
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-26
IN HOTEL LOBBIES
Advertising Birmingham

This city is advertised favoraby by things that happen, or facts, outside of coal, iron and steel. Oscar Underwood, the chairman-to-be of the ways and means committee, and the democratic leader on the floor of the Rouse of Rep resentatives. adds greatly to Birming- hams prestige. The big showing which Birmingham and Jefferson county make in the federal census advertises this dis trict far and wide. The favorable report which treasury department agent has submitted in the matter of making this city sub-port of entry is another good advertisement, and in the course of time a sub-treasury will be established here, and this will be still another advertise ment
 "A particularly good advertisement for Birmingham Is the strength of it's banks" said local statistician yesterday. q have been interested in going over a clas- sifed table published in the New York Fnincier of January ', showing the na- tional banks that carry upward of S5,- 0oo,oOo in deposits. Of the 7215 institutions in the national banking system only 192 HNA UNPoSitS dS iiBii dS ]otVVV,VVVi oSNoie' ing to their last statements. The First National of this city appears in the list with over s1o,000,0Oo. Among cities Bir- mingham ranks No. 27 having $10,00O, GOO national banks; and only 99 banks, all told, were ahead of Birminghams s10,- 900 institution. The list of cities with the number of national banks above the SIC, ,O00 coo mark are New York 25 banks. Chicago, 6; Boston, 6; St. Louis, 4; Phia- delphia. g; Pittsburg, !; San Francisco, ,; Cleveland, 3; Kansas City, 4; Cincin- nati ?; Buffalo, 2; Minneapolis, 8; Albany, 3; Denver, g. Detroit, 2; Milwaukee, ?; Los Angeles, 2; Seattle, 3; Indianapolis 1; New Orleans, 1; Portland, Ore, ?; Balti- more, 1; Rochester, 1 Newark, 1; Dallas, 1; St. Paul, l, and Birmingham, l. Dallas being a reserved city has a large de- posit from other banks at this tme of the year, but it averages throughout the 12 months considerably below $1O,0OO,OO0 Birmingham is the only city in the $10, 0,000 class that is not a reserved city. Other southern cities which appear in The Financier's classified list having national banks with deposits above $5,OOO000, but below S10,00000 are Houston, Nashville Richmond, Atlanta, Chattanooga and Jacksonville
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-26
Site and Building

q was very well pleased with the se- lection made by Special Agent Von Nerta for the new federal building" said Hill Ferguson, the wel-known real estate man, yesterday.
 There cannot be any serious question in the minds of the best experts here but that Fifth avenue will eventually be one of the great business streets of this city. I think the federal building by the time 1t is finished will be in the very center of the business district, and will be accessible to all interests. The site is easy to reach from the two railroad sta tions, and I think very central The building to go up there should cost at least $1,O00,000 That matter should be taken up by the Birmingham people right away. We have only to secure MT. Underwood's aid. for his prominence now will land anything reasonable that he may ask for.
 "The city of Birmingham will be much greater city in ten years than now, so we should hf fve postofice building in keeping with our prospective magni- tlde,'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-26
Prosperou. southern Cities

q have visited the cities of Texas very recently and all of them seemed highly prosperous" said Frederick A. Steele of New York. a representative of the Herald's art department, san Antonio is an elegant city and is grow ing in popularity every year as win ter tourist resort. Its tourist business was a little late in starting this sea son. but the crowds were beginning to arrive when l left.
 "Dallas. Fort Worth. Houston and Galveston are all thriving. Galveston had been very much depressed but 1t is now picking up again and Will share in the general prosperity or 1911.
 "The whole south seems to be en- toying a large measure of good times' and of course Birmingham is striding ahead l was here last April and the city looks even better today than 1t did then"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-26
 ssNING-A-NINGv

Will H. Ogilvie in Westminster Gazette. There's a little elfland tune
 That my baby loves to sing. Morning. evening, afternoon
 Ming "a ming ng-a-ning-a-nfng" a Little lips of dewy rose Singing words that no one knows. Of the secret they may hold -
 Nothing do the bars betray; Simply for their ripping gold
 Let us bear those notes away, And their happy laughter keep In our dull hearts hidden deep. yarss Ming a -ning- a. ming a-ning!" sy
 Baby words but deftly wed To the melodies that ring
 In that little golden head. Bubbling up like the song of bird, Careless whether they be heard. When she lies in slu,nber light,
 With a tiny dimpled arm Held between her and the night
 As between her heart and harm. Does the moon above her lean.. Telling what those witch words mean! On the lawn she loves so we'll,
 When the windy larches swing, Do the elfland fairies tell
 Secrets hid in "Ning-a-ning"? tefs Do the dropping beech leaves know, x Why this tune delights her so? All the organs of the world
 May have pealed their power in vain, All the thunder from them hurdle
 May be but a-lost refrain. uBt my heart must always ring To this baby "Ning-a -ning!"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-26
Advertising the South

New Orleans is going to present every conceivable reason to show why she should properly be the one to celebrate the opening of the Panama canal with an exposition said travelling salesman of that city yesterday, but she needs ter cities of the south. Wherever I go, as a general thing, I find there is a prevailing indifference as to whether San Francisco or New Orleans is chosen.
 Tt seems to me that the south should display more interest in the affair than it has to date. It is not wholly selfish ness on the part of New Orleans which is seeking to have the celebration held there for an affair of its proportions will represent section rather than city, while the responsibility and the inconvenience to be incurred will be upon the shoul- ders of the city.
 Every city in the south should be fully if not more anxious than the Cres- cent City for the exposition to be held at some port along the gulf coast. That we need to be placed in the eyes of the world has been clearly seen in the case of Birmingham. which was so widely ad- vertised by the census report. The att tention of the whole country has been directed to the resources of the south because of Birmingham, and the big eel ebration of the opening of the canal, if
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-26
@----7=---==-== -sSs--------------- THIEF-CATCHING DOGS

From the New York Times.
 Eighteen thief-catching dogs sailed for the far east in the steamship Muncaster Castle The dogs are a lot of thieves Castle. The dogs are consigned to Eu- ropean business men in Hongkong, who want them to guard their property. kong," said Captain Watson of the Nun caster Castle, and we hope these beasts will make quick work of them"
 The dogs are big and lusty lunsed. and the last thing heard as the Muncaster Castle passed down the bay was a canine concert from the forward deck, where were located the doghouses in which the thief catchers will spend their time on the way to China.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-26

THE MODERN FARMER This farmer dialect we see In print is mostly bosh, A cultivated man is he. He never says "B' gosh!'
 Washington Herald. He never chews a piece of hay; He is no rubber neck" The English that he speaks is pure, He never says By heck!'
 Allentown Democrat. He has the latest improvements In home as well as barn; A dictionary on his desk, He never says "Gol darn,'
 -Wilkesbarre Times Leader. He don't prefer hard cider To whisky, beer and rum; He does not smoke a corncob pipe, And ne'er remarks, By guml.'
 Scranton Tribune Republican. He does not say, T swanny!'' And he does not say By jicks!" He wears no hayseed in his hair, He does not buy gold bricks.
 Houston Post. He puts on patent leather shoes He owns an auto car, Imbibes costly brand of booze And smokes a fat cigar.
 PAUL COOK.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-26
HIGH PRICE FOR aCHANTECLER,

New York.-Two hundred was Satur- days Broadway quotation for seat for Miss Maude Adams premiere as "Chan- tecler' It was Henry Rigby, capitalist of Spokane, Wash, who wanted $2oo worth of "Chantecler." MT Rigby called at the Knick erbocker box onlce, his bank roll causing a visible bulge to mar the symmetry of his fur-lined top coat.
 "I should like an aisle seat for Mon day." he said.
 Cant be done," interrupted MT. Hoff- man, treasurer.
 "One aisle seat" said Rigby, not further back than the sixth row. Must have. Don't fus sabout the price
 Then MT. Rigby produced bank roll of paralyzing proportions The case note stood for $500. Others of like de- nomination winked from beneath the wrapper. MT Hoffman's tone was vibrant with regret and admiration as he explained that neither love nor money could purchase a seat on the aisle for Monday night. q don't want to pay an extravagant price, he de- clared, "but I'll give $200 fiat for an or oh estra chair on the aisle for
 Please put away your wad,' said MT. Hoffman. "I couldn't get you what you want for a tllousand." Oddly enough there was not single ticket speculator on hand to accumulate Mr Rigbys wealth, and so the Wash ington capitalist, who ruefully explain ed he had seen "Chantecler" In Paris and wanted to attend Miss Adems' per formance to find out what it was all about. decided to take his chance on ffty-cent seat on Monday night.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-26
Politics Continuous Performance

'The continual political boil in which Birmingham is sizzling all the time seems unfortunate to me-" said a citizen yes- terday. No sooner do We elect our off cials than they begin running for re-elec- ton and whole bevies of candidates are in the field.
 With the next county election two years off the woods are just full of candi- dates, sometimes four for one office, and they are not only candidates, but are con- Virtually campaigning. They have an nounced and are approaching and appeal ing to the voters.
 Ut is to be hoped that every measure before the legislature to remove the evils of the fee system will pass To say they are monstrous is not expressing it.
 No office should be so desirable that candidates would be willing to run two years for an office in which they serve but four and sometimes only two years"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-26
4 Million Dollars For Good Roads

The people of Jefferson county want good roads, and the Board of Revenue should not hesitate to act favorably on the petition now being signed asking that million dollar bond issue proposition be submitted to the voters, the proceeds of the bonds to be used for road con- struction. Macadamized roads are not only luxuries, but they are necessities, if full benefit Of his toll. good road passing farmhouse enhances the value of the farmers land, and it certainly makes life better worth living for the farmers family. A million dollars spent on a system of high-class driveways through this county would put all agricul- tural lands on a higher level of values. The trucker would add materially to his annual profits, for he could haul to mar ket with one horse what in many cases now require two horses, and he could haul two or three times as many loads in a week as would be possible over muddy road.
 only a few years ago, has been popular for most sections of the country In New England modern road building has been any other part of the United States. In Massachusetts s5O,OoO,OOO a year is appro- priated for good roads, and it will not be a great while before every foot of highway in that state will be smooth and hard, and in perfect condition in winter as well as in summer. Farming in New England had been on the de- cline, and lands in one or two of the states were considered almost worth less until the era of fine roads began. Last summer thousands of automobile tourists visited New England. They found the roads down east the best they had ever seen. The tourist business in that part of the United States will in crease every year. During the past two or three years it has been sufficient to make the rural districts. hithertofore poor. wonderfully prosperous. The beau tiful roads traversing New England ac- count for all this improvement in New England conditions.
 What has been done in Massachusetts, Vermont and New Hampshire can be done in the south. Every southern state should have state highways built accord ing to modern ideas and maintained in perfect order. Alabama should have north and south road from the Ten nessee line to the gulf, and an east and west road from the Georgia line to the Mississippi line These great state high ways would be the main thoroughfares or arteries of travel for traction movement and horsemen; and the counties would build roads. equally as fine to connect with the state roads. Such a system would be ideal and while it may not be worked out as soon as it should be those counties in which live progressive citizens will go ahead with good road building.
 Jefferson being the largest and richest county in Alabama should not only lead in the matter of good roads, but it should | set the example for the whole south. With million dollars available for new road work rapid strides could be made during the summer and fall and within two years from now the county would look something like a vast park. Boue yards would swarm with fashionable | automobile parties from the north, east and west, and Jefferson county would | be the talk of the country.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-26
A SHoRN LAMB.


 It is rumored sthat a young man who was doing well in Birmingham read an Atlanta paper one day and was much inn pressed by the Atlanta spirt." He de- cided that Atlanta was the best town on earth and the very place for youth am- bilious to rise. Forthwith, he packed his belongings, said farewell to his whilom haunts and trekked to Georgias S far-famed metropolis. The. next day after his ar rival he sent his father postcard on which he had inscribed the following sen- timents:
 Dear Dad. N This is a skin-game town. It is skin and get skinned, skin for skin again. two skins for one skin, whole hide or none. They skin you once for profit and twice for pastime and the only reason why they don't skin you more than once for profit is they have it all. Send me ticket quick, before they get my clothes. Yours In haste, JOHN."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-26
MARCUS WE'LL
rom the Mobile Register

From the Mobile Register.
 Marcus Well of Birmingham is prophe- swing a nomination and a national vic- tory for Judson Harmon in 1912 MT Veil has hit the mark several times and is not to be discre6ited because of hit ting wide when he took his shot at the May primary in this state.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-26
ELI REMINDEH m the Andalusia Star.

From the Andalusa Star.
 Anything to discourage winter.-Birming- ham Age-Herald. Good book says there's a time for everything. Do you believe It's time to rob the plumber of his har. vest?
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-26
REFLECTIONS OF A BACHELOR

From the New York Press.
 mans idea of giving the square deal is to himself.
 What women feel is more convincing to them than what men know.
 The baby learns things as fast as it's parents can tell whoppers about them.
 Truth is always in danger of sudden death; superstition seems to be immortal
 The way for a man to make an evening pass quickly is for him not to spend it home with his family.