davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-11-29
Georgia and Prohibition

Georgia is to have a whirwind guper- ratorial campaign. and I understand that the question of liquor or no liquor VIII be submitted to the people of that state in the forthcoming election" said an Alabama democrat who frequently visits Atlanta. "As is well known, Georgia Is now in the statewide prohibition column, but so far as can learn there has been less effort at enforcing the law than in any other prohibition state. The leSisia- ture in a fit Of hysteria enacted a state wide prohibition measure. Soon after ward Alabama followed suit. In neither case did the people of the state at large have an opportunity of voting on the pro- hibition question.
 "Soon after the enactment of a prohibit ton law in Georgia a bill was passed IT. censing the sale of near beer, which was understood to mean practically all kinds of beer This seemed to satisfy the masses of drinking men in Atlanta, and that city became a great beer town. In Sa- vannah and some other cities whisky and all liquors are sold as freely as if there were no prohibition law. I understand
 
 now in favor of submitting the question of liquor or no liquor to the people, thinking that prohibition will win. Some of the prohibitionists, however, oppose any action at the polls, contending as they do that Georgia is already prohi- bition state, and therefore that there is no reason why prohibitionists should agree to allow the voters at large to have a voice in the matter.
 ''I read in Mondays Atlanta Constitu- tion an article from prohibitionist in which he asked the question: Have we not prohibition laws already?' TO which the Constitution replied editorially that Georgia had prohibition laws, but not pro- hibition. l think that when the question is voted on by the people the anti-pro- hibitionsts will win. Two years ago 1t would have been the other way, perhaps, but the prohibition wave has subsided.
 "Prohibition in Georgia is simply a farce. According to an editorial state- ment in the Constitution there is a larger number of United States internal revenue retail liquor dealer licenses effective in Georgia at this time than ever before in the history of the state Being demo- crat, I am local optionst. I think if were living in a small town would vote against the sale of liquor, but I believe the strictly regulated saloon is better for the large city. Alabama has solved the problem wisely in it's present local op. tion laws.'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-11-29
Compulsory School Attendance

The state maintains 4590 schools for white children and 1876 for col ored children. The sum paid for ed ucational purposes IS steadily increas- jag,san yet only IS per cent of the
 Aite children in the state go to lool, and only 49 per cent of the ee pred children. To be more exact, q re are 712,769 children in the state, and only 459, ,432 of them go to school. The number that do not go to school is 253, ,337, and those that do go to school average only four months in attendance.
 Superintendent of Education Will lingham does not see how the illit- eraey percentage of the state can be materially reduced while over one third of the children in the state do not go to school. He asks the legis- lature to enact compulsory school attendence law. Forty states already have such laws, and unless Alabama has one illiteracy will show a large percentage in this state.
 The schools of the state are now able to accommodate the entire num- Der of children, and the time seems to have come when we should have compulsory law. No more important subject will come before the next legislature. We need law without race lines-one that compels the sending to school by parents of every child in the state. Superintendent Willingham considers the subject Inevitable" It is but a matter of time. It must come, and the sooner it comes the sooner can the illiteracy in the state be reduced to more flat tcring and comforting figures.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-11-29
IN HOTEL LOBBIES
Politics. nnd Conserxntlsm

Five or six years ago the radical ele-
 ment in several states-notahly i'll two
 or three southern states-got in the po- liteal lead and legislated somewhat l against corporations" said an old demo- crat.
 Capital. always easily frightened, and very naturally so. became extremely dis trustful. While the panic in 1907 was not precipitated by anti-rairoad legislation, still the radical tendencies in certain states, together with President Roose- velt's 'trust-busting' attitude, had good deal 10 do, l believe, with inviting the panic Everyone who had any knowledge of history or of men should have known that a reaction was sure to come. A healthy reaction did come. In this state Governor O'Nears election was in line with conservatism. It was distinctly a protest against radicalsm If there is any one thing that is particularly clear at this time it is that the business men of the country are paying attention to politics, and that the next President of the United States will be in touch with the business interests rather than mere political interests. One of the true and striking things that pr. J. G. Schurman president of Cornell university, said in his speech at the Underwood banquet last week was this: Not only Wall street and the men who count their wealth by mil lions and hundreds of millions, but the little business men in the smallest cities and towns of our state, men who count their wealth by d few thousand dollars, perhaps in some cases by hundreds only, are beginning to ask-I have talked with representatives of the latter class whether property rights in this country are longer to remain secure There IS a very uneasy feeling abroad, perhaps in unduly conservative portions of the coun- try. that these attacks on big wealth, big corporations, affect all the business in terests of the country. There is feeling not only in New Yorlz-don't imagine that not only in New York; but in all parts or the conservative east and northeast, that the business man shall know where he stands. It seems to be a reasonable re- quest ~ l.
 James G. Cannon, president of theI Fourth National bank of New York in an extended interview on his return from New Orleans, concluded by saying, in an- swer to the question, Did you hear any thing of political conditions? Oh, yes There were daily conversations on the subject, and it seems to me that the ma jority believed the recent elections were an indication that the conservative people of the country were asserting them- selves
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-11-29
Thanksgiving Day

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving Day. In the south this home coming festival does not hold place alongside of Christmas, but in New England it does, and so it does in the middle west among the descendants of New Englanders. This festival gains ground rather than loses it in the northeastern states, for it is there 8 home coming event. All go back to the old home on Thanksgiving Day, there to sorrow over those that have gone to their reward during the year and to rejoice together over a temporary enlargement of the home circle. These family gatherings are held in the south at Christmas time, and it is not probable that Thanks giving will ever supplant Christmas in this section, although Thanksgiv- ing has come to be sincerely honored in every southern state.
 In the northwest Thanksgiving is as strongly established as in New England. It will certainly never be crowded off the calendar in the northwest. Its place is secure, and Thanksgiving dinners there will to- morrow be freely and generously provided for the less fortunate in the race of life. The Thanksgiving din ner will last as long as New England continues to send it's sons and daugh- ters to all parts of the country, ana SO long as the railroads can carry them back to the old home and a dinner in it on Thanksgiveing Day.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-11-29
MT. Hearst's Views

William Randolph Hearst, in an in- terview in the Chicago Record Her ald, discusses at great length presi- iential candidates and national issues that will be well to the front in next years campaign He speaks caus- tically of ex-President Roosevelt. "It Is astounding" he says, "to hear MT. Roosevelt criticising MT. Taft for disturbing business conditions, when MT. Roosevelt, in his term, so con- pletely disturbed business as to prac- tically put it out of business. Mr. Taft's activities may not be exactly benefiting business, but the main trou. ble with business is that it has not yet recovered from the panic into which MT. Roosevelt impelled it by his indiscriminate attacks and inflam- matory utterances.
 "Mr. Roosevelt's trust policy was,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-11-29
CONTRADICTIONS

From the Kansas City Star.
 A clever bit of writing around a clever conceit was reprinted in the Star this morning from the works of Ambrose Bierce. The cynically humorous MT. Bierce presents "the ghost of sugges- tion'' that disintroductions of acquain- tances would be pleasant relief from un- welcome introductions. This is by MT. Bierce:
 MT. White-Mr. Black, knowing the low esteem in which you hold each other, have the honor to disintroduce you from MT. Green.
 Mr Black (bowing)-Sir, have long de- sired the advantage of your acquaintance.
 MT. Green (bowing)-Charmed to un- meet you, sir.
 MT. White-Thank you. I'm sure you will become very good strangers.
 There is yet more ghostly suggestion of the same idea in "As You Like It. where the melancholy Jaques and Or lando meet by chance and "disintroduce" themselves This is from Shakespeare:
 Jaques-God be wi you; let's meet as little as we can. Orlando-I do desire we may be better strangers.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-11-29
Business Improving

There has been decided improvement in general trade within the past 10 days said George A Stith of Chicago "Retai merchants in the north, and, in fact' IT all sections of the country. as far as can learn, are having splendid trade as the holidays approach.
 ..I was in New York last week and found there decided optimism. This was an agreeable surprise, for month ago everybody in New York seemed to DC more or less pessimistic. l look for brisk trade from now until spring. and if We have good crops next year l think the country will be fairly prosperous, not withtsanding the fact that presidential campaign tends to make things dull,'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-11-29

to be sure, more bark than bite, but confidence can be dissipated, inves- tors terrified and business demoral- ized by sufficiently loud bark.
 "When Mr. Roosevelt was Presi- dent he was forever publicly de- nouncing American big business and American big business men, while secretly aiding those men in their trust transactions and even inviting them as practical men to help him write his public documents
 Mr. Hearst thinks that MT. Taft will be the republican nominee. As to the democratic nomination Mir Hearst said he did not know who the man would be. T am in favor of any good man who is a good democrat and is a sound progressive said MT. Hearst. q have been disposed to favor Champ Clark or Oscar W. Un- derwood, because I think they have been mainly responsible for the high ly creditable and successful work of the democrats in Congress, and be- cause that work has done more to establish the party in the good opin- ion of the public than any other thing has done"
 Mr. Hearst said further: "I believe, too, that the time has come when the claims of the south for recognition by the democratic party should be seriously considered. Sectionalism no longer exists in this great country. No better proof could be given of that fact than the nomina- tion of a southern man for the presi- deney"
 The distinguished New York edi- tor is right, doubtless, in saying that MT. Taft will be the republican can didate. Mir. Hearst is an independent in politics, and is always honest in the expression of his views, but he probably overestimates the strength of the so called progressives. Con- servatism will win in 1912, and not snrooresSiveisD1 o which is another name for radicalism. MT. Underwood is progressive enough to satisfy all reasonable men, but he is far re- moved from the radicalism that ap- peals to the restless and turbulent element. His views, as honestly set forth in his speech last Thursday night, will appeal to all good demo- crats and to the business interests of the country regardless of party.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-11-29
A Great Musical Artist

Birmingham musical season promises to be unusually brilliant" said concert goer. Several notable attractions have already appeared, and we are shortly to have Rudolph Gang, the eminent SWISS pianist A northern writer says:
 "'Ganz returns to the United States for a short recital and orchestral tour limited to only 30 engagements. He is probably the greatest Liszt player of the day. His pure art masters every composition and unfolds it's most subtle beauties. A re- fined, wholly natural sentiment lends ut most charm to the expressive moods. lie creates tone pictures of vivid color ana draws the big line of each work with dash which convinces and carries the audience along"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-11-29

There may he dissensions in the repub- lican party, but republicans have q way of getting together on election day Now if the democrats will only stick together and adopt a sane plat form and nominate a man satisfactory to the business interests of the coun- try we will have democratic president.
 @osear Underwood is easily the most logical candidate. Not only is his rec ord clean, but lie has developed won derful capacity for leadership. His ability as a statesman is now conceded everywhere and it is significant when prominent men in New York and the leading papers of the east discuss Un- dervood favorably. The Alabaalian is personally popular In the matter of personality he easily leads all the avowed candidates. If Underwood IS nominated, 1 would be willing to bet my last dollar that he would be elected"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-11-29
,GENE FIELD AND JEFFERSON

From the New York Morning Telegram.
 Francis Wilson is full of anecdotes of Eugene Field and Joseph Jefferson.
 One story that MT. Wilson tells of Field and Jefferson, illustrating so nicely how impossible it is for us to see ourselves as others see us, is as follows:
 Wilson and Jefferson were discussing variety of topics when Eugene Field was mentioned and Jefferson laughingly declared that he thought Field behaved a. bit queer toward the last.
 At New Orleans,'' said Jefferson Field and ranged all through the curl. osity shops and the man would buy such queer things--dolls and the like.'' Wilson replied to Jefferson: That's funny Field told me that he never saw such a man as Jefferson that his eye was caught by all sorts of gewgaws, and that he simply squandered his money away on trifles." "That's it. replied Jefferson "one half of the world is certain that the other half is stark crazy"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-11-29
STRENGTH OF UNDERWOOD

From the Baltimore Sun.
 | Oscar w. Underwood looms up as a presidential possibility. Able, forceful. with a clean record and attractive per-
 sonality, the only objection urged to his
 candidacy is that mo southern man can
 be elected President" His admirers con tend that geographica: position is no longer an important factor, and that the vast majority of northerners and west erners will vote for southerner as will ingly as for a man from their own sec ton Friends of the other candidates,
 however, are marking the most of this sectional argument
 If Underwood were from New York or Indiana, there would be no question of
 his availability" and, as it is, the minds
 of many democrats are turning toward him. Senator Bankhead states that on a recent trip north he found many New York business men and influential demo- crats who expressed themselves in favor
 of our distinguished Alabamian for Pres- dent" and that in xsaitimore he also
 found strong Underwood sentiment Everywhere he found Underwood stock rising" and returned home convinced that if he keeps up his splendid record in the House, nothing will stop the tide that has set in for the Alabamian as the nomi- nee of the democratic party"
 Senator Bankhead may be overly op- timistic, but it is significant that Mir. Bryan considers the Underwood boom as formidable enough for him to take shot at it in the current Commoner. MT. Bry- an says "the Harmon strength shows signs of shifting to Underwood,' and be- lieves it would be easier to nominate him than to nominate Governor Harmon,'' as the south would naturally rally to a candidate from that section and tho northern democrats would like to give
 the place to a southern man." MT. Bry
 an attempts to check the Underwood movement by putting upon him the Wall | street brand and terming him the candi- date of the ''reactionaries." But MT. Un- derwoods course in Congress proves that he is not reactionary, but distinct progressive. Careful, cautious, never rad ical or extreme, he has led the tariff re- | form forces wisely and well. If in the coming Congress he confirms the impress sion made by his leadership in the special session, he may, indeed. be formidable candidate. with whom the other aspirants must reckon.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-11-29
THE UNDERWOOD BANQUET

From the Nashville Democrat.
 At the banquet given in Birming- ham, Ala, Thursday evening in honor of Congressman Oscar Underwood, the distinguished democratic leader in the national House of Representatives. in the speech of the occasion gave an eX- position of democratic principles as pronounced and maintained by the fathers of democracy which comprise the basis and the safeguards of true and safe representative government. In his address, MT. Underwood argued forcibly and logically for the necessity of sustaining representative govern ment as it is provided under the consti- tuition and which has stood the test of more than a century of progress and development, and declared himself un- alterably opposed to the proposed lat ter day innovation of the initiative, referendum and recall
 President Schurman of Cornell uni versity, who was visiting Birmingham and was an invited guest at the ban auet, In an address paid high tribute to Mr. Underwood and his ability as statesman, and declared that preju- dice in the north against southern man in presidential office has died out. In this connection the New York Sun remarked in a recent editorial that the circumstance of southern birth should no longer constitute in northern judgment disqualification in any de- gree" and that so far as MT. Under wood Is concerned it is agreeable to note the absence of geography in the regard in which he is held in all parts of the Union"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-11-29
National Politics

"Every now and then we hear talk sbout Roosevelt or somebody else be- ing likely to receive the republican nom- ination for President next year, but President Taft is almost sure to be re- nominated" said Wilson T. Gaynor of Kansas City. T have been voting the republican ticket since 1896. I started out a democrat, and I might be led to vote the democratic ticket again in 1912. provided a conservative man is nomi- mated. fs=s
 T do not think MT. Taft is as strong as he was when he became the nom- inec in 1908. The fact is that he has been a disappointment to many of his old friends. But the rank and file of the republican party will support him in l512, and only an exceptionally strong democrat can beat him. My democratic friends are for Champ Clark as the presidential candidate for their party. But next to Clark I believe Missouri democrats will be for Congressman Un- Gerwood."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-11-29
Early Appearance of Winter

The western and northern states are covered by snow and the grip of low temperatures is upon them. This will be the third cold wave of Novem- Der, and it will be felt in the gulf states as well as in the middle west. Snow fell all day on Monday in Kan sas City, and all of the states west of the Mississippi river know that winter is at hand.
 A winter that begins in November has a chance to become a long win ter, although it may relent later on to become normal and satisfactory No one in the gulf states wants a winter that lasts from November to May.
 But whether the winter is to be long or short, it is pretty certain that the earth will not lack moisture Up to the present time this year about AT inches of rainfall have been recorded, and the years total prom ises to be in excess of the average rainfall in this section.
 Plenty of moisture is rarely hurt. ful. It will, in fact, promote the growing of crops next year, anc even cold weather during the winter will not have a tendency to lesser next years crops, however uncom fortable it may be while it lasts.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-11-29
HAZARDOUS
From the Kansas City Star.

From the Kansas City Star.
 General Mahone," related Gen. A. R Burlington at dinner recently, was very thin. One cold and windy Decem- b.r morning in 1864 he was taking pap in his tent when his old colored servant, Uncle Davy,' tiptoed in and, stumbling in the darkness, knocked down the gen erals folding cot and spilled him out on the frozen ground. The genreal jumped up furiously, seized scabbard and made for Davy. Davy ran. The general gave chase. Uncle Davy tore up hill and down dale; then he looked back over his shoul- der at his master. who bounded after him on slender limbs, blue and thin, his long, white nightshirt fluttering in the ehil morning.
 "'Fo' de lan's sake, Mars William yelled the exhausted Davy, 'yo' hain't trustin' yo'self in his wind on dem laigs is you?' D
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-11-29
AN AUTOMATIC MULE
From the Kansas City Journal.

From the Kansas City Journal
 At Elk City the Missouri Pacific oper- ates a pumping station with blind mule. The mule is left alone all day, and goes around and around pumping water When the tank is full the water splashes out on a sheet of zinc, and the noise is the signal for the mule to stop. When Q train goes along the mule begins to pump again until the water spIashes. The owner of the mule got out last spring and worked against and helped beat the waterworks bonds at the election, be- cause the construction of waterworks system there would throw his blind mule out of work.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-11-29
The Democratic Outlook

"One of the best signs of democratic victory next year Is the interest which the people at large, and business men in particular, are manifesting in the question of candidates and in the is- sues," said a democrat who was an active politician as far back as 1876.
 Ut has been many years since there was so much stir in democratic circles as now. The republicans had an excep- tionally strong man for standard bearer in William Mckinley. Although Bryan had an enthusiastic following in 1896 Mckinley beat him by large majority. I doubt if any democrat could have been elected over Mckinley. It will be different in 1912 with President Taft as the republican nominee. But while Taft Is nothing like so strong as Mo- Kinley 1t behooves the democrats to put up a strong man as his opponent.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-11-29
SONNET
By Drummond of Hawthornden.

By Drummond of Hawthornden. I know that all beneath thesmoon decays, And what by mortals in this world is
 brought,
 In times great periods shall return to
 naught;
 That fairest states have fatal nights and
 days, I know how all the muse's heavenly lays, With toll of spright which are so dearly
 bought,
 As idle sounds, of few or none are
 sought, @ And that nought lighter is than airy
 praise; M I know frail beauty like the purple flower. To which one morn oft birth and death
 affords. That love jarring is of minds accords. Where sense and will invassal reasons
 power - Know what I list, this all cannot me
 move, T But that, O me! I both must write and