davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-09-20
Mir. Julian on Tax Problem

Frank N. Julian urges the legisla- ture to separate state from local tax ation, leaving to the former all fran chises and corporations and to the latter all real and personal property. This is the California plan and it's operation in that state is said to be wholly satisfactory.
 The subject of taxation is discussed freely in report made by a special tax commission in California Every year some state separates state from local taxation, and proceeds to levy a tax on the gross earnings of corpora tions and franchises instead of prop erty tax.
 Mr. Julian asks thoughtful citizens to procure a copy of the report pre- pared in California for Californians as means of studying the proposed reform in taxation. This report says among other things: "The right to do business that is enjoyed by corpora tions is a privilege granted by the state and not by cities or counties. Therefore, any tax that may be levied upon the revenues derived from the enjoyment and use of the state privi- leges used by corporations, especial ly public service corporations, ought to be paid into the state treasury for the support of the state government, from which the privileges are de- rived"
 The plan is in use in Pennsylvania, New York, Connecticut, Ohio and Minnesota, as we'll as in California. Tt seems to me- says Mir. Julian in conclusion, that the state of Ala hama should establish a commission by legislative enactment similar to the California commission, and see that an expert in tax matters is ap- pointed and let this commission pre- pare a report for submission to the legislature in 1915. This suggestion is based on the assumption that an extraordinary session of the legisla- ture is called this year, otherwise the commission above could be created in l915.7
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-09-20

5000 public school teachers in the state, all but 300 or 400 have complied with the law and have their certifi- cates showing that they attended some institute or normal summer school. Considering the fact that the teachers institute is comparatively new in Alabama excellent results have already been attained, and H. J. Will lingham, state superintendent of edu- cation, is to be warmly commended for his strict discipline in regard to the requirements of the law. Each teacher can elect the institute which he or she will attend, but for non- attendance Superintendent Willing ham cancels the teachers certificate.
 The institutes yet to come are to be held in Montgomery for Montgom- cry and Macon counties; in Mobile for Mobile and Baldwin counties, and in Carrollton for Pickens county. It is safe to say that when those insti- tutes adjourn not 20 teachers will be without attendance certificates.
 The good that the institutes accom- plish cannot well be overestimated. The Jefferson county institute re- gently held was not only successful in its quickening work, but it was soci- ally pleasant.
 Superintendent Willingham has taken pains to foster the institute for colored teachers, and while the col ored institutes in the various counties have not been as we'll attended as the white institutes, there has been in- tense interest. And efficiency on the part of the colored as well as white teachers has been appreciably raised.
 The school year of 1912-13 will be notably prosperous by comparison with former years, but Alabama will never be able to show the improve ment that should be shown in the field of illiteracy until a constitutional amendment is adopted creating school taxing districts which will permit the people to tax themselves for school purposes.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-09-20
TRUTH STRANGER THAN FICTION

polygamy and wholesale murder, but hel would of certainty have been assailedl by the criticism that the story was far-l fetched to a ridiculous, an impossible,l degree. And the critics would have beenI justified to this extent that the events. like the historical incident of the soldierl who was transported unharmed from onel bank of river to another by the blow ing up of a bridge, are much outsideI not only common experience, but beyondl the bounds of ordinary probability, thatl the novelist or playwright who records them undoubtedly places an excessivel strain of eredulity on his readers.
 The writers of adventure stories' usually escape serious criticism, because their objective is admittedly and frank Y imaginative. But truth occasionally sprpasses even their fiction. Robert Louis Stevens on would have weut tears of joy over the story of the elephant poacher Rogers tcan you imagine a more roman- tically nefarious enterprise than elephant poach?), whose arrest and death have just been given to the world. Rogers maintained an armed following of unlaw- ful ivory hunters in the remote regions of the Lado-Congo district, in Belgian ter- rltory, where he was overtaken by Brit
 
 mortally wounded. Then came this ex- traordnarily vivid little dialogue, which it is impossible to forbear quoting:
 Come and stand right here, so that Il can have a look at you" Rogers said.
 The officer went and stood beside his ped, the other white men standing close by. Under the red blanket which was covering Rogers could be seen the shape of d revolver which was pointed straight at Captain Fox. Rogers eyes were blaz- ing.
 Rogers said, "Tell me what you have come after me to arrest me for" Csp-| tain Fox answered, You are wounded now; let all that rest until you are bet ter" "No.' he said.
 'I am a dying man, I guess. I did not think they could kill old Rogers butt they have got him this time, and I want to fix this thing up right now. What ie your name?
 Well, Captain Fox" he continued, onI receiving reply, .'you are young man, and you have got yourself into lot of trouble for do you know that you are in Belgian territory, that you are sur rounded by three hundred men, and that you stand more chance of arrest than| do?'
 Captain Fox rejoined. .I am not in Bell sian territory, and we need not discuss the chance of my arrest"
 T wish I were feeling a little better."| Rogers said, T would soon convince you"
 Imagine 1t. The dusky interior of the hut the natives in the packeround. and the dying soldier of fortune splitting legal hairs with the officer who had come to| deliver him up to justice. from whose Jurisdiction higher power had a1readv| withdrawn him. And when you get back to your "best seller" have the goodness not to repeat for a few days the silly islander that romance is dead in the twen- tieth century.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-09-20

one time strong and popular disinte- grating as fast as the republican party is going to pieces now. There is something almost pathetic in the ill-fortune of Mr. Taft and the de- lection from the ranks of the party of which he is the head; but such is politics.
 This is a democratic year. Wood row Wilson, the democratic standard bearer, is not only holding his own but is making new friends every day. Everything that brings discomforture to the republican party benefits the democratic party and if Wilson does not sweep the country in November all the prophets should be made to re- tire from business.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-09-20
THE BURIAL OF MOSES

They tell his battles won,
 And after him lead his masterlessl
 steed, While peals the minute gun.
 Amid the noblest of the land We lay the sage to rest,
 And give the bard an honored place, With costly marble dressed, Tn the great minister transept. Where lights like glories fall,
 And the organ rings, and the sweetI
 choir sings, Along the emblazoned walls. This was the truest warrior That ever buczled sword; This the most gifted poet That ever breathed a word, And never earth's philosopher Traced with his golden pen, On the deathless page, truths half sol
 sage As he wrote down for men. And had he not high honor The hillside for a pail, TO lie in state while angels wait With stars for tapers tall, And the dark rock pines, like tossing| plumes, over his bier to wave, And Gods own hand. in that lonely| land To lay him in his grave? o lonely grave in Moabs land! O dark Beth Peor's hill! Speak to these curious hearts of ourA| And teach them to be still God hath his mysteries of grace, Ways that we cannot tell; He hides them deep. like the hidder| sleep Of him he loved SO we'll
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-09-20

By Mrs. c. F. Alexander. By Nebo's lonely mountain,
 On this side Jordans wave, In a vale in the land of Moab,
 There lies a lonely grave; And no man knows that sepulcher,
 And no man saw 1t e'er. For the angels of God upturned the sod, And laid the dead man there. That was the grandest funeral
 That ever passed on earth; But no man heard the trampling.
 Or saw the train go forth as the daylight
 Comes back when the night is done, And the crimson streak on oceans
 cheek
 Grows into the great sun. as the springtime
 Her crown of verdure weaves. And all the trees on all the hills
 Open their thousand leaves; So, without the sound of music,
 Or voice of them that wept, Silently down from the mountains s
 crown
 The great procession swept Perchance the bald old eagle.
 On gray Beth-PeorS ne1Sht, Out of his lonely eyrie
 Looked on the Wondrous sight: perchance the lion stalking
 Still shuns that hallowed spot; For beast and bird have seen and heard That which man knoweth not. But when the warrior dieth,
 His comrades in the war, With arms reversed and muffled drum, Follow his funeral car; They show the banners taken,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-09-20
NeM I,arragc Cheek.

"A new baggage check, embodying a number of unique features which are ex- pected to lessen the number of errors and complaints, has just been placed in service by the Pennsylvania railroad,' ,' said a local railroad man.
 "The duplicate portion of the new check is provided with spaces in which are printed number of the principal bad order conditions in which baggage is frequently received for checking. A check on being delivered to a passenger will be perforated to show whether the valise, fibre case, or tool chest. Another perforation will show the condition in which it was received whether the bot tom, side, top or end Is broken, lock or handle broken, hinges loose. old or worn, or whether the piece of baggage is open In this way the duplicate check will con- tain full description of the condition of the baggage when received for shipment
 The number on the tag portion of the check is placed at the bottom, while on top, so that the two can be readily matched when making delivery of bag gage.
 ''It is expected that with the use of this new form of check the liability of fnismatching numbers will be minimized the delivery of baggage expedited, and the number of claims greatly reduced.'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-09-20
EnnInment for High oRice

Alabama has as many men equipped for high political office as any state in the south; it may be that it has larger number said an old member of Bir- mingham Virginia colony. ''Persons who do not pay especial attention to politics might be surprised to find that many men in business life have been students of statecraft and are well equipped for any legislative or executive office.
 "Ex-Governor Conner was known only as a business man-he is one of the best when he started up the railroad rate re- form agitation about 12 or 13 years ago. When he became governor he was as much at home in the office as any of the older statesmen would have been
 "The papers have had good deal to say about MT. Harding, president of the First National bank, as a possible can didate for governor in 1914. He has never been candidate for any office, but l am told that he is exceptionally well equipped for Congress or the governorship
 When I lived in Virginia that state was full of fine material for high office. I knew one man in Richmond who would have distinguished himself in Congress or in the cabinet. He was a member of the legislature, but was never an aspir- ant for any other office. l refer to Maj. James II. Dooley, Confederate veteran, lawyer, multi-millionaire and railroad di- rector. I remember reading an article in one of the papers some years ago to the effect that with all the wealth of political material in Virginia, Dooley was the only man all round enough to fill xlth great efficiency any cabinet office from Secretary of State down to Secre- tary of Agriculture, which was the last of the cabinet departments at that time.
 MT. Harding is doubtless as well equipped as Major Dooley of Richmond. At any rate, he would know good deal about the state department, and he would be ideal as Secretary of the Treasury
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-09-20
The Alabama Consolidated

Richard H. Edmonds has written long letter to Joshua Lowering and William C. Seddon of Baltimore, in which he strongly recommends MT. seddon for the presi- dency of the Alabama Consolidated Coal and Iron company, when it is reorganized
 His letter appears in the Baltimore star. Among other things Mir Edmonds says:
 If the stockholders of the Alabama Consolidated Coal and Iron company had followed your urgent advice some months ago and joined in a plan for the merger with the Southern Iron and Steel com pany it is quite certain that the propos- ton would have been successful. At that time the banking houses of New York Interested in the merger were very en- thusiastic toward putting it through promptly. but the long delay in Baltimore lessened their interest in the matter, and out of this long delay finally came the present deplorable situation If the mer- ger had been formed the company would nave gone into operation at most pro- oitious time.
 For four years the iron interests of the country were passing through the most troublesome depression in iron. consid-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-09-20
From the London Globe.

From the London Globe.
 TNHAT truth is stranger than fiction
 is one of those morsels of prover-
 A bial wisdom whose absolute truth one Is quite justified in questioning Ger tainly we may escape the charge of par adox mongering as the result of declaring much of contemporary fiction to be stranger than truth.
 Criminals of the Rallies and Arsene Lu- pin type have. for instance, absolutely no prototype in real life, where the swell mobsman," in so far as he exists at all 's more notable for his clothes than for his gentle birth or chivalrous feelings. Similarly, most of the stock characters in fiction-the adventures. the strong, silent man." the stage Irishman, and the villain of melodrama-are at best mere caricatures and in general creatures that never were on land or sea.
 But much, of course, depends on the precise interpretation of the word strange" If it merely indicates a de- parture from the normal which in these days of abused epithets is it's habitual sig nifcance. then the novelists and the play wrights and the inventors of short stories must bow to the superior ingenuity of the impressarios of the great theatre of life.
 The newspaper is today the great chron- icler of the truth that is stranger than six shilling fiction Down it's columns stripped of psychological speculation, passes a cinemagraphic procession of crimes and achievements, passions and discoveries, war, murder, violence, and sudden death. It is not art, It is often rnelodrama of the crudest kind but. it is life, palpitating, and careless if it be ansophisticated. And if you want an ob- ject lesson of the extent to which our i'm aginative authors. and they dared, could take their plots from real life, a weeks newspapers offer you a veritable surplus of riches.
 Here Is plot to which only the epithet of Zolaesque can be attached A man marries, after being the sweetheart of his wife's sister. Subsequently he goes through a form of marriage with his dis carded mistress. Both women bear chil- dron to him; both although knowing of his relationship to the other. remain on friendly terms and neither upbraids the man nor each other. The last act is the attempted murder by the man of both the wives and his children, his suicide, and the setting of his house on fire to de- stroy the evidence of his crime, the plan succeeding save that one of the sisters escapes with serious injury. That is, ha1dix, +ba gist of the ''Murray'' or ''Mackie' case which has provided great sensation
 Zola might have imagined this story of
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-09-20
Campaigning and Incumbency

Of the three presidential candidates, President Taft, ex-President Roose- welt and Woodrow Wilson, the repub- lican nominee will feel less nervous exhaustion, perhaps, at the end of the campaign than either of the other two, although Colonel Roosevelt has the reputation of enjoying greater power of endurance than any promi- nent person in this country. Mir. Taft is of a more placid temperament than most men engaged in politics. He does not seem to allow things to worry him. Moreover he has learned to husband his resources.
 Roosevelt is tough-physically tough. His cowpuncher experience in his young manhood, his intimacy with wild and woolly nature and his rough and ready discipline in the recent years have made him an exception ally stalwart specimen of the genus homo. Apparently his nerves are not easily shattered, and yet withal this campaign will tell on him. His indomitable will may keep him going at high pressure, and his eagerness for office may cause him to run for President again four years hence, but even a man of his extraordinary en- durance is likely to break down if he overleaps himself.
 Governor Wilson is a new man in politics, but since he was elected gov ernor of New Jersey he has developed into a political athlete. He, like Roosevelt, has great power of endur- ance, and he goes like steam engine; it is in the nature of the man to be strenuous. He stands to win a mag nificent victory at the polls, and no matter how tired he may feel as the ides of November draw near, his triumph will be mighty tonic and he will go into the executive office strong of heart and strong of brain.
 A few years ago an eminent cabinet officer said that the grind of the presi- dency was so hard that only human buffalo could stand it. MT. Cleveland stood the strain well, and so have his successors. But with the growth of this country and the increase of complex problems confronting the President in every administration the strain is all the more mani fest. The time will never come, how ever, when the great parties will find the presidential nomination going begging.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-09-20
HI LAR1TY IS TOUCHED.

A few days ago a black snake got into. the Larity kitchen and started on a jour- ney of exploration among the Shelves. II soon discovered some eggs and swallowed one. It then crawled through the handle of tin cup and swallowed another. Aftei swallowing the second egg it found il could not go on through the handle of the tin cup, nor could it back out. It began to thresh about exeitedly and fell off the. shelf with a loud chatter Mrs Larity came Into the kitchen just in time to see it scoot out. through the back door and disappear Into some weeds. HI had spent the day at the distillery and was return-l ing home much the worse for his days tippling. As he passed the store Moses Rodd came out and lectured him severely for his excessive drinking. He pictured Hi in the future going about the country with tin cup asking aims. Hi was greatly moved and continued homeward in a study, no other vehicle being at hand As he neared the house the snake, which had lately visited there, wlggled out of the weeds, coiled in the dust and pre- pared to defend itself from further hu- initiation. HI was almost upon 1t be- fore he saw it, and the snake struck at him viciously. Seizing club Hi prepared to smash the snakes head, but seeing the tin sup he was overcome with com- passion. Creeping up as close as he dared he dropped a coin into the cup. drew back and passed on the other'side of the road Pleasant Valley Items, in the Kansas City Star.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-09-20

ering its length and intensity, which have knswn in 90 years in which l nave i been w4tching the iron trade During that period there were very few iron companies in the country able to make much money. A large number or them made none, and even some Of the pest concerns in the country were running al loss, but the fact that they did run al loss did not lessen the intrinsic value of the mineral properties that they owned in the ground, nor the physical properties above the ground. provided they were kept in good condition. Within the last few months there has been great turn in the long lane, and the whole country has suddenly sprung from dullness anu depression to activity. Not since the carly part of 1907 have the iron and steel interests of the country been so crowded with business and with prospects so fair. In that period the price of iron in the Alabama district has advanced from about s10 a ton to SIS or s1s.5o, difference sui fciently great to make difference be- tween running at a loss and running at tig profit.
 "It ought to be possible for the Ala bama Consolidated, wisely managed, to make at least $500, 600 or s60o,ooo net profit a year on such an iron market as we now have and thus give value to all It's securities. The situation of the Alabama company is, I imagine, even at the mo- nent, not as unfavorable by any means as that of the Sloss company when MT. Seddon and his brother, Thomas Seddon, and their Richmond associates took hold of the Sloss and reorganized 1t and put it on it's feet to the great profit of it's security holders. I believe that MT. Sed- dons acquaintanceship with the property and his long familiarity with the iron in- terests of Alabama would enable him. if he was in charge of the property, to do equally as well for the Alabama Consoli- dated as he and his associates did for the Sloss company"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-09-20
IN HOTEL LOBBIES
May Carry West Virginia

The democrats may carry West Nir- ginia: I have a strong notion that they will" said l.. J. Arnold of Philadelphia. 'T am not especially familiar with West Virginia, but I was there two weeks ago and I met democrats who seemed eonfi- dent-felt absolutely certain indeed-tha Wilson would get decisive plurality.
 Tn 1908 Taft had a plurality in West Virginia of 26, 451. The state has been re- publican since 1896 Before that, however, it was safely democratic. It belonged to the solid south and could be counted on by the democrats in presidential years as surely as old Virginia. This year Roosevelt and Taft will each set q large vote, but Wilson will get larger.
 T am a regular democrat; have voted the democratic ticket since I was old enough-24 years ago. Roosevelt will probably carry Pennsylvania, but the democrats there are working hard to put the old keystone state in the Wilson column