davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-06-24
Boss Control and the Primaries

The primary is popular, and citi-
gems in large numbers are willing to
cast ballot in precinct polling
place in the day time who will not at
tend a meeting in the evening, which
they know will be manipulated and
"packed" by few professional poll
ticians.
The question naturally arises, will
the people continue to go to pri-
maries? They certainly will in the
one-party states, for there are no 9TH
er political contests, and there are al
ways candidates to bring out pretty
full vote.
1t is not so certain that primaries
will always be well attended in the
contested states, and just as soon as
the people become indifferent to their
public duties then the boss will re-
appear. The very indifference that
led to the boss appearance under the
caucus and convention system will
lead to his temperance at the pri-
maries.
So long as the people turn out to
the extent of go to 80 per cent at the
primaries no bosses can get in their
selfish and generally vile work. This
should be kept IN mind. The indif-
ference of the average voter is in the
last analysis the cause of the evils of
the convention system, and a similar
indifference in the primaries will pro-
duce similar harmful results.
In one-party states the primary is
the whole thing, and there is no dan
ger of trouble arising in relation to
it. It has come to stay in such states,
but in the contested states it will not
stay unless the citizens do their duty.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-06-24

Apparently the sober sense of the Amer
lean people is beginning 10 impress it.
self upon the politicians. and unless all
signs are false the country Is tired Oh
erratfc radicalism. While it wants prog
ress and reform it is weary of useless
political disturbance. The essential wants
of the people have already been made
known. Republican or democratic plat
forms may contain some startling pro-
posals In order to entiee as many votes
as possible, but prediction promises ana
post election performances rarely balance
each other. Henceforth. therefore, bus
mess men will be able to pay less and
less attention to politics and more and
more to business. or course startling
changes would necessarily have an un-
settling effect, but the political atmos-
phere has been materially clarified during
the past week. and there is ample rea-
son for growing confidence. Much bus
mess has been deferred during the last
few months. New enterprises have been
pieeon-holed and merchants could not be
expected to stock up until they know
better what contingencies must be faced.
Many business men are simply waiting
for starting signal When this comes
we may look for a gradual renewal OF
trade activity
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-06-24
DEATH ORCHIDS

From Suburban Life.
The death orchid of the Venezuelan In
dams has been proved to be no mere
campfire yarn. There. years ago, an
orchid hunter, Grayson. set out to find
Eel Lugar de los Flores .yenemosos. y
that is. 1.-THE place of the poisonous flow
ers," which was said to be located in
the dense and painless wilderness &C.
cupying the vast stretches between the
headwaters of the Orinoco and the An
DIES. Two weeks passed without any In
cident out of the ordinary But one
morning there was perceptible smell
of flowers In the air. When the orchid
hunter and his Indians camped that night
the jungle smells had been entirely lost
in the cloying scent. Many of the band
refused to go farther.
As Grayson and the others proceeded,
the rankly sweet and oppressive odor
became stronger. attacking the senses
like a narcotic One after another the
remaining Indians collapsed, till only
Grayson and the guide were left, push
ing onward. The orchid hunter felt as If
he was being attacked by the insidious
power of opium, but retained enough
consciousness to become aware that,
cleaning through the trees ahead, he saw
flowers of huge size and vivid colors.
many-hued clusters of them hanging in
trails.
1t was death orchid.
When he recovered his senses he found
himself being carried back to camp.
where the rest of his porters had re-
manned. Many of the band were severely
sick and many half-witted with the con-
tinued effect of the scent.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-06-24
THRoUGH A KALEIDoscoPE
(chicago Telegram to the New Yorl
Herald)

fChicago Telegram to the New York
Herald.)
Here are some of the salient features
of this convention.
A candidate for President or the field
giving arbitrary orders to the representa-
tives of the people whose servant he say1
he wishes to be.
Ranchmen and "gun men" going about
with weapons, clustering. threatening and
assuming authority.
Purchasing agents said to be tranicking
in delegates as II they were so much mer-
chandise.
The highball brigade making desperate
assaults on the judicial recall. the tariff
the Brownsville affair, the Sherman law
and a score Of other things.
An array OF private detectives, with
eyes and ears alert. watching delegates
listening to the talk of every little knot
of men, reporting back ITO headquarters
every word and act. that seems a clew.
A thousand men ready for Scrap at
the drop OF a that In the ring.
Vendors of buttons, prizering hats.
banners, canes. fans, badges, rosettes,
giving a circus feature to the occasion.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-06-24
Medical Education in This Country

Abraham Flexner of the Carnegie
Foundation for the Advancement of
Teaching has again aroused the an
ger of the medical colleges of this
country by the comparisons he draws
between the medical colleges here and
in Europe. He asserts that scandals
in medical education exists in Ameri-
ca alone" He winds up his report
with the declaration that one-fourth
of the medical schools of this country
would be ample for the need.
On the other hand DR.. Beveridge of
the Cornell Medical school presents
figures and facts to prove that the
physicians of America are better
trained than those abroad; that the
average of life in America is longer,
and that the discoveries and accom-.
plishments of American physicians
and surgeons are far greater than
those of Europe.
Mr.. Flexner's criticisms are too
sweeping. To wipe out three-fourths
of the medical schools of the country
would be calamity, and yet that is
what he thinks should be done. The
remaining one-fourth would become
great institutions, but very many
young men would be unable to attend
them. A conservative movement
looking to the betterment of all
worthy medical schools would seem to
promise more for the country than
Mr.. Flexner's plan for cutting down
the number to the extent of rs per
cent.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-06-24
From the kansas civ star.

From the Kansas City Star.
- WET Nell of Old Drury" they
used to cal her. and although
~ she might have been barred
from the most exclusive social circles
today, England in the time of Charles
II was inclined to look very leniently
upon the pretty frailties of Nell Gwyn,
actress. court beauty and favorite OF
the King. For Nelly was beautiful,
good hundred and full of kindness,
and morals in England were in such a
state that few persons threw stones
There were too many glass houses
around.
So England paid taxes and cheered
when Nell's gilded coach, bought with
those taxes, rolled by. Nell was the
Gaby des Lys of her time, except that
her King had much more indulgent
populaee upon whom to depend, and be-
sides, there weren't any American the
atrical managers to lure her away. 1t
may be very shocking and improper and
deplorable, and doubtless 1t is but
merry England has always been rather
Henry V. who ran around town with
mighty trifiing gang and sported and
help up citizens, and England, instead
of resentlng it. was crazy about him.
And their attitude toward Charles II
was very similar. The King had as
many love affairs as Lillian Russell,
but as long as they were confined to
Er., 4oI1
was the Queen. and her state of mind
didn't matter
That matter of home talent helped
explain NelTs popularity. She was the
daughter of Capt. Thomas Gwyn of
an ancient family in Wales" her biog-
raphers say. though other ehvious writ
ers have declared that Mr.. Nell ran a
fruit stand. But however that was, Nell
was thoroughly English. and the people
liked her.
She began her career-we were going
to say checkered-as sorange girl' at
the Kings theatre in London. The
English have had many beautiful Gus
toms at one time and another. and
among these customs was that of sup
plying good looking young women in
stead of leather lunged boys to peddle
sweets between acts. Nell was 16 years
cid at the time she entered upon this
means of livelihood, and there being no
Juvenile courts or probation officers or
child welfare societies in those days,
she was permitted to go her own wild
way. Part of her duty, of course, was
to submit to hugging by fresh young
men, who would have worn fuzzy hats
had they lived today.
year or so later Nell was promoted
from orange peddling to playing part
or the stage at the Kings theatre
which,aaby the way was not the Kings
private playhouse. but was merely
named in his honor. Not much is known
of Sweet Nell's acting ability, though
Pepys tells us she was no good in seri-
Gus parts, but a scream in comedy.
Moreover she was exceedingly good
looking, so 1t wasn't necessary for her
to be very good actress. The same old
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-06-24
Child Labor in Mills and on Farms

Although 80 states have passed
child labor laws of one kind of an
other, yet there are 100000 children
in the United States who are not in
school, but who are working for liv-
ing. There are" says DR.. A. ]. Nc
Kelway, secretary of the national
child labor committee, "a million of
children under the age. of 16 years
who are employed in the various in
dustries of the country, in addition to
another million in agriculture, only a
part of whom are assisting their
parents on the farm" This points
to more illiterates in the country, and
we already have 100000 of voting
age.
"To train up a citizenship worth
WHILE" says DR.. McKelway, 1--WE must
not only keep boys and girls from coal
breakers and out of sweatshops and
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-06-24
THE BROOK

BY Alfred Tennyson.
come from haunts of coot and hern,
make a sudden sally.
And sparkle out among the fern.
To bicker down a valley.
BY thirty hills l hurry down,
Or slip between the ridges,
BY twenty thoRs a little town,
And half a hundred bridges.
l chatter over stony ways,
In little sharps and trebles,
l bubble into eddying bays,
l babble on the pebbles.
With many curve my banks fret
By many field and fallow,
And many a fairy foreland set
With willow weed and mallow.
| chatter. chatter, as l flow,
To join the brimming river:
For men may come and men may go,
But l go on forever.
l wind about. and in and out.
With here q blossom sailing.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-06-24
UNDERWOOD CONFIDENT

From the BdIt1mOTt sun.
Congressman Oscar w. Underwood OF
Alabama yesterday announced his nrm
belief in Washington that he would be
He declared positively that he would carry
few northern states. which would sur
prise many persons, and that with these
and solicited south Ne would have no
trouble in occupying the seat of the Pres
ident.
II cannot name the states to which I
refer just now" said Mr.. Underwood Fri
day afternoon. But l have Investigated
carefully and am able TO say, with a
reasonable degree of postiveness, that l
will get them and surprise many or my
friends as well as other politicians"
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-06-24

AT one of the corner cigar stands the
other morning the conversation drifted
around to bank robberies and holdups. At
this point young man who had knocked
about over the country rather extensively
related this story of far west bank rob-
berry that didn't quite materalize:
"A few years ago l got job in a hard
ware store in little western mining
town. The country was mighty wild and
bad men plenty infested the community.
After working there a few days l noticed
big alarm bell on the wall of our store,
connected up with electric wires. In going
about town I noticed these bells in every
store and public building. The citizens
seemed reluctant to talk about them, but
after time was told confidentially that
these bells were wired to the cashiers
window at the bank. and In case of hold
up men he could give the alarm by press
Jig a button under his desk.
Il thought nothing more about the
alarm system, and for the next six months
the matter was not mentioned. But one
morning the bells rang all over town. In
about two minutes half the town rushed
in the bank armed with guns, revolt
yers, axes and clubs. We found the cash.
Ter backed against the wall with both
hands up. The two desperadoes were
taken without resistance.
"They had caught the cashier unawares
and would have certainly gotten away on
their horses with all the cash If the alarm
hadn't worked
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-06-24

And here and there lusty trout,
And here and there a grayling.
And here and there a foamy fake
Upon me, as / travel,
With many silvery water break
Above the golden gravel.
l steal by lawns and grassy plots.
l slide by hazel covers.
l move the sweet forget-me-nots
That grow for happy lovers.
T slip, 1 slide, I gloom, glance,
Among my swimming swallows;
/ make the netted sunbeams dance
Against my sandy shadows
I murmur under moon and stars
In brambly wildernesses.
1 linger by my shingly bars.
l loiter round my crosses.
And out again curve and flow
To Join the trimming riv7-.
For men may come and mel unay &
But 60 on forever.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-06-24
HARVESTING FIGS IN ITALY

L iOii lHt ANtW ioi N gun.
The fig gathering season in Italy
joins hands in October. but 1t really
begins in August owing to a curious
system of culture. Early in August
the fig gatherers scramble through the
branches from tree top to tree top and
"oil the fruit"
These people are nomadic; they ap-
harvesters of France Late in July
the masserie are rented to them,
stated sum being paid to the proprie-
tor a payment that gives to the fig
gatherers the right TO all the fruit he
ginning with the figs and ending with
the last cluster of grapes.
Rude huts matched with straw are
built by the proprietor in all his or
chards, and in these gipsy-like har-
vesters live with their families. Some
times they supplement their narrow
quarters with a ragged tent Three
sticks placed crosswise and a kettle
In the crotch constitutes the kitchen.
Shortly after their arrival the work
of forcing the fruit is begun. The
methods employed are curious. In one
a wad of cotton is dipped in olive oil
and gently rubbed on the flower end
of the fig. Fig by fig is thus treated,
and in eight days the fruit is ready
for the market.
Ahother method consists in gather
ing in the spring some of the half
formed fruit, which is strung on ropes.
These ropes or garlandsi are thrown
over the branches of the tree and are
allowed to decay under the burning
sun. There is born of this decay an
insect that pierces the growing fig and
induces rapid maturity.
The fig. ovhen perfectly ripe, exudes
a crop of honey-sweet juice at the
neither end, which never falls but
hangs there, standing temptation to
| children and to bees. When fresh
picked at this stage the fig has rich
flavor entirely lost In the dried fruit.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-06-24
Republican Ticket and Platform


The expected happened when the
republican convention nominated
President Taft for reelection. His
victory over Theodore Roosevelt, even
if it was accomplished by the steam
roller, was notable in many respects.
The ex-President seemed to be the
idol Of that wing of the republican,
party called progressive. He had
won several surprising victories in
state primaries and his lieutenants
felt absolutely sure. that he would
win the nomination. He had con-
Quoted his pre-convention campaign
with characteristic audacity. 1t was
felt by many lockers on that the con-
vention would be stampeded for him
and that poor Mr.. Taft would be
ANONYMOUSLY swept off the political
stage and buried in oblivion. But the
psychological moment for stampede
never came.
Never was there greater four
flusher in public life than the ex-
President and Mr.. Taft's triumph
Saturday night brought unspeakable
satisfaction to the conservative ele-
ment of the Republican party.
The Presidents running mate is
the same as in 19Os-vice President
James S. Sherman of the state of New
York. Taft and Sherman are thor
ough going standpatters. All the lead
ers of the republican party are high
protectionists. And the platform
adopted at Chicago contains strong
high tariff plank-just the sort of
plank that meets the hearty approval
of monopolists and trust magnates.
Roosevelt is bent on running for the
presidency In the excitement of the
hour some of those who had espoused
his cause in the republican convention
got up mass meeting and nominated
him. But while it was announced
that a new party would be formed by
some of Roosevelt's supporters, it
may well be doubted if it ever ma
terializes. Mr.. Roosevelt is whipped,
but so angered is he that he will
work with all his might to compass
Mr.. Taft's defeat in November.
Mr.. Taft, as the regular nominee
of the republican party, will poll a
large republican vote, but it will not
be large enough in the doubtful states
to elect him. In 1892, a great demo-
cratic year, President Harrison was
renominated against the judgment of
some of the republican leaders. 1t
would have been better for the re-
publican party this year if Mr.. Taft
nau uecllneu a RECOMMENDATION anu AS
sociate Justice Hughes or some other
popular man of the virile type had
been agreed upon for standard bear
err. The life Of the party founded by
Lincoln would at least have been
prolonged.
The republicans have great way
of quarreling among themselves and
then getting together before election
day. But the breach is far more seri-
Gus now than ever before. If the Bal
timore convention acts tremendously
and wisely this week the democrats
will win a record breaking victory in
November. 1t will be so crushing as
to make the resuscitation of the re-
publican party well nigh impossible.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-06-24
Take Up Blocks

u am certainly strong advocate of
removing the Belgian blocks from the
Streets" said W. NJ. Lindsay OF the Szabo
Tailoring company. Walking on them Is
a torture to most people. but to person
afflicted as r am it is an impossibility.
l have had one bad fall recently as re-
suit of these blocks and several narrow
escapes. Horses suffer, autos are injured
and wagons are racked to pieces on these
stones. believe car driven on a smooth
pavement will last two or three. times az
long as one driven on the cobble stones.
The other great reasons for getting rid
of the blocks are because they are noisy
and dirty. They are harder to wash than
smooth pavement and get dirty and
dusty quicker
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-06-24
RESTRICTIONS OF A BACHELOR

From the New York Press.
It's a lot easier lying to girl about
how pretty she looks when it's in the
dark.
Playing politics is a higher develop
ment of card sharping. bunko, and
panel games.
The family never seems able to learn
that a man never loses his temper even
wien he acts that way.
A woman would much rather pick
out a complexion TO match her rib
bons than ribbons to match her COM
plexion.
From all the preparations man
makes 10 go fishing two miles away
you'd think he was starting on trip
around the world.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-06-24
The VERY Fresh Young FeiIow

IT am unhappily impressed with the
present day boy" said man of family
who has taken much interest in boys.
'Of course, there are many young fell
lows between the ages of 10 and 20 who
are manly but modest, and have respect
for full grown men. but there is a large
crop of very fresh. familiar and 'brassy'
fellows on hand. Now, I've tried to be
friendly with those boys. mank of whom
are In employment but at times their
audacity and imprudent Familiarity In
public places particularly has Disguised
me until now I've resolved to cease my
general interest in young America, whose
principal idea is to be over bold.
~ do think that the modern day young
person Is no respector of caste, position
or character; that defferential respect for
their seniors has been quite forgotten.
What is 1t that has brought this to pass?
1t is the blood and thunder stories of the
modern yellow back stories of Dare
Dick the Devil And by the way, 1t Will
be surprising to many to know that tons
of this stuff is still sold and there is
a steady trade for ii here in Birmingham.
| believe that the bully-hat in the ring
OF political mountebank will bring us a
crop of mendacious men in public life
and that the reflex of II will be felt in
all the walks of life
II wish to say that have met lately
one gentlemanly young fellow, nice man
nered. gracious and l found out by mere
chance in making a date with him for
an outing that his mothers influence was
shown strongly in him, when he said, oh,
you just tell mamma over the phone all
about the plans; she will take pleasure
in giving me the message for she is a
good fellow and we are chums And
there YOU have it
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-06-24
Political Talk

Everybody is talking politics now
said J. P. Gathers of philadelphia
thousands of men like myself take no
active part in politics. further than TO
vote, but the situation today Is OF abb
sorbing interest to business men. l
vote the republican ticket and in the
Pennsylvania primary voted for Presi-
dent Taft, but It will be recalled that
the state went Overwhelmingly tor
Roosevelt While Mr. Tafts nomination
is not equivalent to election, 1t VIII
take strong democrat TO defeat him
The general talk in the east Is that
Mr.. Taft could easily beat Champ CLARK.
RI either Underwood or Gaynor hap
pens to be the nominee of the Baltimore
convention, Mr.. Taft will have no walk
ever. Underwood could probably carry
New York and New York in the demo-
cratic world mean democratic victory.