davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-06-14
THE UNIFORM OF HIS COUNTRY

From the Popular Magazine.
 First of all. it should be understood that Gen. Clarence Edwards of the United States army, is a fine figure of man. having face indicative of more than the average amount of intelli- gence and a carriage that was devel- oped by the pride of youth and ma tured by running at high speed the Philippines.
 One day he was standing on street corner in Cincinnati when a young lady. in a swell" tailored suit and a hurry, stepped up to him with this re- quest.
 Say, mister, will you tell me what car will take me to the zoo?"
 The general, who is as polite as he tains neither sarcasm nor satire-re- moved his military cap and put a few creases into his military uniform by convoluting his figure into profound bow. Having made this preliminary pantomine, he gently informed the lady that. it almost broke his heart to say that he was a stranger in Cincinnati and unfamiliar with the routes and personal habits of the street cars.
 Well" said the girl, greatly fri tated, why don't you know? Ain't you a policeman?"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-06-14
rI,rner Intellectual Standards

This is the month of college commence ments and pupils music recitals. said well known educator.
 Schools and colleges in the south close earlier than those of the north, but in this age of enlightenment and culture many graduates take postgraduate summer courses, and a still larger number of undergraduates attend summer schools in order to make up for certain deficien- cies.
 Tn years gone by intellectual standards were high for the few. Now they are being raised for the many. This is true of the musical world as well as of the education world in general The study of music in this country is much more serious now than it was even five years ago. While there will always be much superficial work in musical pedagogy, every intelligent student appreciates the absolute necessity of general culture as a collateral part of musicianship.
 ''fhe time when the singer or performer who could read notes at sight was called a musician. has passed. The musician must have common sense. knowledge, insight and highly developed imagination that will enable the musician to interpret the thoughts and emotions of the composer.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-06-14
Capt. Hobson's Announcement

Captain Hobson should not attempt in year overloaded with politics to lug also into it the task of 1914. Let 1914 attend to it's own public business. The present year already has more politics to the acre than is needed, and the plain people will surely refuse to anticipate.
 A great state campaign will take place in 1914. The people will meet in that year in primaries to select their candidates for governor, sen ator and host of other officers. A legislature will be elected, and alto gether Alabama will have plenty of politics two years hence.
 It is simply impossible to interest people in a senatorial race two years ahead of time. Even plain an nouncement is untimely. Each recur- ring year should be left to attend to its affairs, public as well as private, and premature efforts will attract small attention.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-06-14
New Wheat Estimate

The June report of the government estimates the total wheat crop of the present season at 62S, ,000, ,000 bushels as against 621 1888, ,00O bushels grown last year. The deficiency in winter wheat is made good in the spring wheat states.
 The crop of oats will also be larger than last years, and this is the case in the fields of rye and barley. The hay crop is far more promising than it was one year ago, and pastures are reported exceptionally good.
 Prices are inclined to be firm be- cause some sections are very dry. Rain has fallen in some sections, and the reports from the harvest in Texas and Oklahoma are wholly satisfactory. There is no increase in the acreage of spring wheat, but the crop is in fine condition, and large yield is ex- pected. When crops are abundant, or at least we'll up to normal, general business cannot well suffer setback. The country is today discounting good crops.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-06-14
Industrial Activity

This year is very different, from a business point of view, from the campaign year of 1sS4-the first presidential year of which I have a vivid recollection" said John F. Newton of Chicago. Business was then distressingly dull. One argu- ment which the republicans used against the democrats was that democratic vic tory would mean commercial and indus trial depression.
 Tn 1883 and 1884, after long years of republican rule, there were more wage workers idle than in any previous year. Many mills were shut down, even in the great Pittsburg district The republicans could not use their old argument that the republican party always stood for pros perity Many thoughtful men said that business could not be worse than it was and that it was worth while changing parties.
 With MT. Clevelands election in No vember, 1884. business began to revive and in 1885 we had more prosperity than we had had in many years past. MT Clevelands administration proved one thing if nothing else, namely, democratic victory did not spell commercial or in. dustrial disaster.
 'The democrats are mighty apt to wir next November, but we will have pros perity no matter which way the election goes. The country is starting on an era of thrift and it is a reasonable prediction that within the next 12 months we vii witness phenomenal development and healthy business activity in every sec | tion,"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-06-14
THE CRIME OF BEING YOUNG

From Pitts Reply to Walpole.
 Sir, the atrocious crime of being a young man, which the honorable gen tleman has, with such spirit and de- cency, charged upon me. I shall neither attempt to palliate nor deny; but con- tent myself with wishing that I may be one of those whose follies may cease with their youth, and not of that number who are ignorant in spite of experience. Whether youth can be i'm puted to any man as a reproach, I will not, sir assume the province of determ- ming; but surely age may become just ly contemptible, if the opportunities which it brings have passed away without improvement, and vice ap- pears to prevail when the passions have subsided
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-06-14
Administration Measures Unpopular


 The elimination of Gen. Leonard Wood from the leadership of the army as chief of staff is almost as unsat- factory to the administration as the looping off of appropriations for the court of commerce and the tariff board. The indications are that all three will have to "go." General Woods rank as major general cannot, however, be taken away from him, but he can be sent from Washington to command less agreeable. The rule proposed to be applied to General Wood would also fit Colonel Goethals and many other efficient officers of the army.
 The President may try to save the commerce court and the tariff board by vetoing appropriation bills, but the effort would perhaps add to the con- fusion by carrying the re-enctment of the bills beyond the fiscal year.
 The country will suffer no harm if the three favorites of the eadminis- tration are dispensed with. The com merce court is an obstacle, the tariff board humbug, and General Leonard Wood is not the only army officer who is fit to serve as chief of staff.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-06-14

leaks they are more economical and satisfactory.
 The city and the Waterworks com pany are to be congratulated upon the happy termination of rate trouble of long standing. By the quick adop- tion of meter rates the entire city can secure water-good water-at reason able prices. Lower prices may come nine years hence, and in the mean while reasonable rates will be applied.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-06-14
THE MEDITERRANEAN

O. W. Firkins in the Century. It rose upon my eyes-that wondrous sea, R)uer than sky or ocean-with a hue As II the skies that blur when sunsets flee Had fallen therein and paved its depths with blue. I thought of the far springs in storied That fed it's fountains, of the echoing
 streams That carried memories with their freight of sands. And strewed it's shores with chronicles
 and dreams. One drop had lain in Ebro. one in Rhone; And one had loaned In far Marmora' s
 sea;
 And one. snowflake in the snow wrapt
 zone,
 Had glinted on crest in Chamonix; And one had tossed above the tossing buoy
 In Cyprus. or where Stamburs turrets
 burn; And one had. in the heart of ancient
 Troy,
 snatched gray ash flake from shiv-
 cred urn; And one had sprayed some trail of hang Whose root had pierced block of fallen frieze That once had frightened OCT columned
 shrine In Athens for the joy of Pericles; And one had dropped from some bold sea
 birds wing
 By Tunis; one, in Tiber's depths con cealed, Had washed moldering bishops drift
 ing ring
 Into some crumbled emperor's bedded
 shield And one, drop of rain, had touched the
 hair
 Or wing of some bright angel carved of
 yore By Giottos or high taslSed Ghilbertis
 care, Ere Arno swept it to the Tuscan shore; And one in Nile had gleams of sunlight caught
 The unpitying sun half glimpsed through dropping lids And dreams from vast imperial Luxor brought
 Had deepened by the timeless Pyramids I though how legend. annals. fame, TO-
 nance
 High memories. conflicts. sagas old and new, Lay passive. slumbering. in that bright expanse
 Of fearless and unconquerable blue.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-06-14
IN HOTEL LOBBIES
National Party Managers

"Both democratic and republican na- tional committees have usually had able managers within the past 10 years" said an old voter.
 '.I have always been a democrat. and have been more familiar with democratic party affairs than with the republican party management. Perhaps the ablest national chairman of the republican party was Mark Hanna, who came into great political prominence in 189s as the man who held up the trust magnates and aided in giving Mckinley landslide vic tory
 Norman F. Mack of Buffalo, N. r., was the national democratic chairman 1 four years ago; is chairman now, and will probably be the chairman for another four years. He seems to be a man or good executive ability. Taft was elected last year by large majority, but had 1t not been for Chairman Mack's energy and tactics the democratic defeat would have been more crushing even than 1t was. T remember the late United States Senator W. H. Barnum of Connecticut when he was the national democratic chairman. He was at the head of the party management in 1884. when Mir. Cleveland was elected. He was a man of wealth and of long political training. l knew Senator Iarnum personally. He mad large coal mining interests, and l saw him frequently when he was looking after his mining properties in Virginia. He was a remarkably quiet man; was both quiet and adroit.
 Calvin Brice of ohio was the national democratic chairman in 1888. He was multi-milionaire and was United States senator. President Cleveland was re- nominated without opposition, but it was felt from the start that he would be de- feated by Benjamin Harrison, the repub- llcan rominee. So hopeless was the dem- ocratic cause that year that very little money could be raised to conduct the campaign. Senator Brice held the bag and 1t cost him, l believe, something like $5O0,00o. He was railroad magnate and stock jobber on a big scale No one knew better than he, probably, that the democrats had nc possible chance of win ning but he gave cut rainbow interviews, and the day before the election he issued through the Associated Press a most roseate statement, claiming everything for Cleveland. Of course, the country had the laugh on him the day after the elec- tion.
 Tn 1892 the late William F. Harrity, brilliant young lawyer of Philadelphia, was the national democratic chairman, and he had signal success in his campaign work. It was my privilege to know him. He was a charming gentleman, unostenta- tious and unselfish. Under his manage ment the party rolled up splendid ma jority for Cleveland. After the inaugura- tion in 1893 the President intimated that he was ready to appoint MT. Harrity to high office, but the chairman said he ac- cepted the ohairmanship only as patriot ic duty, that his work being done, he would retire from public life. There was no office that he would have. His was an example of unsefishness that is seldom chronced in public life.
 T predict that Chairman Mack, if he continues at the head of the democratic organization, will score great success in this years campaign"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-06-14
.,,b.m. Out,ca, Society

"The Alabama State Optical society will hold it's annual meeting here next week" said pr. J. H. Finder. president of the society.
 "The meeting promises to be very in teresting and instructive to the members and there are some very pleasant features of entertainment on the programme At the opening session Wednesday. June 19, in the Chamber of Commerce auditorium an address of welcome will be delivered by one of the city commissioners.
 These annual meetings have an edu- cational value in practical optics. Two very prominent members of the American Optical association will make addresses, H. J. Cook of Knoxville. formerly pres ident of the association, and c. F.. Fol som, chancellor of scientific section of the American association.
 ''The public will be welcome to the meetings and while many technical terms will be used still there will be much of
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-06-14
New Water Rates

The people have, after many con- ferences and much discussion, secured a new contract with the Waterworks company covering the nine years that its contract with the old city has to run. Until that time expires there will be under and by virtue of the new contract no municipal ownership of the water supply.
 In the course of the nine years it is estimated by Commissioner Lane that the city and private consumers will save fully million dollars, and surely such saving is desirable.
 But to gain the full advantage of the new contract it is necessary to resort to the meter system. Meters are to be put in by the Waterworks company free of expense to the con- sumer. By. using meter the citizen who has a house of four rooms or more can secure water at the rate of $10 a year, with a charge of 20 cents per 1000 gallons for water used in excess of 4166 gallons month, or 140 gallons a day. Commissioner Lane advises the people to apply for meters chiefly because city inspec- tor will be employed to ''check up" the motoring done by the Waterworks company.
 The new contract calls for reduc- tions in flat rates and in hydrant rates. All in all it is the most valua- ble accomplishment of the city com mission. It puts aside all litigation and all agitation over water rates for nine years, and this alone renders the new contract important.
 While a householder can retain a flat rate, yet the new contract prac- tically invites all to adopt meter rates, simply because in the absence of
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-06-14
Underwood for the Presidency

MT. Underwood's chances for the pres idential nomination are excellent" said a democrat who has been more or less ac- tive in party management for 80 years past. T firmly believe that Mir Under wood will be the democratic standard bearer. When his name was first men toned as presidential possibility I thought it a good idea to give him the vote of Alabama as a deserved compli ment but had no idea he would develop the strength he has
 Northern democrats as well as south ern men now regard Underwood as the logical candidate for President. Several other good men are candidates for the democratic nomination, but all of them are weak compared with Underwood.
 ''The New York delegation will proba- bly, vote for Underwood on the second or third ballot, and that win practically set tie the question of the democratic nomi- nation. Underwood can beat Taft or Roosevelt or anybody else that the re- publicans may put up.
 Tt is generally said that this is a dem ocratic year, but according to my judg- ment it will not be democratic year un- less the democrats nominate strong ticket
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-06-14

New York Correspondence in Cincinnati Times-Star.
 The other day William S. Rainsford walked into the study of Bishop Greer and demanded that he be deposed from the Episcopal ministry. His only ex- planation was that he would not re- turn to the pulpit. Under the canonical law Bishop Greer was obliged to com ply with his request. Stern, tight Tipped, dominant, Rainsford turned on his heel and walked out as he had en- tered-alone
 The problem that has intermittently engaged the gossips of New York is no nearer solution than it was six years ago. For 1S years Rainsford, as rec tor of St. Georges church, had with out question been the most important minister of any faith in New York One day, without foreword or explanation, he resigned. His friends said that he was in ill health. Hard on the heels of that statement, Rainsford left for hunting trip through East Africa, task that would tax the strength and endurance of any man. From time to time he has returned to outfit for an- other expedition. Now he is to head a party sent out by the American Museum of Natural History and will spend three more years in African jungles. He is strong as bull moose, he tingles with nervous force, he could run in Marathon or fight in the ring; and he can keep his secret. Whatever it Is, it Is his alone. No one has ever shared it.
 | Rainsford had attracted attention in Toronto by thel virility and splendor and unconventionality of his ministry. Old St. Georges church here was about to be abandoned when J. Pierpont Nor gan sent for Rainsford to rejuvenate it. Other eminept ministers had re- fused the task.
 T will take it," said Rainsford, Ion three conditions. The church must be | absolutely free. You must buy out those pewholders who will not sur render their seats. I must have $10,000 year to spend as I please, apart from my salary. which you may fix to suit yourself. All committees save that of the vestry must be abolished" Done" said Morgan.
 The church had been burdened with a | floating debt It was spiritually dead. Rainsford left it the llvest wire of the | diocese, with an endowment of $400,000, and had raised s2,500.oOo for it's sup port. He went into the back rooms of saloons and brought his recruits to his classes Until they learned that the rector could fight as well as he could pray, there was a fight every Sunday. Rainsford always won. He charmed the poor girls away from the vile dance halls by opening a dancing floor in the parish house, and danced with them himself. An apostle of the poor, and almost socialist, in his personal views, he made St. Georges the largest parish in the country with member ship of more than 5000 It is an abid- ing witness to the power of his per sonality. It's social centers are the busiest on the East Side. The intel lectuals from university and slum gathered to hear him preach
 | Then-one day-he walked out From that day he has elected to be stern and silent and self-centered-a determined exile from his home. No one 'knows why. Behind that protective shell of silence, is there tragedy concealed?
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-06-14
Prefera Negro Walters

Why can't we have one good hotel in New York in which a diner who prefers negro walters can find them?P says a writer in the New York Sun.
 T prefer negro walters for the reason that they are good natured and they do not stand round to hurry one on with his dinner to make room for another tipper. White walters do this, and then on re- ceiving the tip they never thank the giver.
 When I eat in a place in which white walters are employed my digestion at once begins to go wrong, for I am think ing whether the waiter will toward the end of the dinner hurry me up by useless and annoying attentions and end the whole by accepting the tip with sneer- sheer which no one else in the world can use but one of those foreign walters. "
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-06-14
THE OLyMPIAN DIALoGs

From the Cleveland Plain-Dealer.
 Jupiter was leaning over the parapet looking across the plain and over the hills toward the blue Aegean.
 Here Argus" he called. what are those earthworms grubbing after down there along the coast?"
 Argus took a long and earnest look.
 "They are digging, master I can see the sunshine reflected on their shovels. They are digging among the tombs. An, see, one them has found something The others are crowding around"
 Jupiter shaded his straining eyes with his hand.
 What is the name of Pluto are they afterT'
 Ganymede pushed forward. q know, master. I met Zephyr yes- terday and she told me. They are dig ging for things "Thingsl What sort of things?'
 "Al sorts, master" "Nonsensel"
 'Yes, master. so it Is. But there is great. rejoicing among them when they find something" 'Ehl And what have they found?'
 "Why, they have found that the early Phoenicians used safety razors. and that the Celts had corkscrews, and that the Babylonians cooked in paper bags, and that the Parthians used chewing gum. and that the Thracians carried calling cards, and that the Chinese were the original grafters.'
 well, we'll" cried the master of Olym- pus, and what do they do with all this astonishing information?' | Ganymede smiled "They write articles about 1t for maga- zines which nobody reads, and they give lectures which nobody attends" Jupiter laughed loud and long. "These earthworms,' he chuckled, 'sare funnier than a crate of Barbary apes :" | And he stallSed back to his throne, the hills shaking beneath his heavy thread
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-06-14
REFLECTIONS OF A BACHELOR

From the New York Press.
 Being a bit doubtful before doing a thing can help to make one more sure after it is done.
 There's no use being so good that everybody else Is too bad to have any thing to do with.
 The morea man can pretend to cher ish the constitution. the more it's his own comfort that's all-important tc him.
 woman has such an imag agination that when she is fat she can worry about what if she should keep on los ing till she was too thin.
 When man has 10 minutes in which Ito dress, eat breakfast, and catch a train 1t a sign he is going to cut him self shaving. break shoestring, and not be able to find his hat
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-06-14
DRAGONS TONGUE SLIPPED

From the Gage (okla.) Record. A deacon in one of the local churches who is absent minded at times, went in the postoffice the other day and told the postmaster he wanted money or der.
 For how much?" the postmaster questioned.
 About a gallon the deacon an- swered. The postmaster grinned and wrote the order for $3.20.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-06-14
QUITE WILLING.
QUITE WILLING. Bill Lorimer, Bill Lorimer, We shall not say just why, But you're one U. S. senator Wed gladly tell good-byl
SOME EARLY RISING

T reckon,' said the first farmer, that l get up earlier than anybody in this neighborhood l am always up before 3 o'clock in the morning." The second farm CT said he was always up before that and had part of the chores done. The first farmer thought he was liar. and decided to find out. few mornings later he got up at o'clock and went to the neigh bor's house. He rapped on the back door and the woman of the house opened it. Where is your husband?" asked the farmer. expecting to find the neighbor in bed. He was around here early in the morning" answered the wife, but I don't know where he is now. w."-Gove County Advocate.