davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-03-26
CONNECTICUT SENTIMENT FOR
 UNDERWOOD

From the Mobile Register.
 MT. A. F. Howe writes, and the New York Herald gives place to the following, which bears upon it's face the mark of sincere intention to make a true report of existing conditions:
 More for sentimental reasons than otherwise are Connecticut democrats on record today for Governor Baldwin for President. The real choice of the Nut meg democracy's rank and file today is not Governor Baldwin. Nor is it Cover nor Harmon, nor Governor Wilson, nor MT. Clark. The strongest man with Con necticut democrats, in the opinion of i'm partial observers who go up and down the state, into the factories and counting rooms, and through the length and breadth of its bucolic acres, Is Represen- tative Oscar W. Underwood. And it is the consensus of interested and of disin- terested feelers of the popular pulse that nc other man would endanger President Tafts fine prospects of carrying Connec- ticut so seriously as would Mr. Under- wood. In every city and considerable town of the state and even out on the AHiiis itphpitdHo dlt lO tDo Iouuu Ol every hand who openly declare that they would vote for the Alabamian in prefer ence to either MT. Taft or Mir. Roosevelt. And Mir. Underwood's advocacy of an in- come tax, while perhaps not acting for, has not reacted against this unmistakable drift toward him."
 From many directions come reports of this quiet undercurrent ~-of opinion-the drift, so to speak, showing how the thought of the people is becoming crys- talized and soidified in approval of the man who is proving himself by his deeds.
 There is nothing artificial or meretri- cious in this so-called "boom." MT. Un- derwood has made but two speeches re- gently outside the halls of Congress, and in neither did he mention his claims to public favor. He has made no tour; no swing around the circle and what work is done for him is by his friends. He is not candidate in the ordinary meaning of the word. He is making no campaign. He is receptive in the best sense. If the people want him he will serve, and serve as he is serving now, to the best of his ability. He will not slight his present work, however, for possible advancement of his political fortunes
 The people are observant and they have good sense. They know real man when they see him or hear the truth about him, and Underwood is man whose con- duct makes friends for him everywhere even in the remotest parts of the coun- try. He is as the New York Life says of him. as quoted by the Register yester- day, "the one who has talked least and done most for good laws and good gov ernment.' It is a record of which he may be immensely satisfied. no matter whether he shall become president or not. but if is record that will go far to help make him President.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-03-26

and registers there as a voter becomes a full-1edged Yankee. If so. why raise any question about the place of man birth? We have united country. was born and reared in the south and never lived in any other section. But l ike Yankees We are all Americans, no mas- ter where we were born. I have seen good deal of peanut politics but the little ness of this talk about Underwood not being as much a southerner as somebody else is the limit"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-03-26
LATE "BACONIAN DISCOVERY
the Boston Traveller.

From the Boston Traveller.
 Professor Kittredge of Harvard, one of the most distinguished living Shape spearean scholars, is a bitter opponent of the Baconian theory and he lets slip no opportunity of "knocKing' the advo- cates of that theory.
 One day he told his Shakespeare class of new discovery by an "eminent" Baconian. Professor Kittredge explained at length how this worthy man had dis covered that by the acrostic method Bacon's name and the assertion that he wrote the play were present in the stage directions at the head of each scene of his edited edition of "Ocnello.''
 "rhis is, gentlemen said Professor Kittredge,. "a most valuable contribu- tion to the nShakespeare contro- versy It is truly a staggering blow to us old fashioned people who fonly be- lievd that Shakespeare wrote his own plays. There is only one flaw in ths theory, and that lies Tn the fact that the stage directions were inserted by an editor some 250 years after Bacon's death"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-03-26
MANS DEBT TO DIR. WALKER

from the Louisville Courler-Journal
 pr. Mary Walker, who was stricken with sudden illness on train in New York a few days ago, and is reported to be dying, had just come sgWash- ington, where she had been arguing to the House judiciary committee that the constitution gives women the franchise.
 "A small, studious. good natured old man with bushy gray hair, wearing a neatly brushed frock coat. silk hat, trous- CTS slightly baggy at the knee. and car rayng a gold-headed cane,' was the figure fellow passengers saw when pr. Walker entered a coach at Washington, took her seat and began to delve in a stack of newspapers. That the figure was that of small, good natured old woman was not known until Dr. Walker, recovering from a faint, corrected the woman who had addressed her as sir.
 Dr. Walker has been wearing mas culine attire for more than 5o years. Without any following she has sturdily walked to and fro In the world in trousers. Her clothes have ministered to her comfort and satisfied her taste, and nobody has been the worse for the wearing of them. Dr. Walker man aged to be dignified in trousers even when she was young woman Gray hair, gold trimmed spectacles and long familiarity with her peculiar garb nave combined in recent years to obscure the fact of her sex so completely that she usually passes for man where she Is not known.
 Dr. Walker is so famous as the wearer of trousers that she is less widely known for her achievements than for her peculiarities. But let no man scoff at her. She may be listed among the bene- factors of the sex whose attire she has chosen. Dr. Walkers collar button chafed her neck years ago. and she invented the inner neckband for the shirt. It has saved the necks of millions of men who have not known of the debt of gratitude they owe to a woman whose insistence upon comfort led her to adopt mans clothes and moved her to improve upon the shirt for the greater comfort of the wearer.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-03-26
SOUTHERN MAN AS PRESIDENT

From the Montgomery Advertiser.
 The best thing that could happen for this country would be the election 3f a southern man as President" said MT. w. H. o'Brien. a New York capitalist at the Exchange hotel Saturday. MT. O'Brien is
 interested in several important enter prises, some of which are in Alabama.
 "When Grover Cleveland was first elected President in 1884. I saw old time republicans cry in the streets in the little town in New York state where I lived. They feared a breakdown of the govern ff1ent and internal strife. I voted for Blaine, but I was not among the weep CTS. These same men lived to consider Cleveland great and patriotic man. Now it would>>aae a great thing for OUT common country if Southern man could be elected President of the United States, for that would teach thousands of the people in the north that southern men have neither horns nor hoofs, but are as intelligent and as patriotic as northern men. A southern man as President would be great blessing to the country.
 'The ability and patriotism of MT Un- derwood is beyond question. As repub- lican freely pay tribute to it. Of course, we republicans have to tbe shown that the country does not believe in high pro tective tariff before we will believe it. MT. Underwood is the logical candidate of those who believe in low protective tariff. But you have more protectionsts in the south than you think. For in stance, I am just from Louisiana and the democrats of that state are highly indig- nant over the free sugar bill, and they are trying to swing the Louisiana delega- tion for some rival of Mir. Underwood"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-03-26
STRENGTH OF UNDERWOOD

From the Montgomery Advertiser.
 In viewing the situation of the cam paign now being made In the interest of Hon. oscar Underwood for the demo- cratic nomination, his friends cannot fail to be gratified at the strength that campaign is developing. Of course, Ala bama is for him to a man. It Is now apparent that Mississippi will be as strong for Underwood as Alabama Nearly every newspaper of importance in Mississippi Is supporting him, as are the leading figures in public life
 of that state, men like cenator Varda-
 man, Governor Brewer. former Sena-
 tor H. D. MoneJ ana practically the entire congressional delegation.
 In Georgia the fight TOT Underwood
 is proceeding most auspiciouslv. A
 great Underwood mass meeting was
 held Friday night in Columbus and the
 crowd of Georgians who attended were
 most enthusiastic for the AIabamian
 Both the Columbus papers are sup
 porting Underwood and say there Is not the slightest doubt that he vii
 receive a great majority in the presi dential primary in that county. III campaign managers in that state al absolutely confident that he will hay every member of the Georgia delegatic for him.
 In Florida his campargn is now we under way. and there is every hos that it will be successful In Norf | Carolina an aggressive fight is bell Carolina an aggressive fight Is ben
 made in his interest inspired by stro hopes of victory.
 on tha first ballot in the democra national convention Oscar Underwood g certain to have large and encours | ing vote.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-03-26
A Vast aailroas System

"The vastness of the Pennsylvania ratl- road system and the number of people dependent upon 1t is indicateddn a report recented issued, showing thatson Decem- Der 31. 1911, it had 25,236.5 miles of track, the. greatest in the history of the com pany," said railroad man.
 Tt was also made public that the num- Der of stockholders of the Pennsylvania railroad on March 1 was 73, 567, showing an increase of TIA over last year. This num- Der does not include the stockholders of the various subsidiaries, nor does 1t em- brace bondholders of the Pennsylvania Railroad company and it's affiliated lines.
 The Pennsylvania railroad system has Il .503. 76 miles of lines of which 6529. .54 miles are east of Pittsburg. and the remainder 517422. west of Pittsburg. These lines run through B states and the District of Co., lumbia, in which live more than one half of the people of the United States.
 ''The system now has 11,503.76 miles of first track. 359s .o3 miles of second track, 79S. fl miles of third track and 61903 miles of fourth track. It has also s722.27 miles of sidings. The increase. in the trackage during 1911 was 619.9 .92 miles.
 '"rhe Pennsylvania railroad Is essensi- ally an institution of the state of Penn sylvania and fin 1t are located 4l34.0 of the Il ,5o3.76 miles of line. Ohio is second to Pennsylvania In mileage. having total of 19S2 .56 miles. In Indiana the sys- tenn has 1859 92 miles of line, while the re- mainder is divided as follows: Delaware 275. S4 mles;s District of Columbia, 1S.02 miles; Illinois, SAP .43 miles; Kentucky, 40 miles: Maryland, 6oi 90 miles; Micai- gan, 4S9 .as miles; Missouri, 3o.7s miles; New Jersey, 7so IT miles; New York, S22.57 miles, Virginia, T.H miles and West Vir- ginia, s9. or miles,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-03-26
IN HOTEL LOBBIES
MuSgroye for Governor

Now that L. B. Musgrove has sold the Corona Coal and Iron company properties he will have more leisure than ever and will doubtless take an active hand in poli- tics,' said an ex-office holder. MT. Mus grove was prominently mentioned for the democratic nomination for the governor ship some years ago. But he is in posi- tion now, however, to get actively into a gubernatorial campaign. He Is today one of the wealthiest men in Alabama and he Is one of the most sgenerous-in a quiet way. MT Musgrove Is widely known and would command strong support should he be prevailed upon to announce him. self a candidate"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-03-26
prrtEcT,oNs OF BACHELOR

From the New York Press.
 The only reason man wants his eggs boiled soft is the cook boils them hard
 When a mans business falls off it's sign his family will grow bigger than ever.
 A boy with an education doesn't do SO very much worse than his father did without one.
 It's shallow purse that can't hold all the money that's left after the first of the month bills are paid.
 After n woman has taken her daugh- ters breakfast up to her in bed she tries to get time to write to somebody what a help the dear thing is to her around the house,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-03-26
General Illiteracy Figures

The native white illiteracy in the United States is now but 3 per cent; it stood at 4.6 per cent iii 1900. The foreign white illiteracy is 12.8 per cent; it was 12.9 per cent in 1900. But the greatest change is in the colored illiterates, who numbered ten years ago 44.5 per cent. Now they are but 30.5 per cent.
 These figures all refer to the popu- lation of the United States ten years of age and over.
 We have, in other words, 1,535,53O native whites, ,650,51 foreign whites and 2,331 ,559 colored, "who cannot read and write. The total number of illiterates is 5,517 ,60S.
 This is a large number, but there is hope in the figures. Another strong pull of ten years will be apt to bring even better results. The colored peo- pie are learning to read and write and altogether the trend is upward.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-03-26
From the Philadelphia Ledger.

BTUnI tIl6 f,fllld1elpnld 14euSeT.
 "HE success of Horatie Parker's
 opera, "Mona," with the libretto
 by Brian Hooker, will give further encouragement to those who arc hopeful of the development of the cause of music drama presented by our own artists in the vernacular. Next Sunday evening In New York the directors of the Metropolitan Opera company will fttingly recognize the achievement. of Professor Parker and MT. Hooker in their successful effort to en- hanoe the prestige of opera in the vernac- ular by our own writers.
 There is no doubt that MT. Hooker, to begin with, has supplied libretto of poetic substance and intrinsic literary merit-something that provides the dra- matists personae not merely with words to utter, but with passion and sentiment to realize and to project across the foot lights A recent work of a successful composer of light opera, prolific in agree able melody, found itself hampered by an inane and vapid text to such an extent that it's favorable reception was leopard ized, and it's perennial vitaity-largely for this reason-is dubious. The libretto does make a difference It Is true that the book of some of the elder favorite operas is desidedly thin and silly-and 1t is defensive advantage such a libretto en- joys in being allowed to remain within the obscurity of an unfamiliar tongue. Though singers may distort the vowel sounds and maltreat the consonants for their own purposes of ''bel canto.' the native speech with an American audi ence is bound here and there to disclose whatever structural weakness or verbal inadequacy there may be in the text. MT. Hookers book is successful because It reads delightfully."- away from the orches-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-03-26
Potash and Iron Ore Discoveries

The government scientists say that in the bed of an ancient lake in San Bernardino county, California, enough potash has been found to supply the needs of the country without taking into account the deposits of Germany. As the news is to a certain extent official the hope is freely expressed that it will prove well founded, and that the importatons of this all need ful crop promoter will soon cease.
 It is also reported that a great Sind of iron ore has been discovered fin Blue Ridge county of Pennsylva mia lying on the Maryland line-in Fulton county in other words. It is claimed that billion tons of iron ore have been located.
 This story is easily told. The ore may exist in Fulton county, and the question then is, is it lean or fate ore? 1t may be so 'lean" that mining would not be profitable, and until this side of the subject is explained not much attention will be paid to the new dis roveries of hematitite ore in Penn sylvania.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-03-26
SHOW GIRLS DUMB AND IGNoRA

In the April American Magazine Ed Ferber, writing another Emma McCl s- ney story, introduces new charactfr. Blanche LeHaye, the burlesque aude Following is Blanche LeHayes festirnafe of the kind of people who make up fft ordinary theatrical troupe:
 "'Why girls, I couldn't hold dow a job in a candy factory. l aint got y intelligence I never had. You don't an. women with brains in a burlesque trcri If they had 'em they wouldn't be { Why we're the dumbest, most ien bunch there is. Most of us are just girls, dressed up. That's why you nnu the Womans Uplift union having such a blamed hard time savin' souls. The souls they try to save know just enough to be wise to the fact that they couldn't hold down five per week job. Don't you feel sorrw for me? I'm doing the only thing I'm good for"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-03-26
New YOrk's First Primary

Today a primary will be held in New York state, but it will not be in any real sense statewide primary. The democrats, to begin with, have refused to let the people name direct ty their delegates to Baltimore. They are to elect delegates to state con- ~entioneWhich will select 90 Baltimore Sdelekatcs. Whom they will support cannot be surmised until the state
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-03-26
HOW SLEEP THE BRAVE

By William CoIIIhs.
 How sleep the brave, who sink to rest By all their countrys wishes bfest, When Spring. with dewy fingers cold, Returns to deck their hallowed mold, She there shall dress a sweeter sod Than Fancy's feet have ever trod
 By fairy hand their knell Is wrung; By forms unseen their dirge is sung; There Honor comes. a pilgrim gray, To bless the turf that wraps their clay; And freedom shall awhile repair, To dwellla weeping hermit thersl
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-03-26
UNDERWOOD LITERATURE
From the Albany Herald

From the Albany Herald.
 We are sending out with this edition of the Herald four-page section devoted to Hon. oscar W. Underwood and his candidacy for the democratic nomination for the presidency.
 The matter in this section has all been prepared by the committee of friends having MT. Underwood's campaign in charge, and arrangement for its clrcula- tion with the Herald was made by Sen ator BanlShead, the chairman of the com mittee.
 We see that this same section is being distributed through a number of our weekly exchanges. The plan chosen by the managers of MT. Underwood's cam paign is the most direct and legitimate that could have been adopted for reach ing the people, and it will make thousands of votes for the gifted Alabamian, the true story of whose life is one of steady growth and achievement.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-03-26
AMERICAN OPERA

tral underpinning; it is poem of breath- ing vitality; 1t is well able to stand on it's own merits.
 In the theory of his orchestration MT. Parker appears to repudiate the easy fluency of the characteristic and tradi- tional Italian method. He frankly con- fesses that he does not think much of Verdis music. He evidently tries to do what Puccini did in the score of ''The Girl of the Golden West" Musicians greatly admire that score. The public pre- fers the extended melodies of Madame Butterfly and La Boheme' from the same hand. What Puccni has done in his latest work is to make the music follow the shifting mood of the dialogue not hesitating to make it as nervous as hectic as the occasion requires. He has almost done away with the conscious soloist who advances to the footights and sings a 'set piece" for which he has been reserving his breath and the audi ence it's applause. Precisely what de- lights the musicians, in the spontaneity and naivete of this method, disappoints the public, which has learned to look for its "Celeste Aida" or it's "Di Quella Pira" or it's An! fors lui.'
 And so Mir. Parker does not marshal his chorus in convergent lines, and trot out his hero or heroine or heavy villain betwixt them. He is too intellectual for that-a musical patrician, he rejects the banal and the obvious, and has recourse to none of the easy, meretricious devices that take with the groundlings. He has been rigidly true to his artistic conscience. It remains to be seen whether the public, beyond the generous acclaim of a first night audience, will consent to be edu- cated and edified by MT. Parker's high ideals. If so, there is the greater hope for the future of American opera.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-03-26
ADRIFT WITH THE TIMES
ACCORDING TO HIS WORTH.

ACCORDING TO HIS WORTH. To win or wealth or sounding fame He had no wish to try And so he sat upon the fence
 And watched the world go by. His ruminative mood was such
 No shock disturbed his boise; He shed no tear for others woes. Nor smiled to see their joys. 'Why should I strlye?" he asked him.
 self,
 "As other people do. When sorrow steals their youth away And fills their hearts with rue? "why should chase a phantom vain Through weary. weary years, Or sprinkle all the way of life
 With unproductive tears? "I read the hidden scroll of Fate
 And scorn her mocking glance; shall not woo her fickle smile,
 My fortunes to advance" And thus he unused till Father Times Keen scythe had cut him down; More useless to his fellow men
 Than een the poorest clown. For he who makes a smile appear Where sadness lurked before And doth eontrive to gid with cheer Hearts heavy-f -fraught with woe, Hath not in vain his arts applied, Though cast in humble guse; He shall be honored while he lives And wept for when he dies.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-03-26
FAINT SOUNDS.

FAINT SOUNDS. You say his hearing IS very acuter' Yes, indeed. He has already heard several names mentioned for tue vice, 
 CAUSE ENOUGH. His eyes are crossed, But do not blame; He tried to read ez A Russian name
 Birmingham Herald. His head was turned Because. by chance, He went to see
 A Russian dance
 Milwaukee Sentinel.