davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-02-18
som. Mohiie Hlst6ry

"A carpetbaggers' legislature stated H. Y. Brooke yesterday, granted fran cbise to the Bienvllle Water company. permitting that company to make use of all the water within radius of 10 miles of Mobile. Every man who dipped pail of water from the bay was forced to pay the company tribute.
 About 1880 the company asserted its rights under its franchise and there was consternation in Mobile. It appeared foi a while that Mobile was destined to labor for the remainder of its days under a handicap which might prove too severe foi it's continued prosperity,
 And finally 1t developed-though about 10 years later-that a certain MT. Stein had obtained a right to the use of cer- tain waters, and one provision of this right was that it could be sold to the city of Mobile in case Mobile desired to buy.
 Mobile saw its way out of the diff. fioulty and bought. A legal battle fol. lowed in which tho Bienville company was badly beaten. That is how Mobile adopt ed municipal ownership of the water. works The plan has worked we'll and saved the people, it Is thought, large sums of money"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-02-18
Bills of Lading Before the Senate

The supreme. court of the United States did, in 1888, say that an inter state railroad dmight certify 1t had re- ceived certain goods and yet if it had not received the goods in question the railroad could repudiate the bill of lading that one of it's own station agents had issued. This decision Is at the bottom of alb the troubles that have since arisen over.bills of lading in this country and in Europe.
 The Senate interstate commerce commission is considering the entire matter and many persons are appear ing before that committee. Banker rSol Wexler of New Orleans stated to the committee that the custom of issuing bills of lading without receiv- ing the goods is widespread and gen. eral. It is still maintained. The re- suit is that American bills are dis credited, and the cotton trade in par ticular feels the effects of the decis- ion of 1888
 The Senate commerce committee should either forbid, under heavy pen alties, the issuance of bills of lading before the goods covered by them are
 9r' e they should make efs rafosa responsible for every Hl t suz The latter proposition
 esrfeat one.
 The deeialo of the supreme court iH l8s has disredited American bills Ind n fad n scality, and the time esH ta have come to wipe out that 1ae'sioe n ? comprehensive and just statute.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-02-18

''You promised me that one day I could buy
 A steak without mortgage on thc
 farm,
 You said, with Dr. wileys help, you'd
 try,
 ITO shield the family stomach from all harm,
 And yet when ]. take out my pocket book each day,
 And see how all my old mans coin has slipped away,
 I shed another tear drop as I say:
 You promised me; you promised me-"
  The Court of Honor" met in open ses- sion before the guests "to settle all ques- tions requiring arbitration, sanitation and illumination" and was ready to report Here were some of the questions and the courts answers:
 Have you looked into this dispute over UVversal Arbitration?"
 ''we have.n Everybody favors it, I suppose?" Everybody but the United states sen- ate."
 What is your decision in the dispute between Judson Harmon and Mir Bryan?' MT. Bryan will allow MT. Harmon to remain in the race on one condition"
 What is that?,
 'The condition that Mr. Harmon refuses to withdraw"
 Have you settled the row between os. car Underwood and MT. Bryan?"
 We decided Bryan was infringing or copyright. He had no business to try to organize an Ananias club"
 The court also decided that the onl, difference between I.aF ollette and Cum. mins was in the fact that "There is only one center of the stage'' The august tribunal came to grief when asked what 1t had to say about the rumored struggle between Taft and Roosevelt. Each menl- Der threw up his hands and walked oui without saying anything, and when the press agent" (an essential feature of the court was appealed to he exclaimed, in great surprise: Me? I've got nothing tc say. I started it." It remained for the Democratic Presi- dential Steeplechase' skit to bring out the candidates in full force. A boolxmaker appeared with his blackboard, sheetwriter and other apparatus, and announced the entries as follows:
 "Here is Woodrow ", sired by Jim Smith and damned by Henry Watterson breezed out well on his last trial, going fast under a hard pull. Next is Judson H., an old campaigner begot by Grover C., famous stake horse and damned by W. J. Bryan. 1s
 'Here is Tom Marshall and J. w. Kern entered by the Tom Taggart stable from the banks of the Wabash, and coupled in the betting.
 Next is Champ and Governor Folk entered by the "show me- stables. The Governor has just been kicked in the paddock by Champ, coupled in the bet ting with him, and layers can let theii money stand or take it down. w. J
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-02-18
IN HOTEL HOBBIES
sentiment In the East


 .I found A feeling of considerable op- timism in New York," said President w. W. Crawford of the American Trust and Savings bank, who returned recently from a trip east. "Yes, the business men Of New York were in a much more cheerful frame of mind than was the case some months ago.
 "Osear Underwood has certainly loomed up big for the presidency. It looks to me as if he would be nominated and elected. I stopped in Washington and found that Underwood was emphatlcally the great man in Congress. He is the observed or all observers.
 Tn New York met business men wno expressed surprise that Underwood had developed into such g. potential factor in national politics. They had not heard much of him until few months ago, but pointed out the fact that Underwood had been a member of the most impor- tant committees in Congress for nearly 20 years; that he had been a student or political history and public questions all that time, and that when he reached the congressional leadership he was thorough ly equipped for his high position.
 ''There Is not a man in the United States today who measures up to Under wood in his knowledge of the tariff, while his knowledge of government in general places him on a. par with the greatest statesmen who have lived since the war. Underwood's conservative views appeal to business men, and his grit makes fine impression on everybody. Underwood would make an ideal man at the head of the democratic ticket and an ideal Pres ident"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-02-18
LIKES IT.
OLD AGE

By Henry wadsworth Longfellow. It is too late. Oh. nothing is too late Till the tired heart shall cease to palpi.
 tate, Cato learned Greek at eighty: Sophocles Wrote his grand ''Odelpus," and simon
 ides.
 Bore off the prize of verse from his com When each had numbered four score
 years;
 And Theophrates at four score years and Had but begun his Characters Of Men" Chaucer, at Woodstock, with the nightin-
 gales, At sixty wrote "The Canterbury Tales" Goethe. at Thelmar, toiling to the last. Completed "Faust> when eighty years were past. When then. Shall we sit idly down and say. The night hath come; it is no longer day? The night hath not yet come: we are not quite Cut off from labor by the falling light: Something remains for us to do. or dare; Even the oldest trees some fruit may bear: For age is opportunity no less Than youth itself. though in another dress: And as the evening twilight fades away. The sky is filled with stars. invisible by
 day.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-02-18
s@4a.
Decreased Sale of Fertilizer Tags

The sale of fertilizer tags to date is about one-third less than it was at the corresponding date of last year. This is pretty good evidence that more corn will be planted in this state and less cotton. Corn does, it is true, need fertilizers, but it does not call for fertilizers as strongly as cotton does.
 Let no one in the face of the de- creased sales of fertilizer tags by the state department of agriculture anti cipate another great crop of cotton. A reduction of B per cent in the sale of fertilizer tags is almost revolu- tion, and it means diversified produc- ton and & liberal corn crop.
 The lower half of the state is face to face with the boil weevil, and farm CTS are no doubt beginning to get ready against the coming of the de- structive insects. No better proof of this is needed than the heavy cut in the sale of fertilizer tags. Let us hope this cut will hold good through cut another month.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-02-18
WITH THE LEADERS

From me montgomery Advertiser,
 For a paper like Golfers Weekly, which is so fiercely progressive that it is almost intolerant, to speak approving ly of oscar Underwood's straightfor- ward opposition to certain progressive dreams, and to class him as among the first three, possibly the first two possi- bilities of his party" is unexpected evil dence of MT. Underwoods strength as candidate for the democratic nomination.
 Notwithstanding the fact that MT. Un- derwood Is not nearly 50 progressive as Golfers, and notwithstanding the fact that he has slashed at some of the sacred political theories of Golfers. 1t evidences a secret admiration for the Alabamian. On MT. Underwood's views, Mark Sulli- van. the political expert of Golfers, says:
 "The democratic leader of the House, Oscar w. Underwood. is certainly among the first three. possibly the first two, pres idential possibilities of his party. MT. Un- derwood does not believe in some of the things which are among the first princi- pies of those who call themselves pro- gressive democrats. That MT. Under woods ideas about these principles have been made a matter of unequivocal record is an important fact
 MT. Underwood's staunchness of convic- tion, which moves him to speak out against supposedly popular theories. be- cause he thinks they are wrong is one characteristic which has commended him to the liking and to the sound Judgment of the American people. Golfers itseff says; MT. Underwood has intellectual convictions which are honest and intelli- gent, and much more discriminating than the ideas of some who shout leudest for these innovations"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-02-18
MED BRACE WRITES ABOUT THE GREAT l MEDWINTER GRIDIRON DINNER IN WASHINGTON

stone and J. Reed. both likely boys, will
 ride them.
 1 Here IS William Jennings, who will be
 ridden by w. J. Bryan, the only rider
 who has ever been able to stick on his
 back.
 Next comes Oscar w, a little con servative over the jumps, but fast colt;
 J. Bankhead up.
 Last, but not least, is Eugene N, en- tered inadvertently by Henry Cabot | Lodge"
 ihe funniest kind of betting followed and the horses got away, but unfortun- | ately the Grdiron club failed to enlighten it's guests as to the identity of the win l ner, for just as the ponies were punched in the homestretch in an exciting finish the police raided the hall and s.plnched'' the bookmaker
 Among the guests of the club were President Taft. Ambassador Bryce. Am- bassador Bernstorff, Ambassador Bakh- | K, Joseph G. Cannon. Charles D. Hilles. sec retary to the President; Postmaster Gen eral Hitchcock, Gov. John A. Mead of Vermont, Norman F. Mack, chairman democratic national committee; Secretary Charles Nagel, many senators and rep representatives in Congress. including Con- gressman Underwood and Col George W. Goethals, isthmian canal commission; Frank B. Moves, Washington Starr Rear
 Admiral Robert E. Peary, Mayor James
 H. Preston of Baltimore, Melville E. Stone, New York; George ". Stevens,
 president of the Chesapeake and Ohio
 railway; pr, Paul Ritter Swiss minis
 ter: Associate Justice Willis yanDeven- ter. Assistant Secretary of the Navy Win ] throp, Felix Agnus, Baltimore American;
 Maj. Archibald w. Butt, Charles H.
 boynton of New York, Perry Belmont, H. P. Burchett, New York Times; Fred B. Bullene, Kansas City Star; Walter J. Christy, Pittsburg Gazette Times; Cyrus | n. Cuftis, fHllddelpnld, E. Dana DurdndS director of the census; Rudolph Forster, assistant secretary to the President; Hugh Ronald French. London, England; S. R. Guggenheim, New York; Frank P. Glass. Birmingham News; Baron E. von Han cie. first secretary German embassy; Richard Hooker, Springfield, Mass, Re- publican Carl V. Rowland, New York; B. B. Johnson, American league; Will l liam B. Kines, Baltimore American; Ed ward G. Lowrey. New York Evening Post Col. Henry P. Mccain, acting ad- | jutant general; Charles l.. Magee secre- tary American Red Cross; Franklin Mur- | phy. Newark, N. J.. Harrison Nesbit, Pittsburg, Pa; Henry A. Palmer, h. dianapolis News; Monsignor William T. | Russell, Washington, D. O.; Charles A. Rock. Pittsburg Dispatch; A. P. Sawyer, | Seattle Post Intelligencer; William F. Stone, Baltimore John A. Sleicer, New
 York; w. H. Eff, Pittsburg; Frank H. l Simonds, New York Sun, and John l.. Wilson, Seattle Post Intelligencer. |
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-02-18
CuIlman's Prosperity

"Cullmans sweet potatoes are very nrofitable." said D. c. Behrens. T am salesman for the manager of the Farmers association and spent few days In Gull man recently. I estimate that there are about 15,OOO bushels of sweet potatoes to be shipped from Cullman this season Farmers who were not prepared 10 keep their potatoes during cold weather soio their crops in July and August. Man. ager Jager paid in the month of August to the farmers over $12ooo. and the prices will. no doubt, be higher from now until
 March a1. Schoen ist es doch sagt ein Farmer.
 "Cullman will have four viaduots over the railroad, as the Louisville and Nash vile double track will sink about lb feet in the city. That beats Birmingham It will not be long until Cullman has cleo trc cars"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-02-18
! &an of China

\ II
 Ir. ' ,rigns the provisional .nyesidi China to make way for the htnt of Yuan Shi Kai. Dr. Su htriot. He yields place to pf ke consolidation and happi- nesss U1Ehis country. He can well afrhord to wait while Yuan turns Thi- -fbet and Turkestan and Mongolia and Manchuria back to the fold, bringing the imperialists and even the lesser Nanchus back with them.
 It is very plain that all intelligent Chinese are getting behind the re- public, and that it will soon be as permanent as the Manchu dynasty was, and it lasted nearly 300 years. China is not country that loves a revolution. The Chinese are a patient people who will stand great many wrongs rather than take up arms.
 The resignation of Dr. Sun and the elevation to the presidency by the as- sembly of the republic of Yuan is evil dence that all are pulling together to restore peace and order and to con-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-02-18

duct'the country to new developments.
 A great China is fast becoming pos sible, and all seem to agree that Yuan is the best man that could be placed at the head of the republic. "He is," says Dr. Sun, "a man of constructive ability" and China needs leader of that sort
 All parties in China are now united and no minor question concerning the location of the capital or the like will be permitted to stay the settlement and firm establishment of thes new republic.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-02-18
PRESTIGE OF UNDERWOOD RISES

AsASS tUhb OR ONOhhtNOOD HISES New York Special to the Cincinnati En-
 quirer.
 Congressman Underwood, leader of the majority in the lower House of Congress, Is to be the guest of honor at the annual banquet at Philadelphia of the Penn sylvania branch of the Society of the Cincinnati on Washington's birthday. The selection of MT. Underwood seems to in- volye departure from the policy fol- lowed by the Society of the Cincinnati at It's banquets. Politics or kindred sub jects--at least, the politics of the day have not been thought suitable subjects for addresses to members of the Cincin- natl society.
 MT. Underwood, however, was invited not because Of his political prominence, but because 1t was known that he had made & thorough study of Washing ton and of the times in which Washington compassed his achievements. MT. Under woods address has already been written, and 1t is known that, while there may be certain yelled allusions to the spirit of demagogy and to the disposition to attack the motives of men who are In public life as these things prevail at the present time, yet 1t will be said that they also pre- vailed fin greater intensity in the time of Washington.
 Whatever may have been the purpose of the Society of the Cincinnati in inviting MT. Underwood to become the chief guest at the Washngton's birthday din- der. yet the prominence of the Pennsyl- yania branch and the very high charac- ter of its membership will. it is thought here surely add something to the prestige which Mir Underwood has already gained as majority leader in the lower House of Congress- This banquet and his speech will tend more closely to fix the atten- ton of the public upon him.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-02-18
REFLECTIONS OF BACHELOR

From the New York Press.
 Along with the money man inherits he usually inherits a passion to gC through it.
 A man can think he knows Shakespeare If he hasn't notion that Lear poisoned Juliet.
 A man who wants praise Is specially crazy for 1t when he hasn't done any thing to deserve it.
 A woman sews on some new buttons and then writes to her old town that sht has just got new dress.
 A girl can remember the time mar wanted to propose to her, even if they didn't know each other then. f~
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-02-18
Newton Dwight HilIis

Jacob sRiss was to have been the att traction in the -lyceum course on March Il, but for reasons beyond his control he had to cancel his engagement. In his stead Newton Dwight Hilis, the famous clergyman who succeeded Lyman Abbott as pastor of the Plymouth church, Brook lyn. will appear in the course next Thursday night pr. Hillis' theme will be America of Today and America of Tomorrow.
 There are very few men in this country who are so fresh or original or stimulat- ing as Hills. AS a. rhetorician he some times calls to mind the old school Of sii- yer tongue speakers, but every sentence he utters iss clean cut and contains an Illuminating thought.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-02-18
About Persons

w. B. Reynolds of Montevallo was in town yesterday preparing to leave fer an extended trip to California and Japan. He will be accompanied by Mrs. Reynolds and Miss Alice Fellows. They will be in Japan during the cherry blossom season. which is said to be one of the most beautiful sights In the world. MT. Reynolds has promised to write letter for The Age Herald, giving his impressions of this growing and wonderful people. They will return about June 1.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-02-18
The sunday Concert Question

q read with interest in Saturdays Age Herald Andy Marks letter on the ques- ton of Sunday concerts in Birmingham said M. E. Linnehan. ex-president of the Musicians union local.
 "Mr. Marx, as a representative of the large wage working class, expressed the regret that the Pastors union had seen fit to condemn Sunday concerts. Like MT. Marx, I am inclined to think that those who have been expressing themselves against Sunday afternoon muscaies have failed to become informed as to the city ordinance permitting such entertainments. The morals of the community are thor oughly safeguarded in the ordinance, for music only Is permitted
 .'In every large progressive city sun day concerts are in vogue. They nave proved to be moral agencies. and as such are generally approved by broad minded clergymen. Persons who have scrupies about attending Sunday afternoon en- tertainment, even though high class mu- sic is the attraction. exercise ther priV- ilege of staying away, but when many of our worthy citizens desire to attend a Sunday afternoon concent no class or orpa nization should condemn them.
 "Atlanta has a symphony orchestra which gives a series of Sunday concerts during the season. The time is not Tar distant when Birmingham will be aole to have & similar orchestra, but as the majority of the musicians would be avaii- able only on Sunday the concerts would have to be held on Sunday afternoons ,ust as they are in Atlanta and other cities.
 ITO shut off Sunday musicales in Bir- mingham would be a step towards putting this growing city in the country town class '
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-02-18

WEATHER. Sing a song of weather, Of the ice and snow; Four and twenty coal men Raking in the dough. Whey they shake their pockets Hear the money chink! Winter makes them sorry, I-don't-think.
 Milwaukee Sentinel. Sing song of winter, Blizzards all about: Wind so cold a fellow Scarcely ventures out. Every time he sneezes, Mutters with tear: How wish the good old Summer time were here!"
 Birmingham Age-Herald. Sing song of winter, Plumbers all about; Water pipes are frozen, Furnace fire is out Wifey's sadly weeping Oh, what joy and bliss. Listen while she tells you
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-02-18

"A New Yorker has been ordered by the court to report to his wife every night at o'clock. As he comes in and is seated she recites to him. "Curfew Shall Not Ring Tonight
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-02-18
THE GENTLEMAN FROM ALABAMA

From the Charlotte tN. C..) Observer.
 Underwood looks. particularly good to us. He has ability, courage and charac- ter. He does not lose his head He is not taken off his feet by the frauds and fads of the day. He is a democrat; not dem- agogCe
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-02-18

Governor Hunt asks the Arizona legis- lature to put the recall of judges provision back in the state constitution. He pro-
 poses to make Arizona a self-governing qtate
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-02-18
LOST OPPORTUNITY

From the Washington Star Father" said the inquistive boy. what is Eenius?"
 "A genius. my son, is a man who gets whole lot of advertising without be- ing able to do any profitable business with it."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-02-18

Mrs Asauith has danced a pas. ,eeul in Turkish trousers at a fancy dress ball in Switzerland, and fhe '4O0'' are hungry for it. It is to be imported at once, and tho turkey'trothnd' bunny hug will per haps -falb into disuse.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-02-18

The naval programme of France calls for an expenditure of s27s, ,soo0oO in the
 | long run. all to guarantee security in ' the Mediterranean.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-02-18

Ohio's new constitution is to contain a woman suffrage provision. One by one the states are dropping into line with the Pacific coast.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-02-18

The reactionaries and standpatters are doing better in this country and in Rus sia than elsewhere in the world. They have abdcated in China.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-02-18

Madison Square Garden has been saved from demolition. but Diana is said to be keeping her weather eye open for new perch.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-02-18

Malefactors of great wealth see thai they must subway through the campaign for no candidate wants to be caught in their company.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-02-18

The patriotism of Dr. Sun .jn giving place to Yuan is above the comprehen- American politicians think he belongs ir the bug house.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-02-18
From Birmingham to Jackson, Miss


 Reports continue to multiply to the effect.1 fAhe Illinois Central is pre- Sainl a direct line from this citv [, 3cr Miss, where connec- tion wou 1l(e with the main line of that I'd III Orleans. A line to Mobile wd fured' It IS said' through the Fl pr lease or the Cochrane railroj M
 These plans mai SdlSS sEaiize' put if they should they 6If <Ns the lili- nois Central a grs2k esSe s0h The southeast, possessing sS ooes ehe Central of Georgia rail he
 Q oi ect line to, Jackson
 geals reader Birmingham one
 taebpoints in the Illin}'is Gen. a ss en,
 prar sL,preparations relate
 less ig, the opening, ol 'ne paaaaHa eaa < T n,event that lln0rth is, ,ds ,r. ao..;.lg ready for. A. d;rect ,o.a y 1., ,kson, in- 7asing t1ir.+o Moh h'ile, would clea ,o;s Cen+r., in position k.,s.,-, have ,f .ho traffic that f lggoW an of the ortenihg oi the 1rsl. For his seasoln the rumors siaaag e , line X sackson' Miss nrs ersdihie and FD'e, ana DIT ::;,;;:. ;::, :: '''..'''':'''' :;'';"'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-02-18

The ear huff is still worn north of the
 Potomac and the Ohio.