davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1914-04-12

TT is necessary for one to know the origin
and development of the Panama Canal
tolls difficulty, if he would form just con-
clusion as to the repeal of that part of the
Panama Canal act intended to permit YES
sells engaged in the coastwise trade of the
United States to avoid payment of tolls.
The origin Of this difficulty goes back to
the earliest time when it was realized that
canal was desirable Then such questions
as the following arose: Can canal be
builto Ii So who shall construct it, and
what rights shall the power constructing
such canal have over it,
The discovery OF geld in 1913, compelling
as it did the people of the United States to
cross the country by almost impossible
routes or go round Cape Horn, intensified
interest in this question. Great Britain,
because OF land possessions in Central Amer
ica, was unwilling to have the United States
own and have exclusive control over such
q canal. This unwillingness led to the Clay
ton-Bulwcr treaty, by which both Great
Britain and the United States bound them
selves not to occupy, colonize, or exercise
dominion" over any part of Central Amer
lea The attempt by French company to
construct canal across Panama in 1881
again aroused the people of the United
States to the importance of a canal owned
and built by themselves. But the climax
OF interest concerning this question was
reached when the battleship Oregon, dur
ing the Spanish American War, was COM
PEELED to travel fourteen thousand miles
from San Francisco round Cape Horn to
join the Atlantic fleet.
The preliminary steps to begin work on
canal were finally completed by the United
States when it bought out the French
Panama Canal Company and secured the
abrogation Of the Clayton-Bulwer treaty,
thereby being enabled to construct and own
q canal. However, in order to be released
from this treaty, the United States was
obliged to enter into another treaty, the
Hay -Paunccfote, by which it was agreed
between Great Britain and the United
States that "the canal shall be free and open
10 the vessels OF commerce and of war of all
nations observing these rules on terms OF
entire equality, SO that there shall be no
discrimination against any such nation, or
its citizens or subjects, in respect of the
conditions or charges of traffic, or other
wise
In 1908 Great Britain and the United
States entered into another by which it
was provided that differences which may
arise Of legal nature or relating to the inter-
probation OF treaties existing between the
Two contracting parties which it may not
have been possible to settle by diplomacy
shall be referred to the permanent Court
If Arbitration established at The Hague by
the Convention OF 1899" By the same
treaty it was further provided that no ques-
ton involving the vital interests of either
party should be subject to arbitration.
These treaties having been made, the
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-28
Tuscaloosa stilI Rooms

According to George D. Johnston, a we'll known citizen of Tuscaloosa, who visited Birmingham yesterday, the Druid City Is still growing and still booming. Tus- caloosa. he added, has felt the effect of the depression of the cotton market. but is not suffering to any material ex tent.
 Tuscaloosa during the last several years,' he said, "has grown faster than any other city in Alabama. In every direction new residential sections have been opened up, and everywhere homes have been builded. Our business men have been in a fine frame of mind, and imbued with the idea of Tuscaloosa s perpetual growth, have prepared to con- t.nue operations on increasing scales.
 At the present time when all over the earth money is tight Tuscaloosa is holding it's own. We are suffering very nttIe 1T any at all as a result of the European war. As matter of fact. the Tear which exists throughout the coun- try may be as President Wilson would describe 1t, merely psychological "
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-28
Both Sides Fight Desperately

The most desperate fighting in all the annals of war has been in prog ress between the allies in northern France and the Germans for two weeks or more. The great battle is still raging and as Germans, French and English alike display phenomenal endurance and tenacity, it may be several days yet before there is a cessation of the rain of bullets. As to the number of slain, there can be only conjecture now, but the loss of life which will be reported later can but be appalling. The German casualty list officially stated in Ber- lin yesterday included 15,674 dead, 65,908 wounded and 23,007 missing, but that report does not take into ac- count the men killed during the last two or three days.
 German Zeppelins and aeroplanes tIS dSdiil III cNiutuCc. DtNeIdl JULIUS were dropped in Paris and one of them exploded near the United States em- bassy, killing a man and wounding a child.
 The Kaiser is reported suffering from inflammation of the lungs, but nothing short of fatal illness could cause him to relax his energy or his intrepid leadership in the mighty struggle.
 When will the end of the war be in sight? Few observers or military critics will not venture even so much as guess. Certain it is that the terrific fighting of the last two weeks gives no answer.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-28
The Nesbitt Appointmept

Much has been written about the appointment by Chairman Graves, a leader in the recent fight of B. B. Conner for the gub ernatorial nomina- tion, of W. D. Nesbitt of Birmingham, another Conner lieutenant, to manage the campaign of Charles Henderson.
 The Mobile Register. reproducing in part an Age editorial, contrib tues a humorous remark. It says:
 The chairman had the right to name any man he desired to lead the fight against the republicans. He named W. D. Nesbitt of Bir- mingham, an excellent man. Mir. Nesbitt is imbued with such lasting virtues that unless the unfore- seen occurs, he will lead the dem- oeratic hosts to glorious victory. While the writer is not entitled to take rank as prognosticator of future political events, The Age Herald ventures to predict that as result of his energy and ingenui- ty, MT Nesbitt will outwit and out vote the repubicans.-Birming Age-Herald. In view of acknowl- edged preponderance of the demo- cratic vote. this closing sentence has the tinge of satire; but doubt less was not so intended.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-28

was much in vogue in Bible times Shakespeare use the word kiss some thing like 350 times. In his Antony and Cleopatra we find the amorous triumvir saying, q have kissed away kingdoms and provinces"
 Robert Burns in one of his most beautiful poems calls the kiss "Humid seal of soft affection" )The bibliography of kiss ing is sery extensive. The books would fifl many shelves of a public library W. F. Harvey recently translated from the Latin an impor- tanf work entitled, "The Kiss and Its History" Henry T. Finck of New Yo'k, the distinguished music critic and man of letters, wrote a charming book not many years ago entitled, Romantic Love and Personal Beauty and in that work an entire chapter is devoted to kissing. Osculation may be abandoned among old people and among certain devotees of modern science, but among lovers kissing will go on just the same-colds or no colds.
 By the way, as this is demonstra- ton age, it might be worth while for Dr. Cunningham to arrange for demonstration kisses of the cotton batting sort at the city hall during the fair. It might in some degree minimize colds and would at least be
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-28
Editors at Peace

Just at this moment in the worlds history, when across the ocean, Teuton and Gauls, in frenzy never yet paral- leled, are flying at the throat of each other, it is nothing if not inspiring to note the sweet spirit of brotherly love existing between the editors of Ameri- can newspapers.
 For instance, the other day, Col. Henry Watterson, imbued with a de- sire to define a prohibitionist more specifically than Websters unabridged dictionary defines him, wrote the fol- lowing gentle and altogether inoffen- sive paragraph, a paragraph which could fill the man or men at whom it is directed with nothing save a spirit of ineffable gratitude; "The prohibitionist may be either well-meaning fool or a scoundrel in league with bootlegging and blindtigerism, who prefers to get his liquor on the sly. But where he has the best intentions, he is a fanatic who would, on what he considered sufficient provocation, not hesitate to burn his neighbours house or do any despicable act in Gods name"
 Not to be outdone in chivalrous de- pertinent, the editor of the Montgom- cry Journal, on reading the effusion of the colonel, instantly prepared to return the compliment. It is evident from the personal vein in which the following is written, that he con- strued the Wattersonian thrust as something more than an impersonal one:
 "The colonel must have heard
 something drop in one of the few
 remaining wet southern states in
 the election Tuesday; and 1t must
 have been upon the occasion of his
 return from his club, where he looked not alone upon the wine when 1t was red, but where he had been studying the pictures of kings and queens admiring their beauty and their rare intrinsic worth, on occasions, but where some clever manipulator of the pieces of paste- board had played the deuce with him.
 Despite the foregoing, The Age Herald inclines to the belief that the two editors, differing though they do on minor subjects, could spend an evening pleasantly together without a thought of yesterday or fear of to- morrow marring the spirit of their jovial tranquility.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-28
PRINCES AT THE FRONT

From the Indianapolis Star.
 Lord Kitchener takes the sensible course. even if it is not the one pop ularly supposed to be the proper one, when he rules that the Prince of Wales is not to be sent to the front. The prince is reported to be anxious to take part in the fighting. but Earl Kitchener holds that his military training has not been complete and that for the present it is undesirable that his royal highness should proceed on active service." That armies of Europe are trial to the men who are really responsible for the troops, and would be of more service at home.
 The Prince of Wales. of course, would not be assigned, as would any other 2o- year-old. to a position where he would be of real value. He would be placed in charge, figuratively at least, of some part of the fighting force. His efforts in such a position. however enthusiastic he might be. would be largely farce.
 The princes who are at the front with the possobile exception of the German Crown Prince. are undoubtedly more of detriment than aid to the real fighters. It it popularly supposed to be the thing for them to go to the front. They, of course, should set an example and take even greater risks than commoners, provided they can be of benefit to their nations
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-28

According to an official statement from the mayor of Vienna, deplorable condi- tons exist among the city's working classes He says that the city is SUD- porting the families of s2.OO0 reservists at cost of s5O,OOO a day, while efforts are being made at the same time to care for 100000 unemployed and 100000 fugitives from Galacia and the crown land of Bu- kowina. Vienna has already spent H.- 00oOO0 to aid fugtives from the war zone. About 40O00 men have been given employ ment on the public works, but there are 6oooO remaining to be provided for who are virtually helpless. The mayor states that responses to appeals for donations to relief funds have been very made quate. Many aristocratic land owners who are immensely wealthy, have made only small donations to the Red Cross fund. The middle and lover classes have shown themselves much more generous in making contributions The rich indus trial classes have also subscribed liber- ally An official report of the Austria n Red Cross shows that only sS40Oo0 has been contributed to it's fund since the war began.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-28
MIsJUDGED
From the New York Tribune.

From the New York Tribune.
 Gen. Vincent R. Thompson was talkins in Milwaukee about the war.
 The Germans, in the first place. he said. misunderstood the temper of the Belgians. They misunderstood. iu ths second place. the temper of the Russians. of the English and of the French. Actu- ally, from all those nations they expected a feeble resistance or none at all.
 'The Germans, in a word, misjudged the allies as Cornelius Husk misjudged the metropolitan restaurant.
 s"Cornelius Husk, on his first visit to New York, entered a restaurant with timid. faltering steps. waiter brought him a menu. Very red in the face he studied it for a long time. Finally, to help him out. the waiter said:
 Table d'hote, sir?'
 ".what thought tabble dote be-? old Corn Husk asked, feebly.
 Course dinner sir
 Don't want her, then,' said Corn Husk. 'Ye see, young feller. I'm from the kentry. I am. and I git enough coarse grub at hum.'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-28
TWO GENUINE WATCHDOGS
By BILL, VINES

they defended, and enjoyed the distinctioi< they had won.
 But there is pretty kettle of fish. Here are the qualified guardians of the treasury who threw nine fits minute be- cause the greedy Senate wanted to make an appropriation for river and harhor work for the improvement of the coin merce of the country. because of the
 straitened circumstances the people money chest was in. they declared every dollar should be watched and tagged
 Here the two champions of economy bet fore the applause greeting their successl ful efforts of a fiibuster against the rivers and harbors bill had died away, came forward with scheme for pension ing, not the needy soldiers of the union. but commissioned officers in easy cir cumstances. because of the greater re- responsibilities as officers, and thereby in- creasing the expenditures of the govern ment by s6.0oo.00o to s10oo9.o0O per an- num-
 Indeed the mighty have fallen. Depart ing from common custom, Senators Bur ton and Kenyon made a glittering sue cess as guardians" but it is painfully evident that the occupation did not suit them. If they are still guardians, ap-' parently they are not working steadily at the job -
 Grieved and pained beyond expression and calmly announcing that the proposed rivers and harbors raid on the people money could not be accomplished except over their cold and nanimate forms-as they would cheerfully perish to prevent 1t, perishing to prevent raid being their specialty-they forced a compromise on the measure. Turning right about face and with even being polite enough to delicately apologize for the same they both bob mp sereney and champion a scheme which discriminates against the old Union soldier who fought in the trenches in favor of an officer who held a commission. and who in most cases now Is in easy circumstances, and in all ses Is already drawing a pension. And thus disappears from the scenery the latest champions and defenders of the treasury.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-28
LUKE M'LUKE SAYS

From the Cincinnati Enquirer.
 The peace plan is certainly making great strides in this country. There was a time when a man could get the shape another man liar, but we don't seem to pay much attention to the term any more
 If some fellows worried as much over doing their work right as they do over the war. they would own their own fac tories.
 Every married woman is natural born hostess. If she cant entertain company she will entertain suspicious
 The married woman who flies around too much will never be regarded as an angel by her husband.
 The old-fashioned boy who used to make cigarettes out of corn shucks that he got for nothing now has a son who makes them out of alfalfa for which he spends 6 cents per sack. Every married man knows that if ht stayed home and attended to buying the meat and the groceries for a week he could save enough to make his wife re- gard him as a wizard of finance. To some men home is place where they can go and ease off grouch with out having their blocks knocked off. When nature was supplying woman
 
 so that woman with a double chin couldn't play duets. Why it is that nearly all of the girls who like to sing can't? Anyway, since the high cost of living got a half-Nelson on this country, yol don't hear so much about the fellows who were trying to keep two flats on one salary.
 The man who would rather pay H.9 for a round of drinks than be considered cheap Is usually the same lad who can'i see anything cheap in making his wife buy the children shoes with pasteboart soles because the shoes with leather soles cost a little more It always affords a no-count man 6 heap of comfort when he realizes thai a millionaire can't take 1t with him when he dies.
 Somehow or other, if the letter con tains a check payable to you. you don't stop to criticize the quality of the sta tionery used by the sender.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-28
One Fight, seven Wounds

Judge Jesse 5. Shivers. Perry coun- ty probate judge since 1886, is dead. In point of service, he was the oldest probate judge in the state.
 There is little story connected with the life of Judge Shivers that is famil- far to the residents of Marion, butslit- tie known elsewhere. The judge was gallant Confederate soldier. He was under fire at the seven days battle at Frazier's farm. and there received not one wound. but seven. One of them caused the amputation of his arm, and disqualified him for further active service.
 The judge was born in Marengo county in 1889, and was graduated from Howard college in 1859. He studied law at Lebanon university. He practiced law for 10 years at Marion was once mayor of the city. and later served as superintendent of education of Perry county. As stated. he was elected probate judge in 1Ss6 and died in harness
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-28
The Secret Out

Sometime ago pr. w. H. Oates, state mill and prison inspector, told Charles Henderson. democratic nominee for gov ernor that he had plan which would save the state $150000 annually. The other day in Mobile, he told what his plan was. He stated that one sheriff in Alabama, the sheriff of Jefferson coun- ty, clears $500 per month. or sso per day. iii feeding prisoners. The state allows 50 cents per day for the feding of each prisoner.
 Dr. Oates is of the opinion that the state should feed the prisoners, and con- tends that a prisoner could be fed a day on the rations which he receives at the present time for only a fraction of the Se cents allowed by the state.
 IT Dr. Oates figures are correct, it is sale to predict that the state in the course of year could easily save $50 GOO. As to what effect the abolition of the fee system would have in achieving the result at which the doctor aims, is a matter of speculation
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-28

IVY AsHINGroN. September 2,
 M pecial)-Only a few days ago
 the champion long-distance
 watch dog of the treasury medal was freely and uncomplainingly handed over without even whimper to Senator Theo- dore E. Burton of Ohio and Senator William $. Kenyon of Iowa
 heretofore others have made preten- .ions In the watchdog business; others nave In feeble and amateurish way attempted to establish regulations and exhibited certain tendencies and ambi- tions to be regular guardians of the peo- pie 5 money and though some of them nave succeeded in obtaining a certain false and misleading standing before the people as real honest-to-goodness watch dogs, 1t has remained for the two afore- and promptly corner all the honors. laurels and other incidental glory there was-not nailed down-as unparaIeled dyed-in-the-wool. 14-karat, big league watchdogs. They did it apparently with out effort. They did it easily and fiu- ently. and just exactly like they had re- hearsed for the part and were in full practice
 It is only recently, however. that the two senators have plunged recklessy into the watchdog business as a regular oc- cupation. They saw an opportunity and they siezed it. The rivers and harbors bill described by its defenders as a pa- triotic and worthy measure for the gen. eral public good, for the upbuildng of the nation. etc, and by It's traducers as corrupt and vicious assault on the treasury-a pork barrel" for the benefit Of various and sundry statesmen, and many other equally uncomplimentary terms. Anyway, Senators Burton and Kenyon assailed the R. & H. bill hip and thigh. They riddled 1t with canister and shell, and finally assaulted it's strong hold with the bayonet and took it's po- sition by storm. After accomplishing this result they sat back perfectly satisfied amid the plaudits of the "peepul'' whom
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-28

England's participation in the strug- gle, 1t is probable that her poets and
 novelists will be inspired to write a
 great deal on subjects dealing with the war. Although the poets have al
 ready bestirred themselves, it must be confessed that they have so far achieved no masterpieces. The novel, ists will necessarily be slower in pro- ducing war stories, but they will doubtless make strenuous efforts to supply the demand for that sort of literature.
 Even in this country we may antici- pate great many books dealing with the European war, as it will be sure to influence our writers to consider able extent. This will no doubt be especially marked in the output of plays. Before the season is out there will probably be great many more or less lurid war dramas on the boards for the consideration of thea tregoers. The movies" with their accustomed enterprise, are already showing their patrons miles of films dealing with the war. Some of the views are accurate and reliable but some of the "battles" look suspiciosuly like the "made-to-order" kind which have devastated New Jersey and cer- tain western states chosen by moving picture companies for their military" operations.
 Whether or not there will be any great plays, poems and novels written as result of Europe's war of course remains to be seen. Wars in the past have quickened literary production. The present struggle is so stupendous that no one who does not feel his spirit aglow with the true fire of genius should approach the subject. We have an idea that the great novels. as well as the great poems, inspired by the war will be written by French men or Germans. Despite the heroism of her troops at the front, there seems to be great deal of apathy in England regarding the war.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-28
The Governor,. E.c,tement

T was much interested while reading The Age-Herald this morning. said . member Of the Barbour county colony yesterday afternoon, Ito run across that remarkable statement of the governor Of Alabama to the effect that the south Is facing a crisis almost as serious as were enemies preparing to invade this section.
 Had the governor given a little more thought to the situation he would not have so recklessly expressed himself. It Is evident that he was unduly excited. The south, as a matter of fact, is doing very well, very well, indeed, when one considers the gravity of the situation resultant from the depression of the cot ton market. But to compare the situation to that which would be were enemies preparing to Lombard our port and cross with martial step our borders smacks too much of the sensational
 T judge from the interview of the gov ernor that he is more deeply considering constitutional convention for the relief of the farmer than an extra session of the legislature. In this respect he may be preparing to act in accordance with wisdom.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-28
Bessemer i'm Chains

From the Gadsden Times-News.
 pr. William H. Oates, state prison inspector, has filed a request with the governor in which he says:
 Tn my opinion. the shackles of prisoners, particularly when they have been convicted only of misdemeanors is, to say the least, inhumane, if not cruel, and is sad commentary and re- fiection on the city of Bessemer, and should by all means be instantly abol- ished."
 What he says with regard to the Bes- semer prisoners is applicable to the Gadsden shackle-wearers.