davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1923-12-12

NOGALES. Ariz. Dec. l2.-Over two
thousand armed insurgents 1re march
ing from Tcpic. now in the hands 81
the .cbcis with the intention or pene-
trating Sinoioa and taking that state
Sonora. according to reports received
h.rc.
The invad rs arc taking cont rol of
all towns and cities III the line of
march and are moving with great rapid
itv. late adyices stated. They are re-
wv tea u W under the leadership of
q ncraIs NJ. Dirucz. Marcaris Gaxiola
and Rafael Buclna.
The rebclling forces. the advices de-
clarci. include the 2sth regiment. one
IL he crack regiments Of the Mexican
army, which recently revotcd.
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1923-12-12
nv The ASxociatcd Pres ,

NEW YORK. Dec. l2.-Albtft Masca-
rcnas. tn Mexicjl consul general here.
announced today that ne had received
message. puIporting 20 come frcm De II
Huerta. the rebel leader, informing him
that re had assumed command az the
N sxican government.
The consul stated that he had COM
ulctcly disrcgaided the essaEe which
directed him TO take orders from De Is
Hucrta.
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1923-12-12

VERA CRI'I. Dee. IL The rcvo-
lnsirnary hcaduuartcrS here announced
this morning thar the rebel forces un-
der command Of General Garcia have
defeated and dispersed the loyal troops
which were defending Coatolapan. \
town on the border of the states of
Vera Cruz and rnchla. Jose Sanchez.
former governor of rurhla. who waS n
the head ~ The Obrcgon forces. Is be-
ing pursued ~ TIE rebels.
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1923-12-12
Wire and Nails

Your orders Shipped Same Day
AS Received. Prices Right
ALAMO IRON WORKS
San AHt0niO-
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1923-12-12

] n to 15 h. p. Fairbanks Morse
and Kreuger Atlas OIL Engines
In stock. Centrifugal Pumps.
w. H. Putegnat Co
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-28

his wisdom as statesman, must be very much of man and a regular fellow.
 To be sure, there are voices raised here and there against the aged states man, and some Greek newspapers are expressing forebodings over his pos sible demand for a continuation of the monarchy. The kind of monarchy Venizelos approves, however, is a very mild affair and the king is more titu- lar than real. The governing author ity even in his monarchy, is the cabi- net and the general assembly. To be sure, Constantine was an unfortunate choice, because he was somewhat af- flicted with megalomania, the disease which destroyed William Hohenzollern, and which, even in varioloid form, was fatal to Constantine himself. There may be other candidates for the throne who will fall in more agreeably with the general sentiment of Greece and with the policies contributive to the nations welfare. Besides, Venizelos has not yet declared his present opin- ions, and it is not for outsiders to an- ticipate them. It is sufficient to hope that his presence will be beneficial to Greek government.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-28
VENIZELOS RETURNS

All Greece is said to be wearing an anticipatory smile because Venizelos has consented to return to lend his services in solving the nations pug zles of government. It is a peculiar fact that Greece seems unable either to get along with Venizelos or to do without him. One year he is practi- cally forced to live in exile, and the next his presence is ardently demanded as the only salvation of the country. Venizelos himself very amiably adapts himself to either situation. If his country doesn't want him, he cheer fully seeks congenial atmosphere in some other land, apparently bearing no grudge or ill-will. If his country desires to recall him, he forgets all past humiliations and hastens to obey. That is the kind of patriot seldom en- countered in this wold of sensitiveness and prejudice. Venizelos, whatever
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-28
A PERVERSION OF
 PUBLIC INTEREST
(Anniston Star.)

The Birmingham Age-Herald is we'll advised when it enters pro- test against the sale of Buyck's farm. This is said to have been one of the few, if not the very last, tracts of land in the state publicly owned on which 1t is pos sible to develop water power. It is a part of the state farm, and 1t was the intention of Governor Kilby that the state eventually would erect there a power plant that would be sufficient to operate the mills, the farm machinery and furnish light and power for the states public buildings centered around the state capital. It would have enabled the state to learn by practical experience the cost of generating electric current, and this would have been exceedingly valuable in determining regula- tory methods that must needs be applied to private enterprises op- erating within the state. That is 8 dream of the past now, however; for the states interests have been bartered away for a mere song, and the Alabama Power Company has forged another link in the chain of monopoly with which it is encircling Alabama.
 If the state of Alabama is being operated as it should be; if the tax machinery installed by the last legislature is providing the revenue that it was promised to provide. and if expenses are being kept down accordingly, there was no sound reason whatsoever for the sale of this piece of property. The state did not need the S1O0,- 900 derived from the sale. That is a mere bagatelle when viewed in a light of the potential devel- opment conceived by Governor Kilby when he declined repeated offers from the power company during his administration, as did Governor Henderson, another busi- ness man who could see beyond the nose on his face. It is insig- nificant in comparison with the worth of the tract to the purchas- ing corporation. In fine, the state has sold it's birthright for a mess of pottage.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-28
UNwIsDoM OF PRISON POLICY

The statement of Judge Hugo L.. Black, appearing elsewhere in this is- sue, we'll confirms the apprehension expressed yesterday by The Age Herald that the proposed change of basis on which state convicts would be worked in private mines 'is a compromise, with the service to the private operators still the paramount consideration" The statement fur ther brings out the fact that the plan would take away from the convicts even such rights of redress as they now possess against mine owners in case of injuries received. If there is any differences between the present basis and the proposed basis, the pro- posed basis is the worse. The people of this state are about fed up on the manner in which the governor and his advisers are mishandling this inl- portant matter of convict manage4 ment, and demand more intelligent administration of prisons and prison camps. If the plan intimated as under consideration is carried out, the people will not be deceived, but will know for an additional surety that "the governor is still giving more concern to the private coal interest than to the welfare of the prison de- partment or the~public will" as The Age-Herald said on yesterday. It seems that even Governor Brandon should perceive the unwisdom of such a nolicv.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-28
i LEASING SHOULD BE | STOPPED BY l. A w
(Atlanta Constitution)

Birmingham news dispatches in- dicate that the convict lease sys- tenn in Alabama will shortly be abolished by some kind of an agreement between the coal mine operators, by whom the convicts are employed, and the state, through the executive.
 It is gratifying that even a step of this kind is to be made, for there is nothing that reflects more the spirit of dark ages than the leasing of convicts. And yet this Is not the way to bring about this reform that Alabama so sorely needs.
 Convict leasing should be stopped by law. The issue was up before the last legislature in that state, and Governor Brandon was reported at the time as having bitterly opposed 1t. to such an ex- tent. indeed, that the bill was de- feated. Just why he has changed his mind Is not explained, even though it Is commendable. but the idea of stopping the system through an agreement with the companies that have the convicts leased is only temporary matter, perhaps, and as long as the law permits the leasing of convicts the real reform will not have been &C., complished.
 According to the Birmingham dispatches, too, the state Is con- templating taking over and oper- ating the mines with it's convict labor.
 That is wild and visionary scheme. There is no good reason why a state should operate coal mines any more than 1t should operate public utilities.
 Surely there are roads to be built In Alabama, just as there are in Georgia and in North Carolina. Good roads constitute government tai service. The people invest in taxes in order to get roads. Then why not put the convicts on the roads? That is the sensible thing to do.
 And at the next session of the Alabama assembly let the members do the thing right by legally abol- ishing the convict lease system, just as all the other states have done.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-28
MORE TRUTH THAN POETRY

They told me sadly yesterday that I had missed the chance For which I had been waiting long, on which my hopes were set; And there was one who came to me, with pity in her glance, To offer tender sympathy, and ask me to forget.
 The world was dismal yesterday, I sought my friends, in vain; The streets were filled with stran- gers who appeared to be in haste, Except for one gray-bearded man, who stopped me to complain That all his efforts and his plans and hopes had gone to waste. I wonder whether I'd have paused to hear the tale he told
 If pleasure had been calling me and luck had come my way; I wonder whether I'd have cared that he was weak and old
 If I had not been friendless and sad-hearted yesterday. An, well, no matter; yesterdays a candleNthat is burned,
 And luck, with sudden recklessness, rewards me for my skill; My friends whom yesterday I sought in vain have all returned, And she who asked me to forget remembers fondly still. -S. E. Riser.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-28
VALUE OF SILENCE
By Thomas l.. Mnsson

Without regard to the other | merits or demerits of President Coolidge. very few people seem to realize what 1t means to have such continuous object lesson in dis l erect silence as he Is furnishing us. It would almost pay us after this to create a special office. making 1t permanent, and keeping in 1t continually some man who says nothing at all. The enor- nous power of keeping still would then be recognized.
 President Coolidge is thus far 1 establishing noble precedent. | One wonders whether he may not suddenly break loose and scream. Ills public utterances of a formal | nature, such as proclamations and other messages, are really not ut terances at all, in the sense that one is speaking. They are merely | regulation documents on purely conventional lines, most of them aamirably executed, but giving no nlnt or any emotional disturbance In the presidents mind. He Is the only man in the world apparently who knows how to do this.
 If he isn't elected next year. then he should be sent abound the world as an object lesson in a supreme quality, for European diplomats to copy, or at least to make approaches to copying, 1 Colonel House did fairly good work in silence. But, as Colonel Roosevelt would observe, if he was | here, MT. Coolidge has House beaten to a still fragile. I can- not help but think, in this con- nectlon. of the story of the porter on train which ran through the South. There was a bad accident the train having tried to cross an other on the same track. Finally at the bottom of the wreckaee n beam was removed and disclosed the sleeping form of the porter.
 Hey there. Sam" said one of the wreckers. Don't you know there's been bad accident?"
 sam stretched and opened his eyes.
 NO. sah," he replied, "I done thought dey was putin on the diner at Nashville"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-28
From Far-Away Brazil

To the Editor of The Age-Herald:
 In No. 1926 of tho Christian i Advocate, the general organ of my church, I have just read a clipping from an editorial of yours on the execution of the prohibit tion law.
 1 feel like stretching out my arms clear to Birmingham and giving you a good Brazilian hug.
 You have seen the light on this l question. It is no longer a pro- hibition or party issue. It is a very different and more funda- mental matter.
 Ever since the eighteenth ! amendment went into the constitu- tion the American people have been on trial before the nations of the earth, and they don't seem to know 1t.
 The issue that is going to be settled in this struggle is not Does prohibition prohibit?"-but 1t is: Have the American people lost the power to execute the laws they maker" If they have, their naue is Ichabod. A great Bra gillian said to me last year: If the Americans execute prohibi- ton, they will take the world" His idea was that people who have the common sense to see the ruinous effects of alcohol on so- ciety, and then have the courage and strength to stop its use, have In them the stuff that will make them the leaders of the race.
 If this battle Is won, it must be along the lines You have indi- cated. The people must be edu- cated. must be made to see what IS really at stake. The American people simply cannot fall down on this job. There Is too much at stake. W. R T.EE
 Sac Paulo, Brazil. Nov. 29. 1923.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-28
WELCOMING A CONVENTION

Birmingham welcomes conventions of every kind, because Birmingham wishes to become known throughout the country as replete with municipal hospitality. That this is becoming known is shown by the increasing num- Der of organized bodies that select this city for annual meetings. Birming ham therefore extends sincere well come to the Sigma Nu fraternity, as it's national delegates convene here today for their yearly deliberations No matter what the bond that unites men in a common purpose, their friendship is an asset to any munich pa15ty. It is hoped that the climate win respond also, so that even the sunshine may testify to the warmth of Birmingham's invitation to visitors. The people of Birmingham are proud of their young but prosperous city, and pledge themselves that the graces Alnt have been outstripped by the eity's marvellous industrial expansion will be added in due time.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-28
ADMITTEDLY A LIGHT SENTENCE

In announcing the penalties for the wrecking of the destroyer squadron last September, Secretary Denby said that both the judge advocate general and the chief of the bureau of navi- gation, while approving the sentences, felt that they were too lenient. The natural inquiry is how in the world these two officials could approve pen alties they regard as too lenient, any more than they could approve penal ties they regarded as too severe. The offense of which the naval officers were found guilty was very grave one. To wreck the flotilla was bad enough, but to cause the death of twenty-seven sailors was certainly most serious. The commander of the squadron was reduced. one hundred
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-28

and fifty numbers in his line of pro- motion, and the lieutenant commander one hundred numbers. To be sure, this sentence destroys lifetime of ad- vancement for these naval officers, but the one unnecessary blunder showed that their training failed them at critical juncture, just at the time when such training is supposed to reveal it's usefulness. If the sentence was really too light, and to the mind untutored in naval affairs it appears far too light, why was heavier one not imposed?
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-28
SMILES
Texas Hotel Life
lHouston Postl

(Houston Post)
 Hang it, boy!" exclaimed the tenderfoot from the East as the bell boy for a Texas hotel came bouncing in on him without knock ing, haven't you got any man. ners about you?"
 Didn't you ring?" asked the boy.
 "Of course I rang"
 Didn't you ring three times?"
 "It may have been three, as l was in a hurry for ice water, but that doesn't excuse you for burst ing in the door"
 Beg pardon" replied the boy, as he backed out, "but you ought to read the bell card. It's one ring for the porter. two for the bell boy and three for a gun, and when a guest rings for a gun in this hotel the orders are to get it to him before the other fellow can beg his pardon"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-28
AN EXAMPLE WORTH WHILE

$ Provisions of the will of the late pr. Thomas D. Parke were fitting climax to his public-spirited career. For years he gave freely of his time, his thought and his energies to causes founded on purposes to advance the public welfare. Whether engaged in efforts to improve public education, to defend democratic principles as ap- plicable to the public veal, or to pro- vide ways and means whereby the people might equip themselves for self help and higher planes of citizenship, his work was unselfish and productive of practical results.
 Not the least of Dr. Parke's civic acts was his bequest to this community of all property of his estate remain ing after the death of his widow, to be administered as trust fund by the duly-elected municipal authorities in the interest of adult education. Thus the people will benefit from the foresight and spirit of man who had in mind and heart the welfare of his fellow citizens.
 One of the most valuable influences and promising results of this gift should be that of it's example. What ever the monetary value of the be- quest, there is a spirit behind 1t which speaks eloquently of it's purpose. There are many Birmingham citizens to whom this community has been generous in affording them opportu- mites to amass large fortunes. They have prospered here in worldly goods. All of their success did not come from their personal efforts. They received large benefits from cooperation on the part of the community. What more fitting than that they show their appreciation by setting aside part of their means in bequests for the pub lie good? Such acts constitute monu- ments which commemorate the prin- ciples of reciprocity by practical en- dowment.
 Many instances might be noted as examples. In New Orleans numerous beouests of this kind have been made, until now large trust funds afford generous aid to the cause of public education. The benefits of Johns Hopkins generosity in this respect are nationwide in scope. Leland Stanford left monument to himself more lasting than marble, because of his endowment of a university that makes possible perpetual benefits to future generations. Several citizens of Richmond left that city parks, mu- seurns and other public benefits, while the tendency in that direction IS in- creasing the country over.
 Dr. Parke's philanthropic act will have accomplished great good if it serves as an example to wealthy citi- zens in this well-nigh unlimited field for service. With the millions which have been accumulated in this district by private initiative through the aid of community opportunity, the field for development of those things that make for a great, prosperous and contented city is broad, the promise of public benefits altogether unlimited.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-28
THE DIFFERENCE

A subscriber asks us to "point out the difference between the ''progressives" and the reaction aries" We have given the matter careful study and gladly comply with the request. The progress sives are the people who hope to win the offices with a new slogan. The reactionaries are the people who hope to hold the offices by shouting the old slogan.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-28
LONG CAMPAIGNS INJURIOUS

There has been considerable news paper discussion of late as to the ad- visibility of giving business better chance by reducing the unnecessarily long presidential campaigns. When ever there is question of the length of political campaigns in their bearings upon business, politics seems to get the preference, even though the aver age thinking person realizes that the best politics is that which least dis turbs business. Business campaigns, business movements along specific lines and business projects founded on definite purposes are usually promptly matured, and there is little waste of time and effort. On the other hand, politics is dilatory, long-drawn-out and usually wasteful of time and energy.
 Reviewing briefly the situation, it may be said that the presidential cam paigns begin in December, not to speak of the preliminary maneuvering carried on weeks ahead. For a month or more the public's attention is dis tracted on candidates, rivalries and all the rest of it. Then come conventions or primaries to select delegates to the national conventions. These are drawn. out for several months. The nomina- tions follow, usually during June, and the actual campaigns for the election of the national tickets are spread over period of several months more. Thus practically year in every four is consumed with presidential politics and all it's side-issues, while business suffers more or less from distractions and uncertainties. Campaigners stalk over the country and keep things stirred up at time when farmers are making their crops that contribute the foundation of the nations prosperity.
 A Washington contemporary, com menting on the situation, says. "Aforetime, six-month campaign was none too long, on account of the diff ficulty of communication among the states. Roads were bad. Newspapers were limited in number. The record Iof congressional proceedings took a long time going the rounds of the Ineighborhood. Photographic communi- cation was limited. Now there are the fast trains carrying the mails, and the telegraph and telephone supplanting the mails. Wonders are expected of the radio in the coming campaign, from the sample efforts already ex- l hibited."
 If one of the leading parties should abandon a seemingly useless and harmful practice, and nominate its ticket in August or September with the view of making the campaign short and giving business a chance, the other party would doubtless fol- low suit. The country would welcome the change. It would be a step to- wards betterment of the nations busi- ness, which has long suffered an over production ofspolitics.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-28
PEOPLES FORUM
Opposes Courthouse Removal

l To the Editor of The Age-Herald:
 I am indeed glad to have you
 contend for courthouse matters to
 be submitted to the people. For years certain parties owning
 property near by have insisted
 upon it's removal, pretending 1t to | be to the interest of the public.
 I believe their reasons are really
 selfish, the benefit to be derived
 being as follows:
 1. Enhancement of their prop erty by removal and development of the half-block by construction
 of retail stores.
 2. These same interests have no
 pany to buy property from the county at bargain price.
 Not only the lawyers, but the public generally will be greatly disconnected by this change. In
 going to and from courthouse wit nesses and jurors will have to take street car. This, of course, Is true of all having business there. I presume the board of revenue has the power to remove the courthouse, but 1t is a power they should not have, nor any other
 board unless specially selected. Whether the courthouse Is moved or not, I do not believe the city or county should ever sell the present city hall or county sites. The people should hold and benefit by the enhanced future values of these properties. Cannot The Age Herald make this a plank in It's platform in espousing the cause
 of the greatest good to the great est number? A FRIEND.
 Birmingham, Ala. Dec. 26, 1923.