davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-05
POOR BOYS WHO
 BECAME FAMOUS Rv Frederick Houk Law
Iohn EIiaa

A serious-faced Welsh boy sat working at loom in Wales at about the time when the United States first took a position among the nations. The boy, John Elias, was the son of poor and hard working parents; every member of the family was obliged to work; there was no time for school nor for amusement. Very early in life John Elias had learned the work of a weaver, and he had settled down to it, apparently for life. How little does anyone know what fate or destiny or God has in store for him. That Welsh boy was not to spend his life as a weaver. He was not to remain, as everyone expected him to remain, unknown and unheard of. He was to live life that should affect not only the people of Wales, but also the peo- pie of the South Seas and of Asia, and he was to aid in organizing great movements for good.
 One evening when he had Yin ished his work for the day, he went with others to hear a revi- valist preacher. How it would have astonished him, and how it would have astonished the re- vivalist, if they could have known what great results were to come from that chance attendance at meeting. The boy was so inn pressed by what he heard that he resolved to change his entire way of living. He resolved to de- vote himself to religion, and to work for the people among whom he lived. Although only boy, he began to speak in public and to preach. He had a good voice, g strong presence, and he was who'll ly in earnest This gave him, ar almost magical effect over his hearers, so that he swayed them as he wished. When he found that his work as a weaver interfered with his work as a preacher he set up as a storekeeper, and thus gained more time in which he could be free from money earning work. As time went on the fame of his, speaking spread and crowds came to hear him. He gained great influence, and then began lO ldhe part III SIedL puDllC move ments. He was one of the most active in establishing the famous London Missionary Society, the society that sent out missionaries into all the savage islands of the South Seas, and that did more than any other organization to bring the islanders into touch with civ iiization. In the same way John Elias was one of the leaders in creating the modern Sunday school movement. He travelled tirelessly from town to town, preaching everywhere with a vigor that shook great bodies of hearers. In particular he taught everywhere that wrong doing is invariably fol- lowed by some form of punish ment. To illustrate this he told stories that appealed intimately to those who heard him, and that car- ried conviction.
 As he grew older he gained still more in oratoricaI power and was called the Welsh Demosthenes." He carried on his work with ut most vigor until his death at the age of sixty -seven..
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-05
SECRETARY WEEKS UNDER FIRE

It is not surprising that reports come from many directions that John w. Weeks, the secretary of war, is to be- come the target for numerous attacks when congress gets under way. There is widespread feeling that the sec retary has not kept faith with the farmers of the country, who counted so eagerly upon the development of nitrate fertilizers at Muscle Shoals un- der the plans outlined by Henry Ford in his offer to the. government. They feel in the first place that the secre- tary- of war was derelict in keeping MT. Ford's offer in his desk for six months before submitting it to con- gress. Then after it was submitted and MT. Ford's proposal had centered the attention of the whole country on the possibilities of the great Alabama natural resource, Mr. Weeks is felt to have shown undue friendliness to those men and corporate bodies which were and are antagonistie to Mir. Ford and everything that he represents.
 The secretary's crowning act of an- tagonism to the farmers best interest was his summary disposal of the Cor gas steam power plant on the Warrior river to the Alabama Power Company, which had done everything in it's power to thwart the Ford idea. Leaders of the farm bloc from the midWestern states now point out that the secre- tary's action was not only nasty, but was done at time when MT. Ford was away from home on vacation, and it was not possible to bring before him details of the power company's efforts carefully engineered to permit the sec retary to barter away a unit involved in the Ford proposal which his en-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-05
HARD TASK FOR sTREsEMANN

The German chancellor, Dr. Gustav
 Stresemann, may or may not be suc-
 cessful in forming a new cabinet
 which will be satisfactory to the he- 'teregeneous clements comprising the
 parliament. Even though he should
 fail, he must be given credit for a
 work which promises to xbring about a
 settlement of the mooted separations
 question. It was he who caused the
 breaking of the policy of passive re-
 sistance to the French in the Ruhr.
 It was a policy designed by it's instiga- tors to Hamper the French, and yet it's penalties to Germany were so costly that the losses resulting have been greater than the cost of carrying out the Versailles reparations provisions for the same length of time.
 Dr. Stresemann saw the necessity of increasing, instead of diminishing, German production in order to restore some sort of industrial order. The policy of idleness in the Ruhr, the republics greatest industrial section, was the principal factor he had to overcome. But it was upon another point that parliament failed to sus- tain him.. He believed that the eight hour day should not be ironclad in German industry and that longer hours of work would help to get production back to normal. The German social ists broke with him upon this, and the socialist vote was necessary to keep him in power. When that bloc refused to support Dr. Stresemann and his cabinet resigned, President Ebert asked the retiring chancellor to at tempt to form another satisfactory cabinet. This he undertook. Even though he should succeed, the new body will be makeshift of compro- mises with little power and trembling al the whim of one of the many blocs of which the German legislative body is composed.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-05
SECRECY AND SUSPICION

Since the report of the grand jury on the Banner mine mutiny was made puglic, together with its communica- tion to the governor calling upon him to invoke the aid of the supreme court through the statute providing for advisory opinion of that tribunal, to clear up any possible doubt as to the powers and duties of legally con- stituted grand jury, the people of this state are more insistent than ever that they be given the facts in connection with the Banner mine disturbance. The more the facts are suppressed the greater the public suspicion. Every step that was taken by the governor and his advisors to prevent the people from knowing the facts created just that much more public distrust. That was natural and inevitable. Official secrecy breeds suspicion. It always has and always will.
 The grand jury had before it suf- ficient evidence to believe that there was official dereliction and wrong do- ing at Banner mine. Knowing much of what the convict lease system can and does produce in that direction; having before it information tending to show that this situation was no exception to the rule; considering pos sible reasons for the desperate efforts {o l. coming public, there was but one logi- cal conclusion for the inquisitorial body, legally charged with the duty of Investigating and reporting on the situation, to reach-that full inquiry should be made with the purpose of bringing to justice any violators of the law. When the grand jury's ef- forts were blocked through force as we'll as through application for writs of prohibition, the grand jury's duty was plain, and without hesitation it was performed. With the expressed desire that it's successor pursue the investigation and uncover all the facts in connection with an unfortunate and menacing situation.
 The indictment of prison warden on the charge of assault and battery and assault with weapon may open the way to obtain direct evidence of how things are run at Banner mine, and may serve as medium through which the facts herewith are dis closed. Trial of the case may draw the issue closer and result in opening up the avenues of secrecy which have so far been more or less successfully obstructed. Such a condition would be desirable and wholesome, and should serve to clear up many mis- givings in the public mind. The people of Alabama are strongly opposed to the convict lease system because they know it is wholly indefensible from every moral and economic test. They are convinced that it is as unnecessary as it is brutal, and they realize the great injury it is doing the state at home and abroad. They are deter mined that it shall be abolished in the interests of humanity and the public welfare. Official secrecy in connec- tion with its operation tends to strengthen the public demand that Alabama be spared further .humilia- tiop and injury from this source.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-05
WHIPPING CONNECTS
(Chattanooga Tlmesl

Official differences as to au- thority in Alabama have brought to the fore the age-old contro- Versy as to the best methods of discipling unruly convicts. Inci- dentally, exposure of cruelties of the sort that brought disgrace upon Florida not long ago are threatened. It seems that during the administration of former Gov ernor kilby the whipping system was abolished, but 1t has been re- instated and the lash was freely applied to punish recent mutineers. Governor Brandon approved the severe punishment of the leaders of the mutiny on the ground that such discipline was essential to the protection of life and property. The airing of the conditions was caused by an effort of the Jeffer- son county solicitor to bring about a grand jury investigation, a move opposed by the executive, who contends that the governor and not the solicitor is vested with full authority to furnish full protection to convicts.
 It Is to be hoped that quarrel over authority will not prevent a full inquiry and action which will relieve Alabama of the stigma of barbaric and cruel methods in the treatment of its convicts. As MT. kilby says, the whipping system is "a relic of barbarism that no civilized government should sanc- tion and no enlightened people should tolerate" It has been abandoned in most of the states for more humane punishment. which, it is declared, have proved more efficacious.
 It is true that some wardens and others who have had to deal with obstreperous prisoners contend that the lash is the only thing certain convicts fear. Perhaps it does tame them for the time be- ing, but brutality often begets or heightens brutality. The whipped convict is not cured of his mutt nous tendencies. The lash en. genders hatred or resentment that shoulders till a time for re- venge comes. It embitters its vic tim against all human kind an1 lessens the chance of reform af- ter the convict is given his free dom. There are criminal and other natures which are not amenable to kindness. There must be dis cipline and punishments in prison, but whipping should not be prac- ticed except, possibly, In the rarest cases. It Is revolting, brutal and uncivilized.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-05
Couldn't Rise Above se.s.a

(Selma TimeS-J JournaD
 The legislature must not be held altogether blameworthy for many of it's acts of omission and com mission. It must not be forgott en that it was mobilized amid a uni versal clamor for economy in the public expenditures, which was construed to mean that if the de- partments of the public service were in dire need of more funds to carry on their operations, these funds should not be granted. This cry for economy and the agitation to "cut to the bone" took prece- dence over everything else, and 1t would have been unnatural and extraordinary had the law making body not been colored by such an environment and reflected such 9 predominant sentiment. Right ia the genesis of it's activities the legislature found itself confronted by campaign pledges which, whe translated into action. meant tha the state could not go forward, but to mold it's own" and stabi.i2 its corporations, was the highest achievements to which it could as pire. The legislature was the vic tim of a purblind leadership, gov verned by opportunism and not the public welfare, and it could not shake off this fetish-the stream could not rise above it's source.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-05
Among the Burdens


 Among the other troubles and burdens the late unlamented leg- islature put upon the people is this one: Before the probate judge can issue an automobile or tuck license tag, the owner of the car must go to the tax assessor and assess it, and then step to the tax collectors office and pay the tax on 1t, get 8 certificate from the collector that the tax has been paid, present same to the probate judge and then you may get a license tag by paying the fee. But this isn't quite all. You must contribute an extra dollar to have your car registered In the probate office. Great is retrenchment and reform. Lower taxes and a poor state and a rich peoplel
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-05
CONNECTS AND ROAD BUILDING

Members of the grand jury which is Investigating conditions under tho convict lease system are reported to have been no less surprised than pleased over the favorable physical Condition and evident improvement at tendant upon convicts at work on the county roads, as gathered from ger sonal inspection by the inquisitorial body of several convict road camps. Some of the men when sent to the camps were physical wrecks, according to information obtained, but soon bore testimony to the healthfulness of the outdoor life incident to their work. Talks with these men brought forth their comparative satisfaction with treatment and conditions, and inn pressed members of the grand jury with the advantages of this system over the widely condemned leasing of convicts to private interests.
 During discussion of administration of the convict department, the theory of the states alleged need for revenue was advanced by some who favor the lease system, with the excuse that the state required such revenues, and all that sort of thing. Alabama is one of the richest of all the states in natural resources and opportunities for devel- opment. Every state in the Union ex- cept Alabama has found humane and economic solution of it's convict prob lem. There are many ways in which ""nvints can be employed with profit
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-05
MOTHERS OF FAMOUS MEN
The Mother of Grover Cleveland

The Mother of Grover Cleveland E My mother gave me this little Bible when was only 6 boy. want to take my oath as president on that Bible" So said Grover Cleveland before his Inauguration. His wish was granted, and when he stood before the great crowds that. the most triumphant day of his life, he put his hand on his mothers Bible, with her name i'm printed on it, and took the oath of office. Without the slightest question, at that moment he saw, not the crowds that had come to do him honor, but the face of the mother who had taught him to love the truth and to do the right.
 Every mother sends her love far, far into the future. Her memory hangs around man like a com, pany of angels. On another @cca- sion Grover Cleveland said of his mother: q have always thought that her prayer had much to do with the success of my life" The pity it Is that few mothers can see the full results of their work. They see childhood, with its laugh ter and tears; they see school days. and early manhood, but most mothers see only the promise of the future.
 Anne Neal, who married Richard Cleveland, the preacher. was a Baltimore girl, debonaire, pretty, bewitching as a Baltimore girl should be. Added to that, she was Irish, and. saucy and piquante In her ways. She left her Baltimore home and went into the North. There, in the little square house that still stands beside the main automobile highway in Caldwell, New Jersey. she first saw her son, Grover Cleveland. The father was a preacher; the mother deeply and sincerely religious; and the son grew up a man of character as well as of ability. The influence of the humble home, and especially of the mother, went with Grover Cleveland through his entire life.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-05
Them Fatal Words

 A fellow must feel awful When he digs around for some ex-
 pression To tell the girl that she is the one He wants to have burn his biscuits, Boil his coffee, keep his house, Put studs in his shirt, Sew on his buttons, darn his socks, Humor him and call him "dear" {. And all he can think of is what Anthony whispered to Cleopatra, what Romeo vowed to Juliet, what Pelleas confided to Melisande, what Every lover tells every sweetheart: You're the most wonderful girl in the
 worldw -Ru Theda.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-05
May Sigh With Relief
(Gadsden Times-News)

NoaNSdClA T -4NcWSJ
 Drunk with unaccustomed power and position the legislature, with seeming fiendish glee. tore down that which was good and refused to take constructive steps on every possible occasion. As well place an ax in the hands of a demented man and turn him into a play ground full Of children as to again place the state of Alabama at the mercy of the present legislative personnel. Speaking of "efforts 70 bring our commonwealth in disre- pute" could any commonwealth be brought into disrepute in more lamentable and inexcusable manner than has been done by the repeated willful and wanton acts of the legislature? We'll may the people. sigh with relief that it is over and pray that they be spared another such monstrosity.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-05
PersOnnl Privilege"


 The Question of personal privi- lege" was used so much in the session of the legislature that it has come to mean very little. The legislature includes in it's mem bership some who are rather thin skinned. New to public life. they cannot remain quiet under criti- cism, whether that criticism be of themselves as individuals or of an organization of which they may be members. And so, when any thing was said about the legisla- ture, there was always some mem- Der to jump into the breach and make reply. This reply generally consisted of firing a broadside at the critic. rather than of answer ing the criticism. And so, rising to "a question of personal privi- lege" almost always heralded an attack upon some outspoken Ala bamian, and the "question" was lost to sight.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-05
In Defense of Dreamera

What more delectable pastime is there in this world of gross realities than dreaming? A cynic, in all real ity, is one who blinds himself to all that is good, one who does not inn prove conditions, one who utters inn precations against them, but does noth- ing. A dreamer evolves a way out through the medium of his or her dreams. Their fight is for all that is beautiful. They do not ignore condi- tions, for they must often meet them in the most sordid forms. It is their dreams that lift them above those conditions. Dreams give them fore sight which reveals to them a shining way. What is there that exists which was not woven from the substance or dreams? Pray God that we do nos lose our dreamers! Cynics, bah! They are egotists, birding themselves on the fact that they can discover dirt where no dirt is apparent -Radeon Pagan.
 Dr. Steinmetz, the electrical wizard. is spending his vacation at the movie shows. He believes ii giving his brall a conpiete rest.
 Epigaph
 Beneath thia tone
 Lies John J. Doe.
 lie ate musa ooms
 That weren't so.
 ID. D. &. Appreciation is len best expressed in silence.
 Lots of people Tho know not the meaning of consolation tell folks in trouble that it nigh, have been worse. Sometime 2 elow talks so smooth ly thSt he sipl ua
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-05
An Impossible Platform
(Florence Times)

Probably the chief reason the legislature is so much criticized throughout the state is because it's members for the most part were elected on an impossible platform-one which provided that they should reduce taxation, and at the same time make up a deficit and create additional appropria tions for the educational institu
 tions of the state. Manifestk. such a program was impossible. and onlY failure could come out of an attempt to put it into effect. It is stated that another session will be required during the early
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-05
SMILES
They May

Senator Henry Cabot Lodge has a pet story which he usually tells only to intimates. "One day I was walking with President Roose- welt" he asserts. Magazine wri- ters had been describing me as re served, undemocratic and cold. A new attack had just been made on me and it was unjust and untrue. As Mir. Roosevelt and l chatted about various things I asked him why it was that reporters and other writers persisted in charg ing me with being frigid and aris- tocratic. I can tell you why MT Roosevelt quickly replied. 'Why?' I asked. Because you are, was the answer"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-05
Ingenious. Anxwny

(Arkansas Utility News)
 Senator Caraway was talking about the tariff war between Spain and France
 These two nations are hurting each other so ingeniously through their tariffs" he said, that 1t re- minds me of little Willie.
 Little Willie pointed at his sis- ter's sweetheart, MT. Jones'
 MT. Jones kicked me yester- day he snarled. but l got even with him, you bet your life. I mixed up quinine with my sisters face powder.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-05
The Tax-Payers Pay (OpeIika Newsl

Our economical legislature readily approved a raise from $6,000 to $7,500 year for the sheriff of Jefferson county and boosted the pay check of tax as sessors and collectors in that bail iwick to $6,0O0 a year each. And the taxpayers pay, and, pay and pay.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-05
Stretching Out the Session

IBIOCtOn EnterprlSeJ
 The legislature Is now about done and we will soon know the worst and the best of 1t. One of the most prominent things 1t has done was to stretch a 50-day ses- sion out over the most of a year. If this honorable body can ethus dodge the constitution, they need not be surprised at the people lodging the laws they made.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-05
CLOUDS AND THUNDERsroRMs
 (Nation and the Anthenaeum)

In reviewing the most obvious conditions occurring in a thun- derstorm we find that 1t is prac- tically always accompanied by q very dark cloud-which necessari- ly means thick cloud-so that its top reaches to great heights. h. deed. observations made from aeroplanes show that thunder and lightning hardly ever occur if the tops of the clouds do not reach height of 10000 feet. Usually the highest clouds of a storm reach much greater attitudes than this. some often rising to 10000 feet. Great depth of cloud is therefore one of the necessary conditions of thunder.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-05
THE ALABAMA PRESS ON LEGISL AZURE
Developed Forensic Talen
(TaQapoosa News)

The legislature has adjourned! It helped to develop the forensic talent of some of Alabama's young citizens. They will thus be pre- pared to go before the people and convince CD the public that. they should "be sent to congress" to serve CD the dear people.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-05

1t is announced that the Turks waEt new name for their country They are probably feeling the effects If "give a dog bad name"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-05

months of next year. If so. the members should prepare them selves to attend its sessions with the intention of meeting the sit uatfon squarely to face fact and en- acting such legislation as may serve the state from the financial disaster in a more orderly and dignified manner, instead of at tempting to conduct the business before them under conditions de- scribed by witnesses as little less than bedlam.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-05

The department of commerce ad- vises all to own their own homes. It is worthy ambition, even if it comes high these days.