davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-11-09
THE CONNECTS FAMILY

While much has been said about the treatment accorded convicts in prison and under contract, far too little atten-
 tion has been given to the situation of the innocent dependents and families of convicts. Yet the figures show that more
 than half of the convicts are married
 men or widowers and that they have an average of three to four children be- tween the ages of two and sixteen years.
 In most cases this means widows strug- gling to bring up families without any help except such as they can obtain from relatives or through their own earning capacity. In some cases, perhaps many, the children are not given either proper care or proper training. Their tendency is perhaps to fall into small theft when driven by hunger, or into bad companion ship, which is worse. There is thus main tained chain of suffering and often of
 crime which reflects no credit upon the public or the government.
 The state committee, which has been raising funds for the cost of painting of ChIist, the forgiving, to hang in Kilby Prison, giving a message of cheer and perhaps of repentance to those who pass in and out, has conceived the commend able idea of expanding their purpose to include permanent endowment fund the proceeds of which shall go to the relief and proper care of the dependents of convicts. This is worthy cause and de- serves the sympathy and support of the charitably inclined. As the committee declares eve will ask all to contribute, but we want none to contribute who do not do so understandingly, freely and cheerfully." Dr. Edmonds receives the contributions, and it is hoped and be- lieved that he will have many to record. As the years go by, thi1 undertaking should be placed on sound basis and perhaps even receive the financial sup port of the state itself.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-11-09
AN EDITOR VIEWS AMERICA

Insulting large notions, prodigaIty, reckless
 ness yea, bumptiousness. a4& glorify the American dollar and dollar
 chasing stt,ts4 So despised in mendicant Europe, where, if
 you drop a dollar, You start riot in which monocles are broken. Soon enough shall we, with mouths multiplied,
 be forced to scrimp, To save every twig and crumb, thrifty as
 French. Then shall we have done with chasing dollars And shall chase pennies as they chase far
 things and centimes over there have been sped an hour, seeking no human.
 only cattle
 How glorious q roomy land, room to turn
 around in without jostling! Europe is crowded to suffocation, Asia is
 overflowing: .,t5.4- They turn covetous eyes to our unoccupied , expanses; e. We envision the day when we shall need to
 hedge our borders with bayonets To keep out smuggled immigrants, @.e Japan let's the cat out of the bags: War; if necessary to break down our wall Europe says Amen, changing the leagues
 processes To suit the purpose And still blandly bidding us enter the league. Good, mushy men arise among us Outraged at any thought of girding for de-
 fense. Shall men, they ask. presume to say who shall
 and who shall not -.1--. Tenant Gods acrei Nevertheless we will gird To keep our soil for our kind. ? sing my country. ri Arthur Sears Henning in the New York Daily News.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-11-09
OUR UNCONSTITUTIONAL LAWYERS

Aroused by the amazing conceptions and misconceptions of our American Constitution and it's relation to life, the American Bar Association some time ago appointed com mittee to look into the matter of the teach ing of That document and its principles Tn the law schools. That committee has reported upon what it found in twenty-five of these institutions and the result is not altogether reassuring.
 In only nine of them was study of the Con- stitution found compulsory. Ok these nine, two laid no stress on any but the commercial and legal phases of it. Study was restricted to the interstate commerce, contract and citi- zenship phases, and nothing was done to give the budding lawyers an idea of the Constitu- tion as the fundamental embodiment of Ameri- ean principles, or the underlying principles of the relation of the states to one another and to the federal government
 Apparently the law schools proceed upon hhe theory that the student has acquired all this information in elementary schools, and has been thoroughly convinced of the impor- tanee of the Constitution to representative Government Apparently they take it for
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-11-09

granted that the reasons for, the theory of, the Constitution, its actual origin and genesis, and the principles of amending and applying it hve been thoroughly explained, and the student before he comes into law school, knows that the United States is a Republic of Republics, and must stick to republican and representative government or run into trouble.
 No man comprehends the Constitution with out having studied something of the discus sions that accompanied it's creation and adopt tion, in which the purpose and intent of many provisions nowadays debated is made clear in the worlds of its authors. No man realizes the significance of the Constitution without some familiarity with the debates and resolu- tions by which the thirteen independent American Commonwealths adopted it as their fundamental law and united as the United States
 The Constitution is the charter of Ameri- can liberties, and deserves better of the law schools. They should give it prime place in their courses, and encourage the elementary schools of the. land to promote knowledge of the Constitution. Philadelphia Evening Bull letin fn &
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-11-09
Watching The Parade
By JOHN PILGRIM

1.-TWO years ago Jim Calamus sold his old
 car. He got in return some money, a fine old-fashioned shotgun, an Airedale pup and a bundle of no-account stocks and bonds Then, last week, one of the despised cats and dogs came moving and barking home.
 Tt was a windfall," said Jim Calamus. T didn't even know I had that stock in the bundle l cashed in for $10,000."
 l thought-I am an old-fashioned, con servative future-fearing sort-that Jim would immediately invest that $10,OO0 in a good per cent bond Instead of which he bought a fine large car, gave his wife some dresses, put in an order at the tilor's, and dresses, put in an order at the tailors, and
 Its the only way we'd ever get there, " said Jim.
 He has put away, by hard saving, almost enough money to carry the Calamus family through if anything were to happen to the bread-winner. As long as he lives he will have to concern himself about making a lit tie money
 That's fun," said Jim. "The unhappiest men l know are those who just have enough money to live on without work and not enough to be wholesomely extravagant."
 And that velvet money will give the Gala muses the chance to have the sort of a splurge they have always, although perhaps subconsciously, wanted. A good splurge now and then is relished by the best of families. To spend-deliberately loosely, with perfect malice-money which might have been saved for an heir has tonic effect.
 "I see myself saving that money" said Jim Calamus; with fine scorn. I'm not that sort of a fool"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-11-09

\ O1INU My SOuuLry ' At my Pullman car window, I rhapsodize Upon the panorama unrolling: Mighty cities. lush prairies, opulent farms,
 mountain wilderness and wide, unpeopled
 plains. I am lately come from Europe full of odious
 comparisons and pity For Americans who do not appreciate their country. I have been sightseeing abroad Only to find the most thrilling sights at home, Sights eloquent, significant, without parallel; i; Bathtubs galore; Brieklayers driving to work in flivvers; Silk shod ankles of girls Whose mothers, barefooted, titled in Calabia l; Rural postmen unloading newspapers maga-
 zines books, mail order luxuries; . Acres of Fords parked round the new national
 movie house 1.-two shows nightly; Everywhere masterful, expansive, bluff, breezy
 men; Z Untrammeled self-reliant women, comely and
 garbed smartly in the mode, Whether it be in 9th ave-, Omaha, or far
 Truckee; "A farmer jolting homeward with the latest
 photograph record, His wife telephoning for three cards of tulle; {; That hlithe company of youth boarding the
 train at Mandan Telling how they danced last night To the music of a Chicago orchestra
 Waited by radio; Twenty, mayhap thirty, million people listen
 ing to the President speaking. celebrate my country's greatness, its vast
 ness, it's exuberant fruitfulness, The sense of which has entered into the souls
 of us,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-11-09

bert's description of the "earrings worn by Salammbo to the tent of Matho-- earrings formed of two tiny balances of sapphire, supporting hollow pearl filled with liquid perfume, which percolated through minute perforations moistening her bare shoulders" Is that not an idea? Will the jewellers let an opportunity like that go by without fashioning similar en- ticing adornments for the women of to- day? Perhaps that is why Carthage fell. Or at least the men of Carthage.
 Give up earrings? Why their possi- bilities have hardly yet been rediscovered by us moderns.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-11-09

ness men, and have the interest of the city at heart, whereas the politicians are only interested in themselves and the building up of political machine.
 The good people of Birmingham are pretty sick over the politics of the city commission, the shortages, etc. They are dizgnsted with the attitude of the commission with reference to the failure to provide additional policemen when the $3 additional fines wera asseeaat
 I believe that the citizens ok HiTn,iANAeia desire the park board controlled by hi&A s$ business men, instead of by p0lisiEiaxt. hope, therefore. that both Mi, TAnstQn A'ls' Mir. Phillips will stand pat in th4i< aessE for a man who is not suhseSvisut fe commission.
 Mir. Bowen's request Is as ehilNi4A Cloe's statement that If you don4 M x z propriation.
 Birmingham. Ala. Nov. (. 1924
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-11-09
By THOMAS R. MARSHALL,

tOrmer t1ce.ffoSldcnt oi eno Umteu Stete8.
 It is human nature, of course. to pay at tention to outstanding characters rather than to commonplace persons. We like to look up to our statesmen, orators and politicians as though they really fix the status of the peo- pie. We pay but slight attention to the mil lions of low degree, and rarely do we eyer look at the man who is just next to us. Nearly always it is some one at distance who fixes our eye and settles our opinion.
 We imagine that the republic is about to plunge to it's ruin if some man in high office betrays the trust reposed in him, deceives hfs fellow citizens and profiteers out of the com mon good We shiver with horror at the ex- posture, believing we have passed beyond the zenith of the republics glory; we shake our heads and wonder how we can retrieve our national honor and reassure our former safety. Similarly, when some man in pub lie life does a high, fine and mighty thing, we conclude that the government is safe, that Gods in His heaven and alps well with the world.
 As matter of fact, it takes all kinds of people to make republic, and it's perpetuity requires virtue in every trade, every calling, every occupation. There must be devotion to truth, loyalty and justice in every phase of life if the republic is to be secure. The foundation of our hopes for the future does not rest upon what public men shall say, nor upon what public men may do. We can best reassure ourselves as to the perpetuity of our institutions by looking around ourselves at the splendid specimens of manhood and womanhood with which America is filled.
 Notwithstanding petty meannesses here and there, cheap graft in high and low posi- tions, loud mouthings against our land, her history, traditions and hopes-still there is around each of us in every trade and calling and profession, if we will but seek them out, men and women sun-crowned clear-eyed, pure hearted, ready and willing to support, de. fend and maintain the republic. Not all the people, nor one-haf the people, nor do be- lieve one-fourth the people, are discontented and embittered. And most of the discomfort is the effervescence of temporary irritation the passing phase of a passing moment. In the main the citizenship of America is sound to the core.
 can emphasize my thought by citing Wal ter Johnson as one of hundreds of thousands of plain, unassuming Americans who are con- tent to do their work and do it well. For eight years I watched him play baseball in the city of Washington. Year after year he went with his fellows to defeat although
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-11-09
WALTER JOHNSONS CAREER

conscious of his ability to get a place on
 winning team at any time.
 Always and everywhere he was kind, cou teous, gentlemanly, never frown upon h face, never bitterness in his heart or criticis in his mind over the failure of his team support him. With full knowledge that D might impose his services upon any team plodded along in sunshine and in rain, cherry, gracious, capable player.
 No doubt the HEemory of the great mel of the past, whose illnesses have been fori gotten in the adulatfons of their strength, doeI much to instill fine American spirit into tn boys and girls of today, but, somehow, be lieve that the millions of other men. who, liki Walter Johnson, have faced defeat with { smile, done their level best under adverse cir| cumstances and refused to be critical of thu conduct of othrs, are doing as much to makl safe the institutions we love as did our men of history. ges
 It has always been a cause of wonder i'd me why we do not apply the rules which govern our national sport to the affairs oi life. The average man refuses to play th( game of life unless he can pitch. It smaked mo difference whether we know how to pitch or not---we want the position in the box. Yet we would hiss off the field a man who tried 10 pltcn when ne OIu not KNOW 0OW. lt la strange that we cannot realize that there is a place for each of us to fill and that our honor comes from the filling it well, not in refusing to play. How better it would be if we do the Walter Johnson act-play we'll our part and utter no complaint.
 There will be far better work everywhere in American life when we have more team work, less dissatisfaction with our fellows and less high opinion of our own ability. The man who resents the decision of the umpire never gets very far in baseball. Sooner or later he goes to the bench and from the bench to the bush league. Maybe the player was right ard the umpire wns wrong, but the world has no time to settle the cause of a sorehead. Likewise, the sooner we reconcile ourselves to the decisions of the courts, how ever unjust they may seem to us to be, the better off we will be. The great body of mankind is in favor of justice and fair deal ing, but it is also in favor of the game going ahead although the decision may be faulty.
 We are just over the sound and fury of a presidential election. The decision of the um- pire is distinctly unsatisfactory to a large number of people. Perhaps it was wrong; do not know. But let's abide by 1t, go on with the game, and keep on hoping that in future political battles every team may have Wal ter Johnson to do its pitching.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-11-09
Birmingham, Ala, Nov. 4, 1924
Two Menaces To Just Government.

To the Editor of The Age-Herald:
 Permit me to congratulate the writer Of the editorial in The Age-Herald, of this date, captioned: Not Defeat-Postponemen In the humble opinion of the writer of this letter it reveals a splendid insight to the meaning of the recent presidential election and no less keen prophecy of the future. Be yond that it justly estimates the character ability and accomplishments of the superp leader of Democracy, who can await with faith the verdict of the future.
 In the writer's experience and contact with his fellow citizens, has come the understand ing that there are at least two general classes of men who vote and otherwise par ticipate in political affairs who are a menace to good and just government and threat to the perpetuity of this republic.
 The first of these is what is commonly known as the "Bolshevik" or the radical who, through ignorance, prejudice or lack Of men, Nal boise, is discontented with the existing order. He is often violent, always vocal and withal pitiable In his power of hurtfuiness he is the lesser of the two evils for obvious reasons.
 The second is composed of that class of materialists who are more favored as to edu' cation, wealth, position and opportunity. These are re-actionary (self-styled conserva- tive), often interruptions and always selfish. The righteousness of a political cause or the wisdom of a governmental policy is gauged by such only in the light of how their personal fortunes will be affected in given instance. They are willing to spend dollars in exchange for special favors gained either through legis- lation or administration, ready to capitalize any sort of fraud or deception to attaln sue cess, and do not hesitate to use the immoral coercion of wealth and influence if they hap pen to have them. They are prone to say that only two choices are open, which are, to follow them on the one hand or be called destructionist on the other.
 The latter class is more potent for danger to our country and is in the ascendancy tenn porarily now through combination or mis- understanding, deception, indifference and a conspiracy of silence Democracy still stands staunchly behind the leadership of big men who live above the fog of self-interest and moral cowardice and will triumph gloriously. America will not much longer grope in the darkness of materialism, but will ere long come into the light of her firmly restored ideals for justice, truth, right and honor. Character, courage and men will enlarge on the horizon of politics and economy. Mere dollars, greed, hypocrisy and moral coward ice will be minimized. It is splendid to note that Alabama and the real South have re-affirmed allegiance to principle and have spurned expediency and temporary gain offered brazenly by those who would sacrifice all to Mammon.
 It heartens and inspires one to read edito- rials of vision and uncompromising loyalty to principle.
 | With good wishes for The Age.Herald, MAYER W. ALDRIDGE.
 Montgomery, Ala, Nov. 6, 1924.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-11-09
BIRMINGHAM AGE-HERALD SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 1924

nations" And so, the Democratic com
 ment runs. Most editors are disappointed, but they know how to take defeat gamely
 and to express frankly the sincere hope
 that MT. Coolidge will guide the nations destinies along right and progressive lines. He has the opportunity to do SO.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-11-09

moval or surmounting of these barriers that will form the basis of the program of amelioration. The nation is hopeful that the anticipated good will not be long in forthcoming. It is characteristic of political commissions that they spend more time than is required for such in quiries. It is believed that the present non-political commission will be more conscientious
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-11-09
Take Park Board Out Of Politics.

To the Editor of The Age-Herald:
 Mir. Bowen's very subtle offer to withdraw his application for membership in the park board provided Mir. Phillips will resign won't fool the people.
 With Mir. Phillips out of the way. Mir. Thuston will be in the minority, and the com mission can appoint whom they choose and put them over. Another thing Mir. Phillips is already a member of the board. having been delegated the authority of approving or accepting Mir Bowen. Because he does not want Mr. Bowen is no reason why MT. Phillips should resign
 We all know that with MT, Bowen on the park board. it will be controlled absolute ly by the city commission, otherwise they would not insist upon his acceptance. Mir Bowen is politicians protege of Mr liar rison and the balance of the commission. MT Thuston and Mir. Phillips are successful bust
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-11-09
believes AII should Pray foF I|Aln.
10 the MditOr of The Aee- IIatala l:

TO the 7EllIUOF OT Tle ~ '- N 77 M 1
 I call you friend beeauAe enjoy reading 90 many items of grehk interest to the public. | noticed in your print dated Nov D, that you say if there ia anybody VI 10 epn make it rain, now is the tipe 10 db his stuff on our city clerk, Henfy Hartung. Eugzested he call all the praying Christian men in the cities of Albany and Decatur to bold prayer meetings and all pray for rain He did not say il he would. Now l suggest that The Age Herald call on all church Chfistian peo- pie to hold special prayer meetings as often as they will, even if all come together daily. Something must De done soon because there is no sign of any rain. Npws tho oueakioa
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-11-09

Oregon citizens Tuesday voted to re- peal the 1928 state income-tax law. Re- peal of all taxes would be highly popu- lar move, no doubt. Still, North Carolina seems to think an income tax preferable to a property tax. Oregon did not real ly give the plan a fair trial.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-11-09
EARRINGs-NEW AND ANCIENT.

Now that women have taken to wearing earrings again, or rather long pendants, sHsne of great size, one authority and an 6ta4r have sought to frighten them by z''<AR of how savage women's ears are kI out of shape by heavy ear orna- S2ll< E8 fnr it does not appear that 6 Mlls iHNn woman has been deterred i 5|a 4||1 INK this fashion, nor given up HA f6 6Hk. xk they used to be called. W sNa4 MouId even prefer de- l.f,s.a& <6x # ftople are going to have s zt M SHT once preferred de- E l|SS0 N6 name reason; or per 4 Sl their ear baubles are eNS #a& Hf6vy as those distort- .s N1<n by savages. Any n& them.
 S N8H eS 02 ear ornaments S6n.x e1| ssh that of ancient
 ta1Nz of that once rich
 4 &<e been recently ex-
 M many feminine
 Aearthed. Perhaps
 4eals the intimate
 |ii1rements than the
 orok, the French
 he excavations at
 novelist Flau-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-11-09

There is being effected huge merger of leading bakeries in the United States Combinations of this sort, it is said, greatly reduce the cost of production and the trust puts the difference in its pocket. This is a great help to the people,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-11-09

While Mellon outlines his plans for further tax reduction, the president all lows there won't be any more reduction just at present. This nation needs debt reduction more than tax reduction right now when we are so able to pay our debts
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-11-09

Governor Ferguson of Texas says that her husband is to be just ''plain citi- gen." with no more influence in the state government than anybody else. And if she means that, we wager that that is just what he will be.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-11-09

To the Editor of The Age-Herald: / I want to thank you for sending to the Fairview school, once each week, forty copies of your paper. These are used by six classes for reading, current events and classification of news. I assure you the pupils as well as appre- ciate this kindness on your part.
 PAULINE ARNOLD. Birmingham, Ala, Nov. 4, 1924
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-11-09

When Borah becomes chairman of the state senate committee on foreign rela- tions, we look for him to close up the office.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-11-09

If the choice left 10 me, whether to have free press a free government. would choose a free press-Thomas Jefferson.