davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1898-11-02

flied out in the handwriting OF an
official of the bank and signed by the
depositor on calling for and receiv.
ing the money. is liable to stamp
tax !?
In reply you are advised that, in
accordance with the advice Of the
attorney general this Office holds that
receipt given to bank by person
to whom tie bank is Indebted as de-
positor GA otherwise, or for whom it
holds funds, is no more lisble to a
stamp than receipt given by any
other debt or demand.
The purpose of the law is to re-
quire stamps upon checks which are
commercial instruments A check.
however. is not required TO be in any
particular form. If it is in a form
sufficiens 70 constitute al order for
the payment of money and assumes
the character Of commercial. nego-
table instrument, then it is subject
to a tax
There is much done, especially in
saving banks, without the use Of
checks at all; the depositer having a
book in which the bank denotes the
amount deposited on one side. and
the amounts drawn out ON the ether.
Of course the depositor in such
case draws the money out Of the
bank, but he does 1t in such way
as not to be subject to stamp duty,
because he does not give a check.
So, if q person does not give check
he does not have to pay tax. and if be
goesto the bank and the bank pays him
upon it's dues to him and he gives q
receipt, such receipt does NOS re-
qu,re stamp but if he isseus his
receipt SO that it will be good in the
hands of smother person to draw up
on his deposit for the amount Of it.,
then it loses the character of re
ceipt, and becomes check or draft
and is subject to tax
Respectfully,
G. W. Wilson.
Acting Commissioners.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1898-11-02
OF Great Interest
to all Bankers.
sA Later Decision From the
Department ais to She Liza
bility Of Receipts to the
War Tax.
Special to The State

Sgeclai TO Ihe State
Lancaster. Oct. 25 10 the issue Of
TIE State October 23d, 1898, under
the caption Receipts Subject to the
Regenus Tag. go impor.ans decision
OF the csm missioner Of internal revenue
isspabIisaed
As the form of the receipt used is
that Of tbe Bank of Lancaster. I have
Investigated the matter and find it OF
sumsieas Interest," to be made known to
the psolic
There is later and more snthorita-
Eve decision from the department at
Washington on the subject, being
based on the opinion Of the attorney
general
L seems that from information here
sofora furnished the department as to
how these receipts were being used. left
Is 20 imply that they we're being eubs.i-
sssed for ehecSs, aud used as such, the
department ruled accordingly.
The Bank Of Laacasses has invsri-
ably dealt directly with the depositor,
sakine his receipt iu person for money
paid at the bank COULTER. Whea pre-
sensed BY shird persons payment was
slwsys refused until receipt vas
stamped.
The decision in favor of the bauk,
set forth below. vas brought about
through the perseverance of Mr. Waddy
G. Thomson, the efficient cashier. who
confidently believed that such receipts,
as he used them. we're Dot taxable, aud
foding it impossible to obtain salts
factory decision by writing. visited
Washington and argued ihe matter 10
person With the department
The banks all over the country are
indebeed to Mr.. Thomson for obtaining
;his decision 10 their favor. several
prominent bankers. 10 aud out of the
Ssste. having advise him not to press
the point. as it was hopeless
Below are given she points made by
Mr.. Thomsoo, which be was required
so submit 10 writing, after bis argu-
Nmens. and the decision of the depart
mens rendered the next day.
Washi1gton. D. g OCT. 20. 1898.
Commissioner of Internal Revenue.
Washington. D. C
Dear Sir Your department is re-
specially requested TO rule upon the
following Is receipt per the follow
ing form
s. Lancaster, S C.. -.
Received Of the Baak Of Lancaster.
Of Lancaster, S. c..
Dollars 90 account.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1898-11-02
WHY THE CAR WANTS
PEACE.

From the very first, says Vienna
dispatch, the powers have looked
askance at the czar's proposal that the
uations acting 10 concert, reduce the
size of their tremendous standing
armies. Il has been asserted all along
that the bear waa not playing its pollt-
ical game for the good of humanity,
and that if the emperor Of Russia
desired universal disarmament it was
because disarmament woald be good
for Russia. In the light of present
disclosures the assurance that this is
the truth amounts to certainty through
out the circles Of the best Informed in
the Austrian court. It is beld there that
there can be DO gaiusayiug the fact
that the czar was directly led to issue
his startling peace pronunciamento by
the more startling state of affairs at
home.
It is alleged that the czsr was led to
seize the initiative in disarmament
proposals by the report submitted by
General Dedjourine, who has prosecu.
ted an exhaustive inquiry into the pres.
ent efficiency of the Russian standing
army, the probable value of the reserve
force and the effect which military
conscrip,ions has upon economic con.
ditions throughout the empire. Ac-
cording this report, SO per cent. Of the
nearly 1000. 900 young men who this
year became liable to military service
failed of passing the medical examina-
ton. The general is blunt 10 assign.
ing the cause for this state of affairs.
He says that it is the condition that is
to be expected SO long as the flower of
the nation are kept under arms away
from their homes. Degeneraov of the
species, in consequence of Wholesale
conscription. he declares. prevails
throughout all the agricultural districts
of Russia. " ith a population in ali
the Russias of 12I, 600, 900 the imperi-
Ell army on peace footing contains not
far from 100000 men. and General
Dedjourine declares that it is useless
20 expect the standard of strength to be
maintained when the population suffers
so continuous and exbaussing drain,
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1898-11-02
Internal Trouble
Seems to Interfere.
Peculiar Status Of Spanish
Peace Commission.

Paris, Oct. 25 The American
peace commissioners held a session
of several hours duration to day
prior to the joint session of the two
commissions which opened at 4
O'Clock this afternoon.
TheSmeeting of the commissioners
lasted an hour and FIVE minutes and
was adjourned until tomorrow.
Both the Spanish and the American
commissioners were more reticent
after this session than ever before.
The Americans fully appreciate not
only their own serious responsible
ties, but also the delicate position Of
their Spanish colleagues. to the bur
den of whose duties here is now add.
ed the critical political situation al
Madrid. which may compel the presi
dent of the Spanish commission, who
is also president Of the Spanish Sen
ate, Senor Montero Rios, to leave
Paris
The Madrid correspondent of The
Temps. is confirming the report that
Premier sagasta and the queen re
gent have prevailed upon the minis
ter of wsr, Gen. Correa. to indefinite
" postpone his resignation, pend.
ing the conclusion Of the peace ne
gotiations, says that they represent
ed to the general that his withdrawal
might entail not only the fall of the
cabinet, but cause the resignation oi
certain members of the Spanish com.
mission. including senor Montero
Rios, and thereby gravely compro-
mise the issue of the peace negotia'
tions.
The correspondent of the Temps
adds The net result is that an open
crisis seems to have deen avoided
until the conclusion of the treaty o:
peace. In any case, this has done
away with the necessity of an ad in
term government, which was lately
suggestion as likely to be the only
solution of the present difficulties" "
AS the peace negotiations are now
nearing the discussion Of the Philip
pine question the Americans feel that
no stage of the proceedings has so de-
manded their considerate treatment.
1t may not be stated to night with
certainty that the Cuban ques.
tion has received its last con-
sideration by the Americans, nor
has the Spaniards accepted as
ultiwate the United States refusal
to assume any portion of the Cuban
debt. 1t may, however, be affirmed
that the Philippine question was not
reached to-day. but it may be DIS
cussed at -morrows' session, which
will be the first occasion during these
negotiations of a joint session of the
commissions being held on succeed
ing days, which fact is in some degree
significant
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1898-11-02
No Place for a Self-Respect.
ing White Man.

We have published letters and ex.
tracts from letters written by former
citizens of Northern States whc have
become adopted citizens of this State
In every instance the writer's of these
letters were Republicans when in the
North, and are still! Republicans in
national politics. Herr is another
written to the Monroe Enquirer by
Philip L. Jones, of Union county
"Mr. Editor / was born and rear
ed in the State of New York. have
been life long Republican and am
an ex Union soldier Some years
ago l came to North Carolina to en-
gage in the mining industry and after
studying the political and social con
dition of the Southern States. / have
made up my mind that the Republi-
can party is no place for me. i. be-
ing largely under the control of ne
gro votes in North Carolina, l am
forced to rally to the rescue of the
race, and to CO operate with the Dem.
ocratic or white mans organization.
"Wbile lived in the North | was
proud of my political integrity and
felt that my party afiliatiou was not
degrading to character. but down
here the surroundings are altogether
different and | feel that the negro
party is no place for self respecting
white man | am, therefore, now a
Democrat and shall do everything in
My power to advance the interests of
the Democratic party. l think it
high time to treat the trafickers and
traders in Office with the loathing and
contempt which such crimes excite
in the breasts of honest men
"PhiIip L Jones.
.'Sandy Ridge Township
If the writer of this letter had
written volume he could not have
put tho case more efectually, better
described the situation or given bet
ter reasons for his change. or his de
termination than be has done in this
brief letter. He has learned from
personal observation and from actual
contact that the Republican party of
North Carolina "is no place for q
self respecting white man." aud by
his open and candid remuneration of
it gives proof that he is white -
Wilmington Star
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1898-11-02
Session of Cabinet
Causes a Sensation
IMPOSSIBLE TO ASCERTAIN
THE CAUSE OF THE GATH.
ERING.

Philadelphia, Oct. 26 Immediately
after the reception to the president to-
night at the Union league, meeting
of the chief executive aud those cab
met officers who are 10 attendance With
him at the jubilee, was held at the
Hotel Bellevue Those present beside
the president we're: Postmaster Genera
Smith, Secretary of War Alger, Score
tary Of Agriculture Wilson and
Solicitor General Richards 10 place oil
Attorney General Griggs.
The utmost secrecy attended the pro.
ceedinga, and it was impossible to learn
for what purpose the meeting was call.
ed or wba. subjects were discussed.
From go Unofficial. though ordinarily
reliable source, it was Cleaned that J
c. Kellogg, private secretary to Secre'
sary Hay, reached here tonight bear
ing important dispatches from the State
department.
Neither Secretary Porter dor any ol
the cabinet officers could be seen after
the meeting bad ended ane DO infor.
NATION from other sources could be
obtained.
The meeting lasted nearly one hour
and was held 10 the presidents room iu
the botel Local detectives prevented
any one from approaching the vicinity
Mr.. Kellogg when questioned about
the matter. admitted being the bearer
of message, but said tbat it was
purely g personal one from Secretary
Hay.
Tha, it was more than some ordinary y
delibcrasion was apparent from the fact
tha, Mr. Kellogg reached the Union
league shortly before l O'Clock and
was Immediately takeo to the president.
He then lef, aud went to the hotel. the
reception coming to an end very short
!y
After the president aud the cabinet
had concluded their deliberations Mr..
Kellogg left Immediately for Washing
ton in special car.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1898-11-02

filed ou. 10 the handwriting of au off,
cial of the bank and sigred by the de-
positor calling fer aud receiving the
money. liable to stamp tax :?
Your petitioner respectfully submits
that receipt used as above (-trictIy)
is legally and secnnicaily a receipt is
no: a negotiable instrument aud is
exemps 10 the new war revenue Law.
Il is clearly the intention os congress
20 tax only negotiable instruments as
checks. certificates. etc as is shown 10
The exceptions made as to savings banks
(nsiog books
Your petitioner claims that receipt
filed out By an official Of the bank and
signed and returned in person by de-
pos;sor is ideoticsl With the exemption
made 10 favor Of savings banks, other
wise the act would be Discriminating in
cot resting on all alike. giving TO saw.
ipgs banks 40 advantage ever other TO-
ssitusioo doing like business.
Your petitioner further claims that
ruling of your Office allowing the
use of receipts as above set forth
(only) differs from no decision al
ready made by the department, ex.
cept as to when and how receipt
remains such, and has not been
changed by it's use in check OF ne.
gotiable instrument
Your ruling to this effect is solicit
ed by.
Very respectfully yours,
The Bank of Lancaster, of
Lancaster, S. G
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1898-11-02

Every farmer should think seriously
of this one point-he can lose no
more experimenting with other crops
than by cotton. Everything points
to lower market for cotton next
season. and 1t is impossible to real.
ize any profit from planting it if a
lower price shall prevail. A full
corn crib and full! smokehouse are
good things to have. whether cotton
brings 5 or 10 cents ); and the farmer
who has these need not worry himself
about the price of cotton Plant a
full crop of provisions, raise plenty
ofmeat and let your cotton crop be a
surplus one : Anderson Intelligencer.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1898-11-02
Attitude of the Cubans TO
wards This Country.

Sao.isgo de Cuba. Oct 26.-Maj.
Petit in command of the United States
troops at Manzanillo and military gov
ernor of the city, telegraphed to-day
that the Caban general. Rios offers to
arm meo to assist the Americans 10 pre-
serving order, merely asking ratious in
return. Gen. Wood sent the following
reply: "Certsioly not The only con-
ditions on which rations are to be issued
are the complete disarmament aud dis
baDdment of the troops
Some OF the Cubaps here consider
that the United States are treating its
allies badly in not allowing the Cuban
forces to remain armed They contend
that the Cuban soldiers who have been
fighting for three years, who speak the
lang :age of the country are better fitted
for garrison duty than "untraiOed vol
unteers 5"
The Cuban general, Mayia Rodri-
guez virtually voices the sentiment of
the Cuban army when be says: 1--WE
thank the United States for the assis.
tance they have given us. but the time
has oow arrived when the Cuban should
be placed in the highest Offices and
should prepare to take over the island
90 the departure Of the Spanish"
Cuban extremists here are jubilant at
the reported attitude of the Cuban as
sembly at Saota Cruz del Sur where the
delegates. while expressing their graft
tude to the Americans, practically de-
maud distinctive Cuban government /;
the Cuban moderates, on the other
hand, regret this stand, thinking it best
for the United States authorities to con-
tipue in charge of affairs for a few gears
at least. 80 as to set sbiugs going aud to
prevent any complications With foreign
governments
Those who advocate annexation to
the United States are extremely anxious
as to the outcome. A prominent Gu
bao, now employed under our govern
,meot, who is a moderate and we'll able
to judge of the feeling in Santiago,
says. those three parties are we'll de-
6ued and would poll about equally,
but that 10 the event of the extremists
endeavoring to force an issue a major
i.y Of the moderates would join the
anoexationists.
The foreign consuls are considering
the advisability of appealing to the
powers to prevent too basty recog-
milton OF the Cuban government.
Gen Wood is fully resolved to al
low no more paupers to land here,
especially no more from the West
Indies. class entirely unwilling to
do hard work. One schooner from
Jamaica and one from Haiti, loaded
with negro immigrants, have been
ordered to return their passengers TO
the ports of embarkation.
Lieut. Victor Blue, in command of
the prize gunboat Alvado arrived
here this morning from Guantanamo
ard left later to inspect the wrecks of
the six Spanish gunboats driven
ashore on July Sd by the United
States warsbips, with view to raise
some or all of them if possible
Lieut. Blue says the lnfanta Maria
Teresa will leave Guantanamo on
Sunday next for the United States,
going under steam, but accompanied
by the Vulcan which will be pre-
pared to render any assistance nec-
essary.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1898-11-02
THE ONE CONCESSION MADE

@AAa " ~ OA'NAOO " ~
Washington, Oct. 27.-Tbe intima
ton conveyed by the American COM
sioners to the Spanish commissioners
at Mondays session of the peace
conference in Paris, that the position
of the United States with respect to
Cuba and the Cnban debt could not
be regarded as subject to change,
and that, consequently, the American
commissioners were ready to proceed
with the consideration of other heads
under the protocol, the Paris advices
show, had the desired effect. The
one concession as to Cuba that our
commissioners will make will be to
guarantee for the United States that
life and property shall be secured in
Cuba. This responsibility the United
States will assume only until such
time as stable government shall be
formed and operative in Cuba There
will be no perpetual guarantee on
this score
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1898-11-02
SPAIN ACCEPTS
TERMS Of AMERICA.
This Country Assumes No
Portion of Cuban Debt.

Paris, Oct. 27.-The Spanish peace
commissioners have accepted the neg.
ative view of the United States com.
mission toward the proposed assump,
tion by the United States of the Gu
ban debt
The American commissioners have
firmly out courteously declined to
assume for the United States the en-.
tire joint responsibility for the Span
ish financial conditions.
Senor Montero Rios. the president
of the Spanish commission, and his
colleagues, with faithful insistence,
sought another result But they fail.
ed to attain it and have finally aban-
doned the effort and have agreed that
the Cuban article of the protocol
shall, without condition, have place
in the ultimate treaty of peace.
Though, through several sessions the
Spanish commissioners have had be.
fore them the irrevocsble presentation
of their American colleagues, it was
not until Monday that they became
absolutely convinced that the Ameri.
cans had from the outset of their re-
fusal to accept the Cuban debt, meant
exactly what they said
In spite Of the fact that the Span
ieh commissioners had, as a back
ground to their efforts, doubts of
succeeding, their hope of so doing
has been 30 keen and their contention
has been so vigorously prosecuted
that the final conviction of their ina.
bility to win their point brought to
the Spaniards such a shock and de-
preston that, consistently with these
dispatches at the time, there were
grave doubts az to the continuance of
the negotiations
In support of these statements is
the fact that Senor Montero Rios,
after Mondays session, snd on Tues.
day last, would have resigned the
presidency of the Spanish commits
sion, had he not believed that his
doing so may have grievously shaken,
even if it had not unseated Senor
Sagasta's government. From this
standpoint if for no other reason,
Senor Montero Rios retained his po-
sitiou, and at yesterdays session,
acting under the conviction arrived
at on Monday, the Spaniards an.
nouuced that they would forego fur
ther argument en- the Cuban debt and
agreed that, practically in the terms
and absolutely in the spirit Of the
protocol, the article about Cuba
should go forward into the final
treaty. Thus Spain agrees to reIin'
quish sovereignty and claim to Cuba
without either terms or conditions.
All differences, if any existed, re-
garding Puerto Rico and the selec
tion of the island of Guam, were also
arranged by a mutual understanding,
and the commissioners found them
selves we'll nigh touching the Philip
pine question, which will be taken
up next week.
1t should be said that the adjust
ments already accomplished will
stand in the final treaty. unless op'
posing views and positions on the
Philippine questions should develop
hereafter to bring to naught the efforts
of the future aud at the same time
the results already obtained.
The session of the joint commits
sioners which began to-day at 2 p.
No., ending at 4 p m.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1898-11-02
NV belief is that the Democrats

My belief is that the Dem ocrats
will be 10 control of the Fifty sixth con-
gress. y said Congressman G. L. Bart
lett, OF Georgia, to Washington Post
reporter at the Riggs. ''They will
make gains in every southern state
where they do not now have solid dele.
cations, with the single exception of
Tennessee They will also increase
their strength in the east, the middle
west, and the Pacific Slope Ip Geor,
gia the Populists have largely returned
to the Democratic party. and will re-
main with it as long as it stands for the
principles euuooiated at Chicago. Dolly
an abandonment of these principles
will ever cause the southern Popullsts
to desert u.s. %
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1898-11-02
BUCKLEN's ARNICA sALvE

BUCKLEN's ARNICA SALvE.
The best Salve in the world for Cuts
Bruises, Sores, Ulcers, Salt RheuH, Fever,
Sore letter, Chapped Hands, Chilblains. Corns
and all Skin Eruptions and positively cure'
Piles or no pay required. 1t is guaranteed to
give perfect satisfaction, or money refunded.
price rs cents per box: For sale by DR.. J. I.
W. j.. Lorme
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1898-11-02

The only military company composed
of Chinamen 10 this country has been
formed 10 Portland. Ore 1t has 81
men bers, all full blooded Chloamen of
American birth. Seid Back, Jr its
car.aip. vas about to offer the services
of the organization to the governments
when Che var came to an end.
The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1898-11-02

Civilization is but skin deep. after
ali 1T is nice." writes gallant
youog lsocer who took para 10 the
charge at Omdurmau. 80 put sword
or lance through mao. The; are
like old hens They just say (wheu
the weapon goes iu) 'quab.' :" Ugh =
Springfield Repu biican