The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1900-01-12
Proceedings of Congress of
Unusual Interest.
FIGHT ON SECRETARY GAGE
Lewis, Of Georgia, Introduces Bill to Re
peal the Stamp TaX."Pettigrew
and HOar Heard From.

A Washington special says: The
house Of representatives and the
United States senate reconvened We'd |
nesday after the holiday recess.
The attendance in both branches Of |
congress was good, and much interest
centered in the sessions.
The significant feature Of the session
of the house was the Inauguration of a
fight on Secretary of the Treasury
Gage for the alleged favoritism shown
the National City bank, of New York,
in that the secretary has caused the
revenue funds to be deposited with
that bank almost exclusively.
In the senate Mr.. Pettigrew re-
newed his attack On the administration
in connection with the Philippine pol
icy, and he introduced resolution of
inquiry looking to throwing light on
the question of how the hos.ilities be-
gan.
Objection was made to the resolu-
ton, which called forth from Senator
Hoar sharp complaint that senators
were trying to throttle others senators
in their desire for information on pub
lie matters.
He called attention to the fact that
four senators had risen up on the pre-
sentation Of Mr.. Pettigrew's resolution
to object to cor sideration. This was
done in the face of the fact that it was
the uniform custom of the senate to
allow resolutions of inquiry to go
through without obstruction. He
wanted to know if this policy was to
be continued.
The statement brought Aldrich,
Chandler and Hawley to their feet.
Mr.. Aldrioh disclaimed any intenten
of suppressing Information concern
ing military matters and Withdrew the
notice to take up the financial bill
"after the consideration of routine
morning business" fixing the time
definitely at o'clock.
Messrs Hawley and Chandler both
explained that the suggestions con-
corning the Pettigrew resolution had
only covered the point of postpone
ment until Thursday, which they as
: serted was not out of the ordinary.
With a few further words on the
part OF Mr.. Hoar, the incident closed.
WANTS TAX BILL REPEALED.
r Mr.. Lewis, of the third Georgia dis
trict, introduced bill in the house to
l repeal the stamp tax. He believes
that as the reports of the secretary Of
the treasury show more money than is
i, needed for the administration of the
affairs of the government, making the
! most liberal allowances for the army
aud navy, congress should repeal the
/ stamp tax provision of the revenue
tax.
{ As it is the one hundred millions
G raised by the tax seems to be used by
the administration for the relief of ma
r tional banks in the cities and the re-
:, suit is that the people are being taxed
IL for the benefit of the banks. Mr.
Lewis wants to put stop to this pro
II ceeding.
"There is really no necessity fol
this tax in view of the treasury fig
ures," said he, "and believe the PEG
pie should be relieved of this add
tional tax burden"
= The bill in its first section provide
N that so much of the revenue law as ap
- peared June, 1898, as relates to
stamp tax be repealed. The secont
section of the bill provides that tn
70 stamp tax laws that were in force i'm
rs mediately previous to the approval @
He this law of 1898 be again effective
a. The third section directs the secretar
= of the treasury to redeem out of an
ed money in the treasury not otherwis
81 appropriated all stamps that have bee
- sold and not cancelled without any dis
count.
The bill further provides that thi
act shall take effect on the 30th {
. June of this year.