The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-01-04
WANTS STAMP TAX REPEALED.
MEASURED INTRODUCED IN HOUSE
BY LEWIS or GEORGIA.

Treasury Statement. He Says, shows
the Money Is Not Needed-MOney Is
Being Used for Benefit of National
Banks-"Archie" Butt of Georgia
Appointed Captain and Quarter
master and VIII Go TO Manila.
GeOrginns In Washington.
Washington, Jan. Am of the members
of the Georgia delegation have returned
to the city except Judge Griggs, who Is
detained at his home by the Illness of Mrs.
Griggs.
To-day's session Of both houses was
short but with the return 70 Washingt on,
the regular work of the committees be-
gins. aud that in this case means a busy
session. The order adopted in the Senate
means that the currency bill is TO have
right of way there until disposed Of
At the House end the chief interest will
be in the work of the special committees
on the Roberts case. Just when a repsrt
is to be expected from that committee,
the members are unable to say Much will
depend upon the developments at to-mor-
rows meeting of the committee.
To Repeal stamp Tax.
Mr. Lewis of the Third district intro-
duced to-day bill to repeal the stamp
tax. He believes that as the report Of tte
Secretary of the Treasury shows moro
money than is needed for the adminlstra-
llon of the affairs of the government,
making the most liberal allowances for the
army and navy, Congress should repeal
the stamp tax. AS It is the 500 0,00C
raised by that tax seem to be used by the
administration for the relief of national
banks in the cities, and the result is that
the people are being taxed for the benefit
of the banks. Mr.. Lewis says he wanc
to put stop to this proceeding.
"'rhere is really no necessity for this
tax in view of the treasury figures" said
he to-day, "and l believe the people should
be relieved of this additional tax burden"
What the Bill Provides.
His bill in lis first section provides that
SO much of the revenue law as approved
June IS. 1885, as relates to a stamp tax, be
repealed. The second section of the bill
provides that the stamp tax laws that
were in force Immediately previous to the
approval of this law Of 1898 be again effec-
tive The third section directs the Secre-
tary of the Treasury 10 redeem out of any
money in the treasury not otherwise ap-
propriated. all stamps that have been sold
and not cancelled. without any discount.
The bill further provides that this act
shan take effect on the SOth of June of this
year.
The Lewis bill has been very favorably
! commented upon and the chances are that
| II WIN fecefve strong support-cn both sides
of the House. II is regarded as common
sense business measure.
"Archie" Butt 90 Go to Manila.
Among the army appointments announce
ed to-day is that Of Mr. Archibald w.
Butt of Georgia to be captain and as
sistant quartermaster general of volun-
teers This means that Archie" who is
one of the most popular of the Washing
ton correspondents and one of the best.
proposes to forsake the gallery for time
and go out to the Philippines He had ~
most fattering Endorsement for the posi-
ton, which he gets over strong compeu-
tion u
The position Is regarded as an excellent
one. The appointment was made, how
ever more on the strength of his per-
sonal popularity than on official indorse-
ment The President himself made 1t be-
cause Of his liking for the Georgian
Capt Butt has for several years been the
special representative here of the Louis
Vile Post and Nashville Banner. He also
represents the Birmingham Age-Herald.
He takes this army place principally
through desire to see the Far East for'
himself and to study the people and the
conditions there. 1t is expected that he
will leave for Manila about the end or
the month.