The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-01-17
VOL. .XIII.-NO. 81
HON. STILES p. JONES.
PROCEEDINGS IN THE SENATE OF MINNIE.
sofa ON TIE ANNOUNCEMENT OF HIS
DEATH.

sofa ON TIE ANNOUNCEMENT OF HIS
DEATH.
On Monday, 18th inst, Mr.. DANIELS,
of Olmstead, 1.-THE successor of Senator
JoNEs) addressed the Senate as follows
Mr.. PRESIDENT The presence OF a
stranger in the seat in this body which was
filled with such distinguished ability by my
predecessor, the Hon. Stiles P. Jones, has
prepared you for an announcement which it
is for me most painful duty to make.
On the morning of Wednesday, the 25th
OF September last, surrounded by mourning
friends, and in the arms of an agonized fam.
lily, the late Senator saw the last of earth
and passed to that bourne whence no trav-
eler returns. As it was my fortune to have
been bis friend 10 life, so it was my painful
Office to close his eyes in the last long sleep
of death.
Could the voice of eulogy bring back the
dead, should pray that might be endowed
with the eloquence OF the friend we mourn;
that might speak with fidelity aud fitness
of the admirable traits of character which
distinguished him. But the dull, cold ear
will respond to no voice but that which
shall sound at the Judgment day, and 1 am
left to my own unaded utterance. to do jus.
tice TO the virtues OF The deceased.
need nov say how painfully apparent
will my own inability appear, in view of the
brilliant qualifications OF the deceased Sen
atOr, whose death is to me as we'll an EN-
barrassment as sorrow.
In the brief sketch of the life of Senator
Jones, which it is proper here to rehearse,
| repeat the words of friend of the de.
ceased, writing upon the occasion of his
death:
Mr.. Jones was born in the State of Connect
icut in the year 1922. and was consequently at
the date of his death thirty.nine years of age.
In 1880 he accompanied his father to Ohio,
where, receiving good common school edu.
cation, and some subsequent polishing at a
High School in Pennington, ana the Institute
at Austinburg, he entered Oberlin College,
from whence however he was soon obliged to
withdraw on account of failing health.-He
then at the age OF twenty-One years, began the
study of law in the Office of Joshua R. Gid.
dings and Benz. F. Wade. He was admitted
to the bar in April, l847. and was immediately
taken into partnership by Mr.. Giddings. His
success as a practitioner dated from the begin
ing of his career. Hardly had he installed him
self in his new position, before he wa elected
to the important Office Of Prosecuting Attor
ney for Ashtabulai county, which he held fol
two successive terms. He was afterwards re-
peatedly urged to submit his name as candi
date for the Legislature. but never with sue
cess. He neither aspred nor would listen tt
any offer of promotion which involved al
abandonment, even for a month"; of the labor.
and cares of the profession to which he ha(
devoted himself.
In the fall of 1856, inspired, doubtless, by
something of the speculative fever incident t.
the time, Mr.. Jones visited the West, and made
an investment in lands in Olmsted county. In
March of the ensuing spring, he again return.
ed and mode his home in Rochester. Here be
at once took rank among the foremost of his
profession in the state, maintaining this eleva.
ton to the very day of his death.
I In the spring of 1860 Mr.. Jones was selected
by the State Convention as one Of the dele
gates at large from Minnesota to attend the
National Republican Convention at Chicago
aud in the fall of the same year, much against
his will, he was nominated by his party to the
position of State Senator for the county o
olmsted. Out of 1880 votes pOlled, he re-
ceived the Hattering number of ], 800.
The briet experience OF last winter, as q
member OF this body, was Mr. Jones' frs
and only experience In legislative capaci
ty. Those OF his se5O 4iates who are here
present will baar wItnesS 10 the fidelity ant
zeal with which be laborea Tor tue public
interests, TO the promptDess with which b,
espousei whatever cause seemed to elm ti
be worthy, AMI TO the talthfulness whlct
characterized his opposition aud asnuncia-
ton OF any and every measare which 10 biz
oyIDiOu WAS not toaaded III Toe sSrictast ia =
tce, or which threateued in The remotes
degree the rights, the safety, Oh the fnan
cial security OF The people.
There are those who differed widely, anf
sincerely, doubt not, from toe views taker
by the deceased Senator Gpoa msny of the
exciting and absorbing questions OF the
times but have yet to meet that person
Hho doubted the sincerity Of his motives
who QUESTIONED the entireness-ot his integ
rity, Or who failed to admire the singIenes
!, OF purpose and high, moral ,prioclple which
distinguished his every word and work. /,
characteristics like these, sir,-hOnOr
honesty, frmness and fear ess1ess 10 the ut
terance OF the truths which they suggested
were qualities which bis coustitu uts, WIZ
knew him besg, the most appiauded and ad
mireu,; and the loss which his death ha
occas0ned, is one that time will heal will
exceeding slOwIess. - !,
70 Mr. Presid ehts: The tfllaIance which dis
/ tnguished the briei careerIof the deceased
as msmosrl OF this body, was evidence o
that capacity for puolic service which age
and experience would have developed intt
an elevated and refined syAresBarship.d Let
, me- not anticipate, - however.w Let tn,
B praises, which We bestow upon our dead
friend be circumscrioed by the actual &C
c0mplishments of bis life, and the shalt
which win rise to his memory will be broad
and high enough 10 ,aeixa ilss sd1 o. a.