Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1884-10-31

not the slightest doubt. The Lam
caster Teller, which supports Blaine
and Logan, ably voices the senti-
ments of the host of republicans
who care more for the interests Of
the district and the country than
they do for the seeming party
advantage to be gained by the
election of r. M. LaFollette. Last
week The Teller said:
OF Mr.. LaFollette there is not much
to say. He is young man of fair
ability, who if elected. may be ex-
pected to obey the mandates of the
ring that created him. OF Mr.. Jones
there is much to say. He has made
record in congress and must be
judged by it. There is a large class
of voters who are interested in know
ing something of his record, and will
be glad to commend by their votes
his conduct, if they find it worthy of
approval 1t is to this class, not
wholly owned by any political party,
that The Teller submits the following
suggestions:
Mr.. Jones is to be commended for
his efforts in behalf of the agri-
cultural and laboring classes. When
the bill for the prevention of diseases
among domestic animals came before
congress it met with hearty approval
from two sources. 1t was opposed
by the strict constructioniSts and
southern democrats as unconstitu-
tional. 1t was also opposed bitterly
by the stock dealers of the great
cities, who were more anxious to
save their commissions than to pre-
vent the spread of disease among
western cattle. Mr.. Jones was alive
to the interests of his own people
upon this subject. He ably supported
the provisions of the bill.
There was another speech Of Mr.
Jones which was widely printed in
the public press and which attracted
considerable attention. This was the
speech in which he called attention
to the abuses in the department Of
public printing. He condemned the
lavish expenditures of money in print
ing public documents costing seven or
eight dollars each, and which the
great mass of the people never see.
He insisted that the moneys used for
such purposes should be devoted to
the publication of palmer and cheaper
books which could be widely distrib-
uted among the industrial and agri-
cultural classes. The speech bore
fruit. The attention of the House
was thus called to the abuses which
existed, and when the appropriation
bill for the public printing was
brought in, it reduced the expenses
for that purpose as compared with
the preceding year by a million and
half dollars.
The vote OF Mr.. Jones on the bonded
extension bill should not be forgotten.
This was a bill to extend the time of
the distillries for the payment Of
the tax on their whisky in the bonded
warehouses. 1t was urged by power
full lobby and by the banks of the
great cities which were interested
with the distillers. The distillers and
the banks threatened that unless the
payment of the tax was postponed
there would be general bankruptcy
and panic. Although the bill was
favored by many. if no. a majority of
the Democrats, Mr.. Jones voted against
it. He insisted in his speech that the
distillers and the banks which had
extended credit to them should be
treated precisely like other taxpayers.
That they should pay their taxes when
due, like the farmer and mechanic.
In many other cases he showed by his
vote and acts that he cared more for
the public good than for his party.
For example. when it was threatened
that every democrat who should re-
fuse to vote in favor of seating young
English, would incur the hostility OF
the democrats of Indiana, and es-
pecially of the former millionaire can
didate for vice president. Mr.. Jones
showed his independence of the party
whip. He voted against his party
and as he believed to be right. Every
one familiar with the history of con-
tested election cases knows that such
action as this is the rare exception.
The record of Mr.. Jones on the
subject of rescuing, the public lands
from the land grabbers is also stisfac.
tory to his constituents. He is in
terested in this important question,
and his votes and acts show that he
can be relied upon by the; people
that he is the tool of no corporation.
Is it wise to exchange one who has
shown fidelity to the people in many
and who is familiar with the inn
portant questions OF the day. for one
| who has never had the slightest
| legislative experience, and who, to
say the least is wholly untried? If
the people do not sustain those who
thus in their interests break away
from the party pressure and favor,
how can they expect their welfare
to be properly guarded as against the
behests and jobs of party. Burr w.
Jones has shown degree of indie
pendence of party discipline that en-
titles him to the support of those who
are more anxious for good legislation
than for party success.
Joseph L. Leonard is one Of the