Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-04-17

FLORIDA JONES FOUND.
business and Nes Love Keeps Him
from Setylng hts Country.

A Chicago special says: Mr.. James
Mccarthy, OF Jacksonville, Fla, Ar
rived here to-day from etroit, Mich,
where be had been specially detailed By
severa, Of Senator Jones's personal
friends, as well as the press Of that SEC
ton. to investigate the reasons for The
Senator's strange actions, and 10 ascsr-
tain the cause for his prolonged absence
from his post Of duty in Washington.
"Some four weeks ago." said Mr..
Mccarthy this evening, 81 the promi-
nent papers in Florida requested the
Governor to declare Senstor Jones's
seat in the United States Senate vacant,
but this could not be done. The SsDa-
tors personal friends keenly felt his
absence, and they have repeatedly re-
Quested him to return, but TO no avail.
The first report which followed upoa
arriving in Detroit was TO the effect that
Senator Jones was demented and could
not bear the mental strain which his
presence in the Senate would necessitate.
But | found that idea entirely wrong.
for be was in perfect health and spi.
rits. DR.. Richards, prominent physi-
clan in Detroit, and . personal friend
Of the Senator's. said that he only
needed rest. and that his mind was not
in the least affected. There was also
no truth in the report OF his drinking TO
excess, large number Of the members
Of the first society there having assured
me that they had never seen him under
the influence Of liquor. | found that
one reason for his remaining there was
because he was largely interested in
rev manufacturing enterprise now be.
ing gotten up by W. G. Thompson,
the ex-msyor James Caplis. ex-prose-
cutting attorney; d. J. Campau, and
Mcmillan Brothers, in which several
millions Of dollars are being invested.
=" Now as to that story about his de-
votion to Miss Palms /: II WAS started
by a well.known sporting man named
John Deyass, who had been forced to
close bis pool-roOms by Mr.. Thompson
when he was mayor last year, and Who
had sworn vengeance on that official.
/ Senator Jones was invited TO Detroit by
Thompson, and, naturally, was intro
duced to the members OF the first soei-
ETY. by him. Among those with whom
be came in contact was the father OF
Miss Palms, at whose house he attended
a social gathering. with other noted peo.
pie, forming simply passing acquaint-
ance with the young woman. Devass then
got even with Thompson at the expense
Of bis friend, the Senator, by circu-
lating these stories about him. As for
bis falling in love with Miss Palms and
prosecuting and annoying her by his
persistent efforts 10 meet her, as re-
ported, there is not one particle Of ruth
| in The story and about the report that
be was after the young lady for her
money, why the Senator knows as we'll
as ! do that the young womsn's father
and mother have separated, and that
the old gentleman's reputed millions
are involved in the courts, and the liti-
CATION will probably not be settled till
/ long after Jones's DEATH
II learned through . cousin that the
health of Miss Palms has been seriously
impaired by the publicity given her
name throughout the country in con-
nection with that OF Senator Jones.
However, she has never thought Of
leaving the city, as reported, on &C.
count Of bis alleged prosecutions. When
| asked Senator Jones to explain bis
prolonged stay be said: when l
came to Detroit, in the first place, it was
TO seek recuperation and rest, and my
stay has been prolonged beyond my
expectations, or, might add, personal
inclinations. But the local press, sub
sequently augmented BY the papers
Of my own State and others, have taken
it upon themselves to publish certain
stories relating to my personal welfare.
| don't propose to be placed in ridicu-
lous position before my many friends
in Detroit and elsewhere by their de-
clarations. / have been giving my per-
sonal attention to matters relating to
my senatorial duties, as they required.
Other senator's have absented them
selves for a greater period Of time, Of
which there has been scarcely q men,
ton made, and | don't see why ! should
be made such conspicuous exception.
Ny health has about returned, and !
shall very soon 90 back to Washington
| A..