Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-03-12
JERE SIMPSON ON MONOPOLY.
He Addresses the Maryland Farmers and
Denies His Sockless Condition.

Denies His sockIess Condition.
Hon. Jere Simpson, Congressmsn-elec from
Kansas, addressed the Maryland farmers In the
hall Of the house Of delegates at Annapolis yes
| terday and utterly demolished the popular
tradition regarding his sockless condition.
The question as 70 the manner in which the
aggressive champion of the alliance arrayed his
feet was raised by note sent to him by several
Newspaper men. who expressed curiosity on the
subject Mr.. Simpson handed the missive to
Mr.. Grafton Duvall, who presided over the
meeting. with the request that it be read. and
Secretary Joseph q. Fowler performed that Of
fee. The note stated that the story Of
Mr.. simpsons alleged sockless con-
dition had been published in Mary
land and II he did not consider It
breach Of delicacy the subscribers would like to
know what were the facts ia the case. When
the state OF affairs dawned upon the audience,
a large number Of whom had been debating the
subject mentally since Mr.. Simpsons appear
ance, taxation, monopoly und similar subjects
were forgotten, and all listened intently while
the recently elected Kansas Congressman said:
As they say sometimes in Congress- i wish to
rise to a question Of privilege. 1t has been al
legged that at a certain time in Kansas stated
that the poverty Of the Kansas farmers
great that they could not afford to wear socks
and that WAS n living example of their condi-
ton. SO far as am concerned, there is no
truth in il.
ORIGIN OF THE STORY.
THE statement shout my lack Of socks
originated in the Drain Of the editor Of
publican paper. As my constituents knew me
perfectly well, / never took occasion to deny it.
The fact is that some of the Kansas farmers
are poor, owing to the protective tariff, that
they cant wear socks. I'm in the same posi-
ton Napoleon when he crossed the frontier
to attack the Austrian army. large number
OF his troops were without arms, and Napoleon
was asked where he would get guns for them.
He answered that the weapons would come
from the troops of Austria. The man who ran
against me in my distric: called Prince
Hal, and was perfec: representative OF the
silk-stocking aristocracy l no. only got the
other fellow socks. but I got his shoes, too.
Il want to say that do wear socks. l put
them ON at the defeat of John j. Ingalls,. 1
considered that the beginning OF an era when
the common people can wear socks, not only
common socks but even silk socks. 1t is the
people who produce the wealth wh) ought to
wear the best socks. / deem it necessary to
explain to the people Of Maryland this much
vexed question of socks In fact / am unable
to determine just now whether or not my feet
have gotten greater reputation than my
head
Mr.. Simpson offered to make no practical
demonstration Of the truth of his statement.
Laughter and applause interrupted him sew
eral times, and when he finished clearing away
the public doubt as to his hosiery the noise
shook the house. 1t was late i'll the afternoon
when he sprang his sensation, and at the close
| Of his remarks he picked up his hat and coat
| and left the hall.
Mr.. Simpson showed the meeting that he
could rattle of fluent speeches on other mat
tiers besides socks, for he talked two hours in
the morning about farmers and their wrongs.
Many Chances were directed at the new Con-
| gresham feet. but from personal inspection
1t was impossible for the most watchful eye to