The Van Buren press., 1894-07-21

amendments was adopted IN the open senate,
and practically united Democratic support OBJ
talned for the bill.
For more than six months beginning before
the Wilson bill left the house, Senator Jones'
residence and committee room were thronged by
persons affected by the proposed tariff reduc.
uons. He gave to each OF these patient hear
Ing. with the assurance that 1t was not the de-
sire Of himself aud his colleagues to destroy
single legitimate industry by beginning the
work of tariff reform wit reductions too radical
and sweeping.
one must know the enormous amount Of work
this tariff bill required to appreciate the tact the
skill, the energy, the patience and the thorough
knowledge ofthe vast subject of tariff legislation
which Senator Jones must possess to have so
successfully accomplished the task to which he
addressed himself The undertaking was as
delicate as it was difficult for the Democrats had
scarcely vote to spare in the senate and con-
ficting interests almost innumerable had to be
reconciled before all the votes could be solidi.
fed for efforts at tariff reform within the last ten
years have invariably shown that there are
Democrats who do not hesitate to vote against
their party doctrines, and q majority of their
associates on measures too seriously affecting
the interests of their immediate constituents,
without some compensatng benefits in return.
The man who could bring SO good a measure Of
tariff reform out of the almost hopeless situation
in which the Democrats of the senate were in
volved in March last is entitled to the profound
thanks of his party and to high rank among the
leaders OF men,
Senator Jones was born In Marshall county,
Mtuc III A,,1 A..
aresident of Arkansas since childhood. Though
mere youth. and so delicate of constitution
that he was believed to be a marked victim
of consumption, he served through the war in
the Confederate army, and worked at the brsech
Of a musket as private in the ranks His COM
mand several times left him behind to die, but
he persstently refused to die, though nothing
but his indOmitable will saved him. No one at
this day. standing in his commanding presence
and looking on his portly form. would ever
imagine that he was once thought to be COM
sumptive, or answered to the camp sobriquet as
Lean Jimmy Jones.
He was leader in the contest which expelled
the scalawags and carpet -baggers from political
power in Arkansas in 1874, after six years Of
riotous and ruinous misrule. He was elected to
the State senate in 1873. was reelected in 1874
under the new constitution, and was chosen
president of that body in 1877, His home is at
Washington, Hampstead county, in the SO uth-
western part of the State.
The senator is of positive and aggressive
disposition, but is patient courteous and good
humored withal; and Is singularly strong in his
attachments. There never was a more steadfast
friend He is plain and simple in his habits and
tastes, and is fond Of his home and his family.
His perfect honesty and sincerity, his untiring
and undefatigable industry, his goodness Of
heart and boundless charity of spirit, his fine
common sense and cultivated intelligence and
his natural force and ability to accomplish re-
suits are prominent traits of his character that
endear him to the people of Arkansas and give
him strength and influence In the senate.-Com.
rcial-Appeal.