Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-09-04
Senator John P. Jones No Longer a
Republican.
he HAS NOTIFIED His CONSTITUENCY
A Letter VIII Be Published in Me-
vada Tomorrow.
A POLITICAL SENSATION

Today furnished a genuine sensation In
political circles by the statement that SEN
ator John p. Jones Of Nevada, who has rep
resented his state in the United States SEN
ate for over twenty-one years as a repub-
lican, has formally renounced his allegiance
to that party and cast his lot with the popu-
LISTS.
Senator Jones has written a letter to his
constituency, which will be published in
Nevada tomorrow, and will be the first init
nation to the people Of that state that he
has dotted the political garment which he
has worn with such distinction for SO many
years, and will don the garb of the third
party. His intentions have been kept secret
from all but his most intimate associates,
and 1t was his intention to have the first
public announcement Of his action made in
the letter which will be published In his
political home.
The Question CT Silver.
With this end in view Senator Jones de-
clined today to speak of the contents OF
his letter, but 1t is understood that his
change Of policy Is based almost entirely
upon the question of silver. 1T is said that
the letter will state that the only hope for
silver lies in the principles Of the populists
or third party, that nothing Is to be ex-
pected from the democratic or republican
party, and for this reason he espouses the
cause of the party which publicly and sim
cereiy embraces a policy which he deems
to be for the best interests, not only OF
his own state, but the people at large. II
Is understood that the letter is not written
In an apologetic strain. but that through.
out 1t manifests the spirit that the present
action Is taken freely and without regret
In support of this declaration the fact will
DE pointed out that Senator Jones term OF
service will not expire until 1897, and that
therefore this move cannot be said to be
for mere political effect solely in the ap-
preaching campaign. He will leave for
Nevada in about two weeks, and will enter
actively into the work of the campaign and
Will probably take the lead OF the populists
movement il, that state.
OF Solid POpulistic Complexion.
This action Of Senator Jones makes the
Nevada delegation in Congress solidly OF
popuifstic complexion Senator Stewards
position Is well known, and Congressman
Newlands, the only representative in the
lower house, was elected on what was
called the platform of the silver party, in
opposition to republican and democratic
candidates.
Senator Jones has been considered for
years one of the ablest men on the repub-
lican side OF the Senate chamber. His
voice has not been heard very frequently
OF late years in the ordinary debates Of the
senate. but he Las been a moving spirit in
the councils OF the party. He has been
regarded as an exceedingly well-informed
man upon all subjects of national policy.
although his attention has largely been
devoted TO the silver and financial Ques-
tions: His fealty to the republican party
has never been questioned. and it is said
that his action In leaving the ranks will
come as surprise to his colleagues. Sen
ator Jones was elected to the Senate in
1873, reelected in 1878. 1885 and 1880. He
Is an Engiishman by birth. but has been a
citizen OF Nevada since 1867. He is one
richest Sanu fA olth ,,.yk,
he has never made very much display OF
his wealth.