The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-11-22
SENATOR JONES TALKS
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE DEMO
CRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE
CALLS FOR ABOLITION OF SLAVERY
In the Sandwich Islands He Opposes Garrison
ing Conquered Territory Senator Ma
son Thinks Armistice with
Spain Blunder.
washington Post.)

Those Democrats who retain faith in
free silver as the dominant party issue
are inclined to be delighted at the way
'sound money men are coming to the
front with demands for financial legisla-
ton. If the agitation for currency re-
form is taken up in the House and Sen
ate it will give the free silver advocates
an opportunity to chrystalize their oppo-
sition and acquire details on which to
organize for their political cam
paign. The new currency law, if passed,
would freshen the free silver issue, and
should the law prove in any way a fail
ure it would furnish excellent material
for winning their fight in 1900 Such Il
prospect is not without its acceptable
features at this time.
Senator james X. Jones. of Arkansas.
who is as ardent believer in free silver
his he was i'll the Presidential campaign
of two years ago, said yesterday on his
return from New York that the victory
Won by tive Republicans THIS year was
not, in his opinion, Il defeat for the white
metal. Il reiterate what | said the other
day in New York. continued the Sena-
tor during an extended conversation,
that war issues entered more into the
results than anything else. / suppose the
Republicans will now pass the currency
reform bill which was reported to the
House by the Committee on Banking ana
Currency and which no one in particular
seemed willing to assume responsibility
for. The party seems to be committed
ito the measure. The general purpose OF
the measure is very dangerous AS |
remember the bill, it would allow the
establishment of great banking con-
Germ in Wall street, with thousands of
branches all over the country"
WOULD DISBAND THE VOLUN-
TIERS.
Senator Jones said he did not care to
discuss the prospects of an extra session
of Congress- He anticipated that the ses-
sion this winter would be much occupied
with questions arising from the war
with Spain. Il am opposed to any in
crease in the regular army" said the
Senator, in discussing the prospects for
early consideration of a deficiency bill to
provide money for the support of the
army after January 1. According to the
spirit of the law there is now no author
ity for keeping any soldiers in the field
except the regular army. But / recog
niZe that technically the war is not
ended and will not be until the treaty
of peace is signed
Wouldn't you furnish troops for gar
risoning the islands acquired from Spain
during the WARP" the Senator was asked.
''There was a vote, ! believe" he re-
piled. that Cuba should be given a free
and Independent government. l am not i'll
favor of appearing on the first page of
the Record at the coming session of Con.
gress as going back on that vote. Per
sonally / have much respect for President
Mckinley and regard him as n patriot.
Perhaps he has some good reasons for
not allowing the Cubans an INDEPENDENT
government Immediately. i do not know
what the Republican policy will be, but a
few regular soldiers could be spared to
assist the Cubans i'm maintaining order
while they establish their own govern
ment.'
''And what about Porto Rico and the
Philippines"
Porto Rico" replied the Senator, lis
hardly larger than saddle blanket. If
we are to annex Porto Rico and the Phil
ippines we ought to 20 further and aL-
mex adjoining territory, China, for in
stance. which would bring us some mate
eminent at long range, and it is difficult
to see how regime Of clrpet-Laggers
could be avoided in the Philippines. III
theory on which on" government was
founded recognizes the principle that all
are equal, free, and indepcndea-. SoIne
men now are urging that we cut away
from the principles that have been cJr
mainstay for a century"
NIGHT PROVE A SET BACK.
The Senator then explained that he
was not in accord with that proposition.
and he thought we ought to cling fondly
to the compact ideas that had prevailed
in the nation and under which it had
grown great. lie said he should regret
TO see any departure from our time
honored policy that might prove a set
back to our progress.
Il shall oppose vigorously" the Sena-
tor said. "any proposition to make Ha-
waii a Territory. 1t has only smali
AngIo-Saxon population, and will never
have large population of that race. The
islands could very properly be made Il
county of the State of California. One
feature | am expecting in the forthcom-
ing report Of the Hawaiian Commission
is recommendation that the system OF
slavery now in vogue there be continued
for ten years.
'You will oppose any system of slavery
in the islandsT'
II shall oppose any kind Of slavery IN
the Sandwich Islands, and | am certain
that other Southern members of Con
gress will take the same stand. But the
annexation act was passed at the in
stance of large holders of real estate
their property increased in value imme-
diately by annexation, and they will
not now consent to legislation that makes
it impracticable for them to work their
plantations with the laborers there. The
maintenance of the system of Chinese
labor in Hawaii will provoke new labor
problems of which we now have Il
sulficiency."
Senator Jones goes back to New York