The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-10-12
CONGRESSMAN JONES.
He Discusses the Money Question TO a
Big Audience i'm Frederick sburg.


FREDERICKSBURG, VA, oct H.
Special.-Congressman William A. Jones
received an ovation tonight when he was
introduced by city Chairman IT, Nc
Cracker. to am immense audience n the
courthouse here, and made the first
speech Of the campaign in Ihis city
The greater part of Mr. Jones speech
was devoted to a. discussion of the money
question. He commenced by referring 10
the fact that two years ago the country
was held ia the thrOes Of the most I'M
tensely exciting campaign which had ever
agitated the minds OF the people OF this
country and that whilst - was true that
the stirring events of the war. through
which the country had recently passed.
had obscured for the time being the great
questions OK taxation and finance. those
questions are AS important now as they
were two years ago and must In the ma
ture of things assume a. greater import
ance in the near future.
NEW RESPONSIBILITIES.
As a result Of the war we have assumed
new ard great responsibilities. and we
will need larger revenues with which to-
discharge our additional obligations and
a larger volume OF currency with
which 20 carry on our expanding
trade and commerce. He then discussed
quite deliberately our present currency
system. giving the history OF that as
well as the bond issues of the govern
ment for the past third Of q century.
He pointed out that the policy of the
Republican party dominated by the
money power had been and still is 10
contract the volume of currency. thus en-
HANGING the value of money and creating
a constantly falling market for the prod
ucts Of labor ana enterprise. He main-
tanned that the action of Congress in au-
thorizing the sale OF five hundred millions
OF bonds and interest bearing certificates
was without the shadow of excuse and
was taken az the dictation of a bond-hold-
ing oligarchy and he asserted that there
is more idle money piled mp in the treas
ury to-day. which included }Z29olQo00 of
gold coin than had ever been there iu the
whole history ~ The country.
CIRCULATION Contracted
IL was true that more than one hundred
millions had been expended for war pur-
poses. but two hundred millions. the
amount paid for the bonds Sold had been
Withdrawn from circulation and instead
Of the war having put more money I'M
circulation and stimulating prices. 10 had
had the opposite effect
He alluded 10 the fact that the Repub-
leans had claimed credit for 0he high
price which wheat had reached "a year
ago. after the farmers had disposed of
their crops and declared that if the Re
publican party had really accomplished
what IT'S advocates claimed for it. that
it is the meanest party on earth for not
maintaining those prices now. chat the
barns of the farmers are filled with grain
for which they can only ln1 a. market 40
price less than the cost of production
MANAGEMENT or THE WAR.
Mr.. Jones said that he felt reluctant
10 discuss the Republican MANAGEMENT OF
the war. but that if the administration
claims all the glory for the achievements
OF our soldiers and sailors by land and
sea. ~ must not shirk the responsibility
for the shame. Disease. he declared had
killed many more OF our gallant soldiers
than spanish bullets. and hundreds of
fever stricken had died from unnecessary
exposure and inexcusable neglect.
I'm the FracO-German war 2S.G00 had died
from wounds. 1900 from disease. bur with
AN Of our great resources ut command.
nearly ten had persisted from disease pro-
duced by neglect and want of care. 90
one who had died from wounds inflicted
by the Mauser bullets. but. declared the
speaker whilst the Republicans were
solely responsible for the incompetonce
of the commissaries. quartermasters and
surgeons, most of whom were without ex-
perience and whose appointments were
due 10 political influences. they cannot
justly lay claim 20 AN OF the glory which
had come to the American arms.
THE GLORY DIVIDED
That claim is as impudent as If is with
out foundation and the administration
might award the palm 10 Sampson but
the American people have crowned Sohlev
with imperishable glory and the daring
deeds Of HObson ana joe Wheeler cannot
be appropriated by the Republican party
so long as this republic lives and Justice
reigns In the hearts Of the people Mr.
Jones closed by returning his thanks for
the loyal support which the people OF this
city have given him in four successive
campaigns and invoked his Democratic
auditors to stand firmly by the Chicago
platform which embOdies the everlasting
principles OF Democracy appealing 10
them 10 rekindle in this campaign the
altar fires Of their ancient faith.
tribute to General Wheeler evoked
vOciferOus applause
Mr.. Jones spoke for two hours and held
the closest attention OF his audience
throughout.