The Van Buren press. [volume] (Van Buren, Ark.) 1859-1914, 1901-09-21
SENATORIAL ASPIRANTS.
Gov. Clarke and Hon. Jas. X Jones Open
tho Campaign ut Searcy.

senatorShip was opened at Searcy on
the 18th inst. Ex-Gov. Clarke led off,
arguing against long continuance in
Office. OF Senator Jones support of
the Wilson bill the speaker declared
sugar was taxed. and that the lumber
interest OF Arkansas suffered by this
measure becoming law. Gov. Clarke
then referred to the senator's opposi-
zion to the Hatch anticipation bill,
which had passed the house and was
defeated in the senate. Senator Jones
should have voted for this measure,
and left it to the courts to determine
its legality. The speaker referred to
Senator Jones bill proposing bond
issue of $5O0OOO,OOO as being in
the interest of the bondholders. Gov.
Clarke advocated the Nicaraguan ca
nal, declaring his opponent had failed
to give it any support during his long
service in congress. On the other
hand he had opposed it on the consti
tutional objection that taxes raised
in the United States should not be ex-
pended away from home; he was glad
he had at last converted the senator
to advocacy Of the canal. The speaker
dwelt at length upon the senator's
record in congress. Referring to the
democratic platform declarations
against trusts and incorporates Gov
Clarke said Senator Jones was a di-
rector and stakeholder in a company
created under the laws Of New Jersey
for the baling of cotton by the round
lap process, reading from the testi-
mony in the Collier Texas suit against
he American Cotton Company on the
point that there had been a combine
effected in the round bale interests,
including the American Cotton Compa.
~ the Standard Circular Cotton Com
oany of England and two other com
panies.
Senator Jones opened by declaring
that Gov. Clarke had failed to prove
that the American Cotton Company
was trust. He referred to his long
service in the senate and the fact that
he had twice been placed at the head
of the national democratic committee.
II there was anything wrong with his
record he wanted the people to so de-
clare, but II he had been true to his
trust he asked for their endorsement.
1T you would make glad the hearts
Of republican leaders in congress, let
them know you repudiate me-" said
the senator. As to his position on the
Nicaraguan canal the speaker said he
opposed the proposition to issue ST..
10000 In bonds to aid the enterprise,
but was In favor OF the United States
building and owning the canal with
out asking the consent Of Great Brit.
ain. As to the round,lap bale com.
pany, the speaker declared that 1t does
not suppress competition, but pro-
notes It; that 1t saves money for the
producer. The senator stated that
while governor, Clarke raised assess.
ments Of railroad property and, after
his term expired, appeared as rail
road attorney to secure reduction OF
the assessments. Senator Jones then
took Gov. Clarke to ASK for appear.
ing as the attorney of the Hudson
bank to collect $65,00V on old bonds,
against the state, the bonds being a
relic Of carpet-bag days, said the sena.
tor. As to the Hatch anticipation bill,
which sought to license brokers. the
senator said his position was that con.
gress had no right to levy a tax ex.
cept for the purpose Of raising revenue.
In his rejoinder Gov. Clarke said
he had appeared In the railroad tax
case openly as an attorney. After re-
firing from Office he opened law Of.
flee to practice his profession in order
to make a living for his family. He
could not get into trust and had to
earn some money. AS a member OF
the assessment board while governor
he assessed the railroad property at
what he believed was right under tho
showing made at the time, Afterwards
the principle OF taxation as laid down
: by the supreme court had enabled
him as an attorney to be instrumental
In securing reduction for his clients
He said his record was open to inspec'
ton. He went into the details OF
his connection with the Hudson bank
bond claim as attorney, having be-
come associated with Hon. Il. G. Nc
Rae in that capacity at the later's 80
licitation lie detailed how the bonds
had been exchanged through state
agent, who palmed of invalid bonds
for valid ones, which the record shows
The state debt board had said the
Hudson bank claim was Just one
but the bonds had been destroyed
Judge II. G. Caldwell had declared the
debt was an honest one. but thai HI
had no Jurisdiction to compel the state
TO pay II,
As to the senator's denial that the
American Cotton Company Is trust
Gov. Clarke said the fact was raised
that the presses were not on the mar
ket for sale. but were operated by the
company or leased, that by this method
II 10 possible for the company to event
ually monopoliza the baling OF cotton,