The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-06-24
Jones is Criticised.

The action of Senator Jones in going over to the Panama forces at the eleventh hour has brought down an avalanche of criticism upon the head of the chair man of the Democratic National Commit tee. The Democratic Senators were com mitted to the Nicaragua route by the party platform which Jones was so in- strumental in framing. His action in combining with the Republicans at the tail end of the struggle when the Nicara- qua forces had apparently beaten the PanamaI lobby to stand still, is, to say the least, peculiar.
 Some of his critics, however, say it is not peculiar for Jones. for he has some- thing of aFrecord for dong strange things. They recall how he was exposed as pos sesslng such large. block of round bale cotton trust stock in the very height of his spectacular fight against the trusts during the last campaign. That ex- posture probably hurt the party as much as anything else, and was worked by the Republicans to greater advantage than any other campaign thunder
 A Business Venture.
 The friends of Senator Jones explained that 1t was a business venture, and in- asmuch as it was profitable one no one particularly blamed the Democratic chair man for having done anything more than any other business man would have done had the opportunity presented itself. The propriety of his remaining chairman of the National Committee, however, and making his principal fight against tho trusts was another question and not so easily condoned.
 The friends of the Arkansas Senator can not urge in the present case that in acting diametrically opposite to what he has been preaching for so many years, he mas been actuated by private business interests and for that reason his apostasy is being roundly condemned. There was a good deal of sympathy expressed for Jones a few weeks ago, when the election in Arkansas went against him and 1t be- came apparent that after nearly twenty years of membership he was to be re- tired from the Senate. Even though his management of the party through two Presidential elections had led to disaster, thera was nevertheless a kindly feeling towards him. His action on Thursday has changed all this, and it is safe to say that Jones will retire without general regret in Democratic ranks.
 The Case of Teller.
 Teller, one of the other Democrats who voted for the Spooner amendment, has not incurred so much resentment. It was known in the first place that he was opposed to an isthmian canal. and in the second place that he had always favored the Panama to any other route in case a canal had to be built. Besides Teller is not wholly a Democrat. He re- mained in the Republican ranks until the free silver movement assumed such strength in Colorado.
 His exposure of the combination be- tween the administration and the sugar trust in seeking to force the Cuban re- ciprocity scheme through Congress has perhaps hurt the Roosevelt adminlstra- tion as much as any other single thing, and as he has been consistent in adVo- eating Panama if there is to be canal at all. his action has not caused the bitter feeling that is entertained towards Jones.
 Teller will have to make another fight for his seat next year. It is claimed that inasmuch as the free silver issue is dead a. change has come over the State, and that Walcott will be able to give him d har-A fight. The Democrats. however, are confident that Teller will be returned and their hopes seem to be justified by the re- cent election of Patterson.