The copper era., 1902-11-13
MR. JONES MAKES 4 STATE
 NEWT.
CLIFTON, Nov. I2, 1902.

] ERA to the end that I may give lit tie attention to your article of last week entitled ''Slanderous and Un- true" l deplore controversy in the newspapers, and do not intend to en- gage in one, but the free use Of my name by the writer of the article calls for some notice Of it from me and l consider it duty that I owe to myself and to the public, that 1 indict this communication.
 I have never for one moment be- lieyed or intimated that either MT. Leonard or Mir. Bull was connected directly or indirectly with the produc- tion ot the Parks circular. After my remarks of Saturday night before the election, stated to many upon inquiry that my remarks did not in any way apply to or duplicate either of these two gentlemen, that 1 knew of nothing in existence pointing in that direction, and l now reiterate that statement. : Each of them have been my stead- fast friends, which 1 have ever appre- ciatcd, but aside from the matter of | friendship, the truth would compel me to say, so far as my information is con- cerned that they are entirely inno- cent, as the ERA has stated. l regret that any inference has been drawn from my remarks tending in the least in that direction as it is entirely wrong. have repeatedly stated so. While not my intention to reopen the matter of the Parks circular, certainly will be permitted to correct any wrong impression or recollection as to my language used. With consid- erable warmth and energy l offered to submit to jury or committee Of twelve citizens of this precinct the evidence of the authorship of the Parks cir cular and the place of its printing at any time before Monday night at mid their decision this was with desire to put the unsavory matter entirely at rest before the opening Of the polls. 1 The time mentioned in my rroposi- tion expired, no one coming forward who felt any interest in the matter, and on Tuesday morning the voting l began. I never asserted that was a witness in any way, but that we would produce the evidence before the twelve men if called upon within the time na med, and abide by their decision.
 As to,,,the representation that later in ny remarks, said that the objec- tionable circular was printed in the ERA office, 1 can only say that 1t merely illustrates how widely at vari- ance different persons can be in detail- ing occurrences or language of an in- teresting nature.
 The erroneous impression as to my exact language and which has been the cause of the most unjust criticism, may be made plain from considering the following facts.
 Before leaving Stafford on the day previous, clandenstine report had suspected Of planning the objection able circular as a political expedient. and carrying the inference that Mr. Birdno, editor Of the Guardian had knowledge of it. As the republican central committee had called upon the democratic committee of which Mr. Birdno was chairman, for cooperation in disclosing the source of the circular I merely asked the question: Why did not the republican,central commit tee ask for information from the ERA Oflice?" meaning of course that they should have inquired there as we'll as from the editor of the Guardian. It was no reelection upon the stockholders of the Era, and was the only time the Copper Era was mentioned at all in reference to the circular. The query was asked while 1 held the Copper Era in my hand before the audience, and referred to various political articles contained in it, among which was the republican committees communication and was very natural query under tho circumstances of the clandestine report mentioned, accompanied by the puplished card of the republican com mittee. A copy of the card had been delivered to me in person, by the chairman of that committee, with the request that deliver it to Mir. Birdno.
 I deeply regret that criticism from erroneous impressions has made in necessary for me to write this article, but the duty which 1 owe to myself, and in fairness and justice to both Mir. Bull and Mir. Leonard, ask that it be given full publicity.
 Res pectfully,
 WILEY F. JONES.
 Fire-proof lamp chimneys and pure apple cider at De Vegas.