The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1911-02-28
NON. W. A. JONES ANSWERS CRITIC
States His Position on Certain CUES
ti0ns.

Hon. w. A. Jones in the following
letter to The News-Leader, publish
ed in Richmond, answers criticisms
published editorially in that paper;
Washington, Feb. II. 1911.
Editor The News-Leader:
NV attention has only today been
called to an editorial recently ap-.
pearing in your paper which con-
tains more than one inaccurate ana
misleading statement, and when
does me gross injustice.
In this article 1t is stated that
il has been published and not de-
MED so far as the writer had seen,
that | opposed the Canadian re-
ciprocity agreement in caucus. 1t Is
not true that | ever opposed TINS
agreement in caucus or elsewhere
and therefore in justice TO me you
will please state when, where ana
bv whom the statement, which you
say has not been denied by me,
was published AS it has never
come under my notice l could not
of course. deny II. but | must as
sumo that you can al least INFORM
me when and where It appeared and
by whom it was made.
The impression is also sought TO
be created in this article that
have not "resolutely adhered TO
the Democratic doctrine OF tar
if for revenue only, as opposed 10
protection" VIII you kindly name
a single vote cast by me during my
entire service in Congress when
will Justify your statement upon
mis- subject? am informed that
the same statement was made III
effect in previous editorial III
your paper. and lest my silence
might seem to warrant further rep
etition OF an allegation which
feel certain YOU will not be able to
substantiate. am going to request
that YOU will either produce your
nroof or retract your charge. l am
MOI aware OF ever having departed
bv a hairy breadth from the Demo
cratic doctrine upon the tatiIi'
Pleas, observe that | am not no"
seeking to institute any comparison
between my record upon the tarlii
and that OF any other Democra'ic
member of either house Oh Con
eress. | am simply asking tha'
Justice be done me.
II is further alleged in this ar
ticle that lit appears from the
Record" that l am "an ardent au-
yocate and supporter CT the snip
subsidy graft scheme. ! cannot
recall but one speech made by me
in the House OF Representatives up
on the subject Of the merchant ma
rine and in that l distinctly ana
emphatically declared myself uh-
alterably opposed 10 ship suOslui $
| did vote for measure. the puI-
nose of which was 10 extend the pro
visions Of an act OF Congress "hlch
mad been upon the Federal statute
hooks for nearly twenty years al
amendment which. had II been
adopted. would not in any respect
have changed the principle OF thA'
act. l may add. for your lniorma-
tion that this identical amendment
nassed the Senate without a single
diSSC nll0R Nolt. II 10 n.y.
nose 10 discuss at this time the lea-
lures Of this proposed amendment
or TO attempt any defense OF my
vote. | shall content myself no"
with the observation that II my
vote justifies your Characterization
of me as an ardent advocate ana
supporter OF ship subsidy graft'heh
the vote taken in the Senate, 20
which | have referred. demonstrates
that eveery Democrat VINO was
a member Of that body three years
ago is also an ardent defender ana
supporter of ship subsidy graft
Nav | ask in conclusion that you
will give TO this letter the same
implicitly given to the two editorials
of which | complain, and that you
will in Justice to yourself as well
as 10 me. give TO the pubic the
source OF the information upon
which YOU based your structures up
on my alleged positions in respect
to the Canadian reciprocity agree
ment and the tariff.
Very respectfully,
w. A. Jones.