Wesley Livsey Jones | |
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United States Senator from Washington |
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In office March 4, 1909 – November 19, 1932 |
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Preceded by | Levi Ankeny |
Succeeded by | Elijah S. Grammer |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Washington's at-large district |
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In office March 4, 1899 – March 3, 1909 |
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Preceded by | William Carey Jones |
Succeeded by | Seat eliminated |
Personal details | |
Born |
Bethany, Illinois |
October 9, 1863
Died | November 19, 1932 Seattle, Washington |
(aged 69)
Political party | Republican |
Wesley Livsey Jones (October 9, 1863 – November 19, 1932) was an American politician. Jones was born near Bethany, Illinois, and attended Southern Illinois College in Enfield, Illinois. Jones started a law practice in Decatur, Illinois, and later relocated to North Yakima, Washington.
Jones served in the House of Representatives from 1899 to 1909 and as a Republican United States Senator from Washington from 1909 until his death in 1932. He served as the Senate majority whip between 1924 and 1929. He was a successful advocate for federal investment in the Pacific Northwest, securing funding for several irrigation projects and funding for the Puget Sound Navy Yard in Bremerton, Washington. In 1920 he sponsored and secured passage of the Jones Merchant Marine Act, which stipulated that only American ships could carry cargo between American ports, thereby making Alaska dependent on Seattle-based shipping. Jones was a vocal proponent of prohibition throughout his political career, a stance that initially aided his popularity but eventually contributed to his electoral defeat in 1932.