The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-01-05
HARRLSBUR
John Clark Speaker Of the IGouSe.
The Harrisburg Stdte Guard Of last eyenin

John Clark Speaker Of the House.
The Harrisburg STATE Guard Of last evening
BY reference to the proceedings OF the In
formal caucus of the Republican members OF
the House of Representatives, held at the
Lochiel House on Saturday IL will be seen that
the Hon. JohnClark of Holmesourg. the Repre-
sentative from the Seventeenth Legislative dis.
trict of Philadelphia, has already received the
The choice of our Republican friends OF the
House for their chief presiding officer could not
nave dSien upon @ hn "a rnys I,id go
his past record, to fill this most important and
honorable position. His election IN a House
embracing sixty. one Republicans Is, OF course,
beyond a DOUBT, and we are highly gratlfed at
this most sensible and patriotic selection
tempered and seasoned by actual contact with
the business world from early manhood. He
was born In the old city Of Philadelphia, on
the fifteenth day OF November, 1921. His edu :,
cation was everything the public schools OF
the city could afford-nothing more, nothing
less, except that gained In in Dtercourso with the
practical world. For many years his business
avocstion WAS that Of a contractor on the
great public works OF the counlry; ln this
capacity he was employed on the Pennsylva.
MIA Central and North Pennsylvania Rail-
r ads. He was also engsg,d on the
ION. In 1861 he was elected q member OF
the Philadelphia Guy Councils from the
term, the infamous Rebellion OF the slave-
holders OF the South havnD been lnauguratet, 4,
he left his seat in the CITY Council aud look up
teripg the Sd Regiment of the Pennsylvania
Reserve Corps, lac served faithfully aud gall
lantly as captain of Company T.. After the
seven days fight on the Peniusula he was pro-
NOTED to the Lieutenant. Coouecy OF mis- regi-
ment by General Mcclellan for brave and M eTi-
torious conduct He served the full term OF
three years, with an excellent record as a SOL
der In the fall Of 1867 he first elected 10
the House OF Representatives from the district
which he now represents
In his personal intercourse Mr.. Clark is q
mild, courteous, and agreeable gentleman; in
his official intercourse he has never been any
other than q plain Outspoken, honorable man.
His selection under the circumstances is the
more pie asing, bot n TO himself and to the pub
lie from the fact that he never sought the office
10 which he is elected. He does not owe his
position to any, the usual, appliances of the
politician. He has not pledged himself
for o single Office within his gift, and there
lore need not fear offending parties claiming
promises made and unfuliiled. Mr.. Strang
who it was thought would make sturdy fight
with the sagacity and good nature which char-
acterize him gracefully yielded to his oppo-
nent without a struggle on his arrival here
after brief survey of the field OF action, and
this TO the disappointment of his wsrmesl
friends, who urged him to take a decided stand
in his own behalf Mr.. Strang declared he
would Just as soon see his friend Clark elected
az bimself Mr.. Clark's direction of the
speak ership Of the House can hardly fail TO be