New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-12-13
"CHIMPr CLARK'S NEW METHOD.

At first blush the methods Of Congressman
Champ" Clark, of Pike County Missouri, in POI
litical discussion seem open to objection. 1t Is
reported from Washington that on last Satur-
day night or I'm the early hours Of Sunday morn
ing Champ" being engaged in discussion WIN
Marceus l.. West colored Republican OF
local prominence. undertook to enforce his argu-
ments with n knife, with which he slashed his
advcrsary's neck. The Federal Elections law
not having yet been repealed the colorcd Re
publican took advantage of the condition or
Negro Domination" under which the country
is suffering untold misery, and proceeded 10
dominate Champ" by sluggng him into limp
and helpless inscnsibility, in which CONDITION
he was bundled off to / hospital. 1t Is, per
haps. unnecessary TO say that had this hap
pcned in Pike County. Missouri, where the peo-
pie are on the alert against Negro DONNA
lion" Mr.. Marcellus l.. West and possibly TWEEN
~ or thirty other colorcd Republicans suspected
of sympathzing with him would have been
either roasted over a slow fire or hung up and
shot full Of holes by libcrty-lovng community
Instead Of which-and this illustrates the hor-
rors Of Negro Domination -" Champ NM
self was arrested after being laid up thirty-six
hours for repairs. and ANONYMOUSLY compelled
TO answer to n charge Of assault. AT last ac-
counts it was understood that he had agreed
10 settle with Mr.. West and that the charge
was withdrawn.
We remember Champ" He was one Of the
orators at the last Fourth-of,july celebration
in Tammany Hall That being simply IN occa-
sion for oratory and not discussion he ap-
Stn
and gave the East Fourteenth Street patriots
some good ideas" which, he said Judge
Crisp. Benton McMiln and us that was raised
among the niggcrs got from them 1t was re-
marked at the time that, though he gave his
audience an excellent illustration OF Pike '0un-
ty politics and Pike County manners, the ad-
dress rs a whole required too many dashes III
printing 10 suit the tastes Of even Tammany
Democrats. and rather too rank 10 De
counted n bowling success in this latitude.
" Champ" did not know IT, however. He stayed
In town two or thrc, days AMI INDUCED In
newspaper interviews In which he pattcd him
self on the back for having been the only real
sensation on The Tammany programme.
We have said that his method of conducting
political discussions with knife seems at first
blush To be open to objection. Calling the prev-
ous question with knife Is such an abrupt |
departure from ordinary parliamentary proceed |
urc. such prccipitatc closure Of debate that /
Speaker crisp himself whom Champ" includ- /
cl among H. that WIS raised among the mig
gers" would hardly be willing 10 have II in /
In the Rules Of the House. And yet /
' Champ" should not be- condemned ont OF
hand For II IL not 10 be- denied that the now /
method il In some measure an improvement !
upon the one he Illustrated In Tammany Hall. /
II Is less cruel. less lingering and prolonged. /
Obviously 10 die under d" Champs" knife is less
painful. less shameful and frcer from torture /
than to bc done TO death with his loose and /
timber Pike County tongue Death. indeed. IN .
any form Is much to be- preferred Ia being com
PEELED Ia listen 10 him. Mr. Marccllus l.. West ,
evidently did not know what Il blessed boon
was granted him when Champ Clark stopped
talking and drew his knife.