The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-12-11
CLOWN in THE HOUSE
CHAMP CLARK, OF MISSOURI, AS
SUNIES THE ROLE OF BUFFOON.
Instance Of How a smaIl-Calibre Man
Can He Spoiled by Having Great
ness Suddenly Thrust ON Him.
Special to the Indianapolis Journal.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal
WASHINGTON. Dec. 10.-Champ Clark is
one Of the men who has had greatness
thrust upon him. AS a consequence he is
one Of the worst spoilt men in Congress.
He has become imbued with the opinion
that he Is wit and sporadically, on the
floor OF the House, makes an exhibition of
himself that Is almost pitiable. Champ was
all right until he became the victim of the
favorable notice of the New York daiies
The great metropolitan newspapers that
consider as legitimate pieces of news the
predicament Of some unfortunate cat
perched helpless on some high cornice fell
upon Champ as good thing when he
dropped into their hands on the occasion
OF soma Tammany affair In that city. He
went there with a satchel full of the crude
sayings and alleged bits OF wit that the
crossroads rustics count as their stock in
trade. and he simply paralyzed the pro-
vincial New Workers. They thought him
funnier than a Depew after dinner speech,
and the next day gave him two columns
with cuts. Since then he has gone about
the world under the impression that he is
the great natural humorist OF Congress,
and tries to live up to the reputation he
believes to be his. He has never learned
the difference between having people laugh
at him and having them laugh with him.
Consequently, when some remark Of his
Is FOLLOWED by q roar Of laughter he i'm
agines himself second Reed.
On SATURDAY ne gave one OF his usual eX-
hibitions. He got on the floor for the pur-
pose of talking to death the DILL to put
revenue marine officers on the retired list.
In doing SO he thought Ii worth while TO
give the witless Washingtonians in the
galleries and the members on the floor
specimens of his quick wit, and startling
qualities OF repartee and humor. He sue
ceeded probably to his own satisfaction,
and there was a murmur Of sound in the
House when he concluded that was more
castle Reed and the energetic Boutelle. nu-
merous chances to guy him, and they
availed themselves Of them. In one of his
spread-eagie nights he roared out: Dem
"No-o-o-o?'s queried Mr. Reed, with a
question mark in every sound wave. This
lican side that drowned the utterances of
Mr.. Clark for some seconds. Later he
launched into an incoherent eulogy OF the
brave soldiers Of the South and seemed to
federate survivors lone of the brayest
men I ever knew he yawped, lis an OBJ
scure man-on the other side of the House -
AT this unintentional impertinence he got
another sarcastic crack and another laugh
at his expense. This nettled him and he
beloved forth, ''but he won't be obscure
when am. through with him. He then an
nounced the name OF the unfortunate who
had earned his admiration and said: THAT
man recruited one of the bravest regi-
ments this country has ever seen and when
he had fought his last battle he had not a
man left alive to call the roll. III those
brave followers Of his should come here
seeking pension I would, for one, vote
to pension them"
But you just said they were all dead
reminded some one. The Southern orator
was staggered but got from under and con-
tinued his dreary twaddle until the gavel
fell
The one consolation people have in listen
ing 70 Champ is the consciousness that he
was hopelessly showed under in the last ex-
preston of the will of the people at the
polls and will. henceforth. reserve his
bright wit for the appreciative souls that
gather round him at the village grocery at
home.