Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1900-05-15

SAYS the Committees AclIon Against Him
Vas Unfair,
CONSTITUENTS UPHOLD HIN.
says His Political Actions Were Jus
tlned by the state OF Anairs
Existing la Montana.

Washington, May l5-seuator CLARK
OF Montana today announced hisresig-
nation from the United states Senate.
A sensation was sprung IN the Sen
ate today soon after the body convened.
Scarcely had the routine business been
concluded when Mr.. Clark Of Montana
rose and addressed the chair on a ques-
ton OF privilege personal 70 himself Mr.
clark said.
'It has not been my intention to dis
turh the recognized traditions Of this
most honorable body by lntrudlng my
opinions upon any questions that might
arise Tor consideration during the pres
emf session, but the question called up
today for discussion 30 vitality concerns
my own interests and the interests Of
the great State which / have the honor
ia part 90 represent that ! shall ask
the indulgence of the Senate while 1 as
briefly as possible submit some remarks
referring first 20 the character Of the in
vestgation second, 10 the majority re-
port Of the honorable committee on
privileges and elections. which has sub /
mittcd findings adverse To- the retention !
OF my seat IN the Senate, third. TO the |
condition existing TO the State of Mon |
tana, for q number of years prior 10
my election which justified my politi- /
cal actions. and lastly. a statement as /
10 the course ] deem best to pursue IN |
the premises
'lt is not my desire 20 cast any as
pensions upon the motives which acc /
iuated the distinguished senators COM |
posing the committee. and yet with the /
most respectful consideration for the /
learning, legal ability and eminent |
sttu1ing of those gentlemen / am 1
foiccl to ine C6uciu iou agilh ! be-
lieNe meets with the concurrence not /
only oi q large number of senators
on both sides 0f his chamber but also
1I eighty per cent of my constituents
In lhe state uf Montana, regardless OF
political affiliations, that the methods nf
procedure I'm the investigation of this
matter were muuifestly unfair non.
judicial and thar they resulted iu a
verdict of the committee entirely op-
1osite 90 that which would blye oc.
cured should the evidence have been
confined to that which was admissible
and pertinent 90 the issue.
% contend that an Investigation in
'olVIng seat ln The highest legislative
lolF of this nation as wei as the honor
n am individual chosen for that nesl-
ION by The people of one of the sover-
ign states thereof should De conducted
O strictly judicial manner. and that
n the proceedings the established
uIts of evidence should be- applied. IL
5 we'll known to- everybody that this
vas not the case, II Is true there was
strong EFFORT made by the honorable
enators from Alabama. Maryland. !
KANSAS and North Carolina. az the be-
lniue OF The investigation. 20 exclude
I'D the irrelevant testimony but their
nuris were uuayailng.
The senators who filed "a minority
eport expressed in emphatic terms
heir condemnation OF the proceedings
D this respect, as Well as "a deuuucia.
Jon of the character ana practices Of
he principal attorney and OF some of
BE- witnesses who testified for the
rOsecutiou'
MI President I desire IN retiring
rom The Senate TO state that / have
ere formed some warm friends whom
regret 20 leave have received
rom me honorable presiding officer the
lost courteous attention j am deeuly
.nsible of the generous sympathy ana
lpp1rt of almost all OF my Democratic
llIeagues and for the cordial good
fishes of "a great number of Republican
lends ] wish 90 express my profound
latitude
There is yet some doubt as 10 what
Do pe done with the resolution OF the
0u privileges and elocflons
the clark case. This committee viii
pa @ meeting to consider form ~
.occdurc. Some of them think tho
'uate should take action on tho resoin. e
1ns, but others say the rasIrnaffor {
ayes ne seat vacant and no action h.
acessaty +
10 is said q peculiar condition exlsts !. ,
Montana. The governor an anil.
ark man, is in California. and Iielt-
'N. sprfgs. friend OF Clark. Is act-
g. 10 is sdid hy some of the Mon. q
ma men that spriegs may make an y
pOirimeut d
Senator clark announced DTS resigna- s
ln as follows. 4
Acting upon my own Judgment ,r7 h
'l1iug no one responsible for me ~ [
Pc ] nave concluded go place INV 49, o
,udtion in The hands Of the chicf ~
uiiNe of Montana ana / here submit, 3
copy ol "a letter addressed 10 him nm. e
r. date OF May n. and which is now b
DTS hands. L
The letter follows
Washington, ID c.. May II. 1900 y
% Ills Excelncy the Governor ~ =
Montana Helena, Mont: q
Dear sir-Tho sixth legislative az A
nby on the eighth day of Januarv O
~ elected me t0 represent tho STAT A
Montana 10 the Senate OF The t-nite6 a
ltes f9r the term commencing on ~ Z,
irJh day of March. 1888.
Under the authority OF the creder a
is signed by the governor OF Mon q
la. ] entered upon The discharge - b
+ duties of Chat position on the frsf "
Inday VI last December. after onaN
ng by taking the oath OF office pre.
1hod by law. nv
on the fourth day Of December $500 A
% memorials were presented "a ~
nate of the United States. pravins
it my rights 90 continue 10 aet a.
ator under The credentials (which rer 20
"a TO my election, should be invest "
.cd. These memorials with the ~ ai
nmnying papers were referred 10 ~
ndiug committee OF that body Aft.r J.
protraeted investigation OF the alie. % Y.