The Irish standard., 1900-05-19
Tue RESIGNATION.
Remarks Made by Senator Clark in
The Senate.


Washington, May 1G.-A sensation
was sprung in the senate Tuesday after
the body convened. Scarcely had the
routine business been concluded when
Senator Clark (Mont.) rose and add
dressed the chair on Il question of priv
llege personal to himself. Senator
Clark said:
ut had not boon my intention to dis
turb the recognized traditions of this
most honorable body by intruding my
opinions upon any questions that might
arise for consideration during the pres.
ent session; but the question called up
to-day for discussion SO vitality concerns
my own interests and the interests of the
great state which I have the honor in
part to represent. that shall ask the in
dulgence OF the senate While I, as briefly
as possible, submit some remarks, refer
ring first to the character of the investi-
cation; second, to the majority report Of
the honorable committee on privilege and
elections. which has submitted findings
adverse to the retention of my seat in the
senate; third, to the conditions existing in
the state of Montana for a number of
years prior to my election which justified
my political action; and lastly, a state
ment as to the course / deem best to
pursue in the premises.
Dcnounces Work of Committee.
ut is not my desire to cast any asper-
slons upon the motives which actuatcd
the distinguished senators composing the
committee. and yet with the most re-
spectful consideration for the learning
legal ability and eminent standing Of
these gentlemen, l am forced to the con-
clusion. which I believe meets with the
concurrence of not only a large number
of senators on both sides Of this cham
Der, but also of so per cent. of my con-
stttuency in the state OF Montana, re-
CARELESS of political affiliations, that the
methods of procedure in the investigation
OF this matter were manifestly unfair
non-judicial, and that they resulted in a
verdict of the committee entirely oppo-
site to that which would have occurred
should the evidence have been confined to
that which was admissible and pertinent
to the issue.
Should Have Been judicial.
Il contend that an investigation involv-
Ing seat in the highest legislative body
of this nation as we'll as the honor of an
individual chosen for that position by the
people of one Of the sovereign states
thereof, should he conducted in a strictly
judicial manner. and that in the pro-
ceedinGs the established rules of evidence
should be applied. 1t is we'll known to
everybody that this was not the case.
1t is true that there was a strong effort
made by the honorable senator's from
Alabama. Maryland, Kansas and North
Carolina. at the beginning Of the snvest!-
cation. to exclude all the irrelevant testi-
mony, but their efforts We're unavailing.
The senators who filed q minority re-
port expressed in emphatic terms their
condemnation of the proceedings in this
respect, as we'll as Il dcnunciation of tho
character and practices of The principal
attorney. and OF some of the witnesses
who testified hn inn
Announces His designation.
At this point Mr.. Clark presented the
senate a copy Of the formal letter Of
resignation he had sent the governor
of Montana. and said:
Acting upon my own judgment. and
holding no one responsible for the re-
suit, l have concluded to place my resig
nation In the hands of the chief executive
of Montana
'Mr. President, desire in retiring from
tho senate to state that have here
formed some warm friends, whom l re-
gret to leave. | have received from the
honorable presiding officer the most cour-
teous attention. l am deeply sensible of
the generous sympathy and support of
almost all of my democratic colleagues
and for the cordial good wishes of q
great number OF republican friends 1
Postpone Action.
At the conclusion Of Senator Clark S
speech, many senators crowded around
him and shook his hand most cor
daily. AS soon as order was restored
Senator Chandler asked that the con-
sideration of the resolution declaring
the seat vacant be postponed until
Wednesday, which was done.
Starts on n Cruise.
Greenwich, Conn, May 16.-The
steam yacht Oneida with its owner, E..
G. Benedict, on board will leave Indian
llarbor after week OF preparation
for two weeks cruise. The yacht
will go to New York. where Grover
Cleveland and Joseph Jefferson will go
aboard.