The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-05-16

I'm the city of Anaconda, which is de-
pendent wholly upon the smelling works
of Mr.. Daly's company. he rules as veri-
table car a name which has. in fact. been
applied to him throughout the State. He
has dominated every phase of the COM
munity life-political. social, industrial,
and commercial. The entire community
has been completely at his mercy. 1ndi-
viduals and business firms have been
raised or crushed at the bending of his
finger, while political opposition has been
the signal for practical banishment.
Il have not recounted a tenth of the in
solent domination. the blacklisting, the
boycotting. and political debauchery Of
this man and his associates, who have
without cause or provocation pursued me
SO relentlessly. and whose perversion of
wealth extracted from the great mines of
Butte has left in its train the financial
and moral ruin of men, the misery of
women and children, the destruction of
personal liberty. and a blight and stain
on the fair name of our State. Is there
any wonder that the liberty-loving people
of Montana should become alarmed and
seek financial help to throw off the great
octopus that threatened everything that
was dear to them? How was it possible
to attack this un-American despotism,
success without a great effort which only
money could secure? l was in a position
to aid in this work and 1 am proud that
l undertook it. It was done legitimately
and with honesty Of purpose. and although
here, where the conditions are not fully
understood, have received some censure,
the honest people of my State approve my
action and will accord me grateful recog-
nition."
Mr.. Clark epitomized his business and
political history in Montana for the past
ten years. and undertooi to explain away
the allegations and accusations contained in
the report of the committee. He complained
that in the hearing the theory Of pre-
sumptive innocence had been largely fg-
nored, and that the entire proceedings had
been closely analogous to the Dreyfus case,
where the prosecution was based upon a
presumption OF guilt.
"Mr. President" he continued. II was
born amid the humble surroundings Of
farm life In Pennsylvania. / went to the
West when a lad; educated myself as well
as could by my own exertions while work.
ing on a farm and teaching school for q
few years; when a spirit Of adventure led
me to the Rocky Mountains. where have
lived, mostly in Montana. for thirty-eight
years. For three years 1 worked In the
mines, and then engaged in other pursuits.
and my enterprises now extend from one
ocean to the other. employ thousands OF
men and pay them generously for their
labor. am endeavoring to discharge my
duty toward mankind. / have occupied
many positions of honor and trust-was
State orator at Philadelphia at the exposi-
tion in 1876: represented the State at the
New Orleans Exposition; was president Of
both constitutional conventions in my
State: was appointed major of the First
Battalion of Montana Volunteers in the
Chief Joseph invasion in 1873. was never
in all my life, except by such characters
as are now pursuing me. charged with
dishonorable act. and propose to leave to
my children legacy, worth more than
gold-that of an unblemished name.
The Letter of Resignation.
"Mr. President. acting upon my own
judgment and holding no one responsible
for the result, 1 have concluded to place
my resignation in the hands of the chief
executive OF Montana. and l here submit
a copy of letter addressed to him under
date of May II. and which is now in his
hands.
Washington. D. c., May II, 1900.
To His Excellency, the Governor Of Montana,
Helena, Mon.:
Dear Sir: The Sixth Legislative Assembly on
the 2sth day of January. 1sg9, elected me TO rep
resent the State o: Montana in the Senate of the
United States for the term commencing on the
4th day of March, 1899.
Under the authority of the credentials signed
by the Governor Of the State l entered upon the
discharge Of the duties of that position on the
first Monday OF last December, after qualifying by
taking the oath of Office prescribed by law.
On the lth day Of December, 1899, two
memorials were presented to the Senate Of the
United S;Htes. praying that my right and title
to continue to act Senator under the ere
dentials which certified to my election should be
investigated.
These memorials. with the accompanying pa
pers, were referred 10 standing committee Of
that body. After a prctracted investigation o.
the allegations of said niemoralists, the commit
tee has submitted its conclusion to the Senate. in
which it finds that the seat which now occupy
under the credentials issued by authority Of the
vote taken in the joint assembly of the Legisla-
ture on the 2sth day Of January, 1882. should be
declared vacant.
None of the charges affecting my personal honor.
or which alleged that had personally been guilty
OF corrupt practices, has been sustained by the
finding OF the committee.
Conscious of the fsctiti:de OF my own conduct,
and after a critical examination Of all the evi-
dence taken by the committee: convinced that
those friends who were loyal TO me during that
bitter contest did net resort to dishonorable or
corrupt means to influence the action OF the
members Of the Legislature in their choice OF
a seat in the Senate Of the United States under
which its committee has declared rests
Tor their authority upon the action OF Legisia-
ture which was not free and voluntary in It's
choice Of Senator.
Self-respect and due regard for the opinion Of
nv associates, and sense o! duty to the people
II the State of Montana, demand that should
-eturn the credentials ur5er which am acting
,s onc Of the represen.atives in the Senate OF
he United States leaving the State and her peo-
pie to take such action as will conserve and pro-
mote her best interests in the national coun7is.
Influenced by these considerations i deemed 1t
,n;nentIy proper without unnecessary delay. to
respn the position of United States Senator from
the State Of Montana, to which was chosen by
the Sixth Legislative Assembly OF Montana, on
the 2sth day OF January, 1sJ9
With sentiments OF esteem. remain respect
fuliy yours. W. A. ehAhh'
.Mr. President" Mr. Clark continued
81 desire in retiring from the Senate to
state that I have here found some warm
friends whom / regret to leave. l have
received from the Honorable Pr siding
Officer the most courteous attention 1 am
deeply sensible of the generous sympathy
and support of almost all of my Demo-
cratic colleagues and for the cordial good
wishes of a great number OF Republic
can friends / wish to express my pro-
found gratitude"
Throughout the long address both Demo |
Gratis and Republicans sat attentively lis |
tening to every word uttered. When he |
concluded score of Senators rushed to
his desk and congratulated him. grasping |
him warmly by the hand. He left the |
chamber in company with Messrs. ShouD |
and Carter.
THE TERRITORIAL JUSTICES.
4 Ell for Increased Salary Favor
nbIy Reported In the senate.