The Washington weekly post., 1900-04-17
Tuesdays Proceedings.

Resolved. That William a. Clark is
not entitled 40 a seat in the United
states Senate as A Senator from the
state of Montana"
In these few brief words is recorded
the unanimous decision of the sena.'
Committee On Privileges and Elections iT
the case of Senator Clark. which has
been under consideration By tbs commit
zee for the last ;hrce months. The re-
suit was reached Tuesday, after a two
hours discussion, in which every mem.
Der of the committee participated. ex.
Cept senator Cafery, % Louisiana. and
he communicated his opposition In = teIe-
gram 10 Senator Chandler, the chair
man of the committee IL will not -e-
qu're a tWo-thirds vote in the Senate %
ADOPT the resolution. which would have
been the case II the committee had taken
the ground that Mr. Clark ought TO be ex-
pellcd A majority vote will be sufficient
The fact that Mr. Clark has been sworn
in will make no difference. his admission
40 the senate having been upon his prima
iscie tights, subject TO an investigation
II the charges which we're submitted al
the time he took the oath.
The decision OF the committee became
quickly DOised through the lCbbies % the
Capitol. Senator Clark, who was In hiss
cOmTnittee-rOOm. at once summoned his
counsel. ex-senator Faulkner, and ;he
two were IN consultation for some time.
Al the conclusion Of their conference. II
was announced that Senator Clark would
make no statement, nor would ne decide
upon his course Of action until the report
Of the committee had been prepared and
an examination made Of the grounds up
NJ
J, IS doubtful whether Mr Clark will re-
sign at this time. owing to the fact that
the governor Of Montana is a partisan
Of Marcus Daily, through whose instru-
mentality the prosecution was commenc-
ed, and who has supplied the funds for
It's continuance. Senator Clark would
not, however. either affirm or deny last
night the rumOr which credited him
with an intention of resigning
Unanimous Upon Two Points.
Senators Chandler and Turley have been
appointed the subcommittee 10 prepare a
report There IS absolutely no division or
opinion in the committee upon two points:
First, that the Montana statute which
f0rl.ids p candidate from expending more
tnan $3.50 in a campaign was violated by
Senator Clark, and, second. that the large
amount OF money which was actually ex-
pended, $4,000, is in itself prima facie evi-
dence Of the illegitimate use of funds.
The committee will say that the law re-
ferrrd 10 Vas framed for the purpose of
preventing undue use OF money, and that
its violation was admitted by the testi-
mOny OF the witnesses for the defense.
At least two members of the committee
Senators Harris and Pettus, do not believe
h.f fr. i
be charged against Senator Clark's Sena-
tcrial candidacy. on the ground that a
considerable sum was expended In the
anti-legislatuTe campaign. before Senator
Clark had decided TO become a candidate.
In view of the unanimity of opinion in
the committee upon the two points stated.
it is probable that the report will be based
upon them, as they are considered Of suffi-
cient weight TO warrant the conclusion
that Senator Clark is not entitled 10 his
seat. II was also the consensus of oDin-
ion or the committee that there was no
especial feature against Mr.. Clark, which
could be emphasized as the basis for the
report against him. the general opinion
acter Of the testimony that should be con-
sidercd rather than any one especial de-
tail. Senator Harris raised the point i'm
Mr. Clark's behalf that the cumulative
be considered, but he was overruled in
this position.
Condemn Methods of Prosecution,
During the discussion Of the case by the
committee. Senator Harris, of Kansas, in
d,cated the most pronounced leaning to-
ward leniency for Mr.. Clark He did not
express any doubt that there had been a
lavish expenditure of money in Mr..
Clarks behalf, and while not condoning
this course he spoke in terms of strong
condemnation OF the tactics pursued by
some of his (Clark's) opponents, referring
especially 10 Congressman Campbell and
former State Senator Whteside.
Senator McCOmas united with other
Senators in condemning the methods pur
sued in prosecuting the case, and Senator
Pettus was very outspoken. Il have
more respect for Mr.. Clark than l have
Tor those who have been bounding him"
sald Mt. Pettus yesterday afternoon. 81
90 not think that the use of 500 ey0 or
more In electing Mr.. Clark was warrant
eo, but at the same time | have no doubt
that Mr. DAILY will spend at least S125 na6
III prosecuting the case / want 10 saw
also, that l do not believe Mr.. Clark was
personally cognizant Of the manner i'm
which the money was used" This EXON
Grafton OF Senator Clark from personal
completely was also expressed by other
senators, including Mr.. Harris. and il
NaS stated last night that they would
not join i'll a report which expressed views
antagonistic 10 their own belief in mis-
regard. -'A ''-iS
There were many expressions in the
committee favorable TO Senator ClarL,
from personal point of view and NOR
than one Senator expressed the opininn
that the Senator was in certain lenss
lhe Victim OF environment and of habit
The outlay OF money in past elections in
Montana was dwelt upon as one Of the
explanations OF the liberal expenditures
in this case.
No Definite Programme Arranged.
II Is impossible 20 predict at this fine
when the case will be taken nm In the
Senate. Nothing can be done until the re-
port OF the committee is presented. and
Senator Chandler said yesterday that II
would take several days to prepare THIS
document IL is quite possible that sever
al Senators will desire TO debate the case
before a final vote is reached. but, as al
ready stated. no definite programme has
been agreed upon.
Senator Clark was at his rooms at the
Arlington last night in consultation with
his counsel, Mr.. Faulkner. and received
many visitors. He was also in RECENT of
numerous telegrams from Montana, assur-
ll4k Allil ii4dA MS lElflluS MOAlu AinUlE ate
him al the next election.
Butte Was Prepared for the Worst.
Minneapolis. Mimi. April lO--A Butte,
Mont, special says: The report Of the
Senate committee against Clark did not
create much surprise In Butte. his home
as such report was generally expected.
although some OF his closest friends and
newspapers had been claiming that a ma
JOr!Iy or the committee would be faVOra-
bic 10 him. His son and chief representa-
tive IN the Senatorial campaign received
the following to-day:
= " CLARK:
Report o. committee Win be adverse Don't let
this v0rTy you. ! viii be yindez,.d either her. or
~ Montana W. A. CLARK
Some OF Clark's friends here predict that
lie will resign and return TO Montana for
Nindicati0n.
The House of Representatives devoted
Tuesday 10 the agricultural appropria-
ton bill passing II substantially as re-
Iorfea. AuiTuafeF HfS-r,1u{o.. -.