The evening times., 1900-05-18

The Senate COMMITTEES on Privileges and
Elections at its meeting this morning di-
reeted Chairman Chandler TO press 10 a
vote the resolution recommended by the
committee that W. \. Clark was not legal
ly elected Senator from the State Of Mon
tana- Numerous protests against the seat
ing CT Mr. Clark under the appointment OF
Lieutenant Governor Spriggs, acting as
Governor OF Montana. were read, the most
forcible being the following telegram from
Governor Smith 10 the Chairman of the
Senate Committee on Privileges and Elec-
tions:
Butte. Mont. May Il.
Hon. ". E. Chandler, Washington,
D. c.:
81 desire to present in as q foreibe
manner as possible. my protest against
the course pursued BY Hon w A
Clark in attempting TO defeat the &C
tion Of the Senate Of the United States
upon the resolution presented by the
COMMITTEES On Privileges and Electors
affecting his title 10 a seat. and 10
protest against the methods pursued
b. him in securing an appointment at
the hands OF the Lieuteaant Governor
during nay absence from the State, IN
der circumstances and conditions
and fraud His conduct in attempting
a resignation and procuring a reap
pOlnImert under the conditions as he
did, II the matter was before a court
Of justice. would have been considered
q contempt Of court on his part
I therefore trust that the commit
tee and the Senate viii proceed 10 a
proper and complete consideration OF
the question so that the rights not
OIL Of f. II hrr4 -F - -
Montana in the premises. may be de-
termined, and that upon the presenta-
tion OF his credentials Of appointment by
the Lieutenant Governor. the same be
transferred 10 the Committee en Privi-
leges and Elections for investigation
and that I be permitted 20 make a
mere complete and detailed statement
OF facts concerning the resignation
and appointment OF Mr. Clark Very
respectfully ROBERT B. SMITH
Governor Of the State Of Montana"
The decision TO press the resolution vas
reached without q vote being taken by the
committee There was a long discussion
as 70 the prOQTlety and utility OF this PRO
posed action The committee adjourned
soon after noon, with the agreement that
Senator Chandler. chairman OF the commit
tee. should call up the anti-CisTk resolu-
tjCn tcnOrrOw. il being the special order
q, 1 o'clock
The committee was 70 have met at 10
o'clock, but because OF the t1rdf1ess OF
Senator Hoar IL vas II O'Clock before the
dccrs Of the session chamber were closed
and the case taken under consideration
The members present were Senator's
Chandler. Hoar. Pettus Burrows, Priteh-
ard Cahrey, Turley. Harris and Nc
COmas- Mr. Pritchard Mr.. NcCOmss. Mr..
Harris. and Mr. Turiey gave il as thei-
opinion that the presidents Of the Sena
pointed that Mr- Clark was not a mel
Der Of the Senate, since. on Tuesday,
had notified the President pro tempOre
the Senate that he had teiegrsphed :
resignation to the Governor Of MontaI B.
This being the case, they could not see TIE
utility Of declaring by means Of form zt
resolution that he was not q member
the Senate.
The committee discussed the plan Of ac-
tion which it may follow when the new cre-
dentials Of Mr. Clark shall have been pre-
sented 10 the Senate. Il was agreed that oh
lection should be made and that a motion
should be made 10 refer the case to the
Committee on Privileges and Elections for
Investigation and report
Considerable bitterness was manifested
BY certain members OF the committee to-
ward Mr.. Clark il being said that he had
outmaneuvred them and that il il could be
prevented his superior tactics should avail
him nothing. The members Of the COM
mittee were averse 10 discussing the case
Tor publication
Later in the afternoon the information
leaked from authoritative sources that
Mr.. Turley and Mr. Pritchsrd said during
the session Of the committee that il was
their belief that the resolution. which viii
probably be called up tomorrow. cannot be
passed They are reported 20 have said
that by a personal but incomplete canvass
OF the Senate they were persuaded that
there were enough members OF The Senate
opposed 10 the adoption Of the resolution
to prevent final action on it They were
not positive but that there was enough
opposition in the Senate 20 the resolution
TO defeat IL They said that the belief vas
spreading that the committee in order 10
vindicate itself would not stop al perse-
cuJion Of Mr. Clark. They advised that
the matter be left where il is and that the
resolution ha indefinitely DOStDOned