Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1900-04-11
Criticised in Scathing Terms
By Committee.
DISGRACE EMPHASIZED
Clark'S Friends Do Not Give up
and Will Contest Case to
a Finish in the
Senate.
to Inter Mountain.

Special to Inter Mountain.
Washington, April 11.-While the SEN
ate committee on privileges and elections
has agreed to unanimously make a re-
port declaring Senator Clark's seat va
cant, it is understood that many members
took occasion to criticise in the most
scathing terms the disreputable methods
pursued by Whiteside, Campbell and
others of the memorialists and in the re-
port to the senate this phase of the case
will no doubt receive the castigation it
deserves.
The decision gives credit to no one It
simply emphasizes the disgrace and
humiliation under which the senate suf-
fers.
1t is understood Senator Clark and his
friends will hold a conference here to-
night to decide upon course of action,
the question probably being whether to
continue the fight to finish on the floor
of the senate, or accept the decision of the
senate committee on privileges and cleo
tions as probably foreshadowing the ulti-
mate action of the senate itself and re-
sign now, carrying the contest back to
Montana.
There seems to be no doubt among Sen
ator Clark's friends but that the fight is
to be continued. If it is some most inter-
esting complications and situations may
be looked for this coming summer and
fall because Clark is no doubt in posi-
tion to secure powerful cooperation in
the state.
Senator Clark's friends do not admit
hof he ic to-,
ate, and there is undoubtedly a good deal
of dissatisfaction, as well as surprise and
astonishment, over the unlocked for and
unexpected action of the committee
among senators who feel friendly to
Clark.
1t is alleged here that Senator Pettus
of Alabama had assured Senator Clark of
his personal support and it had become
common rumor about the capital that the
committee would stand five to four
against Clark. The sudden change is un-
accountable, although it is whispered
around that 1t was due to influence ex-
erted by friends of Senator Quay, who,
it is said. had become alarmed over re-
ports of a combination between the Clark
and Quay forces fearing it was hurting
Quay's chances.
Senator Clark has made no statement
as yet, although it is believed he will do
SO soon for the information and guidance
Of his friends at home.
Senator Clark does not appear cast
down. Whatever his feelings may be he
preserves his usual calm outward de-
meanor and is going on with his custo-
mary duties as usual.
Judging from the expressions heard
here, the decision of the committee has
not struck popular chord by any
means This is doubtless due to the rec
objection of the infamous character of
some of the testimony adduced against
Clark-notably that of Congressman
Campbell-which still permeates the
classic precincts of the capital with it's
offensive odors The jubilation of the
few DAILY sympathizers here is reduced
to the caustic structures passed upon
their witnesses by members Of the COM
mittee, and the idea is freely expressed
that while the committee found it neces-
sary to declare the seat vacant in view
of the circumstances, a majority of its
members are unsparing in their express
sions of disgust and abhorrence of the
, men and the methods employed to de-
feat Clark. The so-called 'reformers'
are universally regarded here in worse
light than is the victim of their malevo-
lence. No one gives them any credit for
anything higher than the qualification
of mere personal hatred, while it is of
course generally understood that they
,, We're all employed by one man and that
all were working for pay.
| If Senator Clark does not resign, and
| the seat shall ultimately be declared va
cant by the senate, it is not believed an
appointment by the governor to fill the
vacancy would be legal. The situation
| would then be the same as if the legis,a-
ture had failed to elect. and the prece-
dent established in the Mantle case in
1888 would govern. This situation would,
however. be changed if in the meantime
the senate should seat Quay. who has
| been appointed by the governor of Penn