The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1900-05-16

Washington, May 15.--W. A. Clark
of Montana fairly swept the Senate
with surprise by a formal announce
ment that ne had sent his resignation
as senator to the governor Of Mon
tana. The announcement came with
out previous notice, and probably not
half dozen persons in Washington
knew that II was to be made.
Mr.. Clark struck just at the instant
the iron was hottest. Mr.. Chandler
chairman of the committee on privi-
Ieges and elections. had given notice
that at 1 o'clock he would call UP for
consideration the resolution unani-
mously reported from the committee
declaring Mr.. Clark not to be entitled
10 his seat in the senate. A spirited
contest over the resolution was ex-
pected. Every senator in the city was
at his desk.
AT 1870 o'clock. just as the routine
business was concluded. Mr.. Clark
quietly rose and addressed the chair
He desired. he said, in a low tense
voice, TO address the senate on a ques-
ton of privilege personal to himself.
Instantly there was a buzz of eXpecCa-
both sides OF the main aisle hurried 10
seats near Mr.. Clark. and hush fell
upon the assemblage as the Montana
senator began to speak.
At first his words could scarcely be
heard, but as he proceeded, his voice
- became clear and while at no time did
he speak loudly, tie intense earnest
ness of his utteTance carried his ad
dress to the renlotest parts of the
chamber.
His address vas a sharp arraignment
OF the committees action and report,
an analytical discussion of evidence
Induced at the Investigation, an eX-
PLANTATION of political and business df-
fairs in Montana, and a bitter eX
coriatiOn Of Marcus Daily and his
friends.
AS Mr. Clark adverted to his desire
to hand down to his children a name
untarnished even by the breath of dis
grace. tears welled to his eyes and his
voice trembIed with emotion. He al
most broke down. Then, bracing him
self, ne read the letter he had sent to
the governor of Montana, rendering his
resignation. At the conclusion of the
speech, Mr.. Clark became the center
of a group of senators, all DESTROYS of
pressing his hand.
Little other business of Importance
was transacted. The resolution relat-
ing to 1fr. Clark went over until to-
morrow, and the senate proceeded to
the transaction Of routine business.
Relations With Legislators.
Mr. Clark discussed at length the al
legations of the committee with refer
ence to the business transactions with
members of the Montana legislature
conducted in his name. The McLaugh-
lin transaction, he said, was begun by
BickfOrd, and not by himself, and was
purely a business transaction, the sen
ntoriaI matter never being referred to.
He also cOntradicted the statement
IT the committee that he Clark
knew of Bickford's attempt to pur-
chase the Indebtedness which Repre-
sentative Woods owed.
Mr. Clark also said he knew nothing
of what transpired in connection with
Mr.. Fine, being absent from the state
at the time. AS to the $4,000 present
made to State Representative Day,
MIR. Clark said that the money was not
given because of Mr.. Days services in
the legislature, but for services ante
dating the legislature, and in any con-
test that might be inaugurated.
Speaking of the ''Whiteside incident, F."
Mr.. Clark contended that the story
was incredible in view of Mr.. Well
comes sagaclty.
Affidavit Attacks Daily.
lie then introduced an original af-
fdavit by George Z. McGrath in sup
port OF the contention that the pres
ent opposition TO him Clark is the
result Of conspiracy set on foot by
DAILY in 1898. McGrath says that Daily
told him then that the only effective
course to pursue was 10 charge Clark,
morning. noon and night. with bribery,
with the hope of creating a public
sentiment which would force him
(Ciark) TO retire
McGrath also stated that DAILY then
suggested that some of his men should
procure money from Clark or his
agents on a promise of voting for him.
arise in the legislature and exhibit the
money and state how they procured
it"
Mr. Clark added that Mr.. McGrath
had been IN Washington for five weeks
during the investigation. but had been
constantly refused q hearing by the
committee
He then called attention to the fact
that the action of Republican legis-
ldtOrs was the result Of caucus action
and stated that it did not differ from