The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-04-11
ADVERSE TO Mr.. CLARK
Action of The Senate Committee in
the Montana Contest.
by Unanimous Vote 1t Is Deter
mined 10 Recommend That the
state Be Jnsented-May Tender His
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS mt Capitol.

OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES Mt Capitol.
The Committee on Privileges and Elec-
lions of the Senate, which since January
5. has had under consideration the case
involving the right and title of William A.
Clark. of Montana, to a seat in the Uni
ted States Senate determined yesterday
by a unanimous vote TO report adversely
to the respondent. The result was a sur
prise to the friends of Senator Clark and
to those who have followed the course of
the contest as Independent spectators.
Even the strongest supporters of the
contentious of Marcus DAILY conceded that
there would be a minority report in favor
of the junior Senator from Montana.
The committee convened in executive
session yesterday morning at 10 o'clock
There We're present Senator Chandler OF
New Hampshire, the chairman. Senator
Hoar of Massachusetts,, Senator Pritchard
of North Carolina, Senator McComas of
Maryland. Senator Turley of Tennessee
Senator Pettus of Alabama, and Senator
Harris of Kansas. The clerks to the COM
mittee left the chamber. the doors were
closed and bolted. and sentinels were
stationed in the corridor that strangers
and inquisitiye persons might not approach
too near. At noon the doors were opened
and the several members of the commit
tee announced in reply to questions:
The committee by unanimous vote
has determined to report adversely to
Senator Clark
The report will recite that Senator
Clark imly ola al q
contention as to whether majority or a
two-thirds vote will be required to I'M
seat Senator Clark, but the current of
opinion appears to be that this may be
done bv a majority vote of the Senate,
the expulsion being not for any cause aris-
ing after election, but by reason of the
declaration of the committee that there
was not a lawful election.
Regret at the Capitol.
Because of the magnificent defense of
Senator Clark, by Mr.. Faulkner, there is
general regret at the Capitol that the
former Senator from West Virginia was
defeated. Because OF Senator Clark s
courtesy and gent!eness to all those who
have come in contact with him, and be-
cause of the malicious hatred of his per-
sonal enemies, there is general regret
at the Capitol that he has lost before the
committee.
Senator Clark was in the cloak room on
the Democratic side of the Senate cham
Der when the judgment of the committee
was announced to him. He was unmoyed
by the news. There was no sign of disap-
pointment in his manner. He said. quietly
and calmly. Il am, OF course, surprised"
Senator Clark declined to discuss his
future course. On this point he desires
time for due consideration and for con-
sultation with his friends. 1t is said in
some quarters that he intends to tender
his resignation before the report of the
committee is presented to the Senate. but
Senator Clark has authorized no statement
OF this character. During the afternoon
he had a long conference with former Sem
ator Faulkner.
The report will be prepared by Senator's
Chandler and Turley. II will contain no
reflection upon the personal probity and
integrity of the Senator. 1t viii not re-
cite that he was personally guilty of a
single act of bribery or that he knew
that any wrong was committed in his be-
half by his friends. 1t will contain some
severe criticism upon the methods en-
pioyed in the prosecution OF Senator Clark
by the agents of Marcus DAILY. 1t will. in
particular, condemn Representative Camp
bell of Montana, who acted throughout the
ASo'iitiS do IbHtiSEI-l -EU.Gl ltE tHe iD3ly
forces. and who was repeatedly accused
by counsel for defence and in three in
stances by witnesses with subornatioH Of
perjury. 1t will contain no complimentary
reference to Frederick Whiteside, who. il
his testimony be true, was an informer
but who was charged with perjury by the
defence.
The committee spent two hours in . dis
cussion of the case before taking ballot
Clark in that he said he believed that he
was the victim of oyerzealous friends. He
could not overlook the vast expenditure
of money in the interest OF Senator Clark.
but as an eXtenuating circumstance he
cited the large expenditure of money
against the defendant. He declared that
no matter how indiscreet Senator Clark a
course had been. it was not as reprehensi-
bic as the conduct Of Campbell and White
side, but unfortunately. those gentlemen
were not on trial before the committee
He insisted that if the report was to be
adverse to Senator Clark it should do him
the justice OF reciting the questionable.
and in many instances the contemplate
tactics employed in drumming up evidence
and in prosecuting the charge.
Senator McComaS was strong in his con-
demnation CT the prosecution and in his
expressions of sympathy and respect for
Senator clark as man. Senator PettuS
took the same view OF the case Senator
Chandler and Senator Burrows regretted
that in their capacity as judges they had
to find against Senator Clark
Senator Gallery telegraphed to register
him as against the respondent in the case
Needs No Nindication.
Many hundreds of kilograms poured in
upon Senator Clark yesterday afternoon
and last night Hundreds came from Mon
tana and hundreds from other States
There was perhaps not a State from which
messages did not come. \ few specimens
follow
You need no viudication in Montana.
and the people Of Montana will see to il
that you are indicated at Washington
THE world knows that you are the vie
tim OF the hatred of a malicious million
aire.'
DO not let this victory of Marcus DAILY
discourage you
Flight to the last ditch. Don't resign"
r Conservative men OF ability who have
followed this remarkable case give il rs
their opinion that the charges against this
Clark campaign managers were Upheld on