The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-05-16
CLARK'S BIG POLITICAL COUP.
APPOINTED SENATOR BY LIEUTEN-
ANT GOVERNOR.

'tiOn Will Be ustOe Eut Clark and
His Friends Hold That the Ap-
pointment Is Clearly Valid.
Helena, Mont, May 15.-Acting Governor
spriggs tonight appointed w. A. Clark
OF Butte United States senator to serve
until the next Legislature shall elect his
successor.
Senator Clarks resignation was filed
early in the day with the Governor ana
to-ulght he was appointed by Gov.
Spriggs to succeed himself.
Gov Spriggs has all along been a friend
of Senator Clark, during his candidacy for
the senatorship and since, although he
preserved the utmost impartiality in his
office as lieutenant governor and president
of the Senate during the senatorial cam
pagn.
Gov. Smith, a partisan of the Daily peo-
pie, left the state two weeks for Cali
forna to attend to some mining cases in
which he is retained as attorney. AT
that time there was no thought of Sena-
tor Clark resigning. The resignation
filed today came as surprise to the peo-
pile of the state, who had no inkling of
the coup prepared.
During the day Gov. Spriggs received a
great many kilograms from all over the
state, urging him to appoint Senator
Clark, alleging that he was the real
choice of a large majority of the Demo-
Gratis and a large proportion of the Re-
pubicans as well.
Gov Sprggs was besieged all day by
individuals and by delegations friendly
aDd hostile to Mr.. Clark.
Sensation in Washington.
Washington, May 15.-The announce
ment tonight that the lieutenant COVER
nor of Montana has appointed William A.
Clark to the scat in the United States
Senate, made vacant by his own resigna-
aion, has furnished Washington with the
greatest political sensation OF the year.
All Washington is asking whether Clark
will be admitted TO membership on these
new credentials. That he has executed a
remarkable coup on his political enemies
one which is to his advantage, whether he
IS seated or not. is evident, and he and his
friends are receiving all sorts of congrat-
uatons in consequence. A new question
is raised by this appointment, and 1t Is one
an which Clark seems to have the decided
advantage
The Governor of Montana is Robert B.
Smith. Populist, who is one of Marcus
Dalys adherents. The lieutenant COVER
nor of the state is A. E. Spriggs, a Popu-
list, who is close friend of Mr.. Clark,
and who spent two months here during
the pendency of the investigation, in
Clarks interest.
In all the figuring on appointment in
case Of Clark's resignation, Lieutenant
governor Spriggs seems to have been
overlooked; and yet it is he who has ap-
pointed Mr.. Clark to the vacancy.
Governor Out OF the state.
The power to do this came to him
through the absence of the Governor
from the state
Gov. Smith is in California, where he
went to argue case before the Court of
Appeals In his absence the lieutenant
governor becomes de facto Governor of
,he state, not only assuming all the du-
ties, but receiving all of the emoluments
of the cffice
The power conferred upon the lieuten-
ant governor of Montana in this sort of
an emergency seems to be greater than
ei.at a conferred up-n the Ike ofticer of any
other state.
According to the interpre tation placed
upon the constitution by Senator Clark
snd his friends, and also by Senator Car
Ter and other Republicans who have in
Cestgated 1t, the right OF the acting
Governor to make the appointment is re-
garded as indubitable.
1t is claimed by Senator Clark and his
4 Isgai advisor, FORMER Senator Faulkner,
4 lnal there is absolutely no flaw in this
new title
any questions hat may be raised upon
.ne credentials which he viii present as
the 'rvernor's appointee must be consid-
eeo without regard to this other case
"Aieh Is res adjudicata.
Chandler VIII object.
1t is hardly probable that Mr.. Clark
VIII be allowed 10 take the oath as a SEN
Ator without objection being made.
!, ~ Is stated tonight that Senator Chan
uler' chairman of the Elections Commit
zee, mas determined to make objection and
- move the reference of the credentials
~ t"e committee Of which he is Chairman.
II mis- is done It VIII be vigorously opposed
""u senator Clark's friends believe that
majority of the Senate viii join in de-
io9uns such a motion. They base this
,rtl I,l upon expressions from leading Re
PDDuean senators as well as leading Dem
a re,als WHO have said they regard the ap-
polhtment as a happy solution Of the Moh-
'aHa complications.
/ IS certain, however, the the DAILY
b!eIpie' who have fought Clark SO Bit
p..y' VIII not give up without a further
rIusgie' and the understanding here TO-
.snt Is that Gov. Smith has been urged
- - hurry back from San Francisco 10
IL iteleha and make another appointment.
II mat Is done and somebody else pre-
sh's himself here simultaneously with
r ar Clark, the probability is that the case
~, NilcH 20 10 me Elections Commit ltfec.
mere is much talk ia anti-Clarl5 circle
lhls all being a neatly executed plot.
q 81 winch the absence of the Governor
iom the state at this very convenient
r niile IS most 1mportapt factor. While
ssopody can be found who win father the
Dtect charge that Gov. Smith was got
1Uloi TIE state through me cl yer manlpu-
la}'on Of the Clark people there are some
Il VINO 1 mint 1t very broadly.
lhe hrst Information the anti-Cla~k
4 neople here had OF the probable appoint
ir-y.| came to them in dispatches from
d''ena this morning. 1t was also the
~ lhtmation they had that Senator
/ ,it''K proposed to announce his resigna-
i. , When / saw Senator Clark at the
coItnnnston, he stated that he had not re-
mcnt.
What Senator Clark says.
-, cannot say. however" he said, in
rpy TO my question, "that / would be
t ised to receive such an announcement.
eo. 40 not hesitate to say that / shall
"elept " appointed. am convinced that