The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1900-05-16
CLARK RESIGNS.
Montana Senator Springs
Sensation.
Reads Letter to Gov. Of
His State.
Announcement Came Without Preyi.
Gus Notice.
He Bitterly Arraigns
His Accusers.
Almost Breaks Down During
Latter Part of Address.

Washington, May l5,-Mr. Clark oil
Montana. fairly swept the Senate with
Q lrpriss tod BY formal snnounoement
that he had sent bis resignation as Sena-
tor 70 the Governor OF Montana.
The announcement came without pre-
vious notice and probably not half dozen
persons In Washington knew that 1t was
e. be made.
Mr.. Clark struck just the instant the
iron was hottest. Mr.. Chandler. chair
man OF the COMMITTEES on privileges and
elections, had given notice that at ]
O'Clock he would call up for consideration
the resolution unanimously reported
from the committee declaring Mr.. CLARK
not to be entitled 10 his seat In the Sen
ate. A spirited contest over the resolu-
ton was expected. Every Senator In the
city was at his desk.
Just after the routine business was CON-
GLUED, MIR. Clark quietly rose and ad-
dressed the chair. He desired. he said, in
q low tense voice, to address the Senate
on q question OF privilege. personal to
himself Instantly there was buzz Of
expectation In the chamber. senators
from both sides Of the main aisle hurried
TO seats near Mr.. Clark and hush fell
upon the assemblage rs the Montana
Senator began to speak. At first bis
words could be scarcely heard, but as
he proceeded his voice became clear. and
while at no time did he speak loudly,
the intense earnestness Ct bis utseranoe
carried his address to the rsmotsst parts
of the cham Der. His address was u sharp
arraigpment of the oommitee's action
and report, an analytical discussion OF
the evidence adduced at the ioyestiga
ton, an explanation OF political and
business sffairs In Montana and bitter
ex coriation OF Marcus DAILY and his
ft.ends.
As Mr.. Clark advsrted to his desire to
hand down to his children name un-
tarniahsd even BY the breath Ct disgrace
tears welIsd to his eyes and his voice
trsmbled with emotion. He almo OF broke
down. Thep, braoing himself, he READ
the letter be had sent to the Governor OF
Montana, rendering his resig nation. At
became the centre of a group of Senators
all desirious OF pressing his hand.
Little other business of Importance was
transacted. The resolution Relating to
Mr.. Clark went over until tomorrow and
the SsnEt, proceeded TO the transaction
of routine business.
Mr.. Clark next took mp the large ex-
renditures of money In the campaign.
He folio we'd this with a soathing dsnur-
citation of the methods of DAILY In Mon
tans politics, reviewing his course In
elections and In the state capitol d ght,
where he charged the Anaconda com-
pany with spending a million dollars.
In few sentences Mr.. Clark referred
to his own career, concluding with the
words:
81 was never In all nay II fe charged
with dishonorsbis act and / propose to
leave to my children q legacy worth
more than gold, an unblemishsd name.
Senator Clark announced his resigna-
tion as follows:
"Aoting upon my own dgment and
holding no one responsible for the result,
1 have concluded TO place my resignation
In tie hauus of the Chief Executive of
Montana. and here submit a copy OF a
letter addressed TO him under date Of May
II, and which IL Bnow Tin his hands,
The letter follows:
"washington, May II, 1g0o.
"Io His Excsllency, the Governor OF
Montana, Helena. Montana:
Dear Sir:-Tne sixth legislative ae-
% 1bly on the 2Sth day OF January, 1922,
elseted me to represent the state Of Mon
tapa in the Senate of the United States
for the term com msnolng on ths fourth
dsy OF Maxoh, 1899.
A Under the authority OF the credsnt isIs
ed by the Governor OF the State ]
On srsd upoa ths discharge Of the duties
o thai position on tins first Monday OF