Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1900-05-23
CLARK'S RESIGNATION.
Briefly Reviews His Fraudulent Election
and Subsequent Events.


Helena, May Ex-senator W. A. Clark
was tonight reappointed to a seat in the
upper house OF the United States congress,
from which he resigned today. Lieut.. Gov.
spriggs made the appointment, after care
fully looking over the situation. He de-
bated several hours, alter being advised oil
the senator's resignation, before he acted.
lie said that under the circumstances he
did not see how he could appoint any one
else. A copy OF the letter OF resignation
was laid before the governor. as follows:
Washington, May IL, 19O0.-To His
Excellency, the Governor OF Montana, Hell
ena, Mont. Dear Sir: The sixth l%egislat.
i've assembly on the 2sth day OF January,
1892, elected me to represent the state OF
Montana in the senate Of the United States
for the term commencing on the 18th day OF
March, 1899.
Under the authority Of the credentials
signed by the governor OF Montana | en-,
tered upon the discharge OF the duties Of
that position on the first day Of last DE,
cember, after qualifying by taking the oath
OF office prescribed by law,
ION the 4th day Of December, 1899, two
memorials were presented TO the senate o
the United States praying that my right
and tile to continue to act as a senator,
under the credentials which certified TO my
election, should be investigated. These
memorials, with accompanying papers,
were referred to a standing committee o.
that body. Alter a protracted investiga
ton OF the allegations OF said memorialistt
the committee has submitted its coDclu
sion to the senate, in which ii finds that
the seat which | now occupy under the ere
d~entials issued by authority OF the vott
taken in the Joint assembly OF the legisla
ture, on the 2sth day OF January, 1899
should be declared vacant. None OF tn,
charges affecting my personal honor, oil
which alleged that had personally been
guilty Of corrupt practices, have been sus
tanned by the finding OF the committee.
Conscious of the rectitude OF my own
conduct, and after a critical examination
Of all the evidence taken by the committee,
am convinced that those friends who
were so loyal to me during hat bitter con.
test did not resort to dishonorable or cor
rupt means to influence the action OF the
members OF the legislature in their choice
of a senator, yet | am unwilling to con.
tinue to occupy a seat in the senate OF the
United States under credentials which its
committee has declared rest for their au.
thority upon the action of the legislature
which was not free and voluntary in its
choice OF a senator.
"Seli-respect and due regard for the opin.
ion Of my associates and IA sense OF duty
to the people OF the state OF Montana de.
mand that | should return the credentials
under which ! am acting rs one OF the rep.
States, leaving the state and her people to
take such action as will conserve and pro-
mote her best interests in the nationalcon
vention.
Influenced by these considerations |
deem it eminently proper, without unnec'
essary delay, to resign the position Of
United States senator in the state OF Mon,
tana to which | was chosen by the present
legislative assembly OF Montana on the
2sth day OF January, 1899.
"With sentiments OF esteem | remain, re
specially yours,
NV. A. CLARK"