The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-05-19
CLARK CASE POSTPONE D
AGREEMENT REACHED To CON-
sIDER 1T NEXT MONDAY.
Opinions of Senators Diner rs to
the Legal status of the Appoint
ment, but the Manner of Ii Finds
No Championship at Present.

WASHINGTON. May 1s-The following
dispatch was received and read to the
committee from Gov Smith, dated Butte,
Mont. May II:
Hon. W. E. Chandler, Wash
ington. d. c.: I desire to present
in as forcible manner as possible, my
protest against the course pursued by
Hon. w. A. Clark in attempting to de-
feat the action of the senate of the Unit
ed States upon q resolution presented by
the committee on privileges and cleo
lions, affecting his title to seat ana TO
protest against the methods pursued py
him in securing an appointment at the
hands of the lieutenant governor during
my absence from the state, under CIR
cumstances ana conditions when, 10 my
mind indicate collision and fraud.
His conduct in attempting resignation
and procuring a reappointment under the
conditions he did, II the matter We're De
fore a court OF justice, would have been
considered contempt of court on his part
/ therefore trust that the committee and
senate will proceed to a proper consldera-
ton Of the question SO that the rign'ss not
only Of Clark, but of the state of Mon,
tana, in the premises. may be determined
and that, upon presentation OF his ere.
dentials Of appointment by the heutenahI
governor, the same may be transferred
to the committee on privileges ana cleo
tons for investigation, and that L nc
permitted to make more complete ana
detailed statement of facts concerning
the resignation and appointment OF
Clark"
The language OF tbs resolution Of the
committee directing Chairman Chahuier
TO press the resolution as presented iol-
lows
"Resolved, That the chairman be direct
ed 10 press to a vote the resolution report
ed by the committee
Adoption of the resolution was preceded
by a discussion of the various points m
volved In the controversy, including tne
proper course to be pursued with refer-
ence to Clark's credentials when present.
ed. The principal discussion, however, was
based upon the resolution directing the
chairman to press the resoiuuoh nit rnart'
reported TO the senate, stating that clark
was not duly and legally elected 10
seat In the senate. The vote on the reso-
luton stood to g. Senators prltcnaru'
Harris and Pettus voting IN the mega
I The senators expressed the opinion that
the resignation of Clark had the erect
of definitely settling the case, ana that
the senate was not called upon 10 take
further action. Under Chambers original
notice the resolution will come up In the
senate at ! O'Clock tomorrow and, by d.
rection of the committee, he Will make
a strenuous effort to secure early con-
sideration of It There was no vote on
the question of reference OF credentials
under the lieutenant governors appoint
ment. but there is no doubt that the COM
mittee holds that reference should be
made, especially In view OF COY smiths
pressed them selves as opposed to the ref
erence of the credentials when they ar
rive, Turley took the position that when
the senate assumed Jurisdiction of the
case It no longer rested with Mr.. Clark
10 determine 1t by resigning, while Pritch-
ard held that the right of resignation was
a personal right, and could be exercised
at any time He also contended that the
vacancy in the seat occupied by Clark be-
gan when the latter made the announce
ment OF his resignation. There were some
references to the reappointment of Clark
by the lieutenant governor, indicating the
opinion that IL was not in accordance with
the senatorial idea of securing seat in
the senate. '''''