The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1900-05-18
SENSATION IN SENATE
Clark of Montana Addresses the
Chair on Question of Per.
sonaI Privilege.
ANNOUNCES HIS RESIGNATION.
Says Methods of Procedure in His
Recent Investigation Were Unfair
and Non-Judicial.

Washington, May ia sensation
was sprung in the senate soon after
the body convened. Scarcely had
when Clark of Montana rose and ad-
dressed the chair on question of
privilege personal to himself. Clark
said:
1T had not been my intention to dis
turb the recognized traditions Of this
most honorable body by intruding my
opinions upon any questions that might
arise for consideration during the pres
ent session, but the question called up
today for discussion so vitality con-
Germs my own interests and the inter-
ests of the great state which have
the honor IN part to represent, that I
shall ask the indulgence Of the senate
while l, as briefly as possible, submit
some remarks, referring first to the
character OF the investigation; second,
TO the majority report Of the honOra-
bic committee on privileges and cleo
tons, which has submitted findings ad-
verse to the retention of my seat in
the senate; third, to the conditions ex-
listing in the state of Montana for a
number of years prior to my election
which justified my political action;
and lastly, statement as to the
course l deem best to pursue in the
premises.
Unfair and Non-JudiciaL
1T Is not my desire to cast any as.
PERSONS upon the motives which actu-
ated the distinguished senators COM
posing the committee, and yet with the
most respectful consideration for the
learning, legal ability and eminent
standing Of these gentlemen, 1 am
forced to the conclusion, which l be-
lieve meets with the concurrence of
not only large number of senators on
both sides of this chamber, but also to
80 per cent. of my constituency In the
state of Montana, regardless of politi-
cal affiliations, that the methods Of
procedure in the investigation Of this
matter were manifestly unfair, non
judicial, and that they resulted in q
verdict of the committee entirely OPP
posite to that which would have oc-
CURED should the evidence have been
confined to that which was admissible
and pertinent to the issue.
81 contend that an investigation in
volving seat in the highest legislative
body of this nation, as well as the hon.
or Of an individual chosen for that po-
sition by the pee pie of one of the SOW
ereign states thereof, should be con-
Quoted in a strictly judicial manner,
and that in the proceedings the estab-
Hshed rules Of evidence should be APP
piled.
Was Not the Case.
''It is well known to everybody that
this was not the case. 1t is true that
there was a strong effort made by the
honorable senators from Alabama,
Maryland, Kansas and North Carolina
at the beginning Of the investigation
to exclude all the irrelevant testimony,
but their efforts eyre unavailing.
'"The senators who filed q minority
report expressed in emphatic terms
their condemnation of the proceedings
in this respect, as well as a denuncia-
tion of the character and practices of
the principal attorney, and of some of
the witnesses who testified for the
prosecution"
Clark then read n letter dated May
IL announcing his resignation.
Announces His Resignation.
Senator Clark announced his resig-
nation as follows:
acting upon my own judgment, and
holding no one responsible for the re-
suit, have concluded to place my
resignation in the hands of the chief
executive of Montana, and here sub
NIT a copy of q letter addressed to
him under date of May II, and which
is now In his hands,
At the conclusion of Senator Clark's
speech many senators crowded around
him and shook his hand most cordial
ly. AS soon as order was restored,
Chandler asked that the consideration
of the resolution declaring the seat va
cant be postponed until next day,
which was done.