Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1900-05-17
CLARK RESIGNS AND IS
At ONCE REApPOINTEO
Coup by the Montana Man Takes the
Senate Completely by
Surprise.
IS NAMED BY ACTING GOVERNOR
Governor Smith, a DAILY Adhcrcnt,
Absent From the Stakeholder
speech Made by Clark In
Rcstgning.

1890 oHhi66 A0s'O AitS "Pt'S'iA'N>> W.
A. Clark, of Butte, United States SEN
ator to serve until the next legisla-
ture shall elect his successor. Sen
ator Clarls's resignation was filed early
in the day with the governor, and last
night he was appointed by Governor
Sprigg to succeed himself. Governor
Sprigg has all along been a friend of
Senator Clark. Governor Smith, par
tisan of the Daily people, left the state
two weeks ago for California to ats
tend to some mining cases in which
he is retained as attorney. At that
time there was no thought of Senator
Clark resigning and his resignation
came as surprise to the people OF the
state, who had no inllling of the coup
prepared.
Clark Surprises Senate.
Washington, May 17.-Mr. Clark, of
Montana, fairly swept the senate with
surprise yesterday by formal an
nouncement that he had sent his res
ignation as senator to the governor of
Montana.
The announcement came without
previous notice, and probably not
OOLCu PGlSOllS III lOA
knew that it was to be made. Mr..
Clark struck Just at the instant the
iron was hottest. Senator Chandler,
| chairman of the committee on plivi-
leges and elections, had given notice
that at 1 o'clock he would call up for
consideration the resolution unani-
mously reported from the committee
declaring Mr.. Clark not to be entitled
to his seat i'll the senate. A spirited
| contest over the resolution was eX-
pected. Every senator in the city was
at his desk.
AT 1880, just as the routine bust
ness was concluded, Senator Clark
quietly rose and addressed the chair.
He desired, he said, in a low, tense
voice, to address the senate on n ques-
ton of privilege personal to himself.
Instantly there was buzz of eXpecta-
ton in the chamber. Senators from
both sides of the main aisle hurried
to seats near Mr.. Clark and n hush
fell upon the assemblage as the Mon
tana senator began to speak. AT first
his words scarcely could be heard, but
as he proceeded his voice became
clear, and while at no time did he
speak loudly, the intense earnestness
of his utterances carried his address
to the remotest parts of the chamber.
His address was n sharp nrraign-
ment Of the committees action and
report; nn analytical discussion OF
evidence adduced at the investiga--
ton; an explanation of political and
business affairs in Montana, and a bit
ter excoriation of Marcus DAILY and
his friends.
As Mr.. Clark adverted to his desire
to hand down to his children n name
untarnished even by the breath of dis
grace, tears welled to his eyes and his
voice trcmbled with emotion. He al
most broke down. Then, bracing him
self, he read the letter he nad sent to
the governor of Montana rendering
his resignation. At the conclusion of
the speech Mr.. Clark became the cen
ter of group of senator's, all desir-
Gus of pressing his hand.
Senator Clark then announced his
resignation as follows:
"Acting upon my own Judgment
and holding no one responsible for
the result / have concluded to place
my resignation in the hands of the
chief executive of Montana, and
here submit copy of letter adj
dressed to him under date Of May H.
and which is now in his hands"
Letter of Resignation.
The letter of resignation is dated
May II, and is addressed to the gov
ernor of Montana. After reviewing
the history of the investigation by
the senate committee and Its findings
= that his seat SHOULD be declared va
cant, the letter says:
None of the charges affecting my
e personal honor, or which alleged that
-. ho6 norc0rol1xy 1,oov, crnil{1, nf
a rupt practices has been sustained
$ by the finding of the committee.
, Conscious of the rectitude of my
A own conduct, and after critical ex-
|. animation of all the evidence taken
A by the committees; convinced that
: those friends who were so loyal to
G me during that bitter contest did not
s resort to dishonorable or corrupt
means to influence the action of the
:, members of the legislature in theil
v choice of n senator, yet am un
: willing to continue to occupy n sea,
{ In the senate of the United States I'M
: der credentials which its committe.
S has declared rest for their authority
Q upon the action of n legislature which
i. was not free and voluntary in it.
choice of a senator
: "Self respect and due regard for thu
= opinion OF my associates, ana sens
of duty to the people of the state o
Montana, demand that ! should re
turn the credentials under which
am acting as one of the representa-
tives in the senate of the Unitet
j. States, leaving the state and her PEG
pie to take such action as will con
IS serve and promote her best interest
r in the national council.
l, "Influenced by these considerations
d 1 deem it eminently proper, withou
l. unnecessary delay, to resign the posi-
e ton of United States senator fron
l. the state of Montana"
e After reading his letter of resigna
s. ton, Mr. Clark said:
g "Mr. President, / desire in retiring
& from the senate to state that hav
ID formed some warm friendships whicl
regret to leave. l have receive
from the honorable presiding Office
the most courteous attention. ] an
+. deeply sensible of the generous sym
lie pathy and support of almost all m
s. democratic colleagues, and for tn
cordial good wishes of great nun