Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-05-15
Mr.. CLARK RESIGNS
Defends Himself in Speech to the
Senate.
CRIHICISES ACTION OF COMMITTEE
Reads Letter Sent to Governor OF
Montana.
HEARTILY CONGRATULATED

Mr. Chandler. chairman of the commit
tee on privileges and elections. had given
notice that today at 1 O'Clock he would
call up for consideration the resolution
declaring that Mr.. Clark was not entitled
to his seat in the Senate. Taking advantage
of this notice. indeed anticipating the call
ing up of the case. Mr.. Clark took the
floor to defend himself. The situation was
one of the most notable that has arisen
in the Senate during the present session.
A minute after Mr.. Clark had begun his
address the scene was dramatic. Few
senators were aware that the Montana SEN
ator was to speak Nearly all the sena-
tors Immediately crowded about him. as
he stood before his desk in the middle of
the rear row of seats on the democratic
side. Every senator gave the speaker the
closest attention. and the comparatively
few people in the galleries. among whom
We're relatives and friends of the Mon
taua senator hung upon every word he
uttered. MIR. Clark read his speech. He
said in part:
Senator CIark's Speech.
IT is not my desire to cast any aspersions
upon the motives which actuated the dis
tiEguished senators composing the commit
tee, and yet with the most respectful con-
si,.eration for the learning. legal ability and
eminent standing of these gentlemen. am
forced to the conclusion. which l believe
meets with the concurrence of not only a
large number of senators on both sides of
this chamber, but also of so per cent of
my constituency In the state of Montana,
regardless of political affiliations, that the
methods of procedure in the investigation
of this matter were manifeStly unfair nom
Judicial and that they resulted in a verdict
of the committee entirely opposite to that
which would have occurred should the evil
de- nee have been confined to that which was
admissible and pertinent to the issue.
II contend that investigat ton involving
a seat in the highest legislative body of
this nation as we'll as the honor of an in
dividual chosen for that position by the
people of one of the sovereign states there
of should be conducted in strictly judicial
manner and that in the proceedings the
established rules of evidence should be APP
piled 1t 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 were unavailing
Here Mr. Clark took up in detail the
findings of the committee on privileges and
elections. Criticising many of them sharply
and at length.
As TO the 5000 present made to State
Representative Day. Mr. Clark said that
III" money was not given because of sir.
iItN service IN tlt legislature, but for
services antedating the Legislature and in
any contest that might be inaugurated
rms. he conterded. was not bribery in
tie eye of the law. Perhaps he added
If had used my influence to create a fat
office at the expense of the state or of the
government with which to reward Mr. Day,
a. is frequently done in discharging politi-
ca! liabilities. the incident would not have
aroused any criticism.
Announce. His Resignation.
Acting upon my own judgment and hold
iTg no one responsible for the result, / have
C. Included 20 place my resignation in the
hands of the chief executive of Montana
and | here submit a copy of letter adj
dressed to him under date of May IL, and
which is now in his hands,
The letter follows:
WASHINGTON, May II, 1900
To His EXceliercy the Governor of Mon
tana. Helena. Mont:
Dear Sir: The sixth legislative assembly
on the 18th day of January, 1899, elected me
I" represent the state of Montana in the
Senate of the United States for the term
commencing on the 4th day Of March, 1899
Under the authority of the credentials
signed by the governor of the state l en-
tered upon the discharge of the duties of
that position on the first Monday of last
December after qualifying by taking the
oath of office prescribed by law
ON the 4th day of December 1899 two
memorials were presented to the Senate of
tn" United States praying that my right
and title 10 continue to act as a senator
under the credentials which certified to my
election should be Investigated These me-
MORALS. with the accompanying papers,
were referred TO a standing committee of
that body. After "A protracted inyestiea-
fion of the allegations of said memorial
lists. the committee has submitted its con-
Clusion to the senate. in which it finds that
the seat which | now occupy under the
credentials issued by authority of the vote
taken in the joint assembly of the legisla-
ture on the 18th day of January, 1899,
should be declared vacant
None of the charges effecting my per-
sonal honor, or which alleged that l had
personally been guilty of corrupt practices
have been sustained 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 commit
tee, convinced that those friends who were
so loyal to me during that bitter contest
did not resort to dishonorable or corrupt
means to influence the action of the mem
beers OF the legislature in their choice Of q
senator; yet | am unwilling to continue to
occupy a seat in the Senate of the United
States under credentials which its COM
mittee has declared rest for their author
fly upon the action of a legislature which
was not free and voluntary in its choice Of
a senator.
''Self-respect and due regard for the opin-
ION of my associates and a sense of duty to
the people of the state of Montana demand
which ! am acting one of the represent
atives in the Senate of the United States
leaving the state and her people to take
such action Will conserve and promote
her best interests in the national council.
Influenced by these considerations. 1
deem 1t eminently proper. without unneces-
sary delay, To resign the position of United
States senator from the State of Montana
TO which | was chosen by the legislative as
sembly of the state of Montana on the 18th
day of January, 1888.
with sentiments OF esteem, 1 remain re-
spstfully yours, tSigned) w. A. CLARK"
MIR. President. | desire, in retiring from
the Senate. TO state that l have here form
ed some warm friendships, which l regret
TO leave have received from the honora-
bic presiding officer the most courteous at
tention. ] am deeply sensible of the gen.
erous sympathy and support Of almost all
OF my democratic colleagues, and for the
cordial good wishes OF = great number of
republican friends l wish to express my
profound gratitude"
At the conclusion OF Mr. Clark's speech
MANY senators crowded around him and
shook his hand most cordially.
AS soon as ord II was restored Mr.. Chand-
Ter asked that the consideration of the reso-
luton declaring the seat vacant be post-
poned until tomorrow, which was done
THE HOUSE.