The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1902-06-29

- TASHINGTON, June 2S.-sena-
MAJ tor William A. Clark Of Mon
w taua is one Of the new mem
bors Of the senate who has
made n distncdveIy creditabIe record
of this session Of congress During
The comparatively short time in which
r. has been in the senate, Mr.. Clark
has attained position not usually ac-
corded to.a senator until he has served
az least several sessions. He has won
this distinction by strict and faithful
attention to- duty, employing the same
industrious and methCdical habits
which have tended 10 make him sue
..--saI ir the business world.
When Senator Clark first entered the
senate a prejudice existed against him.
which grew out of the countless mis-
Mutations of former political con-
f.aE.r-ies In Montana. The idea
seemed To- prevail that he was simply
q p man and nothing more. His in
E.-rrg modesty and practical applica-
ton Of common sense methods in the
transaction of public business have
served TO dissipate this prejudice. and
today no member of the senate Is more
highly respected by his associates
and nv the public than Senator Clark.
Ll the assignment of committees for
the Firty-Seyenth congress. Senator
clark was given places on a number of
important committees. several of them
having direct reference to western in
forests. The more important Of these
committees were Indian affairs. mines
and mining Pacific islands and Porto
L.0 relations with Canada. District
O.. Columbia and library committee.
AS a member Of the committee on
Indian affairs the senator has taken an
active and successful interest in meas
uras designed TO improve the condi-
lions of the Indians. and to place the
methods of dealing with these wards Of
the government on practical basis.
Iis long residence IN the west and
thorough knowledge Of western Coudi-
tons serve to- make him an especially
yHIuabIe member Of this committee
il is recalled In this connection that
Senator Clark was an officer in the To-
rII forces organized to resist the upris-
ing ~ Chief Joseph and his band Of
NeZ PerCes in 1877, and was major Of
the battalion OF local volunteers which
Joined I'm the pursuit of Chief Joseph
across Idaho. Wyoming and Montana,
ending iu the capture Of this notable
chief and his followers. AS a member
of the Indian affairs committee. he re-
ported favOrably the bill providing for
rItify.ug the treaty between the Unit
cd States and the Crow Indians. under
which the Crow Indian reservation in
Montana is 10 be allotted in
part 10 the Indians in sever
atty and the remainder. 1850 900
acres. opened to settlement. Senator
CI5rks practical knowledge OF west
Cru conditions was Illustrated during
the debate on the proposition to open
the lands Of the Rosebud agency for
settlement. Eastern members opposed
the bill, cOuteHdinE that the lands pur-
chased from the Indians should not b.
thrown open for homestead en-ry. but
that settlers should be- required TO paw
the same price for the land that the
government paid the Indians Senator
Clark who is familiar with the land
IN question. made a convincing ad-
dress in support Of the bill It
was his first speech I'm the SEN
ate. and was delivered extempOraneous-
y. being called forth by the misleading
arguments Of those opposing the bill
I'm an easy and natural manner Senator
Clark explained conditions prevailing
ON the various reservations Of the west.
and cited from his own observation the
benefit which had accrued to the public
through adoption of liberal methods in
opening lands to settlement. Senator
Clark also described the advantages
arising from throwing open the land
Tor homestead entries, citing a portion
of the Crow reservation which had thus
neen settled upon, and giving a graphic
description Of the favorable conditions
now existing there. He also made a
special plea for the homesteader. con-
tending. that contrary to the prevailing