The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1902-07-19
A NEW SENATOR FROM ARKANSAS
Some Interesting Facts About the Man
Who Will Succeed Senator Jones,
Chairman of the Democratic
National Committee.
A,unsey's Magazine.


To be elected to the United States Senate is
scarcely distinction, nowadays, that in itself
entities him who has achieved it to place in
the public eye Of the nation at large. We have
ninety Senators-when every seat is full-and
are soon to have ninety-six. Not one American
in a thousand. it is to be feared, could give
complete list of their names. Many OF them
come, serve their six years, and go, to drop INTO
highly respectable oblivion. Only when new
Senator has already achieved national repute,
when he represents one of the half dozen most
important states, or when his election represents
some political event of more than local interest,
does the whole wide country bestir itself to IN
quire what manner of man he may be.
Such interest may safely be said to attach to
James p. Clarke-observe the final "e,' for there
are already Senator Clark of Montana and
Senator Clark of Wyoming-who Is TO replace SO
well known political figure as James X. Jones,
of Arkansas. And Mr.. Clarke promises to be in
teresting for more reasons than his victory over
the man who has for the last six years been
chairman of the Democratic national commit
tee. His greatest strength says sympathetic
biographer, lis due to the enemies he has made.
He has never Inundated himself by asking
favor of any one; he has never made promise
of reward to gain support; he has never sought
to concil1ate an enemy. and has always fougnt
corruption, whether in high or in low places"
AS an instance of his hero's personal and po-
litical courage the same chronicler presents a
speech delivered by Mr.. Clarke at a Democratic
meeting in Little Rock in 1892. The speakerwas
candidate for encouragement OF Arkansas,
very much against the desire of the faction then
pealing for votes by any specious device of ora
torical fiattery, he began thus:
II am not here to ask for votes In my race for
office. know that you people are absolutely
under the influence of the lobbyists, the corpora
tions the bride givers and bride takers, and dare
not vote your own sentiments, but only those of
your masters, whose collars you wear. If I have
TO be elected by such influences, I'd spurn the
office, for they might think l am under obliga-
lions to them for their support; and my inten-
tions are il elected to this position to prosecute
committed, unless barred by the statute of limi-
tations. | want no county to vote for me that
is controlled by such ScOundrelS, and therefore
do not expect or ask for the votes of Pulaski
county, as long as it is controlled by these
thieves. am here only in response to your in
vitation to tell you what Democracy means, and
you may then vote as you please, or as your
masters direct.n
Mr.. Clarke's oratory recalls the celebrated
speech delivered by Mr.. Kruger to the resi-
dents of Johannesburg, whom he addressed, as
thieves, murderers, newcomers and Others"
The new Senator's aggressive methods have
made him power in Arkansas; how they will
suit the Senate cham ber-where the prevailing
atmosphere, despite an occasional tornado from
the neighborhood of Mr.. Tillman, is one of digni-
fed calm-remains to be seen.
Mr.. Clarke is young man for the Senate, be-
ing in his forty-eghth year. He is a graduate
of the University of Virginia, and lawyer by
profession. He has held many political Offices
in his State, having served in both branches of
the Legislature and as Governor. He was nomi-
mated for the Senate at primary, according to
the system now in vogue in Arkansas, which is
an approach to the election of Senators by popu-
lar vote. He has always stood in opposition to
the oligarchy-so his friends style it-that has
long been the controlling power in Arkansas
politics. When he first announced his ambition
for Senatorial honOrS, in 1896, he was defeated
by Mr.. Jones; but this year his personal popu-
larity with the rank and file of his party enabled
him to turn the tables
in the Senate. He is certainly one of the most
interesting among the younger political leaders.