Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1902-04-19
A MAN OF DETERMINATION.
Something About James p. Clark
Who Defeated James X. Jones.

Something About James p. Clark
Who Defeated James X. Jones.
By defeating James K. Jones, former
manager Of Bryans campaign, In their
recent senatorial battle, Ex-Governor
James P. Clark, Of Arkansas, has once
more demonstrated the eccentric fight
ing qualities which have made him so
prominent as we'll as so bizarre a figure
In western politics.
Jones had already served one term as
United States senator from Arkansas.
He came up for reelection, his chief
opponents being Governor Jefferson
Davis and Ex-Governor Clark. Davis
quickly dropped out, leaving the strug-
gle between Jones and Clark. The lat
ter, after hot campaign, proved the
victor. -.
Ex-Governor Clark, although only Al
eventful-not to say tumultuous-polit-
ical career.
He Is in many respects the typical
western statesman, the sort seen Of late
more often on the stage than In real
| life. He Is character essentially
American, and as incongruous In our
present senate as a mailed visigoth at
village prayer meeting.
"Old Cotton Top" as Clark has been
nicknamed, on account OF his snow
white hair, Is very tall, lean and
straight as an Indian, with hand
some, distinguished face and a manner
whose outer dignity at times fails to
cloak the impulsiveness and even feroc-
| ity of the inner man.
He is a man who has ever stood firm
on all points where he believes honor
to be involved, and who, in defense of
his principles, has made hosts Of enc
mics, damaged his political prospects
and has even been carried to the point
of physical violence.
Clark's first public office Of note was
that Of attorney general Of Arkansas.
In this position he gave universal salts
faction, and so thoroughly convinced
his party Of his integrity and ability
that he was brought forward as can
didate for governor.
Soon after his election 1t became evil
dent that ne possessed aggressive quail
| tiles which were far more noticeable IN
! that exalted post than they had proved
while he was merely attorney general:
AS governor he suddenly brought
himself and his state before the public
eye by his action in the proposed Cor
bett-F1tZsimmons fight.
Corbett was at that time champion
heavyweight pugilist of the world.
Fitzsimmons had challenged him, the
articles mad been signed, and all that
remained was to fix on place where
the fight could occur without legal In
terference.
| Hot Springs, Arkansas, was at last
chosen. All arrangements were made,
the date was set for October, 1895; ev-
cry legal obstacle was apparently clear
ed away and the fight seemed a Ger
tainty. But at this juncture Governor
Clark quietly forbade the men to hold
the contest in Arkansas declaring 1t IL
legal. This unexpected fiat reused the
hveliest sort of opposition from all
sides. Protests poured in, mass meet
| ing was held, money is said to have
been offered in enormous sums. infiuen-
tial statesmen and politicians urged
the governor to abandon his attitude
of resistance. It was pointed out that
he was antagonizing the people and en-
dangering his future career.
The only effect Of all these pleadings
was to strengthen the governor In his
decision that the fight should not come
| off in Arkansas.
When it was suggested that means
might be taken to circumvent his au-
| thority, he raked up an old statute
which authorized the governor to or
ganize an army Of 100000 men, II neces-
sary, and take possession Of any sec
tion of the state, holding 1t until order
was restored.
Clark threatened to raise such an
army and, with himself at its head, to
quell any disturbance incident on his
refusal to permit the fight to go on.
This proved a death blow to the
fighters hopes, but 1t was perhaps al
most as hard a blow to Governor
Clark's career.-New York World.