Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-01-14
A LIVELY POLITICAL DEBATE.
Mr.. Clark, Gen. Grosvenor and Others
Entertain the House,

For the first time since the opening of
this session of Congress the House was re-
called yesterday afternoon with a lively po-
litical debate. General Grosvenor of Ohio
and Mr. Clark Of Missouri crossed swords
during the general debate on the army ap-
preparation bill. and for two hours both
sides OF the House cheered on their re-
spective spokesman. The contest was en-
tirely good natured. 1t grew out of a con-
troversy which Mr.. Grosvenor and Mr.
Clark have been carrying on in the news
papers over the formers statement in the
House last December that the democratic
party had been wiped out at the last gem
eral election. General Grosvenor yesterday
undertook with figures to sustain his con-
tention, and Mr.. Clark, also with figures,
to prove that the democrats had an "even
chance to win the presidency in 1904.
There were several brilliant clashes and the
House and the galleries were greatly enter
tanned
Mr.. Lindsay On. W took exception to
what Mr.. Grosvenor said and created con-
siderable amusement by injecting some re-
marks in support of David b. Hills coal
plank into Mr.. Grosvenor'S speech His
parting shot was: IF you folks don't do
something with this coal question your ma
Joritles at the next election will be reduced
to nothing"
Enthusiastically breezy speech. He took
up the election figures to show, as he SAID.
that the democrats had at least an even
chance in 1904. In the course of his re-
marks he had sharp alteration with Mr..
Bartholdt CMo) over the local political sit
uation in his state. While Mr.. Clark was
arguing that the change of few thou
sand votes in certain states would give the
democrats the presidency. Mr.. Wachter
CMd) interposed with this question: while
you are making those changes" he asked,
do you suppose we will be sitting with our
hands on our lapS?'
No retorted Mr.. Clark you will have
your hands in the treasury up to the arm
pits. just where they always are" Demo-
cratic applause and laughter)
While Mr.. Clark was talking about tbs
congressional gerrymanders in northern
states he encountered in turn a dozen re-
publicans. and each side cheered on its
speakers.
1.-The gentleman from Ohio CIr. Grosve-
ror)," said Mr.. Clark. lis fond of declaring
that the antitrust law is a republican
measure. that John Sherman was its
father There is not a syllable of truth in
1t. will tell you what John Sherman did
not because he hated the trusts, but be-
cause he hated Russell Alger. who was one
OF the principal owners in that big match
factory they got after"
Mr. Grosvenor: Il will state upon tho
honor of Russell A. Alger himself; who re-
Gently made the statement with his mama
signed to 1t. that he never owned a cent Of
stock in the Diamond Match Company in
his life"
Mr.. Clark: "Well. John Sherman thought
he did, anyway" Gaughter).
In conclusion Mr.. Clark said he had not
sought this controversy with Mr.. Grosvenor,
and then he ended with the story of a
mighty hunter in the west who was buried
and upon whose grave this epitaph
placed: He whistled for the grizzly and
the grizzly came" The democrats saw the
application and applauded vigorously.