The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-02-03
Democrats and RepubIi-
cans Smile On Him.
HIS MAIDEN SPEECH
The Young Senator Of Arkansas Per.
forms With Consummate Skill a
Feat Many Veteran States
man Might Shrink From
in Fear.
(By the Associated Press.)

Washington, Feb. 2.-Mr. Clarke. the
new Democratic Senator from Arkansas,
made his first speech in the Senate to-
day in support of the Panama Canal
treaty. He spoke for two hours and an
nounced his endorsement of every position
taken by the President in connection
with the Panama revolt and in the ne
gotiations of the treaty with the new
State.
Mr. Fairbanks also spoke in support
of the treaty, contending for the regu-
larity of all the proceedings of the ad
ministration on the Isthmus of Panama.
Mr. Clarke lost no time in declaring
his absolute adherence to the policy of
the President. The question of the wis
dom of building an isthmian canal is no
longer, he said, a question for discussion,
and the declaration was followed by aoth-
er statement in endorsement of the treaty
whose terms was, he said, most liberal.
He also contended that the recognition
by the President of the Republic of Pan
anna had been in all respects regular and
in accord with precedent5. This action
he considered final and III none of its as
dealing with the treaty
Mr.. Clarke expressed regret at not be-
ing able to agree with those of his Dem
ocratic. colleagues who oppose ratification,
but he called attention to the fact that
many of those who oppose the treaty have
themselves been earnest friends of an
isthmian canal. He could not find him
self willing to obstruct an enterprise in
which his State, as all other parts of the
country, Is interested because of any acts
of the President which might not in all
details meet approval. He disclaimed,
however, an intention to criticise the
President in any respect, for he felt that
the provocation was such that Mr.. Roose-
Welt, like Warren Hastings, might con-
gratulate himself on doing so little when
there was opportunity to do so much. He
found so much provocation in the deal
ings of Colombia that he did not wonder
that man of the Presidents tempera-
ment had taken the position he had, and
Mr.. Clarke expressed surprise that more
encouragement had not been given to the
Panama uprising
Mr.. Clarke also announced his disa-
greement with tAc Senators who contend
ed that the President should have turned
secure Colombia's ratification of the
canal treaty. His principal reason for
this reason for this position was an
nounced to be his belief that we should
have-only a sea level canal which was
possible on the Panama route and not pos
sible on the Nicaragua route. He did
not believe that any but sea level canal
would pay expenses.
10 dor1orod he ora,
fact that the public expression given in
favor of the canal had come from Dem.
ocratic States, and he added that Demo-
cratic votes would make the ratification
of the treaty certain. The Republican
party could make no such claim and the
President had received no assurances of
support from the Republican party at
large.
Continuing his discussion OF the political
feature of the canal controversy, and ex-
tending his contention that the President
was without support in his own party.
Mr.. Clarke declared that ''thc President
IS now the central figure in a "Belshazzar's
Feast. waiting for some friendly Daniel
to interpret the handwriting on the wall
and prophesy for him whether the chair.
man of the Republican National Commit
tee will fish or cut bait" He also de-
ciared that popular support Of the Presi.
dents course in his own party was so
luke-warm as to cause great rejoicing
over the announcement that the three
principal Federal officc-holders in Boston
were for the nomination of Mr. Roosevelt
and to cause the announcement that
Alaska was for him to be blazoned forth
in box car letters. But Notwithstanding
this lethargy,'' the Senator predicted, the
nomination of the President, saying that
while the Democrats were in doubt as to
whom to instruct for, the Republicans
knew for whom they must instruct
He made a vigorous appeal for the con-
sideration of the canal question independ-
ent of PARTISAN bias and when he closed
waF warmly congratulated by a number
ef Senators from both sides of the cham
ber.
The Senate adjourned until tomorrow
In fhe | owcr Hnuse