The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1904-01-03
GOSSIP FROM CAPITAL
Sidney CIarke's Long Service
at National Capital.
WAS IN CONGRESS IN 1865
Last Thirteen Years Spen t
Working for Oklahoma.

washington, Jan. 2.-There is about
Washington the capitol building and the
Aepartments of the government, an old
man upon whom the years sit easily; and
whose form is crest as though it were
not of the height it is; and who has a
fund of recollections and memories that
charm the listener for hours. He comes
to Washington every winter; and mas
for many years; because the old associa-
lions are so strong that he cannot re-
main away And he is serviceable, too,
for lust now he is trying to aid in every
way he can to accomplish statehood Tor
Oklahoma. In recent years, during MS
stay here during sessions OF congress,
this man has been of much help to the
territory from whence he comes.
The man referred to is Sidney Clarke
of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma He is IN
his seventy-third year; and his hair IS
white; but his step is firm, and he IS
mentally active.
1t was So years ago last year that Sid
new Clarke came to Washington as rep
resentative-the only one the state had
from Kansas He was elected in 1854 He
served three terms, or until 1871. In his
time, he was chairman of the committee
on Indian affairs, and was conspicuous
member of the congresses Immediately
following the war.
Mr. Clarke was born in October, 1881
in Southbridge, Mass, He published the
Southbridge Press for some years; and
went to the territory of Kansas in the
early days. He served in the state legis-
lature of 1862, and was an assistant pro-
yost-marshal at Leavenworth in the war
Of the rebellion.
Mr. Clarke was not re-nominated for
the house in 1870, but made the race for
United States senator in 1871 He was
defeated by Alexander Caldwell, who
kept his seat but a short time, when he
was Investigated, and resigned. There
was question of fraud raised in his case.
Judge Crozier of Leavenworth was ap-
pointed to succeed him as senator, and
later Governor James H. Harvey filled
out the term until 1877, when Preston
q. Plumb was elected.
When Mr.. Clarke came to Congress III
1866, three men who are now in cmongress
ALLISON came to the house in 1863. two
years before Clarke, and left it the same
year, 1871, and for the same purpose to
become candidate for the senate. Both
were unsuccessful, but Allison tried it
again in 1873, and was successful He
has been here ever since. Stewart en-
tered the senate in 1866, a few months
before Clarke took his seat as represen-
fative Stewart served until 1870, when
he went out OF congress, to return as
member of the senate in 1887. where he
has since remained. Ketchum Of New
York entered the house with Clarke.
These are the only three men who are
members today of congress, who were
here when Sidney Clarke was the only
representative of Kansas, nearly forty
years ago.
Senator Hoar of Massachusetts, entered
The house in 1869. two years before Clarke
retired, and served four terms. retiring
in 1877 He entered the senate that year
and has since remained a member of that
body. But he did not come to congress
until Clarke had been here four years.
John II. Ketchum of New York, who
entered the house the same year Clarke
did, served eight years, and was taken
out, six years, returning in 1881, serving
until 1893, when he was out again four
years, returning in 1897. He has since
remained a member of the house.
General H H. Bingham of Philadelphia.
present father of the house." in con-
tinuous service, did not enter the house
until 1872 since which time he has been
repeatedly reelected. But it was IA years
after Clarke came to congress thatNBing-
ham first took his seat
Uncle Joe" Cannon, present speaker
of the house OF representatives, and one
of the oldest members of it, did not en-
ter the house until 1873, eight years after
Clarke first came to Washington, and
two years after Clarke had left congress
The above will tend to show really how
long ago was the congressional service
of this man who was once the sole repre-