The weekly true Democrat., 1907-12-06
CONGRESSMAN CLARK
AT LIVE OAK.
Extract From Live OaK DsmOerNt On
Mls Speoeh.

$780,
appearance 10 those who look beyond
mere bulk and stature, and students OF
phyaiognomy would pick him out in any
crowd and want TO know more about
him. His eIean-shaven, clear-cut fea-
tures are of classical strength and re-
finement, and there is q suggestion OF
courage and purpose about his firm
mOuth and penetrating eyes which the
observing man will not fall to note.
His voice IL excellent, with deep note
IN it invaluable to public speaker, and
his unassuming courtesy and quiet def
erence for others and their opinions are
traits which he has in marked degree.
He gives the impression Of abundant re-
serve power, and his public career fully
justifies that impression. he doesn I
tear passion to tatters" when he talks,
nor mistake noise and gesticulation for
eloauence, but he can reach his climax
with ample emphasis, and his few ges-
lures are always appropriate and help
out his words. And, moreover, he tells
good story, and his speeches are illus
trated with abundant good humor and
"reminiscences effectively told and with
the point always apparent TO the dullest
understanding. But it is noteworthy,
above all else, that Mr.. Clark addresses
the calm intelligence of his audience,
and Is no rabble rouser, appealing to
passions and prejudices to carry his
points. He talks like sincere man,
who thoroughly believed what he said,
and makes the impression that his earn
est desire as a public man is to pro
mote the best interests of his constltu-
ents. So much for Frank Clark, per-
sonally, Congressman from the Second
- sTNia.;Ia arI vtrffo HRalxr fn
remain so as long as he wants the job.
He had no prepared speech last night
and spoke without notes in pleasant
conversational way, touching on matters
in which we all feel lively interest
and telling us a good many things we
din't know before, and which we were
glad to hear. What is said here Is not
intended to be a report of the speech,
nor even a synopsis, but merely some of
the leading points. He first told about
the difficulty of getting legislation
through the Lower House of Congress,
because, under the Reed rules govern
ing parliamentary usage, the Speaker Of
the House was absolute master, and no
bill could be considered without first Sc
curing his consent no member recog-
nized on the floor, no matter how loud
he bawled for recognition to present a
bill or make motion, unless the Speaker
chose TO recognize him, The will of the
majority WAS absolute and the will Of
the Speaker was absolute over that ma
jority. Under such circumstances to get
a bill through Congress was an Ntsn'
mense task, no matter what its merits
Passing from most entertaining dis
|cussion Of the House and its way OF do
inc business, Mr.. Clark spoke of the
present stringency in financial condl-
tions and gave it as his opinion that it
was panic without a legitimate cause,
as there was plenty OF money in the
country when it was brought on, and
there was never a higher level OF gen
eral prosperity But the shortage Of
currency was here. and it was cOndi
tion which we had TO confront and pro-
vide against. The government was
about TO issue 800. 900. 600 in per cent
certificates TO relieve the situation, and
he intended to go TO Washington, this
week, see the Secretary OF the Treasury
and If possible, get about 5000, 600 of
those certificates sent to the banks in
this district, which amount would be
ample to supply the shortage here He
would ask & rest of the Florida dele
CATION in Congress 10 join with him in
this request and believed that it would
b. complied with. These hOrt-time, in
terest bearing certificates, backed by
the Government, are as good as gold,
and their sale down here to the amount
stated would turn loose sufficient money
to tide US over until the return of nor
NAL conditions.
Next Mr. Clark spoke of the high
hopes he entertained of the passage of
bill during the coming session of Con-
gress, ordering the return to the South
eTn States of the vast sum of $40, 900, =
600 of illegal cotton tax collected during
and lust after the war. The Supreme
Court Of the United States had decided
this tax illegal; the money is lying idle
in the treasury awaiting the action Of
COngresS< repeated efforts had been
made 70 secure that action, but old pO-
htical and war prejudices had always
availed TO defeat them, and the remark
able situation was presented Of this inn
meT se amount of money belonging TO
the cotton States, lying unused in the
treasury because the Government had
no right to use il, and those States pre-
vented from getting It for no other rea-
son than the war prejudices Of parti-
Ran majority in Congress-. But Mr..
Clark says that those prejudices are
now practically out OF the way, and he
has the personal assurance Of Republi-
can leaders that they will help him to
get q an through 70 give the money
back to the South during the coming
session Of Co gress. He has put in q
large part Of the past summer working
L -. fhfS hsU ard crcffino nm the law and