New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-02-02
CHAMP CLARK. PROPHET.
Sees Dir. Roosevelt General Man
ager of Panama Canal.

IRON ! he Tribune Bureaul
Washington Feb. Representative Champ
Clark. Of Missouri. told the House to-day what
he thought President Roosevelt could well do
after he retires from the White House Mr..
Clark. taking for granted the early retirement
OF the President declared that he believed the
general management of the Panama Canal con-
struction would be the most desirable place in
the world for Mr.. Roosevelt as an ex-President.
The Missourian paid several subtle compliments
to the President. Incidentally he thought the
next best chance for to enroll himself on
the "scanty list Of mmortsls' was to construct
deep waterway from the Gulf to Chicago a
project he advocated at length, the River and
Harbor Appropriation bill being at the time I'M
der consideration. Some persons. Mr.. Clark told
the House. have been advocating that the Pres-
dent be sent TO the Senate. IF New York
intends TO continue in the unhappy habit Of
eIecting Republicans to the United States Sen
ate'' said he. then my voice is for Roosevelt
for that position The subsequent proceedings
would make what Horace Greeley would have
denominated mighty interesting reading
He pointed TO the fact that John Quincy
Adams had added more 20 his fame IN his seven
teen years In Congress after leaving the White
House than in all the preceding years of his
life. Mr.. Clark also instanced the election of
Andrew Johnson TO the Senate after his retire
ment from the Presidency.
A noble ambition" said Mr. Clark in re-
ferring to the presidency of Harvard for Mr..
Roosevelt. 81 would rather be president of the
University of Missouri than be member of
the House or Senate or Governor Of that i'm
perial commonwealth. The President might de-
vote himself TO literature. He would have an
immense audience to begin with, and it would
make him fortune" 1t had been suggested
that Mr. Roosevelt be made perpetual presi-
dent Of the Hague peace tribunal 1T Is safe
10 say that he would discharge the functions
of that high office" said the Missourian with
q great DEAL Of energy, and what ne would 90
TO the other peacemakers who had plans diff
ferent from his own would be a-plenty."
Then Mr.. Clark sprang his own idea of what
the President should do. "Of all these propo-
stions." said he, ''to be general manager Of the
Panama Conal woa d be to me the most tempt
ing. To build tie isthmian canal has been the
dream of thousands since Balboa first stared
down in amazement and delight upon the Peace
ful Ocean. And II that work Is a success the
man who accomplishes ii will write his name
upon the sCanty list Of the 'immortals' Why
Shonts or Wallace or any other man that had
a chance TO associate his name with II should
relinquish that opportunity for any financial in
duCement whatever is one Of those things which,
like the peace Of God. passeth ali understand
ing"
Republicans and Democrats applauded the
speaker throughout his references to the Presl-
dent, and when he concluded the admirers OF
the President felt that the words Of the Demo
crat had wiped out all the thrusts that had
been made by other members Of the House at
Mr.. Roosevelt throughout the session.
In the main the speeches dealt with the pro
posed canal from Chicago TO St Louis and the
deepening Of the Mississippi River from St
Louis to the Gulf 10 Il feet Among those who
spoke were Messrs Rodenberg and Rainey, OF
Illinois; Crumpacker, Of Indiana: Madden OF
Illinois, Shackelford, OF Missouri; Gref. OF
Illinois, Gambler OF Mississippi: Mahon. OF
Pennsylvania, and Garrett, Of Tennessee.
Bills were passed fixing the boundaries oi
lands adjoining the Cueur d'Alene Indian reser'
walton in Idaho; permitting persons owning
lands in the Kiowa Comanche and Apache Ind
ian reservations, IN Oklahoma Territory TO com
mute them for town site purposes, and creating
two additional land districts in Alaska Mt Nome
and Fairbanks