The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-01-20
SPEAKER CHAMP CLARK.

I0AnlMttN Is sun the NatGHRuTu III lit DtuA-
ocratic party So long as this standard is fol-
lowed there can be nule hope of stopping the
party from getting solid" with the American
public
The oft-predicted row in the ranks over the
selection Of a Speaker OF the House Of Repre-
sentatives during the sixty-second Congress has
failed to materializc, and, as with Il single
voice, Repre- sentative Champ Clark. of Mis-
souri,, was acclaimed as director of the affairs
OF the House.
The caucus just held showed that the Demo
Gratis have profited by the experience OF their
saddened and dsmantled opponents in the &. O.
p. and that having the destiny OF the country
in their hands they will Immediately proceed to
the redemption of the pledges made during the
memorable campaign of 1910. The chief essen
tials are harmony and accord, and a long pull,
strong pull, and pull altogether II the Demo-
Gratis carry out the plans made at the caucus
and fulfil the promises TO the voters, there will
be good reason for considering Champ Clark
for President. and for the Jeffersonian party TO
be given greater power than that with which it
and he will be vested next December. A Demo
cratic majority in Congress. with Republican
President. cannot accomplish the same harmo
nious ends when Democrat is in the White
House. The Sixty-second Congress will not be
very old before abundant proof OF this fact is
provided.
Mr. Clark has been looming larger and larger
In the political forum Every year and now has
been nominated for office which is probably
second only to the presidency. The nomination
means sure election. The Missourian is a pres.
idential probability and In recipient mood.
Although foretell what political
changes may overnight, II now looks as
though Mr. Clark has about the brightest pros
poets of becoming President that any citizen of
the nation could have at this time 1t is up to
him. however, TO conduct affairs in the House
as to prove his fitness for the presidency. His
speech of acceptance Of the nomination for
Speaker and his pledge to discharge the du-
ties of that great position fairly, so justly.
and so impartially that you will never have
cause to regret what you have just done" de
monstrate that he is keenly alive to the needs
for reform in the administration of House mat.
ters
Mr.. Clark has seen the despot and tyrant at
work In the chair and heard him attacked and
assaulted from every quarter. not only by mem
bers of the Democratic rarity but from within
the ranks OF his own, Speaker Cannon is re-
sponsble for the existence of the Insurgent
party OF to-day. and for that reason the public
Is probably somewhat indebted TO him. Speak
er Cannon responsible for the defeat of the
Republican party at the polls last fall more than
any in the G. o, P. All these things
and more Speaker Clark will have to guide and
assist him in his course His will be great re,
: Bpnnsibility of far-reaching Importance and ef.
feet and all his Missourian courage and fair
ness will be heavily drawn on in his new posi-.
tion.
The action OF the Democrats In caucus was
wise and long.sighted. BY placing Mr. Clark in
the Speakership and allowing the Ways and
Means Committee to select the members of the
other committees, all of which must work in
harmony with it to accomplish results the Dem
oerats have gotten what looks to be a strangle
hold on the Republican party. 1t is beginning
to appear aa though we are about to realize the
old. old dream Of a national legislature for and
by the people