The Harrison times., 1911-04-01

! is that the vote in caucus for Champ
Clark for speaker may yet be rescind-
/ ed, and some other Democrat chosen.
This | think wholly improbable, al
| though there is a very serious senti'
ment back of the rumor. 1t would be
absolutely impossible If there should
be an extra session called to follow
fast upon the heels of the present
congress, for in that event the dis
contenteI faction in the Democratic
party would have no time to get to-
gether and plan to overthrow the eau.
Gus nomination of Clark. 1t is to be
kept in mind that the caucus was pure
| ly unofficial, made up In large part of
men who were not at the time mem.
bers of congress, though they will be
after March 4. This fact affords the
malcontents a plausible excuse to de-
mand a hearing.
The Hon. Champ has not strengthen
ed his position with his own party
since his party honored him with the
unanimous choice for the speaker
ship. He seems to have been taci.
turn when he should have been frank
garrulous when he should have been
silent. Representatives tell me that
an outspoken expression of opinion
from Mr. Clark is the hardest thing in
! Washington to get, Disavowing all re-
/ - 90 hnoIc
of committees-an honor to which all
veteran congressman aspire-he never
! theess is the most influential force,
perhaps, the controlling force in the
| distribution of these coveted prizes,
But If you go to him." said one OF
the disgruntled ones, ito urge the ap'
pointment Of a friend to chairman
! ship, he declares with certain stolid
dignity that he has nothing to say
about it, Yet If you go to one Of the
members of the ways and means com
mittee which is supposed to be choos.
ing these committees, you get behind
closed door and hear in whisper
this: See Champ Clark"
CIark's Annexation Blunder.
OF course the first trouble sprung
| from his pronouncement for the annex.
alton of Canada Well the United
States and Canada are getting along
pretty well as matters now stand An
almost united Democracy In the house
stood for the treaty negotiated by a
Republican administration. All went
merry as a wedding bell until In mo.
ment of humor or possible perfervid
oratory the Hon. Champ Clark inter.
iected his proposition that the treaty
was one step toward annexation. Now,
anybody else could have done that
without awakening hostility to the
treaty. Champ Clark himself could
have done it year ago without arous-
ing more than a casual laugh, and re-
newing the old joke about twisting
the British lions tail. But today Mr..
Clark is the probable speaker Of the
house, position rightfully described
as second in power only to that of
president of the United States. And
|
for the one position in our government
which Is superior to that Of speaker OF
the house. Is 1t any wonder that Can
adian and British, or, for that matter,
all European papers express wonder
that SO great an American statesman
should voice the views of the jingoes?
1t Is not for me TO collate these ex-
pressions Of foreign journalistic opin'
ion. They are being printed daily In
this and other newspapers. But | can
say lomething concerning the concen-
sus Of opinion among representatives
and senators here in Washington.
That opinion Is that Mr.. Clark has put
himself out Of the running for the pres
idency by just one ill-advised utter
ance When he said, think humor-
ously, that the treaty was the first
step toward annexation, people won
dered what lie might say In the presi
dency If he were elected to that high
Office
Seeks American Registry for Ships.
Congressional procedure and par
ticularly what Gov Woodrow Wilson
calls government by committee, occa.
sionally brings up curious complica.
tions. There is pending before the
committee on merchant marine and
fisheries a bill providing for the ad
mission to American registry Of seven.
teen steamships, owned by the United
Fruit company and all built abroad
They ply between United States and
Central and South American ports
and are owned, just as the corporation
they serve is owned, by citizens Of
this nation. Probably for reasons Of
protection In the constantly arising
complications with the turbulent peo-
pies of the caribbean and Spanish
main, the owners wish them trans
ferred to American registry As the
situation now stands Great Britain
lodges responsibility for any inter
ference with the business Of the com
pany or the operation of the ships on
| the nlen that the cOmDany Is Amer.