Omaha daily bee., 1912-07-01
SPEAKER DEMANDS PROOF
Throws Down Gage Of Battle to
Bryan in Statement.
HURRIED TRIP TO BALTIMORE
Attempt to Make Grandstand Play
In Convention Thwarted by Some
OF His Own Leaders by
Quick Adjournment. ,.

BALTIMoRE, June 9--Speaker. Clark
came to Baltimore last night In response
to the urgent request Of former Senator
Fred J. Dubois, his campaign manager,
and George Fred Williams Of Massa-
chusetts.' who represented that the Mis-
souriar's candidacy had suffered by rea-
son Of an attack on his noror" by Will
liam Jennings Bryan. The convention,
apparently hoplessly deadlocked, had ad-
journed until Monday before the speakers
arrival.
| Back of Mr.. Clark's coming was q
rumor Of disruption in his political camp.
Senator Stone, former Governor Francis
and the main body of the Missouri dele
cation were said to be strenuousy op-
posed to the speaker making any appeal
to the convention in his own behalf.
They objected to the activity Of Messrs.
Dubois and williams.
| It was no surprise therefore when Gov
ernor Francis seconded the motion from
over Sunday should be taken. Mr..
Clark's train left Washington at 10:45
q clock and the adjournment was taken
within fifteen minutes of the time the
rews reached the convention floor.
There is great deal of bitterness
against Mr.. Bryan among the Clark ad-
herents. They feel that the Nebraskan
had no right to attempt to place
Morgan Belmont Ryan brand on the
speaker just because the New York dele
cation gave its support to him. They
have attempted to offset the action Of
the progressives by Mr.. Bryan's state
ment that he would withhold his vote
from the Missourian so long as New
York's vote went to him.
Statement About Bryan.
After conference with Mr. Hearst,
Senator stone. David r. Francis and 9TH
|ers, Speaker Clark issued the following
statement: .s~..
To-day in the national convention an
outrageous aspersion was cast upon me
and through me upon the democratic
party by one who of all men ought to
be the last to besmudge or betray his
friends or his party. So far as ! am
personally concerned it is enough to say
that the charge which reflects upon my
personal or party integrity is utterly and
absolutely false. / might afford to
forget myself. but am by the choice
|of the democratic majority of the house
|of representatives, the ranking official
democrat in national public life can
,,yttb
ing upon my party in the most serious
way
"Any man who would enter into an
alliance with any selfish interest or
privileged class of this country to gain
the nomination for the presidency Is un
worthy of the presidency and of the
|speakership of the house. If have not
entered into such an alliance then the
democrat, however distinguished. who
wantonly charges me with this act is a
traitor to the democratic party and to
his professed friendship for me.
Asks Proof Or Retraction,
IT am not here to plead for nomina
ton or to attempt to influence any mans
political action. Let every man proceed
In this convention according to his con-
victions and the expressed will Of his
constituents. ask no undue considera-
ton from any man, be he friend or foe.
but / demand exact justice from every
democrat either in this convention or
throughout the nation. With William ].
Bryan and his charge made In the con-
vention today the issue is proof or re-
traction. shall expect him to meet
CONTINUED on Page Two.)