Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-02-10
Speaker Clark to Have Solid
Missouri Delegation.
WITHDRAWAL ANNOUNCED
Former Governor Asks His Friends
to Support Clark.
: TO BRYAN's EFFORTS
After Speaker Is Brought to Agree
to Divided Delegation, Folk
Decides to Quit.

ST. LOUIS, Mo-, February 10-Former
Gov. Joseph w. Folk today announced
his retirement from the race for indorse-
ment in Missouri for the presidential
nomination at the hands Of the demo-
Gratis
Mr.. Folks withdrawal was brought
about by a proposal of Speaker Clark.
who wanted Folk TO agree to a divided
delegation. Instead Of accepting the pro-
posal the former governor retires out
right in the Speakers favor. releasing
his friends from their PROMISES OF sup
port.
Gov. Folks Statement.
Gov. Folk made the following an
nouncement. after considering a state
ment which he had received from
Speaker Clark:
II have read Mr. Clark's statement
with pleasure. and sincerely appreciate
the spirit manifested therein. / heart
lily concur in the sentiments that per-
sonal ambition should be subordinated
to the interest of our party in Mis-
souri,, and now that Mr.. Clark has
expressed willingness to have the
delegation divided between him and
Bryan, l shall now request my friends
to make no further effort in my be-
half.
Il believe, from reports received from
other states, that Mr.. Clark. owing to his
prominence in Washington at this time.
and his long and honorable service there.
has perhaps better chances for the nomi-
. nation than any other Missourian and l
shall therefore release all claims l may
have on the delegation and request my
friends N mo in Nr
Clark the united support of Missouri In
this contest
Speaker Clark's Proposal.
Mr.. Clark's statement. as received by
Gov. Folk. follows:
Especially desirous of bringing the
democracy of Missouri together. and
prevent. as far as possible. any acrimony
in the state, / have after consultation
with numerous friends and on due de-
liberation. determined to agree to and
accept the suggestion made by Mr..
Bryan to divide the Missouri delegation
to the national convention between Gov.
Folk and myself: Provided, always, OF
course, that the democrats OF this state
are in the main for one or the other
Of us.
81 am especially anxious that there
should be harmony and cooperation
among the democrats of Missouri.
Whether the Joplin convention would be
for me Gov. Folk is a question which
is unnecessary and which il would be
bootless for me to discuss now. 1t is
sufficient to say that in the interest OF
party harmony in this state l have de-
termined to say that I am willing to ac-
cept the suggestion made for a division
of the state delegation. and 1 hope my
friends throughout the state Will heart
lily agree to this suggestion and cooper
ate with me in carrying it out.
Clark at First Refused.
The agreement reached today by
Speaker Clark and former Gov. Folk
was first proposed by w. J. Bryan while
he was here recently. Mr.. Folk was
willing to agree to a divided delega
ton at the state convention, but Clark S
local managers refused Mr.. Bryan's
suggestion.
The matter was recently put up to
Mr.. Clark in Washington and he tele-
graphed Mr.. Folk today. A converse
tion by telephone shortly before noon
between Mr.. Clark and Mr.. Folk fol-
lowed, and the latter then made public
his announcement
Lon Sanders, campaign manager for
Mr.. Folk. after the statements were given
out said:
This practically means Mr.. Folks
withdrawal from the presidential race
Suggested by Bryan.
When William j. Bryan was i'm st.
Louis about ten days ago he suggested
that for harmony's sake Clark and Folk
should agree to a division of the Mis-
souri, delegation to the next national con-
vention.
Mr.. Clark declined at that time, but
subsequently agreed to in the language
quoted in the statement given out today.
Upon receipt of this acquiescence from
the Speaker. Mr.. Folk decided to with
draw, I'm the interest of harmony. and
allow the Speaker a solid delegation from
the state. This means that but one name
will be presented to the state democratic
convention at Joplin February 20.
Friends of the two candidates in WASH
ington, led by Senator Stone for MIR.
Clark and Senator Reed for Mr.. Folk,
conferred with the managers of the two
candidates at st. Louis by telephone and
telegraph today. They later expressed
great satisfaction that contest would
be avoided in Missouri.
Primaries are being held i'm parts of the
state today, and other counties will hold
conventions Monday.