The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1912-05-14

III either Mr.. Harmon or Mr.. Wilson
should be nominated, he will be con-
stanty compelled TO defend himself
and to explain himself, both before
and after his nomination for the IL
lustrious ONCE.
Champ ciark's Record Fia~Iess.
The friends OF Champ Clark. on the
other hand. have nothing to explain
and nothing for which to apologize
There Is absolutely not naw In the
public career OF the Democratic speak
er OF the house. and not an objection
that can be urged against him. either
upon the hustinss or In personal con-
versation. He has fawless record OF
% years OF faithful. capable and fear.
less service for the Democratic party.
He has gone through every office OF
development to At him for this lofty
station. Through the kindergarten Of
Pike county politics; through the pri-
mary school OF the Missouri legisla-
ture; through the high school OF the
American congress; up to his present
lofty station as the second officer OF
the government. every step OF his
career has fitted Speaker Clark for
nee.
To pass after his long experience,
from the speakership OF the house OF
representatives to the executive ONCE
OF the White House would be to Champ
Clark simply like passing from one
room to another.
And In all this career there has
been no act and no expression which
would give his enemies a hammer to
batter his record or his capacity. He
is Progressive Democrat, and the
leader OF the Progressive Democrats
In progressively democratic age. In
his inaugural as speaker, he assumed.
FAR In advance OF the recent speeches
OF President Taft. the high and sensi-
Die position that the Democratic party
mad as much interest In prosperity In
this country as any other party, and
mat II had too much interest. both In
prosperity and In property, to endan-
ger either by unwise and foolish poli-
cies In government.
discreet radical and a progressive
conservative, with nothing In his rec
ora Tor which to apologize and explain,
| submit that Champ Clark offers the
pest possible compromise between the
contentious OF the conflicting factions
winch champion the cause OF Gov
ernor Wilson and OF Governor Har.
mon.
Equipment for the Presidency.
mere Is another remarkable aualifi-
cation which fits Champ Clark pecul-
iarly for the presidency. His long car
knowledge Of the ways Of congress
ana OF the motives that move
the two houses is an equipment for
the presidency which the history Of
that office will emphasize.
grover Cleveland was one Of the
greatest statesmen that America has
produced. or his ability and integrity
there can be no doubt. And yet Grover
Cleveland's two terms were incessant
Wrangling conflicts with the house of
representatives. and he left the White
House with his party broken and dis
Enthusiastically because he did not
know how to handle the American con.
Bress.
William Mckinley had, perhaps. the
most popular administration of the
presidency that the country has known.
with less individuality than Cleveland.
and perhaps with less ability. his ad-
ministration was full OF achievement
and comparatively free OF friction. be-
cause bis four terms In the American
congress had taught him how To deaf
with that body and how to secure leg
islation at It's hands.
Theodore Roosevelt, with his siren.
m
years OF strife and wrangie with the
American congress. which he did not
understand. because he had never
been a member.
Benjamin Harrison. who had. per-
haps. the smoothest administration OF
the quarter century. had served three
terms In tho congress OF the United
States.
Clark Could Handle Congress.
| 1t Is safe to say that II Champ Clark
were elected president, he would
know better than any man who has
ever occupied that lofty station how TO
handle congress in the most effeo-
tive way. and how to secure frem the
legislative body the fullest possible CO.
operation with the policies OF the chief
SN0SuNNo. Ahlo mhheb n m0aBureleaa
advantage 10 a Democratic adminia-
tration.
In presidential campaign no man
can overestimate the effect which a
candidates personality has upon the
mass of the American voters. One of
The most remarkable qualities In
Champ Clark, and one Of universal rec
sgnition, is the fact that with all his
strength and force be does not excite
friction. either among his friends or
his foes. The best rough-and-tumble
debster In the house OF represents
tiTes. he has enjoyed on the floor uni
Versal popularity among both par
ties; and, in the speakers chair. stall.
wart IN partisanship and in conVio.
ton. he has received from the Repub-
iican minority leader and from indi-
vidual Republicans. as we'll as the abb
solutely stolid devotion OF his own
SIDE, the most conspicuous tributes
that have ever been given TO a speaker
Of the house.
II Is a notable fact that. With a full
consciousness OF his absolutely stall.
Wart Democracy. the leading Repub-
llcans. az well as the rank and Ole OF