New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-04-01
APRIL l, 1914.

will not he worth having
II never entertained the slightest Ill VIII
toward the President about the Baltimore
convention. ! wish him well. ! did all |
could to elect hm-far more than some
Of those who so vociferously and full
somelv praise him now. and for whom
deep down in his heart he must entertain
supreme contempt | have steadfastly
supported him until We are called upon to
bolt the platform. | absolutely refuse 10
do any such thing
one more word on this head | de-
not believe that the fact that ! led on
twentv-nine ballots at Baltimore, receiv-
ing a clea majority on nine, and that /
got a majority Of over 100000 over the
President in primary elections where he
and / competed, precludes me from dis
charging my duty or exercising my rights
as a Representative in Congress and as
Sneaker of the House TO stand up for
America against Great Britain
May End Public Career.
OF have this TO say" Mr.. Clark went
on: The fact that L am making this
fight for our platform pledges may end
my public career. There are many things
worse than being defeated for Congress
or defeated for the Speakership. or even
worse than 10 be defeated for the Presi-
dencv. and one OF them Is 10 repudiate
tho pIatform on which you are elected.
81 can be happy without the Presidency.
can he happy without the Speakership.
The happiest hours OF my Congressional
life were spent on the floor of the House
engaging freely i'm the parliamentary
h fah 90 in
this large and energetic body If my con-
stituents who have stood by me with I'M
shaken fidelity should retire me to pri-
vate life. | can still be happy In the love
and affection Of wife and children. in the
society Of my books, and IN cutiyating
flowers and trees.
cone thing is dead sure. When | do go
ont of public life, whether next year or
twenty years hence. il will be with my in
tegrity- unimpaired and my self-respect
intact I will not leave my children much
nroperty. but | will leave them the rich
legacy OF a good name. which King
Solomon says is more precious than
rubes.
II have no criticism to make on the
. Democrats who are going TO vote for re-
peal | have co-operated with them so :
long. we have lost and won together so
often. that II is with genuine sorrow that
I cannot see as they do | entertain
genuine affection for the members Of this
House. Some Of them have said things
about me which they will regret when
their fever cools down. but ] pass them
by. The gentleman from Texas CNlr.
Henry and the gentleman from Ken
,,aI,-
heated because | exercised the right
which they reserve TO themselves that is,
OF voting as IL seemed TO me was right.
SO far as the gentleman from Georgia
(Mr. Hardwick) is concerned | say Shoe
fly. don't bodder me. Shoe fly. don't
bodder me
II have no word OF criticism for my
Democratic friends who are going to vote
for the repeal We have worked to-
gether too long: we have fought Shout
der to shoulder. heart to heart, too often;
We have mourned together I'm defeat for
sixteen years. but never were disheart-
ened; We have rejoiced together in our
victories during the last four years. and l
hope We will have cause to rejoice in
many more
j dSohilt NldN ever IitiIlDpT Will Nblc
honestly the way dictated by his intellect
and his conscience dictates; but why
should | be denied the same privilege?
No man here should be q rubber stamp
Congressman. | refuse absolutely to be |
either a rubber stamp Representative or
rubber stamp Speaker. If / did you
would have no respect for me.
III we must differ let us differ in kind
ness. and it will he better. much better,
FOR the party and therefore better for the
country.
Must Stand by Platform.
Mr.. Clark quoted from his first speech .
In the House, made in August 1898. In /
sisting that 1t was the duty of Democrats
to stand by their platform declarations,
and asserted with pride that he had stood
by that declaration ever since.
IL stand by It now" the Speaker con-
tinued. 81 will stand by II until | am
bereft Of my senses. IL is the rule OF
conscience and OF patriotic service No
other rule will do TO live by or die by"
Then turning TO the powers OF govern
ment Mr.. Clark remarked that "Presi-
dent Wilson shows no reluctance In dis
charging his duties and exercising his
powers TO the utmost
81 am willing TO follow where he leads
so long as he is In the White House and
SO long ms he does not ask us TO repudiate
n platform declaration"
Returning To the party platform. the
Speaker Insisted that the tolls plank was
fully discussed and understood bv the
Baltimore convention. lie added
we went to the people on that plat
form containing the free,tolls plank head