The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1914-04-01

stern Behind him pounding for or
der was Mr.. Underwood There they
were awaiting the climax OF the long
debate. these two leaders OF the Demo
cratic party. heading the first revolt In
the party ranks since Democracy put
Woodrow Wilson In the white house.
Even those Democrats who had for the
first time turned their backs on their
Immediate leaders and stood resolute-
ly by the president throughout the
fight were impressed at the scene.
The interest was tense as Speaker
Clark began to speak. and HIS first
utterance. breathing a spirit OF har-
mony as against discord and assur-
ing the country that the president
and he were personally at peace,
seemed TO spread over the assemblage
particularly the Democratic side OF
the house. a feeling of relief
There Is no personal issue between
the president and myself" said the
speaker and his voice was drowned
in a chorus of Democratic shouts
while Republicans and Progressives
applauded.
Struck His Stride.
AT the outset the speaker read his
address, but soon he got into his old
time oratorical swing and was ham,
mering home with sweeping gestures
his deliberately delivered words.
When he praised the patriotic mo-
tives OF President Wilson, again was
ne interrupted by applause. His EN-
phattc declaration that with those
who charged him with attempting to
disrupt the party the wish was faith
er TO the thought" not a member on
the floor applauded him.
Does any man in this house be-
lieve that the Democratic leaders are
working TO split the Democracy" the
speaker fairly shouted as he leadned
toward the Democratic side and look
ed into the faces of his colleagues
NO, no. was the thunderous reply
from every part of the chamber.
Let him courageously stand up
that we may see his cast of count
enance." but no man stood up and
the house cheered again.
The speaker minced no words as he
attacked newspapers which he de
clared had assailed him in this fight.
and in referring to the charge that
he was boiling the president" be
exclaimed.
"Merciful God! What an idiotic
phrase"
Throughout his speech there was
not dull moment. Repeatedly he
plaudits rang through the reverber-
ating halls of the Capitol in frequent
waves.
No Evidence OF Regret.
The Speaker talked calmly when he
referred TO the Baltimore convention
and recalled how he had led in the
presidential nomination for 20 ballots.
and when he told his colleagues he
was mindful OF the fact that his course
in this crisis might mean the end OF
his public career. there was no evi-
dence Of regret nor of alarm in his
voice OF demeanor
There are many things worse, he
said. than being defeated for Con
gress or for the speakership. When
he declared that he was not a candi-
date for the presidency and could be
happy without IL. he interrupted him
self with a chuckle that brought more
applause.
The House listened attentively to
the Speakers argument against the
tolls repeal his assertion that he be-
lieved the President was mistaken. his
argument that the Canadian railroad
and the Tehuantepec National Rail
way would most profit by toll exemp-
tlon, and his eloquent appeal against
yielding anything TO Great Britain.
Holding the interest TO the end. the
speaker remained a commanding fig
ure. interrupted by applause constant.
y as he proceeded
Concluded PrayerfuIiy.
Almost prayerfully he concluded
lowering his heavy voice to say. Now.
may the God OF our fathers who nerv.
cd 100000 backwoods Americans 10
hlng their gage Of battle into the face
OF the mtEhticst monarch In the world
who guided the hand Of jefferson in
writing the charter OF liberty. who sus-
tanned Washington and his ragged and
starving army amid the awful horrors
OF Valley Forge and who gave them
complete victory on the blOodstained
heights ot Yorktown. may lie lead
members 20 vote 80 as 20 prevent this
stupendOus fOlly-this unquestionable
degradation Of the American repub-
lie"
Speaker Clark had finished lie had
defended his position. praised the
president whom he opposed express
ID admiration Of his colleagues with
whom he differed on this question .
rhidcd those who had asaailod him
and sugarCOatcd instead OF tarrinc
the situation. As De walked from hir
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