The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-10-02
SENATOR CLARKE,
 ILL SHORT TIME, IS DEAD AT HOME:
Arkansas Statesman Is Victim of Attack of
 Paralysis.

Paralysis.
 Little Rock, Ark, Oct 2.-United States Senator James P. Clarke, died at his home here at 1 o'clock yester- day afternoon. He was taken i'll sud- denly with acute indigestion in his of flee Wednesday afternoon, and Satur- day was stricken with paralysis, since when he has been unconscious. He is survided by his wife, two daughters, Mrs. Joseph w. House, Jr., and Mrs. Robert Williams, and one son, James ?. Clarke.
 Associate Justice w. F. Kirby. who opposed him in the primaries two years ago, will likely be appointed to succeed him, as the Associate Justice and Governor Hays are close political friends.
 A meeting of the Democratic State Central Committee will be called at once to name a candidate as his per- manent successor, who must be elect ed in November The nomination must be elected in November. The nomination must be made at once, as under the law, the date for certifying all nominations in this state expires on saturday next.
 Senator C1arke's action when the eight-hour railroad bill was passed brought him into great prominence. He was in the chair, and was one of the two Democratic Senators to refuse to sign it. When it was presented to himf or his signature, he appointed Senator Hughes of New Jersey as act ing president pro tempore, and Sena- tor Hughes signed it as the residing officer of the Senate.
 Senator Clarke's stand against the eight-hour bill was typical of an in dependence that characterized his at titude during all the thirteen years of his Senatorial career. Many times he was the. leader in opposition to meas ures proposed by his party. The cl1- max of his ndependenceFwas reached when he led the Democratic objectors againt the Ship-Purchase bill. His action gave new life to the Republican flibuster, and made the passage of the bill impossible. During the last session, when the bill was reintroduc- ed, with the government ownership and operation features which he ob- lected to revised and modified, he gave to it his support.
 Again during the last session, Sena- tor Clarke surprised his colleagues when he proposed the amendment to tho Philippine bill which would have given absolute independence to the islands at the end of four years. The administration indorsed his amend ment and it was adopted by the Sem ate, the House, however, refusing to accept it. A Native of Mississippi.
 Senator Clarke's second appoint ment as President pro tempore of the Senate last December, came after contest in the Democratic caucus. Part of the opposition to him was based on his refusal to conform to the poicy of the administration during the previous session. His opponents objected to him personally, declaring he was arbitrary and dictAtorial, and another element of the op1osition said he was elevated to that place in the last Congress for the purpose of aid ing him in his race for reelection to the Senate. His action on the Ship Purchase bill was also held against him. However, on Dec. 3, 1915, the final ballot showed 2S votes for Sena- tor Clarke and 23 for Senator Pome- creme of Ohio.
 He was born in Yazoo, Miss, and was a son of the, late Walter Clarke and Mrs. Ellen White Clarke. After receiving his early education in the public schools and academies of his native state, Senator Clarke attended the University of Virginia, from which he was graduated in 1878, with the degree of Bachelor of Laws. During the same year he was admitted to the bar and went to Arkansas, where he started practice in Helena.
 Immediately plunging into politics, he fought the organization that con- trolled Phillips county. At first he lost, but finally, in 1886, he won and was elected to represent his county in the legislature. Two years later he was elected to the State Senate, of which he was elected president in 1891. He secured the enactment of law which brought about the collec- ton of more than $400,O00 back taxes from various railroads. After serving his term as State Senator, Senator Clarke announced himself as candi- date for Attorney-GeneraIfo of Arkan- SdS dIlu Alc WdS clSCtcu HIS IdCo lOI Governor followed. and again he was elected with little opposition. His term as Governor ended in 1897, and he refused the renomination, an- nouncing himself as candidate for United States Senator to succeed James K. Jones.
 The contest was to be decided at the primaries and after several coun- ties had voted overwhelmingly against him, Senator Clarke withdrew, an- nouncing he would be candidate at the expiration of Senator Jones' next term. He began organizing his forces, and had himself appointed in 1900 a member of the Democratic National Committee. He was a prom inent delegate at the National Con- veption in Kansas City, and after his return spent the next two yers keep ing his organization n line anl pre- pairing for the battle he knew would come in 1902.
 Outspoken in Public Life.
 The campaign in that year, which resulted in his being sent to the United States Senate, was one of the most Acrimonious ever fought in Ar kansas At the election Senator Clarke gained more than thirds of the counties. Years after Senator Clarke and former Senator Jeff Da- wis, now dead, became estranged. This was emphasized when Davis was