The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1916-10-02
SENATOR CLARKE'S.
DEATH IS SHOCK TO.
CAPITAL RESIDENTS.
Contest Over His Office Of Pres
ldent Pro Tempore Of Sem
ate Is Expected.

Death OF Senator James p. Clarke, OF
Afkansass president pro tempore Of the
Senate, At Little Rock, Ark, yesterday.
came ~ q great shock TO Washington,
not only TO Senators and members OF
the HousA bait to O great many resi-
dents,
Senator Clarke was one Of the veterans
Of the Senate and had performed able
and conspicuous service He was mark
ed for his Independence. and. his insist.
enos on voting a. he believed he ought
to vote, regardless OF party ,affili ations
,of efforts to hind him In party eau
Gus 80. .....,..t... ..-r.. 49,,
BY his death the position Of president
pro tempore. an office of Importance,
becomes vacant. II In expected there
VIII be sharp conflict In tho Senate
az the outset of the coming session over
eleotion or a successor In this position
Opposed Ship Purchase
Because Senator Clarke refused to limo
up for tho Administr alton ship purchase
bill in the Sixty-third Congress. an eff
fort was made by Administration ele-
n,ents 10 defeat him for president pro
tempore Senator Pomerene OF Ohio was
the candidate Of the Administration and
Administration Senator'S But Senator
Clarke was reelected IN q sharp con-
tsst He was originally chosen president
pro tempore to succeed the late Senator
Frye OF Maine
Il 10 expected Senator Pomerene will
be one OF the candidates for the offico
Of President pro tempore provided he
Is not defeated for reelection.
Others who are likely to be consid-
cred a. possibilities, II not active can
dfdates, are such veterans as Senators
Overman, Stone, Martin, Fletcher, and
Williams Senator walsh 10 a posi-
biiity. Senators Reed and Owen may
aspire to the place.
Revolted On Eight Hour Bill.
Senator Clarke revoited against the
Administration eight-hour bill, and
many times in his thirteen years Of
Senatorial service he took an independ-
ent course He was rated as one OF the
ablest lawyers and parliamentarians In
the upper house. He was for several
years chairman Of the important Com
mittee on Commerce. He was the rank
ing Democratic member on tho Foreign
Relations Committee and a member OF
the Military Affairs Committee.
Senator Clarke was born at Yazoo
City, Miss, In August. 1854. He was
educated In the schools Of theState and
was graduated from the law department
or the University or virginia In BI6 Tho
following year he began the practice
Of law in Helena, Ark.
Gave Service To State.
In 1855 he was elected to the low
or house OF the Arkansas legislature
and two years later was elected to
the state senate where he served
four years. He was attorney general
OF the State in 1899 and was elected
governor In 1894.
He declined denomination for gov
srnor for a second term. and resumed
the practice OF law In Little Rock.
In 1908 he was elected United States
senator and Reelected last year for
his third term.
He was elected president pro tenn.
OF the Senate in l9la and reelected
In 1916. His present term as United
States Senator would not have ex-
pired until March 4, 1921.
Senator Clarke was married In Hell
ena, November is 1888. TO Miss Saliie
Moore, who, with a son and two
daughters, survives.
Funeral services will be held Tues
day afternoon from the residence in
Little Rock.