The Benson signal., 1917-04-07
CLARK ELECTED
HOUSE SPEAKER
BLIND REPRESENTATIVE FROM
MINNESOTA PUTS MISSOURI
IAN'S NAME BEFORE HOUSE.
PLEAS FOR PATRIOTISM
RESOLUTION DECLARING STATE
OF WAR INTRODUCED BY
REPRESENTATIVE FLOOD.

Western Newspaper Union News Service
Washington, April 3. - President
Wilson last night urged Congress, as
sembled in joint session, to declare
state of war existing between the
United States and Germany, and ad-
vocated the organization of an army
of at least 100000 men, chosen cup
on the principle of universal liability
to service"
Washington, April 3.-While the
House was organizing, Representa-
tive Flood, chairman of the House
committee on foreign affairs, intro
duced joint resolution declaring that
a Estate of belligerency" exists be-
tween the United States and Germany
and asserts that Germany's course is
nothing less than war against the
government and the people of the
United States" The resolution fol-
lows:
Whereas, the recent course of the
German government is in fact moth
ing less than war against the govern
ment and people of the United States,
Resolved, by the House of Repre-
sentatives and Senate in Congress as
sembled, that the state of belligerency
between the United States and the
German government which has thus
been thrust upon the United States
is hereby formally declared, and
"That the President be and he is
hereby authorized to take immed1-
ate steps not only to put this country
in thorough state of defense, but
also to exert all of it's power and en-
ploy all of it's resources to carry on
war against the German government
and to bring the conflict to success
full termination"
This resolution will go to the for
eign affairs committee, together with
President Wilson's address Oh the
subject, and will form the basis for u
war resolution to be later reported to
the House.
Washington, April 3.-Champ Clark
of Missouri was elected speaker of the
House of Representatives of the Sixty
fifth Congress, in session that was
marked by dramatic incidents from the
beginning.
The vote in the House resulted:
Clark, 217; Mann, 2O5; Lenroot, 2; Gil
lett, 2. Two members were recorded
present but not voting.
Speaker Clark defeated James r.
Mann of Illinois, choice of the Repub-
lican caucus, after Representative
Lenroot of Wisconsin, himself the can
didate of minority of the Republic
ans, had challenged the suggestion
made by Representative Schall of Min
placing Clark in nomination, that the
existing international situation de-
| monded that President Wilson be CIV
en- a Democratic House organization,
as well as Senate, to assume RESPONSE
bilities for his policies. LenroOt then
had seconded the Mann nomination.
Champ Clark was escorted into the
chamber by his opponent, Mann, amid
storm of cheers from both sides.
Mann introduced Clark as a patriotic
representative of Missouri and the ma
tion Responding, Clark spoke for CO.
| operation.
Admitting it would be difficult to
conduct House affairs otherwise, he
| 10 rf fico
ship.
"Let all the ends we aim at be our
country's and in the accomplishment
Of the ends may the God of our fathers
be with us and guide us in the way
which will rebound to the honor and
perpetuity of the greatest republic
that ever existed in the flood of time"
Representative Talbot, father Of
the House," in so far as length of serv-
ice is concerned, administered the
oath to Clark Members were then
lined up in the we'll of the House to
be sworn in by state groups.
Four out of 435 members today did
not answer to their names. They were
Lee, Democrat, Georgia; Capstick, Re-
publican, New Jersey; Helgeson, Re-
publican, North Dakota, and Bleakley,
Republican, Pennsylvania. Lee later
was carried into the chamber on a
stretcher in time to vote for Clark.
Nearly the entire Senate member
ship was present when Vice President
Marshall called for order, and after
the invocation of the Presidents proc
lamation calling for the extraordinary
session was read.
TrimbIe Reelected Clerk.
South Trimble of Kentucky was re-
elected clerk, defeating William Ty-
ler Page of Maryland, Republican
nominee PIT to 211; Robert B. Cor
don of Ohio succeeded himself as
sergeant-at-arms, receiving PIG votes
to 202 for Joseph G. Rogers of
Pennsylvania; Joseph P. Sinnott Of
Virginia was returned as doorkeeper,
winning from Bert w. Kennedy of