Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-04-02


The Republican absentees we're
Bleakley, Of Pennsylvania. resigned;
Capstick, Of New Jersey, and Heiegisen;
OF North Dakota, who are III.
Mann received all other Republican
votes, including that of Miss Jeannette
Rankin, the new member from Mon
tana.
Neither Speaker Clark nor Republi-
can Leader Mann voted.
A committee composed of Mr.. Mann. the
defeated candidate for Speaker, and Rep.
don, OF New York, notified Mr.. Clark Of his
reelection,
CLARK CHEERED
The House broke into cheers and ap.
plause as the committee escorted Speaker
Clark TO the rostrum, the Speaker walking
by the side Of Mr.. Mann When the cheer.
ing and hand-clapplng had ceased Mr.. Mann
whose friendship for his victorious rival is
proverbial, said simply:
Il present to you your chosen Speaker
the genial. able, impartial patriotic states
man Of Missouri and the nation
Then the newly elected Speaker said:
l am profoundly grateful to the
House for my fourth election to the
Speakership--also to the distinguished
gentleman from Illinois. my close per-
sonal friend. Brother Mann, for the
cordial, generaus and splendid man
ner In which he introduced me.
The delicate situation in which we
find ourselves justifes few words
more. l fully appreciate the fact that
II will be exceedingly difficult to dis
charge the duties of the Speakership
i'm this House. 1t will be almost i'm
possible to do so without the hearty
cooperation of the members without
regard to party Affiliations.
/ will use my utmost endeavor TO
be absolutely fair and invoke the aid
of all the members in doing so.
1t Is absolutely unnecessary and
superfluous to lecture the membership
on patriotism. We are all patriots as
are all the people who elected U.S. We
are all Americans, whether natives or
foreign-born, as are our constituents
on many questions we are distinct as
the pillows. yet we are one as the sea-
when the honor and safety Of the Re-
public are involved. Politics finds no
place in this house when the general
welfare and the common defens Of the
nation ar at stake. Let all the ends we
aim at be our country's and In the ac-
complishment of these ends may be
God Of our fathers be with US and
guide us in the way which will re-
dound to the honor and perpetuity of
the greatest Republic that ever ex-
lSted IN all the nOOu OF tlTIle
OATH ADMINISTERED
At the conclusion of his speech Speaker
Clark said:
Gentlemen am ready to take thu
oath of office and request that 1t be ad
ministered by Representative Talbot o
Maryland"
Mr.. Talbot is the father" Of the Hous'
Democrats. He read slowly and In ever
tones the usual oath taken by officials
Ito uphold the constitution against al
enemies foreign and domestic
The House elected the Missourian afte
listening to war prayer by the blin'
chaplain and war speech by Repre-
sentative SchaJl, also blind. who swunl
his vote to Clark, holding that patriotism
demanded this be done in the presen
crisis. The election was held shortl,
after the nominations for Speaker were de
clared in order following the rollcall, whicl
established that 42s Of the 435 members o
that body were present.
The nominating speech for the Speake
came from Representative Schall. Progress
sve Republican, of Minnesota, who, in tn
oficial polls. had been lined UP as certain
to vote for the Republican speakership can
didate.
Representative Mann was named as tn
Republican choice by Representative
Greene. Of Massachusetts,. The rollcall wa
tnen declared IN OrueT.
The rollcall showed the House was sh!
six members. Two Of these-Representa
tives Conry. of New York, Democrat. ant
Sulloway, of New Hampshire. Republican
have died.
The other absentees were Helegisen. o
North Dakota, and Capstick, of New Jer
sey, Republicans. and Bleakley. of Penn
sylvania, Republican, who has resigned.
The dramatic moment of the House or
IN q n
Mr.. Schall.
The blind member was led to the centel
of the House by page.
His Introductory remarks were of {
patriotic nature, not disclosing the rea
object of his speech. He continued:
"a state divided against itself in tint
of peace may stand, but today such a sit
uation might be q serious menace. W.
should forego party advantages in tint
like this.
"The peril Of today renders partsanshiI
dangerous because 1t might be construed
as a country presenting a divided front II
the world. As an independent progressive
Republican have no hesitancy now ir
saving how l must vote under the circum
stances.
PATRIOTIC SPEECH
Were my country not in the face of al
international crisis, with the President ant
the Senate Democratic, 1 WOulu as u mat
ter of party pride east my ballot for th'
Republican candidate, He Is able. alert
fairminded. l should like to vote FOL
him.
'I realize that the action ! am abou
to take will be used to attempt my po
litical death in Minnesota.
with my sightless eyes I would be lit
tie service to my country on the field Of
battle, but / can use the light that Goo
gives me to vote right today believe
the President should have Democratic
Senate and House behind him.
Under all these circumstances. I shal
cast my vote for Speaker for that pro
gressive Democrat, Champ Clark, of Mis-
souri,"
Great waves of Democratic applause
swept over the House as Schall concluded
The Republicans sat silent,
Does the gentleman place Mr.. Clark II
nomination for Speaker" asked Soutl
Trimble, clerk of the House, who was pre-
siding.
II gladly do So" said Schal.
Representative William S. Greene. o.
Massachusetts,, then arose to nominal,
James r. Mann as the Republican candi
date and the Republicans had their firs
opportunity to applaud. Mr.. Greene, how
ever did not make any formal speech II
nominating Mann.