Middletown transcript., 1917-04-07
CLARK ELECTED
SPEAKER OF HOUSE
Named for Fourth Term by Vote
of 217 to 2O5.
GETS INDEPENDENTS VOTE
Democrats Of House Vote Solidiy for
cIark-Representative Lee Rolled
Into Chamber In Wheeling Chair to
Assure Reelection of Speaker.

cIark-Representa Lee Rolled
Into Chamber In Wheeling Chair to
Assure Reelection Of Speaker.
Washington.-Champ Clark, OF Mis-
souri,, will preside over the war
House" during this session Of Con-
gress.
The House elected him, after listen
ing to a war prayer and a war speech
by Representative Thomas D. Schall.
Progressive Republican. who nomi-
mated Clark, holding that patriotism
| demanded this be done in the present
crisis.
The vote stood:
Clark, PIT; Mann, 2o5; Gillett, 2;
Lenroot, 2; 2 members voted pres
ent."
| South Trimble, Democrat, was elect
ed as Clerk of the House by vote of
217 to 211.
At this time Mann refused to per-
NIT grouped voting on the other Of
fees, so the rollcalls proceeded.
While the voting was under way
Chairman Flood gave out the Admin
istration war resolution and added he
would present it when the organixa-
ton was complete.
Representative Schall, who is blind,
stirred the House to its very depths
when he nominated Clark for Speaker
In normal times, he said, he would
vote for Mann.
Should Be Only One Party.
To-day" he said, there should be
just one party, and that party the
American party. There is no better
way of standing by the President than
by returning his party's organization
of the House. shall cast my vote for
Champ Clark"
Representative Mann's name was
then placed in nomination by Repre-
sentative Greene, of Massachusetts,.
Representative Lenroot, his opponent
for the place, seconded the nomina-
ton and retorted to Schall with the
statement that the resolutions would
be patriotic and nonpartisan. More
over, he said, the crisis did not re-
quire that the Democrats organize the
House."
The Sixty-fifth Congress got under
way promptly at noon. On the stroke
of IL the gavel fell in both houses.
In the House Clerk South Trimble
called the assemblage to order. A
I{ot
to disclose the presence Of quorum.
The members drifted in slowly and
answered to their names.
The Senate already organized, was
called to order by Vice-President
Marshall.
With a prayer for an America
mighty in defense of its rights, the
House proceeded sharply at noon on
schedule
The solemnity of the hour was
voiced in the plea of the blind chap
lain-a war prayer that sunk deep into
the hearts Of every listener
Gains Most of Doubtful Votes.
Clark gained practically all the
doubtful votes. Schall and Martin.
Progressives, voted for him. So
did London, Socialist, and Randall,
Prohibitionist.
Dallinger, Of Massachusetts, and
Gray, of New Jersey, both Republi-
cans, bolted Saturdays caucus and
voted for Gillett, of Massachusetts.
Gardner, Republican, the third bolt
err" and Fuller, Independent, both Of
Massachusetts,, voted for Lenroot, of
Wisconsin, who seconded Mann's
nomination.
James, of Michigan, and Haskell, Of
New York, Republican, voted pres
ent."
Miss jeanette Rankin voted for
Mann.
There are two vacancies caused by
the death of Representatives Sullo-
way, of New Hampshire, and Conroy.
of New York.
House Breaks Into Cheers.
The House broke into cheers and
applause as the committee escorted
Speaker Clark to the rostrum, the
Speaker walking by the side of Mr..
Mann. When the cheering and hand
clapping had ceased Mr. Mann, whose
friendship for his victorious rival ID
proverbial. said simply:
II present to you your chosen
Speaker, the genial, able, impartial,
patriotic statesman Of Missouri and
the nation"
Then, responding, Clark spoke for
cooperation.
Clark Asks Cooperation.
Admitting it would be difficult to
conduct House affairs otherwise, he
declared there must be no partisan.
ship.
"On many questions we are dis.
tinct as the billows, yet we are one
as the sea-" said Clark, when the
honor and safety of the republic ara
involved, Politics find no place in this
House when the general welfare and
common defense of the nation are at
stake.
LET all the ends we aim at be our
country's, and in the accomplishment
of these ends may the God of our faith
ers be with us and guide us in the wav
which will rebound to the honor and
perpetuity Of the greatest republic