The New York herald., 1921-03-03

speeches, and at times II seemed likely
10 cause break In the united support
which the Democrats gave to President
Wilson. The former Speakers life had
progressed TO It's natural climax, and
then the thing he wanted most In the
world was denied him.
Made Record in College.
James Beauchamp Clark was born
March 7, 1850. in Anderson county. Ken
lucky. His father was OF New England
stock and his mother, Beauchamp, was
descended from the Cavaliers OF Mary
land. From common school young Clark
went TO the University of Kentucky and
II was there he became impressed with
the idea that the name Beaucharnp was
not suitable cognomen for q Democrat
who intended TO be President some day.
He wrote home that the name was en-
tireiy too highfalutin. He informed his
shocked and surprised family that he
had shortened II to Champ Clark. and
that thereafter letters not so addressed
would not be opened. He also said that
he would not even receive remittances
unless they were addressed Champ Clark.
and In spite of his family's protests ne
was thereafter known as Champ Clark.
He was not destined to become grad
uate of the University of Kentucky. he
got into an argument with classr,ate
one day and after the other man had
punched Clark's nose. Clark drew
pistol and fired into the air. No one
was hurt. but Clark was suspended for
a period When this time elapsed he
went to Bethany College In West Vir-
gtnia, where his record for department
and scholarship was first class. He won
N 4,
was graduated became president OF Mar
shall College. He was then but 23 years
old. the youngesI college president In the
country. lie saved his money and after
two years went to the Cincinnati Law
School and after that he went to Kansas.
There he was a clerk in store ana
edited a country weekly. studying law
in odd times.
II was early in 1875 that Champ Clark
settled In Bowling Green. Pike county.
Mo, where his home has been ever since.
He went into politics almost at once ana
ran for the State Legislature. lie was
defeated. but he was elected CITY Attor-
ney Of Bowling Green and Louisiana
and then became County Attorney he
held q number OF minor county and
township Offices until 1892. when he was
elected to Congress for the first time.
He had been In Congress until his defeat
last fall. always running ahead o. his
ticket and becoming probably the pest
known Missouran IN the country. with
now the possible exception OF Gen. John
j. Pcrshing.
Specialized on the Tariff.
Champ Clark made . h!t III Congress
almost Immediately with the wit and
point of his speeches. He became
national figure almost overnight. largely
because OF a speech in New York,
where he declared that the West was
tired of coming to the East for its
political leaders and ideas. In the
House Mr.. Clark specialized on the
tariff. and one OF his most famous out
bursts was against the customs house.
Il would destroy every custom house
In America II I had my way to-day,
sir. I would tear them all down from
turret to foundation stone"
Although he opposed the draft, de-
claring that to Missourians there was
little difference between a conscript and
convict. when the United States did
enter the war Champ Clark was loyal
supporter OF the military policies and
did everything IN his power to help in
winning the conflict He refused APP
pointment to the Senate In 1918, be-
cause he thought he could render more
service during the war as Speaker than
ne could as member of the Senate.