Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1919-1980, 1921-03-02
In
Congress
20 Years
Pleurisy Takes Ex-
speaker Two Days
Before Retirement
From Office

Washington, March Champ
Clark died here today at 2:10 p. m.
in his seventy-first year and with
in two days of his retirement from
the house of representative after
service OF twenty-six years.
Death was due to an attack of
pleurisy and complication of
diseases incident to his advanced
age. Up to ten days ago, however,
when he developed a severe cold,
Mr.. Clark had shared actively in
proceedings in the house as demo-
cratic leader.
House Rewards Widow.
Immediately on reconvening aft
er the thirty minutes recess, the
house adopted a resolution provia-
ing for the payment to Mrs. Clark
of a years salary, totalling about
$4,000.
Immediately after the death of
Mr.. Clark was announced, the
house recessed for thirty minutes.
Representative Rucker, democrat,
Missouri, who made the announce
ment, said it was Mr.. Clark's wish
as expressed through his son, that
there be no interruption of congress
in its closing days.
Mind Runs TO Duties.
To his last conscious moments,
the former speakers mind was en-
crossed with memories of his long
legislative career. Just before he
lapsed into final unconsciousness
early today those at his bedside
head him whisper: THE question
is on the adoption of the conference
report"
At Mr.. Clark's bedside when the
end came were Mrs. CLARK, their
son, Bennett Clark, and their daugh-
ter, Mrs. James M. Thompson, OF
New Orleans. Arrangements for
the funeral have not been com
pleted, but the body probably viii
be sent to the old home in Bow,sns
Green, Mo.
Mr.. Clark presided over the
house throughout the world war.
relinquishing the speakership after
eight years when the republican,
regained control last year. He was
then chosen as democratic leader in
the house.
Political Career Bright
In the Democratic national con-
vention at Baltimore in 1919,
Champ Clark led on twenty-seven
ballots for the nomination as can
didate for president and had a clear
on nine ballots, prior to
the final naming of Woodrow VIII
son. The two thirds rule of the
alone prevented Mr..
Clark's nomination. The honor
which his party thus paid him was
the most notable of his public life.
In American political history Mar
tin Van Buren was the only other
man who failed of the Democratic
for the presidency after
having received a majority of the
votes in the national convention,
but he enjoyed the unique distinc-
ton of being elected ubsequently.
William J. Bryan's sensational
attack on Mr.. Clark at Baltimore,
charging him with being affiliated
with leaders representing the in
held the convention in
deadlock for more than a week
when it ended in the nomination OF
Wilson. Bryan's speech, declaring
that Thomas f. Ryan, August Bel
mont and Charles f. Murphy were
Clark, was a bolt from
the blue which made the Clark
raks waver ClaI supporters de-
clared afterward that none of the
three leaders mentioned were for
Clark as first choice, but that the
unit rule carried the New YorK
delegation to the Clark forces.
Fought Bryan Consistently.
The brech between Bryan and
Clark never healed, tlthough they
met at a luncheon arranged by
mutual friends a few months later
and exchanged perfu9ctory speech
es. Goodness between Clark and
Wilson wore off after the presi-
dent entered the White House and
on legislative policies they worked
in harmony except in one notable
instance, the repeal Of the Panama
tolls exemption, which Speaker
Clark opposed unsuccessfUlly.
The failure Of his candidacy at
never ceased to be the
disappointment Of Mr.. Clark's life.
He refused nomination as vice
president and told the House on
the eve OF his sdefeat that he pre-
rerred to remain as speaker.
His election to the Speakership
1f the House came in the 62nd Con-
gress, prior to the Baltimore con-
gention, and It was by a united
Democracy in recognition Of the
contest Mr.. Clark had made against
he rule Of Speaker Joseph Cannon. |
Mr.. Clark had served in every Con- |
yress since and including the 53rd |
n 1893 except the 54th when he
vas beaten.
Born In Kentucky
Although Champ Clark was
Inown as a Missourian he was born
n Anderson, Ky, on March z.
$50. He was ch~istened james |
3eauchamp Clark, but early
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