The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1921-03-02
leader OF
DEMOCRACY
aAS PASSED
former Speaker Clark
Expires of Pleurisy
at Washington.

Washington, March g.
Chanp Clark died here today
\ Il s:10 p. m. in his list year
M within two days Of bis re-
tirement from the house Of rep.
resentadves after . service Of
q years.
Death was due to an attack
n pleurisy and q complication
Il diseases incident to his ad.
nnced age. Up to 10 days ago,
however, when he developed q
severe cold, Mr.. Clark had
skared actively in proceedings
u the house Is Democratic
leader.
Death had been expected for sew
Hsl days, his physicians having
given up hope of his recovery.
Clark would have been II years
Old next Monday. Three days be-
fore his birthday Clark would have
retired from congress where he
s8ved continuously since 1895.
hxng been speaker for eight
yars.
In 1910 Clark as Democratic
lsader played part in the near
merthrow of Speaker Joe Cannon
md his prominence in that fight
made him a leading contender for
~ Democratic nomination for
resident at Baltimore in 1912.
He had a majority in the conven-
ton but was beaten on the 46th
hllot by Woodrow Wilson. Clark
vas said to have felt bitter at his
defeat for a few years but at his
death he and Wilson had progress
ID toward friendship.
At his bedside we're his wife, his
con Bennett Clark and daughter.
! Mrs. James NJ. Thompson, New Or
leans. The house recessed 80 min
utes Immediately upon learning OF
Clark's death.
Representative Rucker, Demo
crat who made the announcement
Of Clark's death in the house, said
II was MIR. Clark's wish expressed
through his son that there be no in
terruption Of congress in its clos
ing days, so the recess was limited
70 30 minutes.
To his last conscious moments,
Tie former speakers mind was en-
crossed with memories of his long
legislative career. Just before he
hpsed into final unconsciousness
Early today those at his bedside
heard him wisper:
"The question is on the adop-
ton 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 n Thomson of New
\ Orleans. Arrangements for the fu.
neral have not been completed. but
NE body probably will be sent tc
tne old home in Bowling Green, Mo.
where the former speaker had ex'
pected to retire after the end Of his
@ngresSional service.
| Presided During War.
Mr.. Clark presided over the house
throughout the world war, relin'
cushing the speakership after
asht years when the Republicans
neained control last year as a re-
NIT Of their victories in the 1915
congressional election. He then was
CHOSEN as Democratic leader in the
house.
During the present session it was
apparent that the former speakers
health was failing. He walked
No"ly with dragging step. While
ae usually was on the floor and fol-
,owed proceedings closely, he rare
y engaged in debate. On one OF
wo occasions, however, he spoke al
'ome length on important questions
Close friends believe his death
M hastened by the death a yeal
go OF his only grandchild, ChamI
Mk Thomson. 3-year-old son Of
n and Mrs. james NJ. Thomson
was passionately fond of his
andson and associates say tina,
s'ef the child's death. they noticed
erceptible change in his condi'
, which in the spring of 1926
uafmed his family.
Net Defeat.
uurlng the summer and fall, how.
W., he regained vigor and took an
We part in his campaign for re.
Il non in Missouri. Although hs
u anead Of his ticket, Mr.. Clari
oefeated by A. NJ. Hukraid.
.ae former speaker first was sen,
onsress in 1892 and serving one
~ ne was defeated for reelection
-. years later. however, he was
a returned to congress and hai
continuously since that time
soon became a national figure
Was chosen speaker when the
gained control Of the
turing the last year OF Pres.
aaits administration.
II