Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-03-05
HOUSE To PAY LAST
TRIBUTE SATURDAY
|. To FORMER SPEAKER

and former speaker, Champ Clark,
who died here yesterday. The serv-
O'Clock, will be tribute of respect
such as has been paid only a few
times in the history of the Ameri-
can congress. II will be the first
time the house chamber has been
used for such q purpose since 1914,
when services We're held for the late
Serene E. Payne, for more than thir-
ty years representative from New
York. The body of the former
speaker will lie in state in the cap
itol rotunda before the services.
Both houses of congress voted to
appoint a committee to attend the
funeral as representatives of their
respective bodies.
Cause of Death
Death was due to an attack of
pleurisy and a complication of dis
eases incident to his advanced age.
Up to ten days ago, however, when
he developed a severe cold, Mr.. Clark
had shared actively in proceedings
of the house as Democratic leader.
To his last conscious moments, the
former speakers mind was engrossed
with memories Of his long legisla-
tive career. Just before he lapsed
into final Inconsistencies those at
his bedside heard him whisper, "the
question is on the adoption of the
At Mr.. Clark's bedside when the
end came were Mrs. Clark, their son,
Bennett Clark; their daughter, Mrs
| Genevieve Clark Thomson, and SON
| in-Iaw James N. Thomson, of New
Mr.. Clark presided err the house
| throughout the world war. relin-
gushing the speakership after eight
years, when the Republicans gained
their victory in the 1918 congress
sional elections. He then was chosen
as Democratic leader in the house.
Health Failed During the Year
| During the present session it was
apparent that the former speakers
health was falling He walked
slowly, with a dragging step. While
| he usually was on the floor and fol-
lowed proceedings closely, he rarely
engaged in debate. On one of two
| occasions, however. he spoke at some
length on important business.
Went to Congress in 1892
Close friends believe his death was
fastened by the death year ago of
his only grandchild, Champ Clark
Thomson, three-year-ol son Of Mr..
Orleans. He was passionately fond
Of his grandson and associates say,
that after the childs death they no.
ticed a perceptible change in his con-
dition. which in the spring of 1929
alarmed his family.
ever. he regained vigor and took an
active part in his campaign for re-
election in Missouri. Although he
ran ahead of his ticket, Mr.. Clark
was defeated by apnroXin'ately 1000
votes. Judge T. w. Hukriede, of War
renton, Mo. being elected.
The former speaker first was sent
| to congress in 1892, and after serv-
ing one term he was defeated for re-
election. Two years later. however.
| RI
and had served continuously since
that time. He soon became ma
tional figure and was chosen speak
! err when the Democrats gained con-
troll of the house during the last year
| Of President Tafts administration.
Immediately after the death of
Mr.. Clark was announced. the house
recessed for thirty minutes. Repre-
senta tive Rucker. Democrat. M1ssou-
ri, who made the announcement. said
through his son. that there be. no
interruption of congress in it's CLOS
| ing days. ..,
Immediately on reconvenng after
the thirty-minute recess, the mousse
| adopted a resolution providing for
| the payment to Mrs. Clark Of
YEARS Yea salary. totaIing about $4,000.
ronored at Baltimore
In the Democratic national con-
ventton at Baltimore In 1917; Chatrn l,
|
| the nomination as candidate, Tor
president and had a clear majority
on nine ballots. prior to the f1 rIs
naming of Woodrow, wilson. Inc
alone prevented Mr.. Clark's nomina-
| ton. The honor which his party
| thus paid him was the most notaole
| Of his public life. In American po-
litcal history Martin Van Buren was vas
| the only other man who failed Of the
| Democratic nomination for the pres
! idency after having received ma
iority of the, votes in the natlo tl9d
bgt he he S en{9yee alec ted
William !. Bryan's sensational at
| tack on Mr. Clark at Baltimore
| charging him with being attlIlat-
terests' held the convention in dead
| lock for more than a week when 1t
ended in the nomination of wilson.
Bryan's speech, declaring that Thom-
as F. Ryan, August Belmont and
| Clark, was a bolt from the blue
which made the Clark ranks waver;
| Clark supporters dec1ared arterWard
| that none of the three leaders men
but that the unit rule carried the
| New York delegation to the Clark
| forces.
The breach between Bryan and
| clark
! met at a luncheon arranged by mu,
} tual friends few months later ana
| exchanged perfunctory speeches.
| Coc7rees between Clark and wilson
wore off after the president entered
| the White House and on legislative
| policies they worked in harmony eX-
cept in one notable instance. the re-
peal of the Panama tolls exemption,
| which Speaker Clark opposed unsuc-
The failure of his canrfdacy at
Baltimore never ceased to be the
disappointment of Mr.. Clark's life.
ident and told the house on the, eve
Of his defeat that he preferred to
| remain as speaker.
His election to the sreakership Of
the house came in the slXty-second
con gress, prior to the Baltimore con-
vention, and it was by united de-
mocracy in recognition Of the con
| test Mr.. Clark had made against the
~ule of Speaker Joseph Cannon. Mr..
Clark had served in every congress
since and including the fiftv-third in
| 1898 except the fifty-fourth when
| he was beaten.
Ror,, in kentucky
Stamp be C2 os b wa5 Eno Avn
derson. Ky. on March 7. 1859, He
was chrstened James Reauchamn
Clark but earlv in life he reduced
this to Champ Clark. His first work
| was q farm hand, clerk IN gen
eral store. and on a country news
| paner.
He was educated at Kentucky uni
versity and Bethany college. and the
Cincinnati Law school. For 2 short
time he was president of Marshall
college. and, at 22. held the record
Of being the youngest college presi-
dent in the United States. In 1875
he moved to Missouri, where he took
up the study and practice of law. and
became prosecuting attorney in Pike
county. His next step was into the
Missouri Legislature where he franz
| ed the Missouri Primary law, an an
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