Champ Clark letter to Bennett Champ Clark - March 30, 1918
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March 30, 1918. Lieut. Col. Bennett C. Clark, Brigade and Field Officers School, Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, Texas. My dear Bennett: You know you told me once that these fellows were going to work General Wood out by making him jump 100 times on his lame leg. Whether they ever intended to do that, I don’t know, but if they did, they gave it up as one of these clippings which I enclose will show. I suppose they were afraid to. Of Couse, everybody here is on the qui vive about the battle going on in Europe. It seems to me that Lloyd George instead of bellowing for America to send more troops, ought to send over a half million of those they have got lolling around in England as the distance is much shorter and the danger is much less. The other night we went out to Colonel Graves’ to dinner. He had for guests: Admiral McGowan, Honorable Patrick Calhoun and wife, Mrs. Talmadge, Judge Knapp. Had a most excellent
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No. 2. dinner which I wish you could have participated in. We are getting along here just so so. Spent three whole days on a Free Seed bill for people in the spring wheat belt, which ought to have been disposed of in three hours. Today they are going to take up the Bond bill. Yesterday they started in on Frank Clark’s sixty million dollar housing bill and didn’t finish it. It is to be taken up when they get through with the bond bill. This the 30th of the month and as beautiful a day as you ever saw in your life time—half of the men on the streets without overcoats. I had a letter from Crockett Harrison, Mayor of Fullton, about a widow’s pension bill and he said all the oats were sowed and they were plowing for corn; that the roads usually as good as they are in September or October. The truth is, it has been too dry out there. He also said the kickers had about ceased from their labors. Under the Civil Service examination for Postmaster at Vandalia, a Republican stands the highest. There were five of them examined. The Republicans got first, third and fourth places.
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No. 3. The Democrats got second and fifth. Ed Walters was fifth and would make the best postmaster of the lot. I recommended him verbally and in writing, but I think they will appoint the top one. They seem to be holding down to the rule very closely as far as I can hear, not only in that case but everybody else. Of course, it will raise the Devil but I can’t help it. It is as fine a scheme to demoralize the party as I ever heard of. Of course Toot Ellis had no business resigning. I tried to get him to withdraw his resignation. I knew it would precipitate just the situation that has arisen. Just had a telegram from Old General Hollingsworth from Ohio that his wife is dead. Some of the Senators are raising the very Old Ned about the slowness with which things are proceeding. Senator Webb Rubey, Macon, Missouri, wants martial law declared and universal draft to take in everybody. Of course, he is nutty. Your mother has got back in pretty good health. My own is fine. It turned out I am not going to Charleston to lecture for Bishop Russell. He wrote me a letter that some
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No. 4. Admiral whose name I have forgotten, was invited by him to lecture on Sunday and the Methodists Baptists and the rest of them raised merry hell and he had to repeal the Sunday performance. Of course, I can’t go on any other day and that lets me out. With love. Pater. Wilson’s letter about Davies has raised the deuce not only in Senate but in Wisconsin. Repubs. Claim his letter insured Lewoots Election. They made it so hot for Col. James Hamil in Lewis S N.P. Marshall that they canceled appointments and returned post haste to Washington. Letter also disgruntled many Democrats. Jacaway sends love. Lilewise McCormick, Schneider et al. Col. Harvey the other night at N.Y. banquet proposed Wilson should be President during War without another Election and Senators and Representatives now serving should continue to serve without Election! Poor old [ms ineligible: 1 wd] swinger! Poor old Constitution! Not even original - as Ex-Mayor Noonan of [St. Louis, Missouri] stated it.
Details
Title | Champ Clark letter to Bennett Champ Clark - March 30, 1918 |
Creator | Clark, Champ |
Source | Clark, Champ. Letter to Bennett Champ Clark. 30 March 1918. Clark, Champ (1850-1921) and Bennett Champ (1890-1954), Papers, 1853-1973. C0666. The State Historical Society of Missouri, Columbia, MO. |
Description | In this March 30, 1918 letter to his son Bennett, Champ Clark discussed politics, sending American soldiers to Europe, and the draft. Champ Clark, a long-time resident of Bowling Green, Missouri, was a politician in the Democratic Party. He served as a representative of Missouri from 1893 to 1895 and from 1897 to 1921. From 1911 to 1919 he served as the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives. Bennett Clark served as a Lieutenant Colonel in the 140th Regiment, 35th Division and as Assistant Chief of Staff for the 88th Division during World War I, and was Missouri State Senator from 1933 to 1945. |
Subject LCSH | Clark, Champ, 1850-1921; Clark, Bennett Champ, 1890-1954; Fort Sam Houston (Tex.); World War, 1914-1918; Wood, Leonard, 1860-1927 |
Subject Local | WWI; World War I |
Site Accession Number | C0666 |
Contributing Institution | The State Historical Society of Missouri |
Copy Request | Transmission or reproduction of items on these pages beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the State Historical Society of Missouri: 1020 Lowry Street, Columbia, Missouri, 65201-7298. (573) 882-7083. |
Rights | The text and images contained in this collection are intended for research and educational use only. Duplication of any of these images for commercial use without express written consent is expressly prohibited. |
Date Original | March 30, 1918 |
Language | English |