Salt Lake Tribune | 1917-03-25 | Page 6 | Clark may Win

CLARK MAY WIN. j Champ Clark appearB to have a little the better of the fight for the speakership speaker-ship of the next house of representatives, representa-tives, chiefly on account of the imminence immi-nence of war and the fact that the other oth-er branches of the government are un- j dor Democratic control. Representative Randall, prohibitionist of California and one of the five independents, has indicated indi-cated his preference for Clark, and he expects Mr. Maun, the present floor leader of the Republicans and their candidate can-didate for speaker, to withdraw from the contost. Ho also expects Miss Rankin, Ran-kin, the congresswoman from Montana, to line up with the independents. While it is possiblo that Mr. Mann will not engage in bitter strife for control con-trol of the organization of the house, it is probable that tho Republicans, if outnumbered, will voto for their candi- date for speaker and. then turn in and aid the administration to the full extent of their ability so long as the war lasts. There is not much chance for playing the game of politics in the United States during the present world crisis. After it is all over tho political principles and theories of government dividing the two great parties will be proper subjects 1 for discussion, but until normal condi- j ttons return we look for the patriots in all parties to act in harmony for the sole benefit of their native land. While The Tribune would have preferred pre-ferred to see control of the house in Republican hands, in order that the leaders might share in the responsibilities responsibili-ties of the government and prove to the world that there is no such thing as partisanship in this j country when its sons are called into the field, we shall not allow our disappointment to prevent us from recognition of the preat ability of Champ Clark as a presiding officer of the greatest parliamentary organization organiza-tion in the world. If Mr. Randall 's views as stated to a representative of The Tribune should turn out to be correct, cor-rect, there will be no show of resentment resent-ment in any quarter. The early organization organi-zation of the house is imperative if we are to present a united front to the enemy. If the Democrats secure the votes the game is theirs, but if it should so happen that a majority of the house of representatives favor Mr. Mann for speaker we shall expect the Democrats to lay aside all party prejudices and work with him to sustain the honor of the countrV and hold up the hands of President Wilson.