James Paul Clarke

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James Paul Clarke
James Paul Clarke

In office
1895 – 1897
Preceded by William Meade Fishback
Succeeded by Daniel Webster Jones

Born August 18, 1854
Yazoo City, Mississippi
Died October 1, 1916 (aged 62)
Little Rock, Arkansas
Political party Democratic

James Paul Clarke (August 18, 1854 -- October 1, 1916) was a Democratic United States Senator and Governor of Arkansas.

James Paul Clarke was born in Yazoo City, Mississippi. Clarke attended public schools as well as Tutwilder's Academy in Greenbrier, Alabama. He graduated with a law degree at the University of Virginia in 1878. He was admitted to the bar in 1879 and practiced law at Helena, Arkansas.

Clarke served as a member of the Arkansas House of Representatives from 1886 to 1888. He became a member of the Arkansas Senate from 1888 to 1892, and served as president of the Senate in 1891.

Clarke was elected Attorney General of Arkansas and served from 1892 to 1894. He served as Governor of Arkansas from 1895 to 1896. His term was largely unsuccessful and his legislation to end prizefighting and establish four year terms for state officers both failed. After leaving office in 1897, he moved his permanent residence to Little Rock, Arkansas and practiced law.

Clarke was elected to the United States Senate in 1903 and served until his death in 1916. He served as President pro tempore of the United States Senate during the Sixty-third and Sixty-fourth Congresses.

Clarke died in Little Rock, Arkansas. He is buried at Oakland Cemetery in Little Rock. Clarke's statue is one of two statues presented by the State of Arkansas to the National Statuary Hall Collection at the United States Capitol.

[edit] Quote

"A politician thinks of the next election; a statesman of the next generation."

[edit] External links

Preceded by
William Meade Fishback
Governor of Arkansas
18951897
Succeeded by
Daniel Webster Jones
Preceded by
Rotating pro tems
President pro tempore of the United States Senate
March 13, 1913October 1, 1916
Succeeded by
Willard Saulsbury, Jr.
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