James Paul Clarke

James Paul Clarke ( born August 18, 1854 in Yazoo City, Yazoo County, Mississippi, † October 1, 1916 in Little Rock, Arkansas ) was an American politician (Democratic Party) and 1895-1897 Governor of the State of Arkansas.

Life

After attending the local schools of his native Clarke studied at the University of Virginia law. There he got his degree in 1878. A year later he moved to Helena, Arkansas, where he opened a successful law firm. Clarke's political rise began in 1886 with his election to the House of Representatives from Arkansas. In 1888 he was elected to the State Senate in 1891, he became president of that body. Between 1892 and 1895 he was Attorney General of Arkansas. In 1894, James Clarke was elected Governor of Arkansas.

Policy

Clarke's two-year term began on January 8, 1895. During this time he brought some draft laws in the state parliament, all of which found no majority. Among these was a proposal to extend the terms of office of public offices from two to four years. This was his term without major political events. After his tenure Clarke worked as a lawyer in Little Rock. In 1903 he was elected to the U.S. Senate. There he remained until his death in 1916. Between 1913 and 1915 he was even president of this body. He was also a member of several committees. James Clarke was married to Sallie Moore Wooten. The couple had three children.