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