New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-04-08


reluctantly accepted the resignation. The full
correspondence of Senator Edmunds and Governor
Page is given herewith
United States Senate,
washington, ID. c., April 6, 1901.
Sir: Considerations entirely personal lead me
to tender to you as Governor of the State of
Vermont my resignation Of the Office of Senator Of
the United States, the resignation to take effect
on the first day OF November, A. D., 1891. This
action has been for some time in contemplation
and is finally decided upon and communicated to
you at this time in order that there may be ample
time to hear and consider the views of the people
of our State in respect to the selection of my sue
cessor. In thus terminating my official relations
with the State, / beg TO express TO her steadfaSt,
intelligent and patriotic citizens my profound
gratitude for the long and unwavering confidence
and support they have given me, covering an
eventful period Of quarter OF century, in my
efforts to promote and Defend so far as I have
been able, their honor and welfare, in common
with that of all the people of the United States.
In ceasing to be Senator, | am proud that | con-
tinue to be a citizen of beloved commonwealth,
and that 1 may, with my fellow-citizens, in
private life continue to strive for the maintenance
OF those principles of liberty, equality and justice
Of government which have, without the shadow Of
turning, animated them from the foundation Of the
Republic. am, sir, very sincerely yours,
GEORGE F. EDMUNDS.
To His Excellency, Carroll S. Page"
"Hyde Park, Vt, April 8, 1891.
My Dear Senator: 1t is with feelings of
sincere regret that I received your favor
of the 9Th inst, rendering your resignation
as Senator from Vermont. l presume your
H.. 4 L.
moment suppose that any words of mine would
tend to change your expressed determination, it
would be labor TO which I would earnestly ad-
dress myself. l wish, in behalf of the people Of
Vermont, whose interests you have so long and
faithfully represented, TO convey to you the ex-
preston of profound regret with which your letter
has been received, and TO assure you that in sew
erng your official relations to this State you do
SO enjoying that full of gratitude, respect
and affection TO which your long and eminently
distinguished services entitle you. / have the
honor to be your most obedlent servant,
3 CARROLL S. PAGE.
"To the Hon. George f. Edmunds, United
States Senate, Washington, d. G"
Senator Edmunds has also informed Vice-Pres-
dent Morton, the President of the Senate, Of his
resignation in letter of which the following is
copy
L. s. Senate Washington, April 6, 1891.
Sir II becomes my duty to inform yOu that
have sent TO the Governor Of the State of Vermont
my resignation of the office of Senator of the
United States to take effect on the first day of No
vember next. Accept, sir, for yourself and the
Senate my parting situations embracing per-
sonal good wishes for all its members and a con-
fdent good hope for its future as the sheet an
chor of the Republic" l am, sir, very respect
fully yours, GEORGE f. EDMUNDS.
Washington, April (SpeciaD.-The official
world here has been prepared in way to hear of
Mr.. Edmundss withdrawal from public life by re-
cent publications Of rumOrs that he would resign
his seat before the opening of the next session Of
Congress The most direct and explicit of these
reports came about three weeks ago from st. Paul
or Minneapolis and was credited generally to eX-
Senator Pierce. Of North Dakota. Few people
here went so far as TO suppose that Mr.. Edmunds
would leave the Senate before the expiration of
his term in 1898. But many observers of poll
tics who have watched closely the course of affairs
in the Senate for the last four or five years found
more or less ground in them for belief in Mr..
Edmunds's supposed determination to abandon
nubIic life For two sessions of Congress, at
least the Vermont Senator has taken a less and
less active part in the work of legislation, both in
committee and on the floor Of the Senate, though
till the last. Of course, he was most important
factor in all the business transacted in the more
deliberative' branch Of Congress- Family ana
nersonal considerations had also much to 90 Win
his gradual withdrawal from political and official
life here The death some years ago OF his favor
ite daughter proved most severe blow, and since
tben the Senator has shown but little interest in
socioI affairs at the Capital. For some time past,
too be has himself been in rather poor health,
and durinc the last Congress was obliged twice 10
take trims South to recover from the strain oil his
work here
Dcnc one of the veteran leaders of his party IN
tho Sonate and the chairman of one of its lead
inn committees. as well as of the Republican Cau-
one Committed large share in the task OF snap
irr tbo marty policy and of the responsibility Ior
-, ootion on all important legislation fell natur-
olIr ON his shoulders and his declining strenS'h
M doubt made him apprehenslVc oi tne fesiV VI
,rrtbor service at n post where so much was eA-
,octod of him. and whose burdcnsome duties ho
oorld mot honoraby evade. Early thls spring
NJ Fdmunds leased his Massachusetts-ave house
Gov a torvn of years to Senator Washburn OF AiLl-
rcsota and this action was widely commented Oh
&c indicating purpose on the part OF the vermont
Senator TO sever TO some extent his long ana III
,;rnoto connection with this city, both as resi-
dent and as a public man. 1t was announceu
however. that Mr.. Edmunds would spend Soou
IoaI -, bis ,v,rters at the South. and would no
longer maintain a family establishment mere uui
inc tho sessions of Congress. 1t is not known al
present whether his resignation will take HIM
awav from Washington altogether after November
but il seems more than probable that he will de-
eide 10 retain residence here, even after his
formal withdrawal from public lile
Mr.. Edmunds's resignation VIII make serious
break in the ranks of the really conspicuous lead
crs of nublc thought and policy in Congress- His
term Of continuous seryicc runs back to April .,
1866 twenty five years from last Snnday-and for
more than twenty of those years he has been
steadily active and influential force IN Nauona'
legislation. Only ono member of the existihg sen
ate. Mr.. Sherman. Of Ohio, anteda'e" MN !"
service. and Mr.. Sherman. though he tooK his
-. - ,oot g,-n wars earlier broke his longer