Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1896-10-01

islature, and in this body he, at once,
took first rank as legislator, discharg-
ing every duty of the position with that
fidelity, discrimination and wisdom which
had characterized him in every place to
which he had been called. In 1882 ne
received the appointment as regent OF
his alma mater, the State university,
position for which he was admirably fit
ted, and in which he rendered the cause
of higher education signal and lasting
years, or until other and vic
compelled it's REIMBURSEMENT.
1t was an evidence of the
and professional growth O.
man that as the end of Il
Hon. Angus Cameron,
States Senate APPROACH
1885, the attention of 9R3
to Mr.. SpOOner as
Mr.. Cameron in tn.
honorable Office. OEA
ability were very propes
the Republican nominatiS
fee, but the contest nafro4
and Gov. Fairchild, his former So.
in the governors office. The COM
was a friendly one, alike honorable ,e
both, and for some time very much IL
doubt as to the result: but as the time
for nomination drew near it became ap-
parent that the supporters of the yolp~
er man were in the majority, an 3
received the nomination by hands, g.
majority and was duly elected Januats I
his Democratic competitor. 1t is great
ly to the credit of the contestants for
the Republican nomination that the
rivalry created no personal hostility, and
no one more heartily congratulate Mr..
Spooner on his nomination and election
than Gov. Fairchild. This fact is
worthy of mention as showing that
iS of
views. of strong character and worthy
ambition, he can take part in personal
or political contest without personal
rancor and without engendering person
al animosities. Mr.. Spooner entered the
Senate in 1885, at the age of ~, served
! ceeded by VIM. r. Villas, the Democrats
having obtained majority in the legis
lator of 1891. Though one of the
youngest men who ever attained seat
in the Senate, he at once, though with
out unduly obtruding himselff attracted
of the whole country by the industry
intelligence and wisdom which he dis
played in the discharge of his varied and
responsible duties; and ere his term was
half gone he had won for himself a po
sition in debate and in the higher plans
of legislation second to that of few if
any in that body. His committee po-s
which he was held by J.
fellow senators-he was chat
of the committee on claims and
and a member of the judiciary ccis
tee and the committee on the IRE
of Columbia; and some of thG,.a
effective and valuable work evert IA
on those committees was formulateiltssfn
accomplished by his direct personal eff
fort. But it was not alone in the COM
mittee room that his energies were ex-
pended; he was ever ready in the dis
cussion of questions of great national inn
portance, and few of his compeers ex-
pressed their views with more clearness
and force, or brought to the considera-
ton of those questions greater wealth
of learning or Juster view of the proper
scope of legislation. Alive to the i'm
portance of all truly national questions,
interest of his own state; and it is no
disparagement to those who preceded or
followed him in the delegation from Wis
consin to say that none exceeded and
few equaled him in the efficiency with
his constituents. Milwaukee has espe-
cial reason to regard him with favor, for
it was through his persevering efforts
that the liberal appropriation for the
government building now in process of
erection was procured Other services,
he rendered the city, and, in, general, it
may be said that no other senator from
Wisconsin ever served her better or con-
ferred more lasting honor upon her than
did he, or approached nearer to the ideal
representative of a great and truly free
people.
Genial and bright in social inter-
course. of broad views and lofty ideals,
honorable and pure in all the relations
of life, eloquent and persuasive in speech,
| it is not surprising that at the close
of his term his associates in the Senate
gave him the very unusual compliment
of a parting reception, in which warm
tributes to his personal worth and his
official ability were uttered by senator's
of whose sincerity and respect there
could be no question.
With such career behind him, it Is
not surprising that many are turning to
| him again as the most suitable man for
the position which he once filled with
such distinguished honor.