The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1900-07-11

frank with my party about it. and, there
fore, to make public announcement of the
tact.
have lately received abundant assur-
ances, all of course unsought, from leading
Republicans in most of the seventeen sena-
torial districts differing in personal prefer
desire for my reelection to the Senate, and
II their answering support. To permit
the not unnatural assumption that l am Il
candidate for reelection to go without cor
rcction, when i'll fact am not candidate.
would, it has seemed to me, to be little, if
anything, short of duplicity upon my part,
and this | cannot tolerate. Again, there
Ire many Republicans, among them long
line friends and supporters Of mine. we'll
entitled. by reason of ability, integrity, par
~ Loyalty and dignity Of character, to be
who might by my silence be deferred from
cdndidacy, to their detriment, and to the
1etriment of the public interest. Moreover.
the office is one of great responsibility, and
Of great Importance to the people. and they
are entitled seasonaby 10 know who are
and who are not candidates for it, in order
that time may be afforded for that discus
sion and deliberaticn essential to correct
Judgment and wise action.
/ communicated months ago not only my
purpose not to be candidate for re-c'cc.
;ion but my fear that might not be able
10 serve out tie term. with some of the
reasons for il, in confidence to my colleague,
Mr.. QuarleS, and to q few other friends.
Absorbed in the important duties of the
session recently ended, and distressed by
he serious illness of a member of my FAM
ly, | did not consider whether duty re-
luired of me n public declaration.
No one, hope: will consider me unappre-
,iatiye of or Indifferent TO the honor which
pertains to seat in the United States SEN
ate, honorabiy obtained. / will not admit
hat any man is more keenly sensible of its
dignity and Importance. 1t affords, to one
who carries to the discharge of its duties
proper sense of responsibility. splendid
opportunity for useful public service. All
:hings considered, there Is, i'll my Judgment
10 public position which is at all COM
parable with it.
While fully mindful of this. | have not
)een, nor am /, able to permit 1t to int1u-
,nce me in the opinion that it is my duty.
.or purely personal and private reasons, to
'etire 1T the expiration of my term. Until
hat time arrives l most earnestly hope TO
De able to serve.
his opportunity to again express to the
Republican party of Wisconsin my intense
appreciation of the confidence which it has
.epeatedly manifested in me- and my pro-
'onnd gratitude for the honors which it has
conferred upon me. No party could more
graciously and generously bestow upon one
If its members the highest honor in its
gift than did the Republican party of Wis
:onsin bestOw it upon me, when it gave me
II 1897, after six years Of retirement an
unanimous reelection to the United States
Senate. 1t has been to me an inspiration.
/ hope it will not be deemed indicate
.Or me also here to express my apprecia-
ion of the evidences very recently afforded
with remarkable unanimity by the Repub
lean press Of Wisconsin of the continued
confidence Of the party in me.
1t certainly must be unnecessary for me,
n view of my relations to the party since
1854, to give assurance that this elimination
If myself from direct personal interest In
Wisconsin politics will not in any degree
diminish my efforts to promote at all times
The success Of Republican principles and
If Republican tickets in the state.
John O. SPOONER
Madison, July 5. 1900.