Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1900-07-11
DIRT CLEARANCE.
WILL RETIRE FROM OFFICIAL LIFE.

The CENSOR gives below statement
from United States Senator John G.
Spooner, Of this state-the announce
ment that he will not be candidate to
succeed himself. Senator Spooner's dec
laration speaks for itself, and none
who know his candor and integrity need
have cause to assign other reasons for
this early announcement of his retire
ment from high public station which
he has honored. To assign other reasons
or hint at other causes. is To discredit
Senator Spooner's words His retire
ment is the more to beregretted because.
under the pressure of domestic trials.
Senator Spooner feels duty greater
to his family than any honor and respon-
sibility the public can give or impose
The retirement of Senator Spooner is
to be regretted by the republican party
and the people. In the highest legisla
tive body of the world he had distin-
guished himself and brought honor to
the commonwealth. His late efforts in
the senate have given him reputation
throughout the land seldom gained by
men.
SENATOR sPooNER's STATEMENT.
To ne Republicans Of Wiscorsm
There are to be elected in November
seventeen state senators, who will par
| tieipate in choosing at the legislative
session of 1903 q United States Senator,
| for the term beginning on the 4th day
of March of that year.
Having unalterably determined not
| te be candidate for reelection to the
senate, / deem it my duty at this time
80 to declare / have not, since / was
returned to. the senate in 1897 entertained
the purpose of being candidate for re-
election. On the contrary. the only
question which have felt called upon
to consider al cling my relation to the
position has hen whether duty to my
family would permit me to serve out
my term.
1t is, | think, neither usual, nor ordi-
narily wise, for one to form, much less
TO announce such purpose so long in
advance, but as l am absolutely con-
WINGED that no change can come in my
conviction of private duty in the matter
| feel that | rest under an honorable
obligation to be frank with my party
about it, and therefore, to make public
announcement of the fact
have lately had abundant assurances,
all of course unsought, from leading
republicans in most of the seventeen
| senatorial districts, differing in personal
preferences upon other lines) OF their
| earnest desire for my reelection to the
| senate and of their answering support.
| To permit the not unnatural assumption
that am a candidate for reelection to
! go without correction, when in fact 7
am not candidate. would, it has
| seemed 20 me, b. little If anything,
short OF duplicity upon nv part, and
! this l Cannot tolerate. Again, there
are many republicans, among them long
time friends and supporters o. mine,
well entitled, by reason of ability, integ-
rity, party loyalty and dignity of char
acter, to be favorably considered for the
succession, who might by my silence be
| deferred from candidacy, to their detri-
ment and to the detriment of the public
interest Moreover the office is one of
| great responsibility and of great impor-
lance to the people and they are entitled
to know who are and who are not candi-
| dates for it, i'll order that time may be
afforded for that discussion and deliber-
alton essential 10 correct judgment and
wise action
| communicated some months ago not
| only my purpose not to be candidate
for reelection, but my fear that might
| not be able to serve out my term. with
| some of the reasons for it, in confidence
to nay colleague, Mr.. Quarles, and to a
| few other friends. Absorbed in the inn
| portant dGty of the session recently
ended, and distressed by the serious
| illness of member of my family did
/ not consider whether duty required of
me public declaration.
No one / hope will consider Lac unap.
| preciative of or indifferent to the honor
| which pertains to seat in the United
States senate. hoaorsbly obtained /
will not admit that any man is more
keenly sensible of its dignity and import
ance. Ii affords, to one who carries to
| the discharge of its duties proper sense
of responsibility, splendid opportunity
| for useful public service All things
considered. there is in my Judgment. no
public position which is at all compar-
able with il.
While fully mindful of this, have not
been nor am /, able TO permit it to in
I uuetlCt NE III Tue uIflulOu tNat ~ Is my
duty, for purely personal and private
| fe2sons. to retire at the expiration of my
term Until that time arrives | most
earnestly cope to be able 10 serve.
cannotreGEaiin from awaiting myself
of this opportunity 70 again express to
/ the republican party Of Wisconsin my
intense appreciation Of the confidence
which il has repeatedly manifested in
me and my profound gratitude for the
honors which it has conferred upon me.
No paIay co4ld more graciously and
generously bestow upon one of its mem
beers the highest honor in its gift than
did the republican party Of Wisconsin