Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1900-07-10
frank with my party about it, and, there
fore, to make public announcement of the

frank with my party about it, and, there
fore, to make public announcement of the
fact.
l have lately received abundant assur-
1nces all of course unsought. from leading
Republicans in most of the seventeen sena-
torial districts differing in personal prefer
anceS upon other lineS, Of their earnest
desire for my reelection to the Senate, and
If their answering support. To permit
The not unnatural assumption that | am Il
candidate for reelection to go without cor
rection, when in fact | am not a candidate
would, it has seemed to me, to be little, il
anything. short of duplicity upon my part
and this | cannot tolerate. Again. there
are 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
fayorably considered for the succession
who might by my silence be deferred from
candidacy, to their detriment. and to the
1etriment Of the public interest. Moreover
he office is one of great responsibility, and
If great Importance to the people, and they
are entitled seasOnably to know who are
and who are not candidates for it, in order
hat time may be afforded for that discus
sion and deliberation essential to correct
Judgment and wise action
/ communicated months ago not only my
purpose not to be candidate for re-e'cc.
ion, but my fear that | might not be able
e serve out the term, with some of the
reasons for it, i'll confidence to my colleague
Mr.. QuarleS, and to Il few other friends
Absorbed III the important duties of the
session recently ended, and distressed by
he serious illness OF Il member of fam
ly. / did not consider whether duty re-
lured of me public declaration.
No one. | hope will consider me unappre
,iative of or Indifferent TO the honor which
pertains to Il seat in the United States Sen
ate, honorably 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, in my judgment,
10 public position which is at all COM
parable with il.
While fully mindful of this. / have not
been, nor am l, able to permit 1t to infu
snce me in the opinion that Ii is my duty.
'Or purely personal and private reasons, to
'etire ut the expiration of my term. Until
hat time arrives | most earnestly hope 20
De able to serve.
l cannot refrain from awaiting myself OF
his opportunity to again express to the
Republican party of Wisconsin my intense
lppreciat ton of the confidence which it has
repeatedly manifested in me, and my pro
found gratitude for the honors which 1T has
conferred upon me. No party could more
gracOuSly and generously beStOW upon one
If its members the highest honor in It's
gift than did the Republican party of Wis
:onsn bestow it upon me, when it gave me
IL 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
If myself from direct personal interest in
Wisconsin politics will not in any degree
diminish my efforts to promote a; at all times les
IF Republican tickets in the state.
JOHN C. SPOONER.
Madison JuIv 1000