The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-03-04
SPOONER TENDERS
 HIS RESIGNATION
Action of Wisconsin Senator a
 Surprise at Home
ROOSEVELT WRITES LETTER
Expresses Deep Regret and Praises Usefulness and Honesty of Retir- ing Senator-LaFollette Wants
 Friend Appointed.

M iolis lhdAtll aRiithpl RtOpiNA has written d letter to Governor David son of Wisconsin, rendering his resignation as a senator of the United States to take effect May 1 next. The letter will be dated yesterday, but the fact that such a letter had been written or that MT. Spooner contemplated resigning did not become known in the Senate until late today when 1t created great surprise and the Wisconsin senator at once found himself the subject of many anxious in- quiries. To all he replied that his mind was fully made up. He had found, he said, that to continue in his present posi- ton would require n sacrifice on his part that he could not justify himself in mak- ing. In reply to questions, he said he would resume tho practice of law. but de- clined to say whether he would be located in Wisconsin. He said, however that he would con tinue 10 be citizen of that state as long as he lived.
 Vice President Fairbanks was one of the few public men to be made acquaint- ed with MT. Spooner's plans before he wrote his letter. The knowledge came to him through the personal confidence of the senator but tle latter made no official communication on the subject to
 
 The law does not require that resign ing senator should do more than Mfr. Spooner has done
 On being informed of Senator Spooners resigaton the President made the fol- lowing statment:
 "I cannot sufficiently express my re- gret at Senator Spooner's reslsnaton We lose one of the ablest most efficient most fearless and most upright public servants that the nation has had. four years ago l knew the extreme reluctance with which Senator Spooner finally coi . scented to serve in the Senate, and year by year since l have feared that he would resign. as he finally has resigned, for l have known that every year of his stay in public life has been to him d direct financial loas which he could but i'll afford. l understand fully the sena- tors feelings that he cannot longer stay Tn the public service at such cost, no. only to himself, but to his family {, Milwaukee. Wis March The an nouneement from Washington that United States Senator John C. Spooner or Wisconsin had sent his resignation to Governor James o. Davidson to take el- feet on May l, next, came as complete surprise throughout Wisconsin. Governor Davidson, when communicated with over the long distance telephone this after noon, said he had not yet received the resignation and could hardly believe Il to be true.
 As to Senator Spooner's successor, Gov ernor Davidson said that 1t would De left to the present legislature which was now in session, and probably be able on May 1 to elect a successor to ill the un- expired term, which would end March, l909 or two years hence.
 Governor Davidson would not talk for publication at this time as to Senator Spooners successor further than to say he presumed that some of the Wisconsin congressman, naming Cooper and Esch who were candidates for the senatorshp at the time Senator LaFollette was elected to succeed Senator Quarels would again enter the field. The governor sal he would not be candidate for the high office at this time.
 Lieutenant Governor w. D. Connor, or whom mention has been made at various times as a possible successor to Senator Spooner when his term expired. expressed surprise at the news of the senior sena- tors resignation, but was not prepared at this time to make statement
 Isaac Stephenson. the lumber king of Marinette who was also a candidate when Senator LaFollette was chosen two years ago, said that while he was not prepared to make a statement at this time as to Senator Spooner's successor he knew of no one who would refuse such q high office if it were rendered him.
 Lively times are expected in the Wis consin legsla ture from now on and it is expected before many hours elapse there will be many candidates in the field for the unexpired term.
 It Is believed Senat tor LaFollette vii bring his influence to bear among his ad- herents in the legislature 10 elect some one of his choice Isaac Stephenson of Marnetle and former Speaker Irvine l.. Lenrott of Superior are amng l.eF0l- 1ette's staunchest supporters. and 1t Is believed not unlikely that the junior sen ator will favor one Of these