The Oskaloosa herald., 1907-03-07

the highest honors within its slit, to
take myself now, beyond recall, from
the field of possible choice. | am,
therefore, impelled, not only for the
reasons suggested, but also that |
may be free to devote to the dis
charge of private duty, too long neg
lected, the remainder of my term, to
resign the Office at this time while
the legislature is in session to choose
a senator for the unexpired portion
thereof.
Il avail myself of this opportunity
to say, albeit am sure it is not need
full, that am inexpressibly grateful
to the Republicans of Wisconin for
the generous and abiding confidence
which has led them three times to
elect me to the high Office of senator
of the United States l have the hon
or to be, yours respectfully, John G..
Spooner."
Regret of the President.
On being informed of Senator
Spooner's resignation, the president
made the following statement:
Il cannot sufficiently express my re-
greet at Senator Spooner's resignation.
We lose one of the ablest, most eff
Client, most fearless, and most upright
public servants that the nation has
had Four years ago. knew the ex-
IRENE reluctance with which Senator
Spooner finally consented to serve in
the senate, and year by year since
have feared that he would resign, as
he finally has resigned, for I have
known that every year Of his stay in
public life has been to him direct
financial loss which he could but i'll
afford. l understand fully the sena-
tors feeling, that he cannot longer
stay in the public service at such cost,
not only to himself but to his family.
and much as l regret his resignation,
am most sincerely grateful that he
has been willing to serve as long. He
has been in his life a gallant soldier,
trained public servant of the high.
est standard of ability and faithful
ness, and at all times an American
citizen who did his whole duty"
Surprise in Wisconsin.
Milwaukee, Wis, March 4.-The
announcement from Washington that
United States Senator John G. Spoon
er of Wisconsin had sent his resig-
nation to Gov. Davidson came as
complete surprise throughout Wis
consin.
Gov. Davidson, when communicated
with over the long distance telephone
Sunday afternoon, said he had not
yet received the resignation and could
hardly believe it to be true. AS to
Senator Spooner's successor Gov.
Davidson said that it would be left to
the present legislature to elect a sue
cessor to fill the unexpired term. Gov.
Davidson would not talk for publica-
ton at this time as to Senator Spoon
er's successor further than to say he
presumed that some of the Wisconsin
congressman, naming Cooper and
Esch, who were candidates for the
senatorship at the time Senator La
Toilette was elected to succeed Sena-
tor Quarles, would again enter the
field.
Some Possible Candidates.
Lieutenant Governor w. d. Con-
nor, of whom mention has been made
at various times as possible success
sor to Senator Spooner when his term
expired, expressed surprise at the
news of the senior senator's resigna-
ton but was not prepared at this time
to make a statement.
Isaac Stephenson, the multi-million-
aire lumber king of Marinette, who
also was 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 Spoonef's successor, he
know of no one who would refuse
such high Office if it were rendered
him.
Lively times are expected in the
Wisconsin Legislature from now on
and it Is expected that before many
hours elapse there will be many can
didates in the field for the unexpired
term of Senator Spooner.
1t is believed that Senator LaFol-
lette will bring his influence to bear
among his adherents in the leglsla-
ture to elect some one of his choice.
Isaac Stephenson and former Speaker
Irvine L. Lenroot are among LaF'ol-
lette's staunchest supporters and it is
believed not unlikely that the junior
senator will favor one of these.
Former Secretary of State Walter
L. Houser, who was defeated at the
primaries last fail when he sought
denomination, is likely, also, to be an
active candidate inasmuch as he re-
Gently declared his intention of enter
ing the race to succeed Senator
Spooner in 1909.