New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-03-04
MIR. SPOONER RESIGNS.
WILL RESUME PRACTICE.
General Regret at His Retirement
Felt IN Washington.
IFrom The TrIbune Rursau-I

=
In the letter of resignation which Mr. SpOOner
forwarded to the Governor OF his state TODAY
ne frankly explains the reasons actuating his
course. the necessity of returning to the prac-
tice OF his profession in order that he NAV ac-
QUire enough Of this worlds goods TO insure
comfort to his family and himself in his declin-
ing years.
senator SpoOner'S term does not expire until
March A. 1909, but as he has irrevocably deter
mined not to accept reelection. and in view OF
the tact that when, IN 1900 he made the same
announcement it completely ignored
by the Legislature of Wisconsin which re-
elected him by unanimous Republican vote
he has determined to forestau any disposition
there might be to ignore his declaration thai
ne cannot afford longer to serve his country
and his state in the Senate by retiring practl-
caIy Immediately.
For sixteen years Senator Spooner has served
IN the Senate Of the United States with an abiIs
ity and brflliancy which have won for him
national fame and he's is to-day regarded as the
ablest constitutional lawyer. the most brilliant
deSater and the greatest authority on interna-
! tonal law in the upper house OF Congress
Never specialist. he has taken the keenest in
terest in every measure. and hardly an impor-
tant law has been enacted during his service In
the Senate which has not borne the evidence OF
his conscientious and painstaking work, al
though some of his Rblest efforts have been de-
voted to perfecting measures which have been
| associated with the name Of one or another OF
his colleagues.
RECORD OF HIS WORK.
But. notwithstanding the fact that he cared
little for personal glory. and always stood ready
to give TO a colleague the benefit OF his knowl-
edge and wisdom. his name has been insep-
/ arably attached to many measures of historical
importance, as. for instance. the Spooner
amendment creating the civil government OF the
Philippines. the amendment providing for the
institution of a Philippine railway system. the
so-called "SpOoner compromise" the law under
which the Panama Canal IS being constructed.
etc. while slmost every Important treaty pre-
pared in the Senate since he became a Senator
bears The evidence OF his deep knowledge of in
ternatOnal law, although his work has been
hidden behind the curtain of secrecy which oo-
scures the executive work of the Senate.
In 1887. when the Interstate Commerce act
was under consideration. he delivered two epoch
! making speeches. in which ne urged upon the
/ Senate the necessity Of federal legislation pro-
hibiting railway rebates and pools and ad-
mOnished the states against the reckless fran
chisfng Of railways constructed for speculative
purposes. and not because OF anv legitimate pub
lie demand. warning them that day Of reck-
oning would come when overcapitalism would
constitute an almost insurmOuntable obstacle
TO reasonable freight and passenger rates To
the Sherman Antitrust act he added an amend
which has made possible the prosecution of the
Standard oil Company In 1890. defending the
constitutionauty OF the reciprocity clause os the
Mckinley Tariff bill be made in the Senate an
argument which was practically repeated By the
Supreme Court OF The United States in Tvs de-
cisiou affirming the consttutionality of that
clause.
As chairman Of the COMMITTEES on Claims in
his first term he saved 70 the country hundreds
OF millions OF dollars sought by unjust claim
ants. and in recent years. as the deus eX ma
china OF the Committee on Foreign Relations. he
has been largely responsible for the ratification
Of the Cuban. the Dominican. the Algeciras and
many other treaties while to his efforts was
largely due the adoption of that historic amend
ment fixing the status Of cuba which bears
the name OF the late Senator from Connecticut.
Orville Hitchcock Platt. whose dearest friend
and close companion Mr. Spooner was.
DEEP REGRET FELT.
When it became known in the senate that Mr.
Spooner had rendered his resignation it caused
the sensation of the session. and for the
mainder of the day ne surrounded by SEN
ators and members Of the House. all of whom
expressed the utmost regret at his resignation.
The President the vice-Presjdent and members
of the Cabinet as well as many Senator'S have
expressed to members OF the press their sense OF
loss
Senator Spooner has been actuated by high
sense of public duty 10 refuse practically all law
cases since he became member Of the Senate.
and with the exception of some trifins retain
ers taken during the early part of his service he
has made nothing but his salary as a Senator, a
sum far from sufficient 20 defray his expenses.
since this session OF Congress began he has
refused an offer from the state of West Virginia
10 argue a case in the Supreme Court which
carried retainer of 100000. and other tempt
ing offers have reached him from numerous
sources
Not only has Mr.. Spooner refused to practice
his profession but he has declined to a rail-
way pass or a telegraph frank. and has de-
frayed from his own pocket many expenses he
was entitled to charge to the government OF
an open generous nature, with unfailing sympa-
thy for all In trouble. his career as a Senator
has involved great pecuniary sacrifice He goes
now. at the age of sixty-four. having devoted
sixteen years of his life to the service OF his
country 10 resume the practice of his profess
SON without contract or client and with no
reliance for the future his well earned rep
utation while all who have enjoyed the Drivi-
Iege of associating with him in his public ca
reer witness his departure with sorrow and
wish him godspeed in his private life.
MR. sPOONER's LETTER
Senator Spooners letter Of resignation is as
follows
Washington March p 1907
The Hon. James o. Davidson. Governor. Mad
isOn Wis.
Sir: 1 hereby resign the Office of Senator OF
the United States from the State Of Wisconsin.
this resignation TO take effect on the first day
Of May. 1907.
sufices. but cannot bring myself to surrender
the trust with which Wisconsin has 50 long and