The Washington herald., 1907-03-04
ALL EXPRESS REGRET
Officials and Legislators De-
pierre SpOOner'S Retirement.
TERMED LOSS TO COUNTRY
Secretary Root Declares Senator's
Resignation Is n Public Misfortune.
Knox, Bailey, and the Members of
the Wisconsin Delegation.

signed was at hrst received with incredu-
lily about the Capitol.
When it became known that the letter
| Of resignation actually had been sent to
Gov. Davidson, everybody, from Senators
and Representatives down TO pages and
porters, expressed regret that Nj Spooner
had seen fit to take such action
Could all the complimentary things said
about him at the Capitol in the course
the afternoon be compiled and presented
to the Senator. he would have reason to
be very, very proud of the feeling enter
tanned for him by all those who know him.
and who have been in contact with him
during the years he has represented Wis
consin In the Senate. President Roosevelt
added his expressions of regret to those
OF the Senator's colleagues.
The tributes paid him were not all on
account Of his ability, by any means.
There were just as many declarations as
to his uniform kindness and courtesy, and
as to his personal worth
Praise from Fairbanks.
Vice President Fairbanks had this 10
say:
The retirement OF Senator Spooner
from the United States Senate Is greatly
10 be regretted, for he IS one Of the best
men in the nations service He Is
statesman in the fullest and best sense,
able and fearless, conscientious and in
defaligable in the discharge Of his great
public duties He has been a distinct
power in the considerat ton and determi-
nation OF many great public questions
Public Misfortune, Says Root.
Secretary of State Root said:
Il think the resignation OF Senator
Spooner is public misfortune. Every
one, OF whatever party, who is familiar
with the operations Of government, and
who wishes for wise and effective govern
ment must regret it deeply. There are
no conditions in the world under which
leadership is dependent more absolutely
on personal qualities than in our Senate
and House Of Representative. Mere
membership in one Of those bodies does
not make a small man great, bat Il
affords opportunities to "a man Of great
qualities to exercise power and render
public service unequaled in any place
except the Presidency.
our history shows a succession OF a
small number Of very able men with
great force of character and devotion 10
the public service. who have been pre-
dominant IN mOlding the legislative policy
Of the country. Mr.. Sp0oner belongs to
this succession. The nation owes q debt
OF gratitude 10 the state Of Wisconsin
for contributing him 10 the work OF ma
tional government He viii be sadly
missed when Congress recOnveues. and
! his old associates feel the loss Of his
wisdom and strength, his courage and
magnanimity.'
Landed by Secretary Taft.
The Secretary OF War. Mr. Taft, on
being informed Of Senator Spooner's
resignation. said;
The country suffers a great loss in
Senator SpOoner's withdrawal from public
life. He is concededIy the greatest parIia-
mentary debater OF his day, and really
/ deserves the title. so much misapplied,
of great constitutional lawyer Every
great act Of Congressional legislation in
the sixteen years Of his service has been
made better and more lucid and more
clearly within the constitutional limits Of
Congressional authority by amendments
and suggestions Of his which did not bear
/ his name, but which were prompted by
his sense OF responsibility for the body
Of which he was "a distinguished member,
His power as a lawyer and debater IS not
alone ia his keenness OF intellect. his Ia
cidity and aptness of speech, his great
logical faculty, and his power Of applica-
don 10 the subject-matter but also in the
judicial quality Of his mind which forces
him to weigh and consider the arguments
Of his opponents, and TO meet them on the
ground they select without evasion.
He has sacrificed much Of comfort and
wealth in order that he might serve his
country with an eye single to the public
interest He has not thereby escaped the
darts of malicious calumny but he has
seen them fall harmless and forgotten.
His unanimous return 10 the Senate after
a declination to stand. and against the
will of persistent enemies, was a most
remarkable evidence OF the position HIS
great ability and integrity had won for
him. The good he has done entities him
10 retire; but We must all regret that he
feels compelled 10 withdraw Senator
Spooner has honOred me with an intimate
friendship for sixteen years. I feel a
genuine personal sorrow that he is 10
leave Washington"
Enhanced Senate's Standing.
Senator Spooner's retirement is a very
great loss to the Senate" said Senator
Lodge. TO say that he is one Of the
ablest lawyers and wisest legislators IN
the Senate is only to repeat what every.
body knows. But Senator Spooner is
more than al this. He Is a man who. by
his attachments and talent and still more
by his high character and conception of
public duty, raises the reputation of the
Senate in the eyes Of the world and he