Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-03-04

AS my purpose to retire from public life
is and has been irrevocable, am unwilling
to be further considered in connection with
an Office which I could not in the circum-
stances accept.
"a senator will be chosen for the term
beginning on the 4th of March, 1903, and
there viii be, and should be. during the next
two years grave and wide consideration
among the people as to the person upon
whom the honor shall be bestowed. After
much thought deem 1t to be my duty, all
things considered, to the people of the state
and to the party, to whose Partially am
indebted for the highest honors within its
gift, to take myself now beyond recall, from
the field of possible choice. / am, there
fore, impelled, not only for the reasons sug-
gested, but also that may be free to de-
vote to the discharge OF private duty: TOO
long neglected, 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 1t is not needful, that am
inexpressibly grateful to the republicans of
Wisconsin 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. I have the honor to be,
yours respectfully, JOHN c. SPOONER."
Many Expressions of Regret.
Senator Spooner's resignation has created
profound impression, which was evil
denced not only yesterday, but today is
prominently shown at the Capitol. Mr..
Spooner's presence in the Senate today had
almost dramatic effect. Without regard
to any party affiliations or difference of
view questions that have come before
the Senate, republicans and democrats,
probably without a single exception, sought
Mr. Spooner to shake his hand and tell him
how they regret his departure from the
Senate.
Senator spooner has received an i'm
1hnr Of oil ms mo n
prominence all over the country expressing
their regrets that he should find it neces-
sary to leave the Senate. To the general
inquiry as to why he should take this
action, Mr.. Spooner has told every one
that he felt obliged at this time to put
aside his work in the Senate, which he has
always preferred before any other, in order
to take advantage of an exceptional OPP
portunity to practice his profession. His
private resources during his service in the
Senate have been lessened to considerable
extent because he found 1t necessary to
exceed his senatorial salary, although it is
well known that his personal expenditures
have never gone into realms of luxury.
Although he has always been socially in
cined. he has not been able to entertain IN
any such manner as he would like. His
love for congressional life was so marked,
however, that he willingly gave up pros
poets of large fees from time to time.
Devotion to Duty.
Senator Spooner is undoubtedly, in some
respects, accorded the place of leading au-
thority on legal matters. He has also been
one of the most constant attendants at-the
sessions of the Senate. His interest in
senatorial affairs has not stopped with i'm
portant subjects For instance, although
his most important contributions to the de-
bates of the Senate In this Congress have
been in relation to the railway rate bill,
yet he has found time to give his attention
to practically every measure that has come
before the Senate. He Is one of the men
who has always been found In his place.
He has declined to attempt to practice his
profession, as he has claimed that his duties
as senator have taken up all his time, and
without sacrificing the interests of the SEN
ate, so far as the performance of his own
duties was concerned, he could not give
ally time to legal cases.
Senator SpoOner's departure from the Cap
itol will undoubtedly detract much from
senatorial debate, as he has been one of
those senators who have made it a rule to
sit through the speeches on practically ev-
cry subject that came up and to ask ques-
tions of the speaker whenever he detected
a weak point in the argument being made
In this way he assisted in drawing out of
others comments on legislation that would
never have been made otherwise.
Tilman Expresses Regret.
Among all the senator's who have express
ed their regret over the loss Of Senator
Spooner none have been more affected than
Senator Tilman, with whom he has had
many a battle royal in debate. When Sena-
tor Tillman yesterday approached him to
say goodbye, or at least express his regret
that he had found it necessary to resign his
seat his voice was husky. No two senators
have had their ability to keep in good hui
NOR in debate which has often bordered on
the acrimonious more severely tested than
Senators Spooner and Tillman. But they
have always come out of the debate by ex-
nrpScinr mutua1 aDOlO0ipS and by cOntinu-
ing to be good friends, as they are today.
Spooner's Important Place.
Beside the peculiarly important place Sen
ator Spooner couples on the floor of the
Senate, he is a member of important COM
mittees and in some respects at least may
be consi ;cred the undisputed leader of the
Senate. He is a member of the republican
steering committee and Is chairman of the
committee on rules. Three other commit
tees-fnance, foreign relations and judic-
iary-have him enrolled on their member
ship In fact no senator has been accord
ed membership committees involving
more importance than these.
His ability to bring about compromises
after the Senate has exhausted itself in de-
bate and when apparently there is dead
lock has always been pronounced. There
are many important pieces of legislation
that have been enacted through his ability
to suggest a compromise.
1t is understood that Senator Spooner
after his retirement will represent impor-
tant railroad interests as counsel. The visit
of Mr.. Hartman to this city is regarded as
having had a wider significance which Mr..
Hartman did not suggest to any one be-
yond Mr.. Spooner. 1t is believed that Mr..
Spooner will appear before the interstate
commerce commission in connection with
cases involving the Interpretation of the
rate BILL which, above all others, he is
qualified to deal with.
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WORSHIP AND REVERENCE.