The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-03-04

Senator S9oOner startled some OF his
colleagues about noon yesterday by quiet
ly informing them that ne had rendered
TO Gov. J. o. Davidson, of Wisconsin, his
resignation as a Senator from that State,
effective May l. 1867. Later. his letter to
the governor was given to the press. and
the news became at once the principal
topic of conversation at the Capitol,
where both Houses were in session, and
IN official circles generally.
Senator SpOOner. on retiring from pub
lie life, will devote himself TO the practice
of his profession. Shortly after the an
nouncement of his resignation a story be-
came current that he had taken the step
with view to later accepting a place on
the bench Of the supreme Court OF the
United States, but he characterized the
report as baseless and absurd
In explaining his surprising action TO
his friends, Mr.. Spooner said that reasons
of private and business character had
made advisable his resignation from the
Senate and the resumption of the practice
of his profession. 1t is understood that
he has had under consideration for many
months several exceedingly fattering Of
fers TO practice law His rank as "a
lawyer has been beyond all question for
years. and he has been continually in de-
mand to take charge of important litiga-
tion in which. if he had chosen to under
take il, his pre-eminent talents would
have won for him the highest rewards 10
be had at the American bar.
Mr.. Spo0ner has, however, abstained
from entering on active practice of the
law while ne has been in the Senate, and
only in a few instances has he accepted
retainers.
The Formal Announcement.
Senator Spooners letter rendering his
resignation is as fellows:
Washington, D. C., March >, 1907
TIE Hon. James o. Davidson, Governor.
Madison, Wis
Sir. ] hereby resign the ONCE of Sena-
tor of the United States from the State
of Wisconsin, this resignation 10 take
effect on the first day of May. 1901
Both By law and custom the foregoing
formula suffices, but / cannot bring my
self 10 surrender the trust with which
Wisconsin has SO long and so highly hon
ored me by curt sentence. which in
cludes no word either of explanation OF
of gratitude
on the 4th dav of March instant I
shall have served in all sixteen years as
a Senator This is a long time for one,
neither willing nor financially able per-
manentiy 10 abandon it, 10 take from his
profession. Il has been taken from mine.
for ] have not thought 1t compatible with
the full and uninterrupted discharge OF
public duty TO pursue It, and 1 have
therefore. during my service, with two or
three trifing exceptions, purely local, alb
solutely abstained therefrom.
Move Long in Mind.
For years private duty has plainly de-
manded of me an early return TO the
practice of my profession. and / have
never since last took the oath OF office
wavered in the determination TO retire
from public life on the expiration Of my
present term, March 8. 1893 I might Well
content myself with a public declaration
of nv purpose 50 TO retire ii il were not
for a like declaration made on a former
and similar occasion. and what followed
it, In the year 1900 I announced through
the press, over my signature, TO the Re
pubicans Of Wisconsin that I had 'Unal-
terably determined" 10 retire from public
life at the expiration of the term
ending March 8, 1903. unless
should deem it my duty TO resign
at an earlier date l justified the an
nouncement so long in advance upon the
ground that the people, and those who
might aspire TO the Office, were entitled
seasOnably 10 know from me that I would
not accept a reelection. Despite that
declaration, circumstances, with which
the people Of the State are familiar, and
which therefore, need not be here re-
counted. seemed tC make it my duty 10
accept "a reelection, pTOfered as II was
In manner which rendered ii at once a
command and finer honor than any
which / had ever dreamed would come
to me; one. indeed. which ought To satisfy
the pride and ambition Of any man. A
similar declaration by me at this time,
however strongly phrased (and IL could
not be more strongly phrased). would,
am persuaded, prove Unavailing TO with
draw my name from consideration during
the next two years as did that which
so publicly and unreservedly made in 1909
As my purpose 10 retire from public life
IS and has been irrevOcable, I am unwill-
ing to be further considered in connection
with an office which I could not in the
circumstances accept
Is Beyond Recall.
A Senator viii be chosen for the term
there will be. and should be. during the
next two years grave and wide cOnsidera-
tiOn among the people as 10 the person
upon whom the honor shall be bestowed
After much thought / deem il 10 be my
duty. all things considered. 10 the people
OF the State and 10 the party. to whose
partiality l am indebted for the highes;
hOnoTs within its gift To take myself now
beyond recall, from the field of possible
choice. / am. therefore. impelled. not
only for the reasons suggested, but alsc
that I may be free to devote to the dis
charge OF private duty too long neglected
the remainder of ms term, to resign the
office at this time, while the legislature is
In session TO choose a Senator for the
unexpired portion thereof
/ avail myself of this opportunity tC
say. albeit I am sure il is not needful
that l am inexpressiby grateful to the
Republicans of Wisconsin for the gener-
Gus and abiding confidence which has leo
them three times to elect me to the high
office Of Senator Of the United States,
/ have the honor to be,
Yours respectfully.
JOHN c. SPOONER.
Denies Supreme Court story.
When asked about the report that he