The Washington herald., 1908-03-23
CHARLES E LITTLEFlELD.

IhAllst4c r lLIILEtlEl4D-
Representative Charles E. LittleheId,
of the Second Maine district. yesterday
forwarded his resignation to Speaker
Cannon
A letter of similar purport has gone TO
Gov. Cobb. at Augusta. The resignation
IS to take effect September 30. soon after
the State election in Maine, at which his
successor for the remainder of this Con-
gress. as well as for the next Congress.
will be chosen.
This action. which came very much as
q surprise to every one in Washington.
and which had been forecast only 10
two or three friends in Maine. is taken
by Mr. Littleheld that he may enter upon
the practice Of law in New York. He
will go there. probably. soon after the
present session of Congress adjourns. He
will form a partnership with his son, c.
w. Littlefeld. who has been in the law
Office Of Gov, Hughes. and will hang out
his shingle from the Hanover Bank
Building, at the corner Of Pine.and Mas
sau streets.
Has Contemplated Action.
Mr. Littleheld has had the change In
mind for some time, largely for financial
reasons. Other things. however, contrib
uted TO hasten his decision. His friends
here have long known that he has fretted
= much under the annoyances Of public life
in the last campaign he had TO meet an
organized and formidable opposition to
his nomination and election. His renomi-
nation this year by acclamation was as
sred. but he faced a hard campaign. and
would have TO undertake an electioneer-
ing tour this summer throughout his dis
trict, making personal appeals to voters
and resorting 10 methods which are ex-
ceedingly distasteful 10 him.
Here in Washington Mr.. LittIefeld has
taken high rank during his nearly nine
years OF service as the successor. Of the
late Nelson Dingley. He has, however,
encountered fierce opposition TO his va
rious plans for legislation. and It is I'm
derstood has felt that there would be
but few more honOrs In store for him,
should he remain in Congressional life
He has been one of handful of inde-
pendent Republican thinkers in the
House OF that independent group he
has been a recognized leader.
The partisans Of the administration
and not a few partisans among his con-
stituents, have made his way as rough
as they could. This has annoyed him
more than many people have supposed
Such conditions and the dwindling Re-
publican majority in his district have dis
couraged him Of late in speaking his
mind on the issues and tendencies of the
time. and have. undoubtedly FASTENED his
determination TO quit Congress.
Saw Many Fights to Come.
he saw nothing but series Of po-
iitlcal fights ahead Of him. including
fight in a few years against one of his
own colleagues. in view Of the prospect
that. after the next Congress, Names
representation in the House viii be re-
duced from four 10 three members. II
he could have continued the legislative
work that interests him. without defend
ing himself In constant political war
fare. he might have been willing 10 re-
main in Congress.
The regret here over the termination Of
his Congressional career will be general
Mr. Littleheld is one Of comparatively
small number of members in the House,
and almost the only one from New Eng
land, with a national reputation
Rockland, Me. March 22-Charles f.
Littlef1elds resignation to Gov. Cobb
was received to-day.
In another letter. sent to the distric:
Congressional committee. Mr.. Littlefeld
says he resigns in order to resume his
law practice. Congressman Littlefeld's s
retirement was a surprise to all of his
friends in this city There are half a
dozen Republicans who are anxious TO
succeed him. and meeting of the dis
trict committee has been called for Tues
day. at which the date of the convention
will be decided on.
Congressman Lttlefeld's letter was as
follows:
Washington March % 1905
Hon. William 7. Cobb. Governor Of the state OF
Maine
Dear Sir: I hereby tender my re.igp,t;o, .s
member Of the SiItieth Congress from the Second
district Of Maine, to take effect on and after Sen
tembcr 80. isoS. am, SIR with the highest regard
your obcdieut servant.
CHARLES E. LrTTLEFTELD