The morning journal-courier., 1908-03-23
Able Republican Congressman Causes Sensation in Maine by Rendering Res
 ignation.
RESUMES LAW PRACTICE
Assigns Financial Necessity as Rea- son for Retiring After Quarter
 Century Spent in Pub
 lie Service.

hockland. Me, March CA sensa- ton was caused in political circles here to-day by the receipt by Gov. Willam T. Cobb. of 8 letter from Congressman Charles K. Littlefield. rendering hls resignation as member cf ccnsress, to take effect on Sept. 30 nex-.
 In the same mail was a commun,ca- ton to the chairman of inc Second district Republican congressional com mittee from Mir. Littefied, in which the the latter gave as the reason for his resignation his desire to resume his law practice, which, in a large degree, he has been compelled to abandon because of his congressional duties.
 The resignation came as a great sur price to Governor Cobb and to the con gressman's friends in this district, and was received with must regret.
 The letters were as follows
 Washington, March 20, 1908. "Hon. William T. Cobb, Governor of
 the State of Maine:
 Dear Sir: I hereby tender my resig- nation as member of the sixtieth congress from the Second district of Maine, to take effect on and after the S0th of September, 1908.
 T am, sir, with the highest regard, your obedient servant,
 tSigned Charles E. Littlefeld."
 Washington, March 20 1908 Fred w. Wight, Chairman Second
 District Republican Congressional
 Committees
 Dear Sir: have been member of the house of representatives for nearly nine years. In order to properly dis charge my congressional duties I have been obliged to practically abandon my law practice The result has been what is to me large financial loss l now feel constrained, from sense of my duty to my family, to resume the general practice of the profession.
 Tn withdrawing from congress wish to express my most profound thanks to my, many friends, both in and out of the district, who have SC cheerfully, generously, loyally and eff. fectively' supported me in the past through good report and through evi report. I felt that I ought to make m, resignation at this time in order tc make 1t unnecessary for the district tc be subjected to the expense and trouble of special convention and election fol the election of my successor for the un expired term.
 (signed) Charles F. Littlefeld.
 A meeting had already been called for next Tuesday by the district com mittee to fix the date for holding tn, district convention.
 Among the Republicans who hay heretofore announced their candidac, for the nomination are Henry H Hastings of Oxford county; A. R. Say age. of Androscoggin county: Cyrus N Blanchard and Elmer E. Richards, o Franklin county, and E. w. Hyde o Sagadahoc county.
 Governor Cobb, in speaking of MI littlefeli's resignation, said:
 Congressman Littlefields resigna tion comes to me as a great surprise I have always been great admirer c MT. Littlefield I conceive 1t to be distinct loss to the State when men c his ability and type leave the service He has helped to keep Maine in tn forefront of national affairs and ha contributed that degree of statesman ship which has made Maine delegation famous for so many years"
 Mir. Littlefield has been in congres representing the Second Maine distric since 1899 when he was chosen to fl the unexpired term of Nelson Dingle in the 56th congress. He was re-electe to the 57th, 5Sth, 59th and 60th cor gresses MT. Littlef1eld served as speak CT of the Maine house of representa- lives in 1887 and as attorney general { fhe State frnm 1SRQ tn 1SQ2