The Maui news. [volume] (Wailuku, Maui, H.I.) 1900-current, 1919-06-13

salary of $500 a year. Three times
rendered important posts by Presi-
dent Neutrality-suspicious. of Secretary of
the Interior, membership on the Unit
ed States and British Joint High Com
mission and Attorney General of the
United States-he declined them all.
Frequently he had been importuned
by individuals, corporations and states
to represent them in court but re-
fused all offers so long as he was in
public life. One of these proposals,
it is related, was an invitation by the
State of West Virginia, carrying a
retainer of $4,000, to argue a case
for it in the Supreme Court. Senator
Spooner not only refused to practice
his profession so long as he was in
Congress, friends said, but he habit
ually declined to use a railroad pass
or a telegraph frank and betrayed
fro mhis own pocket many expenses
he was entitled to charge to the gov
eminent.
One of Senator Spooner's firm on
victions was that no United States
Senator whose term of service had
expired should afterward be admitted
to the senate floor as a representa-
tive of corporations or business in
terests. When certain former sena-
tors did so appear and, by reason of
their former membership, were ad-
mitted to the floor to confer with
senators, Mr.. Spooner declined to
talk with them.
When Senator Spooner resigned
from the Senate a friend, remember
ing this principle of his conduct, re-
marked in saying good by, 81 suppose
we will never see you here again"
you never WILL" replied the sena-
tor. Though he afterward represent
ed corporations in a leagel capacity,
Senator Spooner kept his word. He
never buttonholed other senators on
the Senate floor as a lobbyist for any
private interest.
Sixteen Years OF Service
Upon his retirement in 1907 the
New York Tribune said of him: He
goes now, at the age of siXty-four,
having devoted sixteen years of his
life to the service of his country, to
resume the practice of his profession,
without a contract or a client and
with no reliance for the future save
his well earned reputation, while all
who have enjoyed the privilege of
associating with him in his public
career witness his departure with
sorrow"
Elihu Root, then Secretary of State
said of him: THE resignation of
Senator Spooner is a public mis-
fortune. The nation owes a debt of
gratitude to the State of Wisconsin
for contributing him to the work of
the national government. He will be
sadly missed when Congress recon-
veness and his old associates feel the
loss of his wisdom, and strength, his
courage and magnanimity."
Senator Spooner "a one of the
most interesting figures to the gallery
crowds when on the floor of the Sen
ate. He was rarely absent and al
ways alert when legislation was in
progress. He was a good listener.
Suddenly the visitor would see him
toss his massive head back, half close
his eyes and urn his hand to his ear
to catch every word. A few moments
more and he was on his feet to
challenge some mistatement or pierce
some fallacious reasoning.
No contemporary, it has been said,
had a better mastery of English.
Small of stature, old-timers said he
reminded them of Stephen Douglas,
the little giant" An adept at sharp
~repartee, at witty or crushing re,
joinder, singing criticism only in
spired him to his loftiest flights. His
speech has been described as simple,
luminous, forcible."
Senator Spooner was intensely de-
voted to his family. He married in
1868 Miss Annie E. Main of Madison,
Wis. He had three sons Charles p,
Willet NJ. and Philip L. SpOoner.
Reflection