Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1919-06-12

MN back to Washington, where for
more than decade he had won re-
nown as a debator and conciliator of
party factions.
During these years of service Sem
ator Spooner's name had become in
separately attached to many meas
ures of historical Importance. such
for instance. as the amendment Gre
atins the civil government VI the
Philippines. an amendment to the
Sherman antitrust act which made
possible the prosecution by the fed
eral government of the Standard
Panama canal was constructed. He
was consistent opponent of the So
called Nicaragua route.
AS chairman Of the Senate COM
mittee on claims in his first term he
saved the United States. it was said
hundreds OF millions of dollars sought
by unjust litigants against the gov
eminent and later was largely re-
sponsible as the moving spirit of the
Senate committee on foreign rela-
tons. for the ratification of the Gu
ban, the Dominican and the Algeci-
ras and many other treaties. OF the
Algeciras international settlement, it
has been said, it averted more than
10 years ago the threatened outbreak
Of general European war.
Senator Spooner. during his public
life, had many opportunities to amass
fortune, it has been said, but
chose to content himself with his
senatorial salary of $500 year.
Three times rendered important posts
by President Neutrality-suspicious. of sec
rotary Of the interior.> membership on
the United States and British Joint
High Commission and attorney gen.
eral of the United States-he declin-
ed them all.
Frequently he had been importuned
ny individuals, corporations and
states. to represent them in court
but refused all offers so long as he
was in public life. One of these
proposals.. it is related. was an inyi-
tation by the state of West Virgin
Ia, carrying a retainer Of $4,000, to
argue case for it in the supreme
court. Senator Spooner not onIy re-
fused to practice his profession so
long as he was in Congress, friends
@aid, but he habitually declined to
use railroad pass or a telegraph
frank and betrayed from his own
pocket many expenses he was enti-
tied to charge to the government.
One of Senator Spooners firm con-
Nictions was that no United States
Senator whose term of service had
expired should afterward be admit
ted to the Senate floor as a repre-
sentative Of corporations or BUSH
ness interests. When certain form
err senators did so appear and, by
reason of their former membership.
were admitted 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,
remarked in saying good bye. II
suppose we will never see you here
again.
You never WILL replied the SEN
ator. Though he afterward repre-
sented corporations in legal capac-
ity. Senator Spoorer kept his word
He never buttonholed other senators
on the Senate floor as a lobbyist
for any private interest.
Upon his retirement in 1907 the
New York Tribune said of him: HE
goes now. at tn age of sixty-four,
having devoted sixteen years of his
life to the service of his country, to
resume the practice of his profess
sion, without contract or a client
and with no reliance for the future
save his well earned reputation,
while all who have enjoyed the priv
ilege 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 CT
gratitude to the State of Wisconsin
for contributing him to the work of
the national government. He will
be sadly missed when Congress re-
convenes and his old associates feel
the loss of his wisdom, and strength,
his courage and magnanimity."
Senator Spooner vas one of the
most Interesting figures to the gall
lery crowds on the floor of the Sem
ate. he was rarely absent and al
ways alert when legislation was in
progress. He was {. good listener.
Suddenly the visitor would see him
toss his massive head back, half
close his eyes and turn his hand to
his ear to catch every word. A few
moments more and he was on his
feet to challenge some mistatement
OF pierce some fallacious reasoning.
No contemporary. it has been said,
had 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
rejoinder, singing criticism only in
spired him to his Hottest flights His
speech has been described as sim
pie. luminous, forcible."
Senator Spooner was intensely de-
voted to his family. He married in
1868 Miss Annie r. Main of Madison,
Wis. He had three sons, Philip.