Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-06-12
FORMER UNITED STATES
SENATOR SPOONER DIES
Wisconsin Man Sacrificed Fortune to
Serve His State In
Congress.
FRAMED MUCH LEGISLATION
Strong Advocate Of Panama Canal
Plan and Treaties Which Pre-
vented Serious Controversies.
Forced to Resume Law Practice.
Thy Associated Pre,s.1


NEW YORK. June 1l.-John Colt
Spooner. former United States Senator
from Wisconsin. died at his home here
last night.
Sixteen years a United States Senator
from Wisconsin. each one of which in
the words OF President Roosevelt was
"a direct financial loss which he could
Ill afford" John Colt Spooner reIin-
quished the position with which the
legislators Of his State had thrice
honored him and retired In 1907, two
enter the private practice of law and
acquire a competence for his family
and himself in his declining years
Regarded as one of the ablest con-
stltutional lawyers, brilliant debater
and one OF the greatest authorities on
international law in the upper house
OF Congress-. Senator Spooner. like "A
few Of his famous co!leagues-notably
Roscoe Conkling. John 6. Carlisle.
Thomas Bracket Reed and George f.
Hoar-left public Office poor man
During the twelve years of his final
sci In much important litigation. in
Guiding the Federal government suits
against the transatlantic shipping pool
the naval stores and Oregon California
land grant cases.
Born In Indiana.
Born in LawrenceburE. Ind. January
., lS43. the son OF Judge Philip Spooncr
VINO removed to Madison. Wis, when
John was sixteen years old, the future
|
the University Of Wisconsin in 1861
after having served with distinction in
me = mon army in the War Between
the States. Young Spooner enlisted as
private in Company A. Fortieth Wis
consin Infantry. and for gallantry in
action was promoted TO captain and
orevet major in the Fiftieth Wisconsin
Infantry shortly after reaching the age
OF twcnty-one.
After the war he became private
secretary to Governor Lucius Fa!rchild
sion to the bar he was appointed an
assistant attorney-gcneral and en-
gagged IN the practice Of law at the
capitai. Madison. where he remained
until 1870. when he removed TO Hud-
aon. WIS, with his family. He was a
member OF the Wisconsin Assembly in
1872. and later regent OF the Univer-
Served With DIstinction.
First elected a United States Sena-
/ tor in 1855. he served with marked
distinction In that body until 1891.
r. Villas. Democrat. receiving, how
ever, the fun vote OF the Republican
members OF the Legislature for re-
election. The following year ne was
candidate for Governor Of wisconsin
| but was defeated.
In iss. he was returned to the
United States Senate, and before the
completion OF his term announced his
purpose not TO be n candidate for re-
election but. Notwithstanding this the
Republican Legislators OF Wisconsin in
| 1908 unanimously voted to send him
back to Washington, where for more
! than a decade nc had won renown
as a debater and conciliator OF party
| factions.
During these years Of service sena-
] tor Spooner's name had become !nsep-
arably attached 10 many measures
of historical Importance. such. for in
stance, as the amendment creating the
civil government OF the Philippines
an amendment TO the Sherman anti
trust act which made possible the
prosecution by the Federal Hovernm-n /
OF the Standard Oil Company, and the
law under which the Panama Canal
WIS constructed. lie was consistent
opponent Of the so-called Nicaragua
route.
Refused Better Positions.
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 l!tigants against the
government. and later was largely re-
sponsible. as the moving spirit of the
Senate Committee OF Foreign Rela-
tons. for the ratification OF the Cuban.
the Dominican and the Algeciras and
many other treaties. or the Algeciras
international settlement, II has been
said. II averted more than ten years
ago the threatened outbreak OF a
general European war.
Senator Spooner. during his public
| life, had many opportunities TO amass