The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1882-1884, 1883-01-04
GEN. N. W, RANSOM AT THE NATIONAL
CAPITOL.

Inc lOlOWlnS complimentary Ho.ioo
of Senator Ransom is from a Wash
ington city paper published some
twelve or eighteen months ago.
1t speaks for itself:
The people of the District of Col
ambia and all others who are interes-
ted in the future of the national cap
ital, owe to Senator Matt Ransom
debt of gratitude which cannot be
estimated, and which must eperpet.
ual. 1t is safe to say that no single
project of improvement ever under
taken here was so vital to the welfare
of the community and the comfort of
it's people as the scheme for reclaim
alton of the Potomac flats, which
Senator Ransom has so successfully
inaugurated. In estimating the value
of the services of an individual it is
necessary to take into account not
only the magnitude of the benefits
ne confers. but tue difficulties under
which he labors.
In the case under discussion these
two considerations were about equal.
The work to be done was of inconcelv.
able Importance, while the difficulties
IN the way Of a practical beginning
were great and almost insuperable.
70 such a task Senator Ransom adj
dressed himself over a year ago. He
had to contend with the proverbial
apathy of Congress toward all Dis.
trict affairs he had to surmount the
Opposition, open or covert, of host
of theorists and quacEs who, under
the guise of sanitary engineers. y
were filling the public prints with a
multitude of schemes mostly imprac
ticable and each hostile to the other ;
and it is rumored that he found in
his way at more than one stage OF
his Operations the Vaccinations of
individuals who hoped for benefit to
themselves from the inactlon of the
gov ei 1ment.
In one way and another, with
characteristic patience and suavity
that no annoyance could ruffle, Sen.
ator Ransom brushed obstacle after
obstacle aside; and finally, when
baked by the folly of the committee
on commerce, which would have sac
rifced the health of the national cap
ital to all absurd constitutional quip
pie, he appealed to the Senate. an6
through legislative coup d etat more
striking than has been seen in the
halls of Congress for years, carried
his project by the exemplary vote OF
fifty to seven.
In saying these Things we have nj
desire to deprecia.e the less conspic
3 uous services of Senator Couger ant
one or two others who at various
stages have energetically seconded
3 Senator Ransom's efforts. But W,
think that even they will agree witt
: us that the chief credit belongs t,
the North Carolina statesmen. Sen.
ator Ransom belongs to the type O
a man which cultivated and socia
4 bic community, like the District O
j Columbia, delights to honor. Com
e bining the grace of Chesterfield,
4 with the learning of a Bolingbrok
and thelegislative skill of a Walpole
y Sen tor Ransom is a character q
l. exceptionable adornment in time
It like these. His career in the Senate
If embracing period of nearly eleve
+ years, has been an uninterrupte
history Of modest attention to bust
ness in public life. and consister
e department of gentleness and hone
in his private capacity. In all tina
n time, teeming as it has done wit
- bitter strife and savage personalitie.
u Senator Ransom has never provoke
e. conflict or aroused an enmity. II
C. is an ornament TO the Senate,
e. source of pride to his State, and
4 benefactor Of the times in which /
~ lives.