The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-12-02
CHANGES IN THE SENATE.
ANECDOTES or mi AEv WnO
VIM 60 AFTER NARCH . NExr.

Nest senators 90 ne Two l~eeged-Ths
seats or narrI. srd woieott In Dn-ser.
wNsnISoroS, Dec. There is 9 good work.
inr majority Of Democrats in the United states
Senate to-day. and the Democratic party con.
trolls the organization and the committees. After
March 4 next the Democrats will be in the
minority, but the Republicans will not be strong
enough To take their power from them except
by n combination with the Populist Senators,
and such assistance as this they may not care to
accept. In the Fifty-fourth Congress the Senate
will stand nolitically divided as follows: Re-
publicans. ~; Democrats. 10: Populists. n;
independents, or Silverltes. 2. II has
been generally supposed since the election
overturned several Democratic states that the
Republicans would have no trouble in organic
ing the new Senate, but a study OF the above
figures will show that unless Senators Stewart
and Jones VI Nevada, who have announced
their intention OF breaking away from the Re-
publican ranks. should vote " it'll their Old party
colleagues. the Republicans could not count
upon a working majority OF their own members.
Some Of the Republican party leaders, more
over. think 1t would not I've the part OF wisdom
for them 10 upset the Senate organization and
til is he made responsible for Legislation which
Democratic President could veto. These Sena-
tors r'iink 10 would be better 10 allow matters to
etani IS they are until 1897. when they look for
egath Of several Republican senators and ex-
pcct a Republican President to take up his resi-
denrr il the White House.
A study ~ the United states Senate after
Marc 4 next Is interesting ASIDE from ths pues-
tion 81 what party will control the body. The
terms of thirty-thres II the present Senators
will expire on that late, and at least twelve Of
them viii then retire to private life. \. ma
jority, ~ least, OF this number lave failed To
make tIeir mark in the Senate, and Will bc for
gotten almost as sooi as their Successors are
-tA,N.l sT..-l. % "a. La . h..o ,-. .I,...,
certain TO succeed themselves, and one, Mr..
Gallery OF Louisiana, has already been re-
elected. Eight will be opposed by rivals in their
own party, but the chances are largely in favor
of all Of them being returned.
In the is: OF the twelve who will be Senators
no longer when the gavel OF vice-President
Stevenson falls on March 4 next, there Is one
who h,' ,ccn a picturesque and striking figure
In the Senate for more than twenty-five years.
This Is Senator Matt w. Ransom OF North
Carolina, who took his seat April "a, 1879, and
has remained on duty ever since. Mr.. Ran
som Is one OF the handsome men Of the Senate.
aud NJ times an eloquent speaker. He was one
of the conspicuous Generals OF the Confederate
army. and came to Washington with the repu-
tation of a man OF ability, honor, and chivalry.
He took his place among the orators
OF congress early, but. owing to n
R{} hiiyIsica Of ''lIn ats his ,E ESi'o ds n%, been rn lssTl
Gen. Ransom has not permitted himself to de-
liver ~ prefntlOus speech since 1875, when he
made the glass roof of the chamber ring in an
appeal on behalf Of the South for q liberal APP
Mai Exposition. The escitcment Of Il speech
caused a recurrence OF his ailment, and at the
ing 10 tho cloak room. Since that time Gen.
Ransom has confined his speeches TO the com
leagues. He has been u faithful attendant upon
the sessions Of the senate. During discussions
cloak rooms and the corridors apparently lost
In thought. He has always been averse 10 being
never fails to greet raS'a a caller rien'S viii, 5ut t5e utmost %st
Difference and politeness. One day last autumn.
Silver Repeal bill. = reporter approsched Gen.
Eansop as he paced the lobby, MS hands behind
senator, what will be the outcome of the
with great solemnity: My friend. | cannot tell
you now; but you may say TO the country that
1t was a sad day Tor the North Carolina Sena-
tor when the investigation into the connect ion
developed the fact that his son had been pur-
chasing, stock. The testimony showed that
cate or two on his own responsibility. aud with
ont the consent or knowledge of his father. Tie
proper. but zen. Ransom felt keenly The nSto.
riuty IL caused. But in his hour Of trial his native
shrew1Dess did not desert him, and by n clever
move he managed to outwit those who attacked
him and break the force OF the prearranged
newspaper sensstiOn. A few DAYS before the
fact that young Mr.. HANSON had purchased SUI
gar stock was brought to light. "a correspondent
of a newspaper called upon the Senator, having
in his possession the fact that n Mr.. Ransom
had bought sugar stock. This knowledge had
been obtained by the expenditure of CoDsidera-
bic time and money and the employment OF the
services Of a detective or two, The interviewer
was accompanied by ~ photographer. and the
Senator was further handicapped by the
,aee tnat tho new-pGPrr man knew all
all the questions put 10 him and even produced
departed. however. GEN so2 Ransom : mis E FASTENED nI 10
the room Of the senatorial Investigating Com,
mite, had himself sworn Ms "a witness, aud
IeStlile 1 tn everything ne Hul told the news
paper man. An abstract Of his testimony WAS
paper Was thus prn""nt"i from nTaddn y its
anticipated sensation; A very tame article was
Ransom met the man who had Interviewed him,
y the elevator; and going up To him, and hold
siyeness and grace for which he l. noted:
~ dear friend permit me, sab. 20 thank
you ami your paPah have treated me In this
patiall. am under deep obligations for your
For many years Senator Ransom's private ser
rotary has been his son, hut not even the oldest
son it was. ten. Ransom has two sons ~ like
As two peas. and each has acted Hs his fathers
II the only man who ever knew which son was
IN Washington and which in North Carolina.
manner, has been noted for the taste and neat
prss OF his dress. Like many prominent men ~
and during all hs lie in Washington has lived
molrstly In Il downtown hotel, taking little
lack Of wealth and lie generosity OF his heart
were both shown by AN Incident that happened
one day several years ago. He walked into the
Senate Post Ofice one morning, and holding up
y ragged shirt cufr before the eyes ~ the As
sistint Postmaster. he said:
kellogg; wont You please trim of the edges
of my cuff - and ~ the official did so tho SEM
tor said partly tn himself: "Ah! me. these poor
North Carol.nians who find their way To Wash
ingtOn loOking for office and without money will
drive me To the pOOrhouse yet"
A senator who will be missed from the Repub-
llcan side OF the chamber. although he has been
. very retiring member of the body. never taking
part IN the debates, Is Nathan ,. Dixon OF Rhode
Island, who occupies the seat in which his grand
father. al-n Nathan +. Dixon. sat many years
agu, ana which in later years belonged TO that
stalwart Republican leader, George =, Edmunds.
Mr.. Dixon Trtires voluntarily from the SEN
ate. as he dislikes public life, especially in
Washington. and prefers the quiet of his home
At Westerly. lie will be succeeded BY IieOrge
Peabody NrtmOre. uns OF the WealthiesI resi-
dents OF Newport, who Is expected to be one Of
the largest entertainers in Washington. Mr..