Mississippi leader. (Jackson, Miss.) 1892-1895, 1894-01-23
SENATOR wALTuALL RESIGNS.
Ill Health Assigned a. the Cause-Tis
Letter to Gov. stone.

III Health Assigned a. the tAusc-htS
Letter to- Gov. Stone.
WASHINGTON, ID. c., Jan. 1S.--Much
surprise and regret was caused here
today by the announcement that Sena-
tor Walthall. Mississippi's junior Sen
ator, had forwarded his resignation to
Gov. Stone. to take effect Jan. oath.
The following copy of his letter was
given to the press:
JAN. Il, 1894.
Hon. j. NJ. Stone, Governor of Mis-
sissippi: My Dear Sir-The condition
of my health compels me to seek a
milder climate for the remainder of the
winter season. The alternative is pre-
scented me of resigning my present po-
sition or absenting myself from my
post of duty at a time when il is impor-
tant that our State should have two
senators in their seats 1t best accOrds
] with my sense of public obligations to
pursue the former course, and l trust
! it may seem to my constituents as 1T
does to me, that in adopting it am at
| fording them the highest proof of my
appreciation of their confidence and
good will. | am indebted to the people
of Mississippi for the highest honors
in their gift repeatedly bestowed I'M
der circumstances which greatly en-
| HANGED their value in my estimation.
To hold to the high trust which they
have committed to me when unable
from any cause to discharge its duties
according to my own standard of faith
| full public service would be an unit
return for their generosity and fidelity.
Therefore, enclose my resignation,
and beg through you to repeat to the
people of the State the expression OF
my gratitude and obligation for their
kindness and constancy and support.
| can take no action now in relation 10
the senatorial term beginning March
| 1, 1895, for which | was elected in Jan
uary, 1892. Eminent statesmen and
! lawyers here, to whose conclusion |
can find no answer. advise me that L
have no such present connection with
! that term as warrants me III dealing
with it before it commences.
When | may lawfully act i'll that
matter | shall be governed as | am now
in surrendering my commission for the
current term by what shall appear to
be my duty TO the people of Mississip-
pi under the conditions existing at
that time. Your friend and obedient
! servant,
| T.. G. WALTHALL.
General Walthall said he had arrived
at the determination to resign his seat
after the most deliberate consideration
of what was his duty in the premises.
His health was impaired by the severe
attack of grip which he sustained last
winter which Frustrated him for sew
eral months. He seemed to have re-
gained his health at the time he attend
ed the special session of the senate, but
since then he has not been at all well
and has concluded to seek mllder
climate. He proposes leaving Wash
ington about Wednesday next with
Mrs. Walthall and his daughter, and
will go to one Of the resorts on the gulf
coast of Mississippi.
Senator Walthall entered the senate
March L, 1888, when he took his seat
as successor, By appointment, OF l.. q.
c. Lamar, who had resigned to become
ed by the Legislature in January, 1886,
to fill the unexpired term and was re
elected in January, 1888, and in Janua-
ry, 1892, was chosen to represent Mis-
sissippi in the senate for six years from
March 4, 1895, which marks the eXpira-
ton of his present term. His resigna-
ton takes effect Jan. q. Under the
provisions of section II, Revised Stat
utes of the United States, second edi-
ton, senatorial vacancy which occurs
during the session of the Legislature
must be filled on the second Tuesday
after the Legislature has organized and
has notice of such vacancy. If it shall
be construed that the Legislature can
have no official notice of this resigna-
ton before Jan. 24, then, under the
above statute, the election cannot oc-
cur until Feb. 6.