The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-08-17
RANSOM IS BARRED OUT
The Senator Cannot Hold Two Offices
at Once.
NO LONGER MEXICAN MINISTER
That Offiss Has Been Declared Vacant BY
Decision Of solicitor General Con.
rad-The Constitution Al.
lows No Pooh. Hubs.

Washington, Aug 16.--Hon. Ma@ w.
Ransom, Of North Carolina, Is no long
er minister from the United States 10
Mexico. That office was practicaiy
declared vacant today by decision
rendered by Holmes Conrad, soiicilo'
general of the United states ana as..
ing attorney general. Mr.. Ransom
incumbency was declared to be con,
trary to the federal constitution, ana
the acting attorney general sustained
the action of Thomas Holcomb. audi
tor Of the treasury. for the state ue-
partment. In declining to pass iaNor-
ably upon Mr.. Ransom's vouchers Ior
salary and expenses.
The decision Of the acting attorney
general was based on a question raised
By Auditor Holcomb as to the legality
of Mr.. Ransom's appointment TO the
Mexican mission in view Of the exist
ence of Section 9, Article 6, Of the con-
stitution, which declares that NO
senator or representative shall. during
the time for which he was elected, De
appointed to any civil office under the
authority Of the United States when
shall have been created or the emolu-
ments whereof shall have been In
creased during such time
This provision apparently fitted the
case of Mr. Ransom. for he was nomi-
mated by President Cleveland ana con-
firmed by the senate before his term OF
office as senator from North Carolina
had expired. and during that term the
salary of the Mexican mission had been
increased S5,0 900 a year.
1t is due to Mr.. Ransom's occupancy
of seat In the senate chamber at that
time that he Is today without an Of
fice and that he is technically debtor
to the government for the amount OF
salary he has drawn since assuming
his diplomatic post.
Ransom Drew His, Salary.
So far as can be ascertained Mr.
Ransom continued to draw his salary
Of $l7,50O a year. but 1t was only re-
Gently that Auditor Holcomb, when he
came to pass upon the accounts of the
minister, found himself unable to de-
eide whether he could approve the pay
ment of Mr. Ransom's salary. in view
of the fact that he had been a member
of the senate when 1t was increased
The matter was accordingly submitted
to the attorney general for an opinion.
Mr.. Ransom was Ill ost of the time
he was in Mexico and ne was advised
by his physician to return to the Unit
ed States for treatment and recupera-
tior. Following this counsel he came
to North Carolina in May and has been
at a health resort in that state and at
his home in Weldon most of the time
since. He is now at Weldon. While In
Washington last week the minister
paid several visits to the state depart
ment with reference to the question
raised by Auditor Holcomb. Just be-
fore returning to North Carolina he
said his health had improved srffi-
ciently to permit him to go back to the
City Of Mexico in about a month.
The constitutional provision through
which Mr.. Ransom has been deprived
Of office does not bar him from being
reappointed to the Mexican mission.
He could have been appointed without
violation Of the law or constitution at
any time after the hour Of noon on
March last. when his senatorial term
expired. 1t Is believed that President
Cleveland will, upon being officially no
titled OF the condition Of affairs. reap
point Mr.. Ransom to the Office. which
nearly every senator united In asking
the president to do last winter.