The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1895-08-18
The APPOINTMENT IRREGULAR,
soIicitor-GeneraI's Opinion as
to Minister Ransom.
because Made During His Term as United
States Senstor-Apart From Some De-
lay as to His Salary There VIII BIO No
Other ComplioatIon-He viii BIO
Promptly Re-appointed

WASHINGTON. August 1.-THE solicit
tor general has rendered decision. in
winch 1t is held the appointment of ex-
senator Ransom to be minister to Mex.
leo, was irregular, because made during
the minister's term as Senator. Il Ia
understood that aside from the incon-
venience, which will be occasioned to
Minister Ransom by the failure to re-
ceive hissalary promptly and the neces.
sley Tor his re-appointment, there will
DO no other DOM plica.ion attached to the
decision.
Mr. Ransom has understood for s;x
weeks that the solicitor generals de-
oision would be against him, and while
ne WAS forewarned to this effect he was
informed al the same time that as soon
90 practicable after the decision should
be rendered he would disappointed. It
was this knowledge Of the effect OF the
decision which has caused Mr.. Ransom
10 remain In this country as long as he
mas, but the assurance Of his re-appoint-
ment has been made so plain that he
mas made all preparations to return 70
mexico towards the close o. the present
III onth.
The provision OF the constitution un-
der which the treasury refused to audit
ana ailo" bis account will not apply to
re appointment and there will be no
further difficulty in tho matter. The
minister's accounts were regularly al
lowed up to the first Of July, so that at
present the government Ia indebted to
a ~ only for his salary from July LIST to
the present time.
It's not doubted in any quarter that
COnyrpqQ ~ ID nj
respect, through an appropriation in the
first urgent deficiency bill, which be-
comes law at the beginning OF next
session
AT the time OF Mr.. Ransom's appoint
ment, question was raised and fullv
exploited in the press as TO whether or
not his appointment was regular, and
at that time the opinion was EXPRESSED
AZ the white House that his case did
not come within the legal prohibition
and that even II it should be so held.
the Presidents right TO re-appoint him
after Congress adjourned was clear and
undispu table.
1t Ia expected that the President will
IN few days issue commission for
Mr.. Ransom to serve rs minister To
mexico during the recess of Congress.
which commission will run until the
Senate shall have acted on Mr.. Ran
som nomination, which will be sent in
early in December. Until Mr.. Ransom
receives this appointment the United
states Will be represented at the capitol
OF Mexico by Mr.. Butler, who was reg.
ularly designated and recognized as
charge d'aifairs at the time OF Mr.. Ran
SONS departure for home q few months
ago.
Although the opinion OF the Depart
fnent OF Justice in regard to Mr.. RAN
SONS case, bears the signature OF Solicit
tor General Conrad it is nderst TODD that
the opinion was approved as sound by
attorney General Harmon and Sec retary
olney, before it was officially rendered.
Attorney General Harmon's recent visit
to the President at Gray Gables, ia be-
iieVeo to have relation to this case, and
1t is said 1t was then concluded that the
best way out Of legal entanglement was
the issue OF an entirely new commission
to MIR. Ransom.