Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-04-07
SENATE OF THE U. S.
Interesting Review Of the Upper Branch
Of the National Congress.
RETIRING AND NEW SENATOR'S.
Political Status OF This Digni8ed
Body-siiver and the Financial
Probiem-MiiIionnir and Eiec-
lions ny the People.

written for the Dispatch)
When the hands OF the clock In the
Senate chamber pointed TO the hour OF
IL on March 18th the terms Of thirty
senators explred-fourteen Democrats and
sixteen Republicans-and many OF the
most prominent men in that august body
became private citizens. Notably among
the number who retire Is Senator Ran
som, Of North Carolina, who Is reputed
TO be the most courteous and dignifed
man in that most courteous and dignifea
assemblage. and who has been a senator
more than a score Of years. He gives
place to Mr. Marion Butler. n P0pullst.
But, unlike most OF his colleagues who
failed Of reelection. Mr.. Ransom does
not retire TO private life, as President
Cleveland has rewarded him for his
many years OF public service by tender
ing to him the Mexican mission, recent
~ made vacant by the death OF Minister
Gray.
1t is the opinion Of those who are best
posted on politics in the "Old North
state" that he has left the ranks Of the
Democratic -, rty only for a season, and
that when the next Legislature is chosen,
two years hence. which will elect Il sue
cessor to Senator Pritchard. whose term
expires on March I, 1897. North Carolina
will return TO the Democratic fold and
Mr. Ransom will return to the Senate.
HONEST JOHN MARTIN.
Another notable Democrat who was
put on the retired list by the great Re
publican victory OF last November is
John Martin. Of Kansas. Mr.. Martin
was elected 10 the Senate By the Demo-
Gratis and Populists combined 10 mi the
scat made vacant by the death Of Sena-
tor Plumb. He Is known TO his con-
stituents as Honest John Martin" and
the fact that he retres from the Senate
with q q" Ortgage on the very home in
which he dwells goes far 10 prove that
this very honorable appellation is not
msapplied. Mr.. Martin is succeeded by
Mr.. Lucien Baker. a young Republican
lawyer. who was a candidate only a day
before he was made a senator.
Many, many years ago a young man
named Richard Coke. who was born and
reared near Williamsburg. Va. went to
Texas and began the practice OF law.
His magnificent intellect demanded for
him the respect Of all the people with
whom he came in contact, AMI his cour-
teous Virginia manners won for him
their friendship. Mr.. Coke held many
responsible Offices in his State. and early
i'm the sevesties he was sent TO the
United States Senate. where he has
served continuously ever since. and would
have continued 10 serve had be not De.
clined a reelection. for the people OF
the Lone Star state revere the name Of
Coke. He o. succeeded by Mr.. Horace
Chiffon, who was appointed to the Sen.
ate by Governor Hogg. upon the resig-
nation Of Senator Reagan. and served
until the legislature convened and elect
ed Senator Roger .. Mills. the present
incumbent Mr.. Chiffon IS the first ma
tive-born Texan ever sent 10 the United
States Senate
Nathan +. Dixon. OF Rhode Island who
retires voluntarily from the Senate at
the end of his first Germ, Is noted as
being the quiet senator. neither the tarin
question nor the financial problem seem
10 disturb him.
4 SOCIETY MAN.
Mr. Dixon IS succeeded by Mr. George
Peabody Wettman. who is n great So
cioty leader 40 Newport each season,
and he, together with an interesting
family. VIII be a great acquisition 10
Washington society
Senator Joseph y. Doiuh. who has sell
dom been seen TO smile. and who em-
plOyed most Of his time while "A member
Of the Senate in seeking % find out how
information concerning the execusve ses-
sions Of the Senate leaked ont. was de-
fratel on account Of his opposition to
the free coinage Of silver. When the
first ballot for senator was taken in
Oregon Dolph Bad majority OF FIVE
in the House OF Delegates. and his op-
ponent had a majority Of one In the
Senate. DOlph. therefore. had a majority
OF four on joint ballot, but this could not
elect him. as the oregon law requires
that a candidate shall receive majority
in both houses before he is elected. and
this Dolph could not get. After the
first ballot he lost steadily, and continued
60 lose until his friends saw that his
election was an impossibility. Just three
hours before the time set by law FOR the
adjournment Of the Legislature. the Hon.
George W. Mcbride. a silver Republican.
was nominated and elected by acciama-
ton. lie was q candidate only half an
hour before he was elected.
FREE~SILVER MAN.
Another senator who met the fate Of
Doiph from the same cause. was Senator
Joseph 81. Carey, Of Wyoming; he IS
succeeded by Mr.. Francis +. Warren,
strong free-silver man, who retired from
tn senate two years ago. when the Legs
lature Of hts State adjourned without
electrrg his successor.
No member retires from the Sen
ate with more friends and fewer
81, mics than does Epph .Hunton, OF
Virginia. Mr.. Hunton was elected 10 III
the unexpired term Of the lamented John
.rr.. /. f- ~
a senator he has reflected great honor on
his State and himself Mr.. Hunton. while
a member Of the lower house. was APP
pointed a member Of the joint Electoral
Commission. which decided (by strict
party vote the contest for the presi-
dency between Tilden and Hayes, ana
has long been distinguished IS one OF the
foremost constitutional lawyers OF his
day.
THOMAS S. MARTIN.
He Is succeeded by Mr.. Thomas S.
Martin. who will uphold Nirginia's high
standard Of able representation in the
Senate. and be a worthy colleague Tor
Senator Daniel
Senator John Il. Mcpherson. OF New
Jersey. is the only member Of the famous
pioneer committee, who retires from the
Senate. He was overwhelmingly defeated
for reelection, and is succeeded by the
uncompromlsing Republican partisan
William j Sewell.
The retirement of no senator causes
more universal regret than does the retire
ment OF Senator Charles +. Henderson,
OF Nebraska Mr.. Henderson has long
been a distinguished senator. and was the
predecessor OF Mr.. Harris as president
pro TEN. He is succeeded by Mr. John
NJ. Thurston, who started in life as the
driver Of a grocery wagon in Chicago, and
is now a millionaire.
ALL RETURNED.
Messrs. Morgan, Of Alabama; Berry
OF Arkansas; Harris, of Tennessee; Lind
say, Of Kentucky, and Caffery. OF Louisi-
ana Democrats), and Messrs. Frye, OF
Maine; Hoar, Of Massachusetts; Mcmillan,
Of Michigan; Chandler. Of New Hamp-
shire; Cullom, OF Illinois; Pettigrew. Of
South Dakota, and Walcott Of Colorado,
are all returned by their re-
spectiye States.
Mr.. Camden. OF West Virginia, Is sue
ceeded by X-Secretary-of-War Stephen
g. Elkins.
Mr.. Walsh. OF Georgia, who was elected
70 I'LL the unexplred term Of the late
Senator Colquitt gives place 10 Mr.. Au-
gustus O. Bacon.
Mr.. McLaurin, Of Mississippi. Is sue
reeded by General T.. c. Walthall, who
retired from the Senate not long since
on account Of ill-health.
Messrs. Washburn. Of Minnesota, and
IL