The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1895-08-22

Soon after Mr.. Ransom's appointment TO
the Mexican mission there was considerable
discussion in the newspapers and among
public men as to whether his incunbency OF
the office was legal. The matter was con-
sidered informally by the President and
members Of the cabinet, but as no formal
question on the subject was raised by any
officer Of the government. the status Of Mr..
Ransom WAS not impaired. SO far as can be
ascertained Mr.. Ransom continued to draw
his salary OF S17, 800 a year, but it was only
recently that Auditor Holconlb, when he
came to pass upon the accounts, found him.
self unable to decide whether ne could ap-
prove the payment of Mr.. Ransom's salary,
In view Of the fact that he had been a mem-
Der OF the Senate when it was increased.
The matter was accordingly submitted to the
attorney general for al opinion:
The decision rendered to-day by the acting
Attorney General also disposes OF another
matter in which Mr.. Ransom was pecuniarily
interested. Nearly three months ago he re-
turned to the United States quite Ill, having
obtained sixty days leave Of absence. He
spent most Of the time recuperatinS in the
North Carolina mountains and then obtained
al additional leave Of thirty days. Under
the regulations Of The diplomatic service.
Mr. Ransom was entitled 10 sixty days an
nual Leave and to thirty days sick leave ad-
UlG-OUsiI, loltll W IlIllIlS NoSS. LHCIS uO
provision for a further extension for any
reason and diplomatic or consular officers
who have exceeded this quota, have not re-
ceived pay for the period they remained
away from their posts. Mr.. Ransom's nine
ty days are nearly up and last week be came
to Washington TO ascertain if his continued
i'll health would secure for him a further
extension with pay. That question was not
disposed Of and there is now no necessity for
an opinion on it, in Mr.. Ransom's case, at
least. as the acting Attorney Generals decis-
ion disposas OF everything relating to his
emoluments.
Mr.. Ransom was elected to the Senate in
1872, and served continuously from April
24th Of that year unit; February 23rd. 1895.
when his nomination to the Mexican mission
was sent 10 the Senate and Immediately con-
flrmed by that body, and until tie 4th Of
March. when his term expired ard his COM
mission as minister to Mexico was signed by
the President. He was member of the Sen
ate when the diplomatic and consular appro-
priatiop bill was pissed, which contained 4
provision raising the post Of minister to Mex
leo from mission Of the second class to a
mission of the first class. and increasing the
salary Of the Office from S12 500 to Sl7,5OG a
year. 1t is due to Mr.. Ransom'S occupancy
of {. seat in the Senate chamber at that time
that he is to-day without an Office and that
he is technically Il debtor TO the government
for the amount Of salary he has drawn since
assuming his diplomatic post. Whether or
not he voted in favor of the increase is OF no
consequence; the fact that he was member
of the Senate when it passed the diplomatic
and consular bill! as stated, operated against
him in holding il legal manner any Federal
civil Office (which shall have been created,
or the emo!uments whereof shall have been
increased" during the time for which he was
elected Senator.
Mr.. Ransom succeeded Hon. Isaac P.
Gray, Ex-Governor Of Indiana. who had died
short time before. After visit 20 North
Carolina, returning to Washington 20 receive
instructions, Mr.. Ransom left here for the
CITY OF Mexico on March 30th. He arrived
at his destination quite i'll. The high altl-
tude OF the Mexican capital had affected his
heart and acrentuated atrOuble from which
he had been suffering for many years. Mr..
Ransom was IL most Of the time lie was IN
Mexico, and ne was advised by his physician
to return to the United States for treatment
and reruperation. Following this counsel he
came to North Caarolina in May, and has
been at health resort in that State and at
his hoTe in Weldon most Of the tine since.
|. He is bow at Weldon. While in Washing
tyn las. wccS the minister paid several visits
to the Stare Department with reference to the
question raised by Auditor Holcomb. Just
before returning to North Carolina he said
his health had improved sufficiently to per-
nit him to go back to the City Of Mexico in
about a month.
The constitutional provision throAgh
which Mr.. Ransom has been deprived OF
Office does not bar him from being reap
pointed 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 4th, last, when his
senatorial term expired. It believed that
President Cleveland will, upon being official
" notified Of the condition OF affairs, reap
point Mr.. Ransom to the office which nearly
every Senator united III asking the President
to do last winter.
THE DENIAL SATISFACTORY.
United States Minister Ransom's denial
that he has made statements to reporter
readctipc- on Mexican officials in connection
!. with the extradition treaty, is considered sat.
isfaStory ip The City OF Mexico.