The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1895-08-18
BY Southern Associated Press.

WAsHiNGToN, August 1.-THE
opinion of Acting Attorney General
Courad that eX State Senator Ransom
was disqualified from appointment to
the Mexican Mission because OF the
constitutional provision relating to the
appointment of Senators aud Repre-
eentatiyes to civil offices, the emou
rlcnts of which were increased during
,he term of such Senator, was based on
the question whether an appointment
dnteu from the time of nomination or
from the date OF nomination or from
<he timo the commission WAS signed.
la deciding MIR. Ransom's case the
Acting Attorney General laid down the
Guile that the appointment OF evil
officer in the Federal service date,
Tom his confirmation by the Senate
which Is construed to meeu the com
pletion of the appointment according
80 the constitution. MIR. Ransom WAS
nomlnnted February 23d last, before
hls term of Office WAS ended, but his
commission was not signed by the
president until March 9th, the day
after he ceased to hold the executive
position.
Thore is nothing in the commission,
however, to show when it was signed.
1t bears date Of February 23d aad
apparently left no loophoe to decide
shat MIR. Rsnsom's appointment was
constitutional on the ground that his
senRtorIal term had expired before the
Presidents signature was actually at
tached to the commission.
Thes Constitution provides that the
President shall nominate, and by aid
aud with the consent of the Senate,
ehall appoint Ambassadors, etc. 1t liz
understood that the Acting Attorney
General construed the consent or con-
drmstion Of the Senate to be the con
summation of Mr.. RansomB appoint.
ment, and that as this took place before
the term for which he was elected ex.
pired, his assumption Of Office was con
srnry to the Constitution,
Mr. A. u. Adse, the Acting Secre-
tary Of State. declined to say anything
60 day about the Ransom decision. He
was asked if the opinion of the Acting
Attorney General would be given out
by the State DEPARTMENT. and answered
that he would prefer to let Mr.. Olney,
who is at Falmouth, Mass. answer all
questions of that class. 1t is probable
Shat the text of the opinion will be
made public as soon Rs u copy of it can
Coach Mr. Rausom at Weldon, N. G.
The Treasury Department records
ehow that ex-senator RausDm has drawn
In salary and expenses as Munster to
Mexico about So, 900. of which S4,275
~ns for salary up to June !. The last
payment made TO him was on June %
tor 81, 400. which included his MAY
ealary. Now that the legal phase of
the case has been settled adversely to
Dir. Ransom, Auditor Hocomb, who is
responsible Tor all moneys wrongfully
paid through his office. will. following
his usual custom, IN case Mr.. Ransom
IS reappointed. withhold his salary un.
I'll the accumulation equals the amount
wrongfully paid him.
This only, OF course, in case Mr..
Ransom does not stiaighten out the
matter by returning oil the money
heretofore paid him and appeal to
Congress for payment of the salary
thus returned. The decision of So
hcitor General Conrad on the Kansom
case, while not yet officially announced,
goes even further. it is said, than the
mere declaration that Mr.. Ransom was
disqualified. Incidentally it touches
apon tine powers of tho auditor OF the
treasury and comptroller TO hold up
accounts when the law is unconstitu
sional, and iuferentially, if not in
words, incliues to support the position
taken by Comptroller Bowler in the
eugar bounty Claims
WELDON, N. G., August l7.-Sena.
sor Ransom iB ut Blowing Rock with
dis family. The news OF his being de.
elnred ont Of office as Minister to Mex
ico ls great surprise to his home peo
Ple. Mr.. Ransom is greatly improved
in health.