The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1895-02-28
MINISTER TO MEXICO.
Hon. Matt Ransom Appointed to Succeed
tho Late Hon. Isaac P. Gray.
Nearly Three Score and Ten, But
Does Not Show His Age---Win
Make an Ideal Diplomat.

WASHINGTON. Feb. % The Presi.
day nominated Hon. Matt Ransom, OF
North Carolina, for minister to Mexico
to succeed the late Hon. Isaac P. Gray.
The nomination was received by the
Senate at l :25 o'clock, but the fact
that the name was to be sent in today
had become known early in the ses-
sion.
Few nominations have been sent to
the Senate which have been received
with greater favor. Mr.. Ransom is an
I ld-time member of the Senate, and
popular with all its members. The
entire Senate, with two or three ex.
ceptions, had joined in the recommen-
dation OF the appointment.
Mr.. Ransom has been a member OF
the Senate for the past twenty. three
years, being first chosen in 1872. He
was frat chosen to fill the office to
which Hon Y. B. Vance had been
elected, but which he was not allowed
to fill because his war disabilities had
not been removed, and the fact is now
pleasantly recalled by Mr.. Vance's
friends that Senator Ransom devoted
himself zealously towards securing the
removal OF the bar which had been
created against Mr.. Vance. 1t is also
recalled by some that he divided his
first years salary with Mr.. Vance.
During his career IN the Senate, Mr..
Ransom has kept we'll abreast of pub
lie affairs. He has from the first held
high committee places and is now
chairman OF the committee on COM
merce, one of the most important Sen
ate committees.
Notwithstanding that throughout
the war on the Confederate side Mr..
Ransom was prominent as a peace ad
vocate in ante beIlum days, and he
was delegate to the peace convention
.in 1861, in those days he was a Whig,
but since the war he has affiliated with
the Democratic party. During the
war he held the grades OF lieutenant,
colonel, brigadier general and major
general. The latter rank he held at
the surrender of Lee at Appomattox.
He participated in many important
engagements and was especially noted
for the care he took of his men.
Senator Ransom is sixty.nile years
of age, but he is well.preserved and
does not show his age. He is a man
of polished manners and it is the
united opinion of his colleagues that
he will make an ideal diplomat.
His nomination was confirmed by
the Senate by unanimous vote. Hi:
confirmation was moved by Senator
Sherman. He referred to Mr.. Ran
SONS long term OF service in the Sen
ate and to his never failing charity
and kind-heartedness by which he haC
won esteem, as well as through hi
ability and character and devotion *
the public welfare. He had earned
the respect OF all his colleagues in the
Senate.
When the vote was taken there wal
a general response in the affirmative
The executive session lasted only five
minutes.
Senator Ransom made his escape tC
his committee room when the execu
tive session was moved and was no
present during the executive proceed
ings.
Senator Ransom said after his con
firmstion that he would not qualifl
until after Mlrch 4, and, therefore
would serve out his term in the Sen
ate. After that time he would prepar
} to proceed TO Mexico as soon as tn
Secretary of State desired him to &C