Birmingham age-herald., 1895-02-24
Matt W. Ransom of North Carolina
 Goes to Mexico
TO REPRESENT UNCLE SAM
As Minister Plenipotentiary-A Tribute to Worth-Brief Re-
 sume of the Man.

WASHINGTON, Feb, 23.-The president today sent to the senate the nomination Of Senator Matt W. Ransom of North Caro- lima to be envoy extraordinary and minis ter pleni nipotent tiary of the United States to Mexico. Immediately after the -nomina- ton of MT. Ransom was received Senator Backburn moved an executive session, and the nomination was forthwith taken up and confirmed by the unanimous vote of the senate.
 The confirmation was moved by Senator Sherman, who, in making the motion, ad- dressed the senate briefly as to the fitness of the nomination., which, he said, was in every way deserving and appropriate. He referred to MT. Ransom's long term of service in the senate, and said that through his never failing courtesy and kind-heart- edness Senator Ransom had won the es. teem, as through his ability, character and devotion to the public welfare he has earned the respect of all of his colleagues in the senate. When the vote was taken there was general response in the a1nrma- tive. The executive session lasted but hve minutes. Senator Ransom made his es- cape to his committee room when the ex- ecutive session was moved and was not present during the executive proceedings.
 Mr. Ransom has been in the senate since April 24, 1872, aud has long been one of the popular members of that body, so it was with pleasure that his associates took occs- sion to confirm the nomination SO quickly. He is native of North Carolina, born in Warren county in 1926. He received an academic education, graduating rom the University of North Carolina in 1847, and was admitted to the bar the same year. lie IS lawyer and planter, and prior to enter ing national politics held number of of- fees Of trust in his native state.
 MT. Ransom has been reelected to the senate three times, and his term expires March 8. He was first elected to the senate to fill the term 10 which z. B. Vance had been elected, but which he was not allowed to fill becanse his var disabilities had not been removed, and the fact is now pleas- antly recalled by MT. Vauce's friends that Senator Ransom m devoted himself zeaiously during the early part of his senatorial ca reer to securing the removal of the bar which had been created against MT. Vance.
 It is also recalled by some that he divide d his first years salary with MT. Vance. During his career in the senate, MT. Ran- som has kept we'll abreast of public affairs. He has from the first held high committee place and is now chairman of the com- mittee on commerce, one of the most im- portant of the senate committees.
 Notwithstanding he served throughout the war on the Confederate side MT. Ram som first made himself prominent as peace advocate in ante- bellum days, and he attended the Montgomery peace convention in 1861 as e delegate from North Carolina. He was in those days a W hig, but since the war has affiliated with the democratic party.
 During the war he filled in succession the grades of lieutenant colonel, colonel !, brigadier- general and major general, which latter rank he held when he surrendered with Lee at Appomattox. He participated in many important engagements, in some of which he was in command. He was especially noted for the care he took of his men.
 Senator Ransom is admirably equipped for any diplomatic mission. He has served in the senate for nearly four consecutive terms, is a born diplomat, speaks French and Spanish, and is thoroughly at home in the Greek and Latin classics. He is 6S years old, but is strong and active.
 He last fall made most vigorous cam- paign of his state, speaking nearly every day and often travelling all night. For twelve years he has been member of the national democratic and the national exec utive committees.
 The senate has confirmed the nomin ation of MT. William H. Heard of Pennsylvania to be min ister resident and consul-genera! l of the United States to Liberia.