The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-02-24
His Nomination to the Post Made
Vacant by Ex-Governor Gray's
Death at Once Confirmed.
OPPOSITION TO MR.. HEROD
HIS PROMOTION ANTAGONIZED BY
VOORHEES, AND TURPIE.
Three Bills Vetoed by the President
POstOfiice Inspectors Report ON
the Chain of Letters Scheme.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal
WASHINGTON, Feb. 23.-As indicated in
these dispatches Thursday night, Senator
Ransom, of North Carolina, has been ap-
pointed Minister to Mexico to succeed the
late Governor Gray. Mr.. Cleveland held
the appointment until Mr. Gray had been
buried. The promptness with which the
Senate confirmed Mr.. Ransom had no
especial significance. A member of the
Senate, when nominated to any high office
by the President, is always paid the COM
pliment of an immediate confirmation by
his colleagues without a reference of the
nomination to any committee The only
other gentleman whose name was ever
considered by the President was Mr.. Will
son, who, however, was somewhat fearful
of the Mexican climate bot6 for himself
and his wife. He would have been Mr..
Cleveland's choice had he not intirsated on
Thursday that his wife was unwilling to
live in Mexico. The name of Mr.. Shanklin
was never under serious consideration.
Mr. Ransoms nomination was received
by the Senate at LIS o'clock, but the fact
that the name was to be sent in to-day had
become known early in the session. Few
nominations have been sent to the Senate
which have been received with greater favor.
An old-time member of the Senate and per-
sonally popular with all it's members, the
entire Senate with two or three excep-
tion, and those exceptions because of re-
lations with the executive, had joined in
the recommendation of appointment.
MIR. Ransom has been a member of the
Senate continuously for the past twenty
three years, being first chosen in 1872. He
was first selected to fill the Office to which
Hon z. 3. Vance had been elected, but
which he not allowed to fill because his
the fact is now pleasantly recalled by Mr..
Vances friends that Senator Ransom de-
voted himself zealously during the early
part of his senatorial career to securing
the removal of the bar which had been
created against Mr.. Vance. 1t is also re-
called 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 public affairs. He has
from the first held high committee places
and is now chairman of the committee on
commerce, one of the most important OF the
seryad tspnish ts on f
side, Mr.. Ransom first made himself prom
lnent as peace advocate in antibellum
days and he had attended the Montgomery
peace convention In 1861 as q delegate from
North Carolina. In those days he was d
Whig, but since the war he has affiliated
with the Democratic party During the
war he filled in succession the grades of
lieutenant colonel, colonel, brigadier gener-
he held when he surrendered with Lee at
Appomattox. He participated in many i'm
portant engagements, in some of which he
was in command. He was especially noted
for the care he took of his men. Senator
Ransom is sixty-nlne years of age, but is
well preserved and does not show his age
He is a man of polished manners and of
much tact, and his colleagues unite in the
opinion that he will make an ideal diplo-
mat.
The Senate went into executive session
Immediately after receiving the nomination
and confirmed 1t by unanimous vote. The
confirmation was moved by Senator Sher-
man. who in making the motion, addressed
the Senate briefly as to the fitness of the
nomination which he spoke in every way
as deserving and appropriate. He referred
Senate, and said that through his never
failing charity and kindheartedness, Sena-
tor Ransom had won the esteem, as
through his ability, character and devotion
to the public welfare. he had earned the
respect of all his colleagues in the Senate
When the vote was taken there was a
general response in the affirmative. The
Senator Ransom made his escape to his
committee room when the executive ses-
sion was moved. and was not present dur
ing the executive proceedings.
Senator Ransom said, after his confirma-
ton, that he would not qualify until after
the 4th of March and, therefore, would
serve out his term in the Senate After
that time he would be prepared to pro-
ceed to Mexico as soon as the Secretary of
State desired him to go.
The Senate also confirmed the nomination
of William Heard, of Pennsylvania, to be
minister resident and consul general of
the United States to Liberia.