The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-01-05
Minister RanSom'S Friends
Deny the Rumor.
COULD NOT IF He WOULD
Arbitrator in the Mexlcan--Gua-
temalan Dispute.
More Home-Sick Than Physically IN
we'll and he Often Wonders What
the People are Doing in
North Carolina.
North Carolina.

iNOftt SdfC
Washington, ID. c., Jan. A. (Special)
Ii is reported here that Senator Ransom
might possibly resign the Office of Min
lister to Mexico, but those who know
him best say there is nothing in il
whatever His intimate friends in the
Senate deny it in toto.
Mr.. Archibald Butt, recently re
turned from Mexico, where, as a mem
Der of the legation, he was closely
thrown with Minister Ransom, is here.
He was appointed by the late Secretary
Gresham, at the request of Senators
Gray and Lindsay. Mr.. Butt tells me
he does not believe Minister Ransom
could well resign, if he so desired.
In the first place, says Mr.. Butt,
General Ransom has in arbitration
the most important dispute which has
arisen in Mexico for ten years. LII was
the highest compliment that President
Diaz aud Cabinet could have bestowed
upon any diplomat i'll the capital, and
though General Ransom was the
Youngest of the diplomatic corps, he
was chosen over the heads of much
older and more experienced members
in the diplomatic service, by both the
Government of Mexico and that of
Guatemala. This arbitration entails
an immense amount of work but if you
know Ransom at all, while other peo-
pie are talking about thinking, Ran
som has thought
Continuing, Mr. Butt said it would
do North Carolina's heart good TO see
the old General sitting in his beauti-
full Legation House wondering what
they were doing at home. Il have
seen him sit for two hours without
speaking; then suddenly the whole
trend of his thoughts would be reveal
ed III the question addressed TO his
son:
Bob, / wonder what all the people
are doing at home"
They are WE'LL" Bob would say
laconically.
God bless emf" the General would
say, with his Characteristic gesture,
but it does take mighty long time to
hear from them
Il really think" continued Mr.. Butt,
that the General, TO tell the truth, is
more home-sick in Mexico than phys
icaIly i'll. He cares very little about
going out, though he has made as
great an impression socially, as he
has automatically. He is SO dignified
and gracious, that it is with some diff
Guilty that he pilots himself along the
streets, for he is now known every
where, and he is stopped every few mo-
ments by Mexicans and Americans
alike.
Zone of the most impressive scenes
/ ever Witnessed" continued Mr.. Butt,
twas during the funeral of Romero
Rubio, the late Secretary of State and
father-in-law of the President At offi-
cial funerals in Mexico, every one
walks from the battle-ground. The Off
cial services took place in the halls
of Congress, and, by the way, no Off
Ger OF the government is allowed TO
be buried from church, and the
graveyard is nearly four miles dis
tant.
There was some interest excited
as to where Ransom would form IN
procession. as it was his first official
appearance in an asseInblage Of that
kind. Just after the ceremonies were
concluded, President Diaz sent for
General Ransom, and the two headed
the procession. AS they filed through
the narrow streets, the balconies be-
ing crowded overhead, it was a gor-
geous cortege Every diplomat in
line was in full military uniform,
save our own Minister, who wore a
suit OF black and silk hat. BY the
way, it was with great difficulty that
the Consul General and myself could
make him discard his old broad-brim-
med felt for this occasion. Every
American who watched the solemn
procession felt an added dignity on ac-
count of their Minister. The Mexican
populace itself was rot unmindfui of
the contrast. He looked so truly the
embodiment Of tmericanism and
liberty that once but Only once, the
sacredness of the march was disturb
ed by IA number of Mexicans calling
out viva Americana Both Ransom
and the President lifted their hats in
recognition or the compliment.
ut would be a great pity should any
concatcnation of events force his re-
tirement from Mexico. just at this
period we need just such a man as
Minister hdftSoips american wealth.
is pouring into Mexico, and it is only
prosperous in proportion 10 the popu-
lation Of the American people there.
Ransom pursues his North Caro-
lima habits in his tropical home. He
rises about in the morning, and
strolls for an hour IN the Park in front
of the Legation. lie has a simple
breakfast served him about ., when
the Offices OF the legation are opened
for business From then. until four
i'm the afternoon, he never leaves his
place of business, and there is hardly
q moment of that time when there Is
not so-ue caller or some American
whose troubles always challenge his
attention. He leaves very little TO bis
attaches, ard looks into the merits OF
every case himself. The time usually
devoted 10 siestas in Mexico, the Gen
raj spends usually in reading Mae
beth It's an old worn-out copy
which lies on his bedroom table and
he reads. it as religiously as Thaeke
laN's daughter did David CopperfeId
really knows the play by heart