Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1899-01-21

life in the senate Of the United States
without doing a thing, and yet made
himself a reputation. He was popularity
known as a great orator, although he
never made a speech; he was regarded
as one of the most skilful and crafty
politicians, although he never attempted
to control a caucus or any vote but his
own. He was esteemed as a statesman
of profound learning and sagacity, al
though he never expressed an opinion on
any subject, and as an accomplished
legislator, although he never passed a
bill.
He enjoyed life at the Mexican capital
immensely. The climate, the people and
the honors We're all to his tastes. He
spent his mornings sitting on a favorite
bench in the park in front of the Lega-
ton, his afternoons sleeping and driving,
and his evenings cultivating the society
of the women of the American colony
He never dined at home. The janitor
would get him a cup Of coffee and a roll
in the morning; he would lunch with
some friend at the club, and take his
dinner at the hospitable table of some
American resident, where he was always
welcome. During his three years as
minister in Mexico he maintained the
reputation he had gained in the senate
OF doing nothing in a most dignified and
elegant nne and will always be re-
ferred to as one of the most popular and
efficient diplomatic representatives the
United States ever had at the Mexican
capital. r
Nobody else was half so polite as Sem
ator Ransom. Nothing ever irritated
him, and the way he slipped from under
duties and responsibilities was worthy
of the highest admiration. Old residents
Of Mexico tell the story Of an American
whose ranch had been invaded by
"Greasers,' and who. failing to get JUS
i tirp from thp local aItboritiaS 90 ~ fn
the capital with an assurance that if he
could only see General Diaz his troubles
would be relieved and everything made
all light. After Fostering him for three
or four weeks he finally persuaded Min
lister Ransom to take him to the president.
The interview lasted about a quarter of
an hour, during which General Ransom
shOWercd compliments and congratulate
tons upon the head of the Mexican prasi-
dent in manner that no one else could
have equalled. Then as he left the exec
utive he remarked to the ranch
man: THAT was a mighty satisfactory
interview, Mr.. Jones; a mighty Satisfac-
tory interview l reckon you never did
meet a man more agreeable to do bust
ness with than President Diaz, did you,
now"
'Tha may be so, General RANSOM re-
torted the indignant American, but you
did not have any business for him to do.
You never mentioned the object of my
visit. You said a lot of fine words, but you
did not once allude to what we came for
my steers scattered and stolen, my son
shot through the windpipc and my fore
man handcuffed and %rotting in a dirty
| Jail"
! M deah sab; my deah sah,' ex-
claimed Minister Ransom, impressively,
and reproachfully. My deah sah, you
must not get excited, sab. When two gen
tlemen like the President of Mexico. sab,
and the Minister Plenipotentiary of the
United States, sab, meet of a morning
for social intercourse you cannot expect
them to talk about steers and windpipes
and handouts and filthy jails; you must
be insane, sab; yeh misfortunes must
shorely have unsettled your mind"