The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-01-25
Receives Twenty-FOur Votes I'm the
Caucus on Second Ballot to Twen-
ty Cast for A. III. Stewart.
70 TAKE OFFICE ON FEB. /
CHARLES BENNETT, OF NEW YORK,
TO BE SECRETARY OF SENATE.
but Many Senator's Vote for Him
He Makes an Explanation.

WASHlNGION, JAM Lf.-Cdpl. Z. Ddnlel M
Ransdell, of Indianapolis, this afternoon
received the Republican caucus nomination
for sergeant-at-arms of the Senate, to sue
ceed Colonel r. J. Bright, and will assume
that office the 1st of February. Captain
Ransdell is in receipt of many kilograms
of congratulation from Indiana friends this
evening
Captain Ransdell's name was presented
to the caucus by Senators Fairbanks and
Beveridge, and both of these gentlemen
dwelt at length and with great earnestness
on the virtues and qualifications of the
Indiana candidate. 1t was made clear to
the caucus that he was the unanimous
choice Of the Republican leaders of the
entire State. Other senators also spoke in
his behalf. Senator Allison named Mr..
Alonza H. Stewart. of Iowa, present assist
ant doorkeeper of the Senate. Senator
Foster nominated A. III. Shaw, and both
Senator's Gallinger and Chandler made an
appeal for Captain G. A. Curtioe, of New
Hampshire. On the first ballot Mr.. Shaw
received one vote, Mr.. Curtice five, Mr..
Stewart eighteen and Mr.. Ransdell twenty.
The second ballot resulted twenty-four for
Ransdell and twenty for Stewart.
Charles Bennett, of New York, was nomi-
mated for secretary, to succeed William r.
Cox. Some feeling was manifested over the
election, caused by the circulation of re-
ports concerning j. S. Clarkson. who was
Mr.. Benefits only competitor, which his
friends consider uncomplimentary and un-
true These reports were resented by his
supporters including Senator'S Mason, Gal
linger, Carter, Scott and others, who had
ofir of he
Republican national committee. letter
and a telegram from Mr.. Clarkson were
read declining the place, but some of the
senators declared their intention of voting
for him regardless of these. The first vote
was a tie, resulting twenty-one to twenty
one. The second ballot brought three votes
not hitherto cast, and resulted twenty
three for Bennett and twenty-five for
Clarkson. Mr.. Bennett was placed in nom-
ination by Senator Platt, of New York.
These two important officers having been
chosen, the caucus devoted further time
to discussion of the patronage question.
1t was decided to make roll Of honor of
fourteen veteran employees and apportion
the remainder among the senators, giving
to each one 81, ,440 and $500 place. This is,
of course, exclusive of committee clerk
| ship. No selection was made for chaplain,
which will have the effect of continuing
the blind chaplain, William II. Milburn, in
that office.
MIR. CLARKSON'S STATEMENT.
Mr.. Clarkson authorized the following
statement concerning the connection of his
name with the secretaryship of the Senate:
81 never have been candidate for Sec
| retary of the Senate nor responsible for
the use of my name in connection with it.
1 never heard of it and never had thought
of that or any Office at this time, until in
the latter part of February last Vice
President Hobart called me into his room
at the Capitol and, telling me he had
pleasant surprise for me, showed me
invitation in writing signed by some forty
of the ffty-four Republican senators-in-
viting me to be secretary Naturally sur
prised and overwhelmed by the kindness
and grace of such an unusual offer, was
yet compelled to say that, as knew so
little about the Office rendered me $50 far
as such strong majority of the Repub-
lican senators could tender it,. and as it
came so suddenly while was under bust
ness engagements, l would have to decline
| it If my answer was required then. In a
day or two 1t was decided there would be
no extra session and then Mr.. Hobart
urged me to take it under advisement,
which did. Later, and after he came from
| the South in the spring. he told me he had
received enough more signers in writing
| to the paper, in letters, to make over
| four -fifths of the Republican senators and
a majority of the Senate itself. 1 said then
that, If in the fall it should be found
| there was no objection on the part of any
senator 1 would probably accept. After his
death / felt less inclined to the Office and
sought to get out of 1t in some graceful
way Several senators urged me to let
| II go till the meeting of Congress. When
| Congress met and opposition was mani
| tested to me by two or three senators, who
| said that while / had such a strong ma
| jority they would appeal to senatorial
| courtesy If necessary to defeat me, / told
Senator Platt, a senator from New
| York, where / have lived and voted for two
years. and Senator Allison, from my old
State, that, as opposition had appeared
and as this was an office to be filled only
| by some one acceptable to all Republican
senator's and unobjectionable to any sena-
tori desired to have my name taken
out OF consideration. They urged me TO
wait. But meantime the press was busy
with statements sent out that was the
cause of the Republican senate not giving
itself a Republican organization; and on
| the 9th of January before any party eau
Gus conference had been held. wrote
Senator Platt letter asking that he would
| withdraw my name This is all the part