Evening star., 1900-01-25
CAUCUSOF SENATORS
Republicans Agree on a Change of
officials.
SECRETARY AND SERGEANr-Aq- ARMS
Ex-Representative Bennett and Ex-
Marshal RansdelI.
MR.. CLARKSON'S STATEMENT

terday decided definitely upon the reorgan-
ization of the elective offices of that body
and nominated ex-Representative Charles
q. Bennett of New York for secretary to
succeed VIM. r. Cox. and Daniel M. hans
dell of Indiana for sergeant-at-arms TO
succeed Col. R. J. Bright.
Mr.. Ransdell was placed in nomination
for sergeant-at-arms by Senator Fairbanks.
Senator Allison named Mr.. Alonzo H. Stew
art of Iowa, present assistant doorkeeper of
the Senate. Senator Foster nominated Mr..
A. H. Shaw, and both Senators Gallinger
and Chandler made appeal for Capt. G.
A. Curtice of New Hampshire Senator
Allison urged Mr.. Stewards promotion to
the office as recognition of long and faith
full service in the Senate. Senator Fair
banks spoke of Mr.. Ransdells record in his
party and as man as one emitting him
to any honor the Senate could bestow.
On the hrst ballot Mr. Shaw received one
vote, MI Curtice five, Mr.. Stewart eighteen
lot resulted twenty-four for Ransdell and
twenty for Stewart.
Selection of Bennett.
Some feeling was manifested over the
election of a secretary, caused by the cir
culat1on of reports concerning Mr.. Ben
netts only competitor, James S. Clarkson,
which his friends considered uncompli-
mentary and untrue. These reports were
resented by his supporters, including Sena-
tors Mason, Gallinger, Carter, Scott and
others, who had known Mr.. Clarkson as an
oHcer OF the republican national commit
tee. A letter and telegram from Mr..
Clarkson We're read declining the place, but
some of the senators declared their inten-
ton OF voting for him regardless of these.
Ine nrSt vote was tie, resulting q to 81
The second ballot brought out three votes
not hitherto cast and resulted % for Ben
nett and % for Clarkson.
Mr. Bennett was placed in nomination by
Senator Platt of New York.
No selection was made for chaplain.
Wnlcn Will nave the effect of continuing the
blind chaplain. VIM. H. Milburn, in that
ONCE The allotment of the minor offices
mittee.
Mr.. Ciarkson's Statement,
Mr.. Clarkson authorized the following
statement concerning the connection of his
name with the secretaryship of the Senate:
L never have been a 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 a pleasant
surprise for me, showed me an invitation
in writing, signed by some forty of the
ffty-four republican senators, inviting me
to be secretary. Naturally surprised and
overwhelmed by the kindness and grace of
such an unusual offer, 1 was yet compelled
to say that, as I knew SO little about the
office rendered me $50 far as such strong
majority of the republican senators could
while l was under business engagements,
L would have to decline it IL my answer
was required then In a day or two it was
decided there would be no extra session,
and then MIR. 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, or in let
ters. to make over four-ffths Of the re-
publican senators, and a majority of the
senate itself l said then that if in the
objection on the part of any senators l
would propably accept.
after his death / felt less inclined to the
Office and sought to get out of it in some
to let it go till the meeting of Congress.
When Congress met and opposition was
manifested to me by two or three sena-
tors-who said that while had such a strong
majority they would appeal to senatorial
courtesy if necessary to defeat mel told
Senator Platt, as senator from New York.
where l have lived and voted for two
years, and Senator Allison, from my old
state, that as opposition had appeared
and as this an office to be filled only
by some one acceptable to all republican
ator-I desired to have my name taken out
of all consideration. They urged me to
wait.
But meantime the press was busy with
statements sent out that l was the cause
of the republican Senate not giving itself a
republican organization; and so on the 9th
of January, before any party caucus or
conference had been held, / wrote Senator
Platt letter asking that he would with
draw my name. This is all the part 1 have
had in it, and I have never from the start
asked senator for his support, nor talked
or written to any senator on the subject
except he had addressed me first or had
asked to me in regard to 1t. Nor has
any one of the forty or more senators sign
ing the invitation to me ever intimated to
me the least desire to recall his name"
The New OmciaIs.
Mr.. Bennett, nominated for the office of
secretary of the Senate, has served two
terms in the House of Representatives, re-
firing on the 4th of last March. His dis
trict is in Brooklyn. He was born in 1868
He Is a lawyer by profession, and was
selected by Senator Platt of New York
Mr.. Ransdefl, nominated for the position
of sergeant-at-arms, was marshal Of the
District during Mr.. Harrison's admins
tration. He is man of high character and
OF great popularity.