New-York tribune., 1904-10-09

and Joined the Democratic party. He mem
Der OF the legislature from 1855 to 1851.
Mr.. Ransom did his utmost 10 avert the war. but
On the secession OF his State he enlisted as a pri-
vate in the Confederate service and was at once
commissioned lieutenant colonel Of the First North
Carolina Infantry In lS52 he was made colonel OF
the 35th North Carolina, and he participated with
his regiment IN al the important battles OF the
Army Of Northern Virginia. He was severely
wounded in the seven days fight around Richmond
He made a brigadisr general ia 1868 and
major general in 1862 but the Confederacy collapsed
before he received his commission major general
After the war he resumed the practice of law.
In 1872 he elected United States Senator. and
was reelected ia 1876. 1883 and 1883
While in the Senate he became distinguished for
his carefully developed gift OF silence ana it IS
doubtful whether any other Senator in the time he
served spoke less on public topics and at the same
time maintained equally active interest in egis-
lation and in party management. M Ransom was
for years a leading member OF the Democratic
Steering Committee and had one Of the most i'm
portant chairmanships in the Senate Yet he rarely
figured in debate and made only one long speech In
three Congresses.
He was a great stickler for Senatorial courtesy,
and although he sometimes moved 10 maze
an unpaTliamentary remark. he quick 10 recog-
nize his mistake and 10 that notice Of It was
permitted TO enter The Record" Senator Hill
referred 10 the proceedings OF the Democratic
caucus when the Tariff bill under discussion
and Mr Ransom, with every appearance Of anger
turned upon him and said something which the
galleries did not catch but which proved 10 have
been direct allusion fact that in the
referred TO Mr.. Tiill had lodged important vote
Subsequently Mr.. Ransom asked 10 have his
mark expungej from The Record" and he took
pains 10 Mr. Hin and others that he did not
mean 10 be discOurteous.
be was appointed Minister 20 Mexico by Presi-
dent Cleveland in 1885. Mr.. Ransoms claim for the
post had been urged by all the Democratic Sen
ators. and the Republicans had also Joined in sign
ing a petition Tor mis- appointment. His only seTi-
rival in the the chairman OF the
Ways and Means Committee OF the House, Mt.
Wilson. OF West virginia whose health. II was
thought by his friends. would be benefited by
two years sojourn IN Mexico. But the President
evidently considered Mr.. Ransom more deserving
OF reward
In August 1895. Mr.. Ransom was ousted from his
office. act which caused "A sensation. The ofhce
which he occupied. Minister TO Mexico. de-
clared vacant by a decision rendered by Holmes
Conrad. the Solicitor General OF the United States
and Acting Attorney General The grounds or
which the decision made that Nr. Ran
had been appointed Minister While member
Of the Senate. Furthermore. while he was Sen
ator the salary OF the Mexican Minister had been
increased s. 90 year. The constitutional pro
vision through which Mr.. Ransom was deprived ot
President Cleveland selected him again Tor the post
in the following year.
General Ransom acted arbitrator of the bound
ary dispute between Mexico and Guatemala, and
he was highly regarded IN the country in which he
represented the United States. Returning home In
1897, he resumed the practice Of law at Weldon
N c. where he had his home.