Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1896-11-06
Rattle Of the Ballots.

drr;ro the next four years. All ante-eection
news will be of but doubtful interest, and
hence. rather than offer our usual news letter,
we will look back over the last few months ana
study and contrast the two political elements
that have made our country bloodess battle
field
That McKinley's candidacy was placed III
the hands of an organized syndicate at the
crisis of his financial embarrassment that TINS
bodv Maid his indebtedness and took his notes,
and that these same notes were atterward
bought up by Mark Hanna, is ancient history.
We have seen syndicates and trusts organized
for almost every other purpose, but 'Pres'-
dental syndicate" was novelty. Inc man
apement of this enterprise having fallen lnto
the hands of Mark Hanna. That gentleman be-
gan his unique and iniquitous work IN time.
He had but one plan His motto was "Every
man has his price-buy-buy-bu and ne
bought. He invaded, either in person OF by
means of his trusted emissaries, every state.
He dominated almost every state convention.
Instructions for Mckinley were as openly Pur-
chased as if it had been stock or real-estate
transaction. That there were stronger, better
men in the race, at the beginning, no one de-
MES: but the little Major, the ex-cook, the
man of one idea, the distinctively local, neigh
borhood man, pulled by Mark Hanna's golden
cord, weht up the nominating pole, past all the
rest like the jumping-jack he has shown nm
self to be. This man who had spent all his
life talking tariff, but whose every utterance on
finance had favored silver, suddenly lost MS
tongue, and delegations in the South and West
that never would have Endorsed him as gold
bug gave him support on account OF those Ut
terances. The Republican convention at ot.
Louis was billed to be the greatest convention
in history, but as the masses OF the party saw
than Mr.. Hannas "little man" was sure to
win, boosted him into place with bought IN
structions. interest waned and the convention
went on record as the most poorly attended,
most unenthusiastic, "cut and dried, meeting
of its kind ever held by the Republican party
Paid clappers, at so much a clap, and hired
,ooters that mechanically yelled "M-c Kill
lay" furnished substitute for the hearty
cheers and eagre crowds that had nominated
such men as Lincoln, Grant and CARRIED. Inc
honest men were filled with disgust at this I'M
American meeting The bloated manufacturer,
the bond-clipper, the national banker, with the
fearful and wonderful Hanna at their head,
showed their hands. 1t was THEIR conven-
+;or-the people had nothing to do with IT..
The crowd was apathetic. They forgot to
cheer wnen their leaders like Foraker, and De-
pew. and Sherman came OH the stage Ihey
even forgot to cheer when Lincon's name was
mentioned 1t was sorry sight.
The only thing that relieved the nonotony
for the spectators was Senator Teller's walk
out. However much his subsequent conduct
may be criticised, his leave-takirg OF the party
for which he had done so much, and the rally
ing around him of younger inen whose future
was necessarily jeopardized by the act, was IN
deed dramatic. He went out followed by Kisses
Of rage The delegates were relieved when nc
was gone they showed it. 1t was in the air
The dynamite had been removed, the slow fuse
was put out.
The rest was quickly done. The platform
with all its un-Amercanism, its falseness, it,
daring espousal Of a ruinous financial policy
was adopted. The paid clappers hurrahed
The delegates sat silent almost to man. The
farce of nominating various "favorlte sons
was gone through, in purfunctory manner
Then Mckinley was nominated ~. The
.rooters' howled and marched, drank and ca
reused, then piled into their cheap coaches ant