The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1896-11-19
rs HANNA INELIGIBIgY
A Question Might he Raised ~ He IL
Named for seeratnry of the Trennnry.

A Question Might He Raised if He IL
Named for Secretary OF the Treasury.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 1S.-There Ia a report in
Washington to tho effect that Mr.. Hannas APP
parent dieinclination to be a candidate for the
ONCE of Secretary Of tho Treasury Ia due pri-
marily to the fear that opposition would be made
TO his confirmation by the Senate, on the ground
that, being engaged in business, he is ineligible
to the office. One Senator has already boen
found WHIT thinks there is no doubt that this
point would DO raised. Section 243 OF the Re-
vised Statutes reads in part az follows;
No person appointed to the office of secre-
tary of the Treasury or First Comptroller or
First Auditor or Treasurer or Register shall,
directly or Indirectly, be concerned or inter-
ested in carrying on the business of trade or
commerce. or be owner, In whole or In part, of
any sea vessel, or purchase by himself or an
other In trust for him any public lands or any
public property. or be concerned In the pur-
chase or disposal Of any public securities OF any
State or of the United States, or take or apply
to his own use any emolument or gain for nego-
tiating or trapsacting any business In the Treas
ury Department other than what shall DO al
lowed by law"
A violation Of this law Is made a high INSIDE
meanor and q penalty Of So. 1000; removal from
office and incapacity to again hold ONCE under
the Government arc provided for the offender.
This law prevented A.. 7. Stewards appointment
by President Grant. and was invoked once
against Thomas G.. Platt. Whether the objection
would hold good against Mr.. Hanna Is doubtful.
He 10 the senior member Of the firm of NJ. A.
Hanna * Co.. which Ia not engaged In the for
eign trade, but deals in pig iron and mines and
ships iron ore and coal. The firm owns a large
on the great lakes. Mr.. Hanna Ia also q heavy
stockholder and n director. in. the Globe Iron
Company Of Cleveland, which operates iron
mills, furnaces. and a shipbuilding plant This
Is under the management of his brother. Mr.. H..
NJ. Hanna. He is also the principal owner in the
west side system OF street railways in Cleve-
land, and 10 proprietor OF the Cleveland Opera
The law says that no man who is engaged in
trade and can become Secretary of
the Treasury. This clause has heretofore been
trade exclusively. but may have been intended
to prevent the appointment of any person who
was financially interested in enterprises that
would come under his own jurisdiction Il he be-
came the head of that department. Mr. Hanna's
under the Jurisdiction Of the Secretary Of the
Treasury, through the Bureau OF Navigation,
which has supervision of the merchant marine
Of the United States, and the Inspector
engines, and boilers. examines, candidates for
after such inspection In the name of the Secre-
tary. If Mr.. Hanna became Secretary of the
Treasury 1t would be necessary for him to in
spect his own steamers through his subordi-
mates and grant himself licenses to use them
have to grant licenses TO the shippers and mates
of these vessels. and would thereby have direct
jurisdiction over his own affairs, which, by
strict construction OF the law. would be q viola
ton of both its letter and spirit.
Several gentlemen in Washington who pro-
fess to be informed Of Mr.. Hanna's desires and
intentions declare that he Is determined not to
accept q place in the Cabinet. no matter how
great the pressure may be on the part Of tho
business men and others, to whom he is under
deep obligations for assistance, financial and
otherwise. extended during the campaign. II is
understood here that in a few days a petition
signed by many influential Eastern business
men will be presented to President-elect Nc
Kinley asking for Mr.. Hanna's appointment as
Secretary of the Treasury. and that the name
of Cornelius y. Bliss. who. 1t Is said. declines to
be a candidate. will head the list.