Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-09-11
pATuRDAy SEPT. II, 1897.
uANNA,S GENIUS.

The Boston Herald says that Mark
Hanna does not appear to have been edu-
Gated at all in craftsmanship. Correct
Mark is not statesman. and it is but
Justice TO him to say we do not believe
that he ever laid claim TO being one.
In fact, we think Mark demonstrated
his utter contempt for craftsmanship by
his championship Of the present tariff
iniouity Marks strength lies in an
other direction. He is a political finan-
cler and promoter In that domain he
IS a positive genius. He is easily the
Napoleon of political financierlng and
promoting. AS to the field Of his opera
lions.
No pent-up Utica is his prison;
t- The whole United States is his'n.
His poYer IS in raising money and
qevying tribute with which TO carry out
Republican schemes. in applying me
money where 1t will do the most good
AMI in capitalzing fraud. In respect
of these gifts. the world has never seen
his equal before, and it is to be hoped
will never see his equal again.
covering the bent of his own genius
rather late In life. For long time he
ned himself mainly to manufactures.
though he gave evidence of certain
politicaI dilettanteism. His first appear
ance prominently as national political
nromoter or director was when he under
took TO manipulate friends of Thomas
Bracket Reed In the interest OF William
Mckinley. His success in this matter
revealed to him latent self possibilities
OF which In his modesty he had perhaps
never dreamed, but none the less, set his
ambition aflame
The result we all know. The mastery
ananciering of Hanna, by which he cor
pered the majority of the electorate of the
country. and delivered it to William Me-
Kinley. has passed into history as an
achievement OF that nature without
parallel. In response to his nslnuating
"reminiscences and promises OF future
delivery in the way of legislation, the
,rusts and combines threw open their
strong-boxes and supplied him with bar
rels of money for the conduct Of his ope-
Yations.
And, as might have been expected OF
so predetermined flnancier as Mark, he
showed no sectionaiism in the distribu-
lion OF his barrels. He was strictly busi'
ness. Wherever he thought he saw q
chance to promote the cause OF honest
elections" by debauching the electorate
there ne established branch Office. Ht
even, 1t is said. and that. too. on high
Republican authority, sent barrel Il
DOOR old Virginia Nor Is that all. There
Is reason to believe that his considers
ton for Virginia and his faith in her as
n field for speculation did not end with
the presidential campaign. Mark looks
far ahead, and whether the Republican:
tut State ticket in the field or not, 1t Il
not at all certain that be will not
through his agents down here. essay
this fall to make iitie corner ia State
senatorial bonds. With a view OF funding
these and attempted accretions two years
hence into a United states senatorial Sc
curlty. In that event. he win doubtless
.,oll another barrel into Virginia, A
any rate, the Democrats would do wei
10 be very much on the alert touching
this matter. seeing that the Republican
state Committee at its Lynchburg meet
ing issued what. read between the lines
might be construed as the prospectus o.
such an investment. and that the new
leader OF the G. 0. +. In the State has
announced his party's purpose to rur
candidates In thirty or more Virginia
legislative districts this fall