The herald., 1897-06-02
.HIo'S BIG FOUR

It is a mistake to suppose that Hanna
is as absolute in the Republican party
of Ohio as is Plat in New York or Quay
in Pennsylvania. The Buckeye state
possesses too many great men to be sub
jected to the domination Of the lone only
man."
Hanna has coadjutors, and Ohio
Republicans are ruled by four men, or
in other words, it requires four to sue
cessfully keep the party in leading
twice ruled by triumvirate. The Ohio
quartet ie composed of Hanna, McKin-
ley, Foraker and Bushnell.
The combination came about in this
for popular favor and in aspirations for
political preferment. They are about
the same age, both were officers Of
subordinate rank in the union army in
the war Of the rebellion, and both had
been governor of the state for two terms,
and Foraker hae never been convinced
that he is not a bigger man than Nc
Kinley. He and his friends did not
take kindly to McKinley's candidacy for
nomination to the presidency; in fact
they took steps to thwart him in his
ambition. In 1895 the two factions
locked horns in the state convention,
and the Mckinley side was unhoreed and
Bushnell. the Foraker candidate, was
nominated for governor.
For time 1t produced a damper on
the spirits Of the Mckinley faction, but
Hanna is energetic and fertile in expe-
dents Being deeply interested in the
election of his friend Bushnell, Foraker
was not in position to make fight,
at least of an open character against
essary to the success of the state ticket
that there should be harmony in the
party and that the Mckinley faction
should give it active support. Hanna
made good use of the leverage circum-
stances placed in his hands in bringing
Foraker to terms. It gave him the means
of forcing Foraker into an agreement
to support McKinley's candidacy in
consideration that he should be made
senator. The Mckinley side had to per-
form first and as faith was kept, Foraker
could hardly refuse to perform on his
part. AS Bushnell wanted to be re-
elected. after McKinley's success. he
could not safely refuse to appoint Hanna
senator, for it would be fatal to him
were the federal patronage used to his
disadvantage
As the four are all in high places, one
controlling national and another state
patronage, and the remaining two being
senators, the position of the quartet is
exceedingly potential. If there is any
thing in power to control party action,
then these men have the Republicans
of Ohio completely in hard and can
dictate nominations and policies 1t
cannot be doubted that they will use
their power for all it is worth. They were
able to shuttle off the memorable Sher-
man to cult their wishes, and to make
the combination perfect it became nee
essary that Sherman should vacate his
sena torial seat to make place coveted
by Hanna.
Mckinley is not novitiate in politics,
Foraker has strength as popular ora
tor, Bushnell holds position similar to
that Of Lepidus in the first Roman tri-
umvirate, and Hanna not only has
wealth, but genius for political manipu-
lation. Large patronage is in the hands
of the quartet, and it can command
funds without limit from corporations
and trusts. Time will disclose to what
extent the quartet will serve trusts and
and control the action of
the Ohio Republicans. The future will
make it appear how far the people of
that great state can be Influenced by
patronage and money.