The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1897-09-16
DO DESCENT PEOPLE RESPECT
MARK HANNA?


A day or two ago one of the readers of the
News. Democrat said to the writer. Why is it |
your paper treats Mark Hanna with such
levity and lack Of respect2 Is he not a friend
of Mckinley and does he not stand close to the
Administrations Is that matter to treat with
disrespect2 Have not former presidents had
close friends and advisors2 What has he done
and for what does he stand that he should de-
serve the i'll will of your readers? As these
questions were asked by lady who has more
than modcum of respect for successful bust.
ness men, and little or no respect for political
partisan abuse, we feel that an open reply in
these columns would be especially fitting at
the commencement of campaign in which
Hanna and his methods were bound to play an
important part. We are Of those who believe
that every truly American citizen ought to be
sufficiently Independent to cast his ballot for
his own self interest as he sees it, uninhuenc-
ed by political bosses or party creeds. That
the affairs of the state and Nation should be
controlled by the people through the majority.
We believe in the rule of the majority of the
people and not the dictation and control of a
political boss whose entire strength as a party
rul er grows out of his ability to secure and
spend large campaign funds to corrupt and de.
bauch the people. The power of money to con-
troll votes as was shown in the last campaign
and the contribution of that money by cerpo-
rations, trusts and banks, is an extremely
dangerous innovation in the conduct of our
public affairs, and will lead if it has not
already led to the growth of a sentiment that
the dollar in politics has more potency than in.
telligence and patriotism, and is therefore the
greatest factor in government.
But to our questions. What has Mark
Hanna done and for what does he stand that
he should deserve the i'll will and bitter oppo-
sition of all loyal aud right thinking citizens?
Mark Hanna is not representative citizen.
He is not in touch with common people and
has no sympathy with and was never known
to express any for the peoples interest and
well being. He is purse proud and overbear-
ing, vain and ignorant, brutal and coarse to-
wards those who he is pleased to call his in
feriors, profane and vulgar in his contact with
decent people. His political and business
methods are those of the fire eating black
slave driver before the war. He recognizes
mate of men is not by their brain and intelli.
gence, but by the amount for which hei can
purchase them or by the size of their bank ac-
count.
His strength lies in his ability to force obse-
quious attendance upon his behest and his
power in compelling men to forfeit their inde-
pendence and self respect in obeying his man.
dates. He is a worthy counterpart of Caligula,
the Roman senator who by edict compelled
the people of Rome to elect his horse to the
senate. The only difference between Caligula
and Hanna now apparent is that while Caligula
compelled the people of Rome to elect his
horse, Hanna has issued his edict to the people
of Ohio to elect a lot of jack asses to the Ohio
legislature,
He is un.American and aristocratic, He
looks upon an American citizen as a commO.
dity in the market with price. His state.
ment to Attorney General Watson that "No
man in public life owes the public anything
is true indication of the light in which he
holds the public service.
Whatever his relations may be with Presi
dent Mckinley for whom the people of Canton
have due regard and respect the feeling
among many of the latter's friends here and
elsewhere is that Hannas defeat in Ohio vii
lift an incubus from the shoulders of the presi
dent that will be a blessing without disguise
to him and the country.
The foregoing are few, and only few o
the reasons why true citizens of Ohio, whC
; have the welfare of all the people at heart, be
lieve that Mark Hanna should not be honoreC
by the people of Ohio with a seat in thu
United States senate, so worthily and honor
ably graced by Ben Wade and Allen G, Thur
man.