The times., 1897-12-21
checking the Hanna Ledger.

From time 10 time The Times has sho%n
Some interest in the question of Mr..
HanRa'S antn-eIection deals and engage
ments They haveformeda d terrible scand1l.
The trust and monopoly tariff paid of
Some of these debts, and q desperate eff.
fort is being made to settle the larger
balance gaifst the Administration through
Mr., Cages scheme of destroying the green
backs, and securing authority to make
gigantic issue CT gold bonds. These
things were to ne expected. but there
ought to be d limit. From that point of
view we ask again, and very pertina
ciously. when Mr.. Mckinley is going TO
get through paying his campaign debts,
incurred on his account by his prom Dte-s,
and assume his place as the head and
front OF his own Administration?
This is an important as We'll as 4 rerti-
neut question, especially for Mr.. Mckin-
ley. There is not a question that lie has
tire ambition to succeed himself. We are
ignorant Of the idea that any American
President in this generation has lacked
II. Possibly ha may have entered upon
tie campSign for his office with au under
standing that be- was not to interfere
with tie conduct of the Government Dor
to place himself in the way of the leHi gns
wmcl, his ''contrihutory" backing had, nd
has. upon the American people. but that
is hard TO believe and we are not prepared
and del elopments which do not appeal
pleasantly to the public in that Connection
l. is plain, however, that if the Chief
Magistrate shall not divorce himself from
the growing scandals OF his party ori,ani-
cations and shall not purge himself f the
suspicion Of ccparcenership with its ten
dency to foist obnoxious and corrupt in
dviduals upon the country in public OIL
flee, on recount of their aid to secure his
nomination in 1896, he will have 10 face
q most sturdy Republican revolt in the
Congress before many months.
1t is ret our present purpose TO enter
werning enough of what is coming. 1t
is a party and not a national matter; but
it WIZ become national when the Truth is
exposed through a Congressional investi
getion Of the abuse OF the appointing power
which: is alleged against some of the Presi-
dents most intimate dominating influences
We desire to ask Mr.. Mckinley if lie
thinks his chances FOR denomination world
be increased If ii should appear, under i'll
yestlgation, that important offices have
beeiI given TO people OF disreputabie or
othe, wise unfit chara cter in consequence
OF aid they may have been able to give
to his candidacy hefore the st. Louis ,,on-
yention. 1t is not supposable that directly
he made any pledges In that way. Canhe
afford to carry out those which, il is
charged, were made in his behalf? 4.
There is reason to think that the o.d
leaders of the Republican party-those
whom Mr.. Hanna kicked into back seats
last year-are contemplating a political
movement which does not augur well for
the Presidents personal interests What
they intend to do viii appear shortly after
the reassembling OF the Congress. The
gossip OF the day has it that some of the
most fla g, ant alleged deals of 1896, re-
Bulting In man ersation of the prerogasive
OF appointment. will be made the basis
OF Congressional inquest which, once