The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-11-09
TIE Emotions Excited by the Suspt
cion that Hanna Might Be Retired.


ciOn that Hanna Might Be Retired.
Washington Correspondence Philadelphia
Telegraph.
If NJ. A. Hanna is returned to the Senate
by the Ohio Legislature it Will not arouse
any great amount of satisfaction among
Republicans in that body or in the House
of Representatives. The belief that he was
defeated brought relief to many who are
anxious for the welfare of their party.
Hanna is q silent force in Congress and in
the administration. Though silent, he is
the most potential force there is. He is
not lacking in ability, but has no tact and
is naturally dcmineering. Will power is de-
veloped in him to an abnormal degree Inc
accomplishment of his own desires is 10
him the thing of paramount importance:
Wisdom and propriety are unequaliy
matched when they contend against wnaL
he wants. His motto is: That which l
wish shall be. and that which l oppose
me shall be crushed" He likes to have
people recognize his authority and to de-
pend upon him.
To such as do this he is generous. For
them he will sacrifice his personal conven-
fence in many ways, and If they are promis-
ing subjects he will try to make some
his domination, must acknowledge him. as
their creator. During the extra session or
Congress no man in the Senate was as ac-
cessible as was he to persons who sought
favorS. To the humble petitioner he was
almost always amiable. Much of his time
during the day was spent in the lobby OF
the Senate surrounded by Office seekers and
others seeking favors When most In de-
mand he was usually smiling and animated
and seemed proud to be SO much soughI
after. The same sort of recognition which
he got from the favor-seekers he soon COM
manded in the Senate among his colleagues.
He showed no ambition to be recognized as
an orator or a manager on the floor of the
Senate nor was he exacting in his demands
for committee assignments.
lie desired but one recognition, tnat OF
his power. 1t was made apparent at once
to his associates in the Senate that all ne
exacted of them was that they should come
to him for permission that certain Things
should be done should ask his inter-
cession with the administration This was
manifested by his friendliness towards
those who fawned, and the difficulties that
were thrown in the way CT those who were
not willing to humble IL emselves to him.
But few have carried far their resistance
to his wishes in this respect, but 1t Is very
humiliating to any man in Congress to feel
that he must always ask the intercesson
of one man before he can accomplish any
thing. Humiliation breeds hatred. The IA
vors secured left a bitter taste in the
mouth. Mr.. Hanna's power is recognized
but the man who has his favor feels upon
himself the stamp of servility and sees IN
Hanna the most perfect of bosses, lavish
and relentless against those who oppose.
His colleagues have so far failed in resist
ance of him that they have no hope OF be-
ing able to do so successfully If he is given
a new lease upon the seat he now occupies
in the Senate. They have not been able to
do so and do not expect to be able to pro-
matters in their own States, nor do they
feel able to protect themselves against any
exactions he may make upon them for leg
islation.
They see him steadily acquiring the power
of political life or death over them. They
will not always yield to his power. but they
feel that their resistance when it comes will
cause disruption in the party, and they
are sure that to fix Hannaism upon the
Republican party will be to destroy it.
Hanna's bossism has quality of meddle-
someness in it. He wants to have a finger
in every pie, even if he has to pay for the
pastry
He probably does not realize how prayer
fully his colleagues are wishing for his de-
feat. The suggestion that the Ohio Legis-
lature, having been all but thrown into the
hands of the enemy by the unpopularity Of
Hanna, will send some other man In his
place to the Senate Is received with graft.
see quite how this Is to be accomplished
without a disruption of the party in Ohio.
1t is figured out, however, that if there
are a few Republicans in the Legislature
willing to undertake the job Of defeating
Mr. Hanna they can do so without very
by defeating him they would get their own
man In the Senate, and be, being in, would
be associated. not with friend Of Mr.. Han
mas a colleague, but with Mr. Foraker,
the leader of the anti-Hanna forces. MI:
Hanna would then have no official political
status and his political power would depend
upon his ability to command the support
of the administration: However wiling
President Mckinley might be to favor Mr.
Hanna, his aDlllIy 10 90 SO WOuIu De liIL.lleu
by the fact that there remains but little
patronage to bestow, and, moreover, it
would be very poor wisdom for him to un-
dertake to Go battle against two United
States senators of his own party from his
own State simply to resent an affront given
to an ex-senator who happened to be MS
friend There would therefore. be little for
the enemies of Hanna in the Ohio Legisla-
ture if there are any, to fear from the re-
sentiment of Mr. Hanna and the administra-
ton should they see fit to enter into deal
to send some other. Republican to the SEN
would feel that such an action would be a
benefit to the party. Many of those who
attribute to Mr.. Hanna the best of mo-
tives and think he does not realize that
he is playing the offensive part of a boss.
feel that the unfortunate impression his
methods MARE upon the public mind and the
zation would render his retirement boon
to the party.