The Florence tribune., 1897-09-11
BOSS HANNA MUST BE oBEYED.
Despite All Charges Of unfitncss Dsmas Is Named for Naval ofncer at
 New -orleans.

Dastrlct of New Orleans conclusively proves that the promises made by Sen ator Hanna to trio of Republican leaders in Louisiana will be observed
 Protests and petitions from the bet ter element of the party have been un- needed, and the selection of Demas comes as practical defiance to decency and good government.
 There have been very few politicians of any party here familiar with the compact made between Hanna. Cohen Demas and Wimberly who believed that the President would really have the hsrdihood to make these appoint meHts in utter diregard of the most shameful charges and astoundipr ale gations.
 But Senator Hanna would taze no excuse. His word had been piy n be- fore the St. Louis Convention placed MT. Mckinley at the head of tie Re publican ticket. He demanesa that the pledge be kept, no matter how de- moralizing it's effect upon the party or how shocking to the sensililities of self-respecting people.
 A brief of the affidavits on file in the Treasury Department ayers that he is reckless, unprincipled ai.d disreputa- ole, having sold his vote is a member of the Legislature of Loui iana habitu- ally for moneyj that he is ona of the four Senators who for $lo,l00 each de- serted from the Packard Legislature to the Nichols Legislature ii 1877. there by overthrowing the Kello,,g organiza- tion.
 It is further stated in the charges and protests that Demas contpired with Wimberly and others to sell the Repub- lican vote of the Legisla ure to the Louisiana Lottery con psnv for money. For this action Wfnberly was removed from office by President Har- rison.
 It is also averred that Demas was the owner and keeper of two lottery offices in New Orleans, giren him by the Lottery company in consideration of his support in the Legislature
 In protest signed by one hundred of the most highly respected and prom inent women of New Orleans, remon- strating against the appoiG tment of Demas, Wimberly and CoheI the foli lowing language occurs:
 "These men are simply infimons in the sight of all honest, decent and self respecting people. We dare not de- scribe their practices, but we earnestly beg of you to have their character and standing in this community ascerta ined by careful investigation.'
 In addition to all this it is stated that Demas secured his election as delegate to the St. Louis Repu 6lican convention by fraud, in that he plsdged himself to support Thomas B. Reed. Subsequent to his election he announced that he was in favor of McKiuley and voted for him at the convention.
 When the work of securing delegates in the interest of William Mckinley was begun by Mark A. Hanna, he sent William Mckinley Osborne to New Or leans, where he employed Demas, Cohen and Wimberly as his agents,
 It is asserted that he paid money to the negro members of the State com. mittee, some of them receiving as high as $100. Henry Demas was charged with having accepted money himself and using it among other members of the committee.
 Just prior to the assembling of the convention in St. Louis the deal was arranged by which Henry Demas was to be made Naval Officer, Walter Cohen Surveyor of the Port and 4. T. Vim berly Collector of Customs.
 Dozens of prominent men and officials came to this city when it was given out some time ago that the trio were to be appointed and made personal re- monstrances. Letters, telegrams and petitions from men and women, ire spective of party, poured into the Treas ury Department and went on file against these men. It was then be- lieved that the tide WAS too strong for them to stem.
 At this juncture Senator Hanna again came to the surface, and over his own signature gave these men letters of in- troduction to Cabinet officers, with the plain statement that he would later them for the offices they were to receive.
 As last resort the women of New Orleans appealed to Mrs. Gage, wife of the Secretary, and sent a committee lere to urge the exertion of her inhu- snce to prevent these appointments, es- oecially that of Wimberly
 At this time Senator Hanna en- bounced that he would not recede rom his position. Referring to the work in Louisiana and