Omaha daily bee., 1897-01-23
FAVOR HANNAS APPOINTMENT
Members Of Ohio Legislature Banquet at
Columbus.
NATIONAL CHAIRMAN AN INVITED GUEST
Declares He II Not There In the In
tcrcst Of Ills Candidacy for
the scnntc--Spccinl session
Plan IL Opposed.

COLUMBUS, o., Jan. 22.-The lobby OF tho
Hotel Chittcndon was crowded this afternoon
and evening by members OF the general as
semby, state officials and politicians, and
the all-absorblng topic was the senior Ohio
senatorshlp. About ninety members of both
houses of the legislature came to attend the
legislative reunion, and most Of them were
attracted wholly by the talk about the SEN
atorship. Not over half a dozen would even
say they had preference as to Senator
Eherman's successor. The drift of sentiment,
however was against the calling Of a spe-
cial session. and in favor OF the appointment
OF Mark Hanna
The chairman OF the national committee
arrived from Cleveland about 2 o'clock in
the afternoon, accompanied by Major Dick.
Mr.. Hanna had engaged the psrlors OH the
first floor at the Chttenden and as soon as
his arrival became known a string Of call
ers passed in and out Of his rooms. Mr..
Hanna maintained that he had not come
here In the interests of his candidacy for
United States senator, but that he was merely
the invited guest of the members of the
general assembly. He was greatly annoyed
by the construction put upon his visit.
Ex-Governor Foster. who was expected TO
be here, failed to nut In an appearance, and
it was rumored that he had given up the
idea Of becoT ing a candidate for the sona-
toTship.
II was 10 o'clock before the members Of
the general assembly and their guests were
seated at the banquet tables In the dining
room OF he Chittenden hotel tonight. The
tables c.Ltained covers for 200, about half
of whom we're state officials and guests Of
the members. Mr.. Hanna vas among the
first to enter the room. His entrance was
unheralded, and 1t was moment before
the crowd caught on and started to applaud.
few moments later Governor Bushnell
entered ana he was given royal welcome.
Governor Bushnell was the toastmaster for
the evening.
1t was Just midnight when Speaker
Sleeper introduced Governor Bushnell. A
loud burst Of applause followed, lasting sew
cral minutes. The governor then congratu-
lated those present upon the fact that there
were so many members of the legislature
present and that no deaths had occurred
since the body was elected. The governor
told several good stories apropos to the DC
cason and called out a hearty laugh by
stating that he was thankful he did not
have a legislature on his hands.
Lieutenant Governor A. w. Jones and Ad-
jutant General ANline followed.
Governor Bushnoll's introduction of Hon
M. a. Hanna was very happy one, the toast
being "Ohio, the Mother of Presidents" !"
When Mr.. Hanna arose he was given an ova-
tion lie began by stating that he accepted
the invitation to attend the banquet on
tho condition that he was not to be called
upon to make a response He had been
caught unawares. but could not refrain from
adding his testimony to the sterling worth
Of the present legislature. He continued in
a felcitous vein, speaking of Ohio and her
public men, but avoiding personal illusions.
Several other speakers followed. and 1t was
a late hour when the banquet ended.