Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-12-26
HAMA A TIGHT. PLACE.

Three weeks ago it seemed to be gene
rally conceded that Mark Hanna had sue
ceeded in so fixing things as to leave no
doubt as to his continued grip on the
senatorship. 1t was given out that he
had sufficiently placated the rebellious ele-
ment in his own party TO render impo-
tent any combination against him, and
that he and Foraker, having arrived at
a modus vivendi based upon division OF
the spoils. he could look forward with
absolute confidence to vindlcation by the
Ohio Legislature.
Almost Immediately upon the heel OF
these statements, however, Hanna hied
himself TO Ohio. and soon the outside
world began to hear rumors that he was
not taking any holiday. Now the news
is that there is more than one spider cir
culating around in Marks senatorial
dumping. in other words IL is declared
( that there IS decided element of doubt
as to the situation, and that some Of
: the announcements of three weeks ago
swere a little too previous" According
' 10 columbus (Ohio) State Journal,
the Bushnell senatorial bee is by no
means in a state of liberation. 1t has
begun to buzz again with significant ac-
!. tivity. and the Republican opponents Of
: Hanna. led by ex-Chairman Kurtz. are
Keeping the atmosphere around 1t en-
couragingly warm. Furthermore, the
same paper declares that conferences are
being held all over the State by Demo-
Gratis, who have gathered at the direction
Of John r. Mclean and the free-silver
leaders. TO plan for bringing pressure to
!. bear upon Democratic members Of the
Legislature to aid Bushnell in the reali-
: zation OF his ambition"
In ,weli-informed political circles at
Washington. while II is believed thai
with the powerful aid OF the administra-
ton, Hanna may pull through" 1t is also
admitted that the situation is serious for
the honest electionist a Washington
special says that there is no question
that for the next ten days Mark Will
have no rest, but will have to "get up
and hustle" TO degree of high pressure
which has not probably come TO him at
any former period Of his life. This spe-
cial also declares that the Importance
and the necessity OF whipping into the
traces the four rebellious Republicans
who constitute the balance OF power in
the Ohio Legislature will engross every
minute of Hanna's time until the cleo
ticn IN January, and that 1t is assured
that ne win need not only all his own
resources, mental. physical and financial
but all of the powerful Federal aid which
the administration has placed at his dis
posai.
While few things would rejoice US moro
than to see Hanna turned down. candor
compels us to confess that we fear that
glorious contamination is not on the
cards. What the resourceful Mark does
not know about the art of convincing"
those opposed 10 him is not worth know
ing Still. stranger things have hap
pened than would be his defeat in this
instance, and whether he is destined to
pull through or not, there is consolation
IN the outlook. Considering the narrow
margin on which the issue depends,
whether he wins or loses. the result will
be another black eye for the adrninistra-
ton and It's policies, and Hannas
methods. In either case. Ohio will have
emphasized her virtual Reputation at the
polls last November of McKinleyism and
Hannaism.