The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1898-04-10
Mr.. Hnnnn.

The picture which Mr.. Hanna has
painted of himself in the last six weeks
is one which will go down in American
history 1t is unique in most of its
features, just as his is unique per-
sonality. Some day there may be
little book written made up of the
aphorisms which he has uttered in this
momentuous crisis. This book ought
to be circulated a little while before
election day. 1t would have q consid-
cradle effect and as it would consist
mainly of quotations from his own spe-
cial mouthpieces its authority would
be unimpeachable.
The first thing that Hanna said after
the Maine disaster was that it was an
accident He followed that up with the
statement that whether it was an ac-
cident or not, the crew We're to blame.
for not being more watchful. That re-
mark Will not be forgotten by any ma
val officer now alive. He then stated,
positively and authoritatively, that
there would be no war, though he did
not explain how he knew. In con-
sequence of that statement he was
then forced 10 declare that he had moth
ing TO do with the Administration pol
icy. Then people who had been watch
ing the bobbing up and down of the
stock market in response to his force
full utterances began to say things
about him, and he came out with the
Infatuated statement that he had never
speculated in Wall Street in his life,
a In oh pf
concerned in any Cuban bond deal, ard,
in short, as the small boys say, ''he
hadn't done nothin to nobody" And
all of these statements were made at
times when he, with John j. McCeGE
| and few other men Of fortune and
speculative ability, We're seen at the
White House almost daily, and stayed
there longer than aid the Cabinet
il should be observed that not one oe
| these remarks breathes anxiety for the
welfare of the country or concern about
the destruction of the Maine. IN line
when the whole nation is anxious and
perturbed, indignant and horror strick-
en-, Mr. Hanna has said not ore word
that could by any possibility be twist
ed into an expression of patriotism.
Not only that, but he has taken pains
| to sneer al men who still have some of
the spirit If &c l. fl in them and his
only comment on the impassiOned
speeches Of Gallinger and Thurs.on was
20 the effect that they were making
iCols of themselves" The only thing
about which Senator Hama has shown
The least concern for the last SIX weeks
I is his own personal pocket and repu-
tation. occasionally, stung by the IN
sistence Of the press of the coun1ry tlla.
he. and he alone, is responsible for the
conduct o: this administration, he has
| taken Pains 10 Issue a growing denial
| OF tina: resi- onsibility. He has oriy
talked. in fact, when it was necessary,
| or he thought it was, to save money.
1t might have been a good thing if he
had not talked at all. for
| speech making is one thing at
| which he is not good. But
| whenever he has said anything it
| has been designed to boom stocks or to
ie1uke lis Getractors. He has Z j. cen
hypocritcal-that is one good thing.
lie has not II etended to patriots II Of
| which he has no conception. But these
remarks of his, breathing, as they do,
contempt for our Navy, contempt for
appeals on behalf of suffering human
beings. and desire to escape responsible
ty for his own doings, are beautiful