The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-01-11
HANNA MEMS APPEAL.
Denounce His Opponents But Ask
Them to Come Back.


Columbus, O., Jan 1.-THE mass
meeting of Hanna men yesterday pass
ed the following resolutions: This mass
meeting Of Ohio Republicans sends
greeting to the people of the state of
Ohio and declares that Notwithstanding
the verdict of the people of this state
in favor of the Republican party and
its candidates expressed in the NOvem-
Der election, after a fair full and com
prehensively discussion of all the issues
involved, it is now discovered that a
conspiracy, organized and promoted
outside OF the members of the general
assembly, has been formed to thwart
that expressed will. Designing men in
the state of Ohio are making strenuous
efforts, which we do not care to spec
tally characterize, to the accomplish
ment of the various purposes of this ne
tarIOuS scheme. The conspiracy con-
templates and has for its ultimate pur-
poses the transfer to the DemOCra tic
party without limitation the control Of
the organization of the senate and to
take from the regularly constituted ma
jOrity of the house, the control of its
organization and to confer upon the
Democratic party power to limit and
circumVent Republican legislation and
thereby make possible such legislation
as is desired by the parties to the COM
bination. 1t cOntemplates the defeat of
Hon. Marcus A. Hanna the regularly
nominated candidate of the Republican
party of the state for senator of the
United States, and it contemplateS the
SGnQlnS TO LnaC DOQy OF eltner a free
silver Republican pledged to stand by
the interests and principles of the men
who elect him, or the election of a Dem
ocrat or both.
And still further, we believe and
charge that there is in contemplation
such a transfer of power through legis-
latiOn to certain men connected with
this conspiracy and that, evil cOnse-
Quences will accrue to the people of the
state. Unconscious, as we would fain
believe, of the scope and far reaching
consequences of their acts, certain
members of the Legislature selected by
Republicans and by Republican votes
have been so far misled as to join in
making possible the success of this con-
spiracy so far.
Now for the purpose of arresting the
further progress Of this baneful con-
spiracy and to prevent its complete
and most important accomplishment,
we appeal to every Republican mem
Der of the general assembly, to every
Republican of the state of Ohio and to
every person interested in the fair
name of the state of Ohio, to use their
influence that further progress may be
now checked and thWarted.
We recognise that there is a distinc-
ton between a member of the legisla-
tUre voting against his party's nominee
on the organization of that body. and
voting against his party's candidate for
United States senator, which was made
by the people in their primary capacity
and ratified by them at the polls.
The one, a violation of party duty,
the other involves a breach of the high
est trust and a violation of the funda-
mental principles of our government
and such has never in the history of
the Republican party occurred.
The member of the Ohio legislature,
elected as a Republican, who this week
first casts his vote against Mr.. Hanna
Gf there be One) will have the distfnc-
such perfidy in his party's, and we be-
lieve in his country's history
In the infamy of such a breach of
trust should it occur would thus first
state. We feel justified in appealing
to all the people and to all in public
authority without regard to past or
present party affiliations or Sympa-
thies, to stay this threatened blow. It
would be the seVerest ever administer
ed in civil affairs against our govern
mental system; it would consist of a
plain violation of the spirit, If not the
letter of the Ohio constitution, which
members of the general assembly and
state officials have taken a solemn oath
to support.
The bill of rights constitution, arti-
Gle 1. section 81 provides:
The people have a right to assemble
together in a peaceable manner to
consult for their common good, and Ito
instruct their representatives.
The people of Ohio, sending Republi-
can representatives to the general as
sembly, have instructed them to vote
for Senator Hanna, not only in the
state convention, but in the district
and county conventions. by common
understanding and in every form that
instructions are ever given A vote
against, or to induce a violation of
such instructions, is a crime against
our institutions and, subject to consti-
tutiOnal limitations, should be made
felony under our statutes.
We are loath to believe that personal
hate. actual or fancied grgievances, or
other motives can thus induce members
to violate the fundamental law. It is
alone for Senator Hanna, nor for
against any other individual that we
make this appeal to the Republican
members of the general assembly. 1t