Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1898-04-07
HANNA ANSWERS HIS CRITICS.
The Ohio Statesman Defends HIM
self from TrattOrOus
Attacks.

Almost every cnaTBe LnaJ 1ndllce can
inspire and constituencies ingenuity
construct has been made against Sen
ator Hanna by papers opposed to him
in politics. Since the question of Cuban
Intervention has been under consid-
Grafton by President Mckinley these
papers have persistently asserted that
Senator Hanna has influenced the poll
cy of the administration in the interest
of Wall street stock spectators, includ-
ing himself as one, and that he favored
the settlement of the Cuban question
upon a financial basis at the sacrifice of
of national honor.
Knowing the political motives which
inspired these charges, Senator Hanna
ignored them. OF late, however, they
have been reiterated by papers of the
same party to which the senator be-
longs, notably the Chicago Tribune, and
these latter have elected reply, which,
while referring particularly to the
course of the Tribune, applies as well
to al the papers which have misrepre-
sented him by false accusations. Sen
ator Hanna's reply to his critics is
herewith given in full:
so long as the attacks on me were con-
fined TO opposition papers," said Senator
Hanna, Il did not care to pay any atten-
tion to them, because I looked upon the
stories as purely political schemes. feel,
however, when paper of the dignity and
standing of the Chicago Tribune gives cur
rency TO such reports, possibly because
nave failed to deny them, 1t is time for me
to make an explicit statement as regards
my position in the Cuban matter.
First of all, l want to say that ] am
not stock speculator. ] never bought or
sold a share Of stock in Wall street. / do
not to-day own single share of stock in
any railroad or commercial enterprise ex-
cept those with which my name has been
publicly identified and in which / have
made investments. This being the case.
l have no personal interest in a settlement
of the Cuban question in any way except
for the honor of the United States.
Il have never urged the president of the
United States to settle the Cuban question
on any financial basis whatsoever, nor have
1 indorsed any such proposition to him or
to anyone else. have been in favor Of an
exceedingly conservative course in regard
to Cuba, somewhat on the principle that
charity begins al home, but can say posi-
lively that have never been Influenced by
any financial consideration, either person
ally for my friends and political asso-
ciates.
Il do not believe in buying Cuba, and !
am not and never have been interested in
any syndicate for that purpose. / have
frequently urged the president to be eau
tious in his movements and not to inter-
fere with the affairs of a foreign nation
until he had demonstrated the necessity of
such action.
80 far as know the president has never
seriously considered settling the Cuban
question on a money basis. and if he has
ever done SO 1t has not been at my sug-
gestion. | have advised with him as a
friend and as senator, but ! have en-
deavored not to go beyond that I can
deny in the most sweeping manner the
stories which originated in rabid demo-
cratic papers that ] was using my nflu-
ence 70 delay action in regard to Cuba in
the interest of alleged financial organiza- =
tions. l am sorry that these stories have
been taken up by the republican press. and
/ hope the Tribune will accept my denial
in the spirit in which it is offered.
Il have differed with the Tribune as to
the necessity for immediate action in the
past, but this is a matter of opinion only,
and | feel that my motives are beyond sus-
picion. l do not care for the views of m.'
political enemies, but am regardful of the
opinions of my friends, and the Chicago
Trbune's position as a great republican
newspaper entities 1t to this statement
from me-"
This is denial which denies. 1t not
only eXonerates the senator by show
ing the untruthful character of the at
tacks upon him, but it is the best proof,
aside from an official statement by the
executive himself, that the president
has not been Influenced in the settle
ment of the Cuban question by any
considerations other than those of hui
manity and national honor.
The attacks which have been made
upon Senator Hanna have been in
reality attacks upon President McKin-
ley. 1t has been the favorite method
of those who could find no reason for
direct attack to strike at the presi-
dent over the shoulders of the senator
from Ohio. That style of warfare is on
par with the Spanish method of stab
in the dark or from behind
Whether or not Senator Hanna's re-
ply will silence his slanderous critics. it
nevertheless will render them harmless
Chicago Times-uerald.