The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-01-01
HANNA TO HEAD HIS HOSTS.
THE SENATOR NOW AT COLUMBUs
TO FIGHT IN PERSON.

No such Rally of Politicians Seen ut
the Ohio Capital in Six Nears-AlI
the surface Indications Favorable
"a Hnnna'S EIectiOn-The Anti
Hanna Republicans Appear So Few
That People at Large Wonder Why
There should BE So Much Stew.
columbus, O., Dec. S1.-Nearly all the
members-elect of the legislature have ar
rived in the city tonight and the senate
rial skirmish is at its hight. Not since the
senatorial election of six years ago when
the Sherman-Fo Foraker contest was on, has
there been so many politicians in the city
at one time. Many have come merely out
of curiosity, but large number are here
to take active part in the contest between
the Hanna and ant-Hanna republicans.
With the republicans at large the situa-
ton is inexplicable. The anti-Hanna repub-
leans in evidence are so few in number
that many car scarcely comprehend why
there should be such political stew.
Charles L. Kurtz, who is leading the oppo-
sition to Senator Hanna. to-day assumed
personal charge of the anti-Hanna head
quarters at the Great Southern hotel, and
small army of workers, mostly appoint
ees of Gov. Bushnell in the state depart
ments and the state institutions, besieged
the rooms. The activity at the Hanna
headquarters at the three leading hotels
was even more formidable
The developments of the day We're de-
cidedly favorable to Mr.. Hanna, on the
,f n To,
ma on the scene during the afternoon
seemed to turn the tide slightly in his
favor. His arrival was surprise to those
not IN touch with the managers of Mr..
Hannas interests, as he was not expected,
according to previous announcements I'M
til Saturday. This change in the pro-,
gramme was construed by some to mean
that Mr. Hanna managers consider the
situation desperate, but there was nothing
20 indicate that that surmse was well
founded. On the contrary, Maj. Dick and
his co-workers at the Hanna headquar-
ters were in the most cheerful spirits and
took more hopeful view of the situation
than yesterday.
Hanna badges were conspicuous about
the hotel Hobbies tonight They bore a
For Senator, the Party's Choice"
The senator was besieged by callers all
the evening, but accorded a representa-
tive of the Associated Press an interview.
In response to an inquiry as to what he
thought Of the situation, he said: THE
contests between the republican and demo-
cratic parties were settled by the people
at the polls last November. Their verdict
was in favor of the republican party and
its platform. Since then have not read
anything or been given any good reasons
why their verdict should be changed. The
Toledo convention recommended the whole
state ticket and Endorsed the
administration of President Nc
Kinley and Gov. Bushnell The
platform was adopted by the state
convention by a unanimous vote. 1t con-
tanned an Endorsement of my candidacy
Tor the United States Senate and in so far
the party could do so in state conven-
ton, il was committed to my reelection
10 the high office to which l aspire That
combined action was part of the platform
of the party and, therefore, the repub-
Hcans all over the state think the fruits
of the victory obtained by the success of
the republican party at the polls means
nothing less than that the will of the vot-
ers as expressed last November shall be
carried out by their representatives in the
general assembly. l know of no reason
why there should be any change in the
programme as a Toledo and as | have
faith in the loyalty and patriotism of the
republicans of Ohio have no doubt of the
fuhllment of the pledges made to the
people"
The sentiment being aroused by the con-
test is already becoming quite bitter The
majority of the republicans are in favor
of Senator Hanna 5 election as matter of
1air play, if for no other reason. The ac-
tivity of Gov. Bushnell's employees and the
governors acquiesence in the attempt to
defeat Mar. Hanna is directing criticism
against him. Fears are entertained to-
night by the general committee on ar
engagements for the Inauguration of Gov.
Bushnell that the public demonstration
VIII have to be abandoned unless the gov
ernor comes forward to stay the senti-
ment. The work of the committee has
been seriously hampered by the feeling
aroused in the last day or two.
The candidates of the opposition to SEN
ator Hanna are Gov. Bushnell for the full
term and Mayor McKisson of Cleveland
for the short term.
A conference of the opposition was held
tonight, to which We're admitted five dem
ocrats and seven republicans. Allen o.
Meyers spoke for the democratic delega-
ton. Senator Kurtz spoke for the anti
Hanna delegates. ana assured his demo-
cratic conferees he had pledges from twen-
" of the seYenty-fiVe republican members
Of the legislature that they would vote
with the democrats against Senator Han
ma. The legislature consists of seventy
five republicans, sixty-five democrats and
five fusionists, and with all present sew
enty-four votes are necessary to elect a
senator. The fusionsts stand three for
Hanna and two against him.
HANNA GOES TO COEJNBJS