The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-01-07
The Ohio Fight.

There is one phase of the Ohio sena-
to be better understoods That is its
bearing upon the national administra-
tion and upon Republcanism gener-
ally.
To begin with, It IS necessary to un-
derstand that the feeling against Mark
Hanna in Ohio is not confined to the
politicians who have been embittered
against him. 1t exists in measur-
able degree from lake TO river
among the masses, and especially
among the farmers and the members
of the labor organizations. 1t existed
before Mr.. Hanna became a national
character, but it has naturally been in
tensified since his appearance in the
national arena as the Warwick of the
present administration. The victory
won by Mr.. Hanna in the legislative
districts was a victory of skilled or
ganizers rather than an expression Of
spontaneous sentiment. We are not
saying that this feeling of antagon-
ism to Mr.. Hanna Is wholly 1usti-
fled nor that it has not been famed
by personal or political enemies. We
are simply considering the facts as
they appear.
This feeling prevails also in Wash
ington. Mr.. Hanna by nature is
positive, energetic, self confident and
not at all given to Cancellation. He
has been credited with proprietary in
terest in the administration, and while
this idea insults the president, yet Mr..
Hanna's attitude and manners have
not tended to allay it, The none too
considerate political shuttle which sent
Senator Sherman into the cabinet TO
provide Mr.. Hanna with a place to his
liking, did not add to Mr.. Hanna's
popularity. To some it looked as
though he were inclined to exact divi-
dends from his political investments in
William Mckinley; and while in poll
tics this sort of thing is not uncommon
it Jared upon the sensitiveness of that
element in Ohio which considered that
the president of the United States
should not be put in an embarrassing
position.
All these things, however were
known prior to the legislative prlmar-
les The place to settle with Hanna
was when he was candidate before
the people. All considerations of polit-
ical honor called for an open battle,
with colors M and issues clearly
drawn, at a time when the people
could intelligently decide. The failure
of the Kurtz- Bushnell combine to ac-
cept the gage of battle when thus
offered and their subsequent ambush
ing of Mr.. Hanna after his regular and
uropposed Endorsement in convention
fairly deprive them of sympathy and
bring to Mr. Hanna's cause a support
from believers in fair play which he
might not have been able to command
had the attack upon him been made in
a straightforward, manly manner. As
the Philadelphia Press truly says upon
this point
"One of the strongest supports of
free government is the trust men have
Yin each other. If this were swept
Sway a republic would be impossible.
strong a sense of honor should pre-
in a senatorial contest. There
vai be private grievances in Ohio of
n"y the public know nothing, But
is no place for grievances.
Pon. ganization would be impossi-
y man We're TO seek revenge
s s Me conceived to be his pri-
W The place TO have fought
va'e mios&as in the state conven-
wi ''"N" Near and hafora tho Pc.
~ had indorsed him for
puoi.eah pal,y through an open and
$50 of the party dec
many many repun,sslo ,. Endorsement having
"@'"' S,ed 1t should now
been given ana aceeA the Republican
be adhered to and .to,. - -.
name saved from then
ana dishonor." s., A.
We can see how .,n,,'.
Hanna might have beA 49, ~
withept necessarily injurN
a.,g ygvr.ng ~r