Goldsboro weekly argus. [volume] (Goldsboro, N.C.) 1885-1909, 1898-04-14
WOULD BETTER RET IRE

ton should have Mark Hanna
dangling around its neck. 1t is
unfortunate for both Mr.. McKin-
ley and the country. The Presi-
DENTS general policy in dealing
with the S~panish~American ques-
ton has commended itself to the
thinking public. It has had the
Sympathy of the conservative ele-
ment-the element holding as a
matter of principle that war
should only be resorted to after
all proper efforts consistent
with u dignity have failed to
secure peace with honor and OBJ.
tain such concessions from Spain
as justice to Cuba and the dictates
of humanity demand Spain should
make.
Still a part Of the thinking pub
liza large part of the ~conserva-
tive element-does not take kindly
to Hanna's prominence IN what is
going on in administration circles.
This prominence is irritating to
many of the most conservative.
They have a lively recollection Of
Hanna's methods during the last
presidential campaign. They can
not but recall the manipulation by
which Sherman was gotten out of
the way in order that Hanna
might consummate his senatorial
ambition. They know that Hanna
is practically under investigation
by the Ohio Legislature. They
are aware that the section Of the
country in which Hanna is most
Interested, it is said, received
more than its full share Ct the
$50, 600, 900 appropriated for ma
tional defence. They have heard
the rumors to the effect that Han
ma procured the sending to Pres
ident Mckinley of peace tele-
grams from men representing the
S'best interests of the country
and they are cognizant of some
very peculiar capers in Wall street
with which rumor rightly or
wrongly has associated Hanna's
name. Under the circumstances,
they cannot but recall the predic-
ton so freely INDUCED in during
the presidential canvass that in
case Of McKinley's election he
would be Hanna's Esme too" AS
a consequence there is a growing
suspicion that it is Hanna who is
really in the administration sad
die, with Mckinley riding behind.
The suspicion may be ILL
founded. We hope it is. Hanna
may not be as black as ne IS
painted, and the President may
be stronger aud more independ-
ent of arE Hanna influence as re-
CARDS the present Issue than
some of his critics are disposed
to think. It is but justice to give
him the benefit OF a doubt. Il is
but justice to concede that he ap.
pears. taking his course by and
through, TO have been governed
by high motives. None have
less in common with his party
policies and his party than our
selves; but that much is due him.
And If he should succeed II
aYerting war, with all the hor-
rors that would attend it while n
progress. and tits burdensome
aftermath, and at the same time
not compromise our dignity
honor, and prestige, be should
receive full credit therefor.
None the less, as we have
stated, it is especially unfortu'
nate for both him and the couu.
try that Hanna should be Sc
close to him in the present crisis
Hanna, to whom he owes such
q debt of gratitude. This asso'
citation has subjected him to
great deal of criticism tending t
weaken his hold upon populal
confidence. It is, as we have
said, irritating to the %conserVa'
tive element. It carries in it tht
danger of that elements becon
ing imbued with the idea tha
the situation is being jugglee
with merely for commercial anC
political ends. This, the conser
vative element would be the las
in the country to brook, aut
hence the cropping out. or sus
pected cropping out, Of Hannaisn
in the Administrations Cubar
policy may prove a menace te