The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-01-15
SENATE CHARACTER STUDY.
HOW MARK HANNA SHOWS HIS
BULLDOG DETERMINATION.


President Hobart's Nickname.
Washington, Jan. H-(speciaD This Is
an interesting period in the United States
Senate, and The Senate chamber affords
an excellent opportunity for character
study during the pending debate on the
question of whether the United States
shall annex the Philippine Islands.
A day or two ago 1 observed Mark Han
ma, Bill Chandler and Steve Elkins, three
of the craftiest politicians in that body
engaged in an animated conversation at
MIR. HanDa's desk, on the back row.
In the pantomime which followed the
characters of the three statesmen were
clearly defined. Ii was evident that Ell
kins had gone to Hanna with some kind
of business or political proposition.
Chandler was evidently interested in the
transaction, for he was called into con-
sultation. The proposition had apparently
been stated upon sheet of paper which
was spread out upon the desk. II did not
take Hanna long to make up his mind up
on the subject, for he placed his index
finger upon a certain spot on the paper,
and persistently and firmly held his finger
on the same spot during the conversation
that ensued
Senator Chandler evidently took issue
with Mr.. Hanna and endeavored TO per-
suade him to move his finger from the
spot. With characteristic resolution, Mr..
Hanna held his finger on the original spot
refusing to be bulldozed by Chandler, or
cajoled by the easy-going Elkins. Final
ly Chandler seemed to grow excited for
he waved his hands as if he abandoned
the proposition in disgust In the mean
time Hanna's finger did not bulge from
where he had first placed it. Chandler
gave up In dispeair and went away. FL
ktns tried to convince Hanna that his
finger was in the wrong position. EIkins
employed his blandest arguments, but all
to no avail.
The act concluded with Hannas finger
where he had originally placed it, thus i'll
lustrating what his bulldog determination
does for him in small as well as great af-
fairs of state. Ii is said that Mark Hanna
has never learned how to retreat after
having once assumed a position.
Didn't Look Like Senator.
An amusing incident occurred in the
Senate a few days ago. Senator FRYE.
who IS just back from Paris, where he
served with credit to himself and honor
to his country, as a member of the peace
commission, was presiding over the DELHI
erauons of the Senate, in the absence Of
Vice President Hobart who was confined
to his residence by an attack of grip.
nile the peace commissioners were
struggling over the Philippine problem in
Paris, the Oregon legislature elected a He
brew gentleman by the name of Simon. to
the Senate, to fill the seat vacated by
former Senator Mitchell, nearly two years
ago. During the routine morning business
the new senator from Oregon arose and
addressed the acting Vice President The
latter had never seen or heard of Senator
Simon before and his appearance was not
particularly statesmanlike on that occa-
sion. Senator Frye looked intently at the
little stranger on the back row, for a mo
meut, and an embarrassing silence follow
ed
Where is the senator FROM" inquired
Frye of one of the clerks.
He is Senator Simon from Oregon, re-
piled the clerk.
Il beg the senator's pardon" added
Frye and then he made the usual an
nouncement: THE senator from Oregon"
The latter then presented his budget of
bills and petitions, and later in the day
was formally introduced to Senator Frye.
Hoar HobnObs With Democrats.
1t does not seem natural 60 see the
senior senator from Massachusetts,, Mr..
Hoar, constantly hob-nobbing with the
Democrat and Populist senators. A few
months ago the venerable senator from
Massachusetts would have scarcely ven
tured upon the Democratic side of the
chamber. That was before he became the
head and front of the ant-expansionist
movement in the Senate Now it is nee
essary for him to muster his little band Of
Spartans many times during the day to
prevent the eXpansionists from depicting
his small force.
1t is not am unusual sight to observe Sen
aiOrs Hoar of Massachusetts, White of
California and Caffrey of Louisiana in
close conference on the Democratic side of
the chamber. When that trio are together
it is fair to assume that they are schen-
ing to prevent the ratification of the peace
treaty, for they are pronounced against
it, and they even go so far as to predict
that it viii not be ratified during the pres
ent session.
Discharges at $40 Each.
Ten dollars appears to be the market
rate Offered the average congressman for
procuring the discharge of soldier from
the volunteer service. I sat beside a mem
Der of the House few days ago while
he was opening his mornings mail There
were about twenty-five letters, all writ
ten from one Oh the military camps. where
the Y. NJ c. a. boys have established
| reading and writing facilities for the SOL
der boys Each letter. as it was opened
| bv the member turned out to be an urg-
| ent request for the member to use his in
! huence to have the writer discharged from
the volunteer service. Some of the cor
| respondents called attention TO the fact
| that they were important political factors
| in the congressman's district. A majority
Of them concluded by stating
| Il will cheerfully pay you $40 for your
! trouble if you viii secure my discharge
| before my regiment is ordered to Cuba or
the Philippines
The same day 1 saw another member Of
! the House open his mornings mail, and
| he had numerous applications from his
! military constituents, all pleading for their
! immediate discharge from the service
! Many of the writers added that they would
/ given $40 to the member in question, If he
| would procure their discharges These re-
| quests came from regiments made up of
| Young men, who, a few months ago, We're
! begging the Secretary of War not TO mus
| ter them out until they We're permitted to
/ see some kind of service, active or garri-