The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-11-19
Mark Hanna's First Speech.

markable man. His friends know that
he is.
II was during the latter part OF 1885
and the early part Of 1895 that he first
attracted attention throughout the coun-
try as q political manager. Before that
time he was simply Marcus A Hanna.
Of Cleveland. When he took charge Of
the Mckinley campaign for the presi-
Dental nomination there were scores of
politicians, perhaps as able as Is Mr..
Hanna, who knowingly shook their
heads and said that he would make
botch Of IT; that he wasn't a big enough
man to tackle such a big job. When
Quay and Plat, under the trip-hammer
blows administered by Hanna, later
threw up the sponge, then it was for the
first time that Republicans and Demo-
Gratis everywhere. save in Ohio. began
to inquire who this man Hanna was.
Then came the nomination of Presi-
dent Mckinley and the subsequent cam
paign for his election. Mr.. Hanna sue
ceeded in covering himself with glory.
and when William Mckinley was made
president of the United States 1T was
conceded that the Republican chairman
had won for himself a personal triumph
by his mastery conduct Of the campaign.
The "details of the senatorial contest
waged in Ohio a year later are well
known. Considerable surprise was eS
pressed at the time over the fact that
DUNG the campaign that preceded the
fight in the state legislature Hanna
made a number of speeches on the
stump. These, while crude in many re-
spects, were the effort Of a determined
man, and presaged the latent oratorical
ability of which in the present state
campaign Senator Hanna has clearly
shown himself to be the possessor.
On returning from Europe Mr.. Hanna
said In New York city, afterward re-
iterating the statement in Cleveland,
that he proposed to take the stump for
Judge Nash. 1t is doubted. however,
whether he at the time realized TO what
extent he would speak during the cam
paign Altogether he has made four po-
litical tours of the state, has Travelled
many hundred miles. has made between
% and 90 speeches, and has spoken TO
more than 1900 people. He has been as
active in the campaign as Judge Nash,
the Republican candidate for governor.
''It was in the famous campaign Of
1885, says Senator Hanna, when I
made the first speech of my life. 1t was
almost on the twentieth anniversary OF
my debut in politics. It was during the
last week of that very hot campaign
and I was at the Republican national
headquarters IN Chicago.
"All Of use were tired out. Most OF
the speakers of national Importance had
gone home or were en- route. The few
remaining speakers had assignments
that could not be interfered with. The
Polish vote of Chicago is a big factor
in the politics Of that city. Many a cam
didate has learned of the necessity OF
getting this vote. Through hard work
on our part we succeeded in organizing
a large Polish Republican club. We were
resting content with the thought that we
had the ward in question carried, when
the Democrats awoke to the situation.
They arranged for two meetings. One
was held in the afternoon and one in the
evening. Bryan and Altgeld spoke at
both. They succeeded in undoing IN
about four hours what had taken weeks
of hard work to accomplish.
lone of the Polish leaders appealed TO
the national committee for assistance. He
said that unless a rousing Republican
meeting was held Immediately all our
work would go for naught I told him
that all the speakers had gone home; that
we had no one on whom we could de-
pend
Suit yourself he replied. but If no
meeting is held I won't answer for the
consequences
81 was pretty well alarmed We
needed that ward We could not afford
to lose it.
THE situation was discussed by some
of the committeeman.
Let Hanna CO. some one suggested
The idea was taken IN. 1 protested. but
with no avail. For twenty-four hours,
our time limit, the ward was canvassed,
and the meeting advertised as few meet
ings have been advertised since. The OPP
position papers took it up, and on the
morning after the advertisements appear
ed assured me that I would get warm
reception that evening.
1.-The detective department Of the po-
lice force sent men to me warning me
against all sorts OF plots that had been
laid to break up the meeting. The
Democrats seemed determined 10 pre-
vent, If possible my speaking.
Il was also informed that I might
have to pass through dense crowds in
reaching the meeting place. so I started
early. 1t was a good thing I did so.
was very dubious as to the outcome OF
what to me was a rather hazardous
adventure. The meeting place was
about three squares from Republican
headquarters. 1t required just five min
utes less than one hour for the carriage
to make the trip. The ride along the first
square was without event. Toward its
end. however l could not help but notice
that an unusually large number OF peo-
pie were on the streets, and by the time
! had traversed half Of the second block
I concluded that it would be a good thing
TO have the driver stop and give the
horses a rest.
whatever conclusion 7 did reach. #
is an absolute fact that the street was
impossible so crowded was #. Loafers
poker their heads into the carriage, leer-
ed at me, and addressed the foulest Ian
guage al me that had ever heard. They
advised me TO 60 home. They told ne
that II I wanted a whole skin I had bet
ter clear out II must be confessed that
I did feel rather shaky.
The mob that had prepared this re-
ception for me. however. overcid t. The
horses were finally able 70 proceed. and
I was CONCENTRATING myself on having
passed through the worst OF the trouble
when a lightning-uke fash q light struck
ne squarely IN the eyes II was from a
calcium light that had been placed for my
benefit on the building adjoining the one
in which I was 70 speak For about twenty
minutes was tortured by the pranks
played by this glariug, binding light
Il became boiling mad. believe
could have licked the operator q that
Hight with ease. In this frame of mind
I entered the hall There was a large
crowd.
Before I had fully relieved myself -
the angry Uttersnces I made the NEE
Eho had crowded into the bal mad BE-
come attentive. talked a. them used
no hourishes. I had 70 funny stories %
-.