Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1900-08-29
Thinks Mr.. Hanna Is Showing Weak
90 ness.

Thinks Mr.. Hanna Is Showing Weak
90 ness!
Hon. Harry II. Smith, of Washing
ion who WAS for 16 years journal clerk
in the House of Representatives and
for long period of his life an import
ant official in the treasury department.
was in Cleveland yesterday at The Co
lonial, on his way from the national
capital to Michigan, where he intends
entering into the work of the cam
paign. says the Plain Dealer. Mr.
Smith is well known throughout a
large section of the country under the
| various titles of politician, farmer,
Journalist and literateur. Three times
he was parliamentary secretary OF the
national Republican convention, the
first time in 1883, at the Chicago con
| yentiou which nominated Harrison; in
| 1902 at Minneapolis. and in 1896 at ST.
] Louis. Mr.. Smiths Republican creden
tals were at one time considered the
very best. During the present cam
paign, however, he will work under
different colors. He has completely
reuounced his Republican affiliations
and not only will he east his ballot for
the election of Bryan, but he will put
| in his days between this and Nov. g.,
working for the success of the Demo-
cratic ticket.
In 1896 Mr.. Smith voted for McKin-
ley when Bryan was standing on free
silver as paramount issue. The pol
| icy of the Mckinley administration
| in regard to the Philippines and Porto
Rico has turned him against the party.
In an interview yesterday, Mr.. Smith
said:
"Despite the fact that | have always
been Republican, / am compelled,
out of respect for myself and my coun-
try, to vote this year for Bryan. In
1896 worked night and day for the
Mckinley ticket, was Horace Greedy
man in 1879; in fact, all my life, since
/ was old enough to know one party
from another, | have been taught and
nourished OH til principles of the Re-
publican party. but l cannot vote for
Mckinley on the present platform Of
the party. | regret that Bryan has not
taken a different stand OH the currency
issues, but imperialism, in my mind,
is the paramount issue, and the money
question is secondary consideration.
II am willing, therefore, to accept
the Democratic candidate for the sake
of the former and despite the latter
My attitude on the question of imper-
|iaism is precisely that taken by SEN
ator Hoar, and his great speech ex-
presses by honest convictions. Hoar
said that imperialism was the greatest
menace to the safety of this country.
that the downfall of this nation would
date from the Administration of Nc
Kinley If the policy of imperialism ad-
yocated by him was carried into eff
feet. | thoroughly believe that Mr..
Hoar was right. This nation has no
business with a policy of colonization.
|
II will rob us of the isolation from
other nations that has been one great
cause of our advancement; it will com.
pcI MS to mingle in the affairs of other
nations after the manner of all the
European countries. | believe in eX-
panslon, but not imperialism"
Speaking of the recent interview
given out by Secretary of the Treasury
Gage, in which Mr. Gage states that
Bryan, If elected, would have power
to force n free silver financial policy
on the country, Mr. Smith said
| lH-t. IL, l.