Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-08-30
they apparently will. no man can tell
what may happen.
HOLDING UP BUSINESS MEN.

Big Boss Mark Hanna, the manager
of the Republican campaign and direc-
tor general of the Mckinley admins
tration, is after the business men and
corporations hot. He wants money
and lots of it, and he's going to squeeze
1t out of EN-, if threats, intimidation
and bully-raging can accomplish his
financial purpose. He doesn't want
any ordinary sum, either. He de-
mands millions. He was over at Phil
adelphia the other day and stated fiat
ly that six hundred thousand dollars
would be expected from that one city,
as a preliminary contribution. He is
now going to Chicago. and capitalists
and business men in that city are MAX
ing hasty arrangements to take be-
lated vacations, locking their safes be-
fore they go. Doubtless the big mag
nate will swing around the circle of
the big cities, picking up million here
and half a million there until he has
at his disposal slush fund sufficiently
large to warrant him in starting TO
purchase the floating vote Of the coun-
try, and thereby demonstrating that
M,hiniey is the unbiased choice OF the
incorruptable American people.
The Philadelphia Record, in discuss
g,r tr,,r
Chairman Hanna is perpetrating the big
gest and boldest hold-up to which the BUS
mess men of the country have ever sub
mitted. The Republican manager does
not wear a mask nor point pistols, after
the manner of the mere train robbers of
the West. but, all the same, he frightens
his victims into holding up their hands
while his confederates go through their
bullying pockets. Hanna tells the repre-
sentative business men of the country
that their refusal to ''whack up" would
mean the triumph OF the Democrats who
are opposed to legislation that favors the
few at the expense of the many HIS
chief reliance, however is on their under
standing that any interest which shall
not respond to his demand will receive
no kindly consideration from the Repub-
licanS hereafter.
These millions extorted from the bust
ness men of the different cities do not
make up the full sum of Hannas cam
paign collections. The Trusts provide a
w
strength of mind to attempt an estimate
of its stupendous aggregate. In addition
all candidates for office have to put up
enough to cover the legitimate campaign
expenses of their respective districts. The
grand total must be an appalling sum.
What need has Hanna of all this mon
eNE Can he put 1t to an honest use? The
great body of Americans whose votes are
not for sale cannot be influenced in their
choice of candidates by anything which
money can provide. The most enthusiasts
tic and thorough political campaigns in
our history have been carried on with
infinitely smaller sums than that which
there are partisans enough to make up
any reasonable amount for campaign eX-
penses; but Hanna will fling his corrupt
ing millions into the doubtful States.
No account will be rendered to the busi-
ness men of the disbursement of this
money. Indeed. no Republican will want
10 know what may have been done with it.
The contributors know that there can be
no honest use of it.
1t is sufficient for the trusts and
millionaires and common ordinary
men to know that Hanna needs the
money" What he will do with it is
none of their business. He'll attend
to that-he and his lieutenants. 1t will
be in evidence later along in doubtful
States, where trusted agents will be
prepared to offer cash in exchange for
votes for Imperialism and the per
petuation" of the Mckinley regime.