The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-09-21
MARK HANNA AND HIS LEADING
CHARACTERISTICS.
Courage, Tenacity and Far-Sighted-
ness-In Politics for His Friends
His Business Career.
Brooklyn Eagle.

politician asked sarcastically: who is
Mark Hanna. anyway No one is ask
ing that question to-day. Everybody
knows him or of him. He as one of
the most widely advertised, the most ex-
tensively cartooned and one of the most
thoroughly misrepresented men in America.
This is the result of the part he has taken
in political affairs and the forcible way in
which he has played that part
Five years ago Mr.. Hanna was compare
lively unknown outside of his business
associations and in local politics, and. to
limited extent. among the political lead
ers of the country. The gallant campaign
he made for the nomination of Mr. Nc
Kinley in 1886 and the generalship he de-
veloped at St. Louis. when pitted against
such able and experienced leaders as Platt,
Quay. Reed and score of others, marked
him as a man of power and ability. The
resistless energy, superb strategy and
sweeping grasp displayed in the manage
ment of the subsequent campaign, which
resulted in the election OF Mckinley, con-
firmed the estimate of his capacity and
compelled the respect of those who had
sneeringly predicted his failure Not for
a day during that hot and protracted
fight did the situation get beyond Mr..
Hannas control. He never lost his head,
and very rarely his temper-though at
times he encountered perplexities enough
to vex saint. He retained the conf
dence and loyal cooperation of his asso-
ciates on the various subcommittee. An
indefatigable worker and full OF confidence
himself. he inspired everybody about him
with like faith and enthusiasm. he di-
vided his time between the headquarters
at New York and Chicago yet was in
constant touch with each by long-distance
telephone. The campaign was as care
fully mapped out and executed in every
detail as the strategic plans of military
commander, and the final result was never
in doubt TO Mr.. Hanna's mind. because
his conclusions were the result or care
full calculations, based upon positive in
formation, as nearly exact as trusted
agents under an energetic and resource
fui leader could obtain. For example, In
one close State, in which the situation was
unsatisfactory, three distinct and complete
polls were made inside of six weeks. The
thoroughness of this campaign was dem
onstrated by the tact that the majority
for Mckinley in November in that State
was within less than 1900 of what the final
polling showed; and that on vote OF near
ly half million.
About two weeks before the election a
delegation from one of the supposedly close
States called on Mr. Hanna at Chicago and
urged that with liberal supply of funds
and a fresh force of speakers their State
could be carried for the Republican ticket.
The chairman heard them through, and
them without hesitation, gave a detailed
review of the situation i'm their State, show
ing that il would be impossible to carry ii,
and that il would be folly to undertake IL
at that hour. He advised them to go home
and make the best fight they could, con-
Guiding with the statement that the State
would go 5000 for Bryan. And it did, and
some over.
On the Thursday night before the election,
after reviewing the situation with his ad-
visers at the Chicago headquarters, Mr..
Hanna made the statement that Mckinley
and Hobart would have 272 votes i'm the
electoral college. and that under no circum-
stances would Ii fall below 270 or n more
than enough to elect The vote of the
Electoral College for the Republican candi-
dates was Zl. Notwithstanding the loss of
one each in Kentucky and California.
Whether these slumps were anticipated is
not positively known, though the possibility
of such a thing was seriously considered.
Aside from this the results show that the
calculations were carefully and correctly
made, and safely conservative.
For two weeks before the election the
Democrats. including Chairman Jones, were
claiming Indiana as certain for Bryan. The
last canvass at Republican headquarters
showed the State safe for Mckinley and
hard money by over 1900. The official
count was $4,000 These incidents are sim
ply given TO show that the campaign of
1896 was not one of guess work. but con-
detail well in hand IL was as nearly as
possible case of knowing" instead Of
guessing"
HANNA'S CHARACTERISTICS.
Indomtable energy, unfiinching courage
and bulldog tenacity. coupled with clear
judgment and keen perception are the char
acteristics of Mark Hanna. He is good
judge of men and motives quick to COM
prehend situation prompt TO decide and
usually correct In his conclusions He is
full of resources and masterfu and me-
thodical in his ways. He is positive in his
opinions and blunt and fearless in express
ing them, consequently, though much mis-
represented, he is rarely misunderstood
Mr. Hanna is not professional states
man nor a professional politician, but a
business mana man OF affairs, who, from
force of circumstances, has taken to poll
tics, into which he has carried business
methods and business integrity. He con-
Quoted the presidential campaign of 1896 as
he has managed fleets, shipbuilding, min
ing, railroad and other Industrial enter
prises. which have brought him distinction
and affiuence in the commercial world.
The campaign of 1900 will undoubtedly be
managed along the same lines. and in all
probability, with similar results. He ex-
did in so. and the party looks to him again
to carry its banner to victory. There is
lurking danger in oyerconfidence OF moth
| ing has Mr.. Hanna a greater dread. He
believes in organization and work, and is
| opposed to taking anything for granted
| He is a stalwart in politics as in business
aggressive and exacting in his demands
yet conservative and conciliating when
| those qualities are admirable
Mr. Hanna inherited a strong personality
| having in his veins the blood of the ster-
| ling Friends of Virginia and the sturdy
Scotch Presbyterians of Vermont. The re-
suit is a marked combination of Drawn and
brain, from which were developed the In
| dustry, perseverance and pluck that char
acterize the man. He was born in Column
biana county Ohio. Sept. "a. 1887, and spent
his early life there. He was given fairly
| good education at the public schools. with
| two years at the Western Reserve College.
| His training. however, was largely along
business lines, for which his surroundings
were favorable and his opportunities good.
| In 1852 his father removed to Cleveland and
| embarked in the grocery and provision
business as the head of the firm of Hanna
| Garrettson a Co, the son being installed
as a clerk. In 1862 the father died, and
Marcus A. Hanna succeeded TO his interest
| in the business. which was continued until
| 1867 when it closed out. and Mr.. Hanna
became a member OF the firm OF d. p.
| Rhodes a Co.. engaged in the iron and
| coal industry. This was the nucleus OF the
vast enterprises with which Mr.. Hanna has
been and Is now identified. Ten years later,
| I'm 1877. the firm name was changed to NJ A.
Hanna K Co. which name IL still retains.
| From the requirements of his firm Mr..
| Hanna became vessel owner on the lakes,
| later a shipbuilder at the head OF the Globe
| and iron ore developments, with street-rail-
W. other interests. in all n w