The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-09-30
HANNA ASKS 100000
Republican Boss Want This
From Baltimore Banks.
Clearing Houses Act. Differences Of Opinion
Develop At a Meeting of the Financiers,
But il is Decided to Raise the Sum
Baltimore SUM-

Dut II is decided to RaiSe the Sum
baltimore Sum-
An illustration of the methods by
which Marcus a. Hanna hopes to car
ry this country for Mckinley and the
Republican party was developed in
Baltimore last week at a specially
called meeting of the Baltimore Clear
ing House Association, which includes
in its membership all the national
bank presidents in the city, as well as
other bankers and men of large
means.
Just prior to the meeting, accord
ing to the statement of one of the
most prominent bank presidents in
the city, individual tips straight from
Mr.. Hanna were received by certain
well-known gentlemen in Baltimore
who have affiliated with the Mckinley
cause to the effect that $4,000 was ex-
pected from the national banks of
Baltimore as their contribution to the
campaign fund of the Republican par
ty. The tip was not exactly a welcome
one, but it was thought wise not to
pass it by, and almost Immediately
the call for the meeting of the Clear
ing House Association was issued.
VOTED TO GIVE THE MONEY.
At that meeting the request of Sen
ator Hanna was laid before the mem
bers of the association for con-
sideration Considerable difference of
opinion was manifested in regard to
full compliance with the wishes of the
National Chairman, and for a while
matters looked squally. 1t was urged
that this was a necessary contribu-
ton, and that for the welfare of the
financial institutions which it repre-
scented the association should raise
the money. 1t was also. it is said,
made very plain that the national
banks. being repositories for the
funds of the government. were looked
to for support by the administration
because of that fact
The final result of the meeting was
the passage of a resolution by the as
ISOLATION decidieg to raise the $4,000
for the purpose of aiding in the cleo
ton of Mr.. Mckinley. The amount
which each bank was expected to con-.
tribute was apportioned and complete
arrangements for raising the fund
were made. .a-
WHAT \ DIRECTOR WANTED TO
KNOW.
On the day after the meeting the
resolution passed by the Clearing
House Association came up before the
boards of directors of the various ma
tional banks in the city, when ,eaGh
board was expected to appropriate the
amount allotted to it to raise. At
some of the board meetings matters
were even less harmonious than at the
meeting of the Clearing House Assp-
citation.
The president of one of the wealth
lest and strongest banks in the city
is the authority for the story of the
manner in which the Clearing House
Association resolution was received at
one of the banks included in the list.
He says that when the matter was
brought up and it was proposed that
the board of directors appropriate the
sum assigned to it Democratic MEM
Der of the board arose and desired to
know what this money was to be used
for and where it was going.
is it," he asked. ''to be divided
equally between the Democratic and
Republican parties?'
1t was explained to him that the
money was intended to GO entirely to
the Republican National Committee
and to be used exclusively for the pur-
pose of electing William Mckinley and
insuring the defeat of Mr.. Bryan and
the Democratic ticket, which, it was
declared, was against the money in
terests of the country.
HIS PROTEST EFFECTIVE.
When the Democratic director fully
took in the situation he began to OBJ
iect and he did so with such vigor
and persistence that affairs in the
board room became very lively and
considerable excitement was created.
Attempts were made by Republican
members of the board to argue, con-
ciliate and reason with the director
who objected and it was pointed out
to him that it was for the banks own
good that the contribution was to be
matte. The arguments and reasoning
were of no avail.
The Democratic director contended
that the bank had no right to appro-
pirate It's StOcKnOluerS money LOT IlO-
litical purposes. Any individual who
desired to contribute money to the
Republican campaign fund, he argued,
had right to do so, but he did not
believe a bank had the right and he
would not consent to it.
After many more words, it became
evident to the other directors that the
Directing member of the board did not
intend to change his views on the
question and was prepared to do all
he could to prevent the appropriation
of the money by his bank. The whole
matter was therefore, dropped by the
board and no action was taken.
The friends of the Democratic direc-
tor say that as long as he retains his
connection with the bank the money
will not be appropriated.
WOULD HAVE APPEALED TO
COURTS.
1t is stated that the reason the
board of directors did not pass the
resolution in spite of the Democratic
was because it was understood