Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1900-09-20
THURSDAY EVENING. SEPT. 20, 1900.
M.Uv HANNA is the biggest boss o

corrupting interests and trusts, and he
disburses 1t. 1t is for him to say what
candidate shall be helped or neglected,
what this or that State shall get, end
how much money is needed to buy the
election. He manages Mckinley,
tells him what to do and lays
down the law generally. Sena-
tors, members of the House Of
Representatives, Cabinet Minister'S
lesser lights and democratic renegades
hang upon his smiles and fawn upon
him like spaniels. He is usually gooo
natured-tbe good nature that comes
from large possessions, health and sud-
den elevation. II ne relspses now into
violent language it is a good sign that
he is alarmed, and that matters are mol
going as he would wish them to 60. Ii
he really regarded Mr.. Bryan as
bypocrite he would entertain for him
profound respect-almost as much
respect as he has for Mckinley himself,
and would try to win him over to his
own party. But he knows Bryan 10 hon.
est and he greatly fears that he may be
elected. This is enough to excite his
wrath. lie is not trying to emulate
Roosevelt and bear away the palm for
blackguardism from the true prince.
His feelings are simply too much for
him. and he gives way. That is all. 1t
is an encouraging item OF campaign
news.
1t is no news that Mr.. Hanna
has a warm eide for the trusts. Most
dogs will readily lick the hand that
feeds them and bark at the supposed en-
envy oftheir benefactor. Mr. Hanna is
much iIritated at Bryan's attack on the
trusts. He wants Bryan to tell him
what a trust is. Good, innocent,
Virtnons soul be does not know
the trust monster by sight. Probably
ne wants also definition of other forms
of robbery, of political bribery, of cor
ruption 10 elections, of title to office by
purchase, populations in Cuba, pecula
tions and specuations in the Washing
Ton administration, armor plate robbery
and all the long catalogue of politlca
vice which this truly good man want
10 know all about, not, of course, Il
practice, but in order to avoid. II h'
wants to learn the definition OF sleal
ing a national convention Mr.. Thoma
B. Reed, of Maine, can tell him how i
was done by his (Reed's) opponents il
1895. Il would be Mr.. Reeds frs
contribution to his campaign and i
would be a very fat one.
Later on Mr.. Hanna tells u
that there is not q trust il
the United States. If there is not
how can Mr.. Bryan define it 10
him Mr.. Hanna says there is no trus'
because there is national law agaiDs
it. and in every State State lay
against it, What delightful state
things there is all around The exist
ence of the trusts is mere chimers
saws Mr.. Hanna. But Hanna wabble
right here. He says that he has 20 OF
lection to the democrats fghtin
trusts" but "they have not got an
patent on it," Ia other words, ther
are trusts, after all, and they are g
formidable that both parties must g
In and fight them. Mr.. Hanna wei
remembers that at the close of the las
session of Congress his republican
friends 10 the House OF Representa-
tiyes rushed in with q bill to prohibi
trusts and constitutional amendmeD
providing for the same purpose, and &c
ing so far as to usurp the presen
powers of tbs State governments
This legislation was not intended o
expected to pass the Senate, and no ef
fort was made to do it. 1t was to max
ignorant people believe that the repub
Iican party had an idea Of doing some
thing to eradicate trusts, although Mr.
Hanna now says the whole evil hat
been suppressed long ago by nationa
and State legislation. There was some
thing in the Ohio republican platform
on this subject year ago, which Mr.
Hanna of course approved, and there
was also plank on the subject in TIT
Philadelphia platform, which Mr.. Han
ma would do we'll to consult. 1t doe
not matter that there was a fraud il
paiming of bogus platform on th,
convention, as General Grosvenor says
II the child was changed at nurse th,
spurious progeny has been crowned al
the same, and Mr.. Hanna cannot u
back on it and remain loyal man t,
bis party. Long ago man wa
charged with stealing copper kettle
He was ready with his reply. He dit
not steal it. He never had 1t. a.
aever saw it. He obtained it with tn
full consent of the owner. Finsll
when he did get it, by hook or b,
crook. the kettle wac cracked and ha,
no value whatever. Mr.. Hanna seem
TO have been studying this bit of an
eient history. Poor man! He wants