New-York tribune., 1901-03-14
THE FIGHT IN DELAWA RE.
MR.. HANNA DENIES RESPONSIBILITY
FOR THE SENATORIAL MIDDLE.
CRITICISM OF HIS COURSE AS CHAIRMAN
OF THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COM
MITTEE INDIGNANTLY RESENTED
LEY rr1rcrAru no TIE rRInrNn.I

TRY TELEGRAPH TO TRIHUNE.l
Washington March Ex-senator Hanna talked
to a representative of The Tribune with great
frankncss and considerable indignation to-day
about the Delaware Senatorial situation
Il am tired of being held in any way response
bic by a section Of the Republican press for the
FaiIure of the Delaware legislature to elect Sena-
tors" said Mr. Hanna The lies and abuse or
the opposition newspapers no longer bother me-
but I have determined to strike back hereafter
whenever a Republican paper attacks me aS
some of them are now doing over this untortu-
nate muddle in Delaware. I want it known that
/ did everything in my power as chairman OF the
Republican National Committee 10 bring about
the election of two Republican Senators at Dover
this winter as | am now doing to bring about
the election Of two Republican senators - Ne
braska My whole interest in the contest ln
both States begins and ends In the desire 1" eet
two Republican Senators from each state. Inc
personality of candidates cuts no figure with me.
In the personal sense I have no faNoriteS either
II, Delaware or Nebraska. All that am charged
by the national committee to do Is to assist
in getting into the senate from both Of these
States two stalwart Republicans, iii and capable
and who will work heartily and harmoniously
with the party organization in the Senate. And
in trying 10 do this l am harassed and hectored
hv some Republican papers in the East Wh"S'
editors impugn my motives evidently on ms
understanding Of the facts in the case
At this point Senator Hanna read an extract
from an editorial in a Philadelphia paper that
dealt rather severely with the part he was al
legged to have taken in the recent Delaware
Senatorial struggle and became dramatic IN his
earnest nrotestations against the charges ot
which he was complaining. As chairman OF
the Republican National Committee" he eX-
claimed Il have always been guided in every
act soel7 hy what | regard as the highest In
terest Of tho party. have never used my po-
sition to do injustice to show partiality 10
any deserving Republican. In fighting the
party's battles have sacrificed much-even my
health. And, l said before, have determined
to strike back with all my strength whenever in
future am unjustly attacked by a Republican
newspaper"
WHY ADDICKS WAS RECOGNIZED
The Senator then gave a detailed history Of
his connection with the Addicks Dupont fac
tionaI war in Delaware. The Dupont delega-
ton was seated over the Addicks delegation at
the St Louis Convention In 1896 he said.
mainly because of the vigorous fight Senator
Thurston. of Nebraska, made against the Ad-
dicks men. I have frequently heard Thurston
say since that he much regretted that at
that time he had acted upon misinformation.
The Addicks delegates We're seated over the
Dupont delegates at the Philadelphia Conven-
tion last June mainly because of Duponts
stubbornness Though the evidence showed
plainlv that the Addicks delegates were en-
titled to the seats, in the hope of harmonizing
the narty in Delaware the national committee
nronoeed TO admit half of each delegation from
that State Addicks willing to abide by this
decision but Dupont Obstinately refused TO
cept the proposition. He insisted upon having
all or none. Then the national committee, by
what as | remember almost unanimous
vote declared that the Addcks delegates should
be admitted to the convention. This decision
was not hastily made 1t the result of the
most exhaustive investigation conducted by
Henry c. Payne, of Wisconsin, as sub-commit
tee of Payne is the clearest headed poll
tician on the national committee. When the
Dupont people realized that Payne's report was
10 be adverse to them they pleaded that he
appointed a subcommittee of one to make
further investigation. This was done and for
more than two hours listened to the talk and
complaints of the Dupont crowd. A dozen or
more of them were before me. whereas only one
of the Addicks people appeared. The Dupont
crowd made such a poor showing that | was
compelled to report against them Payne, and
he submitted his and my report to the
full committee. ! want it known that during the
hearings of the contests at Philadelphia-the one
from Delaware we'll that from Louisiana,
in the last of which | interested-I vacated
the post of chairman of the national committee
l did this because 1 feared that my connection
with the political side of the administration
might have too much influence some minds
THE SITUATION AT DOVER.
Senator Hanna then dealt with the recent fail
ure of the Delaware legislature to elect Sena-
tors ITO give You better understanding of
the matter" he said. Il would remind you that
year ago last December, when the national