The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-12-10
SEEKS HANNA'S SCALP
FoRAKER OPENS BATTLE AND
 MEETS DEFIANT FOES.
Senators Will Vie for Power Over Ohio Assembly-Each Threatens to Doom Reelection of Other
 If Possible.
Columbus (o.). Special to Chicago Chron

Columbus Co), Special to Chicago Chron- icle.
 Ohio will open next week one of the greatest political battles in the history of the State. With her two United States Senators as opposing generals the rival Republican factions in the Buckeye State will once more wage war for su- premacy.
 Senator Marcus A. Hanna has taken up the gauntlet thrown down by his col league. Joseph E. Foraker, for a test of strength in Ohio political affairs through the organization of the General Assem- bly. He has fiatly declined to accede to the election of Harley Speelman of Ma rietta, as Clerk of the House of Repre- sentatives, and insists upon William K. Uhl of Cleveland, being chosen as Clerk of the Senate. This means a fight all along the line, involving every office in the Assembly from the Speakership down.
 Hanna Slow to Start Fight.
 Senator Hanna at first refused to be- lieve the Foraker forces were lining up against his friends along old divisions The announcement that his ancient foe, Charles l.. Kurtz, had re-entered the po- ltical arena as leader or the nostile forces seemed incredible, and refusal of Senator Foraker to reach an agreement to prevent a row was beyond comprehen- sion. But the 'lion woke up when ln- lubitable evidence of all these things was presented to him. Senator Hanna has also found, 1t is said, that there IS conspiracy matching to oppose his can ddacy for re-eiection two years hence and the present row is only the begin ming of the actual work of dethrone- ment.
 Means of Wrecking Machine.
 The news that Hanna had accepted the | challenge was not surprising to Foraker | leaders here because they knew that It would be only a question of time when Hanna would discover the situation and order an attack. They have simply tignt- fhair and awaiting the onslaught. The struggle means the break ing up of the organization that Hanna built and of which Foraker has been a part.
 By the famous compact known as the trI-party agIeement by which angry Me Kinley men agreed to support Bushnell whom they detested. for Governor and Foraker for Senator, while the Foraker
 men agreed that the Mckinley men should have a solid delegation from Ohio in the St. Louis Convention. truce was | effected between factions which lasted from August, 1895, till the present time. The indications for prolonged struggle | now rest upon the assumption by the | Hanna element that Forakers purpose | in trying to organize the legislature Is to | prevent Hannas reelection two years | hence. Victory there will come to the senior Senator prestige and leadership which will make him formidable candi- | him to infiue ential position which Senator Hanna occupied during President Nc Kin | ley's first administration.
 Hanna Says It's Time to Act.
 In a message received here tonight Senator Hanna is quoted as follows: l "I am not a facticnaist and am op- posed to factionalism, but when Charles | l.. Kurtz announces openly that it is his | intention to organize the legislature 1t
 seems to be time for me to do some- | thing.
 Senator Foraker broke the news of the | quarrel more automatically. He tele- | graphed to Elmer Biddison. who has charge of the speakership candidacy of l Foraker's favorite in substance as fol- lows:
 Senator Hanna and I have discussed
 the situation and have agreed that each shall stand by his friends | Republican organs here and In Cieve-
 land warn Foraker in Sunday editorials l that unless he calls off his lieutenants his own toga will be demanded when the l legislature meets.