The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1901-10-07
More Perplexing to Politic-
ians Than Roosevelt.
WHAT WILL MARK DO7
No Break in the Old Relationship Is
Probable.
PRESIDENT RE- -Lg FEEDS HANNA
Should He Break With the Senator
1t Would Be n Political Blum
der, 1t Is Held.

Fron. The Joarral BureGss. Room, 10, Post
Building, HashinGtoT-
Washington, Oct. ITO many of the
practical politicians Senator Hanna is at
present more of an enigma than the
president. What are to be his relations
to the new executive, and what his re-
lations to the republican national or
ganization as the result of McKinley's s
death? The man who can answer these
questions will satisfy the curiosity of a
large element in both political parties.
Thus far only fair words have been
spoken on both sides. Mr. Hanna, in
several interviews. in Cleveland. in Buff
falo, and last of all, in Boston, has used
the most complimentary language in re-
ferring to President Roosevelt, and the
president, in his informal talks with
White House callers, has been equally
polite. Hanna has not been in Wash
ington since McKinley's death, and this
long range fire of compliments. while
very nice, is not entirely satisfying to
SOIu6 VI lIG 11OA ohCPlANoA AOAhos
1t is the general belief here Of we'll
informed men that the interviews out
line the relationship that is to be sus-
tanned between the two men. but this
belief will be strengthened when, after
Senator Hanna's arrival on the scene, he
resumes the position which he held under
the administration of his dead friend.
There are not wanting those who predict
a downfall for Hanna, leading to his
speedy retirement from politics and pos
sibly from private life. This view, how
ever, represents an extreme which has
comparatively few indorsers. The large
majority of men feel that there will be
no break in the old relationship. This
would be the obviously correct thing,
both from the party standpoint and from
that of the country as whole. There
is just enough of uncertainty entering
into the situation to make it interesting
and to give rise to much Hanna copy"
in the daily newspapers.
1t is rather amusing in this connection
to watch the drift of democratic senti-
ment in Ohio. 1t gives the cue for much
Hanna talk that is being heard. AS long
as Mr.. Mckinley was alive and in the
White House, Hanna was spoken of by
Ohio democrats as the power behind the
throne, as the most important man in
the republican party, as the republican
Warwick who made and unmade men at
will. Now these same democrats are re-
ferring to him, in tones of pretended
sympathy, as the most pOwerless man in
the nation, as having fallen from his
high estate and BECOME of no account in
-,
being ready, through the keenness of his
disappointment to resign from the senate
and retire to private life. These two
views show pretty clearly what the demo-
Gratis hope will take place in Washing
ton They hope there will be a split be-
tween Hanna and Roosevelt and that
because Of It an opening will be made in
doubtful states in time for the campaign
next year, and that this opening will
widen and pave the way for a grand demo-
cratic victory in 1904.
NO doubt both Hanna and Roosevelt
know all about this, and are prepared
to meet the problem of their new rela-
tlonshlp like men, for the best interests
OF the republican party and Of the ma
tlon There is no personal i'll will be-
tween them. Hanna's opposition to
Roosevelt's nomination for the vice-pres-
ldency at Philadelphia was wholly imper-
sonal, and 1t reflected Roosevelt's own
thoughts. There was no conflict Of views
between them. And now that Roosevelt
has stepped into the presidency. 1t is he
lieved he will disappoint his democratic
friends by adhering to the Mckinley pol-
Icy as to Hanna as we'll as to everything
else. This is the belief in Washington
but as already stated, there Is Just enough
OF uncertainty in the case to Justify a
n 111kI
political interest.
Roosevelt would commit a serious no.
litical blunder II he were to break with
Hanna, and it would be just as serious a
Dlunder were Hanna to decline to meet
Roosevelt half way In any plan that NAV
De proposed for carrying out the Nc
Kinley policy Of distributing the presiden-
tial patronage. Hanna was McKfnlev's
political broker. He knows the leading
republican politicians in all the states,
knows their records. and to what extent
they are entitled to reward for services
rendered Neither Mckinley nor any
other man IN the country was so close
70 the organization, and so perfectly pre-
pared to adjust differences and make suo-
gestions when appointments were being
considered, Roosevelt knows less ahonf
the details of the republican ORGANIZATION
than any man of prominence in the partv.
because he had come into prominence so
recently. and his training has been oF q
character to keep him aloof from the os-
flee seeking classes. He could hardly pet
along without Hanna's aid now and
should he ask for that aid Hanna could
hardly decline to extend it freely. That
the men will get together on some such
basis as this is entirely probable.
ROOSEVELT Senator Spooner's con-
ference with President
AND Roosevelt last week was
long. He dined at the
SPoONER. White House in the even
Ing, and before going to
his hotel talked over in a leisureIv ~
ner the questions which are of most pres