The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-09-03
Senator Hnnnn,s Ambition.

Senator Hanna's Ambition.
II is a popular superstition that there
are men who would rather be the
power behind the throne than to oc-
cUpy the throne itself. There may be
such men. but they are very few. In
the great majority Of such supposed
cases. a close analysis Of the situation
will disclose the fact that there are
some exceedingly good reasons why
the power behind the throne cannot
take his seat upon IT, There are those
who have imagined that Senator Mar
Gus A. Hanna would rather occupy his
present position as manager chief
Of the Republican party, which, IF
course, includes the Administration.
than TO be President A few years ago
perhaps that supposition was we'll
founded. but there is no reason 20 be
lieve that il is now
II may be quite true, as the New
York Evening Posts Washington cor
respondent suggests. that Mr.. Hanna's
ostensIble fight is 20 control -the next
Republican convention and dictate the
nomination. but that point being at
tanned. there is no reason 70 doubt that
he would control the convention as
largely in his own interests as posi-
bic which means that he viii nominate
himself IL he can.
Mr. Hanna is not regarded as a man
OF very refined sensibHiues. or as one
who can be influenced to any great ex-
tent by purely sentimental considera-
tions. We viii not speak as bluntly Of
him as Mr.. Croker did Of himself and
say that Mr.. Hanna is in politics for
the purpose Of making money; but he
certainly has something in view sep
arate and apart from either health or
fun II is recognized fact that he
IS peculiarly the representative OF the
great trust interests. Being such he
naturally wants TO help those interests
10 the utmost extent possible. He is
astute enough 20 know that 'Presi-
dent Hanna" could do many things
that BOSS Hanna" could not accom-
plish. and besides. President sounds
better than Boss" even 10 a man
who cares little OF nothing for names.
What>a boss can do depends very
largely upon who the nominal Presi-
dent happens 10 be; but what a Presi-
dent can do depends mainly upon him
self
There will be no disposition 10 chaI-
lenge the conclusion that Mr. Hanna
has already made the Southern States
practically solid 10 do his bidding in
the next National Convention Of the
Republican party. Nor can IL be doubt
ed that the Administration is behind
him and pushing with all its might
OF course, no member Of the Admin
istration will admit IT, Such things
never are admitted. But Il is a politi-
cal certainty that the desire which lies
nearest to the Presidents heart Is TO
be succeeded by the man 20 whom
he owes two successive elections
Here we have the secret Of the unwill-
inEness which has been manifest in
high Republican circles to cut down
the representation Of the Southern
States on account Of the partial dis
franchlsement Of the blacks. II would
weaken those delegations in the next
National Convention. and therefore
weaken the Administrations candi-
date for the nomination.
Every day makes IL clearer that Mr..
Hanna and the great combinations
which he represents, mean % business.
and there can be no doubt that from
this time on every passing day will
add 10 his strength as a candidate.
And why should it not2 Talk abou,
Roosevelt and Fairbanks, and SpOoner
and other "favorite Sons" Of particular