The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-05-28
THE HANNA-RoosEvELT INCIDENT.

Senator Hanna's withdrawal of opposi-
ton to the Endorsement of President Roose-
welt for denomination is characteristic OF
the man and of his frank and direct meth
DDS of action. 1t also shows his loyalty
to the President and that his position on
the question Of Endorsement was not the
result Of any presidential aspirations on his
own part. His assurances in this behalf
must have satisfied everybody who did not
public should know by this time that he is
not that kind of man. 1t is evident now
that his original opposition was based on
political reasons very different from hostil-
ity to Mr.. Roosevelt or personal aspirations,
and that he has waived them in difference
to the Presidents wishes and his friendship
for the President. There is no doubt that
on the main question he has been in favor
Of Mr.. Roosevelt for second term all
along. Postmaster General Payne, who is
very near the President and also intimate
with Senator Hanna. having served on the
national committee with him. says:
1 probably know Senator Hannas views
on this matter quite as well as any other
man in public life. and can frankly state
that he Is not only not candidate him
SELF but that for a long time he has been
sincerely in favor of President Roosevelts
nomination. There were, however. local
considerations in Ohio politics that made
1t impossible for him to take any other
dorsement of the Presidents nomination at
this particular convention to be held next
week. The Presidents expressed desire left
a way open for Mr.. Hanna to recede from
his position which put him in false light.
as was well known by all his intimate
friends.
Senator Hanna's announcement of his
changed attitude doubtless settles the ques-
ton as to the action of the Ohio convention,
for while quite number of county conven-
lions have declared against the Endorsement
plan 1t is likely all opposition to it will
now be withdrawn. Assuming this to be
the case the action of the convention will
settle the question of President Roosevelts
denomination. If indeed it is not settled
already. More than dozen states have
already Endorsed the President for renom-
action Of the Ohio convention will give the
movement such an impetus as to virtually
settle the matter.
The President has reason to feel more
than grateful at this situation. He has
right to feel proud. for 1t is without a prece-
dent. Other Presidents have had warm in
dorsements of their administrations during
a first term, but no other one has been in
dorsed by many State conventions for re-
nomination in the second and third years
Of his administration Even President Nc
Kinley, strong and popular as he was. was
not Endorsed for denomination by single
State convention in 1898. and by only one or
two in 1899. though they all Endorsed his ad-
ministration in the strongest terms. The
present situation. therefore, has no prece-
dent in American politics and can only be
construed as evidence of President Roose-
velt's great popularity and of the determi-
nation of his party to place itself early on
record in favor of his denomination. What
ever reasons Senator Hanna may have had
for wishing the Ohio convention to refrain
from indorsing the President for renomina-
ton this year, he was wise enough to see
that they would not stand against the pop
ular demand for it and is frank enuogh to
admit that his position was untenable.