The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-02-16
ALL PAY TRIBUTE TO HIS
GREAT WORTH AS A MAN
Capital Loses One of Its Greatest Rep
resentatives and Labor One of Its
Warmest Friends and
Supporters.
BY wATTERsoN sTEALEY.

Washington, February 15-(Special)-
Marcus Alonzo Hanna, the great captain
of the republican party is dead. Victor
in many a fight on the political battle
field. he himself meets with the newt
able defeat which overtakes all. Not
only his party mourns the death of Sem
ator Hanna but the democrats as we'll
He had that in his makeup which won
his political opponents their esteem and
admiration. He was a partisan, but he
was frank and manly and large hearted
He didn't do small things. His word
could be depended upon. He was al
ways decent in opposition. In his death
the business world loses one of its most
energetic and conservative representa-
tives and his political party its best
friend, adviser, promoter ana champion
The republican party will find 1t diff
cult indeed to find campaign manager
that can begin to measure UP to Sem
ator Hanna It's old leaders of the Platt-
Quay school of politics are superannuated
and the young and middle aged men
prominent in their councils there is not
much promise. They do not seem to pos
sess those rare gifts so essential to party
leadership Roosevelt with his youth
ambition and impetuosity may be the
means of bringing to the 'front.' one Of his
= class equipped to lead, but 1t is not likely,
Great knowledge of Men.
The great stregth of Hanna was his
knowledge of men. That is every thing in
political life. The first law of politics
is to know the other fellow. This is
where the great senator was proficient
and the knowledge in his keeping result
ed in success.
AT his Headquarters in the Auditorium
annex when the campaign was at its
highest tide he kept his secretary, Perry
Heath, and one of his assistants, Harry
New, engaged most of their time in bring
ing to his presence men who had either
indicated a disposition or else directly
stated that they could materially assist
the republican campaign. When these
men were brought in to his presence he
not only looked them through but he
piled them with such short incisive ques-
tions that they knew they had come in
contact with a man of strength as well
as insight. Mr.. Hanna rarely made a
mistake, for he was keen and far-sighted
and an expert in political methods. Many
men left his presence with bitter words
throbbing with pleasure, for when the
senator made promise it was as good
as gold.
Friend of Laboring Men.
The sincerity of Mr.. Hanna in his friend
ship for the laboring man cannot be
doubted. At dinner in Washington a
year ago, he was asked what he be-
iieved would be the final solution of cap
ital and labor his answer was this:
II tell you that 1t is a problem, but l
know what it should be. / have no trou-
BILE with my men for I treat thens on
equal grounds never refuse to listen to
their complaints and when can right the
wrong of these complaints, / always do
it. The trouble with operators is that
they generally refuse to listen to the
complaints of their employees. If they
would talk and reason with them. / feel
sure the outcome would be different.
II do this. I go among my men and ex-
plain this and that and why l cannot
comply with their demands. When /
put 1t to them frankly, I seldom have
trouble in making a fair arbitration. If
my business friends would do as I do,
they would save time, money and trou-
ble.''
Generosity Was Well Known.
Mr.. Hanna was a kindly man. and a
generous man. He would stop on the
streets to listen to and help a begar. No
worthy appeal to charity came to him
that did not meet with response. In bus
mess. official and social circles he always
received a cordial hand clasp. Wherever
his walk and conversation led him, he
received the glad hand from appreciative
friends and acquaintance. The exact
like of him the republican party may not
look upon again.