The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-02-17
HAD SENATOR HANNA A
PRENONTON THAT HIS
END WAS APPROACHING?
Representative. w A. Smith Re-
lates a Recent Conversation
with the Late Ohioan.
MR.. CANNON GRIEVES
Once Told Mrs. Hanna He Liked
Her Husband as Much as
Law Permitted.


WASHINGTON, Feb. 16.-At the White
House to-day the President and all the
attaches shared in the general sorrow over
the death Of Senator Hanna. President
Roosevelt, the members of his Cabinet. SEN
ators and representatives in Congress and
callers Of ali classes sadly paid tribute TO
the memory Of the dead statesman.
From the entrance OF the lamented Nc
Kinley into the White House Senator Han
ma was a conspicuous figure at the execu-
tive mansion. Both before and after he
became a member OF the Senate. Mr.. Hanna
was a frequent caller at the White House,
and his visits have been frequent since Mr..
Roosevelt succeeded TO the presidency.
President Roosevelt entertained a cordial
regard for Senator Hanna and the senator
cordially reciprocated that feeling. Their
personal regard was based on the frmest
respect. While they differed at times. as
strong men may differ. their personal re-
lations never were endangered by their diff
ferences. Indeed. so high was the regard
in which the President held Mr.. Hanna's
ability as a political manager and as a
potent force in national affairs thai a few
months ago he requested him urgently in
the event OF his nomination for the presi-
aNA(y 0HA again INO - db0 Z
sponslbilities OF directing the national cam
paign. While it was feared Mr.. Hanna's
III health might induce him to decline again
10 accept the Craftsmanship OF the Repub-
ncan national committee he had not re-
turned at the time he was stricken by his
fatal sickness a final answer to the Presi-
dents request.
Representative William Alden Smith, of
Michigan, related at the White House a
touching incident of a recent conversation
he had with Senator Hanna. He went to
Senator Hanna in the Senate chamber one
day and invited him TO attend, as one of
the distinguished men of the country, the
semi-centennial celebration of the founding
or the republican party, to be held at
Jackson, Mich; on July 6 next
was the senator's pathetic reply to the in
v~itation.
why. you will be right here, of course .
returned Representative Smith, reassur-
NO" replied Mr. Hanna. Tn afraid
won't"
II walked to the rear of the Senate
chamber" said Mr.. Smith. "and. looking
back at the senator, wondered If he had a
premonition that he might not live long.
The impression made by his words never
left me-"
AS Speaker Cannon left the Presidents
office to-day he did not attempt TO disguise
the sorrow he felt at the death Of Senator
Hanna. Yes" said he, Il knew him very
we'll and liked him very ~much-very much,
] remember L told Mrs. Hanna one time
that liked her husband as much as 1t was
lawful for one man to like another" But
he got no further. His voice choked with
emotion and unrestrained tears streamed
down his cheeks.
At the meeting of the Cabinet to-day the
death of the Ohio senator was lamented
deeply. All the members entertained
for him the profoundest regard and re-
spect. The opportunity afforded by the
meeting was embraced by all present tO
pay personal tributes to their dead friend.
Little business was transacted. The mem
bers decided to assemble at the White
House at or about IL o'clock tomorrow &c
accompany the President to the Capitol &c
attend the Senate funeral services.