Daily Kennebec journal., 1904-02-13
FOR ROOSEVELT.
Ohio League Of Republican
Clubs Endorses Roosevelt.
Dramatic Scene St Idom Witnessed in
That States Politics.
Critical Condition of Senator Hanna
Received With Sadness.

Cleveland, Ohio, Feb. ia dramatic
scene seldom if ever cqu3lled in the
history of Ohio politics occurred at the
session of the Ohio League of Rcpub-
lican Clubs, this afternoon, connecting
as it did the Presidential endorsement
of the league and the critical of Sem
atOr Hanna.
A spirited fight had been precipitated
by the report of the committee on res
Olutions endorsing the candidacy of
President Roosevelt for denomination.
Objection to this was taken by the
Montgomery county delegation and a
heated speech was made by Robert
Ncvin of Dayton, supporting the stand
of the delegation. The Roosevelt spirit
was plainly predominant and Nevin'S
voice was frequently drowned by the
opposing factions. Amid much con-
fusion the Roosevelt resolution was
finally adopted, only Montgomery coun-
ty dissenting.
At this psychological moment Gov.
Herrick arose and in voice choking
with emotion read 4 telegram from
Washington announcing that oxygen
was being used to sustain Senator
Hanna and that it was fcarel that his
condition was hopeless.
A death!ike stiffness followed when
! the Governor concluded. The transi-
ton from the rampant Scene preceding
| the announcement and the effect upon
the asscmblagc afterward was so sud-
den as to be almost shocking.
| Senator Foraker was introduced and
said in part:
I I'VE are met here, today, under most
favorable party auspices. The Repub:
lican party has everywhere been tri-
umphant. No problem has bafflcd us
| and no serious difference of opinion
has arisen to create any serious dis
cord in our ranks. We write u new
chapter OF party history every year
and even every week. We are Il united
party. We are practically united as to
the man who is to lead us. the man
who has been making the record upon
which we must stand.
Now, while it is all bright on this
horizon. there comes one painful feat
ure to mar our joy. No one could feel
more kecnly than | would do
the serious condition of Senator
Marcus A. Hanna. We have had
our differences. but they have been
the loss of any respect for him, and
find myself hoping that he has none
the less resnect for me. During his
seven years in the Senate l have seer
him engaged in his work and have seen
him grow in the estimation of his col
leagues. No man in public life has
grown in the last seven years as Mar
Gus Hanna. He has been outspoken
faithful and loyal in the highest de-
gree 20 the Republican party. He was
not an active participant in genera
debate but no one cxerted more influ-
ence on the floor of the Senate.
1T would be Il severe loss to us il
he should pass away. He has been d
truly great man; not the greatest, per-
haps, for We have had Sherman. Gar
field and Il great galaxy of statesmen
but his name will always stand as one
of the strongest men in the nations
history"
The resolutions adopted by the con-
vcntion prior to the reading of the tel
cgram from Washington. primarily en-
dorscd Senators Foraker and Hanna t,
he delegates at large from Ohio to tht
coming national Republican conven-
ton.
The banquet which was to have beer
held here. tonight. as the concluding
feature of the annual meeting of tho
Ohio Republican League has beer
abandoned owing to the serious Hines:
Of Senator Hanna. Senator Foraker
Gov. Herrck and other prominent mer
in public life were to have spoken al
the banquet.
Cleveland, Ohio. Feb. 12.-JOllifica-
ton over the Republican sweeping vic
tory in Ohio last fall was the para
mount feature of the 18th annual con-
vcntion of the Ohio Republican League
which met here, today. This theme
was embellished in every address an(
the whitening sarcasm showcrcd upOr
the opposition evoked much enthusi-
asm from the assembled delegates.
President Scott Bonham of Cincin.
natl called the convention to order and
introduced Mayor Tom l.. Johnson
who welcomed the delegates in a witty
speech. lii closing his address Mr.
johnson said:
Il want to add my prayer for the re-