New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-02-16
SENATOR HANNA'S CAREER
Natalie Figure IN Politics and
Business.


..-. nave dominated our political life.
.. .,. ,,-'~al American business man. though
20 enormous influence in politics. has
- -isa--and seldom asplred TO rise-to
go leadership. Marcus A. Hanna was
- t,++erlv assailed because he seemed 20
new spirit and new methods into
80 -, roritics He was denounced as an
- beut on cournercializing our polit-
-..-5a-5s. Undoubtedly. Mr. Hanna stood
,+,,s for what might be roughly called a
-" ideal He could not rid himself OF
-. -~ertsl habits and prepossessions OF a life
- He was an opportunist. not theorist,
- aimed az practical organization and prac-
=, results lie lacked political imagination
.be faculty ~ reaching and stirring the
s-s-,ors ~ others. on which the title OF
= .-rlv great political leader must chiefly
Pu. his virIlitv and energy and personal
-s,lress carried 49, 20 a level of in
-. never before attained in our history by
-,r+f-fa- ~ the business" ClaF-
~. psnna became an active political leader
-. IN life. Re was sixty years old when he
IS. sought public Office. HIS earlier ventures
= ne roliticsi arena were only the diversions
- burv man Of affairs Marcus A. Hanna
.,-.s horn AZ Neu-Ilsbcn Cnow Lisbon, Colun-
49,, county. Ohio. on September "a 1887.
7I. so-ber DR.. Leonard Hanna, belonged 70
= ora,e- family which had gone to Ohio from
---~.ris His mother. Miss Converse before
,--fsqe MAS cf New England stock. The
- Hama left Nev-L.isbon in 1852 ana set
- ~ Cleveland. where ne founded the whole
cole grocery firm OF Hanna, Garretson & CO.
,t,-,rs was sent TO the public schools IN Cleve-
,.-s and then 10 the Central High School He
erisbas his education with year at the West
.-r Deserve College and at the age OF twenty
,rse taken into his fathers wholesale grocery
house He began az the foot q the ladder and
a. tysntv-three had risen 70 the post OF trav-
cling salesman. His father dying in 1861. young
Hanna became the estates representative IN
che e-r and retained an interest IN Il until IL
was dissolved, in 1867.
Few sketches OF Mr.. Hannas career disclose
the fact that he served IS q volunteer IN the
War OF the Rebellion. He Joined the 10th
Ohio Volunteers in May, 1864. when that regi-
r1ent was raised TO respond 10 a call for men
10 serve one hundred days. He became
second lieutenant and was stationed. with his
comrades. for the one hundred day period in
the defences about Washington In 1901 he
was admitted to membership IN the Grand
Army Of the Republic. and in 1902 20 member
ship IN the Loyal Legion
III september. AcD4- ne LLdIIlc4 MISS AUGUSTA
Rhodes daughter Of Daniel p Rhodes, an
Intimate political friend Of Stephen A. Douglas,
and the founder Of the Cleveland coal and iron
arm OF Rhodes & Card. Three years later Ar
Hanna entered this firm. whose title changed
TO Rhodes & co. IN 1885 Rhodes & CO. gave
way TO the firm Of n. A. Hanna & co.
ar. Hanna's business enterprises have played
@ conspicuous role In the commercial develop
ment OF Cleveland. In 1865 he organized the
Buckeye Oh Works. IN 1872 the Cleveland
Transportation Company. in 1881 the West Re
public Mining Company, OF Marquette, and n
lSs2 the Pacific Coal and Iron Company. lie
has also been large owner IN Cleveland street
railway ventures lie built the handsome New
Euclid Avenue Opera House. was a director OF
the Globe Iron Works. and was the president
of the Cleveland Union National Bank.
In the course OF his career IN Cleveland he be-
came acquainted with James A Garfield, and his
interest IN Garfield led him to take an active
part In the Presidential campaign OF 1880 -Four
years later be was elected as a delegate TO the
Republican National Convention which nomi-
mated Blaine. AT that convention he himself
favored the nomination o. John Sherman. Shar-
ing his room 81 the hotel was william 0IcKin-
ley who favored Blaine's nomination. This
anecdoe IS told OF midnight visit TO their joint
quarters by some advocates Of a dark horse
nomiuatiOn-either Sherman or George p. Ed
munds Senator Edmundss candidacy was
being pushed by certain delegates from Arassa-
chusetts and New-York. and his cause was IN
the hands OF George William Curtis and Theo-
oOre Roosevelt. There was a great knocking ct
the door OF the Hanna mckinley room late IN
the FIRST night Of the convention Mckinley
answered the call and admitted the boomers Of
the Vermont man. They hurTiedly told their
plan for a combination by which the nomination
should go TO Edmunds or Sherman. according TO
the number Of ballots each should receive dur
ing the first vote. The major listened 20 the
scheme from his place under the covers. but
made no comment on the elaborate plan. he
heard them nearly 10 the end and then said.
Gentlemen, j think you mast have made a mis-
take The Sherman man Is over there IN the
other bed lie then rolled over and went 10
sleep as the visitors shook up Hanna to reteIl
tAeT story. Il Increased Mr. Hannas faith IN
MeAinley that he never made use Of these mis-
placed condolences TO the benefit OF Blaine.
-@F mama has told the story Of his first meet
"-s With Mckinley One OF the Hanna nm
I-Hea owned coal mines at Massillon. IN starl,
NouNly' Ohio. Early !n the EOS there was q
- N The mines. and incendiaries set fire to
11- M Hanna, who had had confidence In
7A ana had endeavored 10 win their conf
vas convinced that their own hands had
''ion 10 has property. The evidence
"'einllng- Twenty-three OF the
miners were arrested and prosecuted. an5 z,be,
cases were called IN the criminal coyy, %
--ass'-oH' with The whole COUNTRYSIDE IN at
.'e' hanna. OF course. was present ana
.''' Ae nrst saw The pale. slender form Of the
49, ~a'oeate OF whose political fortunes he
a. ger" ara 10 be the especial champion.
81, IMAM mckinley jr. had been retained b.,
- l-'enes Of The miners to protect their IN
7S-s lie was as earnest in their behalf as he