Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1904-02-25

- HANNA is in his grave. Let
~ us hope that after lifes fitful
fever he sleeps WE'LL He was
one of the busiest of men and found
rest only in the grave. One does not
have to agree with Mr.. Hanna's polit-
ical ideas or commend his campaign
methods to consider him great man,
for his death cannot sanctify either
his methods or his ideas. He was a
tremendous force in the politics Of our
time. But for him it is doubtful
whether William Mckinley would have
been nominated or if nominated elect
cd
The most noteworthy feature Of Sen
ator Hannas career is that he cut
any figure at all in politics, especially
as public speaker, when it is remem-
bered that he took no hand in politics
and made no speech till nearly three
years ago. Till that time he had de-
voted his mighty energies to business.
That he became a great political lead
er all men know. That, while no ora
tor, he became an exceedingly strong
debater in the senate and an unusually
fetching speaker on the stump is as
serted by all who heard him-which l
never did.
That he succeeded at all in the art
of public speaking with such late
start is another confirmation of the
theory that the average American citi-
zen rises equal to any position in which
he finds himself placed. When the
civil war closed have no doubt there
were 10000 men in the Union and Con-
federate armies carrying muskets on
their backs as private soldiers who
would have made tiptop brigadiers or
major generals if promoted on the in
slant.
1t is a striking coincidence that Sen
ator Hanna and Governor Bushnell
who came so near wrestling the sena-
torship from him six years ago, there
by preventing his political career,
should have died within a month of
each ther-teaching US once more
what shadows we. are and what shad-
ows we pursue. Truly the path of
glorycieads but to the grave.
A Great Outrage.
If one had no previous knowledge
Concerning the character and habits i
of the Republicans in congress he
would naturally conclude that having
a majority in the house-a sufficient
working majority-they would exercise
some degree of fairness in contested
election cases. Not so, however. The
leopard cannot change his spots or
the Ethiopian his skin. Republicans
cannot quit their bad habit of stealing
every Office in sigbt-from president
to constable-whether they need it or
not
Hon William Connell, whose wealth
is said to be colossal, being variously
stated at from ten to twenty millions,
for several terms represented the
Wilkesbarre district of Pennsylvania
and was DESTROYS Of remaining in con-
gress. He had accumulated his vast
fortune in anthracite coal mining, hav
ing begun in the lowest position-a
fact greatly to his honor. By reason
of the coal strike he saw trouble brew
ing for Republican candidates, and
consequently, in addition to the Re
publican nomination, fortified himself
with a rump Democratic nomination.
Nevertheless the regular Democratic
nominee, Hon. George Howell, defeat
ed him by a plurality of 461. / call
him the regular Democratic nominee
notwithstanding the fact that Repub-
lican authorities declared both his
nomination and Connell's rump Demo-
cratic nomination of no effect and thus
compelled Howell to get on ticket
by himself by means of petition.
Nevertheless he walloped Cornell. Had
the Republican authorities acted hon
estly and properly certified his nom
nation as the regular Democratic NOM
inee he would have received about
5000 majority. as did the rest of the
Democrats on the regular ticket. To
! the shame OF the American congress
Council was seated and Howell was
ousted.
The case was so rank, however, that
three Republican members could not
and would not swallow it and voted
| that Howell was duly elected and that
he should retain his seat.
Connell's chief recommendation for
the seat, if not his only one, is his stu
pendous wealth. No doubt he is a
good contributor to the Republican
campaign fund. Personally he is a
very pleasant old man and without his
money would be harmless and helpless
In politics.
The G. o. p claims loudly to be the
friend of the Iaboring man. 1t is al
ways greeting him with pIaudits for
election purposes, but here is a case
where the Republicans in the house
~ - II. - IL L.