The Washington herald., 1911-11-12

The nomination OF Mckinley in 1900 was
certain. No other man was thought of
by the country. The delegates to the
Philadelphia convention were, it can be
truly said, his personal friends. The
Vice Presidential nomination, however,
was very far from being settled. The
White House early in the year had been
reticent, but was eager for William B.
Allison, Of Iowa.
It was McKinley's practice and STRAIT
egy to gather about him men whose
names impressed the national imagina-
ton. He told me Immediately after his
election in 1895 that prosperity was to
be restored, mainly at first by an ap-
peal for public confidence, and that It
was necessary. therefore, to cali into
his Cabinet the ablest and most re-
spected counselors within the Republican
party. He spoke to me Of Allison, say
ing he wanted him to take the Treasury.
The great Iowan was afterward invited
to Canton, but Mckinley failed to per-
suade him to leave the Senate. He was
more fortunate, however, with John
Sherman.
Did Mckinley Foresee DeathE
Whether It was premonition or a plan
is still a matter for interesting specula-
tion, but both the President and Senator
Hanna laid down the principle before
the meeting Of the national convention
in Philadelphia that the Vice President
to be chosen ought to be competent in
talents, character, balance, and training
for the succession. There had been no
such requirements from that quarter in
1896. Garret A. Hobart was New Jer-
sey millionaire of limited experience in
the service OF the public. Up to that
time, 1t must be remembered, Mckinley
and Hanna had not earned the authority
to originate party policies or doctrines.
In the open and hearty manner that
was a constant surprise and often a
shock to the politicians who believed in
mystery, muteness, and secrecy, Hanna
told his friends that Cornelius n. Bliss.
cotton merchant manufacturer, and
banker. was his candidate for the place.
The etiquette of the situation required
Mckinley to keep silent. While he pre-
ferred Allison, he would have joyously
welcomed Bliss, his solid parts and repu-
tation, his dignity. his kindness. and his
geographical location, as fulfillment OF
all the conditions set forth by Hanna and
himself
The bond between Hanna and Bliss
went beyond mere affection. They loved
each other. l heard James A. Garfield
utter his artistic and celebrated word
picture about the fragrant flowers-red
and white roses 1 have aTways thought
he meant-that sometimes bloom on the
wall of politics. He had returned to Ohio
that he might thank the legislature for
electing him to the United States Senate.
His thought so beautifully expressed de-
scribes the tender friendship, the brother
ly relations that existed between Bliss
and Hanna. Their acquaintance, begun
in the moil Of politics, led to the closest
and most intimate Of masculine associa-
tions.
Even so Bliss resisted Hanna's pur-
pose to nominate him for Vice President.
Having escaped from the Cabinet and
to his business and home in
New York. he stopped his ears to Hanna's
pleas and reasonings. The delegates
gathering in Philadelphia were Hanna's
men. He held them IN his own right
of leadership as much as IN the right of
the President, whose agent he was. In
the first hours OF the convention. he
could have voted them as he willed.
Moreover. back from Cuba with his
Rough Riders, Roosevelt was governor OF
New York. and was ambitious to be gov
ernor again. At that moment Hanna's
power was supreme.
After days and nights Of pressure and