William McKinley’s Campaign Manager Marcus Hanna Begins Building An Organization That Results In Success

MARCUS A. HANNA (September 24, 1847 – February 15, 1904) was an American businesses man who served as a United States Senator from Ohio, chairman of the Republican National Committee and manager of William McKinley’s presidential campaigns in 1896 and 1900.  Hanna is regarded as one of the most significant political operatives of the Republican Party. He turned down a cabinet position, but secured an appointment as Senator after Ohio Senator John Sherman was made Secretary of State. In 1898 and 1904, he was elected to the Ohio General Assembly.  Hanna was devastated by McKinley’s assassination in 1901 and died a few years later.

3 pp, 4 ¾ x 7 ¾, ALS, Thomasville, GA, April 14, 1895, Hanna writes to Samuel Fessenden, who was a member of the Connecticut House of Representatives and Senate.  “I have just finished reading the full account of the ‘McKinley Club banquet’ in the Hartford Post. It must have been a great ‘love feast’ wish – patriotism for the desert...It will rekindle the right kind of enthusiasm among Republicans the country over. But you know all that without my saying it but you cannot know how much I was gratified by what you said in your speech on that occasion. I have not had the privilege to know how you felt personally in regard to Gov. McKinley’s candidacy for ’96. I construe your closing sentence (which created so much enthusiasm) to mean that you could see before you the leader that filled your ideas.

“Now if that is so I want to say that I will consider it a fortunate thing for Governor McKinley to have your active cooperation when the time comes [that] I am having something to do in the matter of...organization in his interest and such matters as pertain to confidential arrangements.  In short, I am finding out who his friends are upon whom he can depend.  Learning them to manage their respective organizations in their own state. In this I am fully authorized to act until the management of his interests are put into a more comprehensive and experienced organization.

“I am going home n about a week and will be good to hear from you at Cleveland, O. and see you soon either there or at the east.

“Truly yours

“MA Hanna”

Light toning and folds, but in excellent condition.

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