America 1881: Legend of the West

Marcus Hanna is a millionaire and banker who plays an important role on Wall Street.

He also had his hand in the rescue operation a year ago.

At the same time he was also involved in the coal, iron and shipbuilding industries, and was very profitable in these industries.

However, in his late sixties, he quit his various business organizations a year ago and moved from Cleveland to the small town of Taylorsville, Georgia.

At first, the residents of the town thought that the tycoon wanted to stay away from the hustle and bustle and spend his old age.

But they suddenly discovered that Hanna was singing and dancing every night in his mansion in the town.

The gate of the tycoon's house was bustling with traffic, and people who came to visit included but were not limited to John Sherman, who is also a millionaire, Florida's Republican Senator and party leader Andrew Hughes, Republican Justice A. Sonne Nolan et al.

It became a place of worship for Republican dignitaries across the country.

Because Mr. Marcus Hanna has another identity.

He is the backstage leader of the Republican Party and a political boss in the true sense.

And those Republican dignitaries came here not only to meet the old man Marcus Hanna.

The main purpose of these people is to meet the most likely Republican presidential candidate this term, Ohio Governor William McKinley.

Mr. McKinley is a veteran politician.

He had all the makings of a good politician of his time.

For example, he was born in the middle class and was a Protestant. He once served as a soldier and won honors in the Civil War. He worked as a lawyer and earned a reputation for integrity and honesty. He entered Congress in 1876 and worked diligently there for 14 years.

Even his appearance was in line with the definition of a handsome man at that time, and was different from some crooked guys.

Marcus Hanna selected McKinley as his recommended party candidate based on this consideration.

Today, the Hanna family's drawing room is filled with smoke.

This is a very luxurious yet quaint room.

The Baroque ceiling is hung with crystal chandeliers produced in England in the 18th century; the floor of the entire room is covered with red and blue Persian carpets woven with complex patterns;

There is a blue and white porcelain vase originating from China placed on the table against the wall, and on the wall directly above the porcelain vase, there is a portrait of the founding father Washington.

At this time, the smile of the founding father was looming in the smoke of pipes and cigars.

"Mr. McKinley, we are deeply impressed by your vision and political insights. We have to admit that you are a very good person with high moral character."

A bearded man sitting on the sofa held a pipe and said with narrowed eyes.

His name is Thomas C. Putat, the leader of the Republican Party of New York State. Sitting next to him is Matthews S. Quay, a representative of Pennsylvania.

McKinley responded to the two compliments with a smile.

He sat on the sofa with his hands intertwined and placed on his lower abdomen.

Hanna on the other side had an expressionless face.

However, the bearded Putat suddenly changed the subject:

"We are very willing to support you in this election, and at the same time, we also very much hope to do our part in your new cabinet."

When Mr. Hannah heard this, he frowned, but McKinley beside him did not react too violently and still kept smiling:

"Then what can I do for you?" he asked.

"If you succeed in winning the White House, I hope to serve as Treasury Secretary in the first Cabinet."

Since this was a private venue, Putat made no secret of his ambitions and got straight to the point.

"I feel I have the skills to fill this position."

However, Hanna's expression suddenly changed.

Although fat sharing has always been one of the "traditional virtues" of the Republican Party in the 19th century, based on his understanding of McKinley, the presidential candidate may have his own ideas.

But McKinley's smile still did not disappear from his face, and he maintained his gentleness:

"I will consider this matter, but it is too early to talk about it now, so I cannot make any promises to you."

Putat and Kui exchanged glances.

"In that case, let's take our leave first."

The two stood up, shook hands with Hanna and McKinley calmly, put on their hats and left the house.

"Maybe you should agree to them first. I don't think this is an extraordinary request." Hanna watched through the window as the two Republican bosses got into their carriage and left.

McKinley stood up, his expression still calm, but the words he spoke were completely different from his expression:

"If I can't be president if I don't agree to let Putra be finance minister, then I don't deserve to be president."

Hannah held her forehead.

He had no way to deny the correctness of this statement, but politics was always about compromises and deals. The reason for the failed deal may be that McKinley felt in his heart that Putat was not worth the price.

"Then we may have to face a lot of opponents." Hanna sighed.

Sure enough, after Putat and Kui returned, they first began to look for their agents within their own sphere of influence.

But Hanna was prepared.

He has long since identified potential contenders within the party and used his influence to persuade them to give up becoming party candidates.

Putat and Kui were in trouble.

So they set their sights on the western states of Wyoming, Kansas, Colorado, and New Mexico that had recently joined the Union.

Both Hanna and McKinley were anxious after learning of Putat and Quay's plans.

Hanna suddenly discovered a weak link in his campaign plan.

This link is the West.

Both he and McKinley made their fortunes in the east and had no foundation at all in the west!

And his own influence in the West was not even enough to give McKinley an absolute advantage in the Republican Party.

If this problem is not resolved, even if McKinley can win the support of Republicans in the West through speeches and various electoral activities, there will be no way to compete with the Democratic Party and the Populist Party later.

After all, the west is the birthplace of the Popular Party movement, and it is the territory of the Popular Party.

The latter have decided to unite and jointly elect a candidate to fight against the Republican Party.

Besides, speaking tours and campaigning required the support of railroad companies.

Otherwise, are you going to ride like a caravan circus along the endless wilderness of the West, from Louisiana to California?

Hanna and McKinley were as anxious as ants on a hot pot.

Until one day, a black carriage stopped at the gate of Hanna's house.

A man with thick eyebrows and big nose stepped out of the carriage.

As soon as he got off the carriage, he couldn't help but pick up a cigar and hurriedly walked into the door of the villa.

And Hanna could not wait to stand in the hall waiting for the big nose.

When the latter's figure appeared at the gate and saw the big nose, the old man almost burst into tears with excitement.

He shouted Big Nose's name as if he saw a savior:

"Mr. Morgan, you are finally here! I will send someone to intercept you at your door!"