The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1888-07-01
4 RISING MAs.

Pii+ "a ttf% ssffs3tAE tftt&lE- oiSt8t vic
recent Republican national conyention
AT Chicago was the applause which
greeted every mention of the name OF
Representative William Mckinley. of
Ohio. There was no member Of the
convention who seemed 70 have q
higher place than he in the estimation
OF either the delegates or the pablo.
Every word which he uttered was
listened to attentiseiy. and his appear
ancc on the floor was always the signal
for G eIapping OF hands and waving OF
handkerchiefs. II was evident from
the beginning Of the proceedings that
Mckinley was looked upon as no
table man. and even until the last bal
lot had been taken there were many
who believed that he would receive
the nomination OF the convention for
the presidency. Indeed, movement
with this object in view was started.
and the Ohio congressman chance
OF obtaining the high honor would not
have been bad one II he had not been
80 unswervingiy true TO Sherman as to
discourage every mention of his own
name.
Its only within the past few months
that Representative Mckinley has at
tanned national proportions, but he
has long been regarded by observers
of contemporary politics as one of The
coming leaders Of the Republican
party. His career has been q credit
able one from the beginning. A mere
boy when the war broke oct, he left
his studies and entered the army.
He followed Sheridan in his wild pro-
gress through the Shenandoah valley.
and Mt the close Of the war. returned
to his interrupted studies with the
title of major. In 1876, when but
thirty-two years OF age, he was elected
a mcml,cr OF the house OF representa-
tiyes from the Canton. Ohio. district.
Before the expiration OF his term
Democratic legislature had gerry
wandered the state and the county
in which Mckinney lived was trans
fesred TO district which was sup
posed 70 he reliably Democratic by
about three thousand majority. The
outlook was Giscouraging one for
the young congressman. but when he
was reaominated he entered into the
canvass for all he was worth and when
the votes were counted ii wa. discov-
cred that Mckinley had defeated his
Democratic opponent by ever twelve
hundred majority. From that time
his position in Ohio politics was secure.
lie was regarded as strong and pop
ular man. and his staying qualities
have been shown by the fact that he
has been reelected to congress con
,inuously since his first term.
Mckinley did not at once become
prominent In the house. He was re-
garded as a well equipped young man
of very studious habits but without
qualities TO especially distinguish him
among his fellow members. When he
returned To Washington for second
term after having reversed an enor-
nous Democratic majority. however,
the leaders began To regard him more
at'entiYely and II was not long before
the knowing ones conrlgdesi that there
was good deal in him. IL IS unneces-
sary to say that this conviction has
strengthened with the passing years
until Mckinley is regarded by his col
leagues - one Of the very ab.est men
now in public life. 1, Is comparatively
seldom that he Delivers a speech on
the floor of the house, but when he
does IL is certain 10 attract the atten-
ton cf The country. His forte Is the
tariff question, and his speech in oppo-
sition to the Mills bill j. universally
regarded a. the most powerful argll-
ment that that measure has called
forth. II was. indeed, this speech
more than ANYTHING else that put il
into the heads of 4 great many think
ing people THAI he would be proper
man 10 nominate for president
Mckinley was not nominated, nor
was any serious effort made u bring
about his nomination, but he passed
through the convention most crciita-
bly, and won the friendship of all with
whom he came in contact He IS only
forty-four years cid. ami &; Is not rash
to predict that u great deal viii yet be
heard Of him.
4 Tough TenarSseesr.