The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1890-06-03

n e'si nS. c0'e'po"de"ee Of Pittsburgh commer
The man who has been most talke,
about within the last few weeks, ant
who has been most frequently pointel
out on the floor OF the House to visitors
Is Hon. William Mckinley. This means
no reflection on the fame and power ac
quircd by the Giant OF Portland, who
now Oils the Speakers chair. Mckinley
has been the central figure ever since
the Tariff bill which bears his name was
taken up for debate in the House. Az
Chairman OF the Ways and Means Com.
mittcehe has been looked upon as The
leaderof the House, q position also assign.
ed him by the place he occupied In tho
race for the Speakership of the House.
twas not, however, until no took thu
floor as the champion Of the Republi-
can tariff measure that his ability to be
a leader was acknowledged or criticised.
MIR. Mckinley has met every expecta.
ton. He knew that with the measure.
whose formulation no was directing
went his reputation and title to the no.
sition that had tacitly been given him
at tho organization OF the Fiity.iirst
Congress. He did not hesitate to risk
his all upon tho cast. Month after
month he led his committee through
weary Investigations. Page after page
Of criticism was written on his work.
His personal appearance was described
and commented on without the shadow
OF decency. Failure was predicted, and
the weariel look that would sometimes
creep over his countenancc, VIA ACCEPT.
ed by his critics as an indication that he
himself was hopeless. As he and his
colleagues on tue committee labored day
and .nightto make bill that wou ld come
nearest being suited to all sections Of the
country, sensational stories OF discord
and dissatisfaction were written and the
word was passed around that the Nc.
kinley bill would be "a still.born mon.
strosity, acceptable to no one.
What was the result? When Major
Mckinley arose and made his two.
hours speech in favor OF the bill it was
revelation. The doubling Thomasep.
and there was quite number OF them
on tho Republican side, hung their
heads in shame ut the utter failure OF
their ridiculous predictions. Within
few minutes after he began speaking
there was not the vestige OF belief
that he who was leading the support OF
his bill was a broken.hearted and dis
appointed man. There was certainty
and confidence in every tone Of his
voice. lie knew he was presenting a
righteous and logical measure, and sure
OF his ground, made one of the most
exhaustive and conclusive arguments
for protective tariff ever made on the
floor OF the House. He seemed 10 grow
on his hearers as he proceeded ia his
arguments and, when he concluded, any,
possible doubt that had existed as to his
fitness and right to be the recognized
leader OF the majority had been dis.
PEELED.
The time had come for Mr.. Mckinley
to take the reins rs leader, and he as.
sumcd them as his natural right. No
one disputed him, no one could have
handled them better. Ho occupied his
post day after day during the discussion,
and not once was he found mapping by
his enemies, whose sharpshootc!s were
lying about waiting for snap shot. Cool
and selfpossessed in the hottest part Of
the debate he never failed to secure rec.
ignition and by an artful proposition or
a happy statement quiet the tumult and
worst the opposition. He would not
give m inch, neither would he cncroach
on the rights on the other side. He was
courteous in debate, but watchful that
no advantage was taken OF that courtesy
by an INSCRIPTIONS opposition. When
the final vote in the House was taken on
the bill and its passage was injured, Mr..
Mckinley received some reward for his
gallant services. Such an ovation las
not been paid any man in this same
position for years. lie looked like a
man who had won Il great victory which
in truth he had. After his great sue.
cess the croaking prophecies Of Mug
wu,nps concerning the mutilation OF his
bill in the Senate has no effect and few
believers.