News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1891-11-26
Major William Mckinley.

Major William Mckinley has for
some years past been so conspicuous
a figure in American politics that it
is not necessary at this time, even af-
ter his election over Governor Camp
bell in Ohio has placed him in the
very forefront of republican politi-
clans, to more than briefly review his
public career. He was born in Niles,
Trumbull county, Ohio, fifty years
ago. His father who is still living,
was an iron manufacturer, a man of
substance and consideration in the
community. The son was educated
at the common schools and the Port
land academy. At the age of seven
teen, when the war broke out, he en-
listed as a private in the twenty third
Regiment of Ohio Infantry, Of Gcner-
al w. ). Rosecrans and General Ruth
erford b. Hayes were officers. HeWas
promoted to be commissary sergeant
and then second lieutenant, and rose
to the rank of captain He fought in
many of the severest battles of the
war, and being mentioned in general
orders, was brevetted major of Presi-
dent Lincoln for gallantry at Ope-
guam, Fishers Hill, and Cedar Creek.
He served upon the stats of Generals
Hayes, Crook and Hancock, and was
mustered out of the service in the
summer of 1865.
After the war Mckinley studied law,
and settled in Canton, which is now
his home. In 1869 he was prosecut-
ing attorney for Stark county, and
IN 1876 went to congress, in which he
sat until the 4th oflast March brought
the tifty-frst congress to amend. He
was defeated for reelection to the
next congress, his district having been
changed by the legislature From
the beginning of his congressional
career he has been a member of the
Ways and Means committee, ofwhich
he was chairman when the famous bill
was prepared which bears his name.
In all the debates in regard to the
tariff he has been conspicuous on the
republican side, having been a leader
in the fight against Mr.. Morrison's
bill, and then against that of Mr..
Mills. When the last congress was
elected he was a prominentc candidate
for the speakership, but was defea ted
by Mr.. Reed in the caucus. At the
first Republican National convention
he was delegate from Ohio, and was
pledged to support Senator John
Sherman. Not a few of those i'll Chi
cago watching the preliminary Skin
mishes before the balloting began
looked upon Major McKinley's chan
ces for getting the nomination as very
good. He, however, would consider
no overtures, and maintained that it !
would be disloyal to Senator Sherman
for him to permit his name to be
used. To make this feeling perfectly
plain he stated his position in a short |
speech to the convention. His manly
action at that time cost him no
friends, but confirmed him in the re-
gard of honorable men.
In personal appearance he is short
and stout, and his face is said to be
of a Napoleonic type. He is an ap-
proachable man, easy, affable, and
courteous, but always dignified. In
1ebate he always carefully prepares
MS speeches, and does not depend on
any quickness of repartee for effect.
But he is so we'll informed on his
side of the great tariff question that
le is an awkward antagonist for any
ave master to handle. His wife is
IN invalid, and his devotion to her,
wen when most immersed in public
lffairs, has always been most con-
iderate and tender.