Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-08-24

L
have begun to talk. This is always So
and still have been making speeches for
twenty-three years."
DO you remember your first public
Eyes, indeed: very WELL" replied the gov
ernor. with a laugh. TT was upon my re-
turn home with the troops at the close of
the war I lived in the little village Of
Poland, near Youngstown, and a reception
was given in honor Of the soldiers. One of
the judges of the county made the welcom-
ing speech. and I was chosen to give the
response. I was then just twenty zone years
DID,"
How Mckinley Became a Soldier.
How old were you when you went into
the army, GOVERNOR / asked
Il was just seventeen" was the reply
Il was acting as a country school teacher
at the time the war broke out. My father
was anxious to give me good education
He moved with his family to the little
town of Poland, in order that might go
into the academy there, and when I was
about fifteen or sixteen he sent me to the
Ailegheny College at Meadville, Pa. I fell
became better 1 took up teaching and got
country school near Poland. This I left
to GO to the army
by the way. governor, what did they
pay you for teaching?"
My wages were, I think, s23 a month,
and l boarded around. My parents how
ever, lived only three miles from the school
house. and the most of the time I STAYED
with them and walked to the school and
back every day. Six miles would be big
walk for me row, l suppose, but it did lot
seem much then"
well, while 1 was teaching" continued
Gov Mckinley, Fort Sumter was fired on,
and every one was wild to go to the war
company was formed in Poland, and
enlisted. Gen. John c. Fremont inspected
end mustered in the company He exam
/ n
bigger than you are. Gen. Fremont / re-
member, seemed great man to me- a boy
of seventeen. whose mind had been thrilled
with the story of his wonderful adventures
chest and looked square into my eyes, and
finally pronounced me fit for a soldier"
In what regiment were you. governor?'
"My first service was in the twenty-third
Ohio, and 1 remained in that regiment
throughout the war"
A Modest Soldier
What was your rank when you entered?"
'It was that Of private" replied Major
Mckinley. The first colonel of my regi-
ment was Rosecrans, who afterward be-
came general Our lieutenant-colonel was
Stanley Matthews. afterwards United States
Senator ard justice Of the Supreme Court,
and our major was Rutherford B. Hayes,
who was to become general and after
wards to serve as governor of Ohio and as
ITSSlueHl OIL the United States.
1T was a remarkable regiment, wasn't
it?" said L
Yes" replied the governor, land the
great body of the regiment was worthy
of the great commanders
Il remained private for over year.
was then promoted to be sergeant of the
company. This was after the battle of An
tietam. Rutherford B. Hayes-he had be-
come colonel-brought me my commission
and later on l served on the STATS of Gen.
Hayes, Maj. Gen. Crook and Maj. Gen.
Hancock In 1864 1 was made a major by
breyet by President Lincoln"
error?
Very much, indeed, was the reply. 81
wanted to remain in the army. My friends
among the officers urged me to do so, and
L would probably be in the military service
today if my father and mother had not Sc
rlously objected. Somehow or other, they
hid not think much of my being in the
army in the time of peace. The result was
to law school at Albany and then hung
out my shingle In Canton, as young prac-
utioner l continued to practice law until
1 was elected to Congress"
How did you get into politics."
MY first office was that of prosecuting
attorney. My friends made me candl-
date in 1869. / was elected and served for
two years. After that I practiced law I'M
til 1876 at which time 1 was nominated
for Congress. l was not anxious to be
the candidate at that time. I thought l
was too young to go into politics. / had a
coed business, and I was not well enough
off to enter public life Still, was nomi-
mated and elected by large majority"
How long did you remain in Con-
gress?"
81 served in the House for fourteen years,
and was then elected governor of Ohio
How He Became n PrOtectfonist,
Governor Mckinley. you are the great
apostle of protection in the United States.
life work."
Il don't know when I was not interest
ed in the tariff" replied Governor McKin-
ley. II was brought up, as it were, on
protection. My boyhood was spent in an
iron manufacturing district and among
miners. and Canton, where went to live,
is a center of great manufacturing indus
tries. The first speech l made In Con-
gress was in favor of a protective tariff.
1t was against Fernando Woods tariff
bin in 1878. As / went on in my study of
the question, I became more and more
convinced that this was the best way to
raise our revenues, and at the same time to
support our industries. The tariff will al
ways be live question"
Permanent Tariff.
what do you think of the idea of
constitutional amendment prohibiting the
changing of the tariff within limited Pc
riod, say, five or ten years?"
II don't believe that such thing would
be advisable. The changes of conditions
might make such an arrangement work
great injury, and besides, Congress is
the law-making power, and do not think
1t would be wise to make this restriction"
did the Mckinley bill have the effect
upon the business of the American people
that you expected?'
Yes; the anticipated effect of the tariff
law of 1890 was realized. 1t was not as
fully realized, perhaps, as it would have
been had it not been for the change of
administration which occurred when it was
but two years old. 1t protected American
industries. 1t started the tn-plate factor
ies and all agree that they are here to
stay
Referring to your question as to pro-
hibting the changing of the tariff within
limited period" the governor went on,
Il do not think that the American
people would approve of such an act.
They want to be let alone, 1t Is
true, but they do not want that which
is bad and injurious to the country to be
allowed to remain. We have got to adjust
matters to the present tariff as we'll as we
can until we can change it. We can have
no hope of doing this for two years to
come, but 1 believe there will be a change
in the future meet the requirements of
the treasury and to promote our Industrial
development. l think our people believe in
protection and reciprocity. There is no