The San Francisco call., 1896-08-23
With flushed face he
interposed his veto.

interposed his veto. With flushed face he
shouted, 81 object"
Cries of ''Oh, mol" and That's too bad !"
went up from all parts of the chamber.
Still Mills stood inexorab BILE, despite the
expostulations of his nearest colleagues
and friends. The whole Republican side
and many members of the Democratic side
shouted, ''Shame p'-but to no purpose.
Then everybody got up and moved toward
the open space in front of the Speaker 8
platform. A fight was imminent, and the
entire assembly was in confusion.
Suddenly, amid the din and uproar, 8
clear, musical, vibrant voice rang out,
"Mr. Chairman !" and Major Mckinley.
with beaming eyes and face lighted up
with the glow of generous purpose, was
seen making his way into the central
arena from the Republican side.
"Mr. Chairman" said he 81 believe
am to be recognized next after the gentle
man from Pennsylvania. | yield him fif-
teen minutes of my time"
A burst of delighted applause greeted
this magnanimous offer. Meanwhile RAN
dali, once the active and all-powe rIul COM
moner. already sick and now upset by the
nervous strain, remained standing in dis
tress in the midst OF the gathering storm,
begging poor permission to go on. Now
he paused, and, bowing, said with simple
dignity, 81 appreciate the gentleman's s
Kindness
simultaneously Breckinridge. on the
Democratic side, with chivalric intention,
essayed to make a statement and submit
an offer of mutual adjustment. But the
House was angry and wouldn't hear him.
1t was supposed he wanted to justify or
palliate the interference of Mills, who had
now been led to the rear by his friends.
Cries of Regular order" went up from
all sides. and little "Sunset" Cox, who
had enjoyed special indulgence OF time
the day before, ran in MIN bly,, shouting:
81 think it is only decorous and kind
that the time of the gentleman from
Pennsylvania be extended"
At length Breckinridge, despite many
exclamations of impatience from the
House, contrived to be heard, and poured
oil upon the troubled waters by explain
ing the special arrangement governing the
allotment of time and proposing that Ran
dall yield back the extension granted him
by Mckinley and freely take instead such
time as he needed. On the understanding
that it should be deducted equally from
the time allotted to Mckinley and himself.
Thereupon the House and galleries
quieted down, and the unconquerab BILE
Pennsylvania leader was suffered to con-
clude without further interruption. Breck-
inridge's handsome proposal had averted
an ugly quarrel thai might have led to the
most serious results, and it had been made
to hi, own disadvantage and detriment,
since by giving away some of his time the
delivery of his own speech was delayed
until the end of the afternoon, when the
galleries grew restless and wearied and
gave him less attention than he would
otherwise have received. Still the popu-
lar honors were accorded to Mckinley.
His manner was so charming and gra-
cious, and the offer itself was so gallant
and natural-so appreciative of the pro-
prieties and finer amenities, and so preg-
nant with the spirit of good will and
manly fairness-that all the spectators,
Republicans and Democrats alike, felt
their hearts quicken involuntarily with a
warm thrill of personal admiration for
him.
Then Mckinley took the feor in his
own right to sum up the debate for the
Republican side, and the House and the
galleries settled down 10 listen. 1t seemed
his generous conduct of a few minutes be-
fore in the Mills-Randall incident had
somehow enabled him as runner to start
out on the right foot, as it were, and had
empowered him as an orator to rise to a
height of eloquence and reach a goal
that he would not otherwise have at
tanned.
His conduct had certainly captivated
the House and galleries, had brought
them into close and sympathetic rapport
with him, and had served to invest his ut
terances with added interest aud enhance
the whole general effect. At all events it
endeared him to old-line Democrats as
nothing else could have done, and he has
never made, before or since, more superb
address at least in quality of delivery ann