The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-06-19
M'KINLEY'S RECORD
AS AN EXECUTIVE
His Admlnlstratioa Of the Affairs Of the
State Of Ohio.
PROMPT, HONEST AND IMPARTIAL
How He Dealt with Troublesome
Labor PrObiems..His Habit Of
Carrying His Ideas in Person 10 the
PcOple..Traits as a Campaign
Speaker..SOmc R0using Ovations.

PeOple..Traits as a Campaign
Speaker-.SOmc Rousing Ovations.
Columbus Letter. Buffalo Express.
William Mckinley is living exein-
plification OF the fact that the most IN
teresting period of a mans career Is
not necessarily that portion wherein
he enjoys the greatest degree OF Ma
tional prominence, or. more properly
speaking, during which his efforts are
directed to accomplishments which
have a significance throughout the
country at large. This illustration OK
the point in question is furnished more
particularly by MIR. McKinley's admin
istration Of affairs throughout the four
years during which he served as gov
ernor of Ohio. True. this monopoliza-
tion Of his attention by interests neces-
sarily of a local nature did not lessen
the number nor the loyalty of his friends
in all parts of the country and his mar
velous campaign tour in 1894 may well
be regarded as an achievement without
parallel in the history of the nation;
but for all that 1t Is to personal popu-
larity and his position as the recognized
exponent Of a great theory that must
be attributed the universal homage re-
ceived on that triumphal transconti-
mental trip and not to any of his official
acts while the chief executive of the
Buckeye state.
The sentiment which resulted in the
nomination of William Mckinley for
governor was engendered immediately
upon the announcement Of the result OF
the election Of 1890. when after four
teen years. continuous service In con-
gress the Ohio statesman was defeate !
for reelection. Three times the Demo-
cratic legislature ''gerrymandered" the
state to accomplish this. but even when
finally successful the victory must have
been an unsatisfactory one. for Nc
Kinley made q most vigorous fight ana
although his opponent was most popu-
lar cut down the Democratic majority
from $500 to SO2.
NAMED FOE GOVERNOR.
The unanimity Of sentiment in favor
Of Mr.. Mckinley made his nomination
o f0regone conclusion and the universal
popularity Of the nominee scemed to
presage his election quite as strongly.
Still not for a, moment did he lessen
! the vigor Of his canvass and In the ire
terval between his nomination and cleo
ton the governor visited 81 Of the 70
counties In the state and made 13O
speeches. The campaign was opened at
Niles, Trumbull county. Mr.. McKin-
ley's birthplace. a fact which calls to
mind his remarkable loyalty to old
friends in the matter Of political speech
es. This Is even more strikingly illus
trated by the ex-governor's invariable
practice Of closing every campaign
with a meeting at his home city Of Can.
ton. In all the 25 years Of his public
life, regardless Of for what office he
was candidate, he has made 1t a rule
to make an address, on the evening be-
| fore election, to his old friends and
neighbors.
The Republican State convention held
In 1893 renOminated Gov. Mckinley by
exclamation and after a campaign none
the less active than its predecessor he
was elected by q plurality Of SO,995, up
to that time the most phenomenal in
the history Of the state.
The policy which Gov. Mckinley pur-
sued during his four years Of occupancy
Of the gubernatorial chair was we'll out
lined when in his inaugural address he
said: II approach the administration
OF the Office with which have been
clothed by the people. deeply sensible
of its responsibilities, and resolved to
discharge its duties to the best Of my
ability. 1t 10 my desire to cooperate
with you in every endeavor to secure a
wise. economical and honorable ad-
ministration, and, so far as can be
done. the improvement and elevation of
the public service"
From the day of his Inauguration
Gov. Mckinley took the greatest inter-
est In the management Of the public
benevolent institutions Of the state, and
he made study of means for their bet
terment, a work in which he early Sc
! cured the confidence and cooperation
of his official and legislative colleagues.
His policy was one of economy, yet he
urged the preservation and improve
ment Of the canals of the state, and he
was decidedly in favor Of some form of
appropriation for the betterment of
country roads.
AN HONEST REFORMER.
He repeatedly urged upon the legis-
lature the need of remedial measures
for the evils Of the system of taxation
in vogue In the state of Ohio and stud
led the problems of municipal govern
ment with similar hope of the discov-
cry of some opportunity for improve.
ment. To seemingly useless local OF
special legislation Mr.. Mckinley re-
peatedly expressed himself as unequiv-
ocally opposed and for any disposition
to authorize an increase of local in
debtedness apparently without recur.
renee Of adequate benefit he also mani
Tested little sympathy.
In view Of Mr.. McRinley's well.
known solicitude for the welfare of the
working classes, his sympathy with the
eight-hour movement and his advocacy
Of the settlement Of labor troubles by
arbitral measures, 1t was only natura
that he should from the time he entered
office give considerable attention to in.
dustrial questions. The first evidence
OF this came in the form Of recommen.
dations, for legislation for the protec.
tion Of workingmen in hazardous occu.
pations and designed to secure for then
more considerate treatment as we'll al
greater safety in the pursuit Of theil
avocations. 1t was, in fact. upon his
recommendation that the legislature Of
Ohio passed the law requiring that al
street cars be furnished with vestibule.
to protect the motormen and conduct.
ors from inclement weather.
However, his great work in this con
nectlon was along the line Of arbitra.
tion-authorized but not compulsory
and which ne regarded as the only fai,
and equitable method for the settlement
Of such difficulties. During his frs
los xt1a .<o k,h hc~ .t.S