The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-02-25
MIR. M'KINLEY In 1892
HITHERTO UNTOLD FACTS ABOUT
THE MINNEAPOLIS CONVENTION.
How the Anti-HarrfsOn Managers
Worked for Mckinley, and the Part
Taken by That Gentleman.
Washington Post.

didates before the ST. Louis convention by
making inroads upon the Indiana delegates.
II the men who managed Mr.. Harrison 5
successful campaign for denomination in 1892
have anything TO say about the disposition
of the Indiana vote this year. it may safely
be predicted that Mckinley will not get
much support from the Hoosier State. The
action of the Ohio candidate at the Mime
apol.s convention, TO which he went osten-
sibly as a supporter of Harrison. was not of
a kind to inspire feelings of gratitude on
the part of those who loyalty stood by the
Indiana candidate until the end. In the au-
thorized life of William Mckinley, written
by Robert p. Porter, appears a graphic de-
scrption of the dramatic scene at Mime
apolis when, during the roll call, Mckinley,
from his place on the platform as chair
man of the convention, demanded after the
Ohio delegation had thrown its vote solidy
for him. that the delegation should be polied
in order that he might record his individual
vote for Harrison. Mr.. Porter describes
graphically how:
When the State of Ohio was reached on
the call of the first ballot for President, the
leader OF the delegation announced its vote
for William Mckinley, jr. This was a Sig
nal ma Tor SPONTANEOUS burst of enthusiasm
the various State delegations were held, and
amid the cheers and applause which con-
tinued one leader after another rose to an
nounce the change of his State for Nc
kinley.
The Governor. evidently much affected by
the demonstration, but firm and composed
rose in his place as presiding officer of the
hushed. All bent forward to hear what he
had to say All felt that critical moment
had arrived-a moment which might decide
who The standard bearer would be. In un-
falterng tones Mckinley demanded a poll
Of the delegates from Ohio, and declared that
he was not a candidate, and desired the roll
to be called in order that he might record
his vote for President Harrison. The tide
was s,e checked ,s the ballot proceeded, and the
Twice had Mckinley put from him a
nomination which would have been pur.
chased at the expense Of broken pledges"
On the strength of this record the Nc
Kinley managers are now appealing for the
support of the Indiana Republicans Their
efforts do not seem to meet with enthusiastic
State, who do not agree with Mr. Porter in
his version Of McKinleys attitude on that
memorable occasion in Minneapolis.
TRUE STORY OF THE CONVENTION.
The true story of the Minneapolis con-
vention. and Governor McKinleys connection
with 1t, has never yet been printed. Here
it is in brief, as related by one of those
who took a leading part in it. and who
The Ohio Governor went to Minneapolis al
the head of his State delegation with the
understanding that the entire delegation
nomination.
Secretary Charles Foster, who had charge
of HarrisOn's interest in Ohio had assured
the President more than once that whatever
other delegations might prove faithless
tn, the Buckeye ,, State. at least. might be re-
was not a true prophet. No sooner had the
delegation arrived on the scene of the con-
vention than it became evident that there
avowed candidate for the nomination, was in
properly receptive frame of mind. Pres
ident Harrison was nominated on Friday
June Z; As early as the preceding Wednes-
in great numbers in the Hobbies
of the West Hotel. The Ohio Gov:
was continually surrounded by men whose
interests lay in securing the defeat of Har-
r,son- He must have known of the exist
ence of the badges, and he must have heard
the gossip which centered about his name
but he said not word to discourage the
talk about his candidacy, which was a SAL
lent feature Of the anti-convention proceed
ings. The only utterance that could be ex-
tracted from him was the declaration tina,
he was there in the interest of President
Harrison. but this declaration was supple
mented with the significant qualification: Il
am not instructed this time" And these
words of his were banded about with con.
looking around for an available candidate
upon whom to concentrate the opposition t(
Harrison.
1t was evident to every delegate in the
convention that the Ohio Governor would
not run away from the nomination If he
were properly wooed. He was to be per-
manent chairman of the convention, and
his friends counted upon the prominent po-
sition which he was to hold as a potent
factor in subsequent proceedings. In the
earliest stages of the convention the OPP
ponents of Harrison rallied around Blaine
By Thursday 1t was evident that Blaine
could not be nominated, and it became
necessary to look about for some other
candidate who would take away from
Harrison delegations then credited to him
Rusk. of Wisconsin, was approached
through his friends. but Rusk. who was in
Washington, refused to listen to tempta.
ton. He declared that he would have
nothing to do with any nomination Sc.
chief. Spooner and Sawyer, the leaders OF
the wisconsin delegation, were equally
loyal to their pledges. The first night OF
the convention Spooner was standing be-
fore the platform in the convention hal
when an Eastern delegate approached hin
with the remark:
For the first time in her history Wis
consin has the presidency within hel
grasp, and for the first time in her history
Wisconsin is dumb.
Spooner turned angrily upon his hee
and flashed out: wisconsin can take car.
of her own honor!"
WENT INTO THE COMBINE.
Cullom was approached but he was there
in the interests of Harrison. and let it b,
known Enthusiastically. He stood will
the great majority of his delegation 10y
ally by Harrison until the end. Other mer
were appealed to by those who were manip
ulating the campaign against the President
but nobody would listen except Mckinley
For twenty-four hours he hesitated befor
| ne announced definitely that he was at tn,
disposal of the combine. Payne, of Wiscon
| sin: Clarkson. of Iowa, and others waited
upon him. He asked them to go over tn,
| list of States who could be counted upon 4
come to his support in case he allowed hi
rame TO be used. They led him up to higf
ing for his acceptance Still he hesitated Oh
| Forakers account. He mistrusted Forake
and Foraker mistrusted him. Mckinley wa
afraid of the Ohio delegation, and did no
want to be brought forward solely to b
slaughtered. Foraker feared that McKin
ley might back cut at the last and leav.
him and the rest Of the delegation in tn.
lurch. Finally all the conditions were lait
before both in such light that McKinle,
consented definitely to allow his name L
be used.
His acceptance having been secured. tn,
doubtful delegations Payne and Ciarksor
went before the Iowa delegation with tn,
assurance that if Iowa would support Ne
I<inley she could depend upon it that IN
would not leave her in the iurch. Ad
vances were made TO the California dele
cation. Mckinley had many friends amons
the California delegates, but the Harrison
managers had been working there. ant
Senator FELTON, had received assurance.
that If Mckinley i'm person would dec'ar,
his friendship for the President and let 1
be known that he was not in the race him
self the great majority Of the California
forces could be swung to Harrison
u