Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1896-09-11

nation for governor and in the fall of 1891
he was elected by large majority. Two
years later he was renominated and ran
against Larry Neal, the author OF the free
trade plank in the Democratic platform,
and was elected by plurality of about ST.
600. In lSSS, Mr.. Mckinley had received
few votes as a candidate for president at
the Chicago convention, and at the Min
neapolis convention in 1892 he might have
made strong showing if he had not re-
manned faithful to Mr.. Sherman, whom the
Ohio delegates had been instructed TO sup
port.
The chief political work of Mr.. McKn-
ley has of course been done in Congress,
where he represented the 18th Ohio dis
trict II years. AS he came from manu-
featuring district and had even in child
hood been interested in manufacturing on
account of his fathers business, il was on
ly natural that he should appear as the ex-
ponent of protection. He was at first
somewhat ditfident about bringing forward
his views, and for some years was not a
specially prominent figure in Congress.
His first long speech was in April, 1878,
when he attacked the Wood tariff reform
bill A wider fame came with his appoint
ment to the craftsmanship of the ways and
means committee in 1889. The result of
his arduous labors at this time was the Nc
kinley bill. The speech made an excellent
impression, for everyone felt that it was
sincere. Four years later, when he had
really developed some strength as posi-
BILE candidate, he showed similar spirit.
The scene is described as follows:-
When the state of Ohio was reached on
tho oil in tho fret koI &, a.
leader of the delegation announced its votes
for William Mckinley, jr. This was the
signal for a spontaneous burst of enthusi-
asm from the floor and galleries. Hurried
consultations of the various state delega-
tions were held, and amid the cheers and
applause which still continued, one leader
after another rose to announce the change
of the vote of his state to Mckinley.
The major, evidently much affected by the
demonstration, but firm and composed,
rose in his place as presiding officer of the
convention. Immediately the tumult was
hushed, All bent eagerly forward to hear
what the great leader had to say. All felt
that most critical moment had arrived
a moment which might decide who should
be the standard bearer of the party. In
unfatering tones Maj Mckinley demand.
ed poll of the delegates from Ohio and
declared that he was not a candidate and
that the delegates should vote as they had
been instructed by the people of their
state, without regard to personal consider.
atoms of any kind. The tide was checked
the ballot proceeded and the result is a
matter of history, Twice had Major Nc
Kinley put from him a nomination which
would have been purchased at the expense
of broken pledges.
Being known as a stout protectionist anC
a persuasive speaker, Mr.. Mckinley began
to be talked of for the presidency as much
as eight years ago, and tendency TOWARD
him was shown, which might have made
some little Roadway if he had not promptly
forestalled it by announcing his loyalty tC
Sherman. The situation was striking. Il
was during the fourth ballot for president
! There was great sensation when Con
necticut was reached and delegate from
the Nutmeg state cast ballot for McKin
ley. The moment the announcement wa!
made Mr.. Mckinley was seen to rise in hi.
seat. A hush fell upon the multitude a.
he proceeded to make a statement. Bu
before he had uttered half dozen words {
great storm of applause burst, and Their,
was prolonged cheering for mckinley
! He said: