Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-08-01
How 1t Brought National Reputation
to Major Mckinley.
An EXCITING SCENE IN THE HOUSE
The Debate in Congress on the
Mills Bill Eight Years Ago.
CAPTIVATING CONGRESS


most orators was an achievement that will
never be forgotten by those who witnessed
1t, and his triumph on that day was all the
more memorable and remarkable then, and
all the more interesting to recall now, from
the fact that it was associated with an ex-
citing episode that won for him the lasting
good will not only of all republicans, but
of large numbers Of conservative demo-
Gratis of the old school. 1t was an original,
solid and sustained effort OF two hours
duration, upon subject to which he had
devoted long attention.
The occasion was eight years ago, back
in the Fiftieth Congress. when the tariff
measure then known as the Mills bill, now
mere historical Renaissance was under
discussion in the House of Representatives
of which Mckinley was a member. 1t was
on one Of the last days Of the general de-
bate on the bill, and the red-letter date was
May IS. 1885, Ex-Speaker Samuel j. RAN
dali, the heroic old-school democrat Of
Pennsylvania, with Mckinley and the sill
ver-tongued Breckenridge of Kentucky, oc-
cupied the lists In summing up the argu-
ments of that great forensic struggle, to be
followed next day by Speaker Carlisle and
Thomas B. Reed Of Maine, for the demo-
cratic and republican sides. respectively.
RandnIrs Effort.
By special arrangement, Randall was to
occupy the first hour Of the tilt on that
field day, and Mckinley and Breckenridge
were to consume Jointly the remainder of
the time.
At IL o'clock Mr.. Randall arose. and TAX
ing a position near the front row Of the
democratic side. addressed the assembly.
Notwithstar ding he had been a notable fig
ure in Congress for a quarter of a century,
and had welded undisputed leadership in
the democratic party, he had been read
OUT Of 1t for refusing 10 reverse his life
long economic views upon the peremptory
demand of the new free trade managers.
Standing up aim ost solitary and alone in
defense Of the traditional protectionist
tenets Of old-lne democracy, and physical
ly weak and Ill unto death Of the malady
that afterward laid Him low, he heroically
expounded the non-partsan doctrine of
American protection. and warned his party
associates Of the folly Of abandoning good
economic principles for bad. His face
paled visibly as he began reading from
manuscript. a. his hands trembled as he
held the leaves His progress was painful.
but his audience was Impressed by the
simple grandeur Of the situation and his
An Exciting Scene.
When his allotted hour had expired Ran
dali asked for slight extension of time
but Chairman Roger Q. Mills of the ways
and means committee, who had naturally
been writhing in irritation under this
scorching analysis of the measure bearing
his name. and whose plans as leader Of the
House in control of the debate would neces-
sarily be disarrarged by any extension of
Randal's time. sprang down the aisle and
angrily interposed his veto. With flushed
face he shouted. Il object"
Immediately murmurs of disapproval
cverswept the House and galleries, and in
an instant fully 200 excited statesmen were
on their feet to protest against Mills OBJ
jection. But Mills held his ground and
urged his point. Coloring still redder. he
repeated still more decisively, "Oh, no; l
object! 1 object!!
Cries Of oh no." and That's too badv'
went up from all parts of the chamber.
Still Mills stood memorable, despite the ex-
pcstulations Of his Learest colleagues and
friends. The whole republican side and
many members of the democratic side
shouted "Shame!' but to no purpose Then
everybody got up and moved toward the
open space in front Of the Speakers plat
form. A fight was imminent, and the en-
tire assembly was in confusion.
Mckinley. Generosity.
Suddenly, amid the din end uproar.
clear, musical. vibrant voice rang out Mr..
Chairman!'-and Mckinley, with beaming
eyes and face radiant with the light of
generous purpose. was seen making his
way into the central arena from the re-
publican side.
Mr. Chairman" said he, 81 believe am
to be recognized next after the gentleman
from Pennsylvania. 1 yield him fifteen
minutes Of my time
A burst of delighted applause greeted this
offer. Meanwhile Randall, once the active
and all-powerful commoner, already sick
and now upset by the nervous strain, re-
manned standing in distress in the midst of
the gathering storm. begging poor permits
sion to go on. Now he paused, and bowling,
said with simple dignity:
II appreciate the gantleman's kindness"
simultaneously, Breckenridge, on the
democratic side, with chivalric intention,
essayed to make statement and submit an
offer Of mutual adjustment But the House
was angry and wouldn't hear him. His de-
sign was misunderstood; 1T was supposed
he wanted to justify or palliate the inter-
ference of Mills. Cries Of regular order!'
Cox, who hal enjoyed special indulgence
of time on the day before, ran in nimbly,
shouting:
IT think it is only decorous and kind that
the time Of the gentleman from Pennsyl-
yania be extended"
At length Breckenridge. despite many ex-
carnations of Impotence from the House,
cortrived to be heard, and poured oil upon
the troubled waters by explaining the spe-
cal arrangement governing the allotment
of time and proposing that Randall yield
back the extension granted him by Nc
Kinley and freely take instead such time as
he needed on the understanding that 1t
should be deducted equally from the time
allotted to Mckinley and himself.
Theraupon the house and galleries quiet
ed down, and the uncomfortable Pennsyl-
yania leader was suffered to conclude
without further interruption. Breckin-
ridges handsome proposal had averted an
ugly quarrel that might have led to the
most serious results, and it had been made
to his own disadvantage and detriment,
since by giving away some Of his time,
the delivery of his own speech was delay
ed until the end Of the afternoon. when the
galleries had grown wearieo and gave him
Indifferent attention. Still the popular hon
ors were accorded to Mckinley. His man.
ner was so gracious, and the offer itself
was so gallant and natural-so apprectative
Of the prophecies and finer amenities and
so pregnant with the spirit of good will
aud manly fairness, that all the specta-
tors republicans and democrats alike, felt
a personal admiration for him.
McKinley's Speech.
Then Mckinley took the floor in his own
right to sum up the debate for the repub-
lican side; and the house and the galleries
settled themselves to listen. 1t seemed his
generous conduct of a few moments 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
n-N1 hit n IN N