Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1896-11-10
HON. WILLIAM M'kINlEY.

( committee un revision Of laws. the Ju'
I diciary committee, the committee on
/ expenditures IN the p0stohice depart
ment and the committee on rules.
/ When General Garfield received the
nomination Tor the presidency, Mr.. Nc
Kinlcy was assigned Ia the vacancy on
| the committee On ways and means. He
/ served on the last mentioned committee
until the expiration II his last term as
| representative While chairman Of this
committee he framed the Mckinley
l bill, which afterward became "A law and
which still bears his name.
Mckinley was prutcge Of ex-Presi-
dent Hayes, and up to the time Of the
latter's death he recognized the ex-
president us his adviser and counselor.
He was In General Hayes regiment
during the rebellion. General Hayes
knew him AID his father well, and saw
in the dashing young cavalier the germ
IF greatness He needed a counselor, an
adviser. friend, and General Hayes
watched over him with the flial love,
devotion and pride of a father.
The war ended, Mckinley still re-
manned an object Of hope, Of interest
and pride to General Hayes. Mckinley
became candidate for congress and was
elected When Hayes was president,
Mckinley was in the house of represent
atives The major was frequent well
come visitor at the White House. One
day the president gave Mckinley ad-
vice, which made Mckinley the fore
most champion Of a protective tariff.
President Hayes thus spoke to the young
representative:
"To achieve success and fame you
must pursue a special line. You must
not make speech on every motion OF.
fered or bill introduced. You must con-
fine yourself 10 one particular thing.
Become specialist. Take up some
branch Of legislation and make that
your study Why not take up the subject
Of tariff? Being a subject that will not
be settled for years TO come, 1t offers
great field for study and a chance for
ultimate fame.
With these words ringing in his ears
Mckinley began studying the tariff and
soon became the foremost authority on
the subject.
The day upon which the Mckinley
tariff bill" was passed in the house
must always stand as the supreme mo-
ment Of McKinleys congressional ca
yeer. The bill, by adroit parliamentary
generalship which had prevented il
from being weighted down with amend
ments not approved by the committee,
had been brought under the operation OF
the previous question 1t stood complete,
ready to go forth for good or evil. Upon
Mckinley devolved the task Of smooth
ing its path and speeding it upon its
way.
The occasion, thoroughly advertised,
attracted TO the capitol an immense
throng. The galleries were one mass OF
humanity and the anticipation Of the
vote had compelled the attendance OF ev-
cry member As usual, Mckinley spoke
without notes. His voice, penetrating
but not harsh, filed the chamber. Every
sentence was as solid as the granite in
the eternal hills. Never was an orator
more free from the ordinary claptrap
than Mckinley. So true is this that the
incident when lie suddenly drew from
beneath his desk the suit Of clothes
which he purchased for $40 at the es-
tablishment of fellow representative in
Boston, in order to demonstrate the
cheapness Of wearing apparel, stands out
in all its loneliness with vivid distinct
ness
1t was this earnestness and self con-
viction that made Mckinley s address in
the house and on the stump so effective.
Indeed the occasion is still recalled when
he held an audience Of Georgia people
for two hours at Chautauqua assembly
near Atlanta while he preached to them
the glories of the protective tariff sys-
tenn. 1T was only by the greatest self
control, :" said Henry w. Grady, speak.