The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-11-04

The most serious rule OF nlop Ia" ~
the history OF the State occurred AT
Washington Courthouse. Fayette county,
in October. 1894.
II was Democratic administration that
Governor Mckinley gave the Buckeyes
I'm spite of his protection proclivities'
There was no red tape in reaching any
executive department. An attendant was
always stationed at the door OF the Gov
errors Office but as soon as the visitor
mentioned something that looked ike
business he was hidden at once TO go
right in" Governor Mckinley observed
the same systematic personal habits In
Columbus that he did in Washington
Although he retired late, he invariably
rose at ! a. NJ, studied the papers at
his breakfast table and was ready 10
undertake correspondence when he
reached his official chair. \ majority OF
his letters were turned over 10 his pri-
vate secretary for answer, but the i'm
portant ones he reserved for his own
treatment. lie was never secure from
intrusion. What to shake hands with
the Governor" being as patent watch
word as important business.
LOYAL TO HIS WORD.
No events in the history of Governor
Mckinley commended him more than
his honorable course I'm two national con-
ventlons or his party when had he shown
a momentary departure in stcadfast 10y
atty in support of the men he had been
instructed to vote for he might have him
self been the nominee. Since 1876 he had
State troops TO aid in enforcing the law.
No such demand. had been made since
the war. but Governor Mckinley, obeying
the dictates of his judgment. answered
with such popular acceptation that even
those labor organizations which are
radical in opposing any action in labor
troubles on the part of the State militia
were forced TO admit the wisdom of his
course.
borne n prominent part In Republican
national conventions. lie was member
OF the Committee on Resolutions OF the
convention of 1850 when the man who led
the Ohio delegation pledged 70 the can
didacy OF Senator John Sherman and who
uiaced that veteran In nomination in
spoech that was one OF the masterpieces
Of his public utterances yet suffered the
| convention to nominate himself and never
raised "A warning note TO recall delegates
TO respect for his representative capacity.
Perhaps Mckinley himself realized IN
1855 that he then hardly measured up 10
the standard Of the tried and true veter-
ans i'm the public service whose names
, were to go before that convention. Ger
tainly no one could have declared such
fact moro unhesitatingl: or earnestly
than he did. 1t was an occasion never
! 20 be forgotten and it demonstrated even
| then that Mr. Mckinley was Presi-
| Dental possibility who could afford TO
! bide his time and need not crowd veter-
! ans in public favor.
The halloting for President had reached
/ the fourth call when a Connecticut dele
/ gate cast his vote for Mckinley. IS soon
/ as the vote was announced Mckinley
"a a. Hlf mr.
! recognition OF the Chair. Before he could
| utter half "A dozen words a great shout
| Mckinley" went up from all over the
! convention. mistaken by this evidence
of popular esteem he said:
SPEECH OF A TRUE MAN.
Mr.. Chairman and Gentlemen or the
| Convention: l am here a. one of the
| chosen representatives OF my State; ]
am here by resolution OF its Republican
! convention, passed without one dissent
! ing voice commanding me 10 cast my
vote for John Sherman and 20 use every
worthy endeavor for his nomination
| accepted this trust because my heart
and Judgment were in accord with the
/ letters and spirit and purpose OF that
| resolution. It has pleased certain dele
gates 10 cast their votes for me. I am
not insensible Of the honor they would
! do me. but in the presence Of the duty
| resting upon me ] cannot remain silent
with honor: / cannot consistently with
/ the credit Of the State whose credentials
Bear. and which has trusted me.
cannot with honorable fidelity to John
Sherman, WHO has trusted me in his
cause and With his confidence; | cannot
! consistently with my own views Of my
personal integrity consent, or seem to
| consent. 10 permit my name 10 be used
| as candidate before the convention.
I would not restrict myself II / could
! find Il I'm my heart 10 do. TO say, or 10
! permit TO be done that which could even
/ be ground for anyone 10 suspect that
| waverod in my loyalty 70 Ohio or my
| devotion 10 the chief OF her choice and
| the chief Of mine. l do not request
! dcmand-that no delegates who would
not cast reflection upon me shall cast
! q ballot for me
When Mckinley. who spoke in tones
whose carnestness and sincerity could
not be doubted, concluded his speech
| his audience applauded him 10 the echo.
DECLINED THE PRIZE AGAIN.
-Four years later at Minneapolis Nc
| Kinley again had opportunity TO show
| that he valued honor above even nomi-
| nation to the highest Office in the Re
| public. lie was the chairman of the
convention. When Ohio was reached on
|
| Of the delegation announced its full vote
for William Mckinley. This was the
signal for an outburst Of applause from
| floor and gallery. as spontaneous as it
| was vocifcrous. Hurried consultations
were held by many State delegations.
| and amid the cheers and applause which
! still continued one leader after another
arose 10 the change of his state TO Nc
| Kinley. The Major. evidently deeply AT.
fected by the demonstration. but firm
and composed, rose in his place and
said:
Il challenge the vote Of Ohio"
"The gentleman is not a member Of
the delegation at present" said Cover
nor Foraker who was chairman Of the
I Ohio representatives.
Il am a delegate from that State"
cried Mckinley. In tones that could be
heard above the confusion and uproar,
"and demand that my vote be counted.
Your alternate voted for YOU" Gov
ernor Foraker persisted.
The vote OF the delegation was pOlled.
nevertheless and the solitary vote. which
was cast for Harrison. was Major Nc
Iinlev's. Harrison was nominated. and
ChairmaD Mckinley. calling Colonel FL
lott L. Shepard TO the chair, moved to
make the nomination unanimous.
your turn will come In 80" shouted
one of the 1s2 delegates. who, despite
his protest, voted for him ia that con-
Vention.
Two things commend Mckinley might
" 10 the average mamie will night and
he loves his wife While these at nrst
blush seem 10 be virtues common
enough. yet he who has them has not
far TO go 10 make him a man compietc.
IL was early in his struggles with the