The San Francisco call., 1896-02-09

for an adjournmentwas voted down and the
victory YVES won. 1t was not defeat that Nc
Kinley turned aside-the situation was not so
serious as that-but in a crisis where the
Blame men were getting demoralized and the
convention was turning itself into mob, Nc
Kinley, leaping to the front, by one command
marshaled the Blaine men into line and
pressed them forward to their already sighted
victory.
Speaking of the Congressional expert
ence of the Ohio man, the biographer
proceeds:
Mckinley is an adroit debater. The Con-
gressional Record does not show that he was
ever worsted in q passage of arms with the
most brilliant of his colleagues In the earlier
years in the House of Representatives he was
cautious, and only undertook debate on ques-
tions with which he was thoroughly familiar.
Unlike most new members, Mckinley did not
rush madly into the wordy arena.
He listened weighed well the strength of
his ANTAGONISTS and said little until his time
and opportunity came. For this reason, when
Mckinley arose to speak, he invariably CON-
manded the attention of the House. He was
generally regarded as one of the members who
had something to say, who said it well, and
when he had said it stopped. 1t was also dis
covered that Mckinley was quick in debate,
and that, though his speech upon such occa-
sions might be termed the essence of courtesy,
it usually made the gentleman who had inter-
rupted wish he had let Mckinley alone.
remarkable episode in his Congress
sional career was the following:
Samuel J. Randall of Pennsylvania was
Speaker when Mckinley entered Congress and
they became warm friends. There was one
memorable scene in the Flftieth Congress in
which both figured. 1t occurred on May 49,
1888. the day on which the general debate
closed on the Mills bill. Randall opposed this
measure and incurred the displeasure of the
rampant free-trade element, headed by Mills
of Texas. He took the floor to speak against
the bill In feeble health, his voice at times
almost inaudible, the great leader labored
under serious disadvantages in this his first
fight for protection. Before he was through
his time expired amid cries of $50 onl"
Mr.. Randall asked for an extension, but Mills,
with discourtesy almost incredible, walked
to the front and said, "I objectl" The crv was
repeated by nearly fifty Democratic members.
1t was sad sight to witness this great
Democratic leader thus silenced upon mo-
mentous question by his own party friends
There was an exciting scene. Members and
spectators, for the galleries were crowded,
joined in making the tumult. Amid it all the
chairman announced that Mckinley of Ohio
had the floor. The latter was to close the de-
bate on the Republican side. His desk was
piled with memoranda and statistics.
'Mr Speaker" he cried, and his voice stilled
the din about him. 81 yield to the gentleman
from Pennsylvania out of my time all that he
may need in which to finish his speech on this
bill"
Cheer after cheer arose from the House and
galleries, and by the courtesy of the Republi-
can leader the once leader of the Democracy
was enabled to finish his speech in body over
which he had thrice presided as Speaker.
An estimate of Mckinley as q public
speaker is thus given:
AS public speaker Mckinley stands in the
front rank. Even those who say that he can
make only one speech must admit that he can
make that one well. But such a criticism is
not fairly taken. The truth is that few men in
political life have delivered speeches upon
such variety of subjects as has McKin-
ley.
In his speciality. the tariff, he stands the un-
disputed master. His attractiveness in the
presentation of this question is only equaled
by the consistency and tenacity OF his views
thereon.
Wherein is MeKinley's strength as a speaker
upon the tariff ? The answer seems to be:
First, his evident sincerity, and, secondly, his
simplicity in the presentation of his argument
There is very little of the ornate in his style,
but still it is graceful. 1t is eminently cpl
grammatic, yet not mosaic, for the sentences
are not only well rounded but are well con-
nected and are foreefully arranged, so that the
climax stands upon broad and firm founda-
ton of argument and fact
Not only has he splendid voice, but his
pronunciation is charming.
McKinley's views on public questions,
his opinions of National celebrities of the
past. his religious sentiments, are pre-
sented in chapters devoted to those par
ticular topics. There are chapters on
reciprocity, finance, public education,
labor issues and the Mckinley tariff law,
as well as resume of the history of Nc
Kinley's gubernatorial administration,
which is characterized as ''wise and pru-
Dental and without red tape"
In mis- concluding chapter the biographer
declares in plain terms what may be read
between the lines of the book from the
very beginning:
The surest road to Republican success in the
coming Presidential election is to put the
tariff to the front. We should begin fresh
campaign in behalf of the wage-earners of
America, campaign which should be carried
on without cessation until the sinister shadow
of free trade is lifted from every American
home and American industrial independence
is assured forever.
Mckinley is type of American citizenship