The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1896-05-15
The aa1ehita Daily eagle gridag zormng zsy IS, 1896

wages for one holding a commercial po-
sition. yet il is doubtful whether ex-
Governor Mckinley took back 10 Can
ton with him and considerable portion
of the money which he received from
the state. A governor is compelled 10
live IN somewhat OF a gubernatoral
style, and that is, Of course. costly;
but the severest strain on the guberna-
torial pocketbook IS the unceasing calls
made upon il in the name OF charity.
Mckinley is man OF generous dispo-
sition-not alone, indeed, as regards the
giving away of dollars, but as well in
his relations with Dis fellow men. 1t is
a fact that he never denies an appeal
for ard, and sometimes this practice
leads oodd situations, such as, for in
stance, when he made liberal donations
Of money TO relieve the hungry coal
miners at the same time that he sent
troops to preserve order during the last
great strike. The miners asked for
help, the governor knew that they need
ed it-and ne gave it with a good spirit,
prompted by a feeling Of sympathy for
men who We're in distress. Naturally
disposed II hold out the hand of help
at all times, the governor found the
drain to be & severe one on his finances
yet ne did not amend his rule in any
manner, notwithstanding. Every mail
brought an appeal from individuals or
organizations and every hour was mark
ed by the can of d committee or some
individual representative or just a plain
oeggar, until Mr.. Boyle, as private sec
rotary, determinedly set about to thin
out the crowd OF applicants as much as
possible and ne at last became so ex-
pert that he could single out a beggar
Of high or low degree on sight, and
blandly state that the governor was
SO engaged that under no circumstances
would it be possible to see him.
But the charity of Mckinley extends
far beyond the giving Of aims. He is
charitable II his very thoughts, seek
ing for the good in men, condoning
their faults. forgiving and forgetting
He expects me to be honest and true
and having once made up his mind that
one is so,no one else need try 10 change
that opinion by any sort of SANDER or
repetition of gossip. His confidence III
his friends is a notable trait, comfort
ing 10 those that enjoy it and marking
the purity of the man. More than once
while governor, did he have tales Of de-
famation OF appointees told him, bun Il
was soon found that they were not
they were formulated into charges and
given substantiation by evidence. The
mere calumniator can not make Major
Mckinley even suspicious OF one whom
he has honored by his confidence.
AS governor, Mckinley reposed the
utmost confidence in his eubordinates,
entrusting them with almost, II not all,
the manag cement of the departments,
reserving his forces for the greater
work Of exercising general supervision
With the details OF government ne did
not, except On rare OCCASIONS, interfere,
and in this he manifested that trust
in those whom ne had determined to
be trustworthy. He en- joined upon his
appointeeS the stricteSt economy and
best government, and having laid down
that much he left the carrying out of
the details to those upon whom the re
sponsibility was placed. He did not
have a man around MIN in whom he
could not place the fullest confidence,
and having selected men whom he be-
lieved worthy, as heads Of departments
he exacted tfsaf they should assume en-
tire control and responsibility and ac-
count to mira only for results. At times
accusations against men holding subor-
dinate positions were laid before him,
but instead of holding an independent
court of inquiry and judgment, he in
variably called il the responsible heads
and made them hold the court, and
whatever their findings and action were
ne upheld them.
This was rather a unique procedure.
but it proved satisfactory and 1t saved
the governor from mingfing in petty
affairs. He very rarely dictated an APP
int m yn1a oI-
lowing his trustees or directors or de-
partment heads TO select their own as
sistants, and only stipulating that men
should be secured VINO would render
good service TO the public. The crea-
ton OF an army OF personal followers
was matter that Mckinley took no
concern IN at all. For one thing he
did not see that he needed one His
the approval of his constituents by in
surfing TO them an efficient, honest and
anoZ, no-Sasasreftomnrod mn
economical administration OF the
states business than by any trick of
political manipulation, and time has
proved that his course was a wise one.
Manipulation, wire-pulling, Is not one
Of McKinley's methods by any means
He never did take any stock In Il, pre-
ferring nObler ways Of winning favor.
His whole career as a public man has
been marked by straightforwardness
and candor, and the carrying out Of
purposes that ne believed would ap
peal to the good Judgment Of the
masses. and therein hes the whole Sc
cret OF his present invfncibieness as a
ca indicate for the presidential nomina-
ton. The people approve Of him. and
the politicians can not stand between
him and the people.
Strangers on meeting Mr.. Mckinley
the first time always seem to be well
impressed. He Is invaIia bly, courteous
and always pleasant OF mood a man
who has known the governor for many
years says that he NEVER knew him TO
be out OF humor or to manifest the
slightest petulence upon any occasion.
He simply refuses to elbow anything,
however disagreeable, or unpleasant, TO
disturb his equanimity or good nature.
While governor he was very frequently
callei upon by the most tiresome per
sons who had nothing particular TO say
but were attracted by his prominence
but charmed by his suavity and who
would sit and talk TO him for a most
outrageous cine, certainly boring him
dreadfuly; yet not one was ever I'd
bowed 10 think that he Was intrudinz
or was at all Unwelcome No test OF
AIoKinley's good nature was ever too
severe. And ne vas absolutely az the
mercy Of boreS. for anyone could walk
into the executive chamber and obtain
the attention of the governor without
the least formallty. The place was al
all times as open 20 the public as a dry
goods Seoro. and The chief executive
far more accessible than the majority
Of business men, for everyone was wei
coined and treated with perfect corii-