Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1896-06-25

party by his victory. He served two years
and then was defeated for reelection by
a majority of As. But he had made a strong
impression on tho people of Canton, and in
1876 he was elected TO Congress. When
Garfield was nominated for the presidency
Mckinley was assigned to the committee
on ways and means In his place, and re-
manned with that committee until the end
of his congressional career.
Mckinley at home is very different
from Mckinley at Washington or Swing
ing around tho circle" on campaigning
tour. Simplicity characterzes all that he
does, and much of this Is unquestionably
due to the two prcdomlnating influences
over his life-that of his mother and that
of his wife. Gentleness and consideration
for others are the distinguishing traits of
his character Undoubtedly this Is as
much a matter Of education as of natural
attributes. For over a score of years he
has BEEN devoted attendant upon a
delicate wife. lie Is SO years old and in
superb health lie possesses the family
characteristics physically. Although in
clined to stockiness in build, he Is shape
ly and well proportional. lie Is muscular
naturally He has been compared to
stephen A. Douglas in appearance, but he
is more like him in pose and manner than
In appearance. He married Miss Ida Sax
ton. of Canton. Jan. %. 1871 She came to
join with his mother In moulding and
shaping the life which means so much to
both of them. Miss Saxton was the daugh-
ter of James A. SaXton, one of the wealth.
lest and most prominent men for years
of this section of the State Maj. Nc
Kinley met her first in 1866, when he was
fresh from the army, and modest with
the honors which had been bestowed upon
him. In 1861, when he made Canton his
permanent home, he met Miss Saxton
again, and they were mutually attached
to each other, but an engagement did not
Immediately follow Miss Saxton, a beau
tful and attractive girl, completed her
education at the private school of Miss
Eastman, at Media, Pa. She also attend
cd school in Cleveland. and then spent
six months abroad in travel with friends.
On her return from Europe she entered
the bank of her father as cashier and re-
mained there until her marriage. II Is told
that at the time Maj. Mckinley solicited
Banker Saxton for tho hand of his daugh-
ter, the answer made 10 him was: "You
are the only man ! have ever known to
whom would intrust my daughter" The
marriage proved to be most happy union.
While sorrow has come to both husband
and wife, It's effect has been to more close
ly draw them together and to make their
home life whatever they are the comment
and admiration of all permitted to enter
the charmed circle. There is story told
husband. which runs this way: Mrs.
Mckinley Is such a devoted wife that
believe If her husband should become a
free trader she. too, in a short time.
would be convert to the faith" Two
children have been born to the couple, but
both died years ago. Since then the frail-
ty of Mrs. Mckinley has kept her husband
an almost constant attendant upon her
when official duties have not interfered.
| Their marriage was one of love-a strong
man and beautiful, intellectual woman
uniting their energies for tho good of all
with whom they came in contact. Mrs.
Mckinley was a Presbyterian in the early
days of her life, but subsequently Joined
the church of her husband, the Methodist
She delights to have children call upon her
and next to her love for them, is her fond
ness for flowers. For art and statuary and
the drama she has an intense feeling. She
enjoys the friendship and admiration of
Joseph Jefferson. and as her health per-
mits, attends the theatre.
lie was known before going to congress
as one of the first advocates I'm the State.
| ana TWO celebrated cases won that repu-
tation for him. One of these cases was
where he defended a number of Ohio
miners. charged with having inoited riot
and rloting. lie not only defended the
case with extraordinary ability but clear
ed all of the men but one. and then, know
ing that his clients were poor men, ref,is-
ed to accept a fee from them. When this
news went out into the various mining
communities OF eastern Ohio it made for
| Mckinley reputation of fairness and
generosity that has never been forgotten
by that class of labor. II Is told of him that
| when student In the Bible class of the
Methodist church at Poland his disting-
| uishing trait was the frequency and per-
| tinacity with which he asked questions
/ Tod L.
He thinks constantly that there is some
| thing which he has not yet learned along
| the line of economic study, which he has
made the work of his life. lie is n temper
ate man. He never drank liquor and
never will, and in this Mrs. Mckinley
strongly supports him. lie speaks slowly
with a careful choice of language, fitting
his words to the character of the argu-
ment he is making, His voice is pene-
! tratng.
| lie held an audience of Georgia people
at Chautauqua assembly near Atlanta
for two hours once while speaking on the
subject of protection. Henry w. Grady
said afterward of this address: 1T was
only by the greatest self-control that
restrained myself from rising as Mr.
Mckinley concluded his wonderful speech
and declaring myself henceforth ready to
follow him as a disciple"
| When approached by the New Jersey
| delegates at the national convention OF
1883. and told that they were going to cast
| their ballots for him and that he would be
nominated his answer was: Rather than
| that / would suffer the loss OF my good
| right arm. Yes, | would suffer death
To accept a nomination. If one were posi-
Die, under these circumstances would in
evitably lead to my defeat, and 1t ought
to lead to my defeat" These utterances
gave clear insight into the kind of man.
| hood that controls all of Mai. Mckinley.
actions, and explains in one way the ex-
traordinary hold he has on the affections
and the confidence of the Mahonng peo-
pie. A Scotch-Irish trait of Mai. McKin-
ley Is the simplicity of his daily living. lie
Keeps only two servants. pe blacks his
own shoes and shaves himself at o'clocl;
every morning. Early in the summer Inc
may be seen in his yard attired in a linen
duster and a straw hat attending to his
| flower garden, kept especially for the
pleasure and qualification of Mrs. Nc
Kinley. After his breakfast he goes &c
his 'workroom," as 1t is called, and be.
gins the opening of his vast correspond
ence. He has many callers There are
10000 people in Canton, and 1t is not an ex,
| aggeration to say that almost everyone
OF them gets around to the Mckinley
house some time each week to ascertain
how things are getting on" They always
get an answer and a cordial reception
Mckinley is n power in the Methodist
church there, and has great deal Of
church work to look after. and that takes
up some of his time each day.
| This brief record Of the life of Maj. Nc
| Kinlcy Is really what Canton people know
of him and think of him. The testimon,
| Is as easily obtainable from the iron.
workers or the miners of the Mahoninp
district as 1t Is of those in the higher