The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-03-21
POLITICS HIS BUSINESS
But He May Again Practice Law
in Canton.
He Talks About His Plans-In
Demand for Speeches.
Takes a Philosophical View of
His Candidacy.
IConvright, 1861

CANTON, O., March 2o.-A good many
men have to go away from homo to find
full measure of appreciation. Major viii
liam Mckinley, popular as he is in other
places finds his warmest admirers and
supporters in his old home-the home of
his young manhood, of his marriage, of
his professional experience and of his first
political triumphs. Tho people of Canton
are as proud of their distinguished fellow
townsman as though they shared in his
fame. When he returned to them, in Jan
uary, simple citizen, after quarter or
q century of life in congress and in the
governors mansion at Columbus, they
gave him welcome of long lost brother.
Mr.. Mckinley is so we'll known that you
can't possibly miss his house If you ask
your way. From the toddIing children to
the old men, every person you meet on the
streets knows where Mr.. Mckinley lives.
A gentleman, a stranger in the city, in
CURED recently of emo of two little girls
where Major Mckinley lived. The little
girl addressed looked very much discon-
certed. 81 don't know just where he
lives,'' she said, and she added apologetic-
ally, ''but I'm q Democrat, and don't
live in this town. But Flora knows"
And Flora, who was the other little girl,
gave the information.
BY an odd combination of conditions
Major Mckinley brought his wife back
from Columbus to the house to which he
had brought her, q bride, 25 years ago
next May. He had sold it when they broke
up housekeeping, and it had been occupied
continuously since, but when he was look
ing for home in Canton it happened that
his old home was vacant, and SO ne leased
it. 1t is the first time in a great many
years he has known what it Is to have
home. He lived in hotels in Washington
and in Columbus. Mrs. Mckinley says she
is ''out of politics. now and takes great
in bar DroRnG1y- Mr
Mckinley wishes he was out, too, for Il or
Is hours of his day spent in his office,
on the ground floor of his house, attending
chiefly to political matters. There is Sc
rious responsibility resting on the imam
who may be president" Mr.. Mckinley
does not let it weigh very heavily on his
mind, but it consumes most of his time.
Ills Home In Canton.
The Mckinley house stands on North
Market street. about ten minutes walk
from the courthouse, from which all dis
tances are measured. Il is a modest dou-
bic frame house, painted yellow. One
side is gabled A veranda stretches across
the front of the dwelling. The front door
is opened by colored man, who guides
callers to the reception room at the left of
the entrance if their mission is social, or
to the office at the right if they are on bust
ness bent. Politics is business.
Mr.. McKinlsy's Office is a large, square
room, against whose walls stand half a
dozen bookcases of polished oak, their
shelves well filed. A capaoious roll top
desk of cherry opposite the doorway is for
Mr.. McKinley's own use. A table in the
middle of the room is covered with books
There are many comfortable chairs, most
Of them provided with rockers.
Beyond the office is the dining room.
When L called on Mr.. Mckinley by APP
pointment one afternoon recently, he was
at luncheon. He came into his office pres
emily with pleasant greeting. Mr.. Nc
Kinley's manner is attractive. He smiles
at you when he takes your hand and holds
it for a moment in his He does not shake
it, but merely grasps it and then lets it
go. The he sits down and puts his hands
q little way into his trousers pockets under
the spreading tails of his Prince Albert
coat. That frock coat is one of Mr.. Nc
Kinleys trademarks. He never exchanges