Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-05-15
Early Chapters of the Legislative
biography of Major Mckinley.
New York SUM-


William McKinley's appearance in ma
tional politics was almost simultaneous
with that OF Rutherford Il. Hayes. Geo
logically. ne belongs TO the Ohio drift Of
the Hayes period. Before his election
to the Forty-ffth Congress, his military
hieh-water mark had been that OF cap
tain and brevet major in the Union army,
and his highest civil Office that OF Pub
lie Prosecutor I'm Stark county.
Mckinley was sworn in as a represen-
tative on October 5, 1871 In the same
Ohio delegation were James A. Garfield
Jacob b. Cox, and Charles Foster. The
House was Democratic, and Samuel j.
Randall was Speaker. The first time
Mckinley arose in the House was on De
cember 10th, when he presented the pc
tition Of some ron manufacturers in his
own town Of Canton and elsewhere,
praying Congress to take no action con-
corning tariff revision until it had made
an official inquiry into the condition OF
the various industries Of the country.
At the same time the Major put in
two private pension bills.
His first speech was delivered on April
-.
gument for protection. and against free
trade or tariff reform, and 1t Is prac-
tically the same speech which the Major
had been delivering from time to time
ever since. 1t was deliberately prepared
and earnestly Delivered but, while heard
with respectful attention. It did not pro-
duce any profound impression Of its au-
thor's greatness as a thinker or orator.
This speech concludes with an appeal
against tariff agitation, which is inter
estiug to read now:
"Mr. Chairman. there never was a time
in the history Of this country more in
suspicious than the present time for the
dreamer and the theorst TO put into
practical operation his impracticable
theories of political economy The coun-
try does not want them: the business
men Of this country do not want them.
They want quiet to recuperate their
wasted forces; and l am sure
utter no sentiment new or ORR
ginal when l say that If this
House will promptly pass the appropria-
ton bills and other pressing legislation,
following this with an immediate ad-
journment, the people will applaud such
a course as the work of statesmen and
the wisdom of men of affairs"
During the three sessions of that Forty
fifth Congress Mckinley was on his feet
in the House only nine times; except once,
always for unimportant incidental re-
marks.
Being reelected TO the For,y-slxth Con-
gress, the Major gained by Speaker Ran
dall's appointment a place as a minority
member OF an important committee. that
on the Judiciary. Almost on the anniver-
sary OF his first speech I'm Congress he
delivered a second, opposing the Demo-
election laws. which, TO the satisfaction
OF all good citizens. have since then been
wiped off the statute books. McKinley's
defence OF the odious Davenport laws. and
OF Federal interference and force dis
played the narrowest spirit OF partisan in
tolerance.
But the most interesting thing about
McKinleys bloody-shirt speech of April
is, 1879, is that 1t led to q personal incl
dent. unimp0rtant In Itself but, like
many unimportant incidents. luciferous I'm
its revelation of character. Mckinley
had been attacking the southern Demo
Gratis and intimating that now they were
in power at Washington they would never
pause. II unchecked. until they had MULTI
fed the results of the war. including the
constitutional amendments. In support
of his prediction he quoted some OF the
rubbish which USED 10 appear IN the now
almos t-fOrgotten Okolona States. He
also quoted from a recent speech in the
House by Joe Blackburn. OF Kentucky:
II have not forgotten said Mr.. Nc
Kinley) that the gentleman from Ken
lucky, who now presides over this COM
mittee with so much ability. declared a
few days ago upon the floor OF this
House. IT Is this organization. the Demo-
cratic that has come back TO rule. aud
that means TO rule That this is their
purpose / have never doubted. How and
IN what manner let the gent!eman's own