The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-07-22

way home through Columbus. The
governor surprised the young soldier by
presenting him with commission. Cen
eral Hayes, who had been wounded at
South Mountain and was at home, rec
ommending the promotion.
An old member of the Stark county
bar, in spinning "reminiscences of Nc
Kinley as a lawyer after he had hung
out his shingle in Canton, says that he
early gave promise of developing into
fine lawyer. He was an excellent ad-
vocate, and made some OF the best jury
arguments ever heard at the Stark
county bar. Two cases especially there
were in which Mckinley greatly distin-
guished himself. One was that of
number of miners prosecuted on the
charge of riot, and McKinley's argu-
ment to the jury On behalf of the ac-
cused men was u notable effort, and is
remembered to this day The other
case was that of DR.. Cans, leading
physician of the county, who was put on
trial for alleged malpractice and de-
Tended by Mckinley. The latter's speech
in behalf of his client Is said to have
been on a par with any of the subse-
quent oratcrical efforts of his life, and
was the subject of much talk among the
legal profession in all the counties COM
posing the judicial district.
During all this time Major Mckinley
was an active participant in Republican
campaigns, and early gave evidence of
the power he has since developed as Il
public speaker and orator. His plan of
political speaking has always been the
same. He first thoroughly masters the
subject in hand and then presents 1t
forcibly. Upon one occasion, however.
Major Mckinley did not deliver the
speech he intended to, ana which he
had thoroughly prepared for. Here Is
the story that Is told of it:
General Charles Il. Manderson, at one
time a resident of Canton, but who left
here for the west to grow up with the
country and become a United States
senator from Nebraska. was going to
speak at a political meeting at Marl-
boro. in Stark county, and so also was
Mckinley. They drove overfrom Canton
together, and while jogging along the
road General Manderson asked the ma
jor for few pointers. The latter very
kindly explained the situation and ad-
Republican position. The major, as
usual. had his subject well in hand, and
in addition had Il copous supply of
notes, giving certain statistics in cor
roboration of his arguments. lie told
General Manderson about what line of
thought he intended to pursue in making
his speech, and the latter. who was to
speak first agreed to say very little and
leave the bulk of the argument to Nc
Kinley.
General Manderson made his bow to
the audience and began his speech. AS
he became warmed up the recollection
Of what Mckinley had been talking
about on the way to the meeting grew
stronger, and he began pursuing the
line of argument the major had pre-
pared for himself The general laid
down his proposition just as Mckinley
had rehearsed them to him in the car
riage, and finally said by way of Il
clincher: And can prove every word
! say. Major hand me those docu-
ments," and proceeded to read at great
length from McKinley's notes. When
General Manderson finished there was
very little left for Mckinley to say.
The incident was looked on as Il great
joke on the major, and no one enjoyed
it better than the man upon whom it
was perDetrated.
The story of Major McKinleys first
canvass for congress over twenty years
ago, is interesting, as compared with
the scenes that are now being daily
enacted around his home. David Lit
tie. Columbiana county man, told one
section of it. This is the tale: when
the major came out as Il candidate for
the Republican nomination for congie So
in the Eighteenth district, he was
known over the county only as likely
young lawyer from Canton, and his
chances we're none of the brightest
when he came to Columbiana county 10
go up against old experienced leaders.
A doctor friend of mine and myself
had the job of introducing the major
to the voters in the central part of the
county. The doctor took him in hand
first. He had a large country practice
and drove him around in his buggy over
the circuit, introducing him to all his
pdtleItS. FbT 'tNt udSs tlic HidJpT was
shaking hands with sick farmers.
There was large kick from the ma
jor's opponents over the large number
OF disabled farmers who came to the
primaries afterward and voted for Nc
Kinley. The two days tour with the
doctor explained it all.
when the doctor was done with the
major / took him in tow, and We made
q tour of the barber shops and other
public places of my town. One noon
hour we called at the planning mill, and
there Major Mckinley, with his nice
silk hat covered with sawdust, made a
speech to the workmen that captured
their entire vote. A Memorial day ad-
dress that the major made at Salem was
quite factor in his success / don't
believe he ever made one that stirred
an audience more. / have heard him
talk years afterward of the great re-
ception he got in that old Quaker town.
The major won and ne was sent to con-
gress."
Major Mckinley Is versatile speak,
er but his political enemies used to
make the unfoundcd charge that he had
but one speech. This story in connec-