The herald., 1897-02-02
M'KINLEY AND WINE.

The women of the United States are
beginning to discuss the probable pol
icy of Mrs. Mckinley about serving wine
at White House dinners, says Canton
correspondent of the New York World.
The National Womans Christian Tenn
perarce union authorized the cores
ponding secretary TO write a letter of
appreciation to the McKinleys for the
total abstinence principles which they
are said to have maintained for many
years, and for the just grounds we
have for believing that the use of in
toxicating liquors will be excluded from
the White House during their admins
tration."
Among the women friends of Mrs. Nc
Kinley there is suppressed indignation
because the Woman's Christian Temper
ance union has made 1t so hard for the
next occupants of the White House to
carry out their desires. A charming
young matron said: I'VE all know that
Mrs Mckinley is very strongly opposed
to the use of intoxicating liquors any
where or at any time, but it would have
been so much easier for her and so much
nicer all around if the friends of temper
arce had given her a chance to get into
the White House and make a practical
demonstration of her convictions"
Mrs. Mckinley has made up her mind
that she does not want any wine served
in the White House, but she does not
propose to be bothered unnecessarily
about it.
Mrs. Hayes never served wine," says
she. "and 1 don't see why l should be
expected to. There never was more
perfect presidents wife than Mrs.
Hayes, and ] am sure that everybody
honored and respected her for living up
to her convictions"
And while Mrs. Mckinley, who pos
al nd n
plomacy as her husband. has refrained
thus far from making any positive de-
clarations on the subject, the expression
above given, which she made use of in
a talk not long ago, suggests what may
be expected.
While the foregoing are the views o1
Mrs. Mckinley, 1T is believed that Major
Mckinley, If left to follow his own in
clinations, will not object to the serving
of wine. He does not go to the extreme
of turning down his glass in company
and, as one of his intimates observed
when he gets men like Chauncey NJ
Depew about him at the White House.
he will be anxious to provide them with
the things they are accustomed to hav-
ing at home
In other words. the major is stickler
for the social conventions. His wife and
mother will have great influence with
him. however, and the latter is not only
opposed to strong drink, like all Metho-
dists Of the old school, but she even car
ries her antipathy to soda fountains.
She has been frequently known to ex-
claim that the average bar was no worse
for the men than the drug store soda
fountain for the women. This being
true, 1t remains an open question wheth-
er the McKinleys will serve wine or not
when installed in the home the govern
ment has provided at Washington.
Here in Canton the McKinleys nevaa'
serve wine, although they are obliged,
to entertain great deal. Their house,
hold stores are provided with limited
supply of whisky and brandy. which is
used sparingly for medicinal purposes
when the occasion demands 1t Is never
served at meals or between meals, how
ever, and the only stimulants their
guests receive are cigars. tea, coffee and
mineral water