The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-03-10
THE SPECTACLE OF MCKINLEY

when Mr.. Mckinley was a candidate
for President of the United States the
Democrats pointed out how shifty he had
OF silver; how from an uncompromising
champion of that measure, denouncng
Cleveland for "dishonoring one of the
precious metals, one of our own products"
and for seeking to make money scarce
and therefore dear" he had brought him.
self to accept nomination for the presi-
dency on platform declaring for bimetal
ism only by international agreement.
The Democrats at the time emphasized
the hazard of placing a man of such
variable views and weak purpose at the
head of the nation, and predicted disas-
ter if Mr.. Mckinley was elected
The event has more than justified the
most gloomy predictions OF Mr.. McKin-
ley's opponents. He has proved plant
to degree that has astonished even
those who are most inclined to believe
that public men accommodate themselves
easily to.what may prove to their advan-
tage. Mr.. McKinleys opportunities for
laundering have been magnificent. He has
improved them to the uttermost. The
need for man of broad craftsmanship
and unyielding determination has been
bitter indeed. Mr.. Mckinley has never
been able to look beyond party advantage
and has lacked even the courage to shape
his party's policy They to whom he owed
obligations have made no demand that
he Shas,nafedsto refuse however prejudi-
ciatsitsmay- hayeEproved to the public in
teresr. And as the browning infamy of
three years of vacillation and surrender
there has come in the final year of his
administration an act of such supreme
disqualification that even his bitterest
enemies are Inundated at Mr. McKin-
ley's open shame.
1t is not embarrassing, nor without a
melancholy lesson, to notice in passing
the successive steps in the complete SUBJ
jugation of President. 1t began, as al
ways, with the hungry horde of office
seekers. In their rush for place they
bowled Mr.. Mckinley merriy over and
snatched everything in sight. When
that was done they were yet unsatiated.
The civil service fence was pulled down
that new pastures might be opened to
the thousands of the unappeased. Then
followed the creation of commissions"
with more or less numerous member
ships, with fat salaries and with nothing
to do; and withal and above all so rank
a nepotism and favoritism in the granting
of place that nearly every Ohio politician
had an office for himself and the heir
of his house.
But offices could not pay off all Mr..
McKinleys obligations, even though the
war with Spain had increased the civil
patronage list with a vast number of
positions in the army Offices satisfied
only the politicians. There were others
with hold on the President. They had
put up money for his election. They
wanted it back with interest. The Dign-
ley tariff was framed and passed as q
settlement with one section. Then came
the war and army contracts gave u
chance for enormous profits in rotten
beef and mouldy hard tack to yet other
friends, but the hungry were still I'M
quiet.
y The war despite its odor of scandal was
xL% f1,,,
disposition of SPANS lost possessions be-
came the matter of the moment. The
American commissioners were sent 10
Paris with instructions to demand Porto
Rico outright. and coalingl stations in the
Philippines. There followed another on
'slaught on the poor, weak President. The
Philippines must be taken in their entire
ty. cried the philanthropic trusts, con-
tractors, armor- plate manufacturers and
franchise grabbers who scented fresh OPP
porthDities for loot. The purchase of the
Philippines for $20,000,000 war. pestilence
and all, quickly followed. good begin
ming was made of Imperialism and mill
tarism and the President was allowed to
take some months off to find name
that would make the rose smell sweeter
He contributed benevolent assimilation
TO our vocabulary and to the gaiety Of
nations.
If those to whom national honor" was
so sacred in 1896 did not at that time full
ly know the man they had hit on TO
preserve it. they we're fully informed by
the end of 1899. They understood that
they had but to demand what they want
ed. They demanded the passage of the
gold standard bill Mr.. Mcinley was
half pledged 10 silver by his platform aud
wholly pledged by his record in Con