Evening journal., 1900-06-21

past four years, and again the RepuDll-
can nominee for the presidency was born
at Niles, O., February 26, 1S44. and is
therefore just past So years Of age. He
is now in the prime of vigorous man
hood, and his powers Of endurance are
not excelled by any American Of his
age. The best evidence of this is the
many campaigns which he has made
during his public life in behalf of the
Republican party. He has proved his
ability and endurance by the number
and perfection Of speeches which he
has delivered.
His education for reasons that could
not be surmounted, was limited to the
public schools Of Ohio and to brief
academic course in Allegheny College.
He taught school in the country and
accumulated the small means necessary
to defray the expenses Of that sort Of
education. This is the kind of school
ing that has produced many Of the
most eminent Americans in public and
private life.
HIS WAR SERVICES.
Mckinley entered the Union Army in
June, 1861, enlisting in the Twenty
third Ohio Infantry when a little more
than II years Of age. This was a noted
regiment. Among its earlier field
officers may be mentioned General w.
S. Rosecrans. General Scammon, Gen
eral Stanley Matthews, General Ruther-
ford b. Hayes, General Comley and
many other conspicuous men.
He served during the entire war, ris-
ing from the position of a private to
the rank OF major. He was a soldier
on the front line, served In battles,
marches, bivouacs and campaigns, and
RECEIVED the Official commendation Of
his superior officers on very many oc-
casions.
He returned to Ohio with a record Of
which any young man might well be
proud and to which the old soldiers OF
the country point with great en-
thusiasm. There are in the United
States at this time more than
a million soldiers OF the late war who
served on the Union side still living
and voting, and they have sons and
their relatives, all of whom taken in
the aggregate become power in a
presidential election.
His military career, while he was not
in high command, is full Of heroic Incl
Nents which are proved not only by
contemporaneou publications in the
newspapers, but by official reports Of
his superior officers. He was not only
q gallant and splendid soldier, full OF
endurance and personal energy, but he
vas the calm, judicioua staff officer
who won the commendation Of his su-
periors by exhibition OF good judg
ment and wise administrative capacity.
Returning from the war he found It
necessary to choose his employment for
life. and without further schooling he
entered earnestly upon the study Of law
in the office OF Judge Poland. and was
a careful. faithful. industrious and COM
petent student He entered the Albany
Law School and graduated from that
institution with high honors. He then
began the practice of law in Canton
with the same enthusiasm and devotion
and duty which he had always manifest
ed. AS a practitioner at the bar he at
once exhibited superior qualities. care
ful, studious and faithful. He was elected
prosecuting attorney Of his county and
distinguished himself by his learning.
fidelity and efficiency In the discharge
Of his duties to the public and his eli
ents.
ELECTED TO CONGRESS.
He was elected a member Of the
Forty-ffth Congress and served in that
Congress, and the Forty-sixth, Forty
seventh Forty-eighth, Forty-ninth, and
was certified as elected to the Fift.eth,
but was excluded by Democratic ma
Jority in a contest, but was returned
to the Fifty-hrst, making his Congress
sional career nearly fourteen years. AS
a member Of Congress he was attentive
Industrious and untiring, working his
way gradually until he reached the post
OF leader of the Republican majority
OF the Fifty-hrst Congress.
He did not attain this position by ac-
cident or by any fortuitous circum-
stance, but by constant attention to bis
duties and a careful study Of the pub.
lie measures Of Importance. He was q
candidate for speaker Of the House o
Representatives of the Fifty first Con
gress. Mr. Reed. the successful candi
date, appointed him as chairman of th'
Ways and Means Committee, and h'
tutCItu ulOn lut hullte iANitAhN " NAN
position with great energy and intelli
gence There was a necessity and
well-defined public demand for tariff
legislation in that Congress.
The Republican party had come int
power by the election Of Mr.. Harrison
with the understanding and pledge tha
tariff revision should be accomplishel
at once. Tho tariff laws Of 1888 re
quired amendment and improvement
on account Of the lapse Of time an
change Of circumstances. In 1890 it wa
decided to present complete revisio
of the tariff. and to this work McKin
ley devoted himself with untiring in
dustry. He had upon that committe
many competent assistants. but tn
chief burdens. necessarily fell upon tn
chairman.
HIS TARIFF MEASURE.
Speaker Reed was in hearty sympath
and earnest co-operation.a and the Hou.
OF Representatives, on the 21st day
May, 1890, passed the bill known as Il
Mckinley tariff bill. Anyone turning
the great debate in the House Of Repr
sentatives pending the passage Of TIL
measure in the Committee OF theWhc