The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1901-09-19

~ EChs IN. C.s R6.
days when Lincoln and Douglas were
on the stump. HIS administrations q,
Governor were successful, and peculiar
ly so in the matter of adjusting labo,
difficulties that threatened serious
strikes, which he prevented. Several
times he was obliged to order out the
militia in support Of the civil authori.
ties, but in every instance his action
had the thorough approval of the
people.
It was in 1884 that Mckinley ross
into prominence as q member of the
National Republican Convention that
nominated James G. Blaine. Next to
Blaine he was in favor of John Sher-
man, but the eyes OF the Republicans
were turned towards tho statesman
from Maine, and he was made the
standard bearer of a cause that met de-
feat at the polls. In 1883 he was again
one of the Ohio Big Four of delegates
at-large, and supported Sherman. In
this convention there YVES a marked
sentiment favoring the nomination of
Mckinley. Pennsylvania; under the
Leadership Of Quay, was ready to come
to him, and every Republican member
OF the Houee then In Washington
joined in telegram urging his nomi-
nation. Connecticut cast one vote for
him.
DECLINES A NOMINATION.
At this point Mckinley arose, inter-
rupte& the roll call and defined his
position. He said he had come to the
convention instructed by his State to
vote for the nomination OF John Sher-
man, and his heart and judgment
were in accord with his instructions.
He could not remain silent with honor,
nor consistently with the credit of
Ohio, honorable fidelity to John Sher-
man, or with his own views of person
al integrity, consent, or even seem to
consent, to be candidate. In closing
he said :"I request, demand, that no
delegate who would not cast a reflec-
ton upon me shall cast ballot for
me-"
Many of his Republican friends be-
lleve that that speech cost Mckinley
the presidency. Mckinley was chair
man Of the Committee on Resolutions
in this convention.
In 1892 Mckinley was again one of
the delegates-at-large to the National
Convention and one of the prominent
figures in it. He was chairman of the
Committee on Resolutions, and the
platform was supposed to bear the
impress of his iabors. Later he was
chosen permanent chairman OF the
convention. When 1t became evident
that Harrison could not be defeated by
Blaine, maay of the opposition turned
to Mckinley. The first State called,
Alabama, cast her Blaine strength for
Mckinley. When Ohio was reached,
Governor Foraker, as acting chairman
Of the delegation, cast A votes Tor
Mckinley and 2 for Harrison.
Mckinley stopped the roll call, and
demanded a poll of the delegation,
claiming as delegate the right to
have his vote counted. "You we're not
in your seat" replied Foraker, "and
your alternate voted for you." The
delegation was polled, and the vote
announced-McKinley, IS; Harrison,
l, which latter was cast by Mckinley.
The ballot resulted: Harrison, 535 /;
Blaine, 1872 5 6; Mckinley, 1872 1-6.
PRESIDENTIAL HONORS.
In the convention of 1896 Mckinley
was nominated for the presidency on
the first ballot, receiving 6614 votes to
84a for Thomas B. Reed of Maine, 6l4
Tor M. S. Quay of Pennsylvanla, So
for Leyi P. Morton Of New York, and
351 for w. B. Allison of Iowa.
During the campaign of 1896, how
ever, Mckinley was in line with his
party on the currency question,
and there was no doubt as to his posi-
ton. AS the result of the contest, Nc
K,nley was elected, securing I'll elec-
toral votes to 176 for Bryan. McKin-
ley's popular vote was Z ,lO7 ,304, while
Bryan polled 6,292,423 on the Demo
cratic ticket and 24O ,657 on the Pop
ulist ticket.
At the National Republican Con-
vention held at Philadelphia in June,
1900, Mckinley was unanimously re-
on the first ballot by the
924 delegates, including two from
Hawaii.
STATE oE OHIO, CITY OF TOLEDO, IS.
LCCAs COUNTY.
FRANK J. CHENEY makes oath that
he is the senior partner of the firm of