Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1901-09-26
in several important crises in our his
tory he forced himself to put away his
opinions and Judgment and listened to
the voice of the people.

Z
opinions and Judgment and listened to
the voice Of the people.
For instance it is an open secret that
personally he was opposed to the Span
isll war. 1t has been said that he
caused the delayed action of congress
In the matter OF Cuban independence,
because this country was not ready for
wiz. That we had no powder or sup
plies of other kinds for army and
navy. That his insistence of certain
declarations by the senate and house,
WAS to kill time" every day being
worth much in preparation. This is
undoubtedly true but back of this was
his personal knowledge that war is
HELL" and hope that In some way
wsir could be avoided. But press and
people forced him to act. Then when
William Mckinley, the individual, was
obliged to put his opinions aside, 1t is
noticeable that he needed no contin-
ued spur to carry out the expressed
will of the people. The history Of the
Spanish war is the record Of the acts
of the executive carrying out such
wishes.
L = .a
Again, those who accompanied the
lpresident on his trips over the coun-
TRY all bear witness of the many oc-i
casions when he got out as an individ-
ual and obtained by personal CONVEX
sations the opinions of the people. 1t
Twas not chance, nor desire for pop
ularity. that made Mckinley on these
trips talk with the fireman. the brake
man or the conductor of the train. AT
an exposition. William Mckinley talk
| ing with a farmer, or a clerk, was get
ting the opinions OF the people for the
guidance of the acts of the president of
the United States. No man knew bet.
ter than Mckinley of the real wants
and needs of the old soldier. And this
by no means implies that his sympathy
for veterans of the war of rebellion
blinded him to the defects of our PEN
sion system. While he knew that
much fraud and deception existed In
/ the matter of applicants for pensions,
this did not harden his heart to the
claims of the deserving. And his
friends and neighbors at Canton We're
a perpetual source of information on
the everyday wants, needs and opin-
ions of the people.
1t goes without saying that any
president has the full benefit of the
opinions of the politicians. Congress-
men and senator's, however, some real
lie whether volunteered or interested
advice is listened to in terms of solv-
| ing public problem. 1t is a common
admission that visitors to the white
mouse during McKinley's incumbency.
FILLING in their request. went away
lconvinced of the necessity of the presi-
dents refusals. Mckinley neither by
manner or word antagonized unneces-
sarily the professional politician, nor
the private individual. Many times has
lat been said Mckinley was good lis
tener. And no man occupying po-
sition of power or trust, no man In
authority over other men, but what can
gain something in common knowledge
by listening to requests of those over
whom he has temporary power and
charge. And President Mckinley for
| this and other reasons will go down in
history as the one president who not
only endeavored to get at the wishes of
the people, but in so far as he had the
mower conscientiously made the effort
to execute the expressed desire of the
people.
Ms.aLxzza