The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1901-09-19
VOL. XVII. New Series s---Vol. S.
THE late PRESIDENT,
Record Of William McKirlev's Life
and Pullic Services,

| ASSSV40 VI w 4l4A61u 0Gn4040y LII
and Pullic Services.
HONORABLE CAREER IN PEACE
AND IN WAR.
| Raleigh Post.
William Mckinley was Born at Niles
Trumbull county, Ohio, January %
1913. He is of Scotch-Irish descent
and his great-grandfather, William
Mckinley, a native and resident o.
Pennsylvania, was an enlisted soldie,
in the Continental army from 1776 tt
l778. The Mckinley family removed
to Ohio in 1914, and has ever since
been identified with the interests oil
that State. Young Mckinley, who
was named after his father, was edu.
Gated in the publis schools, and late,
entered Allegheny College, at Mead
vile, Pa. Scarcely was he paatricu-
lated when the civil war hroke out.
As STRIPPING of 19 he entered rs a
private in the Twenty-third Ohio Reg
iment, commanded by Col. w. S.
Rosecrans. Stanley Matthews was the
Lieutenant Colonel, and Rutherford
B. Hayes the Major. The regiment
was in almost all of the battles in
Northern Virginia and Maryland, serv-
ing under Mcclellan at Antietam and
under Sheridan and Crook in the val
ley. 1t was one of the great fighting
regiments of the war, and by merit
and bravery Mckinley rose to the rank
OF Major.
FROM THE WAR TO THE BAR.
After a gallant record, for which he
was commended in the orders, McKln-
ley was mustered out with his regiment
July 26, 1865, after more than four
years. continuous service. He then
began the study of law, in a private
office, and with one year at the Albany
Law School, was admitted to the
bar in 1867. He settled at Canton,
which has since been his home, ard
entered upon the practice OF his pro-
fession. Although the county was
Democratic, he was elected one term as
prosecuting attorney In 1871 he
married Miss Ida Saxton, woman Of
charm and attractions, who graces the
White House as it's mistress. Turning
his attention to politics, Mckinley In
1876 announced his candidacy for Con-
gress. After vigorous contest he Sc
cured the Republican nomination on
the first ballot over several competi
tols. He was elected, and thus made
his entrance into national legislative
life. Two years later he was renomi-
mated, but the Democrats gerryman-
dered his district, expecting his defeat
by 800 majority. However, McKin-
ley's popularity was such that he won
by 1900 majority. With his old dis
trict restored he was reelected in 1880
and 1882. In 1884 the Democrats
again changed the lines, and Mckinley
was placed in district with a normal
adverse majority of l,50O, but he car
ried it by over 1900. Reelection fol-
~ 1893 ord 1899
In 1889, under another Democratic
gerrymander, Mckinley found himself
in district which the year before had
given Democratic plurality of $500.
In spite of odds, he accepted renomi-
nation. Opposed to him was ex-Lieu-
tenant Governor John w. Warwick, one
of the most popular men in the dis
trict. Mckinley had become nation
al figure, and the fight aroused nation
al Interest. That year the Tariff bill
which bore his name had been enacted
into law, and the contest in his dis
trict was both vigorous and bitter.
Mckinley was beaten, but by small
plurality.
HIS CAREER IN CONGRESS.
Mckinley entered upon Congression-
al life contemporaneously with the in
auguration oil Mr.. Hayes as President,
and be soon demonstrated his ability
as a working member. He was an ar
dent advocate of the doctrine Of pro-
tective tariff, and disciple of Hamil-
ton and Clay. In 1883 at the Nation
al Republican Convention he had the
opportunity of declaring his faith bold
" as the author OF the platform OF
that year. Harrison and a Republican
Congress were triumphantly elected,
and then followed thekgislation known
as the Mckinley bill, because it was
prepared by the Committee OF Ways
and Means, of which he was chairman.
In 1891 Mckinley was unanimously
by the Republicans Tor
Covarnor of Ohio. He was elected