Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1901-11-08

('There Is no Ruler But the People" Said
the President)
Mckinley, l believe you will be presi-
dent some day, and if you get into the
white house l want you to give me
some position in one of the depart
ments, so that / will not have to drive
in all sorts of weather, for / will be
growing old very soon
"Mr. Mckinley said: If I ever get
to be president, and you remind me of
this, l will do something for you, be-
cause you have not only done your
duty here for many years, but you
have been very kind and attentive to
my wife. She has spoken of you often
TO me-
when he became president I tried
very hard to see him; but l could not
get to him. I went every day TO the
white house for a week. but Mr.. Cor
telyou always told me that the pres
ident was busy, and that | must call
again. Finally l quit going there. 1
told Mr.. Abner Mckinley about the
promise, and he said he would see to
it. In 1898, when the war department
force was increased Abner Mckinley
! got me an appointment as watchman
at $50 per month, but it only lasted
six months, and then l was reduced
to $40 per month. Finally l was dis
charged, and then Abner Mckinley
would not do anything more for me.
1 never got to speak to Mr. Mckinley
while he was in the white house, and
l never got permanent position.
But | do not blame him at all. 1t was
not his fault. If they had allowed me
to see him, l know he would have
kept his word"
Reverting to the fact that President
Mckinley began taking long walks
about this city Immediately after his
first Inauguration, it is pertinent to
| state that he discontinued that prac-
tice within month. The reason is
given by ex-senator Cameron, of
Pennsylvania, who discovered that
Cubans in this city were exceeding
ly hostile to Mckinley because he
would not permit hasty declaration
of war with Spain. There was Gu
ban junta here constantly urging con-
gressional action. Those Cubans were
led TO the conclusion that the con-
gress might be willing to act, but that
Mckinley opposed such action in 1897.
Some of them ventured to show their
animosity to Mckinley in their con-
versations with senators. Because
they were all of Spanish extraction.
and given to impulsiveness, Senator
Cameron advised Mckinley to take
greater care; not that there was any
danger to him from our citizens. but
because of this deep-seated animosity
of the Cubans who were here.
On that account Mckinley ceased
his unprotected walks. OF course
when war was finally declared and il
was known that Spanish spies were
numerous in this country for a time,
Mckinley deemed it advisable to be
more careful, and hence he was sell
dom seen except at public receptions,
At all of hese public functions he
was carefully guarded by detectives
in plain clothes who appeared as
guests, but who were watchful OF
every individual who gained admis.
sion to the white house.
Ever since the fatal day at Buffalo
the | eople in the national capital
who are conversant with public af-
fairs have said that the public re-
ceptions should be discontinued, be-
cause on every occasion there is
risk, however small, that an attack
may be made upon the president.
This subject was broacbed to Presi
dent Roosevelt, and his reply was:
''In republic, where the president is
servant of the people, it would be
unwise to discontinue the public re.
ceptions. The plain people have
right to see their president and tc
grasp his hand. The public recep.
tions will not be discontinued while ]
am president; and l hope they will
never be discontinued. 1t is my duty
and it is the duty of the newspapers
to show to the people that there is no
ruler in this country but the people
themselves"
| That is brave stand to take, under
conditions of excitement; but prob.
ably large majority of the people
will agree with the president and will
disseminate his view that there is no
"ruler" in this country but the peo.
pie. That will dispose of the insan,
purposes of the anarchists againn
rulers" SMITH D. FRY.