The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-05-24
PRESIDENTS DEVOTION TO WIFE.
Case of Domestic Hero Worship.
Uniform Difference to Her Wishes.

Uniform Difference to Her Wishes.
From the New York Evening Post
Washington. May 1.-The life of al
most constant anxiety which President
Mckinley has led for more than quarter
century would have broken down a man
of less robust physique and inferior self
command. Through the whole of it he
has laid his political plans, carried them
into execution, kept in touch with the
changes Of public sentiment, administered
various high offices involving in their
duties a vast mass of DETAIL taken part
in uumberless public functions, eaten
heartily. slept well. defed bodily fatigue.
and maintained an equipoise of temper
and cheerful calmness Of demeanor which
have aroused the wonder OF all with
whom he has come into close contact
His invalid wife has been his companion
in everything. and her care and comfort
his first thought. No words could over
draw the picture of mis- devotion, and
his bitterest foes have qualified their
criticisms with the admission that, once
across the sacred threshold of his home,
he was secure from attack on any score,
whatever Nor has this tenderness failed
of appreciation. In his wifes eyes he
band In the world, but the greatest man;
and It was touching to witness her COM
plete absorption in his movements, words,
looks, whenever she was present at any
ceremony in which he figured or her
childlike wonder that all mankind did
not share her estimate OF his grandeur
of intellect and character
The knowledge of her domestic hero
worship lends "a peculiar grace to the
~ - D ...aw
Columbus when he was Governor OF
Ohio. They made their home at the Neil
House, opposite the Capitol, and Mr..
Mckinley chose their suite Of rooms with
special refernece to his wife's desire to
be able to look out and watch him as
he came and went Every morning when
he left her side to go to the Executive
chamber, he would walk from the hotel
door to the nearest crossing, and there
halt. turn and look up at the window In
which she sat. Then the Governor OF
Ohio would lift his hat with a courtly
air TO the most loyal OF his constituents,
who would acknowledge the honor with
a delighted smile. The little comedy
daily enacted through the legislative sea-
sons for four successive years. used to
be fruitful subject OF comment, some
captious and some jocose. among that
part Of the general public who witnessed
IT, But. 10 the tuDlltF UNDERSTANDING IL
conveyed fine meaning all its own.
The President has always exerted over
his wife's will power akin to hypno-
tism. II Is no secret that during recent
years her infirmity has caused her to be
more like "A petted child than a mature
woman. In every practicable way her
husband has humored her wishes: but
there have been times when II has been
necessary for him TO decide questions
more promptly than she would or could,
and then with unwaverng frmness, he
has announced his purpose and held TO Il.
This has always been done with such
gentleness of voice and manner that she
has been soon ready to yield her pref
erence TO his. Never, when II could be
avoided. has he crossed her wishes In
any way. even though concession might
Involve the utmost Inconvenience to him
self; nor in these circumstances has he
ever displayed the slightest sign OF i'm
patience. Notable among these instances
was her resolve, against the judgment OF
all neare to her, 10 risk attending the
inaugural ceremonies on March 4, and
the ball In the evening. at both OF which
her participation caused delays and other
disarrangements OF the programme. The
latest case IN point was the trip to the
West. which she Insisted upon taking IN
spite OF warnings that her health might
not prove equal to the strain.
In his sparlng pse OF his power, in