Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1901-09-19

| lOWeu Cue legislation known as the MO
kinley bill, because it was prepared by
the committee of ways and means, of
which he was chairman. In 1891 Mo-
| X inley was unanimously nominated by
the Republicans for governor of Ohio.
He was elected over James E. Camp
bell by plurality of 81, 511 votes. In
1873 he was reelected, defeating L. T.
Neal by plurality of so, 995 votes.
In his first campaign for the COVER
norship, Mckinley spoke in "a of the
| 80 counties of the State, and in 1894
ne made 81 speeches throughout the
country, stretching from Pennsylvania
to Kansas and from Minnesota to
Louisiana. 1t was an unparalleled cam
paign, like the famous days when Lin
| coin and Douglas were on the stump.
His administrations as governor were
successful, and peculiarly SO in tho
matter of adjusting labor difficulties
that threatened serious strikes, which
he prevented. Several times he was
Obliged to order out the militia in sup
port of the civil authorities, but in
every instance his action had the
thorough approval of the people.
1t WIS in 1884 that Mckinley rose
into prominence as member of the
National Republican Convention that
nominated James q. Blaine. Next to
Elaine, he was in favor of John Sher-
man, but the eyes of the Republicans
were turned towards the statesman from
Maine, and he was made the standard
bearer of cause that met defeat at
the polls. In 1888 he was again one of
the Ohio Big -Four Of delegates at.large,
and supported Sherman. In this con
vention there was 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 House
then in Washington Joined in tele-
gram urging his nomination. Con-
necticut gave one vote for him.
At this point Mckinley arose, inter-
runted the rolloall and defined his posi-
tion. 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 Sherman,
or with his own views of personal in
tegrity consent, or even seem to con.
sent, to be a candidate. In closing,
he said g request, demand, that no
delegate who would not cast a refiec-
tion upon me shall cast ballot for
me-"
Many OF his Republican friends
believe 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-a large 10 the National
Convention and one of the prominent
figures in it, He was chairman Of the
committee on resolutions. and the plat
form was supposed to bear the impress
of his iaboSa. Later he was chosen
permanent chairman of the convention.
When il became evident that Harrison
could not be defeated by Blaine. many
OF the opposition turned to Mckinley.
The first State called, Alabama, cast
her Blaine strength for Mckinley.
When OHIO was reached, Gov. Foraker,
as acting chairman of the delegation,
cast Al votes for Mckinley, for Har-
rison.
Mckinley stopped the rollcall, and
demanded poll of the delegation,
claiming as a delegate the right to
have his vote counted. "You were not
in your seat, replied Foraker, land
your alternate voted for you." The
delegation was polled, and the vote
announced--McKinley, As; Harrison,
l, which latter was cast by Mckinley.
The ballot resulted: Harrison, 535
Blaine, 1872 SO; Mckinley, 1872 l-6.
In the convention OF 1896 Mckinley
was nominated for the Presidency ou
the first ballot, receiving 66l15 votes
to S415 for Thomas b. Reed of Maine
611a for M. s. Quay of Pennsylvania;
5S for Levi P. Morton of New York,
and 3515 for W., B. Allison of Iowa.
During the campaign it was manifest
that there was great detection among
the Republican, OF the West. Several
prominent delegates to the convention,
including Senator Teller of Colorado, |
left the hall, because of the failure OF |
the party to endorse the proposition for |
the free coinage of silver at the 16 to |
ratio. There was also disaffection |
among the Democrats. Their Chicago |
Convention had nominated for Presi- |
dent William j. Bryan of Nebraska, |
who was more of a Populist than a |
Democrat, The Populist party en-
dorfed Bryan, while the National or |
Gold Democrats placed Gen. John NJ. |
Palmer in the field. Early in the cam
paign the Republicans attempted to
wage the contest on the tariff issue.
realizing that upon this the party was
invincible The Democrats and Re
publican Silyerites. however, insisted
upon the currency question as the prin-
clpal issue, and in this they had their
way. For time it appeared as though
the Bryanites were to sweep the coun.
try before them. but by hard work the
Republicans turned the tide, ana Sc
cured the victory. 1t happened that
was personally weak on the
money question. During his canvass
for the nomination he had persistently
declined to commit himself upon this
burning question. Indeed, 1t was
doubtful where he stood until he wrote
his letter of acceptance, placing him
self squarely upon the ST. Louis plat
form OF his party. In November, 1877,
be had voted with Bland to suspend
the rules and pass bill authorizing
the free coinage Of silver. In 1878 and
ln 1856 he had also voted with the
element. In 1888, as chair
man of the National Republican Con-
Vention's committee on resolutions,
reported q resolution ''con-
iemning the policy Of the Democratic
(Cleveland's) in it's
efforts to demonetize silver. "
During the campaign OF 1896, how
sver, Mckinley was in line with his
party on the currency question, and
hero was no doubt as to his position.
As the result of the contest, Mckinley
vas elected, securing 271 electoral
Totes to 176 for Bryan. McKinley's
popular vote was Z, l07,30I, while Bryan
polled 6,292, 423 on the Democratic