The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-09-14

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the bar in 1867.
He was then a poor young man Of "a,
with no resources but his native pluck
and ability Seeking a larger field of
action than Poland offered. he settled
in Canton, Stark county, Ohio
FIRST CASE AT LAW
His first case was a suit for replevin,
which he tried for Judge Belden. The
young lawyer scored a victory and
earned fee of SIS. He proved to be a
man of SO much force that he soon i'm
pressed himself on the community, and
after his arrival at Canton ne became
the Republican candidate for prosecut-
ing attorney. The COUNTY had always
been so hopelessly Democratic that Re
publican nominations were empty hon
Ors, but he made a vigorous canvass
and surprised old politicians by win
ming. He was a. candidate for re-elec-
ton. and was defeated by only forty
five votes.
Returning to legal practice Major
Mckinley continued in private life until
1866, when he became a candidate for
the Republican nomination for con
gress- He surprised old stagers by car
rying every township but one in his
county against strong opposition. The
delegates were elected by popular vote,
which made the candidates success =
masses He was almost as popular in
the other counties of the district and
got his nomination on the first ballot.
CAREER IN CONGRESS.
Congressman Mckinley held his place
in the national legislature for IA years
in spite of the Vaccinations of his po-
litical enemies to compass his defeat.
Three times the Democrats gerrynan-
dered his district before they accom-
plished their purpose. and then the mas
ter of politics turned defeat into vic
tory by winning the governorship from
his foes In 1878 he was PUT into a dis
trict with an apparent Democratic ma
jority of 1900, but he carried it by T.,
800. Six years later his opponent tried
another gerrynander, but he turned a
Democratic majority of /. 500 into Re
publican victory with 1900 votes to
spare.
In 1880 a third gerrymander put him
into district that had given the Demo-
Gratis a majority of 1900 the year be-
fore. Major Mckinley entered the
fight undaunted. and the contest was
one that attracted the attention OF the
whole nation and even of Europe, for
short time before had made the great
champion Of protection an object of in
ternational interest and Importance.
PRESTIGE FROM DEFEAT.
It was a political combat which has
been compared to that fought out be-
tween Lincoln and Douglas in Illinois,
and though Mckinley lost by a beg
carly margin of 3O3 votes, he came
forth from the fray resplendent in new
glory and greater prestige.
Congressman McKinley's first notable
speech at Washington was made in 1878
in opposition to a tariff measure pro-
posed by Fernando Wood. On the ele-
walton of Garfield to the senate and
then to the White House two years la
ter, Mckinley was given a place on the
ways and means committee. which OPP
ened the portals to his new career as
the expounder of the tariff and the pro-
tector of American labor
One Of the first opportunities to dis
Ha.~ ---r- - l.
1884 in the discussion of the Mills tariff
bill, and the Ohio congressman leaped
into national fame on that incident.
Samuel Randall of Pennsylvania,
though a Democrat, had been granted
an hour to speak against the bill and
was to be followed by Mckinley.
COURTESY TO RANDALL
When the hour was up Randall asked
for an extension Of time. but Mills re-
fused to give it. Suddenly, amid the
rant voice rang out: Mr. Chairman"
and Major Mckinley, with beaming
face and eyes, was seen making his
way to the front
MI Chairman. he said. Il believe
am to be recognized next after the
gentleman from Pennsylvania I yield
him Is minutes OF my time
This chivalric action was greeted
with a thunder OF applause. and the
Ohioan had captured the house and gal
y
thy was strongly with him, and he gave
the assembly a fine sample of those
qualities that have since distinguished
him as one Of the best orators the Uni
ted States has produced.
His speech was characterized by I'M
limited and spontaneous good nature,
keen wit. a wealth of apothegm. an alb
solute grasp Of the general subject and
perfect mastery of all details. Nc
Kinley's bearing and delivery were fnI-
n hi I'D
but elevated, thoroughly earnest and
carrying proof of personal conviction.
and withal so amiable a manner as to
win unprejudiced listeners.
STYLE MARKS MASTER
His style was clearness and straight
fOrwardness exemplihed, and so direct
and simple that no effort was required
to follow him through an ordinarily
dry discourse. He displayed to perfec-
ton that happy faculty for which he
with the magnetic charm Of life the
cold practical facts of economic philos-
ophy and experience His voice. high
but resonant, clear and musical as
bell. pierced to every corner of the
house, and it was evident to his hear
ers that a new leader had sprung into
the front ranks Of the great Repub-
ican party
Congressman Mckinley was candi-
date against Thomas B. Reed in 1889
for the speakership of the house, but
rate wiser imam Tie. reserved MN Tor
the craftsmanship of the ways and
means committee the second highest
place. and sometimes the first in the
house 1t was thus that the way was
paved for the Mckinley tariff bill of
1896. which has had such an meal
culable influence on the affairs of the
United States That measure was the
expression Of the Ohio statesman's pro-
lection dogma, and in IT. too. blazed
the reciprocity policy which the great
leader reiterated only few hours be-
fore he was struck down by the aSsas-
sins shot.
STEMS A STAMPEDE
So deep an impress had he made on
the attention of the country by his
came an important factor in the ma
honal convention Of 1884 He was an