Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-06-12
HANNA ON M'KINLEY
The Late President In the White HOUSE
Great Strain upon the Executive
at Different Periods.

Senator Hanna has an Interesting arti.
Gle in the Juno National on the late Presi-
Dent Mckinley. Senator Hanna says:
came to Washington a few days in ad-
vance OF the Inauguration in 1887 to make
the final arrangements as chairman Of
the national committee. How we'll I re-
member the morning of McKinlcys arriv-
al, as ] went to the Ebbtt House to meet
lin. Fe had stopped at this hotel for
many years as a congressman, and was
now n guest as President. / was particu-
larry impressed on meeting the same Nc
Ninley that 7 had seen so often before In
his room ut the hotel while a member Of
Congress. There was nothing in his man
ner or appearance to denote that any
change whatever had come over him;
there was nothing in his expression OF the
eVultatior of success, or political victory
or personal prestige. If there was any
difference it was that he appeared to me
more serious, moro warmly sympathetic,
in the gentle dignity that came upon him
under the weight of the great responsible
tiles before him. 1t would have taken "A
close observer to discover that he was
other than the old member of Congress
from Ohio quietly assuming the duties
and responsibilities of an everyday rout.
inc IN the work which he loved. He greet
cd me with the same sweet smile and
hearty handshake which I had known so
~ realize that he had become the ruler Of
the greatest nation on earth. and that he
was sun 10 remain the same conhdent1al
aud loving friend as in the old days.
After tho pomp and ceremony OF the In
auguratlon was over he appeared to slip
INTO his place with an ease and grace that
tod the story to every one over again that
mad beeen proclaimed effectively during
the campaign just closed. that william
Mcl\inley or all men, at this time, exact
" lifted the situation"
Immediately after Congress was called
In extraordinary session in 1887, to begin
the business IN hand. TO RUM the prom
fses made by the Republican party. The
changed conditions of the country seemed
10 engross his concentrated attention day
after day, hour after hour morning, noon
and night In all his talk and convtrsa-
ton with me there was one supreme p,lr-
pose, and that was to bring the nation
oack 10 ire old anchorage OF SOUND money
and protective policy. HIS work from
day to day was laid out with the system
and care of an architect or an artisan who
mad specific duties before MIN. The Ding
ley Nill was almost ready for the House
and In shaping and advising along THIS
policy. keeping ir mind prosperity for the
people as the one great desired object, ne
was always at his best and always en-
thusiastlc. For the first rev months OF
his administration his whole time was
taken mp In dealing with proposition con-
corning Whlch ne was an acknowledged
expert. ana more IMAM tnat' involving a
labor OF love which seemed TO be moro APP
parent in his work than sense of per
functorily performed executive duties. He
was, In fact, enthusiastic III this work AMI
had happy CHEEKY way of meeting Old
friends as well as new ac1uaintanccs tnat
had always stood by nm In so many fights
especially because In every outstretched
hand that came to greet MIN there was a
pledge of loyalty and support which made
him feel strong and fixed in his determine
ton to do his utmost for his country
good. 1t was not merely a Eeneralizcd OF
theorized purpose OF patriotism that In
Spired him; nc appeared always 10 nave
the specific and concrete interests OF the
people ms indlVlduals IN nina when ne nm
dertooll to solve the great questions OF
public welfare,
In those days his social life was happy
one because his dear wife caught the in
spiration Of tho work in hand and in the
new environment her own life had beer
frightened. She was personally Interested
in those things which have made the
White House a bright reflection of idea
American home life. Her interest In those
matters was especially appreciated by the
devoted husband, who seemed to fee
that tile great purpose OF all American
policies should concentrate In the better
incnt OF conditions Of the American hom'
and fireside.
After the adjournment Of Congress
about the first of August, 1897, the Presi
dent took a much needed vacation of {
few weeks, but during all that time wal
constantly engrossed with work He neve
seemed to quite throw off the serious pur
pose that had been interviewer in all tn,
acts of his public career. Immediately az
ter his return to Washington he began tn
preparation Of outlining In written dati
and notes the fixed ideas expressing hi
own line of policy which was destined t,
he Of so great benefit to his country and I,
humanity as well. When Congress reas
semblod in December 1887, he had fun,
made his forecast and was prepared t,
meet in n masterful way the questions O
tie hour.
The country knows onlv too we'll how
ouiclsIv he prasned tho serious situate,
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