Mckinley's Characteristics

Claude E. Porter of Detroit, the Western Union operator who remained In Major McKinley's home during the campaign, has an enjoyable interview in a recent Detroit Journal, from which we quote a íew paragrap h : "Maj. McKin'ley is tbe most even tempered and best poised man I ever met. During all the heat and excitemen-t oí the campaign I never saw him ruifled or out of sorts. At timee when the average man would have lost his head completely, the major was as calm and composed as it can be posïible for a man to be under the circumstances. He is not a man ol moods and whbne, but is the same every day, plain, sociable unassuralng, yet digni ied and impressive. He had a hearty hand grasp, and a way of lookiing directly at a person through hits keen, hamlsonie eyes, that has a tendency to make small men feel uncom:'ortalle. Wtoen you meet MaJ. McKinley you become aware of the fact that you are iin the pi'esence of a man of superior attainments and a born leader oí men. "Mrs. McKimley is an invalid, and the major lis most devoted to her. At aio time during thie Oampaign did his devotion relax for an instant. Ko matter how important the conferenceuil which he was engaged ; no matr ter how dtetinguished his oailers, if word was brought that Mrs. McKlnley wiished to see him, he would excuse himselí and hurry to her room. He was equally solicitous ot the welïare of hite aged mother, and a day rarely passed that he düd not walk or drive to her home kt another part of the city. The McEinleys live well but plalnly. The major is a hearty eater, but prefere substantials to luxunes. "There was not a moment in the whole campaign that Maj. McKinley was not con iiliMit n tuccesa. He placed his reliance in the patriotism and common sense of the American people. One day he said : 'It may be that the people on the; other süde are more numerous tliaa we are, but iï they are i)t wiüi be a vea-y painful fact to learn.' At 4:30 o'clock the momof November 4, he piteked up a rititng pad and figured that he.was sure of 235 electoral votes. Then he went to bed and slept, satiisfied that he was eiected. The major addressed somethiing er 1,000,000 persons between the uate of hle nomination and the Saturday previews to election dey. One day lie made 21 speeches. It was Ma custoni 10 lite down every atternoon and sleep for an hour or two hours. But om Baturday the -v-itslting delcgations were bo numerous tbat lie wowld have to deny himself the rest. 6ome oí the Bpofcèsmen delegations would have long h '. repared, and type Avrittem cop. w d be ssent to the major ín advknce o I ieir arrival. He would looktheui over and have answers ready iñ ida mind. Frequentiy these spokesinen would get stage fright and would be unable to proceed jrttt speeches. I have often heard the major prompt them by suggesting a word orsentence, and do tt so cleverly that no one in. the crowd knew how the embarrassed spokesman got out of his dilemma. "PrevlouB to hds nomination the lawn about Maj. McKinley's home was the fitoest in Oanton. Ixrag before the electton every blade of grass was gone and the yard was as bare as a tennis field. Every pickefc of the fence, and many oí the fence posts were carried away by souvenir collectors. One day the major and a prominent eastern mnnufacturer were eeated om the front porch, and in their ccnversation reference was made bo the despoiled lawn. 'Don't you know, major,' sald the manufacturer, there is a man in the east who would g'tve $1,000,000 to have hls lawn. in this condition in the same cause ?' He referrei to Gov. Morton of New York. "A. few days after the atection an Ohio farmer called at the McKinley residence, accompanied by hls wife and a daughter 10 or 12 years old. The farmer stalked into the library where the major was looking over some correspondence, grabbed hls hand in both his own, and greeted Mm in a voice that was heard all over the houise. He didn't even remove his s&ouch hat, but major greeted hitn as cordially as if he was the most polished man in America. Then the farmer's good wiie came forward and was introduced. " 'How'dy do, major,' she sald, 'how's your woman ?' "The major said Mrs. ■McKhitey's health was improving, and thanked the lady for inquiry. He shook hands with the little girl, pinned a house button on each of them, and accompanied them to the door. After they had got half way aojpss the porch the farmer's wilfe turned around and called out : " 'Say. Mïjor, I wamt you and your woman to get your picters took, and send us one.' "One of the pretitiest sighte lever sow was wltnwed i' cKy the delesation fron Oil City, Pa., visited Cantón. dolrgation ineluded 45 girls. representing each state of the ünion, and each bearing a big basket of flowrrs which they presented to Mrs. McKtnley. These were placed on the speakers' platform in front of the house, and compietely covered it. I cann. t imagine a more b eau tiíuli picture tl.an that mountavn oi flowcrs. "I -was with Maj. McKirütey n his library vrbea Mayor Pingree and Ooi. Atkinson called. As the mayor entered the room Maj. McKinley stepped forward and greeted hlm heartily, saying, 'How are you, governor?' As toe shcok hands with llichigan'B governor-elect. he looked at hlm wltli that searching gaze of which I haTe spoken, and the mayor flushed to the roots of nis hair, and the crown of nis bald head. The president-elect tben invited hls guests into the dining room, where they talked for nearly two houps. "The influx of yteitóTs made n boom town oí Cantón. Nat lees than $2,000,000 was Xeft behind by visitr img delfgatione, and almoist erery line of business was benefitedi At first some of the merchants complained that these crowds were killing business, but soon these complaints ceased, for Yisitors began purchasing dress goods, articles of apparel, and everything they could carry away as souvenirs oí their pilgrimage." Homeseekers Excursión. The Cincinnati, Jackson & Macklnaw R'y WÜI sell Home Seekers' excursión tickets to points in Kentucky, Tennesee, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina. Virginia and Florida, twentyone flay limit, at thO low rate ol one fare for the round trip. These ticket -vr Ui be on sale Nov. 17, Dec. 1 and 15, '96, Jan 5 and 19, Feb. 2 and 16, March 2 and 16, April 6 and 20 and May 4 and 18, '97. One "Wky Settlers' Tickete will also be on sale to the points above mentioned on the first and third Tuesdays oí each month, at greatly reduced rates. Winter Tourist tickets to all southern points, good returning up to May; 31, '97, are on salei at principal ticket offices. Two trains each day making direct cennections at Cincinnati with trains for all points south. For Information as to time of tralne rates, etc, apply at C. J. & M. ticket officas. T. C. M. SCHTNTrT.BR. Gen. Pass. Agt. , Toledo, O. ,