to be smoke laden by the industry and the sky above it to be lightened by the blazing chimneys of fur

naces.

Major McKinley had been a good debater at school. He was often the winner in such contests. After he got back from the war he entered a polit→ ical debate, and was overcome by his opponent. Naturally a sensitive man, he was chagrined, and resolved that never again would there be the opportunity given for a similar defeat. The subject of the debate was protection, and McKinley knew his view was right. Though worsted in the argument, he had no question as to the logic of his reasoning; but he needed more facts, greater study to support them, and he immediately applied himself to acquiring them.

Though a newcomer, he had gained a reputation for legal ability in Stark County, which was Democratic. It appeared as if it would be a herculean task to carry it. McKinley had a natural aptitude for politics, and his life as an attorney tended to increase it. The Republicans wanted a candidate for Prosecuting Attorney. Some say McKinley was chosen simply because of his ability, and others that while his capacity was recognized, the Republicans did not think the place worth fighting for when defeat seemed certain, and gave it to McKinley, a new man, as a mark of recognition. Now Major McKinley never in his life entered a fight to lose it. He never confessed himself beaten. The stern de

termination of his ancestors came to him in good stead, and he went into the campaign to win. He was elected Prosecuting Attorney, much to the surprise of the Democrats. There he displayed his customary ability, and was renominated, only to be defeated, but the opponent who overcame him won by forty-five votes only.

The campaigns for Prosecuting Attorney marked the beginning of McKinley's political career. While practicing law he took an active part in politics, but did not run for office until 1876. He stumped the district and often now speaks with pleasure of his experiences as a young stump speaker. The writer has driven through much of Stark County and Columbiana and Mahoning Counties, which form part of the eighteenth district, and remembers the pride and pleasure which the Major would derive from discussing the old speechmaking days, and tell us that he had spoken here and there, and give some incident of that life. Old inhabitants of the district tell of the great demand there was for the young speaker, of his eloquence and control of the subject he handled. They say he spoke as well as a young man as he does now, but that cannot be, for practice has perfected his delivery and enabled him to develop into a great orator.

After his first term as Prosecuting Attorney, during the five years that passed before he ran for Congress, Major McKinley secured a large law practice. He prepared every case thoroughly, knew every de

tail, sifted the evidence, examined witnesses to the most minute detail; in fact, when he went into a trial, he knew all there was to be known of the case he had in hand. It was characteristic of him to study his subject. No one ever found him unprepared. He was persuasive as an advocate, for he was eloquent. This natural ability, combined with his thorough understanding of the matter in hand, gave him many victories and made his reputation as a lawyer. The experiences at the bar in Stark County were further preparations for his leadership of the House. It was educational for him.

In 1871 he was married to Miss Ida Saxton, whose father was a man of considerable literary ability, and the editor of the Canton Repository, which to this day is an able paper. He was a banker as well. She was thoroughly educated, given a trip abroad, which in the days following the war was an unusual advantage for a young woman, particularly when she came from a State six hundred miles from the sea. After that trip she entered her father's banking house as cashier. She left that to marry William McKinley, Jr. Her father did not like the idea of her marrying, but he said that Major McKinley was the only man he was willing that she should marry. Two girls blessed this union. One died when still a baby, and the other after it had reached four years and had become the joy of the house. Mrs. McKinley had been worn by the death of her father, and this additional affliction aided in breaking her health.