Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)/McKinley, William

McKINLEY, WILLIAM, an American statesman, 24th President of the United States; born in Niles, O., Jan. 29, 1843. He was educated at the public schools, and at the Poland, O., Academy. In May, 1861, he volunteered for the army, and entered the 23d Ohio Infantry as a private. He served four years, rising by merit and faithfulness to the captaincy of his company, and to the rank of major, when mustered out in 1865. He at once began the study of law; in 1867 was admitted to the bar, and commenced practice at Canton, O., where he afterward had his residence. In 1869 he was elected prosecuting attorney for Stark county, where his success attracted local attention. Entering politics, he was elected to Congress in 1876, and was re-elected for six successive terms. In 1882 his election was contested, and he was unseated, but triumphantly returned at the next election. His reputation in Congress rests chiefly on a tariff bill that bears his name. It was drawn by him as chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, and passed by the 51st Congress. This bill and his able advocacy of it before the House distinguished him as the leader of the Republican party on the tariff question. McKinley failed of re-election in his district in 1890, though largely reducing the adverse plurality created by a redistricting that changed the limits of the district.

In 1891 he was elected governor of Ohio by a large plurality, and re-elected in 1893. By this time his name was frequently mentioned as a future candidate for the presidency. In 1895 a systematic canvass in McKinley's behalf was instituted by his supporters which was continued till the election of 1896. He was nominated on a platform which stood firmly against free silver, then the chief political issue. He was elected by a plurality of 603,514, and an electoral majority of 95.

President McKinley's first term is memorable chiefly for the occurrence of the Spanish-American War and its unexpected results (see Cuba). That his policy during 1896-1900 was acceptable was shown by his unanimous renomination and re-election in 1900 by a plurality of 849,000, and an electoral majority of 137. On Sept. 5, 1901, he visited the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, N. Y., that day having been set apart in his honor and called the “President's Day.” On the afternoon of the following day, while holding a public reception in the Temple of Music, he was shot twice by Leon F. Czolgosz, an anarchist. Hopes of his recovery were entertained for several days, but on Sept. 13 he began to sink rapidly and died at 2.15 A. M., Sept. 14. His remains were removed to Washington on Sept. 16, laid in state in the Capitol on the 17th, and taken to his home city, Canton, O.

WILLIAM MCKINLEY