M’Kinley, William

     M’Kinley, William (1843-1901), the 25th president of the U.S.A., born at Niles, Ohio. When the Civil War broke out, he enlisted as a private in the Ohio volunteer infantry. At the end of the war he returned home to study law. He identified himself with the Republican party, and [13][14] rapidly became known as an able speaker. In 1876 he was elected to Congress; here his keen protectionist views and his hard work and enthusiasm made him a marked man. In 1889 he was Republican leader in the House of Representatives, and chairman of the Committee of Ways and Means; as such he introduced and carried the great Tariff measure of 1890, known as the M’Kinley Tariff. In 1891 became governor of Ohio, which he held till 1895. In 1896 he was elected president of the republic, and again in 1900. The Spanish-American War was the chief event of his first term of office. He visited the city of Buffalo (New York) to deliver a public address, a great reception was held for the president on the day following. A Pole, Leon Czolgosz, fired at the president with a revolver. He died from the effects of his wounds a few days later. His assassin was said to be an anarchist, and was executed in October 1901.