Mr. McKinley’s Public Work

President McKinley’s administration will be permanently associated in our history with certain changes of momentous importance in the evolution of American institutions. This will be true, however opinions may differ as to the wisdom of particular policies and measures. Some things were expected at the outset, and undoubtedly would have occurred in the same way, whoever had happened to be the successful candidate of the republican party in 1896. For example, it was expected that Mr. McKinley’s election would restore financial confidence, secure the gold standard, and invite industrial revival by restoring a definitely friendly tariff policy; and the expectations were realized. His administration would have been notable in our political history for these achievements alone, coming as the direct result of the principles he was selected to represent, had nothing else of importance occurred.