Australians Speak of McKinley

One Prominent Member from N. S. W. Calls Him “The Ruler of the Century.”

     With her national, signal and quarantine flags flying half mast in respect of our late President, the E and A steamer “Australian,” arrived in port Sunday.
     That popular skipper, Captain P. I. Helms, is still in command. He states that good weather was experienced throughout the voyage. The Australian has a full complement of passengers for Hongkong and Japan, among whom are: Hon. William Hay, M. L. A. for the Murray electorate in N S W, and Mr. Walter S Howard Smith, member of the great Australian shipping firm, W. Howard Smith and Co.
     Mr. Hay, when asked by a TIMES reporter as to how he thought the news of the assassination of the President would be received in the Colonies, replied: “I am sure that all Australians greatly deplore the loss the United States has sustained. There are many large business houses owned by Americans throughout Australasia. They have lived years out there, conducting their business in such a manner as to make the Australians appreciate Americans. I never had the honor of knowing Mr. McKinley personally, but from his past career and the progress made by the United States during his term of office I have stamped him as ‘The ruler of the century,’ and the Australians mourn with the American nation in their sad bereavement.
     Mr. Walter Howard Smith was interrogated as to his opinion of Mr. McKinley. Mr. Smith said: “In the death of the President the people of the United States have not only lost a statesman but a Christian gentleman. His record stands out bright, clear, and honorable. I consider that Mr. McKinley during his term as President has done more for the masses than any ruler of this generation. Although the nation has lost him, from what I know of Americans, it will never cease to honor and revere his name.”
     Many were the expressions of sorrow when the passengers heard of the dastardly act committed by the assassin, one gentleman expressing himself so strongly as to say he should like to have the job of dispatching Nieman, the assassin.
     The “Australian” will sail for Hongkong at 4 o’clock this afternoon.