LATER.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXII, Issue 203, 7 September 1901, Page 5

LATER.

(Received 1.57)

WASHINGTON, September 6,

Mr McKinley was shot through the

left breast, also in the abdomen, at a

reception at the Temple of Music, Exhibtion Building, while shaking hands

with the assassin

The assailant is a stranger.

William McEinley .was born of Scotch parents at Niles, Ohio, on Feb. 26th, 1844, and educated at the Poland Academy, Ohio. When the civil war broke out in '61 he entered as a private in the Union army, and rose to the rank of major. He then entered the legal profession, and was admitted to the bar in '68, practising at Canton, Ohio. Entering the House of Representatives in '77 he soon made his mark as a zealous and able Protectionist, and ultimately became chairman of the Ways and Means; Committee, which framed the tariff measure known as the McKinley Act of '90. In November of that year he was defeated in. the Congress election, but in '93 he was elected Governor of Ohio by a tremendous majority. . From that ,; date onwards he was regarded as a possible candidate for the Pesidency, and his chances grew more and more.favourable till he was nominated in '96. The circumstances of the contest made him practically the champion of a sound currency, his opponent, Mr Bryan, standing on a silver and Populist platform. Consequently many Democrats voted for Mr McKinley, and at the election in November he was returned by a very large majority. His term of office commenced in March, '97. During '98 he had a difficult task to perform in regard to the war with Spain, but he rather strengthened his position with his countrymen than otherwise. Great discontent was felt andexpressed,however, during '90, at the way ih which he shielded the War Minister, Mr. Alger (who-finally resigned), in the face of his proved inocmpetence, and Gen. Otis, whose conduct of the. military operations in the Philippines was severely criticised. A strong party, also disapproved altogether of the policy of holding the Philippines, and the embroilment of the Government in the China trouble during 1900 was by no means pleasant to staunch adherents of the Monro doctrine. Nevertheless; the country rallied strongly to the support.of the,^Government at the Presidential election in November, chiefly, it appeared, because of the financial policy of the President's opponent, Mr. Bryan; and Mr. McKinley was returned by a larger majority than ever.