MRS W. M'KINLEY.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1290, 19 November 1896, Page 10

MRS W. M'KINLEY.

THE. WIFE OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

THE MARRIAGE OF TRUE MINDS

The wife of the man most talked about in the United States to-day is Mrs William McKinley. In the eyes of the public she is hardly less obscure than he is famous. But this is by no means on account of lack of merit, for of her it may truly be said ‘‘none knew her but to loA’e her, none named her but to praise.”

Her life has not been uneventful. It is only less whon compared with that of her husband, whose fame has won him millions of friends, and possibly equally as many enemies, in the world. She is known to the people of America as the invalid, affectionate wife of William McKinley, whose career she has watched, and whom she Las aided in many ways. There is not a more solicitous person in the United States at this time than Mrs Ida Saxton McKinley, Her life is wrapped up in the career of her husband, and day by day she talks with him and review’s the present political situation. With her husband she went to Canton last January to begin anew their married life—to start housekeeping in the same home in which, 25 years before, as bride and groom, they started out in the world together. Her husband, upon whose head had been poured honours, wanted to seek a place of quiet and of rest, so he said, and thither they went from Columbus after the duties of the gubernatorial office had ended, Ro:b from office came. Work for cilice followed. A CONSTANT COMPANION. In the midst of the canvass being made for the Presidential nomination by former Governor McKinley his faithful spouso has been a companion to cheer, and in her owq. way aid him in the effort. It is said of her that years ago she stated to a friend that William McKinley some day would be President of th© United States. To this belief she has clung until the people have almost declared that they are ready to fulfil her prediction. Of herself she has given no great thought. For her husband she liyes and moves and thinks. The daily life of Mrs McKinley is not devoid of interesting events. When able she walks about the house and the verandah, though she rarely has that privilege. She reads the papers and has acquired so wide a range of things political and questions economic that many a man whose voice is heard in Congressional debate would be no worthy opponent of hers in point of fact and argument. She receives callers and entertains admirably, she does fancy work, takes daily drives, and aids her husband in opening the hundreds of letters which come to him daily. Her life, then, is a busy one, but there are days when she is scarcely strong enough to perform any of the acts named, for Mrs McKinley is in fact an invalid. INTENSE HEROISM. When the truth of her life becomes fixed in the minds of the people, her suffering is recognised as intense, and her

heroism in overcoming pain and brooking the disappointments of life are ensamples well worthy of imitation. She has never been peevish or selfish. Most Avomen in similar circumstances would have been both. Her AA r ays are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. Her ill-health dates from girlhood. As a student she with difficulty carried the studies of the course, by reason of this condition, but Avith constant care and frequent medical attention she overcame all trouble sufficiently to enjoy life and to taste of its pleasures. Her actual invalidism dates from the birth of their second child, in 1871. This child died in its infancy and was followed by the first child, a daughter of three years, a short time afterward. Her mother also died about this time. These sorrows Avere more than she could bear, and . she has never recovered. At present, in appearance and in actual health, her condition is better than for several years previous. Mrs McKinley Avas the first child of James and Mary Saxton, of Canton. She has one brother and one sister. As a child and young AA r oman she Avas A-iv r acious and had friends among all classes. She had then the happy faculty of becoming endeared to ‘those Avho knew her —a trait Avhich is hers still. Her education was obtained in the public schools, at a school in Cleveland, and. later at Brook Hall Seminary, Media, Pa., then under the charge of a Miss Eastman, who Avas a “Avell-known educator of that time. Here Mrs McKinley, then Ida Saxton, spenc three years. After this she spent six months Avith a party of friends visiting points of interest in Europe. CAREER AS BELLE AND BANKER.

When she returned to Canton, a young woman, handsome and refined, a career of belleship avrs open to her. She added to her charming manners a dash of coquetry, just enough to make the young men eager to be a friend of the w’orthy young woman. Her father Avas a man of staid cliai’acter and pronounced opinions. He was then a banker, and he concluded to give his daughter such a training as would fit her to cope Avith all the duties of woman, neAv or old. Accordingly Miss Ida Avas installed as assistant in the bank, and there is a common saying here that her fair face attracted bouquets and bank notes to the AvindoAv. “ She must be trained,” said her father, “ to buy her own bread if necessary, and not to sell herself to matrimony.” Mr Saxton had married hajipily, and he jealously guarded his daughter. His placing her in the bank Avas a master stroke. She Avas having business to think about and Avas fitting herself for the trials of life and adversity if they should come. Of suitors Miss Ida Saxton had many. There Avere among them the best in point of position and wealth the country knew. When Miss Saxton returned from her foreign tour Major McKinley was fairly startbd in his legal career. His honest face and manly bearing vanquished all rivals, removed the young woman from the cashier’s Avindow and Avon from honest Jamos Saxton these Avoids Avhen the hand of the daughter Avas gained : “ You are the only man I have ever knoAvn to whom I Avould intrust my daughter.” A HAPPY CHOICE FOR BOTH. The choice of Major McKinley and Miss Ida Sexton proved to be a happy one for each. Mrs McKinley has always assisted her husband in politics. Her ill-health has in no wise deterred her from enjoying the political honours he has won, nor has it prevented her from being a wise counseller. Her trained mind has ever been actHe, and her presence has time and again served as an inspiration to her husband. When political preferment first came to former Governor McKinley it Avas his wife Avho convinced him that he should accept. She believed implicitly in his talents, and that his service Avould be for the good of the State she Avas certain. She has never Ava\ r ered in her faith in her husband’s convictions, and consequently she is a protectionist, and believes the country must have a protective tariff law. Said a friend, speaking of her recently : “ Mrs McKinley is such a devoted Avife that I verily believe if her husband should become a freetrader, she, too, in a short time, Avould be a convert to tho faith.”