CHAPTER XI.

HOME AGAIN - MCKINLEY ENTERS CIVIL LIFE, AND BECOMES A LEADING LAWYER.

Advised by General Carroll to Continue his Military Career A Strong Temptation - Finally Concludes to Study Law Long Hours over his Law Books - Going to Youngstown to Recite - Anxious to Support Himself - His Sister's Sacrifice - Admitted to the Bar at Canton in 1867 - His first Law Case - Twenty-five Dollars, Too Much - Partnership with Judge Belden - His Reputation as a Lawyer Quickly Made — Thoroughness in Preparing Cases and his Success with Juries - Legal Contest with John McSweeney - The Bowlegged Man who lost his Case for Damages — McKinley goes into Politics - Placed on the List of Stump Speakers by the Republican State Committee - The Name Never Taken off.

T

HE gallant young major, on his return to Poland,

was a great favorite with the people, young and old, from whose society he had gone four years before, and the pride of his father and mother, whose patriotism ran in the blood, and who rejoiced that they had yielded to the persuasive pleadings of William four years before, and allowed him to become a volunteer. It took a great load from the heart of a mother in 1865, when her son came home safe and sound; her pride was justifiable, when he came home with well-earned honors. While serving on the staff of General Carroll, McKinley had many

long talks with that officer, who, like other men thrown into the young man's company, was strongly attracted by his admirable qualities of mind and heart. General Carroll advised him to continue in the military career. The temptation was undoubtedly great. Peace was now restored; a military career offered, especially to a young officer, all the advantages and none of the drawbacks in such a calling. As a major in the army, whose further promotion was possible, and even probable, his position would at once be secure.

He knew also that when he returned to Poland and entered upon civil life, with no occupation, no trade, no profession, and no place in the busy activities of the country, except such as he could make for himself, another long, and perhaps less successful, struggle was before him. Besides, he knew that he would return to Poland practically as poor as he left it, and would immediately be thrown upon his own resources.

McKinley, during his career in the war, had opportunities, which some had not neglected to improve, of making money in the positions he held in the regiment. His position, first as commissary-sergeant, and afterwards as quartermaster, afforded him such opportunities. But his honesty and probity were natural and inherited, and were unshaken by any such temptation. The story is told that when quartermaster of his regiment, after the retreat from Lynchburg, it was necessary to destroy much of the property in store to prevent its falling into the hands of the rebels. In a confidential talk with one of his friends at that time, McKinley said:

"This is where the quartermasters might make their

money, but I don't want a dollar of Uncle Sam's that doesn't

belong to me."

McKinley was one of those and it is just to say that they were in the majority who always made honest returns in his accounts of the property under his care.

When he returned to Poland, he was undoubtedly affected by the advice of General Carroll as to the advantages of a military career. It is said that such a proposition met the opposition of his father. However this may be, it is certain that the attractions of an army life, which in times of peace would probably be one of more indolence and luxury than of active work, were overcome by his desire to enter the legal profession. His old appetite for study returned, and circumstances were such that he could begin the reading of law with a man who was highly esteemed for his high character, eloquent address, and magnificent presence-Judge Charles E. Glidden, whose office was in Youngstown, and whose partner was David M. Wilson.

Once this decision was made, he entered into the reading of elementary law treatises with all the earnestness that characterized his schoolboy days, and became again an excessive burner of midnight oil. Once or twice a week he would go to Youngstown to recite to Judge Glidden or his partner. A diligent student, engaged early and late with his books, it was not possible for Major McKinley to enter much into the social life of Poland, but he did to a certain extent, and many Poland people cherish to-day the memory of those days when he was with them. Having won such high rank in the war, he was looked upon as a man of mark, and sure of a bright future. He was known also as a good

speaker, and it was a great local occasion when he delivered the oration at the dedication of the Soldiers' Monument in his old home.

Thus the time passed for about a year, and then, it is said, it became a question with McKinley whether he should pursue his course of law studies at once to completion, knowing that it would take several years without yielding any substantial financial returns, or enter meanwhile upon some business career. His sister Annie, who had been his guiding angel, and whose advice he had taken upon many occasions, had gone to Canton as a school teacher, and now came to his rescue again, like the faithful and self-sacrificing sister she always was, and said that she and the others in the family should make every sacrifice possible to enable William to pursue his studies. Thus it was that McKinley went to Albany, to enter the Ohio Law School, which at that time was considered one of the leading schools in the country. There he spent a season of absolute devotion to his studies, and was able to complete his course, and to gain admittance to the bar in 1867, two years after his return from the war. Doubtless his sister Annie again influenced his course, for he went to Canton, Ohio, bidding adieu to his old friends and comrades in Poland, and the briefless lawyer, engaging a small office in the rear of an old building, situated where the fine Stark county court house now stands, sat down, waited for clients, and studied.

Occupying a well-equipped office on the front of the same building was Judge Belden, then one of the most prominent advocates in Stark county. He had been a circuit judge, and was a man of influence and of strong social position. He was attracted by the personality of the young

lawyer. The record he had made in the war had attracted the attention of the people throughout that region, some of the more prominent people of Canton among them. Belden thought McKinley was a man who deserved assistance. The latter was not seeking any, however. But one day the judge came into McKinley's little office, complaining of feeling very poorly, and of wishing to go home, and said:

"Mack, here are the papers in a case coming up to-morrow. Now, I want you to try it — I shall not be able to attend to it."

It was a replevin case of appeal. Before that, McKinley had absolutely no practice whatever, unless it might have been a case or two of little or no consequence in the justice's court. The papers in the case were quite extensive; moreover, it was a very doubtful case. Indeed, Judge

Belden had very little hope of it.

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'Why, I can't try that case, Judge; it's all new to me; I have no chance to prepare it; and you know I've never tried a case yet."

"Well, begin on this one, then," replied the judge; and finally McKinley agreed to do so, nothing being said, however, as to cost of services. He went to his little office and sat up all night, going through every detail of the case. The next day he went into court and won it.

Not long afterwards, Judge Belden saw McKinley, and said:

"Well, Mack, so you won the case," and putting his hand in his pocket, he took out twenty-five dollars.

“Oh, I can't take that,” said McKinley; "it's too much for one day's work.”