9 was elected prosecuting attorney of Stark
County, and served one term, being defeated two years later for the same
office. Mr. McKinley took an active interest in State politics, and made
speeches in many of the campaigns. On January 25, 1871, married Miss
Ida Saxton. Two daughters were born to them, both of whom died in
early childhood. In 1876 was elected a member of the National House of
Representatives, and for fourteen years represented the Congressional
district of which his county was a part, except for a portion of his
fourth term, when he was unseated late in the first session. While in
Congress served on the Committees on the Judiciary, Revision of the
Laws, Expenditures in the Post-Office Department, Rules, and Ways and
Means. As chairman of the last-named committee in the Fifty-first
Congress, reported the tariff law of 1890. At the beginning of this
Congress was defeated in the caucus of his party for the Speakership of
the House. In the meantime, his district having been materially changed,
he was defeated for reelection to Congress in November, 1890, though he
largely reduced the usual majority against his party in the counties of
which the new district was constituted. In 1891 was elected governor of
Ohio by a plurality of 21,500, and in 1893 was reelected by a plurality
of 80,995. In 1884 was a delegate at large to the Republican national
convention, and supported James G. Blaine for President; was a member
of the committee on resolutions, and presented the platform to the
convention. Also attended the convention of his party in 1888 as a
delegate at large from Ohio, supporting John Sherman for President,
and as chairman of the committee on resolutions again reported the
platform. In 1892 was again a delegate at large from Ohio, and
supported the renomination of Benjamin Harrison, and served as chairman
of the convention. At that convention 182 votes were cast for him
for President, although he had persistently refused to have his name
considered. On June 18, 1896, was nominated for President by the
national convention of his party at St. Louis, receiving on the first
ballot 661-1/2 out of a total of 922 votes. Was chosen President at the
ensuing November election by a plurality in the popular vote of over
600,000, and received 271 electoral votes, against 176 for William J.
Bryan, of Nebraska.

SPECIAL MESSAGE.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, _May 17, 1897_.

_To the Senate and House of Representatives