thirty-seven public addresses: Ibid. The number of speeches noted for 1898 and 1899 also come from this source.
“No President . . . ever did”: quoted in ibid.
a penchant for naming prominent members: Ibid.
liked to place prominent academics: Ibid.
peeling paint and wallpaper: Morgan, William McKinley and His America, p. 231.
some modern amenities: Leech, In the Days of McKinley, p. 121. Other details of the White House setup come from the same source.
just six: Morgan, William McKinley and His America, p. 231.
carved-oak swivel chair: James Creelman, “Mr. Cortelyou Explains President McKinley,” Pearson’s Magazine, June 1908.
“he would impress you”: John Russell Young, “Washington after Political Honeymoon,” New York Herald, April 11, 1897.
A stern-looking man: photo, Creelman, “Mr. Cortelyou Explains President McKinley.”
“I want to tell you”: J. E. Niles to George Cortelyou, July 18, 1898, WMcKP, Reel 4.
“an explosion of bad manners”: quoted in “ ‘Dignified’ Diplomacy,” Nation, July 22, 1897.
“a mixture of deceit”: Ibid.
“The chaotic condition”: “John Sherman Makes Chaos of State Affairs,” Columbus Dispatch, August 11, 1897.
“This is a heavy price”: “The Case of Secretary Sherman,” New York Journal, August 12, 1897.
“Judge Day will become Secretary”: “John Sherman Makes Chaos of State Affairs.”
“We tremble to contemplate”: quoted in Gould, The Presidency of William McKinley, p. 17.
“He is so enthusiastic”: Long, p. 168.
Among the president’s frequent guests: GBCD, November 16, 1897.
“perfect . . . exactly right”: Hay to WMcK, March 6, 1897, WMcKP, Reel 2.
“It is my confident hope”: quoted in Leech, In the Days of McKinley, p. 110.
He neglected to mention: Taliaferro, p. 311.
“I know the place”: Hay to WMcK, April 13, 1897, WMcKP, Reel 2.
“as unprotected as a jellyfish”: quoted in Merry, Sands of Empire, p. 76.
“extra session”: WMcK, proclamation, “By the President of the United States,” March 6, 1897, Congressional Record, March 15, 1897, p. 11.
“the remarkable spectacle”: WMcK, “Special Message of the President,” Congressional Record, March 19, 1897, p. 19.
“the opening up of new markets”: WMcK, Inaugural Address, March 4, 1897, Avalon Project, http://avalon.law.yale.edu/19thcentury/mckin1.asp.
“We expect to cut”: quoted in Tarbell, p. 242.
Dingley took his bill to the House floor: “Tariff Bill,” Congressional Record, March 19, 1897, p. 19.
a floor debate lasting only nine legislative days: Tarbell, p. 245.
“Free-trade tariffs have always brought calamity”: Henry Gibson, House floor speech, March 23, 1897, Congressional Record, p. 175.
“I warn you now”: Joseph W. Bailey, House floor speech, March 19, 1897, Congressional Record, p. 75.
“was a fairly good protectionist measure”: Tarbell, p. 243.
“Industrial conditions in this country”: quoted in ibid., p. 244.
particularly for chemicals: Ibid., p. 244.
reached unprecedented levels: Ibid., p. 248.
some 872 amendments: Ibid., p. 251.
“more oppressive”: Ibid., p. 252.
Just before four on the afternoon of July 24: “The Law of the Land,” Washington Post, July 25, 1897. All details of this White House episode are taken from the same source.
three avenues of reciprocal negotiation: “The Reciprocity Clause,” Washington Post, July 20, 1897.
respected diplomat, John A. Kasson: “Reciprocity in Trade,” Washington Post, October 15, 1897.
the legislation’s “ultra-protectionism”: “M’Kinley Redeems His Pledge,” Washington Post, July 21, 1897, reprinted from the London Standard.
lowest point in 1896: Tarbell, p. 252.
“Wealth of all descriptions”: Ibid., p. 253.
“business men of both parties”: John McCook to WMcK, August 2, 1897, WMcKP, Reel 2.
13. WHITE HOUSE LIFE
“Madam, your party”: Anthony, p. 120.
“no end of pains”: Ibid.
to visit Russell Hastings: Ibid., p. 107.
At a New York dinner: “Dinner to Mrs. McKinley,” Washington Post, April 28, 1897.
Corrections followed: “Mrs. McKinley at the Theater,” Washington Post, April 29, 1897.
“Mrs. McKinley had one of her headaches”: quoted in Anthony, p. 122. Except where documented otherwise, the following quotes and anecdotes relating to Ida McKinley are from this source.
“jealous suspicions”: Leech, In the Days of McKinley, p. 435.
“I have decided to make a change”: J. N. Bishop to WMcK, September 22, 1896, WMcKP, Reel 1.
“Pardon me for saying”: Bishop to WMcK, November 27, 1897, WMcKP, Reel 1.
“Bottle of medicine just received”: quoted in M. E. F. Smith to WMcK, July 15, 1897, WMcKP, Reel 2.
“The president has taken a notion”: “Took a Half Holiday,” Washington Post, March 27, 1897.
“was a very good game”: “As Seen by a Woman,” Washington Post, August 23, 1897.
Ulysses Grant’s old pew: “President at Church,” Washington Post, March 8, 1897.
“who likes his cigars”: “Cigars That Cost $2 Each,” Washington Post, March 30, 1897.
“The distrust of the present”: WMcK, speech at a banquet given by the Philadelphia Museums and the Manufacturers’ Club, June 2, 1897, in McKinley, Speeches and Addresses of William McKinley, from March 1, 1897 to May 30, 1900, p. 29.
grave of abolitionist John Brown: “President at Brown’s Tomb,” Washington Post, August 12, 1897.
within ten days were off again: “President Is Gone Again,” Washington Post, September 22, 1897.
“a fixity of relative value”: John Hay, diplomatic dispatch, May 20, 1897, WMcKP, Reel 2.
“an almost religious view”: “Clipping from Times (London), April 13, 1897,” transcription for WMcK file, WMcKP, Reel 2.
“mistaken personal courtesies”: Ibid.
“entirely separable and distinct”: quoted in Morgan, William McKinley and His America, p. 215.
a conditional understanding by mid-June: Gould, The Presidency of William McKinley, p. 45.
“He answered,” Hay reported: Hay, diplomatic dispatch, May 20, 1897, WMcKP, Reel 2.
“a considerable division”: Ibid.
“absolutely no possibility”: Ibid.
the British now seemed to understand: Hay to WMcK, July 16, 1897, WMcKP, Reel 2.
“an admirable impression”: Ibid.
“The whole situation”: Edward Wolcott to WMcK, June 18, 1897, WMcKP, Reel 2.
the British announced an extended delay: Hay, diplomatic dispatch, August 7, 1897, WMcKP, Reel 2.
“dead against”: Hay to WMcK, October 11, 1897, WMcKP, Reel 2.
Already he had urged Congress: Gould, The Presidency of William McKinley, p. 47.
“It should be our settled purpose”: WMcK, remarks at the Chamber of Commerce, Cincinnati, October 29, 1897, in McKinley, Speeches and Addresses of William McKinley, from March 1, 1897 to May 30, 1900, p. 54.
spike in global gold production: “World’s Gold Production,” Washington Post, August 8, 1897.
“Of course I have my ideas”: quoted in Gould, The Presidency of William McKinley, p. 48.
leading diplomatic “handyman”: quoted in Morgan, Pacific Gibraltar, p. 110.
“We ought not to take”: quoted in ibid., p. 186.
McKinley showed up: Ibid.
“a great interest” in Hawaii: quoted in ibid.
“unfortunately, he is going to be the judge”: quoted in ibid., p. 187.
now numbered 18,156: Ibid., p. 196.
“the Japanese are still piling in”: quoted in ibid., p. 195.
“A
stand must be taken”: quoted in ibid., p. 200.
rejected hundreds of migrants: Ibid.
armored cruiser Philadelphia: “Is Ordered to Honolulu,” Washington Post, April 2, 1897.
“peaceful invasion” of Hawaii: quoted in “Disquieting News from Hawaii,” Washington Post, April 11, 1897.
Okuma ordered Japan’s ambassador: Morgan, Pacific Gibraltar, p. 201.
“invasion of the Asiatics”: quoted in ibid., p. 203.
McKinley asked Roosevelt to identify all warships: Ibid., p. 204.
“a Jingo and annexationist”: “The Week,” Nation, April 29, 1897.
“a full avowal to the President”: quoted in Morgan, Pacific Gibraltar, p. 204.
The president asked Sewall: Ibid., p. 206.
He vowed to investigate: Ibid., p. 205.
“And that little roll”: quoted in Morgan, William McKinley and His America, p. 223.
war sixty-two times: Morris, The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt, p. 570.
“All the great masterful races”: quoted in ibid., p. 569.
“if I had my way”: quoted in ibid., p. 573.
“I suspect that Roosevelt is right”: quoted in ibid., p. 572.
three disturbing dispatches from Honolulu: Morgan, Pacific Gibraltar, p. 206.
“Respectfully submitted”: quoted in ibid., p. 207.
decided to get the treaty signed: “To Annex Hawaii,” Washington Post, June 16, 1897.
“Watch carefully the situation”: Morgan, Pacific Gibraltar, p. 209.
“despite successive denials”: “Its Text Made Public,” Washington Post, June 18, 1897.
abrogated terms of past treaties: “Mr. Sherman’s Reply to Japan,” Nation, July 8, 1897.
“for the purpose of occupying the islands”: Morgan, Pacific Gibraltar, p. 211.
“It is too late”: quoted in ibid., p. 212.
“The sum and substance”: “Mr. Sherman’s Reply to Japan.”
“TO HOIST OUR FLAG”: Washington Post, July 13, 1897.
The vote was 6 to 2: “The Annexation of Hawaii,” Washington Post, July 15, 1897.
annexation through legislation: “Hawaiian Annexation,” Washington Post, July 22, 1897; “The Annexation of Hawaii,” Washington Post, July 29, 1897.
Japan accepted an offer: “Japan Will Arbitrate,” Washington Post, July 31, 1897.
withdrawn its protests: Morgan, Pacific Gibraltar, p. 216.
“Will America pursue”: “Severe Check to Japanese,” Washington Post, June 17, 1897.
“The most important act”: quoted in Morgan, Pacific Gibraltar, p. 217.
14. CUBA
“wonderful land pirate”: quoted in Beisner, p. 19.
“Ah, you may be sure”: quoted in ibid., p. 24.
“Yes, yes, I remember now”: quoted in ibid.
Schurz wasn’t assuaged: Beisner, p. 24.
“crowded” with Americans: John Morgan, Senate floor speech, April 6, 1897, Congressional Record, p. 621.
only twelve U.S. citizens: Eugene Hale, Senate floor speech, April 7, 1897, Congressional Record, p. 644.
Ruiz’s widow arrived: “Mrs. Ruiz in the City,” Washington Post, March 10, 1897.
“pursuing lawful occupations”: “No Aid for Such Men,” Washington Post, April 3, 1897.
“make a very comprehensive inquiry”: “The New Cuban Commissioner,” Washington Post, April 29, 1897.
He left Washington on May 8: “Calhoun Leaves for Cuba,” Washington Post, May 9, 1897.
“It is time”: quoted in “A Protest to Spain,” Washington Post, April 6, 1897.
“Now, what have we here?”: George F. Hoar, Senate floor speech, April 5, 1897, Congressional Record, p. 575.
“It is a fact”: William Allen, Senate floor remark, April 5, 1897, Congressional Record, p. 576.
passed Gallinger’s resolution: “A Protest to Spain.”
“a condition of public war”: “Great Day for Cuba,” Washington Post, May 21, 1897.
“A ‘recognition of belligerency’ ”: Alvey A. Adee to John Sherman, August 19, 1897, WMcKP, Reel 2.
approved Morgan’s resolution, 41–14: “Great Day for Cuba.”
“their failure”: Ibid.
to solicit telegraphic reports: “Again Talked of Cuba,” Washington Post, May 15, 1897.
between 600 and 800 American citizens: WMcK, “Message to Congress on the Condition of American Citizens in Cuba,” May 17, 1897, American Presidency Project, http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index.php?pid=69294.
within eighteen minutes: “Relief for Cuba,” Washington Post, May 18, 1897.
“The policy of the Administration”: quoted in Gould, The Presidency of William McKinley, p. 66.
On June 8, Calhoun returned: “What He Saw in Cuba,” Washington Post, June 9, 1897.
“Every house had been burned”: quoted in Offner, p. 47.
“wrapped in the stillness of death”: quoted in Gould, The Presidency of William McKinley, p. 67.
“uncivilized and inhumane”: quoted in Offner, p. 48.
Cleveland urged McKinley to fire: Ibid., p. 40.
“What am I going to do”: quoted in Morgan, William McKinley and His America, p. 256.
he was “desirous to adopt”: quoted in Gould, The Presidency of William McKinley, p. 68.
“You have done me great honor”: Stewart Woodford, telegram to WMcK, June 16, 1897, WMcKP, Reel 2.
“I remember your personal injunctions”: Woodford to WMcK, September 6, 1897, JBMP, Box 185.
a brusque response to McKinley’s diplomatic note: Offner, p. 50.
“popular feeling”: Woodford to WMcK, August 23, 1897, JBMP, Box 185.
“I read it in her face”: Woodford to WMcK, September 22, 1897, JBMP, Box 185.
“a degree of injury and suffering”: quoted in Gould, The Presidency of William McKinley, p. 69.
the duke was “courteous and temperate”: Woodford to WMcK, September 22, 1897, JBMP, Box 185.
“I felt compelled”: Woodford to WMcK, October 10, 1897, JBMC, Box 185.
soothe the diplomatic situation: Woodford to WMcK, October 17, 1897, JBMP, Box 185.
McKinley wasn’t pleased: Offner, p. 64.
threatened to expel the Journal reporter: Woodford to WMcK, October 17, 1897, JBMP, Box 185.
outlined the American position: Woodford to John Sherman, September 13, 1897, JBMP, Box 185. This memo describes a meeting with the British ambassador; similar memos relating sessions with the Russian, German, and French ambassadors can be found in the same box.
“Spain,” contended the Post: “Spain Has No Allies,” Washington Post, September 23, 1897.
“except commercial ones”: quoted in Merry, “Lord Salisbury’s Lessons for Great Powers.”
Liberal manifesto advocating a division: Práxedes M. Sagasta, “Manifesto of the Liberal Party,” June 24, 1897, WMcKP, Reel 2.
“Senor Sagasta is a very shrewd politician”: Woodford to WMcK, November 7, 1897, JBMP, Box 185.
“honest and earnest”: Ibid.
advocated Cuban autonomy since 1891: Offner, p. 65.
“would have averted the disasters”: “Manifesto of the Liberal Party,” June 24, 1897, WMcKP, Reel 2.
“I have reason to know”: Woodford to WMcK, October 17, 1897, JBMP, Box 185.
“President McKinley will endeavor”: “Queen Regent Cordial,” Washington Post, October 13, 1897.
“Senor Sagasta . . . must be controlled”: “The Spanish Crisis,” Washington Post, October 1, 1897.
some 350,000 islanders: “As the Matter Stands in Cuba,” Washington Post, January 15, 1898.
“They believe,” reported the Post: Ibid.
Riots in the streets of Havana: “Will Punish Leaders,” Washington Post, January 16, 1898.
“energetic action”: quoted in “Cuba Fails to Accept,” Washington Post, October 18, 1897.
a 1,000-word statement: “The Reply of Spain,” Washington Post, October 28, 1897.
&nbs
p; “a great moral victory”: Woodford to WMcK, November 7, 1897, JBMP, Box 185.
the minister expressed satisfaction: Woodford to WMcK, November 14, 1897, JBMP, Box 185.
“acquiescent, but not enthusiastic”: Woodford to WMcK, December 4, 1897, JBMP, Box 185.
“still acquiescent, but even less cordial”: Woodford to WMcK, December 11, 1897, JBMP, Box 185.
“to grow less and less cordial”: Woodford to WMcK, December 18, 1897, JBMP, Box 185.
“elements now in opposition”: Ibid.
asked anxiously about McKinley’s view: Woodford to WMcK, November 27, 1897, JBMP, Box 185.
“Not an autonomist”: Fitzhugh Lee, letter to William Day, December 15, 1897, William Day Papers, Box 35.
“My scouts . . . report”: Fitzhugh Lee, letter to William Day, December 22, 1897, William Day Papers, Box 35.
“the success or failure”: Woodford to WMcK, December 11, 1897, JBMP, Box 185.
“I know that the people”: “The President Unduly Alarmed,” Chicago Tribune, September 29, 1897.
“tantamount to saying”: “Questions before the McKinley Administration,” Collier’s Weekly, October 7, 1897.
15. YEAR-END ASSESSMENT
a reunion of old soldiers: “President a Comrade,” Washington Post, September 3, 1897. All descriptions of the day come from the same source.
“My comrades”: WMcK, “Speech at the Reunion of the Twenty-Third Ohio Regiment, at Fremont, Ohio, September 2, 1897,” in McKinley, Speeches and Addresses of William McKinley, from March 1, 1897 to May 30, 1900, p. 42.
“the growing feeling of fraternal regard”: WMcK, First Annual Message, December 6, 1897, Miller Center.
“Any doubts which might have existed”: “Praise for McKinley,” Chicago Tribune, June 10, 1897.
“President McKinley deserves”: “The Reform Victory,” Nation, August 5, 1897.
“with a degree of confidence”: “In Iron and Steel,” Washington Post, August 16, 1897, reprinted from Pittsburgh Dispatch.
“permanent, and everything points”: Pall Mall Gazette, quoted in “Britain’s Lost Supremacy in Iron,” Washington Post, October 25, 1897, reprinted from Springfield Republican.
started reopening mills: “Prosperity Is Coming,” Washington Post, August 17, 1897.
a dollar a bushel: “Dollar Wheat at Last,” Washington Post, August 21, 1897.
“will reach figures”: “Another Boost for Wheat,” Washington Post, August 23, 1897.
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