Details
McKINLEY, WILLIAM, President. Autograph letter BOLDLY SIGNED ("Wm. McKinley Jr.") as member of the House of Representatives, to Allen Carnes of Canton, Ohio; Washington, D.C., 11 April 1882. 3 1/2 pages, 4to, on rectos and versos of two sheets of stationery, with imprinted "House of Representatives" heading.
MCKINLEY DENIES A SECRET DEAL WITH ANOTHER OFFICE-SEEKER
A fine political letter on politics in McKinley's home District.. "Many thanks for your generous congratulations, and if I have made my friends at home rejoice, I am quite satisfied. There is nothing remarkable in the speech, whatever virtue it has was occasioned by the occurrences in the House &c....Laubie's letter...is full of inconsistencies & tinctured with a note of presumption. When he says, 'I further said that if McKinley was a [James] Garfield or a [James G.] Blaine, I would hesitate to come out against him &c.', he would have only hesitated to try conclusions with Blaine or Garfield.... My recollection of that visit of Mr. A. to Gillespie in the Spring of 1880 as the former told it to me, Gillespie wanted Mr. Aultman to promise him the Post Office as a condition for his support, which Mr. A. completely declined....[Laubie] declares in another letter that Aultman took part in the work to induce him not to be a candidate &c....I didn't know when would be the best time to deny the Gillespie allegation. Mr. A. can consider. Some disclaimer should be made...or else it will be taken as admitted. It seems to me my position is impregnable..."
He concludes: "I have written in a great hurry and I fear incoherently. But you have so long been accustomed to my incoherence, that you will take to my meaning...."
MCKINLEY DENIES A SECRET DEAL WITH ANOTHER OFFICE-SEEKER
A fine political letter on politics in McKinley's home District.. "Many thanks for your generous congratulations, and if I have made my friends at home rejoice, I am quite satisfied. There is nothing remarkable in the speech, whatever virtue it has was occasioned by the occurrences in the House &c....Laubie's letter...is full of inconsistencies & tinctured with a note of presumption. When he says, 'I further said that if McKinley was a [James] Garfield or a [James G.] Blaine, I would hesitate to come out against him &c.', he would have only hesitated to try conclusions with Blaine or Garfield.... My recollection of that visit of Mr. A. to Gillespie in the Spring of 1880 as the former told it to me, Gillespie wanted Mr. Aultman to promise him the Post Office as a condition for his support, which Mr. A. completely declined....[Laubie] declares in another letter that Aultman took part in the work to induce him not to be a candidate &c....I didn't know when would be the best time to deny the Gillespie allegation. Mr. A. can consider. Some disclaimer should be made...or else it will be taken as admitted. It seems to me my position is impregnable..."
He concludes: "I have written in a great hurry and I fear incoherently. But you have so long been accustomed to my incoherence, that you will take to my meaning...."