Details
MCKINLEY, WILLIAM, President. Autograph letter signed ("Wm. McKinley") as a Congressman, to Allen Carnes of Canton, Ohio; Washington, D.C., 26 January 1882. 2 pages, 4to, on boldly headed "House of Representatives" stationery, matching envelope addressed by McKinley.
MCKINLEY'S PRESS STRATEGEMS
A good early political letter to a trusted friend and editor of an Ohio paper favorable to him, regarding the handling of the media in anticipation of his forthcoming Congressional campaign for re-election. "...Thanks for the suggestion. Up to this time I have not written any letters concerning the next congressional nomination except in answer to letters of enquiry...I have pursued this course because the District is not yet fixed and for the further reason that it is so early yet, and then too the question is having enough of agitation, anyhow, from my view. I will keep up the illusions...and send them something to remind them of me. The Salem Republican [a paper published in Salem, Ohio] behaves well. Its editorial was manly...The Buckeye State [Ohio] is pursuing the course I had expected. I would pay no attention to it. The East Liverpool papers...will probably look after it sufficiently. I would rather the Columbiana County papers should have the war....This makes three papers in Lambier County favorable to me. My news are [sic] very encouraging for the District at large. If Stark County stands solid and united the victory will be an easy one....I don't think it wise to engage in the fight...until the contest nears and we know what and where we have to fight...Let them fight in Columbiana as much as they want to - it seems to me the contest there now, tends to weaken and expose my competition, and is not hurtful to me...."
MCKINLEY'S PRESS STRATEGEMS
A good early political letter to a trusted friend and editor of an Ohio paper favorable to him, regarding the handling of the media in anticipation of his forthcoming Congressional campaign for re-election. "...Thanks for the suggestion. Up to this time I have not written any letters concerning the next congressional nomination except in answer to letters of enquiry...I have pursued this course because the District is not yet fixed and for the further reason that it is so early yet, and then too the question is having enough of agitation, anyhow, from my view. I will keep up the illusions...and send them something to remind them of me. The Salem Republican [a paper published in Salem, Ohio] behaves well. Its editorial was manly...The Buckeye State [Ohio] is pursuing the course I had expected. I would pay no attention to it. The East Liverpool papers...will probably look after it sufficiently. I would rather the Columbiana County papers should have the war....This makes three papers in Lambier County favorable to me. My news are [sic] very encouraging for the District at large. If Stark County stands solid and united the victory will be an easy one....I don't think it wise to engage in the fight...until the contest nears and we know what and where we have to fight...Let them fight in Columbiana as much as they want to - it seems to me the contest there now, tends to weaken and expose my competition, and is not hurtful to me...."