The accounts of Mr. McKinley himself are conflicting. All reports
credit him with personal honesty, serene temper, and, when roused, considerable force of will. He listens to advice, but does not take it readily. He is, moreover, credited with sincere patriotism, much skill in judgment of men—his chief adviser, Mr. Hanna, is certainly most able—and great freedom from any personal attachments. There are, however, two doubts about him, one of which affects his thinking capacity and the other his independence of popular opinion. It is doubted whether he fully understands the currency question, as he certainly does not understand the effect of tariffs, and evidence has been produced to show that if the people cried for silver he would give them silver with a certain in- difference to results. The immense power entrusted to the President has, however, the effect of deepening character by increasing the sense of responsibility, and the difference between a candidate and a President is often as great as that between the heir to a throne and the same man when crowned.
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