I first consulted Major McKinley.

I had served with him in Congress and had become very much attached to him.

He frankly stated that, since he was a Blaine man, he would be obliged to vote against me, but he told me that this was an opportunity that comes to a man but once in a lifetime.
"If you decline," he said, "the anti-Blaine men will probably put up someone else who would, no doubt, receive the same vote that you would receive.

If it is possible for them to elect anyone, I know of no man I would rather have them thus honor than you.

While, therefore, I shall vote against you and hope you will not be elected,--simply because I am a Blaine man, and a vote for you means a vote against Blaine,--I shall not advise you to decline the use of your name." I then approached Mr.Hanna, who appeared to be surprised that I hesitated about consenting to the use of my name.
"We have you elected," he said, "by a majority of about thirty-five.