It was a graceful and fitting act for the people thus to have relieved the Governor of the burden resting upon him. He had given practically all his life to the public service, and was comparatively a poor man. If he had given to his own interests the same fidelity which he devoted to the interests of the public his financial reward would have been such that he would have had no need of assistance in carrying such an indebtedness. As it was, he did the only manly thing possible. He acknowledged the debt, and made such preparations to pay it as were within his power. He did not consider the hardship he must endure in “beginning all over.” People had paid out their money on their faith in his endorsement, and he did not intend they should lose a penny. It was no stain on the Governor’s honor that he had endeavored to help a friend and been financially ruined in the effort; and he was in no wise to be criticised when he permitted his friends, for whose interests he had so long labored, to bear the burden his generosity had put upon him. CHAPTER XVII. McKINLEY’S LOYALTY TO SHERMAN, BLAINE AND HARRISON. Governor McKinley’s splendid record as a public servant made him a presidential quantity long before he was put forward for the nomination as the “favorite son” of Ohio; but he was ever loyal to his party’s interest, and his party associates, and at no time allowed ambition to blind him to duty. This was clearly evidenced in the Republican National conventions held in 1884 and 1888. It was in these gatherings that Major McKinley’s claims to leadership—or at least to be considered as one of the prominent men of the nation in the councils of his party—came to be recognized. He was a “Blaine” man at this convention. In supporting Mr. Blaine he but represented the overwhelming sentiment of the Mahoning valley; and yet, while he favored Mr. Blaine, he had the kindliest feeling for the illustrious Senator from Ohio, John Sherman, who at that convention was also a candidate for the Presidency. Major McKinley was a strong advocate of the sentiment that all legitimate means should be sought to nominate Mr. Blaine, but if that was impossible, Ohio should cast a solid vote for Mr. Sherman.