Page:The Presidents of the United States, 1789-1914, v. IV.djvu/74

50 LIVES OF THE PRESIDENTS is apparent in his recommendation of additional protection to steam and electric railroad employees, and his interest in the problems of municipal gov ernment by his approval of what is called the "fed eral plan" of administration. At the republican convention in Ohio he was unanimously renomi- nated for governor, and he was re-elected by an overwhelming majority, the greatest ever recorded, with a single exception during the war, for any candidate up to that time in the history of the state his vote aggregating 433,000 and his plurality 80,995. His competitor was Lawrence T. Neal. The issues discussed were national, and McKinley s voice was again heard in every locality in the state in earnest condemnation of "those twin heresies, free trade and free silver." The country viewed this result as indicative of the next national elec tion, and he was everywhere hailed as the most prominent republican aspirant for president. In his second annual message Gov. McKinley recom mended biennial sessions of the legislature; sug gested a revision of the tax laws by a commission created for the purpose; and condemned any in crease of local taxation and indebtedness. On February 22, 1894, McKinley delivered an address on the life and public services of George Washington, under the auspices of the Union league club, Chicago, which gave much gratifica tion to his friends and admirers. Beginning at