Page:American Boy's Life of William McKinley.djvu/205

Rh pretty far to help private individuals, but up to date I don't believe we have cleaned out any waterway that hadn't at least two boats running annually." And with this he dismissed the old farmer with a bow. The old man went off, not knowing if the congressman was in earnest or poking fun at him; but as he never came back, it is fair to presume that his son Jim's boat still lacks the new bottom.

Strange as it may seem, the election which retired McKinley from Congress for about two years made him stronger and more popular than ever. Just before the election the district which he represented was greatly altered, so that it now contained many more Democrats than before.

"You cannot possibly win now," said his friends. "You will be snowed under by at least two thousand majority. You might as well give it up."

"No, sir, that is not my style," answered McKinley. "I am in this to stick, and shall do my best. I would rather do my best and be defeated than do nothing."

Never was a political fight more hot or more bitter. The McKinley Bill was