McKinley Museum curator Trish Scarmuzzi stands in front of a model of first lady Ida McKinley, who is adorn in an inaugural gown. This is the 120th anniversary of McKinley's 1897 inaugural.

NILES — About 150,000 people attended President William McKinley’s first inaugural speech in Washington, D.C. — an impressive number considering those were the days before people enjoyed the benefits of modern communication and transportation.

“Only a small group of people huddled close to the Capitol steps were able to hear McKinley’s speech,” said Michelle Alleman, director of the McKinley Memorial Library. “He talked rather eloquently about some issues that are still important today.”

McKinley, born in Niles on Jan. 29, 1843, was inaugurated the 25th president of the United States on March 4, 1897 — 120 years ago Saturday.

“He talked about the importance of equality, tariff revenues and holding federal spending at bay because of debt because the country was coming out of a severe recession, maybe a depression,” Alleman said.

McKinley was an officer in the Civil War, a Republican congressman, a lawyer and Ohio governor before running against Democrat William Jennings Bryan in 1896 by campaigning on the promise of putting the U.S. on the gold standard.

It was in the first address that McKinley called for a special session of Congress to begin within two weeks to handle the country’s economic problems.

“He clamored for unity and cooperation,” Alleman said.

Local McKinley expert Mike Wilson, who impersonates the ex-president, said Congress acted swiftly to get the U.S. on the gold standard and approve a tariff.

“At the time, the country was $4 million in debt, which is like $4 billion today, and they cleaned that up quickly,” Wilson said. “McKinley’s action also helped the industrialists reinvest and helped their poorest workers because the industrialists could now build factory-owned homes close by in which the poorest workers could live in.”

Newspaper accounts also highlighted the quality of the inauguration parade, which lasted about three hours, Alleman said. The lavish events were funded by McKinley’s main political backer, Cleveland industrialist and Sen. Marcus Hanna, said Wilson.

“The reporters noted the very well-dressed appearance of the crowds, and the parade had exceeded standards,” said Alleman.

“It was also reported that there were for-rent signs on the buildings along the route. They interviewed an office girl who rented her space for $150, while one senator reportedly paid $5,000 to rent a luncheon room at Willard’s (Hotel),” Alleman said.

Among the participants in the parade were some of McKinley’s old Civil War, 23rd Ohio Regiment, Alleman said.

“McKinley also reached out to the south in the spirit of reconciliation by inviting ex-Confederate soldiers from the Shenandoah Valley (Va.) Patriotic League to march,” she said.

Trish Scarmuzzi, curator of the McKinley Birthplace Museum in Niles, said McKinley was a “gentleman” in all aspects of his personality.

“The politicians of today could take a lesson in his kindness and humility,” Scarmuzzi said. ” He was very thoughtful of his wife, especially during the election and that first inaugural.”

First Lady Ida McKinley, who suffered much because of the loss of her daughters and other relatives, made it through the events of Inauguration Day, but there were reports of her fainting at the end of the inaugural ball, which was held in the Pension Building, Alleman said.

Wilson said the start and finish of McKinley’s first inaugural speech were addressed to God.

“His mother wanted him to become a Methodist minister, but he thought he could do more good for the poor as a lawyer,” Wilson said.

gvogrin@tribtoday.com