Museum Collections

Campaign token, embossed on one side with William McKinley's (1843-1901) portrait encircled by "McKinley/ Our Next Governor", and on the reverse ""McKinley's Tin Bill Will Keep Yearly $30,000,000 in America, And Employ 20,000 More People". McKinley began his political career as an Ohio Congressional representative during the late 1870's and was instrumental in passing The McKinley Tariff Act of 1890, which raised taxes on imports to a record high and supported trade agreements with Latin-American countries. After the failure to win his eight Congressional term in 1890, McKinley was elected Governor of Ohio in 1891. He improved the state's canals, roads, and public institutions, and established a state board to settle labor disputes. This souvenir probably comes from the campaign for his first term as Ohio governor.