 Rove saw several reasons for McKinley 's triumph . McKinley campaigned on big issues , the tariff and sound money . The candidate went after Bryan 's strongest issue , silver , arguing that bimetallism would harm Americans and hit the working class hardest . McKinley 's theme was that it was morally wrong to debase the currency ; he linked his stand for sound money with the tariff and with patriotism , appealing to crucial voter blocs who gave McKinley the biggest victory in a presidential election since Grant in 1872 . He reached out to immigrants and urban factory workers , recognizing their importance in a changing America . And to implement these strategies , McKinley , with Hanna 's aid , created a larger , more organized campaign structure than had previously been seen in presidential campaigns . 
