New-York tribune., 1877-11-10
A REPLY TO CONKLING.
ELLIS Il. ROBERTS STRIKES BACK.


HE CHARGES THg SENATOR WITH UITRRING US-
TRUTHs-Sor A SUPPORTER OF TIE DEMO-
CRATIC TICKET-TuE REASONS FOR CoNKLTSG's
HOsTHITY-rHE OTHER sIDE OF THE BACK-PAY
sToRY-MOIETIEs-THE REsCLT OF CoNKLISGs
COURSE IN ONEIDA cOUSTY-UTICKs REBUKE
TO HER "FAvoRTrE SON."
Ex-Congressman Ellis II. Roherts, of Utica, in
the city yesterday, and TRIBUNE reporter had an
extended conversation with him. The attack made
by Senator Conkling upon HIM, which had just been
published was freely discussed by him. The princ-
pal points made by Mr. Roberts arc presented in
the following report of the conversation:
Reporter-Mr. Roberts, Senator Conkling made
many unfriendly illusions to you in conversation on
Thursday with journalists of this city, and declared
that you voted the Democratic ticket Is that true
| Mr.. Roberts-ln any such statement Mr.. Conk-
| ling says what he could not possibly know to be
true and what the whole course Of The Utica Herald
proves to be false. Senator Conkug seems anxious
to contradict the view !of The TRIBUNE
that he made a great gain in the recent
election. No man who felt he had
victory could talk he is reported to have talked
in the interview to which you refer. You will not
expect me to handy words with him. Unseemly
the exhibition made by Mr. Conkling is The TRIB-
UNE knows that such things are not new in his
history. lie was IN the habit of berating Mr.
/
His quarrel with Mr. Blaine is historic. Senators
Fenton, Trumbul Schurz and even Morton, have
in like been the objects of his invectve and
many Republicans the targets for his wit in the
interview which you cite. If Conkling has genius
for anything. it is for quarrelling have gifts
in that way
Reporter-You gave him cordial support in his
early career, and in his election to the Senate.
What is the occasion of the present differences be-
tween youi
Mr. Roberts-My original offence was that when L
was elected to Congress, my nominations unan-
imous, and the popular majorities were generous.
the consideration shown to in Washing
ton, annoyed him, for he could not
duro that it should be supposed that any
one from Utica, except himself, should re-
ceive any favor. lie had previously quarreed
with Speaker Blaine, and did not adopt his enmi-
ty but recognized the Speakers ability and patriot
ism. He hates Blaine aud fears him, and no gave
re credit for believing that Blaine was much
stronger than he for President in 1876 as the re-
suit proved.
MoIEuEs AND BACK PAY.
Reporter-Did You not favor some legislation in
Congress which he regarded as unfriendiy 90 hmi
Mr. Roberts-Yes, undoubtedly. The Moiety Bill
came into my charge as chairman Of 4 sub-commIt-
tee Of the ways and means; and as 1 had not
sought the responsibility, so did not shirk it. The
evidence showed, and The TRIBUNE helped to bring
it out that the Custom House used to terriiy
and opprcss merchants, and that the mOctes were
a constant temptation to officers to Use the laws
to enrich themselves unduly. 1t did not better
the matter If much Of the money went into polit-
cal fund by which Senator Conkling was benefited
knew when pressed the repeal Of the moietes
that he and others would try and strike back. But
whatever | could do was done for such repeal, and
the moeties no longer stand on the statute books
II addition, in the Congressional investigation,
which resulted in relieving the Treasury Of Richard
son, Sawyer, and Ban1ield, | gave what help could
and. for some reason, Conkling was very angry at
that Secretary Brisow. while in the Treasury, had
my cordial support, and that also treated by
Senator Conking as a personal offence.
Reportcr-Senator Conkling has something to
say about your relations to the back pay bhlf
Mr.. Roborts-Oh yes. Senator Conkung was
ono of tho earnest promoters of the back pay
bill. and voted for it at many different
stages. voted against it every time.
As soon as the bill passed entered into corespon-
Gonce vi th several Representatives to determine how,
without ostentation, We might uso the money
for public purposes. My own thought was to
give my share for education in my DIS
trict and to divide it between Hamllton
college and other local institutions. The Hon.
George f. IIoar had pursued this course, aud been
Amused for il. Senator Conkling's conduct this
subiect embarrassed me. To contribute my
money to educational purposes or to the
Treasury, while he kept his, would be
an imputaton upon him. According to
purposo formed long before. | went to Europe in
March. and from Athens in May wrote to Professor
Sawyer who asked that the money might be contrib
uted to Utica Academy, saying that had determined
to return it to the Treasury. Ihis purpose was con-
summated as soon rs returned home. Senator Conk-
ling was at this time very busy in ridiculng every
hody who had not the courage as he put it, to keep
what the law gave them as their own. IL was long
after this that he yielded to the popular sentiment
which had opposed the law, and demanded It's repeal
TIE SAVINGS BANK MATTER.
Rcporter-Senator Conkling states that you were
q director in savings bank IN Utica, which after
ward went to pieces
Mr. Roberts-Thcre was a savings bank organized
in Utica some years ago. in which Senator Conklng
and myself we're both trustees, and both
continued to be so for nearly the same
length of time. About two years after
my connection with tho institution ciosed'
owing TO some dissenson among those VINO aiter-
ward managed it, 1t was put into bankruptcy IL
has already paid dividends of 62l2 per cent ana VIII
doubtlcss pay considerable more. Senator ConkIlng
has given to Levi Blakslee, who was cashier aJ inc
time of the failure of the bank, confidential
place in the management of the finances OF the
| New-York Post Office. Conklnss III" li'i'
| although he had been director, took cases "hich
had in view the reduction OF the assets OF the DaA
IN the injury Of the dcpostOrs, whom he was reaiy
hound to help He Of all men should be the last 10
revive the memory of his connection with tins