The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1879-08-21

Senator Conkling Ordered Out of the
House and Shot At-Diiercnt Versions
of the Story.
Washington Post of Monday.
Ex-senator Sprague attacked Ger
man teacher of his children with pistol,
but Senator Conkling interposed and pre-
vented MURDER" is substantially the story
sent by an Associated Press telegram
from Providence to the Sunday papers
but the most general exclamation of all
we'll posted people Of the City of Wash.
ington on reading it was, "Too thin"
"Conkling and Sprague were not brought
together on account of so inconsiderable
q person as German teacher" said q
Senator.
"There has been plenty of material for
an able-bodied scandal in that quarter" ."
said another well posted gentleman, "and
the result of it has been an attempt on
the part of ex-senator Sprague to re-
venge himself. 1t was the noble form of
Lord Roscoe himself that Sprague was
seeking to make target Of"
1t will certainly not surprise many
intelligent persons, who spent the past
winter in this city, to learn that much
talked of affair has eliminated in at
tempted violence, and possible disgrace
to all the parties concerned.
The intimate relations existing be-
tween Senator Conkling and the wife of
ex-senator and Ex-Governor Sprague
(who was the daughter of Chief. Justice
Chase) have been talked over in under
tones in Washington society and political
circles for upwards of three years. 1t has
been hinted at darkly in newspaper cor
respondence quite frequently, but feel
ing ofregard or pity for "the woman in
the case" has induced the press generally
to suppress, instead of parading, accessible
information. Last Spring, when Sena-
tor Conkling SO energetically advocated
the Bill to relieve Mrs. Sprague's estate
from taxation, everybody was set to talk
ing.
Mrs. Sprauge wanted the assessment of
her country estate, known as Edgewood,
reduced, and the penalties that had ac-
crued because of non-payment of taxes
remitted. 1t required an act of Congress
to effect this, and Conkling was q man
of power in the then Radical Senate.
He very readily accepted the commission
given him by the lady and worked with
such diligence as to pass the bill through
the Senate. The House, however, did
not accept tso readily, and the result
was a compromise in the conference.
The high contracting parties met fire.
quently at the Capitol, as was natural, but
it was not long before employees of the
Senate stated Sin confidence" to one and
another that Mrs. Sprague was in the
habit of meeting Mr.. Conkling in his
committee room The was then chairman
of the committee on commerce) and that
they were sometimes locked in there to-
gether. This reached the ears of some of
the reporters, who, upon investigation,
found the statement to be true. Conk-
ling's trusted agent was clerk under
Secretary Gorham, named Griffith. He
would bring Mrs. Sprague to the Cap
itol in carriage and escort her to the
committee room, and then notify Conk-
ling, and while the couple were together
Gaiffith would stand on the outside and
prevent intrusion.
| NuiluH laob nluISl tiu1 oplluR DOLu
parties seemed to grow more regardless
of public opinion. Mrs. Sprague boldly
displayed her partially for the distinguish
ed senator, and her conduct at the Capitol
became subject of comment even among
grave and reverend senators. She was
often to be seen in the Senate gallery,
and generally occupied front seat. 1t
was rare that she failed to be on hand
when Conkling was advertised for a
speech, and was often, on such occasions
demonstrative in her expressions of ap-
proval. During the closing days and
nights of the extra session Mrs. Sprague
was regular attendant upon the Senate
She was invariably accompanied by the
faithful Griffith, and on one occasion, in
full view Of the reporters gallery, wrote
notes to the Senator, which her attendant
would deliver to him at his seat. Then
the lordly senator, smiling acceptance
and approval to his fair correspondent
in the gallery, would indite replies,
which Griffith would promptly deliver.
Scenes of this character have amused the
reporters several times and caused them
to lose sight entirely of the business be-
fore the Senate.
The night of the difficulty between
Senator Lamar and Conkling Mrs.
Sprague betrayed her deep interest in
the latter to the most careless spectators
She occupied her usual seat in the gal
lery during all the weary hours of that
session. When Mr.. Lamar gave Conk-
ling the lie and the latter advanced to
reply, she arose in her seat, leaned over
the balcony, with blanched face and
intense interest. She suddenly dropped
in her seat and it was whispered that she
had tainted, but this was not true. Her
alarm was apparent to everybody, how
ever, and the moment Conkling ceased
speaking she sent Griffith 10 him
with message. Mr.. Conkling found
time to send work back to her by the
same messenger, which seemed to reassure
her. All this occurred in full view of
many scrutinizing eyes, and from that
night the relations between the twain be.
came common topic Of conversation on
the floor of the Senate. 1t was rumored
soon after that Mr.. Sprague had heard of
the night scene at the Senate, and had
declared his intention to bring the affair
to an issue. Apparently this rumor did
not reach Conkling, for he remained in
Washington for some time after the ad-
journment, and spent the larger portion
of it at Edgewood. 1t was common
thing for frequenters of the road to meet
them driving after tho Senator's fine
team, and about the time of Mrs.
Sprague's arrival at Long Branch the
telegraph gave notice of Mr.. Conkling's
presence there. He seems, however, to
have gone too far, when he followed the
lady to her husbands residence, near
Providence. The matter it is now be-
lieved will go to the courts, and notwith-