The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1879-08-13
How Mrs. Sprague Became TO be u
Politician.

TIE SECRET HISTORY OF THE ELECTORAL-COM-
MISSION STRUGGLE REVIVED.
The aIl-absorbing topic OF conversation
in Washington yesterday was the Conkling-
Sprurue scandal, and the Post, with its four
columns OF specials, was in demand every
where. Wherever two or three were COL
lected together on the street corners they
were pretty sure to be discussing that sub
iect, and there were few who could not tell
something they had heard about the rela-
tions OF the two most prominent individuals.
Everybody had, as usual, to rely upon the
Post for the news OF this the latest sensa-
ton. Now that the scandal has become
public property, the gossipS have ZOOS.
encd their tongues, and one can hear
more in an hour than could be printed
in q day about the intrigue between Mrs.
Sprague and Senator Conklng. The Post,
with the view Of giving the public only
what is reliable, listened to all that was SAID,
and weeded out as best it could from the
mess Of gossip at1oat that which was credl-
BILE and worth publishing. There are now
in Washington many who vii! remember
the first appearance Of Kate Chase in social
circles here. She was young, vivacous,
and beautiful; thoroughly educated and
brilliant. She had been the intimate COM
trance upon the political arena, and more
than once had he relied on her tact and
beauty to pull him thu oueh sharp political
contests. In 1864. when ut the zenith
OF her social power. Sue lent pGWer-
ful hand towards making her father the
then chief justice, the candidate OF the Re-
publican party for President. She had been
for several years the constant associate and
chief confdante Of her father, and had be-
come acquainted with his ambitions, bis
friends, and his strength. She studied pol
tiles with the zeal OF Il newly -1edecd ora
tor, and devoted her whole mind and ener-
gies to the one object of placing her father
in the presidential chair. 1t was part OF
her ambition, also, TO reign as the first lady
OF the land. She often talked with her
friends on this subject, and her marriage
with Senator Sprague was generally be-
lieyed to be one that had only this
end in view. Sprague at that time
party needed money. Sprague also
impcriousy controlled the politics of
Rhode Island, and his money and influence
were worth having in behalf OF a presiden-
tial candidate. The scheme failed, how
ever. Lincoln was renominated, and Judge
Chase became detached from his party. In
1868, however, he was prominently men
toned as possible presidential candidate
before the Democratic Convention, and his
dauphtcr who had at that time become
Mrs, SpraglIe, again took an active part IN
his behalf. She was then recognized IN
Washington as one OF the brightest, wit
ticst. and most fascinating women at the
National Capital. Her passion, as well as
her uptness for politics and political IN
trieues, seemed TO increase with hcr
social power. She cultivated public
men until she knew large num-
Der quite intimately, and even so
late as 1876, though known to but rev,
exercised an influence upon the last presi-
Dental election which kept one mans mouth
shut and possibly changed the result alto-
gctber. Her acquaintance win senator
Coukllng had ripcncd into relations OF the
most confidential nature. 1t IS oelleVeo
that she exercised over him a powerful III
fluencc. 1t is even declared by many w1o
had FREQUENT opportunities 10 KNOW Conh-
hue's opinions during the electoral struS'
Gle that he was withheld By Mrs. spraSue
influence from publicly declaring ms con'
yiclion that Tildcn was the rlgnuuIy-
alacted President, and that his hitherto
yascilation was attributa-
HE n This cause. At one time he boldly
decIared that the frauds practiced IN
,o,,isiana and Florida furnished all the
basis necessary for an overthrow OF the
pretext that Hayes was elected, and Tor the
swearing 10 OF Tilden. He made no secret
Of bis disgust at the efforts Of John Sherman
and Others to count in Hayes, ana, IL IS as-
serted. agreed to make speech denouhcius
the fraud, but nothing came OF it. Mrs
spragu u occupied front seat in the mem J..
bers' gallery OF the Senate every gay during
the exciting count, although nobody thought
OF her as anything but u spectator: the gay.
that Senator Conkling was to rise 10 ms SEM
and demollsh the fraud arrived, and those
familiar with the programme were in their
seats. Senators Alcorn, Spencer, ConoVer,
and several other Republicans were TO
vote with him against. the approval OF
the partisan decision o, the Electoral
Commission. Enough Republican yotcfs
had been occurred Ito make his victory
certain, Colonel Pelton, mir. Hewitt, Of
New Work. and many other promi.