The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1879-08-21
The sprague-ConkIiny AFFAIR.

The great sensation of last week, were the &C.
c"nnts Of the assault If ex Senator Sprague mp
On Senator C"nkling, at Spragne's country resi-
deIrce, in Rhode Island. The first reports were
ia the effect that the attack was made upon
German music teacher named Linck, whom
Mrs. Sprague had employed to teach her chill
dren, contrary to her husbands wishes and it
was even sought to make it appear that Conk-
ling became involved by interfering to save the
music teacher. But now the fact stands forth,
that whatever grudge Sprague may have had
against Linck, the principal game be was after
was Conkling and for him he loaded his shot
gun.
This news was not altogether surprise. All
last Winter and Spring. and down to a late Pc
riod, the papers were full Of insinuatons reflect
ing upon Conking aud Mrs. Sprsgue. He show
ed her altogether too mrch attention. His hirt-
ations with her were notorious, that his wife
left Washington, and retnrned home in disgust.
Whenever Mrs. Sprague was in the Senate Gal
leries, Conkling would make one Of the great
efforts of his life. His speeches were made for
her; aud il is said that his quarrel with Lamar
was on account of the Democrats in the Senate
choking him of from one of his great efforts
when she was looking on. They both could not
but know of the scandal that was abroad and il
they were innocent, aud wished to stop the scan
dal, they should have stopped right there and
then. But they both seemed to think that their
standing was high and their influence 30
great, that they could treat public opinion with
contempt But Gov. Sprague had read the re-
ports; and when Conkiing, at Mrs. Sprague's
invitation, followed her home, and took up his
quarters in her house, the Governor seized his
shotgun and gave him notice to quit.
But few persons believe there was any guilty
intimacy between the two. Mrs. Sprague loves
power and intrigue, and was proud of having
the high toned New York Senator as admirer;
and he was delighted at being favorite of SO
charming woman as Mrs. Sprague She is
proud and heartless. She inherited it from her
father Secretary Chase would have betrayed
his party his best friend if necessary to secure
fuller grasp Of power-as witness his chery
to Lincoln, and his bid for the Democratic nom-
ination for the Presidency. His daughter is of
the same principle. Sprague was no proper
match for her. He is Insignificant in appear
ance, and his tastes were different from hers.
But he occupied high political position, and
was worth millions of dollars. She married him
for his position and his wealth. Her extrava-
gance aided in bankrupting him, and now she
has no further use for him.
This scandal will be terrible blow to Conk-
ling. Besides being q death blow to his present
political prospects, it must be dreadfully CALLING
to man of his proud aud overbearing DISPOSE
tion, to be published throughout the length and
breadth of the land as the leading figure in q
scandal, and the figure that occupies the most
ridiculous position, at that. Whatever its in
fuence may be on him politically, it will very
likely have one good effect
1t will cure him of sucking egg.