The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1879-08-29
FURTHER GOSSIP ABOUT THE CONKLING-
SPRAGUErRUMPUS.

sPRAGUE,RUMPUs
The Northern papers are filed with con-
Hicting accounts and interviews concerning
the recent scandalous rnmpus between Sena-
tor Conklng and ex. Senator Sprague ut Mar
rlgansctt Pier Tie Washington Post, OF
Tuesday, noticing the origin OF the affair,
says:
There are now in Washington many who
will remember the first appearance OF Kate
Chase in social circles here. She was young,
vivacious aud beautiful thoroughly cduca.
led and brilliant She had been the init
mate companion Of her father ever since his
entrance upon the political arena, and more
than once lad he relied on her tact and
beauty to pu!l him through sharp political
contests. In 1864, when at the zenith OF
her social power, she lent powerful han1
towards making her father, the thcu Chief
Justice, tho candidate Of the Republican
party for President. She had been for sew
eral years the constant associate and chief
confidantc of her father aud had become
acquainted with his ambitions, his friends
and his strength She studied politics with
the zeal of newly fedged orator, and de-
voted her whole mind aud energies to the
one object Of placing her father in the
Presidential chair. 1t was part Of her
ambition aso to reign as the first lady of
the land. She often talked with her frit nds
on this subject, and her marriage with Sem
ator Spraguc was generally believed to be
one that had only this end in view -
Sprague at that time was Immensely veal
thy, and the Chase party needed money
Spraguo also imperiously controlled the pol
tics of Rhode lslaud, and his money and
influence were worth having in behalf Of
Presidential candidate. The scheme failed,
however. Lincoln was rcnomnated, and
Judge Chase became detached from his
party. In 1868, however, he was p:omi-
ncntly mentioned as possible Presidential
candidate before the Democratic Convention,
and his daughter, who had at that time be-
come Mrs. Sprague, again took an active
part i'll his behalf She was then recog
nizcd in Washington rs enc of the bright
est, witticst and most fascinating women at
the National capital. Her passion, as well
as her aptness for politics and political in
trigucs, seemed to increase with her social
power She cultivated public men until
she knew Il large number quite intimately,
and even SO late as 1876, though known but
to few, exercised an influence upon the last
Presidential election which kept one mans
mouth shut and possibly changed the result
altogether. Her acquaintance with Sena.
tor Conkling had ripcncd into relations of
the most confidential nature. 1t is believed
that she exercised over him powerful in
fuencc. 1t is even declared by many who
had frequent opportunities to know Conk.
ling's opinions during the electoral struggle
tha. hs withheld by Mrs. Spragues S in
huencc from publicly declaring his convic-
ton that Illdcn was tho rlShttully elected
President, aud that his hitherto unaccoun-
ted for vasclllation was attributable to this
cause. At Que time he boldly declared that
the frauds practlccd III Louisiana and Flor
ida furnished all the basis necessary Tor an
overthrow OF the prctcXt that Hayes was
elected, aud Tor the swearing IN OF Tilden.
lie made no secret OF his disgust at the eff
forts OF John Sherman and others to count
IN Hayes; and, 1t is asserted, agreed to make
speech denouncinS the fraud, but nothing
came OF It.. Mrs. SpraSue occupied front
seat Ill the members gallery OF the Senate
every during the exciting count, although
nobody thought OF her rs anything but a
spectator: The day that Senator Conkling
tn N his and lnmrl;uh a,