Daily Republican., 1879-08-16
(YaeM ynSunSAY's AAu DwS9. I
MRS. SENATOR aPRAGUE'N IN
HAPPY NONE.
A Letter in which She Accuses bss
Husband OF Unmanly Conduct.

a Letter In Wn1ch 0me Accuses D0f
Husband OF Unmanly Conduct.
Mrs. Sprague returned to Canonchst
yesterday with the approval Of the
trustees Of the estate.
A Narragsnsett Pier dispatch to. night
reports a stormy meeting with her hus-
band, who, it Is said, declares that he
will keep the children.
The following are extracts from let
ter written by Mrs. Sprague to friend
which was published in the New York
"Timss" to-day:
"As you must have surmised, Gov.
Sprague's dissoluts life and dissipatsd
habits long ago interrupted our marital
relations, though have strivsn hard
through unteld humiliation and pain
to hide from the world, for my chill
dren's sake, the true conditions OF
blighted, miserable domestic life.
"Govsrnor Sprague's caussless and
shameful persecution Of the children's
teacher is literally true, as he tells the
story, the real animus being, as con-
fsssed, Governor Sprague's unwilling
ness to be subjected to the restraint at
the table and in the household observ-
ances Of the constant presence Of q gen.
tleman.
"The attemp: to complicate Mr.. Conk-
ling with this matter Is absurd. The
two men had not met. l believe
had not seen each other.
"Gov. Sprsgue's indecent affront to
the guests in the house was most gross
and without excuse. Mr.. Martin, whom
l had met in very precarious condition
of health en- route for Narragansett
Pier, l induced him to 60 to Canonchet
for quiet and good nursing. He was
removed under Gov. Sprague's threats
of murder to he DONE, at the immi-
nent risk Of his life.
"Mr. Conkling was, Of course, as un-
conscious as l that Gov. Sprague sought
occasion to enact the tragic role Of the
injured husband; for at their last meet
ing not long since, Gov. Sprague had
sought from Mr.. Conkling, not only le.
gal counsel, but accepted At his hand a
favor such as only the friendliest con-
fdencs could warrant"
! "This was the situation of affairs
which, by coming to Rhode Island,
had hoped, through some influence or
other, brought to bear on Gov. Sprague,
to help to sst right, and to secure, by
some means, q maintenance for the four
children, for whose wants and educa.
ton | have been and am now bearing
the undivided burden.
A conference with counsel employed
by the firm achieved no results. Prof.
Linck, under a contract with me fol
three months was neither permitted Ia
perform his duties nor paid and dis.
missed. He had no ostensible means
for living at Canonchet without incur
ring additional indebtedness, TO which
refused to be q party. In this awk
ward and painful dilemma, requested
Mr.. Conkling who had already beer
consulted by Mr.. Sprague, and upor
whose judgment and friendly advice
have safely relied in my own matters
to see Gov. Sprague and try to ascertain
what point there was in this proposed
programme Of opposition, and what re
suits were likely to follow that woult
benefit or provide for the children. Mr.
Conkling stopped at Canonohet for thi'
purpose, and was awaiting Governo
Sprague's return to seek an interview
with him when the now notorious out
break occurred.
"lf any hostile words were exchanged
between Mr.. Conkling and Gov. Spragu'
at Canonchet, they alone knew wha
they were, for no one else heard them.
"What transpired in the village | d.
not know, beyond what is reported in
the sensational accounts given in the
newspapers.