The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1879-08-12
| me CrNhLING NPNIGTF
SCANDAL.

iIOHl StlOnS ClrcunlSliIllldl eNlutICe, Is
now proved. The arrangement of
Senator Conkling from his family and
the strange fascination of Mrs. Kate
Chase Sprague for the New York sena-
torial Adonis have their legitimate Sc
quel. Ex-senator Sprague has borne
the scandal which fioated through socie-
ty by the kind and DISTINGUISHED aid of
the gossips, as long rs the principals
were in Washington. But he could
not forbear violent threats when Conk-
ling entered his cottage at Naragansett
Pier to continue furnishing food for
SANDER. So he inaugurated q scene
which served only to prove his wife's
disgrace without removing the cause or
accomplishing any practical change for
the better. His timidity couldn't back
up his determination. He evoked n
programme which he couldn't fulfill.
As we said above, the people have
long been aware of the Illicit relations
existing between Conkling and Mrs.
Sprague. They both reside in WASH
ington, while their families continue to
live in New York and Rhode Island
respectively. Mrs. Sprague was always
present in the senate gallery when
Conkling spoke, and in many other
ways attested publicly her fascination
for the tow-headed senator. She ac-
companied him to operas, parties, re-
ceptions and drives. Conkling had a
special act of congress passed exempt
ing her property in the District of Co
lumbia from taxation. lie also appear
ed rs her counse in the courts when
several civil suits were brought against
her property for assessments for public
improvements, etc. Thus have their
relations been open to criticism in
Washington. They continue to reside
there during sessions of congress and
go home only during recess.
At homo each of these persons has
enough to make life enjoyable and hap
py. Conkling's wife is a sister of Hon.
Horatio Seymour. She was known in
society before marriage as ''thc pretty
Bessie SEYMOUR The sweetest of dis
positions is ascribed 10 her, which ines
timable quality has been handed to her
children. She is withal a woman of
refinement and sense. When the an
nouncement was made of the marriage
of her daughter Bessie to the superin-
tendent of a small railroad in Pennsyl-
vania, Senator Conkling strenuously
objected because he didn't want his
daughter, who had been a bridesmaid
at Nellie Grants wedding, 'slinked to a
nobody without name, family or for
tune" But Mrs. Conkling said that
so long as the young mar was honora-
BILE he was worthy. So the wedding
took place, Mr.. Conkling being con-
spicuous by his absence. Horatio Sey-
mour, the grand old uncle of the bride,
marched into church with his niece
upon his arm, and took the place natu-
rally reserved for her father. The
naughty senator has not forgiven his
daughter, nor has he acknowledged her
husband. Mrs. Conkling, however,
bears all with fortitude. Her supreme
good sense teaches her to suffer much
for the sake Of her children. Hence
she will not institute proceedings for a
divorce although having the best of
grounds.
Mrs. Sprague is a daughter of the
late Chief Justice Salmon p. Chase.
She was the belle of Washington in her
girlhood days and was regarded by
sober minded people rs a 1irt and co.
quette. Her sprightliness and beauty
and rare conversational powers, how
ever, always made her a welcome guest,
~whithersoever she went. These quail
ties alone would have insured her an
cntree into society even if her father
hadn't been a member of the cabinet.
She welded Senator VIM. Sprague, of
Rhode Island, q wealthy manufacturer,
who was a member of the we'll known
Sprague manufacturing company. MI.
Sprague is n good natured easy going
gentleman, as may be imagined from
his long liberation of his wife's iniideli-
ties. But he wasn't of that towering
mind and form which Kate Chase
longed for, so her acquaintance with
Roscoe Conkling ripened into admira-
ton and affection. And when Senator
Sprague's term of office expired, his
wife refused positively to return to
Rhode Island. She preferred the gla-
NOR of Washington society with its
thousand wiles and liaiSons. The hnan-
cial failure of the Spragues only
strengthened her determination, and
she has continued to reside in the CAPT
tai.
1t is hardly probable that the scandal
will be permitted to remain in its pres
ent status. Mr.. Sprague has inaugural
ed n movement which must eventuate
in his triumph or he will be written
down an ass. As he lacks the physical
courage to do bodily harm to the des-
troyer of the peace of his ireside, he
cano only resort to the courts for a d.
vorce from his unfaithful wife.
KANSAS will be 25 years old, as n
state, on the 10th of September. The
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