The Canton advocate. [volume] (Canton, D.T. [S.D.]) 1877-1897, 1880-11-18
The Conklings.

light OF his luminous intellect shine in
the west, the following sketch of him and
his family from the Hour will be appre-
ciated here:
Senator Conkling was born in 1929 at
Albany, where his father, Judge Conk-.
ling, then resided. He received an aca-
demic education, studied law, and went
to Utica in 1896 There he has resided
ever since. Judge Conkling had three
sons, Aurelian, Roscoe and Frederick.
They all grew to be men Of fine appear
ance and great physical strength. Aure-
liam was the largest of the brothers, being
considerable over SIX feet in height,
broad shouldered and of powerful build
Even in early life they were all men of
strong character, of remarkable self re-
lance, and inclined to be disrutatious.
They were politicians before they were
voters, and, as they never agreed about
politics among themselves, it used to be
SAID of them that they were too indepen-
dent to belong to the same party. Azure
liam acted with the democracy, while
Roscoe was whig, inclined toward Sew
ardlsm, and Frederick "Silver Grey
Aurelian died many years ago, Roscoe is
at the head Of the republican party, aud
Colonel Frederick A. Conkling, after af-
fllating with the liberal republicans, il
now in record with the democracy. Ros-
coe Conkling became prominent at the
bar when quite young lawyer. He FILL
cd the office Of district attorney in Oneida
county in 1850, when only twsnty-one
years of age. He was mayor of the city
of Utica eight years later. He was also
an effective speak er, and took an active
part In politics. His boldness made HIM
popular with his associates Of his own
age, while his dignifed style and sound
sense recommended him to those of more
advanced years and experience. On
one occasion, when Roscoe was quito
young, his father, Judge Conkling, was
announced to speak at a political meeting
| in Livingston county. When he came
forward on tho platform, the chairman
!
father of Roscoe Conk!ing." The judges
dignity was offended, and after the meet.
ing he took the chairman to task for the
manner Of The introduction. The Cd
saying, like father like son." certainly
holds good in the Conkling family. The
old judge proud, reserved aud unconcern-
ed about the good opinion Of Others, and
his sons inherited this disposition. Aur.
elan was the most comprehensive Of the
three, but even he had an appearance OF
haughtiness which was repellant to
strangers. Roscoe Conkling's lofty bear.
ing has been often criticised, yet his
seeming arrogance disappears among his
friends, and he possesses in no ordinary
degree the qualities of a charming COM
panion. He is sturdy hater, and makes
no effort to conceal his feelings when {
dislikes person. "Exr ediency" is a
word not to be found in his vocabulary
He would not conceal or repress his true
feelings if the great object Of his ambi
ton were the assured price Of the dissim
ulation. His friendship is as stcadfast
and loyal as his enmity is bold and I'M
compromising. He makes it rule OF
life never to accept any favor or attention
involving the expenditure Of money, ex-
cepi in the way Of that social intercourse
which Is usual among all classes. MOI
long since, on on occasion Of visit to
this city, he was down on Wall street in
company with state officer and another
friend. They were going up to the FIT h
! Avenue hotel, and the state officer called
| a hack, made a bargain with the driver to
take them for 81 so, and when they reach
ed the hotel paid the man that amount
Mr.. Conkling drew fifty cents from his
pocket and handed It to the state officer
who expressed an unwillingness to re
ceive it. Sir" said the senator, II al
wa. s pay my OWE hack hire. You Will
be good enough to take that money"
The tone was unmistakable, and the silver
coin was quietly transferred to the state
officers pocket. Mr.. Conkling carries
the principle of paying his own way to
such extremes that when attending pc.
| litical meeting he will not allow a hotel
bill, a railroad fare, or even the price Of \
conveyance to be settled except out of his
| own pocket