Ashtabula weekly telegraph. (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1880-1886, 1880-10-15
ROSCOE ooNKLINe's



Senator Conkling was born in 1920 at
Albany, where his father, Judge Conkling.
then resided. lie received All academic
education, studied law aud went to Utica
In 1876. There he has resided ever since.
Judge Conkling has three sons. Azure
lian, Roscoe and Frederick. They all grew
to he men OF fine appearance aud great
physical strength. Auleliau was the larg-
est Of the brothers, being considerably
six feet in higth, broad -shoudered and of
powerful build, Even in early life they
were all men Of strong character, of re-
markable self-reliance, and inclined to be
disputatious. 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 to indie.
pendant TO belong 10 the same party. Au-
relian acted with the Democracy while
Roscoe was Wing, inclined toward Sew
ardiSm, and Frederick "Silver Gray.
AureliAn died many years ago. Roscue
is at the head Of the Republican party, and
Colonel Frederick A. Conkling, after aflil-
hitting with the Liberal Republicans, is
NV in accori with the Democracy.
Roscoe Conkling became promirant at
the bar when quite a young lawyer He
filled the Office of district attorney of
CINlhb NNNNAl W. Abbbf NlCll Dlll 81 years
Of age. He was mayor Of the city of Utica
eight years later. He was always an effec.
tive speaker and took an active part in pol
itics. HIS bodness made him popuar with
his associates OF his own age, while his dig
nified style and sound sense recommended
him to those Of more advanced years and
wider experience. On one occasion, when
Roscoe was quite young, his father, Judge
Conkling, was announced to speak at a
political meeting in Livingston county.
When he came forward on the platform
the chairman introduced him as Judge
COnkling. the father of Roscoe Conkling."
The Judges dignity was offended, and af-
ter the meeting he took the chairman to
task for the manner of the introduction.
The old saying, like father like son."
certainly holds good in the case of the
Conkling family. The old Judge was
proud reserved, and unconcerned about
the good opinion of others, and his SONS
inherited this disposition. Aurelian was
the most companionable Of the three, but
even he had an appearance of haughtiness
which was repellant to strangers. Roscoe
Conhings lofty bearing has been often
criticised, yet his seeming arrogance dis
appears among his friends, and he possesses
in no ordinary degree the qualities of
charming companion. He is sturdy ha-
ter, and makes no effort to conceal his feel
ings when he dislkes person. "Expedi
ency" is a word not to be found in his vo-
cabulary. He would not conceal or repress
his true feelings if the great object OF his
ambition were the assured price of dissim-
ulation. His friendship is rs steadfast and
loyal as his enmity is bold and uncom-
promising.
lie makes it rule of life never to accept
any favor or attention involving the ex-
penditure of money, except IN the way of
that social intercourse which is usual
among all classes. Not long since, on an
occasion Of a visit to this city, he was
down on Wall street in company with a
State officer and another friend. They
were going up to the Fifth Avenue Hotel,
and the State officer called hack made
a bargain with the driver to take them for
dollar and half, and when they reach
ed the hotel paid the man that amount.
Mr.. Conkling drew 90 cents from his pock-
ct and handed it to the state officer, who
expressed an unwillingness to receive it.
Sir" said the Senator, 81 always pay my
own hack hire. You will be good enough
to take that money" The tone was un-
mistakable, and the money was quietly
transferred to the state officers pocket
Mr. Conkling carries the principle of
paying his own way to such extremes
that when attending a political 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.