The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1880-11-06
ROSCOE coNKLINa.
Characteristic of tho Great Statesman.

Senator Conkiing was born 1922 at Albany,
where his father. Judge COnkiing, then resided.
lie received academic education, studied law.
aud went to Utica in 1916. There he has resided
oscr since.
Judge Conkling had three sons, Aurclian, Ros-
coe and Frederick. They all grow TO be men Of
line appearance and great physical strength,
Aureilan was the largest of the brothers, being
considerably over six feet In height, broad shout
dercd, and OF powerful build. Even in early life
they were all men Of strong character, OF remark.
able seitFcliance. and inclined 20 be disputatious
They were politicians before they were voters and
as they never agreed about politics among them.
selves, u used % be said Of them that they were
700 independent 20 belong 90 the same party.
Aureiian acted with the Democracy, while Roscoe
was Wing. inclined toward Scwardism, and
Frederick "Silvcr Grey" Aurelian died MANY
years ago, Roscoe Is at the head of the Republi
can party, and Colonel Frederick A. Conklne.
after afiliaiing with the Liberal Republicans. Is
now In accord with the Democracy.
Roscoe Conkling became prominent AZ the bar
when quite young lawyer. lie filed the Office
Of District Attorney in Oneida county In 1850,
when only twenty-one years Of age. lie was
Mayor OF the city Of Utica eli ht years later lie
was always an effective speaker, and took m
active part In politics. His boidness made him
popular with his associates Of his own age while
his dignided style and sound sense recommended
him 20 those of more advanced and wider expert
ence. On one occasion, when Roscoe was quite
young, his father, Judge conkling, was announced
TO speak at political meeting in Livingston
county. When he came forward on the platform,
the chairman introduced him NJ 81 udge Conklins
the father Of Roscoe Conkling." The Judges
dignity was offended, and, after tho meeting he
atook the chairman TO task for the manner Of the
introduction.
The old saying "iike father like son." certainly
holds good in the case Of the conkling family.
The old judge was proud, reserved, and uncon.
cerned about the good opinion Of others, and his
sons inherited this disposition. Aurclian was the
most c0npani0nablo of three. but even hc had AN
appearance of haughtinSss which was rcpellant to
strangers. Roscoe Conklins's lofty bearing has
been often criticised yc, sccnin; arrogance disap.
pears among his friends, aud he possesses in no
ordinary degree the qualities Of a charming com.
panion. lie IL u sturdy hatcr and make. no
effort TO conceal his feelings when he dislikes A
person. "Expcdiency" Is u word no, 20 be found
In his vocabulary. lie would not conceal or re.
press his true feeling. If the great object Of hi.
ambition was the assured price Of Discrimination.
His friendship IL as stcadiast and loyal rs his
cnmity is bold and uncompromising
lie makes II q rule of lille never o. accept any
favor or attention involving the expenditure of
money. except In the way Of that social
which Is usual among all classes. Not long since
on the occasion Of II visit To- New York, he was
y" -" sHo'i W. company Win state
officer and another friend. They were going up
to the Filth Avenue Hotel. and the State officer
called u hack. made q bargain with the driver TO
take them for u dollar aud a.half. aud when they
reached the hotel paid the man that amount. Mr..
Conkling drew 80 cents from his pocket aud hand
ell u TO the state officer who expressed an unwil-
ingncss 10 receive II. "Sir." said the Senator. ~
always pay my own hack hire. You will be good
enough 20 take that money" The tone was un.
inistakabc. and the silver coin was quietly trans
ferrcd to the state officers pocket. Mr. Conklins
carries the principle Of paying his own way" 10
such extremes that when attending n political
meeting he will not allow n hotel bill. a railroad
fare. or even tho price Of a conveyance, to be
settled. except out Of his own pocket.