Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1881-05-25
Prom Our Regular Correspondent
Washington Letter.
WASHINGTON, D. c., May 81, 1881

WASHINGTON. D. c.. May 81. 1881.
Democrats are just now in a state Of joy
bordering on ecstasy over the so-ealed
split in the republican party, but, while
republicans here deplOre the apparently
hopeless differences that have recently
eliminated in the individual estrange-
ment of distinguished party leaders, they
see nothing in the situation to menace the
integrity of the party itself.
The ConkliDg- Plat resignation is allud-
ed to in conversation only incidentally
to-day. Everybody seems to think that
neither of them will be returned by the
New York legislature. A personal and
intimate friend of Ex-senator Conkling
said, last night, that Mr.. Conkling would
not allow his name to go before the legis-
lature under any circum stances He said
that Conkling has fully determined to
retire to private life, and pursue his
profession. Conkling is" this gentleman
said, "a poor man, aud the salary of
senator is not sufficient to meet his ex-
penses. He has long contemplated quit
ting public life and has had several
splendid offers in his profession. In fact,
he consented very reluctantly to his name
being used the last time he was elected ;
but he was importuned so strongly by
personal friends. to whom he was under
obligations for past favors in political
way, that he was forced to accept the
nomination. though greatly contrary to
his inclination, Why, at the time he was
elected. he actually said that he would
resign the seat before the close of his
term.
Mr.. Conkling is still in the city making
preparations to leave Washington perma-
nently in day or two. He is surrounded
the entire day with personal friends and
admirers, with whom he converses freely,
and seems in the best of spirits. He does
not appear at all concerned about the
turn affairs have taken. They say he is
really glad to get away from the annoy
ances and proitless labor of political life,
and does not wish to and will decline to
be returned.
designations from the highest egisla.
tive body in the country are much more the
fashion of late than they were in the early
days of the republic. Only few months
ago Senator Gordon, of Georgia. resigned
in the midst of his term for the reason, as
he stated, that the salary of his high office
was not sufficient to enable him to lay by
anything for old age and for his family.
A majority of the senators, as that body
is now constituted, are comparatively
poor men, but during the last six years
there has been such an increa Sc of very
wealthy senators that the chamber has
been dubbed the house of millionaires.
The impression among Mr.. Conkling's
most intimate friends is that he wishes to
retire, at least for the present, from public
life. He speaks of his long public service.
of the neglect Of his private affairs, of
the Importance of accumulating something
for his family, and of the impossibllity of
the honest requirement of wealth while
attending to his duties as United States
senator. 1t will be remembered that
Senator Conklng, during Grants second
administration, declined no less import
ant office than that of chief justice of the
United States