The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1881-01-08
CONKLING:S DIS0RACE.
ais open Ehorts to Secure Social Recogni
tiOn for Mrs. Sprapue.

HIS open Efforts to Secure Social Recopni.
tion for Mrs. Sprague.
wash. Cor. Louisville Courier-Journal.
1t Is strange that astute men don't
see that they concede everything when
they court favors from Mr.. Conkling
through attentions and pocuniary as
sistance to Mrs. Sprague. If that lady
had cared to preserve tho respect Of
her. fathers old friends could she not
easily have done SO by living at Edge
wood and educating her children In
stead of permitting politicians to pay
the rent of an expensive house in the
clty, and also keep retinuc of SER
vahts, carriage and other expenses?
Last wintcr Mr.. Conk!ing was her
daily visitor, and his servant, who is
so peculiar-looking that lie is unmis-
takaDlo, was major domo Of tho estab-
lishment.
TO visitors who were strangers,
Mrs. Sprague would expatiate upon
her friend, Mr.. Conkling, bringing in
his name even when unnecessary, as
though she gloricd in the fact that
their names were linked together.
Mrs. Sprague, as we'll as Mr.. Conk-
ling, has braved so much that they arc
not Ill the least sensitive, and, as I be-
fore said, they succeed in all their
earthly undertakings, and 80 long rs
that Is the case they arc Indifferent to
public opinion. Senators who have
gossippcd won't hesitate to shield Mr..
Conkling if necessary. From politi-
cal motives some will lie in his favor,
and others from prudential motives,
lest he say, "You are another" And
50, no matter about tile verdict, Mr..
Conkling will boss New York politics.
and as long as there is q necessity for
protecting Mrs. Spraguo it will be
done, and that, too, by mon who arc
careful OF tho good name of their
own wives and daughters.
Tho President and his wife have
acted throughout this scandal with
great tact and good Judgment. They
nave braVed the ire of Senator Conk-
ling, and Mrs. Spraguc has never cn-
tered tho White House during this
administration. It remains to be seen
what course General and Mrs. Gar
field will pursue after the 4th of March.
General Garfield may not care to an
tagonize the New York senator, and
that gcntleman's ultimatum is always:
"Wlll You receive Mrs. Spraguc?"
The refusal of Mrs. Conkling and her
daughter to invite Mrs. Spraguc to the
Iatter's wedding was resented by the
senator to the extent of absenting
| himself on that occasion and refusal
to speak to his daughter afterward.
| When he wished to smooth his rufflcd
plumage prior to the State convention
III New York last February. he COM
manded his wife to come to Washiny-
ton and drive in an open carriage with
Mrs. Sprague and dine with her. If
she obeyed ho said he would call 10
sec his daughter and be rcconciled to
her. The injured, patient wife meek
~ submitted and came to the Riggs
House, where she passed five DAYS.
Mrs. Sprague drove in her carriage to
the hotel and sent her card to Mrs,
Conkling. She was received
Next day the two ladies rode TO-
gethcr through the principal 'strcets Of
the city. The last move in the game
was the dinner. Many were hidden,
but excuses made hv all but Judge
Swaync,. Judge Field (but not their
wivcs), Mrs. Hamilton Smith. Mrs.
Barrett, young man, member of
| Congress from Rhode Island, Mrs.
Sprague, Senator and Mrs. Conkling.
These comprised the guests. The hos
tess or Mr.. Copkling caused the din
ncr to be written up for the press in
the most lavish style, with full lescrip-
ton of the minutest details. MIR.
| Conkling considered this the abest
bit of strategy of his life; but when
the martyr wife was gone, and all was
understood, it was considered the
flimsiest structure ever erected. The
whole thing topplcd over, and men
blushed for the sex when they consid-
cred tho enormity Of the outrage upon
an uncolnplaining wife. Neverthc-
less, Mr.. Conkling carried the conven-
ton for Grant, and expected, through
his elevation to the presidency, to ST.
lencc al those who expressed disgust.
He had made Cornell Governor to
avcnge himself upon the President
and Secretary Sherman. But not even
he at that time expected that his pow
er was great enough to elevate Mr..
Arthur to the second highest office.
And now his revenge is complete, and
he feels strong enough to defy God
and man.
|