River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1882-06-01
LOBD ROSCOE.
Inside Views OF the bitterness of
Conklin's Defeat a Year Ago.

1t will be remembered that in the
last day of the long Senatorial fight a
year ago Speaker Sharpe led the break
from the Stalwarts' ranks which result
ed in the election of Senator Miller,
and few days later in the election of
Senator Lapman. 1t was charged then,
and the statment has been repeated at
intervals since, that his action was in
fuenced by the expectation or promise
of political reward. The reiteration of
the charge in an article by the New
York San this week has called forth a
remarkable editorial statement from
the Kingston freeman, which
is considered throughout the state
as Gen. Sharp's organ. After COM
menting on Mr.. Conkling's anxiety for
a reelection and the efforts of his
friends to induce him to withdraw from
the contest, it says: "The Freeman
was the first to sound the note of re-
volt. 1t stood by Messrs. Conkling and
Platt conscientiously as long as Mr..
Depew remained i'll the field, for it be-
lieved that duty to the state and the
party demanded the defeat of the rail
road lobbyist. Gen. Sharpe followed
week in the support of Mr.. Miller, the
candidate for Mr.. Platt's seat, but it
will be remembered that he hesitated
several days before deserving Mr..
Conkling. Could the cause of that de-
ay be fully explained a great many
who now censure Gen. Sharpe would
be the loudest in his praise. 1t will
suffice for the present purpose to say
that, when his inclination to break
from Coukling became known, he was
made acquainted with a bargain which
was about to be consummated in New
York for the selection of Mr.. Conkling
and the candidate of Gould and Van
derbilt, and that at least one of these
magnates had interested himself in the
adjustment, and would use his infu-
ence for its contamination. The doc
uments in proof this statement are in
existence. They place in singular
light Mr.. Conkling's assumed disinter.
estedness. They show that he was re-
solved to be senator on any terms
and by whatever means. Gen. Sharpe
was astonished and shocked at the dis
closure. He had already suffered in
his feelings beyond expression, for he
felt that, to continue a controversy
originating over one of the presidents
appointments while the president lay
upon his death-bed, was not merely
in bad taste, but brutal Nevertheless,
he was faithful in his friendship until
the fact was revealed to him by docu-
ments, the truth of which be could not
dispute, that the ex- senator was willing
to go beyond the limits of his vaunted
integrity and resort to questionable
means to regain his old place.
MR.. COMBINES SIDE OF 1T.
The Herald has the following: A rep.
resentative of the Herald recently called
on the senator with view of obtain
ing the facts in the case without his
knowledge from his own lips. Said Mr..
Conkling: Each of these charges is
without truth and positively against
truth. My name was used for re-elec-
ton and | went to Albany because of
the urgent advice. or request of all
those with whom had opportunity to
My going to Albany was one
of the most reluctant acts of my life.
l did not go there to solicit votes.
never ask any man to vote for me. My
presence there was insisted on by 9TH
ers on the ground that it was due to all
that information and explanation
should be given respecting the resigna-
ton and the causes which led to it, and
that such information should come d.
rectly from me. So much as to the
first charge.
Not one of those whose judgment
had been given in favor of my standing
for reelection ever advised or suggested
a withdrawal.
No bargain, corrupt or otherwise, to
which | was party, was ever made
or proposed in the whole course of my
senatorial controversy. l know of no
fact giving color to such an allegation.
If there be such fact it is unk nown to
me.