Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-12-03
HOW CONEKlIyG WAS BEATEN,
Ex-senator Sessions Gives Some I'm.
side History OF the Great Contest OF
1851.

Ex-senator Lonn B. Sessions, a prominent half
breed from Chautauqua county, n. Y. related to a
New York sun correspondent On Saturday the fol-
lowing interesting incident in relation to the resg
nations OF Senators Conkling and Platt from the
United States Senate in 1881. The news had been
received in Albany OF the resignation, and a mes
sage TO that effect was to be sent at once to the
legislature.
sit was evident" said Mr.. Sessions sthat II any,
thing was to be done it must be done quickly, or
MI Conkling, who had the most adlerents in the
legislature, would be returned to fight the ADMIN
istratiOn OF Garfield. 1t was believed that Conk-
nngs and PlattS constituencies did not echo this
sentiment. and II time could be gained this fact
could be made known in such unmistakable terms
that many members Of the assembly who would by
personal choice vote for the return Of the recreant
senators would not dare 10 do So The law made
1t obligatory TO proceed with the election OF Sena-
tors on the second Tuesday after notice OF va
cancy. This was Monday afternoon. II message
was received at the session that evening il must be
acted on week from the next day. If not received
1t would require two weeks thought it over, and
determined that the only way to keep Roscoe
Conkling from an immediate return was to Keep
the governors message from being received that
evening.
A HURRIED CONSULTATION.
"Reaching the Delavan house went to Woodin'S
room. Robertson, Birdsall, Wagner and other op-
position senators were there, anxously discussing
the situation. told them the news which carried
CONSERVATION with 1t. Different measures were
hastily discussed and abandoned as impracticable.
be adjourned that evening before the message was
received.
"But it can't be done said Robertson. wouldn't
think OF such thing
But it is parliamentary, isn't ito saldL
Yes, he asserted.
And 1t is legal, isn't ito
eyes but
''Well, II it's both parliamentary and legal we
nave right to use it, This is polite and senti
Now, II you throw Robertson out into the mid
ue VI the stream he viii paddle hard for the shOre
ste ne Is t fn 10 get INTO Inc water He wouldn't
nste 10 the plan, and, seeing thai it was OF no use
10 urge IL, left the room with the remark very
well, gentlemen Roscoe Conkling viii be his own
successor, and you VIII be responsible for it,
IAN hour after was called from my room at the
kenmore TO return TO WOodins rooms 1t appears
tnat George Dawson, the veteran editor OF the
Ece2aang journal, had called, in much tribulation,
10 learn what was TO be done in the emergency.
When my plan was told TO him he Jumped right out
he declared. 1T must be done' This warm en-
dorsement from so conservative and prudent
source rather stiened the backs Of the Others and
tney immediately sent Tor me.
:" 1t must be done,' said Robertson, but can't
GO IL. should make a botch if tried
II you VIII let me preside tonight said, st
VIII be done, and you may bet On ii that it viii be
done clear through, too.'
ONE MINUTE PRAYER
so he gave me note to Vrooman, clerk OF the
Senate fnstructtng him that was to preside. 1
took the chair at the appointed hour and called the
senate to order. Good old Father HALEY was chap
"'N 'oaA iIi4Ai W AitlhO ITO
prayer just as short as possible l sat with my
Watch IN hand, and he prayed just minute, but
IL seemed TO me TO be the longest prayer / ever
neard L expected every second TO see the mes
senger from the governor enter the door, and once
INSIDE the message would be held to be in the pos
session OF the senate, whether formally delivered
or not. amen had hardly dropped from Father
Halleys Ups when, looking over toward Woodin, l
saw MIN rise, and without waiting to hear what he
slid l put the question: '1he senator from the
tWenty-SlXth moves that the senate do now ad-
1ourn. Many OF you as are in favor say aye con-
trafy no-senate stands adjourned until Tomorrow
morning at IL o'clock
"Woodln voted yea. There were no nays. They
We're TOO much astonished TO vote anything. There
was only one man that was afraid OF, and that
was BOD Strahan, OF New York. warm supporter
or ConkIing, and as quick and sharp as lightning.
dropped the gavel and almost reached my seat,
Wnen BOD, whose eyes stuck out Ike Saucers,
Jumped to his feet and shouted sCOUntn nodded
10 hum pleasantly and said, III hear you in the
morning, BOD; the senate IS adjOurned.' at that
moment the governors message came in. He mad
delivered the message to the assembly, but was too
late Tor the senate, and q week was gained TO fight
the battle.
you know the result. Members commenced to
get instructions from their constituents by the cart
load. They were overwhelmed with circumstances
ana changed their Intentions. But II time FOR this
mad not been gained Miller and Lapha1n would not
have been elected to the Senate"