Hillsboro recorder., 1888-04-26
GREAT MAN DEAD.

Roscoe ConkIlng Of New York Passes
From Earth Surrounded by Relatives
Mr.. Conkling died at the Hoffman
House in New York. At the bedside Of
the dying man were Mrs. Conkling,
Judge Cox, DIR. Anderson, Mrs. oakham,
(Mr. Conklings daughter), and a profes-
sional nurse. Mr.. Conkling passed away
without moving limb. He looked as
though peacefully sleeping. There were
a.number Of persons outside on the street,
waiting to catch the last report. Within
doors there were between forty and fifty
persons, all waiting to hear the worst.
They were composed chiefly Of represen-
tatiyes OF the press and friends of the
dead senator. The ConkliDg family is q
talented one. The deceased statesman's
father, Alfred Conkling, was an eminent
lawyer, member Of Congress in 1928,
Judge Of the United States district court
for the Northern district Of New York
from 1925 to 1852, and minister to Mex
leo for short term. One son, Frederick
A. Conkling, won high honors in the
army, and served one term in Congress,
and a daugh@r,' Margaret (Mrs. SteeD,
has some renown as an authoress; but
are to some extent obscured by the fame
of their brother Roscoe. He was born
October 80, 1929, at Albany, received an
academic education and studied law in
his fathers Office; then entered the Office
Of Francis Herman, afterward his col
league in Congress, and in 1850 was
elected district attorney for Oneida
county. In the spring Of 1858 he was
elected mayor Of Utics, and the next
November was elected to Congress. Re-
elected IN 1860, he was defeated in 1862
by his late law colleague, Francis Ker-
nan, but in 1864 and 1866 was again
successful. Before taking his seat the
last time he was chosen United States
senator, took his seat in the upper house
in 1867 and held the place continuously
till 1881. His first prominence in the
house OF Representatives was CLEANED by
his vigorous opposition to the legal ten.
der act, and his unsparing criticism Of
Gen. McClellan's management Of the
army. He forced an inquiry
into the causes for the disaster at Balls
Bluff, and his speech on the resolution
calling for information from the war de-
partmcnt was read with an Intense inter-
est by the people. His speech on the le-
gal tender act, in connection with that
Of Owen Loyejoy, exhausted the subject
on the negative side. On both those
subjects he was consistent TO
the end Of his career; he was
an ardent ''hard money man."
and an uneompromising opponent Of Gen.
Mcclellan aud all his supporters. In.
deed, he was determined in all his posi-
tions, ardent In friendship, relentless in
opposition, His devotion TO the military
support Of Gen. Grant and the political
measures Of President Grant never weak
ened for day; he was the untiring adyo-
cate, one might say the creator, OF the
''third term movement Of 1880, and
broke with President Garfield in 1881 on
q point Of political rights directly grow.
ing out OF the matter. In the combat be
fought with relentless fury, and when
defeated he went down with colors fiy.
ing. His opponents often complained
that he was cruelty sarcastic; but that he
had many attractive personal qualities Is
conclusiyely proved by life long devo-
tion Of his friends and supporters.
In the law he acquired wealth rapidly.
His income for'several years is said TO be
at least 100000 year. In Congress he
saved but little. He lived we'll, gave
money freely for campaign purposes and
was above suspicion Of until dealing. II
is a fact well worth noting, and a really
sublime tribute, that, though he had
many enemies in both parties neither
democrat nor republican ever charged
Roscoe Conkling with corruption.