Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1888-06-05
A FAMOUS QUARREL.
esorxe @. aorham's History Of the blaine
Conklipg Feud.

esorxe O. Gorham's History Of the blaine
Conkiing Feud.
New YORK, June 4.-Nearly two pages
of tc-dsy's Herald are devoted to Q COM
munication from George @. Gorham, giving
a graphic history of the Blaine Conkling
political feud.
Mr.. Gorham gives details Of numerous in
teryiews, correspondence, etc, which
seem to prove q conspiracy on the part of
Blaine, Garfield, whitelaw Rid and
Chauncey NJ. Depew to oust Mr.. Conkling
from his position rs leader Of the party In
New York State, and to prevent his re-slec.
tion TO the United States Senate.
He also claims that President Garfield
Was at the same time-in furtherance OF
his purpose 10 defeat Coukling-
diseraceful bargains with Malone, and
with Mahone's enemies in Virginia; and
that Garfield was using the Presidency
and State Department to further his per
sonal schemes and to punish stalwart Re
publicans. In connection with the sp-
poiutment of Robertson a. Collector oi
Customs in New York, in 1881, Mr.. Cor
ham says that that appointment was mot
only q violation of voluntary promise
made by Garfield to Conkiing. but was
also, as General Arthur informed me, q
violation of the pledge made to him at
New YoIk. A similar assurance had also
been given Senator Plat. 1t was evident
that it was the Presidents intention to
force Mr.. Conkling into an attitude Of hos
tility to him, and to make him appear the
aggressor."
"Mr. Garfield" Mr.. Gorham goes on to
say, had invited Mr.. Conkling to the
White House and there requested him to
express his preferences for persons ap-
pointed to the national offices in New
York. Referring to Robertson Mr.. Conk-
ling advised the President to place him in
no place where q want of fidelity could
operate ipjuriously to the government, and
suggested the Consul Generalship Of Mon.
treal and several other lucrative places.
The President assured Mr.. Conkling that
nothing would be done concerning the New
York Collectorship without first freely and
fully consulting with him Mr.. Conklipg)
A few days after this the President dealt
LQ6 DlOW WHICH NC DcllcNtu WOutu icbu "
his political overthrow by sending to the
Senate the nomination of VIM. II. Robert
son for Collector of Customs at New
York"
After following up the history Of this
factional war up to the death Of President
Garfield, Mr.. Gorbam concludes as follows
"The death of Garfield sealed the lips o
Mr.. Conkling. He bore with patience the
wounds he had received, and went to hi,
grave misunderstood by the great majority
OF even those who admired and respected
him. His feeling toward the Republican
party was that of profound regret that il
masses had neglected their duty and allow
ed it to fall under unworthy leadership
He refused to be party TO the elevation o
Mr.. Blaine to the Presidency, and recen,
let ers from him to show that had he livet
his attitude toward Blaine would have re
mained unchanged. / have In all to'
hasty and imperfect manner tried to fulfil
the promise / mad to Er. Conkling, that
would at some time state the case as he hat
related te me, and TO others in my pres
1. ence In doing this have reached tn,
limit marked out for myself at the begin
ming. The story Of his life after the deatl
of Garfield would, if told, illustrate |
favorite saying Of his that The strength o
, mans character is proven better b!
what he endures than by what he per
! forms"