The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1888-04-26
among whom he shone as a star of Il

gress. on the stump and at conVen-
tions are among the greatest efforts OF
American literature. His speech
nominating Grant in 1880 is remem-
bered as masterpiece. Other names
had been presented as coming from
different states. Mr.. Conkling said,
"When asked whence cones our can
didate we answer from Appomattox." :"
One of his most powerful speeches
was at the New York state conven-
tion in 1879, when he spoke for one
faction and George William Curtis
for the other. 1t was acknowledged
by the New York press that opposed
Conkling and what was then termed
"bossism," that George William Cur
tbs was the worst used-up man that
ever left a convention. He was to
use the expression of the reporters at
the convention "pulverized." That
occasion showed plainly the fact that
Curtis was no match at all to Conk-
ling. The friends of the former pit
led him as he left Rochester so badly
whipped. It is peculiar coincidence
that Conkling was chairman Of the
New York delegation in the national
convention of 1880 and Curtis in 1884
and that neither Of them succeeded in
nominating their favorites. Conk-
ling, however, supported Garfield in
the memorable speeches at Warren,
Cleveland, Cincinnati and elsewhere
in Ohio and other states, while Curtis
led in a bolt against Blaine. The one
was the leader of stalwarts and the
other Of mugwumps.
Mr.. Conkling's voluntary retire
ment from public life was due to his
unsubdued pride and what he believed
to be for the principle that senators
should be consulted in the appoint
ments which they were to be called
on to confirm for their respective
states. 1t had been the custom and
is still the custom. Under publi-
can administrations Senator Sherman
controlled the patronage for the Dem
ocratic districts as Senator Payne now
controls them for the Republican
congressional districts of this state.
Blaine and Conkling never got along
well when they served together in
both the House and the Senate. In
1881 Blaine was at the head of Gar
fields cabinet and caused the changes
in the New York collectorship with
out any consultation on the part Of
the administration with Senators
Conkling and Platt In fact the case
was finally carried to the point of not
only proceeding without their consent,
but to the extent Of appointing their
bitter enemies against their most ur-
gent protest. General Chester A. Ar
thur had been succeeded under Hayes's
administration by Edwin A. Merritt,
and although Conkling was by no
means in love with the Hayes admins
tration, still he was reconciled to Mer-
ritt and things were going on well.
In the national convention Of 1880
Mr.. Conkling was leader Of the Grant
faction in the New York delegation
and Mr.. Robertson of the Blaine fac
ton. Mr.. Robertson had been an old
time enemy Of Conkling, and when
the administration sent in Robertson's
name as collector Of the port Of New
York the New York senators not on
ly regarded it as breaking over the
rule Of courtesy, but direct personal
slap. Platt followed Conkling in re-
signing his seat and was called "Me
Too" Platt. While there is not the
least connection between this event
and subsequent events, yet it is con-
ceded that Garfeld's troubles began
with the New Y York appointments and
they also bear a similar relation to
Conkling. Conkling was a peculiar
man as well as great man. The SEN
sational scene in which Governor
Sprague pursued him with a shotgun
and the refusal so attend the wedding
of his daughter showed that. His
daughter married a gentleman of high
standing, but he did not suit Mr..
Conkling and he refused to go to the
wedding.
Mr.. Conkling was elected to the
House four times and to the Senate
three times, and had he served out his
term he would have been in Congress
in all twenty-six years, and during
the period of the most eventful record
of American history. One Of the
mem he met in the battle Of intellect
ual giants was Allen G.. Thurman.
The Congressional Record shows
many debates between these two men.
They served together in the Senate
for twelve years. Conkling did not
serve his last term in either the House
or the Senate. He declined judicial
honors repeatedly. When Salmon ?.
Chase died Conkling was Grants first
choice for chief justice, and the Presi-
dent urged it on him, but Conkling
was then in the Senate and looking
to the presidency. Grant afterward
nominated Attorney General Williams
and Caleb Cushing, who failed of con-
frmation, and then Morrison R.
Waite. 1t is somewhat peculiar
coincidence that the death of Waite
and the illness of Conkling should
o -, close to1a+har Tn 1880