Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1888-02-08
ALLEGED OF CONKLING.
SOME BITTER REMARKS CREDITED TO
THE RETIRED STAT EsMAN.

Sheridan His First Choice and Gresham
Next, Hut No Hope for Either In the
Conyention-'TomP latt Did Ir"-"That
Little Fellow" Hawiey - How Arnot
Worked It-Sotes.
WATERBURY,, Conn, Feb s-H. L
Rhodes published the following in The Amer
lean Tuesday: Roscoe Conkling's friends and
the newspapers have time and again stated
that the great Stalwart was out of politics
for the rest of his natural life. few days
ago the statement was published that he was
even about to shake off what little Repub.
lican dust there was on his feet and turn act
i've Cleveland Democrat. A few evenings
ago, however, the ex-senator, in my hearing,
uttered few sentences which effectually dis
pose of this idea and show that, while he may
10 and no doubt is out of active politics
to stay, he is still Republican. The
conversation was more extended than |
shall attempt to reproduce, and am,
of course, unable to give the dramatic
effect with which Mr. Conkling gave utter
ance to his words. The talk began in IA gen
eral way on politics, and Conkling gave nc
evidence Of particular interest until casual
mention was made Of the late President Ar.
thurs name. 1t became evident at once that
the ex-senator was as loyal to Mr., Arthur's
memory as he had been to the man. He at
once poured forth torrent of eloquence III
pra Use of his former ally, adding: But the
Republicans proved him false: they were
treacherous to him; they damned him. Tom
Patt did it, and | suppose they ought to be
satisfied"
"Well, senator, who do you think would
make the most available Republican candi-
datei Whom do you preferP
Strengthening himself up to his full height,
and with dignifed military bearing so po-
culiar to himself, and which to an observer
suggests the picture of turkey gobbler, the
ex-senator said with greater force aud effect
iveness, and strong dramatic voice: "Gon.
Phil Sheridan would bs the bsst nominee,
and next to him Walter Q, Gresham. But
what is the sense of mentioning namesl 1t
will not be either
"But Sheridan is a Roman Catholic, and
this would no doubt ALLEVIATE very large
number of the Republican voters"
"Sheridln Roman Catholic, is heF said
Mr.. Conkling in a cynical tone that spoke
volumes, and slowly aud dramatically EN-
phasizIng each syllable; "well, SO was
Blaine"
son, no; Blaine is not Roman Catho-
lie"
isn't hel isn't he" said Mr. Conkling with
deeper voice, and emphasis that could not
have been mistaken as to his meaning, nor
can it be expressed in ink or type. Then,
continuing, he said. Did not Mr.. Blaine aud
his friends make a special plea a strong de-
mand for and demand upon the priests
to command the support and votes of tho
Roman Catholics! Blaine not a Roman
Catholic But il will not be Sheridan, nor
will it be Judge Gresham. 1t will be Blaine;
and if not he then Sherman, or perhaps Al.
lison Or maybe it will be that little fellow
[See-sawing the air over his right shoulder
with the thumb OF his right hand -whaJ4
his namel l always forget it. l mean Haw-
ley--Joe Hawley."
This last remark brought shout of laug h.
tor from those preseGt--not at Gen, Hawley,
but on account of the inimitable acce.tt with
which the words were uttered