Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1888-04-18
ROSCOE coNKLING.

the DrOdueSL Sense was d pupilclst Vi Tie
best order and possessed of the qualities OF
craftsmanship, the products of which are
wise legislation, strength of administration,
foresight, boldness and the calm of
caution in laying the lines of national
policy. Mr.. Conkling was one of the most
signal examples of great mind devoted to
the activities of the political field, without
stain attaching to the character of the
man, or any assault upon his integrity and
life cleanliness being possible under truth.
The distinguished lawyer and publicist
was born in Albany, n. Y, on the goth of
October, 1920. He was the son of Alfred
Conkling, New York jurist, who served
in Congress, upon the Federal bench and
as the American Minister to Mexico, and
was law writer of acknowledged ability.
His son Roscoe received an academic edu-
cation and then read law under his fathers
watehful eye and careful guidance. In
1S49 he entered the Law Office of Francis
Herman, with whom he afterward served
in the United States Senate. In 1850 he
became the District Attorney Of Oneida
county, New York, and became
speedily prominent for his ability
as lawyer and the fine quality of his
mind as a thinker, while in political
activities he developed the ability to lead
and command large following. He was
elected Mayor of Utica in 1858. He was
elected to Congress and took his seat in
that body in December, 1859. He was re-
elected in 1860, was defeated by his old
tutor, Herman, in 1862, but regained his
seat in 1864. The first speech that pre-
sented him prominently to the nation was
made in support of the Fourteenth Amend
ment to the Constitution. He was a
vigorous supporter of Republican Admin
istration during the war, and became
noted for the fearlessness with which he
assailed whatever and whoever to him
appeared to be in the wrong. In 1866,
Mr.. Conkling was again returned to Con-
gress, but before he took his seat, was
chosen United States Senator, and was re-
elected in 1873 and 1879.
In the Senate, Mr.. Conkling, from the
outset, was placed upon the most i'm
portant committees, and he held the
Craftsmanship Of several of these advisory
bodies. Upon the Judiciary Committee,
Tor1,,,4tna or
and on Commerce, he was notably in
huentiai. He was one of the most ardent
and stanch supporters of President Grant
and exercised great influence in shaping
the policy of that administration. He
was the foremost champion of the
civil rights bill and the policy of
resuming specie payments. He played an
important part in framing the Electoral
Commission bill, and defended it with the
best forensic efforts of his life In 1876
his name was presented in the National
Republican Convention for the nomination
of President, and he was complimented by
the casting of SO votes in his favor. No
man in the Republican party more warmly
advocated or more ably promoted the
proposition to nominate General Grant for
third term.
In the appointment of Robinson to the
Collectorship of the port of New York, by
President Garfield Mr. Conkling felt that
he had been wronged, since Robinson, he
held, had done him great harm without
the slightest cause, and proved untrue
to pledges given to support General Grant
in the National Convention. Being then
in the Senate Mr.. Conkling believed he
should have been advised of the intention
to make the appointment, that he might
have been heard in the matter. He fur
ther claimed that the Administration had
promised to counsel with him in the mat
ter, and had not been loyal to its pledge.
He was supported in this view by his col
league, Senator Platt, and to manifest the
extent to which they felt aggrieved both
Senators resigned, after failure to prevent
Robinson's confirmation, and returned to
New York to seek vindication at the hands
of the people by reelection. This was
the chief political, almost the only great
political error of Mr.. Conkling's life, and
it very much lessened his influence as
leader and injured his reputation for tact
Byreason of his intellectual powers and bold
and aggressive manner he was a leader
but for management of details and tactical
wrestling with opponents he was not su-
premely fitted. He knew what constituted
effective campaign work, but did not trust
himself to managing the details In po-
htical executive ability he was not gifted
commensurate with his intellectual capac-
ity, or his political foresight Had he
been better manager he would not have
resigned his Senatorial seat to return to a
body for yindication, large proportion. of
the members of which had already signed
petition for the confirmation Of the man
he was opposing. After the unhappy Sen
atorial event, Mr.. Conkling filledno official
ctdtiOhs Jul ISsuuutu Tue lIdSllCc vi lHt
law with new energy, and came forward as
counsel in some Of the most important lit
igation before the Courts Of the country
Among his later efforts was his coatribu-
ton as counsel for the State Senate Invest
igating Committee in exposing the fraud
and corruption in the granting of street
railway franchises of New York city.
Mr.. Conkling was, by his bearing, sub
ject to the criticism that he was coldly
naughty. This was greatly exaggerated
and magniied into weaponry by his polit-
zeal foes. The truth is, he lived clean
life, was digni6ed, retiring in private
walks, indisposed to secure favoas by I'M
bending, and was thoroughly independent.
On several occasions, and in times of trial
for his party. he did not hesitate to stand
aside from the party policy out Of respect
for his own convictions, as was evidenced
by his vote against the admission of West