The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-04-18

tered the law Office of Francis Herman,
aiterward his colleague in the Senate, and
In 1850 became district attorney for Oneida
county. lie was admitted TO the bar In
that year, and soon became prominent
both in law and in politics. lle was
elected mayor of Utica In 1858, and al the
expiration OF his fist term tie vote be-
tween the two candidates for the
office caused him to hold over for another
term. In November, 1858, he wns chosen
as Republican TO Congress, and took his
seat in that body at the beginning of its
first session in December, 1854 session
noted for its long and bitter contest over
the spcakership. He was reelected in
1860, but in 1862 was defeated by Francis
Herman, over whom, however, ho was
elected in 1864. His first committee was
that on the District of Columbia, of which
he was afterward chairman. lie was also
member of the committee on WAYS and
means, and OF the special reconstruction
committee Of fifteen.
Mr.. Conkling's first important speech
was in support of the fourteenth amend
mcnt 20 the constitution, lie vigorously
attacked the gcneralship OF Mcclellan,
opposed Spalding's lcgaltcndcr act, and
firmly upheld the government in the
prosecution Of the war Mr.. Conkling
was reelected in the autumn Of 1855, but
in January, 1867, before he took his seat,
was chosen United States senator TO sue
ceee Ira Harris, and reelected in 1873 and
1879. In the Senate, he WIS from the
first member OF the Judiciary committee,
and connected with nearly all of the
leading committees, holding the chairs on
those OF commerce and revision OF the laws.
Senator Conkling was zealoussupporter
Of President Grants administration, and
largely directed It's general policy toward
the south, advocating II In public and by
his personal influence. lie was also in
strunental in the passage OF the civil rights
BILL aud favored the resumption Of specie
payments. lie took prominent part In
lmming the electoral commission hill in
1877, and supported IL by an able speech,
arguing that the question Of the commis-
sionen' jurisdiction should be left TO that
body ITSELF Mr. Conkling received 03
votes for the Republican nomination for
President In the Cincinnati convention Of
1870. In the Chicago convention Of 1880
he advocated the nomination OF Gen.
Grant, for third term. In 1881 he be-
came hostile TO President Garfield admin
istration on question OF patronage, claim
ing with his colleague, Thomas {. Platt, the
right TO control federal appointments in his
State. The President having appointed
political opponent Of Mr.. Conkling's to
the collecionhip OF the port Of New York,
the latter opposed his confirmation, claim
ing that he should have been consulted in
the matter, and that the nomination was q
violation OF the pledges given 10 him 10y
the President. Mr.. Garfield, IN soon as
Mr. Conkling declared his opposition,
Withdrew all other nominations 10 New
York offices, leaving the Objectionable one
10 be acted on by itself. Finding that he
could not prevent the nomination, Mr..
Conkling, on the 10th oi May, resigned
his senatorship, as did also his colleague,
and returned home 10 seek vindication in
the form OF a recollection. In this, how
ever, after an exciting canvass, they failed.
Two other Republicans were chosen 10 III
tho vacant places, and MIR. Conkling no
turned W his Law practice In New Iork
city. In 1851 he MA. counsel ot uns
State ecna,c investigating committee,
| appointed for tile purpose OF dis
closing the fraud and bribery
in the grant Of tho broadway hopc mil
road franchise by tho board of aldermen
| In 1884. Aftcr the taking Of testimony,
lnsting about three months, Mr. Conkling.
together with Clarence A. Seward, made
an argument which resulted In the repeal
OF the broadway railroad charter. lie
has continued Ia he conspicuous NJ a
lawyer Ia New York, having been con-
neciod with many cases OF great public
interest. His death was due 10 the cold
lac caught In the great blizzard Of a few
weeks ago, when he nearly pcrishcd IN
Union square. Tho absccss which was
the immediate cause of his death was q
consequence Of that exposure.