The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1888-04-28

NJ this time be Injurious to the public service y
Mr.. Conbling was not satisfied and Immediately
offered another resolution looking to the same
end. The debate which followed brought him
out In his first forensic effort. His speech on
this occasion gave him national fame in q
Mr.. conkiirs took modest part in the do.
bates and legislation OF that trying session, and
more than once gave the House test Of hts clc-
quence and his command OF pure English.
Though one Of the youngest members member he also also
convictions and rare courage, as In his
opposition to the majority OF his par
ap nS nnS in hs see against the
dismemberment OF Virginia MS q Union meas
uro. On this question the Republican party
was almost unanimous In favor OF admitting
West Virginia. In his second term Mr.. Conk.
ling had the pleasure OF sitting In the House
with his brother Frederick who represented
one OF the New York City districts.
In 1869 Mr.. Conkling was defeated for re.elec-
tion In the Utica district by his law associate,
Francis Herman, but he was successful two
years later, ard resumed his scat in the Thirty
ninth Congress. His work during the sessions
of this CONGRESS- stamped him one OF the fore
most dobatcrs and statesmen OF the day. His
speeches on questions of the war, his opposition
to the legal tender act, and his efforts in behalf
of various measures for the reconstruction OF
the Southern States are part OF the history OF
that memorable decade. He was member OF
the Joint committee on reconstruction and was
leader In the great debates on that question.
In the autumn OF 1865 Mr. Conkling was elected
tory in that body would be TO write history OF
the legislation and great debates from 1867 to
1881, for he was twice reelected senator. He
more than did justice to the reputation which
he had gained In The House and soon became
one of the greatest of Senators. He was strong
in debate and the galleries were sure to be filled
whenever he was announced for speech. He
was gradually assuming that leadership in the
party OF New York which for ten years was al
most absolute, gaining full control OF the reins
OF power in 1871. when he overthrow the Fen
ton Greeley faction IN the state convention.
Curior"'r enough, he saved himself in that con-
test by me powers Of his eoquence. Contest
ing delegations each claiming the seal OF regu.
larty appeared in the convention from New
York City. One One represented the he friends II. Of Of
Mr.. Conkling. Upon the decision In this case
depended the control of the full convention.
Both Conltlng and Fenton were on the floor
The convention was about to compromise mat.
ters and admit both delegations with equal
voice and vote, when Mr.. Conltliny took the
floor, and in of his eloquent speeches turned
the tide his way. Under his imperious dicta-
tion his own friends were left in control of the
convention and of the party organization. This
fiasco in 1881. Conkling's well known influence
with and friendship for General Grant are well
remembered and gave him an almost unrivaed
influence in kis party and with the Government
during the Grant administration.
Mr.. Conkling voted for the impeachment OF
Andrew johnson He opposed the electoral
commission bill but would have been appointed
to serve on the board but for the mistrust OF
his views. Mr.. Conklings friends always
claimed that had he served on the commission
Tlden and not Hayes would have been declared
President.
AT the Cincinnati convention OF 1876 he was
the candidate Of the New York Republicans. In
1888, Mr.. Conkling appeared at the Chicago con-
vention as the champion of General Grant.
Mr.. Conkling's quarrel with Mr.. Blaine, aris
ing from personalities used in debate in the
House in 1865, has exercised remarkable in
huence upon the fortunes of the two men
and upon the political history Of their coun.
try. 1t was q strong element in the defeat OF
Mr.. Blaine in the Cincinnati convention OF 1876,
and again at Chicago in 1884. IL 1lso led indi.
rectly to the quarrel OF Conking with Garfield,
assassination of Garfield. and the fatal cmbit-
terment of the Republican factions in New
York State. These incidents have become o
part of the history Of the country.
President Arthur offered Mr., Conliling an
associate justiceship OF the Supreme Court.
politics he devoted himself to the practice Of
law. in which he enjoyed signal success. 1t is
stated that when he left Washington after his
resignation he was compelled to borrow SIG to
pay his fare to New York He had never been
u money-maker in public life but as lawyer
he enjoyed large fees.
During the last five years he was in nearly all
the important cases which claimed the atten.
tion of the courts He appeared against Gould
and for him in suits involving millions of dol.
lars, His industry was uiltirlng. and when his
number on the calendar was called the court
always found him ready His income was put
as high as 100000 u year, but 1t was not proba-
bly, two-thrds of that sum. Conkling was not q
man of extensive reading. His life was one
long political warfare. leaving him little time
for books except those of his law library. He
was man of many moods and even his best
friends were often afraid to go near him. The
mention of a name sometimes provoked an out
burst Of passion.