The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1888-04-27
CoNKLlN8 IN HIS PRIME.

who knew more about law than many
an old practitioner, when. at seven
teen years OF age he entered the office of
Spencer l. Herman at Utica. The latter gcn-
tleman, whose name is familiar to all who
read the papers, was to become the future
colleague Of the young law student in the
senate Of the United States. Before he had
reached his majority, before he had been
admitted to the bar even, he received the
appointment Of district attorney Of Oneida
county. He was admitted to the bar ut
twenty one, and Immediately commenced a
most brilliant career as lawyer. He also
began to figure prominently in tho politics
OF his state He was a leader by instinct, and
soon became one IN fact Before ne was
thirty years of age he li;.l won great tri-
umphs as an advocate. become u recognized
leader Of his party in New York. and been
elected to the nited States congress. Hav-
ing married sister of Ex-G Gov. seymour, he
made bis home in the city o! Utica, of which
he became mayor in 1858 He was defeated
in second contest for the ,nayoral4y. but
was elected to the Thirty-sxth congress.
taking his seat in december. 1853 The
fame which had gone before him, and the
brilliant powers which he possessed. enabled
him at once to assume q position Of influence
in the national legislature. He was re-
elected the following year. and entered tine
special session called by President Lincoln.
July a, 1861, with his brother Frederick,
who was elected from New York city In
his candidacy for the Thirty-eighth congress
he was defeated by Mr. Herman, in whose
Office b. had formerly been q student. but
was again successful in 1864, and resumed
his seat in the Thirty-nin,h congress-
HIS FORENSIC TRIrMpHs
1t was then that he began that grand series
of forensic triumphs which have forced a
passage into history, and entitled him TO u
position in the forefront of contempurary
orators. The arraignment of McClellan's
generalship, bis memorable speeches on the
questions Of the war, his opposition to the
legal tender act. and his influence in direct
ing the policy Of the government toward the
South, have all served 10 elevate him in
glory above his peers. and to establish his
reputation beyond the reach OF partisan
bitterness In the autumn Of 1866 he was
chosen United States senator. assuming his
duties on the 4.h OF Marcu, 1867 He was
reelected in 1873, and again in 1879. Mr..
Conkling was the candidate of the Republi-
cans of New York at the Cincinnati cOnven-
ton of 1876. ana on the first ballot re-
cejved al but one of the seventy votes from
MS htute anu tillItv VON.B DcslQcS. AfC4r the
sixth ballot the New York delegation retired
for consultation, and as the contest then ap-
peared to be one between Blaine and HAYES
the New York vote wns thrown almost SOL
idly for the Ohioan. insuring his nomi cation
In 1850 Mr.. CoDkling appeared in the ma
tionai convention ac Chicago us the cEa,n-
pton of Gen. Grant. and his speech of nnin-
ination. i'll which occurred the passaye: sYuu
ask where our candidate halls from. and the
answer H. from Appomattox, has become
celebrated. 1t was Mr. Conkiing, too. who
offered the resolution peIging every mem
Der OF the convention To supporL the nom
fnee, whoever that nominee lnaT be-"
and when three dcI"ga,c. voted mo
it was Mr.. Conkling who Offered
resolution expelling the three delegates In
the warm discussion which followed Gen.
Garfield played tae part OF lt.accmaker and
the incident gave him ul opportunity to
make that favorable Impression upon the
convention which largely promoted his
nomination four days Inter. In the diff
culties following IN. presidential election of
1876. Mr. Conkling took a cons nspiruous pare.
notably IN the framing aud passage of the
electoral commission uct.
Perhaps the greatest mistake in life was
his resignation from the CGitci State. sen.
ate In 1880. 1t was cCc-soncd hr wlla; he
deemed the arbitrary AMI unj,st conduct of
President Garfield IN ,nsiS ln- on the con-
trmation Of Gen Il 'beilsun a> collector of
tho port Ut New York. The public were not
In syinpathy with his movement, and the
fair fame Of Mr.. Conkling suffered ut the
hands OF popular resentment After retiring
TO private life he devoted hinl>elf 10 the
practice OF law In New York city, ani man.
aged several important casey with great sue
cesA
CoNkIlNa AND nLAlaE
A, A.,