The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1888-04-19
ROSCOE CONKLING,

Roscoe Conkling, for many years one
OF the foremost men in American polit
ical life, died on Wednesday morning
at half past one 0 clock in New York
city. Mr., Conkllng was born in 1928,
the son of a prominent lawyer and poll,
tician of Albany, N. Y. He settled in
Utica in 1916 and early entered politics.
He was elected to the 36th Congress, as
member of the House of Representa-
tives, ard in 1867 was made Senator,
Throughout his thirteen years service
in that body he was always recognized
as one of its prominent members, though
in his later years there, his time was 80
given up to New York politics that his
usefulness as d working member of
that body was seriously marred, He
was always fairly good lawyer, and it
was no surprise to the country when his
warm personal friend, President Grant,
offered him the chief justiceship of the
Supreme Court of the United States
This he declined, Conkling did his best
to give Gen, Grant third term of the
Presidency, but the sentiment of the
country and of the Republican party
was opposed to that, and Garfield re-
ceivod the nomination. II has always
been said that he could have had the
nomination for vice president, but he
named his friend Chester A. Arthur for
the place.
Owing to a disagreement with the
new President on New York appoint
ment, he resigned his seat in the Senate,
expecting to be re elected by the New
York legislature then in session. In
this he failed and he has since remained
in private life,
Since this he has devoted himself to
the profession of law most assiduOusly
His fame az an orator and his prOmi-
nence as public man brought him a
plenty of clients and much money. 1t
is said that when he left the Senate he
was not worth dollar. More than that,
his house in Utica which stood in his
wifes name was mortgaged and his
debts were much more than it was
worth. These he was determined to
pay up, which,It is asserted he has done
and not only that, has paid some $780,
900 of debts for which he was not legal
holden, but which he felt honorably
bound to pay.
His integrity in money matters was
never questioned. though his political
methods were sometimes such as not al
ways to meet the approval Of many OF
his personal friends.
AS a popular orator he stood high with
the masses, though he has left little be
hind him either, as an orator or states
man, which will stand the test of time
His was turbulent spirit, he enjoyed a
fight and reveled in the anticipation and
also in the fruition of victory, In de-
feat he was not philosophical. but was
sulby and moody and, if occasion offer.
ed, revengeful, But in spite of his ser
ious defects of character, he was most
unique figure in our politics; he had
hosts of powerful friends and also hosts
of powerful enemies. He has died just
passing his prime, and with his exper
fence in law and politics bid fair yet to
be a conspicuous man for many years.
He IS cut off too soon for his own
fame, for age would have been likely ia
correct many of his, to speak mildly, &c
centricities and to b. ing out more fully
the really splendid qualities he possess
ed. There is general mourning, not only
in the Republican party, but throughout
the country at his untimely death