The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1888-04-20
Conkling Dead.

AT $50 Wednesday morning Roscoe Conkling
passed over the river to join the majority. He
was born in Albany, n. Y. Oct. 80, 1899. His
father was Alfred Conkling, an able New York
jurist and author of several works on legal sub
jects. Young Roscoe received an academic educa-
ton and studied law three years under his fathers
tuition. In 1916 he entered the law Office of
Francis Herman, afterward his colleague In the
senate, and in 1850 was admitted to the bar and
became district attorney of Oneida county. He
was elected mayor of Utica in 1858, and at the OK
piration of his term tie vote between the two
candidates for the Office caused him to hold over
FOR another term.
In November, 1858. Mr.. Conkling was chosen as
Representative to congress- and took his seat at the
beginning of the first session of that body in De-
cember, 1854 session noted for its long and
bitter contest over the speakership. He was re-
elected in 1860, but in 1862 was defeated by
Francis Herman. over whom he was elected In
1861 Mr.. Conkling's first important speech was
in support of the 18th amendment to the constitu-
ton. He vigorously attacked the generalship of
Mcclellan, opposed Spaulding's legal tender act,
and firmly upheld the government in vigorous
prosecution of the war
Mr. Conkling was reelected to the house in
1866, but in January 1867 before taking his seat,
was chosen United States senator to succeed Ira
Harris, and reelected in 1873 and 1879. In the
senate he was from the first member of the Judi
ciary committee, and connected with nearly all
the leading committees, holding the chairs Of
those on commerce and revision of tho laws.
Senator Conkling was jealous supporter of
President Grants administration, and largely
directed its general policy toward the South, advo-
eating it in public and by his personal influence.
lie was also instrumental In the passage Of the
civil rights bill, and favored the resumption OF
specie payments. He took prominent part in
framing the electoral commission bill ia 1877 and
supported it by an able speech. Mr.. Conkling re.
scived 80 votes for the Republican nomination for
President in the Cincinnati convention in 1876.
In the Chicago convention he advocated the
nomination Of Gen. Grant for third term.
In 1881 Senator Conklng became hostile to
President Garfed's administration on a question
of patronage, asserting, with his colleague. Thos
O. Platt the right to control federal patronage In
his state. Tho President having appointed O
political opponent of Mr. Conkling TO the collector
ship Of the port of New York, the latter opposed
bis continuation, asserting that he should have
been consulted in the matter. Mr.. Garfield, as
soon as Mr. Contling declared his opposition
withdrew all other New York appointments
leaving the Objectionable 10 be acted on by It.
self. Finding that he could not prevent the con-
drmstion, Mr.. Conkling on May l6 resigned his
senatorship, did also his colleague and returned
home 10 seek vindication I'm the form Of a re-
election. In this, however, after an exciting can
vass, they failed, and two other Republicans were
elected TO take their places. Mr.. Conkling imme
diately resumed his law practice in New York
city.
In 1856 Mr.. Conkling was counsel Of the state
senate committee, appointed for the purpose OF
disclosing the fraud aud bribery in the grant OF
the broadway horse railroad franchise by the
board of aldermen in 1884. After the taking OF
testimony, lasting about three months, Mr.. Conk-
| ling made an argument, together with Clarence A.
| Seward, which resulted In the repeal Of the
| broadway railroad charter, drove the "boodle'
aldermen either to Canada OF Sing Sing, and
Jacob sharp to his grave. Since that time Mr..
| Conkling had added much TO his reputation, NOT
| only ~ brilliant but remarkably successful
lawyer. lie had appeared in q majority Of the
noteworthy cases tried in the state OF New York
| since his retirement from the senate.
| Mr.. Conkllng's health had been excellent up "a
the time OF the recent great blizzard In New York
when In returning to his home through the heavy
drifts, he nearly persisted from cold and exhaus.
ton To that terrible journey Is laid the disorder
| which eliminated IN his death.