The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1888-04-25
Biorrap,,icaI sketch.

Roscoe Conkling was born in Albany y. Y.
Oct. 80. 1929. His father. Albert Conkline, was
Representative in the sevente nth Congress,
and atterward hlled the positions Of United
States Judge for the Northern District OF New
York and Minister 20 Mexico. Roscoe received
n common school ana academic education. Re-
moving 10 Auburn and Geneva with his
father lie studied law three years I'M
der his tuition. In lS46 he entered
the law Office OF spencer & Herman in
Utica, and in lsi9 was appointed by Hamilton
Fish District Attorney OF oneida County, sew
eral months before he attained his majority.
On the day he was II he admitted TO the
bar. During the next deca1e he disclosed
rare qualities OF management, and be-
came n leader in local politics. In law
sion as an advocate. The triumphs he achieved
at the bar. and which were his passports TO pub
lie preference, were gained before he reached
the age of ~. after that no accepted but few
cases, but in these his success WAS marked
He married Julia Seymour, sister OF ex-Gov
Horatio seymour. In 1855 he was elected
Mayor of Utica, and in November OF the same
year he was elected Representative in the
Thirty sixth Congress and took his seat in that
body at the beginning OF its first session.
IN December. 1879, session noted for
its long and bitter contest over the Speaker
ship. He was reelected in 1850, his brother.
Frederick A. Conkling being elected at
the same time for New York City district
The two brothers entered the Thirty-seventh
Congress at the opening OF the special session
convened by President Lincoln, July 4, 1851.
In this Congress Roscoe Conkllng was Chair
man of the Committee the District Of Co
lumbia, and also OF a special committee APP
pointed TO frame bankrupt law. A
candidate for reelection to the Thirty
eighth Congress, he was defeated by his
old law partner, Francis Herman. In 1864
Conkling defeated him. serving on the Com
mittees on Ways and Means and on Reconstruc-
ton. He startled the nation by an attack on
the tactics of General Mcclellan, and gave
the keynote for earnestness in all future
war Legislation at time when hesitancy and
vacillation prevailed. In February, 1862, he
opposed Mr. Spaulding's legal-tender act by
speech and vote, sustaining, contrary to the
prevailing party policy. Mr.. Horizons amend
ment providing for the issue of an interest
bearing note, and against the final passage
OF the bill amended by 1haddeus Stevens.
In the.sam session he voted for the payment
OF interest on the debt in coin. Mr.. Conkling
was firm upholder OF all legislation tending
70 uphold the hands OF the administrlto In
prosecuting the war for the suppression OF the
rebellion. In the fall OF 1856 he was elected
10 the Fortieth Congress. but before that Con-
gress met he was elected TO succeed Judge
the State OF New York. lie took his seat
in the Senate March I, 1867, aud was re-
elected twice his second term beginning
March 4, 1919, and his third term March 4, 1879.
He was jealous supporter OF General Grants
administration. The general policy OF that
administration toward the South was largely
directed by senator Conkling, VINO advocated
IL with all the powers OF his soquence
and all the potency OF his personal
and political influence He was also
and passage Of the civil rinsts SIi In
1876 he took prominent part in framing the
act for the Electoral Commission. and in carry
ing it through. In 1850 senator Conkling led
the Grant forces at the Republican NOM
mating convention in Chicago, and made
the speech p tting him in nomination. Soon
after the election OF President GARFIELD he
differed from him on questions OF public policy,
and in 1881 he resigned his seat in the Senate
and applied TO the Legislature Of New York for
Endorsement and election. He failed ia
this, and retired from politics, resuming the
active practice OF law to redeem his
fortunes. which were sadly shattered. He
speedily assumed the foremost position at the
New York bar, and WAS engaged in number
of prominent and remunerative cases.
or lnte'years he had been repe atedly solicited
TO re- enter politics, and his recent replies mad
indicated that he might reconsider the resolu-
ton lie made In 1881 Mr.. Conkliug had a mar
row escape from death in the late New York
blizzard, being almost overcome one night In the
drifts aud the binding snow. and only his mag
nihcent physique carried him through. Al
though his hair and beard had whitened OF late
years, Mr.. Copkling still retained his fine phys
Leaf proportions, which would.havs made him
marSsd man in any assemblags.