The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1888-04-26

OF this time be Injurious to the public service
Mr.. Conkling was not satisfied and immediately
offered another resolution looking 10 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
day.
Mr.. conklIns took modest part in the de.
bates and legislation OF that trying session, and
more than once gave the House test OF his elc-
quence and his command OF pure English.
Though one OF the youngest members he also
convictions and rare courage, as in his
opposition TO the majority OF his par
ty on the abortive Thirteenth Amend
ment compromise. and in his vote against the
ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF Virginia as Union meas
ure. 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 1862 Mr. Conlyling was defeated for re-elec-
tion In the Utica district by his law associate,
Francis Herman, but he was successful two
years later and resumed his seat In the Thirty
ninth Congress. His work during the sessions
OF this CONGRESS- stamped him one OF the fore
most debaters 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
a leader In the great debates on that question.
In the autumn OF 1865 Mr.. Conkling was elected
10 the United States Senate. To write his his
tory in that body would be TO write u history OF
the legislation and great debates from 1861 TO
1881, for he was twice reelected o 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 10 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 reius
OF power in 1871. when he overthrow the Fen
ton-Greeley faction in the State convention.
Curiousiy enough he saved himself in that con-
test by the powers of his eloquence. Contest
ing delegations each claiming the seal OF regu-
larity appeared in the convention from New
York City. One represented the friends OF
Greeley and Fenton, the other the friends of
Mr.. Conkling Upon the decision in this case
depended the control Of the full convention.
Both Conkling and Fenton were on the floor.
The convention was about to compromise mat
tiers and admit both delegations with equal
voice and vote, when Mr.. Conkling took the
floor and in one 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
contract was never broken until the resignation
fiasco in 1881. Conlxling's well known influence
with and friendship for General Grant are well
remembered and gave him an almost unrtvaled
influence in his 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
his views Mr.. Conklings friends always
claimed that had he served on the commission
Tilden and not Hayes would have been declared
President.
At the Cincinnati convention OF 1876 he was
the candidate OF the New York Republicans. In
1889 Mr. Conkling appeared at the Chicago con-
vention as the champion OF General Grant.
Mr.. Conklings 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 II was o strong element in the defeat OF
Mr.. Blaine In the Cincinnati convention OF 1876,
and again at Chicago in 1884. 1t also led indi-
rectly to the quarrel of Conkling with Garfield,
the resignation OF Conkling and Plat, the
assassination Of Garfield. aud the fatal embit-
terment OF the Republican factions in New
York State. These incidents have become
part of the history of the country.
President Arthur offered Mr.. Conkling an
associate justiceship OF the Supreme Court,
which he declined. After his retirement from
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 SIC TO
pay his fare TO New York He had never been
a 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- |
ton OF the courts. He appeared against Gould |
and for him in suits involving millions OF dol !
lars. His industry was untiring, and when his |
number ON the calendar was called the court |
always found him ready. His income was put |
as high as 100000 year, but II was not proba-
bly, two-thirds OF that sum. Conkling was not a |
man OF extensive reading. His life was one |
long political warfare, leaving him little time |
was man of many moods and even his best |
friends were often afraid to go near him. Tho /
mention OF a name sometimes provoked an out /
burst OF passion.