Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-09-20

his family. A story which came to him from
Hartford, to the effect that the late Cover
nor, Marshall Jewell, although on terms Of
| political and almost personal alienation with
him, had declined to enter the convention
as Blaine delegate, because he would moi
vote against chief in whose Cabinet be
had sat, touched him keenly, and was a
step toward reconciliation between two
men who had so much in common in the
courtesy, chivalry and courage of their
| character.
cerned Conkling, Grant told me, but would
not consent to my publishing it while
Waite was alive-as he did not want Waite
to feel that the office had gone hawking
around before it reached him. "When
Chase died." said Grant, "my thoughts
went to Conkling. told Mrs. Grant, and
she was enthusiastic over it. 1 did not
mean to make the nomination until the fall
for some reason, and kept my purpose to
myself In the meantime Conkling had
arranged an Adirondacks fishing summer
party and feared if I would 90 people
would say when I named Conkling that it
was the result of q summers junketing So
made an excuse and sent regret When
Congress was about to assemble I wrote
Conkling formal tender of the place, and
sea, than when he declined I think
should owe him grudge for that refusal.
1t brought me many troubles. People said
political ambition was behind It. This was
not so. When 1 saw Conkling he explained
that his poverty, not his will, prevented
his taking place worthy of the highest
ambition"
TWO FAMOUS EETTERA
This correspondence is worth repesking
now, as find ID in autographic form in
Conkling's Life,
EXECUTIVE MAzsrou,
WASHINGTON, D., c. Nov. 9, 1879.
MI DEAR SENATOR - When the Chief
Justiceship became vacant I necessarily
looked with anxiety to some one whose ap-
pofntment would be recognized as entirely
fitting and acceptable to the country at
large. My own preference went to you at
once. But 1 determined and announced
that the appointment would not be made
until the meeting Of Congress: that thought
Chief Justice should never be subjected to
the modification of a rejection. The possi-
bflity of your rejection was not dreamed of.
But l think the conclusion Of waiting for
confirmation was right on principle.
1 now wish to state to you that my first
convictions on the subject of who should be
Judge Chase's successor have received CON-
ny IlIDe, anu L U6nu0T G00 nOIN1na-
ton to you to be made.on the meeting of
Congress, in the hope that you will accept,
and in the full belief that no more accepta-
BILE appointment could be made.
Very truly yours, U. s. GRANA
Hon Roscoe Conklng, o. s. S.
UTICA, N. Y, November 20, 1s78.
My Dear Mr.. President:
Your letter Of the Sth instant, postmarked
the 18th, came here during my absence. On
the 14th General Babcock mailed copy,
which reached me at New York on the 18th,
and the space since then, you will not, I
trust, think too long for due reflection.
You offer me the Chief Justiceship, and
this confidence outweighs all the honors Of
the place.
My transfer now from the Senate to the
Bench involves considerations not only te-
yond those before you; and after much
thought am convinced that in view of the
whole case you would agree with me that
another appointment should be made.
will not detain you with reasons nor with
expressions OF the profound sense Of obliga-
tfon to you which will abide with me always,
but instead ask you to let your choice fall !
on another, who however else qualified,
believes as man and lawyer, as believe, in
the measures you have upheld in war and
in peace. Your friend and servant,
Roscoe CoNKLINo.
His Exce1lency, President Grant,
Washington, D. c.
JOHN RUSSELL YouN0