The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-05-13
CONKLING AND ARFIELD.
What senator squire Remembers
About the Famous Quarrel.


Moses 2. Handy IN Chicago Times-Heraid
1T is the fashion nowadays, said SEN
atoT Squire. Of Washington. particularly
among the admirers OF Roscoe Conki-4S.
10 sneer al the late President GARFIELD !
was devoted 10 Mr.. Conklng myself ana
was for years brought into close relations
with nin in my capacity as meInoer OF
the Republican state committee or New
York. but knew Garfield. 100. as soldier
and politician. and am not WILING 10 esJh-
eede that be was a hypocrlts or conscious
ly irlsincere. AS 70 his ability. 1t - often-
er underestimated than overeStlmaled.
He was a man OF good impulses, II not OF
firm purpose. of warm heart and arec-
tlonate manners. a scholar, magnetic
orator ana one OF the most versatile men
/ ever knew. Conkliag was greater man
in many respects, IL you please. Out 90
very different type and tastes Ihelr
point o. view was rarely the same, their
methods were not at all alike, ana any
one who knew them both well would not
be surprised that they did not understand
each other.
Shortly after Gen. Garfield was inau-
gurated as president, and ne feIatloiS
between him and the great New YORK
leader had become strained and matter
OF general knowledge, called at the
White House TO ask the President Tor
an appointment of All old friend ne
readily acedei TO my request, and. al
tempered his old effusive manner. ne was
very gracious. and. having granted my
wish. asked whether / wanted anything
for myself.
II told him no and then on the impulse
OF the moment L ventured 10 express my
grief. as an old New York republican
and a friend OF Conkling and OF MS, thdt
they should have become involved in a
misunderstanding which must result IN a
faction fight which might disrupt the
party and endanger the success or an ad-
ministration so brilliantly inaugurated- l
spoke of Conkling'S high character ana OF
his services TO the Republican cause, OF ms
devoted following, and or his acknowl-
edged place as leader, place Which MS
pride would never allow him 10 Yield with
out a struggle. Not until l had quite lin
ished and apologized for my presumption
on the score of excessive zeal. qua the
president, who had been listening patient
~ and gravely. say word. l snail never
forget the expression with which ne began
in reply. 'Titularly, at least, Gov. squire,
am the leader OF the national Republican
party and am entitled to some eonsldera-
ton as SUCH He then went on 10 say
that he had done everything possible 10
preserve the peace and give senator
Conklng's wishes due weight. OF twelve
appointments OF importance In the state
of New York he had given eleven TO Mr..
not make the twelfth. that of collector
of the port of New York, to suit him,
the senator had declared war TO the
knife against the administration. Under
the circumstances surrender was impos-
sible.
Again apologizing," continued Senator
Squire, land expressing my. surprise at
this new view of the situation, | with
drew. Shortly after l saw Mr.. ConklinS
and told him what | had done and what
the president had said. apologizing 10 the
senator also tor my intrusion in such
delicate matter. With his usual gravity
of demeanor and a scornful expression,
which / shall never forget, he said: /
thank you. but you do not know the man
with whom we are dealing. What the
president says is not true. Not one OF
those eleven appointments was asked for
bv me. neither was l consulted as 70 my
preferences The only office that | have
asked of the administration in the state
of New York is that of collector OF the
port That, II seems TO me. cannot be
given me. Let rs drop the subject
do not quite understand how Senator
Sources story sustains the theory enun-
cjated In his opening sentences as TO Gar
fields character. but II is interesting all
the same as an illustra ton or how such
Misunderstanding occur between public
men.