The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-11-06
ReColIeCtions of
kos(oa ConkIing.

The eighth anniversary of the death
| OF ROSCOE Conklins inVictes sonic re-
tiections on career winch. in the
busy rush OF events In the interval,
has become almost forgotten. / recall
now, IN 1873, when Henry NJ. Hoyt was
| running Tor governor oi Pennsylva-
MIA on hard money platform. Senator
Cameron induced Roscoe Conkiing,
tnen the foremost member of the
united Sta teS senate. to come to Phil
| adelphia to make plea on iinance for
the republican ticket. Conkling's ap-
pearance at the Academy OF Music on
that occasion was greeted by one of the
finest audiences ever assembled here
To nsten to political speecn. lie had
seldom been in Philadelphia since he
had become a great figure in national
politics, nor was he ever here after
that event He was then forty-eight
years old, and in the fuIness of mis-
mental and physical powers. From all
over the country he had drawn atten-
ton to himself as the ablest politician
that New York state had produced
since he death of William III. Seward.
There have been many impressive and
majestic figures on the stage of the
Acadmy of Music. But II is doubtful
whether any, even with all the acceS-
sories Of costume and scenery, ever
captivated AN audience as he did dur
ing the two hours i'm which he deliv-
cred a speech of rare force, with an
eloquence manly. luminous and grace
full. 1t is not often that an actor caus-
es the English languages to fail on
the ear with such music as ConklinSs
diction, set Off with a voice like the
tones of an organ. and delivered with
the men of a man master among men.
AS he left the stage to so through
the green-room to the street, he wound
rich silk handkerchief around his
neck and carelessly placed a soft hat
of the kossuth pattern on his head.
With the blonde peaked beard. in
which the silver was mingled with the
gold the effect was not unlike that OF
one of the old Spanish grandees IN the
court of Charles V. The broad shout
ders. the erect carriage. the ample fofe.
head and the keen eyes which fXtd
themselves on an object with a nSnt
like the shining steel, all made up
royal presence New England in the
olden days called Webster the god
like DAN ana it is not to be wondered
that some OF the New Workers VINO al
mire the choice mental gifts ana the
public chastity of this man became
accustomed To speak of him with GER
tain awe.
The admiration which he then eEcit-
ed was confined to a comparatively
small circle of men in New York Nheh
ha va. at The height of his power he
did NOT carr, on his political transac-
,;ons with the small grade of politi-
clans. He was in the habit of rnpart-
ing his confidence and giving mis- IN
str,ctions to n few bright men like Ar
,hnr and cornell. The idea of mixing
VIII h the crowd was always abhorrent to
his tastasand inclina tions. Forthis rea-
son the mass of the people looked on
Cnnisiing as a vain and Donapous aris-
tncrnt with the pride of Il Coriolanus
Eis nroud. imperous temper was
CON, eti,nes the chief obstacle to
his ambition When he addressed the
irnitaa states senate. he made it's in
f.rior members feel as If they were
.cboo, Lovs When he condescended to
ON ;pto n noIitical convention, he made
tho delegates feel that they were drilled
nrnceedincs of the Chicago convention
IF ISSO VII ever forget the loyal sub
iection IN which. by the sheer force of
Tanius for civic command he held the