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oad culture； and was not only efficient in the performance of his duties； but one of the most delightful of companions。 His health was bad； and his friends were always alarmed； and justifiably so； about him。 Nevertheless； I met him years afterwards in Washington； when he was past eighty…four。
At Mr。 Conkling's request Mr。 Clark made an appointment for a mutual visit to Trenton Falls； a charming resort near Utica。 We spent the week…end there； and I saw Mr。 Conkling at his best。 He was charming in reminiscence； in discussion； in his characterization of the leading actors upon the public stage； and in varying views of ambitions and careers。
When the patronage all fell into his hands after the election of General Grant； he pressed upon me the appointment of postmaster of the city of New York。 It was difficult for him to understand that； while I enjoyed politics and took an active part in campaigns； I would not accept any office whatever。 He then appointed one of the best of postmasters； who afterwards became postmaster…general； but who was also one of the most efficient of his lieutenants； General Thomas L。 James。
When Mr。 Conkling was a candidate for United States senator I was regarded as a confidential friend of Governor Fenton。 The governor was one of the most secretive of men； and； therefore； I did not know his views to the candidate； or whether he had preferences。 I think he had no preferences but wished Conkling defeated； and at the same time did not want to take a position which would incur the enmity of him or his friends。
One night there was a great public demonstration； and； being called upon； I made a speech to the crowd； which included the legislature； to the effect that we had been voiceless in the United States Senate too long； that the greatest State in the Union should be represented by a man who had demonstrated his ability to all； and that man was Mr。 Conkling。 This created an impression that I was speaking for the governor as well as myself； and the effect upon the election was great。 Mr。 Conkling thought so； and that led to his pressing upon me official recognition。
How the breach came between us； why he became persistently hostile during the rest of his life； I never knew。 President Arthur； Governor Cornell； and other of his intimate friends told me that they tried often to find out； but their efforts only irritated him and never received any response。
Senator Conkling's peculiar temperament was a source of great trouble to his lieutenants。 They were all able and loyal； but he was intolerant of any exercise on their part of independent judgment。 This led to the breaking off of all relations with the two most distinguished of themPresident Arthur and Governor Cornell。
A breach once made could not be healed。 A bitter controversy in debate with Mr。 Blaine assumed a personal character。 In the exchanges common in the heat of such debates Blaine ridiculed Conkling's manner and called him a turkey…cock。 Mutual friends tried many times to bring them together。 Blaine was always willing； but Conkling never。
Conkling had a controversy which was never healed with Senator Platt； who had served him long and faithfully and with great efficiency。 During the twenty years in which Platt was leader； following Senator Conkling； he displayed the reverse qualities。 He was always ready for consultation； he sought advice； and was tolerant of large liberty of individual judgment among his associates。 He was always forgiving； and taking back into confidence those with whom he had quarrelled。
One summer I was taking for a vacation a trip to Europe and had to go aboard the steamer the night before； as she sailed very early in the morning。 One of my staff appeared and informed me that a very serious attack upon the New York Central had been started in the courts and that the law department needed outside counsel and asked whom he should employ。 I said： 〃Senator Conkling。〃 With amazement he replied： 〃Why； he has been bitterly denouncing you for months。〃 〃Yes； but that was politics；〃 I said。 〃You know the most brilliant lawyer in the United States might come to New York； and unless he formed advantageous associations with some of the older firms he could get no practice。 Now； this suit will be very conspicuous； and the fact that Senator Conkling is chief counsel for the Central will give him at once a standing and draw to him clients。〃 His appearance in the case gave him immediate prominence and a large fee。
Senator Conkling's career at the bar was most successful； and there was universal sorrow when his life ended in the tragedy of the great blizzard。
VI。 HORACE GREELEY
While secretary of state of New York； the decennial State census was taken； and the appointment of three thousand census takers involved as much pressure from congressmen； State senators； assemblymen； and local leaders as if the places had been very remunerative and permanent。 I discovered what a power political patronage is in party organization； because it developed that the appointment of this large number of men； located in every town in the State； could easily have been utilized for the formation of a personal organization within the party。
I was exceedingly fond； as I am still and always have been； of political questions； issues affecting the general government； the State； or localities； party organizations； and political leaders。 So； while devoted to my profession and its work and increasingly enjoying its labor and activities； politics became an interesting recreation。 With no desire for and with a determination not to take any public office； to be called into party councils； to be at an occasional meeting of the State committee and a delegate to conventions were happy relief and excursions from the routine of professional work； as golf is to a tired business man or lawyer。
The nomination of General Grant for president by the Republicans and of Horatio Seymour by the Democrats had made New York the pivotal State in the national election。 John T。 Hoffman； the most popular among the younger Democrats； was their nominee for governor。 The Republicans； with great unanimity； agreed upon John A。 Griswold； a congressman from the Troy district。 Griswold was the idol of his colleagues in the New York delegation in Congress； and his attractive personality and demonstrated business ability had made him a great favorite with politicians； business men； and labor。 The canvass for his nomination had been conducted with great ardor by enthusiastic friends in all parts of the State； and the delegations were nearly all practically pledged to his nomination。 No one dreamed that there would be an opposition candidate。
On the train to the convention John Russell Young； then managing editor of the New York Tribune under Mr。 Greeley； came to me and said： 〃Mr。 Greeley has decided to be a candidate at the convention for the nomination for governor。 You are his friend； he lives in your assembly district in Westchester County； and wishes you to make the nomination speech。〃
I tried to argue the question with Young by portraying to him the situation and the utter hopelessness of any attempt to break the slate。 He