Democratic Sentinel, Volume 6, Number 12, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 April 1882 — Conkling’s Pride Humbled. [ARTICLE]

Conkling’s Pride Humbled.

“Gath” writes: Conkling is one of the most changed men you ever saw. He has the profound conviction that he is the most unpopular man in the United States. The fact is that he has trod on the toes of so many people in the elation of his power that every cue of them has had a chance during the last year to kick back at him. He is now attending strictly to his law practice, but I think has some fond hope of being returned to the Senate at the next vacancy. New York State is now represented by one drunkard and one mediocre Senator. The time may come when the business class here will want a man of Conkling’s capacity in the Senate. He thinks, however, that the people hate him everywhere, and it has very much modified" his behavior. He will sign a recommendation now to make a man a sieep-ing-car conductor or a night watchman, bnt he would not have bothered with such business two years ago. His usual style in those days was to flare up at the least opportunity. On one occasion a man went to him with a letter on some important piece of business. Conkling read it, heard what he had to say, and said: “I will attend to the matter, sir, for you.” As the man took his hat to go he turned and said: “Then I may rely on you, Senator?” Immediately Conkling began to shoot his eyes and execute his peculiar grimaces, and he handed the man back his letter, and said: “Rely on me for nothing, sir.” Don’t you think a man like that, with no intention to offend, rejoiced to see a man like Conkling tumble? Conkling has been reviewing these exasperations, and he is very quiet, comparatively.