Roscoe Conkling
| Roscoe Conkling | |
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United States Senator from New York |
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In office March 4, 1867 – May 16, 1881 |
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| Preceded by | Ira Harris |
| Succeeded by | Elbridge Lapham |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 21st district |
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In office March 4, 1865 – March 3, 1867 |
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| Preceded by | Francis Kernan |
| Succeeded by | Alexander Bailey |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 20th district |
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In office March 4, 1859 – March 3, 1863 |
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| Preceded by | Orsamus Matteson |
| Succeeded by | Ambrose Clark |
| Mayor of Utica | |
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In office 1858–1859 |
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| Preceded by | Alrick Hubbell |
| Succeeded by | Charles Wilson |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
October 30, 1829 Albany, New York, U.S. |
| Died | April 18, 1888 (aged 58) New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Political party |
Whig (Before 1854) Republican (1854–1888) |
| Other political affiliations |
Stalwart Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Julia Seymour |
| Signature |  |
Roscoe Conkling (October 30, 1829 – April 18, 1888) was a politician from New York who served both as a member of the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate. He was the leader of the Stalwart faction of the Republican Party, the first Republican senator from New York to be elected for three terms, and the last person to turn down a U.S. Supreme Court appointment after he had already been confirmed to the post by the U.S. Senate. While in the House, Representative Conkling served as body guard for Representative Thaddeus Stevens, a sharp-tongued anti slavery representative, and fully supported the Republican War effort. Conkling, who was temperate and detested tobacco, was known for being a body builder through regularly exercising and boxing. Conkling was elected to the Senate in 1867 as a leading Radical, who supported the rights of African Americans during Reconstruction.
As leader of the Stalwarts, Conkling controlled patronage at the New York Customs House. Although Senator Conkling was supported by President Ulysses S. Grant, Conkling did not support Grant's Civil Service Commission reform initiative. Conkling also refused to accept Grant's nomination of him as Chief Justice of the United States, believing his talents belonged in the Senate. The control over patronage led to a bitter conflict between Senator Conkling and President Rutherford B. Hayes. Conkling also opposed Hayes's appointment of William M. Evarts as Secretary of State. Conkling publicly led opposition to President Hayes's attempt to impose Civil Service Reform on the New York Customs House. In 1880, Conkling supported Ulysses S. Grant for President; however, James A. Garfield was nominated and elected President. Conkling's conflict with President Garfield over New York Customs House patronage led to his resignation from the Senate in May 1881. After Garfield's assassination in 1881, Vice President Chester A. Arthur became President. When President Arthur offered his friend Conkling an associate justiceship on the Supreme Court, Conkling accepted the offer and was approved by the Senate. However, Conkling later changed his mind and refused to serve. He practiced law in New York until his death in 1888.
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