The New Student's Reference Work/Conkling, Roscoe

Conk′ling, Roscoe, American politician, was born at Albany, N. Y., Oct. 30, 1829; and died at New York, April 18, 1888. In 1846 he removed to Utica, N. Y., where he became district attorney, and was mayor in 1858. He was elected to Congress, and in 1879 to the Senate. In the practical business of both houses he took an active and prominent part, serving on important committees, and was instrumental in securing much useful legislation. He took an active part in the reconstruction of the southern states, and advocated resumption of specie-payments. He opposed President Johnson's policy and zealous championed Grant's administration; and in June, 1880, nominated Grant for a third term. In 1881 he resigned his seat in the senate, owing to Garfield's exercise of control over appointments in his native state. In 1882 he was appointed associate-justice of the supreme court but declined. See his Life and Letters.