not likely to be regarded with much respect by the American
people. I suppose he expected that he would be returned by
the New York Legislature, and that the scene of his coming
back would be one of great dramatic effect.

The reason of his action was President Garfield's nomination
of Judge Robertson, who had been his own earnest supporter
for the Presidency, to the office of Collector of the port
of New York. It happened in this way: General Garfield's
nomination for the Presidency, of which I have told the story
in another place, was brought about in part by the aid of
some of the New York delegation, led by Judge Robertson, who
had broken away from Conkling's leadership. He was of course
angry. After Garfield's election, he demanded that no one
of the New York opponents to Grant's nomination should be
appointed to office by the incoming Administration. Garfield
told me the whole story during the spring session of 1881.
He had an interview with Conkling, I think by his own request,
and endeavored to come to some understanding with him which
would ensure harmony. He told Conkling that he desired to
make one conspicuous appointment of a New York man who had
supported him against President Grant, and that thereafter
appointments should be made of fit men, without regard to the
factional division of the party in New York, between his
supporters and those of Grant, and that the Senators would
in all cases be consulted. Conkling would not listen to the
suggestion, and declared that he would not consent to the
appointment of Judge Robertson to any important office in this
country; that if the President chose to send him abroad, he
would make no objection. President Garfield told me that
Conkling's behavior in the interview was so insolent that it
was difficult for him to control himself and keep from ordering
him out of his presence. Nothing could be more preposterous
or insolent than the demand of a Senator from any State that
a President just elected, who had received the support of
the people of that State, should ostracize his own supporters.
It would have been infamous for Garfield to yield to the demand.

I ought, in saying that there was no man of high integrity
and great ability among the leaders of the Republican Party
who retained Conkling's friendship, to have excepted Hamilton
Fish. He was a man of great wisdom, who understood well the
importance to the Republican Party of avoiding a breach with