Tilden_, Vol. 2, p. 64, note.]

Another dagger-thrust that penetrated the home in Gramercy Park was
Conkling's exclusion from the Electoral Commission. Of all the members
of the famous committee the Senator had borne the most useful part in
framing the measure, and his appointment to the Commission was
naturally expected to follow.[1548] His biographer states that he
declined to serve.[1549] "If this be correct," says Rhodes, "he shirked
a grave duty."[1550] Bigelow charges the omission to the Senator's
belief "that the vote of Louisiana rightfully belonged to Mr. Tilden,"
and volunteers the information "that Conkling had agreed to address
the Commission in opposition to its counting Louisiana for
Hayes."[1551] Conkling's absence from the Senate when the Louisiana
vote was taken corroborates Bigelow,[1552] and supports the general
opinion which obtained at the time, that the Republicans, suspecting
Conkling of believing Tilden entitled to the presidency, intentionally
ignored him in the make-up of the Commission.[1553] The reason for
Conkling's failure subsequently to address the Commission in
opposition to counting Louisiana for Hayes nowhere explicitly appears.
"Various explanations are in circulation," writes Bigelow, "but I have
not been able to determine which of them all had the demerit of
securing his silence."[1554]

[Footnote 1548: "General Grant sent for Senator Conkling, and said with
deep earnestness: 'This matter is a serious one, and the people feel
it very deeply. I think this Electoral Commission ought to be
appointed.' Conkling answered: 'Mr. President, Senator Morton' (who
was then the acknowledged leader of the Senate), 'is opposed to it and
opposed to your efforts; but if you wish the Commission carried, I can
help do it.' Grant said: 'I wish it done.'"--George W. Childs,
_Recollections_, pp. 79, 80.]

[Footnote 1549: Conkling, _Life of Conkling_, p. 521.]

[Footnote 1550: Rhodes, _History of the United States_, Vol. 7, p.
263.]

[Footnote 1551: Bigelow, _Life of Tilden_, Vol. 2, p. 84.]

[Footnote 1552: "In all his political official life the most important
vote which he [Conkling] has been or can be called upon to give--that
upon the Louisiana electoral question--he evaded."--_Harper's Weekly_,
February 8, 1879.]

[Footnote 1553: "He [Conkling] was at the time most suspected by the
Republicans, who feared that his admitted dislike to Hayes would cause
him to favour a bill which would secu