ake care of his interests. He was
elected Speaker, and I had been given to understand by him, and
had so communicated to friends in Congress whom I had induced to
support Mr. Blaine, that I should be consulted in the make-up of
the committees. Mr. Blaine never said a word to me on the subject,
but almost at the last moment wrote me this note:

"Dear Cullom:

"Which committee would you prefer, Territories or Claims?

"James G. Blaine."

I selected Territories and became chairman of that committee.
Allison told me he never spoke to him in reference to committees,
although he gave him important assignments.

Probably the most bitter enemy Mr. Blaine ever had in public life
was Roscoe Conkling, a Senator from New York. The quarrel between
Blaine and Conkling commenced in the Thirty-ninth Congress, over
some very trivial matter, and continued from that time on until
Blaine was nominated as the candidate of the Republican party for
the Presidency, in 1884, in which contest he was defeated by Grover
Cleveland.

I occupied a seat next to Mr. Conkling during the early years of
my service in Congress. He was a very friendly, companionable man,
especially to any one whom he did not consider a rival, and, as I
was a young man just entering Congress and politics, he gave me
his friendship. I was present, sitting next to Conkling, when the
famous controversy in the House took place between Blaine and
Conkling. During the session, from time to time, they had been
quarreling. Conkling had seemed to have a little the best of the
argument. Blaine became exasperated one day, and in the course of
the debate gave Conkling the worst "tongue lashing" probably ever
given by one man to another on the floor of the House. Conkling,
although unable to reply effectively, demeaned himself with great
dignity. His manners were placid and his reply was in measured
terms. It was in striking contrast to what Mr. Blaine said. To
use a phrase graphic if inelegant, he jumped on Conkling with both
feet and literally tore him to pieces without any attempt at dignity.
This controversy with Conkling probably caused the defeat of Mr.
Blaine for the nomination--first, in conventions prior to 1884,
and finally after he became the nominee of that year.

Blaine was a candidate for President for many years. It seemed to
be his destiny, as it was that of Henry Clay, to be able to secure
the nomination only when the Republican party went down i