The particular reform that irked Conkling was the then-novel proposal to eliminate patronage in federal civil service hiring.
Of the Conkling letter, his private secretaries later observed: “Nothing he ever uttered had a more instantaneous success.”
Conkling never called upon Garfield, or returned Garfield's call, or answered Garfield's note.
Everybody tittered, and I was told that Mr. Conkling was displeased.
Mr. Conkling took an active part in the Senate as a champion and spokesman of the administration.
It was what Mr. Conkling said, and in a great outburst of public rage he was pulled down.
Mr. Conkling had occasion to make a request of the President which the latter could not see his way clear to grant.
