The people of his district were in character
and way of thinking very much like our best Massachusetts
constituencies. Wheeler had little respect for the devious
and self-seeking politics which are supposed to have been
needed for success in that State. He very much disliked Roscoe
Conkling, and all his ways. Conkling once said to him: "Wheeler,
if you will join us and act with us, there is nothing in the
gift of the State of New York to which you may not reasonably
aspire." To which Wheeler replied: "Mr. Conkling, there
is nothing in the gift of the State of New York which will
compensate me for the forfeiture of my own self respect."
Mr. Wheeler was one of the sub-committee, of whom Mr. Frye
and myself were the other two Republican members, to inquire
into the condition of the legality of the Kellogg State Government
of Louisiana. He suggested what is known as the Wheeler
compromise, the acceptance of which by both sides was due
to his influence and capacity for conciliation. The compromise
consisted in an agreement to allow the Republican State officers
to remain in office during the remainder of their terms, without
turbulent or factious opposition, to submit quietly to their
authority on the one hand, and that the two Houses of the
Legislature, on the other hand, should seat the Democratic
contestants whom our sub-committee found entitled to their
seats.
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