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During his congressional tenure, Wheeler was regarded as a "quiet" member and notably refused to involve himself in railroad stocks, even resigning from being chair of the Committee on Pacific Railroads to prevent temptations.<ref name=senate.govbio/>

During his congressional tenure, Wheeler was regarded as a "quiet" member and notably refused to involve himself in railroad stocks, even resigning from being chair of the Committee on Pacific Railroads to prevent temptations.<ref name=senate.govbio/>

[[William wheeler.jpg|thumb|left]]

[[File:William wheeler.jpg|thumb|left]]

Considering himself a person of integrity opposed to corruption, Wheeler refused to associate with the powerful New York political machine run by Sen. [[Roscoe Conkling]],<ref name=senate.govbio/> a Radical Republican and [[Stalwart]] leader who adamantly fought for civil rights and equal treatment of blacks. When requested by Conkling to side with the machine's interests, Wheeler responded:<ref name=senate.govbio/>

Considering himself a person of integrity opposed to corruption, Wheeler refused to associate with the powerful New York political machine run by Sen. [[Roscoe Conkling]],<ref name=senate.govbio/> a Radical Republican and [[Stalwart]] leader who adamantly fought for civil rights and equal treatment of blacks. When requested by Conkling to side with the machine's interests, Wheeler responded:<ref name=senate.govbio/>

{{cquote|Mr. Conkling, there is nothing in the gift of the State of New York which will compensate me for the forfeiture of my self-respect.|||Wheeler}}

{{cquote|Mr. Conkling, there is nothing in the gift of the State of New York which will compensate me for the forfeiture of my self-respect.|||Wheeler}}