A political boss who effectively utilized [[patronage]], Conkling led the remnants of the Radical Republicans during the late 1870s which opposed civil service reform and supported:<ref name=garfieldandarthur>Weisberger, Bernard A. [https://www.encyclopedia.com/history/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/james-garfield-and-chester-arthur James A. Garfield and Chester A. Arthur]. ''Encyclopedia.com''. Retrieved November 19, 2021.</ref> | A political boss who effectively utilized [[patronage]], Conkling led the remnants of the Radical Republicans during the late 1870s which opposed civil service reform and supported:<ref name=garfieldandarthur>Weisberger, Bernard A. [https://www.encyclopedia.com/history/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/james-garfield-and-chester-arthur James A. Garfield and Chester A. Arthur]. ''Encyclopedia.com''. Retrieved November 19, 2021.</ref> |