History of Berks county in Pennsylvania, Part 84

Author: Montgomery, Morton L. (Morton Luther), b. 1846
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts, Peck & Richards
Number of Pages: 1418

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Between 1850 and 1860 there were two prominent representatives from Berks County in the State Legislature. William M. Hiester was in the Senate from 1853 to 1855, and served during the latter year as Speaker ; and J. Lawrence Getz was in the House for two years (1856 and 1857), having served in that body during the latter year as Speaker. Mr. Getz subsequently (from 1867 to 1873) served three terms in Congress from this district.

Hon. Hiester Clymer occupied political prominence in the county for twenty years, from 1861 to 1881. He was in the State Senate from the senatorial district from 1861 to 1866. In 1866 he received the nomination for Gov- ernor on the Democratic ticket, but he was not elected. The city of Reading was then Repub- lican in political sentiment by a small majority ; and the nominee on the Republican ticket, General John W. Geary, received the full party vote, notwithstanding Reading was the home of Mr. Clymer. This would indicate the through organization of the Republican party. And Mr. Clymer was the Representative in Con- gress from 1873 to 1881. Hon. Daniel Ermen- trout succeeded Mr. Clymer in political promi- nence-he having been State Senator from this district for three terms, from 1874 to 1880, and since 1881 in Congress.

In looking over the "Political Hand-Book of Berks County," it would appear that a num- ber of representative men were on the way to prominence, but fell short of it. We cannot fail to observe in the last thirty years there were many men in the representative offices from this county, and that if the county in this time has not produced men of wide political influence, such as the people have a right to expect from so rieh and populous a county, the secret of its failure in this respect lies in the frequent change of its representatives. The

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HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

policy, or rather the custom, of allowing men to drop into office and be forced out of it, espe- cially of a representative character by accidental combinations, should not be tolerated. The time has come when the community at large should select representative men recognized for fitness and then retain them as long as possible. This would not only destroy the common ambi- tion in so many men who are continually seek- ing after offices for which they have limited qualifications, but it would increase the useful- ness of those who are elevated to representative positions.

OFFICES BY SPECIAL LEGISLATION .- The general political history of our county is similar to that of the surrounding counties,-in fact, of the whole State, in respect to its general gov- ernment. Legislation created territorial divi- sions, and provided offices of various kinds for them in order to facilitate the regulation of local affairs, and the representation of the people in the legislative bodies of the State and nation. And these offices have been filled either by election or by appointment from the beginning of our political existence as a county till now. A sameness extends throughout the whole period. Comparatively little special legislation has been done for our county in the way of creating particular political positions. Four acts of the General Assembly are worthy of mention : One passed in 1824, relative to the management of poor affairs ; another in 1848, relative to the management of prison affairs ; a third in 1869, relative to the election of an additional law judge; and a fourth in 1883, for the election of an Orphans' Court judge.

A marked change was introduced by the Constitution of 1873, enabling the minority party to elect officials. In .Berks County this applied to county commissioners and county auditors. Theretofore these officials in the county were almost entirely Democrats since their election in 1841.

The first Republican commissioner and au- ditor under this provision were elected in 1875. And in 1873 the act of 1848 creating the board of prison inspectors was so amended as to enable the minority party to elect three out of nine inspectors or annually one out of three.

The act of 1824, relating to the poor directors, which provides for the annual election of a director for three years, has not yet been amended to meet the spirit of the times and of the State Constitution. In 1867, when jury commis- sioners were authorized to be elected, provi- sion was made that each elector should vote for one person for this office, and the two persons having the highest vote should be the commis- sioners. This provision enabled the minority party in the county to elect one commissioner. Accordingly, the Republicans have elected a jury commissioner since 1867.

POLITICAL PARTIES .- From the beginning of the county there have been two parties in political affairs. This was both natural and necessary. Before the Revolution agitation of political questions was not general or contin- uons. The elective franchise was a recognized privilege, but it was not particularly encouraged by the creation of convenient or numerous polls to enable electors to express political pre- ferences. Local offices for the townships and the town were filled by election, but county officials were appointed, and this feature con- tinued in respect to the major part of them till 1841, when an act of Assembly was passed which provided for a general change to election. Berks County comprised only one general elec- tion district, with the court-house at Reading as the polls. In 1789 the districts began to in- crease, and they have increased gradually, to satisfy the demands and encourage the facilities for election, till they now number sixty-three.

During the Revolution the people formed themselves into two parties, especially those who manifested any concern in the government which was to prevail over them. The one class, favoring a continuance of the royal gov- ernment, was called "Tories ;" and the other, favoring a free, representative government, "Federals," or " Whigs." The distinction was marked, and fortunately for the people of the county, as of the State and the great confedera- tion of States, the latter party won a decisive victory. Upon the establishment of freedom new parties arose. These proceeded from the Whigs, and were recognized either as the Gov- ernment Whigs, or Federals who desired a Re-

483

POLITICS AND CIVIL LIST.

publican form of government, with checks upon the impulses or passions of the people, and with liberty duly regulated, but strengthened and confirmed by central authority, or as the Particularist Whigs, or Anti-Federals, who desired the same form of government, but Democratic in spirit, with the rights of local self-government, and of States ever uppermost.

In a certain sense the latter took the place of the " Tories," and were called " Republicans." They were the dominant party in Berks County theu and they have continued to be till now. A singular change-if not a transformation- in respect to party names, arose afterward. As early as 1793 the Anti-Federal party was called the Democratic-Republican party ; but the word " Republican " was dropped in 1805, and the name Democratic alone used. Thence the Fed- erals or Whigs (or Republicans) have been on the one side and the Democrats on the other, the latter party keeping its identity for four- score years.

For a time-about twenty-five years, from 1830 to 1855-the Anti-Mason party for ten years, and the Whig for fifteen years, were sub- stituted in the place of the Republican party.

The Declaration of Independence was pub- lished on the 4th day of July, 1776. Since the Revolution, that day has been regarded as the nation's birthday, and it has been made a holiday by the several State governments. An- nually for about eighty years, the several parties of each community celebrated this great holiday by assembling at certain popular places and drinking toasts, making addresses and enjoying themselves generally. At Reading the political parties celebrated the day regularly in this man- ner. The Federalists and the Whigs assembled on the island 1 in the Schuylkill River, several hundred feet above the ferry, at the foot of Binga- man Street, and the Democrats at the Mineral Spring in Rose Valley, then to the east of, now within, the limits of Reading. When the Civil War broke out this custom was discontinued, and it has not been revived since.

The people of Reading have from the be-

ginning of its history taken an active interest in political matters. By political organiza- tious they have invited and encouraged co- operation for the development of party strength. Since the Civil War more energy has been shown through numerous minor associations, commonly called " Ward Clubs." Two associa- tions of this class have come to be prominent in the political affairs of Reading : the " Americus Club" of the Democratic party, and the " Union League " of the Republican party. All of them were especially organized for the purpose of considering the ways and means by which to direct public attention to the one or the other party in the struggle for political supremacy. This is the great object which is ever standing out prominently before them. Political ques- tions are rather overshadowed, if not over- looked-they being not of the first importance, but the last. Clubs are not so much for dis- cussion as for organization to develop party strength. Discussion is carried on mostly by the leaders of the respective parties, and clubs gather in followers. The real, earnest political thinking in each party is done and published by comparatively few individuals. The great proportion of voters adopt opinions and senti- ments more by the influence of associations and circumstances than by investigation and reflec- tion ; and many of them are induced to act for or against a party from selfish purposes. In- dependence in political thought and action is still comparatively limited. The political re- turns of the county indicate this condition. The majorities are generally the same, especially at prominent elections when the vote is more numerously polled. The general education of the people has not yet reached that standard which conduces to political liberality and to the selection of the fittest men for representative positions without regard for party affiliations.

POLITICAL FESTIVALS.

HIESTER FESTIVAL, 1820 .- In 1817 the Hon. Joseph Hiester, of Reading, was nom- inated as the Federal candidate for the office of Governor of Pennsylvania against Hon. Wil- liam Findlay as the Democratic candidate ; but he was defeated by a majority of 7005. In

1 From this circumstance the island took the name of "Independence Island."

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HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

1820 the same candidates were on the respec- tive tickets and Hiester was elected by a small majority-1605. The success of this election contest, by which the most distinguished citizen of Berks County was chosen to be the chief executive officer of Pennsylvania, was an event which could not be permitted to pass away in the annals of our local affairs without signaliz- ing it by an impressive public demonstration. Hiester, whilst a young man, had distinguished himself by his pure and earnest patriotism dur- ing the Revolution ; and he had afterward filled with honor to himself and his constituency of Berks County, various political offices, especially the office of national Representative for nearly eighteen years. He was concluding his ninth term when he was elected to be Governor of the State,-resigning his seat in Congress soon after his election. His fellow-citizens had there- fore come to regard him with more than ordi nary feelings of respect and honor, and they could, indeed, rejoice over his elevation to be the chief ruler of the commonwealth. And what means could they have selected more adapted to display their satisfaction and joy than a feast at which they could eat, drink and be merry ? Accordingly, in honor of this event, pursuant to public invitation, a grand festival took place on Wednesday, November 1, 1820, on the "Commons " near by the "arched spring," east of the borough. People assembled from every part of the county. Many distinguished poli- ticians came from Philadelphia and counties adjoining Berks to participate in the feast. Over four thousand persons united in the demonstration. A procession was first formed by the committee of arrangements on Penn Square, about eleven o'clock in the morning, in the following order :

1st. The butchers of the borough, dressed in white frocks, with blue sashes, armed with the different emblems of their profession, fancifully decorated, and mounted upon white steeds.

2d. Captain High's squadron of Dragoons, well- mounted, in complete uniform.

3d. The citizens formed in double-file.

4th. Captain Getz's company of Guards in new and elegant uniform.

The centre of the procession was occupied by a full band of colored musicians engaged from Philadelphia

expressly for the occasion, clothed in green military suits, richly ornamented with silver lace.

After an ovation to the "Governor-elect" and an address of thanks by him, the procession marched, in the order named, up Penn Street to the " Commons," arriving there about noon. An area-comprising several acres-was sur- rounded by a barrier, with a large platform arranged on the eastern side, upon which were placed the articles for the feast. Two fine, fat bullocks on spits, and a bear and a hog on grid- irons, were roasted entire. The four skins were stuffed and mounted on cars. The area was oc- cupied by the committee of arrangements, High's Dragoons, Getz's Gnards and the band, and "thousands of spectators, whose orderly deportment cannot be too strongly commend- ed."

The butchers commenced carving the roasted animals about two o'clock. The first slice of each animal was taken to the residence of General Hiester by two butchers, who were escorted by a detachment of the Guards. And the carving was continued till all were satisfied.

After the feasting was concluded, a meeting was formed with the following officers :

President, Peter Nagle; Vice-Presidents, George de B. Keim, Jacob K. Boyer, Samuel Baird, Daniel Graeff.

Twenty toasts, expressive of patriotic and complimentary sentiments, were read and re- ceived with great applause. A unanimous de- sire was expressed "to see the Revolutionary veteran ;" and accordingly he was escorted to the meeting from his residence by a committee specially delegated for the purpose. His ar- rival caused "indescribable effusions of joy." " Merit must be great when it calls forth the voluntary honors of a free and enlightened people. But the attention shown on this occa- sion was not merely honorary; it was the tribute of gratitude to a man who aided, at the risk of his life, his health and his fortunes, to render his country happy and free."

At four o'clock the procession was re-formed ; with "the Governor-elect, supported by two citizens, it paraded through the principal streets of the borough and halted opposite his residence," where the whole company was dis-

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POLITICS AND CIVIL LIST.

missed in the most perfect harmony and good order.

In the evening, the celebration was con- tinued by a "torch-light procession." A trans- parent temple was carried by four men through the principal streets of the borough, preceded and succeeded by a train of citizens who held lighted candles in their hands. The sides of this temple were illustrated : the front presented a likeness of Washington, the rear the arıns of the United States and the right and left sides well-executed likenesses of General Hiester.

A similar festival, to celebrate the same event, was held at Orwigsburg, in Schuylkill County, on November 10, 1820. The morning of that day was ushered in by the firing of can- non and the ringing of bells. A meeting was first organized in the court-house, and ad- dressed by James B. Hubley, Esq.,1 the chair- man, with appropriate remarks. Then the people formed into line and proceeded, under the leadership of three marshals, assisted by a band of music, to " Mount Monroe." As they marched, bells rang and cannon boomed. There a fine ox and deer were roasted, and a large number of persons, seated at tables specially arranged, participated in a great feast. At a meeting, afterward formed, at which Mr. Hub- ley presided, thirteen toasts were offered and drank. On the same day a festival was also held at Kutztown. Twenty-five toasts were offered and drank at a large organized meet- ing.

HARRISON FESTIVAL .- 1840-The Presi- dential campaign" of 1840 was conducted with great enthusiasm, and it developed much political excitement throughout the country. Grand processions were witnessed in every com- munity. The voters of Reading and the sur- rounding districts in the county of Berks caught the feeling, especially on the side of the Whigs. One of the processions was distinguish- ed for its log cabin and living raccoons. The election resulted in a victory for the Whigs, an event which elicited from them particular de- monstrations of joy. It was their first victory,

and they felt great pride in it. The vote con- trasted was as follows :

1836.

Reading. Berks Co. State of Pa.

Van Buren (Democrat).

1412

4967

91,475

Harrison (Whig)

394

1583

81,111

1018

3384

10,364

1840.

Reading.

Berks Co.

State of Pa.

Van Buren (Democrat)

836

7425

143,676

Harrison (Whig).

614

3582

144,019

222

3843

343

Their majority wassmall, but enough for them. What could they do upon such an occasion but de- monstrate their feelings as their party, under the name of " Federals," had done twenty years be- fore. The leaders therefore decided to signalize their triumph by a " Grand Ox-Roast," on the " Commons," on Wednesday, December 9, 1840, and issued a public notice that "an ox will be roasted whole and plenty of hard cider will be provided." The day was accordingly celebrated under the direction of an organized meeting, with prominent men in respect to business, politics and military as its officers. General William Addams was president of the meeting. Thirteen toasts were announced, and appropriate responses were made. Many per- sons participated in the feast.

TILDEN FESTIVAL OF 1876 .- The Presi- dential campaign of 1876 was full of enthu- siasm from the beginning to the end. Samuel J. Tilden, of New York, was the Democratic candidate, and Rutherford B. Hayes, of Ohio, the Republican. The Democrats throughout the entire country were very hopeful of success with so distinguished a candidate as Mr. Til- den, and they therefore carried on the political contest with all the energy that they could command. The leaders of the party in Berks County were particularly active. Towards the close of the campaign they made arrangements for a " buffalo roast " in order to enable their party the more thoroughly to demonstrate their feelings in a public manner, and selected a day for that purpose. The previous festivals in 1820 and 1840 were held after the election, but this was to be held before the election. The announcement was made, giving the public to know that " the Democratic citizens of Berks and adjoining counties will have a

1 Mr. Hubley was a prominent attorney, formerly of Reading.

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HISTORY OF BERKS COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

GRAND ROAST OF TWO BUFFALOES. lately captured on the western plains, and a JUBILEE PARADE

in honor of their candidates for President and Vice- President, and the gallant freemen of the West, at the Fair Grounds, City of Read- ing, on Thursday, October 26, 1876, and also an

OLD-FASHIONED DEMOCRATIC PROCESSION,

in which soldiers and sailors, farmers and me- chanics and all good citizens, with their wives and daughters, were respectfully invited to participate."

The day arrived and the programme was carried out very successfully. In the morning many delegations came to Reading from all parts of the county, and by eleven o'clock the " Jubilee Parade" was formed, when it was marched over a long route. Besides the usual demonstrations in a procession of this character, there was an "elephant in boots," veritably walking in the parade, hired from Forepaugh, (the showman) for the occasion. The symbol of the Reading Times, in signalizing a political victory on the morning after an election, for many years, was the " elephant in boots " at the head of its columns ; but the Democrats desired to show by a living cartoon that they had taken its elephant captive, and were going to carry it along in their triumphant march. This conception created much amusement throughout the entire route. It was the centre of attraction. On the way the elephant kicked off one of his Democratic boots just as if he were walking in doubtful company aud on a doubtful platform, and were desirous of freeing himself. The procession was nearly an hour in passing a point, and ended in the " Fair-Ground," where the feast on roasted buffalo was enjoyed by many hundreds of persons. Speeches were made by prominent men from different parts of the country. The most distinguished guest upon this unusual occasion was Gen. George B. McClellan, whose presence elicited great ap- plause wherever he went.

ELECTION OF 1876 .- The Democrats in Berks County were certain of victory. Calcu- lations for it had been made. They were taught to expect it, and when the night of the

election arrived they looked for it. But the news was doubtful. They had counted upon a "Solid South," and also certain Northern States. Their leader had calculated with great shrewd- ness, but neither he nor any of his followers had thought the loss of three Southern States within the range of possibility. And this re- sult actually occurred. Late on election day, Chandler, the chairman of the Republican National Committee, announced that Hayes had one hundred and eighty-five electoral votes, and would be the next President. This came to be exactly so. But during the four inter- vening months great excitement prevailed, and fears of a political revolution were entertained. At Reading excited crowds of people assembled for many nights in succession, to hear the re- turns which were reflected upon screens-the Times screen having been set up against the Jameson building, on the Sixth Street side, above the portico, so as to show the figures down Penn Square, and the Eagle screen in front of the Eagle building. Some of the car- toons thrown on the Times screen were striking and afforded much merriment, in relieving the monotony of election returns. The elephant figured conspicuously in them ; at one time he came out with a rooster in his trunk lashing it around wildly in the air, then with a rooster tied to his tail running away with it; now jumping for joy at a favorable report, then lying on his back as if dead from a Democratic victory, with a rooster crowing lustily over his fallen body ; Jeff Davis was represented as sit- ting up in a sour apple tree, and different prom- inent Democrats were drawn in various laugh- able positions ; and numerous short witticisms appeared frequently. Altogether the exhibi- tion awakened a thrilling interest in the people.

DEMOCRATIC STATE CONVENTIONS A AT READING .- Three Democratic State Conven- tions were held at Reading at which candidates for Governor were nominated: the first on June 4, 1851, when William Bigler was nominated by acclamation ; the second on February 29, 1860, when Heury D. Foster was nominated ; and the third on May 30, 1872, when Charles R. Buckalew was nominated. At the second

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POLITICS AND CIVIL LIST.

convention, Hon. George M. Keim, of Reading, was selected as an elector-at-large.

MASS-MEETINGS .- Numerous " Mass-Meet- ings" have been held at Reading by the respec- tive political parties for many years past. The earliest meeting, of which any extended notice was given, was held by the Democratic party on September 4, 1852, for the purpose of ratifying with enthusiasm the nomination of Franklin Pierce as the Democratic candidate for Presi- dent. Philadelphia sent a delegation of fifteen hundred men, accompanied by three fine bands of music, the German Mannerchor and the Granite Glee Club, and large delegations were in attendance from Dauphin, Lebanon, Lancaster, Chester, Bucks, Montgomery, Lehigh, Schuylkill and other counties, whilst from the hills and valleys of Berks County came hundreds of her indomitable Democracy to swell the assembled multitude. Conspicuous among the latter were the North Heidelberg delegation in large hay- wagons and vehicles of every description, the Boyertown Pierce Club in carriages with flags, banners and wreaths of flowers, and the Kutz- town Pierce Club in carriages, with flags and music. It was the largest meeting ever held at Reading till that time and it included the larg- est number of great political leaders which the citizens had ever seen together here. A platform was erected at the upper end of the Western Market-House and around it the crowd assem- hled and heard the speeches of such distin- guished men as Hon. James Buchanan, Hon. Stephen Douglass, Gov. Enoch Lowe (Mary- land), Gov. William Bigler (Pennsylvania), Hon. Barnabas Bates (New York), Hon. Chas. J. Faulkner (Virginia), Hon. B. F. Ballett (Massachusetts), Chief Justice Le Grand (Mary- land), Hon. John A. Wilcox (Mississippi), Hon. John H. Savage (Tennessee) and others. Ad- dresses were made from noon till midnight. Mr. Buchanan was chairman of the meeting during the afternoon, and he, in the course of his open- ing remarks, complimented Berks County for "her undeviating patriotism and entire devotion to Democratic principles." . The meet- ing was harmonious and enthusiastic throughout, and in all the speeches "there was a concord of sentiment upon the great questions of the

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History of Berks county in Pennsylvania, Part 84

Author: Montgomery, Morton L. (Morton Luther), b. 1846 Publication date: 1886 Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts, Peck & Richards Number of Pages: 1418

Author: Montgomery, Morton L. (Morton Luther), b. 1846
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts, Peck & Richards
Number of Pages: 1418