USA > Pennsylvania > Cambria County > History of Cambria County, Pennsylvania, Volume I > Part 10
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101
HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
another road to lead from the Somerset county line, at or near Henry Miltenberger's to Johnstown was opened.
On June 3, 1817, the court appointed Adam Cover, Will- iam Spencer and A. Murphy viewers to meet viewers on the part of Somerset county to locate a bridge across the Stony- creek at or near Fox's Fording, which was near the Red bridge, or what is now known as Kring's. This was the first bridge across the Stonycreek river. In traveling between Somerset and Beula or Ebensburg, the Stonycreek river was crossed at the Beula fording at the Franklin street bridge when fordable, but when the water was high it was necessary to cross at Fox's fording.
On the same day another board of viewers were appointed to locate a bridge across the Little Conemaugh at or near Johns- town. It is probably located a little north of the Walnut street bridge, but it was the first erected in the town. There were but two other bridges in the county-one at Croyle's and the other at Fox's fording prior to 1816. The order to locate a county bridge at Fox's fording, dated June 3, 1817, authorized the second bridge at that place. It was so selected on account of it being the most economical place for a bridge.
CHAPTER VII.
A POLITICAL REVIEW-THE POLITICS OF THE COUNTY, STATE AND NATION FROM 1808.
On National affairs, Cambria was substantially a Demo- cratic county until 1893, when it became Republican.
The system of our government is a subject of much inter- est to all classes; therefore, it is necessary to a proper under- standing of county politics, to acquire correct knowledge of the national parties and their leaders. The political organizations in the townships are a part of the great system which controls the federal government.
When the federal government was formed in 1789 there was but one party of any strength-the Federal party-of which Washington, Hamilton, Jay, Adams, Marshall, Roger Sher- man, Richard Henry Lee, Pinckney, and Fisher Ames were the leaders. They continued in control until 1800, when a disagree- ment with John Adams caused the election of Thomas Jeffer- son. The differences had been smoldering for a long time, and being so far apart it was certain to cause the division. The Federalists advocated a central government, a protective tar- iff, a national currency, and many other policies which now prevail in the Republican party, or, in other words, it is bet- ter to have one nation than to have forty-six single states, each antagonistic to the other.
When Jefferson succeeded to the Presidency in 1801, he or- ganized among the farmers and planters what was known as the Republican-Democratic party as against the industrial es- tablishments, or the workmen of the shops and mills.
For a time, the Federalist was a northern party, and the Republican-Democratic, a southern one. So far as national politics were concerned, the former died about 1817, and locally throughout the north about 1823.
The party of Thomas Jefferson continued in control of the general government, with three exceptions-John Quincy Adams, Harrison-Tyler, and Taylor-Fillmore administrations- until the election of Mr. Lincoln; since that event, with one ex- ception, 1893 to 1897-the presidency and congress have been
103
HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
under Republican rule. It is true, Cleveland was president from 1885 to 1889, but the senate was Republican, and at times the Democrats had control of the lower house of congress, but the latter never had full control except under Cleveland's sec- ond term.
Jefferson was opposed to a war with England, and thereby he was humiliated by both England and France, especially by the former in the impressment of American seamen. Jeffer- son induced congress to pass the embargo act, which did more harm to America than to England. Notwithstanding these con- ditions, Madison, a follower of Jefferson, was elected president in 1808.
The first presidential election in Cambria county was held on Monday, November 7, 1808, and the election in 1812 was on Friday, October 30; as late as 1836, it was held on Friday, November 4, and in 1840 it was held on Friday, October 30, "be- ing the fifth Friday preceding the first Wednesday of Decem- ber."
A reference to the table of votes cast for this office shows that there were but 62 votes for Madison, and 7 for Pinckney, in the five polling places in the county; one at the house of Cornelius McGuire, in Allegheny township; one at the resi- dence of John Braniff; one in the court house at Ebensburg for Cambria township; one at the dwelling of Mary Beatty, in Johnstown; and one at the house of John Grossnickle, near Geistown, for Conemaugh township.
104
HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES AND VOTE IN CAMBRIA.
Madison and Clinton, Republican-Democratic. .
Pinckney and King, Federalist.
Madison and Gerry, Republican-Democratic
Clinten and Ingersoll, Federalist.
Monroe and Tompkins, Republican-Democratic. .
King and Howard, Federalist.
Monroe and Tompkins, Republican-Democratic.
Jackson and Calhoun, Republican-Democratic.
Adams and Calhoun.
Clay, et al.
Jackson and Calhoun, Democratic.
Adams and Rush.
Jackson and Van Buren, Democratic.
Wirt and Ellmaker, Anti-Masonic. .
Van Buren and Johnson, Democratic.
1836
1840
1844
1848
1852
1856
Allegheny
57
40
76
106
126
86
129
99
163
117
344
29
Blacklick
29
41
40
51
Cambria
56
105
158
77
100
212
124
243
75
171
62
176
Carroll
26
45
54
42
59
68
121
89
287
31
Chest
20
8
49
67
16
85
25
111
35
166
25
Conemaugh
94
198
258
194
150
198
229
282
173
206
337
372
Conemaugh Bor
110
35
202
10
Ebensburg Bor
59
91
80
82
Jackson
32
32
48
53
45
43
75
60
60
72
47
105
Johnstown Bor
91
85
123
109
170
127
205
296
Loretto Bor
2
Munster
44
24-
70
57
42
97
53
109
75
133
91
160
Summerhill
57
55
49
132
123
72
143
78
286
97
232
174
Summitville
Bor.
34
25
14
23
44
33
44
80
58
76
53
Washington
65
49
56
181
271
59
301
68
461
112
481
21
White
37
12
31
42
32
48
41
62
24
29
3
21
21
23
10
10
1
47
21
63
16
Cambria
27
40
3
46
22
37
1
2
53
27
83
27
Clearfield
12
2
25
3
Conemaugh
16
2
13
18
1 23
8
4
80
23 113
7
41
2
Summerhill
15
5
7
10
95
13 119
10
Susquehanna
.
. .
18
1 25
2
Totals
62
7
: | 8 Harrison and Tyler, Whig.
: | Van Buren and Johnson, Democratic.
Polk and Dallas, Democratic. .
('lay and Frelinghuysen, Whig.
Cass and Butler, Democratic.
to Taylor and Fillmore, Whig.
Pierce and King, Democratic.
Scott and Graham, Whig.
Buchanan and Breckenridge, Democratic ..
Fremont and Dayton, Republican.
Townships
1808
1812
1816
1820
1824
1828
1832
Allegheny
19
. .
. .
7 23
.
·
: 150 87
3 314
94 469 96
Harrison and Granger, Whig.
:
Totals
450
554
811
920 1123
996 1386 1233 2035 1461 2987 1665
. .
21
15
40
. .
133
14
Richland
56
...
Susquehanna
25
.
84
5
Clearfield
17
:
36
Jackson
9
8 . co
23
: 19 47
.
. . .
Districts
105
HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
The voters in the borough of Conemangh, subsequently changed to Johnstown, voted in the township of Conemaugh from 1831 to 1844. The poll being in the borough.
lincoln and Hamlin, Republican.
Douglas and Johnson, Fusion.
Bell and Everett, Constitutional ..
Douglas
Lincoln and Johnson, Republican.
Mcclellan and Pendleton, Democratic.
Grant and Colfax, Republican.
Seymour and Blair, Democratic.
Grant and Wilson, Republican. .
Greeley and Brown, Dem. and Lib. Rep.
Hayes and Wheeler, Republican.
Tilden and Hendricks, Democratic.
Garfield and Arthur, Republican.
Hancock and English, Democratic.
Allegheny.
55
128
33
215
30
214
129
27
26
266
27
245
Barr ..
32
52
53
117
44
109
Blacklick
66
36
46
34
81
51
29
68
79
57
72
43
Cambria Bor.
10
146
35
223
170
21
16
269
15
170
Cambria Bor
2
180
31
153
35
165
48
160
55
178
53
178
45
Carroll
58
146
20
317
16
286
179
5
21
243
34
209
Carrolltown
Bor
5
14
2
55
4
73
56
16
5
93
8
96
Chest Spgs. Bor
40
14
2
24
22
35
32
20
25
8
53
6
33
Chest
25
54
9
117
35
138
101
17
15
181
13
88
Clearfield
24
125
21
196
36
272
173
90
31
266
45
221
Conemaugh
98
36
86
54
98
65
34
90
38
28
45
34
Conemaugh Bor.
81
66
10
14
28
104
56
148
133
39
35
186
70
230
Conemaugh Bor 2 ...
27
68
56
106
91
47
39
130
66
202
Coopersdale Bor ..
72
67
5
31
84
60
99
76
82
90
116
123
114
East Conemaugh
Borough
31
47
29
24
50
48
94
55
Ebensburg Bor. 115
82
69
12
92
21
21
88
75
28
62
22
Ebensburg Bor.,
West Ward
74
76
61
74
75
62
64
89
57
91
Elder.
107
34
68
54
102
55
26
84
120
76
51
143
Johnstown, 1st 181
37
20
1
124
57
201
55
52
226
223
84
317
88
Johnstown, 2d
60
67
14
6
103
39
122
50
30
140
139
46
174
53
Johnstown, 3d
58
23
14
3
49
80
71
79
84
68
72
95
99
107
Johnstown, 4th
. 108
15
40
5
70
45
105
61
42
106
98
79
167
120
Johnstown, 5th
Johnstown, 6th
9
33
1
10
33
11
48
47
8
8
51
11
18
Millville
122
19
7
31
86
102
206
117
98
161
87
22
181
68
Millville, 2d
71
126
80
103
Munster
19
85
8
102
22
119
74
13
14
110
14
109
Portage
Prospect
Bor.
. .
.
36
5
127
133
170
141
24
92
108
74
104
91
Stonycreek
64
66
1
43
71
45
106
13
63
58
79
48
65
*Summitville
2
34
4
30
6
29
32
7
7
24
3
25
.
. .
.. .
..
. . .
28
90
41
116
Gallitzin
45
57
17
90
53
121
81
60
27
71
28
93
Franklin Bor.
27
12
72
78
41
99
29
Gallitzin Bor
44
130
135
77
186
94
55
22
25
110
115
59
169
28
162
52
Richland
160
. .
. . .
...
. . .
.. .
. . .
68
32
94
56
Dean
11
22
..
42
67
86
102
104
94
Adams.
1860
1864
1868
1872
·
* Abandoned June 5, 1882.
.
. .
3
27
21
49
43
17
12
53
59
Reade
. .
. .
·
149
64
149
61
4
36
39
12
65
11
Croyle
. .
. . .
25
151
Cambria
. . .
. .
. .
1876
1880
8
46
Jackson
91
Loretto
.
62
75
Summerhill
63
106
HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
Susquehanna
84
56
65
87
109
65
76
74 127
97 65
71
85
Taylor
138
38
1
116
52
176
63
217
151
50
45
271
33
228
White
88
15
1
74
44
156
60
14
112
112
53
33
41
Wilmore Bor
48
28
41
24
51
27
36
17
22
20
29
38
Woodvale Bor
38
11
54
30
75
35
Yoder
93
72
3
49
61 .
43
104
44
77
14
75
34
109
47
. Yoder, Lower
48
17
64
55
99
56
Totals
2277 1643
124
110 2244 3036 2935 3558 2841 2547 2989 4257 3962 4555
Blaine and Logan, Republican.
Cleveland and Ilendricks, Democratic ..
Harrison and Morton, Republican . ....
Cleveland and Thurman. Democratic ..
1892
1896
1900
1904
Adams
123
93
110
103
135
116
160
92
177
90
175
65
Adams, Dunlo.
. .
.
.
. ..
. . .
106
42
175
58
168
75
Adams, Gramlingtown.
49
12
4
Allegheny
35
226
36
193
38
177
31
184
53
197
61
179
1
Ashville Borough.
13
34
16
48
26
24
26
27
32
43
Barnesboro (Bor.)
43
195
55
144
35
7
Barr
63
107
79
113
74
117
81
104
101
117
106
16
Barr, South
81
34
81
42
65
45
107
50
191
77
152
34
3
Cambria Bor., 2d W.
17
189
21
248
Cambria
173
42
189
50
197
42
215
43
209
49
227
41
4
Carroll
41
204
38
226
52
235
66
215
106
249
115
31
5
Carroll, Northeast.
66
49
2
Carroll, East
29
86
2
Carroll, West
138
94
3
Carrolltown Bor.
13
94
14
119
14
126
16
121
40
130
51
149
·
Chest
20
84
16
75
13
63
12
76
27
75
31
57
1
Chest Springs Bor
14
30
20
37
13
35
22
28
22
24
23
17
Clearfield
28
208
22
211
16
174
11
189
36
184
61
137
1
Conemaugh Bor, 1st ..
78
239
86
278
. . .
...
75
34
66
39
137
60
4
Conemaugh, Upper
Coopersdale Bor.
76
4
84
13
103
20
121
8
Cresson
158
158
118
162
76
105
121
175
125
71
123
46
9
Croyle, No. 2.
32
82
72
83
1
Croyle, No. 3.
..
.. .
.
. .
·
122
102
175
84
185
94
226
106
17
Dean
11
27
24
43
22
41
41
27
56
27
75
23
1
East Conemaugh Bor.
86
57
119
64
185
90
248
85
326
93
237
57
11
East Taylor
90
29
96
33
71
26
57
2
53
6
59
6
6
East Taylor, No. 2.
. .
. .
.
.
.
52
12
49
15
48
26
1
Ebensburg, East Wd.
64
19
68
22
24
92
19
106
22
122
20
5
. .
..
..
. .
. . .
. .
Cleveland and Stevenson, Democratic ..
Mckinley and Hobart, Republican. ...
Bryan and Sewall, Democratic ..
Mckinley and Roosevelt, Republican ...
Bryan and Stevenson, Democratic ....
Roosevelt and Fairbanks, Republican. .
Parker and Davis, Democratic ......
Swallow and Carroll, Prohibition ....
DISTRICTS IN 1904.
1 City.
24 Boroughs.
28 Townships.
102 Election Districts.
1884
1888
Harrison 'and Reid, Republican ..
106 142
64
26
90
Tunnel Hill Bor
. . .
...
.. .
. . .
1
41
Washington
72
119
1
27
. .
...
. .
32
7
30
9
30
1
.
86
151
108
210
203
260
1
E. Conemaugh B., 2d.
· . .
.
.
. . .
. . .
.. .
54
24
2
Daisytown Borough
32
37
42
41
20
32
2
Dale Borough
. .
9
157
3
182
..
. . .
. . 1.
. .
. .
..
. .
. . .
.. .
. .
. .
..
. . .
.
...
. .
. .
Conemaugh Bor, 2d ..
80
205
105
240
. .
Conemaugh
54
33
78
35
85
37
Blacklick, No. 2 ..
68
20
1
. .
. . .
.
167
53
8
Barnesboro, South.
.
. .
100
82
1
Blacklick
. . .
...
...
9
. .
. .
209
38
8
.
...
. .
. .
.
152
60
·
. .
139
Cambria Bor., 1st W.
Croyle
107
HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
Ebensburg, West Wd.
58
78
66
82
91
82
110
80
124
167
94
7
Elder
15
96
22
123
26
117
61
121
44
101 163
79
157
4
35
4
40
7
53
1
2
Franklin Borough
71
36
98
43
67
84
100
44
117
49
126
61
8
Gallitzin Borough
54
174
112
263
117
232
135
230
200
195
249 120
55
1
Hastings Borough
135
53
132
72
92
57
142
62
177
54
144
51
5
Jackson, Vintondale.
13
63
9
69
10
1
Johnstown, 1st Wd ..
266
122
317
151
295
115
365
123
407
123
419
133
G
Johnstown, 2d
150
66
178
86
109
46
180
42
187
47
217
71
4
Johnstown, 3d
71
114
98
139
41
72
76
69
103
64
88
79
2
Johnstown, 4th
102
59
138
74
111
84
128
68
159
68
159
88
7
Johnstown, 5th
151
101
199
100
234
134
298
124
306 401
151
336
125
21
Johnstown, 6th
184
103
261
122
304
172
362
147
183
254
85
11
Johnstown, 6th, No. 2.
72
94
127
167
163
207
261
179
292
223
157
86
10
Johnstown, 8th
91
43
98
47
136
41
131
36
11
Johnstown, 8th, Rox'y.
Johnstown, 9th
89
289
124
263
134
306
283
5
Johnstown, 10th
58
206
70
202
81
236
108
198
2
Johnstown, 11th
52
70
77
80
96
112
133
123
5
Johnstown,
12th
55
140
94
139
103
112
123
99
1
Johnstown, 13th
136
82
183
70
160
67
169
55
2
Johnstown, 14th
56
118
76
110
95
89
103
77
Johnstown, 15th
4
102
17
111
24
111
36
185
Johnstown, 16th
20
269
55
279
66
287
117
323
Johnstown, 17th
212
145
251
135
349
179
462
157
69
Johnstown, 18th
156
34
175
49
17
Johnstown, 19th
155
50
193
38
27
Johnstown, 20th
229
56
229
38
21
Johnstown, 21st
·
22
70
55
97
51
114
80
96
103
133
138 10
126
2
Loretto Borough
11
48
4
46
8
38
4
39
6
44
49
Lower Yoder
159
101
299
185
40
115
101
140
120
168
54
135
3
Munster
13
105
17
88
15
89
19
70
21
67
21
64
1
Patton Borough
248
131
308
197
214
132
11
Portage Borough
57
44
90
40
100
45
112
61
2
Portage
82
86
109
103
53
67
139
130
94
61
85
64
7
Portage South
35
65
33
76
91
187
49
123
32
139
29
139
23
3
Reade, North
..
. .
72
46
117
26
47
15
47
11
.
· Richland
129
79
133
77
152
82
180
65
159
58
172
75
10
Roxbury Borough
78
30
112
21
...
...
..
.
. .
. .
..
. .
63
85
92
111
151
153
5
Stony Creek
90
76
162
104
121
63
199
43
197
43
239
65
21
Summerhill
59
57
71
44
60
50
73
62
64
64
58
38
9
Summerhill, South.
. .
121
99
153
109
89
32
94
33
71
30
2
Susquehanna, South
71
88
82
83
68
69
1
Susquehanna, West
103
15
2
Gallitzin
41
39
54
68
59
62
74
67
93
58
Grubbtown Borough
42
23
58
22
. .
117
129
148
125
132
117
164
109
5
Jackson, Nanty Glo.
91
5
.
. .
. .
63
11
89
13
3
Reade, South
115
46
115
46
194
42
183
40
2
Scalp Level Borough
70
21
66
16
7
South Fork Borough.
184
50
220
64
129
48
193
41
242
60
24
South Fork Bor.,2dW
150
27
213
26
284
19
48
Summerhill Borough.
.
48
54
40
60
65
60
64
69
4
Susquehanna
112
93
195
113
Millville, 2d
59
87
67
112
. . .
..
. .
·
. . .
. ..
165
111
4
Reade
192
46
231
112
41
159
33
Morrellville, 3d
82
49
133
37
116
16
143
15
13
Morrellville Bor.,
140
55
212
39
..
225 249
144
18
Johnstown, 7th, No. 2
140 151
26
26
71
4
Johnstown, 7th
. .
.
. .
...
59
3
67
4
43
6
5
Rosedale Borough
. ..
. .
.
Spangler Borough
85
156
53
1
..
. .
.. .
127
32
3
Morrellville, 2d
. .
.
Millville Bor., 1st Wd. 180
68
Patton Bor., 2d Wd.
100
Prospect Borough
Reade, West
Ferndale Borough
214
6
Jackson
42
Lilly Borough
108
HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
Tunnelhill Borough. .
9
42
20
95
18
75
21
92
19
87 16
124
14
5
Upper Yoder
92
18
131
49
192
57
119
23
101
48
129
67
113
. .
Washington
36
207 26
28
96
20
79
67
4
79
6
152
19
6
West Taylor
111
49
113
50
112
43
130
28
128
46
78
8
4
West Taylor, No. 2.
32
36
54
62
47
42
48
87
41
79
25
Wilmore Borough
39
31
40
28
27
80
66 38
29
30
22
34
18
4
Woodvale Borough.
65
60
114
121
. .
Totals
4253
5517
6020
8838
10476
13106
646
4817
5948
6259
6560
7168
7223
Plurality
564
431
239 2278
3308
5883
We give the table of votes for every presidential election, as a study of it is of great value to the historical student. It clearly discloses the gradnal progress of the county, and the shifting of the population. For instance, in 1852 there were 383 votes cast in Summerhill township, while in 1860 there were but 140; in Washington township there were 573 votes in 1852, and 192 in 1860. It recalls the issues of the campaigns and the men who led the parties, and substantially when each district was formed; not precisely, however, as that is ac- curately given in another chapter. In 1808 the twenty electoral votes of Pennsylvania, ont of 175 in the country were cast for James Madison and George Clinton.
On June 12, 1812, war was declared against England, and Madison was re-elected. After three years of warfare, a treaty of peace was made which decided nothing of value, and left both countries as they were when it began. The twenty-five electoral votes of the state were given to James Madison and Elbridge Gerry, out of 217 in the country.
The Federal party was very feeble in 1816, and in the fol- lowing year, ceased to have a national organization, although in local affairs it continued in spots until 1825, or thereabouts. James Monroe received 183 electoral votes to 34 for Rufus King, the Federalist, and in 1820 he received all of them with one exception. In the latter year there was but one electoral ticket in Pennsylvania. having 24 votes. John Todd of Bed- ford was the elector for this district. This period in our po- litical history was known as the "era of good feeling." Under James Monroe's administration five states were admitted to the Union: Mississippi in 1817: Illinois in 1818; Alabama in 1819; Maine in 1820. and Missouri in 1821.
Pennsylvania voted for James Monroe and Daniel D. Tomp- kins in both years. With three exceptions, Pennsylvania his
. .
. .
Washington, No. 2.
Westmont Borough
28
9
..
89
28
6
White
127
32
145
40
142
25
71
109
HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
always voted for the successful candidates. In 1832, it voted for William Wilkins for vice-president but Martin Van Buren was elected: in 1884 and 1892 it voted for James G. Blaine and Benjamin Harrison, and both were defeated. The total elec- toral vote in 1816 and 1820 was 217 and 235, respectively.
James Monroe had adopted and carried into practice many of the principles of the Federal party, especially those of in- ternal improvements. In 1821 he built the National turnpike from Cumberland to Wheeling, which passes through Somer- set county. These acts of Monroe revived the spirits of the old Federalists, therefore there were four candidates for presi- dent in 1924: John Quincy Adams, Henry Clay, Wm. H. Craw- ford, and Andrew Jackson.
Jackson, the Republican-Democratic candidate, had a phir- ality but not a majority of the electoral votes, and the election was thrown into the lower house, where Adams received the votes of thirteen states; Jackson of seven, and Crawford of four. Henry Clay was made secretary of state, which caused the unfounded charge of a "corrupt bargain," which was suf- ficient to prevent him from ever being president. The twenty- four electoral votes of Pennsylvania were cast for Andrew Jackson.
The ery of the "corrupt bargain" and the Jacksonian pol- iey of "to the victors belong the spoils" swept the country in 1828, and Andrew Jackson's admirable decision of charac- ter in managing the South Carolina nullifiers increased his vote in 1832.
Cambria was overwhelmingly for Jackson in 1832. Not- withstanding the fact that Henry Clay was the exponent of the protective policy, Pennsylvania never gave him her elec- toral vote; even in 1832, when he was a candidate, there was not a Clay ticket in Cambria county or the state. The 96 op- ponents of Jackson in Cambria voted for William Wirt and Amos Ellmaker, the Anti-Masonic candidates. The Whig party was organized in 1830. Pennsylvania had 28 electoral votes out of 261 in the nation in 1832.
Martin Van Buren was a protege of Andrew Jackson, and won over William H. Harrison in 1836 on Jackson's reputa- tion, especially on his attitude on the United States Bank ques- tion. In the following year occurred the most distressing panic the country ever had.
Cambria, for the first time, was carried for the anti-Demo-
110
HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
cratic candidate in 1836, when William H. Harrison and Fran- cis Granger had a majority of 104. Pennsylvania had 30 elec- toral votes in 1832-36 and '40.
General William Henry Harrison was again nominated in 1840. John Tyler took the place of Francis Granger for vice- president on the Harrison ticket. The Jackson policy on the bank question was not satisfactory to the country. nor were its free trade principles acceptable, and Harrison and Tyler were elected by 240 to 60 electoral votes. William Henry Harrison died within a month after his inauguration and John Tyler succeeded to the office. He reversed the policies upon which the ticket was elected, adopted the free trade principles of the Virginia class of statesmen, and wrecked the Whig party. Cambria county did not cast its vote for Harrison this time.
The campaign in Cambria county was vigorous. The Al- legheny Portage railroad was in the control of the State Dem- ocracy. The Democratic county convention met in Ebensburg on June 30, and nominated a full ticket. R. P. Linton was chair- man of the committee. At that time each borough and town- ship was entitled to two delegates. The friends of Van Buren called a meeting in the court house for that evening at early candle-light. The members of the standing county committee were : Robert P. Linton, Charles Litzinger, William Todd, Jacob Luther, Jolm Anderson, John McGough. Hugh Dugan, Jesse Patterson, John Singer, Christian Horner, James Murray, Will- iam Pryce, Patrick Shiels, David Summerville, Peter McGuire, John Lucket, John Pringle, Jacob Horner, Charles Wilson, and George Kring.
While slavery was a vexed question for many years it be- gan to show itself prominently in the campaign of 1844. The advocates of slavery switched the question to the annexation of Texas. and with it James K. Polk and George M. Dallas won over Henry Clay and T. Frelinghuysen. Clay had been a candidate in 1824, 1832, as well as this year. The refusal of the Democratic party to nominate Van Buren in '44, caused trouble in New York state, but it was not sufficient that year to elect Clay. James G. Birney, the anti-slavery candidate, reduced the Whig vote there and Polk succeeded in getting the electoral vote. Pennsylvania had only 26 votes in the electoral college in '44, having proportionately lost its population through the free trade policies of Jackson, Van Buren and Tyler.
In 1848 General Zachary Taylor, the hero of the Mexican
111
HISTORY OF CAMBRIA COUNTY.
War, was nominated for president by the Whig party, and Lewis Cass by the Democrats. The anti-slavery advocates in New York, with the Van Buren barn-burners, reduced the Cass vote and gave the state to Taylor, who was a Louisiana slave- holder. Cambria county had at this time 2,619 votes, out of which Cass only had a majority of 153. The state had 26 elec- toral votes. President Taylor died in 1850, and Millard Fill- more, of New York, succeeded him.
The Clay, Calhoun-Webster compromise of 1850 was in- tended to quiet the slave question, but it really opened it wider than ever. The most unfortunate event was the speech of Dan- iel Webster, made in the senate on March 7, 1850, by which he lost the confidence of the North. Its idol now lay shattered. He had agreed to the enforcement of the fugitive slave law. The Whig party was dying: Winfield Scott could not get the vote in the South. Franklin Pierce received a large vote, having 254 electoral votes out of 296. Scott lost Cambria county by 574 votes.
Senator Douglas introduced and congress passed in 1854 the Kansas-Nebraska bill, which embodied the policy that slav- ery could be established in any state or territory. It repealed the Missouri Compromise of 1820, which had made provision for the admission of Maine and Missouri into the Union. That Act of Congress was the beginning of the Civil war which ended at Appomattox in April, 1865. Kansas was the preliminary battle-field, and John Brown was there solidifying the anti- slavery vote.
The Whig party had disappeared and ended its mission. The Republican party was founded in Pittsburg in 1855, but was not organized until June, 1856, when at Philadelphia it nominated John C. Fremont and William L. Dayton. The vote for Fremont was surprisingly large, but not sufficient to de- feat Buchanan. It was practically the beginning of the end of a thirty-five year warfare on slavery, which closed with the defeat of the Confederacy. James Buchanan and J. C. Breck- inridge were elected. Cambria county gave them a majority of 1322.
Slavery had divided the National Democratic party, and in Cambria county it was as badly split. The regular Demo- cratic county convention met July 9. 1860, and nominated a full ticket, with George Nelson Smith, of Johnstown, for the As-
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