USA > Pennsylvania > Pennsylvania, colonial and federal : a history, 1608-1903, Volume Two > Part 33
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STEPHEN DECATUR
Etched for this work by Max Rosenthal from the unengraved drawing by St. Memin, owned by Edward Shippen, Philadelphia- ederal
& general law, ramaring all my and subjecting them to ire- legislature passed a banking 0 000 - suggestions ; but still he komprehensive a it should morel the. creation of a depart- commissione1, with duties similar ww singer. who would regularly W of the State and report their Hoy effect passed the Senate, but 1853 alan was enacted providing g ( partment, and it is now re- how toministrative offices of the
Atww the schools of the State nghe : but one of the greatest vor ied teachers. In the year Wing ertificates, only 374 were os( 1 the common branch: the schools in his messages Muram nal literature. In 1874 wemmne its to the legislature in We sud: "The lesson of the wand ledience to authority contrasted with government af to the interests of society no child within the operati in rom the wisdom of the 0 (js w |] at least gather the olmo into institutions where. ple, she can pro- The Governor war www of providing ij- He realized that
Etched by Har Rosenthal,
Lettemin Fact.
Copyright by The Pennsylvania Historical Publishing Aan Phila. 1909.
Hartranft's Administration
mechanical genius would be required to develop the great re- sources of Pennsylvania; hence also an ever increasing demand for labor of the highest skill. "It is to our mineral wealth and manufactures," the Governor said, "we mainly owe our riches, power, and the advantages we possess as a State, and in our mines, furnaces, forges, rolling mills, locomotive works, and the myriads of factories, wherein her products are formed for use, trained lands and minds are always wanted. Can they be found among our own people? Reasonable and just complaint is made of the want of skilled labor in our midst, and the constant recourse had to foreign countries to supply this pressing need. In our great iron and other industries, and wherever skilled labor is required, the greatest number of those employed have acquired their ex- perience in Europe, or the Eastern States. Is it not time for Pennsylvania to absolve herself from this dependence, that im- poses upon many of her sons the condition of common laborers, at the bidding of overseers from without the State?" The Gov- ernor wished to see industrial and scientific schools established by the side of the high schools and academies, such as those now existing in our larger universities. He hoped that the common school system would receive a symmetrical development in har- mony with the industrial age and the great resources of Penn- sylvania.
A soldier himself, the Governor devoted much attention to the subject of the militia, and the fine organization of the Na- tional Guard is largely due to his personal efforts. The desire of the administration was to form a small, compact, and efficient body of troops. In 1872, the militia consisted of twenty-one divisions, with three hundred and twenty-three companies, com- prising 1, 126 commissioned officers and 13,566 enlisted men. In 1879 there was one division divided into five brigades, com- prising one hundred and forty companies of infantry, five cav- alry companies, and four batteries of artillery. At the same time there were 608 commissioned officers and 8,200 enlisted
2-30
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men. This organization has continued with a few modifica- tions, and the National Guard has always shown a fine spirit, with the best discipline, and constant readiness for public duty.
On December 19, 1878, Bayard Taylor died in the city of Berlin, while serving at his post as minister to Germany. He was a native of Chester county, and through his literary works had done much to increase the fame of Pennsylvania. His death called forth appropriate resolutions in the State Senate, and Hon. James B. Everhart, a member of that body from Chester county, delivered a beautiful eulogy in memory of his deceased friend.
In November, 1878, occurred the election for Governor of the State. The Republicans nominated Henry M. Hoyt, of Wilkes- Barre, while the Democratic standard bearer was Andrew H. Dill, of Lewisburg. The campaign was conducted along the line of national issues, the leading discussion being the resump- tion of specie payments. Many Republicans thought their candidate could not be elected on a hard money platform ; but Mr. Hoyt declared: "Professing to be an honest man, and the candidate of an honest party, I believe in honest money." This became the keynote of the campaign, and he was elected by a large majority.
Upon the expiration of his term, in January, 1879, Governor Hartranft removed to Philadelphia, where he served as post- master of the city, and afterwards as Collector of the Port. His love for the National Guard continued, and he was the command- ing general from 1879 until his death on October 17, 1889. His memory as a soldier is perpetuated by an equestrian statue on the Capitol Hill, Harrisburg, and by a beautiful monument in the cemetery at Norristown.
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CHAPTER XX.
HOYT'S AND PATTISON'S ADMINISTRATIONS-1879-1887
H ENRY MARTYN HOYT, the new Governor, was in- augurated for a term of four years, on January 21, 1879. This was in accordance with the provision in the schedule of the new constitution: "The first election of Governor under this constitution shall be at the general election in the year one thousand eight hunderd and seventy-five, when a Governor shall be elected for three years; and the term of the Governor elected in the year one thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight and of those thereafter elected shall be for four years, according to the provisions of this Constitution." On January 7, of the same year, the legislature met in biennial session for the first time, as provided in the new Constitution.
Governor Hoyt was born at Kingston, Pennsylvania, in 1830. He received a fine classical education, preparing for college at the Wyoming Seminary, and graduating at Williams College in 1849. He then spent several years in the profession of teaching. Finally he began the study of law, and in 1853 was admitted to the bar of Luzerne county. At the outbreak of the Civil war he promptly offered his services to the country. He assisted in organizing the Fifty-second Pennsylvania Volunteers, of which he was made Colonel. His regiment took part in many impor- tant engagements. In 1864, Colonel Hoyt, with one hundred and twenty men, was captured in a night attack upon Fort John- son, at Charleston. He succeeded in escaping, but he was re-
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captured by the aid of bloodhounds. At the close of the war he was exchanged, when he. rejoined his regiment, and was mustered out with the brevet of Brigadier-General. Returning home, he at once resumed the practice of law. In 1867 he was appointed by Governor Geary as Additional Law Judge of Luzerne county ; but two years later he resigned this office and became Collector of Internal Revenue for the counties of Luzerne and Susquehanna. He was always active in political affairs, and in 1875 was chosen chairman of the Republican State Committee.
When Governor Hoyt's administration began, the country was still suffering from the effects of financial depression and the conflict between capital and labor. In his inaugural address, the Governor reminded the people that the late troubles were largely due to extravagance. He said: "We have come, with great unanimity, to recognize the actual facts which lie at the bottom of this whole subject. A generation of younger business men had come upon the stage at a period of excitement, following the war, and of speculation, fairly reaching the degree of gam- bling. The vastly expanded credit which men gave, one to another, in all forms of business, the result of an inflated cur- rency, led to unnatural values, as measured in such currency. The temptations for contracting debts were great, and not easily resisted. We spent more than we earned; we forgot that 'the extravagance of the rich was not the gain of the poor'-'that profusion and waste were not for the good of trade' --- and that everything consumed and destroyed was so much lost in the labor which had produced it. Circulating capital was locked up in fixed property. The wages-fund was impaired. We aban- doned the maxims of experience and the simplest truths in political economy. We measured values by a standard not com- mon to the civilized world with whom we were in daily and necessary commercial intercourse. We failed to remember that the issue of paper money, whether greenbacks, national bank notes, bills of exchange, or checks, did not add a dollar to the
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Henry Miller
General in Revolutionary war; member State Constitutional convention, 1790; brigadier-gen- eral, 1794; quartermaster-general in Whiskey Insurrection expedition; brigadier-general in the War of 1812
Hoyt's and Pattison's Administrations
wealth of the nation, and that while indispensable as a circulating medium, it could only have a representative value. We did not advert sufficiently to the present physical and financial fact, that by the tacit agreement of the nations, the precious metals are the only standard of value, the only 'current money with the mer- chant.' We did not seem to know that the instincts of a prac- tical, shrewd, and enterprising nation of business men must finally and forever reject the use of an irredeemable currency. At the last, pay day came, as it always must, and bankruptcy came with it, as it always will under like causes. Our capacity to consume was destroyed. The producer was without buyers for his merchandise. Debtor and creditor alike had to pause for the day of settlement."1
With the practice of strict self-denial, the people soon recov- ered from the effects of the hard times. Following the prin- ciples of a wiser political economy, the great resources of the State were applied to the best uses, and prosperity soon returned. During the four years of Hoyt's administration the State debt was reduced $1,650,537.58. Deducting the assets in the sink- ing fund, this left a net indebtedness of $12,232,099.46. In the year 1882 the finances of the Commonwealth were in an excellent condition, the total revenues being $7,068,529.66, while the expenditures for the same period were $5,024,766.44. Of the aggregate revenues more than four million dollars were derived from taxes on corporations; so that there was no direct tax on the people, except $437,776.64 on personal property.
By a joint resolution approved February 13, 1879, the legis- lature requested the Attorney-General to institute proceedings against several medical colleges in Philadelphia for engaging in the sale of diplomas to persons who had not pursued the pre- scribed course of study, and who were thus unfitted to practice medicine. In accordance with this request, writs were issued
1 "Pennsylvania Archives," Fourth Series, vol. 9, p. 157.
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Pennsylvania Colonial and Federal
against the American University of Philadelphia, the Eclectic . Medical College of Pennsylvania, and the Philadelphia Univer- sity of Medicine and Surgery. Evidence was produced that these institutions were selling diplomas in large numbers, both in this country and in Europe. Favorable judgments were ren- dered against these institutions and their charters were declared forfeited by the courts. These disclosures finally led to the establishment of a State Medical Board for the examination of all physicians before entering on the practice of medicine.
For several years frequent complaints were made against the railroads of the State, that they were making discriminations in freight charges. Such discriminations are strictly prohibited in the Constitution of 1873, article seventeen, section three, declar- ing : "All individuals, associations and corporations shall have equal right to have persons and property transported over rail- roads and canals, and no undue or unreasonable discrimination shall be made in charges for, or in facilities for, transportation of freight or passengers within the State, or coming from or going to any other State. Persons and property transported over any railroad shall be delivered at any station at charges not exceeding the charges for transportation of persons and property of the same class in the same direction to any more distant station ; but excursion and commutation tickets may be issued at special rates." Notwithstanding this constitutional prohibition, in 1878, a num- ber of persons engaged in the production of oil petitioned the State government, declaring that they were subject to unjust discrimination in freights. This, they said, was the result of confederated action between certain railroads and oil shippers. The Attorney-General at once began suits in equity in the Su- preme Court of the State against the Pennsylvania Railroad com- pany, the Atlantic and Great Western Railroad company, the Dun- kirk, Allegheny and Pittsburg Railroad company, and the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Railway company. In due time, the cases came before a master appointed to take testimony. The
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evidence against the Pennsylvania Railroad company was all heard, when it was proposed that this company alone should give testi- mony in answer. The Attorney-General declined, however, to order this defendant to proceed until the Commonwealth testi- mony in all the cases had been heard. The result was a long delay in the course of which the petitioners and the railroad com- panies settled their controversy by private agreement.
Old Lantern
The illustration on the left shows style first used on Portage road; on the right, the style without glass used by pioneers. From the originals in Carnegie Museum, Pittsburgh
On May 16, 1881, the legislature, by a joint resolution, re- quested the Governor to communicate with the trustees of Jor- dan's meeting-house, England, and with the legal representatives of William Penn, with a view to transferring Penn's remains to the city of Philadelphia, there to be permanently interred. George L. Harrison, Esq., of Philadelphia, consented to personally carry the message of the people of Pennsylvania to England. He went at his own expense, and earnestly sought to carry out the wishes
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expressed in the resolution of the legislature. After some de- liberation, the trustees of Jordan's meeting-house refused to grant the request of our people. Mr. Harrison entered into this project with great zeal, and on his return to America published an inter- esting account of the negotiations.
In 1882 the bi-centennial of Penn's arrival in the province was observed with fitting ceremonies. For a number of months the authorities of Philadelphia had the subject under discussion. Some favored an industrial exposition; but it was finally decided that several days should be devoted to parades and entertain- ments. A Bi-Centennial Association was formed, and an execu- tive committee was appointed, at the head of which was Alexander P. Colesberry. On Sunday, October 21, there were appropriate religious services in the churches. On Monday, "landing day" at Chester was observed, when characters representing Penn and his party were received from the boats by groups of Quakers, Swedes and Indians, all appropriately dressed. Tuesday, October 23, was "landing day" in Philadelphia. At 9 o'clock in the morn- ing the "Welcome" arrived at the foot of Dock street, where the scenes of landing were again enacted. Passing up Dock street, the line rested at the Blue Anchor Inn. Here a stand had been erected, and Governor Hoyt and members of the Bi-Centennial Association greeted Penn. Then Penn made a speech, to which Tamanend, sachem of the Delawares, made a feeling reply. A parade followed with twenty thousand men in line, requiring four hours and a half to pass a given point. The celebration ended on Friday with a grand military parade under the command of General John F. Hartranft. All the ceremonies connected with the bi-centennial were dignified and impressive. The two hun- dred years of history were recalled to the people with a new em- phasis and meaning. It was a glorious past, with bright pros- pects for the future. Referring to these festivities, the Governor said : "We are beginning the third century of our existence as a state. The reminiscences of the hour are well adapted to stir
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Hoyt's and Pattison's Administrations
within us reflections upon the possibilities of organized society, the secret of right government, and the duties of the free citizen in the free State. But thoughts without resolution have a sickly hue. Sonorous phrases count for nothing alongside of quiet deeds. Patient participation in public affairs will do more to redeem poli- tics from the spoiler than the sublimest political philosophy, and the intensest sentiment, if never embodied in action."
The election for Governor in 1882 was a spirited contest and brought about a political revolution in the State. James A. Beaver was nominated by the Republicans ; while Robert E. Pattison was the Democratic standard bearer. A strong element among the Republicans was dissatisfied with conditions in that party. This opposition united and nominated an Independent Republican ticket, with John Stewart for Governor. The Greenback-Labor movement also became a factor in State politics, and this party nominated Thomas A. Armstrong; while the Prohibitionists named Alfred C. Pettit. With the Republican vote thus divided, Mr. Pattison was elected by a plurality of more than forty thou- sand. His campaign was a most remarkable one. In two weeks he traveled fourteen hundred miles and spoke in forty counties.
In his final message to the legislature, Governor Hoyt re- viewed some of the causes which led to the Democratic victory. He said: "In Pennsylvania the people have determined upon a change. What does this decision mean? To this question three answers are proposed : one cynical and desperate; another, pessi- mistic and hopeless, and a third, patriotic and assuring." The first, he thought, expressed the feelings of the professional poli- tician, who looked upon the change merely as a turn in the for- tunes of a game. The Governor denounced this class of poli- ticians, however, for he said: "They rely for their success even more upon the apathy of the pure and the intelligent, than upon the activity of the selfish and unscrupulous." According to the second view, the Republican defeat was viewed by some as a pub- lic spasm or convulsion. This theory the Governor denounced
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as implying a lack of capacity for self-government. The third view he regarded as more hopeful and patriotic. "According to it," he said, "this change marks the beginning of a new epoch in our political life. Those who cherish it argue that thousands of our best citizens, relieved of the pressure of national anxieties, and unwilling to live forever in the past, are beginning to study the nature and details of State and municipal government as never before; are awakening to the business and scientific character of political problems, and have determined to thrust aside every in- dividual, and every contrivance, that stands between them and the management of their own affairs. They will no longer be content with the automatic activity in politics ; they demand a conscious share in this noblest pursuit of intelligent men. The people have come to claim their own, without the intervention of middlemen.
"If this view be correct, then the occupation of the profes- sional politician is gone. He belongs to a doomed species ; he has outlived the only environment adapted to his nourishment, and must shortly pass away. That this is true is indicated by our lineage, our traditions, and the character of our recent progress. We are the descendants of men who defied kings and parliaments ; we are the children of men who destroyed the Congressional cau- cus, and created the national convention. Our citizens are meet- ing in their granges and trades-unions, in their industrial leagues and commercial guilds, and are becoming keenly alive to the every- day bearings of politics upon their own and their children's wel- fare. Even the primary meeting, once treated as utterly beyond the pale of law, the sport of the juggler and the rogue, has become the subject of legislative enactment and protection. Nay more, even the promises of party platforms conform to the quickened senses of the people, and the necessity of other and better methods has received a certain grave and reverential recognition in party deliverances."1
1 "Pennsylvania Archives," Fourth Series,
vol. 9, p. 923.
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Hoyt's and Pattison's Administrations
This parting deliverance made by Governor Hoyt on political conditions in Pennsylvania reveals in him the character of true statesmanship. His remarks should be cherished by all patriotic citizens; for they describe so clearly the true nature of good gov- ernment. On retiring from office, Governor Hoyt began the practice of law in Philadelphia, where he died on Dec. 1. 1892.
House built in Philadelphia for the President of the United States
Completed 1797; purchased by the University of Pennsylvania in 1800. From the Birch views
Robert Emory Pattison was inaugurated Governor of Penn- sylvania on January 16, 1883, when only thirty-two years of age. His father, Rev. Robert H. Pattison, was a minister in the Meth- odist Episcopal church, and in 1850, at the time of the birth of his son, was stationed at Quantico, Maryland. Later the family removed to Philadelphia, where Robert E. Pattison was educated in the public schools, graduating as valedictorian in the Central High School. In 1869 he began the study of law in the office of
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Hon. Lewis C. Cassidy, and in 1872 was admitted to the bar. In 1877, when only twenty-seven years old, he was elected Controller of Philadelphia, and in 1880 he was chosen for a second term. His wise and honest administration of this office made him the nominee of his party for Governor two years later.
Governor Pattison was inaugurated on January 16, 1883. At his own request the ceremony was as simple as possible. It is said that he refused to ride in a carriage from the railroad sta- tion at Harrisburg, but walked to the hotel on the occasion of his inauguration. His whole administration was characterized by a spirit of economy and reform. In his inaugural address, the Gov- ernor urged the abolition of needless offices, rigid accountability and strict economy in the expenditure of public money, and an equitable distribution of the burdens of government. He said in closing: "I look forward with bright anticipation to the future of our Commonwealth. Her possibilities are great beyond those of almost any of her sister States. Let it always be remembered by all citizens that intelligence and virtue are the safeguards of lib- eral institutions. The law must be preserved in its integrity and supremacy ; citizenship should not be treated as a light privilege, but its duties should be made a serious matter of conscientious performance; the purity of our elections must be sacredly pre- served; and all alike should feel a personal interest in discharging their obligations to the State, and sustaining the officers of the law in the faithful and just performance of their functions. It will always be my pleasing duty to co-operate with the represent- atives of the people, in giving validity to enactments whose ob- ject is the dissemination of information, the promotion of the general welfare, the placing of additional safeguards around the upright, or the punishment and restraint of the lawless and vicious. In short, whatever will tend to develop the resources, increase the comforts, or enlarge the happiness and prosperity of the citizens of a State, which has been alike fortunate in its location and the wise policy of its founder, should receive the sedulous attention
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and constant support of every one who is called upon to make, expound, execute, or obey the laws."
A few weeks after the inauguration, Governor Pattison sent a message to the legislature, urging immediate action on certain reforms. He emphasized especially the great necessity for re- apportioning the State into congressional, senatorial and repre- sentative districts, as required by the constitution : "The General Assembly, at its first session after the adoption of this constitu- tion, and immediately after each United States decennial census, shall apportion the State into senatorial and representative dis- tricts agreeably to the provisions of the two next preceding sec- tions." The legislature could not agree upon any scheme of ap- portionment ; but on June 6, 1883, the date fixed for adjourn- ment, the Governor issued a proclamation calling an extra session to meet the following day. In making this call, he said : "The obligation is imposed upon the Governor to 'take care that the laws be faithfully executed.' I deem it my duty, therefore, to exhaust my lawful authority to correct the grave default of the legislature." A new apportionment of the judicial districts was made; but the efforts in behalf of congressional and legislative apportionment ended in a complete failure. The legislature re- mained in extra session until December 6, a period of six months. The members were paid ten dollars per day, and all they accom- plished was to create a heavy bill of expenses for the government. The Governor severely arraigned the legislature for this neglect of duty, as follows : "They adjourned at last with the constitution still unobeyed, but not without easily succeeding, by sinking all their differences (which they had ostentatiously paraded for the previous six months for the purpose of defeating the law) in a coalition to over-ride the executive veto, and take over a half million dollars of the people's money without rendering any re- turn in service." In his message to the legislature, in January, 1885, the Governor urged the passage of a law fixing a specific salary for members of the General Assembly. This would pre-
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