USA > Pennsylvania > Lancaster County > Lancaster > The story of Lancaster, old and new : being a narrative history of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, form 1730 to the centennial year 1918 > Part 9
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"LANCASTER, October 18, 1818.
"To The Free And Independent Voters Of The City And County Of Lancaster.
"Fellow-Citizens and Neighbors:
"Pursuant to previous notice given, we are again assembled for the purpose of concerting measures necessary to ensure the most cordial support to Messers Frederick Hambright and Wm. B. Ross, the persons nominated and taken was for the office of Sheriff, by a large respectable meeting of our friends, at the house of Mr. John Hatz, Innkeeper, in the City of Lancaster, on Wednesday evening,
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the 19 inst., in opposition to those settled on the Federal Ticket on the same day at the house of Mr. John Bachman.
"In all elections particularly by officers, whose duties are entirely ministerial, it is conceived that we should divest ourselves of all party considera- tions, and unite in favor of those, who are most characterised by their patriotism-their talents, and just claims.
"The people have too long suffered themselves to be the dupes of designing and party men: The result of the last sheriff's election conclusively demonstrates the disposition of an enlightened people, to patronize those, who have rendered essential services to our country, and to pay a just tribute to worth and merit, unshakled by party prejudices, or local jealousies-and that too, at that time, in opposition to the settled tickets of both parties.
"Township meetings are so partially attended, that the sense of the people can never be correctly ascertained by the choice of their Delegates.
"It is a well known fact, that in many of them, not one fifth of those entitled to vote, attended; yet, we are called upon to support men thus nominated by a few individuals,-direct opposition to what we conceive to be the will of the majority.
"'Rotation in Office,' has always been acknowl- edged to be one of the fundamental principles of a republican government: In conformity with this principle, our constitution has wisely provided that the office of Sheriff shall not be filled by the same person twice successively.
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"During the last six years property has under- gone a considerable revolution. The wild and visionary schemes of speculators have entranced landed estate to an unnatural and artificial price and its sudden fall involved many of our wealthy citizens in difficulties and embarrassments; hence arose litigation and contention, which caused our dockets to swell to an unprecedented extent.
"This, therefore, furnished an ample harvest for those who had the good fortune to be elevated to that important station, during the period of the last six years-Is it reasonable? Is it just? Or does it comport that the old adopted maxim of 'Rotation in Office' to hold up for publishing patronage, an individual, who has already had his full share and enjoyed the emoluments? To your good sense-to your unprejudiced minds-to your own feelings, Fellow-citizens, this appeal is made- We repeat: Pause and Reflect! Consult the wishes of the people, and you will then find, that the friends of 'Rotation in Office of profit' are the majority, and will oppose a citizen, who has been favored with the 'loaves and fishes' for three long years before! Fellow-Citizens!
"Such are the pretensions, with which one of the Candidates on the Federal ticket settled at Mr. Bachman's on the 19 inst., appears before you.
"Once already, as before stated, has he received the Benefits of the Office !- the other now in pos- session of an office, yielding a very comfortable subsistence, attended besides with very little labour, both of the settled Candidates it is acknowledged,
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are gentlemen of respectability but neither of them have claims on the public equal to those of Messers Frederick Hambright and William B. Ross. Let us now, Neighbours and Friends, look for a moment on the pretensions of the two last named Candidates.
"Mr. W. B. Ross having on several former occa- sions, solicited your suffrages, has undergone the test of scrutiny, and is well known to you all as a man of unsullied probity, discharging with punc- tilious nicety and exactness, the various business entrusted to him in his several avocations-and the best encomium that can be paid to his merit, is seen in the respectable number of votes, which he uniformly obtained, when soliciting your appro- bation.
"Mr. Frederick Hambright, now for the first time appears before you in the character of a Candidate. But the time is yet fresh in your recollection, when he manifested the most strenuous and zealous de- votion to his Country's Cause at a time it was agitated with the most dreadful convulsions-the perturbed clouds of war obscured our political horizon, a furious foe lighted the flames of victory in the capitol of America-and flushed with recent success, was about to lay in ruins a neighboring city; prompted by as pure patriotism as ever animated a Spartan's breast, he voluntarily renounced every social enjoyment, and sought distinction and glory in the turmoil of the camp. These are sacrifices, for whichever a youth, unencumbered with a family would have a claim on your attention; but when made by one, on whose fate hung the destiny of a
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young and helpless family, the debt is doubly entranced, and should be requited by bestowing on him the need of valour. Such, fellow-citizens, are the characters of the two gentlemen, whom we have assembled to support.
"It now becomes necessary for us to adopt all honorable measures in our power to promote their election, and, we confidently trust, that your assist- ance, in favor of them, will be beneficial to the citizens generally.
"Signed by order of the Committee
"DANIEL HAHN, "Chairman."
"LANCASTER, PA., Oct. 18th, 1818. "Friend Marks Grove,
"If my health would have permitted I should have accompanied my friend the Bearer Mr. Henry Carpenter, to your Neighborhood, as I was very anxious to see you before the Election, knowing that you are a particular friend of mine; I have therefore thought proper to address a few lines to you, to request you will do all in your power to support Frederick Hambright or myself as Candi- dates for the Sheriff's Office, as we have agreed to divide the profits of the office between us, should either of us succeed .- I have understood that there is some thought in your neighborhood to support Henry Smith and myself, but this would be doing me an injury in as much as that every vote Smith gets is taking one off Hambright and me jointly- Smith has no chance and his only intention is to
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elect Mathiot who is married to his Wife's cousin, Sheriff-
"In haste your real friend "W. B. Ross."
So bitter was the feeling between the Federalists and their dissentors along in the beginning of the city as a municipality as to make one conclude that the "Hog" and "Bull" ringers of a third of a century ago were not half as bad as the newspapers had pictured them to be when compared with their compeers of earlier days.
Think of anyone with the courage to send broad- cast a recipe for the making of a modern Federalist during any period of our country's history! And yet, Mr. Henry Demuth is in possession of a written letter penned by a once well-known citizen of "Old Lancaster." In setting it forth it shows that human nature has not changed very materially; and that during each political campaign, down to the present day, men will resort to "ways that are dark and tricks that are vain," to accomplish their ends and purposes. And here the recipe is for the making of a modern Federalist:
"Take the head of an old hypocrite, one pound of Morse's Conspiracy, one pound of a Lawyer's tongue, twenty-five drops of Oliver Cromwell; and fifteen drops of anti-christ. Put the compound into a motor of self-righteousness, and pound it with the pestile of malice, then sift it through the vessel of Rebellion for twenty four hours-then cork it with Toryism-let it settle until the next Assembly
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meets, and it will be fit for use. Give the political patient five drops just before election. If your patient is a little squemish, sweeten the whole with a concoxion of the Stamp Act, or the Land Tax with a little of the 'Washington Benevolent Society,' and repeat the dose often." As a warning, let it be said, that the recipe is not to be used by twentieth century office-seekers under penalty.
Following Mayor Passmore came Samuel Car- penter, serving two years, when in 1824, Nathaniel Lightner was elected mayor, holding the official position until 1830.
It was a few years previous that the city awoke from its full century of Rip Van Winkle sleep. Who conceived the idea of forming a company to be known as "The Conestoga Navigation Company" we do not know. What the minutes of councils have to disclose is that in the year 1830 councils had been persuaded to invest $10,000 of the city's money in this enterprise. As the chairman of the Finance Committee announced, "It is to the interest of the city of Lancaster to foster this great public improvement, which will be a lasting benefit to every class of citizens, not only of this place, but of the adjoining country. By this liberal sub- scription, the public-spirited managers of that company will be able to overcome all difficulties. The works are now substantially and permanently finished and the navigation of the Conestoga in complete and successful operation." But how little imagined the mover of the resolution to invest ten thousand dollars of the city's money of what was to happen!
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Here follows a short account of how the "Cones- toga Navigation Company" was formed and the purpose it was to serve. It was about eighteen miles in length from Lancaster to Safe Harbor on the Susquehanna at the mouth of the Conestoga. By means of the tidewater canal to Port Deposit, a navigable communication was opened to Balti- more and through another canal to Philadelphia. Its cost was about $4,000 per mile. Its directors and investors were Adam Reigart, John F. Steinman, Edward Coleman, George B. Porter, Jasper Slay- maker, George Lewis Mayer, Hugh Maxwell, John Lintner, and George Haverstick, all well-known, reputable citizens.
By the year 1833 business had increased, but not enough to relieve the embarrassed condition of the company. On March 3 of this year the mills and dams were offered for sale by the sheriff. The prop- erty was sold June first at the house of Rosina Hubley. By the year 1837 the second company went into liquidation, when William and Edward Coleman secured a new charter, the title being changed to the "Lancaster, Susquehanna and Slackwater Navigation Company."
To reach the great West and upper coal-fields on the opposite side of the river another canal was constructed extending to Wrightsville, signs of which are still visible northward even beyond the town of Columbia. What might have resulted to this project but for the incoming of the railroad a year or two following, can only be surmised.
Whether the city of Lancaster lost the whole of
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the ten thousand it had invested in this alluring enterprise, or only a portion of it, may be gleaned from the following: "It was at a meeting of councils, February 23, 1832, that a letter came from the Conestoga Navigation Company to the presidents of both branches of Councils, requesting their presence at a meeting of stockholders of said Com- pany at Parker's Hotel. It was therefore resolved 'that a committee of two members of each branch be appointed to attend the meeting to represent the interests of the city, and that they report what will be done.'"' This resolution was non-concurred in by common councils. This ended all further litigation with the defunct Navigation Company.
This unfortunate venture was the first in which the city had become involved, and had the effect of withholding private capital from other enter- prises for the benefit of the town's growth and development. Without going back to the thirties, numerous instances might be cited of how men with money to invest have since become scary of this or that industrial project, preferring, as many have, to invest their money in stocks, bonds and other securities which were felt to be safer in the drawing of dividends semi-annually. And yet, history goes to prove that a round million has gone into all kinds of "away-from-home" schemes from which not a dollar has been realized. Usually these pro- jects are engineered by stranger promoters. It has too frequently been said that, if only half the money invested in gold mines, copper and rice, had been invested in helping along their own town, how much better and richer both the city and investor!
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With the beginning of 1831 came John Mathiot, in many respects the greatest mayor Lancaster has ever had down to the present time. He held the office until 1842, the longest term of eleven years, and busy ones they were, as the councilmanic minutes will shortly disclose.
At the close of the year 1831, the Finance Com- mittee rendered their report as to the city's status to Select Councils, and is copied to show just how the city stood financially.
Loans already contracted $ 5,750.00
Improvements.
4,800.00
Loan for 200 shares Conestoga Navigation stock . 8,405.00
Borrowed on credit of the city
1,595.00
Total city debt.
$20,550.00
Income from taxes during the year $ 5,000.00
Market rents, fines and forfeitures 200.00
Balance in treasury 2.69
Total revenue.
$ 5,202.69
AMOUNT APPROPRIATED
Interest on loans
$ 1,000.00
Salaries .
652.00
Watch and lamp expenses.
600.00
Repair of streets
760.00
Contingencies .
2,190.69
Total expenditures
$ 5,202.69
It may readily be seen from receipts and expen- ditures that the year 1830 was not a very satis- factory one for councilmen to contemplate, with but a beggarly income of $5,202.69 and a permanent debt of $20,550. But as the minutes testify, this
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debt did not seem to disturb the tax-payers so long as the assessed valuation of property was not disturbed, nor the rate increased.
At a public meeting the cry was, "Let future generations shoulder their portion." Never was a thought given what future generations might have to say in helping pay off old debts which they had no voice in creating, with possibly enough of their own to be provided for.
However, in the next succeeding chapter the reader shall learn that it was either necessary to go borrowing or to resort to the alternative of higher assessment of property or an increase in the rate. Both of these methods have been studiously avoided on down to the present day, perhaps for the reason that the issuing of bonds brought in revenue without incurring the expense of a tax-collector.
At the time along in the thirties, forties and fifties, as a rule, only property holders could be elected to either branch of councils. And even such were men of standing, business or literary attainment. Prior to each municipal election a few of the citizens would meet, frame a ticket, and it was not so much a question of party politics, as the thought uppermost to keep the assessment and tax rate to the minimum. The common people had a profound reverence for their superiors, as the rulers were designated back in the "good old days."
Along in the thirties councils must have been a very harmonious body of men as the following resig- nation will show:
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"TO THE HONORABLE THE SELECT COUNCILS OF THE CITY OF LANCASTER-
" Gentlemen: Having accepted the office of Marshal of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, I cannot longer hold the position as a member of your Honor- able body over which I have so long presided through your kindness, as president. I therefore tender you my resignation. It would be doing injustice to my feelings were I here to omit thanking you indi- vidually and collectively for the many flattering marks of your goodness and your uniformly correct deportment and support of the decisions which have been made since I have occupied the President's Chair. Believe me, that it is with much regret I leave such a body of friends among whom so much unanimity and good feelings on all occasions have prevailed. With my most fervent wishes for the prosperity for this city and its inhabitants, and with a sincere prayer for your own happiness, per- mit me to assure you of my high regard and esteem, and to subscribe myself with great respect your friend and obedient servant GEORGE B. PORTER."
To fill the vacancy, John R. Montgomery was unanimously elected. "Attest, Reah Frazer, Clerk of Select Councils."
At the meeting following came a petition from sundry citizens, stating that a number of indi- viduals were making a regular practice of coming into the city from the country, and retail fresh meat by the pound, and thus injure the business of the victualers in the city, and praying councils to remedy 11
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the evil together with the following resolution, Re- solved that a stop be put to the forestalling the market.
That nothing was said about the high price of potatoes and other farm trucks, was no doubt for the reason that these commodities had not become almost prohibitory like unto the present day. But is not it strange how history repeats itself, and after nearly a century?
Dating from the time the village became a borough in 1742, and for a good many years thereafter, apart from burgesses, mayor and councilmen, the three most important of the town's citizenship were the town clerk, the master of the markets, and last, though not least, the constable. Under burgess rule this poorly-paid official had all kinds of duties to perform. He was required to attend fairs, watch the public bread bakers to see that they were giving the proper weight according to act of Assembly. In addition, instead of being allowed to keep the Sabbath holy in attending service, he was compelled to visit all the public houses to find out if there was any drinking or "tippling " going on.
The tallest constable we ever knew as a boy was high constable Joe Brintenal, appointed as the head of the "squad," but whether on account of his height of over six feet six by the tailor's yardstick, none of the lads of the town could tell. However, it used to be said that Joseph Brintenal's tailor usually kept two yardsticks on hand, the longer one in buying suiting for Joseph, the shorter used in measuring him in height. How much material was
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actually saved by this hocus-pocus scheme of legerdemain, the plyer of shears was never known to disclose.
With all due respect for our present-day police force, it would be a reflection on their dignity to designate them constables! They are known as policemen, dressed in police uniform, but whether furnished by the city or out of their own monthly pay, the chronicler has not been informed. During snow, rain or storm one of these conservators of the peace can be seen perched, if not on a pedestal, at least on his feet, sometimes on one, sometimes on the other and occasionally on both, according to weather conditions. How he manages to wear a smile when a frown would be more in place with the smell of gasoline and the sound of the auto-horn drumming in his ears is past finding out. Alto- gether, he is the most faithful and the poorest paid of all the city's employees! Centrally located on a "diamond" he is compelled to look in four directions at the same time; and what must be very confusing, he is expected to note down in memory the number of every automobile license-tag. Catching a chauf- feur exceeding the speed of seven miles an hour, he is likewise required to stand face to face with the violator, who will swear himself black and blue in the face in order to get out of a very tight pinch.
It used to be in the days of the constables when a "bum" was caught with more of the elixir of life's charms than he could well carry perpendicularly, he was hustled off to the lockup on a wheelbarrow. Now he is carefully bundled upright and taken to
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"bummers' hall" in the patrol run by gasoline. Of course, the "Black Maria" is still in use during court trials. But it won't be long until these violators of the common law will be taken in an auto fitted out with cushion seats and rubber tires to preserve their perfect equilibrium in going over the bumps in the roads. And why, it may be asked, should they not be treated with the same con- sideration as are the Street Commissioner, the Superintendent of the Water Works, not to overlook the Chief of the Fire Department, as he goes his way in an automobile?
Why, if a boy is caught running his bicycle on the pavements with the danger of striking a loose brick, into the street he goes. It was not so in the good old days when Jim Thackara delivered all the express goods on a wheelbarrow, and that too on the sidewalks.
In closing this chapter, may not the narrator ask what has become of Tommy Hannigan, peddler of matches? It has been said that the incoming of the electric light broke up his business. Then there is little Blind Tommy who leans against a telegraph pole in entertaining all the country people with his accordeon. The only one of the old-timers is Baker Young, dispenser of the same almanac that once upon a time predicted snow in July when it actually came. Nor can the chronicler forget Johnny Elliott, who carried a kettle of butter all the way to Baltimore on a hot August day. Since Abe Miller, the fiddler, is no more, visitors to Rocky Springs have to be satisfied with operatic music, with a deluge of the Tipperary kind. Oh, oh!
CHAPTER XI
THE INCOMING OF THE RAILROAD THROUGH LANCASTER
AFTER reading the following advertisement pub- lished in a city paper shortly after the railroad had been changed from what is known as the "cut-off" to its present location, if of a reminiscent turn, you, dear reader, will think yourself back in "Old Lan- caster" of eighty years ago, ready to jump aboard a train on its way westward bound. The advertise- ment ran as follows:
"In large and splendid eight-wheel cars, travelers can now take passage via the Lancaster and Colum- bia railroad where, at said point, Columbia, pas- sengers can take the packet which has been fitted up in a very superior manner, after the most ap- proved models of boats used on the Erie canal, and not surpassed by those of any other line. For speed and comfort, this line is not excelled by any other in the United States. Passengers for Cin- cinnati, Louisville, Nathes, Nashville, St. Louis and other points will always be sure to be taken without delay, as this line connects with Pittsburgh, carrying the mail. Only two days are required to make the journey from Lancaster to Pittsburgh."
Mark the time required, "Only two days from Lancaster to Pittsburgh!" Of course, nothing was
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said about Pullman palace cars. This is no fancy sketch, but an advertisement for the accommoda- tion of travelers westward bound.
With this, the narrator shall enter upon a subject over which so much discussion has resulted during a year or two past, growing out of the contemplated removal of the P. R. R. passenger station to what is known as the "cut-off."
Whatever has hitherto been written pro or con by this or that writer shall have no weight with the chronicler; the minutes of Councils shall be faith- fully adhered to from the beginning of the road leading through the city to its completion.
At a special meeting of councils, December 21, 1831, "It was resolved by the Select, concurred in by the Common, that a committee be appointed by both branches to draft a petition to the Legis- lature for and on behalf of the citizens of Lancaster, to alter the present route of the railroad so as to make the city of Lancaster a point according to the directions of the act of General Assembly, directing the construction of said road." The committee con- sisted of Mr. Logenecker on the part of Select, and Mr. Whiteside on the part of Common Councils.
At a meeting, January 3, 1832, the president of Select Councils presented a communication of the proceedings had at a general town meeting of citizens at the court house on the nineteenth of December, 1831, for the purpose of taking measures to have the present location of the railroad changed so as to bring the same within the city, with the following resolution :
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"Resolved, That this meeting recommend to Select and Common Councils to make an appro- priation to meet the expenses of the survey already made, and such other expenses as may be incurred to carry into effect the object of this meeting.
"Resolved, That the Mayor be and is hereby authorized to draw his warrant in favor of Mr. Joshua Scott for $100 to be paid out of any un- appropriated monies in the treasury-And also that the expenses of the committee at a late town meeting, for their trip to Harrisburg be paid in the same manner." In this, Common Councils concurred, limiting the expense to $100.
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