The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-10-21
RTTNER'S ADMINISTRATORS THE
BUCRSHOT WE


opponent in the exciting Gubernatorial cam
paign of 1888, Ex-Governor David II. Porter,
died on the 9th of August, 1867. Thaddeus
Stevens, after gaining in the national coun-
ellis au influence as commanding as that which
he had previously exercised within the
boundaries of the Commonwealth, died in
1865. And Ritner, although born before
either Porter or Stevens, for brief period
survived them both. The era with which he
was actively identified has now passed into
history, and its exciting events can be as dis
passionately discussed az the policy of colonial
governors whose very names are forgotten.
1t marked an important transition period,
pregnant with striking changes in the whole
political system of the State. Ritner was the
first man to break up a long succession of
Democratic Governors. The principles and
leaders of that party had gained an ascend
ancy which made opposition on issues legiti-
mately connected with national politics per-
fectly hopeless, and the anti-Masonic excite
aent furnished the first effective agency for
disintegrating its compact lines. In those
days the German element was proportionably
much more powerful than at the present time,
and one of the most important qualifications
Of an aspirant for State honors was a know
ledge of the German language and personal
popularity in German districts. Ritner's
birth and associations having given him this
endowment, the aoquaintances and position
he had acquired during an unusually long
service as a member of the Legislature made
him the most available nominee that could be
found for the new party, and by dirt of re-
peated effort he at last reached the goal of his
ambition through the aid of the Democratic
divisions. Elected as an anti-Mason it was
incumbent upon him or his followers to at
tempt to enforce the principles of
that party. Stevens undertook this
difficult task only to be baffled by the sturdy
and dignifed resistance of the leading mem
bers of the Masonic Order; and after this
failure, anti-Masonry ceased to be an aggres-
sive and growing power, although its princi-
Piles had still many enthusiastic followers.
The Goyernorship in those days was endowed
with vast patronage, the appointing power
extending to nearly all local offices; and it
was during Ritner's term that the new Consti-
tuition, which made most of these positions
elective, was framed and adopted. When he
entered the Office he was armed with patron
age analogous to that welded by the Presi-
dent of the United States while his successor
enjoyed much more restricted powers. The
movement which resulted in this change, and
the popular ratification of it, were due in
large degree to the disgust of the Democracy
with their dissensions, which had been origi-
nally fomented by the quarrels of their rival
Office hunters, and to the desire to enlarge
the sphere of the direct action of the people;
but it is doubtful whether the new Constitl-
ton would have been ratified at that time if
there had not been added to these motives
the indignation of Democratic spoil-hunters
al the appointment of their political enemies
to lucrative county offices all over the State,
and in Democratic as we'll as auti-MaSonic
districts. Before 1888 the laws regulating
elections were very imperfect wide door
was opened for fraud, and the intense ex-
citement attending gubernatorial contests
produced by the concentration of patronage
was intensified by the prevalence of the prac-
tice of betting ON the result to an extent
which has never since been approached in
this Commonwealth. These evils were re-
formed Immediately after the close of Ritner's
term, by the stringent election law of 1889,
which corrected many of the abuses that had
for years been gradually gaining increased
proportions.
In the memorable contest of 1888 the deep
est passions of the Commonwealth were
therefore aroused by series of issues of
momentous importance The Democracy,
defeated in 1885 by their dissensions, were in
tensely anxious to regain their wonted ascen-
danoy. The Masons were eager to aveuge
what they deemed unjust oppression. Re
formers desired to secure fair test for tho
untried features of the new Constitution ant
to purify the elections. Questions connected
with the management of the public works
the free school system, aud the United States
Bank. added intense excitement to the con
fict; and as the rival candidates for Governo
had been subjected to scurTilOus and vitupe
rative personal attacks of every description
no element was wanting to awaken univer
sal and absorbing interest in the result Of tn
conflict. After the election many charge
and counter charges of fraud wer
made Both sides claimed triumph, and
notwithstanding the apparent majority 70
Porter it was alleged by one of Ritner
leading partisans that he would treat the eleC
tion as if he had not been defeated, Unde
these circumstances the final result depende
upon the official count of the returns, an
this was surrounded with doubt by the cor
testing claims of rival candidates for tn
Legislature from Philadelphia. BY the ac