Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1869-10-20
IDenih or mr. slorernor RIlner.

/
last at the residence of a son.in.law,
in tho borough of Carlisle, at the ox-
treme aye ofninety He was born in
the township Of Alsacc, in the county
OF Bcrks, OF German parentage-of
that sturdy, frugal, honest and indus
trious stock which has contributed so
largely TO the prosperity of this great
State His early opportunities for
education were few, being confined to
the winter schools Of his neighborhood.
Early in life he removed to the county
of Washington, and engaged in farm
ing, the occupation in which he had
been reared Soon after his removal
to Washington county, he began to
take an active part in politics, aud was
elected by his Democratic neighbors to
the State legislature. He served in
the Legislature for number Of years,
and was chosen Speaker Of the House
in the session of 1926 and 1927. AS u
Speaker he maintained a reputation
for promptncss and fairness in his
decisions, and impartiality in the
organization of the committees Of the
body over which he presided.
In 1927 he was appointed by Presi-
dent Adams one of the Visitors TO
West point. A failure TO obtain new
nomination for the Legislature at the
hands oftho Democrats, compelled him
to retire for few years from public
life.
In 1929 Joseph Ritner was nomina-
ted for Governor by tho rising faction
of anti Masons, at the head OF whom
was Thaddeus Stevens In this con-
test, his vote was small. lie was
again nominated against George Wolf
by the anti.Masons in 1882, and al
though defeated, the heavy vote which
he received gave evidence Of popu-
arity and strength among the people
beyond that Of the faction TO which he
belonged. Divisions among the Dem
ocrats in 1885, enabled Ritner to graf
ify bis ong-eherished ambition Of be-
coming Governor There were two
Democratic candidates in the field,
George Wolf and Henry A. Mullen
burg, and between them Ritner slip
ped in. During his administration
the great system Of Public Works in
augurated by Governor Wolf was con.
tinued. Some extravagant railroad
schemes were started, among them
the notorious Tape Worm road in
Adams county, the ruined culverts of
which are still TO be seen. Thomas
II. Burrowos, now President Of the
State Agricultural College, was Rit-
ner's Secretary of State James Todd,
Of Fayette county, was the Attorney
General, and Thaddeus Stevens,
member Of the Canal Board was the
leader of the administration. The |
large appropriations of the public |
money, and what was deemed its |
reckless and wastoiul expenditure ia |
enterprises Of no benefit to the peo- |
pie made the administration Of Ritner /
extremely unpopular. When presen-
ted for reelection, he was defeated by |
David r. Porter by an immense ma
jority. At this election, for the FIRST /
time in the political history Of the |
Commonwealth, the most corrupt /
practices were rcsortcd 10 TO insure sue
cess. The Canal Board raised from
contractors and others employed on
the Public Works what Thaddeus
Stevens irrcverently called a Mission.
arg Fund to be employed in elections,
aud the returns of the votes at Millors-
town in Adams "a. !. "a oSi2aPtyr6PdaGp Gpdihfn5 I'll
that carly day which might well
excite envy in the breast of a Covode.
In the midst of the storm raised by
the attempt 10 defeat tho will of the
people in the elections in 1888, the
of Ritner closed. The
lawfully chosen representatives wore
admitted to their seats aud the Buck
shot War ended without the shedding
If blood.
On returning from office, Governor
Iiitner purchased farm in Cumber-
and county, on which he continued to
'esidc almost TO the day of his death.
lie never again emerged from private
ile, though be made ono or two un-
iuccessful attempts TO obtain office
He was an applicant for the Treasurer
hip Of the Mint, under President !
Taylor but, being disappointed, he I
vas never again heard Of in politics. Q
Though he was the object of much '
lenunciaton and ridiculo while Gov I
rnor yet he was man of considera- |
'le intellect and force Of character.
a violent partisan, some of |
he worst acts Of his administration I
must be attributed to the recklessness
t his official advisers and the party 4
pirit which prevailed at the time. {
Without possessing much education.
&c had no little knowledge and expe- |
icnce ia public affairs. lie was one q
+ the Governors OF the HFarmer Com I
and since he owod his c
lcvation TO tho tilers of the soil, he ?
vas devoted to what he considered
heir true interests. Since his day .
he "Farmer Commonwealth" has q
isappeared. The honest tillers Of tho n
round have lost their influence in the c
olitics Of the State, and a now rule
as begun its downward course.
treat corporations, and rings Of spec
lators and lobby men have obtained +
ompleto control Of the government of u
he Commonwealth. These agencies u
ere scarcely known in the admins y |,
'ation Of Joseph Ritncr.-HdrrisJwg y