New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-05-15
JOSEPH RIINER.
THE NESrOR OF THE " PENNSYLVANIA
DUTCHp

SIMPLICITY.
IPRoM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENCE
CARLISLE, May 13.-Thirty years ago, Joseph
Rner was Governor of the State and the most promi
nent man in the Commonwealth Now he lives IN utter OBJ
scnrlty about four miles from this village, and but few
resort TO him for advice counsel II bis counsel
sought however IL would be impossible for him to
advise his faculties being impaired to that extent that
only by the most persistent effort in interview
had with him the other day that succeeded in bringing
back his recollection to the events Of the past In
which he played leading part. and in relation to
which he has been much traduced. In answer to
the first question that ventured 10 address TO him,
he said: eyes, knew Thaddeus Stevens well. When
Governor he was member OF the legislature But
when adverted to the influence Mr.. Stevens pOpu-
ay supposed to have exerted him the Executive
found it very difficult to make my meaning plain to
him. Having come here purpose to see him that he
might have an opportunity Of giving expression TO his
feelings In regard the departed statesman, now that
Thaddeus Stevens dead and his long life near its
close, was determined not to so away unsatshed
"Peope used to call Mr. Stevens your oracle, and the
keeper OF your conscience, DIR. Rtner," said, land
some even went far to declare that ne compelled
you to appoint HIM Canal Commissioner in 1885," BY
repeating the question in various forms, putting
I'm the shape OF a direct charge that Stevens had ap
pointed himself 10 office while Ritner Governor,
at length succeeded In getting distinct answer. whc
confirmed by MS children, a5 the uecaratOns oI hs
stevens and often differed" he said, "and when we
could not agree | always had my own way. When aP-
pointed him Canal Commissioner wanted man Of in
flexible will and ndOmitable energy, and thought ne
was such man" That this Is the whole story In rea-
tIon 10 the oracle" business doubt not and that the
old Pennsylvania Dutch" Governor judges Mr. Stevens
Josep6 Rner Is true type Of the Pennsylvania Dutch
man OF the past generations race as worthy as 1t has
been msrepresented. Conventional politeness Is not
trait Of his theirs but the genuine heartness which
allows you help yourself at meals provides an ample
store from which to follow the Injunction OF the host TO
his guests "Help yourselves" ] dned with this old
man, and found all the social a. customs
boring round about him There seemed to be no
lingering echoes OF Executive dinners resoundng about
his household, and the republican simplicity ana virtue
~ his day were In nothing more apparent IMAM IN ths
unless they we're betrayed by remark Of his unmarried
daughter: When father was candidate lot once nc
found dreadfully expensive, his payments for postage
being inuch rs week" Apropos OF bis daughters
pense: "Ma," SAID OF these young ladies' soon
after Mr.. Ritners election to the Gubcrnatorial position
"W We all bc Governors nOwf NO. answered the
mother "Ouly pap and me-"
In answer TO question in relation to his age, Mr. Rt
ner said he was % years old When observed the
and seconscOuS twinkle In the old mans eye as he told
this could not but smile at the pride that length OF
city OF Reading. in Berks County, March 25
1850 He received education in youth
school Of very mean prctensions Yet he rose the
highest offices in the state aud even became the chez
champion Of education IN Pennsylyanla. TO him pct per
haps than 20 any other man Is the success OF the
Common school system In this state TO DC attnouted
Ills zeal even led 10 serious charges affecting Ds petsonh
Integrity and upon this subject was anxious TO get some
expression from the old mar All be would say now S
ever was "They sad he took money for signing the
charter for Nick Biddlcs Bank When hls son jacob
who is O. years old and win Ihom tne eHuoner
nor resides came home questioned MN ~ elation 70
his fathers declarations upon THIS subject FROM MN
lear ed that the old Governor ieq9ey takeu Oh b Sne
matter during the last 80 years jacob tner says .h
bis father had 30 other purPos. IN YIN "a Ia ' re
mcmbcred that under the opposition OF the DeGerao
Marty aud the vigorous measures OF PRESIDENT JacksOh
admnis5aton tne .tyaHc effort WINS the made to Sc
cure very liberal charter fer the bank from the Penn
sylvann legislature with the hope OF continuing tas
the United states Bank tut Gov her MI MI Upp ,S
10 the charter and refused 10 approve the Dill uh the
bank agreed large bonus to the state Tor the cree
ton Of school houses under tne lev SSluoi t'i, r
bonus paid. but The schooihOnses WIRE Duht upon
the ruins Of Nick Biddlos Bank the failure OF mat
mi. condition IN the charter. Gov Rliher as nave al
ready said charged b. his enemies WIN aetePLihg
bribe for signing this bill but while DO not think lie
was guilty 81 ofeDsc, know that an attempt 20 IN
hucncc him by means Of money was contemplated. brlP'
cry was not then. now, common crime IN Pennsyl'
vann. and readily believe that the Executive
him with much indignation az ho always afterWard
exhibited IN speaking Of them .-, ,r., ,,,., ann,
pie and unaffected HIS sou Jacob is farmer worth
nearly 10000 which he made by steady but unasslstcd
labor avoiding speculation and all eXtraneOus methods
OF amassng wealth. Gu the, other hand, GOV kltner
himself never acquired much property. lie removed
hired himself 10 "a farmer with whom ne HVed uhui no
married At the time OF his marriage he was scarcely
more than twenty years old few aIterwnrd he
migrated TO Nestmorcland and then to WASHINGTON
County In the western part OF the state 10 1870 me was
nominated by the Whg party "a candidate Tor the
state legislature and served Ia that body FOR seven sue
ces,ye years occupying during his last two terms. the
position Of Speaker Ui the House. lie illustrated his
political simplicity to mn IN yey peculiar manner at
irbutmg his popularity 10 cause mat would not readily
occur 10 a politician Of the present day. when people
came into Tho House lac said they always saw me-
aud asked. Who Is that man VA tho ehairf That l.
MIR Eitncr, our Speaker" Even Mr. Hickman could
not give better reason Tor his popularity as LEGISLATOR.
aud every body knows that success IN lhuhny depends
altogether upon somebody being seen" Perhaps some
Ianmany leader heara Gov EtneF g lp' n sSty.
ophy Of that organization may havo bad It's
inception Gov. Eitner tells another ttc hnecdote not
less illustrative of ms pohliSal hmpneiy on tne even
ing tie day when he Was first nominated for the legs
uc h5 wife told him. after they had retired that their
nciehbur the miller, going 10 TayoTstown the
day 10 oppose him. quit sobbmg, my dear" he an
me viii lex him" Did Iammany improve on this hint
Ia 1875 Mr. Rltnor was defeated the whg candidate
the frs Ant-Masonic candidate for Governor.
bnt WAS elected over GOV Wolf In 1885. connection
with the Anti Masonic movement was the source OF much
hostility toward him; but GOV. latner always claimed
that he had personal animOsity toward MasOns rs
such and this h evident from the fact that OF
was Masonry that he opposed lie thought its organiza.
and machinery liable 10 great abuse IN the hands OF
ON. 20 liberty ana FREQ institutions The enemies that he
thus raised against him served TO defeat him IN 1888,
but he always believed that he defrauded OF hs
election In that belief gnated the remarkable episode
IN Pennsylvania politics, known as The Bucksbo War"
IN which 1haddeus stevens figured 30 eonspionOusly
IL alleged aud perhaps believed by rae enemies VI
the state Administration, that the mar guration Of Mr
ccC hOulu DO pttNencd Nv tOfCe
Hhilo Gov Ritner should continue to exercise his
functions for another term Some color given 90 this
belief by address issued after the election by
| Thomas II. Burrows Chairman OF the State Com
mittoe, I'm which he advised the friends OF Gov.
Rltner until investigation had been made. 20 treat the
result II they had been defeated This brought
mob to the capitol, aud the Senate Chamber taken
possession Of by the multitude tho day when tho
Senate organized The other branch OF the
eDt divided into two hostile factions and each camOrcd
at tho doors Of the Governor for recognition rs the
House Of Representatives In this state OF things the
Governor was greatly excited and alarmed, and called
out the militia OF the State TO suppress tho outbreak
which seemed imminent The militia responded to his
call In considerable numbers but request which he had
made TO the General Government for troops was refused
No actual cnhict occurred between the militia and the
mob and the BuckshOt War; spent s force In the fury
OF words In the end tho result only what it might
| lay baenm ma Ina