The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-08-10
Governor Hoyt's Warning.

The Philadelphia Press yesterday re-
produced the famous letter of Governor
Henry NJ. Hoyt to Wharton Barker.
dated Nov. 3, 1882, in which he threw
off the heavy yoke that had been placed
upon his neck by Quay and Cameron
when he became Governor, and which
he wore during nearly his entire term
Of Office. Governor Hoyt was one of
the brainest men that ever filled the
office of governor of Pennsylvania, and
had he declared his independence of
dictatorial influences at the commence
ment of his administration he would
not have gone out of office covered
with humiliation and sorrow, as he did.
His declaration of independence when
near the close of his administration,
constitutes peculiarly interesting read
ing at this time. What could be more
pathetic than this:
when / reflect upon the humiliation at
tempted to be put upon myself as chief
magistrate for resisting some of the pur-
poses of an irksome domination which
puts politics above administrative pro-
priety, and when / recur to the force Of
the insulting methods applied to myself
by means Of threats, Intrigue and bad
faith, l realize the regrets of Cardinal
Wolsey that he had not served his God
with half the zeal ne served his king
I'm the name of decency and in behalf
of my successor 1 wish to emphasize the
curse of the whole business and sound a
note of warning to the whole people.
Self-respect compels me to this avowal.
Nor will peace and reform ever come un-
til the moral forces in politics which you
have organized prevail"
Had Governor Hoyt assumed this po-
sition at the beginning Of his admins
tration he would have been compelled
to pass through a great battle. but he
would have triumphed, and the people
would gladly have welcomed him as
leader whom it would have been no
humiliation to follow. In closing this.
the most remarkable letter ever written
by a chief magistrate of Pennsylvania,
Governor Hoyt fiumbly admitted his
own part in the system which he so
vigorously denounced. He said:
"In making this declaration have no
disposition to disavow any share I In
dividually may have had in the partisan
method against which the Independent
movement is not only revolt, but a revo-
luton; am simply conscious that utter
thoughts and feelings which stir to their
depths the minds and hearts Of thou
sands in this great commonwealth"
When General Hastings became gov
ernor the attempt was made. to place
upon his neck the same yoke which
Hoyt wore for nearly four years. Hast
ings revolted at the beginning Of his
term instead Of waiting as Hoyt did un-
til the time was almost at hand to retire
from his Office. Perhaps he rememb cred
Hoyt's experience and resolved to profit
by his warning. In any event he revolt
ed against tyrannical domination and
refused to become the obedient servant
and docile creature Of combination
Of selfish and greedy politicians. Then,
it was that Quay declared war against.
Hastings and entered upon a crusade
to break down his administration. The
result Is the present factional contest.
Had Governor HOyt refused to bow
the neck at the beginning Of his term
of Office he would have been compelled
to pass through a similar ordeal. For
tunately Hastings is a man Of courage
and ability. He accepted the challenge
to battle, and whatever the result the
people will in the end hold up his hands
and make him victor. He will not go
out of Office in humilia tion and sorrow,
as poor Hoyt did.