The sun., 1896-08-30
PENySELYANIA's GOVERNORS.
Peeuilsrities About the Chief Executive
or the Keystons state.

Peeullnrities About the Chief Exeeutlves
orthe Keystoas state.
Pennsylvania was admitted into the Union
six months before New York; yet, while Mr..
Morton is the thirty third Governor of New
York, Nj. Hastings is only the twenty first
Covert; of Pennsylvania. The present State
Constitution Of Pennsylvania was adopted by
the voters in 1873. and from that time until the
present. twenty-three years, there have been
only i've Governors OF the Keystone State-Gep.
Hartranft, who took Office in 1873; Henry NJ.
Hoyt. who succeeded him in 1879; Robert Z.
Pattison, hrst inauTurated In 1883: Gen. Bea-
yer, who took ONCE in Harrisburg In 1887. aud
Gen. Hastings. who has held Office since Janu-
ary, 1895. The multiplicity OF Generals among
Governors of Pennsylvania has heen very mark
ed; but under the former Constitution of the
State. adopted In 1885 tPennsylvaniA was then
usually Democratic, civilians predominated.
1t is o pecularity of Pennsylvania Governors
that one mark OF recognition has been theirs
uniformly: they have had counties. cities.
streets, squares, and turnpikes called after
them. Thus the hrst three Governors OF Penn
sylyania, Miffiin. Mexican. aud Snyder. had
counties called after them. In the early history
OF Pennsylvania the Governors were either
plain men or. at least. men with plain names,
but when the Constitution OF s3s was adopted,
It nppears to have been thought necessary to
uphold the dignity OF Pennsylvania under il by
the election OF Governors having elaborate and
unusual names. The frat three 40 elected were
David Rittenhonse Porter, Francis Rawn
Skunk. and William Freame Johnston With
the beg inning OF the slavery controversy
In which Pennsylvania took an active
part, the election OF Governors with plain
rather than ornamental. names was resumed
and William Bngler. James PolIack, and VIII
liam Packer were in Office until Jan. Is, 1861.
when Andrew q. Curtin, the war Governor OF
the Keystone state, was inAugurated. He held
once for six years. and was succeeded by John
w. Geary. a r. publican. who held the Gfiice for
o like period, until. in fact, the Constitution OF
1873 was adopted. Gov. Curtin, who died less
than two years ago, one OF the best known
OF Pennsylvania leaders. and. In addition to
holding the office Of Governor In Harris burg.
became afterward United States Minister to
Russia, and. later on. democratic Congressman
from the Centre county district. He was a resi-
dent OF the town OF BellefOnte.
One reason for the small mum her of Governors
OF Pennsylvania aud the larger number of Gov
erhoTs OF New York Is this: While New York
Goyernork have been honored BY elevation TO or
nomination for the Presidency, have been
elected 10 the United States Senate, or have
found places OF prominence In the Cabinet
Governors OF Pennsylvania, almost without ex-
ceptiOn. have been permitted to serve out un-
mOiestsd with suggestions OF promotion, the
terms OF office to which they we're originally
elected. There, besides. 10 no instance OF .
Pcnnsylvania Governor who died in Office and
only one Of Pennsylvania Governor who re-
signed that office.