Chapter II.

JOHN FREDERICK HARTRANFT,

Governor of the Commonwealth.

1873-1879.

E

XPERIENCE IN COMMAND OBTAINED IN

military service is a most excellent preparation

for gubernatorial administration, as has been shown in the large number of the occupants of the cunile chair of this Commonwealth who have achieved eminence in military circles. With none is this fact more conspicuous than with the eminent soldier who not only won renown in the War of the Rebellion, but who for many years commanded the National Guard of the State with exceptional wisdom and ability.

Born in Montgomery county, of German ancestry, in 1830, educated at Marshall and Union Colleges, he contemplated the profession of civil engineering, which he relinquished, however, in deference to the wish of his father. In the summer of 1854, he was apppointed deputy sheriff of his county, a position which he held for two terms, meanwhile reading law, so as to be admitted to the bar in 1859. He was active in militia matters and at the outbreak of the war ( 205 )

was colonel of the First Regiment of Montgomery County Militia, an organization, which at once offered its services to the nation and was at once accepted.

The enlistment of the regiment having expired before the Battle of Bull Run, it was mustered out, but its Colonel remained in the field on the staff of General Franklin. In 1861 he organized the 51st Pennsylvania Infantry and was assigned to Burnside's command, with which he participated in the North Carolina expedition of 1862. At Antietam he led the famous charge that carried the stone bridge, and was recommended for promotion. He was soon placed in command of a brigade, then of a division, but was not commissioned Brigadier General until May 12, 1864, the date of the battle of Spottsylvania, in which he was a conspicuous figure. He was breveted Major General for "conspicuous gallantry in recapturing Fort Steadman" in 1865, and at the close of the war was tendered a coloneley in the regular army, which, however, he promptly declined.

From 1860 to 1870 he was Auditor General of the State, and from 1873 to 1879 he was Governor of the Commonwealth. Probably the most important event of his administration was the Constitutional Convention which, although it had its first meeting in 1872, had its final and decisive sessions in January, 1873, its product being adopted by an enormous majority of the popular vote the following December.

The year 1876, the centennial year of American Independence, was of particular interest to the State of Pennsylvania in which the Continental Congress met for years and in the principal city of which the Declaration of Independence was adopted. The international exhibition held at Philadelphia in honor of the anniversary ranks among the greater exhibitions of the world's history and was a worthy memorial of the mighty event which it signalized.

The year 1877 was memorable for a well-organized and widespread railroad strike involving nearly the entire country, but especially violent in character in Pennsylvania. Here the military experience of the Governor was of the utmost value, for he at once mobilized the entire National Guard and called for regular troops, by the use of which the disturbances were promptly suppressed and quiet rapidly restored.

Upon retiring from the Governorship in 1879 he removed to Philadelphia where he was appointed Postmaster, an office which he continued to occupy until 1880, when he became collector of that port, continuing until 1885. He was the commanding general of the National Guard, with the rank of Major General from 1879, the date of his retirement from the Governorship, until his death, which took place at Norristown on the 17th of October, 1889. His memory is perpetuated by a magnificent bronze equestrian statue set up on Capitol Hill in front of the main entrance

to the Capitol building. He was Governor from January 21, 1873, to January 18, 1879.

Inaugural Address to the Assembly.

Gentlemen of the Senate and House of Representatives, and Fellow-Citizens:

PERM

ERMIT ME, THROUGH YOU, TO TENDER MY heartfelt thanks to the people of this Commonwealth for their partiality in selecting me as their Chief Magistrate.

In obedience to law I have appeared before you to pledge my fidelity to the Constitution. Its obligations and the responsibilities it imposes are, I hope, fully realized. In the administration of public affairs, it is my earnest prayer that I may be guided by Divine wisdom, and that all my actions may reflect the people's will.

My predecessor presented, in his annual message, his recommendations, and much valuable information, so fully and so well, that it appears unnecessary to enter into details. My views are in accord with the general policy of the State administration for the past few years, although I believe some changes might be for the public good, and to these I shall briefly allude. Having been closely connected with the finances of the State since 1866, I speak knowingly when I say that the revenues have been faithfully collected; extravagant appropriations have been avoided; taxation has been equalized by the repeal of the most burdensome taxes; and, by strict economy and good management, the public debt has been largely reduced. The policy of paying off the entire indebtedness of the State is, I believe, fully endorsed by the tax-payers, and it shall

be my aim to adhere to that policy. The public debt, however, decreasing while the revenues are increasing, it occurs to me that a further reduction of the latter should be made during the current session of the Legislature. The increase of the value of our real estate and the products of our manufactories, the steady development of our resources, and the expansion of our railway system, are rapidly enriching our people. If we measure the aggregate of our wealth and its growth upon the basis of the late census, we can readily understand how a lighter tax imposed upon the present taxed property will meet all our necessities in the future; provide an ample fund for the liquidation of our debt, and give a decided impulse to the useful enterprises thus relieved. I sincerely trust, however, that in any attempt to lessen the burdens of taxation, the Legislature will exercise a wise discretion, and properly discriminate in favor of our industrial interests.

In every part of this Commonwealth are found rich deposits of minerals. To make them available and productive should be our earnest aim, and shall receive a large share of my attention. It can alone be done by the intelligent employment of labor and capital. This is an object of immense interest, and can best be subserved by first providing the highest possible knowledge of the character and location of the most valuable minerals. Labor can be made inviting, by making it remunerative. Its profits must depend largely upon the measure of protection accorded by Congress to our home industries, a question which may safely be committed to our Representatives in the National Legislature. Capital is the water for the wheel, and should be abundant, and the rates of interest should be easy for active and wholesome enterprise, and whatever legislation will best serve this end, should receive general support. Money will always

14-Vol. IX-4th Ser.