Bicentennial Opened in Chester and Philadelphia, October 21, 1882

At the close of Governor John F. Hartranft’s second term the Republicans nominated General Henry Martyn Hoyt, of Wilkes-Barre, while the Democrats had as their standard-bearer Honorable Andrew H. Dill, of Lewisburg.

The campaign was conducted along the line of national issues, the leading discussion being the resumption of specie payments. This became the keynote of the campaign and Hoyt was elected by a large majority.

An interesting historical event occurred before the end of Hartranft’s administration, on December 19, 1878, when Bayard Taylor 734died in the city of Berlin, Germany, while serving at his post as Minister to Germany. He was a native of Chester County and through his literary works had done much to increase the fame of Pennsylvania.

After Governor Hartranft retired from the office of Governor he removed to Philadelphia, where he served as Postmaster of the city, and afterward as Collector of the Port.

His love for the National Guard continued and he was the commanding general from 1879 until his death on October 17, 1889. His memory as a soldier is perpetuated by an equestrian statue on the plaza of the Capitol at Harrisburg and by a beautiful monument in the cemetery at Norristown.

Governor Hoyt was inaugurated on January 21, 1879, being the first such ceremony held under the provisions of the new Constitution of 1874, and on January 7, following, the Legislature met in biennial session for the first time, as provided in the new Constitution.

On May 16, 1881, the Legislature adopted a joint resolution, which had for its purpose the reinterment of William Penn in the City of Philadelphia.

George L. Harrison, Esq., of Philadelphia, at his own expense, carried the Governor’s request to the legal representatives of William Penn, and trustees of Jordan’s Meeting House, England, but after some deliberation they refused to grant the request.

Had this been granted the body of the founder and former Proprietor of Pennsylvania would have been resting in Pennsylvania soil at the time the bicentennial of Penn’s arrival in the Province was observed with fitting ceremonies in October, 1882.

This great celebration was held in Chester and Philadelphia, beginning with appropriate religious services on Sunday, October 21. “Landing Day” was observed at Chester on Monday, the following day was known as “Landing Day” in Philadelphia, when the “Welcome” arrived at the foot of Dock Street, where the landing scenes of the previous day were again re-enacted, with Quakers, Swedes and Indians in the large cast.

The parade up Dock Street passed a stand, where Governor Hoyt, Alexander P. Colesberry, president Bi-Centennial Association Committee, and other members of the committee and distinguished guests reviewed the pageant. Here the character of William Penn made a speech, to which Tamanend, sachem of the Delaware Nation, made reply.

The great celebration ended on Friday with a grand military parade under command of General John F. Hartranft. This was a fitting and impressive observance in which the 200 years of history were recalled in tableaux, story, music, pageantry and parade.

735The Republican Party received its first setback in a State campaign in 1882, when Robert E. Pattison, of Philadelphia, defeated General James A. Beaver, of Bellefonte, in a spirited contest.

The campaign disclosed the fact that there were too many members of the Republican Party dissatisfied with the conditions in their organization. The disaffected united in an independent movement and nominated John Stewart, of Chambersburg, afterward a Justice of the Supreme Court, as their candidate for Governor.

The Greenback-Labor Party also placed a candidate in the field in the person of Thomas A. Armstrong. The Prohibition candidate was Alfred C. Petit. Mr. Pattison easily overcame the normal Republican majority on account of the divided vote and was elected by more than 40,000 plurality.

Governor Pattison was inaugurated January 16, 1883, at the age of thirty-two years. He was of the opinion that the State should be redistricted in congressional, senatorial and representative districts, as required by the Constitution, and when the Legislature adjourned without passing the necessary legislation, the Governor issued a proclamation on the day fixed for final adjournment, June 6, 1883, and called an extra session to convene the following day.

The Legislature continued in session until December 6, and reapportioned the State into judicial districts, but the efforts in behalf of new districts for Congress and the Legislature proved unavailing.

The act creating the annual observance of Arbor Day was enacted on March 17, 1885, and Governor Pattison appointed April 16 of that year as the first Arbor Day in Pennsylvania, a custom which has been followed to the present time.

In 1886 four candidates were placed in the field for the office of Governor. The Republicans again nominated General James A. Beaver and the Democrats named Chauncey F. Black, of York. The Prohibitionists selected Charles S. Wolf, of Lewisburg, and the Greenback Party named Robert J. Houston.

The Republicans presented a solid front this time and easily elected General Beaver, who was inaugurated January 18, 1887.

In the first session of the General Assembly the State was divided into twenty-eight congressional districts and 204 legislative districts.

An amendment to the Constitution, proposing to “prohibit the manufacture, sale or keeping for sale of any intoxicating liquor to be used as a beverage” was defeated by the vote of the people almost two to one. This amendment was strongly urged by Governor Beaver.

An important movement was put into action by the Governor, himself a gallant veteran of the Civil War, when by the act of the Legislature memorial tablets were erected on the battlefield of Gettysburg. 736These tablets were dedicated on Pennsylvania Day, September 11–12, 1889.

An interesting historical event was the centennial anniversary of the adoption of the Federal Constitution, which was observed in Philadelphia September 15, 16 and 17, 1887. The Constitutional Centennial Commission arranged a civic and industrial procession, military parade and memorial ceremonies in a manner reflecting great honor and credit to all concerned.