CHAPTER XXII. HASTINGS'S AND STONE'S ADMINISTRATIONS-1895-1903 D ANIEL HARTMAN HASTINGS was inaugurated as Governor on January 15, 1895. Popular with the masses, as his plurality exceeding 241,000 votes indicates, the people looked upon his elevation to this high office with great favor. General Hastings was born of Scotch-Irish parentage in Clinton county, Pennsylvania, in 1849. He passed his boyhood days upon his father's farm, and in the winter months, attended the country school. At the age of fifteen, he became a teacher in Clinton county. In 1867, he was elected principal of the academy at Bellefonte, and a year or two later was principal of the public schools at that place. At the same time, he edited the "Bellefonte Republican," and studied law, being admitted to the bar of Centre county in 1875. Later on, he became interested in the mining industry in Cambria county, in which business he acquired considerable wealth. Although too young to participate in the Civil War, General Hastings always manifested great interest in military affairs. In 1877, he became a captain in the National Guard. In 1884, he was commissioned colonel of the 5th Infantry, which he commanded until he was appointed Adjutant-General by Governor Beaver. The work done by General Hastings in connection with the Johnstown flood, made him a popular hero. From that time on his name was frequently mentioned in connection with the governorship. In 1890, he was a candidate for the nomination; but was defeated in the convention by eleven votes. Four years later he was nominated and triumphantly elected. In his inaugural address, Governor Hastings urged improvement and expansion in the methods of transacting the business of the State through its various executive departments. He said: "The people have the right to demand, and do expect, that the business of the State shall be conducted on principles which experience and sound judgment have established as safe and prudent, and that the General Assembly will act as promptly upon the work before them as prudence and proper deliberation will permit." Following the Governor's suggestions, the legislature created several new executive departments. By an act of June 24, 1895, the Superior Court was organized to relieve the pressure of business in the Supreme Court of the State. On November 5, of that year, James A. Beaver, Edward N. Willard, John J. Wickham, Charles E. Rice, Howard J. Reeder, George B. Orlady, and Peter P. Smith, were elected judges of the new court. On March 13, 1895, an act was approved for the establishment of the Department of Agriculture. The wisdom of this legislation was at once demonstrated. The new department, through its Secretary, at once began a vigorous campaign to improve the agricultural conditions of the State. Farmers' institutes were organized and held in the different counties during five months of the year. In four years seven hundred and forty-three of these meetings were held, with an average daily attendance of three hundred and fifty, thus reaching at least two hundred and fifty thousand people. One thousand lecturers assisted in the work, which, it may be said, was supplemented by the courses offered in the School of Agriculture at the State College. The act establishing the Department of Agriculture directed the Secretary to obtain and publish information as to the extent and condition of the forests in this State. The legislature in 1897 passed an act authorizing a commission to secure State forestry reservations. Up to No vember 30, 1898, 55,681 acres of woodland located at the headwaters of the larger rivers, had been purchased for forestry re serves. On July 3, 1895, an act of the legislature was approved for the erection of a monument to each of the Pennsylvania organizations engaged in the battles of Chickamauga and Chattanooga, the said monuments to be placed on their respective battle lines. An appropriation of $1,500 was made for each monument, and an executive committee was appointed with power to act. The work was completed in 1898, and it reflects great credit to the State, and to the regiments interested in these memorials. In 1895, the number of factory inspectors was increased from twelve to twenty, and the work of supervision was distributed among fifteen men and five women. Up to 1897, 6,636 factories were inspected and one hundred and sixty-one children under thirteen years of age were dismissed from employment. In 1895, an act was also passed providing for the safety of persons employed in tenements where clothing, cigars and other articles are made. By means of this legislation, larger factories were secured, provided with sanitary improvements and fire escapes. In 1895, the Cotton States and International Exposition was held at Atlanta, Georgia. Realizing the importance of this event, our legislature, by joint resolution, authorized the appointment of a commission to prepare an exhibit. An appropriation of $38,000 was made, and a State building was erected. The display made by our citizens was creditable, and compared favorably with those of other States. November 14 was "Pennsylvania Day," when fitting ceremonies were held at our State building. On the afternoon of February 2, 1897, the main capitol building at Harrisburg was destroyed by fire. The legislature, then in session, having no place for assembly, Grace Methodist Episcopal church was hurriedly fitted up for that purpose. The Governor at once urged the erection of another building, and suggested that a structure suitable for the use of the General Assembly could be |