Roy Wallace Ritner (February 13, 1876 – December 3, 1942) was an American politician and farmer from Pendleton, Oregon. Beginning in 1915, he served two two-year terms in the Oregon House of Representatives followed by two four-year terms in the Oregon State Senate. Ritner was a conservative Republican who represented Umatilla County in both of Oregon's legislative chambers. He was President of the Oregon State Senate from 1921 through 1922. While he was senate president in 1922, he served as acting governor for 35 days while the elected governor was out of the state. Ritner was also a successful wheat farmer and served as the business manager for the Pendleton Round-Up for many years.
Early life
Ritner was born on February 13, 1876, in Placerville, California. He was the son of Joseph P. Ritner and Sarah (Harbison) Ritner. His father came to the west coast by way of the Isthmus of Panama in 1850. In California, he organized pack trains to and from gold mining areas for the Wells Fargo Company before moving to Oregon. In Oregon, he was employed building bridges for the Oregon Railroad and Navigation Company. He eventually settled with his family in northeastern Oregon.Carey, Charles H., "Hon. Roy W. Ritner", History of Oregon (Volume III), Pioneer Historical Publishing Company, Portland, Oregon, 1922, pp. 490–493."Roy W. Ritner", Oregon Voter (Volume 31, Number 13), C. C. Chapman Publisher, Portland, Oregon, December 30, 1922, pp. 51–52 (495–496)."Roy W. Ritner", Oregon Statesman, Salem, Oregon, January 9, 1923, p. 10.
Ritner was raised in Umatilla County and attended school in Pendleton. He went on to attend Weston Normal School in Weston, Oregon. After graduation, he began teaching in rural Umatilla County. He then worked briefly as a reporter for the Pendleton Tribune before taking a job as a bookkeeper at the Pendleton Saving Bank (later renamed American National Bank of Pendleton). Ritner worked at the bank for ten years. Ritner also served as a Sergeant in Company C of the Oregon National Guard's Third Battalion during the mid-1890s. He deployed with his unit in 1898 to support in the Spanish-American War."Veterans of Old Co. 'C' 1918, Stood Solidly Behind Legion Post", Eastern Oregonian, Pendleton, Oregon, November 14, 2019, p. 7.
Ritner used the money he made to buy farmland. Eventually, he owned which he began farming in 1908. He also acquired an interest in a local flour mill and a boarding house in Pendleton. When the Pendleton Round-Up was started in 1910, Ritner became the unpaid business manager for the annual event. He continued in that position until he joined the American Red Cross in France during World War I."Men Who Manage Round-up Get No Pay For Services", Eastern Oregonian (Round-Up Souvenir Edition), Pendleton, Oregon, September 12, 1913, p. 6.
Ritner was very active in community affairs. He was president of the Pendleton Commercial Association and secretary of the local Red Cross organization."Roy W. Ritner is New Secretary of Commercial Club", Eastern Oregonian, Pendleton, Oregon, February 18, 1913, p. 1."Do Something for Humanity" (advertisement), Eastern Oregonian, Pendleton, Oregon, December 21, 1917, p. 8. He was a member of the local Elks lodge and Knights of Pythias, serving as president of the local chapter. He was a Mason in the Shriners and Commandery orders. He was also president of the local automobile club and a well-known baseball player, serving as president of the Western Tri-State Baseball League for several years.
Ritner first became interested in state politics in 1909 when he worked as the Oregon State Senate's calendar clerk, a position elected by members of the senate. He returned to that position for the 1911 legislative session. He applied for the clerk position again in 1913, but lost his bid after four tied ballots in the senate. While he lost the vote for clerk, the experience of working at the legislature aroused a lifelong interest in state government."Senate", 1911 Regular Session (26th): January 9 – February 18, Oregon Legislators and Staff Guide, Oregon Secretary of State, Salem, Oregon, accessed August 16, 2023."Senate", 1909 Regular Session (25th): January 11 – February 120, Oregon Legislators and Staff Guide, Oregon Secretary of State, Salem, Oregon, accessed August 16, 2023.
State representative
In 1914, Ritner announced he would run for a seat in the Oregon House of Representatives, representing Umatilla County."Ritner Will Be Candidate", Eastern Oregonian, Pendleton, Oregon, March 11, 1914, p. 1. He was one of two Republicans who filed for the District 23 House seats. The other candidate was Joseph T. Hinkle from Hermiston. Because there were two District 23 seats in the House, Republicans could nominate two candidates for the general election. Therefore, Ritner and Hinkle both advanced to the general election while Umatilla County Democrats nominated H. J. Taylor and A. W. Simmons for the two district 23 seats."Filing for State Offices Increases", Sunday Oregonian, Portland, Oregon, March 29, 1914, p. 7."Filing for State Offices Increases", Morning Oregonian, Portland, Oregon, May 20, 1914, p. 4."Number of Ties in Legislative Ticket for Fall Election", Oregon Daily Journal, Portland, Oregon, May 30, 1914, p. 12.
Ritner and Hinkle won the two District 23 House seats in the 1914 general election. Ritner received 3,924 votes while Hinkle got 3,496 votes, beating Taylor by only 7 votes. Simmons finishing last with 2,893 votes."Official Canvas of Votes Shows No Changes are Made", Eastern Oregonian, Pendleton, Oregon, November 7, 1914, p. 1."Lasting Registry of Voters in View", Oregonian, Portland, Oregon, December 9, 1914, p. 4.
Ritner took his seat in the Oregon House of Representatives on January 11, 1915, representing District 23. When the session was organized, Ritner was appointed chairman of the public institutions committee. He also served on the game, livestock, resolutions, and roads and highways committees. He served through the 28th regular session of the legislature which adjourned on February 20."House", 1915 Regular Session (28th): January 11 – February 20, Oregon Legislators and Staff Guide, Oregon Secretary of State, Salem, Oregon, accessed July 30, 2023."Selling Gives Multnomah County 10 Chairmanships", Oregon Daily Journal, Portland, Oregon, January 14, 1915, p. 5."Candidacies are Announced by 4", Sunday Oregonian, Portland, Oregon, February 20, 1916, p. 13. During the session, Ritner introduces a bill that required Oregon's railroad commission to have at least one commissioner from Eastern Oregon. A compromise bill to elect railroad commissioners by district passed the legislature. As a result, there would be one commissioner from an Eastern Oregon district, one from a Western Oregon district, and one at-large commissioner."Ritner Hopeful that His Measure will be Adopted", Eastern Oregonian, Pendleton, Oregon, January 29, 1915, p. 1."Compromise on Ritner Bill Reached; Passage is Certain", Eastern Oregonian, Pendleton, Oregon, February 12, 1915, p. 1. Ritner also helped reform Oregon game laws and promoted a county library bill that boosted library construction around the state.
In 1916, Ritner announced his decision to run for re-election to the Oregon House. He officially filed for the District 23 seat a few weeks later."Ritner Files for Reelection; to Run Upon His Record", Eastern Oregonian, Portland, Oregon, March 29, 1916, p. 1. Once again, there were only two Republicans in the primary running for the county's two District 23 House seats. Ritner won Republican primary with 2,701 votes with J. A. Best trailing with 2,180 votes. However, because there were two available seats, both Ritner and Best advanced to the general election. The Democratic primary nominated Louis Hodgen and W. T. Reeves for the two District 23 seats."Official Count of Republican Votes Completed Today", Eastern Oregonian, Portland, Oregon, May 24, 1916, p. 1."Ritner Prospects Bright", Weston Leader, Weston, Oregon, October 13, 1916, p. 2.
In the general election, Ritner won re-election to the House with 3,549 votes. One of the Democratic candidates, Louis Hodgen, won the second District 23 seat with 3,388 votes. Reeves was third with 3,255 votes and Best was last receiving only 2,723 votes."Ritner and Hodgen are Representatives; Best is Last", Eastern Oregonian, Pendleton, Oregon, November 8, 1916, p. 1.
Ritner was a strong supporter of Robert N. Stanfield for House speaker. After the general election, he helped secure support from other House members before the legislative session began. Two weeks after the general election, Ritner announced that Stanfield had 40 votes for speaker. Since the House had 60 members, all he needed was 31 to assure his election as speaker."Mr. Stanfield Boomed", Morning Oregonian, Portland, Oregon, November 20, 1916, p. 10.
Ritner took his seat in Oregon's House of Representatives when the legislative session began on January 8. During the session, Stanfield appointed Ritner chairman of the banking committee. He was also a member of the game, resolutions, and roads and highways committees. The session completed its business and adjourned on February 19."House", 1917 Regular Session (29th): January 8 – February 19, Oregon Legislators and Staff Guide, Oregon Secretary of State, Salem, Oregon, accessed July 30, 2023."Speaker Announces Committee Members for Present Session", Oregon Daily Journal, Portland, Oregon, January 9, 1917, p. 1.
State senator
In early 1918, Ritner announced he would run for the Oregon State Senate's District 20 seat, representing Umatilla County. He officially filed for the District 20 seat, once again as a Republican."R. W. Ritner Out for Senatorship", Eastern Oregonian, Pendleton, Oregon, January 5, 1918, p. 1."Ritner of Pendleton Candidate for Senate", Oregon Statesman, Salem, Oregon, March 5, 1918, p. 6.
By 1918, the United States had entered World War I. Ritner had been active in the local Red Cross chapter for a number of years. Shortly after filing for the state senate seat, Ritner volunteered for an unpaid Red Cross position serving on the front line in France. Once he was accepted for the position, he was given only two weeks to settle his affairs at home. He was also required to pay his own expenses while he was deployed. Before leaving for France, he announced that he would remain a candidate for the state senate."R. W. Ritner Leaves this week for France as Red Cross Man", Eastern Oregonian, Pendleton, Oregon, April 3, 1918, p. 1."Ritner to France, but He Remains Candidate ", Oregon Statesman, Salem, Oregon, March 5, 1918, p. 6.
When Ritner arrived in France, he was given the Red Cross rank of captain, equivalent of an Army captain. He was assigned to the Fifth Infantry Division (known as the Red Diamond Division). He was then integrated into the headquarters staff as the division's Red Cross field representative. During his time in France, Ritner cared for wounded at the Battle of Saint-Mihiel and the Argonne Forest. Eventually, he was given responsibility for the division's supply system. He served in France for nine months, returning home on Christmas Day 1918.
Back in Oregon, no other Republicans filed for the District 20 senate seat, nor did any Democrats. As a result, he won both the Republican primary and the general election unopposed while he was serving in France."List of Candidates Sent to All County Clerks", Oregon Daily Journal, Portland, Oregon, April 22, 1918, p. 10."Umatilla Vote Fairly Heavy", Morning Oregonian, Portland, Oregon, November 6, 1918, p. 5."Oregon Legislators 50, 51, 52, 53, 24, and 55", Oregonian, Portland, Oregon, January 5, 1919, p. 5.