The weekly Placer herald., 1854-01-14
Inaugural Address.

FELLow-CITIZENs. Having subScrih-
ed the solemn oath required by the con-
s1ItufIon, at the commencement of Il term
of office, avail myself of the occaSian to
express my profound gratitude to the peo-
pc of California, who, after the most
rigid scrutiny into my official acts, have IA
second me, hy their free suffrage>, con
frrred upon ne the highest office in their
glft. AT the commencement of my first
term conforming to revpred cu>tom, took
occasion to proc aim the principles which
should be my guide in the administration
of the government, as we ! as to explain
the more important measures believed
necessary 10 the rapid 'leve .opment Of our
vast resources.
The principles then set forth, and the
measures advocated, are still cherished
and approved; time and experience hAv-
ing detnon>trated as far rs tested, their
entire practlrabliIty and correctness.
On this occasion, | may be permitted to
assure my fe iow-citiZenS, that hereafter,
as heretofore, all my energies will he
steadily eXerted to secure, not only "A
faithful and efficient, but an economical
administration Of the State Government.
Aud if, heretofore, there has been failure
to accnnpi! h desired objects, and effect
radical reforms, | entreat you to rpnem
her, that in the only manner authorized
Ivy the constitutions, have, again and
again, performed my duty in the premises,
hy urging upon the immediate repre-
>entatves Of the people, the great impor-
tance of adopting judicous measures, to
secure a speedy liquidation OF the debt of
the State, and of devisiny a thorough
system Of retrenchment and reform.
he power TO abate evils comp aimed
of, to lessen public expenditures, and
taxation on the people, the constitution
has wise y vested in the Legislature-not
in the Executive. The Governor can,
and, indeed, it is his constitutional duty,
from time to Il re, to reco'nlnend mea-
>ures which meet his appreciation, and to
express his views on subjects of general
importance; but here his power ceases,
until his recommendations shall have re-
reived force and efficacy, by the action
of th Legislature. The Executive, tho
often censured in relation to pu lie ex-
penditureS, has, in fact, no further con,
Trol over the Treasury, than IS exercised
in The appr"val or rejection of acts of the
Legislature, approprIalng pub ic funds.
HC plilI'tfbiiCt dthl ichSliIfIS Hl
m,py matters of great importance, are
the pecu lar guardians of the public purse
1t is the province of these officers, under
the constitution and Avs, to pass upon all
claims against The State-to approve and
reject as they deem proper, aud MS Justice
demands. With their declsons, the Ex-
erutlve cannot interfere, aud over their
Judgments, IN the settlement of questions
between individuals and the state, he
has, property, no control.
Ii Is be leved unnecessary, however, on
this occasion, to advert to the fuancia
condition of the State, or the measures
relied upon to secure the speedy Payment
of our existing debt. For these important
detail 5, you are respectfully referred to
my Annual Message.
During the past two years, our progress
in improvements Of every character, has
more than realized the expectations of
he most san9uine. he substantial
wealth Of the State has been uuol than
doubled. The spirit of progress and in,-
prnvenent, which :" distinguishes the
american people, and which, III fact, has
placed our ounlry IN the van of nations,
has lost none OF liz visor on the Pacific