The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1860-02-01
INAUGURAL ADDRESS
GOVERNOR THOMAS O.. MOORE,
alemen ofMe General assembly,

s. and Felton,. Citizens:
Z, assume the Office of Chief Magistrate of the
Gate Of Louisiana with unaffected distrast ofmy
ability to meet its responsibilities 50 as to give full
satisfaction to you. 1t was with real reluctance
that Iconsented to be aeandidate, and the people
thought fit to elect me without effort or solicitation
On my part. Owing no obligation to particular
persons, or particular interests, my thanks for the
honor conferred upon me are due to my fellow-ct-
sisens belonging to the same political communion
with myself and to the State at large, and it shall
be the earnest effortof my admins ration todeserye
thssupport of ALL
Inaccepdng the nomination Of the Democratic
party, necessarily stood pledged to spare no ex
erion to yndcate its principles and establish its
measures. 1t is my conscientious conviction that
4by them alone can the Federal and State Govern
uents be safely administered. Its policy in Federal
aElirs has supported the interests of all sections,
elevated the national character, and enlarged the
boundaries Of the Union. In State affairs IL has
respected the rghtso all persons and Of all classes,
and With unshrinking fidelity protected them from
aggression and prescription. These are the true
objects OF all just governments, and to these its
policy will be directed. Lean best advance the
public good BY steadfastly adhering to the princi.
pies by which these results have been produced.
The Constitution makes it the duty of the Gov.
ernor 70 take care that the laws be faithfully exc.
euted, and the power of appointment has been
confded to him to limited extent to assist him in
Z the performance of this duty. His responsibility
for the conduct of public officers must be measured
BY his power over their appointment. lie cannot
be held accountable for What may be done or omit
eddy those to whom he has given no trust and
whom he cannot remove But lie should be held
astrlct account fer the character Of those whom
:. he may select for public employment. / shall in
vite rigid scrutiny into the manner in which this,
asindeed all other official duties are performed. I
not knowingly, appoint to Office any man who
ID not qualified to discharge every duty belonging
tot, with knowledge, skill and fidelity. Integrity
and competency must be essential prerequisites to
the appointment,of public officers These being
fully shown, reasonable weight may be permitted
to political considerations; mere partizanship con.
stitute no claim upon the appointing power. The
support Of o. party for reward is degradation
not amerit-fot Tie principles Of party can only
be considered valuable where they contribute to
the general good. AS Governor of Louisiana it
will be my first duty to see that the public service
under my control is conducted with honesty and
q capacity
sss Economy in the administration of Government
ought always to be insisted upon and retrenct-
ment, IN all cases, when it can wisely be made.
il Unfortunately disposition to retreeh the Treas
ury expenditures is usually directed to branches of
services in which ills least demanded. There is
really no just cause Of complaint against the saa-
Tes Of the officers of the State etthese are usually
attacked when there is desire to eurtail the pub.
expenses, and they are attacked because all are
familiar With them and few know where to look
for the leaks that empty the Treasury. But prodi-
galy rarely exhibits itself on the surface of Gov
eminent expenses. 1t is in tie details of admins
$1,000 S..'N
whenever the subject is properly investigated, it
maybe souni that large sums OF money are wasted
which could be saved to the Treasury by she OBJ
servance OF correct system and the exaction of a
Stern accountability shall take pains to call HE
attention Of the General Assembly TO such reforms
all the departments Of Government as the peorle
may demand. The subject belongs, particularly.
tothe legislative branch Of the Government, and
my hearty cooperation will be given to every
measure that will tendto lessen the public
Batnothng ofauy value be accomplished with
out aearefa scrutiny and rigid inquiry, conducted
with steady determination to expose extravaganza
whenever and wherever discovered, and then with
anunfinching hand to apply the appropriate rem
edy. 93 3
put while urging frugalty in the administration
8ofthe Goyernment letit not be supposed that
am unwilling to aid nsuell judeious expenditures
asYill develop theresoutcea of the State Louis
ma has been something Of laggard in the career
Wm'elhal Improvement. 1t is within a brief peri |
% That railroads have been commenced under the
auspices ofthe State; and to this day, not
ao'las has been spent fora geological surveyed the
,' ssate an object Of primary Importance to every
parish within her borders. Under the guarded
PROVISIONS ofonr Constitution, it is almost impossiI
We ior the State to fall into any very serious errorip
adiag in the construction of useful works. The
sAnser hes less in extending constitutional assist
alce corporations for building railroads. than in
NY careless execution of the laws by which the
S's'e becomes corporator. Unless studiously
'''ched, the restrictions imposed by the organic /
~ Nv viii be esaded BY the corporations, and the |
wave not ohly exposed to loss, but the spirit if not
ne letter OF the Constitution, be violated.
a careful review of our State affairs and yiei-
hnt examination into our resources, is more incum.
Dent on US now than heretofore, iii view Of the dis
@fOed state of our relations uitha large portion Of
@s people of other parts of the Union.
louisiana has always been moderate and eonser. I
Mtyp In lfar oart;,,o,,4,s 81, 4 l,ts- \