Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1871-03-21
INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
By Governor John ]. Jacob.


tiOnable in sentiment:
FsIloO Ciisens Of Vest TTrginia
BY the Constitution and laws of the State,
am charged with the performance of duties
which more or less affect the interests and
well-being OF all the people. However light
these duties may seem, when compared with
those imposed upon the chief executive Off,
GERS of some Of our larger sister States, vet
with respect TO the freedom aud welfare of our
own people they are NOSE grave and important.
do not, therefore, enter into the Office 20
which have been elected by your suffrages,
with that confidence in my ability to meer sue
cesstuly all of its responsibilities. which one
with larger experience in public affairs might
rightiu!ly Claim nor. do I look upon the
Office itself as an empty honor, simply to be
conferred by the people of the State upon one
of her citizens.
THE RIGHT OF ALL TO BE PROTECTED.
Though elected to Office by one of the great
political parties OF the country, do not con-
ceive it to be my duty to regard the rights
aud interests of that party alone. The views
aud wishes, aud may not also say, the preju.
dIces TO some extent Of all. must be regarded
aud respected. The minority as well as the
majority; the few well as the many have
rights which cannot be tramped upon,
without giving shock to our whole political
system.
The blind unreasoning rule Of the minority
over minority Is wholly ut variance with the
spirit Of our Republican institutions, and If we
ever loose our boas;ed freedom it will Je when
We forget that others have rights as we'll as
ourselves.
Our written Constitution, and the laws
made in pursuance thereof, are intended tn
afford ample protection to the rights of all
eli kn aud n - N.II -, ,I;
the slightest degree, surely all should consent
to correct the wrong 10y amending it. 1t il
my primary duty TO see tha. the Constitution
be preserved inviolate. aud that the laws be
faithfully executed. Itisn,y province neither
to make laws nor 30 coBStruc Them cxccpt so
lar authorized to do so.
The Legislative aud Judicial Departments
Of the Government have their we'll defiucd
aud independent powers and limitations, and
their appropriate functions mus; not be in
vadcd by the Executive department.
ECONOMY AND LIGHT TAXATION.
The continued advancement Of our reoplo
in wealth aad in the arts of civilized lie de-
naud that As small proportion Of their means
shall be Withdrawn from the productive forms
OF industry in the way of taxes as is compat-
Ible with the requirements Of d well organized
Government. The position that heavy tax
"''SiA - h''AhIHNGa5 HO ioSS OI INJURY 10 q EeO~
pic, from the lacr that the mouey drawn from
them III this way is refunded by its expendi-
ture among them, is a dangerous iallacy.-
Every dollar unnecessarily collected as n tax,
IS the conversion Of so much productive re-
sources into nOn-pTOGuctive expenditure. In
view OF the fact that honor aud our COnstitu.
ton alike require US to assume or pay, an
equitable portion of the old debt of Virginia.
aud of the probable increase Of our public
burdens from this cause, it will be absolutely
necessary that our ordinary ex peuditures shall
be reduced to the lowest amount that our
necessities will permit That the State NAV
promptly meet all Of its obligations, and the
machinery ofits government be kept in proper
notion officers having charge of the collection
OF public dues, must be required strictly and
accurately to account for all moneys with
which they are chargeable.
a system of public instruction has become
part of the policy of nearly all the States of
the Union This will always require n con-
siderable outlay of money, but it is belicyed
that system, simpler aud better adapted to
the peculiar character Of our State can be de-
vised, that will be less expensive and more
satisfactory in its results. While l can have
no voice III the imposition of taxes. it will be
my care to see that the money appropriated
by the Legislature from time 10 time shall be
honestly used for the purposes intended. 1t
is most dishonorable to think that public
money can be controlled or disposed of with
less caution or care than we employ in our
private affairs.
PEACE AND HARMONY RESTORED BY TIE
LEGISLATURE.
The liberal aud enlightened policy of the
Legislature which has recently adjourned
looking to the full and complete enfranchise-
ment Of all the citizens OF the State. will
doubtless be received with lively satisfaction
by the masses Of the people. For long time
q large class Of our citizens have been denied
all participation in public affairs. Much dis
satisfaction and discuntent have been the nat.
ural result. In our little State we could i'll
afford TO spare the intelligence and hearty Co
operation OF any Of oar people in measures
having the common good IN view. Tho pas
sIons aud ili>wIll aroused by the late unhappy
struggle IN the country have passed away
With the Disappearance Of the last traces of
the unwise POLITICAL distinctions that have
| existed among our people, will come an era Of
good feeling aud harmony, which will be fruit
ful OF the happiest results. And confidently
believe that those who are thus enIranchissd
with enter will generous rivalry into that noble
struggle with their fellow citizens to secure
those ends which will promote the highest
good. consider myself most fortunate in
the belief that the auspicious results which
are sure to follow this enfrauchisement will
be fully realized during my term of Office.
THE STATES RESOURCES AND ITS FUTURE.
Our State is small, it is true. vet its posi,ion
and great nstural resources must in time at
tract TO Uso busy. active aud en,erprisine popu