The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1876-01-27

AUGURAL AS GOVERNOR OF PENN
sYLvANIA, ON THE 18TH DAY OF
JANUARY, 1876.
Gentlemen ofWe Senate and House of
Representatives. and FeUO1U Citizens.
Three years ago, when the oath of
Office was administered to me as Exc
cutive, I, took occasion to express the
sense of my infinite obligations to the
people of the State who had honored
me with repeated proofs of their con-
fidence and good opinion, and it
would be unworthy aflectation if 1 did
not now renew my acknowledgements
to the same generous constituency,
who, after three years stewardship of
the highest Office in their gift, have
called me again to assume its impor-
tant duties.
The continued favor and infleXible
support my conduct of public affairs
has received from the citizens of the
Commonwealth, bcspeak from me in
return, the utmost zeal and fidelity in
their service, and my highest ambition
will be reached if my administration
will be remembered as an honorable
one that studiedand provided for their
best interests. | still have as exalted
an opinion of the great trust you have
conferred upon me rs when first con-
irontcd with its novel and grave re-
sponsibilities, and despite the expert
Cnce had, am none the less distruStful
Of my abilities to meet its require
ments, but whatever may be my other
deficiencies, [ do not know what it is
to be wanting in attachment to my
State or affection for her people who
have distinguished me with so many
obliging and conspicuous marks of
partiality.
| am not unmindful that the well
fare and progress of State depend
less upon its government and rulers
than upon the habits and circumstan-
ces of its citizens, and that no meas
ures Of administration can produce
any substantial good unless they are
dictated by public opinion or are be-
gotten Of the public necessities. A
people must be ripe or reform can
work them no permanent benefit. In
vention may exhaust itself i'll contri-
vances of public utility and rulers may
be never so wise in their devices, but
if the dispositions and intelligence of q
people are unprepAred for-the recep-
ton OF remedies they will not take
root i'll their affections or affairs.
Hnbued with these convictions, the
maXims for the conduct Of my admin
istTttion were easily formed. 1t was
only necessary to resolve that its acts
should have no selfish taint, that they
should be colored by no personal
predictions or warped by any favor
ite theories, and that inspired neither
by fear nor favor they should aim to
reflect the peoples will. With the
lights with which Heaven has en-
dowed me l have striven to adhere to
these maXims, and if at any time |
have failed to conform thereto it has
not been from lack Of patient investi-
CATION and honest eXertion or of ten
der and jealous regard for the honor of
the State but from misconception or
nisapprehension Of the wishes or
needs of her people. In the future
then, as in the past, as the Executive
of the Commonwealth, L can have no
interest to serve that is not her inter-
est, and can embrace no doctrine or
embark i'll any cause that will not adj
vance the material prosperity and pro-
mote the enlightenment of her citi-
zens.
My opinions upon the questions
that effect the government of the
State have been presented in my an
nual message and il is unnecessary
to again refer to them.
When we look around us, gentle
men Of the Legislature, how various,
multif0rm and intricate are the inter-
ests of our great Commonwealth.
Certainly it is a proud distinction to
be chosen to administer the affairs ofa
State that has within her limits so
many of the elements of empire and it
behOoves us to see to it that neither
its dignity or prosperity suffer through
any default of ours. Let us remit no
effort that will enlarge the happiness
or benefits of her citizens; let us be
by loyalty to her inter-
ests, by jealous care of her institu-
tions, liberal understanding of and
provision for her necessities, by hui
name attention to the wants of her
poor aIri afflicted, and enlightened
treatment of her criminal classes, and
by tolerance of opinion, political and
religious, so that when we are dis
of our trusts we can deliver
them to Our successors with the appro-
val of our consciences, and, let us hope
with the blessings of a grateful people.
With this renewal of my obligations
as your Executive, invite the earnest
and active cooperation and counsel of
all good citizens, and implore that my
official acts may have the sanction of
Divine Providence.