The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1879-01-23
Inaugural Address OF Governor O..
NJ Roberts.
Fellow Citizens. senatOrs and Representatives
Of the Legislature.

inaugural ADDRESS OF Governor % J
N. Roberts.
Fellow Citizens, senators and Representatives
OF the Legislature:
Called by the voice Of the people to pre-
side OYER the destinies of our large State,
at this important period Of its history, / /
accept the position with a full appreciation /
Of the responsibility resting upon me. Had I
much more experience in public affairs |
than that given me by a long career in its |
service in different positions, mainly judi |
cial, l should feel difiident Of my ability 70 |
meet successfully the demands of the hour
The State emerging from the ruin of the |
civil war, and from the consequent Difficult |
ties of its changed condition, has already
advanced in the work OF reforming its in
situations and in resuscitating and husband
ing its resources. Still much remains TO be
lone in that direction, to establish perma-
nently good and efficient government econ
omically administered. This is the impend-
ing necessity OF the day, and whatever en-
ergy, influence and power l may have will
be directed to that as the leading object. In
the effort to accomplish it, confidently rely
upon your lead in the matter as the legis-
lative department, and upon the intelligence,
patience and patriotism of the people OF
Texas. The Democratic party stands
pledged to that policy as announced in the
late canvass, and their large majority at
the late election for State officers fully en-
dorses it. Nor did any opposing party
dissent from it. 1t may therefore be taken
| to be in accordance with the common SEN
timent of the country. The Democratic party,
being now in full charge of all the depart
ments of the State government, is responsible
for its being carried out as far as it is prac-
ticable under existing circumstances.
| However certain this may be the policy
| of the incoming administration of the State
government, demanded by a common senti-
ment, an examination into its details will
| show it to be envirOned with intrinsic diff
| culties to be surInounted, and extraneous
matter relating to the past, present and flu
tdre to be considered, in both of the
branches into which the proposition must
be divided; which are, first, that the laws,
organic and ordinary, should be so reform
ed and vigorously executed, as to more GER
tainly and speedily protect the rights of
persons and of property; and second, that
the expenses of the government should
be so reduced that they can be paid by the
taxes which the people are reasonably ably
to pay, and which may be collected with
out increasing the public debt of the State
annually.
Under the first branch it may be found
necessary to amend the Constitution, so as
to remodel, or at least improve the judicial
department, which is generally conceded to
be inadequate to the wants of the country.
Also, the revised and digested codes, sub
mitted to the Legislature, embracing the
whole body of the statutory laws, civil and
criminal, may, when examined and adopted
be expected to remedy many defects, which
have long been accommodating upon our
statute book. This is the department of
the government that acts directly upon the
people in the suppression of evil and in the
maintenance of the right, constituting their
actual government and it should be organ
lied for efficiency, and maintained in full
Vigor at all hazards, and at all necessary
expense that can be borne by the country.
This is the first and highest duty of this or
any other State. There has been a tenden-
cy, from several causes, to weaken this arm
of the government, which should always be
strong. 1t is not infrequently seen in our
courts, that the greatest strength of legal
ability stands in the bar, instead of sitting
on the bench. And, worse still, the States
counsel is seldom equal to cope with the
body of the bar that he has to meet In
the determination of rights in free coun-
try, learning and intellect should match
each other, at least on equal terms, and if
there is a difference, that which rules
should be superior to that which is ruled. A
false idea of economy, and a supposed &C
quiesceuce in popular will have brought
this about.
Another cause of weakness, delay and
inefficiency is found in positive laws, limit
ing or cutting off judicial discretion, from
the apprehension of the abuse of power.
This likewise limits or relieves from respor-
sibility, making no one to blame if things
go wrong To make the practical operations
of government efficient, responsibility must
be imposed and assumed. They cannot be
made to move by infexibly fixed rules
like an automaton. The tendency of legis-
lation has long been too much directed to-
wards that end, the evils of which are now
continually perceived, in the practical ad-
ministration ofthe laws.
There are powerful influences operating
) upon the country, which should induce an
increase of this direct force of the gorvern-
, ment rather than permit diminution of it.
The large immigration from other coun-
, tries, the former spirit of speculation, aud
subsequent monetary depression, and want
lef profitable employment, the extension OF
our frontier, and the changed condition of a
large colored population, have e.! contribu-
ted to generate and exhibit an amount and
character of crime and civil wrong entirely
unprecedented in this country. The very
inadequacy of the power of correction and
: repression has provoked, and may continue
to provoke, outrageous wrongs, as substi-
tuted remedy, without and against law.
This inadequacy is also increased by the
, present habits of the people, in which their
J pursuits and avocations are more closely
and constantly followed, and their time
considered more valuable than formerly, by
which they have more indifference and
even reluctance in giving their aid in any
way to the execution of the laws, except on
: full compensation in money. All this has
brought forth and exhibited a new feature
( of government here that few might com
! mend, but all acquiesce in upon emergen-
/ cies, which is frequent call for the mill
, tary to aid the civil authority in the execu-
3 ton of the laws, and the giving rewards tC
, officers TO make arrests. This is radical
departure from the principles of local self
government, planted in this country, and
derived from the common law of England
and decided leaning to the practices Of
civil law countries, in which the people
look to a police force, rather than to theil
: own participation, for their protection. Thi:
growing sentiment of looking to an extra
D neous power and means to regulate loca
selfgovernment throughout the whole State
= should be nipped in the bud, before it is toe
| late. The remedy is to infuse into our ju
D dicial department power of action thai
shall inspire the people with confidence il
. its capacity to govern, and then the people
will crowd to its aid, instead of holding
back as they now do. God helps thos'
who help themselves and so do the PEG
pie the world over. Although we may NO
be able to do all that may be necessary, j
D behooves us to do whatever we can to &C
e complish this most desirable object.
I, There are exceptional cases, wherein ex
T traneous aid at the command of the govern
$ ment is necessary, as in occasional uprisin,
: combinations, or party feuds which ma,
/ happen in communities ordinarily capabl
c of self-control; and in cities, where pc
e lice force is necessary, being in effect
: quasi military power 70 aid the civil au
4 thority; and in a sparsely settled stock
q raising country such as we have upon on
western frontier. For the civilization, ca
pable of republican local self-government
. begins and ends with the pillow. So it ha
been, and is. An agricultural population
sufficiently contiguous for cooperation
must predominant, or hold the balance o
power TO establish and permanently main
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