The interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1872-1881, 1879-09-05
KY.
rbe r.ewgwrafion.


see DIR. Luke 7. blackburn inducted
into Office. The city was in holiday
attire, and the several military com.
panies Of the State we're there to add
pomp and splendot to the occasion
The inaugural was to have taken
place in the Capitol Square, but I'm
fortunately just before il was tc
commence, the rain began TO fall at
lively rate, and the Committee Of Ar
rangements were forced TO transfer the
cereponies to Major Hall, where al
that could, jammed in. Rev. Greer
Clay smith-opened the exercises with
most appropriate and earnest pray
err, after which,
col. 8. T. NJ. MAJOR, .N
Mayor of Frankfort, delivered a
chaste and eloquent address of wei
come. Then came Hi H"..
GOV. M'cREARy's vALEDlcroRr.5
He spoke feslingly ofretiring from the
Office to which a generous people had
elected him, and Of the zeal and
whatever Of energy and ability he pos
sessed, that he had uniiringly directed
to the advancement Of the States in
terest and the maintenance of Con-
stitutional laws Of the State and the
United States. He discussed the
State finances, showed how the reduc-
ton in taxes and the shrinkage OF
values had kept the current collec-
tons from meeting current expenses
and gave the figures that proved that
Kentucky, with a bonded debt of only
s1S0,394 that does not mature till
1896, has assets, consisting of the
sinking fund bank and other stocks
that could be converted into cash at
short notice, amounting to 1915, 1885,
26; by far the best showing OF any
State in the Union. There may be
some delay, he said, but every just
claim against the Treasury will GER
tainly be paid. Under a belief that
our Government should be plain and
frugal, he had used his best endeavors
to enforce strict economy, and cut
down every expenditure not consistent
with public interest, and he believed
that the expenses Of his administra-
ton would compare favorably with
previous years. BY return to bien-
NAL sessions of the Legislature, a bet
ter management Of the Asylums and
the Turnpikes, there has been a great
saving to the State, and in the matter
of Turnpikes alone, the dividends in
creased from s24,604.52 in 1874, TO
32,649 in 1877. He congratulated
the people on the establishment of law
and order, and in this connection made
the following suggestions
trust will be excused for stating that,
in myopinion, the iirsi and greatest step
toward law and order is to make justice
speedy. Yet, this plain preosPt Of the com
stihiiion is clogged and often thwarted by
the statutes which authorize change Of
venue in criminal eases, and which empow-
er the accused, by filing his own affidavit
and the afhdavits Of two competent persons,
TO cause the presiding judge TO vacate the
bench. Careful observation and examine
tion Of tbs effects Of these statutes have
convinced me that they interfere with the
administration Of justice in our State more
than all things else, and | believe that
both statutes should be repealed. Instead
Of allowing the delay occasioned by change
of venue, jurors shonld be obtained, il nee
es-ary. from adjoining counties. and instead
Of permitting the accused TO swear the
Judge off the bench, as is often done to get
time, the regular judge should be required
TO preside, except when, for proper cause,
he voluntarily retires; and II he abuses his
right to preside. his judgment can be re
versed by the Appellate Court Thus, JUS
tiee will be made speedy and crime be
more certainly punished.
lie paid the State Guard n hand
soms tribute for their promptness and
efficiency in quelling the public dis
turbances that had recently occurred
and favored the organization of mill.
tary companies all over the State.
The condition of the Penitentiary had
been a source of great anxiety to him
and while il was not usual for retir.
ing Executive to recommend meas
ures, the crOwding Of 962 convicts
into 740 small cells. made him earnest
10 assert that provisions should he
made for a branch penitentiary at The
earliest time consistent with the law.
He spoke of the Geological Survey,
If the A. a Nj. College, and said
that he had recommended that it be
Ievered frou the Kentucky Uniyersi-
y. The pardoning power had been
lsed with great care by him, and had
'nly been exercised after thorough
into the facts. He paid
m eloquent tribute to Kentucky, and
losed amid great applause. 'ai.s
GOVERNOR BLACKBURN
Fas then introduced by Governor
IcCreary. He began his address by
acknowledging his prOfoundest graft
lde 70 the people for the honor they
ad conferred ON him, and promised
rat his constant effort and ceaseless
ina should be 10 iill the measure of
Ain axnocfafious nv faithfully and