The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1881-01-11
ABSTRACT
LIZ GIsLATIvE PROCEEDINGS.
TUESDAY, January 4, 1881.
senate.

lIle lOllONltlS lceuatOTS were present.
Messrs. Bryson, Jones, Judge, Lykes, Nc
Clenhy, McKinnon, Niblack Speer, Thompson,
Walker and Wallace.
The LieutenantGo GoverhOr-elect Hon. l.. w.
Bethel, was sworn into Office by Hon. David 5.
Walker Sr., Judge of the Second Judicial Cir
cult, and delivered the following address
Gentlemen Of the Senate:
In taking the chair to preside over your delib-
eratiOns do so with feelings of gratitude and
fear grateful thnt the citizens of Florida have
Thought me worthy by placing me next in their
confidence to that ilustrious citizen whose patri-
Otisnl, virtues and eminent public services receive
this day The highest reward that free people
cfn bestow; and fearful that may not be able
to discharge the trust confided 10 me in such a
way as to merit approval
III diligent attention, however. will enable
me TO perform the functions now assigned me,
may promise that diligence and attention shall
be seduOusy employed.
The rules which are to govern the proceedings
Of this honorable body, so far as they shall
depend on me for their application, shall be
applied with the most rigid and intiexible impair
tality, regarding neither persons, their views
nor principles. If, in forming my decisions,
shall concur with some and differ with others
as must, from necessity, happen-I shall rely on
the libeIality and candor OF those from whom /
differ to believe that do it from pure motives
The appreciation implied by your suffrage is a
great consolation TO me, and my future socitude
will be to retain the good opinion OF those who
have already bestowed il in advance.
The import subjects to which your attention
will be called will be laid before you by the
Governor 1t is, therefore, no province of mine
to mention them. My duty is to preside over
this honorable body; and may l not hope TO
find in each one OF you spirit OF fairness and
aid that will enable me to make myself agI eea-
bleIwhile ] strictly perform my duty?
II lot me-
here invite you individually TO give it to me, to
the end that harmony may prevail and the bus
iness of your meetings be conducted with regu-
larlty and dispatch.
Relying, then, on the patronage of your good
will. | advance with obedience to the work :;
and may that Infinite Power which rules the
destinies of the universe lead your councils to
what is good and give them n favorable issue
the peace and prosperity OF our State.
The following recently elected Senators
took the oath of office:
Messrs. Chandler, Cole, Crawford, Grill, De-
lano, Dell, Duncan, Hatcher, Hcndry, Lee. NAL
lory, Mcclellan. Mckay, McKinne, Polhil,
Robinson, Sharpe and Willard.
On motion committee OF three was appointed
sto confer with similar committee of the Assem-
bly, in regard TO the inaugural ceremonies.
On motion the old rules were adopted
The committee reported the arrangements
agreed upon for the inaugural ceremonies.
On motion the Senate took recess until las
p NJ
las p. NJ
A quorum present.
AT , O'Clock the Senate proceeded in a body
to the Assembly Hall to join in the inaugural
ceremonies.
y JOINT SESSION.
The roll of the Senate was called.
On motion the calling of the roll of the As
scmbly was dispensed with.
Lieutenant Governor Bethel introduced Gov
ernOr-elcc BlOXham, who delivered the fol-
lowing
INAUGURAL ADDRESS:
In response to the summons of the people as
officially announced, | have come to take the
oath prescribed by the Constitution preparatory
to entering upon the duties appertaining to the
position of Governor of Florida.
Fully apprecatng the importance of these
duties, ask the indulgence and seek the assis-
lance Of all lovers of the State in their proper
and faithful discharge.
Looking alone to the interest, welfare and
prosperity OF our State il will be my pleasure as
well as my duty to bend every energy TO pro-
mptc her future progress and growth That fu-
ture rests, TO a large extent with her people
TO secure its full fruits to ourselves and our pos
tefity, we must invite a healthy immigration !;
develop our internal resources by securing prop-
er transportation; and educate the rising gener-
alton. Thsee are the three great links in the
grand chain of progress upon which we can con-
fidenty rely for our future growth and prosperity
Immigrants come where the blessings OF good
government secure 10 them the protection
of life, liberty and property; and it is
source of profound qualification TO know that
the faithful enforcement OF the laws has secured
that protection in Florida, as fully as in any
State of Union, and she is reapng her Just reward,
not only in The general prosperity of her varied
industries, but in the constantly increasing tide
of immigration that seeks her shores And il is
due 10 the State that all patriotic citizens, and
all public associations, and the public press that
great lever that makes and moves public senti-
ment should unite in allaying the misapprehen-
sibns sought to be created for partisan purposes
during The late political campaign, and by all
proper means afford assurances to capital and
industry of safe and profitable investment. es,
lei us invite and encourage immigration by evefy
legitimate means at our command. And feel
that but utter The sentiments of the entire peo-
ple-from Escambia's beautiful bay to The mag
nifcent St Johns, from our northern limits to
The bright Key of the Gulf, where the lone exile
rests in conscious security under the broad 9gis
OF our flag, whilst weeping over the fate of the
beautiful Queen of the Antles-when / extend
hearty welcome 10 all visitors, and God-speed
to every settler who desires to become citizen
of Florida. We question neither their nativity,
their political views, religious sentiments.
All that we can desire is, that they be honor
loving and laT abiding
Owing TO our geographical and semi.tropical
position, we possess advantages claimed by no
other State of The Union. To utilize these advan-
t$ges to their full extent, ii is not only necessary
70 secure immigration, but also that handmade of
progress, transportation. With the Peninsula of
our State furnished with proper transportation,
and railroad facilities secured 10 the West-with
their magnificent lands and virgin forests, who
can predict our future? Owing to the embar-
rhssed condition of our Internal improvement
Fund, all may mol be accomplished at once that
is desirable, but let us work unitedly and un-
ceasingly 10 the success OF these grand objects.
df her greatness. With her climate and soil,
and her varied productions, her future is full of
Hope and full Of promise. An intelligent and
enterprising people, blessed with such resources,
can but build up great and prosperous COM
Klonwealih. Let us then devote ourselves to
these great objects, worthy of the consideration
Of the leading minds of our State. l4 III |
Let us hope that The asperities engendered by
the heated discussions of the canvass have died
away, and that as American citizen, proud of
our country, we will cherish our republican In
stitutions and lend hearty aequiesence and
cordial support to those placed in power by the
people With true loyalty and devotion to an
indissoluble union OF indestructlbIe States"
we will cherish and obey, without mental reser-
Hation, the Constitution of our country, with ell
Of its amendments, believing that strict ad-
herence to its provisions will prove the prophets
rod which is 10 swceten the waters from which
have tiown the bitter strifes of the past Know
ing no sectional lines, and fostering no sectional
animositiesaet our patriotic impulses be as broad
as the Union ITSELF and as pure as the inspiration
that gave to us the Divine injunction of" peace