Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1882-11-29
PATTIsON's INAUGURATION
The Cover in Favor
of u Simple and UndemOn.
strAtive Affair.

The Board of Officers of the State
Fencibles' Battslion offered the SER
vice of the battalion to Governor-elect
Pattison as escort from his home to
Harrisburg on the occasion of his in
auguration. Mr.. Pattison has de-
clined the offer in letter to Charles
Berger. adjutant and secretary of the
Board Of Officers. Mr.. Pattison's let
ter is as follows:
PHILADELPHIA, Nov. Is, 1882.
My DEAR SIR: desire to acknowl-
edge the receipt of your letter advis-
ing me of the resolution unanimously
passed at meeting of the Board of
Officers of the State Fencibles Battal-
ion rendering me the services of the
battalion as an escort from my hom
TO Harrisburg on the occasion of the
Inauguration of the Governor of the
Commonwealth in January next.
This letter is only one of many l am
daily receiving Of similar import from
various organizations both military and
civil. AS I was at one time member
and president of your battalion, it is
not improper that select my reply to
your invitation as method of commu-
nicating my purpose as to the inaugu-
ration to all those organizations that
have already addressed me on the sub
ject or might be likely to take any
action in the matter in the future. For
the personal compliment intended to
be bestowed upon me by these friends
| am sincerely greatful, but must de-
cline to accept their kind offers, for
the reasons 1 am about to state. L
have always entertained profound
conviction that simple and undem-
onstrative Inauguration of public Off
GERS was most in accord with the spir-
it of republican institutions. There is
no reason that / can see why the
mere taking of an oath by the citizen
called by the people to execute a pub
lie trust should be made the occasion
for scenes of pageantry and demonstra-
tion. To my mind the solemness OF
the act is marred by the intrusion
of such needless and inopportune dis
play. The sooner we return to sim
plicity and democratic good sense in
these matters the better-better for the
people and better for the officer. Be-
sides, am resolutely determined that,
so far as l can control the matter, my
inauguration as Governor shall not
cost the people of Pennsylvania one
dollar. Why should it? They derive
no benefit from such scenes and the
money spent thereon is wasted.
These are my reasons for declining
your kind offer. / trust they may
meet your approval. Of course, the
Inauguration is public act and takes
place in the eve of the public. There
fore it is the right of such citizens as
desire to do so voluntarily and at their
own expense to be present at and wit
ness the ceremony. All such | will
be glad to see and meet on that occa
sion. More than that / do not wish
to inspire and cannot approve.
Respectfully yours,
ROBERT e. PATTIsoN.
We have witnessed these displays
at the Inauguration of our Governors
They are only of modern introduction
and Governor-elect Pattison deserves
praise from all good citizens for now
refusing to countenance them. Hav
ing to be held in January, when the
weather ia cold and often disagreea.
hIe The scenes attending these out door
ifheE pleasant