The Dawson journal., 1883-05-17
Governor McDanleI's inaugural.

of Governor on Thursday:
Gentlemen of the General Assembly and
Fellow. Citizens-The occasion for this as
semblage suggests the recent loss of the
State, and of mankind, in the death of Mr.
/ Stephens. whose unexpired term in the
I office of Governor | have been called to
/ ill. More than any man who ever lived
he deserved to be named ''The Great Com
moner." He has joined the illustriouss
men whose placein the hearts of the people
OF Georgia is but feebly expressed in the
adornments of this representative hall.
His fame like theirs, is the priceless
heritage of grateful countrymen
In assuming the duties from which
Divine Providence has removed him |
desire to express my grateful thanks to the
people for this marx of confidence and
esteem. | cannot hope to bring to the
discharge of these responsible duties, the
varied experience, profound knowledge
and consummate wisdom, which character
lied him. But l may hope to exhibit the
same devotion to all the interests intrusted
to my care.
The fundamental principles of our gov
eminent, in state as well as federal relations,
are expressed in the constitution. | need
not repeat them to this assemblage, com
posed Of those who enact laws, and those
who interpret them, and those who execute
them, and intelligent citizens, who are
accustomed to observe, and to Judge I'M
partially the manner of performance of
official duties. Our chief concern is not
with these maxims which are the results of
the revolution and development of cen
turies, and which are familiar to all. but
with measuaes of administration, designed
to carry them into effect.
The office of government is to maintain
order, to suppress crime, and to insure to
all the fruits of honest labor, and the un-
disturbed pursuits of happiness. 1t can
never be perfect or finished New con-
ditions constantly require appropriate legis-
lation. Laws, wise in origin, and whole
some in operation, lose fitness in the
changes incident to modern progress, and
must be modified, or yielded to other
measures better adapted to the emergency
Diversities OF interest tend to produce di-
versities of opinion in matters of state
policy.
These conflicts of opinions are real and
confront us in every detail of legislation
But there is nc real conflict of interest be-
tween various classes of epeope-diverse
as may be their occupations. What is
wholesome for one class cannot be hurtful
to another; and what is hurtful to one
must result in injury to all. 1t is a COM
mon mistake that the prosperity Of one
class depends ON laws enacted for its special
benefit Legislation will not supply the
want of those qualities of industry, thrift
and skill, and produce, on which rest alike
private and public pros Gritty What is
needed in legislation is that it shall be Just
to all classes, imposing no burdens that are
not equally borne by all-within these
limits, the administration will be best,
which is felt least by the people.
Taxation from the sovereign nature of
the powers exercised, is the most impor-
tant subject of State policy. 1t is felt in
every household. When burdensome, it
crushes the weak and clogs the efforts of all
who endtavor to improve their fortu; es.
No free people should long submit to unjust
systems.o taxation, which can be remedied.
Experience teaches how difficult it is to
carry into effect the wholesome Of our con-
stitntion, that taxation shall be equal and
uniform. Much has been done to perfect
the system, but much remains to be DONE
This must beleft to the skill and patriotism
of the Legislature, applying the lessons of
the past to the conditions of the future
Besides improvements in tax laws, de-
signed to thoroughly distribute public
burdens, a policy to be patiently and per
sistently pursued it is our duty to maintain
the present low rate of taxation, and to
reduce it ifit can be done without Gripping
the resources of the Treasury. 1t is true
that our credit is equal to that of any State
in the Union; that we annually reduce our
debt that we might pay it off within a
reasonable time by sales of public proper
ty; that our p ide in the financial con-
dition of Georgia is justified by the increas-
ing wealth and prosperity of the people.
But these advantages should not inspire
merely feeling of satisfaction and pride,
we must use them to the utmost as means
to effect these desirabl results. To ac-
complish this, economy in expense must be
rigidlg enforced. The public can no more
hope to keep money in the Treasury with
out discriminating economy than individu-
ais in their private business There may
be many worthy objects for which ex.
pcnditme of public money would prove
beneficial, were our resources unlimited and
our right to use them unlimited. The
constitution does not leave rs in doubt as
to what are Legitimate objects of expendi
ture. These are plainly expressed, anC
comprehended briefly, the support of the
Government in all institutions for the cart
OF the helpless classes, the support of the
public schools, the payment of the public
debt, and the public defense For thos,
objects wise economy will require much t.
be done as the State can do without burden
ing the people No object save the public
defense will justify an increase of public
burdens
A state of abounding territory, rich il