The south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1879-1883, 1883-09-18

lslatlVc lnaJorltv snalI ever DC suDstl-
tuted for authority which has been
withheld or prohibited by its organic
law. With the profoundest respect,
however, for the virtue, intelligence,
and patriotism which are always ex-
pectcd to characterize distinguished
representative bodies, the qualified
negative with which | am to be in
vested shall only be exercised to pro-
tcct the Constitution from infraction,
to prevent a manifest injustice, or to
invite a reconsideration of such in
advertent legislation as may be re-
gardcd as clearly detrimental to the
public good.
Throughly conscious of how little
| shall be able to accomplish without
the cordial cooperation oflhe otherde
partincnts of the Government, which
it will at all times be my most earnest
endcayor to merit, fearful of excitil e
expectations that may never be rea-
lized, and always preferring that my
intention shall be known by the re-
suits of my conduc rather tnan by an
elaborate profession of purposes
which it may be out of my power to
fulfill, it would be with utmost reluc-
tance that | would even venture to
intimate the difiident hopes with
which shall enter upon my admin
istration; especially as l expect soon
to have a convenient opportunity Of
expressing my views of state policy
more explicitly in communication
which it will be my duty to make
directly to the General Assembly.
Believing, however, that the pri-
mary purposeof government is to Sc
cure equal and exact justice to all men
of whatever state or condition, and
that all its regulations should be test
cd by that infaillible touchstone
it may not be improper for me to say
at this time that | will be glad 10
give to the Legislature my heartiest
support in such readjustment of our
system Of revenue as may be necessary
to secure as far as possible full and
fair assessment of all taxable property
throughout the State, that every one
who enjoys the blessings of its gov
crnment may bear his just proportion
of its burdens; the speedy and
thorough collection of the revenue as
sessed, that all demands on the Treas
ury may be promptly met. the public
credit sustained aud the rate Of taxa
ton reduced; rigid enlightened
economy in the expenditure of all
public money, which will insure
their faithful application TO the pur-
poses prescribedby law, and impose
the highest burden upon the people
consistent with a fair compensation
for the performance of official duties
without which it would be impossible
to secure efficient service in any de-
partment of public employment.
will be happy moreover TO coop
crate most cordially with that depart.
ment in any such policy, consistent
with the constitution, as will tend to
increase the efficiency, and extend
the benefits of our system of common
school education; increase cur COM
mercial facilities, develop our re-
sources, promote our progress, check
the efllux Of our population, invite into
our midst the industry, frugality in.
telligence and wealth which are seek
ing homes elsewhere, and make oul
State, with all its varied and match
less advantages, its central location
in grand community of Common
wealths, its genial climate, its gen
erous soil, breadth of primeval foresI
yet untouched by the woodman's axe
its wonderous water powers, and it
infinity of mineral wealth, what !
should be-the home of the highes
civilizationand the goal of the indrus
trous immigrant instead of breedin!
ground for emigrants.
In exercising the various executiv
functions with which am about Il
he invested. shall never forget tina
the government under which we liv
is essentially government Of law
and that / am bound, not only b,
the plaincst requirement of the oath
am about to take. but by the very ma
! .9rc of cur institutions, and the obi
CATIONS naturally arising from the i'm
portant relation am to sustain io
ward them, to discharge every officia
} duty incumbent upon me, strictly ac
: cording TO the sovereign will Of th
people, expressed in conformity t
I The Constitution they have ordained
I that the law is the warrant and tn
$ boundary of my authority; that bt
yond its limitations / have no discrt
! lion to go, and that its minutest r(
, quirements l have no right to neg
: lect.
/ shall not only be bound to observ
! the supremacy of the law myself, bu
: it is made my paramount duty by tn
constitution to see that its mandate
: are obeyed by others; that the huml
b lest shall enjoy the full benefit of Il
Z being protection. and that the mo-
c exalted shall not be exempt from i
s power; that peace shall be preserve,