The San Antonio light. (San Antonio, Tex.) 1883-1886, 1885-01-21
TEXAS LEGISLATURE
SECOND INAUGURATION OF Gov
ERNOR JOHN IRELAND.
His Address on the occasion. and
the Sensible Advice on a Mum
Der OF Questions

] tue Expires we kti tue ioitoNihks IL
garding the Inauguration OF Governor
John Ireland, and his address on that
occasion;
Mr.. Upton, on the part Of the Com
mittee on Inauguratio, reported the or.
der Of proceedings for that occasion.
/ At IL O'Clock noon, the hour appointed
for The Inauguration, the joliet session Of
both Houses was held for the purpose,
and the Governor and Lieutenant Gov.
einor having taken the oath Of office,
which was administered by A. NJ. Jack
son, Jr., as Notary Public, authorized
by law to administer oaths, Governor
Ireland delivered the following:
~ have repeated to-day the oath OF
fidelity TO the constitution and, by i'm
/ plication, to the people OF the State that
took two years ago. then expressed
some apprehension Of my ability to give
entire satisfaction to all the people. In
taking the oath | relied largely on the
wisdom, patriotism and forbearance OF
my countrymen. In that trust have
not been mistaken or deceived. The
generosity and jealous support extended
to me by the two Houses and the peo-
pie has been thorough and full, to the
extent, indeed, of filling me with graft
tude and assuring my devotion TO the
best interests Of the commonwealth.
True, have not pleased all. have
not had public gifts in my keeping for
all who have sought them for self or
friends. have found myself between
the aims of the selfish and their goal. /
now declare that no act or deed of min g
has been dictated or done with another
view or motive than the general good OF
the people. No one could more fOndly
seek the aid and assistance Of his friends
than have done; yet being responsible
myself to the people, | have acted on
my own judgmt mt. The stumbling block
In the paths of all as public servants and
as private individuals Is the rugged
boulder of self-interest-just to the ex-
tent that we can divest ourselves Of that;
in the same ratio will our acts be pro-
motive Of public good and satisfactory to
ourselves. IL !, In a public capacity,
find myself constantly trimming the
sail, or II member OF either House is be-
set as n legislator, with considerations
self-imposed or thrust upon him for prl-
vate ends, our actions will be unsatisfac-
tory and detrimental to the public SER
vice. When our public service is ended,
If we can take the retrospect and feel
that we have done our whole duty to the
people and our country, we may well be
satisfied.
with reasonable legislation our coun-
try will continue to grow and prosper,
the border will continue to recede, our
new counties will continue to organize,
the six-shooter and Spencer rifle will
disappear and the people will be able to
elect local governments that will afford
protection without having to appeal to
a central power to do that for which To-
cal officers are created. feel sure that
In the two Houses will be found earnest
public servants, and that when differ
ences spring up they will be the results
of honest motives. We want stability
In our laws and form of government,
and 1t Is much better TO conform to an
awkward or improvident law than to be
constantly changing our system.
Legislators often deserve well Of
their county by opposing constant
changes. When u few leading subjects
have been disposed Of, we always feel
that we are ready to quit at any day
Whatever is done should tend towards
requiring every person to let every other
person alone in the enjoyment OF what
is mis-; TO lessening the burdens of the
people in the way of taXes; TO afford
speedy redress in the courts, and finally
to leave the people free from any gov
ernmental control or supervision, except
so far as may be necessary 10 accomplish
the few great ends pointed out.
"Sinoe my late message to the two
houses was penned news has reached
me OF the preparation of series of hor-
rible crimes, murders and thefts on Tex
as soil, by lncursions of depredatory
bands from Mexico. Since II has be-
come known that neither Mexico or the
United States will surrender one of their
citizens TO be taken TO either govern
ment to be tried for crimes. the people
on the right bank Of the Rio Grande have
become emboldened and they stand on
Mexican soil covered with the blood of
our women and children and their booty
In sight OF our people. l have made re-
peated efforts through the Secretary of
state to induce discussion of the propri-
ETY. OF so amending the treaty of 1861 as
TO permit any one, no matter where
his allegiance may be, to be extradited.
But no results have followed. CONNER
eial treaties and money affairs seem TO
be OF more importance than the blood of
the people. In the last few days have
written to the President, giving him full
accounts OF the condition OF affairs on
the Rio Grande, and have also informed
him that Texas can protect herself, II
need be, and that the State troops on
that border have been directed to pro-
tect that border without Difference to
nice points OF international law. Iffed-
eral troops, whose duty 1t is under the
constitution, are too fender to patrol
that border, then their presence on our
soil Is OF little practical use. These re-
marks are not intended as q criticism OF
the commanding officers in Texas, but
OF the general management of the whole
department.
ut has been suggested that the mem.
Ders OF the two houses may wish to visit
the Cotton exposition before final ad.
iournment. II this question is reached
] hope the adjournment for that purpose
VIII be without pay to either members
or employees. If this mode Is adopted
1t would doubtless be satisfactory to ths
country. By concurrent resolution the
two houses may adjourn TO any futur,
day.
II return my thanks and pledge m,
renewed devotion for the next two
years"