Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1885-01-16
GOV. MARTINS ADDRESS.

AT the inauguration on Monday af
ter Governor Click had delivered hi
retiring speeck he said:
81 now introduce to the people o
! this Commonwealth our Governor
John A. Martini" who was received
with wild outburst of cheering. He
stepped forward and said:
Mr.. President and Ladies and Gentlemen:
Many thousands of years ago il wa
said: "Let not him that girdeth OF
, his harness boast himself as he thai
putteth it off," and upon an occasion
of this character such an admonitIou
is peculiarly pertinent.
| My predecessor can tell of duties
performed, of purposes accomplished
of deeds and words that are now a
part of the history of Kansas.
| stand on the threshold of two
years OF official labor and RESPONSE
bilties, and look into the unknown
future with great anxiety and appre
hension. A great state has hoUored
Inc. A brave, intelligent and gener-
Gus people have given me their con-
| fidence. How can | deserve this kind
ness and Partially? How may | ac-
ceptably fill the place SO worthily oc-
cupied by long line of able and emil
nent men? These are the questions
to which | must make answer, not
here and now, in the presence of this
vast audience, but in the days that are
| TO come, each bringing its new cares,
duties and responsibilities.
have known all the governors OF
| this state, many of Them intimately,
and | take this occasion 10 say that
believe Kansas has, in the past. been
fortunate in the choice of chief execu-
tive officers. First ON the list of emf
hence amt usefulness a. well us date of
service, is he name of Charles Rob
inson. Long before Kansas was adj
mitted into the Union his splendid
courage and comprehensive ability had
made hin. the leader of the free state
men. He enjoys the distinction of
having been elected Governor under
two constitutions and of having guild
ed the state through the darkest and
s'Ormiest years of its history. The
I'D war governor is still hale aud
hearty, and as honored in private life
as he was in public station.
Following him came Thomas Carney,
trained man OF business, who, in a
critical period of orr history. per-
formed the part that Robert Morris
did in the infancy of the Republic
pledged his private fortune to save the
financial credit of the state.
Samuel Crawford, gallant and en-
terprising soldier, succeeded Carney.
He served the state creditably, and is
still in its service, emplo, ed as its
agent at Washington.
Then came James NJ. Harvey, a
steadfast and sturdy soldier, plain and
unpretentious, but of sterling honesty,
Assuming high station without pride.
he resigned it without mnrmuring.
Yet. he alone of all our governors,
reached the goal at which so many of
them have aimed-the United States
senate.
Thos. A. Osborn, the most adroit
aud skilltul politician OF them all, fol-
lowed Harvey. He stepped OUT of the
executive office into the diplomatic
service of the couctry, in " hich he has
grown gray aud hands ONE.
Gee. 4. Anthony, man of impos-
ing presence, an eloquent and forcible
speaker and thorough man of affairs,
succeeded Ost orne. He has, since re-
firing from office, borne conspicuous
part in the construction of great in
Iernational thoroughfare connecting |
the republics of the United States and |
Mexico. Now, returned home, he is
again in the service of the state, rep
resenting his district in the legisls-
ture.
Then came John r. st. john. A
ready and impressive speaker, he has
since achieved a national reputation
as an advocate of the temperance par
ty.
Last on the list Is the name of nay
townsman aud neighbor, George w.
Click, the first member of his party to
be elected Governor of Kansas A
capable and experienced legislator, al
WAYS energetic and industrious,l think
| may say. here in his presence, that
even bis political opponents will credit
him with desire to promote the well
fare of the State, however, much they
may disagree with him concerning the
method or policy by which such re-
suit is best attained.
With the example, the experience,
he precrdents established by these,
nv predecessors, | enter upon the
iuties of the office to which have ,
,een elected. And if at the close Of
ny term | can surrender to my sue
,essor the trusts | now assume, aud
NOW that my administration has been
narred by as few faults and failures,
nd distinguished by such record Of {
luties honestly, faithfully and iDtelli-
,ently discharged, as are the records
f my predecessors generally, 1 shall
errainly feel that shave kept the
aith."
The oath of office was then adminis-
cred to Col. Martin by Chief Justice I
inrfon. He reverently kissed the !.
ibIe and modestly bowed his ac-
nowledgements of the hearty ap-f c