The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-01-09
GOVERNOR OF FLORIDA.
THE INAUGURATION CELEBRA-
TION a GREAT SUCCESS.

Divisions in the Parade-A PUBIC
Reception-A Ball Closes the Festivi-
ties.
TALLAHASSEE, FLA, Jan. S,-Francis p.
Fleming of Jacksonville, the newly elected
governor of Florida, was to-day inaugu-
rated in his office with much display and
ceremony. The attendance was large, and
everything passed off in the most successful
manner. The governor-elect and his family
arrived from Jacksonville several days ago.
Yesterday several of the military companies
of the state came on and to-day the bal
ance. The First, Second and Third battal-
ions Of Florida militia were well repre-
sented.
TIRE PROCESSION.
The procession was formed at 10 o'clock
| on the west side of the capitol square in
seven divisions, the military forming the
| first and second, waile civic bodies, MEM
bers Of tho cabinet, prominent citizens of
the state, students of the State Norm i
schools, iremen and others formed the
other divisions. Adjutant General Lang
of the governors staff was chief marshal
| Gov. Perry and the members of his cabinet
| were in the procession. After traversing
| the greater portion of the city the process
sion stopped on tho east side Of the capitol,
| Gov. Perry and Chief Justice Raney es-
corted the governor elect to the front
veranda of the capitol which was already
crowded with the fair sex.
THE GovERNoR-ELEoT INTRODUCED.
| AS they reached the top step they turned
| facing to the vast audience before them,
and Gov Perry introduced the governor
| elect as their next governor. Tremendous
| cheers greeted his appearance. and it was
several minutes before Justice Raney could
| administer the oath. Gov. Fleming listened
attentvely as the oath was administered
and kissed the Bible held in his right hand
| reverently, at its close saying in loud
| voice: Il do, so help me God" Gov
| Perry then presented the great seal of the
state, alluding to the pleasure he felt in de
| livering this important trust to oae whom
| he knew would administer the executive
| department for the best good of the state
| Gov. Fleming happily responded and he
was cheered to the echo by the enthusiastic
multitudes.
DELIVERING THE ADDRESS.
AS soon as silence was restored he began
| his inaugural address which was listened to
| with marked interest. After be had fin
ished after a rousing ovation by the 5000
or more listeners he was escorted to the
rotunda Of the capital, where a reception
was held for over an hour. There was no
| formality, but the great Spontaneous outburst
| of congratulation which met him on every
| hand greatly moved the new governor and
he was visibly agitated as he returned the
| warm greetings showered upon him. 1t
has been the most enthusiastic and success
| full inaugural for many years. This after
noon the governor was treated to several
| serenades and tonight a ball closes the
| days festivities.
E. j. TRAY, well known transportation
man of Jacksonville, will be the governors
| private secretary.
THE INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
The inaugural address follows in full:
| F7ell0w- Cnizens of Florida:
The wisdom of those statesmen and patriots,
who were the architects of the admirable sys-
TEN Of republican government which obtains in
our country located in the people the fountain
| OF power and the source OF all governmental
authority, based upon the principle that that
government which best insures the happiness Of
| people must rest upon the consent OF the
| governed. In harmony with the system thus
marked out, and in the exercise of that right
guaranteed by the constitution, the people OF
our state have chosen by ballot those who will
| exercise the functions of government for the
| next four years.
| RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE OFFICE.
AS the chosen head of the next admlnistra-
| ton, with grateful appreciation of the honor
| conferred upon me- standing upon the threshold
| of my official career, / cannot but be pro
| foundly impressed with the responsibilities and
| ulfnCulJieS Wule0 CONFRONT me- all Jnc more so
| by reason Of my inexperience in official life,
| never before having held q civil Office. And
when glance back at the wise and able admin
| istratons of my predecessors | have indeed
misgVings as 10 my ability to satisfactorily dis
| charge the dnties of the high Office to which !
have been chosen. Well may | supplicate the
great ruler Of the universe in the humble Ian
guage Of the mighty sovereign of his chosen
people: Give therefore thy servant an under
| standing heart 10 judge thy people, that 1 may
discern between good and bad Relying upon
l. a TgN., l.ns
| TO discharge those duties faithfully and impair
| TALLY, with fidelity TO the people and in the in
tereSt OF the whole state.
PROUD OF HIS STATE.
| Having visited every section Of Florida within
| the past few months, my pride and admiration
| of my native state is, if possible, increased by
more extended acquaintance with her people
| and better knowledge Of her resources, indus
tries and attractions, which are unsurpassed ia
| variety and have drawn within her borders
valued immigration and large capital for their
| development. Within the past decade she has
| made rapid strides in material prosperity, and
| is destined to advance to the front rank Of the
great sisterhOOd OF the union.
Her prosperity, however, has been tempo
rarily retarded by the visitation Of yellow fever
to our eastern metropolis and some other Places
which has cost the state the loss Of some of her
most valued and esteemed citizens AID brought
| afil ction and sorrow to the hearts OF many OF
our people and has seriously interrupted bus
| ness and travel But while we extend our sym
| pathy to those who have suffered personal be
| reavements or pecuniary loss, let us thank
| Almighty God for the bright spot in that dark
cloud wnicn oyershadowed us, as presented by
| the example OF that noble band OF heroes who,
| facing pestilence and death, swerved not from
| the path OF duty in their labors Of love and
mercy ministering to the cause OF suffering
| humanity Toe state should ever cherish them
| in grateful memory among the heroes who have
| shed ustre upon her name. Wen did those
| martyrs who fell at the post Of duty illustrate
| the truth that
''Whether on the scaffold high
or in the battles van,
The nobest place for man 10 die -
Is where he dies for man"
MUCH TO BE THANKFUL FOR.
And we have indeed much to be thankful for
| in the exemption of all but a small portion of
| the state from the dread disease; for the almost
| unprecedently small death rate where the
| fever prevailed, and the entire abatement OF
| the disease al this time; as well as for the
viyal OF business and the bright prospect Of the
! future.
| feel that sacred duty rests upon me, as
| we'll as upon every good citizen, that nothing
| be left undone which may contribute to guard
| us from visitation OF epidemic disease In the
| future and especially 70 prevent its recurrence
during the year upon which we have entered
| BEING so IMPRESSED, | shall carefully consider
| the expedieucy Of converting the legislature in
| extra session earlier than the time appointed
| FOR its regular meeting, TO provide such further
! legislation for the preservation or the puolic
| health as 70 them may seem best
THE GOVERNOR GRATEFUL.
take pleasure on this occasion to extend TO
a etFt han ttrs fort hR