Mexico weekly ledger., 1889-01-17
THE INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
Governor Francis Talks Plainly
and to the Point-A Very
Sound Speech.


had been administered Monday
afternoon was very strong and
iorcible. The new Governor did
not tire his hearers with statistics
and laborious tables. but on the
contrary, with plain facts simply
stated, he delighted and enlighten-
ed them all. In brief, he spoke as
follows:
Gentlemen of the Thirty-fiflh
General Assembly, and Citizens Of
Missouri.-In assuming the duties
of the office of Governor OF this
Commonwealth, / appreciate the
labor it entails, the obligation it
imposes. the responsibility it co.s-
veys, and the dignity it possesses.
\ position ennobled by Il long line
Of illustrious predecessors and on
secrated through the unhampered
choice ofintelllgent free men, i'm
presses me with a deep sense Of
gratitude for the honor conferred,
and inspires me in accepting the
trust with grave apprehensions as
70 my ability 10 meet its require
m+nts.
Federal relations were briefly
touched and State sovereignty re-
ceived more than Il passing men,
ton. The patriot statesmen who
framed our free institutions fore
law and torewarned Us OF the dan
gers ofcach. Every true American
viii condemn ald oppose any
enCroachmcntS on the rights Of the
States or any one of them.
The rights If Texas are a. dear
to her people, and should be as
jealousy guarded as those of
Maine. The sovereignty of Mass
chusetts Is as inviolable as that Of
Mississippi. There is no occasion
for alarm. The sober thought of
the people is correct and true, and
will countenance no unjust inter-
ference with the rights OF States in
time of peace.
MIssoURI's FUTURE.
The wonderful growth and pros
perity of Missouri during the past
few years have attracted the at
attention ofthe entire Nation, aud
have imbued the people of the
State with a firm faith in the
grandeur of its future. The enact
mcnt of wise statutes, and their
impartial enforcement, by inducing
the investment of capital and the
immigration of good citizens, can
materially accelerate the Develop
ment gifts extensive and varied
resources. No period in the his
tory of the State has been %ofgreater
Importance to its destiny than is
the present. Affirmative and
positive action is necessary if
we would advance the interests of
the people, and push Missouri for
ward to a higher place among the
great States of the Nation.
As Legislators you have a diff
ticult and important task to per-
form, calling for the exercise of
wise discretion, diligent applica-
ton and answering fidelity.
Your earnest cooperation is essen
tai to the successful administra-
ton of the State. The session
upon which you are entering
promises to be anotable one. The
Statute laws of the State are to be
revised. Legislation will be pro-
Iposed on matters of paramount
Importance.
In revising the dramshop laws
on our statute book their in,
cogruities should be reconciled
their impracticable feature elm.
mated, their operation made effec.
f tive, and the responsibility fol
their enforcement should be fixed
Sumptuary Legislation is unjus'
legislation, but the corrupting in
fluence of the saloon on the'moral;
of the community and the polite;
OF the country should be checked
[applause and confined to the mar
rowest possible limits. The broad
est liberty, consistent with tn,
welfare of society, the peace, anG
good will of the community IN thu
unquestioned right of the in
divldual respect for law, is firmly
rooted IN the hearts of the Ameri
can people, but their love of justice
is Unborn, and is the surest guarantee
of the safety of the Republic.
THE TRUST.
The dangers of centralized powe.
and capital came in for a review
at the hands of Gov. Francis. TIL,
evil influences of power and CAPT
tai permeate all branches of trad
and all classes of property, I'm
checked by any feeling of charity o
individual responsibility, until
unfeltered by the duties of citizen
ship, they are enabled to perpetu
ate themselves by the adoption 0
questionable methods and the en-
ployment of agents which scrupl'
at no means to accomplish certain
ends. All healthy competition i
crowded to the wall, the funda
mental principles of our govern
ment are undermined and a elias
of autocrats takes the place Of on
free, liberty loving people. Severa
State Constitutions have wisely Sc
forth that p~erpetuities and monop
oiies are contrary to the genius o
a free State, and should not be al
lowed.
!, ELECTORAL REFORM.
,, Gov. Francis closed his address
with remarks on electoral reform
with an outline of his opinion 0
what a Governor should be.
Too many safeguards cannot b
f thrown around the manner of con
Quoting elections. The worth of
citizen can be safely measured b,
the estimate he places on his rgh
as a voter.
The growing beliefin the corruption
/ of the voter is his fear and depend
ence is destroying confidence in tn
, Republic and if not checked viii
endanger its perpetulty. Whel
the most precious boon of a,
American citizen is degraded to tn,
level of barter and sale, our Demo
cratic professions beceme n mock