Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1889-01-16
INAUGURATED.
The Oath Administered to Gov.
Ross and Lieut.. Gov. Wheeler.
Their Addresses They Enter Upon
Their Second Term Under the Most
Favorable Auspices.
Question Of Changing the Law so the State
Election Will Not be Held at the Time of
the Presidential Election.
ENTERED UPON A SECOND TERM.

! Special to the Gazette.
| AUSTIN, TEX, Jan. 15.-The inaugu-
ration of the governor and Iieutenant-
governor was the leading feature to-day.
The almost impossible condition of the
ways of approach to the capitol kept
many persons away, but there was a
large crowd present, including many
ladies. The very pretty compliment was
paid Judge Norman G. KitrelI of the
Eighth judicial district of allowing him
to administer the oaths When Governor
Ross was introduced to the audience by
Speaker Alexander he came forward with
every indication of extreme nervousness.
His beautiful and classic address was
read from typewriter copy in q very
graceful and pleasing manner ana was
loudly applauded at numerous points.
He spoke as follows:
GOVERNOR ROSS SPEECH.
GENTLENEN-TO the people of Texas
who have for the second time vested me
with the authority of chief magistrate,
am unable to express how deeply sensi-
bic 1 am of the high honor which this
mark of their renewed confidence i'm
plies. And standing upon the Threshold
Prospect in our possession by which we
may in measure estimate the accom-
plishments of the past and the possible
ties of the future, l should be faithless to
duty did l not recognize an individual
obligation to administer the affairs of
your government with the single-hearted
determination to do all in my power to
make the whole people more prosperous
and contented, and strengthen the bonds
which should unite them in q common,
grand destiny.
We have just emerged from political
contest involving the excitement of a
presidential and state campaign, that
justly agitated the entire state and
stirred its people to the profoundest
depths, and l congratulate you as their
representatives upon the valid claim that
there has been neither violence, evidence
of fraud or diminution of the right of
franchise; but, on the contrary, every
citizen, without reference to former or
existing conditions, who was entitled to
vote has been accorded a free and un-
abridged exercise of this great privilege.
The spirit of subordination of our peo-
pie to the laws and their prompt obedi-
ence to the demands of orderly govern
ment could not have been more forcibly
exemplified. They fully appreciate the
fact that the great fundamental princi-
pie of a popular government is the resi-
dence of power in legal and properly
ascertained majority, and the behests of
party ceases and the claims of country
interviewed, in complete majesty, en-
aiding them as patriots to lift themselves
above the obligations of partisans in COM
pliance with the truest principles of
craftsmanship, which consists in a ready
and proper adjustment of affairs to the
existing conditions.
Acknowledging no master but the law
and the constitution, and without fear OF
being dispOiled of their political liberties
by an unjust and unlawful interference
of Federal power to hold them in servile
thrall, they simply claim the right as a
sovereign people to regulate their inter-
nal and domestic affairs in their own way,
being infiexibly opposed to such inter-
ference because they have seen and felt
its injustice, and know that it must end
in the creation and perpetuation of sec
tional jealousies, prejudical to that har-
mony and cordiality which is so greatly
to be cherished, and so important to their
progress as people. No citizen of Texas
will permit himself to forget that he is
PART OF THE GOVERNMENT,
and that the highest considerations Of
personal honor and patriotism require
him to maintain by all the power and in
f1uence he may possess, the integrity of
the laws of nation and state. And yet,
it sometimes happens that the en-
actment of laws cannot be wisely
undertaken when partisan interests and
bitterness interyenes to deny them that
impartial consideration which alone can
confer lasting benefit But [ feel as
sured that in the exercise of your official
oil from
so momentous, you will temper your
Judgment with the keenest sense of
discretion, controlled by a spirit of fair
ness, that will command the acquiesence
of the whole people, and strengthen their
confidence in the ability of their law
makers to preserve substantial justice
between contending interests so far as it
may be done in framing a code of laws.
1t is needless to remind you that as
legislators you have an important and
peculiar province committed to your
care, and the constant changes and
variations in the conditions of society
makes frequent legislation necessary to
conserve and protect public interests, and
yet, it is a maxim as true as it has be-
come trite, "that the least governed is
the best governed state, - and few laws
faithfully administered are far better
than volumes of statutes amended
beyond the comprehension of people who
are required to obey them, creating an
immense public burden in having them
expounded and applied. AS the govern
ment is responsible to the citizen and not
for him, he should not be placed under
a sleepless espionage that takes cogni-
Zance of every thing he does, while un-
dermining a true spirit of manhood and
inspiring an element of unrest that be-
comes a constant menace to public peace
and safety,
I am firmly established in that standard
of political faith that holds to plain,
simple government with severe limita-
tons upon delegated powers honestly and
frueally administered, as the noblest and
truest outgrowth of the wisdom taught
by its founders, and which has proven
through all Yicissitudes the most valuable
safeguard to public liberty, freedom of
conscience and noble manhood, limit
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