Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1890-02-12
enrernor F7emina Inaugurated.

cession of people, and was introduced by
Ex-Governor Wilson, as follows:
a gives me great pleasure to present to
YOU our Governor, A. b. Fleming. ! wish
from the bottom of my heart that his adj
ministration may be one of harmony ana
prosperity"
The oath Of office was administered by
Judge English of the Supreme Court OF
Appeals. The ceremonies concluded at
night by reception and grand ball.
THE INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
Gov. Jennings inaugural address was as
follows;
Ladies and gentlemen, the usual time
for the Inauguration having long since pass
ed. delayed as il has been by contest that
has produced some bitterness OF feeling, all
will recognize the propriety OF brevily upon
this accession and the improperly OF utter
ances calculated to prolong or increase po-
htical animosties. The present should not
be employed to keep open election wounds.
II is better that these should be healed as
speedily as possible, that the people of our
State may again address themselves, undls-
turbed and embarrassed by politics, to the
successful development of our vigorous
Young Commonwealth and to secure their
share of the wealth which benefcent
Providence has so bounteOusly placed with
in its borders. Our millions of acres OF
timber, growing upon a fertile soil, under
living which are hundreds of thousands OF
acres of the choicest steam, gas and coking
IL ~ fhlrr n
limited quantity of petroleum and vast MIN
eral deposits, all in the interest of develop
ment, present most inviting field for both
capital and labor.
''And whilst we welcome capital, and
promise it safe and profitable investment, 1t
is equally needful that by wise laws, fairly
administered, we lend a helpful hand to la
Dor and encourage those who earn their
bread by the sweat of their faces to make
their home among Il Labor should not
be regarded as the legitimate prey of avari-
cious selfshness, or denied any safeguard
which the laws can give to secure 1t an equl-
table portion of the fruits of our common
industry and enterprise.
"In the administration of local govern
ment the strictest economy should be main
I
are now burdened by unnecessary, discrim-
mating and oppressive FEDERAL taxation
through the operations of our monopoly
breeding and class-enriching tariff increas-
es the necessity for making cur local tax
burtheus as light as possible.
But do not desire to speak at greater
length upon these general subjects. am
urged by a sense of public duty to more
important matter, one that concerns the
whole people, and which it is particularly
appropriate that | should discuss on this
occasion. Under a republican form of gov
eminent such as ours, where all the powers
reside with the people, who through the
ballot choose their own public servants
and thus dictate public policy and direct
and control their own governmental affairs,
all must recognize the supreme Importance
of free, honest and unpurchased elections
and the danger to our political institutions
from crimes against the suffrage. Isolated
cases OF illegal and improper voting may
occur despite the greatest care and watch
fuiness But these occasional crimes against
honest election do not seriously affect and
cannot really endanger our political system;
II Is I'm organized fraud and IN systematzed
l tIlNlL~ UN IUiltlNdl NiEAHleAAa'ti9 ~ 49,
and pivotal States and throughout the ma
ton to carry elections by fraud and purchase
that positive peril and imminent danger TO
our form of government exists. The popu-
lar tendency to adopt the methods of the
Ouays and Dudleys for the achievement OF
party victory is menace to free institutions
and free government shat challenges the
thoughtful attention aud serious considera
ton of patriotic citizens of all parties.
"The property and personal liberty of the
citizen should be protected and held sacred
i'm the ewes of the law and of the people, but
/ it is vastly more important, looking to the
broader consequences, that the power of his
vote and its free exercise should be safely
guarded and kept inviolate.
"This constitutes the basal structure OF
our government. and upon il rests our entire
political system as designed and fashioned
by the fathers Of the republic. Without
free ballot we cannot have a free govern
ment: without an honest ballot we cannot
have an honest government We may as
well expect wholesome, perfect fruit and
grain from tainted seed or defective germ,
as good and honest government from Unfair
corrupt elections.
Having these cardinal principles in
mind. considering the cloud that hung over
our State elections, considering the charges
of illegal voting and general corruption pre-
ferred by the people and the press OF the
state. and now, In the light of what has been
clearly proven, considering also the finding
of the Joint committee and the final action
of the Joint Assembly, let all the people say
whether or not the contest was honestly or
wisely undertaken whether or not this sue
cesslul resistance to an assault on the purity
of the ballot in West Virginia was not an
imperative duty enjoined by a true regard
for the rights of the people; whether or not
/. rightfuiy and rs the choice of majority
of the elector, of this State, stand here about
90 assume the duties of the office of Govern
or The parties who conceived planned
and executed. so far as they were able, the
scheme of fraudulent voting In the certain
counties 50 nearly achieved success, nay
to discredit the character of the tribunal
that has righ;ed thc wrong they attempted
upon the people-endeavor to ease their con
science bv clamorOus charges of political
burglary and theft, and through their news
paper organs seek to divert the attention Of
their own party followers from the crimes
proven against them by the testimony taken
and filed
But this testimony remains. twill stand
against them as long as the records of this
contest shall be preserved, and upon it |
confidently ask the judgment of the people
of West Virginia as | sought and obtained
that of the highest tribunal to which, under
al .f