Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-01-14
TNDUCTRD INTO OFFICE.
GovsrnoF Campbell succeeds Foraksr-Ths
Shift Made smo0thly-Features Of
the Day-Ths New Govern
ORE Address Ia Brief.

Governor Campbell succeeds Eoraker-Ino
Shift Made smoothly-Fentures Of
the Day-Ths New Govern
Or's Address In Brief
COLUMBUS, o., January 13.-Notwith-
standing the unsettled condition of the
weather Thousands Of visitors were In the
city to-day to witness the inaugural cere-
monies. The Democrats Of the State came
by thousands from every section, and incle-
meut weather could not dampen their enthus-
lssm. At 10 o'clock this morning Governor
elect Campbell was escorted to the Neil
by q joint committee of the Senate and
House. He was unaccompanied by Mrs.
Campbell, who is still sick at her home
in Hamilton. At 11;40 Mr.. Campbell was
escorted to the State House, and at noon
the inaugural exercises opened with
prayer by DR.. N. s. Smith. After this
the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court ad-
ministered the oath to Mr.. Campbell. On
the stand were the Governor, the Governor
elect, Judges of the Supreme Court State
officers and State oficers-elect the General
Assembly, Mayor and City Council, clergy
and the press
The parade was feature of the day. 1t
was very long, snd consisted Of Democratic
clubs from three States. The Randall Club
of Pittsburg was second in line, and pre-
sented fine appearance. In his inaugural
address, among other subjects Of interest,
Mr.. Campbell said:
The perplexing problem confronting you is to
in the city of Cincinnati for that now enforced,
which has proven faulty in many other
than those arising from Gubernatorial inter.
ference. In that city exist endless divisions OF
authority. and consequent lack of responsible
ity, resulting, naturally, in extravagant and in
competent rule. Apparently no attempt has
been made to construct homogeneous form
of government Offices and boards have been
created by patchwork from year to year, until
they aggregate more than q score Of independ-
ent departments. They are appointed at hap
hazard by the Mayor, Governor, the various
courts, or by Council. In justice TO the people
OF that city, as well as IN the furtherance OF
sound political principles, you should carefully
consider, mature and formulate a charter
which will give them an opportunity to manage
their affairs through officers chosen solely by
The Board Of Public Affairs, now an Ap-
pointive board, should be so constituted that
hereafter one member could be elected by the
people every year. The membership OF the
Board Of Revision should be radically changed,
and a non-partisan board Of high character
There is but little doubt that, under the
quickened public spirit aroused by existing
TO the occasion, and govern themselves IN
better and more honest manner than can posi-
bly, be attained by the interference Of any out
side authority, however conscientiously exer-
cised. It is worth q trial to give them control
of their municipal affairs. Not to do 30 Is to
confess that local selfgovernment is q failure.
While considering what ought 70 be done Tor
that city, you should investigate the whole sub
iect of municipal reform, with view OF con
ferring upon other cities of the State such
changes as may be salutary. 1t is your duty TO
afford speedy relief to those which are subject,
in any respect, to Gubernatorial control.
II is well to remember that no reform in gov
cessful unless every elector is secured free.
secret, untrammeled and unpurchased ballot,
which shall be honestly counted and returned.
improvements have been made in our election
laws during the last few years, yet all of the
legislation upon that subject has not been COM
mendable- The establishment of non-partisAn
election boards was step in the right dtrec-
ton; but depriving them Of the right to appoint
their clerks was step in the wrong direction.
There have been also some obvious omissions
TO improve the election laws-for instance, the
failure to provide that two clerks Of election
in each voting precinct must be Of opposite
political Affiliations. Nothing that has proven
beneficial should be undone but additional en-
are needed Our election laws are
far from perfect and those who profess to be-
lieve that they are not susceptible of amend
ment have failed to study the great reforms
made in other States. Rs
The application of electricity is rapidly OPEN
ing new fields Of legislation. Unless something
be done TO prevent the sacrifice Of life daily re-
sulting from defective electric wires, the COM
panies which put up ana control them will have
grown SO rich and powerful that the passage
and enforcement Of proper laws will be diff
cult.