The Bolivar bulletin. (Bolivar, Tenn.) 1888-1946, 1891-01-23
AT THE HELM OF STATE.
John p. Buchanan Duly Inaugurated
as Governor of Tennessee.


Gov. Taylor Retires With n Few Words
on Ideal Government-Gov. Buchanan
Delivers His Inaugural Address and Is
Sworn In by Justice Turney.
NASHVILLE, Jan. 19.-Gov. Robert L.
Taylor laid down the scepter of State
I today and Gov. John P. Buchanan took
it up. The political and official power
Of the Old Volunteer State has changed
hands without semblance of discord
or friction. Quite to the contrary, 1t
was a peaceful transfer hallowed with
fervent benedictions for the outgoing
and Godspeed for the incoming ruler.
The beautiful and impressive ceremo-
nies witnessed in Tennessee's Capitol
we're quite in contrast to the turbulent
scenes which have so lately transpired
in other States of the Union.
The early morning was overcast by
lowering snow-clouds and a chilliness
that threatened to make somewhat dis
agreeable gala event, but before the
dial had marked the meridian, the sun
shone forth with splendor that gave
additional brightness to the glorious
! event. The occasion was a momentous
one in the political and official life of
the State, and especially SO in the lives
of two men who hold first rank in her
proud citizenship: Robert L. Taylor,
who for four years past has stood at the
head of her executive affairs, and John
p. Buchanan, who by the grace of the
sovereign will is called to guide and
direct them for the next two years.
BY 10 o'clock the vast throng of peo-
pie, many of them from hundreds of
miles around, began to pour into the
great hall. Seldom in score of years
has there been such an assemblage seen
in the Representatives Hall. Ladies in
their gayest and prettiest dresses, men
in their best form and hundreds of chill
dren came to witness the Inauguration
of Tennessee's twenty-seventh Execu-
tive and cheer him on his way to power.
At HAS o'clock the Senate was an
nounced at the bar of the House, and
was invited to seats near the Speakers
stand. t
The Supreme Court, Chief Justice
Turney leading, followed by Justices
Snodgrass, Lea, Durton and Caldwell,
came next, and took seats near the Sem
ators. In the meantime entered Thomas
buchanan, the Governors father, with
Mrs. John p. Buchanan, daughter, and
two sons, Miss Johnnie Buchanan, the
Governors sister; Mrs. Ethel B. Wade,
Miss Mamie Wade, Mrs. Bradley, sister
in-law of the Governor; Miss Georgia
Matthews of Rutherford County, Miss
Linnie Williams, cousin of the Gov
ernor, and they occupied seats together
on the right of the Speakers desk. The
Senators sat on the left.
At 1885 o'clo k the Governor and the
Governor-elect wera announced at the
bar of the House and were conducted to
the Speakers stand.
The Commit e Inaugur tion anne
first. The State officers, Secretary of
State Miller, Treasurer House, Comp
troller Allen, Adjutant-General McCord
and his successor, II. III. Norman, came
Immediately behind Gov. Taylor, who
was arm-in-arm with Governor-elect
Buchanan.
The gavel tapped at noon and Presi-
dent Dismukes ordered the resolution
under which the convention met to be
read.
President Dismukes then introduced
the Rev. NJ. Il. Dewitt, who offered up
brief and eloquent prayer.
GOV. TAYLoR's ADDRESS.
At 1910 o'clock President Dismukes
introduced Gov. Taylor, who spoke as
follows:
MFR. President. Ladies and Gentlemen:
Time in his tireless fight has meas
bred another biennial cycle and marks
today the close of my second admins
tration as Governor of this great State,
and am here at this hour to surrender
the high trust which has been twice
confided to me by the voice of the SOW
ereign people.
The scepter is departed from my hand.
The crown of honor is lifted from my
head. / have no stately power left, and
scarcely hair enough to harbor hay seed.
Laughter and applause. Never again
will the suppliant hinges of the knee
be crooked that thrift may follow fawn-
ing, and never more will the appoint
ment of one of my fellow citizens bring
upon my head the maledictions of the
other ninety and nine. l have often
thought that if l had power to construct
a State, would make its government
in such form as to make every human
being within its limits happy. The
Governor should give every applicant
the Office of his choice; every supph-
cant should be permitted to sup; every
mother should have the wayward boy of
her bosom from the prison, while every
poor, miserable wife should have her
dear husband stripeless, provided he
would agree to be sober and do right;
every criminal child should go to the
instead of the prison; every
should have an excellent
school; every farmer should be Com
missioner of Agriculture; every aspir-
ing statesman should be Coal Oil In
spector laughter and applause;l every
genius should be a general;
every corporation should be excused
from back taxes; every man should have
a balance in the bank and pumpkins
should be receivable for taxes. But,
such government can
never be realized. 1t is only ideal.
We cannot put it into practice at once
in this practical world. In conducting
the affairs of the State during the past
four years, ! have sought at every
opportunity to give happiness to as
many as possible, and my effort has been !
TO put the State in safe and prosper
Gus condition. With what success
and those around me have labored, let
the record tell. | commit this to my
honorable successor, feeling that it is
confided 70 honest and capable hands. I