The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-10-28
ATKINSON TAKES THE OATH
The School Girls From MilIedgeViIlG at
the Inauguration.

Executive once and the Gubernato-
rial Residence on Peachtree Street.
The oath Administered by Chief JUS
+ioe BleckIey-Text of the Inaugural
Address.
Atlanta, Ca, Oct. 27.-Hon. William Y.
Atkinson of the county of Coweta was in
aueurated as governor of Georgia at noon
to-day in the presence of as many people
as could wedge themselves inside the
snacious hall Of the House of Representa-
tives.
One of the features of the occasion was
the presence of some 200 girls from the
Nfilledgeville Normal and Industrial
school, which Gov. Atkinson was largely
instrumental in founding while in the
legislature. The girls were all dressed
in their brown frocks and Oxford caps,
and presented an unusual sight on the
floor of the Legislative, hall.
Gov. Atkinson at once took charge Of
The executive office after his inaugura-
ton, and tonight he and his family are
comfortably housed in the house on
Peachtree street.
The crowd from out of town to witness
the inauguration ceremonies was an un-
usually large one.
The House and Senate convened in joint
session promptly at 12 O'Clock, but on &C
count of the late arrival of the train
hearing the girls from MilledgeVille the
inauguration was delayed until nearly
O'Clock Mr.. and Mrs. Atkinson both
wanted the ceremonies to wait on the Mill
edgeville delegation.
President W. H Venable of the Senate
presided during the ceremonies. The
sneakers stand was prettiy decorated
with palms, and several large punches Of
roses and chrysanthemums adorned the
desk in front, while above the governor
elects head was hung satin banner
presented by the Milledgeville Industrial
Sshool girls.
Mrs w. Y. Atkinson and Mrs. Atkinson,
the governors mother, entered the hall
accompanied by Mrs w. j. Northen Miss
Atkinson and the three young sons of the
new governor.
The governors wife and mother and
his children occupied the front seats,
and were the center of attraction, while
the crowd waited for the exercises to be-
gin.
Mr. Atkinson, who was introduced by
President Venable, was greeted with loud
applause when he faced the audience.
Before beginning his address he asked
as q special favor to him that as many
of his children" as possible be admitted
into the hall. He referred to the girls
of the industrial college, who had just
arrived at the door and they crowded
into the hall. Many of them stood upon
the platform about the clerks desk, d.
recty beneath the new governor, while
others were wedged like sardines in all
parts Of the house After a few words
about the industrial college and to the
girls who had parted with their pin money
to come to his Inauguration, Mr.. Atkinson
spoke as follows:
Gov. Atkinson spoke as follows: Mem
bers of the General Assembly of Georgia
] am about to enter upon the discharge of
the important trust, which, by the
will of a free and intelligent people, I
have been selected to perform, and avail
myself of this solemn occasion to express
the gratitude which their Partially and
their confidence inspires.
Appreciating this, the highest mark of
confidence which can be bestowed by the
people of this great state and impressed
by consciousness of my own inability to
measure up to the full requirements of so
hgh and responsible an office, 1 enter
upon my public duties with a sincere pur-
pose to discharge every obligation in
Cured in assuming the authority vested
In your chief executive.
Many of my predecessors in Office have
been illustrious men, than whom none
superior are to be found among tho eH-
ecutves of any state in the union, yet
none of these have given to Georgia a
cleaner or more admirable administration
than that which has marked the official
tenure of the able and upright man whom
have the honor to succeed. The great
aDlIlty, lofty character and successful ad-
mlnlstration of many of these men, while
awakening within me an ambition to
successfully serve my state, admonishes
me that 1t will be difficult to reach the
nigh standard of efficiency attained by
these eminent Georgians With this
sense OF responsibility, therefore, and
win knowledge of the existence of per-
us menacing to myself and to my native
sIate, assume the Office to which I have
been elected, relying for aid upon the
Hdellty and intelligence of the repre-
sehtatives of the people here assembled,
upon all the officers charged with public
uuues, upon the patriotic people of Geor-
ga who have never yet abandoned a pub
tlc servant who was faithfully struggling
10 serve them, and, above ALL upon the
"dtchtul care and guidance of an over
ruling Providence.
Placed in charge of the affairs OF state
al this important period in our history,
the interests committed to our care adj
monish us to forget all bitterness engen-
oered by recent political contests and
unite with patriotic zeal in an effort to
preserve the rights and liberties of tho
people. However widely we may have
ulHered in our views and preferences we
the successes or disasters, the good or the
eVll the honor or the shame which the
future has in store for our beloved state.
nile gratefully enjoying the inestimable
blessings Of free government, we should
consecrate our lives to an earnest ell
ueaVor to preserve Its principles, improve
us laws and perfect its administration.
we should strive to secure to the people
government and civilization which do
not dazzle with the spendor created by
nFtWilncrgu ~ 20 ola F..s
The greed and power OF monopoly bur
whose prestige and greatness come OF "A
code OF laws which is a guarantee that
the same protection, rights and privileges
VIII be granted all its citizens, howeV.r
humble, however exalted.
Under our excellent system OF govern
ment the reserved rights OF the state,
those powers which are connded by the
people TO the state government. covering
as they do almost every point relating
70 the pecunlary interests, domestic re-
latlons ana personal liberty OF the cltl-
zen, arc Of lnpoaing dignity and prlgpioas