The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1895-01-12

1t is not without realizing sense of
the great responsibilities devolved BY
the Constitution upon the high Office
whose duties L am about to assume that
approach the labors before me. The
ceremony just concluded possessed an
interest for you quite different from that
which it held for the person most init
mately concerned, for to him it is a
notification that the time has arrived
for going to work. Henceforward for
four years l am to be charged with the
very responsible duty OF directing the
affairs OF great state, within the lines
laid down by the law, and OF guarding
the interests OF ali her people, 80 far as
those interests may be served by the
executive in the faithful, conscient ious
discharge OF the functions OF his office.
The people OF California have reposed in
me the greatest trust within their power
to deposit with any citizen, and here in
this imposing presence. and On this
most impressive occasion. l pledge my
manhood, my honor and the best ability
that l am able to exercise, to its safe
keeping and faithful execution.
pledge this as we'll to my fellow citizens
who are not here today as to you who
are preseut-to the farmer tilling his
field; to the miner delving in the
mountains; to the mechanic in the
shop; to the merchant ia his counting
room: to the man of capital in his
bank, and to the labor on the highway.
INFRINGEMENT PLANS.
Circumstances which are generally
4 known, having been subjects of CO m men t
in the public press, make it privileged
that / should say a word concerning the
tl nd h tnh
approached this, the elimination of the
recent campaign for the goyernorship. l
had hoped after the election to make a
thorough study Of the workings OF our
state Institutions, and from personal
observation and from contact with their
officers to acquire that knowledge which
only such methods of inquiry can yield I;
but was deferred from doing 80 by the
necessity OF remaining in conference
with my friends and my party to protect
the result which was achieved at the
polls and save from Impairment the
plain verdict of the people.
Ours is a large state geographically
and large also in the number and scope
of it's public institutions. To make a
personal inspection of all of these, and
to study their needs with a view to the
curtailment of their expenses were
tack requiring for it's intelligent per.
Torrance every day from the 9th OF
November to the present date. This
however, is deferred only for the pres.
ent, and l shall perform it at the eari-
est opportunity.
But the general condition of state ex.
travagance in California is a matter OF
common notoriety. Public kuowle dge
of our recklessness in this regard has
al ~ 81
gone to the country, lettering immigra-
ton and the influx of needed capital to
develop our latent resources. Prudent
citizens OF other states, especially of the
more economically managed eastern
'ommonwealths. naturally hesitate be-
ore determining to move to and settle
state whose current annual tax rate
8 equivalent to an assessment Of be-
tween 81 and IS upon every man, woman
and child of the population.
ALMOST PUBLIC CURSE.
When, furthermore, 1t is considered
that the burdsn has been permitted
steadily to increase for the past 10 years,
In the presence of an equally steady de-
cline in the wages of labor and the
profits OF business, the course of ex-
travsgance and prohigacy upon which
suing as if by predetermined purpose to
see how far we can proceed before the
crash comes; when the situation is re-
garded in this light it is discovered to
involve almost a public crime.
In every avenue of industry the wage
rate has persistently declined, in con-
unity to the changing conditions
through which the country as whole
ie passing. The farmer, too, receives
less for the products of his acres than
ever before in the history OF our state.
Private business has been gradually
adjusting itself to the new relation of
values, but the business of the state
appears to be conducted upon the old
lines, as though its managers, or those
responsible for its conduct. were uu-
aware that any alteration OF conditions
had taken place since the early days.
The managers of large corporations
have scaled salaries and eliminated
every possible expense consistent with
asafe and economical administration of
their companies' affairs. but the affairs
of the state are not only permitted to
move forward in the old groove of
maximum pay for minimum service,
but there has developed in recent years
Distinct tendency to 60 from bad to
worse.
TO CORRECT EVILS.
The correction of this enormous and
overshadowing evil rests with the two
departments here represented Qegislat-
i've and exesutive), working jointly and
harmoniously together for the perfection
OF such legislation es may be considered
necessary to eradicate the csnker that
is consuming the substance of the PEG.
pie. Laws designed to bring the public
expenditures wi hin the limits OF reason,
to lop off redundant functionaries, to
concentrate distributed institutions Of
like character under q single manage
ment, to reduce salaries as for as may be
deemed consistent with the efficiency OF
the service, and in general to place the
affairs of the state upon the same safe
footing as thar OF q successful private
enterprise, muss originate with one or
the other of the two houses. The exec
utivs can only advise and recommend or
approve, and the first he takes the lib.
erty now of doing. in a necessarily inn
peif way, but nevertheless so as, it ia
hoped, the direction may be made clear
in which the rstrenchment 30 impera-
lively demanded may be effected with.
out the embarrassment OF any useful
public institution or in any way ham-
pering The administration of the states
affairs.
STATE TAXATION.
Tba Ma nj -