The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-01-16
THE INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
An Impressive Exposition of Sound Policy
by the New Governor
Ry the United Press

Harrisburg, Jan. 15.-The inaugural
address OF the new governor was an
exceptionally strong and statesman
like effort, and it was listened to with
profound attention. He said:
Gentlemen OF the senate and house of rep
fesehtatives and fellow citizens:
Our constitution requires that the chief
executive of the commonwealth, shall
take care that the laws be faithfully exc
cHted. Having been entrusted by the
| people of Pennsylvania with the admin
| istrauon of that office for the next four
| years, have In your presence taken upon
| myself the prescribed oath of Office. Pro-
! foundly impressed with the responsibility
Of the new relation which | sustain to
all the people of the commonwealth, /
ask their help in the performance of my
| duties, while ! viii constantly rely upon
| the supreme Ruler for strength and
! guidance.
Not unmindful of the unprecedented
vote Of confidence given by the electors, |
should be guilty of insincerity If l did not
! now express my appreciation Of the unu-
sual honor and ! should be lacking in the
! qualities that belong to manly graft
t@ude @ II this did not strengthen every pur-
| pose of mind and heart to the end that
the confidence prove not to be misplaced.
| AT the same time | fully recognize the
| truth that honest differences Of Judgment
on public questions and candidates con-
| sttute one of the essential safeguards of
free government, and demand OF the sue
GeaSislui Competitor that unqualified recog-
| milton of the constitutional legal rights
| which is above partisanship.
Protection Fixed Policy.
The recent election disclosed on the
| part of the electors a gratifying and unu-
sual desire for the intelligent discussion
and determination of principles and is
sues, and Il purpose to exclude from the
campaign that element of personal abuse
and vituperaton which eXcites prejudice
iniames passion and msguides the judg-
ment., The high standard set and main
| tanned by the distinguished leader of the
| party opposed to my election, has demon
strated not only the feasibility but also
the wisdom of making elections record the
public Will, freed from all influences
which pervert patriotic Judgment.
The people Of the state and of the
| country are now happily emerging from
n period of financial and Industrial en-
| barrassment which has wrought great in
jury and distress among all branches OF
industry and employment Two political
revolutions have taken place within two
years that severely tested the stability
of the form of government under which
we live. From both, the country has
come forth stronger and grander, and the
people, with more confidence In the flu
ture of our political institutions A great
body of legislation which, during 81 con-
structiye growth of thirty years has be-
come almost part of our organic system,
was apparently overturned in the re-
suits of II single election. Two years
later a far more emphatic and decisive
revolution of public judgment restored
the principle of American protection 1t
may be safely declared, as consequence,
that the wage earning people of the
United States, while willing that the con-
tentions and competitions of supply and
demand in this country may fix the wage
rate here, VIII never permit that wage.
rate to be reduced by any legislation that
involves competition from those who are
not their political equal. While the Ameri-
can wage-rate Is almost as distinctive q
feature of our national system as our
Declaration of Independence or our flag.
and protection to our own Industries n
settled conviction of our people, yet con-
servative judgment will always demand
that Legislation upon this subject be OF
such "a character as viii be just to all sec
tions of our common country, all indus
tries and occupations, and that with
changing conditions, the schedules of pro-
tectlve rates shall be so modified as To
! class of our people by the power of aggre-
, gated wealth.
Proper Industrial Legislation.
! venture the opinion and the hope that
with returning confidence as to the fu-
ture, we are gradually entering upon a pc.
restoration. With this thought in view
the trend of our legislation should be in
sympathy with every effort looking to the
advancement of all the Industrial mate
: rial and commercial interests within the
borders of the state.
The wage earning population of the
state has, beyond doubt. suffered more
by reason of the Industrial conditions just
2 mentioned, than any other portion of ou,
| people. They have been halted not only
by reduced wages, but In many instances
by absence of opportunity to earn any
= wages. 1t cannot be. denied that the hant
of toll, applied to her native stores o
wealth, has done more to make our com
I, monwealth the Keystone of the fedora
. arch, than even hor commanding geo
graphical position. Pennsylvania Is tn,
distinctive Industrial commonwealth. Hel
wage earners should receive fostering