New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-01-22
GOTERNOR GRIGGS.

GOTERNOR GRIGGS.
With the inauguration Of Governor Griggs the
final stage of preparation for new era Of hon
est and efficient administration in Ncw-.Icrscy
has been attained. The people of the State have
been steadily. though slowly. approaching this
condition for years, and their satisfaction in the
achievement of resolute and benciiccnt pnr-
pose is great l. was made evident Yesterday
in an impressive manner by an immense Al
tendance at thc Inauguration ceremonies. and
general atmosphere Of joy and enthusiasm. The
prospect Is asS,rcdly encouraging. as the efforts
which have brought ii into view were crcdiabc.
The people Of NcT-Icrsey have shown their
capacity for sclfg0fcrnmcnt by successfully
overhrowing the agencies by which they were
pundered and oppressed and they are amply
entitled TO the unsclfish service Of all whom that
great revolution has put in power. There is
good reason 10 believe that they will obtain their
desire at the hands of these men. and sooner or
later through one set Of Instruments or an
other they will surely obtain il. We are glad
TO find in Governor Grggs's inaugural address
q frank recognition Of this certainty. The cti-
zens of Ncw-Jersey. having splcndidly asserted
control over their own honor and interests, did
not delegate their authority 10 Republican repre-
sentativcs because they were Republicans but
because from them they had a right 10 expect.
and in fact expected. intelligent and unsclfish
devotion to the common welfare. If they should
find themselves betrayed they would effect an
other transfer of power. and the interval of bad
government would not be 50 long rs that which
has lust been ended
But there is no occasion for unhappy augiricS.
has In "
rccttudc AID sagacity full reliance car be
nlaccd il il is ever safe TO derive Il positive
assurance for the future from an unblemishcd
record of fidelity. Governor Grggs takes office
not only with no outstanding obligations to ac-
knowlcdgcd rascals or any sinister interest. but
under circumstances which will contribute pow
erfully to his support in every undertaking for
the public benefit Popular opinion is Il trcmen-
dous force In cw-Jcrscy at this lime being
instructed alert and in fighting array. instead
of slothful and careless. We should have 10 de-
SPAR Of free institutions If public opinion were
not always on the right side eventually. but 1t Is
often slow in declaring itself, and meanwhile
the opportunities Of knaves are multiplied ana
all their fortificaiiOns strengthened The proc
esses Of enlightenment and enlistment in Their
own defence have been completed by the great
ma iority Of loyal and reputable citizens Of New
Jersey. and to-day they stand soldly together
behind their representatives M the capital
An inaugural address alone is not a proof OF
robust devotion 10 the principles II cnunriates;
but Governor Griggs's declaration Of policy and
purpose corresponds exactly 10 public KNOW
edge Of his conduct in other stations ana in
private life. and il can be trusted. one pledge
that he makes is especially suggestive OF what
NAV be expected from his administration. The
evils Of ill-considered and supcrinous Legislation
have often been pointed ont and dcplOrcd by
officials having power 10 curtail them. but their
zeal generally ends in mere rcmonsirance. Gov
ernor Griggs promises to act we'll rs protest,
If act he must, 1T is not enough" he declared
Yesterday. "to say Of bill that il does no harm;
't should be one comforting positive benefits
''and demanded by public necessity or con
"venience TO enttle 1t to the solemn sanction
'of the Legislature and the Governor Doubt
less this has been said before In similar circum-
stances but Governor Griggs did not stop there.
He added TO the statement Of Il conviction this
explicit assertion Of a purpose: Il shall con
slider it my duty to withhold executive approval
from all bills that have no positive advantages
",o the public or are trivial or illconsidcrcd in
substance. Dcl'Ne IL II De't'T ~ DEAR SoHe
Inconvenience than 10 be constantly altering
"the statute law Of the State We have no
doubt that this pledge will be redeemed ana
no intelligent citizen Of any State who conprc-
hends the mischief and dscredlt which trivial
and slipshod legislation has produced in all
parts of the country can doubt HAT it, rcdcmp-
tion will have exceedingly important ana sa)li-
tary consequences 1t will be Governor Griggs's
privilege as it VIII be his pleasure, to put every
article of an honest creed fcarlcssly into prac-
tice. and in so doing he will be sustained by The
people who have fought good fight and won
superb victory.