The San Francisco call., 1897-01-02
FRANK S. BLACK
ASSUMES OFFICE
Succeeds Levi P. Morton
as Governor of
New York.
Two Very Pleasant Speeches
Made During the Inaugural
Ceremonies.
The Outgoing Chief Exe cutive Praised
for the Many Friends He Msde
While at Albany.


Frank S. Black was inaugurated to-day.
Pleasant weather ushered in his inaugural
day. The ceremony was a simple and i'm
pressive one. The Governor took the oath
OF office in the Assem- bly, chamber in the
presence of hundreds of Republicans
from all over the State.
The desks of the mem bers had been re-
moved and seats were provided for about
1900 guests. Governor Black and his staff
arrived here ON special train from Troy
at 1925 o'clock this morning under a
NJ llitary escort and was met at the station
by the Tenth Battalion of Albany and the
Third Brigade Signal Corps.
The military escort left the guberna-
toriai party at the State-street entrance to
the Capitol. Governor Black and staff
proceeded to the executive chamber and
met the retiring Governor and his staff.
Secretary of State Palmer and the Epis-
,copal Bishop of Albany, the Right Rev.
William Crosswell, were waiting. The
inaugural party proceeded to the Assem-
bly, chamber at IL 80 o'clock.
After prayer by the Rev. Bishop Doane
Governor Morton was introduced and de-
livered his address to the people of the
State as their retiring chief executive, and
the manner in which his rem arks were re-
ceived was testimonial OF the apprecia-
ton of his auditors. Governor Morton s
speech consisted of a lengthy review of
recent constitutional and statutory de-
velopme MT and an expression OF thanks to
the people of the State for the honors con-
ferred upon him and a few congratulatory
marie fo his succaesor in of1no
The Secretary of State then administered
the constitutional oath of office to Govern
or-elect Black,
The address which Governor Black
delivered after being introduced by the
Secretary of State was brief as usual. He
said:
Governor Morton: The sentiments which
you have uttered would be agreeable from any
source, but they have an added value and sig
nifcance coming from you, for many years a
conspicuous public figure. In these days,
when criticism has passed down into denune
alton and fitness is too often measured by the
power to bestow, the task of public office has
become arduous and full of danger. but it is
to-day your singular fortune TO lay off the
robes of public station with larger share OF
affection and respect than is often accorded to
aretiring public servant. II your official acts
have not always met the peoples approval
you at least have never lost the peoples con-
fdence. And no higher testimonial can be
written TO any man than this, that in these
contentious times he ssoOd at the spot where
every conflict centered and so commanded
and disposed as never to relax his hold upon
the faith OF those who trusted him with power
This great measure OF satisfaction and reward
now belongs to you, and as you retire to enjoy
it and share the pride of its achievement with
those which close com panionship will here
after surround and sustain you. hope you
will indulge me the high privilege of adding
to the general applause my own expressions of
appreciation not unmixed with personal
sentiment
Fellow-citi8ens: voyager making the first
shore may depart, followed by the hopes and
loud acclaims of those who fl tied out his ship
but If you listen intently to. the tumult and
the music you may find the note of confidence
left out You must. wait for that until he has
returned. Perhaps you may never hear ii. but
if it is lacking at the beginning of the voyage
let US hope to find it at the close. However
meager may be the signs of promise now,
there is this which is not without hope: No
executive. will this year take the oath of office
under deeper sense of responsibility than he
who now assumes with diffidenee the great
and unaccus toned burdens which the people
all matters relating to the welfare of the State
must always be received by those who realize
that the first duty of public servant is to
guard the public interest.
l shall strive during my career as Governor
to be faithful in the performance OF that trust
upon which ! now enter. To be watchful of
the peoples welfare and to execute their will
will be my earnest purpose, for In them abides
the supreme command ana from them the last
order must always come. And with this in
tention to serve you shall associate, as far as
1 am able, the right OF Judgment and the sense
of personal accountability which must always
accompan the executive station.
No mistaken sense of power will prevent that
just and careful treatment which is every citi-
zen's duty. No pride of opinion will retard
the fullest recognition and Acknowledgement of
any view that may tend to. the pu blic good
and no intolerant clamor or irresponsible
assault will force or prevent single execu-
tive act. For think no man who possesses
the attribute of fear is wor thy to play part in
the discharge of public duty.
This Government rests upon foundation in
which neutral tolerance is confident support.
built upon his continent a government so
unique and strong that no shock of foreign
revolution or disaster has disturbed 1t, and
even the clash and turbulence of civil war
have not destroyed it. The foundations of our
Government are laid sure and deep, but
structure which not even war could overthrow
may yield to intolerance and distrust There
are those who telieve they see images and Dor
tents that predict storm. There are marks
which / fear point to increasing dissatisfac-
ton and unrest
Marvellous as our growth has been we have
not passed the point where human motives
still control US, and where human passions
must be kept in check. History always re-
peating itself in circles will distinguish that
as the most enlightened government yet
known which has so cultivated and raised its
people up that they, sure in mutual honor and
esteem, will dare exhibit to the world forbe ar
ance as the highest proof of courage. hope
that there is before US distinction greater
than which no people ever strove to reach; it
is that when the next circle of wars is traced
upon the earth the American Nation shall
stand outside the baneful ring. There is u pom
us all duty 10 curb the unbridled speech and
act whose tendency is to weaken and disseyer.
and to cultivate that. reason and careful
moderation which shall draw and hold US near
together.
The Governors brevity in speech was
a surprise to those not familiar with
his public utterance, but his remarks re-
ceived pleasing recognition. This ended
the ceremonies, which were enlivened by
patriotic airs from the Tenth Regiment
band.
After the friends of the two Governors
had exchanged handshakes with them the
inaugural party returned TO the executive