The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1897-01-28
Inaugural Address.
Governor Ellerbe Not Bound
by FactionaI Lines.
The Constitution and Laws
Will Be His Guide in
All Things.
An independent, Manly AS
sertion Of His Purposes.

The following is the inaugural ad-
dress Of VIM. Fl. Ellerbe as Governor
ofSouth Carolina, which was delivered
On Monday at noon
Fellow Citizens: You have called
mo to the highest Office within YOUR
gilt. In assuming the duties Of this
most important trust, | cannot express
in lifting words my high appreciation
OF the confidence placed in me. This
great honor, | already realize, carries
with it great responsibilities. With
out your warm support, upon which
confidently rely, | shall be unable to
meet and overcome the many Difficult
ties already apparent.
1t has long been tho custom Of the in
coming Governor to outline, in his in
augural address, the policy Of his ad-
minlstration. In obedience to this time
honored custom, | shall attempt briefly
to set before you the course which I
shall cndcavor to pursue during my
term Of office.
Untrammeled by obligations or pled-
ges inconsistent with the welfare of the
people, it shall be my highest ambition
to discharge my duties faithfully and
impartially. The solemn oath of Office
which have just taken binds me to no
political party or faction, but it does
Dlnd me to preserve, to protect and to
dciend both the constitution Of this
State and Of the United States.
Under our form Of government, faith
fulness to our fundamental laws and
zeal for the public welfare arc all that
is demanded OF citizens assum ing public
trusts. 10 support tho constitution,
the foundation Of our free governments,
Is the duty OF every citizen Upon this
consideration, I have Il right 10 expect
the support Of all good citizens and
sou have right to demand that !, in
the administration Of tho laws, givo
equal rights to all and special privi-
leges to nOne."
tighten, by all worthy means, the bur-
den Of taxation ; to develop the re-
sources IF the State to protect the in
dustrieS OF her citizens to encourage
immigration Of the right sort to fOs.
ter our institutions Of learning, both
church and State to enhance the effi-
cheney of our public schools ; to sustain
our penal and charitable and other in
stitutions-shall be my earnest desire
and unalterable purpose.
In matters Of detail, however, deem
1T best to make TO tho General Assem-
bly, by special message, such recon-
occur to me, and the cxigcncics OF the
case may demand. TO tho Intelligence
and patriotism of this body VIC must
look for the enactment of laws which
may best protect the peoples interests.
L have neither the power nor iEclinu-
tion to force your representatives to
accept my views. At all times stand
ready to cooperate with them, to coun-
Gil and to advise.
TAXATION.
Without taxation, direct or indirect,
no government can be maintained.
All patriotic citiZ ems checrfully bear
their part of the burden of taxation
when the affairs of state arc wisely anu
economically managed.
1t Is only when tho revenues of the
State are squandcrcd or unwisely and
cxtravagantly expended, or when some
classes OF property escape taxation and
the burden OF supporting :h" govern
ment Is, therefore. uncquaiiy distri
butcd, that the people coz piain:, II is
clear then that oil taxable property
should bo assessed and that great care
should b. taken in the equalization OF
asses .ments. Tho legislators nrc the
servants OF the people, entrusted with
the delicate responsi bility Of apprOpria-
ting public funds; and. like good bust.
ness men, they should cndeavor to cx.
pend every dollar wisely and cconomi.
cally. TO secure tho best government,
at tho least expense to the pcOp'c,
shon d y the constant aim Of every
legislat" 1t is the part Of states
man t" k to tighten the burden OF
taXato 'hcn this can be doa" with
out dct ment to tho public interest
but to cripple or destroy insl 'tu1ions,
established for the benefit Of tn, people,
merely to reduce the tax rate, neith |
er wise nor statesman-likc. 10 pursue
the one course s TO advance 10 pursue !
the other Is to rctrograde. 1T sbnll be !
my policy then, to cndcavOr to Increase, !
Ia every legitimate way, our,'xable
This can be done by inducing worthy !
to our midst, and By teach
lug our Own people TO diversity and i'm
prove In every possible way. 1t Is thus !
that we shall be able to bring under
vast stretches of rich, un-
titled lands and at tho same time, TO-
improve soil already made poor by i'm
proper tillage. Our climate is, per-
LapS, on tho whole as daliphtfnl II.