Evening journal., 1897-01-19
ANEW GOVERNOR !.
Continued from Fnst Page.

"Tha objects and necessities of gov
crnment should never be lost sight Of
Through and by the fundamentally Of
a woll ordered and disciplined govern
ment we have attained our highest
civilization. The enjoyment OF life,
liberty and the pursuit Of happiness
are among the purposes and guarantees
Of its establishment: and properly to
administer the same should be our
chief aim as citizens. IL should at all
times be attended with as lew re-
etraints upon the natural and moral
rights OF the individual. and with as
little cost and expense to the people as
are consistent With the objects OF its
creation, maintenance and preservation.
With our free and independent form
OF government lodged as It rightfully
is with the people it IS all the more
important that We should constantly
and steadfastly keep in mind and ever
before ms not only the great benefits
and advantages OF popular self-goyern-
ment. but not less the dangers and per-
ils which surround it. I have an abid-
ing faith in the honesty and patriotism
of our people and in the foundation
and structure of the form of govern
ment established by our fOrefathers for
themselves, for us, and for future gem
erations, modified, from time to time
as changed conditions may require.
yet we need all the more constantly
without indifference or relaxation OF
purpose 10 guard against the insdious
approaches and dangerous influences
of those evils which menace our gov
ernment. and especially that of ambi-
tons, corrupting wealth. whether indi-
Yidual on corporate, which threatens by
its Illicit. use and influence the destruc-
tiOn Of the self-respect. manhood. in
dependence, and patriotism Of the indi-
vidual citizen. upon whom. as the unit
OF the state depends the perpetuity Of
our Institutions.
In popular government, destroy the
Independence Of the individual and the
purity ard freedom of the ballot by
means of debauchery and corruption.
and you destroy the character and
worth Of the citizen and ultimately the
state. As is too well known to our
people, this most deadly evil TO popular
self-government has fastened itself
upon our body polite and must be
efadicated. All good people are of one
accord In this sentiment, and ! cannot
therefore too earnestly urge upon you.
gentlemen Of the General Assembly.
and OF the Constitutional Convention.
10 make such provisions in our laws.
as we'll as in our Constitution, as will
eiiectually destroy this monster evil
and forever hereafter eliminate il from
our political life.
I'VE have come TO a point marking an
interesting period i'm the history of our
state, and we find ourselves at this
time confronted with duties and re-
sponsibilities Of unusual moment and
public Importance. They are fraught
with possibilities of the gravest public
character and call for the best. most
enlightened, deliberate and cOnscien-
tious thought and consideration on the
part Of those charged with them.
AT intervals of time. for a generation
or more past, constitutional reform has
agitated the minds of our people until
now, when gentlemen OF ability. public
experience, character and integrity
representing the people in their origi-
nal sovereign capacity. chosen by them
for that purpose. and in conformity
with constitutional and legislative pro-
visions, have assembled in COnstitu-
tional Convention TO consider and de-
termine what, If any, changes are need
Ell, and shall be made in our fundamen-
tel law. AS has recently been well said
by me OF our distinguished jurists. "A
Constitutional, Convention may prove
for many long years a boon or a bane
TO the people. who have summoned it.
according as IL acts. with or without
thorough, impartial and conscientious
Investigation and deliberation regard
ing the subjects of its action
Permit me to say, gentlemen the
personnel Of your convention leaves no
doubt in the minds OF our people as TO
your sincere and patriotic purposes:
and in passing, desire ON behalf oftthe
people to congratulate you upon che
progress which you have made in YOUR
work and wish for you a continuance
Of the harmony and good fellowship
which have thus far characterized your
sessions, trusting you may be able to
frame the very best organic law for our
people
II have ventured saying this much.
gentlemen of the convention, for the
purpose OF encouragement TO you, and
further TO arouse public interest in your
deliberations and acts. because of the
gravity of your duties and the result OF
your labors, upon our state and her
people, without intending In any way
10 intermeddle with you in the dis
charge of your public services. which
fully recognize are entirely separate
and distinct from the executive and
other departments of our state govern
ment, as it now exists.
Offices are incident to government
They are created and exist of necessity
for the benefit and convenience of the
public. Nothing better facilitates good
government than honest, capable and
efficient public servants; and in The
appointments which / may be required
to make, under the Constitution on
otherwise, / shall insist upon honesty
competency and fitness in the appl.
cant
1T will be expected that I shall fol
the most part. at least. appoint men Il
Office who are in full sympathy and ac
cord with the adherents of the po,itica
party to which belong; yet in my ap
pointments / shall at all times keep IN
mind the efficiency and necessities o.
the public service.
If l may be called upon to fiji va
cancies. or to make appointments in
our judiciary, ! shall be governed b,
Nor .lI In Ill