Kansas City daily journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1892-1897, 1897-01-12
MISSOURI,s NEW GOVERNOR INAUG-
URATED YESTERDAY.
CEREMONIES THE SIMPLEST.
STONE HONoRED BY A CALL FOR A
FAREWELL ADDRESS.
Governor stephens inaugural Address
Takes n Shot at Trusts and Co.
etcion of Employees and
Urges Moderation in
Legislation.


Jefferson City, No. Jan, n.-(SpeciaD
With rare JeffeFsonian, simplicity, Missouri
inaugurated i new governor at noon to-
day. No one not even the most straight
laced Populist, could have found fault with
the ceremonies, so free from display were
they. There was one matter that attracted
the attention. of all of those present, ana
that was the unprecedented compliment
paid the retiring governor, who, when the
exercises were finished, was compelled to
answer to a call for farewell address
Never in the memory of any enc familiar
with functions of this nature has retlr-
ing chief executive been called before
Joint session 20 make q speech and espe-
cialy as his message of last Friday was
supposed to be his final public utterance
1t was plain to see that Governor Stone ap-
preciated the honor, for when he arose TO
speak his voice trembled and he gave other
evidences of being affected. All of this
goes to emphasize what has been published
in these dispatches before. that ex-Govern-
or Stone stands closer to thr Democracy OF
Missouri than any man in IL.
Governor Stephens inaugural address
was well received. He read it in a mod
erately strong voice and was occasionally
interrupted by applause. The points that
seemed to particularly please his hearers
was the slap at trusts and corporations,
and that only an honest man was mt for
Office. The sentiment that business would
not improve under the present gold stand
ard also brought out considerable applause
No one to have looked upon the brilliant
audience gathered in the house chamber
some time before the noon hour would
have doubted the Importance of the occa-
sion. The gallery, lobby, aisies and. in
fact, every available space outside that
reserved for the bouse members
ABssouri's fairest daughters. They had
ccme from all parts of the state. Directly
in front Of the speakers stand, where the
exercises were being conducted, sat the
new governors immediate family and MRS:
Governor Stone. The party consisted OF
L. Leonard Mr.. and Mrs. r. W. Cary, Mr..
and Mrs. Louis Nelson, Mr.. and Mrs.
ems, Mr. and Mrs. Miller johnson, Mr.. and
Mrs. Paul b. Moore. Miss Lucille Nelson,
Mrs. Lorinia Baker. Miss Susie Edgar and
Lon Hansburger. The ladies' were Deauu-
The senate had taken its place for the
joint session. Senator Peers was in the
doors in the rear OF the chamber swung
open and DocrReeper Malone announced:
Mr.. President Governor-eiect stephens
let him be admitted" answered the
Mr.. Stephens and his official escort
mounted the speakers stand, where, after
the Te Deum was sung, Rev. G. NJ. Haw-
kins, OF Kansas City. invoked the divine
blessing. The Eoyernor-elect and all the
state officers raised their right hands and
the oath of Office was administered by
Chief Justice Barclay, of the state supreme
court. Governor Stephens then stepped
forward and read his address, in which he
declared his ambition to make his admin
istration distinctive!y business adminis-
tiaition, and called upon the legislature to
make the present session business enc.
There should not be too much legislative
tinkering.' he said. There is such thing
as excess in legislation. More harm than
good is done 10y the mere accumulation OF
sPartisanship, he said. should be mod
ersted. II not suppressed, and unseemly
strife should be avoided
Referring 10 the condition of state af-
fairs he SAYS: The most rigid economy
should be practiced. II is my opinion that
under the prevailing gold standard and
financial policies of the federal govern
rnent general business conditions Will not
materially or permanently improve. but
pate continuance OF the experience Which
has so distressed the country IN recent
years. ] see nothing in the immediate fut-
ure TO warrant substantial hope for bet
ter times"
He recommended the establishment of a
state banking bureau and the creation of
the office of a bank commissioner. and con-
II trust that the state of Missouri will
take the lead in perfecting such legisla-
ton as will curb the insolence and check
the oppression of the trusts. We should
use the power We have at this time in be-
half of the people and extirpate those in
fluences which have become menace to
our institutions of government.
'I call the attention of your honorable
body TO the coercion of employees by cor
porations and other employers of labor
with view TO influencing their political
action. Such coercion raises n question
more serious and more vital than the
money question, the tariff question or any
other economical question however import
ant dividing political parties. The ques-
ton IL presents is whether a free popular
government shall be maintained In Amer
ica. If coercion, moral or physical, such
uad u, Loot
go unrebuked. government by the people is
nearing its end, and We are entering on an
era of government by an oligarchy of opu-
lent employers. recommend the enact
ment of such laws as will not only protect
the voter in the free exercise of his fran
chse but will make Il perilous for any man
TO interfere with his right
Governor Stephens recommended amend
ments to the Australian law and the enact
ment of fellow servant law, and urged