The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1897-01-21
THE LEGISLATURE.
INAUGURAL CEREMONIES.
What the Lawmakers are Doing.

SIXTH DAY-TUEsDAY, JAN. 18TH.
The most of the day was spent il
joint session between the Senate ant
House tor the inaugural ceremonies
A few general bills we're introduced il
both branches.
The following State officers were
sworn in by Chief Justice Faircloth:
Hal. w. Aver, State Auditor.
Cyrus Thompson, Secretary OF State
VIM. H. Worth, State Treasurer.
Zeb. V. Walser, Attorney General.
Chas. Reynolds, Lieutenant-Gover
nor.
Daniel L. Russell, Governor.
Governor Russell then delivered his
inaugural address, which is too long to
print in full.
At the close of the Governors address
members of the Senate repaired to the
Senate chamber, where Senator Sma-
theirs introduced Lieutenant-Gover
Reynolds. He spoke briefly and sensi-
bly, as follows:
Senators I'm assuming the duties
of presiding officer over your distin-
guished body, I do SO with the single
purpose in view, to know your wishes
and serve you to that end to the best of
my ability and I shall hope always for
your kindly assistance in making the
duties of the Office as light as possible.
For my predecessor will say that II
I can avoid criticism and retain the es-
TEEN of this body and my fellow citizens
as he has always done, I shall consider
myself more than fortunate.
I do not know that it would be be-
in me to call your attention to
any special line of legislation, but
may be permitted to hope that the
course of this Legislature will be such
as to encourage immigration and invite
capital into our State.
When we think of the boundless
wealth hidden in the storehouse of our
Western mountains, the wasting ener-
gy of thousand streams, our unrivaled
woods, the splendid possibilities of our
Eastern gardens, our fisheries wonder
full, though undeveloped, our magnlfi-
cent climate and matchless scenery,
what an opportunity is ours
Let us forget all party lines and re-
that we are sons of North Car
ollna. 1t we do this we can give such
A feeling of security to all kinds of in
such hope and encourage
ment to labor, such an impetus to new
that will insure the opening
Of mines, the development of our water
powers, the improvement of our public
roads, the building Of railroads and
and in fact will secure every
kino and character OF Development that
Is possible in our State. Blessed as we
are by heayen with such possibilities it
is your province, and feel it will be
your pleasure, to make North Carolina
4 most inviting field to capital and the
paradise of the workingman.
A part of this great work must be the
and improvement in
our free school system, until it reaches
That point when the humblest citizen
:an secure an education that will fit
him for any calling in the State.
will not detaln you longer except to
assure you that, if wisdom prevails In
your conuncils, you Will see the begin
ming OF such an era of prosperity as our
people have never dreamed of, and Tor
which your chlldren's children will rise
up and call you blessed and your con-
stituents will greet you on your return
home with the plaudit of "Well done
thou good and faithful servants"
Senator Smathers introduced the fol-
lowing resolution which was adopted
by rising vote:
Resolved, That the Senate extend to
The retiring Lieutenant Governor
Doughton vote of thanks for his i'm
partial ruling as the presiding officer of
The Senate, and extend to him the best
wishes of the body.
SEVENTH DAY-WEDNESDAY JAN. 18TH.
HOUSE,. A. Abernethy introduced
the following resolution:
"Resolved, By the House of Represen-
tatives, the Senate concurring, that
of five be appointed, three
from the House and two from the SEN
ate, whose duty it shall be to investigate
and ascertain the salaries now received
by all the state officers and all the sala-
ries of officers of State institutions, with
a view of reducing the same, so as to
conform to the existing prices of farm
products"
There was lively debate as to how
many copies of Governor Russell's inau-
gural address should be printed. Some
wanted 10000 and others wanted 250.
The News & Observer said of the
debate