Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1897-01-20
GOVERNOR w. H. ELLERBE.
He Took the Reins of Office on Las
Monday.

Monday.
The Inauguration Of Governor e.
lerbe took place in the state capitol
on last Monday with the usual cere-
monies, in the presence of the largest
crowd that has assembled on similar
occasion since 1876, the only excep-
tons being the inauguration of Wade
Hampton and B. R. Tillman.
After prayer by Rev. DR.. Evans of
Columbia, Chief Justice McIver ad-
miuistered the oath of Office, and Gov
ernor Ellerbe delivered his inaugural
address, laying down the policy he
proposes to pursue as governor.
At the outset, be said that he was
untrameled by pledges inconsistent
with the welfare of the people, and it
would be his highest ambition to dis
charge the duties of his Office faithfully
and impartially.
He promised to do all he can by all
worthy means, to Tighten the burdens
Of taxation to develop the resources
of the state; to protect the industries
of her citizens to encourage immigra-
ton of the right sort; to foster our
institutions Of learning; to increase
the facilities for education, and to sus-
tain penal, charitable and other proper
institutions.
Referring to the dispensary, he said
that he was at first opposed to thai
institution. He had been convinced,
however, that it was the best method
that had ever been devised for the
control of the liquor traffic, and was
far better than any license system.
He was for prohibition, if such thing
were possible; but it is impossible,
and, therefore, not to be thought OF.
There are weak places in the dispen.
sary system, but they can be strength.
ened; and as for the profit feature,
that is only secondary consideration.
The balance of the address was de.
voted to the public school question,
and there the new governor clearly
announced it as his policy to do all
that may lay in his power for the
development of all the interests Of
education, whether under the auspices
of Church or State. In conclusion, he
said:
"Fellow Citizens: The political
campaign of 1896 is over. You have
honored me as few men in South Caro-
lima have ever been honored, and far
more richly than I deserve. You gave
me, say it in no spirit of vain glory
or of boasting, but in profound appre'
citation of the honor bestowed, you
gave me, in the Democratic primary,
the largest majority ever given can
didate for governor. Both factions of
the Democratic party, as the vote cast
indicates, gave me warm and en-
thusiastic support, necessarily such as
could not have been given to any fac
tional candidate.
"My constant anxiety shall be, not
to prove unworthy of your confidence.
81 am your governor, the governor
of the whole people. Our interests
are mutual. 1t will be base and
treacherous and ungrateful on my part,
and unwise and unpatriotic on your
part, longer to fan the fires Of partisan
hatred. On questions OF puDllc pOllcy
we cannot all agree; but when issues
are settled at the ballot box, we can
and ought to submit to the will of the
majority honestly expressed.
Il beseech you to resolve, on this
occasion, to bury all factional feelings,
and to join hands and hearts in your
efforts to develop the resources Of our
beloved state, to build up her inslitu-
tons, to promote her every interest.
In assuming my official duties, pledge
YOU my best services. With all my
strength Of head and heart, / shall
labor for the common veal, and, III
my official capacity, shall treat both
friend and fee with equal considera-
ton. l rid myself Of all sectional and