The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1898-01-02

g!nia forI the high honor they have con-
ferred upon me, and to assure them of
my regard for those things that are
dear to the hearts of us all, and Of the
sense of responsibility resting upon me
In giving to our Commonwealth's inter-
est, as far as my authority extends, fun
protection and fostering care The peo-
pie OF Virginia have a right to expect
much of their public servants. Serving
the State In this Commonwealth has
been made sacred by the unselfish pa
triotism and transcendent wisdom of
the worlds foremost political thinkers,
writer's and warriors. could not hope
10 equal many who have gone before
me, but to the best Of my ability l
would not disappoint the kind friends
whose efforts have brought me to this
place and hour
The present has It's duties and its
problems no less urgent and moment
Gus than the past. I believe In that
sublime political proverb: Eternal
Vigilance is the price of liberty" AS
htting preparation for the exercise Of
such vigilance I am glad TO say here
at the outset, that to whatever duties
the present calls me / can bring an
uhfettered, uncommitted, untrammeled
freedom of thought and of action. No.
one in this Commonwealth can rise up
and say truthfully that TO further any
personal ambition of my own have
ever made any trade, combination, or
promise either as 10 men or measures.
! have borne the commission OF the
democratic party as set forth in its
platform Of Driciples, and to that only
90 stand committed. / would not thus
emphasize n condition that should ac-
company all public service. save for the
fact that 1t may be of bcneht to the
young men Of my State. Too many evil
minded men are gaining public vantage
ground In the various Commonwealths
or our American republic by the shame
less barter OF sacred trusts, and the use
al improper means for self Iggran-
dizemcnt Too often the minds of the
young are led to believe that the old
time honor and dignity of public sta
ton has departed | can say to our
Virginia boys that the people are true,
and kind. and honorable, l have gone
among them and found that the high
ideals of our political system have not
departed from them.
And as | stand here to-day virtually
in the eyes of all the Virginians. I
would say to the young men OF my
State, resist the insidious increepings
OF the schemng demagogue, and the
imported barter of public suffraEc
remain true to the best traditions of
this noble State; commit your ways in
purity of private life to Your fellow
citizens. and let all your public aspra-
tlons accord with an honesty of pub
lie purpose. This you will find the
only sure road to the permanent good
VIII of this people.
Virginia would set noble example
TO her sister States of this Union and
be worthy of leaders, place in the
future which she so grandly held in
the past, II she would forever set the
seal of her condemnation upon the bold
eilrontery of those who would debauch
the peoples suffrages, and pervert their
VIII by the shameless use of money
and the power of combination influ-
ences. Here lies the Sravest menace to
our republic. And in taking upon my
self the eXactinG duties OF this high
station ! would feel derelict in those
duties at tho very outset, If 7 did not
ASK the Legislature of my State to CO.
operate with me in making offenses of
this kind so clearly within the penal
code as to deter all would be offenders
Thus only can we keep clean the fair
name OF our State and make public
questions worthy of debate and inves-
tigation. and arrive at legitimate con-
clusions. Thus only can we keep in
the councils Of the State her upright
citizens. l know I express the views OF
you who have come up with nr to
these halls of legislation to devise
measures for tho best interest of the
ptOFle. +tiu kllO FlIS tnul lne people
of Virginia are in such hearty accord
with us. let us do what we can to see
that the voice of the people and not
the mandates Of these combines are
spoken at the polls In this way only
can we keep the political atmosphere
of the State pure and sweet, and whole
some-ft nourishment for n race of
lofty men and noble women.
There are many things claiming our
n no mis- set dc
of the people. There is a feeling of un-
rest and disappointment throughout the
land. The burdens of taxation are eX-
cessvc and unequally distributed. The
people are restricted in the exercise of
their just rights. There are too many
officers and too wasteful expenditure
Of public funds. Whenever man calls
attention to the burdens of the people,
and urges economy in the expenditure
of public funds he is met by the cry
of "demagogue." l assue you that no
such nippant charge shall deter ME
from the path of duty, and / trust that
the members of this Legislature will
cooperate with me in earnestly seek
ing ways and means TO cut down the
expenses of our government while at
the same time carrying on the great
public and charitable institutions that
have given Virginia the name of n
bOuntiful mother. And | trust that the
gentlemen whom I shall call upon to
take charge Of the public Institutions OF
the State will exercise in the manage
mcnt of those institutions the same
frugality and sensitive care they would
exercise in the management of their
own private affairs. Nothing chills the
peoples desire to help our public in
stitutions so much as a foolish or
wastcful expenditure of the States ap-
preparations as the growing belief that
they are too eXtravagantly used. And
passing through this storm and stress
period in the States finances, it be-
n 1,a,. y,,tI,1 1io