Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-01-02
UNDAY........~..JANUARY 2, 1898.
GOVERNOR TYLER,s ADDRESS.

The proceedings yesterday attending the
inauguration of Governor Tyler were
marked by a quiet dignity and a be-
coming degree of solemnity. The cere-
monies took place in the hall of the House
of Delegates, in the presence Of the mem
bers of the two branches of the Gene
raj Assembly and the public. The oatn
OF office was administered by Judge
Cardwell, Of the Supreme Court Of APP
peals Of Virginia. The fact that the three
departments Of the government--the legis-
lative. judicial. and executive-were thus
brought into contact was happily referred
10 by the Governor. who then spoke fur
tier for about half an hour.
Governor Tyler's adcress had feen pre-
pared with care sHdStnetSfore. we must
take It as outlining the views that he
holds and the policies that lie will urge
and support. He is our farmer Cover
nor" and We find him in close touch
with that great body-the agriculturists of
the state. He, however, said yesterday,
and with the utmost truth. We believe,
that he Is wholly unfettered by promises
or combinations, either as to men or
measures. The sole pledge that he has
made is 10 support the platforms of our
party. State and national. and TO execute
the laws OF our State. In this connec-
ton he gave some excellent advice to our
young men, whom he urged to remain
true TO the traditions OF Virginia.
On the subject OF honest elections
the Governor spoke as one who had stu
died the subject closely. who plainly sees
the root OF the evil. and who is frank
and manly enough TO point out the rene
dy that is needed. Said he:
Virginia would set a noble example TO
her sister States OF this Union and be
worthy OF d leaders place In the future,
which she SO grsndly held in the past. If
she would forever set the seal Of her
condemnation upon the bold enrontery
of those who would debauch the peo-
pies suffrages and pervert their Will by
the shameless use of money and the
power of combination influences. Here
lies the gravest menace 70 our republic.
And In taking upon myself the eXacting
duties Of this high station, l would feel
derelict in those duties in the very out
set " / did not ask the Legislature Of my
State 10 cooperate with me in making
offences OF this kind so clearly within
the penal Code az to deter all would-be
Offenders Thus only can we keep clean
the fair name Of our State, make public
queetions worthy of debate and investiga-
ton, and arrive ct legitimate conclusions.
Thus only can we keep in the councils
Of the State her upright citizens. / know
i express the views Of those who have
come up with ma to these halls OF lcgis-
lation to devise measures for the best
interests Of the people. And knowing
tsst the people Of Virginia are In such
hearty accord with us, let US do what
we can TO see that the voice of the peo-
pie. and not the mandates Of these com
btnes, Is spoken at the polls. In this way
only can we keep the political atmos-
phere OF the State pure and sweet and
wholes0me-nt nourishment for a race or
lofty men and noble women.
We also find the Governor heartily IN
favor OF retrenchment and economy, and
he exhibits an accurate knowledge or
public affsiIs when he says hat the
work required will demand spartan cou-
rage. almost"
He is clearly Of the opinion that we
would better attempt 10 reduce the num-
Der OF Offices than cut salaries down too
low. TO this end we would nave the Legis-
lature proceed as far as it is authorized
to do under existing constitutional
conditions, and IL constitutional amend
ments are needed for the further prose-
cution of its work, he recommends that
q commission be appointed 10 consider
such amendments. This commission he
would have composed either OF legisla-
tors exclusively or OF legislators and
other persons, ifs work TO be lone du-
ring this session OF the General Assem-
bly,.
The Governor refers 10 the decline in
the value Of property. and thinks much
of 1t Is due TO the fact that in this conn
try the manipulators OF bonds and stocks
shave had a firm holf upon legislation.
whilst the rights ana interests OF tho
masses rave been completely ignored
He hopes Virginia will demand some bet
ter financial system, for he holds that AZ
lis a burning shamet that the statement IS
daily and almost hourly made that there
IS plenty OF money IN a few favored cen
tres. while II is an admitted fact that IN
this broad land. among the people. there
Is not enough. currency 10 meet the tax
burdens laid upon them."
While taking steps to abolish uDneces-
sary offices, the Governor urges that the
Legislature pQss laws. TOO. 10 secure bet
Ter returns Tor t~axafien OF personal pro-
p<rfy. He gives the assessu.e cuts OF real
oo4ato ~ <So1,ooo.poo and the vaiu4 OF per-