The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1899-01-20
INAUGURAL ADDRESS OF
GOVERNOR VOORHEES,.

/ The duties of the Office upon which
am about to enter are assumed with q
deep sense of all that is implied in the
! words of the oath just taken. / shall
strive to observe it both in letter and
| in spirit.
The reforms inaugurated within re-
cent years have removed many subjects
which formerly called for and received
legislative action.
| Except IN a few notable instances. the
Legislature will have to deal with mat
tiers mainly local in character and with
out political significance.
| The reform thus ausPiciousIy begun IN
our own state and SO urgently recon-
NEEDED in others has the approval of
all, irrespective of party. trust that
the same. spirit may continue to prevail
and that favorable action will be i'm
tied to those measures only which are
worthy OF assuming the form Of POSI-
tive enactment, Let us abandon the
notion that in some form of law 1t is
desirable to find means to remove every
fancied evil or temporary Inconvenience
and to provide for every imaginary
method or conduct It IL better that
the laws should be fewer in number and
comprehend within their scope objects
Of moment than that numerous. enact
ments which are limited in operation
and only temporary In Importance
should find place on the statute book.
think the legislature Should appoint
or authorize the executives toyname
commission to consider the subject and
prepare such plan for the government.
Of elites as they may think proper after,
a full Investigation W.
Keeping pace with the growth Of the
receipts, the state fund balance has now
reached q large amount A deficiency
existed In 1889. but this balance fund Is
now represented by about 81 600, 900. The
amount therein has increased, notwith-
standing. the fact that disbursements
out of state and school funds have each
year been larger and have increased in
amount from about 81. SOC. 900 in the year
of the deficiency to more than 81, 0o0, 900
In the last fiscal year.
It would be better, In my judgment,
under existing circumstances, II any
action Is taken by the legislature, to
devise some. plan whereby the amount
diverted should not be a fixed annual
sum, but one varying according to the
condition of the treasury and the claims
LIKELY u DG iiAdQC tlkCfCO <AQPIOPL1ds
lions could be made for objects for the
support OF which the people Of the state
are now paying direct taxes. In this
way the amount now annually raised
for the support of public schools could
be reduced or some means might be de4s
vised whereby, upon an equitable ap-
portionment,, the expenses of the vari-
GUS counties for the support Of their
courts could in part be betrayed.
Events which have been most notable
in the history, of our country have
transpired since. the legislature last
convened. A war has been waged and
brought to an honorable and successful
close. Victories on land and sea, the
most splendid in the history of the
world, have been won. Our brave SOL
diers and sailors knew not a single de-
feat. For them no odds were too great,
no difficulties brought dismay. Impor-
tant and lasting will be the influence Of
the contest thus waged We are now
as never before respected as a powerful
and just people-fearless in the cause
OF right, forbearing in time of victory.
Henceforth our place is prominent in
the councils of the nations. New con-
ditions confront us, new problems de-
Hid1Q OOlQtlOll, Dul we Inject lIeDl COuT-
ageously A special significance is to
BE- found in these momentous and swift
iy passing events. Our national spirit
has been quickened and our people
united in sentiment. Old prejudices
have disappeared, and old wounds have
been healed. No section, no class, has
yielded to another in display. OF loyalty
and devotion. When the honor of the
country was at stake and it's safety
was threatened, there came from all
over this broad land an eager response
to the summons to arms. Today, as
citizens of one state, we can rejoice
with the citizens Of other states over
the victories won and the honors
achieved and gladly share with them
the glory that belongs to ALL
New Jersey has cause for special
pride in the zeal and patriotism shown
by its citizens, Quick and In numbers
greater than allotted was their response
to the call for soldiers, and bitter was
the disappointment OF those whose
eager proffer of service was refused.
Whether on land or on sea New Jersey
soldiers and sailors so demeaned them
selves that honor and credit came to
the state. For fidelity, for intelligence,
Tor willing and patient service during
trying times and under discouraging
circumstances. they pre-eminently dis
tinguished themselves and by their
conduct won the commentator of all.
To them is due all honor and from the
people Of the state grateful recogni-
ton of their valor and patriotism.
Many, if not all, of them have made
unusual sacrifices. Their continued
service has entailed upon them and up
on those dependent on them for their
support unusual hardships and bur-
dens. The compensation which they
have received from the national gov
eminent, limited as 1t is, cannot be ex-
pected to fully reimburse them for their
financial losses. In what especial way
whether by pecuniary compensation or
otherwise, the state shall make recog-
milton of their sacrifices is for the legis-
lature to determine. In the justice ana
the wisdom Of its conclusions / have
every confidence.
/ desire on this occasion to renew my
pledge to serve unselfishly and without