Shiner gazette. [volume] (Shiner, Tex.) 1893-current, 1899-01-25
GOV. SAVERS.

Gov Sayers in his inaugural address
said:
My fellow-citizens: He who under
takes the chief magistracy of this great
commonwealth will have no easy task
before him, and without the earnest
and hearty cooperation of his fellow
citizens he can not reasonably antici-
pate satisfactory and successful adj
ministration Of the public affairs.
Therefore, at the very threshold of du-
ties imposed upon me by the oath,
which / have just taken, l invoke the
guidance of Almighty God and the aid
OF all my countrymen to enable me to
so discharge every obligation as to best
promote the prosperity of the state and
the happiness of the people.
On an occasion like the present it
will not be deemed out OF. place, ] take
It, to devote few moments to the con-
aideration of the purpose of govern
ment and its method of administration.
Although the subject be old, and indeed
familiar, its Importance makes it al
ways worthy reference before any au-
dience. 1t will be conceded by all that
just and we'll constituted govern
ment will have no object in view other
than to serve and benefit the entire cit
izenship, and that it should be conduct
ed with wisdom, firmness, fidelity and
without discrimination. No class or in
terest should be favored with special
privileges, and to. every one should be
insured certain and complete protec-
ton to life, liberty and property These
are elementary propositions. They are
recognized as indisputably true, and
are so broad and comprehensive in
meaning as to cover almost the entire
domain within which the state may
safely exercise authority. In their reas-
enable Interpretation and application
may be found to reside almost every
necessary governmental power.
Faithful, honest and efficient admin
istration is no less needful than wise
and just legislation, and failure in eth
er is always attended with unhappy
consequences. Whatever the law-be
1t good or bad, popular or unpopular
1t is the bounden duty of those to
whom its execution is intrusted to en-
force it, and no influence, however po-
tent, should be heard to stay its steady
4. and impartial operation. So long as
Il t is on the statute book 1t is an au-
cAnoriittatNve expression Of tie popular
will through the appropriate channel,
and it should be respected and obeyed.
Every infraction is an open defiance to
the sovereignty of the people, and, if
not followed by adequate penalty, be-
gets dangerous distrust in the ability
of the government to answer the pur-
pose for which it was ordained. Dis
regard of the law through neglect of
the executive branch of the public SER
vice to put it and keep it in constant
force is as reprehensible as the exer-
Oise of power without proper warrant
of authority. No deadlier blow can be
given free institutions than weak, loose
and irregular administration. and such
a policy, If policy it may be termed,
can not be too strongly condemned.
The safety of society demands that the
onforcebent of the law should be uni
form, steady and impartial, and that
none should be strong as to be beyond
its requirements, and none so weak as
to be beneath its protection.
In, the earlier days of the republic
the sphere of governmental action was
limited and its appropriate functions
were well defined. Individual freedom
was then regarded as the very corner
political liberty rested, and to which
the progress of the race toward high
er and better civilization is chiefly in
debted. The contrast between the leg
islation that was had prior to the civil
war and that enacted during the past
three decades is broad and deep, and
the most careless observer can not fail
to note this very Obvious distinction
between the two eras.
Formerly the greatest latitude con-
sistent with the welfare of society, was
allowed the citizen, and he was
taught to rely upon himself in the
management of his personal affairs
thinking for himself. Nowadays, it has
become somewhat, if not largely diff
ferent, and the power of legislation is
often invoked to suppress evils that
were once thought to be beyond gov