The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-01-18


addressed the assemblage as fo!iowa:
My Fellow Citizens He who under
takes the chief rnagistracy OF this great
commonwealth will have no easy task
before him, and without the earnest and
hearty corporation OF his fellow citizens
he can not reasonably anticipate salts
factory and successful administration OF
the public affairs. Therefore, at the very
threshold of the duties imposed upon me
by the oath. which I have Just taken,
Invoke the guidance of Almighty God and
the aid Of 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 1t will
not deemed out of place. l take it, to
devote a few moments to the consideration
OF the purpose OF government and It's
method of administration. Although the
subject be old and indeed familiar, It's
Importance makes 1t always worthy a
reference before any audience. 1t will be
conceded by all that Just and we'll con-
stituted government will have no object
In view other than to serve and benefit the
entire citizenship, and that 1t should be
conducted with wisdom, firmness, fidelity
and without discrimination. No class or
interest should be- favored with special
privileges. and to every one should be in
sured certain and complete protection to
life, liberty and property. These are ele-
mentary propositions. They are recognized
as indisputably true, and are 80 broad
and comprehensive In meaning as TO cover
almost the entire domain within which
the State may safely exercise authority.
In their reasonable Interpretation aud ap
,Ii tif,p ,,.nv hc Fpttp IN do "a I'M
every necessary governmental power.
Faithful, honest and efficient administra-
tion is no less needful than wise and Just
legislation, and failure in either Is always
attended with unhappy consequences.
Whatever the law--be 1t good or bad pop
ular or unpopular--it is the bounden duty
of those to whom its execution Is entrusted
to enforce It, and no influence, however po-
tent, should be heard to stay Its steady
and impartial operation. So long as 1t is
on the statute book 1t Ia an authoritative
expression of the popular will through the
appropriate channel, and 1t should be re-
spected and obeyed. Every infraction Is
an open defiance to the sovereignty of the
people, and, II not followed by adequate
penalty, begets dangerous distrust In the
ability OF the government to answer the
purpose for which 1t was ordained. Dis
regard of the law through neglect OF the
executive branch of the public service to
put 1t and to keep 1t In constant force. Is
ds TepTeueublDte as the exercise Oh power
without proper warrant OF authority. No
deadlier blow can be given to free insti-
tutions than weak loose and irregular ad-
ministration. and such a policy, IL policy
II may be termed. can not be too strongly
condemned. The safety of society demands
that the enforcement of the law should be
uniform, steady and impartial. and that
none should be so strong ms 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 we'll de-
fined. Individual freedom WAS then re-
garded as the very corner stone upon which
religious. civil and political liberty rested,
and to which the progress OF the race to-
wards higher and better civilization Is
chiefly indebted The contrast between the
legislation Tint 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 misunderstanding for himself
and acting for himself. Nowadays 1t has
become somewhat. II not largely, different.
and the power of legislation is often in
voked to suppress evils that were once
thought to be beyond governmental REACH
and to be corrected only through the OPP
GRAFTON OF laws which are not artificial and
which do not depend upon government for
their efficacy.
This wide and radical departure from
the long and we'll established policy of
-interferance In such matters, except
when the public good clearly and en-
phatlcally demanded, Is in some measure
due to and justified by the changed cond-
tons in our social. commercial and inAis-
trial life, and the introduction of agencies
that were previously unknown; but not
altogether so. It has proceeded to a GER
tain extent, from the tendency OF the pop
ular mind TO over-estimate the power and
enlarge the duty of the State, and to
underratc the ability OF the citizen to sue
cessfully cope with the difficulties that en-
viron him.
The effect OF this tendency has been to
cause the invidiual to lose confidence In
himself and TO rely too much upon the
government. But in the protection of prop
erty II can not he we'll claimed that the
duty of government Is limited only to
cases OF open violence by the mob, or TO
the willful wrong doing of the single tres
passer, Its obligation in this respect ex-
tends much further, and may fairly include
unjust and discriminating Hesitation. nm
certain and arbitrary administration, and
artificial combinations whose object n "a
10 weaken or destroy other enterprises and
industries. the healthy existence and sue ,
cessful conduct Of which is essential to So
oiety. Nor can Il be doubted that 1t is the
province and duty of the State to inter- I
Zero, II necessary, and prevent an improper
exercise by associations OF the powers and
privileges that may be granted to them by +,
law, and which may not be incidental to
the general and ordinary ayocatons OF |
life.
Such grants OF power and privilege are
always intended to BIO instruments Of benz
oft and not OF injury to the people, and Z
when they are diverted from their proper 9
purpose the State should MT avoid the .
responsibility OF protecting the citizen. !
We can not too highly estimate the 5
necessity OF full and complete discharge 9
by the government at all times and uhder !
all circumstances OF its obligation to So
ciety IN the matter VI protection TO life. I
liberty and property. as upon II depends
tho prosperity peace and happiness OF the :
people. To that protection every person g
'nd every character of property within :
our borders Is equally entitled. Human Z
life Ii sacred, made SO by G0d ana nlal :
and should never be taken except as ex- 3
pressly permitted by law and there can =
De no Qualification Outsida NJ fha la.