Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1899-01-19
Inaugural ADDRESS OF
GOVERNOR VOORHEES,.
Gentlemen Of the Senate and General

uUE LiHiUil auOtliiLkUs
Gentlemen of the Senate and General
Assembly:
The duties of the office upon which
am about TO enter are assumed with a
deep sense Of all that is implied in the
words of the oath just taken. I shall
strive to observe it both in letter and
in spirit
Although chosen through the favor Of
my fellow citizens as representing one
Of the great political parties of the
state, / am not unmindful of the obli-
cation to devote my services to the
common good of all. ! have no apollo
gy to offer for being a partisan. Under
a republican form of government par
ties will of necessity arise. 4 people free
to learn and free to think for them
selves can only find in organization the
instrument to enforce their wishes re-
| speeting government Political parties
are not to be considered as unmixed
evils. Their existence is an evidence
of active interest in public affairs.
Their adherents are quick to assert
| their individual rights and to exact a
full and faithful performance of every
public duty. Through their agency the
! ends of government are best to be Sc
cured. But governments do not exist
merely for the sake of parties. With
public power comes the duty to exer-
else it for the public good. Viewed from
a selfish standpoint, believe that they
best serve a party who in the conduct
of their office pay heed to the interests
of the greatest number. This duty is
especially imposed upon the executive
by the oath of office which he takes.
In his acts he is not to seek partisan
advantage only. He is to promote the
peace and prosperity of the state and
maintain its lawful rights. He is to see
that it's laws, civil and criminal, are
enforced alike for all and against all.
He is to secure equal protection to rich
and to poor Violators Of the law are
to be punished without distraction He
must demand honesty and economy and
oblige public servants to render a faith
full and efficient service. Personal prej-
udiee or passionate partisanship has
no place in the discharge of his duties.
On the contrary, everything which will
promote the honor, the happiness and
the common welfare of the state is to be
the object of his solicitude and care.
Such, in brief, are the views I enter
tain of the office which I now assume.
At all times and under all circum-
stances I shall. to the best of my ability,
act in accordance with these views. in
dulging the hope that to the common
wealth which I serve there may come
no harm and that its happiness and
prosperity may be advanced.
The limitation which custom has put
upon an address of this character pre-
vents me from making more than a
brief reference to policies or measures
which I think should especially engage
legislative attention. As occasion may
arise it will be my privilege to commu
nicate to the legislature special recon-
mendations upon those subjects which l
may deem worthy of consideration.
It is fortunate for the interests of the
state that there are no subjects Of q
purely partisan character likely to pre-
sent themselves. Matters can be con-
sidered dispassionately and without
party bias, and an can claim an equal
share in the credit and responsibility
for what may be done
The reforms inaugurated within re-
cent years have removed many subjects
which formerly called for and received
legislative action.
The policy, so recently begun, of man
aging our state institutions upon nom
partisan basis has ring the short
time of trial demonstrated the wisdom
of those who favored it. It has received
the emphatic approval of the public and
cannot now be abandoned without in
jury to the public service. Legislative
interference with local self government
is contrary to the spirit of our institu-
tions. and the fate of those who have
offended in this regard in the past
warns us against future violations OF
our duty. In these days, when inde-
pendence of thought characteriZes the
average voter when party allegiance is
quickly shifted. when those who prefer
good government to success of party
can by their action affect the results of
an election, higher considerations than
those purely partisan must influence
the lawmaker if he would win public
confidence and favor for himself and
those whom he represents.
Except in a few notable instances, the
legislature will have to deal with mat
ters mainly local in character and with
out political significance.
The recommendation of the distin-
guished governor who Immediately pre-
ceded me-that legislative action should
be restrcted-has been wisely followed
1t is known and observed by all that
the volume of laws has notably de-
creased without prejudice to the inter
ests of the general public. For the
most part such measures only have
been enacted as were demanded by
some pressing and general necessity
The reform thus auspiciously begun in
our own state and so urgently recon-
mended in others has the approval of
all, irrespective of party. l trust that
the same spirit may continue to prevail
and that favorable action will be linn
! 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 it is
desirable to find means to remove every
fancied evil Or temporary Inconvenience
and to provide for every imaginary
method of conduct. It is 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.
The evil effects and Inconvenience re-
sulting from legislation of the last men
toned character have made necessary
the appointment of the several COM
missions to codify the laws relating to
various subjects. They have been
obliged to Earmonize provisions of nu-
merous conflicting statutes, remove re-
dundaneies and correct obscure or care
less forms Of expression in order to en-
body in ono clear, concise and explicit
act all laws relating to the topic which
formed tie subject of their Iabofs. 1t
has required the exercise of great skill
and care, and especial credit is due to
these gentlemen who have gratuitously
given their time and services in the
prosecution of work so advantageous
to the state. There is need for SINH
lar revisios and codification of laws re-
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