Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1900-01-20
Gov. Smiths Inaugural Address.

Hon. John Walter Smith, who was in
augurated as Governor of Maryland on We'd
nesday of last week, delivered the follow
ing able inaugural address:
Senators, Gentlemen of the House of Dele
gates, and Fellow. Citizens:
-Four years ago the Democratic party sur
rendered the government of this State TO the
Republicans. Prior to this time for nearly
thirty years the Democrats had shaped the
destiny and controlled the policy of the
Common wealth.
For reasons it would be futile to discuss
on this occasion, the people, in the exercise
OF their sovereign right, saw ut in 1896, to
change their public servants. They elected
a Republican Governor and Republican
majority OF the House of Delegates. Two
years aiterward they returned Republican
majority to the State Senate, as well as TO the
House of Delegates, thus placing both the
Executive and Legislative branches of the
government into the hands OF that party.
Whether during the opportunity thus given
them they have governed well or otherwise,
whether they have measured up to the ex
pectations OF the people who placed them
IN power, 1t is not TOR me TO say. Nor is II
necessary or appropriate at this time TO pass
judgment upon them.
Whatever the facts In that regard may be,
It is certain that the people have restored
the Democracy TO power in the State. They
have again placed every branch OF the gov.
eminent in our hands. They have elected
q Democratic Governor, Comptroller and
Attorney General. They have elected
Democratic majority in both branches of the
General Assembly. We shall, at an early
date, be placed In possession oil the Board
OF Public Works. Thus we shall have the
entire and undivided responsibility of State
government. Ibis responsibility we asked
the people TO give us. They have complied
with our request We must see to 1t they
shall not be disappointed.
We promised them good government.
They have taken US at our word, and have
trusted US again. Wepromised them clean,
honest, business administration. They have
said they believed we would do what we
promised,
We pledged ourselves to measures of re-
form desired by the people; reform as to the
police system of Baltimore city; reform as
10 the system of public education; reform
as TO bribery in election; reform as 10 the
methods in legislation. These are things,
say, we have promised the people. They
are entitled to them. They must and shall
have them if 1t can be made possible by me.
The Democratic party has no disposition TO
ignore them; but wish to take this public
opportunity to impress upon the members
OF the Senate and House of Delegates the
expedency OF prompt and successful action
10 fully carrying out the promises made dur.
ing the campaign. All efforts in this direc-
ton shall have my cordial and earnest sup.
port.
promise my fellow-ctizens, so far as
shall lie in the power of the Governor of the
State, TO redeem, honestly and faithfully
every promise made the people during the
campaign, both In my letter of acceptance
and in my public speeches. To this end
most earnestly ask the assistance and sup
port of all good citizens, 10 whatever party
they belong. l appeal likewise for aid from
the public press, the great exponento OF popu-
lar sentiment, that | may be able to ascer
tain the wishes OF the people on any public
questions of State concern and to shape my
course accordingly.
The government OF Maryland must be
managed upon business principles. 1t must
be administered for all alike, without distinc
ton OF party or color or creed or condition.
That shall be my object. That shall be the
one and only policy | shall adopt. l shall
endeavor 10 appoint honest and capable per-
sons TO fill the public offices within my gilt
shall see to il that the laws of the land are
faithfully executed.
IL shall be my endeavor TO put an end to
the rowdyism, turbulence and wanton viola.
ton OF law, OF which there has been so much
Just complaint OF late years. To that end
appeal not only to the white people, but also
TO the colored population 10 aid me- Among
the latter class II has been undoubtedly true,
rs repeatedly charged upon the hastings dur
ing the late campaign and also made appar,
ent through the public press, that a reckless
disregard of law and order has prevailed.
The low, the vicious and the ignorant among
that class OF our population have been re-
sponsible for the condition of things alluded
TO- There are many respectable and inteli
gent colored people among US, however, who
regret and condemn the lAwlessness existing
among their race. shall look TO such per.
sons TO aid as far as possible in checking the
criminal course Of their Maynard brethren.
But whether they do 80 or not want to
say here and now, at the very threshold of
the administration about 10 assume the re
sponsibility of government, that the viola
tons Of law 10 which have referred must
and shall be stopped, and that there shall be
no mercy for those who williully and ruth.
lessly attempt 70 ride roughshod over the
laws intended TO afford protection to the
life, liberty, safety and property of our
people.
The retiring Governor, who to. day sur.
renders the trust committed TO his keeping
tour years ago, has, in the fulfillment OF the
duty imposed upon him by the Consultation,
communicated TO the General Assembly his
views upon public questions, and Ia his
message has recommended much wise and
wholesome legislation.
beg you, Senators and gentlemen Of the
House Of Delegates, 10 give respectful and |
due consideration 70 his communication and