The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1900-01-13
GOV. SMITHS INAUGURAL.
He Insists on the Performance of
Campaign Pledges.

Col. John Walter Smith took the oath of
Office as Governor of Maryland at noon OF
Wednesday last, in the presence of large
concourse of people, including representative
citizens from every county IN the state and
Baltimore. The Fifth Regiment Veteran
Corps, with band, acted as escort TO Col.
Smith, aud three Democratic clubs from Bal
timore, with bands and drum corps. made up
the organizations in attendance. The fare
well address of Gov. Lowndes and Col Smiths
inaugural were delivered from stand erected
ON the Senate side of the State House.
LowNDEs' FAREWELL.
Gov. Lowndes said
.'Ths time has now come when | am to re-
linquish the trust the people of Maryland gave
into my hands four years ago. l have striven
to fulfill the pledges | made when | took the
oath of office. hope | have helped to give
good government to all classes of our people,
and that the seed planted will continue to
grow. As the retiring Executive, l present
to you him who has been elected to be the
Governor of Maryland for the coming four
years.
WORDS OF THE NEW GOVERNOR.
Governor Smith then spoke as follows:
ssSeuators, Gentlemen of the House of Dele
gates and Fellow-citizens:
flour years ago the Democratic party sur
rendered the government of this state to the
Republicans Prior to that time, for nearly
thirty years, the Democrats had shaped the
destiny and controlled the policy of this COM
monwealth. For reasons it would be futile to
discuss on this occasion, the people, in the ex-
ercise of their sovereign right, saw fit, in 1886,
to change their public servants. They elected
Republican governor and Republican
majority of the House of Delegates. Two
,at,,r,sj Pa,Nphl,,,p
majority TO the State Senate, as well as to the
House of Delegates, thus placing both the
executive and legislative branches of govern
ment into the hands of that party. Whether
during the opportunity thus given them they
have governed well otherwise; whether
they have measured up to the expectation ut
the people who placed them i'll power, 1t is
not for me to say Nor is it necessary Or als-
propriaia 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 govern
ment in our hands. They have elected II
Democratic governor, comptroller and a.
torney general. They have elected Demo
cratic majority in both branches of the Gen
eral Assembly. We shall at an early date be
placed in possession of the Board of Public
Works. Thus we shall have the eutire and
undivided responsibility of state government.
This responsibility we asked the people to
give us. They have complied with our re-
quest We must see to it they shall not be
disappointed.
MUST KEEP THEIR PROMISES.
"We promised them good government.
They have taken us at our word, and have
trusted us again.
.sWe promised them clean, honest, bust
ness administration. They have said they be-
lieved we would do what we promised.
"We pledged ourselves to measures of re-
form desired by the people-reform as 10 the
police system of Baltimore city; reform as to
the system of public education; reform as
to bribery in elections; reform as TO
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 it 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 expe
dency of prompt and successful action in fully
carrying out the promises made during the
campaign. All efforts in this direction shall
have my cordial and earnest support.
II propose, my fellow citizens, 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 cam
paign, both in my letter of acceptance and in
my public speeches.
| To this end most earnestly ask the assis-
tance and support of all good citizens, to
whatever party they may belong. l appeal,
likewise, for aid from the public press, the
great exponent of popular sentiment, that
may be able to ascertain the wishes of the
people on any public question of state
concern, and to shape my course accordingly.
"The government of Maryland must be
managed upon business principles. 1t must
be administered for the benefit of all alike,
without distinction of party or color or creed
or condition. That shall be my object. That
shall be the one and only policy shall adopt
able persons TO fill the public offices within
my gift.
THE LAWS MUST BE oBEYED.
Il shall see to it that the laws of the land
are faithfully executed. 1t shall be my en-.
deavor to put an end to the rowdyism. turbu-
lence and wanton violation of law, of which
there has been so much just complaint of late
years. To that end, l shall appeal not only
to the white people, but also to the colored
population, to aid me. l want to say here
and now, at the very threshold of the admin
of government, that the violations of law to
which / have referred must and shall be
stopped, and that there shall be no mercy
for those who wilfully and ruthlessly attempt
to ride rough shod over the laws Intended to
afford protection to the life, liberty, safety
and property of our people.
EDUCATION.
'The cause of public education, in my
Judgment, is one in which the state would b,
justified in exercising wise and prudent lib
erality. believe our public schools SHOULD
receive from the state treasury more gener
Gus allowance than has heretofore been grant
) ed them. If retrenchment in other direction!
is necessary to bring this about, then let u
have such retrenchment.
ECONOMY IN EXPENDITURES.
Both the political parties in the late cam
paign expressed the belief that our state take
could be reduced without in any way injurini
the public service, and each party promised
that, if successful, it would make an homes
effort to bring about this devoutly wished
consummation. believe such a reduction
can be made during the present administra
ton. Let us at least try to effectit. Iprom
, Use to do my part.