The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1900-02-04
BECKHAM is SWORN
IN AS GOVERNOR
Takes Up Reins Of Government
and Issues a Proclamation.

Frankfort, KY, Feb. 3.-EEactly one
hour after the death Of Mr.. Goebel. J.
G. ". Beckham was sworn in as gov
ernor OF the state, the oath being adj
mdnistered by S. J. Shackelford, clerk
OF the court Of aDDeals
It had been determined to keep Sc
oret the news Of the death Of Mr. Goe-
bea until Air. Beckham should have
been formally indicted into Office, and
the delay was made greater by the in
ability Of Dr.. Mccormack to leave the
bed room Of Mr.. Goebel and make the
proper certificate Of death Until this
had been done the Democratic attor-
neys were unwilling that the oath Of
Office should be administered.
The ceremony took place in q small
room on the same floor az that in which
Governor GOebel died, and but a few
dOors 10 the west Of it.. In the room
at the time Of the administration of the
oath were SenatOr-slect Blackburn,
Colonel 3. II. Young, Colonel Philip
Thompson. Eph LillaTd, J. II. Lillis,
Lieutenant L. Z. Mckay, S. J. Shaclzel-
ford, clerk Of the court Of appeals, Dr.,
w. p Wells. Colonel Harry Mckay,
Colonel Jack Chinn, Kit Chinn, DR..
Mccormack, Joseph Blackburn, jr., and
three representatives Of the press.
Colonel Young, who was one of the
leading Democratic attorneys through
out the GOebel-Taylor contest, and Sen
aHor-elect Blackburn sat at a table in
The center Of the room upon which they
had drawn UP the papers necessary to
the administration OF Office TO Mr..
beckham. After the papers had been
completed there was a wait of nearly
ten minutes for DR. Mccormack. The
death certificate had already been pre-
pared, ana DR.. Mccormack quickly
signed his name and sWore to the con-
tents Of the paper.
He Takes the Gath.
"Sign the oath" said Colonel Young.
pushing the paper toward him. Beck
ham hesitated, and Colonel Young re-
peated his request.
Let me be sworn first" said Mr..
BeclIham-
you must sign the paper before you
can take the OATH said Colonel Young.
we want your oath to the Signature
Mr.. Beckham advanced to the table
and affixed his signature, and then,
stepping back. fls held up his right
hand for the oath, which was read to
him by Clerk ShackelfOrd Of the court
Of appeals The light was none Of the
best, and the writing on the paper none
of the most legible, and Mr.. Shackel-
ford made slow work of IT, All of the
time Mr.. Beckham stood before him
with his eyes shining, and a deep flush
on his face.
When the elerk. read the concluding
words Of the oath, so help you God
Mr.. Beckham's reply came:
1 do. and then with greater EN-
phasis. and may God give me strength
to do my duty"
4 devoutly hope he will" rejOinee
Colonel Young.
First Official Action.
The first official action of Governor
Beckham was the appointment Of
new adJutant general and his last &C
before assuming the oath was an order
removing Adjutant General Collier ant
Assistant Adjutant General Dickinson /
The order was delivered to Captain
Bennett at the gate of the capito
grounds twenty-five minutes before tn,
death Of Mr., GO6bel. AR. Beckhau
was made acting governor last nigh /
by the medical certificate OF DR.. Nc +
Corsnack that Mr.. GOebel was unable Il 4
assume the functions OF the Office.
Mr.. BeCkham seemed deeply affected [
by the position in which circumstances /
had placed MIN, and he did not revea Z
much JOY over the congratulations
which those in the room shOwered upon
him. although he accepted them CRATE. !
fully.
There is one thing that I would havt
been greatly pleased to have had done
by AR GOebel before his DEATH" htI
said. and that is TO have efgned the
certificate of Senator Blackburn. on
course, 1 am greatly pleased to havb
the privilege myself, but 1 know tina
ii was a matter close to the heart oil
Mr.. GOebel, and 1 wish that he cOulC
have lived longer. I think can prom /
Use, he said, with a smile, that il VIII 4
be one Of the first things that 1 vii 4
60 on Monday"
Proclamation to the Public.
At a later hour Mr.. Beckham issuet /
a proclamation 70 the people OF Ken I
lucky, announcing that the work Of tht
assassin had ended in the death of Mr.
GOeDel, and he fBeCkham) had quail 4
fed and assumed the duties Of the chic g
executive. After referring to the higF
character and courage Of the deceased. /
who is pronounced a martyr in the
cause Of The people, the proclamation 4
SAYS:
Il enter upon the discharge Of the du- /
ties Of this high office 81 Frounded by
coalitions and circumstances which 4
would tax the wisdom OF men Tar
stronger than l. knowing wen the try /
ing difficulties that are afead Of me and 4
the CANCERS winch SurrC IND me, which D
have already comprised tie destruc-
ticn Of civil government in the capital /
Of the state, 1 hereby soiennly warn
and command that all violent charac-
tiers and militia Of the state. now in
possession of this city and the public
buildings. TO Immediately disband. Law
Gown their arms and return to their /
homes and occupations
Feeling most deeply the RESPONSE
bihties and difficulties of the situation.
invoke the aid and support Of all law
abiding and l2W-respecting Christian
people Of this commonwealth: and
promise in legal way, if within the
power Of man, TO restore peace, quiet
and protection 10 all individuals. re-
sardless of party or station. under the
constitution which / have solemnly
sworn TO obey"