Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1902-01-02
GOVERNOR MONTAGUE.

at the State House 10 Richmond
and in the presence OF the con-
stitutional convention. The ball was
crowded with democratic leaders and
ladies of prominence. Admittsnoe for
all except members OF the convention
was by card, fact much criticised. A
number OF persons who were unsole to
gain sdmittance grumoled and ex-
pressed the opinion that the ceremony
should have taken place from the por-
tico OF the Capitol, where all could
have witnessed Ii.
Among those present were ex-Gover-
nor Tyler, ex.Lieut.. Gov. Edward Ech-
ole, ali Of the members of the Supreme
Court and eli of the heads OF the State
departments. Hon. John Lamb, OF Rich.
m1nd was thelonly member Of The Virg
MIA delegation 10 Congress there, al
though there were many other out-of-
town people. Mrs. Montague, the wife
OF the new Governor, and her three
little children were present.
The proceedings were opened with a
prayer by Rev. DR.. z. II. Thames, OF
toe Baptist Church, OF which the Mon
tagues were members. The Governor.
elect was introduced by Hon. John
Goode, the President OF the convention.
Mr.. Goode gave highly interesting re-
view of each OF Virginla's Governors
His references to Governor Tyler were
loudly cheered. The applause reached
tie highest when Governor Montague
arose and bsRan his address, At its
conclusion the oath OF Office to the new
Governor, as we'll as to Lieutenant
Governor Willard and Attorney-Gen-
eral w. A. Anderson, was administer
ed by President OF the Court OF Appeals
Keith.
The inaugural OF the new Governor is
pronounced one OF the best papers OF
the kind read since the war. He said,
in part:
my appreciation OF the confidence
of my fellow citizens and OF the INVITA-
ton which brings me into this honora-
ole presence can best be expressed by
this public and unreserved dedication
of m seIf to the service which the oath
about 10 be taken will legally proclaim.
In this devotion Of myself TO the public
veal am not unmindful OF the condi-
lions which embarrass Jour most pa
trlotio purposes. No similar convention
was ever confronted with the difficulties
which stand in your paIhway-dithcul'
ties political, economic and sociological,
You are called upon not only to extri-
cate the commonwealth from political
conditions wrongfolly imposed, but to
safeguard and make room for great and
rapidly growing industry and for great
and rapidly growing industry and COM
meroe and to preserve inviolate the
precedence and mighty mission OF our
race. No political conditions threaten
ing the intellectual freedom and the
civic virtue of our people; no vast dis.
placements Of capital by machinery and
corporate ownership, giving rise to new
and difficult questions OF taxation, and
no radical problems. vital and pro-
found, evoked the tt ought OF the con-
yention of 1850, while sll OF those mo-
mentous charges and their consequent
results tax your deliberations and de-
mand your most exalted courage.
Surely, therefore, these conditions
must secure from your fellow.citizens D
patient and just consideration. The
Virginia OF the convention OF 1900 aud
the Virginia Of the convention 10 whose
presence now stand afford striking
contrast. Aud yet, despite the years oil
war and waste and the succeeding Pc
Rod Of industrial and social revolution,
the present is full of satisfaction ano
PROMISE"
After contrasting the conditions
which existed with the conditions oil
today 10 material development the
governor took up the subject OF eduoa'
tion. He said:
"This is a momentous question for
the southern states. Republican gov
erpment founded upon 90 cleo
torate without intelligence is q
house whose foundation is sand. The
predominant feature OF the century
lust closed is the extension OF free edu-
cation TO the masses OF the people, and
with this extension goes hand 10 hand
the weallh-producing power OF the peo'
ple. for the material advancement OF Q
State lie measured by the school privl-
leges of its people. One education dill
fers from another as one star dihereth
from another in glory. There Is an
education OF the learned professions,
statecraft, science and philosophy, and
there is an education Of agriculture and
the mechanic arts; the latter IL the
foundation Of wealth and comfort, aud
IL laid ia the common schools. The age
of the hand is past and the age OF the
machine has come. Its mighty power
ia at play 10 modern industrial progress.
WHAT shall we do with this foros2 Shall
we observe its march with unconoern
or shall we command II TO our own up
liftlnQ2 II so, We must engraft upon
our common free schools some forms OF
industrial and mechanical education"
After his allusion to public roads and
the urgent need Of improvements 10
many OF them and the opening OF sddl-
tional ones, the Governor spoke of Vir-
pinia's resources ADD drew very CO.
couraging picture OF the present cut
look. In closing he said;
~ revere the old Virginia the Virginia Of
simple living and high thinking; the Viz
giDiS Of sacrifice, OF patriotism and OF cour'
age; the Virginia as a leader OF the armies
Of the American Revolution and the maker
of the American Cnion the Virginia under
FIRE and sword aud surging squsdrons; the
Virginia in the sgony OF her struggle for the
resumption Of sslf'government. Let rs Lay
hold OF those virtues that have made Tor her
a matches name and apply them to our n g.
terial upbuilding; to tolerant pubic sentl'
ment snd q catholic patriotism TO the eleVs-
ton and retention Of high and efficient men
Ia the public serv ce, and to doesn't respect
for the opinions of mankind. Then will the
sound of the approval Of the people be moro
majestic than the sound OF many waters and
the day that dAwns will be one OF exceeding