The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-01-02

elect, the ant-Goyernor-e an0
the Attorney-General-ele have come
into your presence for the purpose OF taxi
ing the oath of office. The occasion is one
of extraordinary interest, and Is without
a precedent in the history of the COM
monwealth. The retiring Governor and
Leutenant-oopernor are here. The
Speaker of the House Of Delegates and
the Joint Committee OF the General
Assembly arc here. The Supreme Court
of Appeals is here. The Mayor of the city
Of Richmond is here, and the people are
constructively here il the persons OF
their chosen Representatives in tue Con-
stitutional Convention, which is tempo
rarily clothed with their sovereignty.
The Office of Governor of Virginia is one
of great dignity and responsibility. II has
been heretofore filed by some Of nsr
most illustrious sons Two Virginia Gov
errors have become Presidents Of the
United States. a Virginia Governor vas
the father OF one President and the great
grandfather OF another.
The first Governor under the Constitu-
ton of 1776 was Patrick Henry, the in
spired orator, whose heaven-born elo-
qucnce kindled the flame OF. liberty in the
hearts of the people and 1incited them to
revolution by the proclamation of the
eternal truth that resistance to tyrants
is obedience to God" The last Governor
under that Constitution was William 3.
Giles, who also served his State with great
distinction in the House Of kepTesenUa-
tives and the Senate Of the United States.
4 GREAT LEADER.
The first Governor under the Constitu-
ton of 1S29-1S30 was John Floyd, who par
ticipated actively in the War of 1872 and
represented his district in the United
States House of Representatives.. He was
conspicuous for his valor in the field, his
wisdom in council and his devotion TO
country. The last Governor under that
Constitution was John B. Floyd, a promi-
nent political leader, an influential men,
Der of President Buchenan's Cabinet and
distinguished inajor-general in the
army of the Confederate States.
The first Governor under the Constitu-
zion of lS5o-lS5l was Joseph Johnson, "l.o
represented his district seven successive
terms in the Congress Of the United
States and died in the ninety-second
year of his age beloved and lamented by
all who knew him. The last Governor
under that Constitution was that noole
old Virginian. William Smith, who served
his people most faithfully and acceptably
in the General Assembly of Virginia, in
the Congress of the United States, and
the Confederate States as infringement
III the confederate army aiiu lHlSS Us
Governor of the Commonwealth.
The first Governor under the Cons.itu-
ton Of l26q-lS7O was Gilbert c.. Walker,
Who, although not native and to-, the
manor born, rendered most Valuahls ser
vice to the people of Virginia during f'ha
perilous DAYS of reconstruction. and rep
resented the metropolitan district MOST
efficiently. The last Governor under that
Constitution is J. Hoge Tyler, who re-
tires from Office to-day without a blot
lpon his administration and with The
pIaudit of well done. good and faithful
servant" Great and prolonged applause.)
The Governor-e elect is about to be III
Quoted into Office great applause), IN The
l26th year of the commonwealth ana IN
the morning of the twentieth century,
under the most suspicious circumstances.
n is in the full vigor of mature man lood.
He enioys 10 an unlimited extent the con-
atsnce and esteem Of his feilow-citiAans
He will doubtless meet all their just eS-
noctations and Measure up fully to tie
Jcfrersonian standard of honesty, capac-
itv and fidelity {Applause) Under ms
i,atriotic administration and by the
blessing of Almighty God we may conn
IDENTIFY indulge the hope that our oeioVeo
Commonwealth, crowned with the tradi-
lions of history and bearing in her hando
the enlendi6' trophies of the past. will
move forward over the bright track OF
,ronress upon a new career of prosperity
and glory.