Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1903-01-24

M. Brown succeeded J. P. S. Goblin as
lieutenant governor, and Boies Pen
rose was elected by the general as
sembly to succeed himself in the
United States senate.
The Inauguration ceremonies Of the
governor took place at noon in a large
stand at the west front of the capitol,
In the presence of an immense crowd.
Immediately after these exercises the
lieutenant governor was indicted into
Office with simple ceremonies in the
senate chamber. The house and SEN
ate balloted separately yesterday after
noon for the United States senator the
Republicans voting for Senator Pen
rose and the Democrats for Colonel
James M. Guffey, of Pittsburg. The
vote in the house was: Penrose, 156;
Guffey, AZ; in the senate: Penrose. 81;
Guffey, 10.
The inaugural parade was the finest
the state capital has ever seen. A large
number Of political clubs, a provisional
brigade of the National Guard of Penn
sylvania, the Harrisburg fire depart
ment and some of the best marching
bands in Pennsylvania turned out to
do honor to the new governor. Last
evening Governor and Mrs. Penny
packer held public reception at the
executive mansion. They were assist
ed In receiving by the wives Of men,
bers OF the legislative inaugural COM
mittee and several Harrisburg ladies.
The inaugural ceremonies at the
front Of the capitol were opened with
music by the Commonwealth Band, of
Harrisburg, after which prayer was
offered by Rev q. H. Leisenring, Of
Chambersburg. The certificate Of
election Of the governor was read by
Chief Clerk Smiley. OF the senate. The
oath of ONCE was then administered
to the governor by Supreme Court
Judge d. Newton Fell, of Philadelphia
A salute OF IL guns was next fired.
Governor Pennypacker then read his
inaugural address. Speaking of news
papers, he said:
'The doctrine of the liberty of the
press, conceived at time when it
was necessary to disclose the move
ments of arbitrary power. has become
in recent days too often a cover for
base and ignoble purposes, and, like
the sanctuaries OF old, a place of re-
treat where any wrong-doer may Sc
cure immunity from punishment.
Sensational journals have arisen
all over the land. the owners in con-
cealment and the writer's and purvey-
ors undesignated, and they have
thriven by propagating crime and dis
seminating falsehood and scandal by
promulgating dissension and anarchy,
by attacks upon individuals and by as
saults upon government and the agen-
cies OF the people. They are a terror
to the household, a detriment to the
public service, and an impeachment to
the courts OF justice. 1t would be
helpful and profitable to reputable
journalism if they could be suppressed.
The time is near at hand and may
have already come when society will
find means to prevent this develop
ment OF vicious life which constitutes
the most conspicuous instance of ex-
listing ills.
II know of no reason why Penn
sylvania, which has been foremost In
so many directions in the past, should
not take the lead in a needed effort to
improve manners and morals by such
reform.
Our constitution imposes RESPONSE
bility for the abuse OF the liberty of
the press, and l suggest for the con-
sideration of the legislature whether
or not 1t would be well to extend to
such cases the law ofnegligence as
developed by the decisions of our
courts, so that there should be liability
In damages for the physical and men
tai suffering caused by publications
made without reasonable care
81 further suggest an inquiry as to
the propriety of requiring the names
and residences of the owners of news
papers to be published with each IS
sue. 1t may be that on consideration
the legislature In it's wisdom will he
able to devise other means which.
while protecting journals of good re-
pute, will tend to eliminate the un-
worthy"