The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1905-01-06
STATE OFFICERS
ASSUME PLACES
Names of the Men Who Con-
stitute the New Ad-
ministration.
INAUGURATION OF Gov. WARNER
Citizens by the Thousands Filed
Through the Executive Par
lors at the Reception.
State Supreme Court Now Consists OF
Eight Members-N Democrat
&c Representation In the
Legislature.
INAUGURATION OF Gov. WARNER


O'Clock yesterday afternoon the more
than 100000 citizens of the state of
Michigan have been ruled over by al
most an entirely new set of state Of
ficials. 1t Is possible that some Of the
good people of the state have not yet
awakened to his new state of things,
but 1T Is fact nevertheless.
The disposition to 'cut a swath," as
it were, in connection with the Undue
ton of its state officers into office
seems to possess this commonwealth
every other two years Four years ago
unusual pomp and ceremony marked
the occasion, while two years ago the
occasion was shorn Of all frills, the
taking Of the oath of Office occupying
less than 10 minutes time and being
witnessed by not more than seventy
five persons. This year witnessed
somewhat of revival of the former
conditions, although the naval brigade
and other military organizations which
were conspicuous in 1901 were not in
evidence yesterday.
Impressive Ceremonies.
tons of the state gathered in the state
house at 4 O'Clock yesterday afternoon
and witnessed all of the state officials
who were elected to Office last Novem-
Der take the oath of Office administered
by Chief Justice Moore Of the supreme
court. There was no special attempt
at display. the effect being to make
the ceremonies simply impressive. This
effort was successful, and the unan-
imous verdict of all present was that
the entire proceedings was in keeping
with the Importance of the occasion
and that it is well to characterize such
incidents in way that will bring them
prominently before the people of the
state and thus tend to impress them
with the dignity and greatness of the
state and with proper sense Of the re-
spect due the officials thereof.
The Inauguration ceremonies, which
were held in representative hall, were
presided over by Ex-Governor John II.
Rich. Before administering the oath
of office to the new officials, Chief
Justice Moore made a brief. but most
appropriate and eloquent address. The
ceremonies were witnessed by dis
tinguished company.
The New State Officials.
''Lest we forget" it may be well to
here record the names and titles of the
several officials who entered upon
their new duties yesterday:
Governor. Fred NJ. Warner; lieuten-
ant governor, Alexander Maitland;
secretary of state, George A. Prescott;
state treasurer Frank p. Glazier; audi
tor general, James r. Bradley; attor
ney general, John f. Bird; commission
err of state land office, William II.
Rose; superintendent of public instruc
ton, Patrick ii. Kelley; member board
of education, Luther L. Wright; as
sociate justices of supreme court, Rus
sell G. Ostrender, Charles A. Blair,
Aaron V. McAlvay.
All Of the officials were enthusiast
tically applauded when they stepped
forward to take and subscribe TO the
constitutional oath Of office.
1t will be recalled that Michigan
now has greater number of elective
officers than ever before in its history
three members having been added 10
the supreme court at the last election
The highest tribunal in the state now
consists of eight members. condition
| which will result in a change in the
| practice which has thus far prevailed
| in that tribunal. Until today, through
| all the long years that Michigan has
been n state, every case argued in the
supreme court has been heard by the
| full bench. Hereafter, save on special
occasions, only five of the justices will
| sit at n time.
Objections to Increase.
The other three will devote their
time when not hearing cases to the
preparation Of opinions, and it is ex-
| pected that this method Of procedure
will result in greatly expediting the
work of the court, which is consider
ably behind. There is occasional OBJ
| lection heard to the act increasing the
number Of justices because it provides
for an even number, thus making pos
sible the affirmation OF cases by an
evenly divided court. One of the rea-
sons given for increasing the number
! of Justices from four to five num-
Der of years ago was that a divided
court had made the same law valid In
| one county ami invalid In another, this
| being due to the fact that one circuit
| judge had held the law valid and
] another declared 1t to be unconstitu-
| tional, and each was sustained by n
divided supreme court.
The inaugural reception last night
was, in the language Of the highway, a
"whale." Governor Warner was as
sisted in receiving by all the newly
elected state officers, Senators Alger
ocd purrowc opd Ex- Covernore Rliss