Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1906-02-07
Gov. Claude A. Swanson Tlkes
Oath of { flee

gathered from every secttOa VI Wv
State, Claude A. Swanson last
Thursday. February 1st, at noon,
took the oath of Office as Chief
Magietrate Of the Commonwealth,
entering upon the duties of his
high position amid scenes, every
circumstance Of which contributed
to an effect happy and suspicious
IN a rare degree.
While democratic simplicity. ac-
cording with the customs OF the
Common wealth and further en-
phasized at the expressed wish OF
the nsw Executive himself, marked
the inaugural ceremonies as a
whole, the event, in keeping With
the dignity of the office. was
splendid and striking in its way.
Within the great white VALE
of the new Garlic were
assembled many CT the notable
Viroinians of the day. The long
corridors were filed with people
smartly dressed, and hundreds OF
we'll. gowned women, wives and
daughters of we'll known men,
were there adding a dash of color
to the white and black OF the
statesmen in marble and frOck
coats.
A day of cloudless skies and
spripg like air, the movement to
the scene Of the inauguration
began early and continued long,
and the demand for seats was
excessive, and for standing room
merely vastly more than could be
served. Carriages drove leisurely
into the square for an hour before
noon and streams Of people poured
steadily through the gateways.
Into the hall OF the House OF
Delegates, guarded by policemen
in uniform, nearly two thousand
persons were squeezed in some
manner and as many others,
sorely disappointed, were turned
away.
Standing erect and undismayed
before Shis assemblage the new
Governor delivered his first official
message to the people Of Virginia,
and then formally took the oatt
of office, which was in turn
administered to the nav Lieuten'
ant-SOyernor. Cheers filled tho
hall as Governor Swanson proceed
ed with his address. On all sidet
there were manifestations OF hearty
goodwill, and congratulations
were showered upon the young
Executive. Beside him as be
entered the chamber was the
stalwart and we'll known figure OF
he retiring Governor, and to him
also was gwen an ovation. AS the
two arm in arm strobe up the
aisle q. burst of applause broke
from tie crowd. Both in the prime
of life, still young, they made q
striking pair-the one retiring
with q record Of high and honorable
service, the other entering with
every promise Of an achievement
NO less great.
In the afternoon the BOW Gov
ernor received the members OF the
General Assembly and the State
officers at the Executive Mansion.
At night the events of the day
were brought to close by 9
brilliant reception rendered ty
Lieutenant Governor Ellyson to
Governor Swanson. Many of the
most prominent people of the State
were present.
After he had taken the oath 81
office as Governor Of Virginia
Governor Swanson delivered hit
inaugural address to the Genera
Assembly in joint session. In hi
address he clearly defined his views
on many subjects of vital i'm
portance at this time. Governor
Swanson said, in part. as follows
"To day, in obedience to your
mandate, l assume the important
and responsible office of CHIEF
Executive Of this State. Your SUI
fraees have confded to me far fouI
years this high trust. / am deeply
touched by the evidence OF kind
meas and partiality displayed snC
profoundly sensible of the honOI
and confidence bestowed. Ny
gratitude can and will be bes
eyinced by dsdicating mysel
absolutely to the service OF Vir
! GINA and devoting ell my energie
| Of mind and body to the faithful
and fearless discharge Of the dutie
devolving upon this office. l an
aware OF the many difficulties con
fronting me and the patience ant
persistence required to overcom
them. My most positive purpose
my most earnest ambition, is t.
exercise patrioticalIy anc cCnscieu
tiously this Office in such a name
az TO result in the betterment o
Virginia. II the four years of m
administration shall be marked b
the moral, educational and niaterit
progress Of my State, l shall u
perfectly satisfied and feel that
have been fully compensated for
| lifetime of earnest work and or
deAvOr."
The Governor subsequently n