Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1906-02-01
GOV. swANsoNs INAUGURAL

' EtUs Is-L1Ons "
Swanson was today iDducted into Inc
gubernatorisl Office in the presence OF
large concourse Of people, among whom
were representatives IF all sections OF the
State. The ceremonies incident to the
Inauguration were simple and devoid OF
certain features which are ordinarily IN
evidence on such occasions.
The Governor in his address said,
among other things:
To-day, in obedience to your man
date, ! assume the important aud re-
sponsibIe Office of chief executive Of this
State. Your sufrages have c0nided to
me for four years this high trust. ! am
deeply touched by the evidence OF kind
ness and Partially displayed and pro-
foandly sensible OF the honor and con-
fidence bestowed. Ny gratitude can
and will be best evinced by defeating
myself absolutely t, the service OF Vir-
ginia and devoting all my energies OF
mind and body to the faithful and fear
less discharge OF the duties devolvlny
upon this Office. am aware OF The
many difficulties confronting me aud the
patience and persistence required to
overcome them. realize the many dis
appointments which must arise from my
exercise of the appointing power and the
soreness which will follow. | perceive
differences on public questions and poll
cies will engender harsh and, frequently,
false and unfair criticism. am fully
conscious that few are fortunate enough
to meet expectations OF high executive
Office, or leave with either the popularity
or reputation with which they entered.
But these considerations are neither dis
couraging nor depressing to me. My
most positive purpose, my most earnest
ambition, is to exercise periodically and
conscienciously this Office in such a man
ner a. TO result in the betterment of Vir-
GINA. il the four years of my admins
tration shall be marked by the Iaoral,
educational and material progress OF my
State, | shall be perfectly satisfied and
feel that have been fully compensated
for a lifetime OF earnest work and en-
deavor. / desire to express to the mem
bers of the General Assembly of Vir-
ginia my appreciation of their courtesy
liz extending to me an invitation to have
these ceremonies in this hall and in
their presence. hope this is indicative
of that cordially and good will, that
hearty cooperation, that harmony IN
patriotic purpose which shoulG ever
characterize the relations of the executive
and the legislative departments OF our
government. | shall endeayor to
keep in close touch and accord with the
other executive departments OF the State
and earnestly unite with these officials
in giving Virginia an honest, economi.
cal and efficient administration OF affairs.
The time has come when Virginia should
forget factional differences, cease parti-
san politics and devote all Of her ener-
gies to the development of her resources,
TO the moral and educational elevation
of her people, 20 internal Improvement
aud progress. There is Virginia of the
past respondent with the heroic achieve
ments of great and glorious peoplei
there is Virginia of the present crown
ed with possibilities that can surpass the
splendors of the proud past and make all
that has gone before in her history but
the prelude to greater destiny"
The Governor then went on to portray
the possibilities of the future Old Do
minion, referring to the resources of the
State and its rapid development in re
cent years.
In referring to educational facilities
the Governor said:
"0ur constitution wisely sets apart
and indicates certain portion OF our
revenues to public education. In recent
years the general as emily has generous
ly added special appropriation OF
5000, 00G to this fund. Our revenues
are now sufficient to justify us in in
creasing this 81 ecial appropriation to the
primary schools from 5000, 600 to $3.50, =
900, portion of which should be used
in providing high schools Tor the rural
communities. believe it this il done
we will see at once marked and pet
mament improvement. During the re-.
cent primaries aud election we all PLEDGED
ourselves for better schools aud high
schools in the rural sections Of our State
|, for one, am prepared TO approve sub
staniial appropriations for the luillmenl
of this promise. No act of this general
assembly would be more deserving 0i
commendation, more promoliye of pub
lie good, than the one extending gen
erous all to our primary schools and in
iusing into them new life and vigor.
The Governor subsequently, reviewed
number Ofissues of interest 10 every resi-
deni of the Stale. He said Virgins
was no place for monopoies, reieuel To
the regulation of rate traffic, said he
wanted fair play for all, welcomed de-
siraNl immigrants but wanted the door
shut On the undesirable, favored the
creations IT a department of banking and
insurance favored insurance regulation
aud the investment of surplus funds OF
insurance Companies in Virginia, de
nounced reck,ss expenditures on the
part of the State and favored the rule OF
systematic payments upon the States
bounded Indebtedness, favored travelling
libraries, additional aid to school
teachers, favored the working of con-
victs upon roads, the enforcement Of the
pure foop laws, favored the enlargement
of the powers of the labor commissioner,
additional aid for Conied, rate veterans,
the preservation of their records, and
aid to the jamestown Exposition. The
Go..o...o. nlccoI Mil .....,nal N LII