The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1906-02-06

Richmond, February Without
tn eleast flourish OF trumpets Claude
A. Swanson, Of Pittsylvania county.
and recently a member Of Congress,
representing the Fifth Virginia dis
trict, was inaugurated as governor Of
the state at noon today. taking the
rains of government from the hands
of Andrew J. Montague. The ceremony
took place in the hail Of the house OF
delegates, before the two houses
of the general assembly, in joint
session, and in the presence OF the SUI
preme court OF appears, the corpora
ton commission, the heads OF the state
government departments, ex-Gov-
errors Cameron and Taylor, and a
brilliant general gathering of men
Of prominence from all parts of he
state, with many richly attired ladies.
The oath of office was administered by
Judge Stafford G. White, OF the su-
preme courr, after prayer had been
offered by Rev. ]. Sidney Peters, pas
tor of Trinity Methodist church, this
city, and after the new governor had
delivered his inaugural address The
oath of office was then administered
to the lieutenant go~vernor-elect, Hon.
J. Taylor Ellyson, of this city and the
inauguration ceremonies were at an
end.
Governor Swanson, IN his inaugur-
| al, takes a bold stand for progress and
| development in Virginia, holding that
"the time has come when the people
of the commonwealth should cease
partisan policies and fractional differ
| ences." He shows that the state has
, a surplus in the treasury OF IN
what over $2S6,O00, and has reasona-
| BILE right to expect, with the present
rate of expenditure, an annual sur
| plus of more than $3.50, 600. and he re-
| commends that a considerable proper
ton Of this surplus be used in an
| ticipating payment Of the public debt,
and that the special appropriation for
primary schools be increased from the
present amount OF $4,000 TO $4,000
or more than doubled. He is espec-
tally emphatic on the subject OF Inn
proving the public schools in the
| country. He is also urgent in the
matter of public road Improvement,
speaks of the states enormous mud
tax and recommends the establish
ment of a road department, consisting
Of trained and scientific men, liberal
appropriations TO enable the depart
ment to supplement and cooperate
with local authorities, and the en-
ployment of convicts to prepare ma
teria1 for roadmaking. He favors
the judicious spending Of money for
the stimulation and regulation of i'm
migration, calls for the regulation of
railway traffic within the limits OF
reason and justice to all concerned,
and urges close supervision Of the
great banking and insurance agencies,
to the end that their solvency and
conservatism Of management may be
assured.
He proposes that the life insurance
companies be required TO invest a
part of their surplus, having some pro-
portion to the premiums they collect
from the people Of the state in local
securities.
improvement and enforcement of
pure food laws, help for the confed-
crate veterans, and preservation OF
the states war records are also dis
cussed, and appropriate legislation
and appropriations for these purposes
are recommended.
After the Inauguration ceremonies
there was a public reception by Gov
ernor Swanson at the executive a
sion, which was largely attended, and
this evening Lieutenant Governor
Ellyson gave an elegant reception at
his residence in the city in honor Of
the new governor.