Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1907-01-02
HUGHES NOW IN OFFICE
New Governor of New York Tells some-
thing of How he Will Work.
LEGISLATURES SHOULD MOVE SLOWLY
Question Is Not Quantity, but of
Quality when 1T Comes to
Enacting Laws for the
state.

ALBANY, n. v, Jan. 1a-Charies Evans
Hughes today took the oath Of Office as
governor OF the state Of New York and
with his democratic colleagues began his
two years term. The retiring governor,
Frank w. Higgins, formally surrendered
the reigns of government to his successor
and left this afternoon for his home,
private citizen for the first time since 1893
when he was first elected senator.
In his inaugural address Governor Hughes
paid a marked tribute to Governor Hig-
gins, commencing his public services and
conscientious devotion to the interests of
the state. The inaugural ceremonies were
unusually brilliant and the attendance al
most unprecedented
Following them, the new governor held
a reception In the executive chamber and
this afternoon he and Mrs. Hughes re-
ceived cordial welcome from a very large
number of people from Albany and else
where in the usual public reception at the
executive mansion.
The one hundred and thirtieth session of
the New York state legislature will con-
vene tomorrow and practically all of the
newly elected members of both houses at
tended the Inauguration today.
Caucuses of the republican and demo-
cratic members of both houses were held
tonight to select candidates for the several
elective offices In each house.
The Inauguration was preceded by
parade Of various companies and COM
mands OF the Third brigade Of the National
Guard Of New York.
The retiring governor Francis w. Hig-
gins. in welcoming his successor, said:
Upon the shoulders of the chief executive
aH Il NnNn mn
posed by constitution and customs. To
execute the laws. to recommend wise meas
ures Of legislation, to exercise the appoints
to defend the liberties and enforce the
rights of 100000 people, these are duties
strength @ TO the utmost To this high office,
the people of the state, reposing well de-
served confidence in your Independence,
patriotism, ability and integrity have
l welcome you, and wish you godspeed.
New Governor Talks.
Governor Hughes, after a few words Of
compliment to the administration of Gov
ernor Higgins, addressed himself to his
fellow citizens" saying In part:
We have reason to congratulate ourselves
that coincident with our prosperity there
is an emphatic assertion OF popular rights
and a keen resentment of public wrongs.
There is no panacea in executive or legis-
lative action for all the ills of society
WniCn spring from lne lIallNleS anu uel6CAa
OF the human nature of its members. But
this furnishes no excuse for complacent
inactivity and no reason for the liberation
of wrongs made possible by defective on
inadequate legislation or by administrative
partiality or ineficiency.
Whether or not we have laws enough,
we certainly have enough of ill-considered
legislation, and the question Is not as to
the quantity, but as to the quality Of our
present and our proposed enactments.
Slowly but surely the people have mar
rowed the opportunities for selfish aggres-
sion and the demand OF this hour and of
all hours rs not allegiance to phrases, but
sympathy with every aspiration for the
betterment OF conditions and a sincere and
patient effort 10 understand every need and
to ascertain in the light OF experience the
means best adapted TO meet IL. IL is the
capacity for such close examination with
out heat or, disqualifying prejudice which
distinguishes the constructive EFFORT from
vain endeavors to change human nature by
changing the forms OF government
IL must freely be recognized that many
OF the evils Of which we complain have
their source in the law Itself, in privileges
carelessly granted. in opportunities for pri-
vate ACKNOWLEDGEMENT at the expense OF the
people recklessly created, In failure 10
safeguard our public interests by provid-
ing means for just regulation OF those en-
terprises which depend on the use OF pub
lie franchises.