Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-01-02
Charles {. Hughes Is Nov
Governor Of New York.
Takes Oath Of Office As the
Successor Of Gov. Higgins.
James 4. Higgins Takes Reins Of
Office In Rhode Island.

and with his Democratic colleagues
began the two years term for which
they were chosen by the people in the
state election of Novembr.
The retiring governor. Frank W.
Higgins. who, inspite Of threatening
condition Of health, came to the length
of the state for the purpose. formally
surrendering the reins of government
to his successor and left late this after
noon for his home at Olean. a private
citizen for the first time since 1893,
when he was first elected senator. In
his inaugural address accepting the
powers and responsibilities of the great
office. Governor Hughes paid marked
tribute to Governor Higgins. commend
ing his public service. and constant
devotion to the interests OF the state.
Both the retiring and the incoming
governors were received along the linz
Of the parade and in the assembly
chamber with cordial applause.
Governor Hughes, after . few words
Of compliment to the administration of
Governor Higgins, addressed himself
to his fellow citizens" saying in part:
Eve have reason to congratulate
ourselves that coincident with our
prosperity. there is an emphatic ass"r-
ton Of popular rights and Il keen re-
sent m, mt of public wrongs. There is no
panacca in executive or Legislative ac-
ton for all the ills Of society which
spring up from the frailtics and de-
fects of the human nature of its mem
bers. But this furnishes no cXcuS: for
complaint in activity and no reason
for the liberation of wrongs made pos
shle by defective or Inadequate legis-
lation or by administrative Partially
or inefliciency. Whether or not "" have
laws enough, we certainly have enough
of ill-considernd lccisslation and the
question is not as to the quantity but
as to the quality Of our pre- sent ana of
our proposed eEaCtm,ntS.
"SlOwly but surely. tn" people have
narrowed the opportunities for selfish
aggression and tn" demand of this
hour and of all hours. is not allegiance
to phrases but sympathy with every
aspiration for the bettermcnt of condi-
lions ard sincere and patient effort
to Understand every need and to asccr-
tain in the light of experience the
means best adapted to meet il. 1t is
the capacity for such clos" examine
ton without heat of .lisqualifyinG pre-
1udicc which distinguishes the con-
structivc effort from vain endcavorS
10 change human nature by changing
the forms Of governm'
"It must freely be- recognized that
many of the evils Of which complain
have their source in the lEw Itself. i'll
privileges carclcssly granted: in onp ','tl-
mites for private ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ana tho
expense of the people. r"clil"sSlv cr"ti-
ed; in failure tn safeguard our public in
tercsts by providing means for inst r"s;'l-
lat!on of those cnt"t'I rises which 'ri"':iti
upon the use Of public franchises Wh"r-
ever the law gives unjust advantage,
wherever it fails by suitable prohibition
or regulation to protect tn" interests Of
the people. wherever III" power o""lv' 4
from the state is turned against IT," sta;",
there Is not only room but urgent noes
sity for the assertion Of the authority of
the state to enforce the common right.
1--WE are n government Of laws ana no.
of men, W. subordinate individual ca
price to defined duty. The essentials of
our liberties are expressed in cons titu-
tional cnactmcnts removed from tia" risk
of temporary agitation. But the sccu,l-
ty of our government despite its con
sttutional guarantees. is found in the IN
telligcncc and public spirit Of its ell
zens and in its ability to call t. the wori;
of administration men Of snGlc-mindcd
devotion to the public interests. who
make urselfish service 70 the state 4
point Of kniGhtly honor
;e{r fh,.
standard efficiency and not partisan ad-
vantage if in executing the laws we deal
:mpartially. if in making the laws thor"
is fair and intelligent action with refer
ence to each exigency. we shall disarnr
reckless and selfish agitators and take
from the enemies of our peace their van
tage ground of attack.
at is my intention tn employ my con-
stitutional powers to this end. l believe
in the sincerity and good sense Of the
Deople. I believe that they are intent
in having government which recognizes
10 favored interests and which Is no.
conducted in any part for selfish ends
They will not be. ard they should not
be. content with less"
The Inauguration ceremonies were
unusually Drllllant ana l!le dtttludH'S
almost unprecedented. At noon the
clouds lifted long enough for the pa
rade and the ceremonies in the assem-
bly, chamber, and then AT the close Of
the exercises the gray pan mist set
tied down again and the rain resumed.
Following the inausural ceremonies
the new governor held a reception in
the executive chamber and this after
noon he and Mrs. Hughes received a
cordial welcome from q very largo
Of people from ALBANY and
elsewhere in the usual public reception
at the executive mansion.
The 13Oth session of the New York
state Legislature will convene tomor-
row and practically all of the newly
elected members Of both houses at
tended the Inauguration today.
eCaucuses Of the Republican and
members of both Houses
were held tonight to select candl-
dates for the several elective offices
In. each House. 1t is expected that to-
proceedings will be limited
to- the election Of the officers nonll-
5000 %ouiubt nv tho RennhlicanS who