Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1907-01-01
New Governor of New York
Pleads For Better Laws and
Better Living
QUALITY AND NOT QUANTITY
Declares W. Have Too Much III Con-
sidered Lesislation--Less opportun-
ity for Selfish Aggression Because Of
Righteous Awakening Among the
People.

Albany, Jan. 1.--Charles N. Hughes
was today inaugurated governor OF
New York, in the presence Of large
number of men and women represent
Ing various cities OF the state. The
ceremony occupied about half hour.
After the oath was administered the
retiring governor Higgins. made an
address of welcome. Governor Hughes
briefly responded.
The retiring governor, Francis w.
Higgins. welcomed his successor and
wished him God speed. Hughes, after
few words of compliment to the ad-
ministration OF Higgins, addressed him
self to his fellow citizens" saying In
part:
I'VE have reason to congratulate
ourselves that coincident with our
prosperity there is an emphatic asser-
ton for popular rights and keen re-
sentiment of public wrongs. There Is
no panacea in the executive or legisla-
tive action for all the Ills Of society
which spring from the frailties and
AClSClc Vi luC iiotulC Va 10
members. But this furnishes no ex-
lcuse for complacent inactivity and no
reason for liberation Of the wrongs
made possible by defective or made
quate legislation or by administrative
partially or inefficiency.
s'Whether or not we have law enough
we certainly have enough Of Ill consid-
cred legislation and the question is not
as to quantity. but as to the quality
of our present and our proposed enact
ments. Slowly but surely the people
have narrowed the opportunities for
selfish aggression and the demand of
the hour Is not allegiance to phrases
but sympathy with every. aspiration for
the betterment Of conditions and sim
cere and patient effort to understand
every need and to ascertain In the
light of experience the means best
adopted to meet It.
'It must freely be recognized that
many evils of which we complain have
their source in the law itself; in priv
ileges carelessly granted; in oppor-
tunities for private ACKNOWLEDGMENT, at
the expense Of the people, recklessly
created in the failure to safeguard our
public interests by providing means
for just regulation of those enterprises
which depend upon the use of public
franchises. Wherever the law gives
unjust advantage, wherever 1t fails by
suitable prohibition or regulation to
protect the interests of the people,
wherever power derived from the state
is turned against us, there is not only
room but urgent necessity for the as
sertion of the authority of the state
to enforce the common right.
IF in administration we make the
standard efficiency and not partisan
advantage, If in executing laws we
deal impartially, IL in making laws
there lis fairness and intelligence with
reference to each exigency we shall
dfsarm the reckless and selfish agita-
tors and take from our enemies our
peace, their vantage ground of attack.
1t is my intention to employ my con-
stitutional powers to this end. be-
lieve in the sincerity and good sense
of the people. I believe they are In
tent in having a government which
recognizes no favored interests
and which Is not conducted in any
part for selfish ends. They will not,
be and they should not be content with
JoccO