New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-01-02
GOV. HUGHES INAUGURATED.
His Highest Ambition Is to Serve the People of the
Empire State
HIGH PRAISE FOR HIS PREDECESSOR.
Oath Administered Assembly Chamber by Secretary of stSpeeches Of
ExGov Higgins and the Governor.

/, day was not far distant when in the State Of
New York demagogue, ranting about the
law abiding and self respecting statesman. But
common sense still holds sway; nor will clanoT
leadership to democratic institutions
and democracy is true to itself
Upon the shoulders OF the Chief Executive of
this state must rest heavy burdens. imposed ey
constitutions and customs To execute the laws,
TO recommend wise measures OF legislation. to
exercise the appointing power with judgment and
discernmsnt. to defend the liberties and enforce
the rights of eight million people-these ars
duties which try the mental. moral and physica
strength the utmost.
To this high office the people of the state. re-
posing we'll deserved confidence IN your inde-
pendenCe, patriotism. ability and integrity have
called you l welcome you and wish you god
speed.
GOVERNOR HUGHES's ADDRESS
Governor Hughes first made brief reply to
Governor Higgns's remarks Then, taking up
his inaugural address. Governor Hughes spoke
! TO the people in the body OF the house, telling
them simply and directly his views OF officiai
condus, and his intentions Chief Executive
He said:
Governor Higgins: You retire from Office after
a long and distinguished career Of public SER
vice Before vou became Chief Executive YOU
had serv ed eight years in the Senate and two
years as Lieutenant Governor You brought &c
the office OF Governor rare equipment OF ex-
perience.
Your administration has been identified with
important reforms and large undertakings OF
the rreatast concern 10 the Future Of the STATE
have been inaugurated Your service IN con-
nection with matters OF such conspicuous ad-
vantage to the public will not be forgotten
But 10 the faithful public officer the best
ward of fidelity is the approval OF his own con-
science, won by disinterested devotion In mat
ters large and small TO the interests or ths
public. In your retirement TO private rife you
may he assured of the general appreciation ot
the stainless integrity of your character and OF
he motives which
your conduct.
Fellow Citizens: assume the Office of Gov
ernor without other ambition than TO serve the
people of the state. I have not coveted its
powers. nor do I permit myself to shrink from
its responsi Utilities Sensible OF it's magnitude
and of my own limitations, I undertake. the
task of administration without illusion
But you do not require the impossible. You
have bound me 10 earnest and honest endeavor
in the interest Of all the people according TO
the best Of my ability. and that obligation. with
the help of God. 1 shall discharge
We have reason to congratulate ourselves
that coincident with our prosperity thers is an
emphatic assertion of popular rights and keen
resentment of public wrongs There is no pana-
cea in executive or legislative action for all tho
ills of society which spring from the frailtiss
and defects Of the human nature OF Its mem
bers. But this furnishes no excuse for com
pIacent inactivity and reason for the tolera-
ton of wrongs made possible by defective
inadequate legislation or by administrative EAR
tiality or ineffctency-
II is sometimes said that we have laws enough
and that the need is not Of more law, but OF
better enforcement of the law There is abun-
dant occasion for caution against hasty legisia-
ton
Whether or not we have laws enough.
tainIy have enough of ilI-conSidered legislation
and the question is To the quantity but
to the quality of oHr present and or our proposed
CnaCtments.
The proper confines of legislative action not
to be determined by geueralities- Slowly. bGt
surely. the people have narrowed the Opportuni-
ties for selfish aggression. and the demand OF
this hour and of all hours. is not allegiance 20
the EettcrlneGt of conditions and a sincere and
patient effort to understand every need and ta
ascertain i'll the light of experience, the means
best adapted to meet Ii. Each measure proposed
mast ultimately be tested by critical analysis et
the Tarticular problenl-the precise mischief al
eyed and the adequacy of The proffered remedy
1t is the capacity for such close examination,
distinguishes the constructive effort from vain
enGeavcrs 10 change human nature oy changing
the form OF government
l. must freely he recognized that many OF the
evils of which complain have their source In
the law itself IT, privileges carelessly granted. In
opportunities for private aGgrandizement at the
expense of II people rec<essiy created. IN fail
ing means for Just regulation Of those enter
prfses which depend upon the OF public fran
chises Wherever the law gives unjust advarl-
tase whereye er IL fails by suitable prohibition or
regulation to protect the interests Of the people.
wherever the power derived from the state -
turned against the state there Is not only room
but urgent necessity for the assertion Of the eu-
thority of the state to enforce the common ngne
The growth OF our population and The neces-
gary increase In charitable and ourfoe9oeo
WORK the great enterprises undar S1ntD ooa0es-