New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-01-02
rRv Telegram 70 me Tribune. ]

TBy Telegraph 10 The TribuneI
Albany. Jan. 1.-Governor Hughes took his
oath OF office a few minutes after noon to-day
the oath being administered by a Democratic
Secretary of State. Almost his first words as
chief executive of this state solemn
pledge of his service to the people who had
elected him "I assume the office OF Governor
without other ambition than 70 serve the people
OF the state" declared the Governor earnestly.
Almost the last words of his first official utter
ance constituted repetition of that pledge
Il believe in the sincerity and good sense OF
the people" said he. II believe that they are
intent in having government which r. -osnizes
no favored interests and which is not conducted
In anv part for selfish ends They will not be-
and they should not be. content with less.
AS Governor Hughes uttered them. the words
seemed TO form a brief creed-his confession Of
faith. made publicly. And nobody who watched
him and heard him doubted that he would carry
them out to the utmost of his strength.
The inaugural ceremony was held In the AS
sembIy chamber and was simple and frnpres-
s,ve John s Whalen. the new Secretary OF
State presided He was very nervous. He had
The necessary directions and the oath OF office
written out before him. and he studied these
intentIy as he waiting for the legislators TO
ga Their hand was playing in one OF the gaI-
Ieries and this with the gay flags. gave holi-
dav touch 10 the picture. Meanwhile as the
persons assigned TO the platform had been try
ing TO get seats the legislators had been gather
ing and lust before noon the serSeant-at-arms
announced THE Speaker of the Assembly and
the Assembly" They seated in the we'll
of the chamber The President pro tenn. and
the Senate marched in and took seats.
The retiring state officers. Attorney General
Naver. Secretary O'Brien. Controller Wilson,
Engineer Van Alstyne and Treasurer Wallen-
meier and their successors were escorted TO the
nlatforn Then. after perceptible wait. ex-
governor Higgins and his staff were announced
There was & hearty outburst of applause as
the former Governor took his seat.
The sergeant-at-arms than announced: THE
Coyernor-elect. his private secretary and his
staff
The sergeant-at-arms will escort the Gov
arnor-eIect. his secretary and private stan 70
the platforn." directed Mr.. Whalen. and then
he bit his lip he recognized the break.
great burst of handclapping sounded as
c.o,.arnor Hughes. his tall form clad in black.
contrasting boldly with the brilliant gold lace
and uniforms of his staff. mounted TO the plat
form. He sat directly In the centre, but only
for moment. for after brief prayer by
Rjshop Burke Secretary Whalen began TO ad-
minister the oath of office. Mr. Hughes rose,
Glanced Just once toward where his wife, their
con and two daughters and MS Ialner sat- in
the front rank of the guests. and then took the
oath in a low voice,
EX-GOVERNOR HIGGINs'S SPEECH.
Ex-Governor Higgins, as soon as Governor
Hughes had taken the oath, delivered the fol-
lowing speech:
Ladies and Gentlemen: So long as our institu-
tirns stand the test Of prosperity and adversely,
co Ionp as our civilization continues TO advance,
so ions. as liberty. with malice toward none and
i,,stire toward ALL protects alike the poor from
exploitation and the rich from pluhder II mat
tors little what individuals rise and fall.
Men have their years of opportunity, their day
of DopuIarity and then pass on leaving the I'M
com nieted work TO others. But principles sur
tive individuals and are superior TO them
He is a wise and useful public servant who,
disresardrE his own future. sees and averts on
the one hand the dangers arising from a reient-
less despotism of wealth, and on the other hand
the threate excesses of an irrational and
tvrs nnical class hatred which would lay waste
and conhscate If ii dared.
Tenipora success cannot satisfy the con-
science of one who retain Office would jeop-
ardize civilization and liberty, either through
thp corrosive power of corrupt wealth by
hypocritical appeals 10 the passions and preju-
dces of the ignorant or thoughtless. No public
officer can serve two masters. He who regards
party or faction business interests or personal
ambition first and his own oath OF office last is
traitor TO civilization itself.
Macaulay prophesied fifty years ago that the