Omaha daily bee., 1907-01-04
.REMoNlEs OF SIMPLE CHARACTER
Governor Mickey Presents His Last Mes
sage to the Legislators
STATE FINANCES CAREFULLY REVIEWED
Sheldon, in His Inaugural, Deals With
Matters of Legislation.
DEALS At LENGTH WITH THE RAILROADS
Recommends Action Along Lines Of
Party Pledges and Presidential
views Expressed During
the Campaign,
(From a STAN Corrcspondent) }

(From stan Correspondent)
LINCOLN, Jan. S.-(Speclal.)-In tho
presence of an immense crowd OF admiring
friends and loyal supporters. whose cheers
were echoed back by the booming of a
cannon, Hon. George Lawson sheldon was
this afternoon inaugurated governor OF
Nebraska, the first native son OF the state
ever chosen to occupy this important po-
sition. The executive responsibilities
Z slipped onto his broad shoulders gracefully
and easily and the cheering OF the crowd
attested the belief, the confidence reposed
would not be abused. while the dignlied
bearing Of the new governor, his earnestN
ness, assured all the pledges made TO the
people would remain forever fresh in his
mind
The oath Of office was administered to
the new governor Immediately following
the reading Of the message Of Governor
John II. Mickey who retres to private life
I after serving the people for four years as
chief executive Applause greeted Gov
ernor Mickey when he appeared and at
intervals while he spoke. but the people
had come out to pay respect to new gov
ernor, one OF their own people and the
noDdgates of enthusiasm were loosened
when Lieutenant Governor MoGilton intro
I u
but mentally"
] The inaugural ceremony was extremely
plain and no effort was made at decora-
tions. but the scene was impressive to a
degree. The new governor was just trle
pale and his usual seriousness and earnest
ness was just a tritie more noticeable. That
was all, but Il was enough to make the
| scene a memorable one
/ Sitting with legislative officers who par
! ticipated in the ceremonies. were Chief
Justice Sedgwick and Judges Barnes and
/ Detton of the supreme court and Speaker
! Nettleton, while in the front row OF seats
were the other elected state officers, who
took the oath following the inauguration
of Governor Sheldon.
| Interested Spectators to the Scene.
Back in the rear, outside of the railing,
was Hon. Peter Mortensen retiring state
treasurer, modestly declining 10 take
4 place among the state digldatares, but
/ leaning against the railing TO pay courtesy
I to ne admires and who admires him
for duty well performed. United States
Senator Millard was invited publicly to
| occupy a scat beside the presiding officer.
/ but Mr. Mllard had gone home and, there
fore. could not he found. In the center
| of the room to the left of the officers, were
Mrs. Sheldon and her children and Mrs.
Mickey, wives of the new governor and
outgoing executive.
In joint session the senate and house met
in representative hall at o'clock. but 1t
was $40 before the preliminaries were
I completed and Chief Justice Sedgwick had
administered the oath to Governor Sheldon.
This was a most simple ceremony Judge
! Sedgwick stepped before the speakers desk
and with his side to the audience. so as
to face the chief justice, Mr. Sheldon re-
tal tka xrnIp xaFaa f,,of
Httle husky and so could not be heard in
I all parts of the house. When this cere-
mony was completed Judge Sedgwick ad-
| ministered the oath TO the other officers,
who stood before the railing around the
speakers stand and they subscribed to IL
/ in chorus.
The instant the new governor had re-
peated the oath. the crowds began to
cheer, which was the signal for the boom
ing of cannon in the state house yard,
noting the beginning of new ere in Ne
braska affairs.
/ When Governor Sheldon was introduced
by Lieutenant Governor McGiton, who
took occasion to endorse his character, the
former at once began to read his mes
sage.
The happy circumstances under which
Mr.. Sheldon becomes governor was re-
marked upon by many after the reading
Of his message. On specific platform he
was elected and with him a majority OF the
members Of the legislature with whom ne
has to work, all of whom express conf
dence in his ability his integrity and in
his honesty of purpose. Immediately after
the ceremony he was surrounded by
! friends who heartily congratulated him
| During his address Governor Mickey
spoke of the criticism Of his pardon and
parole record and he took occasion TO tell
OF one pardon he mad issued and Why. He
became very much affected when telling OF
the pleadings OF a misguided young girl
10 save a man. who afterward became her
husband, from prison and was glad he had
issued the pardon; the child he said. hay
ing been named Mickey"
Following are the state officers who were
sworn in today: Lieutenant Governor
IHopewen Treasurer L. G. Brian. Auditor
E NJ searle, Attorney General w. T..
I Thompson, Land Commissioner II. NJ
Eaton, State Superintendent McBren Sec
retary of State George X. Jupkin, Railway
Commissioners II. j. Winnett ana ]. A.
Williams.
Governor and Mrs. Sheldon held a re-
ceptlon at the mansion during the after
moon to the new officers and the outgoing
officials
Governor sheIdOn's Address.
! To the Senators and Representatives,
Thirtieth Session OF the Legislature Of Me-
braska: l am pleased 10 greet you upon
this occasion. / appreciate beyond ex-
precision the confidence the people of Ne
/ braska placed in me at the last election.
1 appreciate deeply the high honor thereby
Z conferred upon rne, and l wish TO thank
my friends throughout the state for the
I loyal and enthusiastic support they gave
me during the campaign. 1 feel especially
grateful for the assistance and support OF
the loyal republicans and the Independent
voters who belong to the other political
parties than the one TO which / have the
pleasure OF belonging and by which was
Z nominated
TO the members OF the legislature ! de-
sire 10 Offer a few suggestions which |
hope and trust viii be taken in the same
kindly way and with the same good will rs
they are given.
against eNtravagan ard bound not 10
raise any more taxes for current expenses
than will be necessary 20 conduct our
state government under the most rigid
!