The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1907-01-24
PATTERSON TAKES OATH OF OFFICE
TennesSee's New Executive is lnaugurated
al Nashville.

TenneSSee'S New Executive is lnauguPate,
at Nashville.
Nashville, Jan. 17.-MalcoIm r. Pat
terson, of Shelby county, was today a
noon inaugurated governor Of Tennes
see to succeed John /. Cox. The Ger
emony was simple, there being lacl
of display or ostentation which ha
characterized similar occasions in tn
past IN this state.
Gov. Patterson was sworn in by Chic
Justice W. d. Beard, of the supreme
court. Gov. Patterson delivered hi
inaugural address and Immediately as
sumed the duties of his office
In his address Gov. Patterson said
"Gentlemen of the House and Senate
and Fellow Citizens:
Following a custom honored in th'
observance, the time has come, and
am here to take the oath of Office as th,
duly elected governor of Tennessee,
and to consummate the will OF the peo
pie who have called me to this exalted
station.
am fully conscious of the homo
that has come to me, and of the dutie
and responsibilities which that homo
imposes. TO be the chief executive o
this commonwealth may we'll be th
measure of any mans ambition, but t.
act worthily, to execute the laws, t.
use power for the public good, in tn
fuller measure of a peoples right a
expressed by their confidence.
"My election to the office of governo
was not the peaceful result of individu
al public sentiment, but rather the cul
mination of the storm and unrest of di
vergent and hostile political forces
but 1t shall be my purpose to deserve
if do not have, the support of ever,
man who sincerely wishes that out 0
the new and changed conditions, high
ei political standards shall come ant
better government be our portion.
"There are those who may be prom
to criticise, no matter what my cours,
may be; there are others who will b
apt to condone official shortcomings
however serious, but the great mas
will judge me without prejudice or par
tiality, and their regard will be givel
or denied by duty remembered an,
performed or forgotten or undone.
off it is given me to serve the stat
and advance her dignity, | shall be in
vulnerable to the attack of foes AM
worthy the most unselfsh and trues
friends who have rallied to cause the
believe was just.
"The central idea of my candidac
was that Tennessee should be a gov
ernment by the people in the best AM
truest sense, and the meaning of M
election is that our pledges be perform
ed in absolute good faith.
$50 far as my constitutional powe
extends, it will be exerted to carry on
the popular will as it has found expires
sion in the democratic platform, and t
the accomplishment of this the geners
assembly will DO asked to devote its Ia
Dor and it's energy.
"In few days 1 shall transmit t
the house and senate a message en-
bodying certain recommendations hay
ing in view the further advancement {
our common wealth and the happines
and prosperity Of her people.
Without the aid of the law maxim
body / can accomplish nothing of pei
mapent good, for the redemption of on
promises can come only by intelliger
and united effort.
"As am now ready to take the oat
of office, / call upon Him who rules i
the heaven above and ON the earth b.
low to keep me constant in purpose an
true to the trust reposed in me by
generous people"
GOVERNOR PATTERsoN's LIFE.
Malcolm Rice Patterson was boz
June 7, 1861, at SomervilIe, Ca, whiC