Los Angeles herald., 1907-01-02
GOV. HUGHES TAKES
NEW YORK HELM
SAYS EVILS HAVE SOURCE IN
LAW ITSELF
congratulates Citizens That There Is
Emphatic Assertion Of Popular
Rights and Resentment
Of Wrongs
BY Associated Press.


ALBANY, N. Y. Jan. 1.-Charles
Evans Hughes today took the oath of
office as governor of the state Of New
York and with his Democratic col
leagues began his two years term.
The retiring governor Frank w.
Higgins formally surrendered the reins
of government to his successor and left
late this afternoon for his home, q
private citizen for the first time sonce
1898, when he was first elected sem
ator.
In his inaugural address Governor
Hughes paid a marked tribute to Gov
ernor Higgins, commencing his public
services and conscientious devotion to
the interests of the state. The in
augural ceremonies were unusually
brilliant and the attendance almost un-
precedented. Following them the new
governor held a reception in the eX-
ecutive chamber and this evening he
and Mrs. Hughes received a cordial
welcome from a very large number of
people from Albany and elsewhere In
the usual public reception at the ex-
ecutive mansion.
The 130th session of the New York
state legislature Will convene tomor-
row and practically all of the newly
elected members of both houses at
\tended the Inauguration today.
The ceremonies at the capitol occupied
little more than half an hour.
Bishop Burke. Roman Catholic. de-
livered a prayer at the opening of the
proceedings, which closed with a bene-
diction pronounced by Bishop Doane,
Protestant Episcopal.
The oath of office was administered
by Secretary of State Wheaton, fol-
lowing which came the address of
welcome by the retiring governor to
the incoming governor and the re-
sponse of the latter, both brief.
The Inauguration was preceded by a
parade of various companies of the
Third brigade, National Guards of New
York. The retiring governor, Francis
w. Higgins, in welcoming his success
or, said:
Upon the shoulders of the chief ex-
ecutive of this state must rest heavy
burdens, imposed by constitutions and
systems. To execute the laws, to rec
ommend wise feasures of legislation,
to exercise power with judgment and
Giscernment, to defend the liberties
and enforce the rights of 100000 people,
these are duties which try the mental,
moral and physical strength to the
utmost
ITO this high office the people of
the state, reposing well deserved con-
fidence in your independence, patriot
ism. ability and integrity have called
you. 1 welcome you and wish you
god speed"
CongratuIates New Workers
Governor Hughes, after a few words
of compliment to the administration of
Governor Higgins, addressed himself
to his fellow citizens" saying in part
I'VE have reason to congratulate our
selves that coincident with our pros
perity there is emphatic assertion of
popular rights and a keen resentment
of public wrongs. There is not panacea
in legislative or executive action for
all the ills of society which spring
from the frivolities and defects of hd-
man nature of it's members. But this
furnishes no excuse for complacent in
activity and no reason for toleration of
wrongs made possible by the defective
or inadequate legislation or by admin
istrative partiality or inefficiency.
Whether or not we have laws enough
we certainly have enough of ill-con-
sidered legislation and the question not
as to the quantity, but as to the quail
ity of our present and our proposed
enaCtments.
Slowly but surely the people have
narrowed the opportunities for selfish
aggression, and the demand for this
hour and of all hours is not allegiance
to phrases, but sympathy with every
aspiration for the betterment of condi-
tions and a sincere and patient effort
to understand every need and to assist
in the light of experience and the means
Z best adapted to meet it.
1T is the capacity for such close eX-
animation without heat or disqualify-
ing prejudice which distinguishes the
constructive effort from vain endeavors
to change human nature by changing
the forms Of government
E.;I Il. .,.,
at must freely be recognized that
many of the evils of which we complain
have their sources in the law itself, in
privileges carelessly granted. in oppor-
tunities for private ACKNOWLEDGMENT at
the expense of the people recklessly Gre
ated in failure to safeguard our public
interests by providing means for just
regulation of these enterprises which
depend on the use of public franchises.
Wherever the law gives unjust ad-
vantage wherever ii fails by suitable
prohibitica or regulation to protect the
interests of the people, wherever the
power derived from the state is turned
against the state, there is not only
room but urgent necessity for the asser-
tion of the authority of the state to en-
force the common right.
"If in administration we make the
standard efficiency and non partisan
advantage. if in executing the laws we
deal impartially, If in making the laws
there is fair and intelligent action with
force to each eXigency we shall disarm
reckless and selfish agitators and take
from the enemies Of our peace their
vantage ground of attack.
at is my intention to employ my
constitutional powers to this end. |
believe in the sincerity and good sense
of the people. l believe that they are
intent on having government which
recognizes no favored interests and
which is not conducted in any part for
selfish ends. They will not be and
should not be content with less"