The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1909-02-05
COSGROVEIS
SWORN
NEW GOVERNOR TAKES THE
OATH OF OFFICE AT
OLYMPIA.
Refused to Have Ceremony in
Private Car, and Goes Before
Legislature and Makes Speech.
Then Receives Indefinite Leave
of Absence from Joint Session.

OF absence nom JOINT Session.
Olympia, Jan. 28.-Samuel G.. Co.'S
grove, twenty second governor of Wash
ington, was inaugurated shortly after
O'Clock yesterday afternoon. at a joint
session of senate and house.
The spacious assembly room of the
house of representatives was packed
with people from floor to gallery, all
attentive and sympathetic wathcers and
listeners.
Gov. Cosgrove's family, who had
feared that the ordeal of the inaugural
ceremony would overtax his strength,
were surprised at the energy he dis
played and because there was no re-
lapse when the excitement had passed.
When the audience applauded points
in his speech, Gov. Cosgrove locke
about with kindly smile, and when
he returned to his private car at the
station he was calm and cool and gent
ly refused the attentions of his family,
who were solicitous concerning his con-
dition.
The plan to have the inaugural cere-
mony take place in his car was changed
on the command of Gov. Cosgrove. He
declared that he felt sure of his
strength and that he did not propose to
listen to any advice on the matter. He
had long looked forward to the time
when he should stand before the house
and the senate and publicly take the
oath of office which made him gov
ernor.
When he appeared in the aisle there
was shower of hand-clapping that
gathered in volume as he walked to-
ward the speakers chair When he had
taken a seat Lieutenant Governor Hay
raped for order and the clerks called
the roll of both houses. When the per-
functory part of the program was fin
ished the lieutenant governor said:
Gentlemen, it gives me great plea
sure to present to you Gov. Samuel G..
Cosgrove.
Gov. Cosgrove said:
Gentlemen of the Legislative Body
The kind words that have come to
me from all over the state of Washing
ton have touched me deeply, and can
not refrain from thanking you apd the
people of this state for their wonderful
sympathy for me in my affection.
ga few weeks ago I was led down
;,,%o ryo11axy IF ho cbol0xr 0f Ioo%h
and I was allowed to peep almost on
the other side, but for some reason or
other I have been called back and am
here with you again. But I do want
to show that I appreciate the sympathy
that has come to me from all over the
state.
''There are some little matters of
legislation that I would like also to
mention to you now, because I may
not be with you again. would like
to see good strong local option law
enacted in this state (applause)-and I
want no foolishness about it either Gap
plause). It is fair to the men who
manage the saloons; it is fair to the
people who don't want them, and so I
hope that the legislators will see that
that bill or some other good bill is en-
acted into law.
''There is constitutional amend
ment which think ought to be enact
ed, and this is in regard to the railroad
doubt as to the constitutionality of the
law and I trust that a committee will
be appointed and look that up care
fully, because it would be a calamity
if this state should go on day after
day, and when they want to use the
power of the railroad commission law
use the commission itself-find that
the courts may declare it unconstitu-
tional. I agree with the decision of
the federal court that the present rail
road law is unconstitutional. / believe
that it is and I think that when you
look it up you will find that the COM
mission does not have the power, with
out additional legislation, to control
railroad rates and we will need con-
stitutional amendment that would be
practical
''There is another matter want to
say q word about. I trust that the
present law relative to the primary
election be not amended in such man
ner as to destroy its efficiency, but that
a few amendments might be added,
and one Of them is the election of q
judge. think two candidates should
be nominated for each judicial position
to be voted on, so that it would not be
simply facre Of voting for one man.
II simply suggest these things, be-
cause I have brought no message to
you, and I have not had power to write
one since became sick, and so have
not written you message. I have not
done anything, and I do not expect to
be able to do anything soon. would
like for you to confer, though, a spe-
cial favor on me. I would like a Joint
resolution of this assembly giving me
an indefinite leave of absence, SO that ]
might recuperate myself and become SO
when l come back will be governor
indeed and in truth. That is what ]
want to be. (Applause).
II do not desire to say more, espe.