The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-17

lative activity-that business and politics are no longer divorced-that it Is upon the state and not the general government that we must rely for the wise solution of the difficult problems created by our increasing population and commercial ac- tvity, and that our industrial progress and prosperity can be seriously affected by the policies and legislation of the state government-by unwse and radical laws, or by wasteful and reckless man agement of the states affairs. The for per tendency to rely upon the courts as the shield of protection against unwise. unjust or oppressive legislation has given place to a more vigilant and watchful scrutiny of legislative enactments, and full realization of the importance of our law-making department. This active and vigilant interest and concern, manifest ed by those who manage and control the great business and commercial interests of the state, and by all classes of our people, in the working of our state gov ernment. is reassuring and gratifying and can but tend to better government and wiser administration It can but inspire all of us who are entrusted with the management of the states business with deeper sense of our responsibility and with renewed inspiration to faithfully and efficiently perform our public duties. ic
 i-. Condition of Treasury
 "The condition of the treasury makes economy not a matter of choice, but a necessity. Our expenditures have ex- ceeded our income. The people of Ala hama are not niggardly. They do not de-
 nand such retrenchment as will lessen or weaken the powers and efficiency of any department of the state government or our great institutions. They oppose all waste or extravaganza in the expendi- ture of the peoples money. The business of state should always be so managed as to make its income equal to its ex- renditures. By careful consideration and close study of the problems of taxation. we should calculate in advance both in come and outgo with mathematical pre- cision. We should not create conditions which make it necessary for the governor to borrow in order to meet current ex- penditures Our salvation demands the rigid application of plain, sensible and honest business methods to the affairs of state. We should cut off all unnecessary and wasteful expenditures, abolish sine cures and unnecessary offices, and de- mand from all public officials the same unselfish faithful and energetic perform ance of public duty they would in private life exercise, in advancing their own pri- vate fortunes. By retrenchment and economy, and as far as possible without increasing the burdens of taxation, we
 should strive to overcome the present
 deficit and restore the former healthy and normal condition of the state treas
 ury.
 'I will obey my constitutional oath of
 office Every statute upon the books
 will be enforced. regardless of my in-
 dividual views as to their justice or wis., dom.
 Maintain the law and there is peace, good order and security. Disregard it and there is lawlessness, violence and
 wickedness. Yet in the absence of learned, fearless and impartial judiciary,
 sustained by the weight of a just and en- frightened public sentiment, constitutions
 are worthless and statutes silent and
 powerless.
 Tn soil. in climate. in variety of pro-
 duction, in mineral and timber wealth, Alabama stands unrivalled. Aside from
 her enormous coal fields, she ranks next
 to the imperial state of New York in her
 water power, which, when harnessed and
 utilized, will furnished the silent but powerful white messengers that will
 dominate the commerce of the future Our young men in quest of fortune and fame need not seek other states or foreign lands or the distant islands of the sea. Wealth and power lie at our very doors. Fortune stands beckoning in our midst. ready to open her treasure house to him who is equipued with virtue. in- telligence and courage.
 "The great tide of immigration which
 has heretofore swept past our doors, IS now turning toward the south. Our cheap but rich. agricultural lands, invite every man seeking employment, the most profitable field for labor and investment.
 "The completion of the Panama canal will enormously stimulate our industrial growth. The Gulf of Mexico will become the Mediterranean of newer and grand
 CT commerce. Our people will attain the realization of their; just and laudable ann
 bition for industrial and commercial su- premacy-a supremacy based not upon war or conquest, butNpon our superiority in all the arts of peace. N Enough of Strife
 we have had enough strife, agitation and political unrest in Alabama. Stand | ing as she does today upon the thres- hold of a new era of unprecedented pros perity, let us place no obstacle to the | LreaIization of a, future so radiant with promise If, in recent campaigns we diff | fered or disagreed; if in the heat of polit- 1 teal discussion and debate we questioned l each others motives, i.npugned each oth- CTS sincerity, aroused passions and en- gendered intolerance, let us on this aus- picious inaugural occasion-whose cere-
 monies attest the might and majesty of l 0 self-governing people-inv0ke that
 wider. wiser and nobler spirit of Christian | charity which will hush the voice of fac ton, calm the waves of passion. still the | fury of controversy, and accord to all others the same sincere and patriotic | motives we each claim for ourselves 1 "ENering upon the discharge of the l duties Of the trust committed to me by
 the gracious choice of free people-as