The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-01-05
FOSS is SWORN IN
A Democratic Governor Inaug-
urated in Massachusetts.
He Delivers Short But Pointed
Address.
ABOLISH THE BOSS
The First Step, He Says, Toward
Better Government.
Is the Direct Primary and the
Recall.

Boston. Jan. 5.-Eugene n. Foss'
native of Vermont, a business man oA
Massachusetts, realized long cher-
ished wish today in assuming the OF
flee of governor of the commonwealth
The inaugural ceremonies before
1oint convention of the senate anu
house were in the nature of Demo-
cratic celebration Governor Foss also
made another record by delivering an
inaugural address that was the short
est and plainest in the memory of the
Oldest office holders beneath the gid
ed dome.
Looking upon the members OF the
legislature. the judges of the courts,
the state commissioners and host OF
invited guests and occasionally glanc-
ing up to those of his family, 1ncluoo
Ing his brother, Congressman George
e Foss of Illinois, the new governo5
expressed his ideas on state analrs anu
suggested many sweeping REFORMS.
He told the legislature it should con
slider direct nomination the initiative
and referendum, the rights OF lapor ~
organize and be protected, the cohstl-
tutional amendment of the income 'aA
and reforms in elections.
His Inaugural Address.
In his inaugural address MI O7'
said in part:
owe have reached a crisis in the az
fairs of this commonwealth II Is a
crisis which our form of government
is facing today not only in Massacnu-
se++s bt1t in every state of the Union.
This crisis is all the more marked IN
our state because Massachusetts is tne
birthplace of popular government. 1he me
neonie in all sections of the country
DubIic servants. The dictatorship oy
nolitical bosses and by representative
of special interests is hotly resented
for these men desire to control puDltc
servants and to direct legislation TO
their own ends.
"This usurpation of power can only
be ended by the people taking into
their own hands the direction and con-
troll of their government Ihe III - -
step is to abolish the boss and all ms
agencies the caucus, the nominating
convention and all political macnln-
erv which intervenes between the -peo-
D1a and their government. All can
didates for public office without excep-
tion must be chosen by the peoPle
through the direct primary. TO the
direct primary must be Joined the
mower of recall so that any puplic
servant who proves .recreant to MS
trust may be dismissed"
Governor Foss then said labor shoulu
be exempt from unfair lnJuiicteoIl Re, re-
strictions that compensation OF labor
should be above a bare living, and thar
the hours of labor should r1g1dly De
defined and limited.
Home rule for cities was advocated
and the recommendation was made
that all municipalities within radius
of ten miles be consolidated into q
greater Boston organized on the bor-
ough plan. ..
1.-THE use of money in our elections
has become a great evil,'' said the gov
ernor for it amounts to a substantial!
denial of the privilege Of man OF
moderate means to aspire to any pub
lie offices in the commonwealth; or else
it Overwhelmingly tempts him to make
his secret peace with those private in
+erests which will finance his cam
paign if he will serve them in office
To correct this evil it is necessary tc
prohibit those methods of campaigning
which cost so much money.
The governor recommended leg1sla'
tion calling for the popular nomination
of United States senators.