The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1911-01-05
GOVERNORS MESSAGE
In His Second Inaugural Address Governor Vessey
Touches all. Interests of State With a Master Hand

tAbllshed custom, it is again my duty
and my pleasure to bring to your at.
tsntlon such matters of public import
rs l deem relevant and essential, and
communicate to you for your consider
alton such information as / have gain
ed through observation and experience
during the past two years of my incum-
bsncy in the office of Chief Execu-
tive.
We cannot but note that the Twelfth
Legislative Session convenes under ex-
septionally suspicious conditions, which
fact is worthy Of mention. We meet
In our splendid new State House for
the 1rst time and our greetings to one
another may well seem to be of un-
usual cheer and fellowship. The plain
and dignifed lines of our building, the
beauty of its architecture, the harmony
Of its scheme of decoration and its
noble proportions are all expressive of
the sovereign position which South Da-
kota is fast assuming among her sister
states. If we but recall our last meet
ing held only two years ago, the change
In our surroundings is most striking
and impressive and We may cOngratu-
late ourselves that the construction of
the new Capitol proceeded with such
extraordinary rapidity that we now
have a building furnishing abundant
accommodation and ample facilities for
the exercise of the functions of gov
ernment and for the performance of
the business of the state in its var
iOus departments.
Since your last session South Dakota
has advanced in material prosperity to
4 degree that must elicit the surprise
even of those who had anticipated 4
large ard rapid growth. We find that
along all lines Of industrial activity
there has been a steady and ~symmetri-
cal increase as a result of the enter
prise and thrift Of our people. 1t is
worthy of aote that an unusual inter
est has been manifested along all lines
of cdrcation and that a decided adj
vance has been made toward a higher
Civilization. Growth in population is
noticeable: in increased banking facili-
ties: in the building Of new lines Of
raiIroai: i'm the settlement Of a great
sxpanse of open country; in the de
veiopmeut of our agricultural interests
along each and every one Of these
lines South Dakota has made a re
markahIc record during the past two
years. Our resources are practically
unlimited and to their development our
people should bend their energies.
TO you, the members of the Iegisla
turc. rs her law makers, and to me,
the Governor. as the executive of those
laws. South Dakota has entrusted her
interests for the ensuing two years.
IN r H.,
people, vested by law with a limited
authority to express and execute the
popular will. Further than this we
cannot 90. The making of laws for a
great state, with its various interests
and its many-sidcd concerns, is a grave
duty and one that involves serious re
sponsibilities, and in our legislation
It becomes us to remember that for the
time being the state has placed her
honor and fair name within our keeping
and that we should have the interests
of the State in general at heart.
1t is the duty of each and every rep
resentative to express the needs Of his
constituency but it IS as much his duty
TO take counsel with all his fellow rep
r~esentatives and thereby brig about
the greatest good to the gree test num-
Der of the states people. This is i'm
perative. 1t is for the general good
that government is established, for the
preservation Of our society, for the Sc
curity of the individual and for the
protection Of property, aud not for the
benefit of a select few.
Therefore, as has been said, let us in
our state legislation labor to promote
all the interests of the state so far as
1t hes within our power to accomplish
that end. The good which has been
done should be fOstercd and increased,
the mistakes, if there be any, should
be corrected and the new laws should
be, if possible, more simple, concise
and effective.
The reports of the various state Of.
ficers and boards, required by law to
be made, vii be presented to you in
full; all of which have been complied
with great care and abound with in
formation for your guidance and by
carefully examining the same you will
find that the affairs of the state have
been conducted wisely and well. l
urge upon you the ~advisability of a
detailed study of these reports and as
sure you that it is the desire of the
heads of the several departments that
%ba rroenpt mounar of nOD1uctipu the