Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-01-26
NJ. BROWN
I|VAUGURATED INTO
GOVERNOR OFFICE
Ceremony of Inauguration Held
at Capitol at Noon, Before
Both Houses of Legislature
in Joint Session


With has hand clasping his mothers
Bible, Hon. Joseph NJ. Brown, Of Cobb
county, Thursday at noon faced the gen
eral assembly, the state house officials,
many OF the judiciary and packed gal
leries of his friends, and for the second
time swore to perform to the best Of his
ability the duties of the Office of chief
executive of Georgia and to uphold the
constitution of the nation and common
wealth.
Hardly had Chief Justice Fish, OF the
supreme court, spoken the words Of the
oath, before Acting Governor John M.
Slaton, president OF the senate, handed
the great seal Of the state to his sue
cessor, and Joseph NJ Brown again be-
came governor Of Georgia, succeeding
Hoke Smith, who resigned to go to the
United States senate.
Governor Brown then delivered his in
augural address. the benediction was
pronounced by Rev. ]. H. Patton, Of
Cobb county, the joint session of the
general assembly was dissolved and both
branches of the legislature met in their
respective halls only to adjourn sine die.
Governor Brown held an informal re-
ception in the executive offices. where
friends. His first official act was to ad-
minister the oath of office to H. NJ
Stanley, newly elected commissioner of
commerce and labor. No announcement
was made as to the Office force of the
new administration, but it is understood
that it will be practically the same as
that employed by Governor Slaton.
Both branches of the legislature con-
vened with the usual formalities at II 80
o'clock. The reports of the inaugural
committees were read and at Has house
and senate adjourned to meet in joint
session in the hall OF representatives
for the inaugural ceremonies.
Hon. A. o. Blalock, senator from the
18th district and, president pro TEN Of
the senate, presided over that pody Sit
ting by the side of Senator Blalock was
Hon. ]. II. Polhnl, senator from the
18th district % years ago, who at that
time held the position corresponding
to that of senator Blalock. @
In May of that year a special ses-
sion of the general assembly was called
70 l4du6uIdlc NOkcAllOI O4NDdllASA. 6ON-
ernor Boynton, then president of the
senate, was the acting governor IN the
same capacity as Goveror Slaton, end
Senator Polhill presided over the legisla-
ture at the inauguration.
JOINT SESSION CONVENED.
No business was transacted by either
the house or senate. At Has o'clock
the legislature convened In joint session.
The galleries were packed TO overflow
Ina nd 1ahI fnp ~ "a
was filled by friends of the new gov
ernor. Scores of ladies were present.
John n. Holder, speaker Of the house,
sat beside Senator Blalock, who presid-
ed over the joint session.
The governor-elect entered the hall on
the arm of the acting governor. They
were followed by the state house Of
ficials and members of the judiciary.
Members of the immediate family of
the governor were seated inside the
rostrum.
Governor-elect Brown and Acting Gov
ernor Slaton were seated at the speak
er's desk by the side II Senator Blalock
and Speaker Holder.
Dr. John Z. White, pastor of the
Second Baptist church, invoked the
blessings of God on the new chief ex-
ecutive, the retiring governor and the
commonwealth of Georgia.
The governor-elect then stood while
Chief Justice Fish administered the oath
of office The Bible upon which Gov
ernor Brown swore to perform the du-
ties of office was one that was present
ed to his mother by her father on July
Ia, 1877
GREAT SEAL PRESENTED.
Following the administering of the
oath Acting Governor Slaton presented
the great seal of the state to his sue
cessor, who declared that his hopes Ind
prayers were that he might preserve
intact the great symbol and live for the
welfare Of the state.
Governor Brown then delivered his in
augural address, which was attentively
heard, which appears in full elsewhere
in this edition. The benediction was
pronounced the general assembly dis
solved, and within the half hour the
entire ceremonies attendant to change
of governors had taken place.
Govel sor Brown retired to the cxecu-
tive offices, where an informal recep-
ton was held. Governor slaton was es-
corted to the senate; Senator Blalock
presented him with the gavel and he
resumed his duties as president OF the
upper house.
House and senate adjourned sine die
Immediately after the inauguration. and
the first winter session of the legisIa-
ture in % years was brought to close.