Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-06-29
TAKES
OFFICE WITH
DEMOCRATIC
SIMPLICITY.
New Governor Breaks Precedent
by Delivering Address Without
Referring to COpy-BriIIiant
Gallery Sees Simple Ceremony
Ringing Note for More Regard
for States Finances in Passing
Appropriation Bills Is Sounded.
Brown Dimes His Successor.

DIONH Uii6S Ills OuCC6SSOI6
Jefferson could not have done It
more simply, nor even Woodrow
Wilson. John Marshall Slaton's in
auguration as Governor of Georgia,
taking place Saturday at noon. was a
model of democratic dignity and lack
Of affectation.
It was not at all a drab affair,
however. It was merely natural.
There was color enough and spirit
enough to the occasion, without it's
being elaborate-gay, shimmering
oolors Of summer gowns in the gall
leries, from which hundreds Of bril-
liantly costumed women looked down.
Distinguished. slightly flushed with
the pride of it all. her bearing be-
tokening plainly that here was the
first lady Of the State, sat Mrs. Sla-
ton, in the center. Surrounding her
were women who are the most promi-
nent figures in Georgia's social life.
The gallery audience was representa-
tive of the States society.
Becoming Governor, Mr. Slaton de-
parted from precedent by the oral de-
livery Of his inaugural address. From
time immemorial, the keynote speech
Of the States chief executive, formal
ly printed and presented beforehand
to each member of the State Legisla-
ture, has been read, line for line, by
that official But Governor Slaton
decided to take a different course.
President Wilson had done IT before
him, but never a Governor of Geor-
gia. He talked without regard for
the printed page.
Demasogues Denounced.
His address was altogether one Of
appeal for conservative administra-
ton of the States finances, embody-.
ing most prominently Of all denun-
citation Of demagogic legislation which
will blindly curry favor with tho
voters by indiscreet appropriations,
beyond the limit Of revenues.
The Inauguration was held, accord
ing to custom. at noon. before a joint
session Of the Senate and House Of
Representatives of the State Legisla-
ture. At 11:45 the two bodies met
in joint session, organizing in short
order by call Of the roll. with elimina-
ton Of other formalities They met
in the hall of the House.
At 1855 the session was organized.
The members settled closer in an
ticlpation Of the ceremony that was
to come. A new Governor soon would
be hailed The name of Brown. for
long significant in the States affairs,
even a generation ago, would no
longer be hailed as that Of Georgia's
Governor.
Governor Escorted to House.
A joint committee of Senators and
Representatives went to the Cover
nors office to meet the new official
and the retiring Governor as well,
and soon returned with its convoy,
Without ceremony, the inaugural ex-
ercises began.
A rap of the gavel Of President of
the Senate Anderson quieted the hum
of conversation in the big hall. Nod
ding plumes were stilled, fans ceased
their busy waving against the heat.
Everybody looked down on the lit
tie group standing there on the plat
form.
Rev. ]. B. Robins, of the Trinity
Methodist Church of Atlanta, deliv-
cred the prayer for the States good
and its new executives good guild
ance. The new executive stood with
his head bowed. Once his own lips
moved in unison with the clergy
mans.
The prayer over, the waving fans
and the nodding plumes again began
their work. 1t was warm within the
crowded hail. and even so interesting
a ceremony as the Inauguration of a
Governor of Georgia was not to bring
to an end such necessary operations
as tanning and as shifting from side
to side in the hot seats.
The simple Inauguration ceremony
of the State was continued Secre-
tary of State Phil Cook arose, bear
ing in his hand the Great Seal of the
State. With word or two of official
presentation, he gave it to Governor