Mexico Missouri message. (Mexico, Audrain County, Mo.) 1899-1918, 1913-01-16
ELLIOTT ". MAJORS.
IN.UGURAL ADDRESS.
CALLS ATTENTION OF LEelsLA.
TuRE TO PLEDGES MADE
TO THE PEOPLE.
EDUCATION FIRST INTEREST
Pleads for Ample Appropriations
Recommends Numerous Reforms
In the Administration Of
state Affairs.

Jefferson City.-Gov. Elliott w.
Major, at the inaugural ceremonies at
the capitol Monday read his first mes
sage to the members of the general
assembly. The governor, in part,
said:
This is a proud moment indeed, and
why should it not be so? Standing
at the meridian of life, flushed with
its activities, its hopes and its joys,
/ am honored with the highest office
within the gift of the people of this
great state.
In taking the office of chief execu-
tive, ! realize the responsibilities /
assume and the interests of great mo-
ment committed to my keeping. In
meeting the duties, however, ! have
before me the record made by long
line of illustrious sons whose public
service adds luster to the glory of
the commonwealth
Words fail to express my appTe-
citation of the peoples confidence
such can only be felt in the hearts
of men. My one desire is to serve
that l may leave an impress for good,
and that my administration may be
one of, at least modest achievement.
In this new edifice we begin a new
administration and new chapter.
History, in the coming years, will
state the fact that | took the oath of
Office in the temporary new capitol
building. May this building simple
and clean as 1t is, be emblematic of
a clean public service. Let no act of
ours tarnish these chambers above
which now floats the emblem of our
country, and let us here dedicate and
christen them in the purity of official
life.
We have now closed the political
forum and the battle flags are folded
Let no rapier leap to the sunlight,
let no quarrel be among us, but rather
let us labor to advance our state
along every line that we may achieve
the highest purposes conceived by a
great citizenship.
Today, three and one-half millions
of people are building a new and
greater Missouri, and while they labor
In the business marts and the forum,
let us do well our part. You are the
representatives of the people, freshly
chosen from the field of business
activities. You see around you the
disqualification of progressive and
constructive spirit which is destined
TO give us a greater state tomorrow.
You must be imbued with the spirit
of the new day, and meet the new
conditions in the new era.
In the matter of constructive legis-
lation, you alone can act--I can only
recommend. You are the builders,
the moving and the driving spirit,
You can forge ahead and push the
dome of Missouri's greatness still
higher in the skies, or you can still
the wheels of progressive achieve
ments. BE safe, conservative and
fair to every interest because you
can not serve the people faithfully
and efficiently If you distress the le'
climate business interests of the
state. BE not radical nor extreme,
but rather place your feet upon the
middle path for after all that is the
path Of safety and will ultimately lead
us to the door of success and com
mercial and civic glory.
There are many questions of impor
lance which must be considered by
you in carrying forward the progress
i've spirit and in meeting the pledges
TO the people, to which, in this ad
dress, / wish to call your attention
specifically.
Educational interests.
Among the first considerations of Q
people should be the cause of educa
ton, for it is one of the foundation
stones upon which rests the fabric
OF this splendid state and matchless
republic | would rather leave my
impress upon the educational inter
ests of the country than in any othel
way, We have great university
five normal schools, a splendid public
school system and the largest avail
able public school fund of any STATE
in the Union, save one.
The public schools OF the state ar,
truly its universities, and the rea
achievements of people are meas
ured by the efficiency of its system
of popular education. Look well 4
the education of the youth of the land
for therein lies the safety and hop,
of the future, as no state or nation
can rise above the character and in
telligence of its citizens. In orde
that the educational interests of Mis-
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