Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1913-01-25
HODGES' INAUGURAL ADDRESS
APPREcIATivE AUDIENCE HEARS
NEW KANSAS EXECUTIVE.
Governor Says State Needs More
Business and Less PoIitics-
Wants Resources Advertised.

Topeka--After being sworn in as
governor in the state capitol. here
George H Hodges delivered his in
auguraI address before an audience
which gave the closest attention
throughout. He said in part:
Agreeable to custom, the elective
officer Of the state appear before you
to-day and take the oath of office pre-
sorfbed by the constitution. 1 shall
not discuss matters that we. as mem
bers of different political parties are
committed to, but rather congratulate
the people of our great state upon re-
ceiving more than our share of the
general prosperity and blessings that
an aIl-wise Father has bestowed upon
the Middle West during the past two
years.
A complete change has been made
in the control of the legislative and
executive departments of state. I'm
Questionably the people will expect
and demand more of new administra-
ton than from the administration of
men whose party is continued in
power.
There is growing body of citizens
in the state, whose greater concern is
for returns and results than for
party or for the men who bring about
these reforms. The demand is for less
taxation, a decreased number of en-
ployes, the abolition ofscertain depart
ments and the consolidation of others
During the campaign I made clear
and positive my attitude on the en-
forcement of the prohibtory law. 1
wish to reiterate and emphasize those
statements. We sholl hold county at
torneys, sheriffs and mayors strictly
accountable for the strict enforcement
of the prohibitory law There must
be consistent, determined effort to
stamp out the jointists. bootleggers
and law violators. I shall cooperate
with the State Temperance Union and
give to our AttorneylGeneraI every as
sistance at the command of your Chief
Executive.
We should have an organization of
some sort that will send out literature
advertising the resources of our state
Our crying need is the 'tget-together
spirit more wholesome feeling that
our first duty is to Kansas. Let there
be concerted, intelligent effort made
along well-def1ned lines to spread
broadcast the wonderful advantages
of Kansas.
We should build permanent dirt
roads and bridges that will outlast tie
day and generation of the builder. We
should have storage reservoirs of I'M
limited capacity in the western part
Of the state to insure against crop fail
ure. and by, this additional means of
irrigation inspire the cultivation of
| that rich though now neglected soil
Kansas needs more business and
less policies; more pulling together
and less pulling asunder; building-up
uolicy instead of p destructive policy.
Let politics take a back seat and bust
ness builders take the reins and drive
a while. To inspire some new public
enterprise, build a permanent road,
deepen the channel of some navigable
river, and thus become a permanent
! factor in state building is better than
the transitory honor of political prefer
ment. Let US have less legislation,
less politics, less partisanship, and
more of the get-together spirit for the
common good of Kansas.
There is no pressing need of further
railroad enactments or public service
corporation acts at this time. The
| Utilities Commission has unlimited
authority and should use its power,
velopment OF all public utilities. With
amendments to our constitution per-
hitting direct legislation and the i'm
provement of public highways by the
state, with the repeal of the inner
itance tax law and the adoption of a
recording mortgage tax law. and the
Massachusetts form of ballot, we Will
have general statutes that it seems
| will answer all our pressing needs.
Let US weave into the fabric of our
state true, a literal Democracy, the
democracy of good citizenship, that
democracy which exalts the good OF
the state above the aggrandizement OF
the individual, that puts principle be
fore expediency, and defends by i'm
partial administration of the law both
the rights of man and the rights OF
property.