The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1915-01-16
cAPPERS ADDRESS
The New Governor Makes His
inaugural Speech at the
State Capital.

Fellow Citizens: In compliance with
the will of the sovereign people of
Kansas; in accordance with the con-
stitution of the state, have appeared
here today to take the oath of office
as your chief state executive, and with
deep and solemn realization Of the re-
sponsibilities imposed, to pledge and
promise you before God, the Almighty
Ruler, to consecrate to the people of
nay native state all my energies and
my utmost ability. God help me to be
faithful to the trust given me this day.
To my associates in every depart
ment of the state administration,
offer congratulations upon the oppor-
tunity we together have to serve the
people of Kansas; 1 promise them
my whole-hearted cooperation in their
work. To my predecessor in the Of
flee of Governor, who has given this
state his best service the last two
years, join with all Kansas in wish
ing happiness and success in whatever
he undertakes.
No Pet Measures.
My friends, am to be your execu-
tive for the next two years-the first
governor chosen by the suffrage of
both the men and the women of the
state. 1 shall earnestly endeavor to
be the faithful and conscientious
steward of the state which has hon
ored me; to be in every official act
just and fair; to avoid favor1tism and
craftsmanship, and to serve faithfully
the whole state. l have no pet
schemes nor fads to introduce; no po-
1itica1 panacea to propose; no revolu-
tionary methods to try. I shall simp-
ly endeavor to do my duty thoroughly
and fn o6nnfniGf a Of the
state in a business-like manner l
shall have need of your patience and
forbearance. Above all, 1 ask the
broadminded, patriotic men and wom-
en- Of Kansas of all political
parties to cooperate with me in
working out the many problems with
which our state government is con-
cerned. Your responsibility for good
government does not cease when you
cast your ballot; no governor alone
can accomplish what you in your
hearts want done for Kansas.
Looking For Better Ways.
We, live in a day of readjustments.
This second decade of the Twentieth
Century is a time of unrest, of change.
Mankind is examining the old ways
and is asking with new insistence if
there be better ways. Science and
and bewildering discoveries, in sin
gle generation. have completely rev.
olutioniZed our material life and the
business methods of the civilized
world. New utilities have changed
our methods of work and our manner
of living And along with these won
derful inventions, has come an en-
larged and, l think, wholesome view
of the function of government, which
brings with it the imperative neces-
sity of a revision and Encouragement
of much of our governmental systems.
But in the business of government
local, state and nationaEwe have
been slow to adopt the scientific meth
DDS which are working out so satisfac-
torily in private business. Until quite
recently the term efficiency in this
specialized Significance has hardly
been thought of in connection with
public affairs.
AS an inevitable consequence the
burdens of taxation have increased at
an alarming rate without commensur-
ate benefit to the public. Under our
antiquated, incoordinate, cumbersome
system unsuited to modern business
conditions, we invite graft and encour-
age carlessness, and in the end have
a government that is wasteful, expen-
sive. and inadequate to our growing
needs.
Must Have Business Methods.
The day has come when we people
of Kansas must give most serious at
tention to the urgent necessity of
many changes in the business meth
DDS of our state and county and NUM-
cipal government l do not believe
that the state government should be
made the experimental ground for
fads; for sudden, sweeping changes,
nor for wild or revolutionary depart
ures from known or worked-out meth
DDS; we cannot afford to try out
dreams at the peoples expense.
But Kansas must adopt, in the adj
ministration of public affairs, mod
ern, scientific, business system which
will eliminate what is useless and pro-
vide for more direct, more economical
and more efficient methods. 1t is not
enough to elect honest men, or we'll
meaning men, or capable men to posi-
tions of trust and responsibility if we
tie their hands with useless red tape
and enforce upon them cumbersome,
expensive and wasteful methods.
Requires Scientific study.
This needed reorganization is not
the work of a day nor OF one admins
tration. 1t will require constant study
or the most searching, Sct6ul1A1C Id
ture, and craftsmanship of the most
practical order, prompted and backed
by an honest determination to give
the people of Kansas the most eff
cient system of government that can
be devised for them.
Kansas is still young state, but we
believe it TO be a state destined under
the providence of the Almighty to
great things.
We have many tasks before US; ma
teriaI tasks which need money for
their accomplishment. The standard
of our rural schools must be raised
and our state educational institutions
be kept on a par with the best of any
state in the Union. We must improve
our public roads and highways. The
States latent resources must be de
veloped. Several of our penal and
charitable institutions demand imme-
date Improvement and increased IA
cilities.
Need To Watch Expenditures.
We cannot ignore all these insistent
demands. Kansas could use profitably
ten times the amount of money that
our tax levy provides. But there is
time for all things, and I do not be
-