The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-01-02
WHITMAN PROMISES TO DEAL
WITH LAWLESS ELEMENT

ALBANY. Jan. 1.-"My primary purposes
vii he to secure competency, efficiency
and economy in the administration of the
affairs of the state, effective methods to
d,al with he spirit of lawlessness, re-
form in the administration OF criminal
Jus ice and adequate legislation to meet
the legitimate demands OF all classes
In these words Gov. Charles ;. Whit
man In his inaugural address to-day built
his platform before the people. His ad-
dress follows.
In entering upon the office of Governor
OF the state of New York l am pro-
fouudly impressed with the responsible
ties which | have assumed to the people
o. the state and with the difficulty OF
adequately fulfilling the pledges upon
which | was elected. So far as in me lies,
however, these pledges shall he redeem ed.
Praise for GIynn.
81 desire to avail of this occasion to
express publicly to Gov. Glynn and his
household as well as to his associates
my esteem for their courtesy and of the
expression of their desire TO facilitate
tle transition from the old TO the new
management of the affairs OF the State
and TO render the assumption OF office
by the new Administration personally
lletsant and as easy as possible. The
Expression of good will and good wishes
from those retiring to those about to
assume the duties and responsibilities OF
public office are. We believe, indicative
no, only of the civic spirit of those
recently opposed to us as candidates but
OF the sentiments and wishes of the great
majority ~ the members OF tho political
party 10 which they belong, who are
sincerely DESTROYS of securing good gov
eminent for the state and all that the
term implies.
II shall not attempt in this inaugural
address to the people nor In my first
message to the Legislature to lay out any
comprehensive plan. l intend to take up
each subject for separate study and from
time 70 time to deal with it by message or
otherwise as may seem best My primary
purposes will he to secure competence
efficiency and economy in the administra-
ton Of the affairs of the State, effective
methods to deal with the spirit OF law
lessness, reform in the administration OF
criminal justice and adequate legislation
to meet the legitimate demands OF all
classes.
The confusion naturally attending a
change of administration, the pressure of
current work that cannot be postponed
and the uncertainty created by the APP
Iroaching constitutional convention Will
Inevitably delay the contamination of
some measures. But with the coopera-
t,on of my colleagues and the Legislature
and the support of the people l hope 10
he able TO recommend effective and last
,ng reforms and to secure their introduce
ton AS speedily as is consistent with
adequate study and due care.
Increase of Crime.
"a subject deserving the most thought
ful attention Of the people of the state
and OF the Legislature is the Increase Of
crime and OF the spirit of lawlessness.
Indeed, disregard of law, impotence with
legal and moral restraints, contempt for
the judicial and executive ministers of
justice are phenomena observable in all
american communities =, and among all
classes. No material prosperity. no
ahouuding wealth. no progress in the
sciences can save us from moral decad-
once aud ultimate decay II this spirit Of
ldNlcssuess and OF contempt for legal
,Ithority shall continue.
THE growing Impotence OF restraint,
moral and legal. to be observed every
whore In America, the Indifference, sOr-
U.ducss and complaceuce Of many OF the
educated and we'll TO do, the unchecked
and unreGulated propaganda OF those
things calculated to prejudice and poison
the minds OF the ignorant and undermine
confidence IN our institutions, the public
opinion that tolerates lawlessness. whether
II he the lynchiug OF the negro or the
murder OF the obscure or the violence
attending nearly all disputes between Ia
unr and capital, will inevitably engender
fatal malady unless the quickened con-
nee OF the American people shall call
halt. No class can be above the gem
erIl Jaw There Is but one way of meet
i.g the danger, and that way Is through
tie creation of a dominant and pervadins
public sentiment in support OF the en-
f'ncment Of the law. Where that sentl-
rcut Is wanting no devices OF the law
c,n make UP for il.
Another striking development OF our
: .crdtion to which ] deem II proper
also TO call particular attention is the
crease OF expenditures for public pur-
pesos cNtraNagauCe on all sides, and the
creation ~ an extremely complicated
mechanism for national, state ard local
government with unrelated aud uncoor-
auatcd regulations adopted without re-
: I'd to any scientific system and with
o.t adequate provision for secur.us COM
y. emit, efficient and economical admins
Efficient system Needed.
Every one readily recognizes that no
''.-n business enterprise sucn as 4 rail-
ed or "A manufacturing concern can he
e.. G"trd successfully without thorough
.-aui2o ton. competent and efficient en-
focs trained for their several tasks
Systematic plan OF operation and \
sent nc system al accounting aud audit
At the present day the largest
,."css Ion the country * that OF govern
r.. and o., MAGNITUDE of govern