The St. Joseph observer. [volume] (St. Joseph, Mo.) 1906-1932, 1917-01-13
GARDNER s ME- ESSAGE.
TO STATE ASSEMBLY
GOVERNOR RECOMMENDS LAWS
TO PROVIDE REVENUE FOR
STATE INSTITUTIONS.
WOULDABOLISH STATE BOARDS
Executive Favors Central Board OF
Control, State Highway Commits
sion and Revision Of state
Constitution.

Senators and Representatives, Mem.
bers Of the Forty.ninth General
Assembly:
The solemn oath which has just
been administered to me is impress
sive of the tremendous responsibility
placed upon my shoulders in enter
ing upon the duties of chief executive
Of Missouri. Did l not believe that
you are ready to cooperate with me
In performing the great work which
confronts us, would feel unequal to
the task. With Gods help we will
devote ourselves to this service with
perfect confidence that He will give
us wisdom and courage to properly
perform our important duties.
Never before in the history OF our
state were the questions presented
to the legislature so urgent, complex
and far-reachlng, as those now call
ing for your consideration. With this
increased responsibility there Is a
correspondingly greater opportunity
to render distinguished service to our
state l do not doubt that you will
tunity.
To be the first governor inaugur-
ated In our magnificent new capitol
furnishes additional reason for my
enthusiasm on this happy day. This
towering structure of stone and steel
Is truly emblematic of the pride OF
our people in their government and
n q oil -
social and industrial life. Those who
have bestowed their thought and
spent their strength and skill in erect
ing this splendid edifice have exem-
plified the permanence of our insti-
tutions In gathering here the best
materials and assembling them with
care and patience into enduring and
convenient form to serve the needs
OF our state government. May this
splendid product OF our skilled me-
chanics, who have toiled and builded
SO well be an example to us to like
wise so perform our work that we too
may leave lasting service to the
people OF the State OF Missouri.
i have left busy woSSshep to come
here's, aot to satisfy any ambitions
for public life or political preferment,
but. moved by the belief and hope
that in this great industrial age my
experience in business may be ap-
piled In solving the present day prob
lens and evolving a New Missouri.
The growing tendency OF civiliza-
tion and society is to entrust to our
organized central authority, called the
state, greater and broader activities.
The enlargement and perfection Of
the gradually increasing functions OF
such a government has brought for.
ward the necessity and opportunity
for the highest and most patriotic
class OF our citizens TO sit in our leg
islative assembly, there to deliberate
and to mold the sentiments and am
bitions OF our people into law. have
the honor, therefore, OF addressing
today perhaps the most representa-.
tive and distinguished body OF Mis-.
sourians who have ever formed gen.
eral assembly in this great common.
wealth.
We are firm in the glory of the
past. We have been pioneers in
many things. | share with you a deep
sense OF pride and enthusiasm In
the development of the resources and
growth OF the institutions of this
state, but the sun OF yesterday has
set, 1t is TO the rising sun to which
we must turn our faces.
In order that we may come TO a
clear conception OF the work involved
In this public service which we are
entering upon, we must meet the Is
sues with perfect candor and consid
er them in a STRAIGHTFORWARD com
mon sense way We are not as
sembled here as partisans II Mis-
souri, is to rise to her full height o.
power and Influence, II she Is 10 wiz
her industrial and commercial su
premacy, il she is to develop her pen
al. eleemosynary and educational In
stitutions to the highest degree OF eff
cheney and usefulness, we, her sery
ants now assembled and charged will
the duty OF rehabilitating hel
finances. and providing fer these In
stitutions. must put aside partisan
ship and petty politics and conside
only the common veal
When you went before the peopl
for their suffrage you pledged patriot
ic service and urged your election o.
the ground that you were competen
to represent and serve the peopl,
and would do so TO the best OF you
ability. This was your attitude r,
ssrdless OF your politics. Whethe
you belong TO the majority or IN
minority party in this legislature. yo
are pledged to stand for those mea
ures which will NEE. the CROWN
needs OF the people OF this state.
Is upon that platform that invoh
your cooperation and support. ca
upon you as patriotic servants OF Il
people to keep those pledges, and
assist In making the work of this lie
islature effective and complete an
In giving the people OF this state II