Mexico Missouri message., 1917-01-11
GOVERNOR RECOMMENDS LAWS
TO PROVIDE REVENUE FOR
STATE INSTITUTIONS.
LDABOLISH sTATEBOAROS
Executive Favors Central Board of
Control, State Highway Commis-
sion and Revision of state
Constitution.

The solemn oath which has, Just
been administered to me Is impress
ssive 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, 1 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-reaching, as those now call
ing for your consideration. With this
Increased responsibility there is a
CORRESPONDENCE greater opportunity
TO render distinguished service to our
state. l do not doubt that you will
meet the full measure of this oppor-
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
of the indesctructible elements Of our
social and industrial life. Those who
have bestowed their thought and
spent their strength and skill in erect
ing this splendid edifice have exem-
,plfied the permanence of our insti-
buttons 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. So 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 a lasting service to the
people of the State of Missouri.
have left busy workshop to come
here-not 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 New Missouri.
The growing tendency of civiliza-
ton 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
lslative assembly, there to deliberate
and to mold the sentiments and am
billions 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 a 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 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 q straightforward com,
fmon sense way. We are not as.
sembled here, as partisans. If Mis-
souri, is to rise to her full height OF
power and Influence, If she is to win
her industrial and commercial su.
premacy, if she is to develop her pen
al, eleemosynary and educational in
.stitutions to the highest degree of eff
cheney and usefulness, we, her serv
ants now assembled and charged with
the duty Of rehabilitating her
finances, and providing fer these in
'stitutions, must put aside partisan
ship and petty politics and consider
only the common veal.
When you went before the, peoplt
for their suffrage you pledged patriot
~ 0OANiSO anu u1BCu yOuI 6l6CLlOu OF
the ground that you were competent
to represent and serve the people
and would do so to the best of you
ability. This was your attitude re
CARELESS of your politics. Whether
you belong to the majority or tn,
minority party in this Legislature, yol
are pledged to stand for those meas
-s,raa which mill Tnaaf tba a,ro,,,i,,
needs of the people of this state. /
. is upon that platform that / invoke
your cooperation and support. I cal
upon you as patriotic servants OF tn,
people to keep those pledges, and t,
assist in making the work of this leg
-1slature effective and complete an,
IN giving the people Of this state tn
best government in the land.
The problems shown b. the sterl