The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1919-01-11
M. S. STONE TAKES OATH.
Becomes Lieutenant Governor of YER
mont and Presides in Senate.

Becomes Lieutenant Governor of Ver-
mont and Presides in Senate.
Mason S. Stone of Montpelier took the
oath of office as lieutenant governor of
Vermont yesterday afternoon, the oath
being administered by Secretary Of the
Senate Guy NJ Page. The new lieuten.
ant governor was escorted to the chair
in the Senate and assumed his duties as
presiding officer,
Lieut. Gov. Stone said;
Senators: On assuming duties as
president Of this Senate, / desire in the
first place to express my gratitude to
the freemen of the state for the election
and honor accorded myself. Also, on ac-
count of my personal acquaintance with
you, | am grateful to them for the char
acter and composition of the body over
which am called to preside.
"You as members of the Senate and
myself as presiding officer have taken
an oath to be true and faithful to the
state of Vermont and not to do, directly
or indirectly. any act or thing injurious
to the constitution or government there.
of In performing our duties under our
mon endeavor to make worthy and
lasting record for the general assembly
of 1919 and for the state which we serve
Gas you already know from reports
and from the convincing statements
made by his excellency, the gov
ernor, in his inaugural message, there
are very grave and urgent questions to
be settled, questions that will engage the
attention and challenge the wisdom Of
YOU senators as legislators and as trus-
tees for the people Prominent among
these will be the question of so organic
ing the affairs of the state and so pro-
vidng for their administration that the
interests Of the people will be protected
their condition improved and their de-
sires for strong, frugal and effective
government will be realized,
1T is not within my province to rec
ommend the measures necessary for the
accomplishment of these ends but it is
consistent with my office that call your
attention to the fact that whatever is
done for the ultimate benefit of the state
should be done primarily for the people
themselves.
Heretofore, Vermont has suffered
somewhat from aimless, temporary and
local legislation, and especially from the
lack Of a coherent and forward-reaching
policy. In order that the people may be
more largely benefited and their needs
more adequately met, there should be
formulated a comprehensive and effec.
tuating state policy. Such a policy should
be outlined in a program Of progress and
all legislation and all efforts should be
directed to the accomplishments Of the
purpose indicated.
vermont is not big state; ii ~ a
great state. 1t is great because it has
great preponderance of virile, indus
trious, right-minded and right living peo-
plea people who are DESTROYS Of being
selfsupporting, self-improving and self
respectingi a people who are eager for
better conditions and greater state; a
people who are worthy of the best legis-
lature can grant.
Whatever the legislation, or effort, or
service, there is one principle that should
always be kept in mind, namely, the
principle of right; and there is one pol
icy that should always be kept in view
namely, the policy Of the peoples high
est welfare.
Senators, mindful of our oath, our
obligation and our ideals for the state,
let US address ourselves 10 the business
of the session. await your pleasure"