The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1919-01-25
ROBERT A. COOPER SWORN IN AS
GOVERNOR OF SOUTH CAROLINA
Inaugural Exercises Characterized by Demo-
cratic Simplicity, According to Wishes
of New Executive.
INAUGURAL ADDRESS CONDUCIVE TO SPIRIT OF PO
LITICAL HARMONY AND COOPERATION = EDUCA
TIONAI ADVANCEMENT THE KEYNOTE.

Columbia, jan 21.-At four min
,utes after one this afternoon, Robert
a. Cooper, Laurens, succeeded Fich-
ard +. Manning, of Sumter. as gov
ernor OF South Carolina.
In conformity with Governor Coop
er's desires, the inaugural exercises
TODAY were characterized by Demo-
cratic simplicity. The oath of office
was administered by his lifelong
friend and former fellow-townslnan
Associate Justice r. c. Watts, of the
Supreme Court, of South Carolina.
and the prayer was offered by his
pastor, the Rev. A. H. Tenpleman, ID.
D., Of Laurens.
Following the administering of the
oath of office, Governor Cooper de-
liyered his inaugural address, which
was generally commended as being
constructive in its recommendations,
and conducive to a spirit Of political
harmony and general cooperation OF
endeayor among all the people OF. the
Estate. The keynote of the address
was educational advancement and
the administration of all the laws Of
the State in the spirit of their en-
actment, and in accord with the in
tent of the constitution and the stat
}utes.
The, inaugural adress was as fol-
lows:
Mr.. President and Gentlemen Of the
| General Assembly:
! BY authority of the qualified elec>
tors Of South Carolina as given at the
ballot Box, I am here to assume the
duties of, the Office Of chief executive
of the State would be false to my
! feelings if do not on this occasion
| express my sincere gratitude to the
people for the honor which they have
SO generously bestowedron me. II. l
fail to meet their expectations in rem
dersug efficient and effective service,
II shall at least make an honest eff
fort to justify the confidence reposed
In me- . It shall be my constant am
bition and controlling purpose to
serve the best interest Of the entire
State without regard to past political
differences or affiliations. I believe
that public Office is q public trust,
and that no public servant has right
/! to use. power and authority tempor-
/! ariiy entrusted to him for any puFz
!; pose other than to promote the gen
eral welfare prosperity and happiness
of the. people whom he :. serves. The
oath of office which I have taken does
not permit me to be governor Of "a
part of the people. on to attempt to
be the representative of any faction
or party. In entering upon the duties
presence. most solen1nly declare that
so far. Is it is humanity possible shall
forget that any division has ever ex-
! listed among the Democrats of South
I Carolina. and shall certainly not con-
slider that any now exists. It is nat
! ural that we shall differ as to meas
ures, and as to method, but my ap-
peal is for a unity of purpose. I do
not expect that you shall approve ev-
cry suggestion may make, or agree
with nny views on every public Ques-
! ton. You are bound by your oath of
Office to exercise your own judgment
in passing on the various quest IONS
which will come before you from
time to time But while we may dis
aSree as to specific measures neces-
sary for the accomplishment of COM
mon purpose, We are certainly agreed
in the desire to enact such laws and
to adopt such policies as will promo
te the best interest of all the peo-
pie of the State.
! It is my purpose to deal with the
legislative department with perfect
cardor. I shall take you fully into
! my confidence on all matters, and
recommend for your consideration
such legislation as seems@to me wise
and worthy of your serious thought.
! You will find me as ready to receive
as to offer suggestions. If the people
of South Carolina are to have at this
time the service from Us all that is
sorely needed, there must be absolute
harmony and perfect understanding
between the executive and legislative
departments. 7 can not hope to ac-
: corplish anything of a substantial
nature without the support Of the
general assembly No legislature, in
my opinion. has ever assembled in
South Carolina with greater oppor-
tunities and mo~e grave responsible
ties than that which faces you today.
We are part of she greatest govern
ment in the world. We have just
emerged from the greatest upheaval
the world hes ever l:nown, and
thoughtful people everywhere are
thinking of the problems Of peace, of
the matter of readjusting ourselves.
both as States and individuals, to
new and changed conditions. The
world as never before is looking to
America for leadership. IF this is an
indestructible Union of indestructible
States the standard of efficiency Of
the general government can be no
greater than the average efficiency Of
the several States.
The war ended as we wished it to
end. 1t ended as right, justice and tbe
interest of humanity demanded it |
should end. If the fruits OF victory /
are to be saved to US we must now |
lay the foundations for a world peace
with its varied and intricate prob !