The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1919-01-24
Sane, Sensible and to the Point il
the Address Made by Gov. Cooper
/. Tuesday-Promises General As
sembly That He VIII Be Per-
: fectly Candid Always.

Co-.nabic. IN. 21.-Following is
the mple; ext of the address de-
,live-:l by Cc...'Robert A. Cooper, at
the State House today, to the General
Assembly, following his taking the
oath required by the Constitution to
uphold and defend the laws of the
State of South Carolina:
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 execu-
tive of the State. would be false
to my feelings if I do not on this
occasion express my sincere gratitude
to the people for the honor which
they have so generously bestowed
upon me. If I fail to meet their ex-
pectations in rendering efficient and
effective service, shall at least make
an honest effort to justify the con-
fidences of Affections. believe firm
ly in the democratic doctrine, that
public Office is trust, and that no
public servant has right to use pow
er and authority temporarily entrust-
ed to him for any purpose other than
to promote the general welfare, pros
perity and happiness of the people
whom he serves. The oath of office
which have taken does not permit
fe to be governor of a part of the
people, or to attempt to be the rep
resehtative of any faction or party.
In entering upon the duties of the
office I therefore, in this presence,
most solemnly, declare so far as it
is humanity possible I shall forget
that any division has ever existed
among the democrates of South Car
olina, and shall certainly not consider
that any now exists. It is natural
that we shall differ as to measures,
and as to method, but my appeal is
for unity of purpose. do not ex-
pect that you shal lapprove every
suggestion I may make or agree with
my views on every public question.
You are bound by your oath of Office
to exercise your own judgments in
passing on the various questions
which will come before you from
time to time. But while we may
disagree as to specific measures nec-
essary for the accomplishment of a
common purpose, we are certainly
agreed in the desire to enact such
laws and to adopt such policies, as
will promote the best interest of all
the people of the state.
Will Be Perfectly Candid.
It is my purpose to deal with the
Legislative Department with perfect
candor. Ishall 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 peo-
pie of South Carolina are to have at
this time the service from us all that
is sorely needed there must be ab-
solute harmony and perfect under
standing between the executive and
legislative departments. 1 cannot
hope to accomplish anything of a
substantial nature without the sup
port Of the general assembly. No
Legislature, in my opinion has ever
assembled in South Carolina with
greater opportunities, and more
grave responsibilities than that which
faces you today. We are a part of
the greatest government in the world.
We have just emerged from the
greatest upheaval the world has ever
known, and thoughtful people every
where are thinking of the problems
of peace, Of the matter of readjust-
ing ourselves, both as states and
individuals, to new and changed con-
ditions. The world as never before
is looling to America for leadership.
If this is an indestructable union of
states the standard efficiency of the