The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1921-01-04
GOVERNOR HARDEE'S
INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
Fine Speech, Full of Encouragement
For People of Florida

Tallahassee, Jan. 4.-The oath of
cffice was administered to Gov. Har-
zee, at the capital at noon today, and
Immediately after the governor delfv-
cred the following address:
My Fellow Citizens: A very wise
provision in our state constitution has
placed limit of time in which one
may serve continuously as chief ex-
ecutive of Florida. That he may not
succeed himself finds hearty approval
from thoughtful men and women. The
Inauguration of chief executive be-
comes a frequently recurring event,
marking the close of one administra-
ton, and the beginning of another. In
this representative government they
who shall administer the affairs of
the state, must first be called to serv-
ice by the sovereign voice of the peo-
pie, and so today having been thus
called, and in obedience to the will
of the people of Florida, am about to
assume the high and responsible du-
ties appertaining to the great Office
to which they have called me. 1t is
my desire, and it seems quite appro-
pirate that / should avail myself of
the occasion now presented, to pay
grateful acknowledgement of our
state for the confidence repesed in me
as evidenced by my election to such an
exalted station. / am not unmindfuI
of the great honor conferred and am
not lacking, / trust, in the fine sense
of gratitude which fills my heart to-
day. AS | read the fundamental and
statutory laws of Florida wherein are
prescribed the duties and obligations
of the chief executive, any possible
sense of self suficiency seems to
grow less and my feeling of depen-
dence upon the patient good will of
the people and upon the cooperation
and assistance of my associates in of
flee more pronounced.
seriously question if the present
is propitious for one to assume the
governorship of the state, if perchance
he expects to bask thereafter in pop
ular favor. We are today in the wake
of great world conflict which taxed
to the utmost the productive forces ot
the nation. During it's continuance
and Immediately following the armis.
tice which marked its conclusion pri.
vate business and public affairs have
been administered in keeping with
such profigacy of expenditures a:
was never before known. individual
thrift and frugality have been large
ly discarded, and erstwhile luxurie:
are now being classed as necessities
Thoughtful men have known thai
such an orgy of imitation and expen
diture could not continue. and will
prophetic voice have all along wooet
the people back to safer ground. I'm
fortunately we have not listened t,
more conservative counsels, and as ;
result we are in the midst of a perio,
of industrial defiation which in mag
ritude, our country has never exper
fenced before. There is rapidly accu
mulating vast army of unemploye,
and the farms and manufactures fin,
difficulty in disposing of their pro
dncts. If the people of Florida, fore
ea by stress of circumstances need t
take stock of themselves and lear
again the lesson forgotten during tn
great war, even so must the stat
"set its house in ORDER against tn
perils of changing conditions. de
sire to call upon the people to exer
else a spirit of charity towards u
who shall attempt to lead during tn
critical period of readjustment an
likewise / call upon them to practic
Individually those wholesome princi
es-perseveranee, industry, econom
and sober thinking.
We have no cause for gloomy fore
boding, no reason for discomfort,
cnly we are filled with a conscious
ness of our inherent power, and
realization of the matchless resource
which kind Providence has bestowe
upon US. The future is big wit
promise, and Florida may If she vii
come into her own. Ours is a risin
state. Her people are not lacking j
vision and in natural resources she
rich indeed. The sturdy character {
American citizenship is a result of I'll
admixture of virile elements of vi
Tied nationalities. In similar sens
the amalgamation of those ever il
creasing streams of population, con
ing to US from every section of tn
broad land. must mean a eitizenshi