The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1925-01-20
WOMAN RULES
IN TEXAS

Continued from First Page.)
system and a heart-born promise of
aid to the cattleman and the far
mer.
Never Fought Duel.
As the oath of office was read
and completed by Chief Justice Of
the Supreme Court c. NJ. Cureton---
an oath that. required Mrs. Fergu-
son to admit she had never fought,
nor had any role. IN duel with
deadly weapons-the roar of field
artillery, the gubernatorial salute,
resounded.
The salvo was loosed at the COM
mand of Retiring Adjutant-G General
Thomas d. Barton. one of the nine
candidates who went down in de-
feat before the overwhelming wave
of anti-Ku Klux Khan sentiment
that swept Mrs. Ferguson into
office.
On the rostrum with Mrs. Fergu-
son we're retiring Governor Pat M.
Neff. Lieutenant Governor T. w.
Davidson, her husband, James T..
Ferguson, members OF the family
close friends and other incoming
officials.
Bah to Be Held.
Immediately after the ceremony
the legislative bodies again met in
their respective quarters, but ad
iourned for the day to allow the
lawmakers to join in what was
scheduled to be the greatest inaug.
ural revelry ever witnessed in
Texas.
eliminating weeks of pickering
attacks and defense. it was official
Nv announced by the Austin Citi-
zenS Committee that the inaugural
ball would be held as planned, ire
spective of various church pro-
tests, intermingled with indorse-
ments from several women's or.
CARNATIONS.
Although Mrs. Ferguson's own
rigid Methodist training has pre-
vented any dancing or revel in her
life, the ceremonies marked the re-
sumption. after four years Of
silence, of the gala spirit.
With the advent Of Governor Pat
NJ. Neff into office four years ago,
the inaugural ball, with it's accom-
panying pomp and ceremony, was
cast into the discard. Governor
Neff is one of the leading aBaptists
of the Couth and the State Baptist
convention had only recently con-
demned the ball.
But Mrs. Ferguson had repeated
~ declared that although not a de-
votee of the ball room herself, she
thoroughly enjoyed knowing that
those about her were happy in their
selected modes OF amusement.
Success Predicted.
No ,-aer;r11n will
be one of harmony and accomplish.
ment was freely predicted with the
capable aid of her husband, former
Governor Ferguson. who, to use his
own words has worked himself to
the bone making the unblaZed path
easy for her."
Mr.. Ferguson materially assisted
! in the selection of Mrs. Ferguson $
administrative army of helpers, in
GLIDING his recommendations of thC
selection of Mrs. Sam Meharg as
Sec "etary of State.
Mrs. Meharg, who was chosen tor
| the post because she had so impress
siveliy put Mrs. Ferguson cause
| before an audience at political
| rally, also occupied Il place of honor
! on the inaugural platform.
| Mrs. Ferguson intends to folio"
closely the policies outlined by her
| husband before the courts of Texas
ruled that his impeachment served
as a barrier 10 his ever again enter :
| ing the field as a candidate for pup
| lie office.
Her major tasks will be the eH-
ercising of strict economy in every
department of the State, many bills
| on such matters already awaiting
| introduction to the legislature. TIKI
consolidation Of d dozen depart
| ments will be her first request.
Political observers are inclined to
| believe that Mrs. Ferguson will hold
the balance of power in the legisla-
ture, although friction is certain
from those who are admittedly MEM
bers of the khan.