Rensselaer Republican, Volume 25, Number 20, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 January 1893 — THE INAUGURATION. [ARTICLE]

THE INAUGURATION.

H&ttaevre And 1-Tye Inaugurated G-overnt r and Lieutenant ’ —: —Governor. <iovcr,i«»r Mjtlhnir* Inaugural Address Tltc Ueienipnirs in the Capltolln the Prcsetn-t! cl tn«- Leglstattn* and a Assemblage. Claude Matt hews was lnagurate-5 Governor of Indiana and A o. timer Nye, Lieutenant- Governor, Monday afternoon, ih tho south corridor of the Capitol in the presanca of both Soares of thcLogisiature and a distinguished body of spectators. The decorations were appropriate and imposing. Prior to the ceremonies the two Houses met separately for a few minutes, when they proceeded to the corridor to witness the inauguration, the column being headedbytheSenate. Seated on the platform were Senator David Turpic. ex-Govern-or Albert G. Porter, William 11. English. Governor Ira J Chase, Mrs. and Miss Matthews, wife and daughter of the Gov-ernor-elect, the State officers, including Court and others. Governor Matthews and Lieutenant-Governor Nyo appeared upon the rostrum at 2 o’clock, escorted by a joint committee of the Senate and the House. They were greeted by a pleasant recognition, which appeared to be strictly non-partisan, as the Republicans joined their Democratic colleagues in the applause. President Griffith of the Senate called the joint convention to order and prayer was ofvered by Rev. .Tas. A. Mil burn. The roll was called, and tho President declared a quorum present. Judge Reinhart administered tho oath to Mr. Matthews, Who then spoke as follows: Governor Matthews’s Address. Gentlemen of tho Senate and House of Representatives: It is with a deep feeling of the sacred responsibilities of the oath I have just taken that I assume, the duties of the office of Governor of Indiana, and I desire to return to the people of our State, through yoti, their legislative representatives, my profound gratitude for the honor, and my earnest assurances that it shall be my constant aim and effort to faithfully execute and discharge the duties of till* high office in accordance with the constitution and their wishes, as these may be expressed or fairly inferred from time to time ih mugh current events.

TAX LAIV. It is an undeniable fact that, in the years recently passed, there has.been a growing tendency in legislation to too greatly favor corporations and monopolies at the expense of tho farmers, laborers and tho business classes, who make up the great body of our citizens. Under this common belief, the people became restless, and desired that this-inequality should be remedied, and noTongcr exist. In obedience to this well expressed opinion, a law was wisely passed by the last Legislature, the intention of which was to secure fuller and fairer assessments of property for taxable purposes in this State. This law has worked well, and I believe will meet this intention. BUILDING ANI) LOAN ASSOCIATIONS. There has been a wide departure from the original laws creating building, loan and savings associations. Instead of re- j main-ingtrue to thv original intent, aj means of furnishing a safe investment for ! the saving and security of weekly and monthly wages of certain classes of our citizens, thereby encouraging the building and ownership of homes, these have now drifted into banking and brokerage institutions and lenders of money upon a large a ddTtangerous scale. The most serious source, of evil is the evasion of just payment of taxes on money loaned, drawing regular rates of interest, through what is known as “paid-up shares,” and often adding features of insurance, not at first intended, nor legitimately a part of these associations. Some restrictions should he thrown around foreign building and loan associations. r.EDUCTION IN TAXES. It Is undoubtedly true that for many vears there has been a growing extravagance in National, State and local governments. This is an entire departure from correct principles, and the people, who have tlie taxes to pay, have'wisely called :.!£ MTLTdtifiimarca'flt: - 1 favor the most rigid economy consistent with good government in all departments of tho State.

STATE DEBT. —; Tt is not indispimsibie that the public debt should be paid immediately. It is not a large debt for such a State, and its payment is not being pressed. But steps toward this end should not be ovealooked or neglected. Tho surest way to accomplish a reduc'ion year by year in Sijph a debt, would be the creation of a sinking fund to bo used solely for that putpose, and to be applied a.* rapidly as accumulated. With this in view I invite your attention to the present 'ehool-tax levy, which could bo reduced without injury to that great and needed work. It would bo gratifying to tho people if a reduction could be made in the aggregate of six cents in the school and general levies, and I believe this can be done without injury to public service. INDIANA. Wc. may indeed feel justly proud of our State, for it possesses in art eminent dogroo all the elements necessary to tho greatest prosperity and the highest civilization. With the'groat lakes on the north and the Ohio river on the south, it has.for commercial purposes the benefit of both, and a geographical position which makos it necessary that all tho leading truk lines of railways should pass over Its surface. TRE CONSTITUTION. Nor aro wo less blest in our beneficent Government, which not only furnishes one of t)>“. best systems of schools in the world, but gives amplo protection to the persons and property of every one of her citizens, no matter how humble their condition, so far as the sumo can be secured under law. These blessings of good government flow largely from our admirable Stato constitution and wise system of laws made In conformity therewith. This constitutution was framed by a body Of eminent statesmen, and was approved by tho vote of tho people. Tho experience of over forty years has proven Its beneficent character and wisdom. v Our courts havo, from time to time, passed upon such points as needed construing, and wo now have a goncrul codo of laws, conceded In the main to bo In harmony with the Constitution. In my judgment, if changes aro desirable in tho Constitution, it would bo host to make them In the manner tho pcoplo have themselves provided In that instrument. But radical changes In cither the Constitution or laws of tho State should not be made without tho maturest deliberation and the gravest consideration. Bad legislation is worse than no legislation. ELECTION LAW. Our present election laws scorns to bo working well, and if changed at fell it should be done with tho greatest caution. Indeed. I am fully pursuaded that It would best sorvo tho public interest to allow the people to become fully acqalntod with and accustomed to its provisions, and the system to become thorn g ily established, before changes are mad); new

provisions adopted, or ohi ones changed, in however a sught degree, have a tendency to cause confusion and doubt in the mind of the voter that/embarrasses him in the free exercise of this right and duty. ELECTION OF UXITED'STATES SENATORS. The election of United States Senators by the people is a measure now very widely and favorably considered, not only by the people of Indiana, but of many other States in the Union. The time has come in our history when the influence, and action of the masses of our fellow cilfizens ought to be more directly and distinctly impressed upon the members of the National Legislature. Nothing would promote this more than the choice by direct vote of tlfe people of tho State, of the members of the United States Senate. PUBLIC HIGHWAYS. 1 The improvement of our common highway system is an important matter that is now receiving much attention from the people, and I commend this subject to your serious considci ation. No class of our citizens are morn d.ractly interestedw*" benefited in the improv imerit of our highways than are the farmers and upon none will fall so heavily the costs of construction. The amount of money raised under tho present tax collected, is sufficient; if wisely ex pended and properly applied, to place Indiana, in a few yoars. in an enviable position as to her highways. There should be enacted no law that will add to ’ the burdens of this tax. nor the management removed so far from the people as to deprive them of the right to “work out?* as desired. APPORTIONMENT The duty and power of apportioning Senators and Representatives among the several counties of the State is conferred by our constitution upon the general assembly. No other department of the State Government is given any share or part in theif unetion. Tho people view with great jealousy any attempt made by the courts to encroach upon a province so peculiarly within the scope of legislative action. This right and power conceded, the next absorption of the prerogatives or functions of the executive, and in this way the rights of all departments of the State government pass into the control of the courts.

soldiers’ monument. The present year will witness the assembling in our midst of a great concourse of citizens of this and sister States. The National Encampment, composed of the surviving members of that great army that thirty years ago marched bravely forth to battle at their country’s call, will meet the coming fall at your capital city. Year by year their ranks aro thinning out. and in the not distant future their ears will be deaf to the bugle call, It has been deemed thoMuty of-tho citizens wherever they have met to do them honor and give to them a hearty welcome. I trust that Indiana and the city of Indianapolis may not be found wanting in this respect. Provision should be made for the proper completion of the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument. It Is a great work, in which every citizen of Indiana has an interest. It is tho monument of the State, paid for by all the taxpayers of tho State, and constructed under the supervision of commissioners appointed by State authority. No outside influence should be allowed to interfere with its construction, as a State monument, and especially interference based on a narrow and selfish policy. It should be made to reflect the highest honor on the Indiana soldiers and sailors of the civil war. hut it will not detract from that honor if proper reference should be made to other soldiers of Indiana, and other wars connected with Indiana military history, as the commissioners, all of whom are soldiers of the civil war, or the State, may decide would be appropriate. The soldiers of no one war, brave and patriotic as they were, have a monopoly of Indiana’s valor and military glory, and such great historical events as tho capture of Vincennes from the British, the battle of Tippecanoe and the war with Mexico (the first two on Indiana soil, and all productive of vast benefits to tho country) should not be ignored in the construction of an Indiana, State monument,— WHITE GAPS. A mistaken policy has sometimes prevailed in portions of the State to punish offenders or drive away -persons deemed pbjectionablc without resort to due legal process. Those acts, commonly called White Caps, are dangerous to tho rights of citizens and the peace of the community and should be suppressed. If the present criminal laws aremot sufficient to cover such offenses, they should bo made more effective by further enactments. And now gentlemen, in conclusion, I desire to remind you that upon each and all of us rest heavy responsibilities. ' Tho people of a great State have intrusted to OHr care the management, and direction of their public affairs. I trust we may meet these andwithai) in a manly and unselfish manner, and to the utmost of our several abilities. Recent Legislatures have done much to crown our State with the glory of placing her in the foremost rank of leadership in tho adoption of great reform measures. I trust your work may be equal to any that has gone before. That wisdom may guide your councils, that prosperity may envelope our State in all future time, and a kind Providence direct our destinies will be my earnest prayer and sincere desire. - •«**.*:*•' ■ y ' •

The Lieutenant-Governor'* Addrea*. After Governor Matthew had 9poken Lieutenant-Governor Mortimer Nye look the oath of office, administered by Judge McCabe, of the Supreme Court, and_spektT as follows: Gentlemen of the Senate And House of Representatives of Indiana. Ladies and Gentlemen—At this time I appreciate most keenly the groat responsibility resting upon me to discharge the .duties of the office of Lieutenant-Governor in such a manner as to meet your approval and indorsement. I fear, however, that because of inexperience, it may be somewhat difiicult for mo to discharge that duty fully and proporly, but I shall endeavor to do so without fear or favor and strictly In conformity with the rules which may be adopted for the business tranactions of the present session of the Senate. Its order that I may not make any serious mistake in the discharge of my official duty I most earnestly invite each and every Senator to give mo his cordial support and assistance, and to regard charitably any b under or error which I may make. The b rslness and legislation of this session is entirely under your control. Each member should, therefore, act according to his own best judgment and be honest and conscientious in tho discharge of every duty. I trust the present seSpion of tho General Assembly may be a pleasant, agreeable and prontable'one, and that all laws and measures adopted by you may meet the most hearty approval of tho people of the great State of Indiana. After the inauguration ceremonies each House returned to its ball and wont Ini > briof session. Governor Chase was not invited in advance to make remarks at the fnangural, but tho committee which had tho matter in chargo was desirous of extending courtesies to the retiring Governor. 110 made his farewell in his own office after the ceremonies in the hall. Immediately after the inaugural ceremony Governor Matthews was escorted to the Governor's office. He exchanged greetings with ex-Governor Chase, and after a briof talk the office wafc formally turned over in Bhe iy>w Governor.