Martinsburg Herald from Martinsburg, West Virginia • 2

Elaborate Inaugural Ceremonies at the State Capitol Today. THE ADDRESS. 7 The Governor and His Family Arrive in Charleston Where I hey Will Remain for a Few Family, Society Leaders -Large Crowd at Capitol. Charleston, W. March Inauguration of Governor Albert Blakelley White took place at noon today.

The inaugural procession consisting of Company National Guard, the A. B. White Marching (Rub, of Parkersburg, the Elkins Marching Club, of the carriages, with officials out-going and in-coming and members of the Governor staff, formed at Hotel Rnffner and marched to the capitol building, Mr. C. L.

Topping, was the Chief Marshal. The procession formed at 11 in. and reached the capitol building at 11:55. The inaugural ceremonies then took place from the front steps of the capitol building Governor Atkinson presiding. The invocation was spoken by Rev.

Henry Roemer, D. D. of Parkersburg. Governor pastor. An address by Governor Atkinson followed after which Mr.

White delivered his inaugural address. The oath of office was administered by Judge Henry Brannon, president of the Supreme Court of Appeals. Following the inaugural ceremonies an informal reception was held in the reception room. Tin- Reception Com The following gentlemen were designated by the general inaugural committee as members of the general reception committee. Gov.

G. W. Atkinson, chairman; ox-Goveruor A. MaeCorkle, ex-Governor K. Willis Wilson.

Hon. Malcolm Jackson, G. O. Taylor, A. M.

Scott, William Bnrdette Mathews, E. Darnell, D. G. Thompson, Fred N. Carr, C.

K. Bnrdette, Captain S. B. Avis, Col. A.

Hutson, E. A. Reid H. Wehrle, General J. E.

Dana, A. C. Love, P. H. Noyes, Hoople Meade, Henry Fry, H.

Reynolds! Hugh 'F. Kyle, R. H. Martin, John; C. Ruby.

Juo. A. Jarrett and Captain John Baker White. About six hundred persons from Parkersburg came on special train this morning. The A.

B. White Marching Club, which is thoroughly drilled and handsomely uniformed was one of the features of the occasion. The club was in command of i their captain B. Baker, the new adjnatut general, and for along time Mr. partner in the newspaper business.

liiniiKurnl Hull. The great event of the occasion however, will he the grand hall tonight. The entire interior of the eapitol building is a mass of hunting and Hags, pictures, coats arms and other decorations in gilt and varioolors, The hall of the House of Delegates will be the reception room, the Senate chamber the dance hall, while the banquet will bo held in the Supreme Court room. There is every promise of the scene being one of unTivalled beauty and brilliance. Governor Charleston, March and Mrs.

A. B. White and family arrived here Saturday. They oceupv a gui'e of rooms at the Huffie and after the inaugural ceremonies ami festivities are over, Mrs. White ami children will leturn to Parkersburg, where they will continue to reside until next fall, when they will come to JCliarlestou and occupy the mansion, which will he repaired and enlarged for their convenience.

The legislature made an appropriation for an addition to the mansion and to make some repairs it that are badly needed. At prerent there are only four lied rooms in the house, and no quartt rs. The White family is a large one. Besides the governor and his beautiful wifj the mother, Mrs. Ward, makes her honiu.with them.

Sin over of age, but is very gpry for her njWSIn- is very wealthy aud Mrs. is her only child. Then there is Miss Katherine, who is of Parkersburg debutantes and a very bright and attractive young lady. Miss Grace and Miss Ethel and next of age. They are twins ami are so much alike that it is difficult to tell them apart.

They are bright and pretty girls, and will graduate from a fashionable seminary at Washington next June and will be formally presented to society next winter. So alike in appearance and dress are they, that it is said that their fond parents mistake one for the other at times. Among their most intimate friends that mistake is so common that it has long since lost its humor for the young ladies. Recently they had a picture taken. The posing was quite original and effective.

One stood before a mirror which had no glass, and the other one stood on the i other side of file mirror, one face reflecting exactly the features of the 'other face as if there was only one person in the picture and the other face was a reflection in a mirror. Both were attired identically the same, as they always are. When they showed the pictures to their pareuts, neither Governor White or Mrs. White could tell who was who, and their daughters lmd to tell them who it was behind the glassless mirror and who it was in front of it. Tnere two boys in the White family, Ward and Blakeslee.

The latter is the youngest child. The special train arrived here this morning, and brought several hundred Parkersburgers, half of whom arc prominent society people of that city came to attend the inaugural ball, more out of friendship and courtesy for the Whites, than for the pleasures of the ball itself. The Whites are social lenders in Parkersburg, entertain considerably and are very popu1 ir socially. On the special train was the White marching club, accompanied by the Citizens baud and orchestra. Director Haase lias composed and dedicated to Governor White, a stirring, swinging two step, entitle It was played in public for the first time at Charleston today and it made a popular hit.

The Inaiitt'iral Fellow Citizens of West In assuming the duties of the high office to which you have elected me by such a large majority and on issues so largely involving the business interests and economic conditions of our State, I wish to express my deep sense of obligation and sincere appreciation of the great houor conferred. West Virginia is my adopted State and has been my home for two decades. In young manhood 1 east liiv lot with you of my wu free choice. As the young mail and woman leave their homes to unite building up a new home as man and wife, mi the enduring basis of a love and attachment stronger even than that of child for parent, so has my love for my adopted State become of the deepest and the strongest It is no exaggeration to say that those who were born and reared on the soil of West Virginia, where Providence placed them without the exercise of an independent choice, can and do have no I more independnt choice can and do have no more sincere attachment lor the Mountain State than that iucreasi iugly huge number of our fellow citi I zeus, who in mature vears or early to our Commouwealtb of their own volition to make it theit future home. By their acts and tin exercise of their choice they havt shown an appreciation of the great posisbilities and future of our mar velonsly rich area of natural wealth and by their capital, labor, skill, energy and patriotic zeal in advanc ing the interests of West Virgimi and its dovelopement they have doin aud are doing their full part in mak ing ours the richest and most prosper ous State in the Union.

On behalf 'those who have come into our Sfatt and their children, 1 wish to ex press their and my own acknowledge meat of the great honor paid their and myself in electing me by tin largest majority ever given a candi date for Governor in this State. West Virginia lias thus proclaimed to tin world that she has no invidious distinctions or discriminations to make against any person good faith, enters into her citizenship and gives his earnest efforts to making an honest livelihood and to fulfilling the duties of patriotic citizenship. One word more of a personal character: While elected as a after being unanimously nominated by a political in the largest delegate convention ever held in West Virginia, 1 shall nevertheless confidently expect to receive the hearty support of men of all parties in my efforts to promote the welfare, prosperity and happiness of the, people. It is because we can all meet on the common ground of the public good that this confident hope is expressed. In the administation of the laws and in the upbuilding of our Stare we should be first citizens and patriotic West Virginias.

We can lieat serve our State by joining hands on a common effort to administer all our public affairs with an eye single to the best interests of the Htate. My endeavor will be to represent the Entire people and to be Governor for all the people. The responsibilites of the Executive are great and yet his powers at bast are limited. The incoming Governor has no Legislature to advise with for two years. I 1118 ri'ftppuHlMlIllH jurump in: pmnervation of the peace; ho is commander in chief of the militia; he must pass upon of life and death, ho is likely to be called upon to decide whether the Legislature should be convened in extra session and lie has the great responsibility of the appointment of members of the various boards of administration in charge of the public institutions of the State.

The Executive does not legislate in regard to or appropriate the public funds; nor does he make the laws or interpret them. His duties are to execute and carry out the will of the people as expressed through their representatives and enacted into law. He has to do that largely throughjvarious hoards of administration. The term of four years is long enough to pass in review in my judgement, the merits of every member of I every board, and the Governor who has responsibility for four long years should have at least the privilege of I passing on every member of every hoard during that time. The recent Legislature which met in biennial session, has conferred noon me such powers in a majority of the hoards of tlie various public institutions, and it is therefore not out of place for me to say that I 'believe in bi-partisan hoards and minority representation i thereon at the same time having a majority representation with a practical working majority.

Power equal to the responsibility should always he conferred. My endeavor shall he to secrue lie best possible membership for these boards of administration and to promote their utmost efficiency. There is no room on these boards for those who wish to deal directly or indirectly with the State in furnishing supplies for these institutions, or who seek to appoint relatives to service therein. The test of membership on these boards should he a disinterested desire to serve the best interests of the State. This course is only one that will deserve the commendation of fair-minded citiI zens.

I heartily endorse the words of Governor Nash, of Ohio, who, in being inducted into his high office Inst January, speaking of the various intsitui tions said: my term of office I do not desire that chauges shall he made therein, unless the interests of 1 the inmates and the public good are I to promoted Our State tins been developing in a marvelous manner in the past few years. In the deeade just closed our population increased over twenty-five per cent, and we today have about one million people. Our natural resources have been developed in nn amazing manner. Our manufactories are many, prosperous and varied, and in iron, steel woodworking, pottery, glass, and refining industries we hold a high place. We are the first in rank among our sister States in production of oil and natural in coke; almost if not quite second in coal; and first in production of hard woods.

While these things are true and till ns with pride, our very growth and develnmeut have been so rapid as to force a new and grave financial problem upon ns. In the splendid inaugural address of mv immediate predecessor Governor Atkinson, he expressed the belief that our developing resources we may look for money enough for all our needs, and with which we may be able to lift all our public iustitunons toil higher plane of usefulness. Unfortunately, our taxation laws are so crude and defective, that.whih onr population has increased one fourth, and our actual wealth probably doubled, in the jiast ten years, the latter does not show an appreciable increase on the tax duplicate. Our taxable valuations of reality show but little gain under the late re-assessment, and our jiersonalty valuations are not gaining. Some thing is radically wrong when these conditions exist.

We want to treat the developing corporation such as railraods and mining and manufacturing enterorises employing labor and building up the State, with the utmost liberality. The work of developing is going on rat lly and we want it continued oufil every county and every mineral vallev has ample shipping and commercial facilities. Without checking this growth by restiictive or burdensome taxation, and yet relieving if possible, the burdens on the modest home owners and small farmers, who in my judgment are taxed more, proportionately, under our present system than their more fortunate and wealthier neighbors, is a for vhe exercise of careful thought and wise statesmanship. In my opinion the movement for a tax commission to codify our taxation laws, to provide for equalization boards both county and State, with powers to raise or lower valuations and equalize them, is a start on right lines. The Legislature just adjourned has taken the Virst step in the right direction by providing for the creation of a tax commission.

tn tclii oli lio ltinmtM administration will chiefly have to deal with is that of revenues. During the six years the West Virginia Legislature has established seven eut-irley new State institutions, namely Girls Industrial Home. Home for Incurables, Bluefield Colored Institute, Montgomery Preparatory School and three Hospitals and the late Legislature has just created the eighth in the Keyser Preparatory School. In addition a Capitol Annex costing has been started, and in the past five years for every one of the older existing State institutions including the six Normal Schools the State University the Penitentiary the two Insane Asylums, Boys Reform Schools, the Penitentiary, and the schools for the Deaf and the Blind new building have been erected o. extensive additions made to the old ones besides all this, with the growing attendance and more numerous inmates, have come largely increased current expenses.

The present generation is prohibited by our constitution from incurring a State debt for future generations to pay. So we are, and have been in the very recent years paying hundreds of thousands of dollas annually out of current taxes and receipts for permanent improvements. The result is we have a condition confronting us that will take all the business judgement and forethought of best minds of our Legislators and public officials. In my judgement some of our latest ventures in new institutions were ill advised or premature. Even an attempt to confine one institution to work somewhat, at least, in harmony with that of somewhat similar insti1 rations in other States and to prevent that which older and richer States with fully developed resources, have not dared to enter upon has been opposed.

The incoming Executive feels the responsibility of the situation keenly and unless the relief hoped for from legislation, raising the license taxes of corporations and other measures, materializes, some of our institutions maybe have to be tempo1 rarilv closed down or an extraordinary session of the Legislature held to raise revenue Either alternatives to be deplored. We can only hope that our income the criuse of old fail not in the demands made upon it, but carry us through the present bi-enuial period. The i State gives great privileges to cor I because personal liability of stockholders is not exacted. Such a privilege is worth taxiugand taxing I more heavily than lies' been done in the past. I am glad that the Legis! lature has increased tli license taxes iiu both foreign and domestic corporI atiou It is a tax the corporations i can afford to pay in return for the breath of life which tlie State gives I them.

lnc question ox tne proper control of corporations and trust is a live one. Every year the business of the I country, even in small mercantile establishments, tends more and more to corporation rather than the firm or individual ownership. The size of the corporation does not affect the principle involved. It is what the corporation does or seeks to do which detreniines its character for public good or public detriment. We eonhl not carry on great commercial enterprises, banks railroads, without corporations.

The laws make railroads banks and certain corporations disclose their capital stock and their earnings and assests. This is termed publicity. A eertam amount of publicity may well be enacted of all corporations at least to the extent of ascertaining their reliability and whether they are worthy of credit and coufiileuoe atyi also to aid in determining their liability for taxation. A list of the stockholders and shures held bv them would assist materially in securing taxation of stocks in West Virginia enterprises held by non-resident owners. Another reform which it is time, and indeed long past time, to intro (luce is to stop the practice of boards of public institutions exceeding their appropriations for building and current expenses.

Cut the garment according to the cloth; or else leave the garment not begun or unfinished. Interested bearing obligation created by boards without authority of law, are contrary to public policy and intolerable. If the members of the Legislature were jrnid a fixed salarv instead of a per diem it is claimed that better results in legislation would then be secured promptly and extra session would be avoided by the members of the Legislature as earnestly as by the Executive. A constitutional amendment to limit the irreducible school fund to one dollars meets rav cordial approval, turning as it does the anvilable surplus and revenue into the public school fund. The State is spending yearly many hundreds of thousands of dollars oil academic and higher education in my opinion it is not doing its duty by the public prim ary schools of State I am not in sympathy with that spirit of enlightened selfishness which prompts the richer counties to object to helping the little children of the State in the poorer counties to longer terms of public schools.

If the day ever comes when our levy for State taxes can be reduced I hope that the State levy for our public schools may be kept as it is or even increased. With a fair and equitable system of valuations for taxation the present tax levy would doubtless produce ample revenue for a longer school year. The proposed constitutional amendment as to the fee system may be all right as far as it goes; but it does not go far enongh. it takes little courage to strike at two or three State and we can all unite in correcting the evils of the fee system as to them, even without a constitutional amendment. But is that the whole sum of our duty? For twenty years I have consistently advocated reforms should be extended outside of the capitol building, as well as include all within it.

The retiring administration has been one of the very best in the history of our State. It has honestly and capably administered the affairs of State in every department. It is entitled as a whole, to the verdict of done, good and servants. To the retiring Chief Executive 1 desire to express in this public way my deep sense of obligation to him for his presonal courtesies and assistance to me. He is 1 one of the tried and true leaders of public thought in our his purpose lias always serve the best interests.

He relinquishes the chair with the high regard of all our people. I only liope my administration may be as success ful and honorable as His has been. Of the future of our State, its possibilities, its growth, its great resources and its high-minded, intelligent and patriotic people, I would like to speak at length. But time forbids. We are a happy, a contented and prosperous people.

We have one of the best States in the union. With no public debt, with low taxation, with a hospitable hand to extend to all who cast their lot with ns as doers and workers, we look proudly and hopefully to the; future. Our past hns been honorable and patriotic. Tin' future will find us in the front ranks of our sister Commonwealths upholding the hands of our National Government in every loyal and patriotic undertaking enter the new century with high hopes and brilliant prospects. My earnest deisre is that during the coming four years the public peace may not be disturbed; that law and order may prevail; that labor may be fully employed at remunerative wages, and that happiness and prosperity may abide at every West Virginian heart stout'.

Invoking the guidance of the Supreme Ruler of the Universe and Hiblessing upon us, I am now readv ft take the oath of office and assume the duties and responsibilities of the Chief Executive of our State. 1 IM IIMII IIIH fellow citizens of West Vir ginin retiring from a four years' term as the chief executive officer ol the State, 1 beg your indulgence in offering a few general remarks, befort 1 introduce to you my successor in office. our constitution it is tin duty of the governor to see that all of the laws of the State are properlv enforced; and, as a matter of fact, he posseses but little absolute powei over matters of government. You will not advised, therefore, of what 1 have personally done during the ad ministration just closed, as what tin observing of you have seen done bv the official establishment of the State. West.

Virginia has grown, marvelously during the past quad reuiuni (lour years) no one will ques tion. We have seeu our output oi carbon oil reach nearly twenty million barrels in the year 1900, giving us first place, in that production, ol all the States. We have grown to sec oud place in the production of coke and the increase in the coal mined in 1900 over 1896 is greater than tne entire production of the state in 1890. Onr ontpnt of coke in 1900 was 2,496,107 tons an increase of 81.6 per cent over 1897, and our ontpnt of coal in 1900 was 22,000,000 tons, an increase of 61.3 per cent over 1897. We are now the will be the second within a year or all the coal nroducing states in the union.

In the lumber industrv we have made equally rapid strides in development. While in agricultural grow th we have actually surprised ourselves, as well as others outside of the state who have taken notice of us. Our West Virginia hills are fertile, the climate is good, ami our farmers are coming steadily to the front. Taxes are reasonably low and we have conscientiously enforced our laws, and with all we have been just to all concerned. 4 TTT pnomc iiuildings and public improvements upwards of a half million dollars more money during the past four years than during any preceding quadreninm, without increasing the rate of taxation, and have more money in the treasury than ever before at this season of the year and all bills against the state have been paid and no debts always love liberty.

Our West Virginia people, therefore are especially devoted to freedom. Love of to love of home, is the sheet-anchor of society. A people established in patriotism are strong individually and when associated for political purposes, suggest great possibilites. Patriotism has figured conspicuously in setting the standard of West Virginian character. It is a fact worthy of note that our sturdy West Virginians stubbornly refused to be dragged into a rebellion against the flag, and what is now the territory of this State always remained loyal to the Union.

Happily our school children are taught the lives and characters of the founders and defenders, and that purity, principle and justice may continue to predominate in the affairs of State. The study of the careers of Washington and Lincoln should be kept up, until the deeds ot their noble lives are reflected in ti conduct of cpming generations. The American flag should float above every school house, and our children should be taught to reverence and defend it as they would their own homes and firesides, because respect for the flag creates national pride and in this manner all citizens become patriots. firm, determined chracter of West Virginians is becoming well known, and will sooner or later become historic. Mountain reared men are always ambitions, and ambition, mixed with brains, cannot easily be suppressed.

The proud acts of our men qre now the envy of ambition. We boast of good government, and upon this depends the safe guarding of every interest of our people. We have no classes or are and all have but one ideal and of exalted citizenship. Much, my friends that I started out to accomplish has been left undone and yet what has been done, I trust, has been for the good of one and all. Some of us are partisans, but above and behind it is a greater love for country and State 1 would have done much more but the times seemingly were not ripe for the introduction of many changes, which to me appeared as ideals.

These ill come later on. Happily the world is moving backward, and 1 look for greater growth under my distinguished successor along the lines which I have endeavored to blaze out. arc living uuuei a uun iu the government of our commonwealth and I believe it is generally conceded that the masses have not suffered by the change With rapid and steady step our State is marching to the front. We possess natural resources in ninny respects nnusnrpassetl. In this driving, workaday age, ir is a question in business, us in everything else, of the survival the fittest.

Having the best qualities and the greatest quantities of coal and oil and gas and timber, rich soil and a climate and location unsurpassed, West Virginia inevitably in these great resources, must lead all of the other sister states. beg to urge upon mv successor, and I know'lie will not fail in this respect, the maintenance of high ideals in education and moral work and worth, upon which, more than all things else, must depend the progress and prosperity of the State. is gratifying to me, my fellowcitizens, that the great political party to which I have the honor to belong. remains in the ascendency in the It is a of the present and of the people. To act, to assume rosponsiobilites, to go at every problem to solve and settle is the genius of the Republican party.

It despises evasion, it detests compromises, it rejoices in opportunites. For more than a quarter of a century, nearly every line of on third page, sixth.