1892. ] OF THE SENATE. 35

the Honorable Judges of the Court of Appeals, and a
large concourse of citizens, after which the oath of
office was administered by the Hon. R. H. Alvey,
Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals, agreeable to the
Constitution
Gentlemen of the

General Assembly of Maryland:

In response to the voice of the people of our State,
I am here to qualify as Governor of Maryland.

Fully recognizing the responsibility that the accept
ance of the office imposes upon me I appeal to you
for co-operatiou and support, and with the blessings
of Almighty God we may hope to meet in a measure
the best expectations of our constituents, and thereby
contribute to the welfare, peace, prosperity and hap-
piness of the whole people of the State.

Political parties are necessary for the safe conduct
of public affairs, and party government is not incon-
sistent with honest, efficient and economical adminis-
tration.

We who are here in response to the expressed wish
of the dominant political party of the State, must
recognize that the responsibility is with us.

But no matter what our political creeds may be, we
have no right to give countenance to measures that
would in the least be detrimental to the progress and
prosperity of the State at large. My predecessor in
office has so recently advised you of the financial and
general condition of the State, and made such sugges-
tions as his long experience and good judgment have
prompted, that it renders it quite unnecessary fol me
to occupy your time by the expression of my views as
to matters of legislation; except to declare that I have
no changes to make in the policy laid down by myself
upon the hustings, and that I will be the advocate of
every just measure of reform that the wisdom of this
legislature may advise.

As time goes on, and experience affords me more
thorough knowledge than I now possess, and the
wishes and requirements of the people present them-
selves, it will be my duty and my pleasure to lay be-
fore you such suggestions as in my judgment would
best serve the interest of the commonwealth.