John H. McGraw Inaugurated as Governor
In an ceremony marked by fair skies, John H. McGraw assumes the governorship of Washington, succeeding Elisha P. Ferry.
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John H. McGraw became Washington's second governor shortly after 1 p.m. today. As the governor-elect stepped onto the capitol balcony to address the gathered crowd, the clouds parted, allowing the sun to shine on the start of his administration. In a display of democratic simplicity, outgoing Governor Elisha P. Ferry rode with McGraw during the procession. During his final address, Ferry drew loud applause for his call for anti-Pinkerton legislation. Following the speech, Justice Dunbar administered the oath of office. The event concluded with the outgoing governor personally placing his hat upon his successor in a gesture of goodwill.
“The clear-cut face of the older man while he viewed the troops as their commander-in-chief for the last time was of that type of American statesmen that suggests to the beholder the ideal old Roman.”
The transition of power from Elisha P. Ferry to John H. McGraw marked a pivotal shift in early state politics. Ferry's call for 'anti-Pinkerton' legislation refers to the intense labor conflicts of the era, a recurring theme in Washington's political history regarding corporate power.
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