Glowing Governors

In ten state capitals across the nation, gubernatorial inauguration rites last week splashed across statehouse lawns, paraded down the avenues and resounded to multiple-gun salutes as the last of the 15 new governors tried their new seats on for size. All had one problem in common: how to spend more money without raising new taxes. Some faced opposite-party legislatures, others the need for representative reapportionment. Yet for the group as a whole, gubernatorial faces were lit with the fresh glow of bipartisan good fellowship. Items:

Indiana. Balding, bow-tied Republican Harold Willis Handley, 47, who was lieutenant governor when Archenemy George Craig held the statehouse reins, firmly took command of Indiana, called for "enlightened conservatism," sharply criticized federal aid to education ("The Hoosier will not tolerate nationalization of his schools"). Basking in Handley's new glow: Indiana's anti-Craig Senator William Jenner, who gave Handley a couple of helpful hands to office.

Iowa. Herschel C. Loveless, 45, is Iowa's first Democratic governor in 18 years, and, true to his name, is virtually the only Democrat to win state office in 1956. In his inaugural address he hit the G.O.P.-controlled legislature with carefully drawn proposals, including a hint that was bound to stir up the session: he would like a re-study of dry-inclined Iowa's stringent liquor regulations (package sales only).

Kansas. Banker George Docking, Kansas' first Democratic governor in 20 years, took over in the aftermath of some fatal Republican feuding (TIME, Aug. 20), promised that "all of us will . . . give the citizens of Kansas the good government for which they voted."

Massachusetts. Democrat Foster Furcolo shocked his tradition-bound state by banning the usual inauguration ball, holding not one but three swearing-in ceremonies, in which he eschewed customary platitudes and struck at Massachusetts' cash situation (needed to meet current costs: $25 million in new revenue). Further cause for alarm among the old regulars: plenty of Furcolo affability, no Furcolo promises.

Missouri. Democrat James T. Blair Jr., scion of a politically powerful Missouri family whose roots go back to the 1800s, launched himself into office with a full-dress parade, beefed up by nearly 600 newly created honorary "colonels," and with a two-part inaugural ball. Once in office Jim Blair declined to move from the family home into the 32-room executive mansion, called it a "drafty old barn that would be just like climbing cardiac hill four or five times a day. You could take a well man and put him in there, and he would be a sick man in a year and a half."

Ohio. Former Boy Wonder C. (for nothing) William O'Neill, 40, short, sturdy World War II veteran and state attorney general, led jubilant Republicans into Democrat Frank Lausche's old statehouse precincts as 18 shivering bands marched through the 15DEG Columbus cold, later made the rounds of a stag smoker, public reception, a three-part inaugural ball. Chief reason for G.O.P. cheerfulness: a friendly press, a cooperative legislature.

Oregon. Gregarious (dance and music fan), 47-year-old Robert D. Holmes, the state's first Democratic governor in 18 years, harnessed himself happily to a newly Democratic assembly, but was still waiting after 109 ballots for the deadlocked (15-15) senate to organize itself. Holmes let it be known immediately that he will be pulling strong on higher teacher pay, state government reorganization. One of his first acts was to toss the fake log out of the fireplace in his executive suite, replacing it with something more suitable for a timber-producing state: real logs.

Texas. Former U.S. Senator Price Daniel, taking over a scandal-splotched administration from Governor Allan Shivers, invited Evangelist Billy Graham to Austin for a precedent-making prayer breakfast, at which Democrat Daniel announced that he would apply "Christian principles to problems of government and politics." His ambition, even greater than being President of the U.S., said Daniel with tears welling in his eyes, "is to be a good governor for all the people of Texas."

Washington. Democrat Albert ("The Rose") Rosellini, 47, faced the thornless prospect of an amenable legislature--Democratic for the first time in twelve years. Shrewd and ambitious, he planted a program (atomic power development, broadened welfare benefits, etc.) that might take new money, but was bound to make new friends for Al the Rose.

West Virginia. Personable, boyish Republican Cecil Underwood, onetime biology teacher and at 34 a veteran of twelve years in the legislature, promised a pack of reforms, e.g., an end to state-employee shakedowns, proposed a new era of Eisenhower Republicanism, took oath of office as haughty outgoing Democrat William Marland looked on unsmilingly.

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