The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1919-10-17

the budget system, 1t means an ac-
tual application OF economy in the
conduct OF the States affairs and
thus bears an important relation
ship to one Of the vital issues with
which the American people are con-
cerned, the cost of living. This
declaration i'm favor of thu merit
system by the Democratic conven-
ton heartened every thoughtful lover
Of good government in the State.
\ The other antidote to apathy to
which We have referred was the
nomination of Mr.. Richie for Gov
ernor If political considerations
had been entirely discarded and the
State combed over for the man best
fitted to perform the duties of Gov
ernor, it would have been exceeding
ly difficult, in any party or profess
sion or business or trade, to have
found a better man. Mr.. Richie has
proved himself in the public service.
He has held offices of high impor-
tance and in every case has &C
quilted himself not only creditably,
but brilliantly. He is able and con-
scientious and aggressive. His most
spectacular public service was his
great and successful fight as peoples
counsel of the Public Service Com
mission for reduced gas and electric
light rates-a fight in which his in
tellectual keenness, his capacity for
mastering the intricate details of a
complex subject and his practical
ability as champion of the rights of
the people were amply demonstrated
but that performance, notable as it
was, is less important as indicating
his ability to fill the Office of Gov
ernor worthily and exceptionally
than the mastery way in which he
has handled the work of the Attor-
ney Generals office during the last
four years. The stamp of efficiency
| is upon all of that work. Practically
all of the legislation of the extra
session of the Legislature called in
! 1917 to equip the State for effective
participation in the war was pre-
pared by him, and the adequacy and
effectiveness of that legislation has
never been questioned Some of it
furnished a model for the guidance
of other states. Its passage through
the Legislature was largely aided by
Mr.. Ritchie's efforts.
Here was a demonstration of Mr..
Ritchie's exceptional ability in pre-
cisely the line Of work he will be
called upon to fulfill in the Cover
nor's Office. 1t is no disparagement
of his Republican opponent in this
campaign to say that the latter, in
his public service, has shown no in
dication Of equal ability. The same
thing could be truthfully said OF al
most any man that might be suggest
ed as candidate for Governor, in
either party. The crying need of the
public service today is efficiency in
Office. OF all the holders of Office in
Maryland i'm recent years Mr.. Richie
has furnished the foremost example
of consistent efficiency.
His opponents pay the highest pos
sible tribute to him in this connec-
ton by the nature Of their attacks
upon him. Some OF them frankly
admit his exceptional qualifications
for the Office of Governor, but say
that he must be beaten because he
is Democrat and the national ad-
ministration must not be encouraged
by his election. Mr.. Nice, his Repub-
lican opponent, says that he must be
beaten because, as a member of
Governor Harrington's administra-
ton, he must accept a share Of re-
sponsibility for certain alleged
shortcomings of that administration.
If these things had anything under
Heaven to do with the question of
how Maryland is to be governed dur
ing the next four years it might be
pertinent to 60 into them in detail,
| and it would be easy to furnish the
answer to such criticisms. A ma
tional administration that has Just
successfully conducted Americas all
important participation in the great
est war in history does not nsed
apologizing for Nor does a State
administration that has to its credit
such performances as the establish
ment Of budget system, the abolish
ing of continuing appropriations, the
reduction of legislative expense, the
creation of State law department
with the consequent abolition Of
| special counsels and many other
good acts. But neither OF these
things bears any proper relation to
the question of Maryland's govern
ment during the next quadrenniun,
and that is the only thing which the
Maryland voters have to consider Oh
next election day. The fact thai Mr..
\ Ritchie's opponents are constrained
to offer such arguments is the best
possible proof of their lack Of real
arguments on the real questions in