Evening capital and Maryland gazette. (Annapolis, Md.) 1910-1922, 1920-05-22

ueut% hfSuflfHg Ff0m UIStfUulIOH
OF Various CfTices, Correspondent
Writes.
To the Editor Of the Evening Capital:
One Of the really surprising facts
in regard to the political situation at
the present time. as far as merely
State matters are concerned, is the
continuance of the popularity OF Gov
ernor Richie. Notwithstanding the
many disappointments resulting from
the distribution Of the Offices since
the present administration went into
power al the Arst Of the year. 1t is
really without precedent. Invariably
az this period OF an administration.
the Governor is almost without
friends and is roundly abused on all
rides for his appointments and other
acts during the session of the Gen
eral Assembly.
II is true that not a few people
are bitterly disappointed at their fail
ure TO secure places at the hands OF
the Governor. but there is no real
manifestation of hostility. nor is there
10 be heard the usual abuse of the
executive. but rather the contrary.
unsuccessful Office seekers rarely re-
ceiye much sympathy. even from their
closest friends. and the pressure this
year was nothing like as strong as
'it has been in former years. The
present Governor has also been very
courteous In his treatment of all those
who applied for appointments. and all
Of those who failed TO secure the COW
e;cd honors. have received a kind and
sympathetic personal letter from his
cxcellency. expressing his regret at
his inability TO grant the favor, and
in many instances explaining why it
could not be done Such considera-
ton and courtesy on the part of the
Governor 10 those who have been dis
appointed has been unknown and un-
heard of in Maryland, and the present
head of the State has added not a lit
lie to his popularity and greatly TO
his reputation as a courteous gentle
man by these acts of thoughtfulness
and kindly feelings.
AS it is, at Ne present time he is
apparently more popular than ever,
and that at a period of his admins
tration when public sentiment is
usually running strongly against the
head of the State Government 1t
can be said without any exaggera-
lon that Governor Richie has come
through the first four months of his
administration without any real di-
intuition of his popularity, but rather
The contrary. While he may have
made some enemies by his appoint
ments. his course otherwise has made
him many new friends. and he has
already shown that he is Governor
n fact as well as in name; that there
s no one behind him debating his
actions. and that he hopes to be able
% do what is best for the whole State
OF Maryland. according to his best
Judgment No Governor OF Maryland
has ever been more closely on the
Job; he is democratic in all that he
does TO an extreme degree; he is at
ail times ready to see and hear those
who have anything TO present to him
for action: and while he is firm, and
rot slow in making up his mind, he
is always courteous and considerate
n what he does. and in his per-
s0nal intercourse with all sorts and
conditions OF people.
And there is no doubt but that Gov
srnor Ritchie is really making his
own appointments, and that largely
en- his own knowledge of the men
he is placing in office. 1t is true
that he is in frequent conference with
leading men. and others, from differ
cnt sections. but what they say and
what they do does not always con-
vince the Governor, for, in the end,
he makes up his own mind and man
ages things in mis- own way.
His predecessors, ever since the
Civil War, now more than half
century ago. whether they were Re-
Dublicans or Democrats, have always
owed down before, and in the end
have done the bidding of the Balti
more Sun in all matters of public
policy. legislation. and appointments
20 place The present Governor was
hardly seated in his official chair be-
fore he parted company with the ven
aratle Baltimore Journal. He took
a course which met the strenuous and
indignant approval of the Sun, and
when ordered 10 change mis- plans,
unlike his long line of predecessors, /
he refused TO do so, went on his way
without deviation. won out against
the Sun on every point. and is still
winning out regardless of. and in
different 10 any interference on the
part of any institution or indiyid
ual on the outside.
In this chaotic condition of affairs, /
both public and private. where or
and even parties seem TO
te drifting aimlessly about, where
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