Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1921-06-09
Richie Answers I ait

fully and satisfactorily answers
the complaint o. Chairman Galen
L. TAFT, of the Republican State
Central Committee, that none
but Democrats were named by
the Governor on the reorganiZa.
ton commission to consider plans
to so alter the present State ma.
chinery that its affairs may be
more efficiently and economically
administered.
The idea of State reorganiza.
ton, like all other practical and
progressive movements for the
betterment of Maryland and hel
people, q a Democratic one. Like
the good roads program, the bud.
get system, etc., this new plan is
of Democratic origin, and,
through its sponsorship by Demo
cratic leaders, has become the
fixed policy of that party. It is,
therefore, entirely consistent that
the Governor should call together
his advisers of his own party to
study the situation and agree on
a plan to be submitted to the
next Legislature. This does not
bar the Republicans from select
ing a similar commission and
adopting and Offering their own
plan. The Democratic party,
through Gov. Richie, has started
the ball rolling for a much need
ed reform, and if the Republi.
cans have something better to
offer, let them come across
with it. A joint commission
would be sure to revolve itself
into a jockying maneuvre for
political advantage, and would
accomplish absolutely nothing
worth while to the taxpayers OF
the State.
What is a political party for,
anyhow" the Governor asked. Ill
not to be the agency for placing be-
fore all the people the governmental
principals and measures which re-
present the beliefs Of those who he.
long to that party? There is nc
justification for the existence oil
parties except that. Their very OBJ
ject is to institute governmental re-
forms. It is for doing just that the
Democratic party exists. Unless i,
measures up to that responsibility,
it cannot and ought not survive. ii
the time ever comes in Maryland
when the Democratic party lack,
within itself the brain, the capacity,
the desire and the leadership to keeE
abreast of the times and TO offer the
people the best there is in matters
of government, then the party might
as well prepare to go out of business.
That time has not come yet, moi
is it coming" said the Governor,
with a stressing of the tone of con-
victIon and confidence that charac.
terized his whole talk. The De-
mocratic party, in fulfillment of lts
purpose, now is preparing to offer
to the people the particular admins
trative reform which is the need OF
this time, which is the logical steu
after the budget amendment, and
which it is hoped will constitute the
best there is in governmental effici-
ency and economy. 1t is preparing
to do this seven months before the
Legislature meets"
There Is nothing partisan or un-
fair about the Democratic plan" he
said. 1T will be drawn by Demo
Gratis, of course, but by Democrats
who know their subject from actual
experience and who will formulate
sound working business PROPOSE
tion. If the commissions meetings
are open, and l hope they will be,
the public Will see that for itself,
and any talk about craftsmanship will
die from pure lack of substance.
Both the plan and the deliberations
would then be the complete answer
to such talk"
The Governor was asked if it was
his idea that the Democratic CON-
mission should take up any subject
not treated directly in the survey re-
port of the Chicago experts.
The commission" he replied,
will be occupied with the one big
subject of administrative economy
and efficiency. If there is any other
subject which bears upon that,
believe the commission should take
itup. As an instance of a matter
which effects the cost of administra.
tion, mention the proposal for few.
er elections in the State. This ques.
ton because it bears on administra.
tive costs, / believe would be a pro-
per one for the commission. Il car
study the problem and find out il
the elimination of the off, ear cleo
tions in the State are feasible and
proper"
In reply to a query, the Governor
said that IS of the IL Democrats
invited TO serve on the commission
already have accepted and that none
OF them has declined.
Never was there q better OPP
pOrtunity to show the people of this
State" the Governor concluded,
that the Democratic party is going
into the fall campaign not only un-
dismayed by last years defeat
because its causes were temporary
and have passed-but with all its
elements in harmony and united be-
hind policies and measures which
are broad, constructive and business
like, and which will constitute the
party's rightful appeal to the men
and women of Maryland.