The Republican journal., 1921-05-26
Mrs. Rich a Knox County
Commissioner.

A recent issue of the Rockland Courier
Gazette has in part the following compli
mentary notice of former Belfast girl,
Miss Mary P. French:
The recent appointment of Mrs. Mary
Perry Rich of Glencove as a member of
the board of county commissioners, to fill
the vacancy caused by the death of Fred
L. Waterman, has attracted state wide
attention, for the reason that she will be
the first woman in Maine to fill that Office.
There were 10 active candidates for the
position, two of whom were women. Mrs.
Rich was not one of the two; in fact, she
had absolutely declined the appointment
when it was rendered her six weeks ago,
and considered the incident closed as far
as she was concerned, when an official
looking document, bearing the State seal,
was among the contents of her post office
box:
State of Maine
Office of the Governor
Augusta, April 90, 1921
My dear Mrs. Rich
1t gave me pleasure today to nominate
you as county commissioner for your
county. l feel that the women of the
counties should share equally with the
men the responsibilities of government,
and l am glad to tablish precedent by
appointing you the first woman county
commissioner in the State of Maine.
Sincerely,
PERCIvAL P. BAXTER,
Governor of Maine
Mrs. Rich's reluctance to accept the
appointment was based upon two objec-
tions-one that she might be regarded as
accepting a reward for party services;
the other fear that being woman she
might not be able to discharge the duties
of the office in a satisfactory manner.
81 don't believe in political rewards
merely as such," Mrs. Rich told The
Courier Gazette reporter. GAS to politi-
cal faith, what could you expect of a
woman whose father and brothers were
staunch Republicans, and who married
man equally strong in his adherence to
Republican principles? 1t would seem as
though I were predestined to become a
Republican worker"
Yet there is an Independent streak in
Mrs. Rich, which had found expression
as follower Gin spiriD of Col. Roosevelt
and which strongly tempted her to es-
chew party affiiiation until actual politi-
cal experience had welded her ideas more
strongly as to party preference.
The assurance of Gov. Baxter that she
was being appointed as woman because
of strong recommendations which had
come to him as to her ability; and con-
viction that with no axes to grind she
could possibly be of service to the county,
were the factors which finally decided
her acceptance of an unsought office.
Mrs. Rich is neither bloodthir ty nor
vindictive. She only speaks what lies in
the minds of many thinkers, particularly
those who were in the service.
The literary attainments of the new
| county commissioner find expression not
alone through club and educational work.
| She is paid writer for several maga-
zines, including the American City, The
Housekeeper and the Ladies Home Jour-
nal.
Mrs. Rich is intensely devoted to her
! literary work, and intensely in earnest.
The persistence which she has shown in
| all her undertakings has been an import
ant factor in her success.
| Although she does not regard herself as
a clubwoman in the general acceptance
of the term, her activities in that respect
vice president of the Maine Federation OF
Women's Clubs in 1912; has been State
chairman of the committees on educa-
ton and club extension; has been State
editor of the General Federation Maya
zine; has been Names representative on
the national joint committee of the Ma
tional EDUCATIONAL Association and Cen
eral Federation of Women's Clubs; has
been president of the Rockland Methe-
besec Club and treasurer of Lady Knox
Chapter, D. A. R. She is now member
of the public health committee of the
State Federation of Women's Clubs. She
| was one of the organizers of the Woman's
Educational Club, which has 2S0 mem
bers, and of which she is now president.
She is also member of the official board
of the Methodist church.
She recalls with no small satisfaction