The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1922-05-05
STATE
CAPITAL
Richie To Seek Second Term.

France.
His election would, establish a pre-
cedent, no Governor of Maryland ever
having served two successive terms.
For some time Governor Ritchie has
been regarded as the keystone to the
political situation in this State, so far
as the Democratic party is concerned,
and great pressure has been brought
upon him to declare himself without
delay. In other words, it was his
move, and many other moves depend
ed upon his action. The statement of
the Governor follows:
During the past few weeks have
been approached by many men and
women Of Maryland who have, with
very great kindness, asked whether
desired to be a candidate for the
United States Senate, and who gen.
erously offered me their political and
personal support for that office.
81 am conscious, too, that there are
others who are expecting a decision
from me in the matter, because my
possible candidacy for the Senate has
recently been discussed by the press
of the State, in many instances favor
ably.
''It has been represented to me and
also publicly stated that should I an
nounce my candidacy for the Senate
would in all probability have the sup
port of the Democratic party for the
nomination, and that, at time when
the men and women of the State are
turning again to the Democracy to rep
resent them in public affairs, would
have fairly certain chance of cleo
tion.
81 would not be human did l not
feel truly grateful for all this, and
have not had more difficult decision
to make. If it is true that the situa-
ton is at all what it has been repre-
sented to me, then a possible Sena-
torial candidacy could hardly face a
more favorable prospect; and when
problems so tremendous are facing the
nation, the temptation cannot but be
strong to ask the people of Maryland
for the privilege of representing them
at Washington, and of doing my best
to have Maryland be a constructive
help in solving the problems which
confront the people.
"But, with all this, have deter
mined that my job is here in Mary
land, finishing, as l hope to be able to
do, the tasks which 1 set for myself
and to which the Democratic repre-
sentatives in the Legislature gave such
loyal support.
81 asked the aid of the best thought
of my party in this State in outlining
certain reforms in our State govern
ment. This aid was generously and
effectively given, and the party's honor
pledged that the legislation which had
been planned should be enacted and
this pledged word was kept. But this
is not enough. l feel that when the
Legislature adjourned it left me the
task of putting those plans in opera
ton and thus finishing the job.
"And that is what have determined
to do. The changes in the State gov
ernment brought about by the reor-
ganization plan are effective January
l, 1923. Were to run for the United
State Senate not only would / have
to give the campaign first place until
November, but were | to be elected.
then two months after January l l
would have to relinquish the office of
Governor, and with it the duty of COM
pleting the task we all began so many
months ago by helping the new order
to function in the spirit of the reor-
ganization plan.
"It is not, of course, that there could
be any doubt of the ability of another
to complete that task President Nor
ris, of the State Senate, who would
succeed me in the event of my election
as Senator, was Fundamentally in
favor of the reorganization plan, and
am glad to say to the whole State, in
this public way, that had it not been
for his generous, unselfish and capable
support the past legislative session
could hardly have made the record it
did, and wherever else the credit ought
to go full share must be his.
"But a man ought to finish the job
he starts out to do, and | think ] owe
1t to the people of the State to finish
the job started out to do, and to de-
vote all my energies for the rest of my
term to the State Government of Mary
land instead of putting that aside for
a campaign which may advance my
own political fortunes.
"After that has been done, then, the
people and my party willing, I will
have the right to look ahead to what
ever public Office I might deserve as
the result of having done my best in
the office l now hold, and it will be
perfectly proper for me to be candi-
date, as 1 intend to be, to succeed
myself as Governor.
"The next election for Governor is
more than year and half in the
future. During all that time l shall be
subjected to the scrutiny OF
the people of Maryland. There will
be many decisions affecting our peo-
Pile, which l will be called upon to
make Situations which no one can
now foresee may arise to lessen or
even take from me the generous and
helpful support of my party and my
friends which 1 now have and which l
am so anxious to deserve.
mberland.-Freight rates on coal
from mines of the Bloomington, Pied